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Tuesday Edition

AIETEUR

October 06, 2026 -Vol. 19 No. 40

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

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Govt. launches $40 billion Guyana Development Bank, loans up to $10M available Govt. packs development ‘Outside investigators cannot ...Hicken says as bank board with probe Karimbaksh’ citizens protest PPP-aligned members Chinese businessman remanded over death of six-year-old boy ‘CCJ must never feel distant from the people it serves’ - Justice Anderson ...as court filings increase

Public spirited citizens gathered outside of the Special Organised Crime Unit calling for its Head Fazil Karimbaksh to be charged following allegations of sexual assault and death threats involving a female officer.

Recaptured prison escapee sentenced to 36 months

Recaptured and resentenced: Budnarine Persaud

‘No bail for Seeram’ ...High Court refuses pre-sentence bail application, as prosecution sides with defence in challenging magistrate’s ruling

Head of Border Patrol, Daniel Seeram

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 06, 2026

Canadian firm operating in Guyana says other mining countries weighing higher take as gold prices rise Jorge Ganoza, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Canadian-based mining company Fortuna Mining Corp., which is operating in Guyana, recently stated that with gold prices rising, West African mining countries are increasingly considering ways to secure a greater share of revenues from the sector. Ganoza made the comments during a recent discussion on the company’s operations when he participated in Mining Forum Americas 2026. He was asked about

possible changes to tax regimes in the countries in which Fortuna operates. While Ganoza did not specifically identify Guyana when discussing potential changes to mining tax regimes, he outlined the company’s projects in West Africa. He added that Côte d’Ivoire is discussing an increase in its royalty regime, including the removal of an eight per cent cap, while similar discussions are taking place in Senegal. He further explained that discussions between mining companies and

governments have changed as gold prices have increased, with governments now more focused on how much revenue they can derive from mining operations as opposed to whether the operations will be approved. “But the important dynamic in those discussions is, throughout the years, I’ve been many times in a situation when you are trying to convince your counterpart in government that mining is good and you know they should permit the mine and allow the mine,” Ganoza said. He added that while governments are seeking to increase their take, they also have to consider the competitiveness of their mining sectors. “In this case, the dynamic of the discussion is completely different. They all want the mine. The question is how much, and that’s sometimes a fair discussion, right? and I think where we are seeing these discussions take place, the host governments are being careful in how they manage their tax burden so they remain competitive,” he said. Fortuna is one of the newest additions to Guyana’s gold sector. To date, there are over 13 Canadian mining companies developing large-scale mining projects across Guyana. For five of the companies, the Proven and Probable Reserves and indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) amount to 15.7 million ounces of gold. The remaining companies are still in the exploration stage and have not reached the point of announcing resource estimates. Ganoza’s comments on other nations looking to secure a higher share from their

Jorge Ganoza, President and CEO of Canadian-based mining company Fortuna Mining Corp. gold resources come as, over the past two decades, Guyana has been receiving either 5 or 8 percent royalties from the large-scale mining companies operating here. When the price of gold goes beyond US$1,000 per ounce, large-scale mining companies’ royalty would rise from 5 percent to 8 percent. Notably, Fortuna is advancing the Quartzstone gold project, which covers 296 square kilometres of contiguous mining lands in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Earlier this year, Fortuna entered an earn-in agreement to acquire up to a 70 percent interest in the Quartzstone Gold Project. Fortuna is currently advancing its 2026 work programme on the project, valued at approximately US$5.6 million, including an initial 5,000metre diamond drilling programme. Moreover, Ganoza also highlighted Guyana as an area of investment interest, and drilling at its project in Guyana will start this month. “We’re investing in the Guiana Shield. I don’t like to do proximology, but we’re only 30 kilometers north than from Oko West, and in similar rocks, we’re very excited about. We’re going to start drilling this month of October,” he added.

Chinese businessman remanded over death of six-year-old boy Magistrate Omadatt Chandan on Monday further remanded 76-year-old Chinese businessman Quan Sheng Li to prison until 5th November, 2026, following the chopping to death of six-year-old Ifeng Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. When the matter was called, the court was informed that the police prosecution file is incomplete. Key documentation, including the Post-Mortem Examination (PME) report and several outstanding witness statements, is yet to be submitted to the court. Li is charged with the murder of young Ifeng Cao, who was fatally attacked on a Wednesday afternoon shortly after returning home from school. According to initial police enquiries, the incident occurred at approximately 15:45 hrs when the child sustained a fatal chop wound to his neck. Investigators arrested Li shortly after the attack as the prime suspect. Under police interrogation, the 76-yearold reportedly confessed to the killing, citing a bitter business dispute with the child’s parents involving US$3 million. Li claimed he had invested the substantial sum into the couple’s business, but they were refusing to repay him. Police reports indicate that on the afternoon of the killing, Li visited the family’s residence to collect the outstanding funds. An argument ensued, and the child’s parents reportedly chased the elderly businessman out of their yard. As Li was leaving the compound, six-

Killed: six-year-old, Ifeng Cao year-old Ifeng Cao was arriving home from school. Li allegedly admitted to police that during the encounter, he struck the child with a chopper somewhere between his shoulder and head before walking out of the yard. Li subsequently led police investigators to the Parika Junction, where officers recovered the alleged murder weapon, a brown-handled chopper. The accused remains in custody as police continue to assemble the required evidence before the case resumes on 5th November.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 06, 2026

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Oil production in 2026 drops to lowest in August

Chart showing the lowest production level recorded for the year in August, 2026. Oil production in August dropped to its lowest levels this year, following a fire aboard the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) and an unexplained drop in production at the Payara project, earlier in the month. Production figures published by the Ministry of Natural Resources on its website indicate that just 697,000 barrels were produced on 1st August, 2026. This was as a result of decreased production at the Unity and Prosperity FPSOs which produced 179,000 barrels and 134,000 respectively. The Unity FPSO usually produces about 250,000 barrels while the Prosperity produces about 260,000 barrels daily. Production slowly jumped but again slid to 701,000 barrels on 9th August 9 due to fallen output at the Payara project which only pumped 58 barrels. On 23rd August, production fell to 760,000 barrels following a fire in the laundry room of the Liza Unity FPSO. Exxon said it still produced 107,000 barrels on 23rd

August and 87 barrels on the 24th. The company slowly resumed normal operations at the project, producing 189,000 barrels on the 25th and 257,000 barrels on the 26th. In a statement, Exxon said it suspended operations at the facility which include the offloading of crude. It explained, “heat detectors aboard the Liza Unity FPSO were activated in the laundry room of the living quarters, indicating a small fire, which was quickly extinguished.” The company said the appropriate response procedures were initiated. “All personnel aboard the vessel are safe and accounted for,” the company stated, adding: “operations were suspended as part of our established safety response and will resume following completion of the necessary checks,” the oil giant said. Following the incident, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said it will investigate the circumstances that led to the fire. The ministry said, “…that the relevant regulatory authorities will conduct the

Govt. launches $40B Guyana Development Bank, loans up to $10M available The Government of Guyana (GoG) has officially launched its flagship development bank, offering loans up to $10 million for Guyanese looking to co-invest. In the absence of a physical building, an online platform has been launched where applications can be made to support loans from as low as $50,000 to benefit small and medium-scale businesses looking to startup, sustain or grow operations. See link below: https://gdb.gov.gy/ Government has set aside $20 billion in the 2026 budget, representing the first tranche of the bank’s $40 billion authorised share capital. To this end, persons seeking ‘quick loans’ up to $300,000 can apply online, using their mobile phones. Requirements include one valid form of identification (ID) such as the National ID card, driver’s licence, passport or E-ID card; a cellphone number; short description of the business and what the loan will be used for and bank account details for

disbursement. Meanwhile, loans higher than $3 million will require additional documentation such as a business registration and Tax Payers Identification Number (TIN), business details and location, market, customers and financial information and details on how the funds will be used. After an application is submitted online, a GDB credit officer will review the information and notify applicants if more information is required. A letter will then be issued informing the amount, term and installment offered. The letter of offer is accepted and signed online. The loan will then be paid into the applicant’s bank account. According to the website, persons can view the application status online by signing in. It said each application shows the current status- under review, approved or declined, or loan disbursed- and any action required from the applicant. Continued on page 6

necessary follow-up to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.” It added that it will continue to closely engage ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and the relevant regulatory agencies on this incident. The Liza Unity is Guyana’s second FPSO and produces hydrocarbons from the Liza Two project. The vessel commenced production activities in February 2022. The vessel was designed to produce 220,000 bpd but was optimised by Exxon which pushed production to about 250,000

bpd. It is moored in water depth of about 1,650 m and is able to store approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil. Unity is one of the four FPSOs in Guyana’s fleet. ExxonMobil also produces oil at Liza One, Payara- its third project- and Yellowtail, the fourth project. A fifth FPSO, the Errea Wittu recently arrived in Guyana and is slated to come online during the fourth quarter of this year, increasing the country’s daily production beyond a million barrels per day.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 06, 2026

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Our teachers Yesterday Guyana joined the rest of world in observing World Teachers' Day. The occasion as usual was filled with pomp and ceremony in some places. We believe such a day should never be reduced to flowers, speeches, greetings and social media tributes. It should be a moment for a country to honestly examine how it treats the men and women entrusted with educating its children and preparing the next generation. In Guyana, our teachers deserve recognition and gratitude for the work they continue to perform, often under difficult circumstances. They teach, counsel, motivate, discipline and, in many instances, provide emotional support to children who face challenges far beyond the classroom. They remain among the most important builders of our society. Yet, while Guyana celebrates its teachers, too many of them continue to struggle. The 2026 World Teachers' Day theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,” is particularly relevant. The theme commemorates 60 years since the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which recognised the importance of protecting teachers' rights, improving their working conditions and elevating the status of the profession. Six decades later, Guyana must ask whether it is doing enough. The country is earning billions of dollars from its oil resources, yet teachers continue to complain about salaries that do not adequately reflect the importance and demands of their profession. A nation cannot proclaim that education is its highest priority while those at the heart of the education system struggle to make ends meet. There is also the reality of the classroom itself. Some teachers work in environments where basic facilities and resources are inadequate. A conducive learning environment is not a luxury. Children need appropriate classrooms, functioning equipment and basic amenities, while teachers need the tools necessary to perform their jobs effectively. Then there is transportation. It is not uncommon to see teachers standing along roadsides waiting for public transportation to get to or from school. This should prompt serious reflection in a country now enjoying unprecedented oil wealth. Government should explore meaningful transportation assistance for teachers, including duty-free concessions for those who qualify, rather than leaving educators to bear the full burden of travelling to serve the nation. Perhaps even more troubling is the growing concern about bullying, disrespect and abuse directed at teachers, including by some students. No teacher should have to enter a classroom wondering whether he or she will be verbally abused, threatened or physically attacked. Protecting teachers does not mean denying students their rights. It means establishing an environment where respect, discipline and safety are non-negotiable. Parents, students, teachers, school administrators and government all have responsibilities in restoring discipline and respect within schools. Guyana's teachers should not have to choose between their calling and their economic survival. Neither should they have to accept unsafe or unsuitable working conditions as part of the profession. The government has repeatedly spoken of investing in education and human capital. The true test of that commitment is not merely how much money is allocated to new schools, programmes or infrastructure. It is also whether the teacher standing before the classroom feels valued, adequately compensated, properly equipped and protected.

Response to Routledge's Insult that “not our job to build the nation” Dear Editor, Exxon's Alistair Routledge's usual full of himself outburst that “It's not our job to build the nation…they didn't vote for u s … w e a r e n o t representatives of the people” in response to a media question about Guyanese demanding more from his company, was typical of his imperiousness and disdain for the Guyanese people from the day he set foot in Guyana, to the extent that distinguished Attorney Christopher Ram joined by others, publicly called for his removal. See October 25, 2025 Kaieteur News article “Ram calls for dismissal of E x x o n G u y a n a President…”. It must be noted that this is not about Exxon, since Routledge's behaviour is like chalk and cheese compared to his predecessor Mr. Rod Henson, who, though a fervent company loyalist, was an exemplary professional who exhibited great mindfulness and respect for the country's rule o f l a w, g o v e r n m e n t authorities, and the people of Guyana. I challenge Routledge to name a single Guyanese who would have ever indicated any expectation that it was Exxon's “job to build

Guyana”; so, his melodramatics in answer to a fair and predictable question in context of his company hauling off record breaking profits from a country with 58% poverty, was uncalled for, and unnecessary. As expected of a supposed seasoned manager, he could have come up with a thousand gracious answers; however, he just couldn't resist his proclivity for poking another finger into the eyes of the Guyanese people with his patronising mouthing off. Instead of washing his mouth on the Guyanese people, I wish that Routledge would for once, have the common decency and manners to at least fess up that his company needs Guyana far more than Guyana needs his company; and express his gratitude to the people for resuscitating his company. It was Guyana's oil that bailed Exxon out of a financial crisis when it was laying off employees, shedding its high liability assets such as the Canadian tar sands, and yes, being kicked off of the Dow Jones Industrial list of the US 30 blue chip companies; and it is Guyana's oil that accounts for 60% of his company's 19.3 billion barrels of

worldwide proved equivalent oil reserves, even with his company's dishonest lowballing of Guyana's reserves to Exxon's financial advantage. In other words, there will be no Exxon without the people of Guyana's oil. Emboldened by the government described by the Honorable Judge Kissoon as “derelict, pliant and submissive” to Exxon, there seems to be no end to the disrespectful behaviour of Routledge taking the warm hospitality and good natured-ness of the people as weakness. Was it Mr. Henson's respect and caring for the Guyanese people, the reason why he was removed a n d r e p l a c e d b y M r. bombastic Routledge? Well, the answer became obvious ever since Routledge arrived, taking full advantage of the “derelict, pliant and submissive” PPPC Govt., among his numerous atrocities: 1. Falsely declare that “prior to 2023, we were not making profits here in Guyana, so there were no tax credits from that”, though Exxon's own income statements recorded profits of G$132 billion in 2021 and G$637 billion in 2022 2. Put up billboards

across Guyana falsely propagandizing that Guyana receives 52% of oil revenues, which is an impossibility, when in fact, Guyana only received 14.5%. 3. Reverse the prohibition on flaring of billions of tons of toxic produced gas into the atmosphere, allowing unlimited flaring for a paltry fee that is miniscule to the money Exxon makes from the flaring. 4. Contemptuously justify flaring, saying that poor Guyana needs the money charged for the flaring and that flaring in Guyana is OK because Guyana's atmosphere is clean; so, has room to take up more pollutants, when, at the same time, Exxon had committed to cut flaring by almost half in the rest of the world. 5. Publicly threaten that if Guyana doesn't cooperate and allow for this flaring, Exxon may take its business elsewhere; 6. Join with the Govt. to fight tooth and nail in court to overturn the full liability assurance enshrined in environmental permits to cover oil spills, without which, would leave an environmental catastrophe and bankrupt Guyana and the (Continued on page 5)

Grateful for the president's initiative Dear Editor, After over 35 years, the glorious game of lovely cricket was played on a flood-lit ground in Leonora at the new Leonora Sports Ground located at the back of the Leonora Police Station, much to the jubilation of the sports lovers in Leonora and the cricket starved villagers. Live cricket returned to the village of Leonora last Friday night, October the 2nd, when a President's X1 team led by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali himself, played a friendly 20 overs game of tape-ball cricket against a Leonora X1 team, led by Jeetendra

Kishore (Jit). The visitors made 225 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and bowled out the hosts for 178 runs. President Ali picked up 3 wickets. The ground was unofficially opened on Sunday the 27th September 2026, when a 50 Ball Softball Competition was played, involving teams from Leonora Pasture “Legends” (Winner) the Leonora Police Station (1st Runner Up), Leonora Muslim Youth Organisation ( 2 n d R u n n e r- U p ) a n d Leonora A and B Cricket Club ( 3rd Runner-Up).This competition was organized

Our teachers deserve more than one day of appreciation. They deserve policies that demonstrate appreciation every day of the year. As Guyana marks World Teachers' Day, let us celebrate the dedication of our teachers. But let us also listen to their concerns and act on them. If teachers are truly shaping our future, then protecting and uplifting them must be regarded not as a favour, but as a national investment. Guyana cannot build the educated, productive and resilient society it envisions while leaving its teachers behind.

by members from the Softball Cricket League Region 3 and members from the Leonora Police Station Management Committee. First prize included a $100,000 cash and trophy which were donated by Imran “Wolf “ Roti & Furniture Store, 2nd prize of $75,000 and the 4th prize of $25,000, donated by Bacchus Ent. Construction, 3rd prize of $50,000, donated by Nadesh's N&R Welding Co. and Reuben's RH Int. and the other 3 trophies were donated by Kesho's Murthy Store. With the blessings of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Culture, Youth and Sports M i n i s t e r, H o n o r a b l e Minister Charles Ramson, Minister Steven Jacobs, Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand, the R D C R e g i o n 3 , Stewartville/CI NDC, Mr. Lionel Rasul, many persistent petitioners and other community minded citizens, Leonora's dream of

having its own ground once again has materialized. It therefore means that, in particular, the youths now have a place of their own to practice and play cricket, they will be kept off the streets from drugs, away from the consumption of alcoholic beverages in their free time and can now run, exercise and spend time in a safe space. This is in keeping with President Ali's advice of staying fit by "Get Up, Get Out and Get Active." The environment is healthy and secured as it is located right next to the seawall of the Atlantic Ocean, the Leonora Police Station and the Leonora “Cottage” Hospital. As advised by President Ali, there is a plan to improve the standard and ambience. Leonorians and others are h a p p y, g r a t e f u l a n d appreciative for this initiative. Yours Respectfully, Jai Lall.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 06, 2026

Nascimento should know better Dear Editor, In response to Mr. Kit Nascimento's letter in Kaieteur News dated September 27, 2026, I want Mr. Nascimento to know that I am unlike him, who was a staunch critic of the PPP government for decades has now changed his position, and is hanging his mouth where the soup runs. I a l s o w a n t M r. Nascimento to know that I am a steadfast supporter of the party of my choice, and neither power, money nor position will cause me to change. In other words, I will not trade my integrity, morality and reputation for power, money or position in a corrupt and racist government. A truly meaningful life requires standing up for a higher moral purpose, fairness, equality and truth which matters more than mere power, money or position. The late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “if a man has not discovered something that he is prepared to die for, he is not f i t t o l i v e . ” F o r M r. Nascimento to criticise my letter is healthy because it is his democratic right to do so, but what is unhealthy is that his criticism borders on denial and a lack of

c o n s c i e n c e . I s M r. Nascimento so blind as to not see who are being awarded the lucrative multibillion and multi-milliondollar government contracts? Is Mr. Nascimento so deaf that he is not aware that Afro-Guyanese who he claimed have power and position in the government from the Prime Minister to ministers to permanent secretaries and others do not have the authority to make any consequential decisions? Is Mr. Nascimento so uninformed that he does not know that those Afro-Guyanese are to what to do, how to act and the type of speeches to make. Simply put, they are powerless, their positions are ceremonial, and they are nothing more than figure heads. Furthermore, I cannot believe that Mr. Nascimento does not to know that this dictatorial and arrogant government is very vindictive, especially against the leader of the opposition elements. This includes members of both APNU and WIN. While I respect the rights of Mr. Nascimento to criticise my letter, he did not provide any information or data to refute the issues

Response to Routledge's... From page 4 Caribbean countries. 7. Join with the Govt. to d r o p t h e E PA ' s l e g a l proceedings against Exxon for refusing to pay the small fine of $500 USD for six small oil spills, with the bonus of the removal of the EPA Attorney prosecuting the case for EPA. 8. Illegally exceed the safe oil production rate enshrined in the permits, compromising the health, safety and environment, and increasing the risk of an oil spill without liability coverage. 9. Triple to 9 days, the time to deploy the capping stack equipment to stop an oil spill, thus, recklessly allowing an extra 6 days of oil gushing into the ocean. 10. Impose upon the Govt. that there shall be no talk of renegotiation of the lopsided oil contract, despite both President Ali and VP Jagdeo prior shouting from

the rooftop that it was the worst contract ever which steals the nation's patrimony and will be renegotiated as soon as they get into office; but when in office, became so cowardly muted that scared to even request renegotiations under the cover of “sanctity of contract”. 11. Add further insult with his recent ridiculousness that Guyana's oil reserves have dropped from the already preposterous 11 billion barrels, further increasing Exxon's withholdings by $ b i l l i o n s f o r decommissioning. For Exxon to recover any semblance of credibility and confidence of the people as seen during Mr. Henson's tenure, I join with Christopher Ram and the others in calling for the removal of Mr. Routledge. Sincerely, Dr. Vincent Adams

addressed in my letter. It seems that Mr. Nascimento does not know that constructive criticism and robust debate/discussions on public policy and officials and government is a fundamental right and a vital component of a healthy democracy. My critique of the inept, discriminatory and exclusionary policies of the current government is based on my perspective of the socio-economic realities faced by ordinary Guyanese. I cautioned Mr. Nascimento not to misinterpret my views on the government as unfair or biased but rather understand them as a genuine engagement in the democratic process. I want Mr. Nascimento to know that I stand by the points raised in my letter as they reflect my genuine concerns regarding the direction of our beloved country. While I observe his response, I firmly maintain the validity of the contents of my letter. Sincerely, Aubrey Retemyer

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Does sanctity of contract apply to Exxon? Dear Editor, President Ali frequently parrots the “sanctity of contract” in discussions of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement (PSA) to convey that Guyana cannot change the contract. Yet the agreement was amended on April 26, 2019, by President Granger, to ensure that the 2% royalty could not be treated as a recoverable cost (see Stabroek News). Thus, the contract has changed since it was initially signed on June 27, 2016. President Ali is either misleading the Guyanese people or is unaware that the most important business contract in Guyana's history has been modified. Additionally, in Article 32 of the PSA, the stability clause of the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement, expressly contemplates negotiation and amendment of the contract. Article 32.1 permits amendments with the contractor's prior written consent, while Article 32.4 specifically provides for negotiations that may result in an amendment to the Agreement. Thus, “sanctity of contract” does not mean—and never has meant—that the parties are prohibited from negotiating mutually agreed changes to the contract. On September 19, 2026, we published a l e t t e r , s e e https://kiskadeewatch.com/opinion/letters/ap parent-discrepancy-of-us604m-in-oilrevenues-for-first-half-of-this-year/, referencing Section 15.6 of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement, which states in part: “...royalty of two percent (2%) of all Petroleum produced and sold ... Cash payment shall be due quarterly, thirty (30)

days following the end of each calendar quarter.” At the time, we reviewed the 2026 Natural Resource Fund (NRF) reports available through July and identified an apparent difference in the royalty payments for the first half of 2026. Those NRF reports showed that US$219 million had been paid in royalties. But using figures from the Bank of Guyana report, however, the implied royalty for the first half of 2026 is approximately US$302 million: US$92.50 per barrel × 163.3 million barrels × 2% royalty. That leaves an apparent difference of about US$83 million between the calculated royalty and the amount reported as paid by the NRF. The August 2026 NRF report was released a few days ago. We had expected it to include an adjustment that would reconcile the US$83 million difference, but no such adjustment appeared. If the principle of sanctity of contract is to be applied consistently, it should apply to all parties to the agreement, including Exxon and its partners. We would therefore like President Ali to explain the discrepancy: if the full royalty amount was due under Section 15.6, has the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement been complied with by Exxon and its partners? If so, what accounts for the US$83 million difference? Sincerely , Darsh Khusial Alfred Bhulai Kenrick Hunte Joe Persaud o n b e h a l f o f O G G N (www.oggn.org/about )

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 06, 2026

Recaptured prison escapee sentenced to 36 months New Amsterdam Prison escapee Budnarine Persaud, who was recaptured last month, was handed an additional 36 months imprisonment for his daring act. The 28-year-old fisherman, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, escaped the facility on 21st September, at about 13:00hrs, while he was working at the new administrative building with three other inmates under the supervision of a prison officer. He was recaptured after being discovered hiding on a fishing boat at the No. 65 Fisheries on the Corentyne on 23 r d September. Already serving a 24-month prison sentence for simple larceny, Persaud was scheduled to be released on 5th November, 2027. Following his arrest on 23rd September, he was formally charged on 2nd October, with the offence of Escape from Lawful Custody, which occurred on 21st September,2026 at New Amsterdam Prison Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam Berbice. The charge was laid under Section 339 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter

Recaptured and resentenced: Budnarine Persaud 8:01. Persaud appeared at the Albion Magistrate's Court on 2nd October, 2026 before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.

Venezuelan troops on the border Dear Editor, Our key ally has taken control over our declared enemy to the west, but they have not taken action to have them remove troops along our western border. Why the delay and the inaction on the part of the Ministry of F o r e i g n A ff a i r s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperation? We as a nation must insist that our ally, the great United States of America, take action to reign in the military of Venezuela. We must prevent any future action by their military that can place our sovereignty and our military personnel at risk. It is imperative that Minister Todd meet with the Ambassador of the United States of America and urgently request their assistance in removing the Venezuelan troops along our western border. We have aided Venezuela during their most recent devastating disaster, but they continue to insist on being confrontational, and they continue to lay claim to our territory. Any future support for Venezuela must be conditional. It must require that they relinquish their claim to our Essequibo!

Strengthening a declared enemy is utter foolishness and our leaders must not play the part of the fool. We must not give to our declared enemies a bed to sleep on nor a bottle of our rum to drink. Peace can only be made when it is mutually desired. We may want peace, but Venezuela has no desire for it and those that can and have replaced Maduro continue to insist that Our Essequibo belongs to them. Our leaders must take the patriotic position required for this serious and dangerous situation along our western border. If the United States of America cannot intervene on our behalf, then we must broach the subject with His Majesty King Charles III during his visit. A joint military base along our side of the western border with the United Kingdom may be necessary and most prudent. It is urgent that our government takes decisive steps towards defending our homeland. Sincerely, Jamil Changlee

Govt. launches $40 billion Guyana... From page 3 Persons who wish to apply physically will be required to make an appointment with a GDB official and can book the appointment online. Government has assured that Guyanese will not be required to pay interest on these loans as repayment will only include the amount borrowed. In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said the institution “will dramatically improve the access to and affordability of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and will unlock boundless possibilities for businesses with credible and

viable plans to be established and/or expand with the support of the financing provided through the GDB.” It added that the bank will help facilitate the growth and expansion in SMEs across the entire productive spectrum. Concerns were previously raised as the law governing the Guyana Development Bank fails to make hold possible corrupt banking officials to account. Opposition Member of P a r l i a m e n t ( M P ) , D r. Terrence Campbell pointed out that while the act stipulates penalties for misleading the institution

and leaking confidential information, it makes no provision for charging officials who seek kickbacks for approving loans. To this end he had suggested changes to include penalties for those who corruptly demand favours in exchange for funding. “I believe that the government may be relying on other pieces of legislation that can be used but I believe it would be a very good addition to add some clause there to prevent and if happens, to prosecute corrupt actions by bank executives and bank employees,” the MP stated.

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Tuesday October 06, 2026

‘Powerful’ officers cannot be above the law’ — Women’s Commission questions why Karimbaksh remains on duty as concerns mount over police handling of sexual misconduct claims The Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) has broken its silence on the allegations of rape and sexual assault a g a i n s t D e p u t y Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, questioning the apparent lack of action by the senior management of the Guyana Police Force and warning that the matter has become a test of whether powerful o ff i c i a l s c a n b e h e l d accountable. In a statement issued on M o n d a y, W G E C Chairperson Indranie Chandarpal said the

Deputy Police Commissioner, Fazil Karimbaksh commission was particularly concerned about the

“deafening silence” from the executive management of

the police force, despite the allegations having reportedly been made months ago. A serving female police inspector has accused Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), of multiple incidents of sexual assault, threats and other serious misconduct. The allegations have not been tested in court and Karimbaksh remains entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. The Guyana Police Force has since confirmed that it received a report containing

Chairman of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indranie Chandarpal allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against a senior officer and that Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken established a team to investigate the m a t t e r. H o m e A ff a i r s Minister Oneidge Walrond subsequently identified Karimbaksh as the officer at the centre of the allegations. H o w e v e r, t h e commission is now questioning why the officer against whom the allegations were made has not been publicly reported as having been removed from operational duties while the investigation proceeds. The commission said the female inspector had overcome fear and embarrassment to report the alleged incidents, but questioned whether appropriate action had been taken to protect her. “We are unable to confirm whether any appropriate actions were taken in response to the allegations of rape,” Chandarpal, a former minister of human services said, while specifically questioning whether the accused officer had been relieved of duty. T h e C o m m i s s i o n ’s concerns come against the backdrop of earlier reports by Kaieteur News about allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse of authority and misconduct within the Police Force, including at the Police Academy. In January, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the Criminal Investigation Department and the Office of Professional Responsibility had been directed to investigate allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of authority at the P o l i c e A c a d e m y. T h e Ministry had at the time reiterated its “zerotolerance” position on sexual misconduct and said persons found culpable, regardless of

rank, would be held accountable. T h e c o m m i s s i o n ’s intervention also comes days after opposition parties and civil society organisations called for Karimbaksh to be removed from operational command pending an independent investigation. APNU, the Alliance For Change, Forward Guyana Movement and women’s rights advocates have all raised concerns about the appropriateness of a senior officer remaining in a position of authority while allegations of this nature are being investigated. Minister Walrond has said she believes Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave, but acknowledged that the Police Service Commission, which has responsibility for disciplinary action involving senior officers, is currently not constituted. The female inspector has reportedly been transferred from SOCU at her request. WGEC said the circumstances are especially t r o u b lin g b e c au s e th e alleged victim is herself a serving member of the organisation mandated to protect citizens. “What is particularly unacceptable in this instance, is that serving members of the Guyana Police Force, who are mandated to serve and protect the public, are themselves subject to sexual abuse from within their own institution,” the commission said. It noted that victims of sexual exploitation in workplaces often face fear, embarrassment and concerns about retaliation, all of which can discourage them from reporting. According to the commission, those concerns become even more acute when the alleged perpetrator is a senior official with Continued on page 10

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An accusation is not a conviction There is something ominous about a rape allegation. The word itself can become a verdict long before it reaches a courtroom. The letter “R” is sometimes enough to transform suspicion into certainty. It can turn an accusation into guilt; it can overnight cast a human being into a social pariah. That is precisely why sexual offences must be treated with the utmost seriousness, but also why justice must remain justice. The law recognises the gravity of sexual violence. Guyana’s Sexual Offences Act carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment for the gravest offences. The Act is deliberately protective of complainants. Proceedings can be held in camera, excluding the public and media; the identity of complainants and witnesses in sexual-offence cases is protected from publication; specialised Sexual Offences Courts provide an environment designed to reduce trauma; vulnerable witnesses may be protected by screens; and the law restricts the use of a complainant’s sexual history and reputation as weapons against her. There is good reason for these protections. Women are overwhelmingly the victims of rape, and many victims already carry the burden of fear, shame, humiliation and the knowledge that reporting what happened may expose

them to another kind of ordeal. The law therefore seeks to prevent the courtroom from becoming a second crime scene. But there is another danger, and a democratic society must not be afraid to speak of it. A man accused of rape can lose almost everything before a judge or jury ever hears the evidence. He can lose his job. His career can collapse. His business can disappear. His marriage can disintegrate. His children can be subjected to ridicule. His reputation can be destroyed. His friends can disappear. And if he is convicted, he can lose his liberty for years, potentially for life. And history gives us reasons to be cautious. In Guyana, a man was once convicted in and sentenced to 30 years for the rape of an eight-year-old girl. He maintained that he was elsewhere when the offence allegedly occurred. The Court of Appeal found that his alibi had not been properly put to the jury, quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial. At that retrial, a jury unanimously acquitted him. That case does not prove that the complainant deliberately lied. An acquittal is not proof of a false accusation. But it demonstrates that a conviction can be wrong. Elsewhere, the consequences have been even more terrible. In Britain,

Andrew Malkinson was wrongly convicted of rape in 2004 and spent 17 years in prison while maintaining his innocence. His conviction was eventually quashed after DNA evidence established that another man was responsible. In April 2026, Paul Quinn was convicted of the rape for which Malkinson had spent those years behind bars. And in Guyana there have also been cases in which false allegations were demonstrably established. A young woman was convicted after falsely accusing her former boyfriend of attempted rape and threatening to report him unless he paid a huge sum of money. These cases should not be used to suggest that false allegations are commonplace. They are not. Nor should they be used to frighten genuine victims into silence. The British Crown Prosecution Service expressly warns that false allegations are damaging but also cautions that an acquittal does not automatically mean an allegation was false. Every allegation must be investigated. Every victim must be protected. And every accused person must be judged on evidence rather than sentiment. That principle is increasingly recognised elsewhere. Britain provides lifelong anonymity to rape complainants and restricts

Dem Boys Seh...

GET TO DE POINT! Some people does talk so long before getting to the point that by de time dem reach de point, de point done pack up and gone home. Deh gat one fella who does offer commentary on social media. But before he comment about something, he does read a newspaper report about it. Then he does read another newspaper report ’bout de same story. Then he does find a follow-up report. By de time he ready to give he own opinion, people already know more ’bout de story than he does. And then he starts. “Before I tell you what I say, let he tell you what I propose to say and what you are likely to hear people say.” Then he does tell you what he propose to say. After that, he does tell you what somebody else might say about what he propose to say. Then he does explain why somebody might misunderstand what he propose to say. Then he does explain what he really meant by what he propose to say. By this time, the listener does need a snack, a bathroom break and possibly a small loan. Some people does take ten minutes to say something that coulda fit comfortably in a WhatsApp message. Dem boys know one man who does ask a simple question and get

a twenty-minute answer. “Where you going?” “Well, before I answer that, we have to understand where I was coming from, where I am presently situated, where I might be going, and where people believe I should be going…” Man! Wherever you going, just go! Another one does start every sentence with, “Let me put this into context.” Dem Boys seh context is useful, but some people does put so much context around de point that de point become a prisoner. And there is another one who does say, “I will come back to that later.” Later never come. That point gone missing like a promise after election day. Dem Boys ain’t saying people should rush. Take your time. Explain. Give evidence. But if you have a point, make de point before de point make you tired. Because in this age of social media, attention span short. If your commentary taking longer than the problem you discussing, people ain’t waiting for the conclusion. Dem scrolling. And by de time you finally say, “So, my point is…” Dem done move on. Talk half. Leff half.

intrusive questioning about sexual history. At the same time, prosecutors have specific guidance for allegations believed to be deliberately false, including possible prosecution for perverting the course of justice or wasting police time. New Zealand automatically suppresses the identity of complainants in sexual cases, while maintaining judicial oversight and procedural safeguards. Guyana must do no less than uphold the fundamental principle upon which our entire criminal justice system rests. That principle is that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Yet listen to some of our public conversations. The moment the word “rape” appears, innocence is sometimes abandoned. Some people do not ask what happened. They ask only what should be done to the accused.

And then there is the hypocrisy. Some demand immediate punishment whenever an allegation involves someone they dislike. But w h e n a n allegation involves someone they support, suddenly the accused is being framed. Evidence becomes important again. Due process becomes sacred again. The presumption of innocence magically returns. That is not justice. In some sections of the media, there are persons with axes to grind. They seize upon allegations and weaponize them against people they dislike. A headline becomes a sentence. A broadcast becomes an execution. Social media becomes the gallows. We must resist that temptation. Protect the woman who has been raped. Protect the child who has been violated. Protect the vulnerable. Protect their identities, their

dignity and their right to justice. But protect the innocent man too. For the law to be worthy of its name, it must be strong enough to punish the guilty without becoming so careless that it destroys the innocent. The presumption of innocence is not a technicality. Due process is not an inconvenience. They are the walls that stand between justice and vengeance. And when those walls begin to crumble, we should all be afraid. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Tuesday October 06, 2026

Ministers Persaud, Nandlall One’s from the priestly caste. The other claims warrior caste status. Both are commended for highmindedness. Both Hon Minister of Women’s Safety, Dr. Vindya Persaud, and Hon Minister of Justice, SC Anil Nandlall have programmes that they placed in the public space. Commendable, again, I say. Then, warmth fades, a long chill saturates consciousness: what to t h i n k , t o s a y, o f t h e disconnection? Between programmes intended to inspire confidence, and the people reaching for protection, but finding

nothing. The programmes and provisions are still in those two high government offices. So, why are the people, especially women and paupers trapped in certain circumstances, left hanging, on their own? Vi n d y a P e r s a u d , a woman of standing who asserts vigorously that she’s for women in distress. Where is the Hon. Minister, when allegations of rape are made? Anil Nandlall, a man who informs that he is of righteous justice, and nothing else, into which mist did he fade (or sought safe distance from inconvenient light)?

All this paper of where to look for help in times of overpowering menace, what to do, who to trust. Only for the victims of alleged injustice to learn to their pain, it’s nothing but paper. The people to make them come alive, mean something, and deliver what’s protective, what’s comforting, they are just not there. Dr. Persaud is occupied with other interests. Temporarily. Until, the dust settles, the air clears. Her erstwhile colleague, Minister Oneidge Waldron has her hands full. But what should have stuck instantly,

passed straight through her fingers. Belatedly, she tries to recover the pieces. Instead of the priority being who has been victimized and being there for them, the PPP Govt. has always been about who is exposed, and what damage could be done. Before there is any erecting of institutional barriers, the mental ones take effect immediately. Look out for the team. Protect the brand. Hence, when Minister of Justice Nandlall is expected to reiterate all of his prior bhajans about the law’s majesty, the law’s splendor, he discovers that it’s time for

a leave of absence. All those fine representations on Facebook come back, like a boomerang, to make his own face appear contorted. A man of the law in agony at the law diluted to impotency. So, I believe. So, I stand. When the provisions of the law and its procedural underpinnings should take charge, there is the limplipped, the limp-wristed, and the limping spirits of not one, not two, but three ministers of repute. I am open to correction: it could be all of them in that gang. When there’s delivery before a captive and swooning crowd, the likes of Persaud, Nandlall, and Waldron (all grandchildren of Guyana) are incomparable, baskets of h i g h - o c t a n e e n e r g y, mesmerizing verbal spillage. When they have to stand before those seeking answers to hard questions, seeking help, their first instinct is all for one and one for all. Decades ago, I wrote that the edifice of the PPP as a party and as a government is so mildewed and decayed, that to touch one board is to risk the whole goddamned building toppling. It is why ministers buy time to create

the space to get their heads (and stories) in order. It is why ministers seek the comfort of distance, so that they can develop what they believe to be credible cover stories. Somebody reportedly said that Guyanese are stupid. Those of the lower political orders ensure that Guyanese get that point when they unload a bag of dirt on them. In the U.S Congress, a senator called a prosecutor a “dirtbag”. I come close, but wouldn’t go so far in Guyana. In conclusion, I put this before all Guyanese (PPP, PNC, WIN [and foreign envoys]): human services are for people in bad times. Neither shelf nor silence renders aid when desperately needed. Justice is for all, and not only for ordinary citizens raised as exhibits of the law’s vitality, by those claiming to practice it. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

‘Powerful’ officers cannot... From page 8 significant authority. The WGEC stressed that every Guyanese has a right to work in a safe environment and should not have to choose between personal safety, dignity and livelihood. “Human Rights are meaningless if those who violate it are protected by the very institutions charged with upholding said rights,” the commission warned. It said the responsibility for protecting rights rests particularly with those who have a duty of care, including ministers, agency heads and law-enforcement authorities. The commission said the latest allegations therefore go beyond the individuals involved and raise fundamental questions about institutional accountability. “This case represents a test of Guyana’s institutions on whether they are capable of holding the ‘powerful’ accountable,” Chandarpal said. “It is therefore an imperative that we must not fail in this instance.” This version gives the story a new angle rather than recycling the allegations: the WGEC is now questioning the institutional response, particularly the Police Force’s silence and the protection of a complainant who reported allegations against a senior officer.

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‘Outside investigators cannot probe Karimbaksh’ Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Monday said the Guyana Police Force cannot utilise the services of officials outside the institution to probe allegations of sexual misconduct against head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh. Speaking with Kaieteur News on Monday, Hicken confirmed that the police force is leading the probe against the officer, who has been accused by a serving female police inspector of rape, sexual assault and threatening behaviour. When asked about the independence of the investigation, Hicken said, “We have officers within the force doing the investigation; we can’t take people outside the force to do a criminal investigation.” Hicken’s comments come days after Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond broke her silence on the matter. Karimbaksh, head of SOCU, was accused of rape and threatening behaviour by a serving female police inspector. The accusations include multiple incidents of sexual assault, threats to her life and an alleged incident in which a firearm was pointed at her. Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond on Friday revealed that an official investigation had commenced into the allegations against Karimbaksh. Speaking during an online programme, Walrond said Hicken informed her that a team had been established to investigate the allegations. “The investigation will entail getting statements from other persons whom they may think is appropriate to get statements from the accused, Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh to hold a formal confrontation,” she said. Meanwhile, civil society groups, including Transparency International Guyana Inc. (TIGI) and the Women & Gender Equality Commission, have expressed concern over the handling of the allegations against Karimbaksh and called on the authorities to come clean on the details surrounding the probe. TIGI noted that, given the circumstances, an investigation conducted by an undisclosed internal police team cannot simply be accepted as independent, impartial or capable of commanding public confidence.

...Hicken says as citizens protest TIGI therefore called for an immediate, credible and independent investigation, with investigators and oversight demonstrably o u t s i d e t h e a u t h o r i t y, professional orbit and institutional influence of Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh. The transparency body explained that while the Guyana Police Force has announced only that the Commissioner of Police established a team to investigate, it has not identified the composition of that team, its reporting structure, whether its members are junior to the deputy commissioner, the measures adopted to protect the complainant and witnesses, or the safeguards against interference—actual or perceived. TIGI said it has no confidence in an unnamed police investigative unit tasked with examining allegations against one of the force’s most senior officers while he remains in office and continues to exercise rank, influence and institutional standing. “A deputy commissioner cannot remain at work as though nothing has occurred while officers—who may be his juniors, colleagues or subordinates—are expected to investigate allegations against him. No credible anticorruption, human-rights or rule-of-law framework would regard that as an adequate safeguard,” the organisation said in a statement. TIGI emphasised that administrative leave is not punishment. “It is not a finding of guilt. It is an essential protective measure to preserve evidence, protect witnesses and complainants, prevent real or perceived interference, and protect the integrity of a process whose credibility is already in question,” the organisation said. The transparency body also noted Minister Walrond’s statement that a police team would investigate, take statements and conduct what she described as a “formal confrontation.” TIGI expressed alarm at the minister’s reference to a “formal confrontation” between the complainant and the accused. “Section 42 of Guyana’s Sexual Offences Act expressly protects complainants from being

required to recount their complaint in the accused’s presence unless they wish to do so. It further restricts circumstances in which a complainant may be required to view or be in the presence of an alleged perpetrator,” TIGI said. Alluding to the fact that the Police Service Commission, which has a constitutional role that includes disciplinary control over senior police officers, is not presently constituted, TIGI called on President Irfaan Ali, as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, to urgently exercise the leadership required to protect public confidence in the Guyana Police Force and the administration of justice. “The president must ensure that the constitutional process to establish a functioning police service

commission is completed without further delay. Public reporting has indicated that the appointment process for new constitutional commissions had been initiated after prior terms expired; that process must now be treated as urgent, not routine,” TIGI said. In the same vein, the Women & Gender Equality Commission, in a statement, said it has taken note of the reports involving Karimbaksh. Over the past several years, the commission noted that it has done extensive work to educate the public as a whole, but particularly people in the workplace, about the unlawfulness of sexual harassment and the gravity of sexual offences. It said it has urged persons to report such matters, recognising that in many instances victims are constrained by fear and embarrassment.

“What is particularly unacceptable in this instance is that serving members of the Guyana Police Force, who are mandated to serve and protect the public, are themselves subject to sexual abuse from within their own institution,” the Commission said. The commission added that the police officer who made the accusations overcame fear and embarrassment and was brave enough to report the incidents to the Minister of Home Affairs. The statement stressed that there are many questions surrounding the impartiality of the investigation. “We are unable to confirm whether any appropriate actions were taken in response to the allegations of rape. Was the high-ranking officer relieved from duty as is customary in this type of case?” the Commission

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken questioned. The Women & Gender Equality Commission noted that it is the responsibility of everyone, but particularly those who bear a duty of care—including Ministers, agency heads and law enforcement—to ensure that the rights of all rights holders are protected and upheld. “This case represents a test of Guyana’s institutions on whether they are capable of holding the ‘powerful’ accountable. It is therefore an imperative that we must not fail in this instance,” the commission added.

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‘No bail for Seeram’

Low salaries can no longer be reason for police ...High Court refuses pre-sentence bail application, as prosecution ranks to accept bribes sides with defence in challenging magistrate’s ruling - HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER

High Court judge, Justice Joy Persaud has dismissed an application for judicial review brought on behalf of head of border patrol, Daniel Seeram, ruling that the decision of Magistrate Abigail Gibbs to refuse him bail following his conviction was neither unlawful nor irrational. The ruling comes six months after Seeram’s appointment to lead the national border patrol unit and follows his conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm under Section 49 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. Delivering the decision, Justice Persaud stated on Monday, that the application failed to meet the legal threshold required for judicial review, relying on long-standing legal precedent to ground the court’s position. “This court finds that the application before it has not met the criteria for judicial review,” Justice Persaud declared. Citing former Chief Justice Chan in the Sherwin Samson case, Justice Persaud noted that the test “is not whether the court agreed with the decision which the magistrate reached, but whether their decision was so plainly rational and untenable that no reasonable bench of judges properly directed could have reached it.” “The court finds no indication that the magistrate acted unlawfully, irrationally, or outside of their jurisdiction,” Justice Persaud ruled. “Accordingly, the application for judicial review is dismissed.” Defence counsel Nigel Hughes, representing Seeram, challenged the legal basis of the magistrate’s postconviction orders, contending that the court had pre-judged the case.

Head of Border Patrol, Daniel Seeram Hughes pointed out that after finding Seeram guilty, the magistrate ordered a probation report, a victim impact statement, and submissions on mitigating and aggravating factors ahead of a formal sentencing date set for 2nd November. However, by remanding Seeram to prison in the interim, Hughes argued the magistrate effectively imposed a custodial sentence before holding the required sentencing hearing. “It would have been on the assumption that those matters would have been considered before the pronouncement of the sentence,” Hughes said. “The court made a finding and said effectively imprisonment while waiting on the matters that the court ought to contemplate before sentence. So, it’s a clear bias by the court. I am putting you in prison even though I haven’t heard mitigation.” Hughes further asserted that summary magistrates lack the statutory power to remand an accused person purely awaiting sentence, as opposed to remanding

on a pending charge. He noted that high court judges possess original jurisdiction that allows pre-sentence remand, whereas magistrates are bound strictly by statutory provisions such as the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act, which contains no such mechanism. He also criticised the magistrate’s reliance on Section 9 of the Bail Act, emphasising that Section 9 applies strictly to convicted persons who have already filed an appeal against conviction or sentence. Because no appeal had been lodged prior to sentencing, Hughes maintained Section 9 was wholly inapplicable and that the standard bail criteria under Section 7, such as flight risk, risk of reoffending, or witness tampering, were never established. “There was no issue of failing to surrender to custody… no suggestion at all that he was likely to commit an offence while on bail,” Hughes submitted, noting that Seeram had consistently attended all court dates and maintained significant national responsibilities. Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna Lall, appearing for the state, agreed with the defence that the magistrate had fallen into grave legal error, even while acknowledging the narrow scope of the judicial review application before the high court. Lall addressed that while the state recognises domestic violence as a serious and prevalent issue in Guyana and accepts Seeram’s conviction, the magistrate misconstrued the statutory penalties under Section 49. Lall pointed out that Section 49 states an offender is “liable to Continued on page 16

Police ranks can no longer point to low salaries as a reason for accepting bribes, especially given the promotions and welfare investments government has made over the past five years. This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Oniedge Waldron while speaking on an online podcast on Sunday. Minister Waldron said the government continues to invest billions of dollars into local law enforcement agencies to enhance capacity and professionalism in order to better serve the public. She said therefore, there is no place for officers who engage in misconduct. “The government is working fervently on changing, starting with the renumeration packages. Every police officer should conduct their job with integrity and professionalism,” Waldron added. She explained too that the police force is creating career pathways for professionals, including engineers, lawyers, doctors, psychologists a n d m e c h a n i c s . H o w e v e r, advancement should not be automatic. According to the minister, officers seeking promotion should be assessed on their performance and conduct, with their records demonstrating whether they were suited for leadership. Any infraction should be documented and placed on an officer’s file so it could be considered when decisions are made about career advancement. “It should come on the basis of merit,” the minister emphasised. “ T h e r e a r e m a n y, m a n y

Minister of Home Affairs, Oniedge Waldron hardworking and dedicated men and women in uniform, and the misconduct of a few should not overshadow the sacrifice of so many other officers.” “And I believe that we are on our way there…The idea now is to keep a standard that is clear, that is not based on who you know, and who knows you, but a standard of which all police officers can attain to. And it helps with morale as well, that ‘okay, if I know that if I do this, I comply, I can get promoted. Or if I don’t, it will go against my record,” she asserted. Promotion within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must be based on officers’ service, leadership abilities and disciplinary records, rather than simply their years on the job. Minister Walrond said clear promotion standards are key to strengthening integrity and professionalism within the force. “Every police officer should conduct their job with integrity and professionalism,” she said.

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Tuesday October 06, 2026

Oil economy has failed to pull - Winston agriculture sector along Jordan …warns weak agricultural growth undermines economic diversification Former Finance Minister and economist Winston Jordan on Sunday said Guyana’s agriculture sector should have expanded significantly alongside the massive growth in the oil economy, but the sector ’s performance shows that the country is still struggling to achieve meaningful economic diversification. Speaking on the programme ‘Sources,’ Jordan said while there has been considerable talk about diversification, the latest economic figures tell a different story. He pointed to the midyear report, which placed growth in the non-oil economy at 10.1 per cent, noting that the figure is expected to change by yearend. However, he said the

number must be examined more closely, particularly because the non-oil economy employs the majority of Guyanese. Jordan said much of the reported growth in the nonoil sector is being driven by construction, bauxite, gold and other mining activities, rather than by the critical productive sectors that would demonstrate genuine diversification. “The critical sector, agriculture, forestry and industry … those aren’t growing by the numbers that would suggest that the economy is making progress towards diversification,” he said. Jordan said agriculture, in particular, should have benefited from the expansion of the oil sector. “Agriculture should have

been pulled along with this massive growth in the oil sector because that sector, though small, it’s a capitalintensive sector but it requires food [to] sustain people who come in to join that sector and related activities,” he explained. According to Jordan, the weak performance of agriculture has consequences beyond the sector itself, particularly for G u y a n a ’s b a l a n c e o f payments. He said when agriculture records either negative or “anemic” growth, the country is forced to bridge the gap through increased food imports. Jordan described Guyana’s food import bill as “outlandish”, pointing to the wide range of products now being imported, including

items that could be produced locally. He referenced recent remarks by President Irfaan Ali, who acknowledged the e x t e n t o f G u y a n a ’s dependence on imports, saying the president himself had pointed out that Guyana is importing almost everything. Jordan noted that even products such as flavoured water, known as “icicle” and “flutey” when he was growing up, are now being imported, along with sugar cake, broccoli and numerous other food items. He said the situation creates a serious challenge for local agriculture because importing and distributing goods is often easier and less risky than producing them locally. “It is easier to import and distribute that than to bear the burden of planting, w a t e r i n g , s e c u r i t y, distribution, transportation, all these kinds of things,”

Former Finance Minister and Economist, Winston Jordan Jordan said. He argued that addressing the problem requires action on two fronts: reducing imports of goods that can be produced locally while creating stronger incentives for people to return to agriculture. Jordan pointed specifically to nontraditional farming areas such as Buxton, where he said there is considerable arable land but farmers face challenges including drainage and irrigation, inadequate incentives and weak post-harvest marketing systems. “So increasingly unless on the one hand you do something about these imported goods, especially the ones that can be grown here, and on the other hand create incentives for people

to go back to the land, especially in nontraditional areas like in Buxton and all these areas that got lots of arable land, but are affected by maybe drainage and irrigation, lack of incentives, no post-harvest marketing,” he said. Jordan also stressed the importance of guaranteeing markets for farmers. He said without a reliable market, farmers will continue to face uncertainty and may opt for quicker and more immediate ways of making money rather than taking on the risks and costs associated with agricultural production. “If a market is not secured as well, people will just continue to import goods, make a quick dollar and move on, especially with the implications of foreign currency,” he said.

Trial opens for Berbice pensioner accused of rape of child The trial of an elderly man of New Amsterdam, Berbice who has been accused of engaging in sexual activities with a child got underway at the Berbice High Court on Monday. Appearing before Justice Peter Hugh was Neil Fredericks, 65, of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, who is indicted on two counts of childrelated sexual engagement. For the first count of sexual activity with a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 11 (B) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, it is alleged that between the first day of March, 2020, and the thirty first day of October, 2021 in the county of Berbice, Fredericks engaged in sexual activities with a child who was between the ages of 10 and 11. On the second count for rape of a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 10 (B) of the aforementioned

Neil Fredericks pleaded not guilty to two counts of child-related sexual activity Act, it is alleged that between the previously stated date and location, he engaged in sexual penetration with the said child. The summary of the indictment was presented to the court by state prosecutor, Marisa Edwards. In res pons e to the allegations, Fredericks pleaded not guilty to both counts, setting the trial in motion officially with the empanelling of a 12-member

jury. He is currently being represented by attorney Charlyn Artiga. The prosecutor informed the court of her intent to use the testimonies of at least 14 witnesses, which includes relatives of the victim, officials from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Probation officers and ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stationed in Region Six.

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Govt. orders schools to keep CSEC SBAs for 2027 …as CXC’s planned overhaul creates confusion over Paper 032 The Ministry of Education has moved to clarify uncertainty surrounding the future of SchoolBased Assessments (SBAs), directing all secondary schools to ensure that Grade 11 students sitting the 2027 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations complete all prescribed SBA requirements. The ministry, in a statement yesterday, stressed that Paper 032 is not authorised as a substitute for SBAs for Guyana’s 2027 CSEC candidates, and warned schools against directing or permitting students to undertake the paper in place of their required SBA work. The clarification follows an announcement by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) earlier this year that it will overhaul the SBA system in response to growing concerns about the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in completing students’ coursework. CXC had announced that, beginning with CAPE examinations in May-June 2027 and CSEC in 2028, SBAs in a number of largely theory-based subjects would be replaced by Paper 032, an assessment conducted under supervised

Education Minister, Sonia Parag examination conditions. At the time, CXC said the move was intended to protect the integrity and credibility of Caribbean qualifications amid difficulties in determining whether SBA submissions represented students’ own work. However, CXC had also indicated that CSEC candidates would have the option in 2027 of completing either the traditional SBA or Paper 032, before the new system becomes mandatory in 2028.

GraceKennedy recalls Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch in Guyana, six other marketsd ...says recall is precautionary and linke to product-quality issue, not food safety

GraceKennedy Foods (GK Foods) has announced a voluntary recall of specific batches of its Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L, including products distributed in Guyana. The recall affects Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Turks and Caicos Islands, and St. Maarten. Consumers are being urged not to consume the affected product if the top of the package bears either of the following best-before codes: BB JUL 21 27 L6 BB JUL 22 27 L6 According to GK Foods, the recall is limited to these specific batches and markets and does not affect other batches of Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L or products distributed in other markets. The company said the issue has been assessed as a product-quality concern rather than a food-safety issue. “Based on the assessments conducted and information available to date, the matter is considered a product-quality issue

rather than a food-safety concern,” the company said. GK Foods added that no adverse health effects are expected from consumption of the affected product and that it has received no reports of illness or other adverse health effects associated with the product. A n d r e a C o y, C E O o f GraceKennedy Foods, said the company decided to recall the affected batches as a precaution. “The quality of our products and the trust consumers place in Grace are extremely important to us,” Coy said, adding that the company is working with distributors and retailers in the affected markets to remove the products. Consumers who have the affected Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch 1L are advised to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. GK Foods said consumers requiring additional information can contact the company at gracekennedy@gkco.com or (876) 922-3440.

The education ministry’s latest directive makes clear that, for Guyana, the existing SBA requirements remain in force for the 2027 CSEC cohort. “All Grade 11 students enrolled in CSEC subjects requiring an SBA are directed to resume or continue their assessment tasks immediately,” the Ministry said, noting that students must meet the prescribed March 2027 submission deadline. Schools have also been instructed to provide adequate instructional time, guidance and supervision to ensure that students complete and refine their SBA projects. Headteachers have been tasked with overseeing the immediate resumption of SBA activities across departments and monitoring students’ progress. The ministry further said education officers will conduct regional visits to schools, examine SBA progress records and engage school administrations to

determine whether candidates are on track. The CXC had said 13 subjects are slated for the discontinuation of traditional SBAs, with changes being introduced on a phased basis. CXC Director of Operations, Dr. Nicole Manning, had explained that the growing use of GenAI had made it increasingly difficult for the examination body to verify the authenticity of students’ submitted work. “When GenAI is used to produce an SBA that is submitted as a student’s own original effort, we can no longer be certain whose work we are assessing,” Manning had warned. Under the proposed Paper 032 system, candidates would receive their assessment topics about one month before the examination and would be permitted to take reference notes into the examination room. The final assessment would then be completed under supervised conditions.

Practical subjects, including Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, Food and Nutrition and Healthcare, are expected to retain SBA components because of the importance of hands-on assessment. CXC had said its decision followed consultations with educators across the region, with almost 2,400 educators surveyed. According to the Council, 77 per cent supported the CSEC reforms, while 76 per cent backed similar changes at CAPE level. The ministry has therefore urged schools to ensure that candidates remain on schedule and that all prescribed SBA work is completed and submitted by the March 2027 deadline. The new arrangement is expected to give Guyanese students another year under the existing SBA system before the wider CXC changes take effect for CSEC in 2028.

‘PSC not needed’ ...former PSC Chair, Slowe says Karimbaksh could be sent on accumulated leave

Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Rtd. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, is demanding immediate action against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, who is facing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour by a female police inspector. Slowe, in a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, questioned what it would take for the government to act, noting that Karimbaksh should be sent on administrative leave while the allegations are investigated. The Guyana Police Force confirmed last Friday that it had received a report containing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against a senior officer. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken subsequently established a team to investigate the matter. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond later confirmed that Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is the officer at the centre of the allegations. The female inspector

reportedly alleged that she was raped on two occasions and subjected to threats, including an allegation involving a firearm. She has since been transferred from SOCU at her own request. Walrond has said publicly that, in her view, Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. However, she noted that the PSC, which would ordinarily have a role in such matters, is not currently constituted and that she would discuss the issue with Commissioner Hicken. Slowe, however, contends that the absence of a functioning PSC should not prevent the government from taking immediate administrative action. He pointed to the 2013 allegations against then Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who was investigated by a team that included Jamaican detectives and subsequently resigned. Slowe also recalled that Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams was sent on leave in August 2020, shortly after the PPP Government assumed office, despite, he said, there being no allegation against Williams. “Karimbaksh is 54+ and is therefore due to retire from the force during the first half of 2027. I am sure that he has a lot of vacation leave,” Slowe said, arguing that the senior officer should be directed to proceed on leave as an initial step. “There is no need for any commission to initiate or be involved in that process. That is for the Ministry of Home Affairs to

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fazil Karimbaksh execute,” he asserted. Slowe also raised questions about previous serious allegations of misconduct against Karimbaksh and asked whether the SOCU chief’s position gives him access to sensitive information. Is it that Karimbaksh, being the head of SOCU has secrets for some people?” Slowe asked. He ended his statement with a blunt demand: “KARIMBAKSH MUST GO!”

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.

‘No bail for Seeram’

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'CCJ must never feel distant from the people it serves' — Justice Anderson Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson has pledged to ensure that the regional court remains accessible to the people of the Caribbean, as the institution begins its 20262027 judicial year with an increase in case filings and renewed efforts to deepen Caribbean jurisprudence. “What does it mean to be CCJ? It means being the court of the Caribbean, for the Caribbean, independent in judgment, steadfast in purpose, committed to serve,” Anderson said on Monday as the CCJ marked the opening of its new court year. He said the opening of a new judicial year provides an opportunity to reflect on the strides made by the court while looking ahead to what promises to be a productive and impactful year in service to the people of the region. “Our jurisprudence remains strong, principled, and respected. The court is fully engaged, fully dedicated, and ready for the 2026-2027 judicial year and the years beyond,” Anderson said. Anderson statement comes less than two months after the court was rocked by a scandal. An explosive internal rift at the Caribbean court had triggered fresh concerns about the independence and

credibility of the region's highest court, following leaked emails in which sitting judges had accused Anderson of “dictatorial” leadership, panel manipulation and attempts to influence judicial opinions. However, in a statement the CCJ had reaffirmed its commitment to judicial independence, integrity and public confidence in the administration of justice, saying the questions and allegations could be misunderstood or mischaracterised without the proper context. In its statement, the regional tribunal stressed that its judges remain guided by the principles of the United Nations Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and committed to delivering fair, accessible and efficient justice across the Caribbean Community. Meanwhile, Legal Counsel in the Office of the President, Hilary Wyke, outlined the court's progress over the past 21 years and its plans for the new judicial year. Wyke said the CCJ has spent the past two decades building an institution grounded in judicial independence, integrity, excellence and service to the people and states of the region. She said the court's

MV Barima COI to formally open on Wednesday The secretary to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the capsizing of the vessel MV Barima, Javed Shadick, has officially announced the commencement of the commission's proceedings, marking a critical step forward in investigating the tragic maritime disaster. The formal rollout begins on Tuesday, 6th October, 2026, with a media briefing hosted by the secretariat at 10:30 a.m. in the Lula Room at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal. Following the press announcement, the COI will convene its formal opening session on Wednesday, 7th October, 2026. To ensure transparency and direct engagement with victims' relatives across the country, the HEART Initiative secretariat issued a memorandum outlining an extensive schedule of public consultations and support sessions for affected families across Regions One, Three, Four, Five, and Six on Wednesday, 7th October, 2026 (1:00 p.m.). Following the morning's formal opening, direct consultation sessions will be held at the conference centre for affected families residing in Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six. On Monday, 12th October, 2026, the COI team will travel to Region One to meet directly with families at the Kumaka Waterfront. On Tuesday, 13th October, engagement will continue in Region One, with meetings scheduled for the Port Kaituma Waterfront. The HEART Initiative secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to providing logistical assistance, guidance, and dedicated support to all impacted families throughout the duration of the inquiry.

...as court filings increase strategic plan, Harnessing Growth, Deepening Caribbean Jurisprudence, calls for action in several key areas, including making justice more accessible, better use of technology, stronger engagement with the region and continued investment in the judges and staff who sustain the institution. Wyke said the court's decisions and judgments have been widely accepted, applied and cited across the region. During the past year, she said, the CCJ delivered judgments which further developed Caribbean law and received its first referral from a national court. The court also took steps to make its decisions more accessible, including translating a judgment into Dutch and introducing new

ways of explaining its judgments to members of the public. “We have now noted an increase in case filings over the last court year,” Wyke said. She said the court's work on accessibility and public engagement will continue, with “bolder and more modern ways” of explaining its judgments, showcasing its extrajudicial activities and raising awareness of the institution. Wyke also highlighted strengthened relationships between the CCJ and courts and institutions within the Caribbean and beyond, noting the benefits of cooperation with regional and international courts, bodies and sectors. For the first time, she said, the CCJ will commemorate the opening

of a new judicial year outside its headquarters, with the ceremony scheduled for 7th October in St Lucia. St Lucia is the fifth CARICOM Member State to accede to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ. Wyke said the decision to hold the ceremony in St Lucia is significant because “the court should never feel distant from the people it serves.” The CCJ will also hear matters and deliver judgments in its appellate jurisdiction during the St Lucia engagement, allowing litigants, attorneys, judicial officers and members of the public to witness the court's work firsthand. Anderson said that at the ceremonial opening, he will speak in greater detail about the court's work during the past year and its trajectory

President of CCJ Winston Anderson for the new judicial year. He expressed confidence that the court's efforts to deliver accessible and efficient justice, advance the rule of law and protect the rights of Caribbean people will demonstrate its continued commitment to the region. “I am certain that our efforts to administer and deliver accessible and efficient justice, advance the rule of law, and protect your rights will demonstrate our continued commitment to you, the people of the region,” Anderson said.

“Where is Daniel Seeram?”

Mohamed accuses PPP of protecting convicted criminal Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed on Monday, accused the PPP/C led government of political corruption and judicial interference after discovering that Daniel Seeram remains unaccounted for in the national prison system despite a high-courtupheld remand order. Seeram, Guyana's National Border Patrol Director, was last Friday found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm against his ex-wife. Following the verdict, Magistrate Abigail Gibbs ordered Seeram remanded to prison, a decision subsequently upheld on appeal by High Court Justice Joy PersaudSingh. H o w e v e r, d u r i n g a d i r e c t investigation across state correctional facilities, Mohamed confirmed that Seeram was never processed into custody. Standing outside the Lusignan Prison facility, Mohamed revealed that correctional officers confirmed to him Seeram's absence from the premises. A subsequent check at the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street yielded identical results. "This is a slap in the face of every domestic violence victim, especially during domestic violence month," Mohamed declared. "This level of impunity only happens under a PPP administration. They protect abusers; they protect wife-beaters." Mohamed noted that senior officers within the Guyana Prison Service indicated this incident marks only the second known instance in over two decades where a remanded individual

Mohamed infront of the Lusignan prison

Convicted wife beater, Daniel Seeram

bypassed incarceration entirely. According to prison sources cited by the Opposition Leader, the only prior occurrence involved Kevon Lorrimer, who served no time despite a ninemonth fraud sentence. The opposition leader framed the breach as a symptom of executive overreach and the erosion of democratic institutions in Guyana. "This is what happens when there is no separation of powers…when the executive meddles in the judiciary," Mohamed argued. "When courts cannot function independently, court orders cease to mean anything in this country." Mohamed directly challenged President Irfaan Ali over previous

public commitments regarding equal application of the law, highlighting an apparent double standard between political elites and ordinary citizens. "President Ali previously stated that 'once you do the crime, you have to do the time.' Was he speaking only to ordinary Guyanese and not to political associates of the PPP?" Mohamed questioned, calling on international observers to take note of institutional corruption within the administration. Concluding his address, Mohamed demanded immediate transparency from the head of state "I am calling on President Ali to tell the nation: Where is Daniel Seeram? I hope he is not at state house."

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Govt. packs development bank board with PPP-aligned members The Government of Guyana (GoG) has announced a seven-member board of directors to manage the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) where $20 billion in zero interest and zero collateral loans will be distributed to eligible citizens. Abu Zaman who currently chairs the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has been appointed the inaugural Chairman of the bank, given his senior leadership in Retail and Small Business Banking career which spans over a decade. Meanwhile, the first female President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Vice Chairperson of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Kathy Smith has been named deputy chairperson of the board. James Bond, a serving member of parliament for the ruling administration has been appointed director. Bond, an attorney for 24 years is also the senior legal advisor to the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation.

Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed He is the Managing Director of Bond Optimum and served as chairman of the Adoption Board from 2017 to 2020. A Financial Analyst, Sukrishnalall Pasha is also a director on the board. He currently serves as Finance Secretary within the Ministry of Finance, Chairman of the Bureau of Statistics and Member of the Board of Governors of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Council of the University of Guyana. Dion Inniss, a senior corporate aviation manager with over 25 years of

experience in the airline industry has been appointed to serve as Director. The Sales Executive for Guyana and Suriname at Caribbean Airlines Limited, leads commercial strategy and regional stakeholder engagement. Meanwhile, Director Nalinie Singh, is a governance reform strategist specialising in institutional development, democratic governance and youth political inclusion. Her expertise spans policy analysis, strategic planning, institutional reform, civic engagement, and public administration. Finally, Praem Rambharak, a former columnist and educator is now a director at the bank. He has been involved in the establishment of multiple SMEs over two decades. He is a member of the President's Youth Advisory Council and a leader at the intersection of innovation, public service, and youth empowerment. No independence Lead Parliamentarian for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr. Terrence Campbell told Kaieteur News that he does

APNU Lead Parliamentarian, Dr. Terrence Campbell not believe the board is independent. “I see no one who is truly independent on the board. I am of the view that the private sector organisation have all been co-opted so notwithstanding the president Ms. Kathy Smith…I do not see this as being an independent board whatsoever,” he shared. Campbell raised concern over the lack of experienced professionals in law, finance and credit with the exception of a few members. The MP said, “I do not see any chartered accountants on the board, I

7.370 kilograms of suspected cannabis discovered at Angoy's Avenue The cannabis discovered in Angoys Avenue on Monday

Police are investigating the discovery of 7.370 kilograms of suspected cannabis, which was found on Monday 5th October, 2026, about 13:30hrs at Timmers Dam, Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Acting on information, ranks on a mobile patrol proceeded to an abandoned wooden building at Timmers Dam, where a search was conducted. During the search, ranks found a bulky salt bag and a bulky black plastic bag, both of which contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The suspected cannabis was taken to the Central Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 7.370 kilograms before being lodged. No arrest was made so far, and investigations are ongoing.

do not see a representative of the Guyana Association of Bankers…and last but certainly not least an opportunity was missed to have opposition representation on the board so I'm concerned about the depth and quality of the board to run an institution that's going to be entrusted with so much state funding.” Furthermore, he questioned the appointment of a sitting MP to the board, explaining that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act prohibits an MP from being appointed to any of the boards. He suggested that the development bank should follow a similar pattern as this provision ensures that state institutions are not “overly politicised” offering an added layer of assurance to Guyanese. Leader of the opposition and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed also shared similar concerns. He argued that the government has handed US$100 million to a board which has never been involved in operations of such scale. He explained that the bank's operations are extremely risky given that no interest or collateral is involved, requiring “expert oversight” to ensure the resources are not misused. Moreover, Mohamed said the bank is likely to attract first time borrowers, yet only its chairman has worked in the banking sector. He said, “Nothing in the other bios shows experience in credit-risk management, l o a n r e c o v e r y, f r a u d prevention, or digital lending. That gap matters because the bank's main lending channel is a mobile platform, which will be a target for fake applications and for borrowers splitting one business into several to get more loans.” Additionally, the leader noted that although the bank commits to prioritise agriculture, tourism, and hinterland and riverine communities, none of the directors' bios show experience in rural or agricultural finance or close knowledge of those communities. According to him, “The Act asks for directors with experience in finance, economics, banking, and law. What the public got is one banker, a lawyer, and

five others whose bios show little or no lending experience.” To this end, Mohamed said the board has one thing in abundance and that is “closeness to the government.” “One director is a sitting PPP/C Member of Parliament. Another sits on the president's youth advisory council. A third is the finance secretary, the minister's own senior official, now sitting on a board the minister appoints, funds, and oversees. When the bank reports to the ministry, he will in effect be reviewing his own decisions,” the opposition leader cautioned. He reminded that the Minister of Finance handpicked each of the board members with no input from parliament and no criteria published or positions advertised. Mohamed observed that the appointees are all tasked with heavy responsibilities outside of the bank, raising questions about whether the institution will get the attention it demands for proper management. In fact, he said, “A new bank needs full attention, but this board can offer only part-time attention. Several directors lead groups whose members are likely to apply for loans, such as the Small Business Council and the Chamber of Commerce, and one director runs a private c o m p a n y. Ye t t h e government has published no register of directors' interests, no rule requiring directors to step aside from decisions that involve them, and no limits on lending to businesses connected to them.” On the other hand, he pointed out that the directors' salaries have not been made public. The party leader called for government to appoint experienced directors in credit risk and l o a n r e c o v e r y, a n independent credit committee and opposition and independent nominees, approved by parliament. He also pointed to the need for a published register of directors' interests, supervision by the Bank of Guyana and publishing of quarterly reports to the public. Mohamed insisted, “Without these, this bank looks like a lender but carries the risk of a slush fund.”

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Ukraine says Russian drone attack sinks ship in Romanian waters (AL-JAZEERA) Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has blamed a Russian drone attack for the sinking of a ship in Romania's section of the Black Sea. Romania reported that two people were killed and 11 rescued when a grain ship caught fire and sank in its waters on Monday. The Ukrainian president's claim suggests the incident is the latest in a series of suspected incursions along NATO's eastern flank, and will fuel concerns that Moscow's war in Ukraine could spill over. “A horrific strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn and owned by Turkiye,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

The fire-damaged “Royad Mammadov” ship in the Black Sea after a fire aboard the vessel outside Romania's territorial waters left two people dead and prompted a rescue operation [Handout/Romani an Interior Ministry via Reuters] GMT) that a fire had broken out on the ship, adding that it was in the country's “exclusive economic zone”. The ministry did not

According to the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the coastguard was alerted at about 11am local time (08:00

Tuesday October 06, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 You might need to put on the brakes today when it comes to love and romance. Don't think that this means you have to break off any sort relationship. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Things should be going quite well for you today, Taurus, and you will find that aspects of your life that may have felt disconnected in the past are finally slipping into place. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Restriction and discipline might not be your forte, Gemini, but realize that this may be exactly the type of thing that you need the most. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Appreciate the good things you have today, Cancer. Don't let another day go by without really paying homage to the people who've helped you grow along the way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Consider taking a more conservative approach to your actions today, Libra, as well as to the way you dress. Others may be rather put off by something that comes across as too flashy. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Romantic relationships may not exactly be going as well as you'd like, Scorpio, but don't get discouraged. Hang in there and you will find that things eventually come around your way. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) It could be that you're trying to communicate with someone in a matter regarding love and romance and it simply isn't working. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This is a fantastic time for you for love and romance, Capricorn, even if there's a bit of coolness between you and the person you care about.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) When it comes to matters of love and romance, you may need to tone things down a bit, Leo. An aggressive approach now may drive your loved one further away.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's one thing to be a friend and it's another to feed someone's ego just to make him or her happy, Aquarius.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may find that your love is incredibly magnetic now, Virgo. All you need to do is be yourself and suddenly people flock your way. There are terrific opportunities for you to strengthen the bonds you have with the people you care about the most.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's critical that you not try to gain the love and appreciation of another by controlling their decisions, Pisces. It's time to let the people around you set their own rules and boundaries. Give that special person space to decide what's best.

identify the cause of the fire. Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were on board the ship at the time of the attack, it is reported. Romania is among several NATO members to

have reported incursions this year, as Russia and Ukraine have increasingly turned to launches of hundreds of drones and missiles. In May, a Russian drone hit an apartment building. In June, a stray Ukrainian maritime drone exploded in the Black Sea port of C o n s t a n t a . I n J u l y, Bucharest summoned Russia's ambassador after air defences intercepted three drones within the span of one week. Incursions by Russian drones into eastern European airspace are seen by some as a test of NATO and the European Union's defences and response capabilities. The Baltic states have also seen drones enter their airspace throughout the war, with airspace violations contributing to the collapse

of Latvia's government in late May after a dispute over how to respond to the incursions. The incursions have also prompted Poland to bolster its air defence posture after accusing Moscow of violating its airspace in S e p t e m b e r. S u s p e c t e d drones were shot down twice in Moldova. Romania's Ministry of National Defence said the Romanian Naval Forces had destroyed nine drifting sea mines in the Black Sea since the start of the war.

EBFA U17... From page 25 secured two victories and suffered one defeat. They have found the net nine times while only conceding three. Herstelling Raiders have four points from four matches, while Swan FC and Huru Hururu FC have three points apiece. Swan have played two matches and Huru Hururu three, leaving plenty of room for movement as the competition progresses. On the East Coast, Ann's Grove United are matching Friendship's strong start, sharing the lead in the EDFA leg with Melanie FC on nine points apiece after three matches. Ann's Grove, however, underlined their credentials with a decisive 4-0 demolition of BV/Triumph United over the weekend, with captain Kennard Halley scoring twice to lead the charge. Melanie FC were equally impressive, overwhelming Victoria Kings 7-0, while Buxton Stars produced the weekend's biggest scoreline with a 9-1 rout of Mahaicony Western Lions. Mahaica Determinators also registered a 2-0 victory over Plaisance United to move onto six points, levelling with BV/Triumph United in third and fourth positions respectively. With both legs still having matches to complete, Friendship Allstars and Ann's Grove United have established themselves as early forces in their respective zones. Their strong starts have set the benchmark for the other participating clubs, but with points still up for grabs, the race for national qualificationremains wide open as matches continue in the Berbice leg.

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Four Young Cricketers benefit compliments of Kallicharran & friends Four under 15 cricketers from the historic Port Mourant Cricket Club benefitted from this joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. Fast bowlers Lakhram Sukhra and Mahesh Sukhoo, allrounders Akeem Khan and Nicholas Beerbhajan, were recipients of one pair of cricket shoes each, compliments of Rajin Ramdeholl of Fluent Mortgage, Florida, Vishnu Dudnauth, Sohan Beer of Connecticut and Ramjot Singh of New York. Former Guyana and West Indies 'B' allrounder, Derrick Kallicharran, played an integral part in securing the cricket shoes. Thank you on behalf of this project. The four boys are currently attending Secondary school. At a simple ceremony held recently, Vijay Seonarine, former national senior cricketer and coach of the Port Mourant Cricket Club, thanked the sponsors for the timely tokens for the young and aspiring cricketers. This project is honored to be part of this presentation and we encouraged the boys to focus on both, their school and cricket. We wish them all the best in thier future.Over the years, many Guyanese cricketers benefitted

from this project, some of whom went on to represent West Indies at different levels. This project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community. We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involve in sports, cricket in particular.Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $843,146 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, forty pairs of cricket shoes, forty pairs of batting pads, fifty one cricket bats, forty eight pairs of batting gloves, twenty nine thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, fifteen gear bags, thirteen bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat, sixteen boxes and four of white cricket balls, thirteen boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inners and twenty eight footballs. In addition to the above, gear with value of over $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested

The young cricketers display their newly acquired gear. and not available at the time. To date, one hundred and twelve players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from the project. Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to

young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same.

Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth program, will also benefit. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on +1-718-664-0896.

Medvedev disqualified for hitting spectator with ball (BBC Sport) - Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from the China Open after hitting a spectator in the face with a ball during his semifinal against Novak Djokovic.Third seed Medvedev trailed Djokovic 7-5 5-3 when the Serb hit a winner beyond him for 1515. The ball ricocheted off the back of the court and Medvedev swiped at a backhand in annoyance, sending the ball into the air and hitting a spectator who was sitting in the front row of the stand behind him. The fan doubled over holding his face and was still holding his eye as he was helped out of the arena. After speaking with umpire Mohamed Lahyani and an ATP official, Russia's Medvedev approached the net to shake hands with Djokovic."Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all," Medvedev said. "I'm trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it. Hopefully I can apologise in person and see how he feels. "I just hope he's OK. That's the most important. I

Medvedev said afterwards he was “terribly sorry" for the incident (Reuters)

just really care about him right now."Djokovic - who was defaulted from the 2020 US Open for a similar incident - expressed sympathy for the fan and Medvedev afterwards.”It's a bit of a shock to be honest. I hope that person is not badly injured," he said. "I also feel sorry for Daniil. I know exactly how

he feels to be disqualified in a big match. "I am sure that Daniil did not want to do this intentionally." What is a default in tennis? Defaults in tennis are rare and only occur when players violate the sport's code of conduct. Violations include ball

abuse, physical or verbal abuse, or racquet abuse. Players can receive three code violations and then be disqualified if they receive another - but Medvedev's offence was serious enough to instantly default him. He will now lose the points and prize money he had earned during his run to the last four in Beijing.

The 30-year-old is a combustible character who has struggled to control his emotions throughout his career. He had a meltdown at last year's US Open when a photographer walked on court, and was fined almost £31,500 ($42,500) for his behaviour.In April, he obliterated a racquet after losing 6-0 6-0 at the Monte Carlo Masters and was again fined for unsportsmanlike conduct. Medvedev told BBC Sport in 2025 that he was attempting to work on his oncourt behaviour. "When I'm on the court I hate to lose; I love to win. My first goal is to win the match, so it brings a lot of adrenaline out and it brings all the energy out," he said. "Sometimes it is a good energy. Sometimes it is a bad one."The default brought an early end to an excellent contest, with 39-year-old Djokovic having played superbly to outlast an opponent nine years his junior. Djokovic saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced and

will go on to play Alex de Minaur in Tuesday's final. Djokovic has a 33-0 record at the China Open, having won the title six times.He has won at least one title a year since 2006 - but Tuesday will be his first final since the Australian Open, where he lost to then world number one Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner, but lost in the third round of the French Open before suffering a shock firstround exit at the US Open. Elsewhere, defending champion Alcaraz overcame fluctuations in form to beat Jaume Munar and reach the Japan Open final. The seven-time Grand Slam champion struggled on serve throughout but gradually upped his level to win 5-7 6-3 6-1. Spain's Alcaraz led 5-3 in the first set and served for it before losing 16 consecutive points to squander the opener.He will face Jiri Lehecka in the final after the Czech beat Monaco's Valentin Vacherot 6-4 6-2.

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Tuesday October 06, 2026

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After a lengthy disciplinary uncertainty between the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Harpy Eagles and West Indies, all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, the 26-yearold has accepted responsibility for his past actions and issued a public apology, while making a fresh appeal for the opportunity to return to cricket. Nearly two years after his removal from the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad during the 2024 CG United Super50 tournament in Trinidad and To b a g o , S i n c l a i r h a s acknowledged that his conduct fell short of the standards expected of a professional cricketer and contributed to the disciplinary issues that have affected his relationship with the GCB and his place in the national setup. Sinclair's removal in November of 2024, was followed by his omission from the Harpy Eagles' contracted player list for the 2025–26 season and, subsequently, his exclusion f r o m t h e We s t I n d i e s Championship squad in April 2026, with the GCB citing a pattern of disciplinary concerns. In a statement issued on

Eboni Brathwaite made a rapid half-century in the powerplay (Zimbabwe Cricket)

Sunday, Sinclair sought to draw a line under the controversy by accepting accountability for his actions and expressing his willingness to meet the responsibilities expected of him both on and off the field. “I want to take responsibility for the actions that affected my cricket career and speak about my wish to return to the game,” Sinclair said. “I accept that I fell short of what was expected of me as a professional cricketer. I take accountability for that. I know I have responsibilities both on and off the field, and I am sorry for letting down those who believed in me.” Sinclair said the period away from competitive cricket had forced him to r e f l e c t o n h i s c a r e e r, responsibilities and the consequences of his decisions. “Being away from cricket has been difficult. This is the game I have loved since childhood and worked hard at throughout my life. It is how I support myself and my family. Cricket is all I know, and losing the opportunity to play made me realise how much I had put at risk,” he said. The off-spinner and

lower-order batter also credited Dr Wil Campbell for helping him through the process of self-reflection and personal development. “During this period, I have spent time looking honestly at myself and working on the things I needed to change. I am grateful to Dr. Wil Campbell for his guidance through our sessions. Those conversations have helped me understand myself better and take responsibility for my decisions,” Sinclair said. He also acknowledged the GCB's role in facilitating a process aimed at helping him work towards a return to cricket. “I also want to thank the Guyana Cricket Board for the support it has given me and for putting a process in place to help me work towards returning to cricket. The Board has played an important part in helping me get to where I am today,” he said. Sinclair believes the combination of personal work, continued training and the support he has received has placed him in a position to resume playing, but he was careful to stress that he does not believe an apology automatically guarantees

selection. “With that support, the work I have done on myself and my continued training, I n o w f e e l m e n t a l l y, emotionally and physically prepared to take the field again,” he said. “I understand that saying this does not mean I am entitled to a place in any team. I have to meet the required standards, earn the trust of others and show through my conduct that I have learned from this experience.” The statement represents a significant shift in tone from the prolonged dispute, with Sinclair acknowledging that his actions had consequences while making it clear that he wants to earn his way back rather than seek preferential treatment. For the player, the ultimate objective is to regain the opportunity to represent Guyana and, eventually, return to the West Indies setup. “What I am asking for is the opportunity to play cricket again and earn my way back through my performance and discipline. Representing Guyana means a great deal to me, and I still hope to put myself in a position to represent the West

Guyanese all-rounder Kevin Sinclair (Getty Images)

Sinclair apologies for actions after prolonged dispute, seeks return to cricket

Indies again,” Sinclair said. He reserved special thanks for his family, friends and supporters who stood by him throughout the difficult period. “To my family, friends and everyone who supported me during this difficult time, t h a n k y o u . Yo u r encouragement helped me keep going,” he said. Sinclair ended his statement by acknowledging that the past cannot be changed but insisting that his focus is now on proving that he has learned from the experience.

“I cannot change what happened, but I can take responsibility for it and make better decisions from here. I love cricket, I believe I still have much to contribute, and I am prepared to continue the necessary work to earn another opportunity,” he said.His latest statement comes amid renewed discussion surrounding the handling of the matter, including concerns raised by the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) about whether proper due process was followed in the original disciplinary action.

Brathwaite fifty, Claxton three-for seal series win for West Indies (Cricinfo) – Jahzara Claxton's threefor, followed by Eboni Brathwaite's rapid half-century, sealed a dominant eightwicket win for West Indies in Harare, which gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in their T20I series against Zimbabwe. After being put in to bat, the Zimbabwe openers Kelis Ndhlovu and Beloved Biza started slow but steady, stringing together a 46-run partnership which was broken in the ninth over by Afy Fletcher. No. 3 Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano built on Zimbabwe's start, in the company of Biza until she was pinned lbw by Claxton in the 13th over. However, if Zimbabwe's top three had

all crossed 20, none of the rest of their five batters could cross into double digits themselves. The delivery after Biza's dismissal, Christine Mutasa was out lbw as well.Mugeri-Tiripa o fought for her 28-ball 25 till the final over bowled by Claxton, when she was run out. Claxton would pick out one last dismissal - off the final delivery of the innings - to finish with 3 for 14. Once West Indies came out to bat in their modest chase of 107, the game was good as over by the end of the powerplay. They had already scored 69 for 2, way past the halfway mark to their target. Most of these runs came courtesy Brathwaite,

who fell on the penultimate delivery of the powerplay. She made 57 runs off 23 balls, hitting six sixes and three fours at a strikerate of 247.82. Thereafter, West Indies lost no more wickets. The third-wicket partnership between Realeanna Grimmond and Stefanie Taylor razed off the 38 remaining runs off in just 3.2 overs. West Indies sealed a dominant series win with eight wickets and 65 deliveries to spare. Match details: West Indies 108 for 2 (Brathwaite 57, Grimmond 23*) beat Zimbabwe 106 for 7 (Biza 35, Clatxon 314) by eight wickets

Tuesday October 06, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Naeem Nasir 14th annual Memorial Cricket Tournament…

Gaupat and Reddy lead RHT Bakewell to 2026 title ​Two masterful performances from the highly talented Jayden Gaupat and Leon Reddy led the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Team to an easy sixty-run victory over Courtland in the finals of the 14th annual Naeem Nasir Memorial Cricket Tournament. The one day tournament involving four teams - RHT Bakewell, East Bank Strikers, Courtland and Guymine Cricket Club was played at the Area 'H' Ground in front of a sizeable crowd. ​Early morning showers affected the Area 'H' Ground and forced the organisers to cut back the T20 tournament into a fifteen overs event. In the first match, Courtland defeated former champions Guymine by one wicket. Guymine scored 115 for 9 in their allotted 15 overs but Courtland led by the experienced Garfield Benjamin batted well to win by one wicket. Requiring two off the last ball of the innings, No. 11 batsman Somail Deonarine struck off spinner B. Ramsarran for six after the deep wicket fielder C. Hope took a catch with his feet touching the boundary board. ​Rose Hall Town Bakewell restricted East Bank Strikers to 60 for 8 off fifteen overs with Jeremy Sandia 2 for 7 being the best bowler while Jayden Gaupat, Romesh Bharat, Leon Reddy and Javed Karim each taking a wicket apiece. In reply, the Rose Hall Town Bakewell team reached 61 for 3 in

Jayden Gaupat and Leon Reddy 7.2 overs with Javed Karim unbeaten on 22 while Razam Koobeer 16 and Romesh Bharat 13 each contributed. ​In the finals, which was played over twelve overs due to time constraint, Courtland won the toss and elected to bowl first. Rose Hall Town Bakewell lost former national youth player Romesh Bharat for nought off the fourth ball of the innings. Notable contribution from Ramzam Koobeer 15, Jeremy Sandia 14, Javed Karim 16 and Luther Arthur 10 enabled the

eventual champions to reach 66 for 7 in the 8th over. National Under 16 Player Leon Reddy then played a brute of an innings, scoring 40 not out off 14 balls with 4 massive sixes and two delightful boundaries. He shared a crucial 9th wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Justin Bokin who contributed 16 with a four and a six. Rose Hall Town Bakewell ended their innings on 130 for 9 from 12 overs as the talented Reddy struck medium pacer Corley De Jonge for two sixes off the last two

Shubman Gill and Shai Hope were the best batters in the three-ODI series (BCCI)

India and West Indies fined for slow over-rates in third ODI (Cricinfo) - The India players have been fined 20% of their match fee and West Indies 10% for their slow over-rates in the third and final ODI in New Chandigarh on Saturday. While India were found to be four overs short of requirement once time allowances were taken into consideration, West Indies were deemed to be two short and the two teams were fined accordingly.West Indies entered

the New Chandigarh ODI down 20 after losing the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram by eight wickets and the second in Guwahati by eight wickets, with India chasing down a record score in the second game to take the series. But Shai Hope, the captain, led the way in the third game with an unbeaten 162 in 143 balls as West Indies recorded their highest successful chase in ODIs - topping

balls. ​Needing to score 131 from 72 balls to claim the championship title, Courtland was given a rousing start as the powerfully built Levi Thomas struck two sixes and two four off left arm spinner Jeremy Sandia in the 2nd over as the visitors raced to 30 without loss. Experienced off spinner Jonathan Rampersaud then bowled Thomas for 30 at 35 for 1 in the 3rd over. National Under 16 left arm spinner Jayden Gaupat and Rampersaud then spun webs around the Courtland batsmen. Kevin Sinclair 07, Kelsy Henry 06, Garfield Benjamin 10, Timothy McDonald 00, Troy Matheson 00, De Jonge 00, Somail Deonarine 01, Joel Johnson 01, Stephen Kamaludin 02 all felt cheaply as Courtland were bowled out for 70 in 9.3 overs. Gaupat, who models himself after West Indies left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie ended with four wickets for sixteen runs while Rampersaud claimed three wickets

for sixteen wickets while Sandia took two wickets for twenty six runs. ​Rose Hall Town Bakewell received $100,000.00 and the winner's trophy while Courtland carried home $50,000.00 and the runner up trophy. 3rd Place Guymine also received a cash prize while the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, the organisers donated a box of cricket balls to the East Bank Strikers. General Manager of Bakewell, Rajin Ganga hailed the tournament as a success and as a perfect tribute to an outstanding tribute to the late Naeem Nasir. The popular Bakewell Bakery has been the official sponsor of the RHTYSC Under 17 and Second Division teams since 2000. The two teams have won over twelve Berbice Championships over the years and has produced over fifty national players for Guyana including test players Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson.

Tucber Park CC cruise past Albion in U23 cricket battle A fine all-round performance by Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC) U23 players enabled them to inflict a five-wicket defeat on the Albion Community Centre U-23 cricket team. In the game which was played at the Albion Community Centre Ground, the home team was asked to take first strike and were dismissed for 181 in 41 overs. Ari Afrizal Kadir led the way with 59 while Afraz Budhoo contributed 38 and Devendra Jawahir, 22. Bowling for Tucber Park CC, Gavin Kisten led the way with 3 wickets while National all-rounder Zeynul Ramsammy and national U 19 all-rounder Gilbert Griffith took 2 wickets each.

National U-19 reserve wicket keeper, Thierry Henry, was brilliant behind the stumps with 5 dismissals. Tucber Park CC U23 in reply chased down the target in 47.4 overs, finishing on 184-5. Their batting effort was led by Ramsammy, who enjoyed a good match as he returned with a wellplayed unbeaten 73. Kevin Kisten batted well for his 35 and Griffith also had a fine game returning with the bat to be unbeaten on 24. Henry also had a good match as he followed up his five dismissals behind the stumps with a wellplayed 24. Bowling for Albion, Leon Cecil picked up 3 wickets. (Samuel Whyte)

Organisers of the inaugural...

India's 351 - to win by five wickets. On a personal front, both Shubman Gill, the India captain, and Hope had fantastic series with the bat. Gill, with scores of 110, 223* and 1 topped the run-chart with 334 runs, while Hope, with 12, 104 and 162*, was second in line with 278. The two teams will now faceoff in a five-match T20I series which gets underway on October 6 in Lucknow.

From page 27 Celeste La Rose and Guyana Teacher's Union Regional Vice President (Berbice) Ms. Mahalia MC Common. She promised to have a bigger and better tournament next year. The three-day competition was held from 18 – 20 September at the Berbice High School (BHS) Ground. Five schools participated. Namely Berbice High School (BHS), Berbice Educational Institute (BEI), New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMSS), Erven Secondary School (VESS) and Tutorial Academy Secondary School (TASS).In the final VESS defeated NAMS by nine wickets. La Toya Williams of VESS walked away with a number of awards including the most runs in the final. She scored 78 runs and finished with the most runs in the tournament along with 2 wickets. She also was adjudged the best batter and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final and the tournament. Winning school VESS, received the Championship trophy and medals.Runner up NAMS collected a trophy and medals and there were also numerous individual awards presented.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 06, 2026

PAGE 27

Organisers of the inaugural GWCA/NA Inter Secondary Schools Girls' tourney extend appreciation

The victorious Vryman's Erven Secondary School female cricket team By Samuel Whyte Organiser, Ms Petula (Petal) Samuels, has expressed whole hearted thanks to all those who assisted in making the inaugural G e o r g i a Wo m e n C r i c k e t Association/New Amsterdam Inter Secondary Schools Girls' T10

cricket tournament a success. Samuels is a native of New Amsterdam, Berbice and a Hall of Famer in the USA. She is the founder and president of Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) and Atlanta Pearls Women's Cricket team. She is a former cricketer, a certified

Cricket Umpire and Coach. Samuels had words of thanks and appreciation to everyone for supporting this inaugural tournament, stating that their effort and assistance made the tournament a huge success. She urged everyone to continue to join our heads, hearts and hands to

develop and promote female cricket. She thanked the sponsors including Banks DIH Limited through their Power Ade Drink and Rainforest Drinking water brands, the proprietors of A. Ally & Sons, Star Party Rental, Divine Planners, Biowed Energy and Dialysis Inc,

Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, the Multi Bush Cook Crew and the New Amsterdam Multilateral Alumni Association International. She had special words of Commendation for Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh, Regional Education Officer Region No 5 Ms. (Continued on page 26)

EBFA U17 Youth Ensemble: Friendship Allstars, Ann's Grove Utd maintain top positions Friendship Allstars and Ann's Grove United have emerged as the early pace-setters in separate legs of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Youth Ensemble Under-17 Championship, producing commanding performances in the East Bank and East Demerara

Football Association competitions. Friendship Allstars have been flawless in the EBFA leg, winning all four of their matches to sit comfortably at the top of the standings with a maximum 12 points. Their dominance has been

Friendship Allstars unbeatable so far as U17 Youth Ensemble competitions continue in several zones

Ann's Grove United goal scorers in Sunday's 4-0 hammering of BV/Triumph United

reflected in both attack and defence, with Friendship finding the net 17 times while conceding just five goals for a healthy plus-12 goal difference. The team's attacking strength has also been evident in the

individual scoring charts. Brandon Bruce leads the competition with seven goals, while teammate Tyquan Robinson has added four. Pro Elevate Sports Academy are closest to Friendship, occupying second place on seven

points from four matches after recording two wins, a draw and a defeat. They have scored eight goals and conceded just twice. Timehri United are third on six points from three matches, having (Continued on page 23)

Brathwaite fifty, Claxton three-for seal series win for West Indies

Kevin Sinclair (Getty Images)

The final match of the series is scheduled for Wednesday. (Source: X)

Sinclair apologies for actions after prolonged dispute, seeks s t r o return to cricket p S The winning Rose Hall Town Bakewell team pose with Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga, Mayor Dave Budhu and Town Clerk Natasha Griffith.

Naeem Nasir 14th annual Memorial Cricket Tournament…

Gaupat and Reddy lead RHT Bakewell to 2026 title Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.