Kaieteur News

Disclosures on the Gas-to-Energy project (Part 2) Bankrupt, lack of experience and faced with mounting lawsuits - Lindsayca awarded multi-million U.S. contract in Guyana

By:DavinaBagot

Wh e n Lindsaycasupposedly

an American energy company - landed an almost billion -dollar contract in Guyana to construct a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and 300 -megawatt (MW) power plant, the entity was bankrupt, faced with several lawsuits, over allegations of money laundering and other questionable business dealings Research also showsthatLindsaycalacked a basic requirement to qualify for the projectexperience in constructing a projectofsuchmagnitude.

Thefinancials

Acarefulexaminationof the company's financials between 2016 and 2019 revealed that Lindsayca was drowningindebttothetune of millions of US-dollars.

Lindsayca, as per the prequalification and bidding process that started with the Request For Proposals (RFP) in September 2021 and concluded with bid submissions in September 2022wasrequiredtosubmit three years of financial

statements to the Government of Guyana (GoG) to ensure the company was in good standing.

An independent commentator, Chartered Accountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram reviewed the financials seen by this newspaper and concluded that the company was under “significant financial strain, withissuesthatgodirectlyto liquidity, sustainability, and the reliability of what is beingreported.”

Ram raised concerns

over the company's persistentnegativeoperating cash flows in both 2017 and 2018, which he says indicates that the business was not generating enough cashtosupportitself.

“I am also troubled by the extent to which the Companydependsonrelated parties. The balance sheet shows large receivables from related entities, but even more significant payables to those same parties, with related-party liabilities exceeding $35 million. On top of that, a

material portion of revenue comes from related-party transactions,” the Chartered AccountantsaidonFriday

He said that level of interdependence raises real

commercialsubstanceofthe transactions, whether those receivables are recoverable, and whether the reported

genuine arm's length activity.Italsomeansthatif that related-party support

accordingtohim.

F

perspective, Ram said the position was not reassuring.

“Despite growth in revenue, the Company recorded a net loss in 2018, and earlier profits appear to have been driven by one-off items rather than sustainable operations,” he explained. Operating expenses are consistently absorbing or exceeding gross profit, which suggested that the underlying business model isweak.

“More importantly, the audit opinion for 2018 was qualified.Theauditorscould

obtain sufficient evidence for certain subsidiaries and for a material portion of revenue due to inadequate accounting records. That, in myview,isaseriousredflag and undermines confidence in the financial statements,” Ramadded.

Finally, he raised concern over the quality of the assets and the broader risk profile. The Chartered Accountant explained that a significant portion of the assets consist of relatedparty receivables and other a m o u n t s w h o s e recoverability is uncertain, along with substantial investment in assets not yet placed into service. He also cited a large, deferred tax asset that depends on future profitability, which was not evidentatthetime.

Consequently, he

concluded that these opinions when put together, along with concentration risk and operations in higher-risk jurisdictions, “this is a high-risk financial profile with real uncertainty

about stability and reliability”.

Ram's review of the company's financials and findings shared with this newspaper therefore raises serious questions about the due diligence conducted by the GoG in awarding such a largeprojecttoacompany

The project is currently delayed with sources indicating that the company is out of cash. As such, the GTE Task Force is considering an additional US$180 million payment that will increase the initial contractsumofUS$759M.

Ifpastbehaviourpredicts futureperformance,itwould onlymeanthatthecompany, whichstartedbiddingforthe project while in a loss will continue to demand more money from Guyana to coveritslosses.

But sparking deeper concerns about the award is the number of lawsuits Lindsaycaandtheassociated Group of bidders were facing at the time it applied for the contract in Guyana andwon.

Thegroup,alongwithits partner, CH4 not only submitted the highest bid to the GoG but also lacked experience in constructing suchamegaproject.Neither entity had ever in its history delivered a turbine power plant, nor did they even participate as a subcontractorworldwide.

Lawsuits

It was reported that Lindsayca, a Venezuelan corporation, was sued by Gazprom - a natural gas company, for $8,781,196 (bolivars) plus interest and legalfeesinconnectionwith a service contract for the constructionandinstallation of $43M natural gas compression plant for

claimed that the company was overpaid for services that were never approved, not provided or performed below industry and contractualstandards.

Meanwhile, in 2015, Lindsayca was awarded a

contract to construct a gas compression facility in Colombia. With the aid of a translator, this newspaper learned that the company was flagged for several irregularities and the contract was terminated according to 'Noticias Caracol' Colombia's largest

privatenewsentity

The120-millioncontract wasfirstsignedinDecember 2015.

T h e C o l o m b i a n government initially agreed topay$500,000monthlyfor 20-yearstoLindsayca.Inthe contract,thecompanystated its address, but when journalists turned up at the site, another company was operating there Further, they were informed that the company works virtually from the address and only receives correspondence at thelocation.

The lawyer for the company said they were not obligatedtobepresentatthe address but should be there to sign the contract and complete their job The lawyercouldnotsaywhythe companydidnothaveoffice space at the time when the contract was signed as he

(Continuedonpage10)

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EDITORIAL

Rich meals bring out the vultures

Africa is experiencing an awakening, slowly rising, conscious of the great riches in the place that the invaders calledtheDarkContinent. ADarkContinent,thisdarkheart ofAfrica,astheschemersandexploiterscalledit. Theyknew about rubber and timber, manpower resources, and from GreatBritaintoHolland,toFranceandGermany,plungedin andtoreallthoseouttofilltheirpockets. Now,therearegreat discoveriesofoil,gold,uranium,cobalt,andotherminerals, acrossAfrica. AsAngola,Nigeria,BurkinaFaso,Niger,and Senegal, to name a few, have tapped into great natural resource discoveries over the decades, most citizens have existedinpovertyfromcradletograve. Thewealthofthese Africans has been shipped away, while they themselves live withhardtimes.

Regarding why this is so, the evidence lies in how some African leaders of countries with great wealth live. When theirlifestylesarelavish,andtheysurroundthemselveswith family and yes-men in key positions, who also enrich themselves,thatexplainsthehardlifeofthecommonpeople. Leaders and their flunkeys corrupt themselves, like the de Santos clan in Angola, with millions parceled out among themselves. Themoneythatbelongstothepeopleneverget tothemintheamountsthattheyshould,forwhatcouldmakea difference. From foreign masters to the local masters replacing them, citizens are taken advantage of, with their wealthsiphonedoff,leavingthemsick,hungry,andhopeless. The new trick involves how the foreigners control the local masters,usethemtodividethepopulation,andpitthemone againsttheother

Thepowersthatoperateinforeigncapitalscompilehefty dossiersontheleadersofcountrieswithmassiveamountsof wealth,thosewhorobbedtheirpeopleleftandright,andthen turnthescrewsonthosevulnerableleaders. Nationalleaders, who are the biggest presences in their countries, have no choice but to trick their own people again. Cheating and stealing from them before left those leaders in a deep hole, opentoexploitation,sotheyareleftwithnochoicebuttotrick their people again. The name of the con game is foreign investment. Foreign investment that facilitates the skills, technology, and capital that tear a country’s riches out of its seasandlands. Becauselocalpresidentsandprimeministers have put themselves in these compromising situations, they areforcedtoplaythecongamewithforeigninvestors. The latter’s primary objective is to profit handsomely at the expense of the population. Like they do with a wounded animal,thebirdsofpreypounceandripgreatslabsoffleshto tametheirendlessgreedmomentarily

Jobsandfreshmillionspouringinfornationalprosperity are what compromised political leaders make their selling points. The jobs are of the kinds that the foreign companies don’twant,andthepromisedprosperityalwayseludehopeful citizenswhentherecordeverywhereisofforeigncorporations makinghugeprofitsfromthemetals,oresandliquidgoldthat they harvest, why are the citizens of those countries forever trappedinaseaofpoverty? Becausetheheadsofcompromised leaders are in a vise that could be tightened at will Their corruptionshavereducedthemtohelplesshostagesandhiding from the people what is really happening with their wealth Having dirtied their hands, and made that kind of bed for themselves,thechoicesbeforethemareugly Theirrealestate holdings are known, can’t help them So, too, their shell accounts are set up to conceal loot stolen from their people, andwhichisadaggeraimedbetweentheireyes.

They stand quietly aside and let the foreign corporate vultures gorge themselves on the natural resources’wealth of theirpeople Ortheybreakfreeoftheforeignyoke,andfacethe wrath of the people, whose trust they betrayed Citizens that werecheated,forcedtolivelikebeggars,gettodecidetheirfate Africans are coming to their senses, getting rid of those who forcedthemtolivelikeanimals,andhatredfortheirneighbours Corporate predators are being called to account by new leaders,anditiseithertheycometoterms,ortheyshipout.

Hold a referendum on renegotiating the lopsided oil contract

DEAREDITOR,

The United Sates Ambassador recently said that it is a bad idea to negotiateanalreadysignedcontract.

Quote:UnitedStatesAmbassadorto GuyanaNicoleTheriothaswarnedthat itsendsa“terriblesignal”andisa“bad idea” for a country to renegotiate a contract that has already been agreed. She made that comment when asked if the U.S government supports a change to the contract Guyana has with AmericancompanyExxonMobil.

However, does the Ambassador’s own country, the USA, honour its signedcontracts?

I seem to recall that Donald Trump renegedontheNAFTAcontractduring his first term. NAFTA was the North American Free Trade Area composing

the USA, Canada and Mexico, signed byRonaldReagan,Ibelieve.

Trumphadthecontractrenegotiated to suit his country and renamed the agreement CUSMA (Canada, US, Mexicoagreement).

Then, in Trumps’s second term, he imposed tariffs on his neignbours (Canada and Mexico) in contravention oftheso-calledCUSMAwhichwashis own brainchild during his first term in office. He continually threatens to take over Canada, and now Greenland. He st wantstomakeCanadahis51 state!

Itlookslikethisisallaboutstealing resourcesfromothercountries.

Does anyone remember the old western (cowboy) movies where bandits wearing masks and riding horseswouldrobthechuckwaggons?

This highway robbery still goes on except that they now use warplanes insteadofcowboysonhorses.

Pleasecheckthearchives,theytook out one million barrels of oil per day from Iraq and one container of lithium perdayfromAfghanistanflyingitoutof theBagramAirForcebase.

When the lithium ran out, they suddenly“pulledout”fromAfghanistan lookingforthenextprey

I have a feeling that his next move will be to take over Canada’s water resources,startingwiththeGreatLakes water

Let us hold a referendum on renegotiating the lopsided oil “contract”.

Thankyou.

ShamRahmanMohammed

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DEAREDITOR,

ExxonalongwithHess& CNOOC came to Guyana as partners with Guyana’s government to produce oil which is currently ongoing under an agreement where Guyanese who owns the oil are getting just leftovers confirmed by the high and increasingpovertyrate.

Under Guyana’s constitution one company is onlyentitledto60oilblocks, yet Exxon & Partners now controls more than 600. Not one MP has explained why this is so, whether the constitution was violated or amended to facilitate this betrayal of the Guyanese people’spatrimony Itisvery evident, it was Exxon & Partners who drafted the oil blocks, and production sharing agreements then presented them to the Guyana’sgovernment.

Instead of having an experienced oil professional

Flooding severely impairs the health of our citizens Rollovers and leftovers define Guyana

DEAREDITOR,

reviewing the contracts, Guyana’sgovernmentrolled over and affixed their signature of approval for t

’ contracts. This confirmation came from the horses’ mouths themselves, as the ones who signed the oil blocks, and production sharingagreementsadmitted they signed the contracts withoutreadingthem.

Exxon & Partners was even so bewildered on how easy Guyana’s government rolled over, that Exxon & Partners themselves made a mistakebynotincludingtax exemption, and unlimited i

ty exemption in the original agreements. So, Exxon & PartnersrequestedGuyana’s government cal

d parliament to pass tax exemptions, and unlimited i

y exemptions, and once gain Guyana’sgovernmentrolled

over complying leaving Guyanesewithleftovers.

The finance minister under the Coalition Governmentisnowonsocial media accusing the current Government of collecting nothing from the oil companies and being hailed asafinancialgeniusevenas he waived taxes via parliament for the oil companies, for the highest incomeearnerinGuyana.

His counterpart in the current government recently called on rich nations to make credit financing availabletotheCaribbean,in the land producing plenty of riches, all this man talks about are loans, mortgages, credit financing, borrowing, debt, IOU’s etc., seems this man expertise in financing a r e b o n d a g e , a n d indebtedness. No wonder under his tenure Guyana’s debt has increased from under 2 billion US$, to now over 10 billion US$ and counting, Guyanese, this is the main reason for your current stifling unaffordable costofliving.

Exxon & Partners have

cometoGuyanalearned,and nowpractisingawellknown Guyanese slogan “ketch a pacoobusseback”,somuch so, Exxon now have Guyanese on a “need to know” basis on production, monitoring, profit share, clean-up costs, and general operations procedures

Exxon will now tell Guyana whatitfeelslike,wheneverit feelslike,giveGuyanawhat it likes with no insurance protection, and the entire Guyana rolls over and accept.Exxonhasnowmade itclear, therewillalso be no discussion about windfall profit sharing due to unexpected spike in oil prices due to global factors even as countries like Canada will be collecting their windfall profits due to the current Gulf Conflict, andonceagainGuyanarolls over to accept leftovers instead. This is what the Vice-President,andMinister of Natural Resources calls the best management model for other oil producing countriestofollow Guyana is past due to collect back 20% of it all

blocks,yetthisisnotanissue for those in government nor opposition, whether it’s indoororoutdoorparliament no one asks about this nor speak of it This entire country has rolled over staying silent on whatever foreign companies are allowed to do in Guyana, unfortunately for Guyanese thisisgoingtobeverycostly more than Guyanese can handle Guyana had unresolved border issues with all 3 of its neighbours prior getting into oil with a m e m o r a n d u m o f understanding of coexisting, however, the rolling over by Guyana’s government to the oil companieshavecausedtheir neighbouring countries dearly, so border issues are nowresurrecting,andallthe president do is filing complaints. TheUSAmbassadorsaid American companies are double taxed in Guyana, US companies get a tax receipt showing they paid taxes to Guyana,yetGuyanagetsnot one cent, and the whole country rolls over and

accepts this. The PPP now haveparliamentarymajority, theycanrescindExxon’stax exemption,theycandemand unlimited liability for oil, spills,theycandemandmore benefits for every new oil project, they can impose environmental regulations on foreign companies operatinginGuyana,thePPP wouldneverdothesethings, instead they will lambast Forbes Burnham who died decadesago.

The opposition has been recentlybarragingGuyanese with videos of government corruption,yetthiswoulddo little for the government change since they have no shame or conscience, remember there was a ViceNewsundercovervideowith a Chinese foreign national openly saying you can get anythinginGuyanaonceyou payofftherightpersonsone ofwhomwasfeaturedinthe video making the deal, yet this had no effect on Guyanesewhorollsfortheir politicalpartiesespeciallyat elections.

Thedealisveryclearin

Continued on page 9

WearelivinginchallengingtimesinGuyana.Nothingis beingdoneaboutanationalcrisisthathasbeenaffectingour populacebeforethebeginningofthiscentury The2005flood was a wake-up call, but successive governments have unashamedlyslepton.

Twenty-one years later, we have just experienced severe flooding in densely populated districts and throughout Guyana, even in the heart of Georgetown.Almost instantly, we learned that the government would usurp the Mayor and CityCouncillors(M&CC)’rolebytakingcontrolof57streets. This is obviously intended to be a panacea for the flooding, being presented to a dim-witted populace, hence, Guyanese arebeingunderrated.Itmerelyservesasaplasterforawound requiringsurgery

May I suggest that we seek the assistance of the best in drainageandwatermanagement,theNetherlands.Theywere previously our colonisers, but we must put aside hubris to requesttheirservices.Asthefastestgrowingeconomyinthe world, let us move with alacrity and confidence. Let us not recruit from Israel and leave them to fight their war The Dutcharemasterfulinoverallwatermanagement.

Focusingonbuilding,repairinganddisplayingbuildings, roadsandbridgesisinsufficientasasignofprogress.Weneed acabinetoftechnocratssuchasDr VincentAdams.Wehavea plethoraoftheseinthediasporawhostillmaintainandfeela cultural and emotional bond with their homeland. I could suggestafew Theycouldbeencouragedtoreturntoserve,if provided with the enhanced safety of a home in a well-run gated community, the appropriate emoluments and good schoolsfortheirchildren,tonamethosethingswhichcometo mind. An efficient and effective police force will also be essential. Here again, a fancy building which is now their headquarters,willbeawastefulinvestmentunlessitsstaffare commensuratewithitsquality

Floodingseverelyimpairsthehealthofourcitizensdueto a poor sewerage and water system. Ill-equipped denizens wading through the floods creates a breeding ground for diseases.ThepilesofgarbagethroughoutGuyanacontribute monumentallytothisandserveasneglectandchaos.

Sincerely, ConradBarrow

No theatrical production showcasing Guyana’s history as independent country for 60th Independence anniversary

DEAREDITOR,

Iamappalledandsaddenedthatfor our 60th Independence anniversary celebrations there is no theatrical production being staged showcasing our history as an independent country, depicting from whence we came, who weareandwhatweare,asapeopleand as a nation. I recalled that in 2006, the production for the 40th Independence

anniversary staged by GEMS Theatre Productions, initiated and financed by GT&T and enthusiastically supported bythethenCEOMajorGeneralRtdJoe Singh.

‘All In Wan’was a musical written by Dave Martins, directed by Ron Robinsonandproducedbyme.

In 2016, for the 50th Independence Anniversary, another musical

sponsored by the Ministry of Social Cohesion, staged ‘ONE’ written and directedbyRussellLancaster It is 2026, having seen the recently launchedscheduleofeventsforthe60th Independence Anniversary celebrations,NOTHING???

Where forth is our Orange Economy?

GemMadhoo

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CAMERON & SHEPHERD celebrates 125 years

DEAREDITOR,

One hundred years ago, on 5 September, 1926, an editorial in the New Daily Chronicle of 5 September 1926stated:“Formanyyears past Messrs. Cameron and Shepherd, of the City, have enjoyed the privilege of being regarded as the Colony’s leading firm of Solicitors: for very many years,theyhaveenjoyedthe unboundedconfidenceofthe community, as a firm whose opinion on any legal matter was entitled to the highest esteemandrespect.”Itisnot known if the same can be saidtoday Atthattime,there were at most a few dozen lawyers. Today, there are

hundreds,manyofgreatskill and learning. But for any institution to have survived intact for 125 years in a young country like Guyana isnothingshortofamiracle. Cameron & Shepherd was established by William Stuart Cameron and his cousin, Charles Edward Shepherd on 4 April 1901. Cameron was a Guyanese and 43 years old at the time. ShepherdwasBritishand22. It is believed that Cameron would have sent for Shepherd after his first attemptin1891toestablisha firm, Dargan and Cameron, with Patrick Dargan, a prominentlawyer,described as of “mixed race,” failed in

about 1899 Cameron & S h e p h e r d q u i c k l y established itself as a leader in commercial litigation and non-contentious work. As it grew, its clientele ranged fromthesmallbusinessman, manyfromthecityaswellas rural communities, to the larger commercial businessesinthecityaswell as many regular Guyanese. Eventually, Cameron & Shepherd became a leading firm of lawyers on which basistheeditorialintheNew Daily would have been written.

Of the 19 partners since 1901,15wereGuyanese.Of the four who were British, two were recruited by

Bookers to concentrate on their matters Of the remaining two, one, Shepherd, was directly recruitedbyCamerontostart the firm Cameron & Shepherd, which has survivedfor60plusyearsin colonial British Guiana and 60 plus yeas in Independent Guyana, was and is today a completelyindigenousfirm. Throughout its history, uptothepresent,itspartners were active in public life, held political positions, sat on commissions, and contributed to the community in the manner theyfeltwereconsistentwith the dominant values at the time. As those values have

evolved, and are constantly evolving today, (we talked about “imperialism” up to the 90s; today it’s a bad word),Cameron&Shepherd has also evolved, embracing new developments in public affairs, in law and other relevantareas.

Each of the few

businesses that

h survived since the 19 th century,ortheturnofthe20 century, have their own experiences that were r

longevity Cameron & Shepherd’s survival must have had something to do with the quality of its work that gave rise to the opinion articulatedbytheNewDaily Chronicle. It may also have had to do with its fierce commitmenttoitsclients,its dedicationtoexcellenceand the trust between partners based on rigid adherence to fundamental standards and principles. It is not an easy t a s k t o d

d shareholding among a disparate group of people, some of strong views, with differingabilities,levelsand qualities of contributions, but suppressing their own views much of the time to secureagreementandforthe common good To have succeeded at this for 125 years is a monumental achievement.

Cameron & Shepherd’s contribution to law and the administration of justice has been monumental. Fortunately for the legal profession, the British Guiana Law Reports, the GuyanaLawReportsandthe West Indian Reports, which publish important cases that are heard in British Guiana and in Guyana, bear witness to the contribution of Cameron & Shepherd’s lawyers to Guyana’s and West Indian jurisprudence. Anditisnotminor Thefirm was involved in the major cases of the day for many

decades, advancing innovative legal principles and creating precedents. It has practiced in every court established in Guyana’s history which has jurisdiction over Guyana, including the Privy Council forforeignclients.

Because of the rules againstpublicitybylawyers, which have been rigidly applied in earlier years, but which are today more creatively interpreted, it has notbeenpossibletoextolthe work and contribution of Cameron & Shepherd to Guyanaoverthe125yearsof its existence But it is doubted if anyone would begrudge the licence being taken at this time to define thatcontribution.

Families have somehow gravitated to the firm but have thankfully resisted the temptation to add their own names to that of the firm. TherewasfirsttheDeFreitas familyconsistingofJ.G.De Freitas K C, uncle to brothers J Edward De Freitas, a solicitor, Herman De Freitas, a solicitor and Paul De Freitas, a barrister and son of J. Edward. All were partners Without detracting from the talent and contribution of Herman andPaul,J.G.andJ.Edward were among the most brilliant lawyers produced by Guyana.Then there were H.C.HumphreysK.CandH. C. B. Humphreys, his son. Today there are H. N. Ramkarran S.C., Nikhil Ramkarran and Kamal Ramkarran. No doubt there will be more families in the future. Apart from families, many individual partners have made lasting contributions to law in generalandtothefirm.

Cameron & Shepherd stands ready to play its role in 21st century Guyana for thenext125years.

RalphRamkarranSC SeniorPartner SpeakerEmeritus

Every man, woman and child must become Oil-minded RoadtoFirstOil

The never-ending saga of the Gas-to-Energy Project: Of Promise, Planning and a Bleeding of Billions

This article 1st appeared on chrisram.net. (Column 178dated3April2026) It is reproduced with the kind courtesy of the author

ByChristopherRam

The report of a quiet settlement - some US$82 million paid following arbitration in the Gas-toEnergy Project - ought to give the country pause. Not because disputes arise in projects of this scale - they do - but because of how

early, how quietly, and how expensively this one has done so. It is a thought that comes uncomfortably to mind, for what we are witnessing is not merely a problem of execution but a problemofdesign.

Projects of this magnitude do not descend into arbitration at this stage u n l e s s s o m e t h i n g fundamental has already gone wrong - not only in construc

n conception, procurement

and planning. The Wales developmentnowpresentsa pattern rather than an isolated difficulty. The soil problems - predictable, avoidable, and elementaryhave required extensive

significant additional cost Thatisnotcontingency;itis a failure of due diligence. The arbitration, settled at app

US$82 million after an even larger

, is no

misfortune but a failure of

contract structuring and risk allocation. And surrounding all of this is a troubling silence in which the country wasnottold,thecostwasnot disclosed, and the implications have not been explained.

Layered onto this is the matter of time - promised, revised, and repeatedly missed.Theprojectwasfirst presentedwithtimelinesthat spoketocompletionwithina compressed horizon, at one stage as early as 2024. That date passed It was then shifted to 2025 That too slipped.Wewerethentoldto look to 2026, and now even that horizon appears uncertain, with full completion drifting into 2027.Eachrevisionhasbeen presented as an adjustment; taken together, they tell a differentstory Deadlinesare not merely dates on a calendar - they are statements of planning, competence and control When they are missed once, questions arise. When they are missed repeatedly, conclusionsbegintoform.

The difficulty, however, runs deeper than delay This projectisinseparablytiedto the petroleum operations offshore under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement.

The gas originates there, its economics are shaped there, and its accounting mustultimatelyreturnthere. Yet the project is treated as though it exists outside that framework - outside its transparency, its discipline, anditsscrutiny Ifanypartof thisexpenditureistreatedas recoverable cost, then the countryispayinginwaysnot immediately visible: not only through direct budgetary outlays, but through reduced oil revenues It is paying in cash,andinsilence.

Even on the most conservative view, the visible costs alone are troubling A project once presentedinthehundredsof m i l l i o n s n o w s i t s comfortably in the billions, andeachdelayaddsnotonly time but cost, while each dispute adds not only cost butuncertainty

Each missed deadline extends the period during which households and businesses continue to pay

existing tariffs, pushing further away the central promise upon which the project was sold: cheaper electricity In the meantime, there is a compounding burden in which capital is committed but not productive, inefficiencies a c c u m u l a t e , a n d assumptions are overtaken by reality The project does not wait for reality; reality moves on without the project.

There are also costs that do not appear in any estimate, but which are nonethelessreal.

L a n d h a s b e e n compulsorily acquired, and citizens have been required to surrender property for what is said to be a national purpose Yet questions

remain as to whether compensation reflects true value Where fairness is uncertain, legitimacy is weakened, and where legitimacy is weakened, dissatisfactionandsuspicion inevitablyfollow

And still, the central q u e s t i o n r e m a i n s unanswered: who is responsible?

There is no clear single point of accountability, no consolidated reporting, and no regular, transparent accountingofcost,progress, andrisk. Responsibility appears diffused, accountability

remains elusive, and transparency is, at best, selective In such an environment, even success becomesdifficulttomeasure andfailuredifficulttoassign.

Wehaveseenthismovie before,notasatrailer-oras 'a shorts' as it was called in my days - but as a full saga.

The Skeldon Sugar

CharteredAccountant andAttorney, Christopher Ram

Modernisation Project followed a similar path of early promise, escalating cost, shifting timelines, prolonged silence, and then disaster The difference now is one of scale. Then, the sums seemed large; now, they seem modest. Yet the underlying lesson appears unchanged, and the consequencespotentiallyfar greater

What is perhaps most concerning is that even though this project remains incomplete - its cost u n c e r

s performanceuntested-there isalreadymovementtoward expansion.

Another gas-to-energy project, additional capacity, and replication without validation are being contemplated This is not sequencing but escalation, and it risks compounding uncertainty rather than resolvingit.

We are told that this is a “world-class”project.Itmay yet become one But as matters now stand, it is something else: not a white elephant, for it will be used, but a costly lesson in weak planning, poor sequencing, andavoidableerror

Whatbeganasapromise of progress has become a matter of concern - about cost, about competence, and aboutgovernance.Andnow, with the disclosure of the arbitration settlement and the accumulation of missed deadlines, one further conclusion presses itself forward: this is no longer merely a project under strain; it is a project riddled with uncertainties, missed deadlines, mismanagement, ballooningcostandbleeding billions.

Strangersinourowncountry

Ifthemodernworldwere to embrace the idea that every people must return to and reclaim the lands their ancestors inhabited two thousand years ago, we would not be advancing civilization—we would be unmaking it Such a principle would ignite competing historical claims across continents, tearing apartestablishednationsand plunging humanity into ceaseless territorial conflict. It would resemble not a just order, but a medieval world of overlapping claims, conquest, and perpetual instability

It is precisely this danger of elevating ancient entitlement above lived reality—that is laid bareinthemodernhistoryof Palestine.

The creation of the State of Israel was not simply an act of refuge; it was also, undeniably, an act of displacement It emerged from a convergence of forces: the rise of modern nationalism,thecatastrophic persecution of Jews in Europe, and the machinery of British colonial power

Butinresolvingonehistoric injustice, it imposed another on a different people—the Palestinians.

Zionism framed the establishment of a Jewish homelandasbothanecessity and a right. Yet this vision, while grounded in a historical connection to the land, it did not adequately reckon with the presence of an existing society—Arab Palestinians who had lived, worked, and built communities there for generations. The land was not empty; it was inhabited, cultivated, and claimed in thepresenttense.

The decisive turning point came under the umbrella of empire. During World War I, Britain positioneditselfasarbiterof the region’s future. Through the Balfour Declaration, it endorsed the creation of a Jewish national home in Palestine. It did so without the consent of the majority population already living there. This was not selfdetermination; it was imperialallocation.

Under the British

Mandate for Palestine,

Jewish immigration

increased, land purchases expanded, and the demographic and political balance began to shift. In other words, Jews were allowed to come and take over lands that belonged to thePalestinians.

For the Palestinians, this represented the gradual erosion of their control over their own homeland. They saw a project unfolding in which they were becoming strangers in their own country

The aftermath of World War II intensified international support for the creation of a Jewish state, particularly in light of the Holocaust. But the moral urgency to provide a safe havenforJewstranslated,in practice, into dispossession ofthePalestinians.

The United Nations stepped in and proposed a partition plan of 1947. This plan proposed dividing the land, but it did so in a way that allocated a significant portion to a population that was still a minority This deepened fears of Palestinianmarginalisation.

Rollovers and leftovers define...

Frompage5

Guyana being, the government will allow foreign companies to take from, and do whatever they like to Guyana, in return the governmentgetstodo whatevertheywantto the citizens of Guyana who rolls over gleefully accepting this, the evidence of this stemsfromincidentshappeningallacrossthe country

Now the government has an excuse for thewaythingsworkinGuyanabeingthenew GulfWar,Idon’tknowwhattheywillblame for the last three decades. None of the

politicians’ campaign to stop the foreign plundering of Guyana, it’s only the blame game so elections will just be one set of roll overs trying to replace another set. The biggestsetofrolloversyetaretheGuyanese population to political parties, and their foreign counterparts, so much so they are willingtojustcollectleftovers.Thisisabitter tasteforGuyaneseastheycomplaineveryday ofhardship,andgovernmentintimidation,so what else do Guyanese expect being roll oversacceptingleftovers?

Dem Boys Seh...

ConcernedGuyanese

Hairtoday,walletgonetomorrow

Dem boys seh one fella walk into a barbershopfuhasimple“line-up.”Heain’t goinfuhnofullworks—nofade,nodesign, no fancy name haircut like “executive shadow blend.” Just a lil clean-up round de edges. Something quick, neat, respectable. Orsohethought.

When de barber done and spin de chair round like he unveiling a masterpiece, de manaskhowmuch.Barbercoollikebreeze seh,“$2,500.”

Well,suhdemannearlyfalloffdechair hejustpayfuhsitin.

Hestartprotestlikehecampaigningfuh office. “$2,500 fuh WHAT? Dis ain’t lineup—disismess-up!Yuhlineain’tevenline up!”Demboyssehheevenpulloutamirror andstartpointtoheforeheadlikeasurveyor markingdisputedterritory “Lookhere!Dis sidegoingeast,dissidegoingwest.Yuhcall disalignment?”

One man in de shop watching de whole dramabussoutlaughingandseh,“Bai,with desizeofyuhhead,yuhshouldapaydouble! Is more surface area de barber got fuh

Those fears materialised in 1948. The establishment of Israel and the ensuing 1948 Arab–Israeli War resultedinwhatPalestinians call the Nakba the catastrophe Hundreds of thousands were expelled or fledfromtheirhomes,entire villages were depopulated, and a people who had lived on the land for generations were transformed into refugees This was not incidental to the creation of the state; it was, in many respects,intrinsictoit.Anew national home was being forged for Jews, and it came at the cost of another people’shomeland.

In the decades that followed, the pattern deepened. The Six-Day War brought additional Palestinian territories under Israeli control, and the expansion of settlements further entrenched a reality in which Palestinians found themselves increasingly confined, fragmented, and

denied full sovereignty

Whatbeganasdisplacement became a prolonged condition of statelessness andoccupation.

The creation of a homeland for Jews in Palestine displaced the Palestinianpeoplefromtheir rights to it Their dispossession was not an unintendedsideeffect;itwas a direct consequence of establishing the State of Israel, state that prioritized one group’s national aspirations over another’s existingpresence.

Imagine what would happen if a decision was taken to create in a part of Guyana, a home for Venezuela This is no different from what happened with Palestine Theirlandswerehandedout to create the State of Isarel which has continued to expand and expand, displacing the very people whothelandbelongsto.

This is why the conflict

endures. It is not simply a dispute over borders; it is a struggle over rights—over who belongs, who governs, and who has claim to the land If Palestinians are denied full sovereignty and therestorationoftheirrights, the conditions for conflict willpersist.

And guess where at one time consideration was being given to locate the StateofIsrael.Ofallplaces, Guyana, then British Guiana, was being considered.Todaywewould have been strangers in our owncountry

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Well, that didn’t help matters. De man getmorevex.Butdebarberstandfirm—no discount,nosympathy Cashonly,argument free.

Nowdemboysseh,truthbetold,$2,500 fuh a line-up sound steep. But these days if yuh walk into one of dem “prime” barber shopswithairconditioncolderthan theIce Houseandmusiclouderthanaminibus,yuh lookingat$3,000justfuhthemtoask,“How yuhwantit?”

Guyana is an oil economy now, and it look like even yuh hairline catching Brent crudeprices.Everysnipgotasurcharge.

So dem boys advising: before yuh park yuhselfinanybarberchair,askdepricefirst. Ask twice if yuh hard of hearing. Because whendebarberdone,notonlyyuhheadgon feellighter—yuhpocketgonfeellikeitjust gothroughbudgetcuts.

And remember: in today’s economy, even a crooked line-up could come with a straightprice. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

US Ambassador Theriot's selective seeing

People see what they prefer to see, then double down by selling that as universal, gospel. Different ways are used to describe such standards. Selective seeing, accentuating the positive, putting in a good word for a sidekick. US Ambassador Nicole Theriot

distinguished herself remarkably well by meeting all those descriptions, when she came out of closet and spoke generously, even excessively, for Exxon

When CEO Darren Woods

Routledge, wished for a powerful voice, they got a good one in Ambassador Theriot.

AmbassadorTheriotsaw the bright, heavy, footprint of oil supergiant, Exxon, leaving a trail of beneficial footprints throughout Guyana. She gushed, “In fact,IwasjustinRegionOne this weekend. I was at Shell BeachandinMabarumaand

in Imbotero and anywhere you look, you will see signs saying, at the bottom, it will

ExxonMobil. They are doing incredible work all over this country.” Congratulations, Ambassador, the eyesight is keen, peripheral vision is sharp From education

s sponsorships to assistance forcommunityprojects,and o

ExxonMobil gleams from generous contributions

made. When Exxon felt it wastimeforanon-Guyanese and supposedly nonpolitical salesperson, it reached for a star:AmbassadorTheriot.

Ambassador Theriot bubbledover Exxonisinto localculture-cricketgiving a lift with a few dollars. Exxon is into a brighter future for Guyana, by donating more dollars to the drivers of local destiny: students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). And,whenExxonwantedto be held in good favour by Guyanese, there came a playground and a bus shed, and a community urinal to keep the environment pristine. Somedollarshere, more dollars there, and a bigger fistful of dollars elsewhere Hollywood legendClintEastwoodmade hisname,lefthismark,with Spaghetti Westerns and the help of director Sergio Leone. Americanoillegend, Exxon, thanks to the glistening cheerleading of Ambassador-producerdirector Excellency Nicole D.Theriot,isnowrebranded as the best of heroes to Guyanese. Inrecognitionof Excellency Theriot's magical gifts of taking the disastrous and making it lustrous, I am rewriting my last Will and Testament WhenthattimecomesthatI must go, ExcellencyTheriot is the one to deliver the eulogy Fromambassadorto marketertoprizedspeakerin demand,fewarethemortals

that can compare, cancompete,with the lady from Louisiana Go, Tigers,Go!

I a m s o r r

Excellency, but I must do my duty For what I came backtothiscountry Notthat IloveAmericaless…It'sjust that inner command that must be obeyed. Bluntly, Ambassador Theriot gave her best one-eyed impression. She is a fine impressionist. Her sight may be limited due to the effects of Guyana's political smog, but she is not lacking ininsight. Amillioncricket bats mean nothing to destitute, distraught, Guyanese, who have just a scrapfortheirpot. Millions for STEM is wonderful, a giftlauded.

contracts(commitments)are guaranteed to be areas in which they fail miserably When there should be pride in being among the biggest producersofoil(percapital), there shouldn't be the stalking, menacing companion of poverty

Like the cheap whiskey given to Native Americans, andlookhowtheyendedup, and where. ATrail of tears.

Excellency Theriot has to know how Exxon's 2016 oil contract constricts and corners the majority of Guyanese into a place of pathos; but claims not to be too familiar with that damning, enslaving instrument.

Even more frankly, Excellency, there is some homework missing, some catching up on that degradingoilcontract.

When many Guyanese can't buy enough food, then buying clothes, filling prescriptions,andhonouring their own monthly personal

There's the real Guyana, Ambassador They are the people that Exxon and its partner, the PPP Govt, have disdained, disowned, dismissed. The unfed and unclothed and undeveloped of Guyana So many buildings, so many projects, so many sponsorships springingupacrossGuyana, complimentsofExxon. For every one sponsorship, one beneficialproject,fundedby Exxon,AmbassadorTheriot, there are a thousand, a hundred times that, more Guyanese, who long for a proper meal on a consistent basis.

Maybe an apology is owed to ExcellencyTheriot. Her Embassy handlers steered her only to the luscious sides of Guyana. Hersightrestedonwhatwas bright.

(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.)

Corporal charged for corrupt transaction on self-bail

A 30-year-old corporal of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who was charged in connection to a corrupt transaction with an agent was placed on self-bail.The GPF said the accused Akeem Semple, “…allegedly committed [the crime] on January 13, 2026,

at the Non Pariel Police Outpost”Corporal Semple appeared at theVigilance Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on WednesdayApril1,wherethechargewasread to him Semple pleaded not guilty The matter wasadjournedtoApril28,2026.

Bankrupt, lack of experience...

Frompage3

wasnotthecompany'slawyeratthetime. The company went to arbitration with the government, but the outcome was never reported,similartoGuyana'scase.Lindsayca left Colombia and never delivered on that project Meanwhile, Lindsayca's business partner's Financial Entity in Puerto Rico, Banco San Juan Internacional (BSJI) (who delivered a multimillion financing proposal for Gas to Energy in support of CH4) is owned by the Venezuelan Bellosta Family BSJIin2019wasraidedbytheFBIinPuerto Rico for suspicious activities related to financial sanctions evasion and money launderingtiedtoVenezuela. The company just two years later submitted a bid to the GoG for the gas

project, raising questions about whether the administration conducted a simple Google search or proper due diligence to verify the company'sanditsownerstrackrecord.

With no trace of any project of similar

, stakeholders continue to question how the GTETaskforceevaluatedthebidsandranked Lindsayca/ CH4 the best bidder in terms of technical capabilities, financial resources, andboththeirlegalandtechnicaltrackrecord to deliver Guyana's single largest onshore investmentinitshistory

On Friday, Kaieteur News revealed that the GoG lost an arbitration with the contractor and was required to pay an additional US$82 million that was never madepublic.

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.

Monday March30,2026

City still drowning in neglect

Saturday's flooding across Georgetown was not just the result of heavy rainfall, it was a damning

indictment of chronic mismanagement.Afternearly 24 hours of intense rain, streets were submerged, but therealculpritlayinclogged

drains, debris-choked trenches and a system that

s i m p l y f a i l e d

Warnings had already been

issued about days of sustainedrainfall,yetthecity

appeared predictably unprepared.

Residents were left wading through stagnant water,raisinghealthconcerns

a n d d i s r u p t i n g livelihoods an all-toofamiliarsceneinacapitalthat shouldknowbetter

Thisisnotanactofnature alone; it is administrative negligence Georgetown cannot continue to flood every time the skies open Until drainage infrastructure

i s m o d e r n i s e d a n d maintenance treated as a priority—not a photo-op the city will remain trapped in a cycleofavoidabledisaster

Tuesday March31,2026

A reckless war

Theescalatingwarwaged by the United States and Israel against Iran is being sold as a mission of security andstability,butincreasingly it resembles a dangerous exercise in power without foresight What began as strikes on nuclear and military targets has spiraled into a widening regional conflict, drawing retaliation, civilian suffering, and global economicshock.

Theprecisionkillings,the bombings, the ultimatums, thesearetactics,notstrategy Even as Iranian leadership

hasbeendecimated,thestate remains intact, and arguably more hardened Regime change cannot be delivered by missiles, nor imposed by foreign hands without consequences.

Meanwhile, dissent is growing internationally Allies are breaking ranks, calling the war illegal and unjust, exposing the fragile legitimacy of this campaign.

Thisisnotacleanwar.Itisa gamble, one that risks ignitingabroadercatastrophe while repeating the oldest mistake in geopolitics: believing force alone can reshapenations.

Wednesday April01,2026

Exxon and the 50/50 share

ExxonMobil continues to reap staggering profits from Guyana's oil without honouring the true 50/50 share promised under the 2016PSA.

The absence of a ringfencing mechanism has allowedthecompanytoclaim upto87.5percentofrevenue, leaving the nation with crumbs while costs rack up acrossmultipleprojects.

Despite claims that the cost bank will be cleared by year-end, new projects threaten to balloon expenses, further delaying Guyana's rightful profits.AFC leaders, includingDr VincentAdams and interim leader David Patterson, warn that without transparency and strict ringfencing, Guyanese will remainshortchanged.

The government must demand quarterly disclosure of recovered costs, operational expenses, and profits, and implement ringfencing immediately

Anything less risks cementing a system where Exxoncontrolstimelinesand revenue, while Guyana waits indefinitelyforwhatislegally andmorallyowed.

Crypto,Cartels,andCollusion:

GI-TOC Exposes Guyana as the Lifeblood of Venezuela's Gold Underworld

ByKhadidjaBa

An investigative report released in March 2026 by the GlobalInitiativeAgainstTransnationalOrganizedCrime(GITOC)hasidentifiedGuyanaasacriticalsourceforillicitgold currently flooding into Venezuela. The report, authored by MarcenaHunter,GabrielFunari,andSophiaPickles,reveals aninversionofhistoricalsmugglingpatterns.Whilegoldonce flowed from Venezuela into Guyana to evade international sanctions,thetrendhasreversed:Guyanesegoldisnowbeing siphoned across the border to sustain a "structurally criminalized" Venezuelan ecosystem. This shift is being driven by Venezuelan military generals who are reportedly payingapremiumof8%aboveinternationalmarketpricesto lure Guyanese traffickers, effectively outbidding legal domestic markets and tightening their grip on the regional supplychain.

ThereportdetailshowtheremovalofNicolásMaduroin January2026bytheUSmilitaryoperation Absolute Resolve failed to dismantle the criminal governance structures embedded in the gold sector Instead, high-ranking military officials and transnational organised crime groups have consolidated their control. These Venezuelan criminal syndicates have aggressively expanded into the Guyanese gold sector, particularly within the gold-rich northern midlands of the disputed western Essequibo region. The CuyuníRiver,amajormigrationandtransportartery,hasbeen transformed into a corridor of extortion where guerrilla groups and criminal organisations now levy "rents" on Guyaneseminers.This"well-oiledmachine"leverageslongstanding political backing and armed force to move gold seamlessly across borders, threatening Guyana's territorial andeconomicsovereignty

Logistically, the report identifies the city of BoaVista in Brazil as the primary "aggregation hub" that facilitates the drainage of Guyanese wealth. Gold is being transported by roadfromLethemontheGuyanesebordertoBoaVista,where it is consolidated with Brazilian gold and moved into Venezuelavialong-haultrucksandsmallaircraft.Theuseof private airstrips, including those located within Guyana, remainsacriticalvulnerability Theseaircraft-basednetworks allow traffickers to adapt quickly to regional enforcement pressures and move large consignments of 20 to 100 kilogramswithouttriggeringcommunity-levelvisibility This (Continuedonpage 54)

PAS Cargo gets first GRA certified off-site customs office

PASCargoGuyana has become the f i r s t c a r g o company to have a certified Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) off-site office in the country

At the company's recent launch of its facility located at Rome, Heroes' Highway, Vice President Shridath Naraine said that with its convenient location, the facility is offering secure access, alongside spacious maneuverability for all the heavytrucking.

“We have on site a GRA certified office which I believeisthefirstofitskind in the country,” Naraine announced.

“Overtheyears,wehave built a reputation as a savvy and capable cargo consolidateandgrownintoa leading freight and logistics provider, proudly holding a premier position in the market, with a strong reputation in LCL, which is

less than container load shipping and commercial cargo consolidation. Pascal Ghana distinguished itself through this strong focus on commercial LCL cargo, air cargo and local logistics.

PAS Cargo Guyana today offers weekly air and ocean cargo from the USA, from Panama, from Trinidad,” Naraineexplained.

The company handles cargo globally, and as a memberoftwomajorgroups covers over 9000 individual shipping companies, in 190 countries. Poised to serve Guyana not just from trade, PAS Cargo is also aiming to put Guyana on the worldwidestageinlogistics.

“A key part of our successhasbeenthestrength ofourU.S.operation,where PAS Cargo USA has made continuous investments in infrastructure and capabilities to better serve our customers. You've seen, ifthoseofyoucamealready,

wouldhaveseensomevideo running with the U S operations It's quite i m p r e s s i v e , ” hesaid.

Further, the Vice

President noted that the company is committed to technology through innovations in its “logistics platform, from using barcode processing, RFID tracking, where we enhance efficiency, transparency and communications the trust and loyalty of a growing customer base Our core softwarelogisticsplatformis called momentum and was developed by a talented GuyaneseteamatV75some of you may know who they are.”

Inkeepingwithevolving technology and artificial intelligence, the company will be launching a mobile app This will allow customers to access the entire platform from their devices, where they will be

abletotracktheircargo,give instructions and upload documents amongst other importantfeatures.

“This is a game changer in our industry. More importantly, this is a statement, a statement that Guyana deserves, deserves world class infrastructure, a statement that local talent, innovation and vision can

competeatthehighestlevel, and a statement that as PAS Cargo, 100% Guyanese, owncompanyisherenotjust to participate in this market, but to help lead it forward,” headded.

M e a n w h i l e , Parliamentary Secretary Thandi McAllister who attended the ceremony said that the opening of the

facility is testament to the ongoing work the private and public sectors are engagingintostrengthenthe country's shipping and aviationinfrastructure.

S h

atory frameworks and creating an enabling environment for investment.

“ as the government continues to invest in our ports, airports and road networks, partnerships with companieslikePASCargois essential to ensuring that these investments translate into real benefits for our economy and our people. This facility stands as a landmark achievement in national trade development, as the first commercial offsite customs facility, approved by the GRA, it represents a pivotal shift in how supply chains and logistics operations will function in our country,” McAllisteradded.

Guyanese children dying amid oil wealth

…chides govt. for 'hit and miss' approach at youth protection – Anand Persaud

The government of Guyana was on Wednesday criticisedforits'hitandmiss' approachtoyouthprotection by former editor-in-chief of the Stabroek News, Anand Persaud Persaud, who appeared on the Globespan show, bemoaned the nonfunctioning of state institutions amid Guyana's growingoilwealth.

Moderated by Guyanese businessman Nohar Singh, the show also featured chartered accountant and lawyerChristopherRam.

Several cases that made the news recently were referenced including that of 12-year-old Marlon Jupiter who died after he failed to secure a bone marrow

transplant in Brazil that wouldhavecostUS$35,000 orG$7,325,000.

Attentionwasalsodrawn toAleena Preetam, 14, from Essequibo (now deceased), and Tiana Chapman, 15, from East Bank Berbice. Preetam was found dead in her bed with her one-month infantlyingbesideher,while Chapman was stabbed more than 25 times, allegedly by thefatherofherchild.

The participants also spoke about the case involving the two officers attachedtotheChildcareand Protection Agency (CPA) that were caught on camera dragging a student by her hair on the bus park, and to the police officer who was

aggressively handling a young man in school uniform.

It was no

d that although the country has been producing oil since 2019, no poverty mapping has been conducted to identify existing pockets of poverty, and no fund has been established to support childreninneedoflifesaving surgeries.

“If you have not done those things, it means that you are not serving your purpose, ” Persaud expressed, noting that the huge sums often spent by President Irfaan Ali to host lavish banq

s and conferences at State House could have easily taken care

Moderated by Guyanese businessman Nohar Singh, the show featured chartered accountant Christopher Ram and former editor-in-chief of Stabroek News,Anand Persaud.

ofyoungMarlon'ssurgery

“It is shameful and disgraceful that children are dyinginacountryaspiringto be Dubai and not addressing the very fundamental problems of poverty, deprivation, poor education, lack of motivation and the lack of jobs,” Persaud highlighted, adding,“Soacrosstheboard, there clearly is no programme. It's a hit and miss.”

He observed how the MinistryofHumanServices and Social Security invests in several projects at once giving the impression that they will have some sort of impact. “But what you have onaregularbasisisafailing of a lot of the Human

Services agencies. In the case of the 15-year-old girl who gave birth and died a month after delivery, she should have been in protective care along with her child. The fact that that didn't happen is a grand failure on the part of the Human Services Ministry

Howdoyouhavea15-yearold die after delivering a child,whichwasobviouslya case of statutory rape, and youdidnotaddressituntilit became a public issue?

Somebody needs to take the rapforthat.”

Persaud further contended on the show that while the money may be theretogetthingsdone,and even perhaps the will, bureaucratic issues and a

lack of proper planning are someofthehindrances.

As for the case of the childwhowasburnttodeath at home in Sophia, he recalled how Ministers Vindhya Persaud and RobesonBennturnedupfor their “perfunctory visit and photo opportunity” but did not follow up with help for thefamilyafteranentireyear hadpassed.

“These ministers have a 100 different pet projects that they want to be photographed at and to go outonsocialmediaasifthey are auditioning for the presidency or something when they should really be doing the hard work,” the former Stabroek News Editor-in-Chiefsaid.

U.S. deportation case against 'Melly Mel' dismissed

Guyanese social media activist Melissa AtwellHolder has confirmed with KaieteurNewsthataUnited States (U.S.) Immigration

Judge has officially terminated the deportation proceedingsagainsther The ruling effectively ends the immediatethreatofremoval following her detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE).

Thedecisionwashanded down by Judge Barbara Nelson after a review of Atwell-Holder'slegalstatus.

The court found that her marriage to a U.S. citizen and her pending residency applications superseded the initial grounds for her detention,whichwerebased onavisaoverstay

Speaking exclusively to KaieteurNewsfollowingthe termination of her case, Atwell-Holder, widely known as 'Melly Mel', maintained that her arrest was a politically motivated attempt to silence her investigativework.

“I know the government would stop at nothing to get me back in Guyana so the fight continues! There was no case to begin with. Had there been no governmental

interference, there would havenotbeenaneedforany judicial review,” AtwellHoldersaid.

Shefurtherallegedthata lobbyingfirmwasemployed totargetherusingGuyanese publicfunds.

“The lobbyist firm was just working for the Guyanesetaxpayers'money Money which should have been put to better use by improving healthcare, better services for seniors and differently abled persons Had they put the citizens first, Marlon Jupiter would still be alive. Thankfully, there are laws in the United States that prevent governmentaloverreach!”

The termination of the case follows months of public interest and one protest in Georgetown, where supporters and opposition figures claimed the Guyanese government influenced U.S. authorities to trigger the arrest. While Guyana's Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, has previously dismissed these claims as "entirely unfounded," Atwell-Holder remains firm in her allegations of "coordination atthehighestlevel."

With the immigration case now terminated, Atwell-Holder is cleared to continue her adjustment of statusprocessasaresidentof New York, free from the threat of immediate deportationtoGuyana.

During the proceedings, Atwell-Holder's attorney, Joyce Booth, successfully argued that the activist had followed all legal protocols for an adjustment of status. Booth presented evidence thatAtwell Holder currently holds an approved I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) and a pending I-

she made her f

rst appearance before a US ImmigrationJudge. Atwell-Holder virtually appeared before Judge Francis Mwangi from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE)Centerin Louisiana Her lawyer, Joyce Booth, told the court that Atwell-Holder entered theU.S.in2022andhasbeen marriedtoaUScitizen,Paul Holder,fortwoyearspriorto thecase.

Judge Mwangi asked why Atwell-Holder was in proceedings, given that she hasanapprovedI1-30anda pending I-485. “We have no idea, she was unexpectedly detainedtwoweeksago,ICE justshowedupatherdoorin Brooklyn,” Booth told the court.

485 application for permanentresidency

More than two weeks afterthesocialmediaactivist was detained in the United States, she was released on US$7,500 bail for overstaying her visa, when

“Your honour, my client is married to a U.S. citizen, there is an approved I1-30 andthereisalsoapendingI485 in the system, so she is eligible to adjust,” the lawyer said. She noted that the I-485 has been pending since September 2023. She added that Atwell-Holder didaninterviewlastyearand since then she been waiting ontheapprovaloftheI-485.

TheI1-30isaformfiled to petition for an immediate or close relative who is not currentlyaUScitizento immigrate to the United States. The I-1485 is an application to register permanent residence or adjust status.This is used to applyforagreencard,lawful permanent residence, for someone who is already in theUnitedStatesandwishto adjust their immigration status For their part, a representative of the Department of

(Continuedonpage55)

CopsallegedlychargedwrongpersonforCorentyneaccident–Victim

An accident victim, who was discharged from hospital a few days ago, is claimingthatthepolicehave chargedthewrongpersonfor dangerousdriving.

The victim Khemraj Sookhoo was reportedly struck off his Honda XR motorcycle by a car on March 6 along the public road at Number 67 village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. AccordingtoSookhoo,a male driver hit him off his motorcycle,butwhenpolice took his statement, he learnt

that the driver's sister was chargedfortheaccident. He has since disclosed this information to police and claims that he is in possession of a cellphone

recorded video of the male driver allegedly advising personstocallhissister Allegations are that the male'ssistertooktherapfor the accident because the driver was underaged and unlicensed.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatthematteris once again engaging the attention of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) ShalimarAli-HackSC.

Recountingthedetailsof the accident, Sookhoo told Kaieteur News, “A was

An injured Sookhoo recovering at home

going home one afternoon from work, me and one a meh co-workers from the village and this bai just mek one sudden turn and come ovainmelane.”

Thelastthingherecalled isbeingthrownfromhisbike bytheimpact.

Hours later, he woke up on a hospital bed. Sookhoo said he later learnt that he was picked up unconscious atthescene.

He suffered multiple fractures and other injuries tohisbody

Breaking tradition and letting passion win

…Vicky's kathak story

Joanis R engifo

Tasked with preserving the beautiful heritage of the Regatta, Contestant #5 of the Bartica Regatta pageant, Joanis Rengifo is Venezuelan Guyanese. Through her platform, Joanis is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Regatta, emphasizing how it strengthens community bonds, inspires youth participation, and supports local businesses. She believes that understanding and valuing this iconic event ensures that Bartica's culture and spirit continue to thrive for generations to come. With passion and pride, Joanis stands as an ambassador for Bartica's traditions, showing that celebrating the past can empower the community's future

The Caribbean Is Being Forced to Reconsider Trade Dependence on the U.S.

BySirRonaldSanders

The Caribbean has not set out to loosen its trade dependence on the United States.Itisbeingdriventodo so.

For generations, Caribbean importers and consumers have looked first to the American market They have done so for reasons of preference and practicality The United States is near Shipping is easier Delivery is faster Commercial routes are established Refrigerated cargo and container services are structured to support the trade. For food, medicines,

household supplies, machinery and construction materials, the American market has long been the naturalfirstchoice.

TheUnitedStateshasfor many years enjoyed a significanttradesurpluswith Caribbean countries, and that surplus remains overall, notwithstanding the more recent oil and gas exports from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Even there, the United States benefits from supply by nearby, reliable andfriendlycountries.

T h e C a r i b b e a n , therefore, has been a loyal market. That is precisely why recent developments deserve sober reflection. No sensible government in the regionwishestoweakenties with a country that has long been central to Caribbean

commerce But the cumulative effect of recent U.S. trade measures is now forcing governments, businessesandconsumersin the Caribbean to reconsider assumptions that once seemedsettled.

Three pressures are drivingthatchange.

Thefirstisthecontinuing tariff burden on Caribbean exports to the United States. Althoughthesweepingtariff action announced by Washington on 2April 2025 was later narrowed after the U.S. Supreme Court struck downpartoftheemergency-

based approach, the

consequences remain serious for many Caribbean producers.AsofApril2026, most Caribbean goods still

face a 10 per cent baseline import duty under Section 122oftheTradeActof1974. That may appear modest when viewed from a large economy Itisnotmodestfor small states exporting rum, processed foods, specialty preparations, personal care items,buildingproductsand other niche goods whose competitiveness depends on tightmargins.

The second pressure is broader and more corrosive. It lies not only in the tariff imposedonCaribbeangoods enteringtheU.S.market,but in the tariffs the United States has imposed on imports from many other parts of the world. Those costs do not stay neatly within American borders They feed into U.S. prices, including the prices of food, manufactured goods, agricultural inputs and other products on which

Caribbean economies depend.Sincetheregionstill imports a large share of its essential supplies from the United States, or through U.S.-linkedchannels,higher prices in America quickly become higher prices in the Caribbean.

This is already pressing heavily on the cost of living in countries that can least afford sustained imported inflation.Wagesandsalaries in Caribbean economies

c a n n o t k e e p p a c e indefinitely with rising prices for basic goods Governments do not trade directly, but they cannot escapethefiscalandpolitical consequences when households are squeezed by higher prices for food, medicines, household items andconstructionsupplies.At that point, food security and health security cease to be future concerns They become present national concerns.

The third factor is practical, but no less important Caribbean businesspeople have long travelledtotheUnitedStates to inspect goods, meet suppliers, attend trade fairs, negotiate contracts and maintain commercial relationships Where visa requirements become more

onerous,orwherehighbond requirementsareimposedin some cases and may yet become more widespread, the cost of doing business with the United States rises yet again. The issue then is not only the price of the goods themselves. It is also the cost, uncertainty and inconvenience of entering themarketfromwhichthose goodsarebought.

Caribbean governments, importersandconsumersare therefore being pushed to look more seriously at alternatives. They are not doing so out of hostility to the United States, nor from any wish to sever longstandingtradeties.They are doing so because prudence requires it. When basic goods become more expensive, harder to source, or more burdensome to secure from a traditional market, alternative suppliers inevitablycomeintoview

That process has already begun.CARICOMstatesare intensifyingeffortstosource morewithintheregionandto widen relationships with other international partners. Thecalltobuylocalandbuy regional within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy is gaining practical force This is growing trend by other countries Canada, for instance, is moving towards a free-trade agreement with Mercosur, precisely because dependence on an uncertain U.S. trade environment now carriesgreaterrisk. That trend will not benefit the Caribbean or the United States. The Caribbean is a friendly proximate market, and a reliable one. If U.S. policies pushCaribbeanimportersto source more food, pharmaceuticals, consumer goodsandbuildingmaterials from Latin America and elsewhere, the United States will lose not only export sales, but also market presence and commercial influenceinaregionthathas longlookedtoitfirst.

This is not an argument for grievance It is an argument for realism Caribbean countries are not moving to diversify their

trade relations because they wish to turn away from the United States They are being compelled to do so by circumstances that increasingly threaten economic stability at home and, with it, social and politicalstabilityaswell.No responsible government can ignore rising prices for essential goods, growing uncertainty in supply, and the mounting costs of doing business with a market on

whichtheregionhaslong depended. If that imbalance is not addressed, diversification will accelerate, not as a matter of policy, but as a matter of necessity In that event,theUnitedStatesmay lose a loyal market that had nowishtogoelsewhere,but which would be left with little practical choice. That would be an unfortunate outcome for the Caribbean, and an unnecessary one for theUnitedStates.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS, and Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The view expressed are his own)

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Guyanaforcedto extendpowershipdeal - as Wales gas project further delayed

Guyana is set to extend its 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 delayoftheWalesGasProject.

This is according to Head of Executive Management of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. Kesh Nandlall. Nandlall told KaieteurNewsthatthecontracthas to be renewed or the country will facemorepoweroutages.

He disclosed that the contract for the first powership expires in May

“Yes,weareplanningtorenew If we, don’t you would get blackout,” he told Kaieteur News noting that the cost being paid by Guyana is likely to remain unchanged.

“Wewerenegotiatingthatatthe moment... but it’s likely to be the same,”headded.

The Wales Gas Project, which was initially scheduled for completion in 2024, has seen several delays Through this project, the government has promisedthatelectricitycostwould be slashed by 50 per cent for citizens.Itisimportanttonotethat though the project is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026, government has said it will not generate electricity at full capacity untilmid-2027.

On March 28, Kaieteur News reported that the incomplete Gasto-Energy(GTE)projectiscosting Guyana a whopping $126 million daily.

Interim Leader of the Alliance forChange(AFC),DavidPatterson blasted the government for its failedmanagementoftheWalesgas project at his party’s virtual press conferenceonThursday

In opening remarks, Patterson, the former Minister of Public I

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) facility costing anotherU.S.$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 preparation and others Stakeholders believe that the price tagcouldexceedU.S.$3billionbut 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 gas to shore project. 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.

Patterson argued that these costs were never included in the original price of theWales 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 gas to shore initiative,” the former member-ofparliamentnoted.

According to a document seen by this publication, which was providedtotheNationalAssembly on April 22, 2025, during the considerationofthe2025Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure Guyana should have spent an eyewatering $26,242,097,093 on fuel for the two power ships from TurkishcompanyKarpowershipin 2025.

$17,829,319,104 The two years combined would cost the country $ 3 5 , 6 5 8 , 6 8 , 2 0 8 o r U.S.$165,854,131.

ExxonMobilEIAsilenton cancerriskforemployees, potentialoilspillcost

When ExxonMobil applies to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a new project, the regulator, in most instances, orders the company to conduct an Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA) to determine the likely impacts of the development on socio-economic 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 measures to mitigate these.

As part of the EIA process, Exxon is required to engage the publictoseekinputonwhatexactly should be studied and addressed. Every question or concern raised during the scoping meetings is requiredtobeaddressedintheEIA.

The Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, had promisedtoprovidedatafollowing a request from former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

Under Programme 023- Power GenerationPattersonhadrequested a breakdown on the allocation of fuelforpowershiponeandtwoand theColombiapowerstation.

According to the figures in the document, to generate a total of 788,400 megawatt hours the two shipswouldneed1,172,255barrels offuelattheabovelistedcost.

Rental costs for the ships were also provided. It was revealed that thetotaldailycosttorentbothships is$48,847,450.Therefore,thefirst year Guyana will be paying

Two significant matters were raisedbyKaieteurNewsduringthe scoping meetings for the eight project, Longtail, held by Exxon andtheEPAbetweenMarch17and 28, 2025 but the study recently published by the EPA does not addresstheissues.

Riskofcancertoemployees

During a meeting held at the Diamond/Grove Primary School, East Bank Demerara, Kaieteur News asked the Exxon to say whetheritstudiedthelikelihoodof offshore workers, or any other Guyanese, developing NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), suchascancerandothersasaresult of flaring, or any other petroleumrelated activities, given that hazardous waste is also generated duringtheoperations.

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 workersandifthereareanykindof mitigations like PPE (Personal Protective Eq

implemented.”

Meanwhile, Exxon’s InCountry Projects Manager, RebeccaCvikotaaddedthatflaring isconductedatasafedistanceaway from the workers offshore She explained, “So the flare is a good example of one of the safety equipment we use that we talked about earlier, but it’s located at a veryhighdistancefromtheground, forexactlythereasonofprotecting the people around it, whether they be on the FPSO, or in a city, or villagewhichweoperate.”

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,“WhatI’msayingiswedesign ourfacilitiestoensurethatisnotthe case,sotheheightoftheflareisan example of how we do that, where we position the flare in relation to thecommunitiesandinthecaseof the FPSO, how far it is away from wherepeoplearelocated,areways that we design and construct our facilitiestoavoid(that).”

Kaieteur News then asked Exxonif,duetothemechanismsin 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 ProjectsManagersaid,“WhatIcan tell you is how we design and construct our facilities to ensure thatthatdoesnothappenandIthink I’ve explained that so I appreciate thequestionandIthinkthat’sallI Continued on page 21

Frompage20

cansayatthispoint.”TheEIAhas not addressed the likelihood of workerscontractingcancerorother NCDs from the company’s operations although the question wasraised.

Oilspillcost

Thequestionofadequacy,when it comes to oil spill insurance and guarantees, have often been a subjectofdebatehere.

This is so as the country has never conducted or ordered a financialassessmentofwhataspill can possibly cost Guyana and the CaribbeanRegion.

During a meeting held at the Leonora Technical Institute, West Coast Demerara, this newspaper asked Exxon to say whether the companyisconsideringafinancial studytodeterminewhataspillfrom thisproject,alongwithothers,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 developmentoftheprojectwewill be conducting an 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 unlikelycasescenariothathappens willbepartofthatstudy.”

Additionally, she noted that Exxon does not know what the Environmental Permit would require, as previous Permits included a condition for the company to demonstrate financial fitnesstobeabletorespondtosuch anevent.

The EIA, completed by Acorn International on behalf of Exxon, failedtoaddressthesubject.

Noassessmentofcost

During a public meeting for its sixthproject,ExxonMobilrevealed that it never studied the cost of an oilspill.

The announcement came some four months after the President of Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), Darren Woods, urged shareholders ofthefortune500companytovote against a petition calling for a thorough study on the economic impacts of an oil spill from the StabroekBlock.

Woods had called on the shareholders of the company to vote against the proposal since he believes there were adequate studies already done to determine impactstotheRegion.

However, the company’s consultant revealed that no such financial study was ever done in Guyana.

Kaieteur News had asked the consultant team what the likely devastation of an oil spill at the sixth project could cost. As such, Socioeconomic Resources

Anna Sundby of

Management (ERM) said, “I can’t saybecauseit’snotpartoftheEIA. 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 theriskofthosescenariosaresowe canputtherightmeasuresinplace to manage that risk and so that really comes down to the oil spill responseplan.”

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 StabroekBlock

Notably, this document could be used as a tool to aid in the preparation for such an event. It would also inform other necessary steps such as adequate insurance andotherprotectivemeasures.

Exxon previously said a US$600Moilspillinsurancewasin place per event in the Stabroek Block. In addition, the company has submitted a US$2B guarantee to the EPA which stakeholders argue is grossly insufficient.There is also controversy over the company’sassurancethatitsassets would be sold to help respond to suchanevent.

TheEnvironmental ProtectionActandEIAs

The Environmental Protection Actof1996statesatSection11(7): “Members of the public shall have twenty-eightdays...tomakewritten submission to the Agency setting out those questions and matters which they require to be answered orconsideredintheenvironmental impactassessment.”

Italsosetsclearinstructionsfor the 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, i n t e r e s t e d b o d i e s a n d organisations.”

Meanwhile, regarding the contents of the EIA, the law requires the EIA to be conducted

by an independent and suitably qualified person It is expected to (a) identify, describe and evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the proposed project on the environmental including:- human beings; flora and fauna and species habitats; water; soil; air and climatic factors; 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 Refusingtoanswer

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

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,”thereporterwastold.

At the time, Shadow Natural Resources Minister, David Patterson said Exxon was merely hostingthemeetingstotickboxes. Heargued,“Iftheyhadanyrespect fortheGuyanese,theywouldhave walked with the full team because these are the questions they know wouldcomeup.”

Also in 2023 at the Mahaicony Training Institute KN Publisher, GlennLallwasdeniedaresponseto his question on cumulative project impacts.

“Has ExxonMobil or its consultant, ERM Guyana, conducted a cumulative impact assessment on the damage and destruction that would befall Guyana,anditscitizens?Thatismy question. I have some more,” is whatLallsaid.

Graham, who was the moderator, initially indicated that Lall’squestionwouldbeanswered.

87.5 per cent of Guyana’s wealth eachmonth.

According to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana receives 12.5 per cent profit and 2 per cent royalty from all production. Further, the country’s share would only increaseafterrepayingExxonallof itsinvestment.

However, he was keen to note that thereisnotimetoentertainfurther questions The time allotted to question and answer segment he saidwasnearlyexhausted.

ThoughLallinsistedthathehas a few more pertinent questions, Graham maintained, “No, you are donespeaking.”

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 purpose of the public scopingmeeting.

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 posedbyLall.

MONDAY

‘Guyanawillnever seefairshareofprofitswithout ring-fencing’

…AFCpourscoldwateron Exxon’sclaimsthatcosts willberepaidbyyear-end

The Alliance For Change (AFC) does not believe Guyana will ever enjoy its full 50 per cent profitshareandrepayExxonMobil for its investments in the Stabroek Block without implementing a ring-fencingprovision.

This mechanism would require each project to pay its own costs and allow Guyana to enjoy 50 per centofalltherevenuegeneratedat each project, minus operating expense.

Based on Exxon’s recent pronouncements, Guyana has repaid the company for six of the seven projects sanctioned to date, with only US$5 billion more remaininginthecostbank.

This means that Guyana could have been receiving 50 per cent profits already on the four projects currentlyproducingoil,hadaringfencingprovision been in place.In theabsenceofring-fencing,Exxon is allowed to take a whopping 75 percentofallrevenuegeneratedto clear costs. Not only that, but the company also takes 12.5 per cent profit. In other words, Exxon gets

Recently, Exxon’s Country Manager, Alistair Routledge revealed that the cost bank would be cleared by year end due to high oil prices. A few short moments later, he announced plans for an eightprojectandthepossibilityofa ninth.These projects would inflate the cost bank and further delay the country’s ability to enjoy a larger portionofrevenue.

To this end, executive member oftheAFC,Dr VincentAdamssaid thecountrymanager

“From the time he (Routledge) arrived, he has been disrespecting Guyanese peoples’ intelligence Thishereisanimpossibility.”

The former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pointed out that Routledge during an event in New York told thegatheringthatallofitsexpenses would be cleared by the end of 2026. Dr Adams noted that this event was held before oil prices soared to US$100 per barrel. As such he questioned the veracity of thestatementsmadebyExxon.

Infact,Dr Adamsmadeitclear, “Aslongasthereisnoring-fencing, it cannot happen. It’s not only the eightproject,you’vegotthreemore ortwomore.”HebelievesExxon’s totalcoststoberecoveredcanreach ashighasUS$100billion.

To this end, he reiterated calls for the government to publish the quarterly reports being submitted byExxonMobilsothatthecountry canclearlyseehowmuchcostsare beingrecovered,howmuchispaid towards capital and operational expensesaswellasprofitsforeach side and the total revenue generated.

Meanwhile, interim leader of theparty,DavidPattersonbelieves the statement by the country managerwasmeantto“placatethe generalpublic.”

Mostdisturbingtohimwasthe fact that Routledge could not say when Guyana would receive its 50 per cent share as stipulated by the PSA.

He explained, “What I found most annoying with his statement wasthatheisononehandclaiming that in 2026 or sometime shortly thatthecostbankwillbefilledand they will be fully repaid, yet he looks you in the eye and looks and tells us but he can’t guarantee that Guyana will be getting its 50/50 share.”

Patterson continued, “As prescribed, the PSA is a legal document,theykeephidingbehind sanctityofcontractfromdayoneso Continued on page 22

Frompage21 on one hand they are saying to you we can’t touch this contract- it’s the holy grailbuthereisRoutledgesaying toyouthatwewillbepaying off our entire cost bank-if you believehim or not…but when we finish paying off

this entire cost bank accordingtohim,thereisno guarantee that he and his company will uphold the sanctity of the contract which says that when the costoilisreceivedthereisa direct 50/50 split. He says oh, well he doesn’t know whatthesplitisgoingtobe.”

Patterson believes that Exxon and government may adjust the PSA formula to a 70/30 split He therefore noted that Exxon should tell Guyanese why, if it believes in the sanctity of contract, how the company is unable to say if Guyana and Exxon canshare50/50.

Guyana’speakelectricity demandtosurpass 1,500MWby2030–GPL

…projects rapid growth

of new customers, expanding industrial and residentialsectors

Guyana’s electricity peak demand is projected to reach 1,575 megawatts by 2030, according to Kesh Nandlall, head of executive management at Guyana PowerandLight(GPL).

Speaking at a recent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hearing, Nandlall shared, “As of September 2025, peak demand is 221.5 MW… for 2026, it is expected by September that peak demand will reach 286.4 MW… Peak demand is set to increase to 1,575 MWby2030.”

He highlighted that the company has witnessed rapid growth in its customer base, adding 182 MW last yeartomeetcapacityneeds.

“From our customer base…in2025,weendedup with 244,000 customers, whichisa51%increasefrom 2024…while we are seeing that growth, the demand for each customer has grown more…. which tells us also that the demand is coming from larger customers and foreign customer demand,” Nandlallexplained.

Recent reporting shows that Guyana’s electricity generationhasdoubledinthe pastfiveyears,movingfrom 120MWin2020to236MW

b

increase.

At the 2026 Energy Conference hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, Nandlall emphasised GPL’s efforts to provide reliable

m e r a

a B

b i c e Interconnected System (DBIS). He noted that total power generation increased from 903 GWh in 2020 to 1,485GWh,a65%riseover theperiod.

Nandlalldetailedseveral capacityadditions:

46.5 MW at Garden of Eden(fossilfuel)

28.9MWatColumbia

36MWpowershipinthe BerbiceRiver

60MWpowershipinthe DemeraraRiver

18 MW solar, including 10MWinBerbiceand8MW inEssequibo

Currently, the DBIS has about 260 MW of reliable, firm electricity, excluding solar. “We have over 300 MW installed, but maintenance requirements mean some units are periodicallyoffline.In2026, we expect the DBIS to exceed 285 MW,” Nandlall said.

Looking ahead, GPL anticipates tremendous

g r o w t h i n p o w e r consumption “From our current peak demand of 236 MW, we estimate a 600% increase in generating capacity by 2030, driven by growth among existing customers, new housing developments, and the expandingindustrialsector,” theCEOexplained.

TUESDAY

U.S.pushingtoremove doubletaxonAmerican firmsoperatinginGuyana –USAmbassador

Kesh Nandlall, head of executive management, GPL

it’s natural that there will be areas where they need to revisit Guyana needs to revisit its laws and regulations.”

Guyana currently has double taxation agreements with Canada, the United Kingdom, CARICOM and the United Arab Emirates, but not with the United States Instead, the two countries have a Tax Information Exchange Agreement,whichallowsfor the sharing of financial information but does not addressdoubletaxation.

in Guyana must be totally rejected.”

Govt.takescontrol of35morecitystreets

Governmenthasdoubled down on its reclassification of city streets into public roads by gazetting another 35 to add to the 22 it took controlofearlierthismonth.

,

T

Embassy in Guyana is

working to eliminate double taxation for American companies operating here This is according to U S Ambassador,NicoleTheriot.

S p e a k i n g o n NewsSource interview programme- SOURCES with journalist Svetlana Marshall, the Ambassador disclosed that one of the complaints the embassy receives from American companies operating in Guyana is having to pay taxestwice–onceinGuyana andthenintheUnitesStates.

“We do not have a bilateral tax treaty That is something that my office, my embassy here, has been working very closely with Washingtonon.We’retrying to convince them that this would be useful. Because, you know obviously, if you’re a U.S. company, you don’t want to have to pay taxes both in Guyana and in the United States. That’s patentlyunfair,”shesaid.

Theriot outlined that American companies are expanding rapidly across severalsectorsinGuyanabut noted that the absence of a bilateral tax treaty with Guyana is a key concern for investors.

“Sowehavesomemajor U.S.companieswhoarenow engaged in Guyana in the construction infrastructure sector, in the agriculture sector There is a U S company that recently signed a contract to come here and build a data center So you name it, U S companiesareinterestedinit here in Guyana, ” she explained.

The American envoy furthernoted,“Inallhonesty, yes.Everycountryhasissues of this nature. And because Guyanahasrecentlybecome a popular destination for U.S. investment, I think that

In an invited comment, localaccountantChristopher Ram explained that such agreements are designed to prevent the same income from being taxed twice, while maintaining the principlethattaxesshouldbe paidwhereincomeisearned.

“If they succeed in gettingatreaty,thenitwillbe taxed in Guyana but not in America Similarly, if our business people go and America, Canada, and we earnincome,wepayincome there,”hesaid.

Ram added that while a treaty could bring benefits, particularly for cross-border investment, the terms would need to be carefully structured to avoid disadvantagingGuyana.“So it can also work to our advantage, but the conditions must be good The old-fashioned double taxationtreatyisadangerto countries like ours. There was a recent case where Trinidad lost big time, because of a backward double taxation treaty,” he added.

However,henoted,“Any suggestionbyanyAmerican officialthatincomeearnedin Guyana by an American companyshouldnotbetaxed

The 35 streets were gazetted on March 24, 2026 the streets are: Fourth Street (Alberttown),DurbanStreet, Front Street, Homestretch Avenue, Independence Boulevard, Jackson Street, Longden Street, Lance Gibbs Drive, Main Street, North Road, Norton Street, Orange Walk Street, Parade Street,PrincessStreet,South Road, Quamina Street, Sussex Street, Water Street, Thomas Street, Waterloo Street,AFieldAccess Road (Sophia), B Field Access Road (Sophia), C Field Access Road (Sophia), D

Field Access Road (Sophia),Arapaima Street, Avenue of the Republic, BarrackStreet,BroadStreet, Church Street, Carmichael Street, Crown Street, Duke Street, Hunter Street, Delph Street, and Third Street (Alberttown).

Government had quietly formalised in a March 21, 2026 gazette order key revenue-generating corridors,includingthebusy V l i s s e n g e n R o a d , transferring control directly to the Ministry of Public Works. The orders, numbered 15 through 37 of 2026andsignedbyMinister Juan Edghill declare a wide network of streets as public roads under central government control.Among them are Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, Charlotte Street, Lamaha

Street and the Eastern Highway— arteries that are n o t o n l y v i t a l t o transportation, but crucial to the city’s income stream Otherstreetsinclude:Cowan Street, New Market Street, Middle Street, Aubrey Barker Road, Cane View Avenue, Garnett Street, D’andrade Street, Da Silva Street,DennisStreet, Sandy Babb Street, Albert Street, Cummings Street, Charlotte Street, America Street, East Street and Hadfield Street Public.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council had condemned the government takeover as bullyism aimed at starving the municipality of much needed funds. In a statement City Mayor, Alfred Mentore said: “It representsacalculatedactof political intimidation and overreach, designed to destabilize the Municipality and silence the voices of the peopleofGeorgetown.”

Unlawfulgovernance Mentore had called the move as “not just unlawful governance but it is the arbitrary centralisation of local assets by executive fiat/decree.” Mentore noted that the sudden takeover without consultation u n d e r m i n e s t h e constitutional principle of local self-government and treats the elected Council as irrelevant “The roads, which should be managed, maintained, and funded by theCouncilusingratepayers’ resources, were simply gazetted as “public roads” with zero prior notice, zero consultationwiththeelected C o u n c i l , a n d z e r o engagement with the residents and businesses who depend on them daily,” heasserted.

He explained that “The Municipal and District CouncilsAct,Chapter28:01, explicitly defines and protects the Council’s jurisdictionovertheseroads. TheGovernmenthaschosen to ignore the clear statutory fr

ork tha

vests responsibility for council roads in the democratically elected local authority.”The

Municipal and District Councils Act, that defines: “council road” as any highway or other road or streettowhichthepublichas right of access in a council areaotherthanapublicroad; and any reference to a councilroadincludesthe Continued on page 38

He a l t h a n d

s u c c e s s f u l dating towards

marriage requires authenticity Modern dating punishesauthenticity,driven by a landscape that often prioritizes speed, superficial i m p r e s s i o n s , a n d “performative” behaviour over genuine connection Ignoringpatternsisnotlove. Entertaininginconsistencyis notlove.

Staying for potential is notlove.Callingdysfunction “chemistry” is not love Building with someone who producesnothingisnotlove. Is that you volunteering for your own problems Moreover, here is the part that’s going to bother you. You do not get hurt because people are “toxic.” You get hurt because you keep choosing people without beingprepared

Continuing from last week, before one sets out to date for marriage, they must be able to give themselves the 5 A’s. Giving yourself affection, affirmation, approval, acceptance, and attention involves actively nurturing a compassionate relationship with yourself, shifting from seeking external validation to creating inner security This is achieved through daily habits like mindful checkins,positiveself-talk,setting boundaries, and celebrating smallwins.

If you are looking for affection, affirmation, approval, acceptance, and attention from others, you are in a bad place. Your parent is responsible for giving you this to form your identity and nurture your emotional and mental development.

After 18 years of age, whether you get these from your absent day and toxic mother, it is your responsibility to give yourselfit.Lookingforthese qualitiesinamanorwoman makes you a misfit for a relationship.

Self-Affection: often called self-love, is a state of deep appreciation, acceptance, and high regard forone’sownwell-beingand happiness It involves nurturing physical, mental, and spiritual growth, setting healthy boundaries, and treating oneself with kindness, rather than sacrificing needs for others.

Self-CareActions:Prioritize your basic needs, such as

Towards a better life with your psychologist How Should I date for marriage Part II

proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Moreover, buying yourself thoughtful gifts or flowers to show care. Take yourself to dinner, movies, etc , if one cannot be affectionate to themselves but talks about loving their partner Notonlyisthisared flag, but it is also a trauma response. It is not love, it is attraction. Positive Internal Dialogue: Speak to yourself with kindness and compassion, especially duringdifficulttimes

Self-Affirmation :Selfa f f i r m a t i o n i s a psychologicaltechniquethat reinforces self-worth by focusingonpersonalvalues, strengths, and positive beliefs.

It helps individuals manage stress, reduce defensiveness in the face of threats, and maintain a positive self-view, often by affirmingthatoneiscapable and flexible across various lifedomains.Startthedayby looking in the mirror and saying, “I am enough,” “Todaywillbeachallenging day, but I am committed to applying myself and getting throughitandifitturnsoutto bemorechallengingthanmy capacity I will regroup and approach it soon after” or “I amworthyoflovenomatter what”.

Countering Negative

Talk: Identify harsh, selfcritical voices and replace them with neutral, honest observations about your efforts and progress. Gain the ability or build the capacity to silence your number one critic, you. Believe in yourself, even in the face of failure and challenges. Taking nothing personally but rather being open-minded to the challengesoflife.

Self-Approval: There are adults in relationships who cannot take time off to celebrate themselves or spend money on themselves without feeling guilty or ashamed,butwillsacrificeto domoreforothers. They grew without approval,andnow,asadults, these feelings and disapproving behaviours that their parents and caregivers instilled are still dominant and controlling. Successful yet cannot celebratethemselves.

Self-approvalistheactof accepting, valuing, and validating oneself unconditionally, regardless ofpastbehaviours,mistakes,

or external opinions It involves recognizing one’s own worth and strengths without needing validation from others, leading to improved mental health, reduced anxiety, and increased self-confidence Recognize and celebrate s m a l l , d a i l y accomplishmentsratherthan waiting for major milestones.

Make Your Own

Decisions, build trust by following through on promises to yourself (e.g., sticking to a workout routine, setting boundaries), which reduces the need for external validation.Actively remind yourself that your choices are valid, even if others do not agree, and move away from seeking externalapproval.

Embracing your whole self, including strengths and weaknesses, without harsh judgment.

Relying on your own innercompassforvalidation rather than seeking approval from others. Being kind to yourself, particularly when facing failures or personal shortcomings. Releasingthe need for others’ validation andnotcomparingoneselfto others.

Self-Acceptance: Selfacceptance is the unconditionalembraceofall facetsofoneself—strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures—without judgment or the need for external validation. It involves

’s

maintaining a positive, compassionateview,serving as a foundation for mental health and personal growth rather than a state of complacency

Embrace Your Shadow; make peace with all parts of yourself, including flaws, mistakes, and past mistakes.

Practice Non-Judgment: Approachyouremotionsand actions with curiosity rather than criticism, treating mistakesaspartoftheshared human experience rather thanapersonalflaw

Work on accepting yourself right now, in this present moment, regardless o f y o u r c u r r e n t circumstances or feelings. The work of self-acceptance isEmbracingImperfections: Accepting and ceasing to chaseperfectionandmoving away from harsh selfcriticism toward selfcompassion. The objectivity

ishavinganhonest,balanced view of one’s abilities and limitations.

There are adults in relationships who are terrified of being alone or spendingtimealone.Fearful of their thoughts and feelings.

Unable to label feelings and address them accurately in a relationship to be supported by their partners. Somepartnerscanreadtheir partners’emotionalstateand areeagertohandleit,butare unawareoftheirown.Thisis aself-sabotagingreality

Self-attention, often termed self-focused, is the

cognitive process of directing attention inward toward one’s o w n t h o u g h t s , emotions, behaviours, or physiological states rather than toward external stimuli It s

component of self-

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

individuals to monitor themselves against internal standards.

Daily Check-ins:

dedicate 20-30 minutes every day to check in with your emotions, journal, meditate, or sit quietly to

understand your true needs. Be Present: Put away distractions and focus entirely on your own experiences, feelings, and sensations in the moment. SoloDates,spendtimealone doing things you love to nurture your relationship withyourself.

ByDr.KarenAbrams, MBA,AA

If you are a software engineer in 2026, you are probably using artificial intelligence and using it a lot. Deeply, daily, and increasingly as part of the real work of building and shipping software.

The 2025 Stack

Overflow Developer Survey

found that 84% of respondents were already using or planning to use AI tools in their development

process, and among professionaldevelopers,just overhalfsaidtheyusedthem daily Atthesametime,66% citedtheirbiggestfrustration as AI solutions being “almostright,butnotquite,” while 45% said debugging AI-generated code could be more time-consuming than writingitthemselves.

That was 2025. Since then, Anthropic, OpenAI, Lovable, Replit, and others have significantly improved theirplatforms.Toolssuchas Codex and Claude Code have accelerated the pace of development dramatically, and while debugging and quality control still matter, many of the earlier pain points have been reduced as the tools have become more capable, more contextaware,andmorereliable.

Those improvements matter enormously for Guyana.

We are living through a period of rapid oil-fueled development, aggressive digitization, and rising demand for ‘technical talent’. Companies, public agencies, schools, clinics, banks, and utilities are all underpressuretomodernize. New systems are being procured, old systems are being patched, and digital promises are being made to the public with increasing frequency

Inthatenvironment,AIis alreadypartofthetoolkitand inmanycases,itisbecoming thetoolkit.

Astrikingconsensushas emerged among influential voices in technology Anthropic co-founder, DarioAmodeihaspredicted that AI will write the overwhelming majority of

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

If You’re a Software Engineer, You’re Probably Using AI

code Former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt has argued that the most valuable

p r o g r a m m e r s a r e increasingly those who write specifications and evaluation criteria rather than every line by hand

M o o n s h o t ’s P e t e r

Diamandis and Stability AI

former CEO, Emad

Mostaquehaveeachwarned more bluntly that the number of human coders needed may fall sharply, while Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Ben Horowitz, more grounded in the realities of building companies, has focused on what this me

r execution, judgment, and competitiveadvantage

They differ on pace and tone; some celebratory, others cautionary, but the underlying message is the same, the software

profession is being reorganizedinrealtime.

Crucially, Amodei also made the point that the human still has to define conditions, overall design, integration with existing code, and whether a system is secure or insecure

(Council on Foreign Relations) The software engineer of today is becoming, in part, a spec writer, reviewer, debugger, evaluator, orchestrator, and decision-maker That distinctionistheheartofthe matter, and too often it gets lostinpublicconversation.

Myownview,shapedby more than two decades of building and managing development teams, is that there will still be an enormous amount of work for skilled engineers for quite some time Every serious organization I have knownhadaroadmapfullof features, fixes, integrations, and overdue strategic upgrades extending far into thefuture.

AI does not eliminate that backlog Innovative leaders will grow more ambitious;thosewhoseeAI merelyasacost-cuttingtool will lose to the innovators. When the cost of producing software falls, demand for softwaretendstorise. But that does not mean all software jobs are equally

safe, or that all software teamsareequallyprepared.

A country like Guyana should be especially careful not to confuse faster coding withbettersystems.

The risk is not merely that some engineer somewheremaybecomeless relevant.Therealriskisthat organizations,intoxicatedby speedanddazzledbydemos, willunderinvestinseasoned oversight.

T h e y w i l l l e t inexperienced teams build criticalsystemstooquickly. They will accept software thatappearspolishedonthe surface but has weak architecture underneath They will deploy systems without sufficient testing, validation, backup planning, user training, cybersecurity review, or long-term maintenance discipline

Thenthepredictablewill happen; systems will crash, records will go missing, customerswillbelockedout, payments will fail, staff will improvise with paper and WhatsApp, and public confidence in digitization itselfwillbedamaged. This doesnotneedtohappen.

Amodei has since gone beyond code, warning that AIcouldwipeouthalfofall entry-level white-collar jobs within five years, including roles across technology, finance,law,andconsulting. Thewarningshouldforceus to confront a serious question; which parts of professional work are being automated, and which parts become more valuable in an AI-rich world? Guyana should be asking that question now, not after the fact.

T h e s o - c a l l e d untouchable professions are notuntouchable.Lawwillbe affected. Medicine will be affected.Engineeringwillbe affected.Accounting will be affected. Thatisnotareason for despair It is a reason for preparation.

We should be preparing children and young adults not just

quire credentials, but to develop durable advantage That m

foundational literacy and numeracy It means reading deeply

becoming genuinely strong in a domain, whether engineering, health, law, e

agriculture,energy,logistics, ordesign,andthen,ontopof that domain knowledge, mastering AI in a serious way

Not merely knowing howtopromptChatGPTfor a quick answer. It means becoming a life-long

learner The future will belong to people who combine domain expertise, jud

y, communication,andrealAI fluency

My advice to Guyana is straightforward. Use it to speed up development, reduce repetitive work, p

empowerlocalteams.Butdo not confuse acceleration withmaturity.

documentation Demand accountability

An engineer using AI is already more powerful than one who is not. The deeper question is whether our institutions are wise enough tousethatpowerwell.

MindYour Business

Masculinity, Emotion, and the Pressure to Be Strong

ByDr.EonAndreGeorge, PhD,EdD

From early, boys

a r e t a u g h t something that is rarely said directly but is clearly understood. Strength is expected, and emotion is carefully monitored. A boy who falls is told to get up.A boywhocriesistoldtostop. A boy who hesitates is reminded to “be a man.”

These moments may seem small, but over time they accumulate, quietly shaping how boys learn to interpret themselves and the world aroundthem.

As this pattern repeats, boysbegintounderstandthat

certain emotions are acceptable while others are not They learn that vulnerability carries risk, whilecontrolearnsapproval. Strength, in this context, becomes less about resilience and more about restraint.

HowMasculinity IsLearned

Masculinity develops throughobservationasmuch as instruction. Boys watch how men respond to pressure, how they speak, how they handle conflict, and more importantly, how they handle emotion. They also learn through correction, as behaviours that fall outside expected norms are quickly redirected.

Consider a young boy whobeginstocryafterbeing scolded.Beforethetearscan settle, an adult responds sharply, telling him to stop cryingandactlikeaman.In that moment, the lesson is clear The issue is no longer what happened. The focus shifts to how he responded. He learns that sadness must be controlled, even if the f e e l i n g r e m a i n s Psychologically,thisreflects emotional conditioning, where certain emotional responses are reinforced w h i l e o t h e r s a r e discouraged Over time, boys begin to regulate not

justtheirbehaviour,buttheir emotional expression, aligning it with what is sociallyaccepted.

TheCostofEmotional Suppression

While this conditioning may produce outward strength,itoftencomeswith internalcost.Whenboysare taught to suppress emotion, they do not stop feeling. Instead, those emotions are redirectedorhidden.

Take, for example, a young man juggling work, financial pressure, and expectations at home Outwardly, he appears composed.Hegoestowork, handles responsibilities, and rarely complains. Yet over time, small frustrations begin to surface He becomes easily irritated, short tempered, and withdrawn Those around him may describe him as having an attitude, but beneath that behaviour is accumulated stress with no outlet.

Psychologists describe this as emotional suppression, where unexpressed feelings build beneath the surface Research shows that suppressed emotions often reappear in altered forms. Sadness may become withdrawal Fear may become avoidance Emotional overload may becomeanger Whatisseen on the outside is rarely the fullstory.

Angerasthe AcceptableEmotion

Because vulnerability is often discouraged, anger becomes one of the few emotions that can be expressedwithoutjudgment. Italignswithexpectationsof toughness and control, making it socially acceptable.

This can be seen in everyday situations. A man dealingwithdisappointment may not say he feels hurt or overwhelmed, but he may raise his voice, become distant,orreactsharply The emotion being expressed is anger, but the root may be somethingentirelydifferent. This pattern is reinforced over time When softer emotions are dismissed, anger becomes the language through which many men communicate distress. It is

not always intentional. It is oftenlearned.

SilentStruggles andMentalHealth

Asthisemotionalpattern continues, it begins to affect mentalhealth.Depressionin mendoesnotalwayspresent assadness.

It may appear as irritability, fatigue, or emotional detachment

Anxiety may show up as restlessness or constant preoccupation with responsibility

Consider another familiar scenario. A young manfacesrepeatedsetbacks, whether in employment, relationships, or personal goals Instead of talking about how he feels, he withdraws.

He spends more time alone, avoids conversation, and becomes less engaged. Fromtheoutside,itmaylook like disinterest. Internally, however, he may be struggling with self-doubt, pressure, and a sense of failure. Psychologists refer to this as masked depression, where emotional distress is present but expressed in less recognizable ways. Because seeking help can feel like weakness, many men carry thesestrugglessilently

TheBurdenofAlways BeingStrong

Beyond emotional suppression,thereisalsothe weight of expectation. Men are often expected to provide, protect, and remain steady regardless of circumstance Even when overwhelmed,theymayfeel thattheycannotshowit.

This creates what

psychologists describe as role strain, where the expectations placed on an individual exceed their capacity to manage them comfortably

A man may feel responsible for everyone around him while having no space to process his own emotional needs. Over time,

this pressure can lead to exhaustion, frustration, and emotional distance, not because the individual lacks care, but because they have been taught to carry without release.

RethinkingStrength

Understanding these patterns invites a redefinition of strength

Strength does not have to mean silence Emotional awareness is not weakness. The ability to express, process, and understand emotion is itself a form of resilience.

When boys are allowed to experience and express a full range of emotions, they develop healthier ways of coping They learn that vulnerability does not diminish them It equips them. This does not remove discipline or responsibility It adds balance, allowing strength to include both enduranceandexpression. UnderstandingBehaviour ThroughContext

Looking more closely at these patterns helps explain behaviours that are often misunderstood What appears as emotional distance may be learned restraint.

W

rs as a

ssion may be unprocessed frustration. Whatappearsasindifference may be an inability to expressvulnerability. When these behaviours are viewed within context, responses can shift from judgment to understanding. This creates space for healthier development, stronger relationships, and more effective support Because in the end, strength is not only about what a person can carry It is also about what they are allowed toexpress.

Every belief has a history

Everyreactionhasaroot.

Understanding them is wherewisdombegins.

The Empowerment Institute for Michigan is all about transforming leaders and organizations through love

BySoniaNoel

This past week in

Michiganwasnot just another trip. Itwasamomentofpurpose, alignment, and connection that I know I will carry with meforalongtime.

I am here with the Empowerment Institute for Michigan, an organization committed to transforming leaders and organizations throughlove.Overthesefew days, a series of meaningful experiences unfolded, each one reflecting the heart and vision of what this institute represents.

There were gatherings, conversations, moments of reflection, and intentional spaces created for people to come together One of the most powerful moments for me was the group photo we capturedtogether It was more than just a picture It was a visual expression of unity A room filled with facilitators, leaders, partners, and participants who journeyed through the Joy at Work

programme with me Individuals from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds and experiences, yet all connected through a shared commitment to growth. Some of these powerful leadersjoinedusviazoom. That image represents what this week truly embodied- community, alignment,andpurpose.This

week was also a time of celebration. The graduation of the Joy at Work programme marked the completion of a journey that has been deeply impactful forme.

JoyatWorkisnotsimply a programme. It is a shift in how we think about leadership, about work, and aboutourselves.Itinvitesus to pause and ask a deeper question: How are we showing up in the spaces where we lead and serve? Are we present? Are we aligned?Areweleadingwith intentionandawareness? For me, this experience was both affirming and awakening. It reminded me that leadership is not just about outcomes. It is about presence It is about the energywebringintoaroom, the way we listen, the way werespond,andthewaywe connectwithothers.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e programme, I found myself reflecting more deeply, becomingmoreawareofmy own inner posture, and recognizing the importance of not just doing, but being. Because true leadership, beginswithin.

W h a t m a d e t h i s experience even more powerful was the global nature of the community.

The facilitators and

participants were not confined to one place. They came from different parts of the world, bringing a richness of perspective that

made the experience even moremeaningful.

There is something powerful about learning alongside people who may live in different regions, yet share the same desire to grow, to lead, and to make a difference.

That is what the Empowerment Institute for Michiganiscreating.Itisnot just a place of instruction. It is a space of transformation. A space where individuals are invited to grow in selfawareness, strengthen how they lead, and align their inner world with their outer impact.

As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded that this institute is not just launching programmes. It is cultivating people through love.AndIamhonoredtobe partofthatlegacy I have the privilege of serving as Programme Director for Empowerment Through Fashion: Winning from the Inside, one of the programmes being introduced through the institute.

DrDaleDan,CEOofthe Empowerment Institute for Michigan, brings a strong background in leadership d e v e l o p m e n t a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l transformation. Her work reflects a deep commitment to guiding individuals and organizations to grow with purpose while leading with authenticityandlove.

Fromourinitialmeeting,

when she invited me to join the team of facilitators, the alignment was immediate My decision was rooted in recognizing that this assignmentwasalignedwith my purpose, and it was a resoundingyes.

“Whatwesawandfeltis what we are all about love. WeareaJoyatWorkfamily where we love, respect, and supporteachotherdaily Itis our desire to see our love, likealitcandle,illuminatea worldthatneedstofeelhope now more than ever We are committed to the holistic wellness of leaders and organizations, one life at a time These past weeks leading up to the launch of the Empowerment Institute for Michigan, and on the nightofthelaunchitself,we saw our candle light the entire room with hearts equally committed to our mission. The feedback has been amazing ” Dr Dale Dan.

Itisalsoanhonortohave Dr Bailey as part of the Empowerment through Fashion team. As President of the institute, she brings a strong foundation in l e a d e r s h i p a n d organizational development, with a focus on cultivating growth, clarity, and purposefulimpact.

“As President of the Empowerment Institute for Michigan, the launch was deeply personal for me While this vision was sparkedbyDr Dale,leading

it has become a part of my ownjourneyandpurposeina veryrealway.”

For me, this work is not abstract, it is lived It is r o o t e d i n m y o w n experiences of pushing through, finding my voice, and learning what it truly means to walk in purpose even when the path is not clear So stepping into this role is not just about leadership, it is about stewardship.

T h e l a u n c h w a s powerful, but for me it was alsosacred.Itwasareminder that this work is bigger than any one of us. “It is about impact, transformation, and people truly understanding that they matter And I am honored to help lead that forward.”Dr Bailey

LaTonya Demps is also part of my team. She is a licensed therapist and founder of Collective Wellness Counseling and Consulting, where she provides holistic and culturally responsive mental health support Her work centers on helping i n d i v i d u a l s a n d organizations build resilience,fosterwell-being, and create meaningful, supportiveenvironments.

While I will share more about Empowerment through Fashion in detail next week, what I can say is that my experience with Joy at Work has deepened my understanding in a profound way

Because before we ever speak about fashion, before we talk about clothing or style, we must first address what is happening within Beforeweclotheourbodies, wemustclotheourcharacter This experience reinforced that truth in a powerful way It reminded me that transformation is an inside job. That confidence is cultivated, not worn. That alignmentbeginswithinand expressesitselfoutwardly Standing among my teammates, those who completed the programme with me, and the facilitators who guided us, I felt a deep senseofgratitude.

I am especially grateful for the facilitators who poured into this experience, including Dr Dale Dan, Dr Desiree De Florimonte, Dr JimLaub,Dr BobRoncska, Ms Lisa Campbell, Ms TraceyPloche,andDr Frank Douglas.

Thisisnotjustagroupof individuals This is a community A community committed to growth, to purpose, and to leading differently Because when weleadwithlove,growfrom within,andalignwhoweare with what we do, we create impact that goes far beyond ourselves.

Iinviteyoutoshareyour thoughts or reflections with m e a t beyondtherunway1@gmai l.com or via WhatsApp at 592-684-8129

BUILDING SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH THE ISO 45001 STANDARD GNBS IN FOCUS

Achieving high levels of efficiency, quality and productivity requires a safe

and healthy working environment.Astrongsafety

culture reflects an organisation’s commitment to its employees and goes beyond the prevention of accidents, fatalities and occupational illnesses; it contributes to reduced absenteeism, improved moraleandenhancedoverall performance.

In recognition of Occupational Safety and Health (OH&S) Month this April, the Guyana National

Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is encouraging businesses nationwide to adopt the internationally recognisedstandard,theISO 45001:2018 Occupational H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y Management SystemsRequirements, with

guidance for use This standard offers a systematic approach to identifying hazards,managingrisks,and fostering safer, more resilientworkplacesforall.

The document sets out clear requirements for establishing an effective OH&S management system that protects employees and clients alike. It also places strong emphasis on leadership, requiring top managem

responsibility and ensure adequatetraining.

Akey feature of the ISO 45001 standard is its focus on worker involvement. By encouraging consultation and active participation, organisations can develop

nd sustainable safety practices. The standard also promotes continuous improvement throughastructuredcycleof

planning, implementation, evaluation, and corrective action, making it relevant to organisationsofallsizesand withinallsectors.

The GNBS continues to p

strengthening national capacity in occupational safety and health. To assist companies looking to implement this standard, the G

training and technical

programmes are geared at ensuring the management

understand the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard a

y implementtherequirements.

In 2025, 32 individuals completed the ISO 45001 training programme. In the first quarter of 2026, a total of 342 individuals from

various organisations were trained in several training programmes Through engaging, practical learning experiences, technical officers from the GNBS Business Development

D

d participants with the skills neededtoapplythestandard effectivelyintheirrespective workplaces. B

supports companies on their journeytowardcertification.

Achieving ISO 45001 certification demonstrates

c

international best practices and enhances organisational credibility and reliability

This is especially valuable for businesses aiming to participate in Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector, where adherence to stringent safety standards iscritical.

Globally, workplace safety remains a significant challenge High rates of work-related incidents, combined with increased absenteeism and decreased productivity, can adversely affect an organisation’s outcomes.

As Occupational Safety and Health Month is observed, organizations are urged to take meaningful steps to strengthen their safety systems. This year’s

theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations,” aligns with the global observanceoftheWorldDay for Safety and Health at WorkonApril28.

The GNBS encourages businesses to invest in training, access technical support and implement the ISO 45001 standard to safeguard their workforce and enhance operational success.

For further information, contact the GNBS at telephone numbers 2190

9-0065, WhatsApp +592 692 4627, orvisitwww.gnbsgy.org

Frompage22 roadway, shoulders, verges, embankments, pedestrian walks, cycle tracks, bridges, culverts, canalsanddrainsonthelineofthe road and connected therewith. He explained further that section 274 oftheActstatesunequivocallythat acouncilshallhavepower,subject to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, the Roads Act and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act to construct, maintain, repair, protect and carry out works for the betterment of councilroadsinitscouncilareaand to regulate and control traffic thereon.

“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 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 fund

Govt.actedlawfully

The Ministry Public Works in response emphasised that the Government of Guyana has acted lawfully, responsibly, and in the public interest, and therefore, will not be distracted by assertions that distortboththelawandreality.“At thecoreofthemayor’spositionisa fundamental misinterpretation of theMunicipalandDistrictCouncils Act,Cap.28:01.TheActexpressly definesa“councilroad”asanyroad other than a public road. This is decisive. Once a road is lawfully designated as a public road, it ceases,byoperationoflaw,tobea council road. The notion proffered that these roads remain permanently within the Council’s jurisdiction is wholly misconceived.” The ministry said section274oftheAct,uponwhich the mayor relies, clearlystates that theCouncil’spowersaresubjectto other written laws, one of which would be the Roads Act, Cap 51:01 This critical limitation subjects the municipal authority over roads to the broader national legal framework. “The RoadsAct, Cap. 51:01 vests responsibility for public roads in the Minister of Public Works, including the authority to designate and manage such roads This power is not subject to or limited by the City Council under any other law Therefore, the Minister, on behalf

oftheCentralGovernment,hasthe lawful authority to take over and designate any road as a Public Road. The claim that there was an absence of consultation is not only false but is without

egal foundation In many previous engagements with City Council as wellasbypublicpronouncements, Central Government has appealed to the City Council to upkeep, maintain,andmanagethesestreets diligentlyandinthebestinterestof residentsandbusinesses.”

T h e m i n i s t r y s a i d unfortunately, these constant appeals were ignored Central Government owes a duty to the public in such circumstances to do 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. “Equally, the assertion that the Government has “seized” council assets is fundamentally flawed. Roads are public infrastructure, not private property owned by municipal bodies. What has occurred is a lawful reallocation of responsibility within the statutory framework, not an acquisition of property.”

Saiku’swarning Member of Parliament, Saiku Andrews in reacting to the reclassification of the first 22 streetssaidpublicinvestmentisnot apretextforseizinglocalauthority “The justification now being a d v a n c e d b y t h e Government—that its billions of dollars in investments in the rehabilitation of Georgetown’s streets and the restoration of City Hall somehow legitimises its seizureofmunicipalassetsmustbe firmly rejected” Andrews a businessman said. He said public investment is not a favour, but rather a duty “The Government of Guyana ( Central Government) forms part of Guyana’s Local Governance Structure, in which the citizens of Georgetown contributes significantly to the national treasury, therefore, infrastructure spending is a constitutional responsibility, not a license for control To suggest

otherwise is both flawed and dangerous The logic, that state intervention could justify a takeover is worrying and raises legitimateconcerns.”

Andrewsaskedsaidtodayis22 city streets and the Constabulary Training Complex; what will it be tomorrow? “Is the minister (Juan Edghill) signaling a possible takeover of Independence Boulevard and community streets in Albouystown because of its investment there? Should the peopleofBuxtonbeconcernedthat a government takeover of its streets, market and playfields is imminentandjustifiedbywhatever financial assistance was given to their community? Is it unreasonable to expect a take over ofthePropertyatCityHall?”

“Additionally, we must examine a much broader context, which gives insight into a more sinister political plot. What we are witnessing is the unfolding of a deliberate strategy to weaken local democracy for the purpose of political control and domination through financial strangulation. W

he Government is simultaneously starving Georgetown of revenue and autonomy which allows it to manufacture the narrative of incompetence by the Mayor and City Councillors, a narrative it has already began to peddle and will most likely use as it campaigns in the upcoming Local Government Elections.”

This strategy, Andrews said is clear: provide an inadequate subvention, no different from smaller municipalities and disproportionate to even much smaller NDCs; refusal to approve property revaluation, freezing the city’srevenuebaseintime,evenas the cost-of-service delivery continues to rise and removal of key income-generating assets, including streets- inclusive of sidewalks and parapets, and the municipalabattoir Thiseffectively strips the Council of income derived from vending during Mashramani and other national e

placements, and from utilityrelated rentals. The seizure of the abattoir removes a valuable piece of real estate property with strong commercial potential. One cannot claim to invest in a city while dismantling its ability to sustain itself.Thatisnotpartnership—itis control.

The MP said even in service delivery,theplanislaidbareasthe disparity is evident “The Governmentrecentlydeliveredten new garbage compactor trucks to RegionTwo.Whileanyinvestment in public sanitation is welcome, it raisesafundamentalquestion:what prevented the additional allocation ofevenaportionofthoseresources to Georgetown the largest municipality in the country, where waste management challenges are most acute? This is not oversight—it is intentional. If the Government’s intention to support Georgetownwasgenuine,itwould have pursued collaboration, not confiscation.Itwouldhavepursued the strengthening of the financial and administrative capacity of the City Council, not undermine it. It would have recognized that local governance is not an obstacle to development, rather, a cornerstone of it. The people of Georgetown deserve development but also dignity, representation, and the right to be governed by those they elected. Yes, those they elected at Local Government Elections. No

amount of expenditure can justify theerosionofthatprinciple.”

WEDNESDAY

Guyanabenefittingfrom oilboomthroughExxon’s communityinvestmentsand cricketsponsorship-U.S. Ambassador

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said Guyana is already seeing tangible benefitsfromitsoilboom,pointing to community projects, corporate sponsorships and training initiatives funded by oil major, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).

Shemadetheremarkduringan appearance on SOURCES with journalist Svetlana Marshall Ambassador Theriot was asked if the U S government believes Guyana is benefitting from the oil boom particularly from the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed with EMGL for the Stabroek Block – which has attractedlocalcriticismsofGuyana receivingtheshortendofthestick.

Addressing concerns about whether Guyana is receiving a fair deal under its oil agreements, Theriot said while she is not in a positiontoassessthecontractitself, the overall impact has been positive.

“But from my perspective, I thinkit’sbeenincrediblybeneficial to both sides just look around whenItravelaroundthecountry In fact, I was just in Region One this weekend.IwasatShellBeachand in Mabaruma and in Imbotero and anywhere you look, you will see signs saying, at the bottom, it will say supported by ExxonMobil. They are doing incredible work all overthiscountry,”shestated.

Moreover, she pointed to initiatives such as Exxon’s sponsorshipoftheGuyanaAmazon Warriors(GAW)fortheCaribbean Premier League (CPL) and a recently signed U.S. $100 million agreement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM)

Continued on page 39

Frompage38 development over the next decade.Sheadded,“somany things that are happening in thiscountryforthegoodare becauseyouhavetheseU.S.

companies here and specifically, you have that ExxonMobilconsortium.”

The Ambassador maintained that these efforts

demonstrate tangible benefits for Guyanese, particularlyineducationand youthdevelopment.

“I think absolutely There’snodoubtformethat Guyanese are benefiting so those are just small examples, but I definitely thinkit’sbeenawin-winfor both of our countries,” AmbassadorTheriotstated.

Further,sheoutlinedthat there are only 11 Floating Production Storage and Operating (FPSO) simulator in the world and with Exxon’s investment there is oneattheGuyanaTechnical Training Centre in Berbice. “They helped build that centreinBerbice,whichwill also do training for other sectors Exxon has done these wonderful, it seems like a small thing, but to me it’s so important… and so I think if you just look at the array of things that they’re doingtoimproveandtogive back to Guyana, I think that it’s incredibly clear that Guyanese are benefiting,” shefurtherstated.

The Stabroek Block is estimated to hold some 11.6 billion barrels of oil. Exxon and its partners Hess and CNOOC began pumping oil in December 2019, and today with four projects in operation is producing close to a million barrels of oil daily Undertheagreement, Exxoncanrecoverupto75% of monthly production as costs, with the remaining 25% split equally between the company and the government,alongsidea2% royalty paid to Guyana From its share of profit oil, Guyana is then required to pay the Exxon consortium taxes.

AmbassadorTheriotalso remindedthatwhileExxonis still recovering its e x p l o r a t i o n a n d development costs, Guyana is expected to see a major increase in revenues in the nearfuture.“But,youknow, Iwillalsosaythatwe’restill in the phase where Exxon is recoupingthecostofwhatit spenttodiscoveroilhereand next year that will be completed and the government will see a large

influx. I won’t give you an exact number because I could be wrong, but a massive influx in revenues and that will clearly benefit the people of Guyana,” she noted.

Oilspillfrom Exxon’s8thproject coulddevastateT&T …spreadsto12other Caribbeanislands – EIA states

An oil spill that could occur during the eight planned oil project in the Stabroek Block will hit Trinidad and Tobago the hardest,potentiallyaffecting sensitive resources such as mangroves, manatee habitats, beaches, and forest reserves.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by Exxon’s Consultant, Acorn International outlines a detailed description of the possible transboundary impacts from the proposed development,Longtail.

According to the study, “Owing to its unique location at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles and relatively close proximity to

t h e P D A ( P r o j e c t Development Area), Trinidad and Tobago would have the highest potential to be affected by the transboundary impacts of any unmitigated loss-ofwell-controleventinthewet

season Stochastic modelling indicated a maximum 60 to 70 per cent probability of condensate strandingonatleastaportion of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago for both the most credible WCD (Worst Case Discharge) and maximum WCD scenarios in the wet

season, depending on location.”

Thedocumentwarnsthat sensitive coastal resources withinthiszonearelikelyto

be affected including “all of Trinidad’s eastern and southern mangroves, manatee habitat, marine turtle nesting beaches, and forest reserves from Redhead in the north to Guayaguayareinthesouth.”

Further, it said the beautiful coastlines of Tobago could also be hit, causing damage to “numerous marine turtle nesting beaches and coral reefs,aswellasseverallarge seagrass meadows in the south near the Mount Pleasantarea.”

According to the EIA, Tobago’s coastline records the highest probability of condensate reaching the shore(60to70percentinthe wet season) across the country’s shorelines Meanwhile, it notes that in thedryseasonscenarios,the highest probability of condensate stranding is consistent across the country’s coast at less than 10percent.

Oiling of the shoreline can happen within five days during the wet season and about10daysafterinthedry season.

Exxon has indicated to the Government of Guyana (GoG)thatnumerousfishing areas are located east of Trinidad and could potentially be impacted if condensatefromalargespill reachesthem.

In addition to Trinidad and Tobago, the study has highlighted a dozen other Caribbeanislandsthatcould be hit by a spill that occurs during the eight project; these include Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Barthélemy, Saba, and UnitedStatesVirginIslands.

Meanwhile, the oil

company said that

Guyana fighting against citizens who previously secured a ruling from the HighCourtwhichorderedan unlimited parent company guarantee document be signed by the oil giant to protect Guyana from any additional oil spill costs not covered by the limited insurance.

Currently, the company has a U.S.$600M oil spill insurancepolicyinplaceper event and a U S $2B guarantee to cover costs above the insurance Two citizens through their law

implementing the Oil Spill

Response Programme (OSRP) would significantly reduce transboundary impacts.

With regard to working with respective countries, it n o t e d t h a t t h e communication protocol for country-to-country engagement is through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the direction of the GovernmentofGuyana.

Presently,ExxonMobilis beforetheCourtofAppealin

MelindaJankiarguethatthe company must pay for all damagescausedbyaspill.In the absence of the unlimited parent company guarantee, they say Guyana will be left to pay for damages not coveredbytheUS$2.6B. The Longtail project is expectedtoproduce250,000 barrelsofcondensateperday (bpd) with a gas production capacity of 1,200 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/day) BlackRock

Midstream describes condensate as extremely lightoil.

The FPSO is being specially designed to accommodate future gas export capabilities. The EIA explains,“TheFPSOwillbe designed to separate the recovered reservoir fluids into water and gas phases. The condensate will be treated to remove impurities (e g , sulphate and other salts)andthensenttostorage tanksinthehull.”

Exxon plans to drill approximately 24 to 60 development wells, with development well drilling scheduled to begin in 2027 and possibly extending as lateas2031andbeyond.The company said installation of subsea components is slated to commence in 2028 with installation of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), commissioning and startup planned to occur from 2028 to2031.Longtailisexpected to continue for at least 30 yearsaccordingtothe Continued on page 40

Frompage39 project schedule. Unlike previous developmentsfocusedprimarilyon oil, Longtail will focus on gas production It will produce hydrocarbons from the nonassociated gas fields and potential proximalresourcesaccordingtothe EIA.

THURSDAY

USAmbassador:changing agreeddealssends ‘badsignal’toinvestors

United States Ambassador to GuyanaNicoleTheriothaswarned that it sends a “terrible signal” and is a “bad idea” for a country to renegotiate a contract that has alreadybeenagreed.Shemadethat comment when asked if the U.S government supports a change to the contract Guyana has with AmericancompanyExxonMobil.

Speaking during a recent episode of SOURCES with journalist Svetlana Marshall, Theriot said renegotiating an already agreed contract could undermineinvestorconfidenceata critical time for the country’s economicexpansion.

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block was signed in 2016 by the previous APNU+AFC Coalition government.Undertheagreement, upto75percentofoilproductionis usedtorecovercosts,theremaining 25percentisconsideredprofitand is split equally between Guyana and the consortium, giving each 12 5 per cent However, the consortium pays a 2 per cent royalty from its share to Guyana. From Guyana’s 14.5 per cent total take, the government must pay the oilcompanies’taxes.

“Soastherepresentativeofthe US government, I can tell you, it’s incredibly dangerous to start talking about renegotiating a contract that’s been agreed upon,” Theriotresponded.

She continued, “That sends a terrible signal to international investors all over the world, that you can’t trust what you’ve signed withagovernmentthat’swillingto renegotiate.”

The U S Ambassador further noted that such a move by Guyana would send a negative signal to potential investors, especially at a time when Guyana is looking to attract more foreign investment into the country “It’s a very bad idea,”sheadded.

Hercommentscomeagainstthe backdrop of local debates over the 2016 PSA, and calls for the government to bring the oil major back to the table to renegotiate the contract.

ThePeople’sProgressiveParty government has criticised the PSA but has maintained that it will not renegotiatethecontract.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) operates the Stabroek

BlockinpartnershipwithHessand CNOOC. The Stabroek Block is estimatedtoholdsome11.6billion barrels of oil. Exxon and its partners Hess and CNOOC began pumpingoilinDecember2019,and today with four projects in operation is producing close to a millionbarrelsofoildaily

Addressing concerns about whether Guyana is receiving a fair deal under its oil agreements, Theriot said while she is not in a positiontoassessthecontractitself, the overall impact has been positive.

She noted that Guyana is already seeing tangible benefits from its oil boom, pointing to community projects, corporate sponsorships and training initiativesfundedbyExxonMobil.

“But from my perspective, I thinkit’sbeenincrediblybeneficial to both sides just look around whenItravelaroundthecountry In fact, I was just in Region One this weekend.IwasatShellBeachand in Mabaruma and in Imbotero and anywhere you look, you will see signs saying, at the bottom, it will say supported by ExxonMobil They are doing incredible work all overthiscountry,”shestated.

Moreover, she pointed to initiatives such as Exxon’s sponsorshipoftheGuyanaAmazon Warriors(GAW)fortheCaribbean Premier League (CPL) and a recently signed US$100 million agreement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and M a t h e m a t i c s ( S T E M ) developmentoverthenextdecade. Sheadded,“Somanythingsthatare happening in this country for the good are because you have these U S companies here and specifically, you have that ExxonMobilconsortium.”

The Ambassador maintained that these efforts demonstrate tangible benefits for Guyanese, particularlyineducationandyouth development.

“I think absolutely There’s no doubt for me that Guyanese are benefiting…sothosearejustsmall

examples,butIdefinitelythinkit’s been a win-win for both of our countries,” Ambassador Theriot stated.

Strongbackingfrom Guyanadrivinglargegold production–OmaiCEO …company advancing plan to upgrade 4.4 million oz from inferred to indicated

President and Chief Executive Officer of Omai Gold Mines, Elaine said Guyana is increasingly recognised as one of the most mining-friendlyjurisdictionsinthe world, with strong institutional support helping companies advance large-scale projects into production.

Omai is one of five Canadian gold exploration companies operatinginGuyana.Thecompany is the 100% owner of the Omai Gold Project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) through its subsidiary Avalon Gold Exploration Inc and hosts two adjacent orogenic gold deposits: Wenot shear-hosted open pit depositandtheadjacentGiltCreek intrusion-hosted underground deposit An updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 4.4 million oz (Inferred) plus 2 1 million oz (Indicated) was announcedAugust25,2025.

Speaking with John Tumazos Very Independent Research, LLC, ON Monday, Ellingham noted the scale of the Omai Gold Project, pointingoutthatGuyanacontinues togaininternationalrecognitionas afavourabledestinationformining investment, citing supportive policies and a straightforward regulatory environment. “I have beenworkingthereforfiveyears,I would agree with that There is strong backing to help companies bring these big projects into production,”shesaid.

Omai is among a growing number of Canadian-backed gold pr

s advancing across Guyana’s mining districts, collectivelycontrollingmillionsof

this is one of the gold giants of the GuyanaShield,”shenoted. ShefurthersharedthatOmaiis currently focused on upgrading approximately 4.4 million ounces of inferred resources to the indicated category She underscored that this is important step required to advance to a prefeasibility study (PFS) The company already ho

estimated2.1millionouncesinthe indicated category Inferred resource is based on limited sa

reasonably assumed, but limited information, an indicated resource isaresourcewhosequantity,grade (quality),shape,sizeandcontinuity canbemoreconfidentlyreported.

ounces across various stages of development.

Aris Mining’s Toroparu Gold Project, located in Region Seven, holds approximately 5 4 million ouncesofgoldinthemeasuredand indicated category, along with additional inferred resources G Mining Ventures’ (GMIN) Oko West Gold Project, also in Region Seven, contains an estimated 4.64 million ounces of proven and probable reserves and is projected toproduceabout350,000ouncesof gold annually over a 12 3-year minelife.

Mako Mining’s Eagle Mountain Project in the Mahdia district holds approximately 1 2 million ounces of gold in the indicated category, while G2 Goldfields’ Oko-Ghanie deposits containabout1.5millionouncesof indicated resources. Together with Omai’s 2 1 million ounces of indicated resources, these projects account for more than 14 million ounces of gold in the indicated categoryacrossGuyana.

Moreover,Ellinghamnotedthat when combined with its historical output, the Omai Gold Project exceeds10millionouncesofgold.

“I think we’re settling into, you know, the acknowledgement that

Tosupportbringingitsinferred resource to the indicated resource category, Omai has intensified its exploration programme, with a 50,000-metre drilling campaign underway with five drills.

AccordingtotheCEO,in2025,the company drilled 11 of the 12 months in 2025 and intends to do the same this year “We have five drills going. We’re probably going to add a sixth because we need to just move forward. We can still expand,”shenoted.

Thedrillingeffortisaimedboth at expanding the overall resource base and improving confidence in existingestimates.

Ellingham highlighted recent deep drilling results as a major indicatorofthedeposit’slong-term potential,attheWenotshear-hosted deposit. “So, one of the things we didwas,weactuallydidadeepdrill holeunderthatshear-hostedWenot deposit, and we actually did one two-kilometer-long hole, and we hittheWenotshearwithsevengold zones700metersbelowourdeposit so proof of concept, that sucker goesdeep,”shesaid.

The Omai project benefits significantly from its history as a past-producing mine, which operated between 1993 and 2005 andproducedmorethan3.7million ounces of gold before closing due tolowgoldpricesatthetime.

During the interview, Ellingham noted that operating a past producing mine has its benefits. She said there is a vast databaseofgeologicalinformation, includinghandwrittendrilllogsand assay records from previous operators such as Anaconda and Placer Dome. She noted that this has enabled Omai to advance exploration more efficiently and at lowercost.

FRIDAY

GuyanasecretlypaidUS$80M toWalesgasplantcontractor afterlosingarbitration

ByDavinaBagot

Frompage40

the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) contractors, Lindsayca-CH4 Guyana Inc after losing the arbitrationfiledbytheconsortium.

Guyana was represented at the arbitration hearing by a local lawyerandaninternationalfirm.A well-placedsourceindicatedtothis newspaperthatgovernmentlostthe case,filedbytheconsortiumatthe time, and was initially required to payUS$106Mtothecompanies.

After negotiating with the group, it was agreed that the country would pay about US$82 million. It is important to note that government kept the outcome of thearbitrationsilent,eventhoughit addedmorecoststotheballooning price tag of the Wales gas project, whichcontinuestofacedelays.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips has staked his credibility on GTE producing power in December

2026. Once completed, government p

om

s

d

hat customers of the Guyana Power andLightInc.(GPL)willseea50% reductionontheirelectricitybills.

During the arbitration negotiations, Kaieteur News was told that CH4 Systems LLC, a PuertoRicoLLCwhollyownedby JuanBellosta,wasoustedfromthe contract It was agreed that the PuertoRico-basedcompanywould be paid US$40M by Lindsayca Inc , owned by Hector Fuentes Guimare and Jesus Fuentes Guimare, brothers and Venezuelan nationals, which would complete the remaining work on the Natural Gas Liquids facility (NGL) and 300-megawatt (MW) power plant thatremainsunderconstruction.

The consortium was awarded a US$759M contract back in December 2022 to construct the twogasplantsinWales,WestBank Demerara CH4-Lindsayca was among five companies who had placed bids for the projects in September 2022 The American jointventurehadplacedthehighest offiveinternationalbidstothetune of US$898M to build the plants. However, during negotiations with the GoG the project cost was reducedtoUS$759M.

It would be recalled that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in July lastyeartoldreportersthatthejoint venture parted ways due to “internal wrangling” that had a f f e c t e d t h e p a c e o f implementation of the project. To this end, he said, “So I’m told that it’s a positive thing that is happening,butthetechnicalpeople havetoexaminethat”.

Moreover, when the Dispute AvoidanceandAdjudicationBoard (DAAB) issued its ruling on the matter in January 2025, the GovernmentofGuyana(GoG)kept the decision quiet, insisting that there was a “confidentiality” requirement Never explained however,wastheroleofBancoSan Juan Internacional’s Marcelino

Bellosta, Venezuelan Banker, in both the contract negotiations and the dispute adjudication board Sources indicate their private jet was a frequent flyer to Guyana in bothperiods.

The complaint by the contractorswasfiledonSeptember 19, 2024.The first claim related to cost overruns claimed by the consortiumforanincompletework site VP Jagdeo said government wasatoddswiththecontractorover thedelayperiod.

He explained, “That is where thethreemonthswearearguingthe three months delay on the project came. They want a longer period because the liquidating damages for not completing the project on timeforthecontractor,iftheydon’t complete the project on time, it’s overUS$11Mpermonththeyhave to pay in liquidating damages for delay on the project, so they are arguing they need more time

beyond the three months. We are sayingthreemonthsisadequate.”

Whatwasleftoutofthepublic, is that at the 2022 RFP stage, Liquidated Damages (LD’s) for delays were only imposed by the Government upon the contractor for delays During contract negotiations, the source told Kaieteur News that “the crafty lawyers of Lindsayca-CH4 outmaneuvered the Task Force Negotiators, and added Liquidated Damages to their benefit, making thegovernmentliablefordelayson the following projects: Marine Offloading Facility (GaicoExxon), Heavy Haul Road, Landing Facility, and Site Preparation (Gysbi-Exxon), and Government-GPLRelatedProjects

such as the High Voltage Transmission Lines and Control Center across the river in Eccles. Why the government would agree to carry penalties on the benefit of

thecontractorsisaquestionforthe Task Force and their legal representatives.”

Meanwhile,itwasreportedthat the second claim made by the contractor relates to issues relating tothesoil.Jagdeohadsaid,“There have been some additional claims byCH4andLindsayca,particularly astheyrelatetothesoilconditions andthosewouldhavetogothrough thetechnicalprocesstoseewhether theyarejustifiedornot.”

Sources indicate, that unbeknownst to the public, this is not the only multi-million dollar arbitrationinvolvingGastoEnergy andLindsayca.Andasthedamages mount, so does the cost ultimately paidbytheGuyanesepeople.Over the next few days, Kaieteur News will disclose a series of other damningaspectsoftheGTEproject whichthegovernmentcontinuesto keepawayfromthepublic.

BOSAIfiresstaffwho foughtforpayincrease …cites misalignment of worker’s approach and company’s operations

BOSAI Mineral Group (Guyana) Inc, a Chinese-owned bauxiteminingcompanyoperating inLinden,Region10hasfiredone of its employees who successfully foughtforapayincreasealongwith hiscolleagueslastSeptember

The services of the employee, LorenzoJosephofBlueBerryHill, WismarLindenwereterminatedon 27 February,2026withimmediate th effect.

Joseph said that the company has not given any explanation or a valid reason for his termination except for one sentence in his termination letter which states, “It has become evident that your professional goals and work approacharenolongeralignedwith the core requirements of your role and the overarching policies of BosaiMineralGroup(Guyana)Inc. (BMGGI).”

Joseph was not only an employeewiththeChinesefirmbut also a member of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Employees (NAACIE)-aunionthathasalways

been on the forefront representing the bauxite workers, especially in pay disputes. Joseph never stayed quiet when workers’ rights were being abused and with the help of NAACIEspearheadednegotiations with BMGGI to remedy its shortcomings.

Among those negotiations, were better working conditions, fairertreatmentforlocalemployees among others. But his most recent success with NAACIE was negotiating a 7 5 percent pay increase along with additional benefits for bauxite workers in Septemberlastyear

Workers had reportedly downed tools on 20 September, th after initial negotiations for a pay increasefellthrough. Reportswere thattheworkersweredemandinga salary increase of eight percent for 2025 and 8.5 percent in 2026 but their Chinese bosses had refused offeringonly7percent.

They followed with strike actions on the 21 September The strike was widely reported by the mediaandengagedtheattentionof theMinistryofLabour

The strike was subsequently called off after Labour Ministry intervened by offering to mediate conciliation talks between the union,NAACIEandthecompany At the end of those talks the Chinese management were forced to make a better offer on the pay increase. On 30 September, 2025 th it was reported by the press that both parties had agreed to a pay increaseof7.5percentin2025and 8 percent in 2026 along with additionalbenefitsforworkers.

Josephsaidthatitwasavictory for the bauxite workers but he did notexpectthatthecompanywould firehimmonthslaterin2026.

Whilethecompanydidnotgive any other reasons for his sudden andimmediatetermination,Joseph toldKaieteurNewsthathebelieves that it might have to do with his efforts in performing his role as a member of NAACIE and fighting forworkers’rights.

Meanwhile, former trade unionist now turned politician, SherwinDownersaidthathisparty, the United Workers Party, stands withJoseph.

Guyanese woman selected as new NYU Ambassador for Caribbean and Latin America

Guyanese woman

Melissa VieiraGreene has been selected as the new ambassadorforonetheNew York University’s p r e s t i g i o u s programmes—the Master of Science in Health Law and Strategy (MSHLS) programme.

Vieira-Greenewasraised in a close-knit Guyanese household, in Guyana and later Brooklyn, where work, faith, and service were part ofdailylife.“Ourhomewas a place where people came forguidance,andIsawearly onthatleadershipstartswith responsibility for others Brooklyn reinforced that lesson in a different way; it demanded independence, discipline,andresilience.”

Twenty-one years in the U.S. Air Force convinced Vieira-Greene that the qualities necessary for effective leadership often did not come naturally to those tasked with being leaders.Shesaid“Iservedin both operations and human resources roles, focusing on workforce management, personnel operations, and leadership support I deployed four times, including to Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting missionswhereorganization and clear decision-making mattered.Iwasinjuredinthe line of duty and later retired as a Wounded Warrior That experiencereinforcedforme how leadership decisions affectthepeoplecarryingout themission.”

Following her military service,Vieira-Greene spent two years as the Guyanabased administration leader forInternationalSOS.Sheis currentlytheCEOofHuman Resources Warrior LLC Vieira-Greene has made leadershipherfocus,helping individuals, especially firstgenerationprofessionalsand women, build confidence, clarity,andaccountabilityin their careers. Organizational safety, performance, and workforce development flow from better leadership, structure, systems, and operational discipline, she says.

She noted “Throughout

Guyanese woman

is new NYU Ambassador for Caribbean and LatinAmerica

my career, the decisions I have been responsible for making often involve legal, financial, and ethical c o n s i d e r a t i o n s simultaneously. I chose the NYU Law-Wagner Master ofScienceinHealthLawand Strategy because it brings these areas together in reflecting real-world leadership Through the curriculum, the faculty, and the diverse experiences of the cohort, the program p r o v i d e s a c l e a r understanding of how law, policy, finance, and strategy shape real decisions. It has strengthenedmyapproachto evaluating decisions and operational challenges, enablingmetotakeabroader view that includes legal, financial, and ethical considerations This is especially important in environments where safety, c o m p l i a n c e , a n d accountabilityarecritical.” Vieira-Greene takes specialprideinblazingatrail for others with similar backgrounds.“Iamontrack tobecomethefirstGuyanese graduate of MSHLS. I see this as more than a personal achievement It creates visibility for others from Guyana, the Caribbean, and Latin America to see themselves in global academic and leadership spaces.”

Baby’s Healthy Feeding Plan:

Evidence-Based Guidance for Infants 0-24 Months

st Bythe21 ChinaMedical Team:LiYanyu

This evidencebased feeding plan aligns with g l o b a l W H O recommendations and local nutritional guidelines, designed to support optimal growth, development, and long-term health for infants frombirthto2yearsold.

1.Birthto6Months:

ExclusiveBreastfeeding

Recommendation: Breast milk ALONE until your baby reaches 6 months ofage.

• Breast milk is the biologically perfect food for infants, providing all essential nutrients, hydration, and immune protection required for healthy growth in the first 6 months.

• No additional water, formula,juice,orsolidfoods are needed during this period, as they can disrupt nutrient absorption and increasetheriskofinfection andallergies.

• E x c l u s i v e breastfeeding also supports maternal-infantbondingand long-term health outcomes forbothmotherandchild.

2.Around6Months: Introductionof ComplementaryFoods

Recommendation:

Continue breastfeeding, and introduce age-appropriate complementaryfoods.

• Start with small portions (4 teaspoons initially)ofmashedsoftfruit or 100% unsweetened fruit juice, thick porridge, and multimix crush (a nutrientdense blend of grains, legumes,andlocalstaples).

• Ensure all foods are mashedwithaforkorsieved to a smooth, lump-free consistency to prevent choking and support safe swallowing.

• This stage marks the transition to complementary feeding, while breast milk remains the primary source ofnutrition.

3.6-8Months:Gradual Increasein ComplementaryFoods

Recommendation: Continue breastfeeding, and increase the daily portion of complementaryfoods.

• Gradually increase the amount of fruits, thick porridge,andmultimixcrush to½cupofeachperday

• Expand the variety of foods to include mashed

vegetables, pureed meats, and legumes, to introduce newtastesandtextureswhile ensuringbalancednutrition.

• Monitor the baby’s acceptanceofnewfoodsand adjust portions based on hungercues,avoidingforced feeding.

4.9-11Months:Transition toFamilyFoods

Recommendation:

Continue breastfeeding, and expand access to family meals with appropriate modifications.

•Maintain½cupoffruit daily, and increase thick porridgeandmultimixcrush to approximately 1 cup per day, incorporating foods fromthefamilypot.

• Critical Note: AVOID highly seasoned, salted, or sugary foods, as infants’ kidneys and taste buds are still developing, and excessive sodium/sugar increases long-term health risks.

• Introduce soft, bitesized finger foods to encourage self-feeding and developoralmotorskills.

5.12-24Months: ResponsiveFeedingand FamilyIntegration

Recommendation: Breastfeed on demand as

oftenasthechildwants,and fully integrate the child into familymeals.

• Continue to offer a variety of cereals, fruits, vegetables, and nutrientdense foods from the family pot, ensuring ageappropriate textures and portionsizes.

• Add healthy snacks such as whole-grain breads and biscuits to support energyneedsbetweenmeals.

• Practice responsive feeding: follow the child’s hunger and fullness cues, avoid pressure to eat, and create a positive, stress-free mealtimeenvironment.

KeyComplementaryFood CategoriesforInfants

1.MixturestoCrush/Sieve

• Nutrient-dense blends including yam + callaloo + fish, rice + pumpkin + chicken, and sweet potato + carrot+egg,softenedwitha small amount of breastmilk foreasyconsumption.

• These blends provide essential iron, protein, and micronutrients critical for brain development and growth.

2.SoftFruit&Juices

• Age-appropriate options: banana, mango, cherry, oranges, and

pawpaw, served mashed or as unsweetened juice in limitedportions.

•Fruitsprovideessential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, supporting immune function and digestivehealth.

3.Porridge

• Nutritious porridge options made from wheat flour,cornmeal,barleyflour, and oatmeal, prepared with breastmilk or water for a thick,energy-densemeal.

• Porridge serves as a staple complementary food, providingcarbohydratesand B vitamins for sustained energy

4.Essential Iron-RichFoods

• Iron is essential for preventing anemia and supporting cognitive development in infants, a common nutritional gap in earlychildhood. Important Guidance for Non-BreastfedInfants.

Babies who are not receiving breastmilk should be given a suitable breastmilk substitute, such as age-appropriate infant formula. Consult your clinic nurse or pediatric healthcare provider for personalized guidance on appropriate substitutes, mixing instructions, and safe feeding practices to ensure optimalnutrition.

•Criticalsourcesofiron: meat, fish, callaloo, peas, and wheat flour-based productssuchasbiscuitsand porridge.

Popcaan teams up with Junior Reid for uplifting new single ‘born fi conquer’

Isuperstar Popcaan continues to bridge generations in music with the release of his powerful new single, Born Fi Conquer, featuring reggae icon Junior Reid and produced byPopcaan’snephew,risingtalentJoel Engineer

The track is a bold and inspiring anthem rooted in purpose and resilience. From its opening moments, Born Fi Conquer delivers a strong m

w

nd perseverance, reminding listeners that no matter their occupation or circumstance, they are deserving of greatness.

Anchored by the affirming refrain, “Born fi win, born fi conquer,” the single encourages individuals to step fully into their potential and live out theirpurposeunapologetically Popcaan, known for his ability to seamlessly blend contemporary dancehall with timeless influences, once again demonstrates his deep respect for the foundation of Jamaican music.Hiscollaborationwiththe‘One

Blood’legend,JuniorReidhighlightsa consistent pattern in his career; intentionally creating alongside legendaryvoiceswhohelpedshapethe soundandcultureofthegenre.

Junior Reid’s verse adds depth and authenticity to the record, paying tribute to the hardworking people of Jamaicawhilereinforcingamessageof upward mobility and hope. With lines centeredonperseveranceandprogress, heremindslistenersthat“theonlyway is up,” echoing the song’s overarching themeoftriumph.

Speaking on the collaboration, Popcaan shared, “Working with Junior Reid is a great honour for me. I have deep respect for the elders who paved the way and built this industry Being abletocreategreatmusicwiththemisa fullcirclemoment.”

Produced by Joel Engineer, the track also signals the emergence of a new generation of producers, blending fresh sonic direction with culturally richstorytelling.

Born Fi Conquer is now available onallmajorstreamingplatforms.

Onabrightspringmorning,Emily andDanielweregettingreadyfor the town's big Easter egg hunt. Thesunwasshining,birdsweresinging,and thesmelloffreshflowersfilledtheair “Last oneoutsideisasleepyturtle!”Danielshouted asheranthroughtheyard.Emilylaughedand chased after him They searched under bushes,behindtrees,andneartheflowerbeds for colorful eggs. Suddenly, Daniel stopped. “Emily… look at this.” Behind a tall hedge wassomethingtheyhadneverseenbefore—a smallwoodengatecoveredinvinesandtiny pink flowers “That gate wasn't here yesterday,”Emilysaid.Danielgentlypushed i t o p e n Creeeak

Thegateslowlyswungopen,revealinga pathglowingwithsoftgoldenlight.“Should we go inside?” Daniel whispered Emily nodded. They stepped through the gate and gasped. Inside was the most magical garden they had ever seen. Tall trees were covered with colorful Easter eggs instead of fruit Some eggs sparkled like jewels Others glowed softly like tiny lanterns. Butterflies fluttered everywhere, and a gentle breeze carriedthesweetsmellofchocolate.

“Are those… eggs growing on trees?” Daniel asked Emily walked closer and carefullytouchedone.“It'swarm!”shesaid. Suddenly, a small voice spoke. “Welcome, travelers.” The children looked around but didn't see anyone. Then a tiny white rabbit wearing a blue vest hopped onto a rock. “I amOliver,theKeeperoftheEasterGarden,” therabbitsaidwithapolitebow Daniel blinked in surprise. “A talking rabbit!” Oliver smiled. “This garden grows the magical eggs that bring joy to children every Easter But the garden is losing its magic.” Emily frowned.“What happened?” Oliver sighed. “Children are forgetting the true spirit of Easter—kindness, sharing, and helping others.When that happens, the eggs losetheirglow.”

The children looked around. Some eggs werebrightandshiny,butotherslookeddull andgray

“Can we help?” Emily asked Oliver nodded. “To restore the garden, you must solve three Easter riddles.” Daniel rubbed hishandstogether “Weloveriddles!”Oliver lifted a tiny golden bell. “Here is the first riddle.”Thebellchimedsoftly “Iamcolorful a n d b r i g h t Hidden from sight. Children search for me withdelight.WhatamI?”Danielthoughtfor a moment. Emily smiled. “An Easter egg!”

The bell chimed again, and one of the gray eggsonthetreesuddenlyturnedbrightpink. “Correct,”Oliversaid.Thegardenseemeda littlebrighternow Oliverrangthebellagain. “Second riddle.” “I hop and play all day in spring.Fluffytailandearsthatswing.Ibring eggs on Easter night. Who am I?” Daniel laughed.“Thatoneiseasy!”

“The Easter Bunny!” Both children shouted. Another group of gray eggs burst into beautiful colors blue, yellow, and purple. The garden sparkled brighter Oliver smiled proudly “One final riddle remains.” The rabbit rang the bell for the third time. “This is something you give away, yet it always comes back your way It makes the w o r l d b r i g h t a n d t r u e What is it?”The children thought quietly ThenEmilysaidsoftly,“Kindness.”Thebell ranglouderthanbefore.Suddenly,everyegg in the garden glowed with brilliant color The trees shimmered like rainbows Butterflies swirled through the air, and flowers opened all at once. “You did it!”

Oliver cheered “The Easter Garden is saved!” A golden egg gently floated down from one of the trees and landed in Emily's hands. “This egg is special,” Oliver said. “Whenever someone shows kindness, it will glow.” Daniel smiled. “We'll make sure it stays bright.” Oliver opened the garden gate again. “It is time for you to return.” The childrensteppedbackthroughthegate.When they turned around, the magical garden was gone.Onlythetallhedgeremained.

Daniel looked at Emily “Do you think it was real?” Emily opened her hand The golden egg glowed softly in the morning sunlight.Shesmiled.

“I think Easter magic is very real.” And that year, Emily and Daniel made sure to share their candy, help their neighbors, and spread kindness everywhere they went.And the golden egg never stopped glowing. The End!

FEaster Time

by Uncle Roy Eastertimeishereagain, Andwewillhavemuchfun, Withkitesandfoodatpicnics, Withmyfamilyeveryone.

Easterissuchajoyoustime, Thatweallliketoshare, Forgettingworkandschool,evenTV, Atthisgreattimeoftheyear

Itmakesmesohappy, Toseeeveryoneplaytogether, Eating,dancingandflyingkites, IwishEasterwouldlastforever

DIY BUNNY USING POPSICLE STICKS

MATERIALS:

1.bunnytemplate

2. full size 4.5" popsicle sticks (I used about 120. I buy them in bulk on Amazon.)

3 mini 2 5" popsicle sticks(Iusedabout310.)

4 glue (Wood glue is great, but you can use more basic school or tacky glue too.)

5.acrylicpaint

6.woodstain

7.Paintbrushes

8. yarn (If you prefer a pom pom tail to a popsicle sticktail.)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Print the template and tape it together 2. Arrange your first row of popsicle sticksaspictured,alternating every other stick. I find it efficient to add glue to several sticks before laying themdown,butfindasystem thatworksforyou.

3.Placeasecondlayerof sticks in the gaps of the first layer

4. Continue gluing and layering like this until your bunnyisasdeepasyou'dlike it to be. (Mine is about 16 sticksdeep.)

5 Glue popsicle sticks togetheraspicturedtocreate your bunny's tail. Glue the non-tail half of the longer stick (the right side in the photo) to the back of your

shelf. If you prefer, create a poppomforafluffiertailand glue it to your bunny Here's how to make a perfect pom pom.

6 When your glue is thoroughly dry, use a paintbrush to apply wood stain to the outside of the bunny Youwanttobecareful heretouseenoughstainthat it can get between the sticks somewhat, but not so much that it seeps into the inner side of the bunny I went slowly and needed to touch up a few areas when I was finished. (Alternatively, just staintheentirebunny,inside and out and skip the paint altogether!)

7. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly (overnight is ideal) and then carefully painttheinsidesurfaceofthe bunny

FUTOSHIKI

ill in the squares so that each digit from 1 to 5 occurs exactly once in each row and column. Greater-than and less-than signs

TieandSecure:Usingan 8-10" piece of yarn, tie the cut yarn strands together tightly

Remove Cardboard: Carefully pull away the template or open the pompommaker

Fluff and Trim: Fluff up theyarnandtrimanyuneven strands to form a perfect sphere.

8 If your fresh new bunny is going to become walldecor,youcanhangher upbysimplyputtingacouple of nails in the wall for her earsandthetopofherbackto rest on Gather Materials: You'll need yarn, scissors, andapieceofcardboardora pom-pom maker.WrapYarn: Wrap yarn around the pom pom maker until it's fully covered with a few layers of yarn Cut the Yarn: Insert scissors under the wrapped yarnandcutallstrands.

indicate the relationship of the two adjacent squares. There is only one solution, and you can find it without guessing.

There are many ways by which you can make yourlifemoreworthy,some of which we have been dealing with in the weeks past in our discourses about self-improvement.

However,thereisone wayinwhichwecandothis in an unselfish manner, and that is by looking out continuously to find how youcanhelpothers,bothon the long and short terms. I am sure you can think now of instances when you have seen someone close to you acting in a manner that can leadtosomenegativeresult. If you had helped that persontobehavebetter,then youwouldhavebeenableto see how rewarding this was tothatperson,aswellasthe satisfaction it gave you for having spent your time and energy to do something unselfish.

There are also other waysinwhichyoucanreach out to your friends and lead them into understanding your approach to the proper solution of the problems theywouldbefacedwithin theireverydaylives.

and spread your ideas of good behaviour Getting this group to meet on a regularbasis,sayweekly,at a determined venue, can provide a guarantee that personal problems will be discussed with the object of findingpropersolutions.

You can get someone who is respected by your group's members from the churchorotherorganisation inyourareatospeaktoyour groupwhenyoumeet.

This will make it an ongoingexercisethatwillbe of immense benefit to the members as they develop and share a culture of good behaviour

Each of us can help to build our community and our nation when we see w the need to join with others in this effort.

One way by which you can make this an ongoing process is to start a discussion group in which you get those who are members of any group to whichyoubelongtointeract

Thinkofthevaluetoour nationifthissystemwereto be adopted by every community, and I am now proposingthatweallmakea serious attempt to work towards achieving this, and make our voices heard in thisendeavour

Uncle Roy is again appealing to our readers to make a contributiontothiscolumnbyeithergivingafeedback on what is published, asking for some help with some personal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers, or sharing the news of what is happening in his/her community. Please send your contribution to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

U.S. Based Guyanese doctor urges resolute focus on preventive care and cancer screening

As chronic diseases and

cancerratescontinueto rise across the country, aU.S.-basedGuyanesephysicianis urging for there to be persistent emphasis on prevention, early detection, and accessible health education.

Dr Karen Cooper, who has spent years volunteering in underserved communities here, through the longstanding Health Education and Relief Organization (H.E.R.O.), says Guyana is at a pivotalmomentinitspublichealth journey.

Duringhermostrecentvisit,Dr Cooperhighlightedthefiveleading cancers affecting Guyanese families breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and lung — and stressed that early screening remains one of the most effective toolsforsavinglives.

“Cancer is often detected too late, when treatment options are

limited,” she told Kaieteur News.

“Screening gives families a fighting chance. It allows us to identifythediseaseearly,intervene early,andpreventavoidableloss.”

Healthofficialshavelongnoted that many of the cancers most common in Guyana are highly treatablewhencaughtintheirearly stages. Dr Cooper is encouraging adults, particularly those with family histories or other risk factors,toviewroutinescreeningas a normal part of preventive care rather than something triggered by symptoms.

Beyond her cancer prevention advocacy, Dr Cooper has consistently championed practical, communitycenteredapproachesto healthierliving.ThroughH.E.R.O., her volunteer work includes supporting early screening and management of chronic diseases, offeringpreventivecareeducation, and promoting simple, accessible

forms of physical activity and nutrition.

“Preventive care is not just aboutavoidingillness—it’sabout building healthier communities,” shesaid.“Whenpeopleunderstand their risks and have access to screening and supportive environments, we can reduce the burden of chronic disease across thecountry.”

“The Government of Guyana, by way of the Health Ministry’s Chronic Disease Unit, must continuetospreadthemessage,as I know it has been doing, to decrease the effect of chronic diseases The professionals are well aware of the importance of early testing Diabetes and hypertension can be dealt with even more effectively Guyanese clearly have access to vital lab tests,andmustusethoseandother such facilities, like dialysis services,totheirbenefit ”

“It is encouraging to see the increase in regional hospitals, and the collaborations with reputable NGOs and international institutions. That is why I believe that the messaging must be unceasing.”

Dr Cooper says that it’s concerning that the fear factor seems to be keeping persons from visiting physicians and medical facilitiesfornecessarycheck-ups.

“From what I’ve noticed, there’s a lot of apprehension about going to the doctor or specialist to get checked. Having state-of-theart equipment and highly efficient professionals would mean nothing if there’s reluctance to find out if something may be wrong. It’s important for individuals to be diagnosed, advised and treated as early as possible. A lot of people only become aware when it’s too late, and unfortunately beyond beingtreatable.”

Guyanese-born dancehall artist

Parodax

achieves multi-chart success across apple music and iTunes reggae rankings

Yahoo News-US based Guyanese-born dancehall

a r t i s t P a r o d a x i s experiencing renewed momentum following the release and continued traction of his Gothic Boss album and related projects, with multiple entries simultaneously charting across Apple Music and iTunesReggaerankings.

simultaneous presence of multiple projects within the Top 5 highlights a notable level of listener engagement acrosshiscatalog.

"Seeingmultipleprojects chart at the same time is a blessing and a reminder that the hard work is paying off. I'm grateful for the support fromfansworldwideandwill continue pushing my sound

Attheheightofhisrecent chartperformance,severalof Parodax’s releases occupied positions across theTop 5 of thereggaecharts.TheReturn of the Gothic Child reached No. 2, followed by Gothic Boss at No. 3, Mi Nah Good Mi Nah Bad (Gothic Love Story) at No. 4, and Devil

Inna God at No. 5. The

artisteasstreamingplatforms

Caribbeanmusicworldwide.

Parodax, born Joseph Downer, began his music

intensified his professional developmentin2016.Hehas since built an independent catalogandcollaboratedwith artistes such as Elephant

(Continuedonpage53)

to the next level," Parodax said. Thechartactivityreflects P

international visibility, including traction in the United States, Nigeria, and global reggae listings. The

increasingdigitaltractionfor the independent dancehall

crashonMandelaAvenue Kidnappingsuspectkilledin

A 34-year-old man, who was previously charged in a high-profile abduction case, died on Saturday after crashing into a parked truck along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

Dead is Damion Barlow, called 'Dangles', of Lot 2, 61B Field Sophia, Georgetown. Barlow was charged in 2024 for the abduction of Joshua David, alsoknownas'Bricks'.

Barlow was accused of abducting David on September 26, 2024, along Main Street, Georgetown, withtheintenttosecretlyand wrongfully confine him Davidisyettobefound.

Reports indicate that Barlow was speeding when helostcontrolofthevehicle, skiddedoverthemedian,and crashedintoaparkedtruckon the opposite side of the road. Barlowwaspronounceddead

atthescene. An investigation into the crashisongoing. Barlow, along with six others, were charged in connection with the abduction. However, due to insufficient evidence at the t i m e a n d o n g o i n g investigations, a Magistrate granted each of the accused $500,000bail.

Labourerarrestedfor gun,ammopossession

The firearm that was discovered

A 47-year-old labourer was arrested on Friday following the discovery of a gun and ammunition at Number 66 Village Backlands,Berbice.

In a statement on Saturday, the Guyana Police Forcesaidthatthediscovery was made during an intelligence led operation, around16:00hrs.

“During the operation, rankswenttothearea,where searches were carried out. While the exercise was in

progress, two unidentified maleswereseeninaboatand subsequently escaped into nearbybushes.Asearchwas then conducted on the abandoned boat, during which a suspected 16-gauge shotgun and twelve 16gauge cartridges were found,”policesaid.

The labourer remains in custody assisting with investigations.

The weapon and the ammunition have been lodged.

Breaking tradition & letting passion win

…Vicky's kathak story

V icky was determined to pursue what he loves

ByTeleshaRamnarine

When young Vicky's

a d

t i o n a l H

n d u grandparents learnt that he wantedtoswitchfromsinging to dancing, it was a no, from them. There were no dancers inthefamily,andmoreso,no male dancers; no male who wantedtodokathakatleast(a form of Indian classical dance).

But 'Vicky' - Purnanand Vickram Danpat – absolutely loved dancing as a child growing up. He'd be in his roomandputondancevideos taking careful note of the choreographies and even practicingsomeofthemoves. He knew that his beloved grandparents–Raywattieand ChitramArjune–withwhom he started living when he began secondary school wouldneverhaveit,butbeing the charismatic, determined, at times slightly “rebellious” personalitythatheis,heknew that he'd allow nothing to hinder him from the path he wantedtopursue.

In 2022, one of Vicky's sisters,ChitraniPersaud,was getting married and for some reason, Vicky was the only one who was interested in d a n c i n g f o r t h e Mehendi/Sangeet Night So being the “little star” that he was, he performed a song by himself and did another with hiscousinswhomhehadtried to help match his speed and rhythm About two months later, Chitrani told Vicky about the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha'saudition for Naya Zamana 24 (an annual stage production and dance show).

“I remembered thinking: 'HowcanIdothiswithoutmy grandparentssayingno?'SoI said to myself: 'They don't have to know, and if I get

through, then they can't stop me ' I becam

e rebellious,” Vicky, a former studentoftheDharmicRama Krishna Primary and Christ ChurchSecondaryrecalledin an interview with The

Waterfalls

So Vicky took a short videoinhiskitchenandsentit intotheSabha.Hewascalled afewdayslaterandinvitedto the Kendra for an in-person audition. Little did he know that this was going to be the starting point of a professionaldancecareer Vicky, now 19, a Campbellville, Georgetown boy, didn't tell his grandparentsthathehadtogo until the day of the audition. “Theywerelikeno,butItold them they can't stop me becauseIfeltIwasready,”he shared. When he arrived, there were about 20 other persons auditioning who all seemed older and more experienced in dance than him. Yet, he was among the five chosen and training started immediately “My body was sore when I got home, and after that, it was weeklytraininguntilitturned todaily,”Vickyrecalled.

As he practiced for the show week after week, he hoped that his grandparents would attend, but they said thattheydidn'tthinkthey'dbe able to sit through the event for such a long time. To his knowledge, no one in his family had gotten tickets, so when Chitrani and her husband surprised him and showed up, he was nothing short of heartened. “I was so happy I actually cried on stage when I saw them,” he expressed.

Aftertheshow,Vickywas dancing for almost every otheronethatcameup,except (Continuedonpage56)

Camille's Academy rolls out CPR, emergency response training for staffers

Administrative and teachingstaffersofCamille's Academy Inc (CAI) have been exposed to some much needed training in pediatric firstaid,CPRandothertypes ofemergencyresponsecare.

The training was faciltated by corporate

training and business consultancy firm, Cerulean Inc on March 20 last Approximately20staffersof theacademyparticipatedina course aimed at equipping

educators to handle

emergencies such as choking,asthmaattacks,and injuries, and other emergencysituations.

Academic Director and founderofCAI,Dr.Camille Deokie-Gorakh explained thatoneofaseriesoftraining in First Aid Response to be rolledoutattheschool. She explained: “This is thefirstofaseriesofsessions toensureeachteacherisalso st a trained first aider This 1

primaryandsecondary…All head teachers, P E instructors,fitnesscoachand even the transport officer weretrained”

The Academic Director noted that the CAI hopes to set an example for other schools that have yet to introduce the programme to staffersandstudents.

“This is important knowledge and training; I believe all teachers and

administrators,thosedealing withchildrenshouldhave…

We have been doing this constantly to ensure our teachers are equipped in the case of emergencies, she nd revealed adding that the 2 trainingwillincludeanother batchof20teachers.”

Gentle told this publication that the first aid training is especially important for

teachersandschoolsbecause they are responsible for the safetyofchildreninasetting where accidents and health emergencies can happen at anytime.

She said: “Having trained staff can make a critical difference in outcomes In emergencies like choking, severe bleeding, or cardiac arrest, the first few minutes are (Continuedonpage54)

An administrator engages in CPR training

phase was for teachers, the nursery department and Heads of Department for

Vybz Kartel Wins 'Best Caribbean Music Act' At 2026 MOBO Awards

Dancehall Mag-

Dancehall superstar Vybz

Kartel has won 'Best Caribbean MusicAct' at the 2026 MOBO Awards, securinghisfirstcompetitive

win at the UK-based ceremony a year after receivingitsImpactAward. He was also nominated for 'Best International Act' thisyear,butthatprizewent toNigerianAyraStarr

The Fever deejay beat out a largely Jamaican

shortlist in the Caribbean category: Masicka, Shenseea, Lila Iké, Ayetian, and Trinidad and Tobago's YungBredda.

His win came from an eligibility period spanning September 1, 2024 to October 1, 2025, which captured his August 2025 album Heart & Soul and a run of hit singles and videos releasedduringthatstretch. Kartel previously earned nodsfor'BestReggaeAct'in

2004, 2009 and 2010. That category was later scrapped andreplacedin2022byBest Caribbean Music Act, a move MOBO said was meant to reflect a broader range of Caribbean genres andartists.

Shenseeaalsoperformed during the ceremony this year She previously won 'Best Reggae Act' in 2021, becomingthefirstwomanto take that title, then returned to win 'Best Caribbean

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel

MusicAct'in2025.

Valiant took the prize at the 2024 ceremony, while Skillibeng won in 2022, the first year under the new name.

Buju Banton won Best ReggaeActin2020. Elsewhere on Thursday night, Olivia Dean emerged as one of the ceremony's biggestwinners,takingBest

Female Act, Album of the Year for TheArt of Loving, andSongoftheYearforMan INeed. Her showing made her oneofthestandoutnamesof the 2026 ceremony as MOBO marked its 30th anniversaryyear Jim Legxacy picked up BestMaleAct,whileCentral Cee won Best Hip HopAct,

keepinghisnameamongthe major winners even without sweepingtheheadlinefields. FLOalsoaddedtothenight's top haul by winning Best R&B/Soul Act, and Nova Twins took BestAlternative MusicAct.

Ayra Starr, who beat Kartel in the Best International Act race, was another big winner, while Wizkid took Best African MusicAct.

D C 3 w o n B e s t Newcomer, Chip took Best GrimeAct,TwinSwonBest Drill Act, and Raye was awarded Video of the Year for Where Is My Husband! Pharrell Williams and Slick Rick were also among the

Songwriter Award and Lifetime Achievement Award,respectively

Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the MOBO Awards were created to honor music of Black origin in Britain and beyond. This year'seventmarked30years since the awards were launched.

Guyanese-borndancehall...

Frompage47

Man, Jah Vinci, Macka Diamond, and Navino within the Caribbean dancehall scene His music production, including mixingandmasteringforhisalbumprojects, has been developed in collaboration with JayCrazieRecordsandhisindependentlabel KickbackMusic.

His earlier releases and collaborative projects have also been featured in regional entertainment media, including coverage of his single "Real Friends", produced in collaboration with Jamaican producer Fada

Shaqdem.

Industry publications have previously highlightedhiscontinueddevelopmentasan independent artiste operating between the Caribbean and the United States, as well as hiseffortstoexpandhisaudiencereach.

The recent chart performance adds to Parodax's ongoing momentum following the re-release of several earlier projects compiled into full-length albums, reflecting the global reach of independent reggae and dancehall artists in the digital era.

U.S.deportationcaseagainst...

Frompage15

HomelandSecuritysaidthataccordingtothe Notice to Appear (NTA) that was filed is in relation to a visa overstay, and clarified that there are no other charges against AtwellHolder Tothisend,thejudgeenquired,given that Atwell-Holder is married to a U S citizen,ifshewouldnotgetawaiverfromthe overstaycharge.Hethenaskedforthelawyer to submit a copy of the I-485, a copy of the approvedI1-30,aswellasthebirthcertificate ofthePaulHolder Thesedocumentsaretobe submittedtothecourtbyApril18,2025. Moreover, in relation to the bond

application, Holder's lawyer noted that her clienthasnocriminalhistory,isnotadanger to national security and is not a flight risk. Boothcontendedthatherclient'sdetentionis still a mystery and pleaded for bond in a reasonableamount.

The representative of the DHS acknowledged that the I1-30 has been approved, and a pending I-1485. It was also stated that according to their background check, Holder does not have a criminal history The representative did not make any objectiontobondbeinggrantedtoHolder,but leftituptothecourttodecide.

VACANCY WANTED

SalesRepneeded,ages1830 years. Knowledge of vehicle model will be an asset.Contact:619-1237.

Security guards to work in Georgetown,must have a sound primary education.Call:223-5273/4.

AbleBodiedSecurityGuard to work in Geogetown.Tele #624-7436.

Wanted house lot to buy and land with unfinished buildingcall216-0671/6928464orWhatsApp622-0267.

Excavator operator,Male Cook,Dredge Workers.Call 677-2385

SERVICES

Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada&UK:Graphicsdesign, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.

Repairs pumps,water heater and more.Call 627-7835 or WhatsApp659-5664sitevisit.

Contact Panther Visa ConsultancyonIG,FBorcall 6230406 for visa consultancy, travel packages.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel Renovated rooms, A/C, TV, Restaurant,Bar,Pool,Gym.Stay 7nights,1FREE!Call:2642946.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1HondaCRV,includesTV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage, PTT Series (first owner).Call:649-0956.

FOR SALE

TRUCK TIRES 295 / 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FORMOREINFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP:+592-6883201.

PurebreedGermanShepherd puppies for sale-Call Whatsapp:648-0111.

PROPERTYFORSALE

Seaforth street,Subryanville,Barr st. Kitty,La Penitence public rd,Charlestown,Melanie

E.C.D.ContactRay'sRealty 627-9685.

Mon-ReposE.C.DLandsize 45x137.Contact:645-9805.

OneclerkforTSIEcclesoffice English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132oremail application to techserigy@gmail.com

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age23-50,Car/Vanlicence Call615-9132.

MaidforEastBankareacall 615-9132.

Tilertolaysmallnumbersof tilescall-615-9132

Vacancies exist for bulldozer operators,TM truck drivers,excavatoroperators & cook to work in interior.Contact:223-5273/ 4,621-5907.

LANDFORLEASE

Wales Public Road,W.B.D, Parcel 21 (0.467 acres) 20,342sqft.AvailableLong term 20-25 years. Sign on property. Phone/Whatsapp: 615-2270/628-8619.

Wales Public Road, W.B.D, Parcel25(0.494acres)21,388 sqft.AvailableLongterm2025 years. Sign on property Phone/Whatsapp:615-2270/ 628-8619.

Malgre Tout, W.B.D, (South of Masjid)-Lot "C" (1.347 acres) 58675 sq ft.Available Long term 20-25 years. Sign on property. Phone/ Whatsapp: 615-2270/6288619.

Versailles, W.B.D, (South of AracariHotel)-Lot167(4.6606 acres)203,016sqft.Available Long term 20-25 years. Sign on property. Phone/ Whatsapp: 615-2270/6288619.

LAND FOR SALE

La-Grange W.B.D road to river,SilverHill20acres,Craig (9 acres) Spring Gardens (Dora) 20 acres,Long creek & Tucan Drive.Contact Ray'sRealty627-9685.

FORRENT

V/Hoop Empty, lot 1 New Road,public road,W.C.D.1 Acre rental investments for prime businesses Tel#2274377.

V/Hoop front lot building and land next to KFC . Lot 8 New Road,W.C.D.Investment for businesses Tel#2274377.

Firefightersunderprobeforallegedlaptop theft at fire scene

The Guyana Police Force (GPF)haslaunchedaninvestigation into allegations that twofirefightersstolealaptop while responding to a fire on QuaminaStreet,Georgetown.

Fire Chief Gregory Wickhamconfirmedtheprobe during a recent engagement withreporters,notingthatthe Guyana Fire Service (GFS) hasalsocommencedaninternal investigation.

“We have a report on that and the police are dealing with all of those issues,” Wickhamstated.Heexplained that the firefighters have not been detained and remain on active duty to facilitate the internalprobe.“Wearedoing our internal investigations also;that’swhytheyarecoming on duty so that we can

carryoutourinvestigations,” headded,whilerevealingthat the laptop has since been recovered and returned.

Theallegationstemsfrom a fire on March 25 that destroyed the Quamina Guest House on Quamina Street, Georgetown. The blaze was discoveredbetween01:30hrs and 02:00hrs. While the cause of the fire remains unknown,oneguestrecalledthe terrifyingmomentshebecame aware of the danger

“I smelled something burning but didn’t check right away After a while, I opened my eyes and noticed smoke coming from the top of my room door. I immediately jumped off the bed, alerted others, opened the door, and ran out,” she said.

Owneroftheguesthouse, Patrick John, said he was alerted to the fire by a phone callwhileasleepwithhiswife and baby. “I was asleep with my wife and baby when my phone started ringing. Someone told me something was happening at the hotel and that there was a lot of noise. At first, I thought it was a regular disturbance, like people arguing. But then I heardthattherewasafire.We ran out of the house, and by the time we got outside, the fireservicewasalreadythere trying to control the blaze,” heexplained. Johnsaidthefireresulted inmillionsofdollarsinlosses but expressed relief that his homewasnotaffected.“Alot ofpeoplelostalot,including the Cuban guests. It’s a sad

situation, but it is out of my control,” he said.

The building also housed several businesses on its lower flat, all of which sufferedsignificantdamage.ColleenAbrams,ownerofMatpal Crew Management, said she received a call informing her of the blaze.

“We got a call indicating there was a fire in the building where our crew management office is located. When wearrived,therewasstillevidence of the fire, and firefighters were working to containtheblazeandprevent it from spreading,” she said. Abrams noted that the buildingwascompletelyengulfed, resulting in devastating losses due to both fire and water damage. “Assets that we had in the office were destroyed,” she added.

Camille’sAcademy rolls out CPR, emergency...

From page 51

crucial. Trained teachers can act quickly before medical help arrives, potentially savingachild’slife.”

Gentle noted that students, especially the younger ones are more prone to falls, injuries, allergic reactions, and sudden illnesses.

“Schoolsneedadultswho can recognise symptoms early and respond appropriately,” she said.

According to Gentle, proper first aid can prevent a situation from getting worse. For example, correctly treatingaburnorstabilizingafracturecanreducecomplications andrecoverytime.

“When staffers are trained, it creates a safer school environment. The entireschoolbecomesmoreprepared and confident in handling emergencies. This builds trust among parents, students, and the community.”

Thefacilitatoremphasized too that having staffers trained supports legal and duty-of-care responsibilities of the institution

“Schools have a responsibility to ensure student safety.Firstaidtraininghelps staff meet health and safety standards and reduces liability risks,” she said

ENTERTAINMENT

Additionally, she noted while emergencies can cause panic, training equips teachers with the confidence to stay calm, take control, and guide students safely

“While not all situations are life-threatening, cuts & bruises,nosebleeds,andfainting happen regularly, trained staff can manage these quickly and appropriately without unnecessary escala-

tion,” she said.

Besides its personal benefit, the facilitator noted a teacher’s first aid knowledge can be shared with students, helping them learn basic safety skills and responsibilityforthemselvesandothers.

Gentle told this newspaperthatCeruleanIncisteaming up various organisations’ tooffercriticaltraininginemergency response. We also of-

GI-TOCExposesGuyanaas

From page 13 multimodal trafficking network ensures that even when one jurisdiction intensifies oversight,theillicitflowsimply displaces to a more porous border, such as the one betweenGuyanaandVenezuela.

“IllicitgoldfromBraziland Guyana is increasingly movingintoVenezuela,wheremilitary buyers are prepared to pay a premium. The city of BoaVista,Brazil,hasemerged as a central hub, aggregating gold and routing it through supply chains across the Amazon Basin,” the report said.

The financial mechanics ofthistradeareequallyalarming, involving sophisticated money-laundering techniques designed to bypass international oversight. In addition to traditional smug-

ferHSIChildandBabysitting Safety (CABS) programme which gives teenagers and young adults everything they need to know for safe and successful babysitting.

“The HSI CABS teaches how to start a babysitting business, interact with parents and provides important safety and first aid information using the latest 2020 guidelines,” she said.

theLifebloodof...

gling, the report highlights that significant quantities of goldoriginatingfromGuyana are now being exchanged for Tether, a cryptocurrency stable coin pegged to the US dollar

This “crypto-for-gold” pipeline allows military buyers and criminal brokers to settle transactions instantly and opaquely, evading the reach of the Guyanese financial system. Once this gold reaches Venezuela, its final destinationbecomesdifficult to track, with evidence suggesting exports to Türkiye, Iran, and China, or its retention as domestic reserves by militaryofficialswhoremain entrencheddespitetherecent politicalupheavalinCaracas. In response to these regional threats, the US Senate is currently advancing the United States Legal Gold and Min-

ing PartnershipAct.

This legislation proposes a multi-year strategy to disrupt these criminal networks through improved intelligencecollectionandstronger oversight of supply chains in the Western Hemisphere, with specific sections targeting the Venezuela-GuyanaBrazilnexus.

The report warns that without immediate, coordinated action and transparent monitoringofregionalsupply chains, the unprecedented rise in international gold prices will continue to fuel environmental destruction and human rights abuses across the Amazon. For Guyana, the stakes are existential, as the country’s mineral wealth is increasingly used to finance the very criminalized structures that destabilizetheregion.

EasterMessages

GAWU’s Easter message

The Guyana Agricultural and GeneralWorkersUnion(GAWU) extends warm Easter greetings to all Guyanese, particularly to our Christian brothersandsistersacrossthecountry

Easter is one of the most sacred observances on the Christian calendar, marked by deep reverence and reflection on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It stands as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, redemption, hope, and renewal—values that continue to resonate stronglywithinoursociety

humilityinourdailylives.

In Guyana, Easter is also celebrated in a unique way through the vibrant tradition of kite flying. As kites soar high above, they symbolisenotonlyfreedomandjoybutalso our collective aspirations as a people—to rise, to achieve, and to realise long-held dreams.

This cherished custom reflects the enduring spirit of our nation and our shared determinationtoreachnewheights.

GPL experienced nine total shutdowns in 2025

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated experienced nine total shutdowns in 2025, four of which were caused by externalfactors.

At a recent Public UtilitiesCommission(PUC) meeting, Commissioner VerlynKlassaskedaboutthe number of outages and how theywerehandled.

This holy occasion also follows the Lenten season, a period characterised by fasting, prayer, and spiritual cleansing. The nclusion of Lent invites believers and all citizens alike to reflect on personal g r o w t h , discipline,andthe importance of compassion and

GAWU encourages all Guyanese to use this period for sober reflection, fostering a renewed commitment to unity, mutual respect, and the common good. Let us embrace the ideals of national development, nation building, and social cohesion, recognising that our strength lies in our collectiveeffortsandsharedpurpose.

As we celebrate this Easter season, the Union urges everyone to do so responsibly and safely, with consideration for family, community,andcountry

GAWUextendsitsbestwishestoallfora peaceful,enjoyable,andsafeEasterholiday

ERC 2026 Easter Message: Reaffirming A Spirit of Hope, Renewal,

and National Harmony

TheEthnicRelationsCommission(ERC) extends warm Easter greetings to the Christian community and to all Guyanese at homeandintheDiaspora.

AsweobserveEaster2026,werecognise thisperiodasthecornerstoneoftheChristian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a profound story of the triumphoflifeoverdeath,righteousnessover sinfulness, and the enduring power of hope andsacrifice.

InGuyana,Easterhasevolvedintomore than a religious observance; it is a vibrant testament to our National Motto and, for decades this holiday has served as a bridge betweenourdiverseethnicgroups,fostering a spirit of togetherness that is uniquely Guyanese.

From thesea walls of Georgetown to the opensavannahsoftheRupununi,thesightof thousands of kites taking flight symbolises ourcollectiveaspirationsandthefreedomwe enjoy as a unified people. Whether through cross-community picnicking, the sharing of

cross-buns, or the simple act of greeting friends and neighbours, Easter reminds us thatoursharedspacesarewhereourstrongest bondsareforged.

WealsotakeprideinseeingGuyaneseof all backgrounds African, East Indian, Indigenous, Portuguese, Chinese, European, and Mixed—participating in the festivities, reinforcing the respect and appreciation we holdforeachother’straditions.

TheERCencourageseverycitizentouse thisseasonasanopportunityforpersonaland communal renewal Let the resilience celebrated at Easter inspire us to continue buildinganationwhereharmonyprevailsand where our diversity is seen as our greatest strength.

As the kites soar this weekend, let them represent our rising commitment to peace, tolerance,andmutualrespect.

HappyEastertoall!

Bharat Harjohn, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Strategic Operations told the commission, “So in 2025, we had nine shut down. Nine shut down... so four was due to the external pockets where we have heavydutylines.”

Harjohnexplainedthatit was recognised during configurations that the magnitude of the outages depend on how the electricity is transported Givinganexample,Harjohn said that from the Garden of Eden, there is a massive amountofpowercomingout with 46MW in addition to 22MW going through two linesallthewaytothepower stationatSophia.

“We found that in some ofthesemajorcontingencies like the L1 to the L4 (lines) when they trip, they cause thesystemtostop…Itcauses an unstable situation, then affects the frequency, causingthefrequencysideto drop,”hesaid.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer said that thesystemisnotdesignedor set to respond to system collapses.Asaresult,insuch situations the entire circuit cascades, causing a shut down. He explained that some situations can be controlled. So for major contingencies like the transmission from the Garden of Eden to Sophia, Kingston to Sophia and SophiatoGoodHope,which istheL16linethattransports powertoBerbice,hesaidthe company tries its best to

Bharat Harjohn, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Operations

managethetransferbasedon thedemandatthetime.

“So we manage the transfer of all so in case we have any issue there, you don’thavethistotalcollapse. Additionally, what we were looking at with the new substations that are coming, and with the new technologies, we have these digital release, and in particular, SEO release, and they are common with features that can allow us to introduce a remedial action scheme,” the deputy CEO said.

Harjohn said that this will provide an oversight of the protection system, whereby responses will be quicker, where 100 milliseconds will be given for decisions like automatic loadsheddingcanbemadeto keep the system up and running.Hesaidthatwiththe transmission lines, redundancywillbegivenout and infrastructure wise the actionschemewillbeableto be reviewed so that supervision will be more in depth.

In November 2025, Kaieteur News reported that GPL signed contracts worth over US$235M to further advance works aimed at expanding and modernizing

thegrid.

The company, in an announcement its Facebook pagesaiditsignedaUS$199 million (43 billion GYD) contract with Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL), which was followed by a US$35 93 million (7.5 billion GYD) contractwithChinaNational Machinery Import & Export Corporation(CMC).

The contract with KPIL entails the execution of new substations as well as t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d distribution lines which will lead to upgrades and expansions in the national grid There will be the constructionof42kmofnew 69 kV Transmission Lines, as well as four new 69/13.8 kV substations at, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke; Williamsburg, East Berbice, Corentyne; Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo and Princes Street,Georgetown.

There will also be the “construction of a total 18 new primary distribution feeders for the new substations Upgrade and expansion of the New Georgetown and Garden of Eden substations These upgrades will replace outdated infrastructure, install modern electrical and automation systems, integrate SCADA/EMS technologies, and support remote operations from the new and modern Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), currently under construction,”GPLsaid.

The contract with CMC w i l l a d d r e s s t h e strengtheningandexpansion of the distribution network through the construction of more than 193 km of new distribution feeders with smart equipment, the supply of advanced smart distribution equipment and addressing the unserved areas in Demerara and Berbice.

IranrejectsTrump’s‘helpless,stupid’48-hourultimatum

AFP - Israel says it has hit more than 3500 targets across Lebanon in the latest round of fighting with Iranbacked Hezbollah.Above, a building lies in ruins in Dahiyeh, Beirut Photo / GettyImages

Iran’s central military command has rejected United States President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy the country’s vital infrastructure if it does not acceptapeacedealwithin48 hours.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi,inastatementfrom the Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters, said Trump’s threat was “a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action”.

And, echoing the religious language of Trump’s social media post, he warned that “the simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will openforyou”.

Trump said on Saturday (local time) that Tehran had 48 hours left to cut a deal or face“allHell”.

IranhaswarnedTrumpit will turn the entire Middle East into a “swamp” if the USescalatesitswar.

Trump threatened to intensify US attacks on the IranianregimeiftheStraitof Hormuzwasnotreopenedby Monday.

Tehran hit back, telling the US and Israel that its forces would turn the region into a “hell” for their troops if the US President made

Aview of the damaged Shahid Beheshti University following a military strike carried out by the United States and Israel onApril 4, 2026 in the Velenjak district of Tehran, Iran. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images)

goodonhisthreats.

“Do not forget that if aggression expands, the entire region will turn into a hell for you,” a regime spokesman told Iranian media, according to the Telegraph.

“The illusion of defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran has turned into a swamp in which you willsink.”

TheUSPresident’sthreat over the blockaded strait appears to contradict his speechearlierintheweekin which he suggested that Washington could walk away from the conflict without a deal to reopen it, andafterheurgedNatoallies togoandgettheirownoil. As the global energy

crisis deepened, the US and Israel continued to pound Iranianinfrastructure.

US and Iranian forces scrambled to find a downed Americanairmanandaftera strikenearanIraniannuclear power plant prompted evacuations.

Tehran has announced fresh attacks in the region, with the Revolutionary Guards saying it hit a commercial ship in Bahrain allegedlylinkedtoIsrael.

The war erupted more than a month ago with USIsraeli strikes on Iran, triggering a retaliation that has spread the conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy - particularly becauseoftheclosureofthe

Breaking tradition & letting passion...

Frompage50 when it clashed with CSEC (Caribbean SecondaryEducationCertificate).

Easingin One year into his dancing, Vicky’s grandmother almost came around to accepting his dance. The family had a puja (prayer) at home, but he refused to sing. “It was my grandfather’s birthday, and I did a Krishnadance.Iwasdoingspinningaspart ofthechoreographyandallInoticedwasmy grandmother’sfacedripping;she’scryingout ofhappytears,”hereflected.Hethoughtshe was sad or offended by something he had done. “When the dance ended, she started to cry more. She said this was really nice, so I said:‘OK,soyou’regivingintoitnow.’She’s like,‘maybe,butIstillpreferyoutosing.’”

While his grandparents have been more acceptingrecently,theyarenotfullythereas yet. One day, he said, he might return to singing in the mandir to make them happy “My grandmother eventually confessed to me that her father wore the Ghungroos (small metallic bells tied around a dancer’s ankles) to dance for weddings and so. But since he passed away, there were no other guysdancinginthefamily.”

So,Vicky,atelleratacitybankforabout two years now, understands his grandparents’ reservations as this is like something new to them all over again.

Kathak,heobserved,isperceivedasamore femininetypeofdance,buthebelievesthat dance is for everyone. “It is a word derived from ‘katha’ meaning story So, a kathak dancer is a storyteller essentially It’s an inclusive thing; dance is for anybody,” he shared.

Vicky, a member of the Dharmic Nritya Sangh (dance group), drew attention to the judgmental nature of society in which uninformed people perceive things in the wrong way at times. “Some people want to start dancing, but they are scared of the environment. We live in a judgmental, as Guyanese say, ghetto community where the minute a guy moves a certain way, they’re gay, they’re feminine, they’re an embarrassment to society,” he pointed out, adding, “I don’t see myself as an embarrassment; I see myself as a proud representationoftheHindusociety.”

Vicky is happy that he was afforded the opportunitytolearnkathakasitisoneofthe only dance forms in the country for which trained people are around to teach. Other forms of classical dance include Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya, and Chhau. Even while maintaining his bank job, Vicky definitelyseeshimselfcontinuingtodanceachildhoodloveandpassionthathepursued withoutletup.

Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduitforoilandgas.

“RememberwhenIgave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.

“Timeisrunningout-48 hours before all Hell will reign[sic]downonthem.”

Tehran said it had shot down an F-15 warplane and US media reported US special forces had rescued oneofitstwocrewmembers, withtheotherstillmissing.

Iran’smilitaryalsosaidit downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot of that plane was rescued.

The local Mehr news agency on Saturday quoted the deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and BoyerAhmad province, Fattah Mohammadi, as saying the search for the missing pilot involved “presence of popularforcesandtribesmen alongsidemilitaryforcesand isstillongoing”.

Headdedthat“lastnight, people fired at enemy helicopters with rifles and didnotallowthemtoland”.

Images posted on social media and verified by AFPTV showed Iranian police firing at a US helicopter in southwestern Iran as US forces searched fortheairman.

Mohammad Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, mocked the Trump Administration, saying the “war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots?’What incredible progress Absolute geniuses.”

Retired US Brigadier General Houston Cantwell,

province said Iranians are divided between those hoping for an end to their government and those more fearfulofeconomicdisaster

“I’m honestly really scaredaboutourfuture,”she told AFP “Things are a disaster right now Mass layoffs, widespread shutdowns everything feelsoverwhelming.”

Strikes by all sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies.

US-Israeli strikes on S a t u r d a y h i t a petrochemicals hub, a cement plant and a trade terminal on the Iran-Iraq border, where one person wasreportedkilled.

whohas400hoursofcombat flight experience, said a pilot’s training would likely kick in before he or she parachutedtotheground.

“My priority would be, first of all, concealment, because I don’t want to be captured,”hetoldAFP

Bushehrnuclearplant

A strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday killed a guard and led Russia, which partly constructed the facility and helpsoperateit,toannounce it was evacuating 198 workers.

Iranian Foreign Minister AbbasAraghchiwarnedthat continued attacks on the plant on the southern coast could eventually lead to radioactive fallout that would “end life in GCC [GulfCo-operationCouncil] capitals,notTehran”.

Bushehr is considerably closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to the Iraniancapital.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency wrote on X that no increase in radiation levels had been reported at the site, but nonetheless voiced “deep concern” at what he said was the fourth suchstrikeinrecentweeks.

“NPP [nuclear power plant] sites or nearby areas must never be attacked,” he said. There were also more strikes on Tehran, where an AFP journalist saw a thick hazeofgreysmokecovering theskyline.

“This war wasn’t for freedom we just ended up trappedwithsomethingeven more savage,” 31-year-old Faezeh told AFP via messengerappfromTehran.

“They bomb randomly, there’s no sign of any specific target these recent days.”

Maryam, a 35-year-old from Khansar in Isfahan

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US allies in the Gulf.

S h r a p n e l f r o m intercepted drones injured four people in Bahrain on Saturday, and two buildings in Dubai were hit by debris, including one housing the US cloud computing firm Oracle,authoritiessaid.

On its Sepah News w e b s i t e , I r a n ’ s Revolutionary Guards also said it had targeted a commercialvessel,theMSC Ishyka,“ownedbytheIsraeli regimeandflyingtheflagof a third country” at the Khalifa Bin Salman port in Bahrain.

Beirutexplosions

On another front, the Israeli military said on Friday (local time) it had struck more than 3500 targetsacrossLebanoninthe month since the latest round of fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollahbegan.

Lebanese state media reportedthatIsraeldestroyed abridgeintheBekaaregion, and local media said a second bridge was also hit, after Israel said it would strikethem.

An AFP journalist heard two loud explosions in Beirut early Saturday and saw smoke billowing from oneofthem.Ahospitalinthe coastalLebanesecityofTyre was damaged by Israeli strikes on nearby buildings that wounded 11 people, the HealthMinistrysaid.

The Israeli military later issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents of the city before more planned strikes.

Tens of thousands of people have left Tyre, but around 20,000 remain, including 15,000 displaced fromsurroundingvillages.

- Agence FrancePresse/TheTelegraph

Three bid to provide engineering services for construction of New Berbice Bridge

Machel Montano won the title for a record 12 occasions, with his tune, Encore

GCCI urges halt to Corentyne Bridge project amid trade and sovereignty disputes with Suriname

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is calling on the Government of Guyana to halt all progress on the Corentyne River Bridge until persistent trade and sovereignty disputes

with Suriname are permanently resolved. Led by President Kathy Smith, the Chamber issued this condemnation on Friday, citing a lack of good faith and accusing Paramaribo of actively stymieing development in the Berbice

region. The GCCI argued that Guyana must cease pursuingjointinfrastructural p r o j e c t s t h a t disproportionately benefit a neighbour that continues to enforce measures designed to frustrate Guyanese economicadvancement.

A primary catalyst for this stance is Suriname's unilateral imposition of exorbitantfeesfortheuseof sharedwaterways,whichthe GCCI characterised as a direct affront to bilateral trade efforts. The Chamber,

through its statement, noted that these fees are part of a broader pattern of unfair, one-sidedpracticesthathave long hindered Guyanese

businesses and fishermen. Beyond trade barriers, the GCCIraisedalarmsoverthe influx of counterfeit and illicit goods from Suriname, including cigarettes and hazardous pesticides, which threaten public health and createunfaircompetitionfor local manufacturers due to Suriname's lax port regulations.

Furthermore, the GCCI drew a sharp parallel betweenSuriname'sclaimto the New River Triangle and Venezuela's claim to the Essequibo, suggesting these ter

motivate the ongoing obstruction of Guyana's development. The statement recalled the 2000 incident involving the CGX rig, notingthatSurinameseforce delayed Guyana's first oil production by nearly two decades Ultimately, the GCCI asserts that Guyana should no longer extend friendship without reciprocity, urging the government to redirect national resources toward partners who do not seek to obstruct the advancement of theGuyanesepeople.

Thisstatementcomeson the heels of The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCC&DA) calling for government intervention following the imposition of “unilateral” river fees by Surinameseauthorities.

In a statement released March 31, 2026, the Chamber warned that the new charges have created a climate of grave uncertainty for residents and business owners in Upper Corentyne communities These fees, which target Guyanese vessel operators, are being d e s c r i b e d a s a n unsustainable economic burden on a region that has relied on the Corentyne River for trade and connectivityforgenerations.

According to reports from the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the financial impact is already severe, with some operators facing “pilotlicense”feesashighas US$2,500 per trip Additional brokerage fees ranging from US$1,000 to US$1,500 are further straining the logistics of moving essential goods

BCC&DA President Samantha Reid emphasized thattheriverisavitallifeline forcommunitieslikeOrealla and Siparuta, noting that the fees penalize Guyanese for using shared water-space

that has historically been open for legitimate commerce.

TheChamberarguesthat while cross-border management involves state sovereignty, the lack of consultation or reciprocal agreements undermines regional cooperation. They are now calling on the MinistriesofForeignAffairs and HomeAffairs to engage in immediate diplomatic dialogue with Suriname to suspend the fees Furthermore,theChamberis requesting a stronger presence of Guyanese authorities in the region to monitor the situation and provide legal guidance to affected nationals who feel their rights are being infringedupon.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has called for direct dialogue b e t w e e n t h e t w o governments to protect the wider investment climate and support projects such as the proposed Corentyne River Bridge The diplomatic friction has already reached the highest levels of government, with President Dr Irfaan Ali lodgingaformalprotest.The administration has pointed out that Surinamese businesses typically operate in Guyana without such restrictivebarriers.

Last week in a press statement President Ali warned that the fees impacting key sectors like timber and quarrying risk undermining long-standing bilateral arrangements and eroding business confidence betweenthetwoneighbours.

“Thesereports,represent atroublingdevelopmentthat has implications for economic activities and the long-standing arrangements between Guyana and Suriname. The Government

President of the GCCI, Kathy Smith

of Guyana has formally lodged a protest with the Surinamese authorities on this matter, and we are currently awaiting a response.Wehaveraisedour concerns in the spirit of dialogueandmutualrespect, mindfuloftheimportanceof preserving the cooperative and friendly relations between our countries,” President Ali said last week in his initial reaction to the matter

He said it is his sincere hope that, in the interest of sustainingandstrengthening bilateral trade, fostering private sector development, andupholdingtheprinciples of good neighbourly relations,theGovernmentof Suriname will give urgent attentiontothisissue.

“Measures of this nature risk creating unnecessary barriers to commerce and could undermine the confidence of businesses that rely on predictable and fair operating conditions. I wish to remind the Government of Suriname that Surinamese businesses and investors have long benefitedfromopportunities within our economy, where they have operated without discrimination or undue restriction This openness hasbeenacornerstoneofour engagement,” President Ali said.

He said reciprocity remains a fundamental principle underpinning our relationship. “We therefore expect that the Surinamese authorities will reconsider and ultimately desist from any actions that may be perceived as arbitrary or detrimental to the shared objective of deepening cooperation. Such steps are essentialtoensuringthatour relations continue to be guided by mutual respect and good neighbourliness,” thestatementconcluded.

Easter Stakes Horse Race meet shifts to KMTC today as weather tolls Essequibo Softball Cricket League 10-week tournament starts April 19

Theinclementweatheris wreakinghavocinGuyanaat the moment causing most outdoor event to either be cancelled, postponed or being moved to other or indoorvenues.

One such event affected is the Easter Stakes Horse Racemeetsetfortoday The venue for the event is now the Kennard Memorial Turf

Club (KMTC) at Bush Lot FarmCorentyneBerbice.

Thepreviousvenue,Port Mourant Turf Club, is unsuitable due to the incessant rainfall The organisers are hoping that the prestigious KMTC track will be in order to host the event.

Over the years the KMTChasbecomethestand

outvenueforhorseracingin Guyana. The facilities are good, with decent viewership for the entire race.

The track is about the bestinthecountry Takingup from where the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club, which once held that reputation.

According to a release

from the Organisers, the programme remains the same.

The feature event is for horses aged three years and olderover1600M.

The total purse has a sumptuous$4mupforgrabs. The winner is set to race away with a rewarding $2M andatrophyover1600M.

Othereventsontheday’s programme are the Easter Sprint for horses aged four years and older and the race forThree-Year-Oldimported horses.

Sunday April 05, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Someone you've wanted to hear from for a long time, perhaps an old friend who lives far away, could ring you up today while you're out, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

A rather upsetting dream could disturb your sleep tonight, Taurus. When you wakeupandfocusonthereal world,itcouldseemsobizarre as to not be worthy of serious consideration.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

A colleague or possibly a romanticpartnercouldbeina rather touchy mood today Therefore,youmightfindthis person difficult to deal with. You could get a bit irritated and wonder if this person is worth the aggravation he or sheiscausingyou.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You tend to be very intuitive, buttodayyoucouldfindyour psychic abilities short-circuit. If you give readings, don't schedule any for today This isn't to say your abilities are blocked, but they aren't as dependable.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Some rather upsetting news about a friend could come to you today, probably over the phone.Thiscouldbethetruth, but more likely the facts have beendistortedintheretelling.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today you could receive a lucky career break of some kind that brings some extra money your way, Virgo. The downside is that you might have to put in many extra hours.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

An unexpected visit from someonewholivesfarawayis likely to throw your schedule offkilter Eventhoughyou'llbe gladtoseeyourfriend,thevisit could require a lot of calls to break appointments and postponemeetings.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

An unexpected financial setbackcouldhaveyoureeling at first, Scorpio. Perhaps an emergency,suchasatoothache or car breakdown, requires a substantial expenditure that youhadn'tplannedfor

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You could be feeling restless and frustrated due to a temporary separation from a partner, Sagittarius, perhaps a business partner but more likelyaromanticone.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A rather disconcerting rumor about your job could reach your ears, Capricorn. Perhaps you'llhearthatthecompanyis being sold or undergoing a shakeupinthehierarchy

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A number of great ideas either for new creative projects or enhancing ongoing ones could pop into your head during the day If you don't write them down immediately, they could justaseasilypoprightoutagain

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Apersonwithwhomyouwork, probablyawoman,couldleave suddenly without notice or stated reason, Pisces This could be confusing, and you mightfindyourselfwondering if there are changes within the company that you know nothingabout.

Thereisalsoaneventfor the F Class and Lower horses, which caters to specific categories of imported runners based on racingactivity

Additionally, there is the event for Three-Year-Old and Over West Indian Bred animals, another for ThreeYear-Old locally bred horses,HandlowerforWest Indian-bred horses that has wonduring2025, Three-Year-Old horses’ classified I/J/K will have an opportunity to show their class while horses classified LOpenwillalsobeonshow.

There is also a special race for jockeys called the JockeyDash.

Gates open at 09:00 hrs. (SamuelWhyte)

Essequibo Softball Cricket League 10-week Over-40 and Over-50 T20

Tournaments are set to commenceonApril19.

Interested teams are askedtocontact(628-8030) Chairman of the League Wakeel Layne for further i n f o r m a t i o n a n d registration.

AccordingtoLayne,the first ten teams will be accepted.

Layne stated that there willbenoregistrationfee.

The winning team in each category will take home $60,000 and a trophy with more attractive prizes atstake.

Meanwhile, Layne took the opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude to the sponsorsfortheircontinued generosity

Matchestobeplayedon theCoastatvariousvenues. Both divisions will play simultaneously

Since the formation of the League in 2021, the League hosted a number of Masters competitions with Caribbean Cricket Club being the reigning champions.

Bishnoi, Deshpande help Rajasthan Royals defend 210 in nervy finish

(Cricinfo) - Rajasthan Royals(RR)wentagainstthe grainbychoosingtobatina T20gameandstillcameout on top thanks to Tushar DeshpandeandJofraArcher risingaboveaflatpitch.

Gujarat Titans (GT) suffered a 27-ball period where they lost six wickets and had Rashid Khan and KagisoRabadaatthecrease.

The equation was 30 off three overs. Rabada picked this as the time to showcase his hidden batting talents, walloping the game’s best bowler, Ravi Bishnoi, and one of RR’s bankers at the death, Sandeep Sharma, for some brilliant straight hits. Eventually they needed 15 off 12, but they couldn’t get overtheline.

Archer - targeting Rabada’s body and Rashid’s toes - and Deshpande going yorker after yorker after yorker - wouldn’t let them get there. In the end, their contributions were as big as Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal who had hit halfcenturies earlier in the night toputupatotalof210for6.

Goodbowling,better batting

Rabada was getting the balltokissthewicketandfly through. His first over for just seven runs helped GT recover from Mohammed

Sirajhavingthestartofanoff day (4-0-48-1) But then Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit a good length ball over point for four Jaiswal topped that bypullingashortballwhich gave him no room for six. Throughout the innings batters could trust the pace and the bounce on offer and RR took that as reason to keephittingshots. JaiswalandJurel highlightreel

There used to be unwritten rules in cricket. Shortish balls are played off thebackfoot.Getyoureyein before playing the big shot. Allofthemweretossedinto thebinonSaturdaynight.

Jaiswal stepped confidently forward to a back of a length ball from Prasidh Krishna in the sixth over and launched it for six downtheground.Hewentto fifty with another front foot essay, this time through the covers, as he generated the power he needed to a Siraj hard length ball that didn’t offer a lot of room, with his bottomhand.

Jurel was out there for less than 10 balls before he hit an extra cover drive to a 146 kph delivery that was still on the way up for four Actually, it will be better described as falling inches shortofasix.

Even the great Rashid’s good balls ended up on the rope Jurel hit a Rashid wicket-to-wicket skidderthe kind that gets righthanders lbw when they hit across the line - to the boundary between midwicket and long-on by making sure he was playing with a straight bat. There’s no way to figure out how he hadthetimetoplaythatshot given how quickly the ball wasontohim,andhowitwas cramping him up badly Later,whenhewaspastfifty, Jurel charged at Rashidwhich is very rare because, again, he bowls so quicklyand tonked him for six over long-on.

Theimpressive AshokSharma

He came into the IPL with a reputation having pickedupmorewicketsthan anybodyelseinIndia’smost recent domestic T20 competition. Very quickly it wasapparentthathissuccess was not just about his pace, whichhecrankedupto154.2 kphrecordingthefastestball of the IPL so far Ashok Sharmaisonetowatch.

His day began with Sooryavanshi edging him to thekeeperbutJosButtlerput down a very difficult catch. Thenextballwentforsix.A player in his 12th T20 game

should have been under pressure Everything was going against him at that point. WhetherAshok felt it ornot,heraninagain,forced Jaiswal down on his back sidewithabouncerandkept him quiet with a yorker and completed the over with a sequenceof1,0,2,0.

On Friday, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Flemingsaidthatthereisno such thing as a finisher in T20 cricket anymore because every batter comes out looking to hit sixes. So thatmightmeanall20overs have turned into death overs andbowlerswillwanttodig into those skills a little earlier,yorkers,slowerballs. Ashok did. He recovered fromaboundaryearlyinhis overyetagainandfinishedit with 0, 0, 1, 0 because he wasn’tshyoflookingforthe blockhole and good enough tofinditmoreoftenthannot. Inamatchofbowlingtalents like Rashid, Jadeja and Archer, and one that produced 414 runs at an economy rate of 10 35, Ashok refused to let his go above9.25.

SaiSudharsan repsoldschool Jaiswalgottohisfiftyin 32balls.Hehasareputation forbeingadashereveninthe red-ball formats Sai Sudharsan got to his fifty in 33balls.Hetendstobeseen as more of a technician. Someone who plays himself in before expanding his strokeplay Yet there he was keeping pace with someone

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had another good start.

(Associated Press)

higher up on the food chain. He ramped Jofra Archer for six in the first over He enjoyed Jadeja’s extra pace totheextentthatJadejatried taking pace off but Sai was ready for that and launched him over midwicket for six. It was calculated hitting all the way up to the 13th over wheneverythingfellapart.

BishnoiwrecksGT

Titans were 64% favourites to win the game accordingtoESPNcricinfo’s forecaster They had 127 for 2 on the board, Sai Sudharsan still at the crease and Jos Buttler starting to look ominous. Ravi Bishnoi tooktheballatthispointand picked up two wickets in threeballs.Bothleft-handed batters, who tend to have it better against legspinners except Bishnoi is a special one.

Healwaysanglestheball across the left-handers. He alsogoesforhisgooglyalot. He inverts this match up in hisfavour SaiSudharsanfell to a googly that held in the pitch a bit more than he thought it would WashingtonSundaryfelltoa legbreak that he slog swept tomidwicket.Afterthosesix balls,itwasRRwiththe65% chanceofvictory Deathoversmasterclass GT have a history of never giving up on chases and that began to play out. Rashid with those fancy handsofhisandRabadawith his reach and copybook technique had brought the equation down to a very

manageable level - from 50 off 30 with three wickets in hand to 15 off 12 with three wickets in hand. All of a sudden GT were favourites again. Overwhelmingly at 81.29%

Then came Archer with two separate plans and icecold execution He had Rabada hopping with short ballsatthebodythattookhis poweraway HekeptRashid quiet by going into the blockhole, which doesn’t alwayswork,butthistimeit did.The last ball of the over ended up a full toss which Rabada missed completely That could’ve changed the game.

Deshpande had 10 runs todefendinthelastover He startedoffgoingwideyorker which was called wide Immediately he changed track and went straight yorker, which is risky because if he missed his length and it landed in the slot,onehitwould’veended the game Rashid was looking for that one hit. He couldn’t find it for four straight deliveries Four straight perfect pinpoint yorkers. The equation was now 7 off 2 RR were favourites. Now Deshpande bowled the slot ball. Rashid sliced it over point. Archer wasthere.Hetookthecatch. That was the game. Those two produced the sixth instance - in the last 52 chases where the 19th and 20th overs were needed - of zeroboundariesinthelast12 balls.

Guyana shatters CARIFTA Games mixed relay record; Springer, Austin strikes 400m gold

...Shepherd’s silver, Roberts bronze adds to five-medal haul on opening day

ByRawleToney

Gu y a n a

announced its arrival at the 53rd CARIFTAGames in St George’s, Grenada, in emphaticfashion,producing a golden opening day that signaled serious intent for the remainder of the championships.

W i t h s t a n d o u t performances from Malachi Austin,TiannaSpringer,and a dominant Mixed 4x400m relayquartet,Guyanasurged to an impressive medal haul andearlymomentumonDay One.

Guyana’s biggest statementcameintheMixed 4x400m relay, where Tishawn Easton, Akeela Dover, Malachi Austin and Tianna Springer delivered a r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g performance to win gold in 3:20.79.

The time not only saw Guyana on top of the podium, but also shattered the country’s previous CARIFTArecordof3:23.51, setin2024,alsoinGrenada, by Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson,DhNeilsonGill andTiannaSpringer.

Meanwhile, Springer once again stamped her authority on the CARIFTA stage,stormingtogoldinthe

Tianna Springer on her way to winning Gold in U20 400m at the CARIFTAGames.

(photo compliments: Run It)

GirlsU20400min52.47s. Shecomfortablyfinished ahead of Barbados’ Kadia Rock (53.21) and Jamaica’s BreanaBrown(54.54).

The 18-year-old

University of Georgia

freshman capped an extraordinary CARIFTA careerinstyle.

This latest win adds to a remarkable streak that includes U17 gold in 2023 and multiple U20 titles, leavingherundefeatedinthe 400mattheGames.

Austin also ensured his farewell CARIFTA Games was equally memorable, producing a powerful run to win the Boys U20 400m in 46.01s.

He held off a challenge from Bahamas’ Zion Davis (46.18)andJamaica’sJabari Matheson(46.37)inatightly contestedfinal.

The victory marks Austin’s second CARIFTA gold medal, adding to his 2024success,andrepresents a perfect send-off after claiming silver in the same eventlastyear.

Guyana’s medal success extendedbeyondthesprints, with strong performances in the1500mevents.

In the Boys U20 1500m, Javon Roberts picked up bronze in 4:01 42, just behind Jamaica’s Joel

Morgan (4:00 96) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Darius Harding (4:00.99) in acloselyfoughtrace.

Jermaine Shepherd delivered a standout run in the Boys U17 1500m, earningsilverin4:11.12.He finishedjustshyofJamaica’s Jevaughn Tomlin (4:10.92), while Luke Plummer took bronzein4:12.19.

At the end of Day One, Guyana stood with five medals overall (three gold, one silver and one bronze), already surpassing last year’s performance (one gold, one silver, three bronze), achieved in TrinidadandTobago.

Additionalperformances saw Malique Kendall clock 10.94secondstofinishsixth intheBoysU17100mfinal, further highlighting the team’scompetitivedepth.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who is in Grenada alongside National Sports Commission (NSC) Vice Chair Cristy Campbell, praised the team’s effort, particularlythehistoricrelay performance.

Ninvalle expressed satisfactionnotonlywiththe medalistsbutalsowiththose who narrowly missed the podium, noting confidence that they will rebound stronglyinthedaysahead.

Sarwan clears air on Sinclair/Alimohamed non-selections

- Head Coach, GCB Operations boss weigh in on current issues

ByCliftonRoss

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executives including Chairman of National Senior Selectors, Head Coach, Harpy Eagles’ captain, among others, gave insight to the ongoing developments in and around the team as it relates to the Kevin Sinclair/Ronaldo Alimohamed non-selection ahead of the upcoming Regional4-Dayseason.

Saturday’s press conference held upstairs the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pavilion featured Harpy Eagles Head Coach Ryan Hercules, Chief SelectorRamnareshSarwan, EaglesskipperTevinImlach, PhysioAngelica Holder and Operations Manager Anthony D’andrade; who dove deep into the happenings regarding the twokeyall-roundersmissing out on selection with the seasondaysaway

Touchingonanumberof topics surrounding the non-

selection of primarily allrounders Sinclair and Alimohamed, the former Guyana/Windies skipper Sarwanconfirmedthatinthe case of Sinclair, his attitude towards the game as well as his teammates has reached a detrimentalstate.

The Chairman of Senior Selectors gave insight into the most recent incident which occurred during the second Harpy Eagles 4-Day practice game at Everest wheretheBerbicianchanged into street clothes with no intentions of taking to the field again, following a request to use the bathroom; withthegamestillinplay

Guyana Harpy Eagles skipper Imlach also confirmed the events of game 2, “In the game he claimed he had to go to the washroom, we had about three wickets left and he changed into casual clothes andhedidn’tlooklikehehad plans to come back onto the field”,saidtheskipper Sarwan added that

overall,theSinclairsituation has been a bit difficult with littleprogressmadetodate.

The chief selector explained that the Sinclair fiasco has somewhat affected the environment within the team, something Imlach chimed in on as he explained that despite the off-field shenanigans, missingafewplayersandthe overall road to having the right mindset heading into this year ’s 4-Day Championships; is still the team’smaingoal

GCB Cricket Operations Boss, D’Andrade further explained that the GCB receivedanumberofreports regarding Sinclair, adding thattheboarditselfhadbeen in constant contact with the former West Indies Test playerwhilelendingsupport

in a bid to help maintain his career;despitetheincidents.

The GCB operations manageraddedthatSinclair, despite everything, has not been victimized in any capacity and has still managedtoplayinanumber of tournaments both home andaway

“The Head coach complained about the disruptive behavior from Sinclaironandoffthefield”, said Dandrade, who explained that the allrounder had also failed to turnuptomeetingsincluding one with the CEO of the GCB, who was thereto help resolve any issues with the youngster

The GCB Operations head, when asked if the boardhadsoughtanyformof mental health guidance or

counseling during the Sinclair fallout, confirmed that they made attempts to get some assistance from a sports psychiatrist as far as England but nothing concrete has yet been put in place. Meanwhile, Physio Holder, giving an update on Alimohamed’sstatusaswell ashisnon-selection,saidthe fast-bowling all-rounder’s injured groin would have ruled him out despite no signsofachesandpains. Holder added that due to the nature of injury a return to play protocol must be followed She noted that even if players are pain-free afterthefirstweekadditional clearance protocols such as reaching their normal baseline jump height, completionofsprintsamong otherareasofassessingone’s

peak physical status are conducted.

T h e r e a f t e r, t h e assessment will be topped off by reaching overall match fitness clearance, to whichthegreenlightisthen given by the head coach; adding that the weather has also hurt some of those assessments being carried outonschedule.

Inall,bothHeadSelector and Head Coach were confident that this was not the end of the road for Sinclair, as his immense talent is still a great value to the team; once he gets himselftogether Sarwan also basically issued a no-nonsense approachtohowplayerswill be handled as it relates to disciplinary issues and how situationsaretreated.

Registrationopen forinterested competitors GMR&SC Dexterity and Auto Expo…

With the date fast approaching for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Dexterity and Auto Expo, registration is now open, and the club is urging interested partiestoregister

SponsoredbyENET,GUYOIL,andCastrol,theApril11 event,setfortheNationalTrackandFieldCenterparkinglot inLeonora,isgainingtractionamongcarenthusiasts.

According to a spokesman for the GMR&SC, registration has commenced at the club’s Thomaslands o f f i c e a n d o n l i n e (https://forms.gle/cWd43mxYdEMxeDWd9), with those interestedurgedtosignupassoonaspossible.

“This is something not new to motorsport, but it’s somethingthatwe’vebeenwantingtobringbackforsome timenow It’salightersideofmotorsportwhichweusedto havefunwithintheearlydays,andwethinknowistheright timetobringitback.”

“Already this week, we’ve received interest from numerouscompetitorswantingtofindoutwhattheeventis andhowtheycanbeapartofit,andit’sveryheartwarming.”

Theeventwillfeatureaseriesofchallengesopentoall classesofcarsandbikesandisnotashowofpowerbutone ofskill,nimbleness,andagility

“Whatwewanttoshowisthatmotorsportisn’tallabout power, there are times when control and skill are very important, and that’s what dexterity is about,” the spokesmancontinued.

Weintendtorunitonasimilarclasssystemtohowwe run our endurance racing: 0-1500cc, 1501cc-1600cc, 1601cc-2000cc,andunlimited.Ofcourse,wewillseparate bikesandcarsintotheirownclasses.

Sofar,wehavesixorsevendifferentobstaclecoursesto choose from because in essence, that is what dexterity is: mapping your way through an obstacle course with your machineinthefastestpossibletime.”

Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club | Tel: (592) 2315457|E:gmrscgy@gmail.com

The event will feature a lineup of racing action, including racing challenges, motorcycle stunt riding, and competitivego-kartingaswellasdriftingexhibition.

Following the dexterity, the club will also host an auto expotodeepenthelocalnetworkofcarculture.

“Wealsodecidedtohostanautoexpowherefansofthe sportcangetupcloseandpersonalwithsomeofthefavorite drivers and machines. We are using this as a way to give people a gateway to access motorsport,” the spokesman said.

Admission is $ 2,000, making the event accessible to motorsports fans of all ages, with gates opening at 16:00 hours.

$10M Nitro Kart Clash introduces female class

In a move widely applauded by fans from a wide cross-section of supporters, the April 19 mega karting event dubbed Nitro Kart Clash has announced a female class of action. Geared specifically towards encouraging and developingthefemalearmof the sport, the class is expected to see household namesaswellasnewcomers take to the track in openwheelaction.

One competitor, Malicia Lawrence, is already taking aim at the class, making her views on the event’s inclusivenessknown.

“I think it’s amazing, I think it’s a nice way to continuetosupportgirlsand continue to support women ingeneralinthesport.Ithink it’s a great opportunity for females to come and have fun.”

She also had advice for girls who were thinking about coming out to join the April 19 event, where over $10M dollars in cash and prizesareupforgrabs.

…Lawrence taking aim at top spot; Dhanpat rearing for action

She said, “Of course, we know it’s a man’s world out there, right? And for girls that want to do it, interested indoingit,evenjusttohave funwithit,it’snice.”

Another competitor, Fiona Dhanpat encouraged more female participation, saying,“Justdoit,youcome out, you have fun, it’s all about, you know, fun with a female, you can compete withamalealso,andyoucan

show them that in a maledominatedsport,womencan come and, you know, kick theirbutts.”

T h e p r o m o t e r s underscored the importance of inclusivity during the event,saying“weknowhow the world is moving today, and some of the very sports that were one male dominatedarenowseeingan influxinfemalecompetition. Wewelcomethat.”

Theideaistohave,atthe end of the day, an event where anyone and everyone can come and have fun and just kart; from the newcomers who are now learning about the sport to the seasoned campaigners who are there to compete tooth and nail, Nitro Kart Clash will have something foreveryone.”

According to the promoter, karts will be providedinthefemaleclass, butcompetitorsneedtowalk withtheirowngear

Competitors are also reminded that there is free entry for all local drivers as expectationsheighten.

Cash and prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers each class along with special tokens for the juniorswillbeupforgrabs.

Banks DIH, AJM Enterprise, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, J’s Supermarket, SCI (Sawh’s ConstructionInc.),Precision Service Center, and Ramchand’s Autobody are thesponsorsfortheevent.

Winter signs one-year stint with Den Amstel FC

DenAmstelFootballClubhastakenadecisivesteptoward revitalization on Thursday with the appointment of Devnon Winter as its new head coach, signaling a renewed commitment to growth and long-term development ahead of theupcomingfootballseason.

The Region Three-based club is entering a new chapter definedbyfreshpurpose,innovativeideas,andaclearvision for the future. With preparations already underway, club officials have emphasized that the upcoming season will be drivenbypassionandunwaveringcommitment.

Inasimplebuteffectiveclubengagement,ClubPresident DeniseLovellunderscoredtheimportanceofreturningtothe club’s foundational principles as part of the rebuilding process.

During her feature address, she stated: “This new appointmentmeansagreatdealtoDenAmstelFCbecauseit reflects the direction we want to take as a club. Our focus at this stage is not just on short-term results, but on rebuilding fromthegroundup,strengtheningourfoundation,investingin structure, discipline, and player development, and also creatingaculturethatcansustainsuccessovertime.”

Lovell noted that Winter’s appointment aligns with the club’sbroadervisionforgrowth.“Fromtheclub’sstandpoint, bringinginCoachDevnonWinterispartofthatwidervision. We see this as an opportunity to reset, refocus, and build somethingmeaningfulatthegrassrootslevel.Theaimduring his time with the club is to help develop a stronger football identity, improve the standard of play, nurture talent, and createateamthatthecommunitycanbeproudof,”shesaid.

As the club prepares for this new era of leadership, this one-year appointment reflects a return to its roots, fostering discipline, unity, and pride. In the world of sports, true progressbeginsatthegrassrootslevel,andthatisthepaththe club is committed to as it works to build something strong, lasting,andworthyoftheDenAmstelname.

Winter’s arrival is seen as a key component of a broader strategy focused on structure, sustainability, and player development.Clubofficialsnotedthathisappointmentaligns with a long-term vision that extends beyond immediate results,aiminginsteadtofosteracultureofexcellencebothon and off the field. Meanwhile following the official signing, Winter expressed enthusiasm about the challenge ahead and hiscommitmenttotheteam’sprogress.

“My time here at the club will be a new test for me,” he said. “I intend to work hard with the players to bring out the best in each individual. Having been part of various playing setups, I value discipline and a strong work ethic. I am committed to working closely with the team, and hopefully, through shared effort and ambition, we can achieve great thingstogether.”

With a renewed focus on grassroots development, unity, anddisciplinedexecution,DenAmstelFCissettingthestage forwhatithopeswillbeatransformativeera.

“Thisisbiggerthananyoneperson,”theclubemphasized in a statement. “It is about the badge, the players, the supporters, the community, and the future we are working to createtogether.”

2026 Hamilton Green Cup… West Side Alliance clinch title with 3–1 victory over Mahaica

We s t S i d e

A l l i a n c e stamped their authority as the country’s premier nine-a-side football team on Thursday evening, defeating Mahaica in a thrillingHamiltonGreen30minute Inter-Ward Football final to secure the 2026 title before a modest crowd at Plaisanceground.

The champions entered the final in commanding form, having brushed aside two formidable opponents; Zeelugt and Golden Stars in

t

s e m i f i n a l r o u n d s respectively Mahaica, equally determined, carved theirpathtothedeciderwith a hard-fought win over Mocha before edging past Plaisanceinatensesemifinal that required penalty kicks. After a goalless 30 minutes, Mahaica prevailed 2-1 from

thespottobooktheirplacein thefinal.

With the stage set, both s i d e s b e g a n t h e championship clash with intensity and purpose. West Side Alliance struck first, breaking the deadlock ten minutes into the contest to takea1-0lead.

Mahaica responded swiftly, capitalising on a well-workedplaytolevelthe score just before halftime, ensuring a 1-1 deadlock at thebreak.

With fatigue looming after multiple matches, fitnessproveddecisiveinthe second half West Side Alliance demonstrated superior endurance and composure, regaining the leadmidwaythroughthehalf withasuperblyexecutedfree kick. They extended their advantage soon after, converting another set-piece

West SideAlliance takes 2026 Hamilton Green Cup title… Tournament coordinator LennoxArthur and name bearer Hamilton Green share photo-op with winning team on Thursday.

opportunitytoputthecontest beyonddoubtat3-1.

Mahaica, despite a spirited showing, had to settle for second place and a

Anticlimactic finish for Mahaica as West SideAlliance storms to 3-1 win to lift the Annual nine-a-side Football title.

$200,000 prize. In the thirdplace playoff, Golden Stars defeated Plaisance 1-0 to claim $100,000 along with medalsandatrophy,leaving Plaisanceinfourthposition. West Side Alliance, as tournament champions, walkedawaywith$500,000, m e d a l s , a n d t h e championshiptrophy Organisers hailed the successfulstagingofanother Hamilton Green Cup and extended gratitude to corporate sponsors, including Toolsie Persaud, Aurora, G MIN Ventures,

China Trading, Busta, Gafoors, BK International, JCA, IPA, New Thriving Restaurant, Cumming Electrical Company, ENet, StarsRental,RicksandSari, Kings Liquor Store, and Correia & Correia, for their continuedsupport.