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Indar resign over

...French divers struggle to recover bodies trapped inside ...families demand full salvage

Non-nationals on MV Barima COI does not mean independent process - TIGI

…calls for suspension of commission, consultation with opposition, agreement on scope and COI members

Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) has cast aside the assurances by President Irfaan Ali that an “independent” Commission of Inquiry (COI) will be conducted into the fatal capsizingoftheMVBarima vesselonJuly18.

Inalengthystatementto the media on Monday morning, the transparency bodymadeitspositionclear, “the appointment of nonGuyanese commissioners is not the same thing as an independent process The Commissionwasconstituted without consultation Neither the parliamentary opposition, nor the National Toshaos Council, nor the affected communities of RegionOne,norcivilsociety were consulted on the compositionofthisbody.”

As such TIGI said this commission does not enjoy its confidence. On Sunday, President Ali announced a five-member commission, comprising international experts, to investigate the circumstancesthatledtothe capsizing of the vessel and relatedactitivities,including search and rescue operations.

The joint opposition, including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), all raised concerns about the lack of consultation on the appointment of the commission members. The parties said, “A tragedy of this magnitude demands a process that inspires confidence across the political and social spectrum Inclusive consultation would have strengthened the credibility andlegitimacyoftheinquiry fromitsinception.”

For its part, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO)statedthatArticle13 of the Constitution establishes inclusionary democracy as a principal objective of Guyana’s political system, and provides for the increasing

involvement of citizens in thedecisionsthataffecttheir well-being. It added, “The Caribbean Court of Justice hasheldthattheobligationto consult is to be understood broadly The president’s discretion to appoint under the ommissions of Inquiry Actisnotindispute.Whatis in dispute is whether that discretion may be exercised without the consultation our Constitution contemplates, on a matter of this gravity, affecting a State-operated service in which seventythreecitizensdied.”

Furthermore, the watchdog body explained that the MV Barima vessel was owned and operated by the state and fell under a ministry whose leadership remains in place. The body was adamant that the matter is not one related to “government” but of the “state” pointing out that the resources belong to the people of Guyana. As such, the body argued that any investigation to be conducted cannot be constituted by the state alone, if it is to command publicconfidence.

Additionally,TIGInoted that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the COI have not been published, while there has been no commitment from government that the commission’sfullreportwill be released. It was keen to note Guyanese have never seen previous reports for COIsconducted.

Given these concerns, the body said, “TIGI therefore does not at this time have confidence in the Commission as constituted. We say this without prejudice to the individual commissioners, whose professional standing is not thesubjectofthisstatement. Ourobjectionistoaprocess that excluded the people most affected from any part in constituting the body that willjudgewhathappenedto them.”

OnSaturday,TIGIsaidit held a virtual national consultation attended by dozensincludingindigenous Continuedonpage3

RamsaysAli’sCOIdodgeskeyissues

...questions why 87-year-old MV Barima was still sailing

Chartered Accountant and attorney Christopher Ram has questioned the government’s Commission ofInquiry(COI)intotheMV Barimadisaster,arguingthat while President Irfaan Ali has since named a fivemember panel, the probe as constituted fails to address the most critical question of all:whyan87-year-oldferry was still operating when a replacement vessel had alreadyarrivedinGuyana.

I

addressed to President Ali before the commissioners were announced, Ram contended that the inquiry’s

happenedonthenightofJuly 18, while sidestepping the government’s policy decisions leading up to the tragedy

“Your commission will inquire exhaustively into a voyage without asking why thatvoyagewasmadeinthat vesselatall,”Ramwrote

According to Ram, the newlyacquiredMVKalliopi N arrivedinGuyanainMay and had been designated by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill for the Region One route. Yet, he noted, the

vessel remained tied up awaiting a commissioning ceremony while the ageing MV Barima, built in 1939, continued transporting passengers to Port Kaituma, Morawhanna, Kumaka and Mabaruma.

Ram said those were not accidentsofcircumstancebut decisions made by identifiableofficials

“None of this was misfortune These were decisions Nothing in your Terms of Reference permits the commission to examine them,”heargued

He also questioned the fateoftheMVMaLisha,the US$12 7 million ferry commissioned in 2023,

President Irfaan Ali

asking why it never replaced theBarimaontheNorthWest route if that had been its intendedpurpose

Ram maintained that any credible inquiry must e x a m i n e w h

Government officials acted negligently by leaving the ageingferryinservicedespite having newer vessels available

The accountant further argued that the Commission shouldhavebeenestablished under Part XVIII of the ShippingAct,whichprovides for a statutory marine investigation chaired by a sitting judge or magistrate with powers to compel evidence and suspend or

Rodrigues-Birkett faces tougher race for UN chief

Guyana’s hopes of producing the next Secretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationshave become more challenging after Uganda officially nominated veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu, expanding the race to seven candidates.

ThemovecomesjustdaysbeforetheUN Security Council begins informal straw polls thatwilldeterminewhichcontendersremainin therunningtosucceedAntónioGuterreswhen hissecondfive-yeartermendslaterthisyear Otunnu, 75, is a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict His entry adds another experienced international figure to a contest that already includes Guyana’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who wasnominatedearlierthisyear

Rodrigues-BirkettisoneoftwoCaribbean and Latin American candidates seeking to become the world’s top diplomat, alongside contendersfromArgentina,Chile,CostaRica, Ecuador,SenegalandnowUganda.

The selection process is expected to intensify this week as the 15-member UN SecurityCouncilbeginsaseriesofconfidential strawpollsdesignedtonarrowthefieldbefore recommending a single candidate to the GeneralAssembly Diplomats say there is still no clear frontrunner, although there has been growing sentiment within the UN that it is Latin America’s turn to hold the post There is also

revoke maritime certificates wherenegligenceisfound

Instead,hequestionedthe legal basis under which the Commission has been constituted and urged that its Terms of Reference be expand

Government decisionmaking, vessel deployment and the condition of the Barima before its final voyage

RamalsocalledforPublic Works Minister Juan Edghill and the Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to stepasidewhiletheinquiryis underway and to testify beforetheCommission

He further urged

PresidentAlitoensurethatall documents relating to the B

inspection reports and files concerningtheKalliopiNand Ma Lisha, are immediately secured to prevent any alterationordestruction

With conflicting official accounts already emerging over the number of persons aboard the vessel, Ram warnedthatthoserecordsare notonlycriticaltotheinquiry but could also form key evidence in future civil lawsuitsbygrievingfamilies

Ram contrasted the two ferries.

“A new ship sat at her

strong international support for the organisation to appoint its first-ever woman Secretary-General.

WhoeversucceedsGuterreswillinheritan organisation grappling with multiple global conflicts, financial constraints and increasing callsforsweepinginstitutionalreform

Inhisvisionstatement,Otunnupledgedto pursue UN reforms, prioritise efforts to end major international conflicts, establish global oversightofartificialintelligenceandpromote climate action without undermining economicdevelopment.

Rodrigues-Birkett, meanwhile, continues to campaign for support among UN member states as Guyana seeks to secure one of the most influential diplomatic positions in the world (Reuters)

moorings waiting for you In its stead, an old one sailed withoutyouanddidnotcome back, with more than one hundred innocent and unsuspecting lives lost,” he wrote

Ram concluded by cautioning against another inquirywhosefindingsnever seethelightofdayorwhose conclusions stop short of holding senior officials accountable “This one must serve the dead and not you, your Administration or your party,”hesaid

One week after the MV Barima capsized en route to Region One leaving 73 dead and at least 30 still missing, President Ali on Sunday named a five-member CommissionofInquiry(COI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of thevessel

In a video statement on Sunday, the head-of-state named Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize to

serve as chair of the COI Smith previously served as a memberoftheCOIteamthat investigated the 2nd March, 2020 general elections He servesasaCARICOMHighLevelRepresentativeforLaw and Criminal Justice and an Ad-HocJusticeoftheEastern CaribbeanCourtofAppeal

Other members are: Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, NavalArchitect and Marine Engineer, who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters; Captain Hamada Fouda, Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor with the Maritime AuthorityofJamaica;Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, attorney with expertise in Admirality and Maritime Law and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago, a distinguished professionalwithdecadesof experience in maritime operations and maritime security.

Non-nationalsonMVBarimaCOI...

Frompage2 and community organisations, faith leaders across the Hindu, Christian and Islamic communities, the trade union movement, disaster management and maritime professionals, the press, academics at home and in the diaspora, and citizens who have lostfamilyinthisdisaster.

Itsaidthetransparencybodyalongwith other organizations that joined that meeting will assess the commission for making: (1) the TOR public in parliament and instrumentsofappointmentforcommission members; (2) a declaration of interest by each commissioner indicating any commercial, professional, institutional, familial or financial connection to the GovernmentofGuyana,toanyStateagency orofficial,tothemaritimesectorinGuyana, or to any party with an interest in the outcome; (3) guarantee publication of the full report; (4) Separate the safety investigation from the criminal process and (5) name who owns the recommendations, andbywhentoensurerecommendationsare implementedbyresponsibleofficers.

To allow for a more credible process, TIGI recommended, “the president to suspend the commencement of the Commission’s work and to convene, within sevendays,aconsultationwiththeleaderof the opposition, the National Toshaos Council, representatives of the affected communities and civil society, for the purpose of agreeing the composition of the

commissionanditsTermsofReference.”

It suggested too that technical members be drawn from established marine casualty investigation bodies of long standing, such as the United Kingdom’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, or the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, whose investigatorsarecareeraccidentspecialists, subject to institutional discipline, and demonstrably without connection to any party with an interest in the outcome. Technical cooperation may be sought from the International Maritime Organization in supportofthatwork.

In the meantime, TIGI urged that families must not be forced into “signing away their rights” as a compensation frameworkshouldbepublishedwithdefined amountsandtimelines.

Additionally, the group insisted, “The orphaned children need a plan, not sympathy Guardianship, schooling continuity and long-term care must be arrangednow,withanamedpointofcontact foreachaffectedfamilyandpublicreporting at six and twelve months. In the short term, thosefamilieswhohavelosttheirfoodstuffs and other supplies should be helped with replacements.”

Moreover,TIGI said the journey to Port Kaitumamustbemadesafeorsuspendedas itcalledforgovernmenttoclearlyindicatea startupdateforthenewvesselpurchasedto plythisroute.

KaieteurNews

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EDITORIAL

Thedebtburden

Guyana should be celebrating one of the greatest economic transformations in modern history Instead, it is confrontingoneofitsgreatestcontradictions.

The world sees a country swimming in wealth. International financial institutions praise Guyana as the fastest-growing economy on Earth. Investors scramble to get a foothold. Oil companies trumpet record production. Gold prices continue to climb. On paper, this nation has neverlookedricher

Yetontheground,somethingisterriblywrong.

HowdoesacountrythathasproducedmorethanUS10 billion? That is the question every Guyanese should be asking,notinwhispers,butloudly

Before oil production began in 2019, Guyana’s public debt stood at roughly US$1.7 billion. It was a burden, but onethecountrymanagedwhilerelyinglargelyonearnings from rice, sugar, timber, bauxite, fisheries and gold.Those traditionalindustrieskepttheeconomyafloat.Government spendingwasconstrainedbecauseborrowingcameatacost thecountrycouldnoteasilybear

Today,thepictureshouldbedramaticallydifferent.

Oil has transformed Guyana into one of the world’s newest petroleum producers. Gold prices have reached historic highs. Billions of US dollars are flowing from oil, mining and other natural resources. Logic would suggest that with this unprecedented inflow of wealth, Guyana’s debtshouldbeshrinking,notexploding. Instead,theoppositehashappened.

Thedebthasmultipliedseveraltimesoverinonlyafew years. Every new loan places another weight on future generations. Every borrowed dollar becomes another obligation for taxpayers yet unborn. The uncomfortable question is unavoidable: if resource wealth is growing so rapidly, why is borrowing accelerating at an equally breathtakingpace?

Nosatisfactorypublicexplanationhasbeenoffered.

Even more puzzling is what has happened to foreign exchange.

One would expect that a country exporting tens of billionsofUSdollarsinpetroleumwouldhavenodifficulty supplying US currency to legitimate businesses. Yet importers,manufacturersandretailerscontinuetocomplain that obtaining foreign currency has become increasingly difficult. Businesses report delays in paying overseas suppliers.SomedescribeexhaustingsearchesforUSdollars simplytokeeptheiroperationsfunctioning.

Thisisnotwhatprosperityissupposedtolooklike.

The contradiction grows sharper with every passing year Guyana exports more wealth than ever before, yet businesses struggle to access foreign exchange. Oil production rises, yet debt climbs. Resource earnings expand,yetborrowingexpandsalongsidethem.

Thatshouldconcerneverycitizenregardlessofpolitical affiliation.

Unfortunately, public debate has become trapped in partisan trenches. Too often, legitimate questions about debt, spending, transparency and long-term fiscal management are dismissed as political attacks rather than treatedasmattersofnationalimportance.

Thatservesnoone.

Governmentscomeandgo.Politicalpartiesriseandfall. Butdebtremains.Today’sloansbecometomorrow’staxes. Today’s borrowing becomes tomorrow’s burden for childrenwhohadnovoiceinapprovingit.

Cashtransfersandgrantsmayprovidetemporaryrelief to households struggling with rising living costs. But no government can sustainably distribute borrowed money indefinitely without eventually presenting the bill to taxpayers. True prosperity cannot be measured by one-off payments. It must be measured by whether the country is building lasting wealth while protecting future generations fromunsustainableobligations.

Historyofferssoberinglessons.Numerousresource-rich nations have discovered that abundant natural wealth does

The COI

must not take the place of

DEAREDITOR,

Here we go again S u b s e r v i e n c e a n d intellectual concession to others. Asking others for solutions for problems we already have the answers to lying right before our eyes. Let’s not be hypocrites. We are, once again, the unwanted focus of the world’sattention.

And before any of you falsely accuse me of being “unpatriotic” or “biased for any political party,” let me tell you that I hold no brief for any political party, or anyone.Iamgripingonlyas a patriotic GuyaneseAmerican who cherishes progress and prosperity for ALLGuyanese,andconcern over this ferry tragedy that costusmorethan100lives. Indeed, I was elected, inter alia, to be the diaspora

immediate reforms

leaderinNY,USA,andtobe a voice for the people, and would be remiss if I did not articulatetheirconcerns.

While a COI is

understood, we must implement IMMEDIATE safety checks and fitness certifications for every aircraft, helicopter, passenger vessel, minibus and all other vehicles confirmingtoair,sea,land& other travel worthiness to prevent the alarming expansionoftragediesinour nativeland.

We demand that the investigationalsofocuswhy, inter alia, the replacement vessel,purchasedfromIndia atacostofUS$12.7million, andwhicharrivedinGuyana since April 2023, but was dedicated only to “party cruises for the higher ups,” did not replace the 87-year-

old M.V Barima-which, for generations, has been the lifeline of the North-West

District, carrying passengers, produce, fuel and goods between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, and whether discrimination of the indigenous Amerindians playedapartinthis.

Manyareafraidtospeak upinGuyana,sowehaveto betheirvoice-orthiscycleof recurring failures, deaths, injustice and tragedy will continuetoplagueGuyana.I have also convened a Leadership, Oversight, Reform, Accountability Committee,withjurisdiction in both Guyana and the diaspora, to ensure this is doneNOW

The crew, passengers, rescue personnel, soldiers, divers, health workers, volunteers and residents of the river communities who assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts, must be consulted, and reforms and s y s t e m s m u s t b e immediately implemented acrosstheboard.

The president and cabinet must convene an informal, public setting, and flush out all credible information. Not many of these hinterland folks will testifybeforeaCOI,forfear of retribution, liability and possible incrimination. We must also be reminded that the Coroners Act Chapter 4:03, mandate that there be judicial inquiries to answer five core questions on these unnatural deaths: who the deceased are, and how, when,where,andunderwhat circumstancestheydied.

Continued on page 5

An open letter to His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

DEAR

EDITOR,

On 21 July in an open letter, I asked two things of you. You granted the first, a periodofnationalmourning. That is appreciated The second was that you establish an independent Commission of Inquiry under the Guyana Shipping Act, 1998. That request has neither been granted nor refused. It has been passed overinsilence.

Yesterday, the prime minister said that the government had not yet considered the role of the o p p o s i t i o n i n t h e commission of inquiry. Today, Demerara Waves reportedthatyouannounced that you would name five commissionerstomorrow This letter is written tonight, before you do so, andintentionallyso.

I have read the terms of reference reported in Demerara Waves. Strong on the details: the loading; the

boarding; seaworthiness and maintenance; compliance with maritime law; conduct and competence of the master and crew; the weather; the rescue efforts. Without exception, every oneconcernsthenightof18 July Not one concerns the years before it Your Commission will inquire exhaustively into a voyage without asking why that voyage was made in that vesselatall.

The MV Kalliopi N arrived in May, two months before the disaster She is new, built for this service, and was assigned by your ownpublicworksministerto this very Region One route. She lies at her berth still, awaiting a date for a commissioning ceremony convenient to you

Throughout those two months an eighty-sevenyear-old hull built in 1939 carried our people to Port Kaituma, Morawhanna,

not automatically produce national prosperity Without disciplined fiscal management, transparency, strong institutions and public accountability, resource booms can leave countries burdened by debt, economic distortions and missedopportunities.

Guyanastillhastimetochooseadifferentpath.

Butthatrequirescitizenswhodemandanswersratherthan applause. It requires an Opposition willing to scrutinise government borrowing with facts rather than slogans. It requiresinstitutionspreparedtoactindependently Aboveall, it requires a government willing to explain, in clear and measurableterms,whyunprecedentedresourcerevenuesare coincidingwithunprecedenteddebtaccumulation.

Kumaka and Mabaruma, because she was their only lifeline. Your minister has since called it unfortunate that the Barima went down beforeshecouldbereplaced.

And what became of the earlier expectation that the M V M a L i s h a , commissioned in 2023 at some twelve point seven million United States dollars, would relieve the Barimaofthisservice?Ifthat was never her purpose, the country should be told what shewasboughtforwhilethe North West kept a hull built foralongpastera.

None of this was misfortune These were decisions, taken by identifiable people who had new ships in the water, a designated route, and a river transportbudgetrunninginto billions of dollars this year

NothinginyourToRpermits the Commission to examine them.

Please bear with me

while I raise with you a few issues before you name the Commissionerstomorrow

1. The law under which this commission is constituted.You did not say Thiscannotbeleftopenand unaddressed.

2 The investigation requiredunderPartXVIIIof theShippingAct?Recallthat I referred to this in my first Open Letter to you. It is a statutory obligation that has so far gone unused. It must be chaired by a Judge or Magistrate-notretiredoneswith expert assessors, holding the powers of a Magistrate’s Court, able to cancel the certificates of those found seriously negligent.Parliamentpassed thelawhopingthatadisaster of this magnitude does not happen. It has, under your watch. That adds a moral dimension to a statutory duty

3.Enlargementofthe

Continued on page 6

Oil should have strengthened Guyana’s financial lungs, nottightenedanoosearounditseconomicfuture.

The country deserves more than glowing international headlinesaboutgrowthrates.

Itdeservestransparencyaboutwherethemoneyisgoing, why borrowing continues at such a rapid pace, and how today’s resource wealth will translate into tomorrow’s nationalsecurity

For if a nation blessed with extraordinary natural wealth cannotfreeitselffrommountingdebt,thenthequestionisno longerwhetherGuyanaisbecomingrich.

The real question is: who is getting richer while Guyana mortgagesitsfuture?

Like the Rastaman, Ian espoused positive vibrations

DEAREDITOR,

Ian was one of my best friends. This may surprise many For many reasons e x c e p t o n e , humanitarianism, we were polesapart.Hewasneithera temperamentalandpompous man, he had unconventional charm. Like any virtuoso, there was an undeniable continuity of his literary work.

As a prolific writer he made sense to many and nonsensetothosewhoknew littleornothingaboutpoetry and classical literature. He wasproficientininterpreting the thinking of 19th century philosophers.

Ian was a consistently successful man. He was not one known to complain endlessly nor to engage in incessantwhiningtobecome mentality burdensome on anyone. Like the Rastaman, healwaysespoused‘positive vibrations.’

Years ago,I became attracted to Ian McDonald’s weekly morning radio broadcast‘ViewpointbyIan McDonald.’ I do not know why I was attracted to his broadcasts.However,later,I discovered that many of the references he made in his broadcasts belonged to the

era of classical English literature and Greek mythology as well as Guyanese writers and poets whose names appeared in books Janet Jagan lent me from time to time and encouragedmetoread.

But that’s not all. While working as a party ‘apparatchik’ at Freedom House, headquarters of the PPP, I learnt that Cheddi Jagan, then Opposition Leader, was an avid listener to Ian’s Viewpoint broadcasts.

That struck me as interesting having regard to the incessant critiquing of Jagan,brandedatthattimeas an unrepentant communist’. Whatbotheredmewas,what did this ‘communist’ Jagan learn from listening to Ian McDonald?

Butitwasmorethanthat, onseveraloccasionsIwould hear Dr Jagan ask his secretary to call Mr McDonald. While on the phone a lively conversation on sugar or on a matter of publicinterestwouldfollow. When the PPP/C led by Dr. Jagan won the general and regional elections in October1992Ianwasoneof thefirststocongratulatehim. Up to that time, I never

metIaninperson.Itwasnot until I was assigned the foreign trade and international cooperation portfolio in 2001, that I met Ian in person. It was not the firstnorlastmeeting.

IanandIalongwithNisa Surujbally worked together during those difficult years when the European Union began engaging theAfrican, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP) sugar producing countries first to review the sugar protocol, then to dismantle and replace the preferential trading arrangements between the EU and ACP with a more disadvantageousone.

Ian was a lateral thinker, always advancing novel proposals and solutions that were the product of long deliberations.Weengagedin discussion for hours in the course of which there were d i s a g r e e m e n t a n d compromises on how to approach negotiations with the EU and within the ACP group as well as with other sugar producing countries like Brazil and India. The goalofourdeliberationswas consensus.To find solutions that we Guyanese could live with, even if they were imperfect, simply because

The COI must not take the place...

Frompage4

TheGuyanesepeoplecannot wait on any commission to “recommend legislative, regulatory, institutional and operational reforms to strengthen maritime safety, improve emergency preparedness and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies in the future.” We owe it to our citizens and otherstodosonow!

We already know also aboutthe“fullcircumstances surrounding the disaster, including the causes of the capsizing; reviewing the loading of the vessel, passenger boarding procedures, and onboard conditions; and examining the search, rescue and recoveryoperationstoassess the adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the

response by all agencies involved ” We can take public and judicial notice of

contemporaneously emerged after the tragedy, andletourconsciencebeour guide.

The other terms of the Commission to “also evaluate compliance with maritimelawsandoperating procedures, determine whether any negligence, misconduct or dereliction of duty contributed to the tragedy, inspect the vessel’s maintenance history and seaworthiness, assess the influence of weather and other environmental factors, examine the qualifications and conduct of the captain and crew, and scrutinize passenger management, including the vessel’s

they had to fit into a multilateral setting at the WTO.

I recall on one occasion, Ian shared with me his view that in the course of human history, people made decisions through consensus.

That it was perhaps the most conspicuous feature of politicallifeinademocracy Iattestedtothatviewhaving participated in consensusbased decision-making myself during my entire politicallife.

Ianheldtheviewthatasa young nation, Guyana has much to learn from a political form shaped by yearsoftrialanderror

He posited that by examininghowconsensusis achieved, Guyanese can develop better strategies to solve the problems we face asanation.

Thanks to my regular formal and informal meetings with and guidance from Ian, I became very

knowledgeable of the sugar industry in Guyana, the Caribbeanandinothersugar producing countries around the world. When Caricom Heads of Government assigned me the region’s spokespersonforsugaratthe WTO. Ian was with me all theway Ian’s role and style of leadershipinpreparationfor our negotiations was knowledge-based, thorough and encouraging He refrained from stating his opinion early in the conversation, which could bias the opinions of others who were yet to speak. He saw his role as a participant in the group to guide our deliberations, to assess the group’s mood, and help finaliseadecision.

Because of that attribute hedidnotresorttosapiential authority Even after I was reassigned the portfolio of Home Affairs in 2006, Ian and I maintained contact.

Our friendship never faded. The last time I engaged Ian was in a letter responding to his concerning the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer(1788-1860).

From association with Ian I learnt that success in negotiations comes from material interdependence, commonpurposeandshared meaning.

Also critical were his r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e conversational guardrails that enable us to truly think while aiming at consensus. This he advised, is ancient knowledge that can be put intopractice.

Ian cautioned against engaging in heated exchanges, to detach ideas from ego, to put yourself in others’ shoes, and to listen. Above all, to always speak your mind.That was the Ian McDonaldIknew Condolences to his wife Mary,andthefamily Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee

Barges and the tide could lift the MV Barima

DEAREDITOR,

manifest, possible

overcrowding, cargo stowage,andtheavailability and use of life-saving equipment,” are also moot. Everyone knows what happened.

We don’t need arm chair pontificators and postmortems to divert from taking immediate action, reforms and genuineresolve to take the place of government’s immediate responsibilities-from top to bottom Certainly, not another whitewash of our f u n d a m e n t a l a n d constitutionalrighttotravel, work, leisure, exist, and other rights, all of which have been impacted by this tragedy This tragedy deservesnothingless.

Sincerely, AlbertBaldeo

I am forced to write this letter because lack of answers and the inability of the team to bring the MV Barima to shore. At the end ofthisletterIhavesuggested how this can be done in my humbleopinion.

Ihavebeenfollowingthe various views by victims’ family, survivors and “experts”andImustsaythat it does indicate negligence, incompetence,alackofcare , corruption among other factors.

Itisashamethatchildren in this day and age have to sleep on the ground while travelling using government transport in a country that is oilrich.

I have no doubt that the money is there so, what is causingthis.Wearetoldthat theboatthatwassupposedto replace the MV Barima is beingusedforentertainment with the blessings of Edgehill I listened to Edgehill who said a few

years ago that the Wharf to accommodatethenewvessel MV Ma Lisha would be completed in December 2023.Thisis now July 2026 andprobablyover100dead, hundreds of traumatized survivors and families of victims.

WhyisthisMinisterstill onthejob?

Ihopethehearingwould be public and the government would facilitate witnesses who may be in various parts of the country They may be transported to the city or they may be facilitated to give their statements etc. via zoom, watsapetc.

In other countries any minister overseeing such an operation would have resigned. At least he should haveremainedsilentuntilhe made at least a preliminary investigation and listened to thesurvivors.

Having said that a week later the MV Barima is still resting on the floor of the Ocean.

I read on social media that they are diving all the time and that they are trying to drag the Vessel. That would not work. I made a suggestion as to what could be tried. Many agreed it couldworkwhileotherssaid there are more advanced methods.

I am still waiting for the advanced method in the meantimethevesselremain submerged.

My suggestion is for the teamtoinsertairbagsinthe hold and inflate them to dispelsomeamountofwater in the hold. Secondly place one or two barges over the vessel. I believe a 3000 tons barge would be enough but we can put more than one. Strap the Barima to the barges at low tide and await thehightide.

It is my understanding thiswouldlifttheBarimaoff thegroundanditcanthenbe towed.

RajendraBisessar

The MV Barima Tragedy: Accountability Must Not End with the Little People

DEAREDITOR,

The loss of life aboard theMVBarimaisoneofthe darkestchaptersinGuyana’s modern history. More than seventy people lost their lives in a tragedy that has devastated families and left anentirenationinmourning.

AcrossGuyanaandinthe diaspora, candlelight vigils, prayers and acts of remembrance have united people in grief Such displays of compassion are both moving and necessary as we honour those who never returned home. But while we mourn, we must also ask the difficult questions Grief without accountability risks becomingacceptance.

Therearereportsthatthe captain and members of the crew tested positive for cannabis.Ifthoseallegations are proven and any negligence is established, those responsible must face thefullforceofthelaw

However, it is important that this issue is kept in perspective. A joint or two did not, in itself, cause this tragedy The danger is that public attention becomes focusedsolelyontoxicology reports while far more fundamentalquestionsabout management, oversight, safety procedures and systemic failures are overlooked.Thenationmust not allow the cannabis issue tobecomeadistractionfrom

the reality that the Government itself has acknowledged a breakdown inthesystem.

The Government has now admitted that there was “abreakdowninthesystem” responsible for ensuring passengers were properly manifestedbeforethevessel departed It has also confirmed that the MV Barima was operating without insurance, explaining that this has long been government policy because the State assumes responsibility for losses These are not merely operational failings. They aresystemicfailures.

Any Commission of Inquiry must establish exactly what happened, identify every failure and make recommendations to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again. But while the Commission will examine operational issues, political accountability cannotbeignored.

The principle of ministerial responsibility exists for moments such as this. Ministers are entrusted not merely with overseeing departments when things go well, but with accepting responsibility when the systems under their s t e w a r d s h i p f a i l catastrophically

If investigations ultimately find that the captain or members of the

i

crew acted negligently, they should be held accountable. But accountability cannot stopwiththoseonthebridge while those responsible for policy, oversight and safety

remain untouched

Leadership requires more than expressions of sympathy It demands accountability

T h e c o n c e r n s surrounding the Pomeroon stelling illustrate why Guyaneseshouldexpectand demand better from those entrusted with public office. It is deeply concerning that the Government reportedly spent approximately US$13 million procuring two new ferries, only to discover afterwards that the stellings intended to accommodate them were unsuitable

Millions more were reportedly spent on a replacement stelling before

m

ged

he foundationwasvulnerableto subsidence, leaving the Government with little option but to continue operating the 87-year-old MVBarimauntilappropriate infrastructure could be provided.Ifthesereportsare accurate, they represent not merely poor planning but a profound failure of project management and oversight. Inmyview,thisshoulditself have prompted ministerial accountability The responsible Minister, the Hon. Juan Edghill, ought to have accepted responsibility then Following the MV Barimatragedy,Ibelievethe

Ram accused of double standard on US forced labour policy

DEAREDITOR,

Christopher Ram’s letter, published in youreditorof26thJuly,2026,isaremarkable exercise in selective indignation. It accepts, almostwithoutquestion,themoralauthority oftheUnitedStatestolectureothercountries about not enforcing prohibitions on goods produced with forced labour while ignoring the uncomfortable historical reality that America and Europe themselves accumulated enormous wealth through systemsofforcedlabourandslavery

The industrial and commercial power of theWesternworldwasbuiltonthelabourof enslaved Africans Nor did labour exploitation disappear after abolition. The post-1945 global economy was shaped by multinational corporations sourcing production from countries with cheaper labourandweakerregulatorysystems.Many of the same global supply chains that delivered inexpensive goods to Western consumershavelongfacedcriticismforlow wages, poor working conditions and inadequate worker protections. There is therefore a deep irony in Washington positioning itself as the global enforcer of standardsonforcedlabour

honourable course would have been to resign.That he haschosennottodosois,in my opinion, deeply disappointing.

If His Excellency the President does not require ministerial accountability

for failures of this

m a g n i t u d e , t h e n responsibility extends beyond one minister In my view,itbecomesacollective responsibilityoftheCabinet and, politically, of the governing People’s ProgressiveParty.

The PPP has long described itself as a democratic socialist party operating within a market economy Italsocontinuesto embrace the principle of democratic centralism, under which the General Secretary occupies a position of considerable influence within the Party For that reason, political accountability cannot be viewed solely through the actions of an individual minister; it ultimately reaches the highest levels of party and government leadership. This tragedy has also reignited wider concerns about governance in Guyana While many public servants survive on salaries of around G$1 00,000 a month, with many in the private sector earning even less despite the rising

cost of living, ordinary Guyanese watch billions of dollars being spent while questioningwhethertheyare receiving value for money

Much has been said about Guyana becoming “the next Dubai” Ambition is admirable, but nations are notbuiltonslogans.Theyare built on competence, integrity, transparency and infrastructurethatstandsthe testoftime.

If Guyana aspires to be compared with Dubai, then letusemulatewhathasmade Dubai successful: long-term p l a n n i n g , q u a l i t y infrastructure, execution, accountability and projects designed to serve generations rather than p o l i t i c a l c y c l e s Development should benefit the entire nation, not merely reward those with the right politicalconnections. Public contractsshouldbeawarded on merit and capability, not patronage. Toooften,theperception isthatcorruptionhasbecome normalised Whether through small acts born of hardship or larger abuses of public trust, corruption erodes confidence, weakens institutions and robs future generations of the opportunities they deserve.

The corruption seen at the bottomoftenreflectswhatis seenatthetop.

The victims of the MV Barima deserve more than memorial services and speeches. They deserve the truth. They deserve justice. Above all, they deserve meaningfulreformsothatno other family has to endure such unimaginable loss Guyana deserves better Guyanesedeservebetter

Let us not allow arrogance, or the comfort of a parliamentary majority, to replace humility and accountability. Let us put Guyanafirst.

Let us have the courage to demand higher standards from those entrusted with public office, regardless of political affiliation. Let us build a nation where integrity matters, where public money is wisely spent, where competence is rewarded, and where our children inherit institutions stronger than those we received.

As we look around, too many see the hallmarks of corruption, the squandering ofbillionsofdollars,andtoo little to leave the next generation.Anation blessed with extraordinary natural wealthshouldalsoberichin integrity, accountability and opportunity

There is an old saying: “A hungry man is an angry man.”Iftoomanycitizens

Continued on page 9

An open letter to His Excellency Dr. Mohamed...

Frompage4

The modern American laws are not simply neutral instruments of morality; they arealsotoolsoftradepolicyandgeopolitical influence. Like all countries, the United States uses economic regulations to advance itsnationalinterests.

This is the context missing from Mr Ram’sargument.HepresentsAmericantrade measures almost as an objective judgment handed down by an impartial authority Yet trade policy has always been selective and political.The question is not whether forced labour should be prohibited, it absolutely should but whether one country should be acceptedastheunquestionedmoralrefereeof theentireworld.

The greatest weakness in Mr Ram’s analysis is his failure to apply the same scrutiny to Washington that he applies to Georgetown. Those who claim to challenge power should question all centres of power, notsimplytheirowngovernment.TheUnited States has every right to establish standards forgoodsenteringitsmarket,butothershave anequalrighttoexaminethehistory,motives andconsistencybehindthosestandards.

Yourssincerely, RoopnauthHardyal

TermsofReference.Itisvitalnottoexclude inquiring into the circumstances leading to the decision to keep the Barima in service, including why the Kalliopi N was not deployedonarrivalandthedecisionthather activationwassubjecttoyouravailabilityand theknownconditionoftheBarimathen.Itis notenoughthatthecountryspendshundreds of millions on a report about a ship and not aboutagovernment.

4. The funding of your Commission of Inquiry Under Articles 216 and 217 of the Constitution,nosumleavestheConsolidated FundsaveasParliamentauthorises.Youhold the Finance portfolio yourself. The man appointing the Commission, writing its terms,receivingitsreportanddecidingonits publication is also the man signing the cheque.Doyoufindthatreassuring?

Twoundertakingsarealsoowed:thatthe report be published in full by a stated date, and that Minister Edghill and the Director General of MARAD stand aside while the Commission sits, and attend and answer before the Commission. You have no doubt read that the Minister of Education in India resigned over the leaking of exam papers. I am sure you recognise the principle and the contrast.

Andonedirectionthatcannotwait.Every record touching this vessel - all the documentation required under Part XVIIIincluding surveys, certificates, manifests, maintenancelogs,deficiencynotices,andthe files on the Ma Lisha and the Kalliopi N sit tonight in the institutions to be examined.

Official accounts of how many were aboard havealreadyvaried.Iaskthatyounowdirect thatnothingisremoved,alteredordestroyed, and that all be secured in independent custody Agovernment with nothing to hide losesnothingbygivingthatdirection. Thesedocumentsarenotmerelymaterial for your commission. They are evidence in civil proceedings which the bereaved are entitled to bring, and the duty to preserve them arises now, not when a writ is filed. Their loss, alteration or destruction would carryconsequencesinanysuchproceedings, andforthoseresponsible.

Finally, Mr President, please reflect on this.Anew ship sat at her moorings waiting foryou.Initsstead,anoldonesailedwithout you and did not come back, with more than onehundredinnocentandunsuspectinglives lost. The least the country and its Chief Citizen owe them is a full and independent investigation. Guyana has had inquiries whose findings the country never read, and inquiriesthatreachednohigherthanajunior officer

The Rodney Commission came thirtyfour years too late, and its report was repudiatedbythegovernmentthatreceivedit. Mahdiareportedaftertheparentshadalready been made to sign. This one must serve the dead and not you, your Administration or yourparty.

You may grant what I have asked. You may refuse it. What you cannot do, after tonight,issaythatyouwerenotasked.

Respectfully, ChristopherRam

Development Bank Bill rushed through Parliament without debate

Exactly52daysafteritwasfirst tabled in the National Assembly, the Guyana Development Bank Bill was passed in the National Assembly on Friday afternoon without any debate or arguments putforthbytheOppositionside.

Laid in the House on June 5, 2026 by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, the Bill was read a second time in Parliament on July 27 as the Members of Parliament (MP) from the Opposition side joined in protesting for the Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar to resign over the MV Barima tragedy that has claimed the lives of 73 persons, with dozens still unaccountedfor

Theoppositionprotestbeganin the house prior to the official commencement of the Sitting Notably, the government’s side sat mum with no response to the cries ofoppositionMPsforjusticeofthe victims and survivors of the horrificboatincident.

The shouts demanding resignation of the ministers continued throughout the sitting, despite attempts by the Speaker ManzoorNadirfortheretobeorder andtheMPstotaketheirseats.The speaker suspended the sitting at least twice due to the loud, relentless calls. Opposition MPs drew near to some ministers while they were making presentations to support the proposed legislation. Thispromptedthegovernmentside to leave their seats and stand near theirMPstooffersupport.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport,CharlesRamson,Ministerof Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally and MPs Lenox Shuman andAlister Charlies were among those on the government sidethatcontributedtothe‘debate’ onthebill.

Previously, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) called forthebilltobesenttotheSpecial Select Committee for a thorough review and implementation of changestostrengthentheblueprint tomanagethefinancialinstitution.

The Government of Guyana (GoG) publicly advertised the GuyanaDevelopmentBankasone thatwouldofferinterestfreeloans, up to $3 million to Guyanese withoutanycollateralrequired.

Thelegalframeworktogovern the bank however reveals a differentpicturethanthatpromised bygovernment.

According to Section 5 (2) of the Bill, “Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Bank may- (a) assist small and mediumsized enterprises in establishing, carrying on or expanding their operations by providing loans with or without collateral and with or without charging interest.”

The proposed law does not clearly outline what specific projects will require collateral or

attractinterestandatwhatspecific rates.

GOVT.CONTROLOF FINANCIALRESOURCES

Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that $40 billion or approximately US$200 million initially-asthesumcanberevised in parliament- will be dispersed at the sole discretion of government appointees. The bill makes no provision for any nominees to be submitted by the opposition, civil societyoranytransparencybodies, raising concerns over the direct control of billions by the administration and the likelihood of selection based on “political alliance”.

The involvement or appointment of individuals stemming from these sections of society will undoubtedly provide an added layer of scrutiny with moreeyesoverseeingtherollout ofbillionsofstateresources.

Accordingtothelegislation, the bank will be governed by a board of directors which shall consist of not less than five or more than nine directors which are to be appointed by the MinisterofFinance.

The minister shall also appoint the chairperson and deputy chairperson along with other directors based on “qualifications and experience in finance, economics, banking andlaw.”

Remuneration and allowances are also to be determined by the finance minister for the directors of the bank.

A director may serve for three years and can be reappointed. The board shall also appoint a chief executive officerandestablishoneormore committees to “deal with any matterwithinthecompetenceof theboard.”

The bank will be financed throughallocationsmadebythe NationalAssemblyandrevenue generated from interest. The loanceilinghasbeensetat$3M and can be revised through the Parliamentaryprocess.

The bill makes no reference tohowpersonsinterestedincoinvesting in business ideas will betreated.

VAGUECRITERIAAND ELIGIBILITY

Moreover, the proposed law provides vague details on criteria and eligibility for persons interested in financing. In fact, it does not single out Guyaneseasthesoleorprimary beneficiaries This loophole means that citizens of other countriescanpossiblyapplyfor a loan under the Guyana DevelopmentBanktofundtheir smallormedium-scalebusiness.

Part V, which sets out the c

ing ambiguously states at Section 23: “Asmall and medium-sized en

financing shall provide such information, documents and statutory declarations as may be prescribed or required by the Bank.”

Meanwhile, Section 25 explains that the bank shall “adopt written credit policies” to address (a) eligibility criteria: (b) risk assessment;(c)approvalthresholds and;(d)monitoringandrecovery.”

LACKOFSTRICT PENALTIES

Notably, the bill lacks strict penalties for the gross mismanagementoffundsentrusted totheindividualsappointedbythe financeminister

Fiveoffenceshavebeensingled out under the proposedAct. These include “(a) provides false or misleading information to the Bank; (b) obstructs or hinders the bankintheexerciseofitsfunctions;

(c) falsifies, conceals, alters or destroys any record or document relating to the affairs of the Bank; (d) improperly discloses confidential information obtained under this Act; or (e) willfully misapplies or misuses the funds, propertyorassetsoftheBank.”

While the fifth offence under theActspeakstomisapplicationor misuse of the funds, it does not capture any unauthorised withdrawals by those entrusted with managing the resources. It merely suggests that persons who have obtained a loan must use the fundsforthepurposesintended.

Additionally,nopenaltieshave beenidentifiedforcorruptbanking officialswhomayseekspecialand secretive payments or favours to grantloanstothepublic.

Nonetheless,theBillstatesthat if a director, manager, secretary or

similar officer is found to be in “connivance” or gave consent to any offence listed above, that personalsocommitsanoffenceand will be liable on summary convictiontoafineofnotlessthan $5Mandnotmorethan$10M.

Similarly, any person or corporate body that commits an offencewillfacethesepenalties.

Meanwhile, the Bill at Section Six highlights prohibited activities of the Bank which include: (a) acceptingdepositsfromthegeneral public;(b)engaginginspeculative trading and (c) carrying out business inconsistent with the developmentmandate.

The Guyana Development Bank will be audited annually by the Auditor General, with its Annual Report and Audited FinancialStatementstobetabledin theNationalAssembly

Govt. passes $55B supplementary budget

amid parliamentary protest by Opposition

Amidloudchantsfortheresignationoftwo sitting ministers of government, a $549B request for supplementary funding was approved in the National Assembly on Mondayafternoon

As the first business on the agenda, Financial Paper Number One of 2026 to the tune of $54,889,259,163 was approved without any scrutiny from the opposition benches Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs)wereatthetimeprotestinginthedome of the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown demanding the resignation of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of PublicUtilitiesandAviation,DeodatIndar

As the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs concluded prayers and attempted to move to messages from the President,theoppositionMPsbouncedoutof their seats, and began calling for the resignationofEdghillandIndar

The activity was met with silence by the governmentsidewhichdidnotrespondtoany of the criticisms from the opposite side regarding the tragic loss of lives on July 18 whentheMVBarimasankoffGuyana’scoast

To date 73 persons have been confirmed dead, 76 have been rescued and dozens are stillunaccountedfor

With a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to soon commence to investigate the circumstancesofthedisaster,OppositionMPs banged on desks, circled the dome of the ACCCandshoutedfortheministerstoresign to allow for a credible probe of the tragedy

The MPs held placards calling for the ministers to resign while some wore images ofvictimsontheirclothing.Theireffortsdid

$800,000 cash,

Double misfortune struck an Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam family on Monday morning after their home was invaded, ransacked, and allegedly set ablaze.

The two-story, fivebedroom wooden home is locatedatLot1459Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, and isownedbyDonetteJoner

In an interview with Kaieteur News, her 15year-old daughter disclosed that her mothe

d t

avell

d T

een explained that she and her 16-year-old cousin who stayedattheresidencewere nothomeatthetime

“Like three, going on to four, we got a call from the lady across the street. She toldus.”

The house’s lower compartment was gutted, with furniture and appliancesalldestroyed.The upper flat, however, saw minor damages, as the flooring was scorched from below

…PM says activity irresponsible, reckless

Instead,theOppositionLeaderinsisted,“They justcometothisParliamenttogetthe$55Bfor more corruption. This money is everything forthePPP Theydon’tcareaboutlives.They don’t care about the poor people of this country.”

Meanwhile, for his part, Prime Minister, Mark Phillips described the opposition-led protestas“irresponsible,arecklessbehaviour bytheOpposition,childish,immature.”

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr.

not stop the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir from proceeding with the Financial Paper, as each agency got approval for additionalresources.

Inaninvitedcomment,OppositionLeader, Azruddin Mohamed told Kaieteur News that the move was a demonstration of utter “carelessness”bythegovernmentside “They don’t care about the people of this country I was surprised when we started to protest in theAssemblyhowtheseministershadsmiles on their faces. Its like business as usual, nothing happened. They were regarding Edghill.”

Mohamed said today’s activity should have prompted the immediate resignation of the ministers over the tragic boat accident.

When asked for his views on the calls by oppositionMPsfortheministerstostepdown, pendingtheoutcomeoftheinvestigationsoas toavoidanyprejudices,thePMsaid,“No,no, no,that’snotwhattheywerecallingfor They disruptedthehousetoday Regardlessoftheir chantstheydisruptedthehouse.”

When asked if he believes the ministers remaining in office can influence the investigation in any way, he responded, “No they will not influence the investigation becausethisisanindependent,internationally selected people who will be on this CommissionofInquiry Everybodyisoutside of Guyana…this is not a departmental investigation that was ordered by the minister This is the president using the Commission of inquiry Act and order an independent investigation that is staffed by internationally recognised and respected experts.”

Inabriefinvitedcommentforhisreaction to the protest, Minister Juan Edghill told this newspaper,“IhaverepeatedlysaidIwillspeak aboutthismatterattheappropriatetime”

Minister Indar did not respond to an invitationtocommentontheprotestactionfor himtoresign

The supplementary budget includes $19 billion more for the controversial Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project in Wales, under the office of the prime minister The financial paperexplainsthattheadditionalfundsareto “facilitateanacceleratedworkprogramme.”

Therequestformorefinancingtosupport the project comes after some $10 billion was allocated in this year’s budget. This request wasthelargestsumapprovedonMonday

In addition to the prime minister’s office, the Ministry of Agriculture got approval for $45 billion more for the National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority (NDIA); $85 billion morefortheMinistryofPublicWorks;$496.3 million more for the Ministry of Public UtilitiesandAviation-specificallyforcoastal water supply and maintenance of hinterland andcoastalairstrips.

Meanwhile,thesecondlargestchunkofthe supplementaryprovisionwenttotheMinistry ofHousing-some$175billionto”facilitatean expandedworkprogramme”

The Ministry of Health has also received $3379 million more to facilitate rental of buildingswhiletheMinistryofHomeAffairs obtainedapprovalfor$60millioninadditional resourcesforanacceleratedworkprogramme

The approval of the additional resources fortheGoGhasincreasedthisyear’sbudget to a staggering $1 613 trillion or approximatelyUS$8billion.

jewellery missing as Angoy’s Avenue home robbed, set on fire

Joner’s rooms were reportedly ransacked

Further inspection of the interior revealed tumbled rooms, indicating that someone was searching for something. JonertoldKaieteurNews thatsomeonemayhavebeen keeping tabs on their movement and capitalised on the opportunity to enter their home while they were away

“Atthemoment,nobody wasn’t there, nobody wasn’t home,that’showtheygotthe chance to go into the place. My daughter was by my cousininVryheid.”

Thewomanrevealedthat shehad$800,000alongwith 25 pennyweights of gold, which are all missing from specific locations in the house where she had kept them.

The lower flat, where the fire was allegedly set

“I’m at work. And this morning (Monday) about four something, I got a call thatmyhouseonfire.WhenI checked my phone and I checked the camera, I saw a guyclimbingontheveranda. Since one something he

trying to get up on the veranda. He get up, but he ain’t get in the place at that time.”

The individual would return downstairs, where, according to her, he walked to the side of the house and climbedonthezinctoaccess thebuilding.

“He carry like about three bottles of rum, he eat icicle and throw it in the fridge, eat chocolate, tumbleupthehouse,andhe skinthezinc,godownstairs and set the house on fire And then he walk through the backdoor and leave the yard at the back,” Joner related

Videofootageviewedby this publication confirmed a male individual attempting to scale the veranda of the upper flat. He was fully masked and hooded, and woreahaversack.

Reflecting on the incident, Joner said she has no known conflict with anyone, and is perplexed over the fact that she was robbed, and that her home wastargetedfordestruction.

Areportwasmadetothe Central Police Station in NewAmsterdam.

Theatricsovershadowsubstance

Parliament has neverbeenasilent chamber Around the world, legislatures have always been places where members interrupt, heckle, applaud loudly, exchange sharpremarksandusewitto makepoliticalpoints.

These moments are part ofparliamentarydemocracy They reflect passion, disagreement and the clash of competing ideas, and no one expects every sitting to resembleaquietclassroom.

However, there is an

important difference between spirited debate and deliberate disruption

Theatrics should add colour t o p a r l i a m e n t a r y proceedings, not prevent parliamentfromcarryingout itsconstitutionalduty

The greatest purpose of any parliament is not entertainment but accountability It exists so that matters affecting the lives of citizens can be debated openly, fully and without unnecessary obstruction.

Acompelling case could have been made for the National Assembly to adjournitsordinarybusiness anddebatethesinkingofthe

M.V Barima. Parliamentary rules generally require that three conditions be met before normal business is suspended- the matter must be definite, of public importanceandurgent.

There can be little argument that the sinking of theM.V Barimasatisfiedthe first requirement. It was a specific and identifiable event,notavaguecomplaint or a broad policy disagreement.

Norcananyoneseriously disputethatitwasamatterof public importance It involved the tragic loss of lives, the safety of public transportation,andquestions about the effectiveness of emergency response and the safety and integrity of the country’smaritimesystems.

The third requirement, urgency, is often the most difficulthurdle.Thisisoften the reason why speakers in many Commonwealth legislatures have frequently rejectedmotions.

The meaning of urgency has long been explained in parliamentary practice. In 1950, the Speaker of the Indian Parliament observed: “Thecrucialtestalwaysisas to whether the question

proposed to be raised has arisen suddenly and created anemergentsituationofsuch acharacterthatthereisprima faciecaseofurgencyandthe House must therefore leave aside all other business and take up the consideration of the urgent matter at the appointedhour.”

The ruling continued by statingthattheurgencymust beofsuchacharacterthatthe matter“brooksnodelay”and should be discussed on the verydaynoticeisgiven.That principle has remained one of the clearest explanations of what parliamentary urgencymeans.

A former speaker of Guyana’s N

tional Assembly expressed much thesameview Heexplained that, “The matter must be a clear emergency It must have arisen suddenly in a mannerofanemergencyand shouldnothavearisenovera seriesofweeks.”

He also relied upon E r s k i n e M a y, t h e authoritative guide to parliamentary practice, which states that a continuing grievance is generally not sufficient to qualify as a matter of urgent public importance. In other

The MV Barima Tragedy: Accountability...

Frompage6 continuetofeelexcludedfromtheprosperity they see around them, frustration will inevitably grow Sustainable development is notmeasuredbyGDPalone.Itismeasuredby whether ordinary people feel that they share inthenation’ssuccess.

words, urgency is measured by suddenness and the need forimmediateparliamentary attention.

The sinking of the M.V Barimaplainlymetthattest. Itoccurredsuddenly,created a national emergency and triggered an unprecedented search and rescue operation thatwasongoing.

There was therefore every reason for Parliament to suspend its routine agenda. Few issues could havebeenmoredeservingof immediate debate than a national tragedy involving somanylives.

It is understood that APNU submitted a motion seeking a debate about the terms of reference. That is a moot point now but the original motion could have been amended to debate the tragedy and the response. This would have provided the opportunity to question ministers, receive updates and reassure a grieving nation that Parliament was fullyengaged.

Instead, attention appeared to shift elsewhere. TheWeInvestinNationhood (WIN) party seemed more

interested in preventing the debate, while APNU unfortunately appeared to abandon the opportunity for debate by becoming drawn into the resulting confrontation.

The result was that parliamentary theatrics o v e r s h a d o w e d parliamentary substance Thepublicwasleftwatching drama instead of hearing reasoned discussion about rescue efforts, maritime safetyandthewayforward.

This was a missed opportunityforeverysideof the House One possible explanation is that some members lacked confidence in debating the issue on its merits.

A serious discussion would have required careful arguments supported by factsratherthanslogansand gestures.

It would appear that the Opposition parties were not confidentthattheycouldwin inadebate,andsotheyopted forhistrionics.

Perhaps the Opposition, atthisstage,lackedstrongor compelling grounds on which to establish

government negligence Faced with the difficulty of mounting a persuasive case, political theatre may have appeared easier than intellectualengagement.

Whatever the reason, Parliament should always remember its primary purpose. It exists to debate the nation’s most pressing concerns, especially when lives have been lost and the c o u n t r y s e e k s understanding.

D e m o c r a c y i s strengthened by vigorous debate,notbydisorderforits ownsake.

There is a place for repartee, applause and even the occasional theatrical flourish, but there should never be a place for conduct that prevents Parliament from discussing matters of definite, urgent and public importance.

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

The MV Barima tragedy must become morethananothernationaldisasterfollowed by condolences, inquiries and forgotten promises. It must be a turning point.Let it be the moment when Guyana chooses accountability over excuses, competence overcomplacency,serviceoverself-interest, andnationoverpolitics.

Dem Boys Seh...

Thatwouldbethemostfittinglegacyfor thosewhonevercamehome.

Regards, K.Wainwright

Drama trumps debate

Dem boys seh Parliament is one place whadoesalwaysgotlilnoise.Ifyuhcan’ttek aheckle,asharptongueoradeskknocknow and again, yuh got no business calling yuhselfanhonourablemember

But yesterday was a different kettle of fish. Some people didn’t come fuh debate. Dem come with drama, like if Parliament suddenly turn into the National Cultural Centreandadmissionwasfree.

Now dem boys always believe politics got plenty theatre. A good speech need timing A clever comeback deserve applause.Evenawell-placed“Shame!”can brighten up a long sitting better than two cupsofcoffee.

But when the play become bigger than thepurpose,somethinggoneterriblywrong. Instead of discussing one of the greatest maritime tragedies this country has ever seen,somepeopledecidetherealemergency was making sure the cameras had enough excitement.

Dem boys seh if Oscar did give awards fuh parliamentary performances, yesterday had enough nominees to fill a whole red

carpet.BestDramaticEntrance. BestFinger Pointing.BestSupportingShouting.And,of course, Lifetime Achievement in InterruptingEverybody

Meanwhile,outsideParliament,families still waiting. Search and rescue still going on. A whole nation still mourning. But inside, some people behaving like if StandingOrdersnotstanding.

One side seem determined to stop the debatebeforeitstart.Theotherside,instead ofinsistingonthediscussion,getsuckedinto theperformanceuntileverybodyforgetwhat thesittingwasbout. Parliament is supposed to be where arguments wrestle, not where egos do high jump The country’s problems don’t disappearbecausesomebodyshoutlouderor wavetheirarmsharder

Attheendoftheday,theloudestthingin the chamber wasn’t the truth. It was the noise. And dem boys seh, the only people who lose is the citizens who expected parliament to perform its duty instead of performingforthegallery Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

‘Driven Out by Despair’

Thousands of Cubans find refuge in Guyana

...as economic crisis deepens due to U.S. sanctions

Every day, flights from Cuba touch down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport carrying more people fleeing an economy that many say can no longer sustainthem.

Some arrive to embrace relatives.Othersstepintothe

unknown with little more than a suitcase and hope. Increasingly, many are choosing Guyana, a country that has quietly become one of the region’s newest destinations for Cubans escaping economic hardship.

For many, the journey endsnotinprosperitybuton the streets of Georgetown, where dozens gather each morning outside Bounty SupermarketatOrangeWalk andotherlocations,hopinga contractorwillstopandoffer themaday’swork.

The growing Cuban presence was recently highlighted in a New York Times documentary, which documented how thousands have sought refuge in Guyana, one of the few countries that still permits Cubans to enter without a visa.

Cubans awaiting on-the-spot hire for jobs in the construction sector

her50s.

The migration is part of oneofthelargestpopulation movements in Cuba’s modernhistory

Although the Cuban Governmenthasnotreleased official figures, researchers estimate that more than one million people have left the island in recent years as the country grapples with chronic shortages of food, medicine, fuel and electricity,alongsidesoaring inflation and a prolonged economicdownturn.

Research published by Spain’s Universidad de Navarra in August 2025 concluded that the exodus accelerated dramatically between2021and2023.The study cited Cuban demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos, whose analysis suggests that only about 8.62 million people remain on the island, a population decline of roughly 18 percent in just twoyears.

While the majority of Cubanmigrantshaveheaded to the United States, increasing numbers are now making Guyana their destination.

This newspaper has observed flights arriving almost daily with Cuban nationals, while members of the local Cuban community say many newcomers are working tirelessly to earn enough money to reunite with spouses, children and parentsleftbehind.

Oneofthemisa60-yearold electrician from Havana whom Kaieteur News met while searching for work in Berbice.

He said he would gladly accept any job, construction, cleaning or manual labour, becausehisimmediategoalis to save enough money to purchaseaplaneticketforhis wife

Sheisamedicaldoctorin

Yetsuchistheseverityof Cuba’s economic crisis that sheiswillingtoleavebehind her profession and begin again in Guyana doing whatever work she can find, even if that means cleaning homes or stocking supermarketshelves. His story echoes those featured in the New York Times documentary Many Cuban migrants now crowd into small apartments, sharingrentandmealswhile waiting for opportunities to earnenoughtosurvive.

Contractors have become so accustomed to their daily presence that somenolongeradvertisefor temporary labour, instead sending supervisors to the locations where Cubans gather each morning in searchofwork.

Earlier this year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that Guyana has emergedasakeydestination andtransitpointinchanging Cuban migration patterns, reflecting a significant shift in migration flows across South America and the Caribbean.

A 2025 report by Stabroek News estimated that nearly 6,000 Cubans were already living in Guyana. Community members believe that number has increased considerably over the past year, although no official counthasbeenreleased. Behind the statistics, however, are thousands of personalstoriesofsacrifice.

Doctors willing to becomecleaners.

Electricians prepared to doconstructionwork.

Families separated by thousands of miles, each hopingthattoday’swagesin Guyana will one day buy a ticketforalovedonetojoin them.

Edinburgh home flattened by early morning fire

husband occupied the upper four-bedroom flat, while a femaletenantdwelledinthe lower one-bedroom space. Ally said the fire originated from the lower flat. At the time of the incident, the tenantwasnotathome.

“To be honest, I didn’t know that she wasn’t at home.LastnightIsuspected thatshe’snotathome.She’s a person who you does normally hear if somebody deh home or not. I don’t know what really transpired downstairs.”

Ally said there were no electrical issues in her apartment, neither was any stove left on or unattended. She said she was asleep when she was awakened by anexplosion.

Zalema Ally, a 55-yearold housewife of Lot 1, Edinburgh Village, East BankBerbice,wasfortunate enough to escape unharmed from an early morning fire which quickly demolished herhomeonMonday

Thick plumes of smoke emanated from the concrete and wooden building just about 7:00am, sending persons scampering for water However, despite their best efforts, the fire developedrapidly From a hammock in the nearby yard, a distraught Ally explained to Kaieteur News that she and her

“I does turn off my gas and everything. I was in my sleep.IwakeupearlierandI go back to sleep.And in my sleep,Ihearlikeabomb,and Ipushthewindow,ifyuhsee smoke.Ithoughtwasthecar Irushtothefrontdoor.”

With the fire coursing upward,Ally recounted that shewasinfearofdying.She managed to escape downstairsandtosafetyjust moments before the fire completely destroyed the property

“If you see this thing. Thefirewasmassive.”

Whatpromptedthefireis not yet confirmed She resided at that property for nearly 12 years. Ally noted that due to the heat and the massive flames, no one could have saved any material item, resulting in her losing everything she owned.

One relative told this publication that an in-law from a house behind called her and told her that the house was on fire, and calls weremaderightawaytothe New Amsterdam Fire Station. Officials from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) cameinforhighpraisesfrom relatives for their prompt response. When contacted on Monday, divisional fire officerCliveMcDonaldsaid the fire was still under investigation.

Protest erupts in Parliament

...as opposition demands Edghill, Indar resign over MV Barima tragedy

The joint opposition protest in the dome of the sitting of the NationalAssembly

Opposition, civil society protest, demand Edghill's resignation

ProtesteruptsinParliament

...as opposition demands Edghill, Indar resign over MV Barima tragedy

ministers would be enough, it would be a first step. “You first have to acknowledge that somethingwasdonewrongandthe subjectministerthatwas in charge of that particular vessel should be thefirsttogo,”theMPsaid.

ByRenaySambach

As the National Assembly convened on Monday to approve nearly $55 billion to advance the government’s development projectsandprogrammes,thejoint opposition staged a protest, insisting that it should not be business as usual following Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster

The MV Barima capsised just over a week ago while en route to PortKaituma,RegionOne,leaving 73 people confirmed dead and at least30peoplemissingatsea.

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) called for the resignations of Minister of Public WorksJuanEdghillandMinisterof Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar over the July 18 MV Barima tragedy The joint opposition’s protest began outside the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) ahead of the parliamentarysitting.

Despite the protest outside and inside the National Assembly by MPsfromWeInvestinNationhood (WIN),APartnership for National Unity (APNU) and Forward MovementGuyana(FGM),Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, successfully piloted the government’s first supplementary budget totalling $54 9 billion, months after the $1.558 trillion 2026 National Budget was approved. Several other bills were alsopassed.

Outside the ACCC, opposition MPswerejoinedbymembersofthe AllianceForChange(AFC)andthe Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), who chanted for the removal of Edghill and Indar.

WIN Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley said that while she does not believe removing the

She alleged that the PPP administrationisgoodat“covering for their own,” adding, “So I don’t haveanyrealhopethatontheirown that they will hold anybody accountable. But that is why the people have to stand up and speak fortheright.Ithinkit’snowonthe people.”

Sarabo-Halley pointed to the Mahdia tragedy that claimed the livesof20childrenandthedeathof AdrianaYounge,noting,“Nowwe haveanothertragedywithover100 persons that have died. Whatarewegoingtodoas a people. Are we going to acceptitorarewegoingto sayenoughisenough?”

Parliamentary Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr Terrence Campbell, told reporters that the oppositionisunitedonthe tragedy particularly that the Irfaan Ali-led administration has not been known to respond eveninthemostegregious situations.

The MP stressed that there are many unanswered questions surrounding the MV Barima tragedy and highlighted that the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) falls under MinisterEdghill’sportfolioandhe should address concerns, especially regarding the vessel’s seaworthiness.

Meanwhile, Dr Campbell said he believes there is absolutely no way the truth surrounding the tragedy can be uncovered if MinistersEdghillandIndarremain in office. He said, “If these two ministers continue to sit in office, thosewhowork,theirsubordinates will be afraid to speak about the truth. We met with employees of TransportsandHarborswhotoldus

of their portfolios. “This is a continuous process we want justiceforthem,thisisacontinuous processusingallofthetoolsinour arsenal as a parliamentary opposition as a combine opposition,”Duncansaid.

Theprotestlatermovedintothe National Assembly, where opposition MPs held placards calling for the ministers’removal. Some MPs also displayed photographs of victims of the MV Barimatragedy

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir was forcedtobrieflysuspendthesitting amid loud and relentless chants demanding that Ministers Edghill and Indar resign. Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips was greeted by protests as he entered the chamber, while Minister Edghill briefly exited the dome before returning, appearing unbothered by t h e o p p o s i t i o n ’s demonstration.

“We’vehadtheAdrianaYoung situation and this government just brushed it aside and now we have this situation where so far 72 Guyanese have died,” the APNU MPnoted.

He said information made public has raised questions about the 87-year-old vessel and concerns that the MV Barima was overloaded.

Dr Campbell also referenced comments made by Minister EdghillonJuly19.“Wehadarush tojudgmentbyMinisterEdghill,in an attempt to shut down what was the biggest tragedy in Guyana’s recent history, claiming that the killer wave came across the boat. Thankfullywehavesurvivorswho tellaboutexcessivecargo,whotell about water coming on the boat,” henoted.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar

withlightningspeedbecauseofthe noise, we weren’t paying attention.”

Before entering the chamber, MohamedhadtoldKaieteurNews, “Today’s sitting won’t go on becausewewon’tsitandallowthis wicked and deceitful and treacherous administration to trampleontherightsofourbrothers andsistersinthiscountry Over100 families affected Over 100 families affected. They lost loved ones, newborn babies as young as onemonthold.”

thattheyweretoldthattheyarenot to speak to you. They are not to speaktothepress…Theyarenotto speak to us. So, we cannot get a proper investigation for as long as those two ministers remain in place.”

Dr Campbell reiterated that Guyana follows the Westminster systemofdemocracyandthatwhen a disaster occurs, the responsible minister should demonstrate accountability by resigning. “You move off because you accept responsibility and accountability for what is taking place because it hasoccurredonyourwatchandwe need to move Guyana back to that place. It cannot be that incidents take place and it remains that nobodyistakingaccountability.”

APNUMPSherodDuncansaid the opposition believes the Irfaan Ali administration should first relieveMinistersEdghillandIndar

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Prime MinisterPhillipsweremet with protests as they addressedtheHouseonthe MV Barima tragedy, with o p p o s i t i o n M P s surrounding the podium whilecontinuingtheirchants.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed insistedthatitshouldnothavebeen business as usual in the National Assembly Henotedthatgivenhow recentthetragedywas,heexpected thesittingtobepostponed.Instead, hesaid,heobservedministerswith grins on their faces in response to theoppositionprotest.

Hestatethatinthefaceofsuch a tragedy, the PPP administration proceeded with the parliamentary sittingtoseekapprovalforbillions of dollars in supplementary spending and pass additional bills.

The Opposition Leader further said, “Money is everything for the PPP. They don’t care about lives. They don’t care about the poor people of this country. They came for that money, about five or six bills. They speed through the bills

“We will stand in there and we will continue to make noise for Edghill and Indar to resign. They must go. They must go. Because theyaretheonesthatgottoensure that the vessel is of the standard. TheMVBarimaistheoldestvessel in this country, 87 years old. The journeyisthelongestjourney With the longest journey, you got to ensureyourvesselsareuptodate,” hesaid.

Since the tragedy, questions havebeenraisedaboutthevessel’s maintenance, seaworthiness, regulatoryoversight,thepassenger manifest and whether it was overloaded with passengers and cargo While survivors and relatives of victims have alleged that the vessel was overloaded, government authorities have deniedthoseclaims.

The incident has fuelled mounting calls for the resignation or dismissal of the ministers, particularly Edghill, while an independent investigation is conducted.

Supportershavealsopointedto examples from other countries where senior government officials stepped down following major maritime disasters, accepting ministerial responsibility even befo

concluded. (See more photos on thecentrespread)

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Govt.floats leaving MV Barima on seabed as memorial site

...French divers struggle to recover bodies trapped inside ...families demand full salvage

ByKhadidjaBa

The Government appears to be preparing the nation for thepossibilitythatthesunken MV Barima will never be recovered. Prime Minister (Ret’d)BrigadierMarkPhillips yesterday signaled that bringinginadditionalforeign divers “will not change the situation” and that the stateowned vessel is “likely to remain there as is” on the seabed off the Essequibo coast near Iron Punt. His remarks, madeafterasittingoftheNational Assembly, come even asgrievingrelativescontinue to demand a full salvage operation, insisting their loved ones deserve every possible effort to recover the vessel and any remains still trapped inside.

“In terms of the actual raising of the vessel, I don’t think we’ve contacted anybody to raise the vessel,”

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Phillips stated. “If you listen to the interview with the French, the whole issue of raising the vessel is not being forwarded at this stage because it’s difficult to do thatexercisenow Thevessel islikelytoremainthereasis.”

Defending the performanceofspecialistpersonnel deployed to the scene, which included French military teams alongside domestic divers, Phillips insisted that additionalforeignassistance, including from entities like ExxonMobil,wouldnotalter the outcome.

“Well,theywerethebest, you know. The local divers, the French divers, they were the best,” Phillips added. “They went inside and outside the vessel. And just listen to their report. It’s difficult.Bringingotherdiverswill not change the situation.”

While the government maintains the narrative that the “search and recovery operations are ongoing”, sources inCharityhaveconfirmedthat efforts have scaled down considerably

Theshifttowardapermanent memorial, outlined in a draft “Declaration of Agreement” circulated to grieving familiesonSaturdayandseen by this publication, has triggeredbacklashfromrelatives of those still missing. Relatives have accused authorities of attempting to wrap up salvage operations prematurely and potentially influencing the upcoming CommissionofInquiry(COI)into themaritimedisaster.

The administration’s stancerepresentsashiftfrom earlier public commitments. On July 20, the Department of Public Information (DPI) published a statement from

“The vessel is likely to remain there as is…bringing other divers will not change the situation” - PM Mark Phillips

President Irfaan Ali promising a relentless recovery effort: “I wish to assure every citizenthatwearesparingno effort in this ongoing rescue and recovery mission. Every available asset is being deployed.Everyagencyisworkingaroundtheclock.Wewill continue this effort with determination and resolve until every possible avenue has been exhausted,” President Alideclared.

However,PrimeMinister Phillips acknowledged that search teams have reached a dead end in retrieving those still unaccounted for

“I know there’s some ongoing discussion with families because we reached a pointwherewe’renotfinding anymorebodies,andthevessel,whateveractionwe’retaking to move the vessel onto the keel, that has not been successful,” Phillips explained. “So it’s obvious that bodies are trapped in the wreck.”

Regarding the controversialdocumentsenttothevictims’families,Phillipsmaintained that the government is merelytestingoptions.“Soif they receive letters, it’s just for discussion as to the way forward,makingitamemorial siteifthatisthewishesofthe family,” Phillips said. “The governmentispreparedtolistentothem,andmaybethat’s why the letters went out.”

Adding weight to the immense challenge facing offi-

cials, the French diving team provided an update on the ground reality on Sunday afternoon, detailing the perilous conditions that have hampered their efforts. “We arrivedonMondayandsince Tuesdayweboardedabout15 timesonthewreck,”aFrench teamspokespersonexplained, describing “very, very hard environmental conditions” drivenbyrelentlesstidesand strong currents.

The team revealed that zerovisibilityinsidethesubmerged vessel has turned every dive into a high-risk operation,“Onthewreck,it’s totallydark,soit’sverydifficult for us to navigate through the wreck. We have to feel the wreck and it’s like we are blind. So it’s too dangerousforustoenterintothe wreck. And because of the many ropes and hammocks, it’sverydifficulttoseewhere we are going.”

To navigate the site, divers have had to rely entirely on tactile search methods.

“We just followed the rope, arrived on the wreck, and tried to navigate by searching the characteristics of the wreck... to feel if there was a door, a window, hammocks, or whatever. But it was in the mud, it’s totally dark, so it’s very, very difficulttosearchforsomething,” the divers noted, adding that they continually debrief between dives to help the next Continued on page 17

$371M estimated for brand new Kingston Secondary School building

The Ministry of Education says the new Kingston Secondary School building is estimated to cost some $371 million.

During a recent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, it was revealed that the project will cost $371,377,630 with 62 contractorsbiddingforthecontract.

The education ministry has been constructing new schoolsacrossthecountrytoensurechildrenhaveaccessto education. The ministry has also been rehabilitating and rebuilding new nursery and primary schools to address overcrowding,andprovideimprovedandenhancedlearning spacesforstudentsandteachers.

Theprojectwillformpartofthe$100billionapprovedfor theMinistryofEducationin2026NationalBudget. Tableshowingthebiddersandtheir proposedamountfortheproject:

Bodies of five victims of MV Barima tragedy still to be identified

The Ministry of Health is seeking the assistance of relativesinidentifyingthebodiesoffivevictimsoftheMV Barima.

InapublicnoticeonMonday,theministrystatedthatthe victimsincludeonefemaleandfourmales.

“Families and relatives of persons who remain missing as a result of this tragedy are respectfully urged to visit the Suddie Mortuary to assist with the identification process,” theministrynotified.

Theministrysaidfurtherthattheidentificationofthese victimsisessentialtoensuringthattheyarereturnedtotheir lovedoneswithdignityandaffordedarespectfulandproper burial.Theministrythereforeappealstothepublicfortheir cooperationduringthisdifficulttime.

Forassistance,theministryinformedthatthepubliccan contact the Suddie Mortuary on mobile number (592) 6508564, and Office of the Regional Health Officer at (592) 685-7746or685-7745.

ThetragiccapsizingoftheMVBarimawith179persons onboard, occurred on the night of July 18. Some 73 bodies including men, women and children have so far been recovered.Atotal of 76 persons have been rescued and at least30remainmissing,authoritiessaid.

Since the tragedy, questions have been raised about the 87-year-old vessel’s maintenance, seaworthiness, regulatory oversight, the manifest and whether the vessel wasoverloadedwithpassengersandcargo.

Govt. floats leaving MV Barima on seabed as memorial...

Frompage16 team optimizetheir strategy While expressing gratitude totheGuyanaDefenceForce for providing crucial logistical support, the team struck a grim tone regarding the prospects of recovering thevesselintact.

Whenpressedbyfamilies onwhetherasalvagemethod existed to recover the wreck

given its depth and surroundingenvironment,the expert was candid: “I think it’svery,veryhardtodosuch athing becausethewreckis not very strong, so it’s difficulttotakeit”

ProposalforaSacredSide

A c c o r d i n g t o documentation seen by this publication, the draft declaration asks relatives to concur that the MV Barima “remain undisturbed in its present resting place” as a sacred memorial for those trappedinside.

Excerpt from the Declaration of Agreement:

“We, the undersigned relatives and loved ones...

hereby express our concurrence and heartfelt wish that the vessel remain undisturbed in its present resting place We respectfullyregardthevessel as a sacred memorial, preserving the final resting placeoftheircherishedlives, courage,andlegacy.”

The document further proposes establishing a m

time monument overlookingorsituatedatthe site, inscribed with the namesofeveryvictimlostin

thetragedy

Relatives estimate that authoritiesmaydecideonthe vessel’s fate within the next threedaysifthedivingteams are unable to recover the remaining bodies or refloat thehull.

“TheFrenchdiverscan’t do it by themselves, they need backing,” one relative in Charity stated. “If they giveup,andtherearen’tany more divers, it might end up as a memorial. But before they come to that stage of giving up, this should be taken to Parliament or properly discussed with all thefamilies.”

Beyond the immense emotional toll of leaving bodies unrecovered, several familymembersvoiceddeep suspicions regarding the timing of the government’s proposaltodeclarethewreck location a permanent memorial Many question whether a rush to designate the site as a sea grave is aimedatabandoningsalvage efforts prematurely and obscuring physical evidence before an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) can thoroughly inspectthehull.

GovernmentResponse& FamilyFeedback

President Irfaan Ali postedavideobriefingonhis official Facebook page detailing his meeting with the victims’ relatives. The captionnoted:

“This afternoon, President Dr Irfaan Ali briefedtherelativesofthose

still missing in the MV Barima tragedy on the ongoing operation at sea. They had an opportunity to view live footage of the operations The families raised concerns about how theareawouldbedesignated if their loved ones are not recovered They asked whether the site could be designated a memorial site bearing the names of those who perished and are missing The President assuredfamilymembersthat this decision would solely depend on the wishes of the families of those still missing. He further assured them that the government willhonourandrespecttheir wishes.”

Speaking with Kaieteur

News immediately followingtheirmeetingwith the Head of State, family members described the emotional rollercoaster of watching live feeds of the underwater recovery efforts.

W h i l e e x p r e s s i n g appreciation for the transparency, they stressed that local divers are facing treacherous conditions and urgently need reinforced internationalsupport.

“Losing a loved one is something very hard... you have times when you just breakdown,especiallywhen you aren’t getting positive reports,”sharedonerelative.

“This evening, we got a reportthatthediversarestill out there trying their best. TheFrenchdiverswentback and officials walked us

through the live feed showingwherethefloatsare being deployed near the bow.”

Relatives noted that divers are contending with severe environmental obstaclessuchasdeep,mudcolored water where divers must navigate entirely by feel, a soft, shifting bottom that complicates efforts to stabilizethewheelhousearea and an unpredictable undercurrentthatslowdown recoverymaneuvers.

Despite recognizing the technical difficulty, the consensus among families remains clear, Guyana must deploy heavier resources to bring the vessel, and their lovedones,tothesurface.

“They are trying their best to get this boat up, but they need stronger support,” therelativeurged.“It’szerovisibility, dark water and heavy mud down there, everything is done by feel, andthecurrentsarenoteasy Butifwecangetspecialized, highly experienced divers who can handle these water conditions, we should hire them.Wehavetheresources in Guyana. Let us get more support.”

Families maintain that Guyana possesses the financial resources to hire specialized international salvage firms to bring the vessel to the surface, ensuring both full recovery ofthevictimsandathorough investigation into what caused the 87-year-old ferry torolloverinopenwaters.

OilpricedivesasU.S.andIranpauseattacks

(BBCNews)Thepriceof oil has fallen sharply on hopesthatapauseinattacks between the US and Iran couldhelptode-escalatethe conflict.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, sank more than 9% to $87.59 a barrelatonepoint,markinga sharp turnaround from last weekwhenithadrisenabove $100.

The fall came after the US ambassador to the UN saidattacksonIranhadbeen haltedforasecondnightina row to give “talks some space”.

An Iranian army spokesperson said on Sunday that Tehran had halted “retaliatory” attacks intheregioninresponse.

The outbreak of the Iran war triggered a sharp rise in oil prices as the conflict led totheeffectiveclosureofthe Strait of Hormuz, a key shippingroutewhichusually carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied naturalgas(LNG).

When Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June to halt military operations and reopenthestrait,thepriceof oil fell back to pre-war levels of around $70 a barrel

However,thecollapseof the ceasefire earlier this month reignited fears over global energy supplies and pushedtheoilpricebackup. Last week it hit $100 a

barrelforthefirsttimesince May, with added concerns coming after Houthi militia in Yemen attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a key export route that Saudi Arabia had used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

By Monday afternoon, the price of Brent stood at $90.60 a barrel, down more than6%fortheday Susannah Streeter, chief

Haiti schedules first election in a decade for December

(Reuters) - Haiti’s CEP electoral councilonMondayscheduledthefirst presidential elections in a decade for December with a runoff in February, after plans to hold the vote inAugust with a December runoff were postponedsecurityconcerns.

Haiti has not held elections since 2016.

Its last president, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated in 2021, after delaying a vote Successive governments have been tasked with holdinganelectionbutsaidinsecurity amid a conflict with powerful armed gangsmadeitimpossible.

A woman casts her ballot.

REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

ThecouncilonMondaypublished a calendar setting a first round of Haiti’s presidential and legislative elections for December 13 with a runoff vote on February21.Italsosetthepublicationoffinal resultsforMarch7.

Citizens are also expected to vote on changes to the constitution and for local representatives,thecalendarshowed.

Thecouncilhighlightedthatthecalendar depended on “the establishment of an acceptablesecurityclimateandthenecessary fundstopursueelectoraloperations.”

Earlierthismonth,thecouncilsaidithad begun registering voters and training electoral security agents, and published a definitive list of over 300 political parties approvedtocompeteinthecomingelectoral process.

Ongoing gang violence made analysts skepticalthatnewelectiondateswillremain in place. The ripple effects include chronic food shortages, extortion, ransom

kidnappingsandforceddisplacements,piling on even more challenges to ensuring a free, fairvote.Some12%ofHaiti’spopulationlive inmakeshiftcampsorwithhostfamilies.

Violent armed gangs, largely grouped underabroadallianceknownasVivAnsanm, havetakencontrolofmostofthecapitalPortau-Prince, whose metropolitan area is home to around a quarter of the population. Gangs havealsoexpandedtocentralandruralHaiti.

Viv Ansanm, which itself has been seeking political recognition, has been designated a terrorist organization by Washington and is accused of mass kidnappings, gang rapes, arson, indiscriminate killings, and gun, organ and drugtrafficking.

CEP President Jacques Desrosiers told Reuters late last year that the council had evaluated hundreds of voting centers, but access later worsened as armed gangs expandedoutsidethecapital.

gas has also been rising recently, and analysis from research group Wood McKenzie published last week said European gas storagewasatahistoriclow, with supply security for this winter“atrisk”.

If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a further two months, it said storage will end up lower than 70% by 1 November, compared with a five-year average for thatdateof90%.

investment strategist at Wealth Club, said markets were remaining “cautious given the twists and turns duringthisconflict”.

Despite the sharp fall in crude, “there is still significant uncertainty bakedintothesepricesanda reticence about whether negotiations will lead to a lasting breakthrough,” she added.

The wholesale price of

“ L o w E u r o p e a n inventories, strong Asian demand and limited new LNG supply growth almost guarantee elevated prices through this winter and into 2027,” said Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president of gas and LNG research at WoodMackenzie.

The conflictbetween the USandIranhasalsopushed up the cost of fuel such as petrol and diesel in many countries.

Higher inflation raises the possibility that central banks will increase interest rates in an attempt to keep pricerisesundercontrol.

In June, the European CentralBankoptedtoliftits key interest rate for the eurozoneforthefirsttimein almost three years, noting that the conflict was “generating inflation pressures”.

Before the Iran war began, there had been expectationsthattheBankof Englandwouldcutratesthis year

However, no cuts are now expected and financial markets are currently predictingaraterisetowards theendoftheyear

The Bank of England holds its latest interest ratesetting meeting this week, when it is expected to keep its key rate unchanged at 3.75%.

This often has knock-on effects on other prices, such as food, as businesses pass on the higher costs they are facingtocustomers,andthis can push up the rate of inflation.

World risks HIV resurgence as funding falls 18%, UNAIDS says

(Reuters) - The world risks a resurgence of HIV epidemic after global funding fell by nearly a fifth last year, the U.N. body fighting AIDSsaidonMonday

Washington previously accounted for 75% of international HIV funding before President DonaldTrump’s return to theWhite House in January 2025.That month he ordered a temporary halt to all HIV-relatedfundingbeforerestoring life-saving HIV work days later, although most prevention efforts werecurtailed.

“The international community has entered a period of profound political and financial upheaval that threatensdecadesofhard-wongains against HIV,” UNAIDS said in its 60-page report released at the start of an International AIDS conference in Brazil. “Without renewed commitment and action, the world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic.”

year. The impact of foreign funding cuts for HIV was partially offset, however, by increases in domestic spending. That meant an overall decline of 6% in total HIV resourceslastyear,theUNAIDSreportsaid.

Funding fell by 18% to $7.3 billion in 2025, which was the lowest level in nearly two decades, the report said. That risks reversingprogressthathasdrivendownnew HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths to their lowest level in more than 30 years, it said.

“ThecurrentfragilityoftheHIVresponse these gains at risk unless global solidarity is restoredandinequalitiesareaddressed.”

The report also repeated that the global goal to end AIDS by 2030 was off track, saying that reduced funding as well as other crises like Ebola were hampering efforts. Some 1.2 million people caught HIV last

Butnotallgovernmentswereabletostep in. Some of the biggest declines in spending on prevention programmes were in subSaharanAfrica,whichaccountsforabouthalf ofnewglobalinfections.

NationaldataforCameroon,Nigeriaand Zambia showed more than a 50% decline in thenumberofpeoplereceivingpre-exposure prophylaxis,orPrEP

“HIV funding disruptions severely impacted HIV prevention, testing and key components of treatment programmes, such as the range of community-led services that reach the people most affected by HIV,” the reportsaid.

Tarouba Test swings big on 14-wicket day

Frompage25

Chanderpaul did cobble

together a tenacious partnership over the next hour,carefullycompiling37 attritional runs to edge ahead. But the final hour belonged decisively to Pakistan again, and specifically Aamer Jamal, who came back superbly from a disappointing effort in the first innings to tie the batters down. An effort ball grew big on Chanderpaul

who skied a pull to midwickettogivePakistana sneak into the lower order Abbas and Shahzad chipped in to dispatch Greaves and RostonChase.

However, exposing the tail does not necessarily mean quick wickets for Pakistan,whohavetheworst recordgettingthelastfourof an opposition out over the last couple of years. West Indies snatched some of the momentum back thanks to a

priceless cameo from Shamar Joseph, who bludgeoned three sixes off Jamal to get the hosts’ lead past 150. Kemar Roach and Joseph had extended the partnership to 32 when the umpired tipped the bails over,and,crucially,survived toaddtoittoday

The day had, until then, belonged to unlikely West Indies bowlin

Greaves, who produced a career-best five-wicket haul

to tear through Pakistan’s lower order After the first hourandahalfofthedaywas taken up by Masood and Agha cautiously edging Pakistan’s score towards 250, the floodgates opened when Joseph knocked Agha’s stumps back with a lovely delivery that seamed away Greaves got Masood to chop on in the following over, and under sustained pressure from him, Pakistan’s lower order fell apart.

Tuesday July 28, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Todayisyourdaytobecomea hero,Aries.You don't have to be dressed in fancy tights and a cape to make an important difference in someone's life. Step up to the plate even if it isn'tyourturnatbat.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

There's a great deal of fun to be had today, Taurus. Money isn'talwaysnecessarytomake this happen, however In fact, money isn't a great way to keep score Consider the sacrificesyoumakeeachtime youstrivetoearnmorecash.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Remember that the important thing isn't necessarily what you're doing but the people you'rewith,Gemini.There'sa greatdealofpassionintheair today that you can latch onto andputtogooduse.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Youcouldlearnatoughlesson today, Cancer More than likely, the harder the message hitsyou,themoreimportantit was for you to hear It's important that you accept failuregracefully

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

There's a great deal of fuel to keep your fire raging today, Leo. Powerful situations are apttocomeyourwayinwhich you're asked to take decisive action. Don't shy away from addedresponsibility

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Remember that one wrong movetodaycouldcauseyouto have a headache for a good longwhile.There'sdynamism and confidence in the air, you maybetemptedtostepoffthe ledge,thinktwiceaboutdoing so.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

It's a long road to becoming exactlythepersonyouwantto be. You can't change who you are. Input from every person you know and lessons from every bump in the road contribute to who you are as a person.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

You should always leave a loved one with loving words, Scorpio. Each time you exit a room, consider that you're never going to enter that room again.Perhapsyou'llneversee thosepeopleagain.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Just when you think you have absolutely no energy left, you'reabletokickintoahigher gear Push beyond your limits today, Sagittarius. You'll find that you can achieve a great dealmorethanyouthought.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Regardless of how you feel today, it'simportanttoownup toyourmistakes.Keepinmind thatyou'reresponsibleforyour actions. No matter how much youmightwanttoshrinkaway

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

There's an important lesson to learn today,Aquarius, so don't shy away from the classroom. It's important to control your attitude now or it's likely to control you. It could be that youregoisabittooinflated.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Consider the romantic relationships in your life right now It's important to remember that regardless of how hot and steamy a partnershipisatfirst,it'svitally important that there be something to replace that attraction.

around as he closed the bat face, only to see off stump cartwheeling.

Masood, meanwhile, pushed with hard hands at Greaves in the following over, and this time, the ball wentofftheinsideedgeonto thestumpstoendaninnings thatmighteasilyhaveended two sessions earlier It put

greater scrutiny on

Masood had begun the day with the circumspect approach that marked his innings once post tea on Sunday A little punch through the covers brought uphisseventhTesthundred, andwhileAghaandMasood frustrated West Indies, there was enough encouragement to keep the hosts interested. While the wickets weren’t falling, Pakistan’s position grew only stronger, the odd boundarytakingthemcloser to West Indies’ total. It all changed in the blink of an eye.

Josephhadbeenprobing alongtheoff-stumpline,and produced an unplayable deliverythatstraightenedoff the seam. It turned Agha

Pakistan’sdecisiontolineup a batter short, especially as Jamal played all around a straight ball from Greaves that uprooted his middle stump.

Bynow,Greaveswason a roll, toppling debutant Ali Usman with minimal effort, bringing one back into his pads to trap him in front.

Pakistan’s discipline had evaporated with the heat

Greaves was bringing and Mohammad Rizwan was induced into flapping rashly at Greaves on the cusp of lunch, with the edge swallowed by the keeper. The other side of lunch, he made it five wickets in five maiden overs in a scarcely believable spell that yanked Pakistan right out of the driver’s seat they had begun togetcomfortablein. Abbas,however,ensured West Indies wouldn’t quite be able to settle into it overnight,either Scores: Stumps West I n d i e s 1 2 6 f o r 7 (Chanderpaul 35, Joseph 22*, Abbas 3-14) and 311 (Hope 92, Hodge 84,Abbas 4-50) lead Pakistan 282 (Masood 109, Imam 63, Greaves5-27)by155runs.

Champion Norris hands McLaren first win of 2026, Antonelli third

BUDAPEST, (Reuters)Formula One champion Lando Norris celebrated McLaren’s first victory of the season in Hungary on Sunday while Mercedes’s KimiAntonelli extended his overallleadto50pointsafter adayofdamagelimitation.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was runner-up,

15.080 seconds behind the Briton,withAntonelliaftera likely McLaren one-two evaporated when Oscar Piastri pulled over with a gearboxfailure14lapsfrom theendattheHungaroring.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli’s closest title rival, finished a close fourth on track but

dropped to fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc afterafive-secondpost-race penalty for speeding in the pitlanewhenhemadeathird stop under virtual safety car conditions.

“My pace today was probably some of the best pace I’ve ever had,” said Norris, who goes into the

McLaren’s Lando Norris in action during the race. (REUTERS/Marton Monus)

Augustbreakonahigh.“The carwasbeautifultodriveand I felt very confident, so a greatrace.

“I’m just happy to be backandseethenumberone again.”

RUSSELL SEVENTH AFTER START NIGHTMARE

Isack ‘Hadjar was sixth forRedBull.

Mercedes’s George Russell finished seventh, after a terrible start that dropped him to 19th, and remainedthirdintheoverall standings but 59 points behind his 19-year-old Italianteammate.

“I am past the point of disappointment now If I continue to be disappointed witheverythingthatgoeson, I will just be disappointed every day of the week,” commentedRussell.

Racing Bulls had Liam Lawson andArvid Lindblad eighth and 10th respectively w i t h A u d i ’s N i c o Hulkenbergbetweenthemin ninth. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes’ lead over Ferrari was trimmed to 72pointsfrom73after11of a potential 23 rounds following Malaysia’s addition to the calendar, announcedonSunday

The win from pole position was Norris’s 12th victory, and second in a row inHungary,butitcouldhave been Piastri’s day after the Australian took the lead on the opening lap from third placeonthestartinggrid.

Piastri was ahead throughtheopeningpitstops and made his second stop before Norris as McLaren sought to prevent Hamilton taking the lead with an undercut. His chances then took a literal blow when a collision with back-marker Carlos ‘s Williams while `lapping the Spaniard delayedhimenoughtoallow Norris, who had stayed out severallapslonger,topitand still come out ahead. The championthenpickedupthe paceandspedaway

“Obviouslygettingtaken outbyabackmarkerisnever really one of the things you think can go wrong. But I was proven wrong. Then obviously the gearbox, so nottheeasiestofdays,”said Piastri.

EXPENSIVE PITSTOP FOR HAMILTON

His retirement triggered a virtual safety car, with Norris pitting from the lead and the Ferrari drivers from s e c o n d a n d f i f t h respectively, while Verstappen and Antonelli stayedoutinwhatprovedthe right‘strategy

Thecheappitstopproved very expensive for Hamilton, the seven-time champion triggering the penalty when he went 0.1 kphoverthelimit.Itwashis second of the weekend after a three place grid drop for impeding Piastri in qualifying.

“I didn’t expect to be on the podium today But we worked hard for it,” said Verstappen, who lost out to Hamilton after the first pitstop but took the place backwith`aboldovertakea lap later and finished 3.6 secondsaheadofAntonelli.

“Isawtheopportunity It wasmyonlyone.Ijustwent for it. We’re good on the brakes, so that helped, but it was all under control,” said the four-time world champion.

Antonelli had started seventh after a three-place gridpenaltybutcompleteda day of damage limitation betterthanmight‘havebeen expected.“Itwasreallyhard to overtake so we had to do something with strategy,” saidtheItalian.“Initiallywe tried to go for the one stop butthentheytoldmethetyre wastoomuchonthelimit,so westopped.

“With the Virtual Safety CarthetwoFerrarisboxed.I knew it would be very hard becauseIwasonhards,they wereonsofts,butluckilywe were able to keep them behind.”

LeBron James to wear No. 23 as 76ers officially announce his signing

(Reuters) - LeBron JameswillwearNo.23with the Philadelphia 76ers, the teamsaidonMondayasthey officially announced the signingoftheNBA’sall-time leadingscorer

The Sixers took to their socialmediachannelstopost aphotoofJames’bluejersey hanging in a locker stall along with a crown as a nod

to his “King James” nickname.

“I cannot wait to see `LeBron alongside Jaylen Brown,VJEdgecombe,Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and our talented roster as we work to deliver a championship for Philly,” Sixers Managing Partner Josh Harris said in a press release.

“To LeBron and his family: we are grateful you

chose the 76ers, and look forward to this next chapter of your legendary career Welcometothe76ers!”

James,41,announcedhis decisiontojoinPhiladelphia lastFridayandwillnowlook to become the first player to win NBA championships with four different teams after ‘two titles with the Miami Heat and one each withtheClevelandCavaliers andLosAngelesLakers.

The four-times NBA

Most Valuable Player, who has worn both No. 23 and No.6duringhisprofessional career, spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers, leading them to ‘a title in 2020aftertwoseparatestints with the Cavaliers and four yearswiththeHeat.

In announcing what he called his “last decision”,

Baker’s debut hat-trick earns Indonesia opening win in ASEAN Championship

(Reuters)-Indonesiacruisedtoa5-1winoverCambodia in the country’s opener in GroupAof theASEAN Football Championship in Bogor on Monday with teenage striker MitchBakerscoringatrickonhisinternationaldebut.

The Australia-born forward, who qualifies to play for Indonesia through his mother and gained citizenship just beforethetournament,scoredthreetimesintheopening56 minutes as John Herdman’s side completed a comfortable win.

“I can’t put into words what I’m feeling,” said Baker “I’m`sohappyfortheteam,formyfamilyandforIndonesia. This has been a long time coming. I’m really proud. It’s exceededmyexpectations.”

The 19-year-old put Indonesia in front with a towering headerinthesixthminutewhenhemetThomHaye’scentre from the right before finishing off a flowing move 10 minutes later for his second, side-footing home Eliano Reijnders’lowcross.

Sandy Walsh nodded in Indonesia’s third in the 24th minute and, while goalkeeper Argawinata ‘palmed Chea Sokmeng’s cross over his own line to give Cambodia a lifeline three minutes into the second half, the home side wereuntroubled.

Baker combined with Haye again to complete his hattrickinthe56thminute,scoringwithanotherheaderthathe ‘placedbeyondthereachofgoalkeeperHulKimhuy JensRavenrolledinIndonesia’sfifthwithfourminutes remaining.

The win puts Indonesia level on three points with defendingchampionsVietnamin‘thegroupstandingswith bothnationshavingplayedonce.

The pair trail Singapore by three points after the fourtimes winners notched up a second win with ‘a 2-1 victory overTimor-Leste.

IlhanFandi’sheadergaveGavinLee’ssidea41stminute leadandSongUi-youngdoubledthehometeam’sadvantage 11minutesintothesecondhalf.

James said he opted to sign with Philadelphia because `hefelthecouldmakethema championship team The SixershavenotwonanNBA titlein43years.

“There is no doubt LeBron is one of the `greatestplayerstoeverplay the game of basketball and there are no words to measure the impact he’ll have on this organization,” said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey

Paradise FC complete double as GFF wraps up BFA Youth Ensemble Programme

After nearly three

m o n t h s o f s p i r i t e d grassroots competition, the B e r b i c e F o o t b a l l Association (BFA) on Sunday successfully concluded its leg of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Youth Ensemble Programme, with Paradise Football Club stamping its authority by capturing both the Under-13 and Under-15 titles, and a place in the nationalchampionship.

The dominant display saw Paradise FC emerge as the inaugural champions in both divisions, underlining the club’s growing strength at the youth level and bringingthecurtaindownon anothersuccessfulchapterof t h e n a t i o n w i d e developmentalinitiative.

Conceptualised by the Guyana Football Federation inpartnershipwithFIFA,the YouthEnsembleProgramme was introduced to reshape the structure of youth football across Guyana through a coordinated, yearround competition model that prioritises player

,

identification and the longterm growth of the national game.Theinitiativeprovides structured competition for boys at the Under-13 and Under-15levelsandextends across all nine Regional Associations, creating a consistent pathway for emerging footballers while ensuring they benefit from regular competitive action

and proper technical guidance.

Followingthesuccessful completionoftheEastBank

Football Association (EBFA) and East Demerara F

( E D FA ) U

r- 1 3 competitions, GFF officials journeyed to Berbice to crownthechampionsinboth age groups, where Paradise FCprovedthestandoutoutfit bycompletinganimpressive titlesweep.

W h i l e P a r a d i s e celebrated a memorable double, Cougars FC and Monedderlust FC also earned praise for their commendable campaigns

Both clubs finished as runners-up in the Under-13

and Under-15 divisions respectively, producing spirited performances throughout the competition and contributing to a highly competitivefinale.

Beyond the pursuit of

represents a significant investment in the future of Guyanesefootball.

The competition is designed to establish a sustainable annual calendar of organised youth football w

n environment where young players can continuously develop their technical abilities and competitive experience.

With champions now crowned in three regional Under-13 competitions and with crowning of Berbice’s U15 champions, attention will soon shift to the r

-15 tournaments across the countryastheGFFcontinues rolling out the Youth Ensemble Programme in its mission to strengthen the foundation of football developmentnationwide.

(Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics of theWorld Cup, accusing them of spreading hate and false narratives while defending the tournament as a success celebrated unity, safetyandinclusion.

In an open letter published on Monday, Infantino,56,saiddetractorshadoverlooked the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans around the world who witnessedthetournament,wonbySpainand staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“You were so consumed by hate and criticismthatyoumisseditall,”hesaid.

“To those behind their pens and papers, behindtheirscreensspreadinghateandfalse rumours, I want to say that `while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and deliveringthebestshowintheworld.

“We experienced no violence, no incidents,100%safetyandsecurity,onlyjoy andhappiness!”

FIFA faced criticism over a number of issues during the tournament, including debate over U.S. visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several countriesandconcernsinvolvingteamsfrom conflict-hitregions.

Infantino’sletteralsofollowedscrutinyof FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case, a decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on him after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina following the intervention of U.S.PresidentDonaldTrump.

Officiating decisions in Argentina’s match against Egypt also generated

widespreaddebateamongfansandpundits.

ThoughInfantinodidnotrefertospecific cases,argued‘thatmanyoftherefereeingand disciplinary decisions criticised during the tournament were commonplace in various competitionsworldwide.

“Potentiallymistakenredoryellowcards orsubsequentdecisionsnottobanplayersin certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,”headded.

“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”

VISA CONTROVERSIES

Infantino pointed to the participation of countriesfacingpolitical‘tensions,domestic crisis and domestic health challenges as evidence of football’s ability to transcend divisions. While Iran’s participation came againstthebackdropofconflictwiththeU.S., issuessurroundingHaiti’sdomesticcrisisand the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic RepublicofCongoalsodrewattentiontovisa and‘travelrestrictions.

Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering theU.S.despitehavingavalidvisa.

“Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is aboutpeace.It’snotabout`politics,”hesaid.

“Countriesfacingserioushealthissuesor otherchallengesweregrantedvisas.

“When football brought Haiti to the world,acountrythatmanycannotorchoose nottovisit,itmightbetimetosetasideyour pensandkeyboardsandshowsomerespectto theteamsthatplayed.”

TaroubaTestswingsbigon14-wicketday

Cricinfo - The first ever

Test at Tarouba made giant strides on the third day, claiming 14 wickets and hurtling towards its denouement And yet, it appeared to stand in almost exactlythesameplaceitwas on a humid sunny morning when the umpires called for playtobegin.

Pakistan started, with Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha at the crease, marginally ahead of the hosts, having lost just three wicketsandwithinlittleover

spell pulled them back, ensuring their slender lead didnotturnintoasignificant advantagebytea.

In seven spotless overs, hedidforBrandonKingand Kavem Hodge in trademark Abbas fashion, coaxing a feather after relentless prodding on a fourth-stump line with a seaming ball.

Mohammad Ali helped him out by snaring Amir Jangoo late in the session with a splendid return catch to reduceWest Indies to 30 for 3, going into tea having

Tagenarine Chanderpaul survives a shooter from Mohammad Ali.

(AFP/Getty Images)

100 away from West Indies’ first-innings total. They end marginally ahead still, with M o h a m m a d A b b a s tormenting the hosts, who finishsevendown,theirlead avulnerable155.

West Indies’ batters had been gifted an unlikely bonus when they padded up the second time around with 29 extra runs to play with courtesy of Justin Greaves sensational, and perhaps unlikely, five-wicket haul in the first half of the day But Abbas’ twin strikes with another magical new-ball

undone some of the damage Greaveshadwrought. Therewasnolet-upfrom the bowlers in the final session as West Indies were made to scrap for every run.

Mohammad Ali, perhaps was the slight weak link, particularlywhenhepitched uptoostraighttoTagenarine Chanderpaul, who was clinicalwhenwhippingballs off the pads through midwicket.

Butwithpressureapplied relentlessly from the other end, Shai Hope’s mind was frazzled into some curious

shotmaking. A caress over cover off Khurram Shahzad was sensible enough, but Hope followed it up by premeditating a little amble downthegroundandlooking to smite Shahzad over his head the following delivery He did not take into account that this one was coming back in, and made a mess of his middle stump, having swooshedpasthisattemptat awildslog.

Greavesand Continued on page 21

(AFP/Getty Images)

Mohammad Abbas was pumped after getting Justin Greaves.

(AFP/Getty Images)

Tarouba Test swings big on 14-wicket day

Paradise Football Club completes double at GFF-BFA Youth Ensemble Programmes. Here’s Paradise U15 team receiving the winner’s trophy Sunday last, after sweeping both divisions.