Kaieteur NEws

GuyanawaivedUS$525MintaxesforExxonin2025

In a nation flushed

w i t h n a t u r a l

r e s o u r c e s , particularly billions of barrels of sweet light crude offshore, a deeply worrying explosion in borrowing continues that could have been avoided through the promised “renegotiation/ b e t t e r c o n t r a c t administration.”

Last year alone, Guyana waivedamassiveUS$525M in taxes for the American Stabroek Block operator, ExxonMobil while turning toitshomecountryforaloan t o s u p p o r t a “transformationalproject”at Wales,WestBankDemerara.

It was reported that the Government of Guyana (GoG) signed a US$527 million loan agreement with the United States ExportImport(USEXIM)Bank,for the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project in January 2025, but thatsameyear,Guyanagave theAmericancompanyatax write off that could have fundedthatveryinitiative.

Figures from the 2026 Budget indicate that the Stabroek Block generated some US$18B in 2025more than two times this year’s national budget. But

…but borrowed US$527M from U.S. EXIM Bank

fencing, no local content for these people to spend any moneyhere.”

He continued: “Paying our people GY$72,000 a month when the foreigner is getting US$10,000

Flashback to when Guyana inked the US$527M loan with the U.S. EXIM Bank for the Wales Gas-to-Energy project in 2025.

all of that revenue did not stay in Guyana In accordancewiththetermsof the2016ProductionSharing Agreement (PSA), 75% of thatvalueisrecoveredbythe operator for its investment. Therefore, US$13.5B went towards cost recovery in 2025. The remaining 25%, which was approximately US$4 5B was split with Guyana as profits. To this end,GuyanaandExxoneach

received about US$2 3B sinceprofitsaresplit50/50and the country receives an additional2%forroyalty

Had Exxon paid its fair share of corporate taxes in 2025, which is 25% of its earnings, Guyana would have been US$525M richer and could have financed the Wales project without the need for another loan that willberepaidwithinterest. This is particularly troubling for the developing

nation since Exxon not only boasts about paying taxes to the GoG internationally, but the country has been forced to turn to international lenders to finance its expansionagenda.

Guyanaended2025with awhoppingUS$7.7Bindebt that is expected to reach double digits by the end of thisyeartoaboutUS$10B.

While some term the Exxon deal as a “giveaway” to the contractor by the previous APNU/AFC Coalition government in 2016, the PPP General Secretary and then Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo had strongly criticised the non-payment oftaxes,insistingthataPPPled government would r e n e g o t i a t e t h o s e arrangements This vow even made its way into the party’s 2020 elections

manifestowhereitpromised to “renegotiate/ better contract administration” both of which have been given a failed grade by analystssuchasChristopher Ram.

Ina2019radiointerview on94.1FM,hereiswhatthe Vice President had to say: “They sold us out to the foreigners - the oil companies.Everytimethere is a find there, our people should be sad because nothing comes our way We are going to renegotiate those contracts because that’s not what we had in mind. When we were in the earlydays,wewerecoaxing thepeople(ExxonMobiland partners) to go along. They (APNU+AFC) came into office (and met) 3 billion barrels of proven reserves and then gave up zero royalty, no taxes, no ring-

Bringing water from California to drink here. We are paying for all that Landscaping, they wanna contract it to a company coming from abroad and the Trinidadians and others are just walking in not only in the oil sector but they are getting all the prime lands too… So that is why I got back into politics. I’m not preparedtoseethishappen;I have no desire to be Presidentagain.”

ThePSAandtaxes

The sweetheart deal Exxon signed in 2016 states in Article 15.1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjectedtotax,value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge, or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, propertyheldortransactions exceptasspecifiedunderthe agreement.

Further, Article 15 4 statesthatthesumequivalent to the taxes owed by the companywillbepaidbythe Minister responsible for P e t r o l e u m t o t h e Commissioner General of theGRA.

Itshouldbenotedthatthe contract also allows for the issuing of a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax requirements to avoid the burdenofdoubletaxation.

Ram calls Govt. investment offer illegal

- warns invitation to finance gas bottle, fertiliser plants breach securities

The advertisement issuedbytheGovernmentof Guyana (GoG) through the OfficeofthePrimeMinister (OPM)invitingthepublicto

invest in the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant Inc.(GAUP)andtheGuyana Gas Bottling and Logistics Company Inc. (GGBLC) is

illegal according to Chartered Accountant and Attorney,ChristopherRam.

In his weekly column publishedbythisnewspaper on Sunday, Ram continued part two of his commentary o n t h e “ i l l e g a l ” a d v e r t i s e m e n t b y government.

He said the invitation directsprospectiveinvestors to forward their expressions ofinteresttothechairofthe National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in an apparent expansion of the statutory functions of that body

The Lawyer explained, “It is a public invitation of investment capital dressed up as a procurement notice, inviting members of the

public to commit money on the basis of a government promise on a venture that is likeafinancialplagueonthe country.”

Ram pointed out that the PPP/CenactedtheSecurities Industry Act, (SIA) to protect the public by ensuring that adequate information is provided to allow informed decisionmaking and risk-taking. To thisend,hesaidinfailingto meet those standards, the invitation is “reckless, dangerousandunlawful.”

The attorney suggested that the identity of investors will not be “private” as he highlighted the role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)inadvisingNPTABon identifying the source of funds as part of a test for moneylaundering.

Additionally, he said, “Section2oftheCompanies

Act defines a public company as one whose issued shares or debentures are or were part of a distribution to the public within the meaning of Section 531 or are intended

laws,

exposes investors to risk

forsuchdistribution.Section 3 of the Securities Industry Act adds a second limb: a company is also a public companyifitis“theissuerof asecuritythatisbeneficially owned by more than fifty persons.”

Both statutes treat the public character of a company as a consequence of how its securities are offered and held, not a label the government attaches to it, Ram argued. He pointed out that each investor in the GAUPisrequiredtoprovide at least US$5 million on the US$300M plant, meaning at least60personsarerequired, however each investor can pledge more financing towardstheinitiative.

Assuch,Ramexplained, “The moment beneficial ownership crosses 50, the SIA treats the company as public, with the expansive duties that follow Second, the offer is made publicly and directed to “local and foreign”investors,including the diaspora That falls squarely within the SIA’s definition of “offer to the

Chinese engineer to face court as GPL counts blackout losses

The Government

is preparing to take legal action

against the Chinese engineerresponsibleforlast Sunday’s nationwide blackout, as damage to critical infrastructure at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Garden of Eden powerplantandwidespread losses continue to be assessed,MinisterofPublic Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said on Monday

Speaking with Kaieteur News on the sidelines of a public consultation to

discuss government’s efforts to reduce shipping

costs, Indar said the incident, occurred after equipment operated by the China Railway First Group

struck a 69,000-volt transmission line, left most of the country without power for approximately four and a half hours and

exposed vulnerabilities in the national grid during restorationefforts.

According to the minister,attemptstorestore electricity around 11:30 hours were unsuccessful due to instability in the system. “The frequency of the grid was fluctuating… that is why when they started around 11:30 to restore, they had another shutdown because the frequency was not balanced,”heexplained.He added that the incident damaged a key switchgear attheGardenofEdenplant, which prevented power frombeingfedbackintothe gridandprolongedoutages, particularly along the East Bank corridor, where some customersremainedwithout electricity until about 16:15 hrs.

“Damages occurred to the Garden of Eden plant, loss of time they are

public”. The advertisement seeks shelter behind the statements that “all informationprovidedisonly indicative” and that the document is “only a preliminary Expression of Interest.” The Act offers no suchescapehatch.”

According to him, a “private company” in which the government exercises control is still a government company Likewise, a private company whose securities are offered to the publicisbystatutoryeffecta publiccompany

Theattorneyhasnotonly advised the OPM to seek legal advice on the issue but cautioned investors to be careful about pursuing this o p t i o n o ff e r e d b y government “Such an investmentisdangerousand frankly, insane. No serious investor should ignore that asymmetry,” Ram cautioned as he pointed to the bypassing of NICIL in this arrangement with Cabinet

takingdirectcontrol.

“That decision must arouse suspicion and concern NICIL exists to hold and manage State investments within a recognised framework of g o v e r n a n c e a n d accountability To bypass it and create a company by Cabinetintroducesaparallel structure with no track record, no clear oversight, and no obvious rationale,” theLawyersaid.

He pointed out that the arrangement outs the financial burden on the publ

protections that ordinarily accompany such investment

independent oversight, clear governance,andenforceable rights.

Instead,whatisofferedis a “guarantee” of return unsupport

d by the disclosures and safeguards required under the law, accordingtothelawyer

and Attorney, Christopher Ram

Just over a week ago, Kaieteur News reported that the OPM invited investors, both local and foreign, to submit Expressions of Interest for financing the GuyanaAmmonia and Urea Plant Inc (GAUP) is estimated to cost US$300M and the Gas Bottling project which is expected to cost anotherUS$40M. It said investors can provide up to US$5M and US$1M respectively with a government backed guaranteed 10% annual returnontheinvestment.

doing the calculations now for the losses and they will take that to court,” Indar said, noting that the contractor did not have permission from GPL to operate in the area near the transmissionline.

An engineer attached to the China Railway First Group was arrested following the incident, which occurred during road expansion works at Dennis Street, Sophia GPL had earlier warned that contact withelectricalinfrastructure posesseriousrisks,notonly disrupting service but also endangeringlives.

The utility said the transmission line links its New Georgetown and Sophia substations and trippedafterbeingstruckby heavy equipment The Guyana Police Force has since launched an investigation and the engineerhasbeenarrested.

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

DEAREDITOR

“I am interested in seeing a People’s Progressive Party/Civic-led city council…I am interested in seeing strong government, strong leadership at the City Hall. So don’t guess what I’m saying… We want the chance to run this city because this city deserves better than what it has today.” Straightfromthehorse’smouth,PresidentIrfaanAli himself Nofuss,noneoftheusualverbalgimmicks,andnone of the usual efforts to camouflage the PPPC Government’s ultimateobjective Thepresidentsaidsohimself,andhemade no bones about it PPPC Governments have long been about controlandthemostcontrolthatcanbehad,gathered Butsome lengthsweretraveledtoavoidbeingsoblatantaboutwhatisinmind: totalcontrol,stiflingandsuffocatingcontrolofGeorgetownCity Council,thegeminthecrown Whensuchavictoryisinhand, thenitissimplythepassageoftimethatholdsupthesmaller municipalities from suffering the same fate The Ali-led administration enjoys a comfortable seven-seat parliamentary majority Itmeansthatwhateverbillsitwishestopass,those becomethelawoftheland,regardlessofhowthoselawmaybe loadedwithwhatisdetrimentaltothenationanditspeople Itis acontrollinghand,acommandingperch,butpartyleadersarenot satisfied with having the powers of central government firmly cementedintheirgrasp Theywanttobethedictatingvoiceand untouchable presence in Local Government business, with all municipalitiesopenforintrusionandcontrol PresidentAli,Prime Minister Phillips, and different government ministers struggle to representtheirportfolios,offerstraightanswers,onmattersintheir control

But there is this creep, now openly articulated by the president, to be in command of Georgetown City Council. The Wales Gas-to-Energy project, Silica City, information transparency,oilandgastransparency,arejustafewofthe examples that demand answers, and what is shared is so little, as to be useless. Moreover, what is shared raises questions about credibility, and why there is a need for so much secrecy.ThePPPCGovernmenthasitshandsfullatthe CentralGovernmentlevel,yetitisaddictivelytrappedinitsvision of controlling Guyana’s largest municipal council, and doing whatever it takes to gain the upper hand Officials at the GeorgetownCityCouncilhavefoundthemselveslockedinanowinsituation,severalofthem,infact Thelastpropertyvaluation numbersarefromalmost30yearsago(1997),butoneofthemain contributors to Local Government operations, rates and taxes, cannotbetouched,isfrozensolid Seniorpoliticalleaderswithin theGeorgetownCityCouncilfindthemselvesatloggerheadswith departmentalheads,duetoclashingloyalties.

Fromthepublicrecord,itcouldbeseenthattherearedifferent masters, clashing motives, separate objectives, and competing prioritieswithinCityCouncil,Georgetown Wedonotbelievethat itisaccidental,oramatterofdifferencesinoperationalstylesor personalities Itisapparentthatthereisacomprehensiveagendain place to undermine City Council leadership, and keep the city stuck between disarray and decay With Central Government objectivesnowcrystalclear,thetroublesatCityHall,rangingfrom huge budget shortfalls to administrative malaise to limited maintenanceworks,combinetoreinforcetheobvious Inbrief,it isthePPPCGovernment’sdrivetocrippleLocalGovernmentby starving it of urgently needed funds, leading the way through parallel infrastructure works, and taking control of dozens of roadsandstreetsthatarewithinthepurviewoftheGeorgetown City Hall PPPC Government spokespeople point to GeorgetownLocalGovernmentincompetence,corruption,and wastageasevidenceoffailingresidentsandbusinesses,andfor thedisgracefulstateofthenation’scapital Thoseclaimshave beenconstantrefrains,butthereshouldbenoexcludingofother reality, in how City Hall oversight has been sabotaged and whittleddown,onepieceatatime

It does not surprise that, with Local Government Elections looming, PresidentAli threw down the gauntlet. It’s to have a PPPC-led Georgetown City Council running everything. Thosewithheavyarrearsinratesandtaxesdue to the City must be celebrating. Those who long for a cleaner,healthier,prettierCityhope.

While the expansion of road infrastructure in Guyanaisapositivestepfor progress, the quality of constructiononmanynewly built roads is alarming. Motorists frequently experience a jarring, uncomfortable, and unsafe ride due to poor, uneven

connectionsbetweenbridges and the main road surfaces, often forcing emergency braking.

Furthermore, these uneven surfaces and bumps f

y,

speeds. Why are contractors allowed to deliver such subpar, “sloppy” work withoutrepercussions?

d warning signs, creating hazardous conditions for drivers traveling at highway

Why is the Ministry of Public Works not enforcing stricter accountability and quality control standards uponthesecontractors?

It appears the rush to

complete projects is leading

driver safety and ride

e investigation into the contractors’ adherence to international road construction standards

Localgovernmentcontrol Poor quality roads and highways

Regards Vidya Persaud

GPLcontinues to fall short of public expectations

DEAREDITOR

As Guyana approaches its 60th Anniversary of Independence, it is both appropriateandnecessaryto reflectontheperformanceof keynationalinstitutionsthat underpin development, productivity, and quality of life.Chiefamongtheseisthe Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), an entity that, despite decades of reform, r

structuring, and substantial fiscal support, continues to fall short of public expectations. GPL, under its various historical configurations from the Guyana Elec

y Corporation (GEC) to its current form has struggled todeliverastableandreliable electricity supply. This enduring challenge raises fundamental questions about governance, leadership, and the effective utilization of publicresources

Since 2020, it is evident that the public investment and fiscal burden have been growing. The Government of Guyana has allocated billions of Guyana dollars annually to support GPL through subventions, capital injections, and operational subsidies. Budget estimates and public financial records indicatethattransferstoGPL have consistently exceeded tens of billions of dollars over this period These allocations were intended to stabilise the company, improve infrastructure, and reduce system losses. Yet, the persistence of blackouts and service disruptions

suggests a troubling disconnect between investmentandoutcomes. Thisissuebecomeseven more pronounced when placed in the context of Guyana’s emerging oil economy With significantly enhanced fiscal capacity, citizens reasonably expect c o m m e n s u r a t e improvements in essential services such as electricity

Unfortunately, this expectation remains largely unmet.

Prior to May 2015, Guyanese were presented with ambitious visions of transformational energy

projects, including hydroelectric and solar initiatives. These proposals generatedwidespreadpublic optimism. However, many oftheseprojectseitherfailed to materialise or resulted in questionable expenditures with limited tangible benefits.

Conversely, during the Coalition Government’s tenure(2015–2020),notable progress was made in s t a b i l i s i n g G P L Importantly, this was achievedwithoutthebenefit ofoilrevenues.Akeyfactor in this progress was the a p p o i n t m e n t o f a professional,competent,and politically independent Chief Executive Officer Underthatleadershipmodel, there was measurable improvement in electricity reliability and operational efficiency

Since 2020, there has been renewed emphasis on large-scale energy initiatives, including the highly publicised Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project While such projects hold potential, concerns have been raised regarding transparency, cost escalation, and governance. Moreover, the anticipated improvements in electricity supply have not yet been realised, as evidenced by frequent outages affecting households, businesses, and publicinstitutions.

Of particular concern is the nationwide blackout experienced on Sunday, April 26, 2026, which resulted in a total shutdown of electricity supply Initial explanationsprovidedtothe public suggested that the outage was caused by a technical fault within the

However, the lack of detailed, timely, and transparent communication from GPL raises further questions about system resilience, contingency planning, and crisis management. Compounding these concerns are troubling reports of poor coordination among State agencies and contractors.Therecentarrest of a Chinese engineer attached to the China Railway First Group (CRFG), reportedly for damaging property while conducting works along DennisStreet,Sophia,raises serious questions about oversight and inter-agency collaboration If such incidentsareoccurring,they suggest a lack of synchronisationbetweenthe Ministry of Public Works and GPLin the execution of infrastructureprojects.

This development

d e m a n d s u r g e n t clarification Are there coordinated work schedules between the Ministry and GPL? Are utility networks being properly mapped and protected before excavation and construction works c o m m e n c e ? W h a t mechanisms are in place to prevent damage to critical infrastructureanddisruption to communities? These are not trivial matters; they s p e a k d i r e c t l y t o governance, planning, and accountability within the publicsector.

Acentralissueappearsto be the governance structure of GPL. There is a growing perception that the organisationhasregressedto a p r e - 2 0 1 5 s t a t e , characterised by political influence in executive appointments and a lack of technical expertise at the highest levels The credibility and effectiveness of any utility company depend heavily on the competence, experience,

and independence of its leadership.

If GPL is to fulfill its mandate and support Guyana’s development trajectory, a fundamental shift in governance is required.Thisincludes:

1 M e r i t - b a s e d leadership appointments: The selection of executives must prioritise technical competence, professional e x p e r i e n c e , a n d independence from political affiliations 2 Enhanced accountability mechanisms: Clear performance targets, regularpublicreporting,and independentauditsshouldbe institutionalised.

3.Strategicuseofpublic funds: Investments must be guidedbyrigorousplanning, cost-benefit analysis, and transparent procurement processes 4 Integrated infrastructure planning: Stronger coordination betweenagenciessuchasthe Ministry of Public Works and GPL must be enforced, with shared schedules and clear lines of responsibility forallinfrastructureworks.

5 Long-term energy planning: A coherent and realistic energy policy, integrating renewable and conventional sources, must be pursued with consistency anddiscipline.At60yearsof Independence, Guyana standsatapivotalmomentin its history The country’s economic transformation, drivenbyoilrevenues,must be matched by institutional competence and effective service delivery. GPL, as a cornerstone of national infrastructure, cannot continue to underperform despite substantial public investment.

The time has come for decisive action, rooted in g o o d g o v e r n a n c e , professionalism, and accountability,toensurethat GPLfinallygetsitright.

Yoursfaithfully

AnnetteFerguson

Do negative narratives and allegations of oppression impact governmental accountability?

DEAREDITOR

Recently, I posed a questiontoacolleaguefrom Guyana: “Why do opposition parties refrain from recognising even a single achievement among t h e n u m e r o u s transformational projects implemented by the PPPC government?”Hisreplywas direct: “The opposition maintains that its role is to oppose, not to offer any comforttothegovernment.”

Thisperspectiverecallsa statement by the late Mr PeterD’Aguiar,aprominent Guyanese business leader and founder of the United Forcepartyin1960.Hewas invited by the Leader of the PNC party, Mr Forbes Burnhamtoformacoalition government in 1964. While Mr D’Aguiar served as Minister of Finance within that coalition until 1967, he left little enduring influence on Guyana’s political landscape He asserted unequivocally, however, in the early 1960s that the purposeoftheopposition“is to oppose, expose, and deposethegovernment.”

Mr D’Aguiar’s slogan exceeded the broad traditional role of the opposition, which is primarily to hold the governmentaccountableand offer alternative policies

ThishostileapproachbyMr D’Aguiar and others has presented significant challenges to democratic governance and stability in Guyana Mr D’Aguiar’s role in the 1962-1964 mayhem is well known Thousands of Guyanese (mostly Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese) were uprootedfromthesafetyand comfort of their homes and fledforsafetytofindrefuge in the squatter communities that they were forced to create. It is still not clear what role the UF or its supporters played in the 1969Rupununiuprising?

However, during the period from 1968 to 1992, whenthePNCexercisedfull control over the State, the PPP, in opposition, focused o n m a i n t a i n i n g g o v e r n m e n t a l accountability and offering alternative policies rather than destabilising the PNC administration. The major

challenge to PNC governance was selfinflicted in 1978 when the Jonestown commune blew up in their faces with the

murder-suicide of over 900 Americans.

Although the PPP faced fierce opposition, including racial convulsions, from the PNC, UF, and other groups intheearly1960s,itdidnot seek retaliation but always sought to hold the PNC government accountable When the PNC proposed nationalisingsugarandother industries, the PPP shifted from resistance to critical support: “In August 1975, wechangedourpoliticalline from non-cooperation and civil resistance to critical support, with the possibility of a political solution.” (NK Gopaul:1977).

The sugar industry was nationalised on May 21, 1976.ThePPPwasalwaysin search of conciliation under Dr.Jagan’sleadership.Prior to 1976, the PPP and PNC were engaged in ‘unity talks,’ which eventually collapsed in December 1976. Having national over sectional interests, the PPP pursued the idea of a National Patriotic Front government in 1977 and beyond (inclusive of the majorparties),butthateffort alsofailed.

GAWU was unable to resolve its profit-sharing dispute with GuySuCo and the PNC government, promptingPPPintervention. They argued sugar workers deserved their fair share of increased profits due to the sugartaxlevy,andwerealso owed their profit sharing from previous owners (Bookers and Jessels) for 1974 Dr Jagan’s engagement on this matter with Prime Minister B u r n h a m p r o v e d unproduct

The government’s intransigence led to a 135-day strike (8/23/1977-1/5/1978), which GAWU deemed necessary, though the PNC government claimed it was politically motivated a claim GAWU rejected. The strike brought no positive resultsfortheworkers. Despite that terrible

setback, the PPP continued to prioritise national interests, offering critical support, even though some ofitssupporterswereuneasy about their party’s position. While the WPA was not a Parliamentary party then, the PNC viewed its leader Dr WalterRodney’spolitics as confrontational, though Dr Jagan held a different view A forceful opposition actionthatMr D’Aguiarhad contemplated did not end well for Dr Rodney as he was allegedly assassinated bythePNCregime.

After 1992, the PNCR ledbyDesmondHoyteused confrontational tactics

a g a i n s t t h e P P P C government, including provocative rhetoric (“slow fyah, mo fiah”) reminiscent ofearlierpoliticalstrategies. There was the post-1992 election mayhem, and the post-1997 election mayhem and the shortening of the PPPC’s term in office. In 2002, opposition elements stormed the President’s office, and chaos ensued, followed by a Georgetown prison break. The slogan, “slow fiah, mo fiah” survived Mr. Hoyte’s death in December 2002 as unrest persisted with incidents like the Ocean Eleven uprising (2002-2008), the Mazaruni prison breakout (2007), the Lindo Creek (2008), the Bartica (2008), and the Lusignan(2008)massacres.

Negative narratives and assertions of oppression directed towards the government are unlikely to have a lasting impact. An informedelectorate

(Continuedonpage06)

Response to Lincoln

Lewis,

“Who is Building and for Whom?”

DEAREDITOR

Lincoln Lewis asks a serious question — who is building, and for whom? — but answers it from a premise that is itself historically incomplete, and inplaces,dangerouslyso.

Mr Lewis opens by identifying himself and his constituency as “the rightful heirs of this soil.” One must pause here. Before any PPP government, before any PNC administration, before the1966flagwasraised,this soil had heirs. The Lokono, the Wapichan, the Macushi, the Pemon, the Wai Wai — they held this land across centuries that predate Lincoln Lewis, Bharrat Jagdeo, Forbes Burnham, andCheddiJagancombined. Ifwearegoingtoinvokethe language of sovereign ownership and rightful inheritance,theconversation cannot begin in 1966, or 1992,or2020.Itmustbegin before 1763. Mr Lewis’s letter, to its discredit, c o n t a i n s n o s u c h acknowledgment.

This matters not merely as a point of historical courtesy It matters because it exposes the internal contradiction at the heart of his argument. Mr Lewis is concerned—legitimately— about unplanned migration altering the demographic character of Guyana and about land being allocated without transparency These are valid governance concerns.Butthepopulation that has faced precisely this fate—dispossessionofland, erasure of demographic presence, governance withoutconsent—hasbeen Indigenous Guyanese, for over three centuries. If Mr

Lewisisnowdiscoveringthe languageoflandsovereignty anddemographicprotection, one hopes he will apply it consistently,notselectively Nowletusturntohistory nearerintime.

Mr Lewis is a veteran activist associated with the labour movement and the broader political tradition that includes the People’s National Congress. He is therefore the inheritor of a period that must be named plainly: the Burnham years, 1964 to 1985, and their aftermath under Desmond Hoyte. This was not merely an era of “governance challenges.” It was twentyeight years of economic destruction so thorough that Guyanabecame,bythemid1980s, one of the poorest countries in the Western H e m i s p h e r e T h e cooperativesocialismofthat era nationalised industries and then ran them into the ground.Thebauxiteindustry waswrecked.Riceandsugar were mismanaged into decline. Capital fled. The professionalclassemigrated in waves that permanently reshaped the Guyanese diaspora in North America andtheCaribbean.Thevery depopulation that constrains Guyana’slabourforcetoday — the structural factor that makes large-scale migration both tempting policy and genuine risk — was seeded inthosedecades.

If Lincoln Lewis is asking where the coastal land went, and why population projections appear strained against known demographic trends, part of that answer lives in the structural wreckage of the economy he never fully

reckoningswithinpublic. This is not a defence of thePPPorofPresidentAli’s governance record The questions Mr Lewis raises aboutcensusreliability,land allocation transparency, and the pace and composition of inward migration deserve rigorous parliamentary scrutiny and independent verification. He is right to demand accountability An audit of land distribution reviewedatthehighestlevel isnotonlyreasonable—itis necessary A national population and migration policy with clear criteria, timelines, and legislative grounding is overdue. On thesespecifics,Mr.Lewisis askingtherightquestions.

But he is asking them in the wrong register — one that traffics in demographic anxiety without naming it precisely, invokes sovereignty without acknowledging its full history, and positions itself as the voice of a victimised nation without accounting for the decades in which his own political tradition held power and, by many measures, victimised that same nation economically andinstitutionally Guyana in 2026 is at an extraordinary inflection point. The oil revenues are real. The governance gaps are real. The risks of elite capture, unplanned demographic change, and i n s t i t u t i o n a l underdevelopment are real. There is serious analytical worktobedone—workthat requires historical honesty, institutional rigor, and a willingnesstoholdallactors, acrossallpoliticaltraditions, (Continuedonpage06)

ThreatsagainstCANUheadwillbemet

withfullforceofthelaw-Govt.warns

Days after a video went viral with a man issuing threats to head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics

Unit (CANU), James Singh, theMinistryofHomeAffairs has warned that any threat against the life of a public

official is a serious criminal matter “Law enforcement agencies have launched an

active investigation to determine the origin, authenticity,andintentofthe video and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and securityofthosetargeted.”

According to the ministry this development comesatatimeofintensified anti-narcotics enforcement. During the first quarter of 2026,CANUremovedmore than 371 kilograms of narcotics from circulation and disrupted multiple traffickingnetworksthrough sustained, intelligence-led operations “While this context is noted, it does not prejudge the outcome of the ongoinginvestigation.

The Government of Guyana makes it clear: intimidation will not succeed.Threatsagainstlaw enforcementofficialswillbe metwiththefullforceofthe

law Our national effort to dismantle organized criminal networks, both domestic and transnational, will continue with resolve, coordination, and unwaveringfocus.

No individual or group willbeallowedtoundermine the rule of law or threaten those tasked with upholding it,”thestatementconcluded.

Journalist, Travis Chase had reported on Sunday on thevideoinwhichamasked, armed man issued death

threatstoSingh.Dressedina hood the individual in the videowasseenbrandishinga firearm while displaying a photographofSingh. Chase reported that a translation of the audio reveals a series of explicit threats, including repeated warningsthat“thesyndicate is coming for you” and “we are going to kill you.” The individualalsodeclares“I’m going to kill you,” while claiming that the syndicate willtrackdownitstarget.

Forbes Burnham had the ability to identify individuals of competence and loyalty to serve the people of the State of Guyana

DearEditor

So,inanotherfewweeks the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin severaldaysoforalhearings on the merits of Guyana’s case against Venezuela on the validity of the 1899 ArbitralTribunalAward.

Over the past few years particularly since we have this abundance of money, Government has been spending its resources, time and money, that the appropriate research in government files would have provided most, if not all, of the data required, in defence of this spurious claimbyVenezuela.

Before I make my main submission, let me make clear that I am in no way questioning the legal

competence of those being utilised in this very important exercise H o w e v e r , a

independence approaches, sixty years ago Venezuela renewed this ridiculous claim to two-thirds of Guyana.

Say what you like about Forbes Burnham, one of his strengths was his ability to identify individuals of competence and loyalty to servethepeopleoftheState ofGuyana.

As a result, there was established the VenezuelaGuyana mixed boundary commission headed by Sir Donald Jackson, and included legal luminaries, such as Mohamed Shahabuddeem and Shirley Field-Ridley

I am aware of the extensive research and documentation done by that commission. Thosereportsoughttobe in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Legal Affairs, unless, of course after 1992 some culturalbarbarianswantonly burnt priceless documents and records I witnessed some of this at the back of NCNonHomestretchwhere Ave Brewster was able to salvage some from the inferno. I write this letter with a prayer that those documents and others have beenpreservedandtherefore avoidusthetediumofdoing work that was already done bycompetentsuperpatriots.

Sincerely ElderHamiltonGreen

ResponsetoLincolnLewis,“WhoisBuilding...

Frompage05 to the same standard of scrutiny

LincolnLewisisasenior voice in Guyanese civil society.

He has decades of experience and genuine standing The question is

whether he will bring that standing to bear as a genuinely independent analytical force — one that scrutinises all power, includingthepowerhisown traditionhasexercised—or whether he will remain a relic of a Cold War-era

Donegativenarrativesand

Frompage05

prioritises reliable i n f o r m a t i o n o v e r sensationalised accounts Opposition parties may enhance their credibility by emphasising clear policy proposals, presenting

constructive alternatives, recognising successful initiatives, and supporting programmes that benefit all Guyanese, as demonstrated byDr Jagan.

Political achievement is reliant upon robust ideas,

political alignment that Guyanacannolongerafford.

intellectuals are?

Respectfully

Dr WalterH.Persaud

allegations...

strategic vision, integrity, unity, charisma, and effective leadership. Today, Guyana requires more pragmatic problem solvers andfewercynics.

Regards

Dr TaraSingh

‘You’vegotthis’

— CXC CEO rallies students ahead of 2026 exams

T h e C a r i b b e a n Examinations Council (CXC®) is urging students acrosstheregiontoapproach the upcoming May–June 2026 examinations with confidence,discipline,anda focusontheirwell-being.

In a video message released to candidates, parents, teachers, and education stakeholders acrosstheCaribbean,CXC® Registrar and CEO Dr Wayne Wesley delivered what he described as a personal message from the heart of a Caribbean educator to every student preparing for their examinations in the weeks ahead.Dr Wesley’smessage to the candidates and their supportnetworkscomesata time of historic significance for the 54-year-old institution.

CXC® was established in 1972 to design and administer an indigenous assessment system that reflects the realities, aspirations, and sovereign identity of the Caribbean people. Forty-seven years since the first examinations were administered in 1979, Dr Wesley affirmed that the i n s t i t u t i o n ’s c o r e commitments remain as steadfastasever

“While much has changedovertime,thereare some things which have stood the test of time — the cultural relevance of our syllabuses, the global recognition of our qualifications, the diligence ofourstaff,andourabsolute commitment to the success of every single candidate w h o s i t s a C X Cadministered examination,” hesaid.

The May-June 2026

examination session encompassesthefullsuiteof qualifications offered by CXC®, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination® (CAPE®), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate® (CSEC®), the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence®

(CCSLC®) and the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment™(CPEA™).

Akeydevelopmentofthe 2026 examination cycle is the launch of the Caribbean Ta

(CTEC) MathematicsModule1pilot, a milestone that Dr Wesley highlighted as evidence of CXC’s activist commitment to expand access to the region’slearners.Over2,400 candidates from 13 Member States are registered to participate in the C-TEC pilot this cycle These candidates will earn their CTEC micro-credential, as they progress toward their CSEC® certification — a new direction for Caribbean assessment.

TheCTECinitiativewas among the key flexible

R

CXC’s

gional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum coconvened with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in Kingston last March.

Described by observers as a watershed moment for Caribbean education, the landmarkfour-daygathering of over 400 education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from 27 countries, confronted the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age. Dr Wesley was explicit in telling the conference that the region’s examination system must be congruent with how its digital-native learners process knowledge, and that equity is not a concession to excellence but its truest expression.

“This is the future of Caribbean education, taking shaperightnow,”Dr Wesley declared.“Asyoumakeyour final preparations — use yourstudytimewisely Look after yourself and your mental wellbeing. Eat well. And rest when you need to. Beconfident.Showupforall of your examinations. You’ve got this!”, said the CXCRegistrar.

Glenn Lall has opened the eyes of the nation to an injustice

Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA)

w i t h E x x o n M o b i l effectively allows the company to de-risk its investment after discovery while shifting the financial b u r d e n o n t o t h e country deserves serious and sober scrutiny This is why poorly structured contracts can transform resource wealth into a mechanism for external extraction rather than domesticdevelopment.

Inthiscase,thetroubling implication is that ExxonMobil and its partners,despitespectacular oil output – production has risen to more than 1 million barrels per day – may be functioning less as a coinvestor and more as a financierofitsownresource exploitation.

Attheheartoftheissueis the structure of cost recovery Under the PSA governing the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil and its partners are entitled to recover up to 75% of production as “cost oil.” Only the remaining 25% is treated as profit oil, to be split evenly This yields an effective share of 12.5% of total production for Guyana during the cost-recovery phase.

W h i l e s u c h arrangements are not unusual in frontier oil provinces, the scale and duration of cost recovery in Guyana’s case raise legitimate concerns. Once commerciallyviableoilwas discovered,thefundamental risk profile changed dramatically Yet the

c o n t r a c t d i d n o t correspondingly rebalance returns.Instead,itpreserved a structure whereby

ExxonMobil could fully recoup its sunk exploration costs from production revenues—revenuesderived fromGuyana’sownresource base.

Thisistheessenceofthe de-risking argument. In a typical joint venture, investors bear the downside risk of exploration in exchange for upside profits if discovery occurs However, when exploration costs can be recoveredpostdiscovery through generous cost-oil provisions, the investor’s exposure is substantiallyreduced.

In effect, ExxonMobil’s capital outlays are not truly “at risk” over the long term; they are advanced and later reimbursed.Thisiscloserto a reimbursable contractor model. The result, as a recent commentary by Glenn Lall, the publisher of thisnewspaper,hasnoted,is that ExxonMobil is producingoilwhilecharging Guyana for the privilege. This is a paradox that undermines the very notion of sovereign resource ownership.

It is here that the intervention of Glenn Lall hasbeenespeciallyvaluable. Lall’s persistent and often impassioned critique has pierced the veil of technical complexity that typically shields such agreements from public understanding. His framing of the “50% illusion” that Guyana receiveshalfofprofitoil,but only after a large majority

has been allocated to cost recovery is analytically precise.InsodoingLallhas exposed the asymmetry embeddedintheagreement.

The absence of ringfencing provisions further compounds the imbalance. Without ring-fencing, ExxonMobil can charge the c o s t s o f n e w developments such as successive phases of Liza and projects like Payara and Yellowtail against the revenues of producing fields. This creates a rolling cycle of cost recovery that delays the transition to a higher profit share for Guyana.Ineconomicterms, it elongates the payback

p

y, effectively locking the country into a low-revenue equilibrium despite rising production volumes. Lall’s assertion that “this is our oil paying for their expansion” is a succinct description of how inter-project cost allocation can distort nationalreturns.

Equally troubling is the issue of cost verification. If, as has been suggested, costs areinflated—orevensimply weakly audited the consequences are severe Every dollar added to the cost ledger translates into moreoildivertedawayfrom profitsharing.Thiscreatesa struc

problem: the operator ben

reportedcosts,whilethehost country bears the burden. In such circumstances, robust auditing capacity is not a luxury but a necessity Yet Guyana, as a new entrant to the oil economy, faces

DEM BOYS SEH

No problem!

Deh gat some people like to pamp a scene, especially when dem gat US visa in dem passport. Dis fellow went in de odder daytotheembassyandhegetthroughwith avisitor’svisa.Immediatelydemanaccent change. Yuh would believe he born in de deepsouthofAmerica.Issuhwhenpeople liketoshowoff.

So dem boys ask he when he going up. He seh soon. Dem boys ask he where he staying and he claim he staying by family Demboystellhedemthoughthewouldbe stayingatdeWaldorfAstoria.

Anddemboyshadtoremindheabouthe familyoverseas.Defirstweek,yuhdoesbe the guest. The second week, yuh does becomeapest.Andbythethirdweek,dem does ask yuh fuh find a new address. It remindsdemboysofdetimedemboyswent

predictable constraints in technical expertise and regulatoryenforcement.

But to be fair to ExxonMobil, it has acted in accordance with a contract that was freely signed. The deeper responsibility lies with the government who negotiated and continue to uphold its terms. Natural resource contracts must evolve as circumstances change, particularly when initialuncertaintygivesway to proven abundance Mechanisms such as ring-

fencing, cost ceilings, and progressive profit-sharing are not radical innovations; they are standard tools of p r u d e n t r e s o u r c e governance.

Guyana oil wealth has the potential to finance transformative investments in infrastructure, education, and public health. But this willnotoccurautomatically It requires a contractual framework that aligns investor incentives with national interests. In this regard,thecritiqueadvanced

by Glenn Lall is justified. What is needed now is a recalibration of the PSA to ensure that Guyana is not merelyrichinresources,but genuinely prosperous in practice.

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

to a pub Down Under Dem boys order a pint. As de bartender put de drink on de counter, dem boys asked him for the WIFI code.“Ohno,”hesaid,“there’snoWIFIin here.Inthepast,peopleusedtosittalkingin pubs about their day, their families, work, politics, music, the lot – now people just stare at their phones. It breaks my heart to see;therefore,noWIFIinthispub.”

“You know what?” dem boys seh, “You’re right!” and dem boys put dem phoneaway

“Thankyou,”thebartendersaid,“Inthis pubIwantyoutoactasyouwouldthirtyor fortyyearsago.”

Sodemboyslitupacigarette,gavehim $1 for the pint and said, “No problem mate!”

TalkHalf!LeffHalf!

H@RD TRUTHS

PPP’sfetidbreath:democracy’sdeath

It has been a war The PPP’s relentless efforts at dismantling and destroying democracy in Guyana. Institutions and organs, architecture and machinery, weakenedbrickbybrick,untiltheyareeither shadowsofthemselves,orcollapseunderthe weight of accumulated rot. Pontius Pilate famously asked what is truth? Ali, Jagdeo, Phillips, Nandlall say there’s only one… (THEIRS!). There can be no different positions. No trusted avenues of resolution. Nocrediblechecksandbalances;nonetrying too strenuously, none for personal honour No safe harbour for upstarts, undesirables, parasites. Theundefeatedcarveouttheirown ground, constantly reaching higher. A deceived,mislednationsways,thencrumbles undercyberbarrages. Fortotalcontrol,State power is weaponised to bludgeon Guyanese whorefusetobow. InGuyana,democracyis dead.

Fact One: be a contrarian and become a markedman. Statemediaisn’tanasset,it’sa backstabbing assassin. Have a concern, a situation, a problem - try reporting to a commander.The Guyana Police Force serve asthePPPGovt’scrematorium. Fromdustto dust; anxieties burned and scattered to the winds. This is what happened to democracy inGuyanaunderthePPP AnilNandlallcan celebratetheruleoflaw,andnooneisabove the law, and there is the law writ raw: wounded,unprotectedcitizens. Oneneednot be PNC or WIN. One unacceptable word, one honest posture, and the PPP institutionalised army declares war Public moneyweaponisedagainstthepublic. Social media marshalled, inflamed Denials Deceptions Deflections Distancing Diminishing Damaging Destroying Whenthefirstfourofthosesevendeadlysins fail to do the required PPP job, supposedly unsponsoredandunownedsnipers’takeover. Lawsdon’tapply. Thepolicedon’tinterfere. The judiciary licks its chops, impatient to deliveritsownkicks.

purpose response: no laws broken. Even when laws exist, are broken, do the police interveneandenforce? AskNandlall. Share details of those the PPP victimised and criminalised,andheisneitherseennorheard afterwards.

Fact Three: in Guyana’s democracy, citizenscanprotest,butmustdosofromafar Hundreds of yards from parliament, and distant from the Office of the President. Placards displayed. Voices raised. Who hears? Who cares? Stabroek News and KaieteurNewsgetStateads. There’snobasis to complain, no trickery or calumny to expose. Try collecting ad revenue. I label thatconstructivecessationofads,sabotaging of independent thinking by not-so-nuanced means(notoneadwithheld).

F a c t Five: more a b o u t

G u y a n a ’s

wealth may be heard in the House of Commons than in Guyana’s National Assembly TheSpeaker’smindfreezes;ears clog; his decisions pared down to one word: NO! Two: Not here! Three: No such business. Four: Not from that side. An alreadydeaddemocracyincineratedagain. If not in parliament, not on the parapet, not through political channels, then where, pubs andpenitentiaries?

Fact Two: there’s access to information, pursuant to law Try accessing. There’s a constitutionally mandated Audit Office Matters got murky, tangled, between Freedom House, State House, and Audit House. Whatisn’tlostinmixing,iswatered down, develops arthritis. Guyana’s genius scientist, Bharrat Jagdeo perfected his all-

Fact Four: ministers and leaders are so visibleinhousesofworshipthatnoGuyanese speakofChurch-Stateseparation. Ushersare toobusyidentifyingwhoarepoliticians,who are praying Some religious leaders reciprocate. Out with the inspirational (Jesus, Krishna, Mohamed). In with the enriching: Ali, Jagdeo, Ashni. Hooray for ‘excellence in leadership, exemplary unifiers.’ Whenspiritualmensucksewageto sell themselves, what separation, what differentiating standard? For what is democracy, if not freedom from fear, and standing boldly before pulpit or before president? When speaking. Associating. Reporting Complaining Writing Advocating. Fortruthandjustice. Forpeace and what’s clean Not Ali’s cleanup campaigns. NotNandlall’ssophistries. Not Jagdeo’s secrets. Not Singh’s convolutions. Not women ministers’ frailties and farces whenfailuresflood.

Fact Six: Guyana’s largest demographic is its younger, vibrant, citizens. Where is intellectual foment from UG thousands? What about warriors for democracy, free thinking? Guyana’s most persistent searchersforkernelsoftruth,sleuthsforgood governance, and voices for clean leadership areahandfuloflimping,greying,quavering, geriatrics.

The few protesting elderly walk-on; the many youthful live in mortal dread. One wrong move; a PPP-wrecked future. When thebloodisthin,racing,andtheyounghasno pulse, whither democracy? The next generation to carry democracy’s flag high? DemocracydiesinGuyana.

Stripped. Flogged. Starved. Bled. Dead. The PPP’s signature gift to Guyana and Guyanese is the death of democracy, through the destruction of all that bound it. Police Media Judiciary Audits Sanctuaries. Parliament. All anemic. All collapsed. Alldead. BuriedbythePPP (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflecttheopinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Over15,000pupilstositNGSAexamsthisweek

The Ministry of Education on Monday announced that some15,938pupilscountrywidehaveregisteredtowritethis year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) (Common Entrance)whichisscheduledforWednesdayandThursdayof thisweek.

“Behind every number is a student preparing, learning, and aiming for their next step. The Ministry of Education remains committed to supporting every learner throughout this important stage of their academic journey,” the ministry statedinaFacebookpost.

ThispublicationunderstandsthatonApril29,2026,Grade Six pupils will write English, Papers One and Two in the

morning and Science, Papers One andTwo in the afternoon. WhileonApril30,2026,Mathematics,PapersOneandTwo willbewritteninthemorningandSocialStudies,PapersOne andTwointheafternoonsession.

The ministry stated also that with only days to go for the NGSA2026,itcontinuestoensurethatsystemsareinplaceto supportasmooth,fair,andsuccessfulexaminationprocessfor allcandidatesacrossGuyana.

On this note, Minister Sonia Parag on Monday morning convened a meeting with Ministry leadership to review readiness and final preparations. “The focus remains on ensuringaseamlessexaminationexperiencenationwide,”the ministryadded.

Govt. to scrap advance demurrage

- gives importers 21-day grace period, amid port congestion

Faced with mounting shipping bills, upfront demurrage payments and costly delays, businesses in Guyanacouldsoonseereliefasthe government moves to eliminate advancedemurrageandintroducea 21-daygraceperiodbeforecharges apply, measures authorities say could ease the financial strain on importers and stabilise the cost of goods.

The proposals were outlined during a stakeholder consultation hosted yesterday by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation on laytime and demurrage, held at Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown, that brought together shipowners, brokers, charterers, agents, managers, operators and shippers.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said the move is aimed at addressing rising import costs driven by port congestion and current billing practices.“Imaginethatyouhaveto pay advance demurrage,” Indar said. “The laytime for the vessel is 72hours,butoncethatexpiresyou begin to pay demurrage. This is carryingupthecostofimportation inthecountry.”

He added that port activity has surged sharply in recent years without corresponding infrastructure expansion. “In 2020 wehad2,513portcalls.Attheend

of 2025, we had 3,700 - a 65 per cent increase. But there was not more built out of commercial wharfing facilities,” he observed, noting that congestion and scheduling delays are translating directly into higher demurrage costs that are ultimately passed on toconsumers.

Indar said the government is now working on a policy framework to implement the 21day window before demurrage applies and to remove advance payments, which he described as administratively burdensome for importers.

Legal Officer at MARAD, Tiffany Hohenkirk, said the consultation was intended to test the proposals and examine their implications. “A vessel arrives on

time, all of the documents are in place,butcargooperationstakejust a little longer than expected. One day becomes two, two becomes four, and suddenly what should have been a routine port call turns into tens of thousands of dollars in demurrage,”shesaid.

Hohenkirkcautioned,however, that eliminating advance demurragecouldshiftfinancialrisk toshipowners,whomayrespondby increasingfreightrates.“Thereisa possibility that the intended cost savingsmaybeneutralizedoreven result in higher overall shipping costs,”shenoted,addingthatwhile ending advance demurrage could bring benefits such as reduced upfront costs, greater flexibility andmorepredictablepricing,there are also risks, including higher

freight rates, reduced vessel traffic and potential declines in port competitiveness.

Chairman of the Shipping Association of Guyana, Komal Singh, pointed to congestion as a central issue and criticised the growinguseofadvancedemurrage charges.“Youneedtopayacouple days of demurrage in advance… thenyouhavetogothroughavery long process to get that money refunded.Thatshouldnothappen,” hesaid.

Businessman Nicholas Boyer questioned whether infrastructure gapsareattherootoftheproblem. “Do we have a challenge in the infrastructure?” he asked, noting thatimportvolumeshaveincreased significantly without matching expansioninportcapacity Hesaid

inefficiencies along the logistics chain, from shipping lines to customs approvals, also contribute todelays.

Vice President of the Guyana Customshouse Brokers & Clerks Association,ChristopherMatthias, highlighted inconsistencies in how shipping lines calculate free time beforedemurrage.

“Some lines tell you that the free days commence when the vessel arrives in port, some say whenitcomesalongsidethewharf, somesaywhenitstartstodischarge and others say when it is finished discharging,” Matthias said. “So you don’t know when your actual freedayscommence.”

Customs broker Rajendra Rajcoomar said administrative errorsalsocontributetodelaysand costs.“Sometimestheshippingline doesmakemistakesintermsofthe manifest and it takes three to five days to be corrected,” he said. “Why should the importer suffer because of their mistake?” A representative of Trident Marine Trading Inc raised operational concerns, including delays caused by limited pilot availability at the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge.“Wehaveaproblemwhere our vesselhas to be stopped…and wait until there’s pilot availability This costs us demurrage,” the representative said, adding that there are only six local pilots availabletoguidevessels.

Fire razes Berbice mother’s home

Amotherofsevenisnow h o m e l e s s a n d devastated after fire completelydestroyedherGlasgow HousingSchemehomeontheEast Bank of Berbice on Monday morning, in what fire officials believewasamaliciousact.

The blaze erupted just after 10:00hrs at the two-storey wooden and concrete house owned by 45year-old municipal constable, Tricia Wintz, wiping out the entire structure before anything could be saved.

According to a neighbor, she was on her veranda when a male passerby sounded an alert that the buildingnearbywasonfire.“When Iraisemyheadandlook,Isawdark smoke coming out from inside the house That is when I run downstairs and call on people that was home here,” the neighbour sharedwiththispublication.

She added that she and others sought to enter the yard but were deterredbytheintenseheatanddid not manage to save anything from Wintz’shome.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Wintzexplainedthatshewasather place of work as a municipal constable attached to the Mayor andTownCouncil(M&TC)ofNew Amsterdam, when a teacher who sawherhomeonfiremadecontact

What is left of the home of the mother of seven following the fire.

withher.“Ilefthomeafter9,Ijust step into work. I reached to work late.As I’m about to put down my bag,Igetacall.WhenIanswerthe phone, this is the news I get. I just put down my bag and turn back,” Wintzdisclosed.

Returning from New Amsterdam, she saw the blaze as shewasattheentranceofthestreet to where she lives. Following the incident, Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told Kaieteur News that the operations room in New Amsterdam received a fire alert from a firefighter who happenstobelivinginthearea.He

noted that two tenders were dispatched from New Amsterdam tothelocation.

Upon arrival, firefighters were challenged by thick black fumes and intense heat. By the time the flames were doused, the entire property was already completely destroyed.

McDonald confirmed too, that thefirewasmaliciouslyset.Inlight ofthat,Wintzdisclosedthatoneof Wintz’s sons who is mentally challenged, was at home when she left.

This son would have erratic episodes, she confirmed. Wintz

operates a stall a short distance from her home, where she sells snacks and on Monday morning priortoleavinghome,shearranged herproductsandlefthereldestson to oversee the business at the head of their street as well as to keep an eye on the mentally-challenged son. It is not clear if he experienced an outburst and set the house on fire,ormighthavehadanaccident. He was referred to the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital subsequent to the incident Reflectingonwhatunfoldedearlier intheday,Wintzsharedhourslater

that she did not so much as approachthesceneupclose,owing to significant distress, which ultimatelyledtoherbeingrushedto the New Amsterdam Hospital by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)ontheground.

Monday’stragedywouldnotbe the first to befall her, asWintz lost her home more than 16 years ago under similar circumstances. Now homeless, she welcomes any generosity from members of the public who may be desirous of assisting her with rebuilding Persons can contact her on 6455725.

Cabinet team tours Guyana’s largest FPSO

A team of Cabinet ministers visited the ONE GUYANA Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel offshore on April 17, 2026, in a tour facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited.

The ONE GUYANA FPSO,thefourthandlargest vessel operating in the Stabroek Block, is a key component of theYellowtail Development and currently producesmorethan250,000 barrelsofoilperday

Keoma G

ff

th, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HughHiltonTodd.

Thegovernmentofficials weregivenacomprehensive touroftheFPSO,wherethey observed key operational processes, i

g offloading activities; they also engaged directly with

m responsible for the vessel’s performance, the Natural Resources Ministrysaidina pressrelease.

The delegation also met with members of the local workforce, gaining valuable insightintotheirexperiences

workforcedevelopment.The engagement provided a meaningful perspective on the scale and complexity of offshore production, while

The ministerial delegationincludedMinister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Public UtilitiesandAviationDeodat Indar; Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning

The East Ruimveldt Market.

government’s commitment to maintaining strong oversightofthesector

Minister Bharrat also underscored the importance

The Cabinet members and other officials of ExxonMobil during the tour.

Govt.seekingcontractorstobuild marketsatPouderoyenandBuxton

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is now seeking bids for the rehabilitation of the East Ruimveldt Market in Georgetown and for the construction of market facilities at Pouderoyen in Region Three andatBuxton/Friendshiponthe EastCoastofDemerara.

Accordingtoaninvitationfor bids issued, works at East Ruimveldt will be done in five lots, while Pouderoyen works willbeexecutedinblocks(A-C). Bids for these projects are expected to open on May 20, 2026attheNPTABoffice.

Regarding the rehabilitation for East Ruimveldt Market, back in February, Minister Priya Manickchand and her team conductedawalkthroughatthefacilitywhere plans were announced to have the structure upgraded.

The ministry reported at the time that during the engagement, vendors highlighted a number of challenges affecting their daily operations, including structural issues, sanitationconcerns,drainage,andtheoverall needforupgradestocreateasaferandmore comfortableenvironmentforbusiness.

Minister Manickchand assured vendors that their concerns are being taken seriously and form part of the Government’s broader effortstomoderniseandrehabilitatemarkets acrossthecountry

During the interaction, the minister emphasised that markets remain critical economic hubs within communities, providing livelihoods for hundreds of families while ensuring access to fresh produce and goods for residents. She noted thatplansareinplacetorehabilitatetheEast Ruimveldt Market, with works aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing sanitation facilities, addressing drainage concerns,andcreatingamoreorganisedand resilient space for vendors and customers alike. Itwasreportedinthemediathatover$18 billion was approved from the national budgetformarketprojectsacrossthecountry

In addition to constructing new markets, the moneywillcatertorehabilitatethestructures at Port Kaituma, Bath, Railway Line, Unity, RoseHallandLethem,justtonameafew

of the FPSO to Guyana’s development trajectory.

“TheONEGUYANAFPSO is a clear representation of sustainable oil management as it continues to safely produce over 250,000 barrels of oil per day It not only demonstrates technical

excellence and operational discipline, but it is also representative of what is possible when the government and oil majors work together to deliver value for citizens,” the Minister of Natur

l Resourcessaid.

Healsounderscoredthat the Government of Guyana remains committed to t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability within the sector and will continue to ensure Guyanese benefit from the nation’s natural patrimony

…as

GPHC doctors save Cuban stabbed in head Knife removed from teen’s brain

The Georgetown Public

neurosurgical team on Monday morningperformedalife-saving brain surgery on a Cubannational who was reportedly stabbedintheheadwithaknife.

According to a release from the hospital, the 19-year-old Cuban national, was rushed to the hospital’s emergency room after sustaining a violent stab wound in the head during an altercation at a social gathering. Upon arrival, he was presented withaknifedeeplyembeddedin his skull, the hospital stated, “a rare and highly dangerous form ofpenetratingbraininjury.”

GPHC said such cases are exceptionally critical, as any movement of the object can result in catastrophic bleeding, irreversible brain damage, and death. Recognising the urgency, GPCH explained that its on-call neurosurgical team mobilised immediately and within minutes, the patient was stabilised, and advanced imaging was performed to assess the blade’s trajectory anddepth.

extractinganembeddedknifefromthebrain requires meticulous control to prevent secondaryinjury Thesurroundingboneand cerebraltissueswereexposed,andtheblade was removed in a controlled manner, minimizing bleeding and preserving neurologicalfunction,”GPHCdetailed.

“The scans revealed that the knife had penetrated the cranial vault and entered the brain,laceratingtissuesinthespeechcenter of the brain with active intracranial bleeding,”thehospitalexplained.

Alife-threateningemergencythatwould test the speed, skill, and precision of its neurosurgical team, GPHC noted that at approximately 4:00 a.m., the patient was taken to the operating room. “The surgical team performed a carefully planned procedure to safely remove the foreign object Unlike routine trauma cases,

“The operation proceeded without complications a testament to the neurosurgical team’s expertise and coordination,”thehospitalshared.

Following the surgery, GPHC said in whatcanonlybedescribedasextraordinary, the patient regained consciousness and demonstrated encouraging neurological recovery

“Against the odds, he survived a potentially fatal injury with no immediate life-threatening deficits. He maintains right hemiparesis and difficulty articulating his words,bothofwhichareexpectedto Continued on page 16

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Canada’s Carney announces a sovereign wealth fund

(ALJAZEERA) - The prime minister says the federal government will put up money alongside private investors to fund major projects.

The prime minister said the federal government will put up funds alongside private investors. The money will help finance major projects that Carney’s government is focused on building as Canada seeks to diversify away from the United States.

US President Donald Trump has threatened Canada’s economy and sovereignty with tariffs and claims that Canada could be “the 51st state” in the US. Carney is a former central banker in England and Canada as well as chairman of the board of directors for Bloomberg.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to diversify away from the United States [File: Patrick Doyle/Reuters]

“We take a lesson from other jurisdictions that had the foresight many decades ago to start sovereign wealth funds,” Carney said. “In some cases, they began with a do-

mestic focus then outgrew the scale of the domestic focus.” Sovereign wealth funds invest in assets, such as stocks, bonds and real estate. They are typically funded by

a country’s budgetary surpluses, which Canada currently does not have.

The announcement came a day before Carney’s government announces its spring economic update.

There are more than 90 sovereign wealth funds around the world.

They manage more than $8 trillion in assets, according to the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, a London-based organisation made up of roughly 50 of these entities.

Trump ordered the creation of a US sovereign wealth fund last year.

In the US, more than 20 sovereign wealth funds exist at the state level, according to an analysis from the Center for Global Development, a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan think tank.

Tourism observatories can strengthen sustainable tourism in Caribbean

SAO PAULO – World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) launched a new publication highlighting how tourism observatories can strengthen sustainable tourism development in Latin America and the Caribbean by improving data-driven decision-making, governance, and destination management.

“Shaping Sustainable Tourism – the Role of Tour-

ACCOMMODATIONS

ism Observatories in Latin America and the Caribbean,” was presented during the 1st World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America Ministers’ Summit held in Sao Paulo.

The report emphasises the importance of regular, timely, reliable and locally generated data for managing tourism sustainably. Tourism observatories—such as UN Tourism and the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO)—enable destinations to monitor key indicators, including supply and demand trends, resource use and tourism capacities, and translate this information into actionable insights for planning, investment, and policy decisions.

It also underscores the importance of participatory governance, showing how

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observatories create platforms for public and private stakeholders to align priorities, strengthen coordination, and support more transparent and accountable tourism. The analysis provides an overview of how tourism observatories operate and presents a series of case studies and best practices from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The findings highlight that tourism observatories can contribute to better governance by enabling early identification of risks and opportunities supporting integrated decision-making, and improving the measurement of economic, social and environmental sustainability, particularly at the destination level. The publication comes amid increased engagement

by international organizations in supporting sustainable tourism programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting how investment in tourism observatories can bridge national strategies and local action while strengthening transparent, accountable, and sustainabilityfocused destination governance.

WTM Latin America was held April 14-16. The event featured a range of activities including the 1st Tourism Ministers’ Summit which brought together Ministers of Tourism and ministerial representatives from the region. Under the theme “Latin American Tourism: Responsible and Regenerative for the Future,” the Summit fostered strategic dialogue on the future of the sector in Latin America.

Knife removed from teen’s brains...

From page 14 improve,” the hospital informed.

This publication understands that the patient is expected to be discharged from the hospital today (Tuesday).

Highlighting its emergency Neurosurgical Care, GPHC noted that this case highlights not only the unpredictable nature of traumatic injuries but also the life-saving impact of rapid, special-

ized medical intervention.

The hospital further explained that penetrating brain injuries carry a high risk of mortality and long-term disability.

However, with swift action, advanced imaging, and expert surgical care, outcomes can be dramatically improved.

“The successful management of this case underscores the importance of having a highly trained neurosurgical

team available at all hours— ready to respond when seconds matter most.

What began as a violent incident could have ended in tragedy.

Instead, it stands as a powerful example of timely intervention of emergency teams at GPHC, where skill, timing, and teamwork converge to save a life,” GPHC expressed.

$26M to fix up living quarters at Guyana School of Agriculture

Th e G u y a n a S c h o o l o f

Agriculture i n t e n d s t o s p e n d approximately$26.5million to rehabilitate the living quartersatitslivestockfarm.

Bids which recently opened at the National Procurement and Tender

Administration Board (NPTAB) office revealed that nine contractors are vyingforthecontract.

In addition to that, GSA also went out to t e n d e r f o r t h e procurement of security s e r v i c e a n d s i x companiesbidforthis.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: GeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation SupplyanddeliveryofPeritoneal DialysisInfusionsfor2026.

GuyanaSchoolofAgriculture(GSA) RehabilitationoflivingquartersatGSALivestockFarm.

ProcurementofSecurityServiceforGSA.

PesticidesandToxicChemicalsControlBoard. Supplyanddeliveryofonenewminibus.

NationalAgriculturalResearchandExtensionInstitute SupplyanddeliveryofavarietyofPlantingSeeds.

US press gala shooting suspect charged with attempting to kill Trump

(REUTERS) - Federal authorities in the United States have charged the suspectwhoallegedlyshota USSecretServiceagentashe tried to breach security at a pressgalaattendedbyDonald Trump with attempting to assassinate the US president Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, also faces firearms charges in a three-count complaint, prosecutors announced on Monday.

Allenworeablueprison jumpsuit at his first appearance in Washington, DC, federal court, two days after authorities said they foiledanattackattheWhite House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an annualblack-tiegatheringof journalistsandpoliticiansin the US capital “He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J Trump,” p

secutor Jocelyn Ballantinesaidincourt. Allen has not yet respondedtotheallegations. Seated at the defence table flanked by US Marshals, Allen said he would answer

all questions truthfully and thathehadamaster’sdegree in computer science. US Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Allen detained while the case moves forward. Sharbaugh scheduled another hearing over Allen’s continued detentionforThursday Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington, DC, said after the shooting that the suspect was “intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could” The shooting,

considered to be the third assassination attempt against Trump since 2024, hasrockedUSpolitics,with the White House accusing the US president’s Democratic rivals of inspiring political violence with their verbal attacks on the administration “The deranged lies and smears against the president, his family, his supporters have led crazy people to believe crazy things, and they are inspired to commit violence because of those words,”

told reportersearlieronMonday

“Ithastostop.” Leavitttoldreportersthat Trump does not see the incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a security failure “You had a perpetrator who tried to breach the security parameterthatwassetupby Secret Service, and he was running as fast as he could and was immediately neutralised moments later,” Leavittsaid.

Gunmen kidnap 23 children from Nigerian orphanage

( A L J A Z E E R A )

Gunmen have raided an orphanage and kidnapped at least23children,authorities inNigeriareport.

The gang took the childrenlateonSundayfrom an unregistered facility called the Dahallukitab GroupofSchools,locatedin an “isolated area” in Kogi State’scapital,Lokoja,Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statementonMonday

Mass kidnappings have become a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas with little government presence. Fanwo said the “prompt and coordinated response” of security agenciesledtotherescueof 15childrenbuteightarestill missing. The wife of the proprietor of the orphanage was also abducted, accordingtothestatement.

“Intensiveoperationsare ongoing to secure the safe returnoftheremainingeight victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” the official

Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where Kogi (shown here during 2022 flooding) is located, has seen violent attacks, including raids on schools, in recent months [File: Fatai Campbell/AP]

said. The orphanage was operating “illegally” in a remote location without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies,Fanwoadded.

The statement did not disclose the ages of the abducted children, but it referredtothemas“pupils”, which in Nigeria usually refers to someone in kindergarten or primary school, covering ages up to

12. No group immediately claimed responsibility for theattack.

Nigeria faces multiple conflicts from long-running violencebytheBokoHaram armed group to “bandit” gangs, farmer-herder violence and southeastern separatists.The ISIL(ISIS)linked Lakurawa group also operates in communities in the northwestern part of the

countryborderingNiger

The North Central Zone of Nigeria, where Kogi is located, has seen violent attacks, including raids on schools, in recent months with some of the attacks blamed on armed groups. Hundreds of students were taken by gunmen from their school in neighbouring Niger State in November in an attack security sources blamedonBokoHaram.

Israeli strikes hit east Lebanon, expanding scope despite ceasefire

BEIRUT, April 27

(Reuters) - The Israeli military began carrying out strikesineasternLebanonon Monday, expanding the scope of its bombing campaign during a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities with Lebanese armedgroupHezbollah.

ThestrikesonLebanon’s easternBekaaValleymarked the first time the area has been hit since a U Sbrokeredceasefirecameinto

force on April 16, significantly reducing the pace of attacks without entirely stopping the exchangesoffire.

Israel has continued to carry out strikes across southern Lebanon, and its troops are occupying a strip of the country’s south, destroying homes they describe as infrastructure being used by Hezbollah.

The Iran-backed group, meanwhile, has kept up its drone and rocket attacks against Israeli troops in Lebanon and on northern

Israeli military vehicles move next to damaged buildings in southern Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from northern Israel, April 27, 2026.

Israel. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said it was

ke Hezbollah infrastructure in theBekaaaswellasareasin southern Lebanon. Security sources told Reuters strikes hadhitnearthetownofNabi Chit,nearLebanon’seastern

border with Syria, with no immediate reports of casualties. Lebanon’s state media agency reported several strikes across the south that left at least three people wounded. Hezbollah said on Monday it had attacked an Israeli tank in southern Lebanon with a

drone. The Israeli military said a drone launched by Hezbollah exploded near its troops in southern Lebanon, withoutcausingcasualties.

LEBANESEPRESIDENT TAKESINDIRECT SWIPEATHEZBOLLAH

More than 2,500 people have been killed in Israeli

strikesacrossLebanonsince March2,Hezbollahfiredon Israel in support of its ally Iran and triggered an Israeli groundandaircampaignthat has left swathes of southern Lebanoninruins.

The war has deepened differencesamongpeoplein Lebanon, who are divided over Hezbollah’s arms and over prospective peace talks with Israel. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States have met twice to discuss the ceasefire, intended to pave the way for direct talks to secure a peace deal between the longtime foes The Americans clearly have no strategy, and the problem with conflicts like this is always that you don’t just have to go in; you also have togetoutagain.

Hezbollah fiercely opposes direct negotiations, with its head Naim Qassem describing the talks in a written statement on Monday as a “humiliating a n d u n n e c e s s a r y concession.”

“Let it be clear, these direct negotiations and their outcomes are considered nonexistent to us and do not concern us at all. We will continue our defensive resistance for Lebanon and its people,” Qassem said. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has defended the government’s move to engage in face-to-face talks andonMondaymadeajabat Hezbollah without naming thegroup.

“What we are doing is nottreason;rather,treasonis committedbywhoevertakes hiscountrytowartoachieve externalinterests,”hesaidin a statement released by his office,anapparentreference to Hezbollah’s decision to enter the regional war last month “Some hold us accountable for deciding to go to negotiations on the pretextofthelackofnational consensus, and I ask: When youwenttowar,didyoufirst obtain national consensus?” Aounsaid.

Iran oil tankers turned back by US blockade, Hormuz traffic sparse

LONDON, April 27

(Reuters) - Six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have forced back to Iran by the U.S.blockadeinrecentdays, ship-tracking data shows, underscoring the impact the Iran war is having on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil exportroute.

Between 125 and 140 ships usually crossed in and outof thestraitdailybefore the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, but only seven have done so in the past day, according to Kplership-trackingdataand satellite analysis from SynMax, and none carrying oil bound for the global market.

They included the Iranian-flagged dry bulk vessel Bavand which left from an Iranian port, and other vessels leaving from Iraqiports,thedatashowed. Iranhasimposedrestrictions on shipping using the strait, and the U.S. on April 13

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 27, 2026.

TankerTrackers.com.

The Americans clearly have no strategy, and the problem with conflicts like this is always that you don’t just have to go in; you also havetogetoutagain.

AnalystssaidU.S.forces have been diverting Iranlinkedshipsasfareastasthe Malacca Strait, so it is unclear whether those cargoes will reach buyers or beinterceptedandredirected back to Iran. Hundreds of ships and an estimated 20,000 seafarers remained strandedinsidetheGulf.

Activity has remained curtailed through it as talks betweenIranandtheUnited States remain stalled nearly twomonthsintothewar

announced it would blockade Iran-related shipping. U.S. forces have turnedback37vesselssince then, the military said on April25,opensnewtab. The strait typically handles 20% of the world’s dailysupplyofoilandLNG.

TheU.S.militaryhasnot provided a complete breakdown of the type of ships it has diverted or the precise location, opens new taboftheinterceptions.“Iran hasattackedandshipsfornot adhering to its required transit requirements, while the U.S. has continued to enforce its blockade,” ship broker Clarksons said in a noteonMonday

U.S.ALLOWEDSOME VESSELSTOSAILON

Thesixtankersforcedto return to Iranian ports in recentdayswerecarryingan estimated 10.5 million barrels of oil, according to satellite analysis from TankerTrackers.com, opens newtab.WhileU.S.forcesin the Gulf of Oman instructed some vessels to turn back, others appeared to be

allowedtosailon.

Two tankers carrying around four million barrels ofIranianoilmanagedtosail pasttheblockadeonApril24 boundforAsia,thedatafrom TankerTrackers.com showed. Four separate, empty Iranian tankers were last seen around Pakistan’s coast, opens new tab after returning from Asia, according to analysis from

Those seafarers are “exposedtosignificantrisks a n d c o n s i d e r a b l e psychological strain,” Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organization, told a committee session on Monday “The longer this situationgoeson,thegreater theriskofseriousaccidents, including environmental accidents.”

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Borrowed billions, waived wealth

While Guyana floats on billions of barrels of offshore crude, it is sinking deeper into debt, exposing a troubling contradiction at the heart of its oil era.

In 2025, Government waived US$525M in taxes for ExxonMobil, even as it signed a US$527M loan with the US EXIM Bank for the Gas-to-Energy project. Under the 2016 PSA, most revenue is already absorbed through cost recovery, leaving limited gains for citizens.Yet instead of strengthening fiscal returns through renegotiation, the State continues borrowing to fund projects oil wealth should support.

National debt has climbed to US$7.7B and is projected toward US$10B. Promises of “better contract administration” have faded, replaced by dependence and fiscal strain that undermine true sovereignty. Citizens are left financing infrastructure through loans while the real oil wealth quietly exits under preferential terms that demand urgent national renegotiation now immediately.

GOA rewards S/A Youth Games medallists with ‘Cash Grants’ to boost development

The Guyana Olympic Association has rewarded the nation’s medal-winning athletes from the recently concluded South American Youth Games with cash grants, reaffirming its commitment to youth development and highperformancesport.

The presentation was made during a simple but meaningful ceremony at the GOA’s headquarters in

Liliendaal, where athletes andtheirparentsgatheredto celebrate what has been described as a successful outing for Guyana on the continentalstage. Guyana concluded the championships with an impressive haul of seven medals (three gold, one silver, and three bronze) highlighting the growing strength of its youth programme.

Track and field emerged as the standout discipline, accounting for six of the seven medals secured, with boxingbringingintheother Leading the charge were gold medallists Ezekiel Millington (100m) and Dequan Farrell (200m), alongwiththeboys’4x100m relay team, who delivered a dominantperformance.

Gordon Thompson added a silver medal in the

100m, while bronze medals came from Ebo McNeil in the 1500m and the boys’ 4x400mrelayteam.

President of the GOA, Godfrey Munroe, said the cash grants are intended to supp

continued training and over

velopment, ensuring they remain on a progressivepath.

He explained that the initiativeisseparatefromthe existing Olympic Solidarity programme, which provides structured financial assistance to athletes who meet specific qualification criteria.

Tuessday April 29, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday

CANCER(June21–July22)

Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some

Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

It'sgoingtobealittledifficult t

y, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Haveyoubeenreviewingyour family history lately, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.

2026 GSL tickets officially on sale from today

Tickets for the highly anticipated ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League(GSL)2026arenow officiallyonsale,givingfans the opportunity to secure their seats for one of the most exciting events in the

calendar

The third edition of the tournament will take place from 23 July to 1 August 2026 at the iconic Guyana

together elite franchise teamsfromaroundtheworld in a celebration of worldclassT20cricket.

Addressingbothathletes and their parents, Munroe praisedtheentirecontingent, notingthattheireffortshave made the country proud, regardless of podium finishes.

Looking to the future, Munroe emphasised that the athleteswhocompetedatthe South American Youth Games represent the next generation of national sportingexcellence.

“These young athletes are the future of sport in Guyana across their respective disciplines. Our responsibility is to continue supportingandguidingthem so they can reach even greaterheights,”headded.

The GOA’s gesture is expected to further motivate the country’s emerging talentsastheycontinuetheir journey on the regional and internationalstage.

Qalandars (Pakistan Super League), Desert Vipers (InternationalLeagueT20) Perth Scorchers XI (Big Bash League) and San Francisco Unicorns (Major LeagueCricket).

Fans attending the tournament can expect not onlyhigh-qualitycricketbut also an enhanced matchday

Featuring a five-team lineup representing leading global T20 leagues, the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL continuesitsmissiontounite top cricketing talent on a single global stage The competition will follow a r

at culminating in playoffs and a final to crown the champion.

The five teams taking partinthetournamentareas follows: Guyana Amazon Wa

(

Premier League), Lahore

h entertainment and fan engagement playing a central role throughout the event Previous editions have demonstrated strong local and international support,withpackedcrowds and a vibrant festival atmosphereinProvidence.

TheExxonMobilGuyana Global Super League has quicklyestablisheditselfasa

l T20 competition, showcasing top teams from across multiple leagues while promoting Guyana as a hub for international sport and tourism

Tickets are available now at wwwgslt20 com, and fans are encouraged to purchase early to be part of this landmark cricketing showcase.

Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing

C’ships

Guyana is set to once again take centre stage in regional amateur boxing when it hosts the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships from August 20–22 at the CliffAndersonSportsHall.

The staging of the prestigious tournament representsanotherimportant chapter for the sport locally, asGuyanacontinuestoserve as the home of the championship, having hosted it consistently since itsinception.

confirmed for August 20 – 22

Braithwaite.

Over the years, the championships have proven tobeavitalbreedingground for elite talent, producing standout fighters such as Olympian Keevin Allicock, aswellasthedynamicsister duo Abiola Jackman and AleshaJackman.

Guyana’s proud history in the competition, noting that the country has finished as overall champions almost every year since the tournament’sinception.

“Guyana has always taken this tournament seriously because it is our foundation,” Ninvalle stated. “We’ve dominated consistently,andthatspeaks to the strength of our grassroots programme and our commitment to youth development.”

tournament in Guyana each year is massive for us. It allows our young boxers to compete in front of their supporters and gives the Caribbean another opportunity to experience Guyana’s passion for boxing,”hesaid.

GBA President, Steve Ninvalle

T h e e v e n t w a s conceptualised and first staged in Guyana in 2016, and is named in honour of the country’s 1978 CommonwealthGamesgold medallis

W

d

The tournament, which remains a key fixture on Guyana’s boxing calendar, hasalsoservedasastepping stone for numerous regional boxerswhohaveprogressed to compete at the Olympic G a m e s a n d Wo r l d Championships,underlining its importance on the internationalpathway President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, emphasised

N i n v a l l e a l s o highlighted the significance o f h o s t i n g t h e championships annually, describingitasamajorboost for amateur boxing both locallyandacrosstheregion.

“ H o s t i n g t h i s

He further underscored the GBA’s commitment to investing in the sport and creating opportunities for emergingtalent.

“We are hosting because we believe in building boxing from the ground up. This tournament provides critical exposure for our young boxers and helps prepare them for the international stage. It’s an investment in the future of Guyaneseboxing,”theGBA presidentadded.

Adding an exciting dimension to Guyana’s lineup will be Englandbased prospect Bradley Khan, whose parents are Guyanese. Ninvalle pointed to his inclusion as part of a broader strategy to tap into diasporatalent.

“Bradley Khan is one of the top youth boxers in England, and having him represent Guyana is significant,” Ninvalle explained.

According to Ninvalle, the GBA is committed to inclusivity and identifying elite talent wherever it exists, adding that the diasporaisanimportantpart o f A s s o c i a t i o n ’s developmentstrategy

2026/27 CWI Regional 4-Day C’ship - Round 3...

Hodge,

Athanaze bail out

Volcanoes

as Eagles stretch lead to 63

ByCliftonRoss

Hardened fifties from Captain Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge bailed the Volcanoesoutofpossiblyimploding,asthey enter a crucial 3rd day at the Coolidge Cricket Ground trailing by 63 runs with the HarpyEaglestwodownbutinacomfortable positionastheyeyeathirdwin.

Resumingon22-1,theWindwardswould goontopost2intheirfirstinnings,replying totheEagles1stinnings242.

Hodge was the backbone of the innings, leading with 74 featuring 8 fours but it was Volcanoes captain Alick Athanaze, who finally seemed to have found his footing, battinghardforwhatlookedlikeareturn-toform50*off83(5x4,1x6).

Opener Stephan Pascal (43) had a solid innings,asanothercollectiveeffortwiththe ballledbyleft-armspinnerGudakeshMotie (4-52), pacers Nial Smith (2-27), Shamar Joseph (2-64) and Keemo Paul (1-42); helped to avoid a possible eruption by the Volcanoesbatsmeninthe1stinnings.

With nineteen runs still ahead after bowling out their opponents, the Eagles battingforasecondtimeextendedtheirlead by an additional.. Runs as they ended day 2 on 44-2, with Tevin Imlach (16*) and TagenarineChanderpaul(19*)settoresume today

Thein-formformpairofRyanJohn(1-7)

and Gilon Tyson (1-11) managed to make inroads a few overs before stumps; bagging the big wickets of Matthew Nandu (0) and KevlonAnderson(5).

When play resumed on the second day, Windwards who initially lost their key wicket of opener Ackeem Auguste for 2, a little before close of play on day 1; were somewhatbumpedafewstepsback.

However, the overnight pair of Pascal and Hodge put in a much-needed century stand which turned out to be an ideal repair job, before the former was removed by Motie, who eventually got rid of Johan Jeremiah(16)after

HodgeplayedwellandkepttheEagles bowling attack on their toes as he exhibited immense patience during his innings, which played a big part in the team’s chase But shortly after the Volcanoes reached their team’s 150, another critical setback befell them when Hodgesuccumbedtoagooddeliveryfrom the speedster Joseph Athanaze cycled through a few of his lower-order partners and was eventually left unbeaten, as he sought to finally acquire some batting form after a horrible season by his world class standards; thanks to Motie and company who mopped up the tail-enders withoutlittleresistance

Playcontinuestoday

RHTYSC honours Ganpat and Reddy as Youth Cricketers of the Year for 2025

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club recently honoured national youth cricketers Leon ReddyandJaydenGanpatas the club’s Youth Cricketers of the year 2025. The club, with the assistance of MahendraHardyalof Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, handed over a 32inchtelevisionsettoeachof the players during a simple presentationceremony

Club Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that both players were selected based ontheirperformanceduring theyear,alongwithpersonal commitment, discipline and attendance rate at training sessions. Reddi, the current captain of the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-16 Team, had an outstanding year with both bat and ball at all junior levels. He was even able to gain selection to the Rose HallTownBakewellsecond division and Namilco Thunderbolt First Division teams Reddy is widely respected for his leadership skills on the field and recently led Berbice to the under 16 inter county championship title. Reddi servedasthevicecaptainof theGuyanaUnder16teamin the Cricket West Indies Bilateral series versus Barbados. He was named MVP of the Inter-county tournament and best bowler oftheCWIhomeseries.

Ganpat, a left-arm spinner who can also bat, is

Leon Reddy and Jayden Ganpat pose with Anil Beharry and a representative of Regal Stationery after the presentation.

thevicecaptainoftheFarfan andMendesUnder-16team, whichhassofarreachedthe quarterfinals of the Berbice Cricket Board tournament.

Last year, Ganpat was the vice captain of the Berbice under-13 team and performed well with the ball. In the bilateral series versus Barbados, Ganpat spun webs around the opposing batsmen and took the most wickets. He later gained selection on the Berbiceunder-16team.

RHTYSC Cricket

ManagerRobbyKissoonlall hailed both awardees as the futureoftheclub,whichhas won a total of one hundred and thirty-two cricket tournaments and produced onehundredandthirty-three players for Berbice since its formation in 1990 by the St Francis Community Developers.

Seventy-six of those players have gone on to represent Guyana at the

different levels, while ten have played international cricket, including Assad Fudadin, Kelvon Anderson, Kelvin Sinclair, Royston

Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle and Shabaki

Gajnabi. Kissoonlall expressed thanks to the management and staff of Regal Stationery for their support. The company last year also provided two television sets to Danellie Manns and Tameshwar Deonandan, who were namedbestyouthplayersfor 2024. Special thanks were also extended to former Berbice Cricket Board President Anil Beharry for his role in obtaining the sponsorship.

Regal Managing

Director, Mahendra

Hardyal, congratulated both players and stated that his company was pleased to assist.Heurgedbothplayers to remain focused and disciplinedinthefuture.

GBAPresidentcongratulatesIBAPresident onOrderofFriendshipachievement

The President of the Guyana BoxingAssociation (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, has extended congratulations to International Boxing Association(IBA)President UmarKremlevfollowinghis recent recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the prestigious OrderofFriendship.

Kremlev was bestowed with the honour in recognitionofhissignificant c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o international sport and his continued commitment to the global amateur boxing community

During the ceremony, President Putin commended the IBA’s resilience and its

ongoing efforts to support athletes worldwide, even amid mounting political pressuresaffectingthesport.

In a statement, Ninvalle said the accolade was both “

ly deserved,” noting that the GBA has consistently supported K

emlev’s leadership,includinghisrise

tothepresidencyoftheIBA, andsubsequentre-election.

“We have stood firmly behindMr Kremlev’svision forboxing,”Ninvallestated. “His leadership has ensured that the sport remains athlete-focused, providing

international exposure,

particularly for smaller boxing nations like Guyana.”

Ninvalle highlighted, thatdespitetheevolvingand s

m

ime

u

ain landscape of amateur boxing, the GBA remains unwavering in its support of theIBA.

He pointed to the organisation’s role in facilitating competitive platforms for Guyanese fighters, enabling them to test their skills against some oftheworld’sbest.

“The IBA has played a

critical role in the advancement of boxing in Guyana. Our boxers have benefited tremendously from the opportunities provided, and we are committed to maintaining that relationship for the continued growth of the sportlocally,”Ninvallesaid.

The GBA president expressed optimism that Kremlev’s recognition would further strengthen international collaboration within boxing and inspire continued investment in boxersacrossallregions.

PSL 2026: Fans allowed for all playoff games

(Cricinfo) - PCB

chairmanMohsinNaqvihas said that spectators will be allowed in the stadiums for all playoff matches of PSL 2026.

“Justhadameetingwith Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi posted on X on Monday

“However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use publictransportorminimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing nationalausterityefforts.”

The development f o l l o w s N a q v i ’ s announcement on Saturday that Sharif had allowed the

fans to attend the final on May 3 at the Gaddafi StadiuminLahore.

The entire league stage of this year’s PSL has been played behind closed doors in line with the government of Pakistan’s fuel conservationmeasuresamid theWestAsiacrisis.

The tournament, originally scheduled to be hostedinsixcities,wasalso limited to only Lahore and Karachi.

N a q v i ’s r e c e n t announcement was made just a little over 24 hours beforetheQualifierbetween Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in Karachi.

Top PCB officials, ESPNcricinfo understands, are deliberating on the ticketing and logistics mechanisms at the time of writing.

The 2026 season will run from April to September (Photo: CWI)

RepublicBankand Cricket West

Indies have officially renewed their partnership for the 2026 staging of the Primary Schools ‘Five for Fun’

Cricket Programme, reaffirming their shared commitment to youth development and grassroots cricketacrosstheCaribbean.

Now entering its sixth year, the fast-paced and inclusive programme has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of youth

cricket It provides structured access to the region’s most unifying pastime for children aged 7–11

Designed for both boys andgirls,FiveforFun introducesparticipantstothe fundamentals of the game through a modern, exciting format that emphasizes participation, enjoyment, andtheacquisitionofcritical lifeskills.

The 2026 season will run from April to September, hosted in Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts,

Nevis, Guyana and TrinidadandTobago

T h i s y e a r , t h e programme continues its regional expansion with the addition of Barbados to the roster More than 320 primary schools across 187 communities

a r e e x p e c t e d t o

participate, engaging over 10,000 children in

structured coaching sessions and competitive play.

Richard S Sammy, Group Vice President, RepublicFinancialHoldings andVicePresident,Republic Bank shared: “At Republic Bank, we believe in the power of sport as a conduit for building confidence, character, and transforming lives Our continued partnership with Cricket West Indies through the Republic Bank Five for Fun

Cricket Programme reflects our commitment to youth

d e v e l o p m e n t a n d strengthening communities across the Caribbean

Through this initiative, we are not only introducing childrentothejoyofcricket, but also helping them develop important life skills

such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, and ambition These lessons extend far beyond the field and help prepare them for success in every aspect of life.Weareproudtosupport a programme that creates meaningfulpathwaysforthe nextgeneration,bothinsport and in leadership across our region.”

E x p r e s s i n g h i s

enthusiasm for the continued collaboration, ChiefExecutiveOfficerof Cricket West Indies, Chris Dehring, said: “Cricket W e s t I n d i e s i s tremendouslyproudofour continued partnership withRepublicBankonthe Republic Bank Five for Fun Cricket programme, asitcontinuestogrowasa vital grassroots initiative,

combining cricket development with life skills in a safe and engaging environment where young boys and girls can learn, express themselves, thrive and grow It reflects a shared commitment to ensuring

cricket remains a meaningful part of the school experience, while c r e a t i n g c l e a r development pathways for young talent across the Caribbean to progress bothonandoffthefield ” The programme plays a critical role within the r e g i o n a l c r i c k e t development framework,

operatin

c

Ministries of Education and Sport, National Cricket Associations, the national primary schools’ system,

RBL, CWI renew commitment for for 2026 Primary Schools ‘Five for ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket Programme

local clubs, and other key stakeholders.

Thisintegratedapproach has already proven successful, with several ‘Five for Fun’ alumni progressing to represent their respective countries on national junior and senior teams.

As the programme continues to grow in scale and influence, it stands as a leading example of how strategic partnerships, sport, and education can come together to inspire the next generation of Caribbean cricketers and community leaders.(CWI)

Hodge,AthanazebailoutVolcanoes asEaglesstretchleadto

Eagles left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie continued his magic this season

The third edition of the tournament will take place from July 23 toAugust 1, 2026. (Getty Images)