Kaieteur News

ExxonMobil EIA silent on cancer risk for employees and potential oil spill cost

When ExxonMobil appliestotheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)for a new project, the regulator, in most instances, orders the company to conduct an Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) to determine the likely impacts ofthedevelopmentonsocioeconomic conditions, health and wellbeing of everything that can be affected The study plays a vital role in not only identifying risks to the population but highlights measurestomitigatethese.

As part of the EIA process,Exxonisrequiredto engage the public to seek input on what exactly should be studied and addressed Every question or concern raised during the scoping meetings is required to be addressedintheEIA.

Two significant matters were raised by Kaieteur News during the scoping meetings for the eight project, Longtail, held by Exxon and the EPAbetween March 17 and 28, 2025 but the study recently published by the EPA does not address theissues.

Risk of cancer to employees

During a meeting held at the Diamond/Grove Primary

S c h o o l , E a s t B a n k Demerara, Kaieteur News asked the Exxon to say whether it studied the likelihood of offshore workers, or any other Guyanese, developing NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), such as cancer and others as a result of flaring, or any other petroleumrelated activities, given that hazardous waste is also generated during the operations.

At the time, EMGL Projects Environmental and

Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocik, explained this was studied previously She said, “It has been done

for prior projects. Earlier, I mentioned the industrial hygienists, roles that we have of staff, to be sure to conduct those assessments of health of the workers and if there are any kind of mitigations like PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for example, thatwouldbeimplemented.”

Meanwhile, Exxon's InCountry Projects Manager, Rebecca Cvikota added that flaring is conducted at a safe distance away from the workers offshore She explained, “So the flare is a good example of one of the

avoid(that).”

Kaieteur News then asked Exxon if, due to the mechanisms in place, there was no likelihood of any worker, or any Guyanese contracting any type of NCDs because of the company's operations Reluctant to give any assurance in this regard, the Projects Manager said, “What I can tell you is how we design and construct our facilities to ensure that that does not happen and I think I've explained that so I appreciate the question and I think that's all I can say at

along with others, may cost not just the country but the Caribbeanregionaswell.

To this end, Exxon's Projects Environmental and Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocik explained, “As part of the development of the project we will be c o n d u c t i n g a n Environmental Impact Assessment; that is the reason why we are here today, to inform the scope of the study and assessment of oil release, in an unlikely case scenario that happens willbepartofthatstudy.”

Additionally, she noted

safetyequipmentweusethat we talked about earlier, but it's located at a very high distancefromtheground,for exactly the reason of protecting the people around it, whether they be on the FPSO, or in a city, or village whichweoperate.”

This newspaper then pressed the team to say whether it is likely for Guyanese to be exposed to cancer because of the company's operations To this end, Cvikota said, “What I'm saying is we design our facilities to ensure that is not the case, so the height of the flare is an example of how we do that, wherewepositiontheflarein relation to the communities and in the case of the FPSO, how far it is away from wherepeoplearelocated,are ways that we design and construct our facilities to

Front Page Comment

thispoint.”

T h e E I A h a s n o t addressed the likelihood of workers contracting cancer or other NCDs from the company's operations although the question was raised.

Oil spill cost

T h e q u e s t i o n o f adequacy, when it comes to oil spill insurance and guarantees, have often been asubjectofdebatehere.This issoasthecountryhasnever conducted or ordered a financial assessment of what a spill can possibly cost Guyana and the Caribbean Region.

During a meeting held at the Leonora Technical Institute, West Coast Demerara, this newspaper asked Exxon to say whether thecompanyisconsideringa financial study to determine whataspillfromthisproject,

A democratic regression

Fromfrontpage appear increasingly insulated from scrutiny

The message is unmistakable: information willbedispensedonthegovernment'sterms, not the public's. This appears to be a deliberate strategy to starve the independent press of oxygen. Apress deprived of access cannot effectively inform, question, or challenge. It becomes reactive, speculative, and ultimately weakened—precisely the outcome that benefits those who prefer to operatewithoutoversight.

Access to information and to public officials is the litmus test of any government'scommitmenttoaccountability Afree press cannot hold power to account if power refuses access, answer questions, or explaindecisions. The irony is thick. Even as leaders speak loftily about transparency and accountability, the basic mechanisms that give those words meaning are being dismantled.Guyana'seconomicboomshould be accompanied by a strengthening of democratic practices, not their quiet erosion. Growth without openness breeds suspicion; development without accountability invites abuse.Ifthegovernmentcontinuesdownthis path of calculated silence, it risks undermining not just the media, but the very legitimacy that transparency is meant to secure.

Darren Woods, urged shareholders of the fortune 500 company to vote against a petition calling for a thorough study on the economic impacts of an oil spill from the Stabroek Block.

Woods had called on the shareholdersofthecompany to vote against the proposal since he believes there were adequate studies already donetodetermineimpactsto theRegion.

However, the company's consultant revealed that no suchfinancialstudywasever doneinGuyana.

event. It would also inform othernecessarystepssuchas adequateinsuranceandother protectivemeasures.

Exxon previously said a US$600Moilspillinsurance was in place per event in the Stabroek Block. In addition, thecompanyhassubmitteda US$2BguaranteetotheEPA which stakeholders argue is grossly insufficient. There is also controversy over the company's assurance that its assets would be sold to help respondtosuchanevent.

that Exxon does not know what the Environmental Permit would require, as previous Permits included a conditionforthecompanyto demonstrate financial fitness to be able to respond to such anevent.

The EIA, completed by Acorn International on behalf of Exxon, failed to addressthesubject.

No assessment of cost During a public meeting for its sixth project, ExxonMobil revealed that it never studied the cost of an oil spill. The announcement camesomefourmonthsafter the President of Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM),

KaieteurNewshadasked the consultant team what the likely devastation of an oil spillatthesixthprojectcould c o s t A s s u c h , Socioeconomic Resources / Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Anna Sundby of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) said, “I can't say because it's not part of the EIA. We haven't done an economic model of what the maximum economic impact would be. What we focus on with the unplanned events chapter is identifying what the risk of those scenarios are so we can put therightmeasuresinplaceto manage that risk and so that really comes down to the oil spillresponseplan.”

In the absence of such a study, the country is completely in the dark regarding the likely economic devastation to Guyana and its Caribbean neighbours should an oil spill occur in the Stabroek Block.

Notably, this document could be used as a tool to aid inthepreparationforsuchan

The Environmental ProtectionAct and EIAs The Environmental ProtectionAct of 1996 states at Section 11 (7): “Members of the public shall have twenty-eight days...to make written submission to the Agency setting out those questions and matters which they require to be answered o

assessment.” I

developer in carrying out these studies. Section 11 (9) says: “During the course of the environmental impact assessment the developer and the person carrying out the environmental impact assessment shall: - (a) consult members of the public, interested bodies and organisations.”

Meanwhile, regarding the contents of the EIA, the law requires the EIA to be c o n d u c t e d b y a n independent and suitably qualified person It is expected to (a) identify, describe and evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the proposed project

(Continued on page 6 )

Kaieteur M@ilbox 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

EDITORIAL

Numbersthattell Guyanesehorrors

ThePPPCgovernmenthasadefenceforanydevelopment that reduces it to an embarrassment. Data used to make a point is aged, or those taking the government to task are antiPPP, so they are biased contributors, who always have an axe to grind. We do not know what government leaders and spokespeoplewilldonow,butweknowwhatthenumberstell us about Guyanese circumstances, the forbidding nature of them.

Two responsible local institutions, the University of Guyana with a study, and the Bank of Guyana through its recent Annual Report, informed the world what it is like to live in Guyana. Rising prices can be compared to a raging virus that strikes the vulnerable and weakens them further The numbers, from two of the higher national institutions, report the horrors of living in this oil rich country, where current daily production of oil is over 900,000 barrels. Something has to be grievously wrong when a nation that is celebrated for being a young and vibrant oil producer at the edge of producing a million barrels of oil daily cannot take careofitscitizens.

Not even a million citizens, and there are those who sometimes, are forced to go more than a day without a meal, not even a snack to eat. Arich oil producing country that the government likes to boast about, or an impoverished one, where the voices of the hungry are ignored, or overwhelmed byabarrageoffeel-goodpropaganda.

Reality in the villages and streets indicate how Guyanese areforcedtotightentheirbeltsandcutcornerstomanageinan environment of spiraling prices. The UG study showed that, the Central Bank annual report presented it, then an ExxonMobil consultant confirmed how difficult life is for Guyanese.

The ExxonMobil consultant, Acorn International, is no stranger to Guyana, and its own Environmental Impact Assessment was brutally frank in presenting the results of its work on the eighth oil project, Longtail. In addition to those who have no choice but to go with smaller, or fewer, meals, therearethosecitizenswho,inthisoilrichcountry,arebuying cheaper, less nutritional meals in efforts to stretch their dollars.

Another oil project adds more pressure on food prices alreadyskyrocketing. Moreworkersmeanmorefoodhaveto be supplied to the oil boats operating offshore, plus those working on land in supporting capacities. Imported food items are contributors to the foreign exchange burden that Guyanese businesses and citizens struggle to get their arms around. This is part of whatAcorn International warns could be among the consequences of the Longtail oil project, the eighth, for strapped and anxious citizens. More oil exploration, new oil projects, and greater levels of oil production all race ahead at breakneck speed. Guyanese on the lower end of the economic ladder, however, are falling behind and losing out. From straight out of Acorn’s review, Guyanese voices seeped through: “They don’t feel like oil moneyishelpingthemdirectly.”

That is an indictment of the PPPC government, cuts to pieces the claims of its leaders that all Guyanese are benefiting, that policies designed to steer oil money to the people is making a difference. How could that be so, when approximatelyathirdofGuyanesesampledadmittedthatlife is such a challenge for them that they are eating less and less nutritionally?

Moreover, when 1 in 20 citizens stated that sometimes they have to go without a meal for a day, or more, are they benefiting from their oil bonanza? For sure, it is a bonanza, but only less than one percent in Guyana’s population have trulyprosperedfromit.

We have consistently pounded the drum about government’s misplaced priorities that have inflicted severe pain on poor Guyanese. Annual budgets provide the best evidence of where leaders are, through what and who they favour Further, how record budgets squeeze those who

Government making a mockery of democracy

DEAR EDITOR,

Our illustrious government is making a mockery of what we understand as democracy, beyond the question of taking over streets, they are now taking over the Georgetown MunicipalTrainingschool,upperWater Street.

This plot of land from Water Street

to the Demerara River was originally themunicipalwaterworks.Laterduring my incumbency as mayor, it was refurbishedandusedasatrainingcenter for staff, and as a storage facility for historical documents relating to Georgetown. I learnt that with neither a modicum of discussion nor consultation, the

Governmenthastakenoverthisfacility I say no further at this time except to quip again that this government’s interpretationofdemocracyseemstobe “demons gone crazy” Editor and citizens be reminded that big, bad, bulliescanbebeaten.

Sincerely,

Elder Hamilton Green

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

“Cash Grant Mirage: Diaspora Exclusion is Moral Bankruptcy”

DEAR

EDITOR,

For years, Guyanese have endured a relentless barrage of world-beating statistics fromtheGovernment—boastsofthe“fastestgrowing economy on the planet,” GDP per capitaprojectedtohitastaggeringInt$94,000 (PPP) in 2026, and an oil-powered Ferrari roaring at 23% expansion. Yet beneath this gleaming hood lies a grim paradox: personal remittances from the diaspora remain stubbornly constant at over $500 million USD annually, oil revenues or not. These are not optional extras but the quiet, desperate sacrifices of Guyanese abroad propping up families back home amid inflation fuelled by the very boom politicians parade. Enter columnist Peeping Tom’s recent Kaieteur News piece, “Should overseas-based Guyanese qualify for the cash grant?”—a stinging call for exclusion that reeks of selective amnesia, moral shortsightedness, andriggedarithmeticdressedasprudence.

Peeping Tom’s “dilution” argument collapses like a house of cards under basic scrutiny He wails that including the d i a s p o r a h a l f o f G u y a n a ’ s population—would stretch fixed funds thin, citing past grants’G$60 billion cost for over 600,000 recipients. But here’s the fatal flaw: budgets are pre-allocated; exclusion doesn’t magicallyexpand the pot, it merelyslams the door on proven contributors in an act of arbitrary gatekeeping. The inaugural cash grant rollout made no such resident-only distinction, setting a universal precedent that Peeping Tom now conveniently ignores. His pivot to exclusion isn’t principled evolution—it’s meritless opportunism, blind to the diaspora’s unwavering USD $500 million lifeline. Through oil windfalls and economic hiccups alike, these remittances have held steady, outpacing local wages and filling the chasm between government hype and household reality Grandmothers in

Berbice and mothers in Essequibo don’t queue at Western Union for sport; they do it becausethe“Ferrari”leavestheminthedust.

This oversight isn’t mere lapse—it’s a profound moral failing Peeping Tom champions, the “needy” locals enduring “hard years,” yet glosses over how diaspora dollars buy their groceries, pay school fees, and stave off despair in a nation where minimum wages mock soaring costs.

Excluding them isn’t charity beginning at home;it’singratitudetothekinwhobuiltthat home from afar The author’s ethos—rooted inequity,accountability,andunyieldingcivic consciousness—demands better: true justice recognises moral citizenship unbound by borders. All Guyanese, resident or roaming, grindforthisnation’spromise;punishingone halfforthesinsofunevendistributionindicts notthem,butthesystem’sarchitects.

Consider the devastating flipped-script Whatifthediaspora,incensedbythisbetrayal, simply halts the flow? No more steady USD $500 million to cushion the needy Peeping Tom pretends to protect Western Union lines empty, baskets go unfilled, poverty surges notinsomeabstractabroad,butinthe very heartlands he lionizes His stance isn’t safeguarding resources; it’s courting selfinflicted devastation, mistaking exclusionary muscle for moral rigor Guyana’s real engine isn’t oil alone, but the uncelebrated diaspora whose constancy exposes the arrested development beneath the stats Peeping Tom shouldreconsiderhismisguidedsalvobefore itfuelstheveryhardshiphedecries.Thecash grant debate isn’t about dilution—it’s a referendum on gratitude, equity, and vision. Honour the sacrifices that keep Guyana running, or watch the paradox devour us all. Guyana’s diasporans stands firm: inclusion isn’tlargesse;it’sjusticeoverdue.

Regards, Hemdutt Kumar

Using pavements and walkways as parking lots for vehicles

DEAR EDITOR,

It grieves me to have to address the increasinguseofpavementsandwalkwaysas parkinglotsforvehiclesinthiscountry

It grieves me because this is not the occasional breach of the law by a few errant drivers, but translates to utter disregard for pedestrianswhousethesewalkwaystosafely and comfortably get to where they’re goingschoolchildren,theelderly,pregnantwomen, and the disabled being among the most averselyaffectedbythisgrowingepidemic.

Fordecades,pedestrianshavebeenleftto fend for themselves on roadways that have poorly painted pedestrian crossings, a lack of sidewalks, poorly constructed and

dilapidatedwalkways.

It’salreadydangerousanddifficulttobea pedestrian. We don’t need to add more to the listofburdensbeingfaced.

If we’re aiming towards being a truly developed and progressive society, energy and resources need to be invested into fixing the things that matter, and being able to traversebyfootisoneofthem.

I request that the authorities responsible for overlooking this breach of law take this matter seriously, since the health and lives of allthosewhowalkareatstake.

Let’sgetourstreetssafeforthosewhouse themmost.

DarrellA. Carpenay

Guyana not fully digitally ready

DEAR EDITOR

Trying to register on the cash grant portal shows Guyana is not fully digitally ready for an exercise of this magnitude on this platform This has led to countless frustrations being experienced by citizens. I spare a thought for those not digitally savvy, knowledgeable or experienced in the technology Several issues are being encountered. The latest development in the listoffrustrationsIhaveheard,hastodowith the matching or recognising of the National ID card photo and photos taken on the portal. Even though all questions have been ticked off in this requirement, the facial recognition isbeingrejectedininstances.

Now the ID card was issued fifteen years ago. That photo and this portal one must be different, as persons’ features would have changed as aging occurs and appearances change. The app in some cases is not

recognising the ID card photo and portal photo as the one and same person. This has ledtoagrowingfrustrationamongstcitizens.

It is unbelievable that the same ID photo was used and accepted at polling stations in the recent elections but cannot now Further, only last year, with the issuance of the cash grant, photographs were taken of citizens, eitheratthetimeofregisteringforthegrantor receivingtheircheque. Thosephotosmustbe in the system. Why can’t they be used for facial recognition and matching now? The Ministryhastodobetter

It is noted the promptness with which central government employees received their grant without going through the challenges and hassles other citizens are facing just to register to receive this benefit. Of course, callingthehelpdesknumbers...wellthatonly addstothefrustration.

Shamshun Mohamed

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Guyana does not belong to a single opposition or government

DEAR

EDITOR,

We are marking time and hurting ourselves. As we look across Guyana, it is evident that we face serious challenges that must be addressed forthwith if we are to ensure that we the rightful heirs of this nation benefit from its

resources Those resources must be exploited in a sustainable manner, and the rights and freedoms of all must be respected under a universally established principle, which in Guyana is theConstitutionandthelaws. Everywhere we turn, there is a troubling reality

Thereishopelessnessonone side and hustle on the other Some have come to accept that survival requires compromise that it is better to break the rules, align with wrongdoing, or place pride and dignity underfoot just to secure a morsel That is not the

society our ancestors fought tobuild.Theystruggledfora land where every citizen couldlivewithdignity

Today,weareconfronted with insurmountable problems, both internally and externally, yet we are failing to come together in a unifying manner to find commonground.Instead,we continue to argue that the Constitution is the problem, blaming an instrument that some refuse to learn how to use, and others even as they learn misguidedly refuse to apply In so far as the Constitution exists, Government and Opposition are bound by oath and the Constitution to uphold it in spirit, intent and to the letter Thereisnoexcuse.

On one hand the government expresses it was elected to govern under the same constitution that it chooses to ignore and violate after election without consequences from a united O p p o s i t i o n w h o s e constituentsareaffectedbyits decisions The government nor opposition can cherry pick which aspect of the constitution it chooses to uphold

This very Constitution makes clear that this nation belongs to all of us, that all citizens are entitled to rights and freedoms, and that the principal political objective i s t h e p u r s u i t o f “inclusionary democracy,” expressly stated at Article 13. Yet what we see in practice is a country

operating as disparate groups, where some believe others have no right to fairness, equity or even existence Something is fundamentally wrong in this society,andwemustfixit.

The opposition cannot escape responsibility Whether it chooses to call itself a coalition or not is beside the point Under our parliamentary system, it sits intheoppositionandcarriesa dutytothepeople Evenwhile pursuing separate interests, it must work toward a common agenda onegroundedinthe Constitution, the rule of law, and universally accepted principles that advance the interests of the people, not politicalactors

The fact that some are now arguing there is no c o a l i t i o n i n t h e opposition when the National Assembly itself is structured as government and opposition precisely to facilitate coordinated s c r u t i n y o f t h e government is deeply disappointing Nothing prevents them from working collectively on matters that affect the very people they were elected to represent. They empower the regime to disrespect “inclusionary democracy” when one party/partnership refuses to see the power of united opposition and work together on the people’s commoninterest.

T h e c o m m o n denominator is a selfish, uncaring, and draconian

government whose policies affect not only opposition constituents but citizens acrosstheboard,includingits own supporters To pretend thatcooperationisimpossible because there is no formal, legally binding coalition is to place the concept of coalition in a straitjacket A coalition doesnothavetobepermanent or rigidly binding to be effective To adopt such a narrow and self-serving view risks weakening the opposition and doing further harm to the people it is dutyboundtodefend

Theoppositionmaydiffer in views and priorities, but it still has a responsibility to ensure that its actions are consistent with the Constitutionandthelaws Yet we continue to hear the repeated call to change the Constitution,whileignoringa fundamental truth: any change to the Constitution must be done in accordance with the Constitution itself It cannotbealteredoutsideofits ownprovisions

Thepeopleofthissociety arenotbeingwellserved.

And for those who question the role of the trade union movement, let me make this very clear: a people who forget their history lack the ability to apply the lessons learnt. It was Labour, under Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, that laid the foundation for internal self-government as far back as 1926, advancing theprincipleofone-man

Continued on page 48

ExxonMobil EIA silent on cancer...

From page 3

on the environmental including:- human beings; flora and fauna and species habitats; water;soil;airand climaticfactors;material assets, the cultural heritage and the landscape; natural resources, including how much of a particular resource is degraded or eliminated, and how quickly the natural system may deteriorate; the ecological balance and ecosystems; the interaction between the factors listed above; any other environmental factor which needs to be taken into account or which the agency may reasonablyrequiretobeincluded.

Refusing to answer

On multiple occasions, journalists and even the Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall was denied the opportunity to pose questionsatthemeetingshostedbyExxon.

Back in 2023,, during consultations on Exxon's sixth project, the moderator abruptly ended the session when Kaieteur News attempted to question an official “No, no We're done for today,” the reporter was told At the time, Shadow Natural Resources Minister, David Patterson said Exxon was merelyhostingthemeetingstotickboxes

He argued, “If they had any respect for the Guyanese, they would have walked with the full team because these are the questions

theyknowwouldcomeup.”

Also in 2023 at the Mahaicony Training Institute KN Publisher, Glenn Lall was denied a response to his question on cumulativeprojectimpacts.

“Has ExxonMobil or its consultant, ERM Guyana, conducted a cumulative impact assessment on the damage and destructionthatwouldbefallGuyana,andits citizens? That is my question. I have some more,”iswhatLallsaid.

Graham, who was the moderator, initially indicated that Lall's question would be answered. However, he was keen to note that there is no time to entertain further questions. The time allotted to question and answer segment he said was nearly exhausted.ThoughLallinsistedthathehasa few more pertinent questions, Graham maintained,“No,youaredonespeaking.”

In protest of the clear demonstration of censorship, Lall smacked his left hand against his thigh twice and insisted that his questions are answered since that was the purposeofthepublicscopingmeeting.

Graham, at this point, shut down the entire meeting as he instructed Exxon's Projects Manager, Anthony Jackson not to answer the question or any other posed by Lall.

ASL claims $10M losses following flight restrictions

Fresh controversy has emerged between Air Services Limited (ASL) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority(GCAA),afterthe company's attorney-at-law, Motee Singh, wrote to Director General Egbert

Field demanding the immediatereinstatementofa pilot and compensation for millionsinlosses.

In a letter dated March 27, 2026, Singh stated that the pilot Errol Pearson's Commercial Pilot Licence “was suspended for one month effective from the 22nd March 2026,” a decision which he said has severely impacted the

company'soperations.

OnThursday,theGCAA had defended its actions following complaints by ASL that it was being unfairly pushed out of business due to restrictions onitsflightstotheMatthews Ridge Airstrip in Region One.

Theauthoritymaintained that its decisions were in keeping with its legal responsibilities, stating that “the pilot's suspension and temporary operational restrictions were necessary as preventive measures against a more serious accident, subject to formal investigation and review,

ensuring procedural fairness whileupholdingtheGCAA's duty to act decisively in the interestofsafety.”

H o w e v e r, l a t e r developments indicated some relief for the airline.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Thursday, attorney Motee Singh disclosed that the company had been granted permission to resume flights to Matthews Ridge.

According to Singh, the Director General of the GCAA via correspondence toASLonThursdaymorning lifted the restriction on the airline'soperations.

However, the lawyer

...as attorney demands reinstatement of pilot's licence

stated that commencement of operations is not enough. Accordingtotheletter,“ever since the suspension of Mr Errolonthe22ndMarchmy

client company lost approximately 15 Flights which would have been covered by Mr Errol to include Mathews Ridge and other Hinterland Region to date and lost in revenue in excess of $10,000,000 (ten million dollars) much to the detriment of my client company.”

Singhfurtherarguedthat the company has suffered “

passengerandcargoservices toMatthewsRidgeaswellas

futurebusinesstransaction,” describingthesuspensionas

unjustifiable, unreasonable and frivolous action” by the authority

He contended that the de

nd Pearson's licence was not mandatory but discretionary under Section 27(c) of the Guyana Civil Aviation (Amendment)Act2024.The attorney also accused the GCAAofbreachingtherules ofnaturaljustice.

In the correspondence, Singh stated that the action was taken “despite there beingnoloss,harmorinjury to life and damage to any property,” and argued that the matter should have been handledthrough“amorefair and transparent process that include evidence that are material to this incident and notHearsay.”

He added that, based on information available to the company, “there is no such (Continuedonpage9)

Jagdeo’s Eureka moment!

There is a well-known story aboutArchimedes, that mathematician and scientist. One day he leapt from his bath and ran sprinting naked through the streets, shouting “Eureka!” “Eureka!” upon discovering the principle of buoyancy

The theory of buoyancy, f i r s t e x p l a i n e d b y Archimedes, describes why objects float or sink in a fluid. It states that any object placed in a liquid (or gas) experiences an upward force called the buoyant force. This force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. If the buoyant force is greater than the object’s weight, it floats. If it isless,theobjectsinks.

One imagines upon seeing Archimedes, the neighbours were less impressed with the physics than with the spectacle. Still, history has been kind to him.

After all, when a man discovers something profound, we tend to forgive

thetheatrics.

Which brings us, in a somewhat less naked but no less triumphant fashion, to BharratJagdeo,whoappears to have had his own “Eureka” moment at the 124thSpecialMeetingofthe Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

There he unveiled a revelation so startling, so paradigm-shifting, that one halfexpectedhimtodashout of the conference room clutching a towel: the idea that the binary choice between fossil fuels and renewableenergyisflawed.

Flawed! Not merely inconvenient, not politically a w k w a r d , b u t philosophically unsound

For years, we poor mortals laboured under the illusion that energy choices existed along a spectrum with two poles: fossil fuels (dirty and deeply unfashionable at climate summits) and r e n e w a b l e s ( c l e a n ,

aspirational, and prone to disappearing when clouds gather, drought hits or winds sulk).Butnow,thankstothis revelation, we are told that the dichotomy itself is the problem.

What does Bharrat Jagdeo mean by this? In essence, he argues that framing energy policy as a stark choice between fossil fuels and renewables oversimplifies reality Countries, particularly developing ones, need a mix an energy portfolio that balances economic growth, reliability, and

responsibility Fossil fuels, especially natural gas, can

providing relatively cleaner energy than traditional oil or coal while renewables scale uptomeetdemand.

It is, on its face, a

Sensible, even. One might call it pragmatic—though in politics, pragmatism often

ASL claims $10M losses following...

From page 8 evidence that is conclusive to date,” noting that the suspension appears “more of a prejudicial effect as against its probative value.”Theattorneyoutlinedthatevidencein such matters would typically include “video recorded evidence, statement of eyewitness, physical examination of the Aircraft, Statement of the Pilot in charge of the Aircraft, tire skid mark and damage to structure on ground by way of expert evidence.

“However, I am being advised by my client company in the present circumstances that there appears to be no such evidence to prove that the pilot committed a breach pursuant to the Guyana Civil Aviation (Amendment)Act2024,”Singhwrote.

Considering this, he formally called on the authority to act swiftly, stating, “upon receipt of this notice to release Mr Errol Pearson commercial licence and to engage in a meaningful dialogue to compensate my ClientCompanyaccordingly.”

Dem Boys Seh...

Small days deh pun meh mind

Demboys seh when demwas lilpickney running round pon dusty village ground, cricket was serious business—but not too serious.Ifyuhgetoutearlyandyuhvex,yuh mightpickupyuhbatandmarchoffhomein protest. Gamedone.

Or if dem boys pick team and yuh name ain’tcall,yuhdoessuckyuhteethloud,pick up yuh bat or ball or both and walk home slow-slow Andagain—Gamedone! Simpletimes.

But nowadays, dem boys hearing some new kinda madness. Instead of storming off like a proper vex cricketer, some people breaking bottle and sprinkling glass all over the pitch like is pepper sauce on cook-up rice. Game done—but now is emergency wardnextstop!

Dem boys scratching dem head. Since when losing a toss or not getting pick turn into a crime scene? Is cricket or is action movie? One minute man arguing about LBW, next minute yuh wondering if yuh needsteel-toebootstofieldatcover

Demboysseh,imaginethecommentary: ”Here comes the bowler… short runup… oh wait! Match halted due to shards of bottleatmid-wicket!”

arrivesfashionablylate.

Because here is where the story takes on a strange twist Wasn’t there a time—say, 2009—when the same Bharrat Jagdeo championed something rather different? The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), that ambitious document of ecological virtue, had as its stated

ective the transformation of Guyana’s energy system from “nearly 100% dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity generation to nearly 100% cleaner renewable energy supplies.”

Nearly 100% to nearly 100%. That doesn’t sound like a nuanced rejection of binaries. That sounds like… w e l l , a b i n a r y A wholeheartedembraceofthe very either/or proposition that has now been declared flawed.

Atthetime,Guyanawas, by its own admission, about 97% dependent on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation. The LCDS was presented as a moral and developmental imperative: a cleanbreakfromfossilfuels, a leap—perhaps even an Archimedean leap—into a r e n e w a b l e f u t u r e Hydropower,solar,andwind werethedestination.

And now, suddenly, the destination has become a waypoint The binary is flawed The spectrum is nuanced. The bridge fuel

beckons.

One cannot help but notice—purelyasadetached observer, of course, in the spirit of scientific i n q u i r y t h a t t h i s philosophical evolution coincides rather neatly with Guyana’s discovery of significant natural gas resources.

Natural gas, for the record, is not renewable and certainly not “clean”, at least not in the way solar panels are clean. But it is cleaner than traditional fossil fuels a n d , p e r h a p s m o r e importantly now abundantly domesticallyavailable.

T h i s r a i s e s a n uncomfortable, almost Freudian question: if Guyana had not discovered naturalgas,wouldthebinary still be flawed? Or would it remain a moral absolute, a guiding principle etched into policy documents and internationalspeeches?

In other words, is this a case of intellectual growth—or geological good fortune? The truth is that nations tend to discover the virtues of whatever resources they happen to possess.

After all, Guyana which is supposed to be the clean energy capital of the C a r i b b e a n i s n o w considering building a fossil fuel refinery It has even found, the rising oil prices, a justificationfordoingso.

The reality is that the

Caribbean, including Guyana, remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels for electricitygeneration.Thisis not a secret; it is an infrastructural fact

Transitioningawayfromthat dependence is complex, expensive, and slow The o r i g i n a l L C D S acknowledgedthischallenge but framed it as a problem to be solved through decisive m o v e m e n t t o w a r d renewables.

Now, the problem is reframed.Thebinaryitselfis the issue. The solution is balance, flexibility, a n d o n e m i g h t add—naturalgas.

None of this is to say that thecurrentpositioniswrong. On the contrary, it may be morerealisticthantheearlier vision But realism, like Archimedes’ bathwater, tends to reveal truths that werealwaysthere,waitingto benoticed.

The only difference is that, in this case, the “Eureka” came not from displacement of water, but from the discovery of gas. And thankfully, everyone kepttheirclotheson.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Even the umpire afraid to raise he finger—because he might raise it and get puncture!

Nowdemboysaskingaseriousquestion underallthejoke:demauthoritiesain’tgota charge fuh this kinda foolishness? Because this ain’t just bad sportsmanship—this is turning a friendly game into a survival test. Next thing yuh know, man carrying tetanus shotindemkitbagalongwithbatandpad. Cricket is supposed to build character, not test how fast yuh could dodge broken glass. Back in the day, the worst thing yuh had to fear was a fast bouncer or a cousin who like to cheat the score. Now is broken glassbottleonthepitchandfield.

Dem boys seh if yuh so vex that yuh nah get pick, go home and eat a mango, cool yuhself, and come back next match. Don’t turnthepitchintoaminefield.

Because at the end of the day, cricket is about bat, ball, and a little bacchanal—not bloodshed.

And if yuh really want stop the game? Simple—take the ball and hide it like old times. At least nobody ain’t got to visit the doctorafterthat!

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

TRUTHS

Guyanese women leaders' disappearing act

I first honoured Minister Dr Vindya Persaud. Pres. Ali, Minister Edghill, and former minister Dharamlall followed Today, other women in the PPP Government are called out. No hauling over hot coals. There are two Roman Catholic sisters, both ministers in the PPP Government:thehonourable Gail Texeira and Susan Rodrigues. Othersincludea current and former Minister of Education. Theirs is the right to enmity; mine is the call to duty, questing for clarity

Adaughter, a woman, of Guyana,Ms.MelindaJanki, attorney, is demeaned and

degraded in unspeakable terms. It would have been goodtohearthevoicesofDr Persaud(dealtwithalready), and Ministers Texeira, Rodrigues, Manickchand, Parag, Walrond, and Benn. If I, in ignorance, excluded o t h e r f e m a l e P P P government ministers, they're still included. It would have inspired to hear the voices of these stalwart Guyanese sisters. If the family linkage incurs distaste and wrath, it is merely another day in the life. The objective is not to incense,buttoencourage. It would have inspired all Guyana to hear the burning rage of these fine women

against a man, fellow worker, close comrade, who daredtogotothelengthsthat he did in his haste to disparageawoman,afellow sister

I believe they all harbouredheavyindignation in the seclusion of their hearts, or well-developed righteous outrage in the p r i v a c y o f c l o s e companions, at what was metedouttoMs.Janki. But that is not good enough, doesn'tgofarenough. When women are passive, then somemenmaygetideasthat they are easy Pushovers. Don'tmatter Ornamentson desks, wallpaper to be walked over Wallpaper

doesn't have to be on the floor to be walked over Thinkcarefully,membersof thehallowedPPPsorority If astartisn'tmadesometimeat someplace for someone, no matterwhichwomanorman, then who and when? When the time for you comes calling on clawed feet and daggered hand. Then there will only be me, if still around, to stand up and say, not again. Why the hell is thisstillhappeninghere? To my two fellow Roman Catholics, it is good to remember the teachings and hold them close. It is better tolivethem,comewhatmay To the two Ministers of Education, present and past,

Iurgethattherebe something for the p r i m a r y a n d secondary childre for the univers young ladies, that once when there was the unacceptable, that there were two women who left the books (and politics) behind, stood tall, and said: Noway,Jose! Overmydead body! As a brother I say to my sisters in the PPP government,thisistheworst timetobeallforoneandone for all. Come blizzard or brimstone.

Then what Guyana is there?

Not because Melinda Janki is an attorney But becausesheisawomananda patriot first and first. If a man is not allowed to kick a female dog in the mean streets of Guyana, then why can he, what pass can be given to he, when that is done on the gritty streets of social media? Will somebody somewhere, somewhere deep inside the PPP, or anywhere outside of it, stand up and say something? That there has been enough of this type of behaviour Thatthiskindof putrid and pungent practice doesn't have a place, nor a roof, in Guyana to rest its head. If the only attribute

thatIpossessispolitics,then Imightaswellfindapasture to remove my shoes, plant myselfthere.

Of what use is it to gain themostprizedjob,withthe richestpayandalltheperks, onlytolosemysoul? Voice lost first, then the heart faltered, with the mind then stilled into submission Thus,itwasonlytheticking oftheclockthatsignalledthe loss of the soul was next in line. I am told that women have been liberated. Then daughters of Guyana, ladies inthePPP,there'saduty Go ahead and do it. Private recoiling is fine. Public standing up is the finest. A national government minister is not a Mistress of theRobes,bedchamberlain, or lady-in-waiting. From Queen Boadicea to Joan of Arc died for a cause. Get a cause, my Guyanese sisters. Draw that line. Stand on it, holdit.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

BLUNTNESSONINDECENCIES!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

WednesdayMARCH22,2026

The death of Marlon Jupiter

Thedeathofachildwhile awaiting life-saving care is a tragedy that demands more than mourning, it demands reflection.

A 12-year-old needed G$7 million for a bone marrow transplant. Only half was raised before time ran out. We may never know if thesurgerywouldhavesaved him, but he deserved that chance. With a government flushedwithoilrevenuesand over $160B allocated to the healthsectorthisyear,finding $7M to help save this child's life should have been a walk inthepark.

This moment exposes a deep failing-in an age where money can be mobilised overnight for far less urgent causes, why did the government not act fast enoughforachild'slife?

This is not just about one family'sloss.Itisaboutus.A society cannot survive on outrage alone; it must be driven by compassion and action.

Next time, we must respond not just with sympathy,butwithurgency.

Friday- MARCH27,2026

Celebratinghandrails

Guyana is being asked to celebrate handrails on a US$6.8 billion oil vessel as progress. That alone should raise alarm. While two local companiessecuringcontracts may appear encouraging, the reality is far less impressive.

engineering, fabrication, and technicalexpertisewherereal wealthandcapacityarebuilt.

This is not meaningful localcontent.Itissymbolism. At a time when billions are being generated offshore, Guyanese businesses remain largely confined to the margins. The promise of oil was transformation skills transfer,industrygrowth,and

Instead, we are seeing token involvement repackaged as achievement.

The responsibility cannot be ignored. Without stronger policies and enforcement, foreign companies will continue to dominate the most lucrative segments. If this is the standard today, Guyana risks remaining a bystander in its own oil economytomorrow.

Public roads aren't Council roads–MoPW

...says took control of roads due to longstanding neglect

The government of Guyana through the MinistryofPublicWorkson Friday made it clear that its decision to take control of 22 public roads was n e c e s s a r y d u e t o longstandingneglect.

The ministry in a statement posted on its Facebook page rejected the statement issued by Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore accusing the government of abusing its power by taking control of the city streets which fall under the purview of the Georgetown Mayor and CityCouncil.

“It represents a calculated act of political intimidation and overreach, designed to destabilise the Municipalityandsilencethe voices of the people of Georgetown,”thestatement issuedbytheMayorread.

Mentore made the comments following a dramatic standoff after councillors of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) were blocked from accessing a municipal property on Water Street by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

Kaieteur News reported that the tense scene developed after Councilor Clayton Hinds attempted to enter the facility but was stoppedbyofficersstationed at the entrance A “no trespassing” sign had been

erected, and police maintained a firm position that no one would be allowedinside.

Mayor Mentore later arrived and questioned the authority under which the restriction was imposed, insisting that the property belongs to the council and that no approval had been granted for such action. His attemptstogetanswersfrom t h e o ffi c e r s w e r e unsuccessful.

A senior police official on site stated only that he was acting on “directives from above,” refusing to identify who issued the orders. He maintained that the sign would remain in place and access would continuetobedenied.

A frustrated Mentore

condemned what he described as an alarming abuseofstatepower

“I just want people to understandthenatureofthe government that we're dealing with This bullyismthatisintheschool

is the same bullyism that is therenationally,” the mayor said.

“Here we have the national police blocking councillors from accessing its own building. I have a problemwiththat.”

Hemadeitclearthatthe council would not accept what it views as unlawful interference, announcing that legal proceedings will be initiated immediately

According to the mayor, lawyers will be engaged to seek an injunction against thegovernment.

“Wewillnotbuckle,”he asserted, signalling a readinesstotakethefightto thecourts.

Other councillors echoed similar concerns, with one describing the situation as a “hostile takeover” of municipal assets and criticising what shesaidwasacompletelack of consultation. She further alleged that constables previously assigned to the building were forcibly removed.

Councillor Lelon Saul warnedthattheimplications gobeyondasingleproperty dispute, arguing that the developments strike at the core of democratic governance.

“Whatwe'reseeinghere is indicative of poor governance. This is a threat to democracy, make no mistake,”Saulsaid.

The confrontation comes amid heightened tensions following the government's recent move to assume control of 22 roads previously managed by the municipality. The transfer of responsibility, carried out by the Ministry of Public Works under the Roads Act, has been strongly opposed by City Hall.In a statement issued Friday, the mayor condemnedthedecisionasa directattackontheauthority ofthecouncil.

However, later Friday, the Public Works Ministry firmly rejected Mentore's statements regarding the 22 roads as being legally flawedandmisleading.

“ T h e M i n i s t r y emphasises that the Government of Guyana has acted lawfully, responsibly, and in the public interest, and therefore, will not be distracted by assertions that distort both the law and reality,”theministrysaid. Theministryarguedthat

the Mayor's contentions are a misrepresentation of the Municipal and District CouncilsAct,Cap.28:01.

The Water Street property councillors were prevented from accessing on Friday

“The Act expressly defines a “council road” as anyroadotherthanapublic road.Thisisdecisive.Once a road is lawfully designated as a public road, it ceases, by operation of law, to be a council road.

The notion proffered that (Continuedonpage43)

Guyana, Belize deepen forest partnership with new MoU

DPI - The governments of Guyana and Belize on F r i d a y s i g n e d a M e m o r a n d u m o f

Understanding (MoU) to strengthencooperationinthe forest sector, a milestone in advancing regional integration and climate action.

Theagreement,signedat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International

Cooperation, establishes a frameworkforcollaboration in

management, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience, while promoting joint research, technical training, and information sharing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs,HughTodd,saidthe partnership brings together

positioning them to play a strongerroleinregionaland

governance.

“Smallstatescannotdoit alone We need strong partnerships at the regional and multilateral levels,” MinisterToddnoted,adding that the MoU signals a

addressing climate change

Minister of ForeignAffairs Hugh Todd and Belize's Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet (DPI)

while maintaining Guyana's statusasanetcarbonsink.

Belize's minister of sustainable development, Orlando Habet, described theagreementas“morethan a document”, highlighting its roots in technical exchangesandcollaboration between the two countries' climateteams.

He said the partnership willfocusonkeyareassuch

as Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems,REDD+initiatives,

strengthening conservation andresilienceefforts.

The MoU builds on r

engagements, including the January 2026 state visit by President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAlitoBelize,andwill

be implemented over an initial five-year period through joint initiatives and apossibletechnicalworking group.

B

commitmenttosafeguarding their vast forest resources while leveraging natural assetstosupportsustainable development and future generations.

Guyana forced to extend powership deal

Guyanaissettoextendits contract with Karpowership, the Turkish company the country is renting two powerships from at a daily charge of approximately U S $235,000 given the extended delay of the Wales GasProject.

atthemoment...butit'slikely tobethesame,”headded.

The Wales Gas Project, whichwasinitiallyscheduled for completion in 2024, has seen several delays. Through this project, the government has promised that electricity cost would be slashed by 50

The first powership

ThisisaccordingtoHead of Executive Management of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. Kesh Nandlall. Nandlall told Kaieteur News that the contract has to be renewed or the country will facemorepoweroutages.

He disclosed that the

contract for the first powershipexpiresinMay

“Yes, we are planning to renew Ifwe,don'tyouwould get blackout,” he told KaieteurNewsnotingthatthe cost being paid by Guyana is likelytoremainunchanged.

“Wewerenegotiatingthat

The second powership.

per cent for citizens. It is important to note that though the project is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026, government has said it willnotgenerateelectricityat fullcapacityuntilmid-2027.

On March 28, Kaieteur News reported that the incomplete Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project is costing Guyana a whopping $126 milliondaily

Interim Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), David Patterson blasted the government for its failed (Continuedonpage48)

The Cost of Silence: How the OAS is Undermining its Own Relevance

BySirRonaldSanders

The Organization of American States is approaching a defining test, notofitsexistence,butofits significance. It continues to meet, to commemorate events, but fails to tackle pressingpoliticalissues.

At a time of global turmoil, economic strain, and mounting pressures on democratic governance, the silence of the organization hasbeenconspicuous.Issues of real consequence to the peoplesoftheAmericashave arisen with urgency Yet the OAS, as a collective body, has neither addressed them directly nor issued even a modest statement of concern.

Instead, its attention has been directed toward commemorations, some extendingoverseveraldays. These observances have value,buttheystandinstark contrast to the absence of engagement on matters that directly affect the stability, security, and welfare of the hemisphere. The impression conveyed is not one of deliberation, but of avoidance.

This silence is not accidental It reflects an increasingreluctanceamong member states to expose divisions on difficult issues. Differences exist and, in some cases, they are deepening Rather than confront them through diplomacy, there appears to

be a preference to set them asideandproceedasifunity remains intact. It does not. Andtheefforttopreservethe appearance of consensus, whileavoidingitssubstance, diminishes the credibility of theorganization.

The OAS was not conceived as a ceremonial body Its Charter assigns it clearpurposes,includingthe strengthening of peace and security, the promotion and c o n s o l i d a t i o n o f representative democracy, and the eradication of extreme poverty These are obligations,notaspirations.

At the same time, the organization faces increasing financial constraint Some of its wealthier member states are pressing for a zero-growth budget for the coming year, despite the fact that the current budget has already been reduced, mandates scaled back, and staffing diminished.

In these circumstances, further constraint is not a neutral act It weakens capacity and signals a diminished level of commitment to the institutionitself.

The issue, therefore, is notonlywhattheOASdoes, but what its member states are prepared to allow it to become.

Forsmallandvulnerable states, this question carries particular weight Multilateral institutions provide a framework in

which law, dialogue, and collective action can moderate imbalances of power If that framework weakens, the consequences areimmediateandreal.

If the OAS is to remain relevant, several steps are essential.

First, there must be a willingness to engage substantively on the issues that matter, even where agreement is not assured. Silence cannot be a substitutefordiplomacy

Second, the organization m u s t d e m o n s t r a t e measurable impact in the areaswhereitismandatedto act. Its effectiveness will be judged by outcomes, not process.

Third, the question of resourcesmustbeaddressed w i t h c a n d o u r A n organization cannot be expected to respond to expanding challenges while its means are steadily reduced.

Finally, member states

mustacceptthatmanaging disagreement is part of multilateralism. Avoiding it does not preserve unity It erodesit.

The Organization of American States remains a vital institution, but its relev

demonstrated.

The choice before it is clear Itcanactwithpurpose andretaininfluence,oritcan continue along its present course and risk gradual marginalisation. At this juncture, the hemisphere should expect more than continuity It shouldexpectengagement.

( T h e a u t h o r i s Ambassador ofAntigua and Barbuda to the US and the OAS and Chancellor of the UniversityofGuyana)

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

AnotherExxonstudy warnsGovt.abouthighcost oflivingfrom8thproject - 75% hike in fruits, vegetables, meats and ground provision prices since 2021 - Guyanese purchasing, cheaper, less nutritious foods in smaller quantities - 29% of respondents in survey skipping meals or eating less to counter food costs - 5% reported going a day or more without eating

Inanationblessedwithnotonly billions of barrels of oil, but massive gold, diamond, bauxite andtimberresourcesamongothers, Guyanese are skipping meals and, in some instances, eating cheaper andlessnutritiousfoodsjusttoget by as cost of living in the country continuestoclimb.

ArecentEnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) conducted by ExxonMobilforitseightprojectin the Stabroek Block indicates that this may just be the beginning as cost of living can further increase duetotheproject.Theimpactswill be felt greater by low-income families,theassessmentwarns.

The study, done by Exxon’s consultant, Acorn International, highlightspotentialimpactsoncost of living and highlights the difficulties already being experienced by Guyanese in lowincomehouseholdstoaffordfood.

With900,000barrelsofoilnow being produced offshore daily, the country benefits from a meager 14 and half of every 100 barrels pumped by the multinational oil giant. While profits soar for the company’sshareholders,Guyanese continuetocryoutoverincreasing food prices, with mothers especially struggling to provide mealsfortheirchildren.

Guyanese were previously warned by the company that its operations can impact cost of living, a reality that was downplayed by Vice President BharratJagdeo.

Exxon has again sounded the alarm that Longtail, its eight deepwater project can further deepen the cost of living struggles beingfacedbyGuyanese.

Itsaid,“TheProject’spotential for adverse impacts on socioeconomic conditions, employment, and livelihoods includeapotentialincreasedcostof living in the Georgetown area; althoughthisimpactisexpectedto be negligible for the general population, there could be a minor impact on lower income households.”

Deeper into the 734-words Volume One document, Kaieteur News learned that communities havereportedthatthecostofliving has gone up, “and they don’t feel

like oil money is helping them directly.” This, the study adds, has made citizens lose trust in the government and groups like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the impact study, “As of mid-2025, the cost of essential food items in Guyana, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and ground provisions, has surged by over 75 percent since 2021, according to a July 2025report.”

The consultant explained that this trend reflects persistent inflationary pressures driven by rising transportation costs, import dependencies, and supply chain disruptions.

Further, data in the EIA highlighted that malnutrition remainsadualburdeninGuyana.It states, “According to Global NutritionReport(Undated)andthe United Nations World Food Programme (2024), 9.1 percent of children under five experience stunting, while 6.9 percent are overweight. These patterns reflect both undernutrition and increasing access to energy-dense processed foods Nutrition challenges are linked to food insecurity, limited dietary diversity, and public health education gaps, particularly in Hinterland Regions (FAO 2025; Global Nutrition Report Undated; WFP2024).”

Notably, to address this, the study points to efforts by the local MinistryofHealthinimplementing targeted nutrition interventions for women and children under its 2022–2026 Food and Nutrition SecurityStrategy

The study found that declining financialresourcesandrisingcosts have resulted in citizens choosing topurchasecheaper,lessnutritious foods in smaller quantities According to the study, “In 2024,

29% of respondents indicated that theywereskippingmealsoreating less to counter food costs as compared with 37% in 2023 (including 49% of women), while 5% reported going a day or more withouteating.”

Exxon said that the rates were higher among low-income respondents, and 89% of those considered to have well below averageincomesreportedthatthey found it difficult to eat enough.

“Coping strategies included use of financial savings to meet food needs, reduced essential non-food expenditures (including health and educationexpenses),anddecisions to sell assets to pay for food and other needs (CARICOM and WFP 2024),”theEIAexplains.

Taxidriver,passenger dieinMahaiconycrash …four children injured

A 24-year-old taxi driver and his passenger, a 33-year-old woman were killed on Friday evening in an accident along the AiryHallPublicRoad,Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara Four children were also injured in the accident.

Dead are Seerochanie Khemraj of Tuchen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Nicklas Lillah of Lot 918 Tuchen Housing Scheme, EBE. Khemraj was a mother of one, while Lillah leavesbehindtwoyoungchildren.

The injured include Khemraj’s 14-year-old daughter, along with three other relatives: a 14-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and a 12year-oldboy Theywerealltakento the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatmentforvariousinjuries.

According to a Guyana Police Force (GPF) report, preliminary investigations revealed that Lillah

for a while before I left for work. When I came back home around 16:00 hrs., I didn’t see him,” the grievingfatherrecounted. He explained that he later became aware of the tragedy after his wife received a phone call. “I heard her talking, and then I heard hersay,‘No,itcan’tbemyson.’My daughter come outside with the phone and when I pick up the phone, I see my son lay down in a grass corner like it was an animal knock down and dead. I can’t catchmyselfuptonow,”hesaid.

along the northern side of Huntly Public Road, Mahaicony, behind a line of traffic. While attempting to overtakethelineofvehicles,hiscar collided with the rear-view mirror ofmotorcarPAN2760,whichwas proceeding in the same direction aheadofhim.

“The driver of hire car # HD 5859continuedeastatafastrateof speed, as he approaches Airy Hall public road and in the process of negotiatingasharpleftbend,helost control of his vehicle which collided with an aluminium rail on the eastern side of the said road, continuednorthontheeasternside and collided with a GPL pole,” policesaid.

The impact of the collision left the hire car extensively damaged. Lillah and Khemraj, who was seated in the front passenger seat, sustained severe injuries to their heads and bodies. They were both foundinanunconsciousstateatthe scene and were transported to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The four children, who were passengers in the vehicle at the time, also suffered injuries and were rushed to the same hospital, where they remain under medical care.

Investigationsareongoing. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and has left both familiesindeepmourning.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Saturday, Lillah’s father, 48year-old Jamie Lillah, expressed immensegriefoverthesuddenand tragic loss of his eldest son Through tears, he described Nicklasas“thefirsttocomeandthe firsttogo.”

“I saw Nicklas yesterday morningaround8:00hrs.Wespoke

Jamie Lillah noted that his son been working as a taxi driver anumberofyearsandwaswell known in the community He said Nicklas was often privately hired theKhemrajfamilytotransport themonvarioustrips.

Accordingtohim,onthedayof accident,hissonhadbeenhired takethefamilytoBerbicetovisit relatives.

“He left about 4:00 p.m., when reach Mahaicony it had a very ficult turn so as he approach the turn,hemirrorandtheothervehicle mirror knock and then he lash into thepoleandthevehicletoppleover four times. I assume that while the vehiclewastoppling,hepeltoutthe vehicle,”thefathersaid.

The grieving father also emphasized that his son was not undertheinfluenceofalcoholatthe timeoftheaccident.

“He was a sober person going onthattrip,”hestressed.“Thisisa real shock. I never expect this to happen.Hedoesdrivelongbutfor somehow I don’t know how this happen,”thefatheradded.

Nicklas Lillah leaves behind twoyoungchildren,atwo-year-old andaninfant.

Efforts to contact relatives of Khemraj were unsuccessful, as the familyistoodistraughttospeak.

MONDAY

ExxonsaysGuyana’soil reservesincreaseonlyafter projectfinancing “Itdoesn’tmoveto‘proved’ (resources)untilyoufunda project”-Routledge

Guyana’soilreserveshavebeen stagnated around 11 billion barrels since 2022, despite major new discoveries.Accordingtopresident of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL),AlistairRoutledge,thisis so because “proved reserves” only increasewhenaprojectisfinanced.

In its 2025 Annual Report, Exxonreportedthat,“Additionsto proved reserves include 2 1 GOEB (billion oil-equivalent barrels) from extensions and discoveriesprimaryintheUnited StatesandGuyanaand0.1GOEB related to United States acquisitions.”

Routledge was asked by KaieteurNewshowmuchofthe2.1 billionincreaseinreserveswere Continued on page 21

Frompage20 from Guyana. While he did not offer a direct response, Routledge sought to clarify the terms “resources”and“reserves.”

He said, “So this is probably the space where we get into the difference between resource versusreserves So,everytimewe fund a project, we move resource to an approved category. So, resource is estimated, as ultimatelyrecoverable,whenwe drill a well and we penetrate a reservoir, and we say, we think there’s this amount of resource that we could recover from that reservoir But it is founded on a numberofassumptions Itdoesn’t move to prove until you fund a project that can develop that resource.”

Meanwhile, when asked whether there was an increase in proved reserves in Guyana, as highlightedinthereport,Routledge saidthatExxonaddedtoitsproved reserves after the Hammerhead projectwasapproved.

Be that as it may, the country’s estimated ultimate recoverable reserve still stands around 11 billionbarrelsaccordingtohim.

He said, “Well, in the reserves, when we approved the Hammerhead project, we added, I mean, I think our share of, you know, roughly 40 per cent of the resource that we said was proved, as we develop the Hammerhead project would then be added into thatprovedcategoryforus.”

Consequently, the country manager noted, “On the estimated ultimate recovery, it’s still, you know,closeto11,issomewherein thatvicinity Butthere’salotof,as we continue to do, appraisal work, and we produce reservoirs and we gather data. There’s, you know, putsandtakesaswegothroughthat assessment.”

In an invited comment, former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),Dr VincentAdamssaidthe company was once again attempting to confuse the country usingtechnicalterms.

Thepetroleumengineerargued, “Investors have nothing to do with reserves. That’s what this guy is good at-bringing up things to confusepeople.”

He reminded that in the early discovery days, Exxon offered promptreserveupdatesanddidnot waitforaninvestmentdecision.

On resources versus reserves, Dr Adams explained, “Oil resources is (determined based on) a technical calculation the reserves add the economic componenttoit.Itsaysyoumaytell me there is so much oil and I can technically recover so much of it, however because of the price of oil…rightnowbecauseoftheprice

of oil this reserve should automatically go up because it varieswithoilprice.”

Pres.Alipushesprofitmargin cutsasoilpricesclimb

President Irfaan Ali has called on the private sector to adjust its profit margins in the interest of consumers, as the country navigatesongoingglobaleconomic pressures.

Speaking on Thursday at the 136th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the head of state said the government has been utilising all available macroeconomic tools, andbusinessesmustnowplaytheir part.

“Here is where social responsibility from businesses comes in When the state has maximised its tools, the private sectormustsupport,”PresidentAli said.

HepointedoutthattheGuyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) is currently operating at a deficit and will need to at least break even to help stabilise the market. Against that backdrop, he urged businesses earning profit margins as high as 30–35 per cent to make adjustments.

“This is the time for you to make some adjustments in the interest of the consumers,” he stressed.

The president acknowledged that such discussions may be uncomfortable, but said they are necessary to foster genuine partnership between the governmentandtheprivatesector

“Itispartnershipslikethesethat allow citizens to see the real benefits of collaboration,” he added.

Fuel security and refinery talks resurface

At the same forum, President Ali also raised concerns about fuel security and freight costs, signalling that the government is revisiting discussions on establishingalocaloilrefinery

This follows recent global oil price volatility triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East Prices surged after Iran intensified strikes on energy infrastructure in the region, including an attack on a major liquefied natural gas facility in

Qatar

B r e n t c r u d e r o s e t o

U.S.$108.65 per barrel-its highest closing level since July 2022-after briefly climbing to U S $119 during trading Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled at U.S. $9614 per barrel after touching U.S.$100earlierintheday

Amid these developments, President Ali said Guyana must strengthenitscapacitytowithstand externalshocks.

He explained that increasing fuel storage capacity could help cushion price fluctuations, while a refinery would enhance national energysecurity

“”But now I believe we should return to the conversation of a refinery for national security, because this challenge has really openedupdiscussionsgloballyand reinforces what the U.S. policy for theWesternHemispheremaybe… That is, we have to, in this

development of our resources, optimise the development of our resources, for the protection of the hemisphere, for the economic viabilityof thehemisphere,for the energy viability of the hemisphere,”thepresidentsaid.

TUESDAY

ExxonMseeksapproval torampupproduction

ExxonMobilGuyanaisseeking approval from the Government of

Guyana (GoG) to increase oil production at its fourth project, Yellowtail, from 263,000 barrels perday(bpd)to290,000bpd.

On Thursday, the company’s President, Alistair Routledge revealed that an application has been filed with the GoG which is currently reviewing the technical details.

He said that the initial capacity of the project was 263,000 bpd, althoughtheEnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) states that the vessel was designed to produce 250,000bpd.

“So that initial capacity was 263,000 barrels per day So, what we’d say is the, including allowance for reliability, 250,000 barrels per day was the initial production rate, but it was recognizing a capacity of around $263,000 a day,” Routledge told reporters.

The company has completed a number of studies analyzing the operation of the facilities for existing bottlenecks while safety analysis was conducted on the productionfacilitiestominimizeor reduce bottlenecks to increase production.

Any increase to the daily production levels will be done in a phased manner for safety purposes accordingtotheCountryManager Heexplained,“Wewillonlydoitin steps that we’re convinced that are safe. So we outlined and proposed the government a number of steps that we could take, but all of them would be dependent upon how the first step goes, and how the equipmentresponds.”

The first step would increase daily production by “a few thousand barrels per day” but the company is confident that Yellowtail can produce around 290,000bpd.

“Wethink(its)feasiblethatthis facility could produce a size 290,000 (barrels) per day that is sustainable, you know, because thenwhatwerecognize,youstartto get into the lifting frequency You have a million barrels to lift if you’re at 250,000 barrels a day, that’s four days, and you fill the tanks again, and you have to have anothertankerlift.Yougoupcloser to 300,000 you’re getting closer to

threedays.So,westarttocomeup again, some other, sort of, just challenges and managing an operation at that level,” he reasoned.

To date, ExxonMobil has conducted debottlenecking activities on the other three Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the StabroekBlock.

Payara, Exxon’s third project which commenced production on November 14, 2023, was designed to produce 220,000 (bpd) but Exxon has increased production to over260,000bpd.

Similarly, both Liza One and Liza Two are producing above the d e s i g n c a p a c

a

Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the two projects indicate that the Liza One and Liza Two projects were designed to safely operate at 120,000 and 220,000 barrels of oil perday(bpd),respectively.Recent data on the Ministry of Natural Resources website indicates that the two projects are producing about 130,000 bpd and 263,000 bpd.

Stakeholders have often raised concern over the increased production activities being conducted by the operator, touting theincreasedriskofanoilspillasa result. Beyond the environmental concerns, Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram also pointed out previously that insurance companies will refuse to offer compensationintheeventofaspill, since Guyana allowed Exxon to breachthesafetylimits.

Ram cautioned, “In petroleum production,thereisasafetymargin belowtheratedproductivecapacity of a well. Not only is there an increased risk that something can gowrong,butthatwhenitdoes,the insurance companies will refuse to paybecauseyouhavebreachedthe safetylimit.”

Meanwhile, for its part, GoG said debottlenecking is safe, as technical officers attached to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources carefully examine the plans of the operator beforeanyincreaseoccurs.Vice Continued on page 22

Frompage21

PresidentBharratJagdeoaddressed thesubjectatpressaconferencein May 2024 He said that “The Ministryassuredmetheirtechnical officers examined it, I spoke with the EPA, they said they had examined it carefully too so they areawareanditwasdonewiththeir approval Both agencies the Ministry of Natural Resources and the EPA and they believe it was doneandit’ssafe.”

‘WetWeekWarning’ — heavy rains, thunderstorms to lash Guyana for six days

Guyana is bracing for six consecutive days of unstable and potentially dangerous weather, with forecasters warning of widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and possible flooding across the country

The Hydrometeorological Service of Guyana has issued an alertfortheperiodMarch23to28, 2026, cautioning that persistent downpours could trigger new flooding and worsen existing conditions, especially in low-lying andpoorlydrainedcommunities.

Meteorologists say the current weatherpatternisbeingdrivenbya powerful combination of atmospheric forces, creating ideal conditionsforprolongedrainfall.

In a statement the hydromet office said the current weather conditions are being influenced by strong low-level convergence, supported by moisture transport fromthetradewinds.Thisisfurther enhanced by upper-level divergence, creating a highly unstableatmosphericenvironment. These combined factors are

contributing to increased cloudiness, frequent showers, periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, and isolated to scattered thunderstorms

FORECASTOUTLOOK

These unsettled conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, as forecast models indicate thatthecurrentatmosphericpattern will remain in place, the hydromet officesaid.

WHATTOEXPECT

-Widespread rainfall, at times heavy

-Thunderstorms, particularly during the morning into early afternoonperiods

-Reduced visibility during intenseshowers

Potentialimpacts

-Localized flooding, especially inflood-proneandlow-lyingareas

-Water accumulation on roadways leads to hazardous drivingconditions

-Disruptions to outdoor activities

-Lightning and gusty winds associatedwiththunderstorms

The National Weather Watch Center will continue to closely monitor this event and will issue

bulletinsastheneedarises.

WEDNESDAY

Govt.cancelsUS$3M fromUS$20MWorldBank loanintendedtostrengthen oilgovernance

-WorldBankReport

- key reforms abandoned - Communications strategy scrapped -Fiscal management component axed -Critical oil studies left unfinished -Technical support for Natural Resources Ministry incomplete

By Davina Bagot

TheGovernmentofGuyanahas cancelledmorethanU.S.$3million fromaU.S.$20millionWorldBank loan aimed at strengthening oversight of the oil and gas sector, abandoning several key reforms in theprocess.

According to a World Bank Project Paper dated December 24, 2025, the cuts form part of a third restructuring of the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP), with multiple core deliverables left incomplete at the project’sclose.

The axed reforms include: the preparation of a sector communicationsstrategy;asecond phasetechnicalassistanceprogram for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the finalisation of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment(SESA)whileanentire component of the loan aimed at enhancing fiscal management has been dropped at the request of government.

The project paper stated that Guyanaonlyachievedoneofthree objectivesundertheprogrammefor the country to publish Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) reports The World Bank alsonotedthatfouroutoffivelegal and regulatory acts for the sector have been prepared under the project, submitted to the National

Assembly and approved while a number of additional regulatory draftswereproduced.

Additionally, the financial institution said the project has provided crucial support to the MNR, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyana EITI Secretariat This included capacity building and the provisionoftechnicaltools,suchas EPA’s satellite-based monitoring system for offshore oil and gas activities.

The World Bank explained, “Despite these successes, some activities,suchasthefinalisationof the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) (the third Project Development Objective (PDO) indicator), preparation of a sector communications strategy and a second phase technical assistance programfortheMNRcouldnotbe completed by the project’s closing date.”

Further, the bank added, “A fourthPDOindicator,togetherwith two intermediate indicators attached to partially cancelled Component C – Enhancement of Fiscal Management, were dropped at the client’s request during the project’s second restructuring in April2025.”

SESA was intended to include an analysis of socio-economic aspects of typical oil and gas operations, including areas for strengthening of involuntary resettlement policies, guidelines and practice standards in Guyana, which can complement the local policies associated with resettlement.

Moreover, the strategic environmental and social implications and impacts of the proposed oil and gas legal and regulatory framework were to be examined and assessed in the StrategicEnvironmentalandSocial Assessment(SESA).

Thirdrestructuringofloan

TheWorldBanksaiditreceived a letter from the Ministry of FinanceonDecember15,2025and

and Stakeholder Engagement; (B) Capacity Building of Key Institutions; (C) Enhancement of Fiscal Management; and (D) Project Management & Project PreparationFacility

The key beneficiaries of the project were the Department of Energy (DE, replaced by the Ministry of Natural Resources under the new administration in 2020), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and theAttorney General’s Chambers(AGC).

Guyana began producing oil in December 2019 following the country0 discovery in 2015 by ExxonMobil.

dated December 11, 2025 for the cancellation of U S $3,177,153 GoGandtheinstitutionagreedtoa closureoftheloanonDecember31, 2025.Therewasalsoanagreement that the cancelled funds will be returned to Guyana’s general International Development Association (IDA) allocation, wheretheycanbereprogrammedto support other national priorities aligned to the Country Partnership Framework.

About the World Bank U.S.$20Mloan

The Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP) was approved by the World Bank onMarch29,2019undertheDavid Granger administration In April 2022, Kaieteur News reported that the PPP/C Government did not requestanydisbursementsfromthe U.S.$20M loan,threeyears afterit wasdeclaredeffective.

The project was aimed at supporting the enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector in Guyana It fe

ured four components; nam

ly: (A) EnhancementofLegalFramework

TheWorld Bank stated that the size of the discoveries presented a historic opportunity for Guyana to leverage the revenues generated fromoilproductionintosustainable developmentandinclusivegrowth. “Awell-managedoilandgassector can bring huge positive and sustainable impacts to Guyana, including socio-economic growth and positive ec

externalities Guyana has never beenanoilandgasproducer,andas such lacks the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity needed to m

associated with the sector,” the bankexplained.

cial institutionwarnedthatifthesector was poorly managed, the development of oil and gas resourcescanbeeconomicallyand socially costly for a country. In approving financing for the programme, the bank noted that therewasalargecapacitygapatthe political and technical levels responsible for the management and oversight of Guyana’s petroleum sector “The buildup of institutional capacity is crucial to improve the Government of Guyana’s bargaining power vis-àvis investors in situations of negotiations, oversight, and enforcement,”thebanksaid.

Exxonawardcontracts tobuild8thoilship withoutGovt.approval

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has moved to award several contracts, releasing payments to Dutch shipbuilder, SBMOffshoreforaneightFloating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) to produce hydrocarbons at a project yet to be approved by the GovernmentofGuyana(GoG). SBM has received contracts to performFrontEndEngineeringand Design (FEED) studies for the FPSO that will produce hydrocarbonsattheLongtail Continued on page 32

The divorce rate is increasing. More people are disinterested in getting married because they have seen or experienced the hurt and pain first-hand of their parents,friends,otherfamily members or are even scared oftheirownability,fueledby low self-esteem Divorce casesinGuyanahaveseena “rapid increase,” with Family Court filings nearly doublingfrom606in2017to 1,129 in 2018. This is about threedivorcefilingsperday, in a country of 800,000 people. While often cited as low by regional standards (approx. 4.25%), high rates of separation and commonlaw breakdowns exist

Womeninitiateabout80%of divorces, with a notable rise in “grey divorce” among those45andover

On the other hand, common-law relationships are increasing. The three differencesbetweencommon lawandmarriagearealackof commitment, more sex in common-law relationships than in marriage and deception, mainly on the woman’s part, that they will get married Successful marriage requires a healthy you and intentional preparation so that your choice can be sound and healthy, thus avoiding the trap of attracting someone based on your childhood trauma: someone who is not healedandwhoisastoxicas you are. There are two push factors towards marriage: a healthy you in love with a healthyperson,oryoubeing governed unconsciously by unresolved trauma that attracts and finds someone attractive based on trauma. There is no love with the latter; it is attraction and traumabonding.

Thosewhodidnotdothe required inner work on themselves before marriage areinthe51%+divorcerate. Mind you some divorcing now aren’t because their partner is not a reasonable person, but one partner(s) has realized that they marriedbasedontraumaand need to exit the marriage to save themselves and their mental health. This highlightsthatthesuccessof marriage is not based on y e a r s t o g e t h e r o r accumulation of assets but purely based on enhanced mentalhealthofbothparties, free of infidelity, abuse,

Towardsabetterlifewithyourpsychologist

How should I date with the intention for marriage?

neglectandtheirtriggers. DATE WITH THE INTENTION OF MARRIAGE:

Preparing to date for marriage involves cultivating self-awareness, emotional maturity, and clarity on life values, rather thanjustfocusingonfinding the right person. Key steps include healing from past trauma, defining nonnegotiable standards, developing social skills, and establishing financial discipline to ensure you are ready to be a loving partner

The mindset of marriage should not be marrying to havewhatmyparentsdidnot give me, but to complement myequal.

EMOTIONALAND PERSONAL GROWTH

The number one

psychosocial milestone for those aged 18 to 40 is to developandsustainahealthy intimate relationship

Intimate here refers to a romantic relationship and to a close, meaningful relationship with family and friends. A young adult will experience isolation, social stigma, self-induced stigma, andsocietalstigmaif,atthis age and stage of their lives, they are unable to have and sustain healthy friendships and socialization. The onset ofmentalillnesscommences and strengthens. To achieve this developmental milestone, between 18 and 25 years of age, someone whowantstobemarriedand haveahappy,healthymarital l i f e s h o u l d s e e k psychotherapy To address the unresolved trauma impact that was inflicted primarily by parents or caregivers. The impact of abuse and neglect and poor parent-child relations have crippling effects on adult children.Learningtheability to recognize poor and unhealthy relationship patterns of parents that are now unconsciously proactivebyyou,thechild. Emotionalmaturityisthe strongest predictor of a healthy and successful marriage.

Heal Past Wounds:

Address unresolved

heartbreak, trauma, or childhood patterns that might cause you to repeat unhealthy relationship cycles. Desiring not to be likemommywith5children for5differentmenordaddy with5childrenfor5different women is not enough Understanding the personal lifestyle, the interplay with emotional dysfunction and cognitive distortion, impact on your thinking and feelings, now manifested in unconscious behaviours, is the way forward in addressing generational trauma or repeating your parents’missteps.

D e v e l o p S e l f -

Awareness: Identify your emotional triggers and learn to manage your feelings (stress, anger, anxiety) independently so you do not relyonapartnerto“fix”your inner void. Triggers are an indication of your unhealed wounds that remain suppressed intentionally by you because of the discomfortandpainrequired inaddressingthem.

P r a c t i c e Accountability:Moveaway from blaming others and learn to take responsibility for your own happiness and role in conflicts. Between birthand18years,weareour parents’responsibility Most of our parents would have tried their best, but in the process, created significant damage because they, too, were significantly damaged bytheirparents.Beitthator another reason, now as an adult, your first significant accountability is to take responsibility for your mental and emotional state. Spending the time in psychotherapy, investing in yourself and understanding your strengths and weaknesses.Buildingateam for yourself will strengthen your self-confidence, help you be more resilient in an unpredictable world, and help you establish core values that are fundamental toyourdecision-makingand guidanceasanadult.

C u l t i v a t e Independence: Learn to be

contentandpurposefulwhile singlesoyoudonotrelyona partner to fill a void if you cannot or do not feel comfortable taking yourself to dinner or the movies.

S u p p o s e y o u a r e uncomfortable spending time with yourself. This is a keyindicationthatthereisso much more to do for yourself.Itisyourworktodo andnototherstodoforyou.

DEFINE YOUR CORE VALUES

Identify Core Values: Identify your essential values (e.g., faith, family,

religion, financial habits) Question yourself,whyismycore value honesty, if it is because daddy was dishonest to mom, and that was the reason for their divorce? Having honesty as a core value means being honest with yourselftoo Ourvaluesmust also reflect who we are to ourselves.

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc.

Set Boundaries:

Establish healthy, respectful boundariesearlytomaintain a healthy relationship dynamic Learn to be vulnerable. At the end of this purpose, you must have a strong identity, sense of purpose, healthy selfesteem,befreefromtriggers, be emotionally regulated, and be in control of your mental illness or personality disorder Tobecontinued…

ByDr.KarenAbrams,AA

Last week, it was reported in Newsroom that President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a new national payment system expected to come on stream within months.The story was short on specifics But the direction is clear What is being proposed has far deeper implications than convenience. It signals a structural shift in how money will move, be seen, and ultimately be governed inGuyana.

The Government of Guyana will soon have the abilitytotracktherevenueof virtually every business operating in this country That is the logical outcome of a unified digital payment

system The public conversation has focused on ease Faster payments, digitalwalletsaswellas the abilitytotapaphoneorcard and move on. All of that is true But it is only the surface. At its core, this system represents a transitionfromacash-based, largelyinvisibleeconomyto onethatisvisible,trackable, andtaxableinrealtime.

For decades, cash has defined how much of Guyana functions Small shops, roadside vendors, service providers, and even established businesses have operated with varying degrees of informality. Transactions happen, but many leave no formal record. Income is estimated, sometimes underreported, and in many cases never fullycaptured.

That reality is about to

Every dollar in sight - the system that will track Guyana’s economy in real time

change.

Once payments move through a national digital system, every transaction creates a record. Who paid, who received, how much, and when. Over time, this producessomethingGuyana hasnevertrulyhadbefore;a continuous,real-timemapof economicactivity

From the government’s perspective, the benefits are substantial Revenue becomes more predictable Insteadofrelyingonperiodic filingsandself-reporteddata, theStatecanobserveactivity as it happens. Budgeting improves Forecasting becomes more accurate Fiscal planning becomes stronger Tax collection also shifts When transactions are digital, taxes can be calculated and tracked at the point of sale Value-added taxes and business revenues no longer depend solely on end-of-period declarations. They are embedded in the flowofmoneyitself

Leakagebecomesharder to sustain Cash systems allow underreporting and informal arrangements that bypass official channels Digital systems create audit trails.Discrepanciesbecome easier to identify Accountabilityincreases.

P e r h a p s m o s t significantly, the informal economy begins to formalize. Businesses that want to accept digital

payments, (the benefits will be so substantial that all businesses will want this service) will need to be

registered, linked to accounts, and operating within a defined structure. This expands the tax base without raising rates. More businesses come into view More activity contributes to nationalrevenue.

These are meaningful gainsfortheState.

But the country must understand what this transformation represents Thischangewillmeanmore than just convenience to stakeholders It is about visibility Itisaboutbringing economic activity into view and, by extension, into the reach of regulation and taxation.

There are implications that deserve attention Increased visibility raises questions about privacy and data governance Small vendors, many operating on thin margins, will need supporttotransition.Trustin the system will matter as much as the technology itself.

None of this is an argument against progress. Digital payment systems have strengthened economies across the world. They improve efficiency, expand inclusion, and enhancetheState’sabilityto managepublicfinances. But they also redefine the

citizens, businesses, and the State What Guyana is building is a new economic architecture and therefore more than just a payment platform,andwithitcomesa defining shift; from a cash-

shadow economy to a visible, trackable, taxable digital economy The benefits to the government are clear The benefits to the countrycanbereal.Butonly

discussed, and implemented with care Because once everydollarleavesatrail,the rulesofthegamechangefor everyone. The GCCI and PSC members especially, should be paying rapt attention.

GNBSINFOCUS

ENSURING READY-MIXED CONCRETE MEETS

QUALITY REQUIREMENTS WITH CUBE TESTS

The quality of your concrete might not be something you question untilcracksappear,wallsweaken, or a structure fails far too soon. However, to avoid such misfortunes, critical testing of concretemixturesisimportant.

At the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), qualified Laboratory Technicians offer testing of concrete mixtures in the form of concrete cubes, to ensure the mixture produces strong, quality structures. Timely testing protects builders, homeowners, and the public by confirming that this essential building material can withstandthedemandsoftime,weather,and otherconditions.

As the construction sector continues to prosper, manycontractorsand homebuilders areoptingtopurchaseready-mixedconcrete. Ready-mixed concrete, as defined by the

NationalStandard “GYS 227 - Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete,” is concrete delivered to the site or into the purchaser’s vehicle in a plastic condition, ready for placementwithoutfurthertreatment.

Recognisingthatbuyersarenotwitnesses to the mixing stage of this product and may have doubts about its strength, the GNBS’ Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Department offers testing to both suppliers andbuilders.

Interested clients are required to submit threecubesfortestingtoGNBS’Georgetown location.Thesecanbesubmittedaftercuring for24hours,sevendays,14days,21daysand 28 days. Once submitted to the GNBS, the cubesaremeasuredandweighedbeforethey are tested for compressive strength using a compression testing machine and a test certificate is provided at the end of the process.

Thesetestsareofferedinaccordancewith international standards. In this case, the standard used is the European Standard –“BS EN 12390-3 Testing hardened concreteCompressivestrengthoftestspecimens.”The standard is part of the BS EN 12390 series, whichspecifiesamethodfordeterminingthe compressive strength of hardened concrete testspecimens.

Contractorsandhomebuilderslookingto test the strength of their structures which were already built can also do so, using the GNBS’ Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) service. This is done with the use of a Rebound/Schmidt Hammer to ascertain the quality of concrete floors, walls, posts, fences, bridges, etc.The equipment can also determine the compressive strength of concrete used to make concrete electrical poles,columns,foundations,etc.witharange from 0 - 8400 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) or 0 - 58 Megapascals (MPa). Using the rebound method, this test provides a convenient and rapid indication of the compressive strength of the concrete structure.Oncethestrengthoftheconcreteis

determined, a certificate is prepared and providedbytheGNBStoclients,anditcanbe used as a firm basis for the acceptance or rejectionofastructure.

Further, the GNBS provides testing for concrete cylinders and concrete hollow blocks (size three, four or six inches).These services are available to small block makers and large manufacturers, homeowners and contractors, among others. This has resulted in several of these stakeholders becoming aware of the quality of the blocks they manufacture,andatthesametime,increased the quality consciousness of consumers regardingthiswidelyusedbuildingmaterial.

Meanwhile, calibration is also provided forcompressiontestingmachinestopromote accuratereadings.Thiscalibrationexerciseis done on the site. Interested clients can schedule this service through the GNBS w e b s i t ehttps://gnbsgycom/metrology/industrialmetrology/.

For further information on how to access this and other services, contact GNBS at 219-0064-66, via WhatsApp at 692-4627oremailinfo@gnbsgy.org

Frompage22 project.InastatementonTuesday, SBM explained, “The FEED contracts award triggers the initial release of funds by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited to begin FEED activitiesandallocateaFast4Ward hull for the Longtail development projectinGuyana.”

The company said further construction and installation activities for the FPSO will be conducted after government signals its approval for Exxon’s development plan and the final investment decision by the company In the meantime, SBM said, “Under the contracts, the FPSO’sownershipisexpectedtobe transferredtotheclientattheendof the construction period and before startofoperationsinGuyana.”

Further, the construction costs are expected to be partially funded byseniorloanswhichwillberepaid atthetimeoftheFPSO’stransferto ExxonMobil SBM Offshore is expected to operate the FPSO through its integrated operations andmaintenancemodelcombining SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil’s expertise and experience, leveraging key learnings and the operational excellence of the units currentlydeployedinGuyana.

The eight FPSO will be designed and constructed by SBM using industry-leading Fast4Ward programwiththeCompany’sninth new build, Multi-Purpose Floater hull, combined with several standardisedtopsidesmodules.The FPSO will be designed to process 1,200 million cubic feet of gas per dayandproduce250,000barrelsof condensateperday TheFPSOwill bespreadmooredinwaterdepthof about1,750metersandwillbeable tostorearound2millionbarrelsof condensate.

Todate,SBMhasbeenawarded contracts for six FPSOs by Exxon. The Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity, One Guyana, Jaguar and now the FPSO for Longtail whichhasnotbeennamedyetwere allawardedtothecompany

Itsaid,“Weareproudtoreceive this sixth FPSO award from ExxonMobil Guyana. This project underscores the strength of our Fast4Wardapproachandextensive experience in large-scale gasprocessingsystems.SBMOffshore is well positioned to support the Longtaildevelopment,amajorgas play demanding the highest gas handlingcapacityeverdeployedon an FPSO. Our teams remain fully committed to supporting the success of this project and ExxonMobil’s long-term energy developmentstrategy.”

TheawardofcontractstoSBM will drive up the cost bank which ExxonsaidGuyanawillpayoffby the end of this year given the high prices of oil Last week, the President of EMGL, Alistair

Routledge said, “We were anticipating sometime next year in

2027 that we were going to get to the point where we had recovered those historic cost...what we are n

accelerate ” So far, ExxonMobil hasexpendedU.S.$40Btodevelop the seven oil projects approved to date.Currently,U.S.$5Bremainsin thecostbanktoberecoveredbythe company

THURSDAY

ASLsaysbeingpushed outofbusiness -accusesGCAAofunjustified, unreasonablerestrictions

By Shania Williams

Air Services Limited (ASL), a longstanding aviation company in Guyana with over 60 years of service, has been targeted and unfairly treated, according to Chairman Captain Ahamad MazaharAlly Hesaidthecompany receivedinformalinstructionsfrom the GCAA Director General Lt Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, to cease operations,followedbyrestrictions on flights to the Matthews Ridge AirstripinRegionOneuntilfurther notice.

Allyalsoclaimedthatseveralof the company’s pilots were suspended, resulting in a loss of both personnel and significant revenue, estimated at up to $5 milliondaily.

The GCAA Director General declined to address the allegations whencontactedbythispublication.

The ASL chairman expressed deep concern over what he described as abrupt and undocumented decisions made on Sunday,includingverbaldirectives to cease operations and restrict flights to Region One, its largest destination carrier He warned that the future of the company’s more than 300 employees could be in jeopardyifthesituationcontinues.

Asaresult,thecompanyisnow preparing to initiate legal proceedings against the GCAA, citing what it describes as “unreasonable and unjustifiable restraint of trade,” should the authorityfailtoprovidesubstantial justificationfortherestrictionsand allow operations to resume at MatthewsRidge.

Speaking with Kaieteur News

on Wednesday, Ally detailed what he believes is a pattern of victimisation aimed at stifling the company’soperations.

Accordingtohim,thesituation unfolded on Sunday around 09:35hrs when the company received a call from the Director General’sofficeinstructingthemto ceasealloperationswithimmediate effect, without any prior hearing. This was later followed by further instructions restricting flights to MatthewsRidge.

“We are faced with apparent victimisation from Mr Egbert Field,”Allystated.

HeexplainedthatASLtypically operates three flights daily to Matthews Ridge However, on Sunday, an incident involving one ofitsaircrafttriggeredthechainof events.

“Thefirstaircraftwasinvolved in an incident. The second aircraft wentinandreturnedwiththepilot, and then our Operations Manager, CaptainZahir,receivedacallfrom theDirectorGeneralindicatingthat he had received a report about the incident and that he would ground our air services and the pilot with immediateeffect,”Allysaid.

He noted that while the company was initially allowed to complete operations on Sunday, it was grounded on Monday That directive later evolved into a completerestrictionfromoperating atMatthewsRidge.

Allyexplainedthattheincident involved an aircraft from another company that had landed, suffered a puncture, and veered off but remainedontheairstrip.Asaresult, theASLaircraft had to manoeuvre and ultimately landed on a nearby constructionsite.

“There is no supervision or air trafficcontrolthere,”headded.

He further stated that while the GCAA has historically played a supportive, regulatory role, recent actionssuggestashiftinapproach.

“Theyarenowactingmorelike police.Wehavenothinginwriting, this is how they operate. We have been targeted by the Director General,”Allyasserted.

He added that incidents occur across the aviation sector, butASL appearstobesingledout.

“All operators have incidents, but they are not subjected to these

unreasonable,malicious,frivolous, andvexatious,”headded.

Singhwarnedthatthedirective to cease operations at Matthews Ridgemaybeunconstitutionaland contributestoanunlawfulrestraint oftrade.HehasgiventheGCAA24 hours to permit the company to resume operations uninterrupted, pending a full hearing and determinationoftheissues.

kindsofmeasures.Asfarasweare concerned, only our company is beingtargeted,”hesaid.

HighlightingthescaleofASL’s operations, Ally noted that the company operates more than 50 aircraft and provides a wide range of services across Guyana’s interior, including scheduled and charter flights, medical evacuations, tourist transport, and agriculturaloperations.

“Wehavebeenaroundforover 60 years. We are pioneers in the aviation industry We operate the only certified commercial helicopter service for search and rescue in Guyana. We support the miningsectorandcurrentlycontrol about60%ofthedomesticmarket. We are the largest carrier at present,”hestated.

Meanwhile, the company’s attorney, Motee Singh, has formally challenged the GCAA’s actions,arguingthatthedirectiveto haltoperationslacksanyjustifiable basis.

“Suchadecisionappearstorest on personal opinion rather than facts supported by a valid forensic reportorconclusiveinvestigation,” Singhsaid.

Hefurthercontendedthatother operators at Matthews Ridge have allegedly committed breaches but wereallowedtocontinueoperating without restriction, raising concerns about bias and unequal treatment.

“My client has indicated that manyofthesereportsarebasedon hearsay and are unjustifiable,

“Itisimperativetonotethatmy clienthasbeensubjectedtoseveral investigations in the past under questionable circumstances, seemingly driven by individuals with vindictive motives,” Singh stated.

He cautioned that failure to allow ASL to resume operations would leave the company with no option but to initiate legal proceedings in the High Court for judicial review, as well as claims forlossofrevenueandreputational damage.

When contacted again for a response to the allegations, Director General Field maintained his position, stating only, “No comment at this time,” before endingthecall.

Guyanesecompanies scrapehandrailcontracts forUS$6.8Boilship

Two Guyanese companies-one a subsidiary of a Japanese firm managed to scrape the contracts to buildthehandrailsfortheUS$6.8B Hammerhead Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel- a situation, which observers say underscores how poorly citizens benefitfromtheoilindustryhere.

“These two contracts to build thehandrailsforaUS$6.8Boilship isaslapinthefaceofGuyaneseand aninsult…yetourgovernmentwill celebrate these menial contracts as local content ” a local businessman commented The FPSO is being built by Japanese firm-MODEC.

InapressreleaseMODECsaid Asequith Guyana Inc. and Asian Sealand Offshore and Marine Inc. (ASOM) were contracted to fabricatestructuralsafetyhandrails for integration into the FPSO duringconstruction,hailingitasthe “growing capability of Guyana’s manufacturing sector to meet globaloffshorestandards.”

According to MODEC the components will be exported to Asiaforinstallationonthetopsides modules of the Hammerhead FPSO Once operational, Hammerhead will have the capacitytoproduce150,000barrels of oil per day (BOPD), along with associated gas and water handling, further embedding Guyana in the global energy supply chain. “This milestonedemonstratesMODEC’s sustained commitment to local content By partnering with Guyanesemanufacturers,MODEC

on page 33

Frompage32 is helping to build technical capacity, create high-value opportunities for local businesses, and support long-term, diversified economic growth,” MODEC said in a press release. The company said the successful delivery by Asequith and ASOM “is a clear example of how collaboration between international operators and local industry can produce high-quality results and solidify Guyana’s emergence as a regional hub for energy-related manufacturingandservices.”

MODEC is a leading provider offloatingproductionsolutionsfor the offshore energy sector, including Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels MODEC p

ms Engin

ng, Procu

ement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) for FPSOs and, by also owning and operating its FPSOs, provides oil and gas companies worldwide with comprehensive, competitiveproductionsolutions.

BackinSeptemberlastyearthe Government of Guyana (GoG) approved a Petroleum Production Licence(PPL)fortheHammerhead project-ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL’s) seventh development in the Stabroek Block. The Stabroek Block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrelsofoilisoperatedbyEMGL, who holds 45% interest. The other block partners Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30% interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest The Hammerhead development is located in the south-western portion of the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana and targets the Hammerhead reservoir. Hammerhead was announced as Exxon’s ninth commercial discovery in August 2018.TheHammerhead-1wellwas drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 197 feet(60metres)ofhigh-quality,oilbearing sandstone reservoir The well was safely drilled to 13,862 feet (4,225 metres) depth in 3,773 feet (1,150 metres) of water First oilfromtheHammerheadprojectis expectedby2029.Theprojectwill use a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) conversion-type Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO), which will be built by Japanese shipbuilder, MODEC. Notably, a total of 445 million barrels of oil is forecast to be produced with an estimated daily production capacity of 150,000barrelsofoilperday(bpd). Hammerheadoilproductionwillbe facilitated through 10 production wells and 8 injection wells Hammerhead is expected to boost Guyana’s overall production capacity at approximately 1 5 million bpd, with the FDP projecting this by the second quarterof2029.

Additionally, government had said that the associated gas produced from the Hammerhead Projectreservoirwillbetransferred to the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) pipeline network. Hammerhead is expected to boost energy security, drive industrial growth and create employmentacrossvarioussectors, furtherpositioningGuyanaasakey player in the global energy landscape.

InadditiontoHammerheadthe othersixsanctionedprojectsunder Exxon’s belt include: Liza One, LizaTwo,Payara,Yellowtail,Uaru andWhiptail.Thefirstfourprojects arealreadyinoperation,producing an average 650,000 bpd, with an installed capacity of 900,000 bpd.

Construction is underway for the Uaru and Whiptail, with Uaru anticipated to start production in 2026, and Whiptail is anticipated for startup in 2027. ExxonMobil hassubmittedanapplicationforan eighth project, Longtail and has been pushing ahead with developmental plans although government has not formally approvedit.

The oil company is aiming to bring all eight developments into production by the end of the decade, targeting a combined output of 1.7 million bpd. Hammerhead adds to the other six sanctioned projects under Exxon’s belt.Theseinclude,LizaOne,Liza Two, Payara,Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail.

The first four projects are already in operation, producing an average 650,000 bpd, with an installed capacity of 900,000 bpd.

Construction is underway for the Uaru and Whiptail, with Uaru anticipated to start production in 2026, and Whiptail is anticipated forstartupin2027.Earlierthisyear, Exxon also submitted an application for an eighth project, Longtail The oil company is aiming to bring all eight developments into production by the end of the decade, targeting a combined output of 1 7 million bpd.

roads that form part of the Georgetown City Council’s statutory portfolio. He has since writtentogovernmenttoreverseits decision or face legal action. The mayor’s statement comes six days after gazetted on 20th March 2026 by the Minister of Public Works under the RoadsAct a list of roads undertheMinistry’scontrol.

Mentore called the move as “notjustunlawfulgovernancebutit is the arbitrary centralisation of local assets by executive fiat/decree.”

Mentore noted that the sudden takeover without consultation undermines the constitutional principle of local self-government and treats the elected Council as irrelevant.

FRIDAY

Governmenttakescontrol of22citystreets -CityHall,WINothers callmove‘powergrab’

By Rehanna Ramsay

Inasweepingandcontroversial move that has ignited political backlashandalarmatCityHall,the Government of Guyana has taken control of 22 major streets in Georgetown- a decision critics are branding as a brazen power grab with serious financial consequencesforthecapitalcity

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has summoned an extraordinary statutorymeetingtodaytodealwith the matter The takeover, quietly formalised in a March 21, 2026 gazette order, strips the municipality of authority over key revenue-generating corridors, including the busy Vlissengen Road, transferring control directly to the Ministry of Public Works. The orders, numbered 15 through 37 of 2026 and signed by Minister Juan Edghill declare a wide network of streets as public roads under central government control. Among them are Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, CharlotteStreet,LamahaStreetand theEasternHighway—arteriesthat arenotonlyvitaltotransportation, but crucial to the city’s income stream Other streets include: Cowan Street, New Market Street, Middle Street, Aubrey Barker Road, Cane ViewAvenue, Garnett Street, D’andrade Street, Da Silva Street,DennisStreet, SandyBabb Street, Albert Street, Cummings Street, Charlotte Street, America Street, East Street and Hadfield Street Public. When contacted on the issue, Minister Edghill said he wasatameeting,butpromisedthat hewouldmakeacomment.

Unilateraldecision

CityMayorAlfredMentorehas expressed concern and outright condemnationofwhathedescribed as the Government’s unilateral decision to seize twenty-two (22)

powers expressly granted to it underSection274oftheMunicipal and District Councils Act

According to the chief citizen, the Council can no longer fulfill its legaldutytomaintainandregulate trafficontheseroads-adutyithas discharged for decades using local funds.

DANGEROUSPRECEDENT

“The roads, which should be managed, maintained, and funded by the Council using ratepayers’ resources, were simply gazetted as “public roads” with zero prior notice, zero consultation with the elected Council, and zero engagement with the residents and businesses who depend on them daily,”heasserted.

He explained that “The Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, explicitly defines and protects the Council’s jurisdiction over these roads. The Government has chosen to ignore the clear statutory framework that vests responsibility for council roadsinthedemocraticallyelected localauthority.”

The Mayor pointed to key provisions within the Municipal and District Councils Act, that defines: “council road” as any highway or other road or street to whichthepublichasrightofaccess inacouncilareaotherthanapublic road;andanyreferencetoacouncil road includes the roadway, shoulders, verges, embankments, pedestrian walks, cycle tracks, bridges,culverts,canalsanddrains on the line of the road and connected therewith. He explained further that section 274 of the Act states unequivocally that a council shall have power, subject to the provisionsoftheTownandCountry PlanningAct,theRoadsActandthe Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act to construct, maintain, repair, protectandcarryoutworksforthe betterment of council roads in its council area and to regulate and controltrafficthereon.

“NowhereintheMunicipaland District Councils Act does the Central Government or the Minister possess the power to unilaterally reclassify council roads as public roads, transfer ownership, or remove them from theCouncil’sportfoliowithoutdue process, notice, or consultation TheGovernment’sactiontherefore directly contravenes the letter and spirit of theAct.” By reclassifying these 22 roads as public roads, he said the PPP/C Government has stripped the City Council of the

According to the Mayor, the issue will not only affect Georgetownbutitsetsadangerous precedentforAllLocalAuthorities: If the Government can simply gazetteawaycouncilroadswithout notice or consultation, no council asset – roads, vendors using those roads, council revenue, drains, markets,orotherinfrastructure-is safe from similar arbitrary seizure. Thisactionsignalscontemptforthe en

ire framework of local government established under Chapter28:01.

Mayor Mentore called on the Government to immediately revoke the gazetting of these 22 roads, restore them to the Georgetown City Council’s portfolio,andengageingood-faith consultation as required by the principles of good governance and theruleoflaw

“The people of Georgetown electedthisCounciltomanagetheir city - not to stand idly by while central government dismantles our statutory authority,” the Mayor stated “We will defend the Municipal and District Councils Act, we will defend our council roads, and we will defend the democratic right of Georgetown to local control over local assets.” In the interim, he revealed that the Georgetown City Council is actively exploring all available legal, administrative, and parliamentary avenues to protect the capital city’s interests and restore the roads to their rightful jurisdictionundertheAct.

Attorney-at-law Brenden Glasford in an online post said the takeover by the government matters“ifyouadvertiseandwould like to place billboards on road parapets. It also matters for any person or business seeking to use the parapets, such as trading permission for roadside festivals, like Mashramani or Guyana Carnival, Easter etc For any permission would now have to be soughtfromtheMinistryofPublic WorksratherthantheMunicipality of Georgetown Also, the more public roads under the auspices of the Government of Guyana will proportionately increase the number of public contracts for repairand/orrehabilitationofthose publicroads.”

Former Georgetown Mayor, HamiltonGreencalledthemovean abomination “Something beyondbeliefcametomyattention. The Government announced that theywillbetakingoverseveral Continued on page 34

Frompage33 streetsinGeorgetownwhileowing the City Council large sums of money Dictatorship is a handmaiden of corruption,” Green aformerprimeministersaid.

According to him, this is not a matter to be taken lightly “Those whoaregenuinelyconcernedmust continue to speak out and actively engage in efforts to bring about meaningful change History has repeatedly demonstrated humanity’s tendency to ignore warning signs, often proceeding along a self-destructive path, frequentlyledbyindividualsdriven by greed and the pursuit of economicandpoliticalpower.”

Governanceandtransparency

The main opposition party, We InvestinNationhood(WIN)saysit views with deep concern the government’s move “While presented as an administrative or developmental intervention, this action raises fundamental questions about governance, transparency, and respect for the constitutional framework that underpins local government in Guyana,” the party said in a statement.

Firstly, Win says this development bears the unmistakable imprint of a gradual but deliberate centralisation of authority “Theapparentabsenceof meaningful consultation with the Georgetown Mayor and City Councilisnotmerelyanoversight, itisindicativeofatroublingpattern wherelocaldemocraticinstitutions are sidelined in decisions that directly affect their jurisdiction Nothing in governance occurs in isolation; such actions are often precursors to broader shifts in control.”

The party said government’s reluctance to clearly articulate the wider development agenda surrounding this move only deepenspublicunease.“Itcompels us to ask: what is the ultimate objective, and what additional powers vested in local authorities may next be subject to unilateral takeover? This issue, though seeminglyadministrativeinnature, strikes at the heart of Guyana’s constitutional order Local government bodies derive their authority from the Constitution, andanyerosionoftheirautonomy, whether subtle or overt, must be treated with the seriousness it deserves A democracy cannot function optimally when constitutionally established institutions are weakened or bypassed,”theWinstatementread.

Secondly, Win said the implications of this move extend beyond governance into the economic viability of the Georgetown Municipality “Areas such as Vlissengen Road and its surrounding environs are not merely thoroughfares; they are critical revenue-generating spaces,

particularly during national events such as Mashramani Revenues derived from vendor permits, event-related activities, and commercial engagement along theseroutesformanimportantpart of the municipality’s financial ecosystem The Government’s takeover of these spaces will inevitablydeprivetheCityCouncil of much-needed income, further constraining its already limited capacity to deliver essential servicestocitizens.”

“Taken together, these actions cannotbeviewedinisolation.They point toward a broader reality, one where power, control, and revenue

streams are systematically removed from local democratic institutions This approach risks

crippling the Georgetown Municipality, not through overt dismantling, but through incremental disempowerment. We Invest in Nationhood firmly believesthatnationaldevelopment

must be pursued through collaboration, not consolidation. The Government should work alongside local authorities, empowering them, resourcing them, and including them in the planning and execution of developmentinitiatives.Thisisnot only a matter of good governance butaconstitutionalimperative.We thereforecallontheGovernmentto immediately engage in transparent dialogue with the Georgetown Municipality, to clarify its intentions, and to recommit to a governancemodelthatrespectsthe autonomy, authority, and vital role of local government bodies in Guyana’s democratic framework,” thestatementconcluded.

AFCsoundsalarmover ballooningcostofWalesgas project,lackoftransparency ...accusesGovt.ofinflating country’sprojectedenergy demandstojustifyproject

The Alliance For Change (AFC)onThursdayraisedanalarm over the ballooning cost of the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project which continues to be

challenged these projections as beingunrealistic.”

Patterson said that between 2020 and 2026, the highest peak demand on the Demerara-Berbice InterconnectedSystem(DBIS)was 220MW, while the country’s current peak demand is just 200MW He therefore noted that this was a staggering 60% below thePPP’sprojection.

The party leader has called for the government to publish a full, updated cost assessment for the entire GastoShore project, including the cost of the power ships currently supplying the country with electricity until the powerplantcomesonstream.

executed in secrecy by the governmentofGuyana(GoG).

“When first announced, the publicwastoldthattheGastoShore project would cost approximately US$900 million to US$1.3 billion andwouldbecompletedbytheend of 2024. Today, those projections have collapsed,” the interim party Leader, David Patterson told reporters during a virtual media conference.

Patterson pointed out that the costofthepipeline,constructedby Exxon has risen above the initial estimate while the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and 300megawatt power plant continue to facedelays.Additionally,heargued that transmission and distribution upgrades—essentialfordelivering thepromisedcheaperelectricity— remain behind schedule and underfunded.

It is important to note that the pipeline was completed since December 2024 but despite repeated requests from this newspaperforthefinalpricetagof that component both Exxon and government continue to hide the figurefromthepublic.

Moreover, the former Member of Parliament (MP) reminded that the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips made at least three commitments in the National Assembly to lay over all documentsregardingtheprojectto theHousewhichwasneverdone.

Patterson therefore flagged the failure of government in providing a revised, consolidated cost which analystsbelievecouldbewellover US$3B after including all other associatedinfrastructure.

The former minister of Public Infrastructure, who held responsibilityfortheenergysector, blasted the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government for inflating the country’s projected electricitydemandtojustifythegas project.

He explained, “When the PPP launchedthegas-to-shoreprojectin 2022, they justified this project basedonourprojectedpeakpower demand would be 480 MW by the endof2025,theAFC immediately

These ships come with high rental fees, fuel costs, maintenance and operational charges currently costingG$187millionperday.”

In a telephone interview with KaieteurNews,Pattersonlistedthe expenses related to the powerships currently being rented by the government.

Heexplainedthatinadditionto thedailyrentalfeeof$48.8million for the two barges, Guyana is also saddled with a daily fuel cost of $72 6 million and $4 2 million daily for transportation expenses. Assuch,hepointedoutthatGuyana is paying close to $126 million dailytogeneratepowerattheships.

AFC also demanded that a revised timeline be issued with clearmilestonesandaccountability mechanismsalongwithanupdated electricitypricing model reflecting the higher capital cost and disclosure of all major contracts, financing terms, and procurement arrangements with an independent system to monitor progress, spending, and technical compliance.

SATURDAY

IncompleteWalesgas projectcostingGuyanese $126Mdaily-AFC ...demands updated price tag including power ship expense

The incomplete Gas-to-Energy (GTE)project,whichwasexpected to slash electricity cost to consumers by 50% since 2024 is yet to be completed, costing Guyana a whopping $126 million daily

Thiswashighlightedbyinterim Leader of theAlliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson on Thursday during a virtual news conference.

In opening remarks, Patterson, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure who hel

generation,blastedthegovernment for its failed management of the Wales gas project The mega initiative was priced at around US$1.7 billion with the pipeline pegged at US$1 billion and the power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility costing anotherUS$759million.

It is important to note that the project also includes consultancy, supervision and transmission and distributioncosts,alongwithother related expenses for arbitration, legal fees, land acquisition, site preparatio

s Stakeholders believe that the price tag could exceed US$3 billion but Patterson now contends that the cost to rent two power ships must alsobetakenintoconsideration.

Hesaid,“addingtothisalready inflated project cost is the government’s decision to hire two power ships to compensate for delays in the gastoshore project.

Patterson argued that these costs were never included in the original price of the Wales project yettheyfalldirectlyonthebacksof taxpayers.

“The hiring of these ships is a direct consequence of the project’s failure to meet its promised timelines-andmustbeaddedtothe true cost of the gastoshore initiative,” the former member of parliamentnoted.

The AFC has therefore demanded that the government provide the public with a full, updated cost assessment for the entire GTE project, including the costofthepowershipsalongwitha revised timeline with clear milestones and accountability mechanisms.

Thepartyhasalsocalledforan updated electricitypricing model reflecting the higher capital cost, disclosure of all major contracts and the establishment of an independent oversight structure to monitor progress, spending, and technical compliance on the project.

To date, the Wales project has missed at least three deadlines. It was initially touted for completion in2024butthiswaspushedbackto 2025andthenmid-2026whichhas been further delayed to the end of thisyear

Although the project is expected to start up in the last quarter of 2026, government has said it will not generate electricity atfullcapacityuntilmid-2027.

US$$millionsingoldleaving GuyanadailyfromMarudi …APNU cites local reports, alleges smuggling

Opposition Members of Parliament have raised alarm over what they describe as the daily outflowofmillionsofUSdollarsin gold from the Marudi mining district,RegionNine,citingreports fromresidentsduringarecentvisit.

Kaieteur News had reported that concerns were raised over the presence of a convicted Brazilian minerintheMarudiminingdistrict. During a recent meeting convened by the South Rupununi District Council(SRDC)andkey Continued on page 35

Frompage34 stakeholders, the issue of Brazilian miners in the Rupununi, particularly Rodrigo Martins de Mello, also known as Rodrigo Cataratas, was spotlighted andassurancewasgiventhat the miner is no longer operatinginthearea.

The concerns were heightened by social media images showing Cataratas, in the company of senior governmentofficialshere.

A delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), including Dr Terrence Campbell, Sharma Solomon, Saiku

Andrews and Sherod Duncan, was on a visit to RegionsEightandNine.

They reported that they were prevented from entering the Marudi Settlement by the Guyana

Geology and Mines Commission(GGMC).

TheMPswerereportedly denied entry despite not engaging in any illegal mining, environmental breaches or activities that would warrant restriction under the law They contend that the move hindered their ability to carry out their parliamentary duties and engageconstituents.

Thepartysaidthebarrier tothesettlementwasinitially openbutwaslaterclosedand padlocked by authorities, effectivelyblockingtheteam

from accessing the community The opposition also criticised the GGMC’s decision to deny entry to electedofficials,arguingthat it raises concerns about

t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability in the mining

district While at the location, Dr Campbell said residents provided troubling

accounts of large-scale gold extraction allegedly taking place in the area. It was alleged that persons who own the mining rights in the area have engaged the Brazilianstomineforgold.

“What I want to come back to share is that in speaking with one of the r e s i d e n t s i n t h i s neighborhood here, who briefedusonthefactthatUS $5 million dollars, US$5 million dollars in gold per day,isleavingsmuggledout tothiscountry Buthedidn’t want us to take his picture, because he said the Brazilians, they don’t make joke…”hesaid.

Campbell further claimed that fear among residents is preventing them from speaking openly about thesituationandallegedthat foreignminersareoperating withlittlerestraint.

“Thisiswhatisgoingon.

Guyanese are being threatened Guyanese are living in fear of their lives because of what is taking placebehindhere.”

“I hold no brief for the Mohameds (Azruddin and

APNU’s lead parliamentarian Dr. Terrence Campbell addresses allegations of gold smuggling from Marudi Village, Region Nine. Other MPs SaikuAndrews, Sherod Duncan and Sharma Solomon are in the background.

Nazar), but we hustling to extraditetheMohameds,and we bring in the criminals here, to hurt this country of millionUS,dollarsaday,US $5millionadayingold,and wehaveourpeoplescared.”

APNU has called the situation a violation of the rights of residents and an indication that authorities maybeattemptingtoconceal activitiesinthearea.Notably there has been no official responsefromGGMCorthe Ministry of Natural Resources.

“We’ve seen pictures with these Brazilian criminals meeting with the membersofthegovernment. So, they obviously know what is going on, and they know that these people are criminals, and yet they are encouraging them to come and rape this country, rape thiscountry,andthreatenour people.Thismuststopyou.”

APNU and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) had previously raised concerns about the convicted Brazilian miner reported presence in the Marudi district Concerns were

raised regarding Cataratas being allowed to operate in Guyana’s mining industry despite his conviction in Brazil and him being photographed with senior government officials in Guyana.

During the March 14th meeting, SRDC was informedthatCataratasheis no longer there. Toshaos at the meeting expressed serious concern about

criminalminingactivitieson Indigenous lands in other jurisdictions, particularly Brazil,andstressedthatsuch conduct would not be tolerated in the South Rupununi. SRDC had reported that Brazilians currently involved in operations in the area are mainly technical personnel supporting specialised functions, such as operating heavy-duty machinery

Emphasis was placed on the need for skills transfer and buildinglocalcapacity

According to a February 12, 2026 report by Mongabay, a Brazilian federal court sentenced Mello/ Cataratas to more than 22 years in prison after findinghimguiltyofleading an illegal mining operation intheYanomamiIndigenous Territory in the Amazon Rainforest.

He was convicted on charges including leading a criminal organisation, money laundering, and illegal mining on protected indigenous land. The court alsoorderedhimtopaymore than 31.7 million reais (US$6.1million)indamages for environmental destructionandharmcaused toindigenouscommunities. Court documents cited by Mongabay indicate that Mello managed a fleet of at least 23 aircraft used to transport miners, fuel, and supplies into Indigenous lands, as well as to move extractedminerals.

MindYour Business

Faith, Silence, and

the Psychology of Hidden Pain

By Dr. Eon Andre George, PhD, EdD

For many, faith did not beginasapersonalchoice.It was inherited, passed down through generations shaped by the plantation system, where religion functioned not only as belief, but as structure, control, survival, and,attimes,comfortwithin constraint. Over time, what was once external became internalized, and what was inherited became deeply personal Psychologically, this reflects the process of internalization, where repeated teachings and practices become part of an individual’s core belief systemandidentity

Today, that inheritance remains embedded in daily life. Scripture is quoted in conversation Prayer is offered before decisions are made. When trouble arises, the first response is often, “Just pray about it.” Belief becomes the lens through which reality is interpreted. Over time, these repeated patterns form what psychologists call cognitive s c h e m a s , m e n t a l frameworks that shape how individuals understand suffering, success, and meaning.

Faith provides structure, meaning, and hope. It supports what psychologists describe as meaningmaking, the ability to

interpret hardship in a way that preserves purpose (Pargament, 1997) In difficult moments, this can be stabilizing It gives individuals emotional grounding and a sense that painisnotwithoutdirection.

Atthesametime,thereis another side to this experiencethatisnotalways openly discussed Even within deeply religious environments, some individuals struggle quietly withemotionalpain.Insome cases, that struggle deepens into depression, anxiety, or thoughtsofendingone’slife. The presence of faith does not automatically remove psychological distress, particularly when emotional experiences conflict with deeplyheldbeliefs.

WhenFaithBecomes InternalPressure

For many individuals, beliefisnotonlyasourceof comfort but also a standard theyfeeltheymustliveupto. Whensomeoneistaughtthat faith should produce peace, strength, and stability, experiencing emotional distress can create internal conflict.

A person may begin to think, “If my faith is strong, whydoIfeelthisway?”This tension reflects a clash between emotional reality and cognitive expectation. Instead of expressing pain, theymaysuppressit.Instead of seeking help, they may

Religious Belief, Emotional Struggle, and the Quiet Reality of Suicide

attempttoresolveitprivately through increased prayer or silence.

Psychologists recognize this as emotional suppression, a process whereindividualsinhibitthe expressionofdistress.While it may provide short-term control, it often intensifies symptoms over time Depression may deepen quietly, and anxiety may increasebeneaththesurface. What appears as spiritual strengthmay,insomecases, be emotional exhaustion m a n a g e d t h r o u g h concealment.Inmoresevere cases, prolonged internal conflict can contribute to what is known as learned helplessness (Seligman, 1975), where individuals begin to feel that no matter what they do, their situation will not improve This perception can weaken motivation and increase vulnerability to depressive thinking.

TheSilence AroundStruggle

In many communities, emotional distress is not always given language. It may be explained entirely t h r o u g h s p i r i t u a l interpretation or minimized altogether While spiritual guidancecanbemeaningful, it does not always address the full psychological experience.

Consider a young man who begins to withdraw,

loses interest in activities, and becomes increasingly irritable. Instead of being asked what he is feeling, he may be encouraged to “be strong”or“havemorefaith.” The intention is to support him, but the result may be that his internal experience remainsunacknowledged.

Similarly, a young woman may continue attending services, smiling, and participating outwardly while feeling overwhelmed internally Her struggle remains hidden because there is no safe space to expressit.

Psychology describes this as masked depression, where outward functioning hides internal distress. In environments where vulnerability feels unsafe, individuals learn to manage appearance rather than address emotion. Over time, this disconnect between inner experience and outer presentation can deepen psychologicalstrain.

WhenPainTurnsInward

Whenemotionalpainhas no outlet, it does not disappear Instead, it turns inward and begins to shape how a person thinks, feels, and interprets their reality What may begin as stress or sadness can gradually deepen into depression, affecting not only mood but also perception and belief aboutoneself.

As this process unfolds, individuals often develop negative cognitive patterns, where their t h i n k i n g b e c o m e s increasinglyfilteredthrough hopelessness, self-doubt, and perceived failure. They maybegintoseethemselves as a burden, feel that their situationwillnotimprove,or believe that no matter what theydo,nothingwillchange. Thesepatternsdonotappear all at once They build gradually, becoming more convincing over time, especially when reinforced byisolationandsilence.

Anxiety can intensify this experience by keeping the mind in a constant state of tension, while depression narrows a person’s sense of possibility Together, they create a psychological environment where the future feels restricted and optionsfeellimited.

It is within this narrowing of hope that suicidal thinking can begin t o e m e r g e W h a t psychologistsdescribeasthe

escape theory of suicide helpsexplainthisprocess.In situations where emotional painfeelsoverwhelmingand inescapable, the mind may begin to view escape, not necessarily death itself, as the only available relief These thoughts are not alwaysaboutwantingtodie. More often, they reflect a desiretoendtheintensityof internalsuffering.

When a person feels trapped between what they believe they should feel and what they actually feel, that internalconflictcanbecome exhausting.Withoutspaceto expressthatstruggleortools to process it, the mind may gradually move toward escape as a solution. What appears sudden from the outsideisoftentheresultofa slow, internal process that has gone unseen for far too long.

Faith,Meaning,and Misunderstanding

Faith can be a powerful protective factor It can p r o v i d e m e a n i n g , discourage harmful behaviour,andcreateasense of accountability beyond oneself. Many individuals endure significant hardship becauseoftheirbeliefs.

However, when faith is interpreted as the only acceptable response to d i s t r e s s , i t c a n unintentionally create isolation. If individuals feel theymustappearstrongatall times,theymaysuppressthe very emotions that require attention This reflects a psychological tension between belief systems and emotional reality When belief does not allow room forstruggle,individualsmay experience guilt alongside their distress, further complicatingtheiremotional state.The issue, therefore, is not faith itself. It is the rigidity of its interpretation. Faith that allows for human struggle supports resilience. Faith that demands constant strength can increase internalpressure.

CreatingSpaceforBoth

FaithandHealing

Understanding this dynamic requires balance. Emotional pain is not evidenceofweakbelief.Itis part of human experience. Seeking help, expressing vulnerability, and engaging in counseling are not contradictionsoffaith.They are extensions of selfawareness.

Psychology offers tools for understanding thought patterns, emotional regulation, and behaviour Counseling frameworks such as cognitive behavioral therapy help individuals challenge distorted thinking and develop healthier coping strategies.Faith,ontheother hand, offers meaning and hope.Whenbothareallowed to coexist, individuals are bettersupported.Theyareno longer forced to choose between belief and honesty Theycanengageboth.

Creating environments whereindividualsfeelsafeto speak openly about their struggles reduces isolation and encourages early intervention Listening without judgment and responding with empathy can significantly alter outcomes.

UnderstandingtheMind BehindtheSilence

When these patterns are examinedcarefully,aclearer picture emerges What appears as strength may sometimes be suppression. What appears as peace may sometimes be performance. What appears as sudden crisismayoftenbetheresult oflong,unspokenstruggle.

Recognizing this does not weaken faith It strengthens understanding It allows individuals and communitiestorespondwith both compassion and awareness. Because in the end, belief can guide, but understandingcanheal.

Every belief has a history

Everyreactionhasaroot. Understanding them is wherewisdombegins.

Over 3000 anti-Trump rallies across America in ‘No Kings’ protest

WA S H I N G TO N , March 28 (Reuters)Demonstrators decrying

U S President Donald Trump'spoliciestooktocity streetsacrossthecountryon Saturday in the third edition of the "No Kings" rallies which organizers hope will be the largest single-day protestinU.S.history

More than 3,200 events are planned in all 50 states andseveralcitiesoutsidethe U.S. The two previous No Kings events attracted millionsofparticipants.

S i n g e r s B r u c e Springsteen and Joan Baez will headline a rally at the state capitol in Minnesota, where upward of 100,000 peopleareexpectedtogather in an area that became a flashpoint over Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and the incursion of federal immigration agents into Democratic-led urban centers.

Other large rallies are taking place in New York, L o s A n g e l e s a n d Washington, but two-thirds of the events are happening outside major city centers, a nearly40%jumpforsmaller

communities from the m o v e m e n t ' s f i r s t mobilization last June, organizerssaid.

On the National Mall in Washington, the crowd chanted pro-democracy slogansandheldanti-Trump signs. Outside one high-rise assisted-living center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a group of elderly people in wheelchairs held signs encouraging passing cars ⁠to “Resist tyranny,” “Honk if you want democracy” and “DumpTrump.”

InAustin, Texas, a brass band provided the soundtrack as protesters gathered outside City Hall before a march through downtown.

Thousands gathered in midtown Manhattan, where actorRobertDeNiro,oneof the organizers, said that "there have been other presidents who have tested the constitutional limits of their power, but none have been such an existential threat to our freedoms and security.”

"The defining story of this Saturday's mobilization is not just how many people are protesting, but where

Demonstrators take part in a "No Kings" protest in the U.S. against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, in Washington, March 28, 2026.

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

they are protesting," said LeahGreenberg,co-founder ofIndivisible,thegroupthat started the No Kings movement last year and led planning of Saturday's events.

The rallies come as Trump's approval rating has fallen to 36%, its lowest point since his return to the WhiteHouse,accordingtoa Reuters/Ipsospoll.

A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Democratic politicians and candidates forsupportingtherallies.

“These Hate America Rallies are where the farleft's most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone and House Democrats get their marching orders," spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement.

MARCHINGAHEAD OFMIDTERMS

With midterm elections later this year in the U.S., organizers say they have seenasurgeinthenumberof people organizing antiTrump events and registering to participate in deeply Republican states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana⁠andUtah. Competitive suburban areasthathavehelpeddecide national elections are seeing "huge" increases in interest, Greenberg said, citing as examples Pennsylvania's Bucks and Delaware

counties, East Cobb and Forsyth in Georgia, and Scottsdale and Chandler in Arizona.

"Voters who decide elections,thepeoplewhodo the door-knocking and the voter registration and all of the work of turning protests intopower,theyaretakingto the streets right now, and theyarefurious,"shesaid.

In northern Virginia just outside Washington, D.C., several hundred people begangatheringonSaturday (Continuedonpage46)

Public roads...

From page 13 these roads remain permanently within the Council's jurisdiction is wholly misconceived.”

The ministry posited that section 274 of theAct, upon which the mayor relies, clearly statesthattheCouncil'spowersaresubjectto otherwrittenlaws,oneofwhichwouldbethe RoadsAct,Cap.51:01.

“This critical limitation subjects the municipalauthorityoverroadstothebroader nationallegalframework.

The Roads Act, Cap 51:01 vests responsibilityforpublicroadsintheMinister of Public Works, including the authority to designateandmanagesuchroads.Thispower isnotsubjecttoorlimitedbytheCityCouncil under any other law Therefore, the Minister, on behalf of the Central Government, has the lawful authority to take over and designate anyroadasaPublicRoad,”theministrysaid.

Further, the ministry said that the claim that there was an absence of consultation is “not only false but is without legal foundation.”

“In many previous engagements with City Council as well as by Public

pronouncements, Central Government has appealed to the City Council to upkeep, maintain, and manage these streets diligently and in the best interest of residents and businesses.

Unfortunately, these constant appeals were ignored. Central Government owes a dutytothepublicinsuchcircumstancestodo that which is necessary to remedy this situation, as these roads have been wholly neglected, are in disrepair, and in some cases are hazardous to public use,” the Ministry of PublicWorkssaid.

Moreover, the ministry said that the government has not seized the council's assets noting that the mayor's assertions are

infrastructure, not private property owned by municipal bodies. What has occurred is a lawful reallocation of responsibility within thestatutoryframework,notanacquisitionof property

What is particularly revealing is the attempt to wholly ignore the scale of Central Government investment in Georgetown's infrastructureoverrecentyears.TheMinistry of Public Works has not been a passive observer, but a principal driver of development and maintenance within the city.”

Theministrydisclosedthatbetween2020 and 2025, approximately G$19 billion was expendedontherehabilitationofmainaccess roads within Georgetown In addition, approximately G $5.3 billion was invested between2020and2025inurbanroadsacross thecity

The ministry said that an additional G$4 billion was directed towards maintenance works, approximately G $7.4 billion towards drainageinterventions,andanestimatedG$5 billion towards enhancement works within Georgetown “In total, this represents an investment of approximately GYD $40 7 billion by the Central Government into Georgetown's roads and supporting infrastructure. It will be noted that the GYD $100millionsubventionthattheGovernment disbursed for renovation of City Hall itself is notincludedinthesumsabove.

These figures are not incidental; they demonstrate sustained, substantial, and necessarynationalinterventiontosupportthe city's infrastructure It is therefore disingenuous to now suggest that the Central Government is improperly intruding into an exclusively municipal domain when, in reality, it has long been required to stabilise and improve critical infrastructure for the benefitofallcitizens,”theministrysaid.

Meanwhile, the ministry said that the designation of the roads is not arbitrary noting that it forms part of a deliberate and ongoing response to public concerns regarding traffic congestion, road conditions, publichealthconcerns,andtheneedformore coordinatedandefficientmanagementofkey transportationcorridors.

“The Government has consistently engaged with the public on these issues, and this measure reflects that continued responsiveness. The attempt to frame this matter as an erosion of local democracy is misplaced What is at issue is the Government's obligation to ensure that infrastructure is managed safely, efficiently, and in a manner that supports national development. That responsibility cannot be subordinated to a misinterpretation of the law,”theministrysaid.

The ministry said it “remains open to engagement with the Georgetown City Council” but said that engagements must be “groundedinlegalaccuracy,goodfaith,anda shared commitment to the public interest, ratherthanrhetoricthatseekstomislead.”

It assured that the government “will continuetoactdecisively,lawfully,andinthe bestinterestofthepeopleofGeorgetownand Guyanaasawhole.”

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Over3000anti-TrumpralliesacrossAmericain‘No...

From page 42 close to Arlington National Cemetery before a planned march across the Potomac River to the capital city’sNationalMall.

Some passing drivers honkedtheirhornsinsupport but others slowed down ‘to berate the protesters.

tojointhemarch.

“What’shappeninginthis country is unsustainable,” he said. “The middle class, the little people, can’t afford to liveanymore.Andhe(Trump) is breaking the norms, the things that made us function as a country.”

2,100 sites nationwide. The second mobilization in October involved an estimated 7 million participants in more than2,700cities,accordingto a crowd-sourcing analysis published by prominent data journalistG.ElliottMorris.

Saturday’s events come amidwhatorganizerssaidwas a call to action against the bombardment of Iran by the U.S.andIsrael,aconflictthat is now four weeks old.

A CALL TO ACTION AGAINST IRAN WAR

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“You’re all idiots,” one man shouted from his car

JohnAle,57,aretiredairconditioningandheatingcontractor, said he drove 20 minutesfromhishomeinVirginia

The No Kings movement launched last year ‘on Trump’s birthday, June 14, drew an estimated 4 to 6 million people across roughly

That October event was largely fueled by a backlash against a government shutdown, an aggressive crackdown by federal immigration authorities, and the deployment of National Guard ‘troops to major cities.

Morgan Taylor, 45, attended the Washington protestwithher12-year-oldson, and said she was enraged by Trump’s military action in Iran, which she called a “stupidwar.”

“Nobody’s attacking us,” Taylor said. “We don’t need to be there.”

Heavy rainfall, clogged drains result...

Centre page or the cycle of flooding will continue unabated. Floodingpersists despiteroadworks

Representative of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Sherod Duncan and Saiku Andrews visited the FestivalCityarea.

The Members of Parliament (MP) during a live streamed video on Credible Sources rebutted statements by Ministers Edghill and Manickchandthatnewlyconstructed streets were not flooded.

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that intervention is what caused Kaikan Street to not flood... It is not a deliberate interventiontoalleviateflooding, because there is an interventionhere,butlookitisstill flooded.”

During the live video, the politicianswereseenwalking through shin deep water as they entered the community MP Andrews reminded that PresidentAlivisitedthecommunityrecentlyand“hementioned clearing out the outfalls in terms of the canal to the back and all of that. Sincethen,ithasmadenodifference because nothing significant has been done to address flooding.

“This canal at the back of North is what is the con. That is one of the biggest issues with regards to flooding be-

cause if that is not cleared properly, then there's no outfall basically for the water to go. This is not a city council project. That is a governor central government project,” thepoliticiansaid.

On March 24, Kaieteur News reported that Guyana willexperiencesixconsecutive days of unstable and potentiallydangerousweather,with forecasters warning of widespreadrainfall,thunderstorms and possible flooding across the country

TheHydrometeorological Service of Guyana issued an alert for the period March 23 to 28, 2026, cautioning that persistent downpours could trigger new flooding and worsen existing conditions, especially in low-lying and poorlydrainedcommunities.

Meteorologists said the currentweatherpatternisbeingdrivenbyapowerfulcombination of atmospheric forces, creating ideal conditions for prolonged rainfall.

In a statement the hydromet office said the current weather conditions are being influenced by strong low-level convergence, supported by moisture transport fromthetradewinds. This is further enhanced by upper-level divergence, creating a highly unstable atmosphericenvironment. These combined factors are contributing to increased cloudiness, frequent showers, periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, and isolated to scattered thunderstorms.

GoldenArrowheadProductions...

From page 30 thespians of stage and screen including New York- based actors, Mahadeo Shivra, Rudy Shaw and Curt Douglas Hampstead -have all signed on for this production.

He said, “These are all actors who participated in the sizzle reel. Local legend, Sonia Yarde and popular Guyanese actor, Mark Kazim,arebothonboardthisproject-inaddition to Lethem-based newcomer, Nickell Pugsley as well as the multi-talented Ovid Williams who also serves as technical advisor.”

At present, Noel said the official casting hasnotyetbegunforthefeaturefilmasinvestors are still being sought for much needed funding. At this point, this has been an entirely self-funded venture. Government support is also being sought to assist in takingthisexcitingandgroundbreakingstory from the page to the soundstage.

In addition to Lethem - and Georgetown, filming will also take place in New YorkGuyana’sfabled“Region11”wherethousands of Guyanese reside.

He asserted “This film is advertised as a “moderndaypepperpotwestern“-repletewith

the typical tropes associated with the Western genre: shootouts, high stakes card games and, of course treachery.”

AccordingtoNoel,themovieisanodand wink to legendary spaghetti western kings, SergioLeoneandEnnioMorricone.However, the highly flavoured Pepperpot aspect makes this a uniquely Guyanese film, which should touch the hearts of all Guyanese viewers - regardless of age, race or gender.”

The Guyanese creative hopes ultimately that the film can function in some ways as a cinematic appeal to people to visit Guyana to see and enjoy what it has offer

Noel said he hopes it appeals to nostalgic Guyanese who haven’t visited in a while - or never returned to their homeland - as well as next gens who are excited about their roots and are curious to eat labba and drink black water.”

“We are also hoping to attract foreigners who have begun to sit up and take notice of Guyanaduetooilproduction,andarecurious about this country which is rapidly shedding itsunfortunateandunfair“Jonestownstigma” and furiously punching way above its weight class,” he added.

Miss India Guyana 2024 Diana Heralal...

From page 27

embraceconfidenceandcelebratetheirindividuality. Grounded in purpose, the IndoGuyanese beauty is also a strong advocate for PCOS awareness, using her voice to upliftandeducatewomen.Hercommitmentto givingback,combinedwithherlovefortravel and culture, shapes a well-rounded, inspiring journey, one that continues to make a meaningfulimpactbothinhercommunityand beyond.

From pageantry to entrepreneurship and

leadership, Ms. Heralal continues to embody resilience, ambition, and purpose. Crowned MissIndiaWorldwideGuyana2024,sherepresents far more than beauty, she is a symbol of strength, cultural pride, and an unwaveringcommitmenttoupliftingothers.

Her journey is defined not only by titles, but by the impact she creates and the lives she inspires along the way. She uses her platform to champion authenticity, encouraging youngwomentoembracewhotheyarewhile strivingforexcellence.

Iran wants full sovereignty of the Strait of Hormuz among five demands to end war

CNN - When an Iranian official this week laid out a list of demands to end the war started by the United StatesandIsrael,headdedan item that hadn’t been on Tehran’s list before: recognition of Iran’s sovereigntyovertheStraitof Hormuz.

The narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) ordinarily passes has emerged as the Islamic Republic’s most potent weapon. And it is nowseekingtoturnintoboth a source of potentially billions of dollars in annual revenue and a pressure point ontheglobaleconomy

Iran has long threatened toclosethestraitincaseofan attack, but few expected it to follow through – or for it to prove so effective in disrupting global trade flows The scale of the impact appears to have

e x p a n d e d Te h r a n ’s ambitions, with the new demands suggesting it is seeking to turn that leverage into something more durable.

Shipping through the chokepoint has ground to a near halt amid Iranian attacks, sending global energy markets into turmoil and forcing countries far beyond the Persian Gulf to take emergency measures to securefuelsupplies.

“Iran has been a little

taken aback by how successful its (Hormuz) strategy has been – by how c h e a p a n d h o w comparatively easy it is to hold the global economy hostage, ” said Dina Esfandiary, MiddleEastlead at Bloomberg Economics. “One of the lessons learned in the war is that it has discovered this new leverage, and it’s likely to useitagaininthefuture.And Ithinkmonetisingitispartof discovering that it has this leverage.”

Washington is acutely aware of that risk U S Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Friday that one of the immediate challengesfollowingthewar would be Tehran’s attempts to establish a tolling system atHormuz.

“Not only is this illegal, it’s unacceptable, it’s

dangerous to the world, and it’s important that the world have a plan to confront it,” Rubio said after a G7 meeting in France. Foreign ministers from the group stressed “the absolute necessity” to restore “safe and toll-free freedom of navigation.”

In a nod to the growing strategic weight of the Strait of Hormuz, Mojtaba Khamenei used his first purported address as Iran’s new supreme leader to say that the leverage of blocking thewaterway“mustcontinue tobeused.”

In previous rounds of talks with the U.S., Iran pushed for sanctions relief andrecognitionofitsrightto peaceful nuclear technology butnotcontrolovertheStrait ofHormuz.

Iranisnowsignalingthat this leverage could be formalised Iranian lawmakers are considering a bill that would require countries using the strait for shipping fuel and goods to pay tolls, while an adviser to the supreme leader has spoken of a “new regime for the Strait of Hormuz” after the war This new system would allow Tehran to impose maritime restrictions on adversaries and effectively tie access to one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes to its geopoliticaldisputes.

“Imposing transit fees is a violation of the rules of transit passage,” said James Kraska, a professor of internationalmaritimelawat the U.S. Naval War College. There is no legal basis under international law for a coastalstatetochargefeesin an international strait like Hormuz,headded.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a strait used for international navigation,withoverlapping territorial seas of Iran and Oman Within these waters, Iranian and Omani law applies,” he said “However, because it is an international strait the right of transit passage applies for all states, which permits unimpeded surface, overflight, and submerged transit.”

The rules are set out in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While neither Iran nor the

UnitedStatesisapartytothe convention, Kraska says many of its core principles still apply because they are widely accepted as customary international law However, Iran may still seek touseitsnon-membershipto bolsteritscase,headded.

There is little precedent for a state successfully chargingforpassagethrough an international strait. In the 19th century, Denmark imposed transit fees through the Danish Straits, but following protests from multiple states it agreed to t h e C o p e n h a g e n Convention of 1857, abolishing the so-called Sound Dues permanently, he said.

Rivaling the Suez Canal

That hasn’t stopped Iran from exploring what such a system could look like, or howlucrativeitmightbe.

Experts question whether Iran could establish a tolling system that would g a i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l acceptance, but if it does succeed revenues could rival those generated by Egypt’s Suez Canal, according to CNNcalculations.

Normally, around 20 million barrels of crude oil andoilproductspassthrough the Strait of Hormuz each day, roughly equivalent to about 10 so-called very large crude carriers (VLCCs).At a reported fee of $2 million per tanker, that would translate to around $20 million a day, or about $600 million a month, from oil alone.

If LNG shipments are included, that figure could rise to more than $800 million a month, equivalent to about 15%-20% of Iran’s monthly oil export revenue in2024.

For comparison, Egypt earns between $700 and $800 million a month from the Suez Canal, an artificial, government-controlled waterway, in a typical year, although revenues have dropped sharply over the past year due to Red Sea disruptions

Monetisation of Hormuz may also be driven by Iran’s economic pressures

Esfandiary said Tehran sees charging for passage as a way to “make up for some of its economic shortfalls”

under sanctions, describing it as a relatively “easy” and “low-cost” mechanism to compensate for restricted access to global markets. Iran is among the world’s most heavily sanctioned countries, second only to Russia.

Iran has repeatedly said theStraitofHormuzremains o p e n – b u t n o t unconditionally. Officials say “non-hostile” vessels may transit, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities. The foreign ministry conveyed that position in a letter to the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation, according to Reuters.

At the same time, Tehran appears to be testing what a controlled system of passage could look like in practice.

Ship-tracking data shows some tankers using a route closer to Iran’s coast, with reports that certain operators may have paid for safe passage. No country, importer or ship operator has publicly acknowledged paying a fee, a n d d

unclear. But shipping intelligence firm Lloyd’s List reported Monday that more than 20 vessels have used what it described as a new corridor through the strait, with at least two ships understood by Lloyd’s to

have paid to do so – one of them reportedly around $2 million.

I r a n ’ s I s l a m i c Revolutionary Guard Corps has also established a registration system for approved vessels, while some governments are engaging directly with Tehran to secure transit for their tankers, Lloyd’s List reported.

“Thisishappening.AndI suspect it’s going to happen slightly more frequently if we don’t see some progress intermsofthenegotiations,” Richard Meade, editor in chief of Lloyd’s List, told CNN.“Butaswespeakright now, the shipping industry is effectivelyinparalysis.”

NAREI to spend $30M to reconstruct Timehri Office

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in its effort to improve its operations on the East Bank of Demerara, plans to reconstruct its Timehri Officeforanestimatedcostof$30,041,124.

According to bids submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office,atotalof41contractorsbidtoexecutetheproject.

Thisprojectformspartofthe$106.6billionapprovedfor theMinistryofAgricultureinthenationalbudget.

Belowarethecompaniesandbids:

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From page 6 one-vote. Workers fought for self-determination and have consistentlydefendedtheprotectionofrights.Thatprotection is rooted in a simple but powerful principle: your rights begin andendwhereminebegin.Inupholdingyourrights,youhave no authority to deny mine. For years, the trade union movementcontinuedtoremindofthisveryprinciple.

Politics is not complex; politics is about people and their development.Ifourpoliticiansacceptthatitisnotaboutthem, but about the people who entrusted them with authority through the vote, the country would be on a more progressive pathway,thusallowingthepeopletobebetterserved.

Somethingisdeeplywrongwithourpolitics.

It is particularly troubling when a minister suggests that being elected to govern removes the obligation to consult. That position is not only incorrect—it is dangerous. It disregardstheveryfoundationofthissociety,whichisbuilton dignity and respect. If you respect your fellow citizens, you cannot deny them a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Article13oftheConstitutionmakesthisobligationclear

What we are witnessing is a failure of leadership and a failureofunderstanding.Toomanywhoholdofficeappearnot to grasp the basic principles of governance, consultation, and accountability Reckless statements and weak justifications for excluding the people from decision-making are inexcusable.

Guyana does not belong to a single opposition or government.Guyanabelongstoallofusandweareallpartof the government by constitutional inclusion that grants us also participation in the decision-making. The Government is behaving as though it owns the country and they are all that matters when it comes to government and decision-making, andasectionoftheoppositionhasalsoadoptedthisattitude.

While we remain distracted by petty and nonsensical arguments,theworldismovingon.Foreigninterestscontinue to expand their presence here. Our children are not being equipped to function effectively in this economy. We are not building anything of substance to ensure sustainable development.And the burden of that failure will fall squarely ontheshouldersofyounggenerations.

They must not accept this as normal. Society cannot function on individualism alone. The well-being of each citizenistiedtothatofanother Wherepovertyexists,itbrings crime,deprivation,andsocialillness.Noserioussociety—and no serious leader—should accept widespread deprivation as a condition for stability We must get up.We must stand up.We must fix it. And to the young people, this is your time, your generation, your future. You must rise and advocate for the enforcement of the Constitution that guarantees your rights and inclusion. If you do not, others will continue to decide yourfuturewithoutyou—andthatisapricethisnationcanno longerafford.

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Guyanaforcedto...

From page 15

management of the Wales gas project at his party's virtual pressconferenceonThursday

In opening remarks, Patterson, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure who held responsibility for power generation, said that the mega initiative was priced at around U.S.$1.7 billion with the pipeline pegged at U.S.$1 billion and the power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facilitycostinganotherU.S.$759million.

It is important to note that the project also includes consultancy, supervision and transmission and distribution costs, along with other related expenses for arbitration, legal fees, land acquisition, site preparation and others. Stakeholders believe that the price tag could exceed U S $3 billion but Patterson now contends that the cost to rent two power ships must also be taken into consideration

He said, “adding to this already inflated project cost is the government's decision to hire two power ships to compensate for delays in the gas to shore project. These ships come with high rental fees, fuel costs, maintenance and operational charges currently costing G$187 million perday.”

In a telephone interview with Kaieteur News, Patterson listedtheexpensesrelatedtothepowershipscurrentlybeing rentedbythegovernment.

He explained that in addition to the daily rental fee of $48.8 million for the two barges, Guyana is also saddled withadailyfuelcostof$72.6millionand$4.2milliondaily for transportation expenses. As such, he pointed out that Guyana is paying close to $126 million daily to generate powerattheships.

Patterson argued that these costs were never included in the original price of the Wales project, yet they fall directly onthebacksoftaxpayers.

“The hiring of these ships is a direct consequence of the project's failure to meet its promised timelines-and must be added to the true cost of the gas to shore initiative,” the formermember-of-parliamentnoted.

According to a document seen by this publication, which was provided to the NationalAssembly onApril 22, 2025, during the consideration of the 2025 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure Guyana should have spent an eye-watering $26,242,097,093 on fuel for the two power shipsfromTurkishcompanyKarpowershipin2025.

The Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, had promised to provide data following a request from formerMinisterofPublicInfrastructure,DavidPatterson. Under Programme 023- Power Generation Patterson had requested a breakdown on the allocation of fuel for powershiponeandtwoandtheColombiapowerstation. According to the figures in the document, to generate a total of 788,400 megawatt hours the two ships would need 1,172,255barrelsoffuelattheabovelistedcost.

Rental costs for the ships were also provided. It was revealed that the total daily cost to rent both ships is $48,847,450.

Therefore, the first year Guyana will be paying $17,829,319,104. The two years combined would cost the country$35,658,68,208orU.S.$165,854,131.

2000 Guyanese companies benefited from US$700M in oil contracts in 2025- ExxonMobil

In 2025, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) spent approximately US$700M with local suppliers.

This was recently revealed by President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge duringanewsconference.

He explained, “So last year, some 2000 suppliers were involved in some way, through the supply chain supporting our operations and we spent around GY$146 billion with those 2000vendors.”

Since2015,thecompany said it has spent a total of GY$753B with local businesses.

Routledge said, “I've said before, absolutely fundamentalthatwenotonly deliver money into the natural resource fund throughtherevenuesthatare generated.Butintheprocess of developing the nation's resources,thatwedeliveras much benefit to people through jobs and business opportunitiesaswepossibly can.”

Inadditiontosupporting

local businesses, the company reported an increase in the number of Guyanese cur

ently employed in the oil and gas sector

He said that currently about 9,000 persons are employed in the petroleum industry with about 70% of those vacancies filled by Guyanese.

“So, again, that

percentage of the workforce is increasing, it reflects the level of investment, that c o m p a n i e s l i k e ExxonMobil, but also our prime contractors...and also local companies are making toinvestintheirpeople,”the CountryManagernoted.

He added that Guyanese are being g

n the opportunity to take up more complexjobsandultimately receivebettersalaries.

The Government of Guyana (GoG) passed the landmark Local Content Law in 2021, securing 40 categories of work for Guyanese participation via the supply of goods and the provision of services which include: food supply, rental o f o f f i c e s p a c e , accommodation, insurance, accounting and legal services.

The law is intended to regulate the way companies operate in Guyana's oil and gas sector; employ persons, buyservicesandthewaythat theyprocuregoods.

According to the Act, Guyanesemustprovide90%

ofofficespacerental;90%of accommodation services (rental of houses and apartments;25% pipe welding onshore; 75% nonh a z a r d o u s w a s t e management;90%janitorial and laundry services; 90% catering; 75% food supply;

100% immigration services and 100% local insurance servicestonameafew

In November last year

Kaieteur News reported that the GoG commenced the process to revise the Local Content Act to increase Guyanese participation in

the sector Following the submission process by key players, Natural Resources minister, Vickram Bharrat said that a consultation among all stakeholders will be convened to address the recommendations before amendmentsarefinalised.

Taylor hits unbeaten century but Australia convincing winners

(Cricinfo) - Australia powered to a 103-run win over West Indies, despite StafanieTaylor’scentury

O p e n e r P h o e b e Litchfieldtop-scoredwith77 and five other team-mates reached the 40s as Australia made341inStKitts.Itwasa record women’s one-day teamtotalintheCaribbean.

AftersweepingthethreegameT20Iseries,thetourists

then restricted the West Indies to 238 for 8 from their 50 overs in the first of three one-dayers.

With the result beyond doubt, the interest late in the game was whether Taylor could score her first one-day tonagainstAustralia.

She made 105 not out from 129 balls, bringing up the century with a boundary off Georgia Wareham in the

47th over Her knock, featuring 10 fours and a six, was Taylor’s eighth one-day international century and her first since 2021. But her nervous 90s nearly ended in disaster - she went for a quicksingleon91andTaylor would have been run out had Wareham’s throw at the stumpsbeenaccurate.

DespiteTaylor’s century, Wareham was named player

of the match for her 42 from 21ballsbattingatNo.7,with five fours and two sixes. Wareham also took 1 for 39 from 10 overs, while Kim Garth removed the openers on the way to 3 for 37 from her10.

RCB begin title defence...

From page 57

PhilSaltnearthepointboundaryattheendofthe16thover Aniket’s cameo

Aniket Verma then produced a knock that was just as electricasKishan’s.Hefaced18ballsandsentsevenofthose disappearing to the boundary Aniket wasn’t just about power WhenBhuvneshwarfloatedaslower,shorterknuckle ball,Aniketheldhisshapeforlongenoughandrampeditover thekeeper Afterclearingthefencefourtimes,heholedoutin the penultimateover of the innings while attempting his fifth six.

RCB cruise in chase

Sunday March 29, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

A proposed get-together with a love interest might have to be postponed until much later tonight or perhaps another evening, %. This could make you a little blue Your insecurity might even get the betterofyou.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Are you expecting a close friend or love partner to visit you at home? Don't panic if your friend doesn't show up at the allotted time. It doesn't meanthatnooneiscoming!

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Anemotionalphonecallcould come from a close friend or love partner, Gemini. This personhasalotofworries,and is apt to lay them all on you if youletithappen.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Financial worries could plague you today, Cancer This is unfortunate, because your concerns are probably misplaced. There may be a few adjustments to make, but nothing a little belt-tightening forafewdayscan'tfix.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Love matters could have you feeling uptight and somewhat fearful today, Leo. Perhaps this involves a relationship that hasn't really manifested yet, or maybe you and your beloved have had a dispute of somekind.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Idealized romantic feelings could pour out today when talking to your love interest, Virgo. That's fine, but you shouldexerciserestraint.Ifit's a new relationship, your partnercouldbescaredoff.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Money worries could cause you to resist attending a group eventwithsomefriends,Libra. Are you afraid you'll be tempted to spend more than you can afford now? You probably will, but that's no reasontostayaway

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Someone you know from work could suddenly seem to have romantic feelings for you, Scorpio. At first this might m a k e y o u a l i t t l e uncomfortable, since you've never thought of this person in thatwaybefore.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Is your love interest out of town, Sagittarius? If so, you might spend much of the day feeling lonely and gloomy Your friend misses you, too, so don't think you'll be alone for long.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A financial goal you've been hoping to reach very soon might seem right around the corner,buttherestillseemtobe a thousand things you have to dobeforeit'sactuallyrealized.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Expect a hectic pace today Some of your colleagues may have been procrastinating a littleandnoweverythinghasto be done at once. Don't get too frustrated,however

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Have you been planning to travel, perhaps for business, Pisces? You might receive word that your trip has to be postponed, which could be disappointing. However, bear inmindthatthisisonlyadelay, notadenial.

At 166 for 1 in the 24th over, Australia might have had ambitions of even greater total but they lost 3 for 20 in six overs including Litchfieldwhowascaughtat long-off. Nicola Carey and captain Sophie Molineux, who again played as a specialist batter and went in at No. 4, rebuilt the innings with a stand of 91 although Molineux struggled for fluency Carey fell one run short of a maiden ODI halfcentury when she missed a reverse sweep against Afy Fletcher It was a recast Australian one-day team, with five changes from the XI that beat India at the start ofthismonthinHobart.

Beth Mooney’s late withdrawal with quad tightness meant Tahlia Wilson was brought in for her ODI debut Wilson impressed with the gloves, with the highlight her sharp stumping ofAaliyahAlleyne offGarth.

Australia 341 (Litchfield 77, Carey 49, Molineux 49, Perry 44, Fletcher 3-83) beat West Indies 238 for 8 (Taylor 105*, Garth 3-37) by 103 runs.

Exciting triple-header...

From page 55

Guyana All matches are expected to bowl off from 9:30h, with one eye especially trained on the Guyana match following torrential rains which have plagued the country over the pastfewdays.(CliftonRoss) Barbados:JavionBatson, Michael Bend, Micaiah Brathwaite, Omari DanielHood, Oshea Francis, Kieran Gittens, Malikai Mason, Jalan McAllister, Shaquan Parris, Shiv Sahadeo, Shawnico Sargeant, Liam Sealy, Ben Shepherd, CharlesWood.

G u y a n a : L o m a r Seecharan (c), Brandon G r i m m o n d , G a u t a m Dhanraj, Luke Amsterdam, Akash Ramdewar, Nathan Bishop, Asgallary Nabbie, Altaf Ali, Makai Dowlin, Leon Reddy, Johnathan Barry,DevrajPersaud,Ravid Fredricks,JaydanGanpat

Jaydev Unadkat struck in his first over when he removed Salt for eight, but Padikkal and Kohli then got together and turned the chase into a cakewalk. By the time their partnership ended at 101 off 45 balls, RCB’s asking rate had droppedtoeight.

Padikkal, who was picked ahead of RCB’s new recruit VenkateshIyer,dashedouttheblocks,hittingthreefoursand three sixes off his first 11 balls. He carried on to bring up his fastestIPLfifty,off21balls.

Afterthematch,Kohlisaidthathehadoriginallyplanned to attack SRH’s attack, but after watching Padikkal middle almost everything, he decided to sit back and anchor the chase.Kohligottohisownfiftyoff33ballsandrushedRCB homewithasequenceof6,4,4,4offHarshalPatelinthe16th over RCBleftSRH’ssix-manattack,nursingeconomyrates rangingfrom9.5to17.5.

No Hazlewood? No problem for RCB. No Cummins? PlentyofproblemsalreadyforSRH.

RHTYSC and Bakewell renew alliance for 26th consecutive Year

“Bakewell is the second longest of our sponsors after Farfan and Mendes Ltd and is, without doubt, one of the main reasons why the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports

Club (RHTYSC), MS, is the success it is today The club and Bakewell are the

products of sheer hard work, discipline, and visionary leadership.”

Those were the words of RHTYSC Cricket Manager, Robby Kissoonlall, on Wednesday last when longserving sponsor, Bakewell, renewed their cricket sponsorship of the club for the26thconsecutiveyear

Kissoonlall stated that the popular bakery has been sponsoringtheclub’sUnder17 and Second Division teams since 2000. Bakewell became the second official sponsor of the RHTYSC, joining Farfan and Mendes Ltd, after a visit to the club by its founder, Naeem Nasir, and General Manager, RajendraGanga.

The sponsorship started with the Second Division team and later expanded to the Under-17 team. The two teams have won a combined twenty-six titles and reached close to twenty semifinals overtheyears.

Kissoonlall spoke on the importance of the Bakewell sponsorship as it allows the players to play the game of cricket without worrying about the expenses associated with it Club Secretary, Hilbert Foster, notedthatmembershipofthe club is totally free and the club stands all expenses of playingthegame.

The former President of the Berbice Cricket Board and Director of Cricket West Indies stated that the teams haveovertheyearsproduced three Test cricketers, ten international players, and 130 Berbice players. The only Berbice players produced by the RHTYSC that have no connection to the Bakewell sponsorship are Ingram Dey and Neil Williams.

Some of the players who played with the Bakewell teams are Kevin Sinclair, Esaun Crandon, Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, KelvonAnderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Jonathan Rampersaud, Dominique Rikhi, Akshay Homraj, Delbert Hicks, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Slyus Tyndall, Sheneta Grimmond, Erva Giddings, and Shabiki Gajnabi.

Foster spoke highly of the role that the Bakewell sponsorship played in the careers of Test players

Kelvon Anderson, Assad Fudadin, and Kevin Sinclair

He recalled also that Dominique Rikhi and Akshay Homraj, former players of the Under-17 and SecondDivisionteams,have gone on to play international cricket for the United States ofAmerica.

The 2026 Under-17 team would be led by national player Leon Reddi with fellow national player Jayden Ganpat as his deputy The Second Division team would be led by veteran lefthanded batsman Ryan Kissoonlall and he would be assisted by vice-captain Jonathan Rampersaud. The management team for both teams would be Robby Kissoonlall, Keith Hicks, andTyronePottaya.

The two teams under the s p o n s o r s h i p w o u l d undertake about fifty c o m m u n i t y - r e l a t e d programmes and projects duringtheyear.

These programmes would be held under a variety of sub-headings including sports, culture, e d u c a t i o n , c h a r i t y, environment, community development, and youth development.

A m o n g t h e m a i n activities to be hosted by the Bakewell teams in 2026 are Tribute to Teachers, Tribute to Students, Cricket Academy, Republic Bank Grade 6 Summer Camp, Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Annual Youth Magazine, Naeem Nasir Memorial Tournament, feeding programmes, and the annual ChristmasVillage.

General Manager of Bakewell, Rajendra Ganga, was loud in praise for the remarkable work of the Bakewell teams over the last twenty-fiveyears.

He noted that the company was pleased to be associated with such a dynamic organization and was very pleased with the club’s ability to produce outstanding players He urgedthemanagementofthe club to uphold the high standards they have set themselves in the past.Apart from the sponsorship of the two cricket teams, Bakewell co-sponsors the RHTYSC annual magazine, Cricket Academy, and the annual ChristmasVillage.

Exciting triple-header bowls off today as future Windies stars collide

Guyana will look to open the 2026 CWI Rising Stars Under-16 Men’s 50-OverTournament, with a win when they face Barbados as part of today’s triple header which bowls off across the Caribbean today Played under a new, revised

bilateral series format, teams will compete in a 3 concurrent 5-match bilateral brawl, spread across host territories Guyana, Antigua and Jamaica.

Today’s opening round will feature the Lomar Seecharran-led Guyana team battling an equally

strong Barbados unit at Lusignan Cricket Ground, with the stakes playing at home being higher than ever In the other matches, Leeward Islands will playWindward Islands over at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, in Antigua, with Jamaica

tacklingTrinidadandTobagoatthe Melbourne Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

Seecharran and his men have a good chance at shining during this competition, given the immense talent and the skill which his men possess.

Much responsibility will be on the shoulders of young stars like Brandon Grimmond, Makai Dowlin, Leon Reddy, Jaydan Ganpat, Nathan Bishop and others; who have been staking their claim asthenextbatchofrisingstarsfor

Continued on page 53

Dehring: CWI targeting share of booming sports tourism market

Cr i c k e t We s t Indies (CWI) chief executive officer Chris Dehring unveiled an ambitious plan topositiontheCaribbeanasa hemispheric hub for cricket

development, centred around a state-of-the-art

high-performance facility in Antigua as the regional board targets a share of the sportstourismmarket.

Speaking at CWI’s quarterly press conference yesterday, Dehring said constructionontheprojectis expected to begin this year

ona20-acresiteatCoolidge, with advanced plans and fundingalreadyinplace.

“It is our intention… to establish the Caribbean as the hemispheric hub for cricket in this side of the world,”Dehringsaid.

The facility, which will

includecutting-edgetraining technology, sports science laboratories and recovery amenities, is designed not only for West Indies teams but also to attract international sides seeking e l i t e p r e p a r a t i o n environments.

“It’s going to be available not just for the West Indies team… but for teams around the world to come here and train and develop,” he added. Dehring explained that the initiative is closely tied to the rapid growth of the global sports tourism industry, which he said was currently valued at approximately US$700 billionandprojectedtomore than double within five years.

“The fastest growing segment is sports tourism,

ed, highlighting the emergence of high-performance centres asamajorcommercialasset.

He pointed to shifting global dynamics as an opportunity for the region, particularly as traditional hubsfaceuncertainty

“That reluctance is actually an opportunity for the Caribbean,” Dehring said, referring to changing conditions in established cricketdestinations.

B

development, the project is

significant commercial returns by attracting teams, events and sports-related traveltotheregion.

“It is now an important investment asset class you’re abl

ve significant commercial returns,”heexplained.

Despite CWI’s welldocumented financial challenges, Dehring said infrastructure projects

remainattractivetoinvestors due to their tangible and l o n g - t e r m v a l u e

“Infrastructure projects excite financiers… people can see what they put their moneyin,”hesaid. Describing the initiative as a key “tailwind” for West Indies cricket, Dehring expressed optimism that it willbeabletotransformboth the developmental and commercial landscape of the game in the Caribbean (TrinidadExpress)

RCBbegintitledefencewithstatementwin

(Cricinfo) - After Jacob Duffy made his best Josh Hazlewood impersonation on IPL debut, Devdutt Padikkal, who had replaced him as the Impact Sub, took centerstage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their title defence with a drubbing of Sunrisers

H y d e r a b a d a t t h e ChinnaswamyStadium.

Duffybowledanerveless spell,takingthenewballand delivering four overs on the trot to come away with 4-022-3, including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Duffy then put his feet up in his dressing room while Padikkal ripped the heart out of SRH’s attack with a high-intent 61 off 26 balls. Virat Kohli did his thing and knocked off a fifty of his own as RCB mowed down 202 with six wickets and26ballstospare.

IshanKishanhadmarked his IPLcaptaincy debut with 80off38balls,butDuffyand Padikkal combined to put

Romario Shepherd finished with a three-for. (Associated Press)

thatintheshade.

Duffy duffs up SRH’s top order

Ontheopeningdayofthe very first season of the IPL, in 2008, a certain Brendon McCullum from the south of New Zealand set the Chinnaswamy alight. On the day the IPL turned 19, another player from the south of New Zealand caused a stir at the Chinnaswamy

After sussing out the conditions early - the new ballwasn’tswingingforlong - Duffy kept hitting a hard length and kept attacking the stumps to discomfit SRH’s heavy-hitters All of

Abhishek, Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy were out, failing to control their pull shots off that length. During those early exchanges, some balls also stopped on batters, and Duffy used that to his

KMTC express appreciation once again

The Kennard’s MemorialTurf Club

(KMTC) once again takes the opportunity to say a big thank you to all patrons and sponsors that supported the club’s recently concluded Phagwah Horse Racemeet.

The event was a big success. The Club would like send their appreciation to the Metro Stationary and Office Supplies, Mr Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall, Mrs. Chan Kennard and Family, New Building Society, Sylvie’s Variety Store, Torginol Paint, Annirude Ramcharitar, David Sawh, Orson Drepaul, the Majeed Family, Spread Business Enterprise, Anil Kishun, Peter

advantage.

When Rajat Patidar said “Jacob” was in RCB’s bowl-

first XI at the toss, many would have assumed him to be Jacob Bethell, who was coming into the IPL on the back of a splendid century against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final Instead,itwasDuffywhogot thenodandmadeitadebutto remember Kishan fires on IPL captaincy debut

Kishan countered Duffy’s strikes, racing away toa27-ballfifty Intherecent past, IPL captaincy has forced some India batters to dial down their aggression, but Kishan continued to bat with the freedom that was central to India winning the

T20 World Cup earlier this month.

When the ball was doing a bit early doors, he started with a classical cover-driven four off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the powerplay and then hit T20 mode when he lined up Abhinandan Singh, the other RCB debutant, for 30 off 13 balls. When RCB went to spin in the form of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, Kishan lined them upaswell.

It felt like RCB would need something special to stop Kishan and that somethingspecialcameviaa one-handedscreamerfrom

Continued on page 53

Parsatoon, R Singh and Sons, GoodWood Racing Service, Michelle Matheson and RohanOuditamongothers.

The club would also like to thank the Guyana Police Force, the club’s directors, executive and workers that worked assiduously to make the day’s meet the successitwas.

The KMTC is one of the premiere horse racing venues in the country and is synonymous with staging top-notch horse race meets. The annual Phagwah horse race meetwaswellorganisedandincidentfreeand featured a bumper crowd that witnessed the action. (SamuelWhyte)