Kaieteur News

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

On March 15, when

Stabroek News published its final edition, this newspaper carried aFrontPageCommenttitledA SadDayforGuyana.

We wrote then that the closure of Stabroek News

dramatically reshaped Guyana's media landscape and left Kaieteur News as the only independent daily newspaper inthecountry

We warned that such a media environment could not be considered healthy for any democracy A vibrant democracy requires a diversity andmultiplicityofindependent voices, competing ideas, and robust scrutiny of those who wieldpower

Theconcentrationofmedia influence in the hands of those aligned to the government and rulingpartyisneverinthebest interestofthepublic.

Since then, our concerns have only deepened. Guyana's media landscape remains heavilypopulatedbythosewho haveeffectivelysoldtheirsouls to the government, There are otherswhomasqueradeasbona fidejournalistsandotherswho have while willingly become water-fetchers for the government by doing its bidding, sanitizing its actions, andwhitewashingpoliciesthat

deservecriticalexamination.

The consequence is that citizens are too often deprived of the balanced and fearless reporting that is essential to informed public discourse Democracy suffers when scrutinyisweakenedandwhen too many voices sing from the samepoliticalhymnsheet.

It is against this backdrop that Kaieteur News welcomes the establishment of Kiskadee Watch, an online publication headed by former Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud.

Guyana desperately needs more independent voices prepared to examine what is taking place in our country from every angle and on all sidesofthepoliticaldivide.We need more journalists and publications willing to ask difficult questions, expose corruption,challengeinjustice, and hold the powerful accountable.

Kaieteur News therefore extends its best wishes to KiskadeeWatchandpledgesits moral support to this new online publication The challenges facing independent journalism are considerable, but so too is the responsibility toservethepublicinterest.

Together, let us work towardsabetterGuyanaforall.

Exxon refuses to tell Guyana cost for gas pipeline

...says “that's what I'm able to share, roughly US$1B”

...as government silent on price tag

Guyana is presently paying an unknown cost for the 220-kilometer pipeline, laid by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited close to two years ago, to support the delayed Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The country's oil profits are being shortened by the American company that has refused to tell Guyanese the cost of the structure they are forcedtopay

During a press briefing on Tuesday, the company's Vice President (VP) and Business Services Manager, John Colling regurgitated an average cost of US$1B,

development.

Stakeholdersbelievethat the pipeline cost has significantly increased above the US$1B mark, promptingexecutivestohide the astonishing expense from the public to avoid raising further alarm about

theoverpricedGTEproject. Initially, the project was peggedatUS$478Mbutnew estimates show the cost of the project to be about US$2B.

In response to a question from this newspaper, Exxon'sVPstated,“Thecost of the pipeline is roughly US$1B ” Kaieteur News however objected that the nation has constantly been told of this average cost and requested the final figure attachedtotheproject.

Colling nonetheless maintained that he was only allowed to disclose that figure. “So that's what I'm able to share, roughly US$1B...what I can share is roughlyUS$1B.”

In February 2025, Exxon's Country Manager, Alistair Routledge said he could not state the final figure for the pipeline, two months after the structure was completed. “The cost of the pipeline, the estimate was US$1B, we are still in the process of closing out contracts for all the different supplies. I don't have an absolute final number at this stage but it is very much in line with the original budget ofUS$1B,”heassured.

Theabsenceofclarityon the cost of the pipeline comes amidst a complete blackout of evidential information on the controversial gas project. To date government has not revealed any of the agreements signed with Exxon for the project. In the meantime, the country continuestobefedonlywith

verbal statements regarding theproject.

Information received by thisnewspaperfromcredible sources and confirmed through financial statements from the Stabroek partners indicates that Guyana has not only agreed to pay the pipeline costs but to purchase the gas in Stabroek from ExxonMobil While the Chief Policymaker for the sector, Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that gas will be suppliedfreeofchargetothe country,governmentisyetto release any documents or agreements supporting that position.

Govt. silent

Since February this year, questions relating to the cost of the pipeline were sent to the Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat. In March, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillipsalsoreceivedsimilar queries who directed this newspapertotheHeadofthe GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington. None of the state officials have provided the information, despite a remindersentonSaturday

The lack of transparency on the country's largest financial project on record raises deeper concerns about g o v e r n a n c e a n d accountability for billions in revenue, especially as the administration gears up for a second GTE project to be built in Berbice. The opaque business deals continue to raise eyebrows, while the GoGboastsof“transparency and accountability” in managingtheoilrichnation.

The cost of a horrible oil deal!

...Guyana gave away oil companies US$ 2.4 billion taxes in 2025 now borrowing US$2.6 billion for 2026 budget

ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC in 2025 walked out of Guyana without paying a cent in taxes to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), resulting in a massive US$2.4B in revenue loss to thecountry.

This is according to the 2025 financials of the Stabroek Block partners reviewed by Kaieteur News. The financial statements for

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the 45% stakeholder in the block reportedthatitsincometaxes

f o r t h e y e a r w a s GY$231,590,958,984.

Similarly, the financials

f o r H e s s G u y a n a Exploration Limited, the 30% shareholder, indicated GY$201,816,135,193 as its incometaxexpense.

Meanwhile, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, the 25% partner in Stabroek reported an income tax

e x p e n s e o f GY$40,265,000,000 for 2025.

This means that the companies together enjoyed GY$473,672,094,177 in unpaid taxes or about US$2.4B.

Significantly, the unpaid taxes to the government of Guyana (GoG) are almost equivalent to the country's oil earnings for that exact year, which reached about US$2.5B. This means that if Exxon, Hess and CNOOC

ExxonMobil Headquarters at Ogle, East Coast Demerara

had paid their fair share of taxes,thecountrycouldhave instead received US$4.9B in oilrevenuein2025. Notably, the 2016 P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA) states in Article 15 1 that the

Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjectedtotax,value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge, or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement.

Further, Article 15 4 statesthatthesumequivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for P e t r o l e u m t o t h e Commissioner General of

the GRA. It should be noted that the contract also allows for the issuing of a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax requirements to avoid the burdenofdoubletaxation.

It was reported that the People's Progressive Party (PPP)gaveitssupportforthe tax waivers in the National Assembly, although it had not seen the terms of the agreement.

The unanimous support of the tax holidays granted by Guyanese politicians was first exposed by former Natural Resources Minister, RaphaelTrotmaninhisbook 'FromDestinytoProsperity'. Giving away taxes and borrowing

The country willingly gave up US$2.4B in taxes last year but was forced to

borrowUS$2.6Btofundthis year's$1.558trillionBudget. These loans will push Guyana's national debt from US$7.7B at the end of 2025 to a startling US$10.3B by theendof2026.

Although government has strongly defended its borrowing, stakeholders have warned the GoG against incurring more debt against projected revenue flow from the petroleum sector, given the volatility of oilprices.

Guyanese have protested against the unconscionable

taxwaiversbeingextended to the oil companies that make billions in profits here while Guyanese citizens and businesses are forcedtomakepaymentsto the GRA or suffer the full bruntofthelaws.

Citizens have often a

incentiveswereofferedand extended in the “early

investments in the block, this massive revenue drain should not be allowed to continueindefinitely Exxon on the other handbelievesthata“stable environment” is crucial to not only its operations, but tootherinvestorsaswell.

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Moreprofits,butfrom moreproductiononly

ExxonMobil US$6B, Hess Corporation US$4B, and CNOOCUS$2.5Brepresentsthe2025profitsofthemembers of the oil consortium operating offshore Guyana. For the same2025,theotherhalfofthisgreatoilpartnershipreceived US$2.5B. ExxonMobil’s posture is that the US$2.5B that Guyana received in 2025 is accurate and its fair half share, aftercostrecovery Guyana’sVicePresident,BharratJagdeo said,“Aswementionedbefore,there’sadifferencebetween petroleum agreement, accounting and IFRS So, the petroleum agreement is really designed to allocate profit oil onacashbasisbetweenExxonMobilGuyanaLimitedandits co-venturers, and the government.” Speaking on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd, Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling, assured that after costs are recovered,Guyana’scashinflowswillincrease. Healsosaid therewillbestillmoreincomeduetonewprojectsbeingput intoproduction. AccordingtoExxonGuyanaCountryHead, Alistair Routledge, there is another US$5B in costs to be recovered.

Whoeveristryingtowrapablindfoldaroundtheeyesof Guyaneseisnotdoingsuchagoodjob.Tocutthroughwhat Colling said and Routledge said, we point to two facts that clash with each other, but which are still to be employed to give Guyanese hope. ExxonMobil’ Colling was all assurance: when the 75% in cost recovery from the top is over, Guyana will receive more.And when new oil projects aremergedintothecompany’sproductionline,therewillbe evenmoremillionsforGuyana.Weatthispaperwouldliketo know if the executives at ExxonMobil think that Guyanese aresoignorant.Howwillcostseverbereducedtozero,and Guyana’s profit share rise due to the absence of the 75% recovery provision, when new U.S. multibillion dollar projectsarecontinuallybeingaddedonastaggeredbasis,and thereisnoringfencing?WhenExxonMobilisfirstinlineto grab75%ofGuyana’soilrevenues,whatisleftforGuyana, otherthanthepittancesthatithasbeencollecting?

CountryHeadRoutledgenotedthatthereisstillUS$5Bin outstandingcosts. Wheredidthatcomefrom,whenthefirst four oil projects have been fully repaid? How can that go lower when ExxonMobil has been slick enough to push expensivenewoilprojectsintothePPP/CGovernment’slap? Insteadofgoingdown,thecostbankkeepsongoingup. And theincreaseindailyproductionbyhundredsofthousandsof barrels from those new oil projects is what is being used to fool naïve Guyanese that they will get more. This country mightgetslightlymore,butoilpriceshavetostayatcurrent or higher levels, and more of Guyana’s precious depletable patrimony has to be pumped. To reduce to it most understanding level, for every extra dollar that Guyana receivesasprofit,itwouldbeasaresultofanextrabarrelof oil pumped and sold. Plain and simple, it is Exxon selling moreofGuyana’soilandinsultingGuyanesebysayingthat theyaresettogetmore.Collingwassoclever,sosmooth,that he was careful to talk about 75% cost recovery, on the one hand, but hurried to include new projects in his formula for moreprofitsforGuyana,inthenexthand.

We do not blame ExxonMobil’s Business Services Manager His primary job is to lookout for ExxonMobil. More projects going live translates to more millions for Guyana.WeremindourreadersthatitwasGuyana’sleading oilpolicymaker,whopromisedmoreoilmoneyin2027,and whowasalsosharpenoughtowrapnewproductionlevelsin his selling program. He was not alone, as another PPP/C Government minister also jumped on the higher daily production bandwagon. It is obvious that the PPP/C Governmentisfearfulofevenappearingtobethinkingabout ringfencing. So, it sells more projects, more production, which is taking the easy way by stuffing Guyanese with fillers.IFRSaccountingisonetojustifythehugedifference betweentheconsortiumprofitsandGuyana’s.Ahelpfuland encouragingoneismoremillionsfromnewprojects.Toget more, Guyana has to produce more. In effect, paying itself fromitsownpocket.

The Magistrate Who Said No: Why Guyana Must Remember the Ivan Sookram Treason Case

DEAREDITOR,

As Guyana enters a new era of prosperity and international attention, there is a danger that we may forget some of the most important lessons of our past. Nations that fail to remember their history often find themselves repeatingit.

One of the most significant yet rarely discussed legal battles in Guyanese history was the treason case involving Ivan Sookram during the Burnham era. It was a case that tested not only one man’s freedom, but the independenceofthejudiciaryitself.

At the center of that storm stood MagistrateAnthonySingh.

Today, many Guyanese have never heardhisname.Yethisactionsserveasa

powerful reminder of what judicial courage looks like when political pressureandtheruleoflawcollide.

The historical record shows that IvanSookramwaschargedwithtreason inproceedingsthatunfoldedduringone of the most politically tense periods in Guyana’s history The prosecution relied heavily upon a confession that Magistrate Singh reportedly concluded had been obtained under questionable circumstances Rather than simply rubber-stamp the state’s position, he dischargedSookram.

Thenhediditagain.

In an era when many would have chosenthesaferpath,MagistrateSingh stood by his interpretation of the law and the evidence before him. Reports

from the period indicate that after repeated efforts to continue the proceedings, he chose to step away rather than compromise his judicial position.

Years later, the High Court itself rejected the confession and the prosecution’scasecollapsed. History ultimately vindicated the concernsthathadbeenraised.

ThisisnotmerelyastoryaboutIvan Sookram.

It is a story about the immense responsibility carried by judges and magistratesinademocraticsociety

Thetruetestofajudiciaryisnothow it behaves when dealing with routine disputes.Thetruetestcomeswhenthe Continued on page 5

M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

“Massacre” is an appropriate term to describe the Wismar event

DEAREDITOR,

I have read Mr Aubrey Norton’s letter, “End This Nonsense About a Wismar ‘Massacre’,” with great interest. While I appreciate his concern that Guyana’s historyshouldnotbeusedto deepen ethnic divisions, I respectfully disagree with hisconclusionthattheevents at Wismar in May 1964 cannotproperlybedescribed asamassacre.

In the penultimate paragraph of his letter, Mr. Nortonstatesthatheopposes “all forms of violence ... to achieve political goals ” Whilethisisacommendable position, some critics have questioned whether his public actions have always reflectedthisprinciple.They point, for example, to the unrestatMonReposin2022, where,intheirview,stronger leadership and intervention might have helped prevent the targeting of businesses, looting, and assaults that contributed to heightened racial and political tensions.

Regardless of one’s perspective on that event, it underscores the importance of leaders consistently condemning and opposing

all forms of political violence.

At the outset, it is important to note that the term “massacre” is not determined solely by the number of fatalities. If it were, many events commonly described as massacres throughout historywouldfailtomeetthe definition. A massacre is generally understood to be a deliberate and largely onesided attack against a vulnerable population, often involving murder, terror, brutality,andtheinabilityof victimstoeffectivelydefend themselves.

The Commission of Inquiry itself documented much more than a count of deaths. It reported murders, assaults, rapes, arson, looting, and the destruction of homes and businesses.

More significantly, thousandsofIndo-Guyanese were forced to flee the area.

The Indian community of Wismar was effectively uprooted and removed. The question, therefore, is not simply how many people died, but what happened to the targeted population as a whole.

Mr Norton argues that because violence elsewhere in British Guiana resulted in greater loss of life and property, Wismar cannot be called a massacre This conclusion does not necessarily follow The existence of widespread violence elsewhere in the colonydoesnotdiminishthe character or significance of what occurred at Wismar. Onetragedydoesnotnegate another. The fact that violence occurred in other regions does not prevent historians from recognizing a distinct atrocity where one occurred.

I n d e e d , t h e

Commission’s observation that violence took place throughout the colony was intended to place Wismar withinthebroadercontextof national unrest, not to diminish its significance. In fact, the Commission noted that Wismar brought the months of violence “into sharp focus ” Such a statement hardly minimizes theseriousnessoftheevents.

Mr Norton places considerable emphasis on the death toll Certainly, every loss of life is tragic.

However, the historical significance of Wismar lies not only in the number who died, but also in the organized and one-sided nature of the attacks, the terror inflicted upon civilians, the rapes that occurred, the widespread destruction of property, and the forced displacement of an entire community These areamongthereasonsmany historiansandcommentators continue to use the term “massacre.”

Nor is it accurate to suggest that only “Indian rights activists” employ this term The expression “Wismar Massacre” has been used by writers, historians, community leaders, and ordinary Guyanese for decades. Even Forbes Burnham reportedly referred to the events as a massacre in the Legislative Assembly Whether one agrees with the terminology or not, it is clearly not a recent invention or the exclusive language of a smallactivistgroup.

The letter further suggests that because three Indo-Guyanese and two Afro-Guyanese died during

The Magistrate Who Said No: Why...

Frompage4 state itself stands before the court and seeks to exercise its power against an individual. It is in those moments that judges and magistratesbecomethefinal guardians between authority andliberty

The Burnham years remain one of the most controversial periods in Guyanese history To some, they represent nationalism, self-determination, and the consolidation of a young nation To others, they represent political repression, fear, restrictions on civil liberties, and an environment in which dissent was often viewed withsuspicion.

Whatever one’s political perspective, history demandshonesty

The Ivan Sookram case

shouldnotberememberedas an attack on any political party or historical figure.

Rather, it should be remembered as an example of why independent institutionsmatter When confessions are challenged, courts must investigate.

When state power expands, courts must provideoversight. When political tensions rise, judges must remain impartial. And when pressure mounts, courage becomes indispensable.Thefactthata magistrate was prepared to place legal principles above convenience deserves recognition, not because he was extraordinary, but because he embodied what the public should expect fromeveryjudicialofficer

Modern Guyana faces different challenges than those of the 1980s. Yet the fundamental questions remainunchanged.

Howmuchpowershould thestatepossess?

Who protects the citizen when government power is exercisedimproperly?

What role should judges play when confronted with controversial or politically sensitivecases?

These questions are as relevant today as they were decadesago.

As Guyana continues to develop economically and politically, we should be investing not only in roads, bridges, ports, and oil infrastructure We should alsobeinvestinginhistorical memory

Young Guyanese should know the names of those

who defended the principles ofjusticewhendoingsowas difficult.

They should know that rights are not protected by constitutions alone. Rights are protected by individuals willing to uphold those constitutions.

The story of the Ivan Sookram proceedings deserves to be studied in schools, discussed in legal circles, and remembered by futuregenerations.

Notbecauseitbelongsto thepast.

Butbecausethelessonsit teachesbelongtothefuture.

History has already rendereditsjudgmentonthe case.

The question now is whether Guyana will rememberit.

Yourssincerely, Devin AnthonyCSingh

the May disturbances, the t e r m m a s s a c r e i s inappropriate Yet this argument overlooks the broader circumstances. The issueisnotmerelywhodied, but who was targeted, who wasdisplaced,whosehomes and businesses were destroyed, and which community effectively disappeared from the area

afterward. Historical analysisrequiresmorethana numerical accounting of fatalities.

I agree with Mr. Norton

thattheviolenceofthe1960s should be examined in its entirety The murders of Afro-Guyaneseelsewherein G u y a n a d e s e r v e remembrance. The victims oftheSunChapmantragedy deserveremembrance.Sodo the victims of Wismar Indeed, every innocent victimofpoliticalandethnic viol

remembrance.

tragediesdoesnotrequireus

Continued on page 6

SILENT

CONDOLENCE

Sheweptbitterly

Hergriefintheusualcontinuum

Unusualunderthelawofdeath.

Sheweptascondolencesinwords

Touched;retreatingherintolessergriefs

Soonallleft

Ialonewasleftwithher

Wesattogether

Longminutespassedintoanhour

NotawordsaidI

Thewatchonmyhandmovedtime

Andtimepassed

Shesatinsilence

Griefhercompanion

Tearshercompanion.

NotawordsaidI

Thentimetoleavearrived

Istoodupreadytoleave

Shewipedthetearsfrommyeyes

Andwhispered

Thankyou.....

KrishnaNandPrasad

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

He paid the ultimate price, his life, by assassination

DEAREDITOR,

AsIcontemplatewriting this letter, to mark the 46th anniversary of the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, I ask myself for the firsttimewhetheritwouldbe adisservicetoRodney,given whereGuyanahasarrived,to invokehisstruggleandideas inoursocietyasthingsstand at present. This is not a commentary on Rodney’s teaching, ideas, or political practice, and its relevance. Instead, I am raising the question of what value there is in doing so, given the degenerate politics and politicalcultureinsociety Is it a dishonour to discuss Rodneyinthisenvironment?

Having asked the question, I am not sure how to answer it. So, I will do what we in the WPA have doneforthelast46years:we reflect and seek inspiration fromWalterRodney’sideas, struggles, and sacrifice. He paid the ultimate price, his life,byassassination. When I reflect on the situationinthecountry,Iam inclined to the view that patriots and revolutionminded citizens should refrain from invoking our martyrs when we are not fighting in meaningful ways to change the negative direction the country is going. We should adopt this position as a way of consciously challenging ourselves to do more for the liberation of the country In that way, we give real meaning to the sacrifice of our martyrs. Only when we are doing so do we earn the

righttoinvokeourmartyrs.

Iwillrestrictthisletterto addressing two questions that are often asked by people who were involved, directly or indirectly, in the Rodney and the WPA struggles of the late 70s and early1980s.

The first question: If Rodney were alive today, would Guyana be what it is now? The second question: Were the sacrifices made by Rodney and the WPAworth it, given the direction the countryhastaken?

T h e r e a r e t w o approaches to dealing with these questions. The first is to dismiss them on the grounds that they cannot be answered in any meaningful or definite way, since any response can only be speculative.Thesecondisto offer answers while remaining conscious of the limitationsofthoseanswers, seeking both to satisfy the curiosity of those posing the questions and to avoid the accusation of political evasiveness Such an exercise can also encourage imaginative thinking about alternative futures through critical questioning and reflection. These questions have engaged the minds of sections of the Guyanese community for many years, particularlyamongtheolder generation. Inherent in the first question, “If Rodney werealive,wouldGuyanabe whatitistoday?Areseveral a s s u m p t i o n s a n d possibilities that merit carefulexamination. It implies an assessment

that Rodney would have been more proactive in confronting those in power and would not have been intimidated by threats of repression or fear.This is an indictment of the present leadershipoftheopposition, sinceitsuggeststhatRodney would have inspired the masses toward united action rather than the present passivity

While critics will state that there is no certainty in such judgments, the truth is that many Guyanese have formed an opinion on the matter and have tended to give Rodney the benefit of the doubt. They believe that had he lived, Guyana would have been in a better place today: a more united nation, less racially polarized, and making more effective and equitable use of its oil revenuesintheinterestofall Guyanese What we are dealing with here is the perception becoming “reality “in the public imagination This is an unavoidable aspect of political and social engagement, given the ways in which human beings interpretevents,ourleaders, and possibilities. My fellow Co-Leader, brother Rohit Kanhai,isfondofadvancing a philosophical position on such matters He would argue that what has actually occurred constitutes reality; while speculation may have value as an intellectual exercise, it is not reality In hisview,thereareno“ifs”in history, only what was done andwhatwasnot.

The second question is whether the sacrifices made by WPA and Rodney’s sacrifice in the struggle against Burnham and the PNCwereworthit,giventhe present situation in the country Thisquestionforces the WPA to objectively assess what it has done and achieved,bearinginmindits stated convictions on multiracial politics, the empowerment of all our ethnic communities politically, economically, andsocially ThiscompelstheWPAto objectivelyassesswhatithas done and what it has achieved,bearinginmindits statedcommitmenttomultiracial politics, the political, economic, and social empowerment of all our ethnic communities, and the aspirations of the poor and powerless to be liberated from poverty I will say withoutfearofcontradiction

that the WPA never took a self-righteous position on our political practice. We demonstrated a willingness to engage in self-criticism and critical reflection Havingsaidthat,ouranswer tothequestionremainsclear: we stand steadfast in our beliefs that what we did at the time was necessary and in the best interests of the nation.

It is that conviction that drivesourpresentopposition to the PPP rulers and the direction in which they are takingthecountry Yes!We don’t believe that ours and Rodney’s sacrifice was in vain. This is a matter that should long have been addressed through a process of national reconciliation, leadingtoabroadconsensus in a liberated Guyana. The fact that this question continues to be raised, more than four and a half decades after Rodney’s passing, and

in light of the country’s present condition, it is an indictment of the nation It reflects our collective failure to mature as a nation and objectivelydealwithourpast This deficiency in the body politic leaves the younger generation vulnerable to manipulations and with little underst

e struggles, and sacrifices that haveshapedourhistory I end my response to these two above-mentioned ques

e frequently posed to the WPA,particularlyduringthe p

anniversary of Brother Wa l t e r R o d n e y ’ s assassination, by asking a questionofmyown: Where dowe,asacountry,gofrom here,46yearsaftertheendof Rodney’s activism and his assassination?

Yourssincerely, TacumaOgunseye

“Massacre” is an appropriate...

Frompage5 to minimize or redefine what occurred at Wismar History is not a competition of suffering.Wedonothonouronegroup’spain bydismissingordiminishinganother’s.

One of the most troubling aspects of the Wismar events was the complete removal of theIndo-Guyanesepopulationfromthearea. That reality has led some scholars and commentators to characterize the events not merelyasamassacre,butasaformofethnic cleansing Whether one accepts that description or not, it demonstrates that the historical discussion extends far beyond a simplecountoffatalities.

The challenge before Guyanese today is not to erase difficult chapters of our history, but to confront them honestly and

thoughtfully Honest remembrance requires that we acknowledge all victims—African, Indian, and others—while also recognizing the particular nature and consequences of eachtragedy If our goal is national healing and reconciliation,weshouldnotshyawayfrom historicalterminologysimplybecauseitmay be uncomfortable Rather, we should carefullyexaminetheevidenceandallowthe facts to guide our conclusions. By learning from our history, acknowledging past mistakes, and committing ourselves to truth and mutual respect, we can move forward together as one people toward a more just, peaceful,andharmoniousfuture.

Respectfully,

Dr.DevanandBhagwan

By Christopher Ram

Overview

Ex x o n M o b i l

Guyana Limited this week filed its audited financial statements st for the year ended 31 December 2025. Once again, the numbers are staggering: from a 45% interest in one block, total comprehensive income of $982,476M – very nearly one trillion Guyana dollars –after charging income tax it does not pay It took Guyana fifty-nine years to build its first trillion-dollar budget; Exxon's minority slice approaches that in a single y e a r , f o r f o r e i g n shareholders, in under a decade.

In the interest of brevity,

The Road to First Oil - Every Man, Woman and Child must become oil-minded. Column 189 (June

Exxon's 2025 Financial Statements –

and What It Has Taken Out

I will not trouble readers with a detailed review of the company'sincomestatement and the balance sheet: they speakforthemselves,jarring the ears of every selfrespecting Guyanese.

Instead, this column steps back to the larger picture they occupy - what the accounts and the Petroleum Agreement, read together, reveal about how much of this nation's oil, and this nation's money, leaves the country and how little stays. How we came to be imprisoned to such terms, and by whom, is another story

The “50-50” that is not equal At a press conference to share the financial

statements, Vice President John A. Colling was asked w h y, i n a “ 5 0 - 5 0 ” a g r e e m e n t , t h e o i l companies take so much more than the Government.

We know Colling. He was the same individual who in 2024 announced a “60%” revenue rise when it was 56% – volunteered that “75% of all revenues” currentlygotocostrecovery, that“youseethatreflectedin th e I F R S f in an cial statements,” and that the 5050 falls on profit oil “after recoveryofcosts.” Colling does not seek to confuse revenue with profit oil; he distinguishes them. UndertheAgreementthe5050 bites only on profit oil –what survives after the 2%

royalty (Article 15.6) is set aside, and up to 75% of each month's production lifted as costoil(Article11.2).Onhis own figure, 25 cents in the dollar reaches the profit-oil pool, and the State's half of that,withitsroyalty,isabout 14 cents. He explained, in the language of reassurance, why a “fifty-fifty” hand the nation one-seventh of its own oil. But then promised the media that improvement wouldcome.

Whatisinterestingisthat Colling undermined the assertion in the financial

certify full IFRS and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana mandatesit,andthepublicis confused. Either the cost recovery belongs in these statements and must be disclosed, or it is a separate computation that must be reconciled to them. Exxon does neither, offering no bridge from theAgreement's waterfall to its published profit. The largest charge of all in the income statementdepreciation - has no note. I can think of no IFRS that supports recovery of a

– from our own profit oil. AndthisisExxon's45%;add Hess and CNOOC and the takemorethandoubles.

What Exxon has taken out – EMGL's 45% interest only (G$ millions)

statements about IFRS when he introduces the motion of petroleum accounting which was never before mentioned by him or his predecessors. In any case, all he did was confirm suspicions with this newinformation.

IFRS, and the cost that disappears

Never the less, his claim that “You see that reflected in the IFRS financial statements” is one that the accounts will not bear Indeed, that statement undermines the audit report validating the financial statements.

TheAgreementsuggests the recovery of costs as i n c u r r e d , w i t h n o depreciation schedule for capital (Annex C); IFRS d o e s t h e o p p o s i t e , capitalising that sum and releasing it slowly as depreciation – $300,758M, about 18% of revenue, against total costs of just 29%. What is beyond doubt isthata75%cashrecoveryis nowhere on the face of the accounts The company p l e a d “ p e t r o l e u m accounting”. The auditors

hugelysubstantialcostbeing undisclosed in the financial statements. This omission explains why and how the income statement of one of the three contractors discloses a 57% margincompletely out of line with the 12.5% earned by the country

What Exxon has taken out, and what Guyana finances

Sincefirstoil,onits45% alone, Exxon has earned about $3 2 trillion –$607,186M by the end of 2022 with nothing paid out, and almost $2 trillion more since.

It took nothing out until 2024; then it repatriated $1.14T in two years, untaxed. Set that against every dollar of capital the parenthasevercontributed–$1,127,835M:thecashtaken out has now overtaken the entireinvestmentevermade. Exxonhasbeenmadewhole, and $2,062,951 million of profit still sits undistributed, waitingtoleave.

On top of all this we pay its taxes – some $630B in three years on the 45% alone

2,062,951

1,127,835

629,929

Conclusion

Exxon has not changed itsstrategy,noreventheman who reads the script: the same Mr Colling, merely promoted.

The architecture stands exactly where the Coalition built it and the PPP/C maintains it – a 2% royalty, up to 75% cost recovery, a 50-50 on the crumbs, no ring-fencing, a Tax Order that pays the contractor's taxesfromourownoil,anda cleanup bill that Guyana partlyfunds.

The oil is leaving by the tanker-load, the profit by the trillion, and the money we pay to keep it sweet leaves dressed up as the company's ownincome.Ourpatrimony, the profit it yields, and our own treasury – three things not taken from Guyana but givenaway,andcounting.

Wa l t e r R o d n e y , assassinated 46 years ago, andwhosememorywerecall today, must be wondering how we got here.We will try to answer that question next week as we close the roundup of the Contractors' 2025 financialstatements.

Do not laugh too quickly

I was sitting with a good friend when I read a story about Guyana’s nomination of its candidate for the post of United Nations Secretary General. At the same time, my friend was reading the samestoryonhisphone.

Our eyes met when he realised what I was reading. He immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter that caughtmebysurprise.

I could not understand his reaction at first I assumedithadsomethingto do with the idea of a Guyanesenominee.

I asked him, “Don’t you think she can win?” That question made him laugh evenharder

I became slightly worriedthathemightendup with a seizure attack, so uncontrollable was his amusement. Eventually, he managed to explain his reaction.

He said the position of Secretary General is usually reservedforpeoplewithvery strong international reputations. In his view, the ideaofalessgloballyknown candidatewasunrealistic.

Ididnotfullyagreewith him.Itoldhimthehistoryof the United Nations shows a morediversepicture.

The current Secretary General, António Guterres, previously served as Prime Minister of Portugal. His predecessor, Ban Ki-moon, had been South Korea’s Foreign Minister and a prospective presidential candidate.

KofiAnnanrosethrough the United Nations system before becoming Secretary General He had worked within the UN system and Africa was pressing for someonefromthecontinent.

BoutrosBoutros-Ghali,who fell out with the West and onlyhadoneterm,hadbeen atop-notchacademicversed ininternationallaw,andwas also an experienced diplomat.

These examples support my friend’s argument to someextent.Theyshowthat many successful Secretaries General had strong internationalcredentials.

However, they also supportthefactthatposition has not always gone to globally famous figures Someleaderswererelatively unknown before their appointment. These include UThant,KurtWaldheimand DagHammarskjöld.

T h e s e l a t t e r appointments show that visibility is not the only decidingfactor Competence and political acceptability alsomattergreatly Anoth

S

Ramphal. After he demitted the post of Commonwealth Secretary General, he was touted as a prospective candidateforthepostofUN SecretaryGeneral.

Ramphal was widely respected across the Commonwealth but it became clear that the West had serious reservations about him and would not

Dem Boys Seh...

support his candidacy. As such, those touting him abandonedtheidea.

Ramphal’s experience shows that even strong potential candidates can be blocked by global politics. Merit alone is often not enoughinsuchcontests.

And the selection of a Secretary General is ultimately a political process The Security Council plays the most decisiveroleinthatprocess.

Acandidate must secure more support of Council members than any other They must also avoid a veto from any of the five permanentmembers.

ItistheSecurityCouncil thatmakesthenominationto the General Assembly And then the person has to be approved by the General Assembly

As such, the first and most important hurdle to be overcome by any candidate istosecurethenominationof the Security Council. This requirement makes the processhighlycomplex. It also makes outcomes difficult to predict in advance. In the past front runners were rejected by permanent members of the UNSecurityCouncil.

IfGuyana’scandidateis to succeed, she would need the support of the five permanent members. And this is often only guaranteed wherethereisadeadlockand aneedtofindsomeonethatis suitabletoallfivepermanent members – United States,

The magic money tree and other Opposition fairytales

Dem boys hear somebody advising the Opposition that when they in office or even when they just walking through office corridor, they must “take care of their supporters.”Anddemboyslaughsohardone fellanearlydrophephoneinthetrench. Because dem boys want to know somethingverysimple:takecarewithwhat? Is it money tree or magic wallet that open onlywhenelectionnear?

In Guyana politics, everybody does talk likecashdoesgrowlikemangoesinAugust. But dem boys know better When you in government, you does have the national kitchen running When you out of government, you does struggling to find even gas money to light the stove in your ownkitchen.

Opposition parties does not just lose elections.Theydoesloseelectricity,internet, printerink,andsometimesevenbasichope. Headquarters bills still come though. Dem debtors man nah interested in “strong statement against government.” Security guards still want pay Office tea lady still wantsugarinshetea,notpromises.

Russia, United Kingdom, FranceandChina.

Guyana’s candidate also hastocomeupagainstsome formidable candidates

Some of the current leading namesindiscussionsinclude Rafael Grossi, DirectorGeneral of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Michelle Bachelet (Chile), former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Macky Sall (Senegal), former President ofSenegal.

Compared to these figures,Guyana’snomineeis less internationally visible. That is an unavoidable realityinglobaldiplomacy

However, international visibility does not always guarantee success. Highly visible candidates can also facestrongresistance.

In fact, strong profiles sometimes make consensus harder Rival powers may prefer a less controversial option.

When that happens, compromise candidates often emerge from outside the list of favourites. The final outcome can surprise evenexperiencedobservers.

Thisiswhyweshouldbe careful before dismissing Guyana’s nominee My friend’s laughter may turn outtobepremature.

The PPP/C has been

known to make bizarre choices. But in international diplomacy, outcomes are rarely straightforward or deterministic.

The outsider always stands a chance. The next Secretary General could come from an unexpected placelikeGuyana.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a

necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper)

So, when people talk boldly about “helping supporters,” dem boys seh fine—just show the spreadsheet. Show the budget. Show the donor list. Show the mysteriousmillionaireunclewhowillingto sponsorpoliticalgoodintentions. Because right now, the Opposition situationislikeamanadvisingotherstofeed awholevillagewhileheownfridgegotone garlicandahalfonion.

Dem boys also hear all kind of ideas floating around like political mosquitoes. But reality is stubborn. In Guyana politics, whenyouinside,youwin;whenyououtside, youlockout.

So dem boys conclusion is simple: instead of romantic speeches about “taking care of supporters,” maybe the more practical advice is: supporters should start takingcareoftheparty Becauseatthisrate, thepartynahtakingcareofnobody—unless sympathyqualifyascurrency

And dem boys seh, if sympathy could pay bills, half of political headquarters would already be upgraded to five-star resorts. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

A bank setup for a bank robbery

Congratulations to the PPP Govt for the vision of a Guyana Development Bank to serve little citizens Thoughtful Well-liked When things get too thoughtful, dislike creeps forward. What the details say? Both upfront and obscured.

There's a $40B lending chest Small Guyanese should benefit. On paper, in theory In numbers, in the hoped-for reality Then, the surprisingtakeshold,givesa good, stiff shake The undesired kind Whoever helped craft this proposed legislation, did a number on

Guyanese;apendinghatchet job. It astonishes that a lawin-waiting could be so slapdash, almost cavalier

Recall that $40B taxpayer dollars are flying around, up for grabs Frankly, I expected a more robust, watertight, tamper-proofed p i e c e o f p r o p o s e d legislation, which is as good as law from now With an unassailable seven votes in reserve, there's only one outcome. The president's pen.

After the clamor over the gaps in the Xmas-packaged Natural Resource Fund, the PPP Govt didn't learn anything, didn't care about Guyanese objections. If the

appearance of the Guyana Development Bank is depressing, some of its substance is upsetting. No penalties for wrongdoing for tricky, slippery, bank officials.

Only a PPP-conceived bank can that be. Takes significant craftiness to introduceabillinparliament withsuchaglaringdeficit.

Reflexively, a question comes. Is the PPPbrain trust plan for this Guyana Development Bank to operate as a PPP Govt sponsored chit system (a wink-and-nod one)? One replenished annually? Or, a PPP Govt credit card (unlimited)? In other words,

come and get it. Grab all that's wished. Don't worry about payback, that day doesn't exist. Who's going to get penalised: stripped, fined, jailed steel bars for company, express regret? Who is there to represent the best in honest and vigilant oversight of the $40 billion? There's another one, which indicates how jittery the PPP Govtis.

Evendirectorswhoactin good faith are not indemnified under the law

My interpretation is bulletproof: play along, get along, or a long shadow hangs over the head of those who prioritize principles, doing right by Guyanese, and that $40B stash/slush fund. In other words, no talking, no whistleblowing. One is blamed, all are blamed.

A law so neat that it ties up all the stray ends tightly

The stray dog, the uncontrolled variable is the independent media No wonder the PPP sabotaged, sickened, then strangled one of its arms (Stabroek) out of

existence It's a c l a s s i c P P P manoeuvre Cover the wicket nicely Nobodygetsout,no gets ideas (appeal) and nothing and no one can get through. To sift through the garbage and determine how hard Guyanese have been hit.

The key concerns for a strangerlikemeboildownto these areas. First, how much ofthis$40Bisgoingtoreach Guyana who can put to constructiveuse?

Second, how many from the PPP network are g o i n g t o r a i d t h a t Development Bank? After all, it's free money Just like procurement money Third, how much will Guyanese know about the real workingsanddispositionsof that$40B,andwhen?

Chartered Accountant Chris Ram noted that the finance minister selects all thedirectors.

But cleverer still to include what protects itself (handpicked hacks) The Development Bank then converts to a pending bank robbery Hopefully, some li'l citizens get some seed money PPP operators can't be so scraven and teef all de $40B.

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

The government's logic is compelling Its own trusted operators know how the PPP business model works. Look out for self, look but don't see, and it lookslikenothinghappened. Withnoprovisioninthelaw, no law is broken No penalties, no worries. When I insist that the PPP Govt is crime-minded, crimeridden,itspeoplegetvex. The government is clever enough to exclude penaltiesthatguardtaxpayer dollars.

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Hide the Rapist, betray the victim

The horrifying rape of a young West Berbice woman by her brother-in-law, which this newspaper reported on in our Saturday edition should settle once and for all the debate over secret sex offender registries. A man allegedly broke into her home, threatened her and her child, raped her, drank from her refrigerator, then left boasting that he wanted more. Yet there are those who believe society should protect the identity of convicted sexual predators.

Protect them from whom? Certainly not from future victims. Every parent has a right to know if a convicted rapist lives next door. Every woman has a right to know if a sexual predator works nearby. Every community has a right to identify those who have demonstrated a willingness to destroy lives. The State's first duty is protecting innocent citizens, not shielding convicted offenders from public scrutiny.

Machel Montano won the title for a record 12 occasions, with his tune, Encore

Citizens Advised to Practice Pandemic Safety Measures as COVID-19 Cases Resurface - APNU

Shadow Minister of Health and Member of Parliament Dr Terrence Campbell on Friday urged citizens to revive the hygienic habits developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, following the resurgence of the virus in schools.

S p e a k i n g a t A

Partnership for National Unity's (APNU) weekly

press conference, Dr Campbell told reporters that

COVID-19 has not disappearedandthatcitizens should remain vigilant, particularly with regard to sanitaryconditionsinshared

spaces. He urged parents to be mindful of their children during play and social interaction, but stressed that thecurrentsituationdoesnot warrantpanic.

“We should still practice thosehygienichabitsthatwe developedinordertoreduce transfer when the epidemic

was at its peak, ” the politiciansaid.

T h e A P N U parliamentarian noted that he has been closely monitoring reports of the outbreak, and indicated that his level of concern would rise should the number of confirmed cases among children climb beyond four orfive.

“So, it is a situation that we are watching cautiously, but I don't believe at this stage there is need for excessive alarm on the situation, but it's something tobewatchedforeverybody You should remember that COVID-19isstillaround…” hestated.

D r C a m p b e l l ' s comments follow a June 11 report by Kaieteur News, which revealed that health authoritiesinRegionSixare continuing to monitor a coronavirus outbreak at the GuySuCo Training College

inPortMourant,Corentyne. Morethan20COVID-19 cases were detected among students residing in the institution's dormitories Whilenoneofthecaseswere classifiedascritical,allwere r e p o r t e d t o b e asymptomatic.

In response to

outbreak, the school was fully vacated, and infected students were placed in q u a

precautionarymeasure.

A health official confirmed that the situation is being carefully assessed, with contact-tracing efforts underway to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into close contactwiththoseinfected.

Authorities also noted that contingency measures remain in place should the virus spread further within theinstitutionorbeyond.

efforts, citizens are being encouraged to maintain basic preventative practices including regular handwashing, sanitizing shared surfaces, and monitoring symptoms in children — as a precaution againstfurthertransmission.

In an

In an uncertain

uncertain global trading order,

global trading order,

is the WTO still relevant to the

is the WTO still relevant to the

ByAliciaNicholls

Failure Broken Flop

These are some of the descriptors commentators have used for the World TradeOrganisation(WTO)'s fourteenth Ministerial Conference(MC14)heldin Yaounde, Cameroon, from h th 26 -30 March, 2026

Traditionally, this event would not be on the average citizen's radar, but the tariff turmoil sparked by the United States' so-called “reciprocal tariffs” and the oil price shocks from the conflictinIranandresulting effects in the Strait of Hormuz have made trade impossible to ignore, and with it, renewed questions aboutwhethertheWTOstill matters.InthisSRCTrading Thoughts, I argue that despite its flaws, the rulesbased multilateral trading system overseen by the WTO remains vital and relevant for small states, such as those in the Caribbean.

TheWTO'squiet relevance For most Caribbean people, even among the privatesector,whathappens at the Geneva-based WTO remains abstract Some Caribbeanpeoplemayknow the WTO because of unpleasantepisodes,suchas theECBananascases,which hastened the end of preferential EU market access for certain Africa, CaribbeanandPacific(ACP) countries' commodities or Antigua's online gambling disputewiththeU.S.,which AntiguawonbuttheU.S.has largely ignored It is understandable, then, that the organisation leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many in the region, especially those directly impacted.

Despite this, the rules negotiated first under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and, since 1995, under the WTO have helped sustain the relatively smooth, predictable and rules-based trading system we have known for decades Rules negotiated at the WTO are why it is easier for us to access goods and services from other countries. They are why sellers can expect a minimumstandardofmarket access conditions when selling their goods and services across borders Moreover,formanyyearsits dispute settlement mechanism has provided an

important forum for the peaceful settlement of trade disputesbetweencountries. MC14 reveals increased strainonmultilateralsystem

While the WTO has faced criticism almost from itsinception,MC14'sfailure to achieve any substantive outcomes is yet another symptomoftheaccumulated strainontheoverthirty-yearold institution. Held usually every two years, the MinisterialConferenceisthe WTO's highest decisionmaking body, where WTO members'MinistersofTrade

and other high-level delegates meet to take decisions on multilateral trade matters Notably, MC14's outcomes were largely procedural decisions which were mostly already agreedinGenevaandsimply adoptedinCameroon. There were three main touted 'outcomes' of MC14. The first, dating back to the Doha mandate of 2001, was the decision to improve the integration of small economiesintoglobaltrade. This instructed the WTO Secretariattoprovidefactual analysis on certain issues germanetotheseeconomies. This analysis could provide evidential backing for more inclusivepoliciestoimprove these countries' integration intotheglobaleconomy

Second,membersagreed on operationalisation and implementation of the special and differential t r e a t m e n t ( S & D T ) provisions under the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)andTechnicalBarriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. These provisions give countries breathing space to buildcapacityinfoodsafety and product standards, but areseenasbroadandvague. This makes implementing them in practice difficult, leading to calls for operationalisation Of course,itremainstobeseen howthiswillbedone.

Third, on fisheries subsidies, Ministers instructed the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules to continue work on disciplines addressing subsidies that contribute to o v e r c a p a c i t y a n d overfishing, phase II of the Fisheries Subsidies negotiations (Fish II). The Fisheries Subsidies Agreementwasconcludedat MC12andenteredintoforce inSeptember2025,butthese additionaldisciplinesremain to be negotiated. For small

island developing states (SIDS), fisheries are indispensableforlivelihoods andfoodsecurity Members' recommitmenttothissecond phase of the negotiations is important procedurally, but substance would entail negotiating strong disciplines that curb large subsidisers while preserving policy space for small vulnerableeconomies. Criticalissuesremained…

The outcomes were modest, leaving critical issues unresolved and stalled. The moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions, which has b e e n i n p l a c e a n d periodically renewed since 1998, lapsed after members failedtoreachagreementon its renewal. Notably, this leaves the door open for countries to apply customs duties on digital goods such as eBooks, movies and music streaming services TheWTOWorkProgramme on Ecommerce, which was tied to the renewal of the moratorium, therefore, was notadopted.

Another pertinent outstanding matter is the paralysis of the WTO's Appellate Body, the equivalent of a court of appeal, due to the US's continued blocking of members' (judges) appointments Without a fully functioning system for the peaceful settlement of trade disputes, power politics can fill the vacuum. Some countries, including recently Barbados, have joined on to an interim arrangement called the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA),butthisremainsjust astop-gapmeasure.

There was also no decision on the proposed Least Developed Countries (LDC) package which includes items seeking to promote the integration of LDCs into the global economy Thisisgermaneto CARICOM as Haiti is an LDC.

Also noteworthy was thattheAgreementonTradeRelated Aspects of

Intellectual Property (TRIPS) non-violation and situation complaints moratorium, which protected policy space around intellectual property since 2001, lapsed for the first time. Significantly, the Investment Facilitation for DevelopmentAgreement, in which six CARICOM states

Caribbean?

Caribbean?

participated, was again blocked from being adopted into the WTO's formal legal architecture.

WTO'svalueisnotlost MC14's shortcomings should not obscure what the WTO still offers. The WTO hasflaws,butforsmallstates it remains preferable to a purely power-based trading system. It is the only major multilateral economic rulemaking forum in which small states sit formally as equals.Inadditiontoitsrole as a forum for negotiating andmonitoringtraderules,it plays a significant role as a convening forum for countries to discuss traderelated issues, such as the environment, public health, among others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the WTO was a forum for countries to discuss and share the traderelated aspects of the pandemic. Indeed, it is why this month, as we do every year,weattheSRCwilltake our Masters in Trade Policy (MITP) students to Geneva to understand the workings oftheWTOandothertraderelatedinstitutions.

MC14's lacklustre outcome further weakened confidence in the WTO's negotiating function, but before penning the organisation's obituary, it is worthrememberingthatthis was not the first ministerial conference to end in a less than stellar outcome The organisation can make progressoncemembershave the political will to do so. Moreover, even countries most vocal in opposition to the WTO still attended the Ministerial.Additionally,the numberofjurisdictions,like Curacao, in accession also shows that, despite its challenges, the WTO

remains an institution worthy of joining, even for smalljurisdictions.

Somerecommendations goingforward

As the Caribbean remains committed to the multilateral system and seeks to engage in reform, I offer the following suggestions.

First,wemustbewareof the'wolf in sheep's clothing' reformproposalsthatdonot serve our interests WTO reform must not dilute core protections for small economies, especially most

(Continuedonpage46)

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

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

MONDAY–JUNE08,2026

DevelopmentBank mustnotbecomea politicalbank

The promise of a

Development Bank capable

of empowering small businesses and expanding economic opportunities is one that deserves public support.

However, the legislation tabled in the National

Assembly raises troubling q u e s t i o n s a b o u t accountability, transparency andpoliticalcontrol. Theproposedframework places the appointment of every director, including the chairperson and deputy chairperson, in the hands of the finance minister, while excluding the Opposition, c i v i l s o c i e t y a n d transparencyadvocatesfrom any oversight role Such

concentration of authority over billions of dollars in publicfundsinunwise. Equally concerning are the vague lending criteria, uncertainty over interest charges and collateral requirements, and loopholes that may allow non-citizens to benefit. The absence of explicit sanctions against corrupt officials seeking kickbacks further weakens public confidence

Development requires trust; trust requires independent oversight and strong safeguards.

WEDNESDAY–JUNE10,2026

Backformorebillions Barely four months after securing parliamentary approval for Guyana's largest-ever budget of G$1 558 trillion, the Governmentisbackseeking another$54.9B.Thisisnota

sign of prudent financial management;itisatroubling indicationthatbudgetinghas become little more than an estimate subject to constant revision.

S u p p l e m e n t a r y provisions are supposed to address unforeseen circumstances, not finance “accelerated work programmes” that should havebeenanticipatedduring the budget process Most alarming is the additional $19B requested for the already controversial Gasto-Energy project, despite billions already allocated this year and persistent questions about costs, planningandoversight.

When governments repeatedly return to

Parliamentforbillionsmore, taxpayers are entitled to ask whether the original budget was realistic or merely politically convenient

Guyana's oil wealth demands greater fiscal discipline, not a growing culture of spending first and accountinglater THUSRDAY–JUNE11, 2026

Exxoncontinuestofight ExxonMobil's continued fight against returning US$214 million flagged by independent auditors exposes the ugly imbalance at the heart of Guyana's oil arrangement. After securing one of the most generous petroleum contracts in the world, the oil giant is still resisting efforts to refund expenses auditors say were wronglychargedtoGuyana.

Even more troubling is the government's persistent portrayal of Exxon as a trusted partner while disputes drag on for years and billions in costs remain underaudit.

A true partner does not battle a developing nation over every dollar, delay resolutions, and force matters toward international arbitration.

Meanwhile, many Guyanese still struggle with poor healthcare, inadequate housing, rising living costs, and entrenched poverty despite unprecedented oil wealth.TheUS$214million under dispute belongs to the people of Guyana, not Exxon's balance sheet. The question is whether the government is prepared to fightforitwiththeurgencyit deserves.

FRIDAY–JUNE12, 2026

Greeddressedupas governance

Veteran trade unionist, Lincoln Lewis is right. In G u y a n a , p o l i t i c s increasingly looks less like publicserviceandmorelike alifetimeinvestmentplan.

In a letter to the editor this week he observed that, while workers battle rising costs, taxes and stagnant wages, Parliament is being asked to restore a buffet of unlimited perks for former presidents.

He made it clear that the issue is not about pension, notingthatformerpresidents deserve reasonable retirement benefits

However,theissueisexcess. Unlimited utilities, household staff, vehicles, medicalcareandacatalogue of privileges funded by taxpayers expose a political class determined to secure comfort long after leaving office.

Seven years into the oil era,toomanyGuyanesestill struggle to afford basic necessities Yet the government's priority is ensuring former leaders enjoy first-class treatment forlife.

This bill sends a troubling message: oil wealth is plentiful when politiciansarespendingiton themselves.

Inacountrystillbattling poverty, such entitlement is not dignity It is greed dressedupasgovernance.

7-year-old Adriel Mohamed laid to rest

Seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed, who was brutally th murdered on 5 June, 2026 at his Phase 3 Zeelugt New Scheme home,wasonSaturdaylaidtorest.

The funeral service which was held at the Parika Full Gospel Church was attended by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture

Vikash Ramkissoon, who represented the government, APNU's parliamentarians Terrence Campbell,andSaikuAndrews,and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) party leader,

SimonaBroomes.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar had also joined family and friends for the viewing of the body at the Zeelugt home which was held earlier on Saturday

A packed church service also saw residents of the community, classmates, and teachers who gathered to offer support to the bereavedfamily

KaieteurNewsreportedthatthe child was found dead in his home with his throat slashed following a

home invasion which occurred around04:45hrs.onFriday,June5, 2026 at the family's Phase 3 Zeelugt New Housing Scheme home.

Mohamedwashomealonewith his great-grandmother Around 05:05 hrs., a relative arrived at the home and made the horrifying discovery — Itwari injured and young Adriel dead. The elderly woman, who had been stabbed to

the neck, was rushed to De Kinderen Hospital where she was admitted.

A post mortem conducted on Monday, June 8 confirmed the boy died from an incised wound to the neck, compounded by blunt force injuries.

The suspect, Shaheed Mohamed, was arrested the followingday Investigatorssaidhe confessed and that his confession

was driven by a trail of digital evidence that placed him squarely atthescene.

He was charged with the child's murder and remanded to prison on Tuesday

The little boy, who attended the Zeelugt Primary School, was described as an energetic and friendlyperson.Heleavestomourn his parents, sister and other relatives.

Court Orders Jagdeo to Pay $17M in Charles Ceres Defamation Suit

The High Court has ordered Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to pay Guyanese engineer Charles Ceres a total of $15M in damages for libel, along with $2,150,000 in costs — bringing the total payout to approximately$17M.

Justice Fidela CorbinLincoln delivered the

judgment on Friday dismissing the libel claims against Kaieteur News and Guyana Times, though she ordered both news outlets to pay costs. Kaieteur News

was ordered to pay $500,000, while Guyana Times' editor and publisher wasorderedtopay$1M.

The two news agencies successfully established the defence of statutory qualified privilege in relation to articles reporting on allegations Jagdeo made concerning the allocation of statelands.

In her ruling, Justice Corbin-Lincoln found that the defendants — the news

a g e n c i e s “ h a v e established the statutory defence of qualified privilege under Section 14 of the Defamation Act

There is no evidence of a request by the claimant to

publish a statement and a failure to publish and no evidence of malice for the privilege to be lost. The defendants' defence of statutory qualified privilege under Section 14 of the DefamationActsucceeds.”

ForJagdeo,however,the court found that his defence “of justification and fair comment”wasnotproven.

The lawsuit dates back to 2019, when businessman and prominent engineer Charles Ceres, along with his then-wife Ndibi Schweirs,filedadefamation suit against then-Leader of the Opposition Bharrat

Jagdeo, Kaieteur News, and Guyana Times, seeking damages in excess of $200M.

The case centered on statements Jagdeo made regarding sweeping landallocation claims, in which he alleged that Schweirs, through her husband, had obtained public lands at Canje Creek, Bohemia, and Liliendaal through corrupt, illegal,andcriminalmeans.

In their statement of claim, Ceres and Schweirs sought damages exceeding $200M from Jagdeo over the original statements, as wellasafurther$200Mover

the publication of what they describedasunsubstantiated and defamatory claims via the People's Progressive Party's Facebook page and YouTubechannels.

The couple also sought damages exceeding $200M each from Kaieteur News and Guyana Times, arguing that the publications had run articles based on Jagdeo's claims suggesting the pair may have obtained the lands through immoral, improper, illegal,andcriminalmeans.

In making his original allegations, Jagdeo cited specific file numbers, accusing Ceres of obtaining 1,297.1acresatCanjeCreek and 112 acres at Bohemia, both in Region Six. He further claimed that Ceres had acquired an additional 5,000 acres, though he did not specify their location, and referenced a separate plotatLiliendaal,EastCoast D e m e r a r a , w i t h o u t providingfurtherdetails.

With Friday's ruling, the High Court has found in favour of Ceres on the core defamation claim against Jagdeo, while clearing both news outlets of liability for the manner in which they reportedontheallegations.

Guyana's Fertiliser Plant Plans Draw Brazilian Interest

Brazil's Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Cleber Soares

Guyana's pursuit of a major fertiliser plant has caught the attention of n

, signaling potential for deep

cooperation between the two countries.

During a meeting on Tuesday with President Irfaan Ali and the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr Muhammad Hamid Ibrahim, Brazil's Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Cleber Soares, outlined a vision for expanded trade betweenthetwonations.

“We (can) enhance our partnership between Brazil and Guyana to do different kinds of commerce, different kinds of market access. Like we can send how much you need (in terms of) grains and fruitsandvegetables,andthey can do good market, good commerce and combine with fertiliser Then I'm sure that partnership have everything to be very strong,” Soaressaid.

Brazil's vice Minister of Agriculture commended President Ali's leadership in the agricultural sector, pointing to Brazil's own transformation as a model for what strategic agricultural investment can achieve. He recalled that 50 years ago, Brazil imported more than 80% of the food it consumed yet today the country exports roughly 25% of its total agricultural output to over190marketsworldwide.

S o a r e s a d d e d t h a t strengtheningtiesbetweenthe two countries would allow both to benefit from expanded commerce and market access, citing Brazil's capacity to supply grains, fruits, and vegetables in whatever quantitiesGuyanarequires.

Background on the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant

Brazil's interest comes amid ongoing developments surrounding the proposed Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP), a project that

has attracted significant international attention On March 10, Kaieteur News reported that five of the 10 bidders responding to the prime minister's request for proposals for GAUP are Chinese-ownedcompanies.

The government first invited Engineering, P r o c u r e m e n t a n d Construction(EPC)proposals in October 2025, seeking firms to design, engineer, construct, and eventually operate an ammonia/urea plant.

According to the tender notice, the project will be developed under a publicprivate partnership model, with government targeting production of 300,000 tons of fertiliser annually, with operations expected to commence between 2027 and 2028.

The facility will draw gas from phase two of the Wales pipeline, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has stated. Based on preliminary EPC proposals received so far, government has indicated that the project cost is not e x p

e d t o e x c e e d US$300M.

GAUP is slated to be constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara, east of the GTE Combined Cycle Power PlantandNaturalGasLiquids (NGL) Facility The plantwill also receive lean gas from Guyana Power and Gas Inc. (GPGI), a fully governmentowned company “GAUPwill receive lean gas from Guyana Power and Gas Inc. (GPGI), a fully owned Government of Guyana (GOG) company,” OPMstated.

Onceincorporated,GAUP will manufacture and sell ammonia and urea fertiliser to local and regional markets Government has emphasised that the project is specifically designed to lower fertiliser costs not only in Guyana but across the wider region, includingNorthernBraziland the Caribbean — a goal that aligns closely with the kind of cross-border agricultural (Continued on page 43)

Not just another talk shop

— WeLead

Caribbean

conference aims to turn conversations into action

Caribbean Pulse - As Guyana experiences an unprecedented period of growth and transformation,WeLeadCaribbean founder and President Abbigale Loncke-Watson believes the country’snextchaptermustinclude more women taking up space in businessanddecision-making.For Loncke-Watson, that means creating more than conversations about empowerment It means building spaces where women can access the tools, mentorship and opportunitiesneededtogrow

AsWeLeadCaribbeanprepares to host its 2026 conference in Georgetown, Loncke-Watson said the goal is to ensure women leave with meaningful connections and practical opportunities that continue beyond the event. “When womencometotheevent,theywill leave with gems and it’s an event that they can come and grow and moveontobiggerandbetterthings aftertheconference,”shesaid.This year,WeLeadCaribbeanisholding a 90-day post-conference review designed to help women turn relationships formed at the event intotangibleopportunities.

The initiative will focus on maintaining connections, creating mentorship opportunities and linking participants with existing WeLead programmes, including the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and the WeLead Incubator.Loncke-Watsonsaidthe intentionistomoveawayfromthe traditionalconferencemodelwhere participantsattend,networkbriefly andreturnhomewithoutcontinued support.

This approach reflects the mission behind WeLead Caribbean, which began in 2017 after Loncke-Watson, participated in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), a programmelaunchedunderformer United States President Barack Obama. At the time, she was building her own business in Guyana and looking for guidance, mentorship and support After returning home, she realised there wasagap.

“There was no major organisation doing anything for women in business, any support, anymentorship.Therewasnothing

likethatontheground,”shesaid. Thatexperienceinspiredherto createWeLeadCaribbean,initially as a platform to support women entrepreneursandprofessionalsby connecting them with mentors, opportunities and examples of women succeeding across the region.

Nearly a decade later, the organisation has grown into a regional network focused on leadership development, entrepreneurship and professional growth. The timing of this year’s conference comes as Guyana continues to attract international attention because of its rapid

e c o n o m i c expansion, largely driven by developments in the oil and gas sector But Loncke-Watson believes the opportunities for women extend far beyond one industry

She pointed to agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism and services as sectors, where women can play a greater role.

“Whether or not the society is ready for it, it’s happening in real time,” she said “Women are alreadytakingupspace.”

She highlighted the growth of women-owned businesses, increasingfemalerepresentationin leadership and the emergence of organisations focused on supporting women in sectors such asenergyandoilandgas.

Loncke-Watsonalsopointedto the fact that women make up a significant majority of graduates from the University of Guyana as evidence that women are increasinglypreparingtolead

“We are taking up space,” she said.

The WeLead Caribbean Conference, scheduled for June 27 inGeorgetown,isexpectedtobring together more than 300 women leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs from across the Caribbean, both in person and virtually

The conference will feature

Guyanese singer Melanie Fiona as keynote speaker, with LonckeWatson saying her journey of resilience and reinvention was one ofthereasonsshewasselected Fiona, who has Guyanese heritage, built an international musiccareerbeforesteppingaway from the spotlight and later rebuilding her career and personal life For Loncke-Watson, that journey reflects a message that resonates with women across the Caribbean.“Evenifwetakeastep back, we still can rebuild. We still can succeed. We still can come backfromjustaboutanythingwith that resilience,” she said The conference will also feature discussions on leadership, mentorship,accesstofinance,legal empowerment, entrepreneurship andpersonalbranding.

Among the examples of the lasting impact of the conference is the collaboration between Grenadian-American public relations executive Yvette NoelSchure and Trinidadian PR specialist Tenille Clarke, who met atapreviouseditionoftheevent.

The two are now collaborating to provide PR services to Caribbean musicians, including working with soca group Kes the Band Attendees wishing to participate in the conference in personorvisitthewebsiteformore information.

WhytheCommonwealthMattersAgain

By Sir Ronald Sanders

Smallandmedium-sized states, from the most vulnerable island nations to m o r e d i v e r s i f i e d middleincome economies, havealwaysfacedadifficult reality

They have to navigate a world in which power is unevenly distributed and in whichthedecisionsoflarger countriescanhaveprofound consequences for their security, prosperity, and independence. For decades, however, there was a degree

of predictability in international affairs. While powerfulcountriesexercised greater influence, there remained broad acceptance of certain principles: that sovereignty should be

respected, territorial integrity protected, disputes settled peacefully, and international agreements honoured.

International institutions and rules did not eliminate inequalities of power, but they helped to moderate t h e m To d a y, t h a t environmentislesscertain.

Geopolitical rivalry is intensifying Economic pressureisincreasinglyused as an instrument of policy Longstanding assumptions aboutalliances,international obligations, and sovereignty itself are being questioned moreopenlythanatanytime inrecentmemory

For small and mediumsized states alike, these developments are especially significant—forthesmallest because they magnify existing vulnerabilities, and for the medium-sized because they narrow the room for their, hitherto, independentinitiative.

They do not possess the military, economic, or political weight to shape international events on their own Their prosperity

depends upon stable international arrangements. Theirsecuritydependsupon predictability Their ability topursuenationalobjectives often rests on cooperation ratherthancoercion.

In a world where power is becoming more assertive and international rules less certain, the ability to build partnerships, form coalitions, and advance common interests through associationmaybecomeone of the most important strategic assets for both small sates and medium sized nations, such as AustraliaandCanada.

This is where the Commonwealth assumes

renewedimportance.

The Commonwealth – a voluntary association of fifty-six states from across the world - remains one of the few international organisations that brings together major developed economies,

l vulnerable states within a s

g

e framew

k It includes countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada,Australia,andIndia alongside nations from Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific,andAsia.

At a time when states need wider partnerships and greater influence, the Commonwealth offers somethingincreasinglyrare: a forum where countries of vastly different size and power engage one another regularlyanddirectly

Yet the Commonwealth should not be romanticised.

The Commonwealth has never been free of power imbalances within its own association Larger and wealthier members have oftenexercisedconsiderable influence over its priorities anddecisions.

TheUnitedKingdomhas historically played a central role in shaping the institution Australia and New Zealand have long exercised significant influence in the Pacific Canada,India,SouthAfrica, and Nigeria each carry weightthatsmallermembers cannotmatch.

The question, therefore, is not whether larger countries possess greater influence. They plainly do. Themoreimportantquestion i s w h e t h e r t h e Commonwealth provides opportunities for smaller states to be heard, build coalitions, and affect outcomesinwaysthatwould be far more difficult outside the association; and, also, provides support for medium-sized nations that theynowneed.

The international system remainslargelyhierarchical. The Commonwealth, by contrast, functions primarily through relationships, consultation,andconsensus. Thatdistinctionmatters.

Withintheassociationall states possess something they would otherwise lack: regular access, established networks, coalition building opportunities, and channels through which ideas and concerns can be advanced directlytodecisionmakers.

While that does not create equality of influence, it provides opportunities for

smaller states to amplify theirvoiceandadvancetheir interests. Small states have frequently exercised influencedisproportionateto their size through collective action, whether on climate change, debt vulnerability, ocean governance, or b

f internationaldevelopment.

But there is another reason the Commonwealth matters today For many years, concerns about sovereignty, territorial integrity,andvulnerabilityto external pressure were viewed primarily as a small states’problem.

S

s understood instinctively the importance of international law because they lacked the power to rely on anything else Now, medium-sized statesneedtoembraceittoo.

predictable Assumptions thatonceappearedsecureare being questioned more openly Longstanding

borders, alliances, and internationalobligationscan no longer be taken for

granted.

The Commonwealth’s commitment to sovereign equality, peaceful dispute settlement, and respect for international law therefore serves the interests of large andsmallmembersalike.

Historically, support within the Commonwealth wasoftenviewedasflowing primarily from larger countries to smaller ones. Increasingly, however, largermembersmayalsosee value in the collective support that smaller states can provide in defence of sovereignequality,territorial integrity, and international law

The Commonwealth is becomingmorethanaforum in which stronger states assist weaker ones. It is increasinglyacommunityin which countries of all sizes have a shared interest in preserving an international order based on rules, cooperation, and mutual respect.

T h e r e f o r e , t h e

C o m m o n w e a l t h ’ s significance extends beyond development programmes, technical cooperation, or

historical ties It remains one of the few associations through which states of very differentsizeandinfluence can strengthen their voice, reinforce their resilience, andworktogetherinsupport of an international order in which sovereignty remains meaningful.

The Commonwealth has historically achieved its greatest successes when it hascombinedprinciplewith pragmatism The same approachisneededtoday

As the international environment becomes less predictable, countries of all sizeshavearenewedinterest instrengtheningsovereignty, peaceful dispute settlement,

o n T h e Commonwealthremainsone of the few forums in which those interests can be pursued collectively despite disparitiesofpower

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda this November offers an opportunity to demonstrate that relevance inpracticalwaysandtohelp make the Commonwealth matteragain.

(The writer was a member of the 2011 Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group that produced the Report “ACommonwealth of the People: Time for Urgent Reform”. He is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS and Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The views expressed are his own)

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Govt.tocontrolDevelopment Bankwithnooversight fromOpposition,transparency bodiesorcivilsociety …all Directors, Chairperson and Deputy Chair to be appointed by Finance Minister …some loans to attract interest, collateral …no penalty for corrupt banking officials seeking kickbacks …loophole in Bill allows foreign nationals to cash in

Proposed legislation to govern the Guyana Development Bank was on Friday afternoon tabled in the National Assembly by an energetic Finance Minister, Dr AshniKumarSingh.

Newsofthefinancialinstitution

sparked excitement among Guyanese as the Government of Guyana (GoG) marketed the facilityasonethatwouldofferzero interesttoGuyaneseonloansupto $3 million with no collateral required.

The legal framework to govern the bank however reveals a differentpicturethanthatpromised bygovernment.

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

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

Govt.controloffinancial resources

Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that $40B or approximately US$200Minitially-asthesumcan be revised in Parliament- will be dispersed at the sole discretion of government appointees. The Bill makes no provision for any nominees to be submitted by the Opposition, civil society or any transparency bodies, raising concerns over the direct control of billions by the administration and thelikelihoodofselectionbasedon “politicalalliance”.

T h e i n v o l v e m e n t o r appointment of individuals stemming from these sections of society will undoubtedly provide an added layer of scrutiny with moreeyesoverseeingtherolloutof billionsofstateresources.

According to the proposed legislation, the bank will be governed by a Board of Directors whichshallconsistofnotlessthan five or more than nine directors which are to be appointed by the MinisterofFinance.

The Minister shall also appoint

the chairperson and deputy chairperson along with other directors based on “qualifications and experience in finance, economics,bankingandlaw.”

Remuneration and allowances are also to be determined by the financeministerforthedirectorsof thebank.

A director may serve for three years and can be reappointed. The Board shall also appoint a Chief ExecutiveOfficerandestablishone or more committees to “deal with any matter within the competence oftheBoard.”

The bank will be financed through allocations made by the National Assembly and revenue generated from interest. The loan ceilinghasbeensetat$3Mandcan be revised through the Parliamentaryprocess.

The Bill makes no reference to how persons interested in coinvesting in business ideas will be treated.

Vaguecriteriaandeligibility

Moreover, the proposed law provides vague details on criteria and eligibility for persons interested in financing. In fact, it doesnotsingleoutGuyaneseasthe sole or primary beneficiaries. This loophole means that citizens of other countries can possibly apply for a loan under the Guyana Development Bank to fund their smallormedium-scalebusiness.

Part V, which sets out the criteria for financing ambiguously states at Section 23: “A small and medium-sized enterprise applying for financing shall provide such information, documents and statutory declarations as may be prescribed or required by the Bank.”

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

Lackofstrictpenalties

Notably, the Bill lacks strict p

mismanagementoffundsentrusted to the individuals appointed by the financeminister

Fiveoffenceshavebeensingled out under the proposedAct. These include “(a) provides false or misleading information to the Bank; (b) obstructs or hinders the Bank in the exercise of its functions; (c) falsifies, conceals, alters or destroys any record or document relating to the affairs of the Bank; (d) improperly discloses confidential information obtained under this Act; or (e) willfully misapplies or misuses the funds, propertyorassetsoftheBank.”

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

Additionally, no penalties have beenidentifiedforcorruptbanking officialswhomayseekspecialand secretive payments or favours to grantloanstothepublic.

Nonetheless,theBillstatesthat if a director, manager, secretary or similar officer is found to be in “connivance” or gave consent to any offence listed above, that personalsocommitsanoffenceand will be liable on summary

convictiontoafineofnotlessthan $5Mandnotmorethan$10M.

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

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

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

The proposed framework to govern the Guyana Development Bank is expected to be debated in the NationalAssembly before it is officiallyapprovedandassentedto byPresidentIrfaanAli.

MONDAY

‘Billionsingold,just US$5peracre’

...Guyana govt. charges foreign companies ridiculously low annual rental for mining lands

Foreigncompaniesoperatingin Guyana’s gold-rich mining sector

pay as little as US$5 per acre annually for access to mineralbearing lands, a rate critics may view as remarkably low given the billionsofdollarsingoldresources beingdevelopedacrossthecountry

According to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC),theannualrentalratefor foreign companies holding largescalemininglicencesissetatUS$5 per acre, while local operators pay US$3peracre.

Mining licences are granted subsequenttoaprospectinglicence and are usually no larger than 12,800acres.Amininglicencecan be granted to local or foreign companies.Meanwhile,large-scale prospecting licences attract annual rental rates beginning at US$0.50 per acre in the first year and increasingovertime.

Medium-scale mining permits carryarentalrateofUS$1peracre annually The rental rate for medium-scale prospecting permits for the first year is US$0.25 per acre, an additional US$0 10 per acreischargedforeachsuccessive year Mining permits for medium scale mining operations and prospectingpermitscoverbetween 150 and 1,200 acres each and are restricted to Guyanese ownership or by a joint venture between a Guyaneseandaforeigner,whereby the two parties jointly develop the property

Over the years Guyana’s mineral wealth has attracted significant foreign investment, leadingtoalmostadozenCanadian companiesengagedingoldmining here. Currently, Guyana has one producing large-scale gold mine, AuroraGoldMine(AGM)Inc.,the subsidiary of Chinese state-owned ZijinMiningGroupCo.Ltd.

This publication has reported that about 11 Canadian firms are currently advancing gold projects acrossGuyana’sminingdistricts, Continued on page 21

Frompage20

collectivelycontrollingmillionsof ounces of gold at various stages of development – with some nearing goldproduction.

Most of these projects are located in Region Seven, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Mining District, a region recognised for its significantgoldpotential.

For five of the 11 companies, the Proven and Probable Reserves and indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) amount to over 15 7M ounces of gold The remainingcompaniesarestillinthe exploration stage and have not reached the point of announcing resource estimates The five companiesare:GMiningVentures Corp.(GMIN),G2Goldfields,Aris Mining Corporation, Omai Gold Mines Corp and Mako Mining Corp.

Manconfessestoslitting 7-year-oldboy’sthroat

A 23-year-old farmer has confessed to the brutal murder of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed and the attempted murder of 72-year-old Halima Itwari of Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, after investigators confronted him with compelling digital evidence linking him to the crimescene.

The suspect was arrested Saturday, one day after the predawn attack that left a young boy dead and an elderly woman hospitalised.

Deputy Commissioner of Police and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhumconfirmedtheconfession to Kaieteur News on Sunday, stating that the digital evidence proved decisive in breaking the suspect’sresistance.

“Being unable to deny his presence at the crime scene, the suspect confessed to investigators thegruesomedetailsofwhathedid when he entered the home and thereafter,”theCrimeChiefsaid.

ATrailofEvidence

Investigatorsbuiltaformidable casenotingthatthekniferecovered at the crime scene was confirmed by the suspect as the weapon used intheattack.Clothingwornduring theassaulthassincebeenretrieved and will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis, alongwithotherphysicalevidence.

The suspect also revealed that before entering the victims’home, he had attempted to break into a nearby property He was deterred only by sounds suggesting someonewasawakeinside.

“However,hefailedtoenterthe home as he heard movements which alerted him that someone was awake. And in his haste to leavebeforeanalarmwasraised,he lefthisslippersandamusicplayer,” BlanhumtoldKaieteurNews.

Police recovered both items,

which the suspect confirmed belonged to him — a detail that further corroborated the digital evidence already in detectives’ possession.

The suspect’s employer revealed that the morning after the attack, the farmer arrived to work bearing a fresh wound on his hand — one that had not been there the daybefore.

“The suspect did confirm that the cut on his hand occurred while he was committing the acts,” the CrimeChiefsaid.

The murder occurred at approximately04:45hrs.onFriday, June 5, whenAdriel and his greatgrandmother were alone at their home.Arelativearrivingataround 05:05hrs.discoveredItwariinjured and the child motionless Emergency services were called, and the elderly woman was transported to hospital, where she remainsinastablebuttraumatised condition.

“She is in a lot of pain, she is still traumatised and afraid of the wholesituation,”arelativesaid.

The boy’s great-uncle, Naseeb Mohamed,describedtheharrowing scene he encountered when he enteredthedarkenedhome.

“One of the neighbours called my wife this morning, minutes to fiveandtoldherImustcomedown to check on my mother because somebody is in the house. And I cameandwhenIcame,Ipushedthe door and went inside, I put on the lightsbecausetheplacewasdark.I sawmymotherlyingontheground, the first thought that came to my mind was that she was dead, and then I look up, a little more in the houseIsawmygreatnephewonthe ground,”herecalled.

Moving closer to the child, Mohamed said: “I see he had a cut tohisneckandthewholeplacewas filled with blood, a lot of blood all over the place.” He immediately alerted neighbours and rushed his mothertothehospital.

Adriel’s father was working in Essequiboatthetimeoftheattack. Theboylivedinthehomewithhis great-grandmotherandhisfather

M o h a m e d e x p r e s s e d bewildermentatthemotivebehind thesenselessviolence.“Mymother

isnotarichwoman,andthensheis 72 years old and had stroke over a year now I don’t know if it’s a robberyortheyjustcometomolest herorwhateverthecasemightbe,” hesaid.

InvestigationOngoing

Adriel’s body has been transferred to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a postmortem examination Relatives remembered the Zeelugt Primary School student as an energetic and friendlychild.

Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity, pending the completion of the investigation. Because one victim survivedtheattack,thesuspectwill be placed on an identification parade as part of the ongoing process.

TUESDAY

‘Govt.craftinglawto shieldDevelopment Bankfromoversight’ – Ram flags lack of independent supervision ...no accountability safeguards and clear lending priorities - says $40B at risk

The proposed Guyana Development Bank may be a promising initiative aimed at supporting small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), but CharteredAccountantandAttorney Christopher Ram is warning that flaws in the legislation governing the institution could leave billions of taxpayers’dollars vulnerable to misuse.

Inaninvitedcomment,Ram,an advocate for good governance told this publication that the proposed legislation raises serious concerns about governance, accountability andfinancialprudence.

He said, “The most troubling feature is that the Bank is exempt from the Financial InstitutionsAct andthereforefromoversightbythe Bank of Guyana Unlike every other financial institution, it will not be subject to independent prudential supervision, inspections or regulatory intervention With $40 billion of taxpayers’money at stake, this is a significant

weakness.”

Ram went on to point out that governanceisanotherconcern.The lawyer explained that the Bill tabled in the National Assembly laysthefoundationfortheFinance Minister to appoint all directors, including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson ‘That concentration of authority is particularly troubling given his well-documented history of delayed appointments to statutory bodies and institutions under his oversight Ironically, the same Minister was once a vocal critic of similar shortcomings when they occurred under the previous administration,”Ramsaid.

Additionally,theattorneynoted thattheGuyanaDevelopmentBank alsofallsoutsideoftheCompanies Act. As such, the lawyer flagged that the legislation contains no statutory indemnity for directors actingingoodfaithandomitsmany of the governance safeguards normallyassociatedwithcorporate entities.

Kaieteur News reported in an article on Sunday that no penalties have been included for rogue banking officials that may seek kickbacks or special favours for granting loans to members of the public.

Equally concerning for the attorneyistheareasnotcoveredby theBill.Ramsaid,“Itestablishesa $40 billion development bank without identifying lending priorities or sectors that should be

targeted.”

Additionally, Ram highlighted that the proposed law does not explainhowlosseswillbefinanced or risks shared in co-financing arrangements.

Heconcluded,“Thereisagood idea at the heart of this Bill Unfortunately, a good idea is not a substitute for good legislation. A Development Bank entrusted with $40billionofpublicfundsrequires stronger governance, clearer accountability and independent oversight ” Consequently, Ram suggestedthattheBillneededmore consultation and scrutiny before b

Assembly

Proposed legislation to govern the Guyana Development Bank was on Friday afternoon tabled in the National Assembly by an energetic Finance Minister, Dr AshniKumarSingh.

Newsofthefinancialinstitution sparked excitement among Guyanese as the Government of Guyana (GoG) marketed the facilityasonethatwouldofferzero interest on loans up to $3 million withnocollateralrequired.

The legal framework however revealsadifferentpicturethanthat promisedbygovernment.

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

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

M o r e o v e r , $ 4 0 B o r approximatelyUS$200Minitiallyas the sum can be revised in Parliament-willbedisbursedatthe sole discretion of government appointees The Bill makes no provision for any nominees to be submitted by the Opposition, civil societyoranytransparencybodies, raising concerns over the direct control of billions by the administrationandthelikelihoodof selection based on “political alliance”.

R e a d m o r e h e r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/06/07/govt-to-controldevelopment-bank-with-nooversight-from-oppositiontransparency-bodies-or-civilsociety/

Govt.reviewingExxon’s requesttoproduce 945,000barrelsperday

The Government of Guyana (GoG) is reviewing a request from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to increase production at itsfourthoffshoredevelopment,a Continued on page 22

Frompage21 move that could raise total output from the Stabroek Block to approximately 945,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd).

Currently, the country is producing an average 915,000 barrels per day (bpd),accordingtothelatest data published on the Ministry of Natural ResourceswebsiteforApril.

Exxon is seeking the government’s blessing to produceanadditional30,000 barrels daily at the One Guyana Floating Production Storage and Offloading

vessel (FPSO), which develops the Yellowtail resources.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat inarecentinterviewwiththe media revealed: “We have received the requests from Exxon. The Petroleum Unit atGGMC(GuyanaGeology and Mines Commission), which is a technical unit; as usualtheyareexaminingthat request That will be followed up by a physical visit by our officer on the FPSO and we are looking especially for safety, to ensure that safety measures areinplace,toensurethatthe ramp up in production will not cause any issue with regard to production on the One Guyana FPSO, like we have done safely with the others.”

He reminded that all three of the other FPSOs producing oil in Guyana by Exxon have been optimised and are currently producing above the initial design rate, “withoutanissue”.

“We’re happy about that and we are taking the same approachorthesamemethod withthisrequestaswell,”the ministernoted.

The offshore visit by the teamseekstoensurethatthe modules will not be strained as more oil flows from the reservoirs.Theministersaid he could not give a timeline forthereviewprocessasthe request must be carefully analysed since “any mistake canbeverydetrimental.”

In addition to the MinistryandtheGGMC,the regulator of the sector, Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will also play a role prior to theapprovalbeinggranted.

G u y a n a h a s n o t employed the services of foreign experts to aid in the review process Minister Bharrat assured, “We have reallybuiltcapacityoverthe fewyearsandourlocalguys

at GGMC and the Ministry of Natural Resources have been doing a very good job andwehavedoneitwiththe other FPSOs with the same veryteam,thelocalteam.”

In March, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge informed the media of the company’s plans to ramp up production at Yellowtail, from263,000barrelsperday (bpd)to290,000bpd.

The company has completed a number of studies analysing the operationofthefacilitiesfor existing bottlenecks while safety analysis was conductedontheproduction facilities to minimise or reduce bottlenecks to increaseproduction.

Anyincreasetothedaily production levels will be doneinaphasedmannerfor safetypurposesaccordingto theCountryManager

Todate,ExxonMobilhas conducted debottlenecking activities on the other three FPSOs in the Stabroek Block.

Payara, Exxon’s third project which commenced productiononNovember14, 2023, was designed to produce 220,000 (bpd) but Exxon has increased production to over 260,000 bpd.

Similarly, both Liza One and Liza Two are producing above the design capacity

The Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the twoprojectsindicatethatthe Liza One and Liza Two projects were designed to safelyoperateat120,000and 220,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd), respectively Recent data on the Ministry of Natural Resources website indicates that the two

projectsareproducingabout 125,000 bpd and 260,000 bpd.

Stakeholders have often raised concern over the increased production activities being conducted by the operator, touting the increased risk of an oil spill asaresult.

WEDNESDAY

Exxonandpartners madefivetimesmore profitthanGuyanain 2025-financialsreveal

ExxonMobil, the operatorofGuyana’sprolific Stabroek Block in 2025 recorded a staggering US$6B in profit before taxes, while its partners, Hess and CNOOC earned

US$4B and US$2.5B respectively- some five timestheamountthatflowed into Guyana’s account that year

In 2025, the nation received US$2 5B in oil revenueaccordingtoofficial reports by the Government of Guyana (GoG) The

countryisentitledto50%of profits generated in the Stabroek Block, while the contractor,EMGLenjoysthe remaining50%.Thecountry also receives 2% of all oil produced in the Stabroek Block,accordingtothe2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) This means that Guyana’s profit share should be greater than the contractors’, yet the oil companies each reported earnings that vastly outperformthenation.

Exxon reported its financial performance for 2025 during a media conferenceonTuesdayatits Ogle, East Coast Demerara Headquarters.

The financial statement for the year ended 31st

December, 2025 was presented by EMGL Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling.

C o l l i n g s a i d ExxonMobil sold about 102 millionbarrelsofoilin2025. The company’s financials, reported in Guyana dollars

increased revenue, without ring-fencing. This provision wouldensurethatthecostof that project is recovered fromthatdevelopmentwhen production starts. It would alsomandatethat50%ofall oil produced is handed over to Guyana, after the operatingcostsarededucted.

HenryBoys’ KillersConvicted ...after nearly six years of waiting for justice

The courtroom was a scene of mixed emotions on Tuesday as a 12-member jury delivered the verdict many Guyanese had waited nearlysixyearstohear

state that its revenue for the year was $1 713 trillion, compared with $1.733T in 2024. Exxon said the lower costperbarrelofoilin2025 was the reason for the reduction in earnings, compared with the previous year, although a new Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) commenced production in August last year

The Vice President was asked by this newspaper to explain this discrepancy in the profit-sharing arrangement. He said, “As wementionedbefore,there’s a difference between petroleum agreement, accountingandIFRS.So,the petroleum agreement is really designed to allocate profit oil on a cash basis between ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its coventurers, and the government.”

Colling added that 75% of revenue generated is presently utilised for cost recoveryasisreflectedinthe IFRSfinancialstatements.

He assured that upon the recovery of those costs, Guyana’s pool of revenue will grow and is poised to increase as more projects comeonline.

In March this year, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge told reporters that some US$5B was still in the cost bank to be recovered by the companies.

Exxon is however

pursuing two more

developments in the Stabroek Block that could push the cost bank up and further delay Guyana’s chance of receiving

Anil Sanchara, 39, and Vinod Gopaul, 35, were found guilty of the brutal murders of cousins Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, whose horrific deaths in September2020shockedthe nation and sparked widespread unrest across WestCoastBerbice.

After two hours of deliberations at the Berbice High Court, the mixed jury returned guilty verdicts on twocountsofmurderagainst eachman.

Earlierintheday,Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall wrapped up her summation oftheevidencepresentedby thedefencewhichwasledby attorney Dexter Todd, and the prosecution led by State Counsel,MarisaEdwards.

The high-profile trial commencedonMay6,2026, and spanned just over a month.

The trial saw riveting t e s t i m o n i e s o f approximately 20 witnesses called forward by the prosecutor

Sanchara, called ‘Magga’, of D’Edward Village,WestCoastBerbice, Gopaul, called ‘Dan Pole’ and ‘Rasta’ of Yakasari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice were convicted on two counts each for murdering the two boys, which occurred between September 5 and 6, 2020 at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice They were foundguiltyonbothcounts.

Both men strongly upheldtheirinnocenceinthe shocking murders that stunned the nation and resulted in violent street protests and rioting in West Coast Berbice. The killings also gave rise to a countrywide coordinated movement that demanded justicefortheHenryboys. Continued on page 32

I was beaten mercilessly inschoolbecauseIcouldnot spell, read fluently, or write well. My pronunciation was poor When asked to spell, I trytorememberwhereIsaw the word and how it was written.Whenaskedtoread, I know the word but say another word. Now, at 47, with a doctoral degree and three masters, I still confuse banddandstillstrugglewith reading and spelling

Because I have a learning

d i s a b i l i t y , I a m phonologically dyslexic. I cannotassociatesoundswith letters like so many Guyanesedo.Around1in10 people have dyslexia worldwide 780 million peopleintheentireworldare dyslexic.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading, spelling, writing, and language processing

B e c a u s e i t i s neurodevelopmental, the brain processes language differently Dyslexia is not caused by poor intelligence, laziness, lack of effort, poor parenting, or inadequate teaching Students with dyslexia often have average t o a b o v e - a v e r a g e intelligence and can excel academically when they receiveappropriatesupport.

Commoncharacteristics

Reading difficulties: These may include taking your eyes off the page and struggling to find the paragraph or line. One may also experience words moving or being positioned differently. This leads to a slow reading speed. Other signs include difficulty sounding out words, frequent reading errors, unintentional omissions of words or lines, poor reading fluency, and problems with poetry

Writing Difficulties:

Becausethoughtsareracing, motor skills cannot keep up, so the formation of words is affected As a result, it becomes difficult to read backwhatwaswritten.

Persons with dyslexia may develop problems with b and d, capital E, and 3. Instead of friend, they may write “frend.” Most spelling is based on how they pronounced words. Persons withdyslexiadependheavily on memory, seeing words andhearingpronunciationto retain for later use as a substituteforpoorspelling.

Towards a better life with your psychologist

-thereading,writingandspellingdisability Dyslexia

Reversing letters, especially in younger children, can lead to difficulty organising written work and inconsistent handwriting A great injustice is done to dyslexic studentsintheclassroom.An English teacher may say, “Take your time and write,” since not much work is given Then the social studies, history, or other subject teachers come and load the board with 50 sentences, leaving only 5 minutestowritethembefore the board is erased for the nextload.

Language Difficulties:

This includes difficulty remembering sequences, problems following multistep instructions, trouble recalling specific words, weak working memory, and slow processing speed for language tasks. Because a dyslexic person relies heavilyonmemory,learning becomes cognitively stressful This is also manifestedindifficultywith rapid naming of letters, numbers,orobjects.

GUYANESE CONTEXT

S e v e r a l f a c t o r s contribute to dyslexia being overlooked in Guyana such as limitedAwareness. Many teachers and parents have limited training regarding learningdisabilities.Inlarge classsizes,teachersstruggle to identify students needing individualizedsupport.With aheavyemphasisonreading and written exams, students with dyslexia can be at a disadvantage.

Because symptoms are often misread, students are viewed as lazy, disruptive, unmotivated, careless, or “slow learners” rather than as students with a specific learningdisability In rural and hinterland areas, the challenges are muchmoresevereyetalmost similar to those in region 4. Limited access to psychologists, special education services, and diagnostic assessments can delay identification and support Without support, dyslexia critically affects academic performance, reading comprehension, written expression, spelling, examination performance, note-taking, and emotional well-being.Forstudents,this can lead to frustration, a n x i e t y , s h a m e , embarrassment, low selfesteem, and poor social

development.Overtime,this c

behavioural. Some students avoid reading aloud, withdraw from classroom participation, become d

difficulties, and develop negative attitudes toward school This shows why early recognition and supportmatter

DYSLEXIAAND GIFTEDNESS

Many people assume dyslexia reflects low intelligence.Studentscanbe both gifted and dyslexic, often referred to as “twiceexceptional” learners.These

exceptional abilities in creativity, original thinking, artistictalent,music,design, and problem-solving. They may also show innovative

reasoning, engineering-type thinking, visual-spatial skills, pattern recognition, architecture, construction,

p

leadership, risk-taking, bigpicture thinking, oral

resilience, public speaking, and persuasion Many successful individuals, including Sir Richard Branson, Tom Cruise, Ted Turner, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Whoopi Goldberg, John F Kennedy, George Washington, George W Bush, and Henry Ford, have excelledinbusiness,science, arts, and leadership despite early academic struggles. A strength-basedapproachcan promote confidence while addressinglearningneeds.

EVIDENCE-BASED TEACHING

Structured literacy

approaches are best suited for students with dyslexia becausetheydirectlysupport the areas most affected by dyslexia.

1. Explicit Instruction: Skills should be taught directlyratherthanassuming students will discover patterns independently Teachers should explain concepts clearly, model skills, provide guided practice, and offer immediatefeedback.

2 Systematic Phonics Instruction: Students need direct teaching of lettersound relationships, b

e n d i n g s o u n d s , segmenting sounds, and word decoding. Instruction should follow a logical sequence from simple to complex.

3 Phonological Awareness Training: Teach students to identify rhyming words,countsyllables,blend sounds, segment words into sounds, and manipulate p h o n e m e s S t r o n g phonological awareness is one of the most effective early interventions for dyslexia.

4. Structured Literacy: Evidence-based programs g e n e r a l l y i n c l u d e phonology, sound-symbol relationships, syllable instruction, morphology (prefixes, suffixes, root words), syntax, and vocabulary This instruction should be explicit, sequential, cumulative, and diagnostic.

5. Multisensory Teaching: Students learn through visual activities, such as seeing letters and words, and auditory activities, such as hearing sounds Kinesthetic movementactivitiesarealso useful. In addition, tactile activities such as writing in

the sand, tracing l e t t e r s , a n d manipulating letter tiles are helpful Usingmultiplesenses strengthens learning pathways.

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst

6. Repetition and O v e r l e a r n i n g : Students with dyslexia require frequent review, additional practice, and opportunities to master skills because learning should be reinforced across multiplelessons.

Unwrapping Gift -Clinic

supports include positive reinforcement, avoiding p u b l i c c r i t i c i s m , encouraging participation, andfocusingonstrengths.

7.Assistive Technology: Helpfultoolsincludetext-tos p e e c h s o f t w a r e , audiobooks, speech-to-text applications, reading pens, and digital spell checkers. Rather than asking the child to write, have them use a technologicaldevicetotype.

CLASSROOM ACCOMMODATIONS

Teachers can implement practical accommodations even with limited resources, such as reading supports. Provide reading guides, use larger print books, allow paired reading, and offer audio materials. For writing supports, reduce copying from the board, accept oral responses when appropriate, and provide writing templates Rather than asking dyslexic students to read,askthemtosummarise the story or what was presented Allow use of computers. I intervene on behalf of my clients: a private school has removed writing and reading as exam requirements for primary school.

Assessment supports include extra examination time, oral examinations when feasible, separate spelling from content

grading, and smaller assessment secti

Classroom environment

Teachers should recognize signs early, refer students for assessment when possible, differentiate instruction, collaborate with parents, promote inclusive classrooms, and maintain high expectations. Students with dyslexia can achieve academic success when supportedappropriately

Parents should read with chi

d

en daily, encouraging audiobooks, praising effort rather than perfection, communicating with teachers, supporting homework routines, and celebrating strengths and talents.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Toimproveoutcomesfor students with dyslexia, Guyana could increase teacher training in learning disabilities. Expand special

identificationprogramsfrom nursery school through the university level, using a database of the child’s profile. Develop inclusive education policies. Increase a

fied psychologists. Introduce evidence-based literacy interventions in primary schools Promote public awareness about dyslexia. Support families through community education initiatives.

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

By Karen Abrams, EdD, MBA, AA

ByDr.Karen Abrams,MBA,AA

Dr.KarenAbrams

Before Google, before Yahoo, before anyone had typedaqueryintoaboxand hit enter, there was Archie. AndArchiewasbuiltbyone of us. In 1989, a graduate studentatMcGillUniversity in Montreal sat down to solve a problem that was driving him and the handful of student workers in the university’sITdepartmentto distraction The early internethadnomap.Filessat onserversaroundtheworld, reachable through File Transfer Protocol, but they were nameless to anyone who did not already know where to look, scattered across sites with no descriptions and no index. Finding anything meant

TheCaribbeanpioneerwhoinvented searchyearsbeforeGoogle

scouring server after server over a painfully slow university connection, by hand, for hours.The student got fed up with the tedium, and he did what real engineers do when they get fed up. He automated it. He wrote a program that scanned FTP sites and assembled their filenames into a searchable database. HecalleditArchie,theword archive with the v dropped out, and in doing so he built the first internet search engineinhistory

That student was Alan Emtage, born and raised in Barbados, educated at Harrison College before he left for Canada. The first search engine on earth, the ancestor of an industry that wentontomintseveralofthe largest fortunes in human history, was invented by a

Bajan Most Caribbean people have never heard his name. And Emtage himself, the man who opened the front door of the modern internet,capturedessentially none of the wealth that poured through it The recognitioncameeventually, decades late, when internet historians inducted him into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2017.

Theresidualsnevercame at all Search became a multi-hundred-billion-dollar industry, and the inventor of its first working example watched it happen from the sidelines The question I want to sit with this week is why Because the answer is nottheoneweusuallyreach for, and the real answer has everything to do with the Caribbean we live in right now Theeasyanswerwould

bethatsomeonestoleitfrom him.Nobodydid.Theharder and more useful answer is that there was nothing aroundhimbuilttohelphim keepit.

Emtage did not patent Archie. In 1989, software patentsweremurkyterritory, the early internet ran on an open, collaborative ethos t h a t t r e a t e d commercialisationalmostas bad manners, and a foreign graduatestudentinMontreal hadnoobviouspathtodoing things differently Think about what was missing aroundthatyoungmanatthe precise moment he created something of historic value. No intellectual property counsel walking the halls looking for inventions to protect.Noventurecapitalist taking meetings with Caribbean students No

m e n t o r w h o h a d commercialised technology beforeandcouldsay,protect this, structure this, this is bigger than a convenience script. No institution back home in Barbados with the mandateorthemeanstosay, one of ours has built something extraordinary, let ushelphimownit.Hewasa brilliantindividualoperating without an ecosystem, and brilliant individuals without ecosystems produce gifts to the world rather than industries for their people.

Now compare what happened nine years later

Two graduate students at Stanfordbuiltabettersearch engine. They were not operating alone. They were embedded in the most developed innovationecosystemonthe planet,surroundedbypatent attorneys, angel investors, venture funds, experienced founders, and a university with a technology licensing office whose entire job was converting student inventions into equity The idea was not so different in kind from Emtage’s. The machinery around the idea was different in every way that mattered. The Stanford students became two of the richest people alive. The

McGill student from

Barbadosbecameafootnote that even his own region forgot to read. That contrast is the entire Caribbean innovationstorycompressed intoasinglecomparison.

The scholars Cardinal Warde and Dinah Sah, in their blueprint for a Caribbean STEM economy, tell the Emtage story for exactly this reason. We do not lack inventive people. Weproducetheminquantity and we always have. What we lack is everything that surrounds an inventive person in the places where inventions become industries.

The research funding

The patient capital The intellectual property literacy taught early and the legal infrastructure to act on it. The incubators that do real work. The culture that celebrates an inventor the way we celebrate a fast bowler.Becausewelackthe ecosystem, our young

innovators leave, and they inventoverseas,insideother people’s systems, where eventhentheyoftencapture little, because they arrive without the networks and knowledgethelocalsinherit.

The economists who study small states have measured the outflow Half or more of our highestskilled people emigrate Across the entire Caribbean today, researchers can identify barely a hundred and fifty technology startups.ThenextEmtageis in a classroom in Bridgetown or Georgetown or Kingston right now, and the honest truth is that the machinery to keep her, develop her, and help her own what she creates still mostlydoesnotexist.Thisis the part of the story we can change, and the readers of this publication are unusually placed to change it.

The diaspora is full of Emtagesateverystageofthe journey, engineers and scientists and builders working inside the world’s best ecosystems, fluent in exactly the machinery the regionneverbuilt.Everyone of you knows how patents getfiled,howtermsheetsget structured, how mentorship compounds, because you live inside the system that doesit.

Theunfinishedworkisto wire that knowledge home.

Diaspora venture funds Mentorship that crosses the water. Pressure on our governments to build the research funding, the IP modernisation, and the innovation institutions that Warde and Sah blueprinted yearsago.

Andthesimplestthingof all, telling our children the story of Alan Emtage, both halvesofit.Thehalfwherea boyfromBarbadosinvented the search engine, so they know what we are capable of. And the half where he captured nothing, so they understand what we still have to build. A region that produced the inventor of internet search owes itself more than pride. It owes itself the ecosystem that makes sure the next one never has to give the future awayforfree.

Modern Urological Care at GPHC through HoLEP Surgical Training

HoLEP Surgical Training

Modern Urological Care at GPHC through

Patients diagnosed with an enlarged prostate will soon benefitfromadvancedminimallyinvasiveproceduressuchas Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, commonly known as HoLEP, as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation continues to strengthen surgical training and capacityinthisarea.

HoLEP is a modern surgical technique used to treat an enlarged prostate. Some of its key advantages include less bleeding,shorterhospitalstays,fasterrecovery,andeffective long-termreliefofurinarysymptoms.

While HoLEPis not yet a routine service at GPHC, this

training represents an important step toward making the procedure available in the future. By building the skills and experience of local urological surgeons and trainees, GPHC continuestoadvanceaccesstomodern,high-qualitysurgical careforpatientsinGuyana.

Tosupportthisadvancement,theUrologySectionofthe Department of Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital CorporationrecentlyhostedaHoLEPsurgicalworkshop,led by Dr. David Bayne, Chief of Urology at Zuckerberg San FranciscoGeneralHospitalandTraumaCenter.

Dr. Bayne is an American Board of Urology-certified

urologistwithastronginterestininternationalsurgery GPHC isalsoproudtorecognizehisGuyaneseheritage,makingthis collaborationmeaningful.

Duringthehands-onworkshop,localurologicalsurgeons and trainees gained valuable exposure and practical experience in HoLEP, further strengthening their skills in advancedprostatesurgery.

Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, Director of Medical and Professional Services, expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Bayne for sharing his expertise, time, and commitment to advancingurologicalcareinGuyana.(GPHCPressRelease)

ACCREDITATION MATTERS: GNBS AT THE FOREFRONT OF NATIONAL ACCREDITATION EFFORTS

Manywouldagreethatlifewould bechallengingifourchoicesof products and services were limited solely to those produced within our own country International trade exists to meet the diverse needs and preferences of consumers by providing access to a wider rangeofgoodsandservicesfromaroundthe world.

Accreditation plays a vital role in the globalacceptanceofproductsandservicesby ensuring that the relevant testing and measurement institutions are meeting requirementsofinternationalstandards.

Accreditation is the formal, independent verification that an institution, organisation orprogrammemeetsestablishedstandardsof quality,safetyandcompetence.Itservesasan official mark of confidence, assuring consumersandstakeholdersthattheproducts and services provided by accredited organisations are reliable and meet recognisedindustrystandards.

On09June,theGuyanaNationalBureau

ofStandards(GNBS)joinedstandardsbodies around the world in observing World Accreditation Day under the theme, “Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The PowerofAccreditation”.

The GNBS serves as Guyana’s National AccreditationFocalPoint(NAFP),providing technicalassistancetoorganisationspursuing accreditation.TheBureauworkswithseveral laboratories to achieve accreditation to internationally recognised standards, including ISO 15189:2022, Medical Laboratories — Requirements for Quality and Competence, and ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General Requirements for the Competence of TestingandCalibrationLaboratories

Through the Bureau’s technical assistance programme, expert consultation and support are provided by Technical Officers These Officers conduct gap analyses and staff training to help organisations seeking accreditation to navigatetheimplementationprocess.

Aspartoftheprogramme,employeesare

trainedtounderstandtherequirementsofthe relevantstandards,documentandimplement management systems, and conduct internal audits. This ensures that organisations have the capacity to maintain their accreditation longafterthetechnicalassistanceprogramme hasconcluded.

The GNBS has successfully provided technical assistance to several local organisations, including Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the University of Guyana, and the Ministry of Public Works Materials Laboratory, supporting their journey towards accreditation. Currently, the Bureau is also providing technical assistance to the Ministry’s Government Electrical Inspectorate(GEI)LaboratoryandInnovex.

Thisyear’sWorldAccreditationDaywas celebrated with a virtual regional webinar hosted by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). During the event, CROSQ Chief

Executive Officer, Dr Sharonmae Smith Walker highlighted that accreditation is a strategic tool for strengthening competitivenessacrosstheregion. CROSQ’s Technical Officer for Accreditation and Conformity Assessment, Mr Stephen Farquharson also addressed the webinar,focusingontheWorldAccreditation Day theme of innovation, trust and sustainability Henotedthataccreditationfacilitatesthe acceptance of test results and certifications across borders, reducing the need for duplicate testing and certification, lowering costs and removing technical barriers to trade.Asaresult,accreditationfostersgreater confidence among trading partners and supports accesstoregionalandinternational markets.

For further information on how your organisation can begin the process towards accreditation, contact the GNBS on telephonenumbers219-0065or219-0064,or visititswebsiteatwww.gnbsgy.org.

Frompage22

The two men were arrested in January 2021 after self-confessed accomplice Akash Singh, 25, implicated them in the murders. In fact, it was Singh’s testimony on May 13 that gravely wounded the defence.Singhgraphicallyoutlined totheCourtcomprehensivedetails of how himself and the two now convicted men armed themselves withcutlassesandchoppedthetwo boysinthebackdam.

He explained that they had planted a marijuana farm in the backdam at Cotton Tree inAugust 2020, and returned three weeks later to find it destroyed by gramoxone.SinghsaidthatGopaul was incensed and swore that “somebody got to pay for it.” Not long after, Isaiah and Joel would arrive, and reportedly laughed when Gopaul and Sanchara sought information on the destroyed marijuana farm. Gopaul dealt one oftheboysachoptohisneck,and Sancharawouldthenjoinintheact, as the two continued chopping the cousins,Singhrecounted.

Singh, the brother of Sanchara, also stated that he was forced to participate, and was threatened withasimilarfateshouldherefuse. Hewasalsotaskedwithcarvingthe letter ‘x’on the body of one of the boys,hementioned.

The pair rejected every claim advanced by Singh, and accused himofcolludingwiththepoliceto pinthemurdersonthem.Sanchara toldthecourtthathehasneverbeen toCottonTree,whileGopaulstated he had never crossed the Berbice Bridge, up until one day back in 2021 when they were taken to Georgetownbythepolice.

In his testimony, pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, pointed out the brutalmannerinwhichthecousins were killed. The autopsies he himself performed indicated that the boys died due to haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incise wounds.Theywerechoppedtothe head,neck,andotherpartsoftheir bodies and also sustained severed spines.

The bodies of the two cousins Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19werediscoveredwith‘x’marked ontheirforeheads.

As they were led away on Tuesday, the men vociferously declared themselves innocent RelativesoftheHenryboyssobbed inreliefatthelong-awaitedverdict, whilearelativeofSancharasobbed indismay

Sentencing has been scheduled forlaterthismonth.

THURSDAY

Developmentbankrisks becomingwelfareagency

...former ambassador warns against zero-interest, no-collateral lending

Professor, Dr C.

Kenrick Hunte, has raised serious concerns about the proposed Guyana Development Bank (GDB),warningthataspectsofthe legislation could transform the institution into a costly welfare agency rather than a sustainable developmentbank.

In a letter to the editor, Hunte examined provisions contained in theGuyanaDevelopmentBankAct 2026, particularly Section 5(2), which states that the bank may assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing loans “with or without collateral and with or without charging interest.”

The provision has already attractedpublicattentionfollowing the tabling of the legislation in the National Assembly by Finance

Minister Dr Ashni Singh Government has promoted the proposed institution as a mechanism to expand access to financing for entrepreneurs, including the possibility of loans being offered without interest or collateral.

However,Huntearguedthatthe language of the Bill creates four possible lending scenarios, each with significantly different implications for the bank’s sustainabilityandeffectiveness.

According to Hunte, the first and most conventional model involves charging interest and requiring collateral Under this approach, interest income helps cover operational expenses and generates profits, while collateral provides security against loan defaults and ensures borrower commitment.

The second scenario, where loans are issued without interest and without collateral, is what Hunteconsidersmostproblematic. He contends that such an arrangement cannot properly be describedasbankingactivity

“This is not a bank loan; instead, this is a financial transfer, given by government,” Hunte wrote.

He argued that without interest income, the institution would have no internally generated revenue to coveroperationalcosts.Asaresult, annual government budget allocations would be required simply to keep the institution functioning. Given reports that the GDB will begin with an initial capitalisation of G$40 billion, Huntenotedthatnodetailshaveyet been provided regarding the operational expenses that would have to be deducted from those resources.

Athirdpossibilityidentifiedby Hunte involves loans being issued without interest but secured by collateral. While collateral may protect against defaults, he maintained that the absence of interest income would still leave the institution dependent on government grants to finance its operations.

The fourth scenario would involve charging interest while dispensing with collateral requirements. Hunte said such a model would require intensive monitoring and supervision to minimise loan losses and ensure repayment He suggested

mechanisms such as “Assignment of Sales” agreements, whereby repayment obligations could be linked directly to revenues generatedbyborrowers.

Based on his analysis, Hunte concluded that any significant reliance on the second and third lending models would undermine thebank’sviability

“It is clear that if the GDB utilizes the credit framework in Cases2and3,thiswillbeaserious drainonscarceresourcesanditwill not be a development bank, but a welfareagency,”hestated.

The former ambassador also used the opportunity to revisit the closure of the GuyanaAgricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK), which he described asafinanciallyviabledevelopment financeinstitution.Huntecriticised the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration’s decision to shutdownthebankmorethanthree decades ago, arguing that recommendations made by former AuditorGeneralS.A.Goolsarranin 1993and1994wereignored.

Now, as the government seeks to establish a new development banking institution, Hunte questioned whether sufficient attentionhasbeenpaidtodesigning sound credit policies, setting operational targets, and ensuring efficiency

He also raised concerns about staffing requirements, asking whether there is adequate understanding of the trained personnel needed to manage what could become a decentralised development banking system acrossGuyana’stenadministrative regions.

Hunte’s intervention adds to a growing debate surrounding the proposed legislation. Critics have already questioned the governance structure of the bank, including provisions that would allow the Minister of Finance to appoint all directors, the chairperson and deputychairperson.Concernshave also been raised regarding oversight mechanisms, lending criteria and accountability safeguards.

The Guyana Development BankBillisexpectedtobedebated in the National Assembly before lawmakers decide whether to approvethelegislation.

Hunte indicated that his latest submission is only the first in a series of observations and that further commentary on the proposedinstitutionwillfollow Flaws

Just last week Chartered Accountant and Attorney ChristopherRamwarnedthatflaws in the legislation governing the institution could leave billions of taxpayers’ dollars vulnerable to misuse.

Inaninvitedcomment,Ram,an advocate for good governance told this publication that the proposed legislation raises serious concerns about governance, accountability andfinancialprudence.

He said, “The most troubling feature is that the Bank is exempt from the Financial InstitutionsAct andthereforefromoversightbythe Bank of Guyana Unlike every other financial institution, it will not be subject to independent prudential supervision, inspections or regulatory intervention With $40 billion of taxpayers’money at stake, this is a significant weakness.”

Ram went on to point out that governanceisanotherconcern.The lawyer explained that the Bill tabled in the National Assembly laysthefoundationfortheFinance Minister to appoint all directors, including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson ‘That concentration of authority is particularly troubling given his well-documented history of delayed appointments to statutory bodies and institutions under his oversight Ironically, the same Minister was once a vocal critic of similar shortcomings when they occurred under the previous administration,”Ramsaid.

Additionally,theattorneynoted thattheGuyanaDevelopmentBank alsofallsoutsideoftheCompanies Act. As such, the lawyer flagged that the legislation contains no statutory indemnity for directors actingingoodfaithandomitsmany of the governance safeguards normallyassociatedwithcorporate entities.

Onedead,twosuspectsflee …after botched Chinese supermarket robbery

An armed robbery suspect was shot and killed Wednesday night following an exchange of gunfire with a police rank at the People’s Choice supermarket on Mandela Avenue, law enforcement officials confirmed.

The incident occurred at approximately 20:40h on Wednesday

Preliminary investigations revealed that three males entered the business establishment, where one of the men, who was armed withahandgun,heldtwo unarmed securityguardsatgunpointand Continued on page 33

Frompage32 orderedthemtolieontheground.

The targeted heist was interrupted when a police rank on mobile patrol observed the unfolding crime The officer stopped the patrol vehicle and approached the suspects inside the supermarket.

“The armed suspect allegedly dischargedaroundinthedirection ofthepolicerank,whoreturnedfire withhisservicepistol.Thesuspects then ran out of the supermarket in different directions The armed suspect subsequently fell into a nearby drain on Mandela Avenue, “theGuyanaPoliceForcesaidina statement”.

He was later examined by a doctor on duty and pronounced dead Crime scene detectives processed the scene and recovered a .38 revolver, loaded with three liverounds,alongsideseveralspent shells.

FRIDAY

Govt.stillhasnosay inUS$1Boilclean-up ...as money sits in ExxonMobil and partners’hands

To date, ExxonMobil and its Co-Venturers, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited has deducted close to US$1B for the purpose of decommissioning or cleaninguptheoceanfloorafterthe life of oil and gas projects in the StabroekBlockcometoanend.

This week, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the block published its financials for the year ended December 31, 2025. According to the document seen by this newspaper, Exxon has so far taken out GY$103B. Meanwhile, Hess took another G$90B and CNOOC someG$197.6M.

Overall, the companies’ financialsindicatethatGuyanahas already paid $193B or US$965M for decommissioning since production activities started in 2019.

The entire sum which nears US$1B is held and controlled by the oil companies, although government revealed plans since January 2025 for the fund to be controlledjointlybyGuyana.

Decommissioning is also a costly exercise; sometimes demanding billions of US dollars hencecountriesareoftenadvisedto mandate that oil companies set aside money in a fund for this purpose.Thisfundensuresthatthe country is not left to carry the burden of handling those costs whichoughttobecoveredbytheoil companies.

Decommissioning involves the safepluggingofwells,detachingof subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) and removal of the Floating Production Storage andOffloadingvessel(FPSO).

Payingforcleanup projectsstilltostartup

Financials by the partners have revealedthattheoilcompaniesare notjustshorteningGuyana’sprofits to pay for an expense that is required years into the future on projects currently producing but is also deducting revenue to cleanup projectsthatarestilltostartup.

According to CNOOC’s 2025 financials, “During the period ended December 31, 2025, additions to the decommissioning and restoration provisions include the cost for two new development wells in Liza Phase 2, four new development wells in Payara, four new develo

development wells in Uaru and 11 n

Whiptail.”

Uaru, the fifth project and Whiptail, the sixth development has not yet commenced oil production.

Government previously said that the companies were not allowed to shorten the country’s p r o f i t s b y t a k i n g o u t decommissioning monies for projects yet to startup Vice

President, Bharrat Jagdeo explained,“butiftheprojecthasn’t startedasyet,myassumptionisthat you can’t deduct from it for decommissioning if it hasn’t even beencommissionedasyet.”

Stakeholders have often raised concerns about oil giants control overthedecommissioningfund,as countriesinthepasthavebeenleft to foot the bill after these companies walk away from the

jurisdictions.

‘Securecleanupcosts’

In fact, the Commonwealth Secretariat previously urged its member countries to secure its decommissioning monies to avoid taxpayershavingtofootthebill.

In a practical guide published by the Secretariat called, “Oil and Gas Decommissioning Toolkit,” the body stated that given the uncertainty of decommissioning cost, “it is critical that there are mechanismsinplacetoensurethat there are sufficient funds available to carry out the decommissioning activities.”

Itwashighlightedtoothatinthe instance of an oil company failing to clean-up the ocean’s floor, “If such a situation arises, governments will likely have to

Arepresentation of Exxon’s subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) equipment used for production activities that are installed on the ocean floor to aid in the recovery of hydrocarbons. This equipment must be removed (decommissioned) at the end of each project which has an estimated 20-year life span.

the decommissioning fund. Talks are underway between ExxonMobil Guyana Limited as wellasthegovernmentonwhatthe terms and conditions of that fund mightlooklike.”

Colling said he was unable to say when the discussions with the State would conclude In the meantime,hetoldreporters,“What we are looking for is a fund that is consistent with the Petroleum Act as well as international best practices that ultimately provides thefinancialassurancerequiredby the government of Guyana and is also in industry best practice to encourage future investors to continue to do business here in Guyana. And so, we think both of those objectives can be achieved throughtheultimatefinalisationof termsandconditionsofthatfund.”

Walesgasplantflipsoff December2026timelineagain withnopowertobeproduced ...oneoffourturbinestobe completedbyyear-end

Using technical language to mask the true delivery deadline of half-pricedpower,theGovernment ofGuyana(GoG)continuestoplant hopesfortheWalesGas-to-Energy (GTE)projecttofinallystartup.

undertake and pay for decommissioning, because it is in thepublicinterestand/orbecauseit is required to meet the country’s internationalobligations.”

In this regard, the Secretariat urged governments to secure financial assurance and implement appropriate assurance mechanisms to avoid taxpayers having to foot thebillfordecommissioningcosts.

Stillnochanges

Be that as it may, Exxon confirmed this week that the oil companies still control Guyana’s cleanupfund.

Vice President and Business services Manager, John Colling in response to a question from Kaieteur News said, “As you’re aware there’s been legislation passed regarding the setting up of

Initsmostrecentstatement,the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)informedthenationthatone of the four power turbines will be completed by the end of 2026, contradicting earlier statements made by Head of the GTE Taskforce,WinstonBrassington.

TheMay14,2026statementby OPMexplains:“LindsaycaGuyana Inc., committed to bringing the first powerturbine online by the end of 2026 to be followed by all gasturbinesfullycommissionedby the first quarter of 2027 and the Combined Cycle operation to be completedbyJune2027.”

Duringapaneldiscussionatthe Guyana Energy Conference in Februarythisyear,Brassingtontold participantsthatthe“simplecycle” or four gas turbines will be commissioned by the end of 2026, adding228-megawattsofpowerto thenationalgrid.

He said, “Our contractor, Lindsayca from the U S has promised us to complete the 300MW project, first on simple cycle by the end of this year and the simplecycleisessentiallythefour gas turbines with a total installed capacityofabout228-MW Sothat weexpecttohaveonlinebytheend oftheyear.”

Priortothat,Brassingtonnoted thattheNaturalGasLiquids(NGL) plant, will be completed, positioning Guyana as a producer ofcookinggaswith63Mgallonsto beproducedannually

“So that’s the end of this year, simple cycle for the power plant andtheNGLplant,”he Continued on page 34

Frompage33 emphasised. The GTE Taskforce headwentontoexplainthatbythe midof2027,thecombinedcycleof the GTE plant will be fully completed and ready to produce 300-MWofpower

While Brassington earlier indicated the startup of the simple cyclebytheendof2026,thePrime Minister is now signaling a delay, with just one of four turbines to be completed.

This means that power generation at Wales is not likely untilsometimeinthefirstquarterof 2027,withfulloperationalcapacity oftheplantdelayedtomid-2027.

The GTE project has missed several startup dates. The project wasinitiallyexpectedtostartupby the end of 2024. It was delayed to theendof2025withanewtimeline set for May 2026. This was later rescheduled to the end of 2026 whichisagainunlikely

The continuous delays in the completion of the project being executedbyLindsaycahasnotonly resultedinGuyanesepayinghigher electricity costs than the 50% cut promised since 2024, but has also placed extra financial strain on the GoG.

In fact, the two-year delay is expected to cost the country approximately US$884M more than the initial cost of the two gas plantsunderconstructionatWales.

The two plants initially pegged atUS$759Mislikelytodoubledue totheincreasinglyhighimportbill forHeavyFuelOil(HFO),rentalof powerships and a costly legal dispute.e GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington.

SATURDAY

Exxonadmitsto grabbingGuyana’soil profitstopayforgaspipeline ...company previously said country will buy gas to pay back cost

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) on Tuesday admitted to using Guyana’s oil to pay for the dormant pipeline built to transport gasfromtheLizaFieldsoffshoreto Wales,WestBankDemerarawhere government is hoping to generate 300-megawattsofelectricityinthe future.

The oil giant previously informed the nation that Guyana wouldpurchasegasovera20-year period to repay the cost associated withdevelopingthestructure.This explanation was also provided by the Head of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Taskforce, Winston Brassington.

Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling however confirmed information received and reported on by this newspaper, from credible sources

regarding the payment arrangementforthepipeline. This newspaper was informed

that the country has already commenced payment for the pipeline, using the country’s oil, althoughthestructureisnotinuse.

Notably, President of EMGL Alistair Routledge previously assured that repayment would commence only when the pipeline becomes operational. The cat was howeverletoutofthebagwhenthe VP was asked to explain whether Guyana’s oil is paying for the structure.

He said, “Yes We’ve mentionedthisbefore,thepipeline waschargedtothecostbank.”

When reminded that Guyanese were previously told of a 20-year gas purchase agreement to repay the pipeline costs, Colling said the terms of the agreement with government specifically state that thosecostswererecoverable.

“If we look at the commercial terms of the pipeline, I’m not necessarilygoingtogetintoalotof detail, but effectively those costs are recovered by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited through cost recovery,” the Vice President stated.

In response to a question on when repayment started, he explained, “As I mentioned, those costswereincludedinthecostbank andarecurrentlytoberecoveredas partofnormalcostrecovery.”

Colling noted that the structure appearsunder“wellsandfacilities” in its financial statements presented.

Guyanese continue to be fed withpartialbitsofinformationand are often misled by officials assigned to govern the nation’s largestfinancialprojectonrecord.

Despite repeated calls for transparency, government continues to hide the contracts it signed with Exxon for the GTE development The administration has refused to publish the agreements inked with the energy giant although it lambasted the former government for hiding the 2016oilcontractwiththecompany, thatwaseventuallymadepublic.

Kaieteur News has been reliably informed that the government of Guyana has agreed to purchase the gas discovered

said while adding, “However, the other 22 rifles, the serial numbers wereobliterated”.

The weapons, according to the Crime Chief, are being examined by firearm experts at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters’CrimeLab.

Head of the CANU, James Singh told Kaieteur News that the casewashandedovertopoliceafter the bust was made. Three persons werereportedlyinthevehiclewhen CANUinterceptedit.Twoofthem managedtoescape.

Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara.

The man was subsequently interceptedatNabaclis,EastCoast Demerara,inthesaidmotorcarand arrested. He was later charged and remandedtoprison.

During that investigation, policehadalsofoundanabandoned ToyotaRunx#PSS4272atSecond Street, Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, suspected to have also been involved in the transportationofthefirearms.

offshore in the Stabroek Block

from Exxon While critics condemned the administration for agreeing to pay the company for Guyana’s natural resources, Vice President Bharra

eo previouslytoldKaieteurNewsthat nosuchagreementhasbeenmade.

“No,thegastothepowerplant is free. You can quote me on that. Gas to the power plant is free. We negotiated that a long time. We’ve beeninthepublicdomainassaying that the gas to come in – the 50 million cubic feet per day coming in to the power plant – is free. Nothing has changed since,” Jagdeo told this publication last month.

While government defends its position, it has not made the contractwiththecompanypublicto offercitizensfurtherassurance.

Following a report indicating that Guyana has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil to purchase its own gas from the Stabroek Block, former Finance Minister,WinstonJordancalledon thegovernmenttopublishconcrete evidencetosupportitsclaims.

“We have not seen a single documentinrelationtothisproject and so we keep speculating and they can end all the speculation by putting the document in the public domainorcomeoutandrefutewith evidence what we have said. You havetoshowtheevidencethatthis is not so and they can withhold whatever proprietary information fromthecontracts,”hesaid.

Venezuelanbusted with23AK-47

A Venezuelan national was arrestedonThursdayafterranksof the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) intercepted a vehicle along the West Bank of Demerara and found 23 AK-47 rifles and matchingammunitioninside.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News on Friday evening that “the weapons were manufactured in the USA (UnitedStatesofAmerica)”.

“The serial number for one of them remained intact,” Blanhum

Thursday’s bust is the second set of AK-47 rifles discovered within 21 days. Ten Ak-47 rifles were found on May 22 along the No 11 Village Public Road in Berbice According to police reports, ranks were conducting a stop-and-search exercise along the BerbiceRiverBridgeAccessRoad between 01:00hrs and 04:30hrs when they intercepted a black Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registrationnumberHC9018.

Acting on information received, ranks later conducted a search along No. 11Village Public Road,wheretenAK-47rifleswere foundwrappedinplasticandcloth.

The firearms were examined and bore markings consistent with 7 62x39mm rifles It was also observed that sections of the firearms appeared to have been tampered with, suspected to have been done to obscure serial numbers.

Furtherinvestigationsledtothe identification of the driver of motorcar #HC 9018 as a 33-yearoldtaxidriver,StephenRajah,33of

Police later issued wanted bulletins for two men, Gregory Persaud and Antonio Alonzo Lawrieinconnectionwiththesame case They later surrendered to police A day later, the Guyana Police Force via a statement to the press after their arrests said that a search was conducted on Friday June 5, 2026 about 17:00hrs at Farm,EastBankDemerara.

“During a search at the residence of a 21-year-old wash bay attendant of Farm, New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara,oneextendedmagazine, suspectedtobefora9mmfirearm, wasfoundinaclothesbasketinhis bedroom”,policehadstated.

The 21-year-old was arrested andquestioned.

Following that find, police furthernotifiedthe press thatithad received legal advice to charge the wantedmen-GregoryPersaudand Antonio Alonzo Lawrie with ConspiracytoCommitaFelony Persaud was also charged with theillegalpossessionoffirearms. They were both remanded to prison.

TheAK-47 rifles and ammunition that were intercepted.

Champion's League in the backyard

The crisp tap of a soccer ball bouncing down the hallway floor marked the official start of the weekend For Marcus, that rhythmic thud meant his ten-year-old twins, Leo and Maya, were awake, laced up, and eagerfortheirfavoritefamilytradition.

Marcus had spent his youth playing soccer, and his love for the beautiful game had never faded. Every Saturday morning, thelivingroomtransformedintoamakeshift stadium as they watched the early matches fromEurope.

Leowasthestrategist.Hesatonthefloor with a notebook, mimicking his dad by tracking possession percentages and calling outtacticalformations.

Maya was pure energy She wore an oversized jersey that swallowed her small frame, leaping off the couch with every spectaculargoal,high-fivingherdadsohard their hands stung Marcus sat happily between them, teaching Leo how to spot a perfectly timed overlapping run while showing Maya how a forward uses clever body language to throw a defender off balance.

The best part of the day began when the televisedmatchesendedandtheyallheaded outtothebackyard.

"Alright, Champions League final in the backyard!"Marcuswouldshout,clappinghis handstogetherasthecoolautumnairhittheir faces.

A Friend

A friend is a friend, Right to the very end; She's loyal and faithful and true, No matter what you may do.

A friend is always there,

To help you in every care, She's honest and ever for you, In everything you try to do.

Marcus played all-time midfielder for both sides, setting up the play He would kneel in the grass, whispering tactical instructions to Leo, who excelled at precise, disciplined passing. Then he would turn to Maya, whose game was built on pure, improvisationalspeedanddazzlingdribbles.

"Leo, look for the open space on the wing," Marcus whispered. "Maya, use your step-oversanddrivestraightforthenet."

On one chilly afternoon, their backyard match was tied. Marcus controlled the ball neartheflowerbeds,lookinguptosurveythe field. Leo made a clever dummy run toward the corner, drawing the imaginary defense with him and leaving a lane open. Maya streaked down the center of the lawn, her eyes locked on her dad. Marcus slipped a perfectly weighted pass right through the gap.Mayatrackeditflawlessly,usedherfirst touchtocontroltheball,andstruckabrilliant shotpastthemakeshiftgoalposts.

"Goal!"Leoyelled,throwinghishandsin theair

Marcusranover,liftingMayaintotheair while Leo jumped onto his back in celebration Standing there in the fading light, bruised and covered in grass stains, Marcusrealizedthefinalscoredidn'tmatter The joy wasn't about a perfect cross or a spectacularstrike.Itwasthesimplemagicof a father and his kids, bound together by the sporttheyloved.

Whenever you are in need, She will come with the greatest speed, So I have to try to be like her, And help her in every endeauvour.

TIE BOOKMARK FOR DAD

Materials

Colouredcardstockorconstructionpaper (white,blue,andyellow/gold)

Scissors

Gluestick

Pencil

Holepunch

Ribbonorstring

Markers,pens,orstickersfordecorating

Printedphoto(optional)

Instructions

1.Createthebookmarkbase

a.Cutalargebookmarkshapefromwhite cardstock.

b. Cut a slightly larger bookmark shape fromdarkbluecardstock.

c. Glue the white piece onto the blue piecetocreateaborder

2.Makethetie

a.Drawandcutoutanecktieshapefrom bluecardstock.

b. Add stripes or other designs using markersorstripsofcoloredpaper

c.Gluethetieontothelowercenterofthe bookmark.

3.Addamessage

a. Cut a small tag shape from white cardstock.

b.Writeamessagesuchas"BESTDAD EVER"or"HappyFather'sDay".

c.Gluethetagabovethetie.

4.Addaribbon

a Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark.

b. Thread ribbon or string through the holeandtieaknot.

5.Personalize

a.Addaphotoofyouandyourdad.

b.Writehisnameornickname.

c Include his favorite movie, sports team,hobby,orafavoritequote.

d. Write a short message on the back telling him why he is special. Important dates,suchastheyearhebecameadad.Alist of3thingsyouloveabouthimwrittenonthe back.Asmallhandwrittennote.

S ccer Maze

I am sure that the enjoyable things thathappenedtoyouinthepastthatyou most remember are not the big ones, like the time you went on a trip, or the presents that you got at Christmas, or yourbirthday

The things that stick in your memory,andallowyoutogooverthem and enjoy them once again, are the timesyouconnectedwiththemembers of your family or some friends. These arethetimeswhenyoufeelatonewith them, that you are together whatever happens, when you felt the sense of belongingandbeingloved.

This proves that life is not about acquiring money and other stuff, or beingabigshot,orevenhavingagreat

Instructions

UTILISE SOME OF YOUR TIME DURING THE COMING HOLIDAYS TO DEVELOP HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH EVERYONE

career It is all about building relationships with others, especially thoseclosesttoyou.

Hereareafewthingsyoucankeep doing to develop healthy relationships withthosewhomeansomuchtoyou:-

Treatpeoplethewayyouwanttobe treated;

Let people know you appreciate them and admire them for doing somethinggood;

Express gratitude to those who sharetheirliveswithyou;

Remember that manners can make thedifferencebetweenalossandawin;

Speakwithloveandrespect;

Bekindtoyourselfandtoothers;

Express your feelings to your

parents, brothers and sisters, a friend, someone you trust, especially when youremotionsseemoutofbalance;

Pay attention to what is going on aroundyou,andreactaccordingtoyour conscience;

Ask for help when you feel somethingisaboveyou;

Tellthetruthalways,andbehonest inallyourdealings;

Try to give some of your time and energytowardsyourcommunity;

Live up to your principles irrespectiveofwhatotherssayordo.

Follow these rules and you will always be in control of your life, and touchthelivesofthepeopleyoumeetin ameaningfulway

This puzzle is like a crossword, but with numbers. Each digit occupies a hexagonal cell and can be a part of a ""word"" in the across, up, and down directions.

Rules:

1. ""Words"" may not start with a zero

2. ""Words"" in the 'across' direction read from left to right.

3. ""Words"" in the 'up' direction read along the upward diagonal to the right.

4. ""Words"" in the 'down' direction read along the downward diagonal to the right.

5. There is one unique solution which satisfies all the clues given below.

Some ""words"" may not have clues. They will be determined by the ""words"" which intersect them."

BY CHUCK POOL

Into a box of friendship, To ensure that it is strong, First a layer of respect On the bottom does belong

Then to the sides attach, In the corners where they meet, Several anchors full of trust, Devoid of all deceit.

The height of friendship can be measured By the sides of four, So make them all a larger cut, And the box will hold much more

Now fill it up with courtesy, Honour and esteem, Understanding, empathy, And passion for a dream.

Add to that your honesty, Emotions joy and love, And since they are so important, Place them up above

But leave the box wide open So all can see inside, To learn what makes a friendship work From the box you built with pride

When you make the special effort to develop relationships,you are sure to reap immense rewards for yourself.

MindYour Business

Why some people spend their entire lives trying to earn the approval they needed as children

By Dr. Eon Andre George, PhD, EdD

Some children grow up believing they are loved.

Others grow up believing they must earn it The difference is subtle, but the psychological consequences canlastalifetime.Forsome children, affection came

naturally They were corrected when necessary,

d i s c i p l i n e d w h e n appropriate, and guided through mistakes, but they neverdoubtedthattheywere

valued Success was celebrated, failure was

d i s c u s s e d , a n d disappointment did not threatentherelationship.

For others, the message was different Approval arrived when grades were good. Praise appeared when behavior was acceptable Attention came when achievements could be displayed.Acceptance often

seemed connected to performance.

The lesson was rarely spoken directly, yet many children learned it anyway “Good children do that.”

“That’s how you make people proud.” “You know better than that.”Over time, somechildrenbegindrawing a conclusion that follows themwellintoadulthood:“If

Iperformwell,Iamvalued.”

“If I fail, I disappoint people.” WhenLove FeelsConditional

Most parents genuinely lovetheirchildren.Theissue isnotalwaysthepresenceor absenceoflove.Theissueis often how that love is communicated and experienced Sometimes children receive affection primarilywhentheyperform well Good grades bring praise Academic awards bring attention. Talents are celebrated publicly Good

b

recognition. Yet when the child struggles, fails, or disappointsexpectations,the emotional atmosphere changes noticeably The child begins learning that approval feels abundant during success and scarce during failure. Psychologist Carl Rogers described this phenomenon through the concept of Conditional PositiveRegard WhenAchievement BecomesIdentity

One of the hidden dangers of conditional

acceptance is that achievementgraduallystops being something a person does and becomes who they are.Atfirst,thechildsimply enjoys making parents

proud. A good report card earns praise Winning a competitionbringsattention. Performing well creates positive reactions. There is

problem begins when achievement becomes the primary pathway to love, recognition,andacceptance.

H

y develops when individuals learn that their value exists independently of temporary successes and failures

However, when approval is consistent

to performance, identity becomes fragile The individual no longer knows whotheyareapartfromwhat they accomplish Success feels exhilarating Failure feels devastating Not because the achievement itself matters so much, but because self-worth has become attached to the achievement This helps explain why some highly successful people remain deeplyinsecure.

TheBirthofthe PeoplePleaser

Noteverychildresponds toconditionalacceptanceby becominganachiever Some becomepleasers.Theylearn to avoid conflict They become experts at reading moods. They monitor

reactionscarefully Theysay yes when they desperately wanttosayno.Theybecome highly skilled at keeping everyone happy From the outside, this often looks admirable. People describe th

, cooperative, dependable, and selfless.Yet beneath the surface many peoplepleasers carry a persistent fear: “If I disappoint people, willtheystillacceptme?”

Psychologists often connect this pattern to Attachment Theory, originallydevelopedbyJohn Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth Attachment theory suggests that children develop internal beliefs about themselvesandrelationships b a s e d u p o n e a r l y interactionswithcaregivers. When“Making PeopleProud” BecomesExhausting

A young man becomes the first person in his family to attend university The family celebrates. Relatives brag about him. Neighbors point to him as an example. His success becomes a source of pride for everyone connected to him. At first, the attention feels encouraging Then something changes. Every future decision begins carrying emotional weight. Changingcareersfeelsrisky. Failure feels unacceptable. Admitting uncertainty feels impossible. He no longer feels responsible only for himself.Hefeelsresponsible for maintaining the image othershavebuiltaroundhim.

Psychologists describe this process through the concept of Introjection, a principle associated with Self-Determination Theory Introjection occurs when external expectations become internal pressures. The person no longer needs others to enforce the standard because they have begun enforcing it themselves The parent’s voice becomes the child’s i n n e r v o i c e T h e community’s expectations b e c o m e p e r s o n a l expectations. The applause becomes a requirement ratherthanareward.

WhySomePeopleNever FeelGoodEnough Perhaps the deepest consequence of conditional

Dr. EonAndre George, PhD, EdD

acceptanceisthatitcreatesa moving target No achievement ever feels sufficient for very long.The promotion provides relief, but only briefly The degree createssatisfaction,butonly temporarily This happens becausetheunderlyingneed wasneverachievement.The underlying need was worth.

Psychologists describe this through the concept of Contingent Self-Esteem, where self-worth depends upon meeting specific conditions.

TheHiddenConnectionto Anxiety,Depression,and Burnout

Many people do not realize how closely conditional acceptance is connected to mental health.

Living under constant pressure to perform can create chronic anxiety The individual becomes preoccupied with mistakes, criticism, and disappointing others. When success does not bring the emotional fulfillment they expected, depression may emerge Despite accomplishing goals, they continue feeling empty because the deeper needforacceptanceremains unmet. Others experience burnout. Years of proving, striving, pleasing, and performing eventually become exhausting The person is not merely tired from work. They are tired from carrying the psychological burden of constantly trying to be enough.

TheSpiritualDimension

These patterns often extend beyond family relationships and into spirituality Many people unconsciously relate to God thesamewaytheylearnedto relate to authority figures

during childhood If acceptance was earned, they assume divine acceptance must also be earned If approval depended upon performance, they assume God operates the same way As a result, faith becomes exhausting.

The person spends years trying to become good enough, obedient enough,

spiritual enough, successful enough, or worthy enough. Yet the deeper issue is often not theological It is psychological.They are still trying to earn what they never fully believed they already possessed: acceptance.

BreakingtheCycle

One of the most important lessons people learn in counseling is that worth and performance are not the same thing Achievement has value Responsibility has value Success has value But human worth exists independently of all three. Thisdoesnotmeanlowering standards or abandoning ambition It means recognizing that mistakes, setbacks, failures, and imperfections do not diminish a person’s value. People grow most effectively when they feel accepted enough to fail, learn,andtryagain.

UnderstandingBehavior ThroughContext

When viewed more closely,manyadultbehaviors begin making psychological sense. What appears as ambition may actually be a search for validation. What appearsasperfectionismmay be fear of disapproval What appears as confidence may sometimes be a carefully maintained performance What appears as peoplepleasingmaybeanattemptto secure acceptance What appears as success may sometimes be a child still trying to hear the words they neverfullyreceived

Understanding these dynamicshelpsexplainwhy some individuals continue chasing approval long after childhood has ended Because in the end, many adults are still trying to answer a question they first encountered as children: “Am I valuable because of what I do, or because of who Iam?”

Every belief has a history

Every reaction has a root.

Understanding them is wherewisdombegins.

Historic $1.5 Trillion budget fails to translate rapid petroleum wealth into social and environmental equity, new intersection — Feminist

Guyana’s 2026 National Budget of approximately GYD$1 558 trillion represents the largest financial blueprint in the nation’s history, yet its massivespendingallocations remainlargelygender-neutral and fail to address deep structuralinequalities

Anintersectionalfeminist budget analysis titled “Gender, Health and Environmental Justice in Guyana’s 2026 National Budget Key Findings from an Intersectional Feminist Budget Analysis,” prepared by Tamùkke Feminists, revealsthatwhilethenation’s transition into a resourcefinanceddevelopmentmodel has vastly expanded fiscal

capacity, economic transformation is rapidly o u t p a c i n g s o c i a l transformation

Thenationalbudgetsawa massive36%increaseovera t w o - y

,

m

GYD$1146 trillion in 2024 to GYD$1.382 trillion in 2025, before climbing to its current peak in 2026 This rapid expansion, driven by petroleum revenues and Natural Resource Fund (NRF)transfers,hasremoved resourcescarcityasGuyana’s primary fiscal constraint However, researchers argue the central policy question is nolongerwhetherGuyanais spending more, but whether this increased capacity

produces equitable developmentoutcomesacross differentsocialgroups.

Thereporthighlightsthat current public expenditure decisions heavily favour infrastructure modernization andtreatmentoversystematic risk reduction for women, Indigenous communities, ruralpopulationsandpersons withdisabilities

THEHEALTHSECTOR

Public health allocations

rose 24% over two years, moving from GYD$129.8

billion in 2024 to GYD$1432 billion in 2025, and hitting GYD$161 1 billionin2026

HEALTHSECTOR

BUDGETGROWTH (2024–2026)

Major investments withinthissectorinclude:

GYD$349 billion for drugsandmedicalsupplies

GYD$37billionforthe Guyana Medical Emergency Authority(GEMA)

GYD$1 billion for health sciences training complexes

GYD$764 million for the Electronic Health Recordssystemrollout

The analysis shows a

strictprioritizationofhospital i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , pharmaceuticals, specialized treatment capacity, and emergencyresponsesystems International health systems

research warns that improvementsintertiarycare donotautomaticallytranslate into equitable health outcomes without parallel investmentsinpreventiveand community-basedcare

This infrastructure-heavy focus exacerbates geographic barriers Coastal regions, where major hospitals are concentrated, absorb the primary benefits of these investments Meanwhile, hinterland communities face

severe tran

po

tation limitations, long travel distances,andacuteshortages of specialized services For Indigenous women and rural populations, this disparity translatesdirectlyintodelayed prenatal care, reduced access to reproductive services, and elevatedmaternalhealthrisks

DIVERGENTDISEASE

SPENDING

Shifting national priorities are clearly illustratedbylookingclosely at disease-specific allocations Funding to combat communicable diseases declined by about 8%, dropping from

GYD$861billionin2024to GYD$790 billion in 2026 This reduction raises alarm bellsgivenGuyana’songoing infectious disease burden, which included over 24,000 malaria cases recorded in 2024,heavilyconcentratedin interiorminingregionswhere environmental disruption increases exposure From an intersectional lens, cutting t h i s f u n d i n g disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communit

e populations.

Conversely, spending on non-communicable diseases

(NCDs) surged from

GYD$263billionin2024to overGYD$10billionby2026 tosupportcancerscreenings, hypertension treatment, and diabetes management for an agingpopulation REPRODUCTIVEAND DISABILITYRIGHTS

Reproductive health equity remains highly uneven While Family and Primary Health Care Services, covering maternal health, immunization, adolescent health, and environmental health, increased from GYD$405 billionin2024toGYD$499 billionin2026,severespatial gaps persist Although the

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act provides a legalframeworkforabortion access,actualservicesremain heavily concentrated in coastal hospitals For hinterland women, high transportation costs and geographic isolation effectively block them from exercisingtheirlegalrights. Disability spending also grewfromGYD$118billion in 2024 to over GYD$2

analysis finds

billionin2026 However,the budget trends show an emphasisonwelfaretransfers and assistive devices rather than structural inclusion measures, such as building a c c e s s i b l e p u b l i c infrastructure or executing employmentintegration THEENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR

A worrying trend was identified in environmental management funding, which

fluctuated wildly from GYD$195billionin2024up toGYD$483billionin2025, before plummeting down to GYD$291 billion in 2026

This instability indicates that environmental protection spending remains projectdriven rather than institutionallyembedded This decline occurs alongside a structural imbalance:thestateisrapidly expanding petroleum production and extractive industries while failing to expand environmental oversightproportionally The

consequencesareacuteinthe gold mining sectors of Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9 The ongoing use of mercury in smallandmedium-scalegold mining operations contaminateslocalriversand aquaticecosystems Mercury bioaccumulates in fish, the primary protein source for riverine communities, creating devastating longtermhealthhazards

The report highlights a clear case study from the South Rupununi village of Parabara,wheretestingon

Continuedonpage46

ByAllyiahAllicock

Baking since the age of 14, today

we will shed light on yet a nother thriving young entrepreneur,DevishtiSukhan,aself taught baker and proud owner of ‘Suga Plum’ , a small confectionerybusiness.

Located in Islington, Berbice, Region Six, ‘Suga Plum’ was

launched on

September 13, 2024, by 20year-old

Sukhan

i n t h e comfort of her home.

During a recent interviewwithKaieteur News, Sukhan revealed that she started ‘Suga Plum’, to earn an extra income to supporttuitionfeesforherselfand herbrother

“Young entrepreneurs play an important role in society because they bring fresh ideas, create opportunities, and inspire others to pursue their goals and to know that is it always necessary to have a plan B. I believe young entrepreneurs are strong minded and willing to take all the risks which make us more stable and experienced at a young age.”

since then I have been baking cakes for my family,”shenoted.

Baking she said is also a coping mechanism for her “And I use baking as a coping mechanism for high school and depressionandanxietyattacksaswell.Ilater onventuredintotheworldofworkandthenI opened my small business known as Suga Plum,”sheshared.

Forpersonsnotfamiliarwith,SugaPlum isabusinessaboutexoticdessertsandsweet dishes.Sukhanrelatedthatshebakesdesserts thataretrendingonlineoverseaswhichcan beahassletogetinGuyanaspecifically inBerbice.Giventhat,shewanted to bring that experience to Berbice, making it e a s i e r f o r residents. Sh

“Iwantedtomakeanextraincometo support my UG (University of Guyana) tuitionandtoaccumulatemoneytohelpwith my brother’s Medical College fees and well astohaveacomfortablestarttoadulthood,” sheexplained.

The love for baking she said was developed from a young age having being around her mother a lot in the kitchen. “I developtheloveforbakingthereactuallyand

e shared that since turning her passionintoabusiness, her support has been great. Shenotedthatherparents,siblings, and boyfriend have all helped her out greatlywhetheritiswithherpopupevents, deliveries, or even supermarket runs Notably, she said that she also received supportfromtheMinistryofHumanServices and Social Security through the WIIN Programmethathelpswomeninbusiness.

finding a solution she added that she started buying in bulk to be able to give her customersqualityproducts.

Anotherhurdleshesharedwasnotgetting thatinitialsupport.“Let’sfaceitwhenyou’re opening a business, some of family and friends will not support you. It’s a common norm in Guyana; those who you think will support you will end up talking ill things about your products instead. How did I overcomethis, wasbylettinggotowhatever theyhavetosayandkeeppushingandkeepa focus head and mind and letting go of all negativity,”shecommented.

Determinedtotakeherbusiness to higher heights, the entrepreneur informed this publication t h a t s h e intends

o w o r k hard to see

business expand. Her long-term goalshementionedistoopen a“SugaPlumbakery–café”.

Looking to make meaningful contributionstohercommunityandregion, Sukhan stated that young entrepreneurs are criticaltosocietybecausethroughtheirwork they not only create opportunities for others but they also inspire others to pursue their goals.

n g entrepreneurs are strong minded andwillingtotakeall theriskswhichmakeus m o r e s t a b l e a n d experienced at a young age,” sheexpressed.

While more and more young people continue to turn their business i deas into reality, Sukhan suggested that therebeseminarsonsocialmediamarketing, where small business owners can learn. “It would be helpful because marketing is all aboutsocialmediathesedays,”sheadded.

Speaking about her entrepreneurial journey,theyoungwomannotedthatoneof the challenges she faced was sourcing high quality ingredients at an affordable price. In

“Young entrepreneurs play an important roleinsocietybecausetheybringfreshideas, create opportunities, and inspire others to pursue their goals and to know that it is

If you are interested in placing an order with ‘Suga Plum’ feel free to contact the number (592) 652- 3338 or reach out via FacebookorTikTok@SugaPlum.

GFS Increases Strength with 107 New Fireghters

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has bolstered its ranks with the addition of 107 new firefighters, following the graduation of Course 1-2026 at the Fire Service Training SchoolontheWestCoastofDemerara.

The ceremony marked a proud milestone for the GFS, with scores of family members and well-wishers turning out in support of the newlymintedrecruits.

In a statement issued Saturday, the GFS said,“Thisgraduationservesasatestamentto the dedication to enhancing public services. Scores of family members and well-wishers stood proud in support of their newly minted firefighters. The firemen and women now on probation show off their newfound skills in foot drills, firefighting, and first aid. These demonstrations showcase their first-class training.”

Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham delivered brief remarks, thanking the government of Guyana for its continued support in upgrading the Service — not only through the provision of new and modernised equipment, but also through investment in what he described as the most important aspectoffirefighting:itshumanresources.He also extended his appreciation to the parents and spouses of the recruits for their unwavering support throughout the training process.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond also addressed the graduates, expressingsatisfactionwiththesuccessofthe training programme and reaffirming the government's commitment to the continued

developmentoftheFireService.Accordingto the statement, “She charged the new firemen and women to work as a team to help save livesandproperty Shethankedthemfortheir resilience and commitment throughout the training and encouraged them to remain committed to the development of themselves andcountry.”

Of the 107 graduates, 33 were female — underscoring a growing presence of women withintheService'sranks.

Top honours went to Trevon Williams, who claimed the Best Graduating Student award, in addition to sweeping the Best Drill and Best Theory awards. Tomicka Crawford finished as runner-up for Best Graduating Student and was also recognised as Best Female Firefighter The Most Improved Student Award was presented to Devindra Persaud.

The newly graduated officers now begin their probationary period, during which they will continue to apply the skills demonstrated during training including firefighting techniques, foot drills, and first aid — as they takeupactivedutyacrossthecountry

Two dead in mining pit collapse at Mahdia

…bodiesyettobediscovered

‘Adventist church must help preserve Guyana's soul amid rapid national development’ – Pres. Ali

DPI-PresidentIrfaanAli has called on the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to stand alongside the state in protecting the nation's values, which he said must outlast the country's most consequential economic transformations in its history

The president made the appeal while delivering congratulatory remarks at thecentennialcelebrationof the Caribbean Union Conference of the SeventhdayAdventistChurch.

The event was held on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Saturday's service marked 100 years since the Union was established in 1926 as the regional administrative body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

At the heart of President Ali'saddresswasaprofound call for the country to p r e s e r v e i t s s o u l , emphasising that Guyana's values and principles must be protected regardless of the rapid pace of national development.

“Those principles and valuesinthesoulofanation, I will say, without a shadow of a doubt: rest, faith, love, unity, and the will of God,” he told the congregation, urging, “together, let us find thesoulofthisnation.”

New industries, rising investment, expanding

President Dr. Mohamed IrfaanAli delivered congratulatory remarks at the centennial celebration of the Caribbean Union Conference of the SeventhdayAdventist Church

Asection of the attendees gathered at the Caribbean Union Conference of the Seventh-day

infrastructure, and growing employment are reshaping the country, the President acknowledged.

However, he pointed out that history offers repeated examples of nations that have grown “wealthier, but not necessarily stronger richer, but not necessarily happier… more prosperous, but not necessarily more united.”

Rapid change, he

moments, he said, that shape a nation and leave a lasting memory in its collectivelife.

identified with healthy living, to partner with the government on what he

warned, carries the risk of excessive materialism, where success is measured solelybywhatpeopleownor earn.

For this reason, the president emphasised that institutions like the Church matter even more during periods of profound transformation, serving as “society'smoralcompass.”

Building on this principle, President Ali highlighted a series of concrete government initiatives,suchasanational consultation on children's social media use and screen time,andinvitedtheChurch to take an active role in the process.

He described the normalisation of harmful online behaviour, noting instances where children gather to film fights and upload them to digital platforms.

The president warned that such conduct is now surfacing even in hinterland communities as internet accessexpandsnationwide.

“I believe that we must work together on this first point The Church [must] become more involved in our school system, in our healthcare system,” he underscored.

President Ali also announced that in the comingweeks,heintendsto launchanationalinitiativeto closeMainStreet,oranother major Georgetown thoroughfare, on Sundays, turning the space over to familiestosharemeals,play together and allow children toridebicycles. These are the kinds of

citizens not merely to examine their lives but to livehealthierones.

The president outlined these requests within a distinct five-point framework for national partnership: strengthening value-based education, supporting strong families, promotingethicalleadership in public life, deepening community service and social responsibility, and nurturing spiritual resilience andnationalunity

As the Caribbean Union Conferenceentersitssecond century,theheadofstatecast thedesiredpartnershipnotin termsofeconomicgrowthor numbers, but in terms of the c

cter, people and communitiesitmustbuild.

President Ali said, “We look forward to continuing p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h institutions such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church that help shape not only successful citizens but also good citizens, not only productive workers but also compassionate leaders. Not o n l y p r o s p e r o u s communities but also righteouscommunities.”

Pastor Exton Clarke, president of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who introduced theHeadofState,pointedto President Ali's consistent support for the work of churches across the country and the value he places on the denomination's contribution to nation building.

Guyana,heremindedthe congregation, is the birthplace of Adventism in theCaribbean.

Guyana's Fertiliser Plant...

From page 16 cooperation Brazil's Vice Minister discussed duringTuesday'smeeting.

On the structure of the venture, officials explained: “GAUPwill be a private company with financing secured from the private sector. GOG shall be responsible for ( i ) e s t a b l i s h i n g G A U P. ( i i ) structuring and securing financing,

(iii) arranging all contracts and permits. GAUPwillbestructuredonaProjectFinance basis.”

With both Chinese investors and now Brazilian officials expressing interest in Guyana's fertiliser ambitions, the GAUP projectappearspoisedtobecomeafocalpoint ofregionalagriculturalandenergydiplomacy inthecomingyears.

Wales gas project bus drivers receive partial payment of salaries

Bus drivers contracted to work on the Wales gas project have been paid part of their salaries following theirprotestforthreemonths ofunpaidsalaries.

This was revealed on Friday when Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed confronted Lindsayca subcontractorAdrian Duncan in the vicinity of Aracari Resort, Versailles, West BankDemerara(WBD).

The confrontation, which took place at approximately 5:30 p m , further exposed labour fractures within the US$2B Gas-to-Energy project at Wales, the most expensive infrastructural undertaking inGuyana'shistory Duncan, who manages the transportation fleet for p r i m a r y c o n t r a c t o r Lindsayca Guyana Inc ,

dispersed "Yes, yes," Duncan responded when pressed by Opposition LeaderMohamed.However, aslocaldriverscounteredhis claims, shouting that they were still owed massive balances, the contractor refused to answer further questionsandabruptlydrove awayfromthelocation.

More than 10 local bus drivers contracted to work at the Gas-to-Energy Project at Wales, WBD protested on Wednesday,citingmonthsof unpaid salaries, deplorable working conditions, and allegations of immediate termination threats if they speakout.

The Ministry of Labour has not yet issued an official statement regarding the developing labour dispute at theWalessite.

Friday's confrontation

followedmonthsoffinancial d

transporters, who use their private vehicles to ferry foreign labourers, primarily Venezuelan, Cuban, and Dominican Re

nationals, to and from the Walesprojectsite.

intervention and subsequent publication by Kaieteur News, Duncan reportedly orchestrated a hasty, partial payout on Friday Yet, drivers maintained that the “chump change” received represented only a fraction of what they are legally owed.

th "I worked since 29 January and never got paid until March," one driver, revealed. "When I asked for my money, he told me it's only four days I gotta wait. He gave me $60,000 to quiet

medown.Today,hegaveme $600,000,butIamsupposed to get $787,000 He still owes me a whole month's money Everybodyisowed."

Anotherdriverdisplayed a receipt from Lindsayca showing a payment of $588,000, noting it only covered a portion of the April–May cycle, leaving h i s M a r c h e a r n i n g s completelyunaccountedfor T h e p r o l o n g e d withholding of salaries has inflicted severe financial and domestic strain on the local workforce. Drivers detailed a grueling daily routine, waking up as early as 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. to collect workers at the Demerara River Bridge, navigating "terrible, hazardous terrain" to the Wales site, and returningaslateas5:00p.m.

Thedeplorablecondition of the access road from

Patentia to the project site has reportedly caused extens

h

n

l damage to the drivers' personal vehicles "Our vehicles are damaging up and we have to find money forgasjusttocometowork,"

Transporters also alleged

workers face systemic payment delays, foreign Spanish-speaking labourers are consistently paid up-to(Continuned on page 47)

A Natural Solution for Guyana's Metabolic Diseases Traditional Chinese Medicine Diet Therapy:

By Dr. Wei Jie

(The 21st China Medical Team)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 2,000year-oldmedicalsystemthat focuses on balancing the body's internal energy (Qi) and living in harmony with nature. For Guyana, where hot and humid weather lasts all year (24-32℃ annual average temperature, 15002000mm annual rainfall), metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes are

b e c o m i n g m o r e common with projections showingover20%ofpeople may be affected by 2050 TCM diet therapy is a safe, natural and easy solution tailoredtoourlocallife.

WhatisTCMDiet Therapy?

TCM diet therapy is simple to follow, it's cheap, and fits perfectly with Guyanese eating habits—so it'seasytosticktolong-term. It not only helps prevent metabolic diseases but also eases mild discomfort from damp-heat, a common issue inourclimate.

Symptoms of DampHeat Accumulation (Early Warning of Metabolic Diseases)

Early stage: NO obvious

symptoms. However, subtle signsmayappear,whichare oftenignored.

A s d a m p - h e a t accumulatesandmetabolism isimpaired,youmaynotice:

–Feelingfatiguedeasily, heavy body as if wrapped in awetcloth

– Oily face, acne, bad breath,orstickymouth

–Stickystool(difficultto flush),yellowishurine – Poor appetite, abdominal distension, or nausea

– High blood sugar, weightgainthatisdifficultto control

Once these symptoms persist,theymayindicatethe onset of metabolic disorders such as obesity or diabetes. Early intervention with TCMdietandhealthcarecan effectively reverse the

situation.

TCM Diet Therapy:

Adapted to Guyana's

Climate and Metabolic Needs

C o r e D i e t a r y

Principles(MostImportant)

– Eat light, balanced meals

–Choosefoodsthatclear damp-heatfromthebody

–Protectyourspleenand stomach

Recommended Local Foods (Easy to Find in Guyana)

– Heat-clearing, dampness-removing foods: Bitter melon, cucumber, celery, cassava leaves, okra, guava, wiri-wiri pepper (eat inmoderation).

– Spleen-invigorating, metabolism-boosting foods: Local yam, pumpkin, fresh corn, free-range chicken,

local freshwater fish (like tilapia), ginger (to cut down on coldness), and fresh coconut or coconut milk staples in our daily meals.

FoodstoAvoid – Cold foods (like ice cream,colddrinks)

–Greasyandspicyfoods

(fried foods, fatty meat, and toomuchchili)

– High-sugar foods (candies, pastries, sugary drinks these are major causes of obesity and diabetes)

Remember: Early signs of damp-heat (a warning for metabolic diseases) are easy

to miss no obvious symptomsatfirst.Butifyou feel tired often, have an oily face, sticky stool, poor appetite,highbloodsugaror hard-to-control weight gain, it's time to try TCM diet therapy It's a natural way to stay healthy, right here in Guyana.

VACANCY

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroideryand Screenprints: We are hiring anAccountsClerk.Tel#2262621.

VacancyforCOOK/BAKER AND PITMAN for interior location.Applicantsmustbe experiencedCall231-2250.

VacancyexistsforAccounts Clerk. Email: info@ splashminsresort.com.

Experiencedtruckdriveralso with a van licence.Located at lot 1 Public Road, Ruimveldt Tele#639-0850/ 625-7634.

Cook needed to work in the interior Call:#700-1196.Must know to speak English.

OneliveindomesticpartnerLight housework, Salary

$100,000monthlyTele#6039085

Seamstress and sewing machineoperator Tele#6224381

Vacancy for Experienced cook and kitchen assistant, located at Charlestown. Tele#601-4918/676-5534

FOR SALE

TRUCKTIRES295/75R22.5

$40K EACH. CALL/ WHATSAPP+592-688-3201.

Helium Gas for Balloons Price6230ltrs$136,800VAT Inc.9350ltrs$171,000VAT Inc.UHPArgongas,Mixgas and other high purity gas can be ordered. Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp #634-3430

Caterpillar Generator CaterpillarD342CEnginein good working condition WhatsApp#634-3430

2-100 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts1-75HPMotor3Ph440 VoltsWhatsApp#634-3430

AluminumSulphate$13,700. SodaAsh$18,200.PoolSalts

$13,700.CausticSodaPearls

$18,000. Copper Algaecide

$11,400VATIncFriendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp:634-3430

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ACFlashFlush$22,800VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430

SulphuricAcid5gal$34,200

Nitric Acid 5 gal $34,200 Hydrochloric Acid 5 gal

$34,200VATInc.Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp:634-3430

FOR SALE

Condemned Oxygen Cylinders $1,140 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp:634-3430.

Compressed CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Gas and Cylinders also Hydrogen and other gases Can be supplied on order Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 6343430.

HoneywellRefrigerationGas: R404a$30,000R134a$38,7960 R410$33,000R-448$77,520 R290$14,800 R600a$14,800. R32$30,780 R407c$34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen LimitedCall/WhatsApp:6343430.

MAIINVESTMENTGINC.In stock: Potatoes,regular&red onion, cheese, leg-quarters chicken, sausages, fries. Tele#625-7634.

Granular Chlorine 100 lbs $77,520 VAT Inc. Chlorine Tablets 40 lbs $72,960 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen LimitedCall/WhatsApp:6343430.

1234yf$14,799VATInc. WhatsApp#634-3430

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera,spoiler,lowmileage, PTTSeries(firstowner).Call: 649-0956.

SERVICES

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK: Graphics design, advertisements, weddingarchrentals.Tel:6267040.

In an uncertain global trading order, is the WTO still relevant to the...

From page 13 favourednation(MFN)treatment,specialanddifferential treatment as a treaty-embedded right, and consensusbased decision-making. It is also imperative that Caribbeanstatesinsistthatagriculture,fisheriessubsidies,digital trade, food security, and trade-related climate measures remain part of the development conversation.

Second, continued cooperation through the CARICOM Ambassadors’ Caucus in Geneva is essential, coupled with continued coalition-building through the ACP, the G90, small vulnerableeconomies,andother negotiating groupings in the

WTO.

Third,thereisalsoaneed for greater transparency around national and regional positions in WTO negotiations. Ultimately, we engage inthemultilateraltradingsystemtobenefitourbusinesses and improve the welfare of our people. If we can read public statements from other countriesexplainingtheirnegotiating positions and priorities, then Caribbean citizens, businesses, and researchers should also have more access to what our countries and our region are advocating on our behalf. Finally, we need to rely more on our own analytical capacity The UWI, and spe-

cificallytheShridathRamphal Centre, can support Caribbeandelegationswithsound, evidence-based analysis, especiallyonsomeofthenewer emergingareas.

Inconclusion,istheWTO stillrelevanttotheCaribbean in this uncertain global tradingorder?Yes!TheWTOand the multilateral trading system are under strain but are not moribund.

Now is the time for our countries to continue to engage deliberately in pushing forreformswhileensuringthe rules and principles that give small economies some measure of protection work more optimally The alternative to arules-basedorderisapurely

power-basedtradingorderin which small states have even less voice, less leverage and fewer safeguards, and thereby less policy space to ensure that trade redounds to thebenefitofourpeople.For small states, an imperfect rules-based system is better than none at all.

(Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is the Junior Research Fellow of The Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. Learn more about the SRC at www.shridathram phalcentre.com. )

Historic$1.5Trillionbudgetfailstotranslaterapid...

From page 39 Indigenousresidentsrevealed that 100% of participants sampledhadelevatedmercury levels,withsomeofthehighest concentrations recorded among women. Due to traditional roles in food preparation and caregiving, women face disproportionate exposurerisks,demonstratinghow Indigenous identity, gender, geography, and economic marginalization intersect to shape vulnerability. Furthermore, institutional coordination gaps left communities uncertain about follow-up medical care, proving a systemic disconnect between environmentalmonitoringand the public health response. Climate and disaster preparedness spending did see aggressive growth, jumping fromGYD$38.3billionin2024 toGYD$73.7billionin2026, alongside an increase in hydrometeorological services from GYD$766.3 million to GYD$957.7million.However, thisspendingfocusedheavily on defending physical infrastructure(seadefenses,drainage, and flood control) rather than reducing social vulnerability Withoutdirectinvestments in community adaptation,climateshocksshifthidden costs onto unpaid householdlabor,aswomenbearthe primaryburdensofcaregiving and household recovery during environmental disasters.

SYSTEMIC GAPS

The analysis highlights three interconnected structuralgapsinGuyana’scurrent public expenditure system: the distributional gap, the preventiongap,andtheinclusion gap.

The distributional gap is defined by access to services that continue to reflect longstandingspatialinequalities. Hinterland regions face long travel distances, high transport costs, and underresourced primary facilities. Because there are no geographically targeted allocation mechanisms in place,

theseexistinginequalitiesare allowedtopersistevenwithin the country’s expanding fiscal system.

Thepreventiongaparises because response and treatment are consistently prioritizedoverstructuralriskmitigation. Massive investments inpharmaceuticals,hospitals, and emergency services heavilydwarfinvestmentsin community-based primary healthcare, reproductive access, and comprehensive sexualityeducation.Similarly, in the environmental sector, infrastructurespendingoverridesfundingforroutinemercurytestingandenvironmental regulation, which ultimately shifts the burden of managing health and sanitationrisksontounpaidfemale caregivers.

Finally,theinclusiongap leaves marginalized groups largely invisible within budget structures and expenditure reporting frameworks. ProgramsliketheAmerindian Development Fund and carbon credit transfers lack transparency regarding gendered and intra-communityinequalities.Certainsections of women in Guyana face severely unequal access to healthcare, low sexual health knowledge, and intense institutional stigma, particularly for those who present as male. This systemic exclusion is further worsenedbyacompletelack of comprehensive sexuality education and an absence of disaggregated data collection.

POLICY ROLES & AUDITED RECOMMENDATIONS

To correct this trajectory and ensure that oil revenues are utilized as an active tool forequityandenvironmental justice, the policy brief outlines critical responsibilities forstateinstitutionsandcivil society:

The Ministry of Finance (MoF)isresponsibletoinstitutionalize Gender-Respon-

sive Budgeting (GRB) and establish a dedicated GRB Unit by 2027. It must introduce gender and equity taggingwithintheIntegratedFinancialManagementInformation System (IFMIS) to track target expenditures. Additionally, the MoF is required toensureallministriesinclude equity impact statements in Budget Circular submissions and report outcomes in Programme Performance Statements,aswellaspublish an annual Gender and Equity Budget Statement alongside the national budget.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) must expand primary healthcare services, mobile clinics, and telemedicine in Regions1,7,8,and9.Itisalso tasked with ensuring reproductive health services and maternal waiting homes are geographically accessible beyondRegions3and4.Furthermore, the MoH must integrateroutineenvironmental health surveillance into publichealthreportingandintroduceComprehensiveSexualityEducation(CSE).

The Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)&MinistryofNaturalResourcesare charged with establishing continuous, national air and waterqualitymonitoringnetworks.Theymustimplement routine mercury testing programs in mining regions and strictly link EPAdata to public health response systems, while strengthening the enforcement of environmental regulations in extractive zones. Civil Society & GrassrootsOrganizationsare expected to participate actively in budget consultations and monitoring frameworks. They must also support community-level data collection, policy advocacy, and accountability mechanisms.

Indigenous Community Leaders are responsible for representing community interestsinenvironmentalgovernance. They must secure

direct climate adaptation funding for Indigenous village councils and ensure meaningful participation in the Low Carbon DevelopmentStrategy(LCDS).

This research concludes withfourpressingpolicyrecommendations for the Guyanagovernment.First,to facilitatetransparenttracking of how public spending affects various populations, future national budgets must include gender-disaggregated and intersectional data systems. Second, in order to guarantee equitable reproductivehealthcare,especially for women in Region 3 and hinterland areas, access to reliable abortion services needs to be extended beyond Regions4and6.Third,inorder to address enduring gaps in sexual health knowledge, bodily autonomy, and preventative care, particularly among young people and marginalised groups, Comprehensive Sexuality Education must be adopted and implementednationally. Additionally,thegovernment should institutionalize participatory budgeting processes to ensure marginalized communities have a direct role in shaping publicexpenditurepriorities. Lastly,thestatemustcommit to a specific and quantifiable environmental goal, especially in terms of enhancing environmental monitoring and lowering health hazards related to extractive sectors.

The analysis concludes with a warning: Guyana stands at a historic crossroadswiththefinancialmeans to erase generational development gaps. However, if growth-oriented infrastructure spending continues to outpacetargetedsocialredistribution, the country risks achieving rapid economic transformation without any equivalentsocialtransformation. Strategic and equitable distribution remains the nation’s true challenge.

Trumpsaysdealcouldbesignedtoday,Iransaysno

(TRT World) U.S. President Donald TrumpsaidtheUnitedStateswouldfindand destroy Iran’s enriched uranium when the regioniscalmer,asheannouncedthatadeal to end the war would be signed on Sunday, even as Iran indicated that no signing was expectedthatday

“Attheappropriatetime,whenalliscalm, wewillgoinandgetthenucleardust,buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains, thanks to our beautiful B-2 bombers and their brilliant pilots, and downblendanddestroyit,whetherinIranor theUnitedStates,”TrumpwroteonhisTruth SocialplatformonSaturday Trump said that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed, and the Strait of Hormuz will be “open to all” immediately afterthat.

“The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow,andimmediatelyafteritissigned, theHormuzStraitisopentoall,”Trumpsaid.

Iran

Iran, however, said that the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the

United States will not take place on Sunday butmayhappeninthecomingdays.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil BaghaeisaidtheIslamabadMoUfocuseson ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, while the nuclear issue will not be discussed at this stage, even as Trump claimed Tehran no longer wants a nuclear weapon.“Wewillhavetowaitandseeabout the exact time of signing the memorandum; although it will not be tomorrow, the possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out,” Baghaei added in statementscarriedbyTasnimNewsAgency

He said Iran must be “cautious”, citing what he called Washington’s “hesitation” in makingcommentsabouttheprocess.

“Our negotiating team has no plans to traveltoGenevaoranywhereelseinthenext two days,” Baghaei said. “We have to wait andseewhentheexactsigningdatewillbe.”

He stressed that the possibility of conc

understanding in the coming days “is very high”,accordingtotheIRNAnewsagency

Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize a top security official in rare high-level abduction

General view of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, where a high-level security official was kidnapped, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. (Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images)

CNN - Armed men in Haiti have kidnapped James Boyard, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and a highly respected security expert who also serves as inspector general of Haiti’s police, a person with the knowledge of the situation saidSaturday

Heisthehighest-ranking official to be kidnapped in thegang-wrackedCaribbean countryinrecentyears.

Apersonwithknowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly aboutthecaseconfirmedthe

kidnapping to The

Associated Press on Saturday

Local media reported that Boyard was seized ThursdayinBourdon,oneof the few areas in Port-auPrince that is considered

relativelysafe.Anestimated 70% of the capital is controlled by a powerful gangcoalitionknownasViv Ansanm, which the US designated as a foreign terroristorganizationinMay lastyear

Boyard, who is also a political scientist, was tasked with helping rebuild Haiti’sarmedforcesandhas helped assess Haiti’s National Police to implementreforms

It was not clear who kidnapped him or whether a ransomhasbeenrequested.

“A person of this rank clearlyhasafairlyimportant security detail,” said Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the InternationalCrisisGroup.

He said the abduction of Boyardpossiblysuggeststhe kidnapping was planned

with great detail and might have depended on the collaboration of someone closetohissecuritydetail.

Da Rin said kidnappings areincreasinglyoccurringin areas of Port-au-Prince once considered safe, with gang members sometimes donningpoliceuniformsand stopping drivers as part of fakeoperations.

Henotedthatgangshave beenkidnappingpeoplewith double nationalities and targeting public officials That could mean they are seeking higher ransoms and possibly trying to dissuade authorities from attacking certain gang-controlled territories where kidnapping victims are being held, Da Rinsaid.

Police recently have attacked Village de Dieu,

which is controlled by the 5 Segondgang,ledbyJohnson Andre.Bestknownas“Izo,” he is considered one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders.

Da Rin noted that gangs have been taking some kidnapping victims to VillagedeDieu.

H i g h - p r o f i l e kidnappings in recent years have targeted people includingHaitianjournalists a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l missionaries. At least 267 people were reported kidnapped from December 2025toFebruary2026,most of them men, according to a UN report. In 2025, 1,268 kidnappingswerereported,a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 kidnapping reported the previous year, the report stated.

Wales gas project bus drivers receive...

Frompage44 date every Friday, “dem Spanish getting pay on time every fortnight, every fortnighttheyfindingmoney for the Spanish because if them ain’t get pay the work nah gun done”, one driver said.

The dispute has amplified broader criticisms regardingthemanagementof the US$2B state-backed project. Mohamed heavily criticised the Ministry of Labour and Minister Keoma Griffith for a total lack of oversight, noting that many local workers are operating withoutformalcontracts.

“This is an expensive project off the backs of taxpayers, ” Mohamed stated “They are getting money from the national budget every year, yet they

are still owing Guyanese people This company is runningaracket.Theyowea lot of sub-contractors who didworkforthem.”

Compounding the issue areallegationsofretaliation. Drivers revealed that after they began protesting the three-month backlog, the company allegedly dismissed several local transporters.

“They already dismissed ourlocalGuyanesebrothers, and yet they still owe them money,” Mohamed said, issuing an urgent public call fortheMinisterofLabourto intervene “ Despite this being the most expensive project, national project in the history of this country and they still owe these h a r d w o r k i n g b u s transporters.”

GWI to spend $251M to drill water wells at Houston & Garden of Eden

The Guyana Water Inc would be s p e n d i n g approximately $251 million to drill new wells at Garden of Eden and at Houston on theEastBankofDemerara.

T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender

Administration Board (NPTAB) revealed that Sigma Engineers Limited will drill the well at Garden of Eden for $129,164,794, and Sadhu S Singh General Construction Service will drill the well at Houston for $122,827,150.

The projects will form part of the $21 6 billion which was allocated in 2026 budgetforthewatersector

During the budget presentationearlierthisyear, Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh explained that the government through GWIwillcontinuetoexpand its water programme to ensure access to a reliable supply of potable water nationwide.

He stated at the time that over his government's last term, they drilled 29 deep

water new wells along the coastland and 230 medium depth wells in hinterland communities.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e minister, going forward, in

2026, works will advance on several new wells including areas like Westminster, Yarrowkabra, and No 56 Village which will see over 81,000residentsbenefitting.

During his World Water DaymessagebackinMarch, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar noted that while potable

water access is being expanded, government's mission remains steadfast, “to fulfill Sustainable Development Goal 6, which speaks to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitationforallby2030.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands residents of

Houston currently benefit from the Agricola Well Station which also serves residentsinMcDoom. As for residents at Garden of Eden they receive water from the Caledonia Well Station which provides services between Garden of Eden to Coverden on the EastBank.

Vinicius Jr rescues draw for Brazil against Morocco

BBC SPORT- ViniciusJr sparedBrazil the embarrassment of defeat in an opening World Cup match for the first since 1934 as hisspectacularsologoalearnedadrawforthe five-time winners against Morocco at the NewYorkNewJerseyStadium.

Brazilfellbehindinthe21stminutewhen Ismael Saibari lifted the ball over the

onrushing Alisson Becker from outside the area following a lapse in communication between the Liverpool goalkeeper and his defenders,GabrielandMarquinhos.

It was the first time the African champions had scored against South American opposition at the World Cup, having failed to do so against Peru in 1970

andBrazilin1998.

Morocco continued to dominate and, by the30thminute,hadregistered12shots-the mostBrazilhavefacedinaWorldCupmatch sincetheirencounterwithMexicoin2018.

But as Mohamed Ouahbi's side failed to capitalise on their advantage, Brazil drew level 13 minutes before the break through Vinicius.

Making his 50th appearance for the Selecao, he collected a ball from Bruno Guimaraes inside the area, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce strike past Yassine Bounou.

Former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta almost put Brazil ahead in first-half stoppage time, but his acrobatic effort was tippedbehindforacorner

With several members of Brazil's triumphant 2002 squad watching on in New Jersey - including Ronaldo, Kaka and RobertoCarlos-CarloAncelotti'ssidebegan tomovethroughthegearsafterthebreak.

Andalthoughchanceswereatapremium for both sides, Raphinha came closest to finding an elusive second when he narrowly failedtoconnectwithGuimaraes'low-driven crossacrossthefaceofgoal.Thedrawmeans Morocco'swaittowintheiropeninggameata World Cup goes on, while Brazil's remarkable 92-year unbeaten first-match recordremainsintact.

ViniciusJrwillbekeytoBrazil'ssuccess

On a night full of history for Brazil, this

lethargicdisplayisunlikelytolivelonginthe memory

Brazil's lastWorld Cup game on US soil wasalsoaforgettableperformance,theonly final to finish 0-0 after 120 minutes before theydefeatedItalyonpenaltiesin1994.

Now, 32 years on from that game in Pasadena, the Selecao are led by a foreign manageratthetournamentforthefirsttimeas they look to win theWorld Cup for only the secondtimesincethen.

But if Ancelotti's remit is nothing less thandeliveringasixthWorldCupsuccess,he willhavebeenfarfromsatisifedwithwhathe sawatMetLifeStadium.

Brazil started sluggishly and looked unusually open, struggling to retain possession or match Morocco's intensity in theswelteringNewJerseyheat.

It resulted in an underwhelming display that, for long periods, looked set to end Brazil's remarkable 92-year unbeaten record in opening matches of the World Cup. That was until they were bailed out by the individual brilliance of Vinicius - a sight supporters of the national team have demanded more of since his senior debut in 2019. It is unlikely to be the last moment of magicweseefromtheforwardthissummer.

IfBrazilaretoreachthefinalon19July, Ancelotti may have little choice but to rely heavily on the man who helped deliver ChampionsLeaguesuccessduringtheirtime togetheratRealMadrid.

Massiah Primary stun champions...

Frompage57 tournament organisers FL Sport, in partnership with ExxonMobil Guyana, have removed all financial barriers by fully funding playing kits, bats, meals, and transportforeveryparticipatingschool.

The format is unashamedly modern: a high-octane, eight-overs-a-side knockout competition.

In a progressive twist, teams have the flexibility to field mixed-gender XIs, intentionallyintegratingboysandgirlsonthe sameturffromafoundationallevel.

Yet, the tournament’s modernising ambitions extend well beyond the boundary rope.Whileregionalwinnerswilltakehome comprehensive equipment bags for their

schools,thetopfourteamsineachzonewill alsoreceivetablets.

Thegoalisdistinctlyanalytical:teaching children the digital mechanics of online matchscoring,fusingtechnologywithplayto cultivate an early understanding of modern cricketmetrics.

Tobridgethegapbetweenaspirationand reality, active national cricketers are also beingdeployedthroughoutthetournamentas team mentors, providing pupils with direct access to elite role models who can guide themthroughthegame’stacticalnuances.

Admission remains free for the duration oftheBerbicezonefixturesasthetournament continues its mission to spotlight the next generationofGuyanesecricketingtalent.

Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies…

Chameera, Mishara & Shanaka help Sri Lanka level series

Sri Lanka counter-punched their way to a series-levelling win last night after a string of match-winning performances in both departments which helped subdue the hosts by 37runsunderlightsatSabinaPark.

SriLankapostedaformidable194-6 intheir20overs.

After being inserted to bat first by WestIndiescaptainRovmanPowell,Sri Lanka’s top order initially encountered turbulence after opener Pathum Nissankawasdismissedearlyforjust7.

Veteran Kusal Mendis provided a brief,aggressivesparkbyhitting31off 19balls,buthisdepartureleftSriLanka lookingforstability

Sunday June 14, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

You generally enjoy philosophyandotherformsof higher thought, but today you could find yourself almost obsessive about them. You decidetosequesteryourself& concentrateontheseconcepts.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Discussionsinvolvingagroup you're affiliated with could lead to some deep subjects, such as philosophy, metaphysics, science - or all three. Your mind should be quickandsharptoday

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Todayyoumightdecidetodo some repairs or decorating in yourhome.You'llhavealotof good ideas welling up from deep within you, Gemini, and be astute enough to put them toworkintherealworld.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Communicating with a current or potential romantic partner could involve a lot of subtlety, finding a way to enjoy each other's company whilenotdivulgingtoomuch.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Thefocustodayisonfamilies, with special emphasis on children. You might spend time telling stories today

Someonewithwhomyou'rein contact could be dealing with some powerful emotional issuesandnotwantcompany

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Thefocustodayisonfamilies, with special emphasis on children. You might spend time telling stories today

Someonewithwhomyou'rein contact could be dealing with some powerful emotional issuesandnotwantcompany.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Others, particularly family members,mightberatherquiet today It could seem as if everyone is running around like crazy but not sharing what's on their minds. You'll havetotrustyourintuition.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Communication, particularly with family members and romantic partners, could take placemoresubtlythanverbally today Nonetheless, Scorpio, you'll sense strong love and supportfromeveryone.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Today you should be feeling especially intuitive, particularly where family members are concerned It certainly won't be easy for anyonetolietoyou.Youmight also think about making some repairstoyourhome.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A group you're affiliated with could meet or connect today, Capricorn. You should focus moreonlisteningtowhatthey have to say than on actively participatingindiscussions.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your communications could bring up the subject of the world economy and what it's going to mean to individuals today You could be contemplatingandmaybeeven discussing your financial future.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today you might receive a phone call from a friend you haven't seen for a while. An intense and emotional conversation could follow Stimulating news could have youpreoccupiedforawhile.

EnteropeningbatterKamilMishara, whoanchoredtheinningsforthevisitors and stabilized the innings with a composedknockof61*(4x43x6).

Hetmyer played a good hand before being run out (AFP/Getty Images)

But the true turning point of the innings came when former captain Dasun ShanakajoinedMisharaatthecrease.

Shanaka completely cooked the Windies death-bowlingattack,blastingablistering58 off just 24 balls with 5 fours and 6 sixes during the pair’s 104-run 5th wicket partnership.

Windies pacer Shamar Joseph followed his3-ferintheopeninggamewithanother3wicket haul, going for just 32 runs while MatthewForde(2-38)wastheotherbowlerto findsuccess.

The chase was shaky after losing openers, skipper Shai Hope and Brandon King for cheap before Shimron Hetmyer (36) and Powell (43) sought to recalibrate the

Campbelle, Matthews...

Frompage55

catch in the deep, this time from Claxton, but the stand of45from29ballshelpedto signalNewZealand’scharge through the back end Halliday took control, alternating powerful thumps down the ground with welltimed reverse-sweeps to make 40 from 32, before Alleyne - inevitablyinducedanotherscufftomidon, to close out the impressive figures of 4 for 27.

New Zealand weren’t doneyet,however Greenput the hammer down in the closingovers,making35not outfrom22,includingalusty straight six offAfy Fletcher, andfourfoursfromherfinal eight balls as West Indies struggled to close out a battling display in the field. Ultimately, their struggles weren’tapatchonthosethat they’d inflict on their opponents.

innings.

Butsomedisciplinedbowlingledbyfastbowler Dushmantha Chameera who was brilliant (3-9), skipper Wanindu Hasaranga (3-38) alongside fellow spinner Dunith Wellalage (2-28); kept the home team in check.

Windieswouldcollapsefor157alloutin the 19th over despite some resistance from AkealHosein(14)andJoseph(11*).

Withtheserieslevelled1-1,tonight’s3rd match for the chips will be all the more interesting.(CliftonRoss)

GCB unveils detailed Modernisation Program...

Frompage52 opportunities for young cricketers in hinterland and riverain communities, ensuring that cricket development reaches every partofGuyana.

The Programme will form an important part of GCB’S wider national

development strategy, as it seeks to ensure that young players from remote and traditionally underserved communities are given greater access to coaching, competition, equipment, exposure, and long-term cricket d

pment opportunities.

TrainingHubs/U-13 Development

This progress has been further strengthened by the launching of seven academies and training hubs in Essequibo, alongside implementation of the U-13 Inter-County Tournament,adevelopment initiative which Essequibo

has demonstrated strong d o m i n

n d encouraging depth at the youthlevel

Demerara and Berbice, inthefuturewillalsobenefit fromsimilartrainingcentres, furtherexpandingstructured

development and talent

Guyana.

T h e s e

academies/training hubs are intended to create a more organized, consistent environment for youths, allowing them to receive technical guidance, regular practice, early exposure to competition and a clearer

pathway into county and nationalyouthprogrammes.

PrimarySchool CricketProgramme

The Board has also implemented a Primary School Cricket Programme, headed by former West Indies Test cricketer and current ICC Match Official, ReonKing.

In partnership with Republic Bank Ltd , the move forms part of the Board’s wider commitment to introducing grassroots cricket, strengthening participation while creating a structured pathway for boys and girls to harness skills,discipline,confidence and love for cricket; while promoting physical education, teamwork, while identifying prospects for the future.

Commercialand MarketingArm

Following necessary consultations with with stakeholders,thismoveaims

to build a stronger commercial foundation for the future, as the

Commercial and Marketing Arm will be a major feature of the modernization process; further supporting stronger partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, branding and revenue generation.

A more structured commercial and marketing platform will allow the Board to better engage corporate partners, improve its brand value, attract investment into cricket programmes, and create g r e a t e r f i n a n c i a l sustainability for national, county, youth, women’s, school, and community cricketinitiatives.

Commitmentto

NationalCricket Development

Inclosing,GCBremains committed to innovation, t r a n s p a r e n c y , professionalism, inclusion and the continued development of cricket acrossGuyana,withthenew logo not only repping a refreshed identity, but also renewed commitment to a modernized approach to reforming and growing the sport.

Through this new drive, GCBwillcontinuetopursue amoreefficient,technologydriven, financially responsible board. With the future of cricket brighter than ever, this all-inclusive structurewillformallyserve the interests of all players, administrators, officials, supporters, sponsors and communities throughout Guyana.

Beharry U19 School’s T20 cricket tournament…

Aurora,Charity among winners as action bowls off

The opening round of the Beharry School’s T20 cricket tournamentbowledoffyesterdaywithsomeexcitingmatches hosted across the Region 3, Essequibo district; featuring top performancesfromsomeofGuyana’sbrightestprospects.

AbramZuilbeatCottonFieldby10wickets

CottonFieldweremoweddownforjust19runsin7overs aftermatchMVPRavidFrederickscapturedamazingfigures of 7-14 as no batter got into double figures. Marcanthony Obermuller (9*) and Fredricks (6*) then returned to chase downthetargetinjust1.2overstoendon20-0

AuroraSecondarybeatJohannaCeceliaby6wickets

AvinashSingh(17)andAvinashSeurattan(16)pushedJC Secondary to 66-10 in 13.4 overs, after SiamelPayne (3-13) andArifSingh(3-12)andAngelPerson(2-19).

Aurora then cruised to 70-4 led by national youth player JathnielNurse(15*)andMan-of-the-matchSingh(7),ledthe chase.

CharitybeatAnnaReginaSecondaryby3-wickets

AnnaReginawerekeptto89-10withcontributionsfrom theduoofDariusPearson(24)andJonathanBarry(18).

CharitybowlingwasledbythetrioofJavonRamdunhar (3-17), Brandon Perriera (2-10) and Jeral Gildharie (2-14), whosetupthematchfortheirteamwhoendedon90-7.

DonaldPeters(24),Gildharie(17)andPerriera(14*)then reunited to carry their side to victory, despite two wickets apiecefromPearsonandTyreseStephney

WestDemerarabeatPatentiaby2wickets

Batting first, Patentia managed 75-10 after Jeremiah Garnettbagged4wicketsforWestDemerara,leavingAbdool Ahamad (12) as the main scorer West Demerara then got to 76-8 after Ahamad returned to score 18 despite Patentia’s JadonBirchsnagging4-18inalosingeffort.(CliftonRoss)

Ross relishes International Debut, aiming high for CARICOM Cup win

Gu y a n a ’s internation al jockey ColinRossisfreshfrom an overseas stint where he placed third at the Garrisons Savanah in Barbados.

Jockey Colin Ross

Jockey Ross was pleased with his experienceinBarbados whereheplacedthirdin his maiden overseas race Returning to Guyana with more experience under his belt,Rossishopingtodeliverthegoodsatthe upcomingCARICOMGoldCuponJuly5,at PortMourantTurfClub.

“The experience was good. Far different than Guyana racing. When it comes to the track it is totally different. It was a good experience, I learnt a lot from that. The fist raceIrodeIwasabitnervousbutIgotover it,”Rossexplained.

“So far we are working towards CARICOM Cup. Rain or no rain we are working. We want to get the horses at least 95%totheupcomingraces,”headded.

Ross has showed his class at various Guyana Cup, and on August 23, he will be hopingtorepeatasimilardose.

“It will be a good feeling to go out there andwinafifthGuyanaCupforme.Afterthe CARICOMCupwewillassessthehorsesand then prepare for the Guyana Cup, the experiencedjockeysaid.

As it relates to the top horses in Guyana,

where Ross piloted to success in the past, they animals are in good shape,accordingtoRoss.

“SofarDataman,Stat and Anthem King are going good. So far the three horses are going verywell.”

The Guyana horseracing committee has released a provisional programme which will see 11 races on the card and more than G$15 millionincashandprizes willbeupforthetaking.

TheCARICOMGoldCupfeaturewillbe open to all three-year-olds and over horses going at a distance of 1900 metres. A total purseoffourmillionwillbeupforgrabsand thetophorsewillreceivetwomillion.

Otherracesontheprogrammeincludethe CARICOM Sprint stakes open to all fouryear-olds and over, CARICOM Derby open to three-year-olds Guyana bred, and the ‘E’ ClassandLower

There is also the Rising Star stakes open to three-year-old imported horses, the threeyear-olds and over WI Bred winners, ‘H’ Class and Lower WI Bred non winner in Guyana,three-year-oldsandoverI/J/KClass, ‘L’ Class winners, K&L Maidens and the future star stakes two-year-old Guyana-bred juveniles.

All races will be run under the Guyana rules of racing and entries will open from June22andcloseonJune26.

GCBunveilsdetailedModernisationProgram,NewLogo

- New departments, Executive roles to

In what is called “A refreshed identity for a modernera”GuyanaCricket Board (GCB) president Bissoondyal Singh recently unveiled a new pathway for the direction of cricket, while revealing their new official logo; as part of a broader ongoing program geared towards digitization,

modernization and transformation of the

B o a r d ’ s o v e r a l l administrativestructure.

ARefreshedIdentityfora ModernEra

These new, bolder steps arewilltargetintensecricket development which forms

part of a wide

t r a n s f o r m a t i o n programme aimed at strengthening GCB’s internalsystems.

This improves operational efficiency, e n h a n c i n g accountability and improving the overal image, identity a visibilityofcricket.

modernization and transformationagenda,GCB has implemented important structural adjustments to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen accountability, and create a m o r e c o o r d i n a t e d administrativeframework.

CricketOperations Department

The implementation of a dedicated Cricket

Operations Department

represents a major advancement in the Board’s

image, improve the timely flow of information, promoteitsprogrammesand achievements and support a moreprofessional/consistent communication strategy acrossallofficialplatforms.

ChiefOperationsOfficer (COO)

The addition of a Chief Operations Officer provides a stronger layer of administrative leadership and operational oversight withinGCB’sstructure.

The new logo is more than a visual enhancement, as it represents a renewed institutional direction, stronger commitment to modern governance and a progressive approach to cricket administration and development.

Modernising AdministrativeSystems

Several of these changes

have already been implemented, as the Singhledadministration,continues toprogressivelyadvancethe full use of technology, including artificial intelligence-supported platforms, to enhance efficiency, communication, planning, reporting, and decision-making.

These initiatives are designed to create a more structured, accountable, efficient and responsive organisation capable of meeting the growing demands of modern cricket administration.

Through these reforms, theBoardisseekingtobuild a stronger administrative foundation that supports transparency, discipline, proper record-keeping and improved coordination

among departments, committees, county boards, sponsors, players, officials andotherstakeholders.

NewOperational Departmentsand LeadershipStructure

A s p a r t o f i t s

technical and administrative structure.

This department is intended to provide focused oversight for the planning, coordination, execution and evaluation of cricket competitions, development programmes, tournaments, fixtures, and related cricket activities.

Itwillalsohelptoensure better coordination between national programmes, county competitions, youth development initiatives, coaching structures, player preparation, match-day operations, and the overall management of cricket activitiesacrossGuyana.

MediaManagement Department

The establishment of a Media Management Department is another key component of the Board’s transformation, with this initiative designed to strengthen the Board’s communication systems, p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s management, official releases, digital content, b r a n d i n g , m e d i a coordination and public engagement. Throughthisdepartment, GCB will be better positioned to manage it’s

The COO will assist in coordinating day-to-day nctions, improving ernal communication, pporting departmental efficiency and ensuring that administrative decisions are properly implemented.

The Board’s efforts to create a more disciplined, responsive and performance-driven

ere partments are better gned and operational responsibilities will be addressed by this department.

ChiefFinancial Officer(CFO)

GCBisalsoliningupthe role of CFO as part of its continued effort to strengthen the financial sector of the organisation, thus providing enhanced oversight of financial planning, budgeting, reporting, compliance, internal controls and resourcemanagement.

TheadditionofaCFOis intended to further improve financial accountability, strengthen fiscal discipline, support better decisionmaking and ensure that the Board’s financial operations are aligned with modern standards of governance, transparency, and institutionalresponsibility ImprovedAccountability andCoordination Together, the Cricket Operations Department, Media Management Department, COO and CFO willaddcollectiveoversight which will support a modernized, financially disciplined system of governance, allowing GCB to better serve players, officials, stakeholders, sponsors,countyboardsetc. CountyBoard Alignment/Transition Framework

C o u n t y b o a r d s Essequibo, Demerara, and

encompass initiative

strategically guided through a structured alignment process to ensure consistency with the GCB broader transformation agenda.

F o l l o w i n g

c o m p r e h e n s i v e consultations with the respective County Boards and relevant stakeholders, appropriate administrative, operational, governance, financial,anddevelopmental adjustments will be consideredandimplemented wherenecessary

A renewed system e

progressively align with GCB’s modernized systems, including imp

ed reporting procedures, strengthened internal controls, digitized recordkeeping, enhanced communication channels, andmorecoordinatedcricket developmentplanning. This measured approach will allow for a smooth, transparent, and practical transition, while preserving the important role of the CountyBoardsingrassroots a

identification, and player development.

Technology,Artificial IntelligenceandYouth Development

GCB will be placing strongemphasisontheuseof technology to create a clear p a t h w a y f o r t h e development of youth cricketersacrossGuyana.

Akeycomponentofthis vision is the development of a digitized database to support player tracking, performance monitoring, talent identification and s

development from the grassrootslevelupward.

Through the progressive use of technology and AI platforms, GCB aims to

management, reporting among other key areas of systemicgrowth.

HinterlandCricket DevelopmentProgramme

One huge endeavor will alsobeworkingcloselywith the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, to progressively align and implement a structured pathway for a Hinterland Cricket DevelopmentProgramme.

This initiative will expand access, identify talentandcreatemeaningful

Continued on page 52

Dakota 100 Round 2 and Track Day set for June 28

With track enhancement work on the South Dakota Circuit set to wrap up shortly, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC)isplanningthesecondroundof itsendurancechampionshipforJune28.

The ‘christener’ for the new venue, which gets underway from 12:00 hrs, is expected to attract some of the country’s leading drivers and riders as competitors continuetheircampaignsinthe2026circuit racingseason.

Fans can look forward to an actionpackedprogrammefeaturingamixofcircuit racing, motorcycle competition and track day activities, providing entertainment for both seasoned motorsport enthusiasts and newcomerstothesport.

Round Two of the Dakota 100 Championship comes on the heels of a competitive opening round and is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the championship standings. Drivers and riders will be seeking valuable points while also testing the limits of their machines on the demanding South Dakota Circuit The accompanyingTrackDaysegmentwilloffer participants the opportunity to experience

the circuit in a controlled environment, allowingdriverstoimprovetheirskills,test vehicle performance and enjoy the thrill of motorsportfirsthand.

The event has received support from sponsors including Castrol, GUYOIL, ENetworks and One Guyana, whose continued backing has helped strengthen localmotorsportdevelopment.

Meanwhile, according to an official, track work is expected to be completed withinthecomingdayshencethedateofthe endurance.

The official stated, “We will have a brand-newsurfacewithwhichtogetfamiliar withandwhilethelayoutmightbethesame, therearealotofquirksfordriverstowatch outfor.”

“We have completely flatted the front straightwaysonolongeristherethatdipthat we have become familiar with as well as severalotherchangesthatracersaregoingto havetogetusedto.”

The official noted that with this in mind the club has organized the endurance and is also looking at unofficial practice sessions leadinguptotheJuly12-13GT3Challenge DeLasAmericas.

Campbelle,Matthewsoutmuscle NewZealandtolandfamousvictory victor

(Cricinfo) - Shemaine

Campbelle converted her maiden T20I fifty into a mighty, matchseizingknockof90notoutfrom62 balls, as West Indies did to the defending champions, New Zealand, what they had done to England in another famous victory inDubaiatthelastT20WorldCupand outmuscled them in a raw display of power-hitting that inducederror,aftererror,aftererror fromashell-shockedfieldingunit.

No fewer than seven clear-cut chances went begging for New Zealand’s fielders - not to mention the opportunities that didn’t go to hand quickly enough - as Campbellecrashedsevenfoursand three sixes to overhaul a taxing target of 163 with a solitary ball to spare.

The back of the chase was broken in a 74-run stand for the second wicket with her captain, Hayley Matthews, who regained her composure after the shocking second-overrun-outofheropening partner, Qiana Joseph, to set the tempowith48from37balls.

New Zealand’s missed opportunitywassummedupbythe inordinate tension of the contest’s closing moments. With just four runs to defend, New Zealand’s oldest stager, Sophie Devine, did herdamnedesttopulloffamiracle.

Despite two runs off the first balloftheover,sherestrictedWest Indies to two scrambled leg-byes fromthenextfour,withanair-shot fromJahzaraClaxtonaddingtothe tension. But Campbelle put her headdownforonelastcharge,and beat Izzy Gaze’s breaking of the stumps by a whisker to land a famouswin.

Barbecued,andbeef

If only New Zealand’s fielders had stood up to Matthews with the same intent that her own opening partner had shown, in what briefly looked like being the true flashpointofthenight.

The innings was just ten balls old when Matthews, fresh from lacing back-to-back fours through deep third off Bree Illing, patted a thirdshotinthesamedirectionand instinctively set off for a single. There was never a run as point charged in, but rather than accept herownfate,shechosetojogpasta dumbfoundedJoseph,andsacrifice herinstead.

Joseph was livid, and bumped shoulders with her captain while givingherapieceofhermindasshe stalked back to the pavilion. Her indignation could have been righteous just two Matthews balls later, when a top-edged sweep sailed high to deep backward square,butIzzySharpmadeameal oftheopportunity Matthews was somewhat chastenedfortheremainderofa35run powerplay, and hampered too

by an attack of cramp after pulling outadiveforatightsecondrun.But the longer she lurked, the more uncomfortable New Zealand seemedaroundher NewZealand droptheball-literally

A 13-run seventh over played itspartinMelieKerr’scrassreview forlbwthatcamestraightoffthetoe of Matthews’ bat, whereupon Campbelle - barely less of a threat on a run-a-ball 19 - survived a clangerofastumpingchancefrom Gaze as she ran straight past Devine’sfirstballofthenight.

Melie Kerr thought she’d broken through when Campbelle missed a reverse sweep on 24 but was shown to have been struck outside the line, but when Matthews landed her lustiest blow of the night - a massive inside-out six over extra cover - the wheels came off New Zealand’s fielding effort. Nensi Patel immediately droppedaleadingedgeoffherown bowling to give Matthews another life… one ball later, Melie Kerr spilledadollyonthecoverring,as Campbelle miscued a hoick down theground.

Green did manage to buck the trendwhenMatthewsfinallyholed outtolong-onoffJessKerr,andshe thenbetteredthateffortthreeovers later with a startlingly composed take at the opposite end of the ground, reaching up then clawing downatypicallyhugemowforthe fencesfromDeandraDottin.

In between whiles, however, West Indies had galloped out of sight.Campbellebatteredabraceof huge sixes off Melie Kerr, either side of another drop off her own bowling,tomarchthroughtoa39ballfifty Shethenaddedanotherin Kerr’s final over, when - with 27 needed from three - the time was nighforthepaintraintoarriveatits destination.

Gazestartswithablaze

New Zealand’s composure hadn’tseemedquitesobrittleatthe outset of the contest, while Gaze was launching their innings with enterprise in glorious batting conditions. Twice in the opening over she guided Zaida James behind square on the off-side, and shehadpickedoffeightfoursinthe first five overs, almost before her new opening partner, Georgia Plimmer,hadhadalook-in.

In a sign of things to come, Gazedidbenefitfromasignificant let-off, when Matthews failed to cling onto a regulation return chanceinthethirdover,stoopingto her right Her frustration was compounded when Gaze took her forthreemorefoursinhernextover tomarchalongto37from23balls. At 49 for 0 in the sixth over, the defendingchampionswereplaying withthefreedomthattheircaptain, Melie Kerr, had promised on the

eveoftheircampaign.

StarsalignforAlleyne

Aaliyah Alleyne was an unassuming means forWest Indies to come roaring back into the contest. Defiantly medium-pace, albeit with a high nagging action, she put the skids under New Zealandwiththreeprimewicketsin six balls. Plimmer was the first to succumb,asshelookedtolauncha shortballhighovertheleg-sidebut picked out the bucket hands of Deandra Dottin at deep backward square.

Then,afterKerrhadannounced her intentions with a ramp for four through deep third,Alleyne ripped the guts out of New Zealand’s inningswitharinse-and-repeatpair of breakthroughs. Kerr tried to launch her next delivery clean downtheground,butfoundherself cramped for room as Alleyne shapedthefulllengthintoherpads, and Karishma Ramharack scooped uphernothingshotatmid-on.

Momentslater,afterafirst-ball single for the incoming Devine, Gaze gave it away in identical fashion Another fluffed drive

through the line looped off the toe ofthebatforRamharacktosealthe deal once more.At 56 for 3 in the eighth over, that flying start was a thingofthepast.

Halliday,Greenhold thelineforNZ

New Zealand had hinted at a changing of the guard at the toss, when it was confirmed that Suzie Bates would be missing from their XI for the first time in the entire

history of theWomen’sT20World Cup Their other old stager, however, had another important holdingroletoperform.Justweeks afteranincredibleknockof87from 57 balls had rescued New Zealand from 11 for 4 against England, DevinejoinedBrookeHallidayina vitalinjectionofimpetus. She made just 22 from 15 balls beforesuccumbingtoanothersharp

Continued on page 51

Over 100 Grade 10 students from Camille’sAcademy’s Lusignan, Soesdyke, Diamond and Crane campuses linked up as part of their introduction to golf ahead of 2027 CSEC.

Camille’s Academy Tees Off for 2027

CSEC Physical Education Programme

More than 100 Grade 10 students from Camille’s

Academy’s Lusignan, Soesdyke, Diamond and Crane campuses were introduced to the game of golf on Friday through a special development session conducted by Guyana Golf

Association (GGA)

President Aleem Hussain andLPGA/USGAGirlsGolf

Site Director Philip Haynes

at the Guyana-China FriendshipPark.

The initiative forms part of the school’s preparation for the 2027 Caribbean

Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Physical Education programme and representsthelargestprivate school group in Guyana to exploregolfasaPEelective.

The session concluded with a friendly competition among the four campuses, with the Crane location emerging as the overall champion.

Principal Ms Camille expressed her excitement at the students’response to the programme.

“At Camille’s Academy, we are committed to exposing our students to a wide range of educational andsportingopportunities. Golf is a sport that develops patience, discipline, integrity and criticalthinking,allofwhich are valuable life skills. We look forward to continuing

Marian Academy and The New Central High School Crowned Georgetown Champions, Advance to National Final

Marian Academy and The New Central High School have securedtheirplacesintheNational Final of the Blue Water Shipping Girls’U15NationalChampionship after emerging as the Georgetown North and Georgetown South champions,respectively.

Marian Academy successfully defended its Georgetown North title following a hard-fought draw against Chase’s Academic FoundationattheNationalTraining

Centre. With the teams leveled at the final whistle, MarianAcademy was declared champion based on a superiorgoaldifference,ameasure that reflects the team’s attacking strength and consistency throughout the competition. The result sees MarianAcademy retain its Georgetown North crown and advance to the National Final, where it will compete against the country’s top regional champions for national honours Marian Academy captain Kaleigh Todd

our partnership with the Guyana GolfAssociation as we prepare students for the CSEC Physical Education

programme. ” GGA

president Aleem Hussain praised the school’s vision andwillingnesstoembracea non-traditional sport within itsacademiccurriculum.

“Camille’s Academy is settinganexcellentexample bygivingstudentsaccesstoa sportthatcanbeenjoyedfor alifetimewhilealsocreating

educational and scholarship opportunities.

Introducing more than 100 students to golf in a singlesessionisasignificant milestone for junior golf developmentinGuyana.”

Camille’s Academy is also expected to participate in the National Junior Open Golf Championship on July 3 at the Westside Golf CourseinVreed-en-Hoop.

The tournament is expected to attract hundreds

ofyounggolfersfromacross the country competing for school and individual honours, as well as opportunitiesforselectionto Guyana’s National Junior Team.

The GGA continues to work closely with schools, community organizations and corporate partners to expand access to golf and create opportunities for youth development throughoutGuyana.

was named the Most Outstanding PlayeroftheGeorgetownNorthleg ofthechampionshipinrecognition of her outstanding performances and leadership throughout the tournament. Additionally, Skylar

DeNobrega of Marian Academy receivedthetrophyforMostGoals

Scored in the preliminary round of t

demonstratedexceptionalfinishing abilitythroughoutthecampaign.

Meanwhile, The New Central High School was crowned Georgetown South champion after being awarded a default victory over Lodge Secondary The result secures the school’s place in the National Final and keeps alive its hopesofcapturingthenationaltitle. The New Central High School’s Amanda Saunders was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Georgetown South leg of the championship.

Saunders played a pivotal role in her school’s successful campaign, delivering a series of

, determination, and a keen eye for goal.

The National Final will bring together the country’s regional championsastheycompeteforthe coveted national championship title and continue to showcase the growing strength of girls’ football inGuyana.

Future Warriors Tapeball for Primary Schools…

Massiah Primary stun champions Cropper to headline Berbice quarter-finals

Another zone and another defending champion has been eliminated before the semi-finals in the Future Warriors Tapeball for Primary Schools, powered by ExxonMobil Guyana.

ThescriptoftheFutureWarriorsTapeballChampionship continues to favour the underdogs and punish complacency

Just weeks after Demerara’s defending champions, Grove, tumbled in the quarter-finals, the Berbice Zone followed an identicalnarrativeonSaturday

Two-time champions Cropper Primary were ruthlessly eliminated from the tournament by a clinical Massiah Primary,highlightingadayofhigh-octaneactionattheAlbion Sports Complex, featuring spectacular diving saves, athletic catches,andcrispcoverdrives.

Massiah Primary looked the part from the opening delivery Their bowling attack, operating with remarkably polished, professional-like actions, completely choked Cropper’svauntedbattingline-up.

Abdul Khan was the chief destroyer, spearheading a disciplined tactical approach that restricted the defending championstoapaltry48for7intheirallottedeightovers.

Khan’stwo-overspellyieldedamiserly2for10,settinga templateofcontrolthatCroppersimplycouldnotbreak.

Khan then swapped ball for bat to seal a comprehensive nine-wicketvictory Heanchor-slammedarapid16offjust9 balls, punctuated by three boundaries, while Seeraj Laljit providedfluentsupportwith14.

Massiah cannibalised the target in a mere 4.5 overs, sendingaclearwarningshottotherestofthefield.

The day’s other quarter-finals offered similar bursts of individualbrilliance.St.Theresa’sPrimarybookedtheirsemifinal spot with a commanding 37-run win over LatchmansinghPrimary

Batting first, St. Theresa’s posted a formidable 74 for 5, propelledbyablistering18-ball31fromElijahBhandan,who clearedtheropesoncealongsidethreeboundaries.

In response, Latchmansingh’s chase never got off the ground,stifledbyKeironDeJonge’sexceptionalspellof2for 5fromtwoovers,eventuallysputteringoutat37for6.

Tain Primary pulled off an equally impressive, authoritativechaseagainstNewMarketPrimary NewMarket posted what seemed a competitive 59 for 5 from nine overs, largelythankstoTaneshBasdeo’sbrisk12offeightballs.

However,theirprogresswasconstantlycheckedbyRomel Mahadeo (2-5) and Arun Mahadeo (2-17). Tain made a mockery of the halfway score, hunting down the target in exactlysixovers.

Nicholas Bristol was the undisputed star of the chase, smashinganunbeaten34off21balls,lacedwithtwofoursand three towering sixes, alongside an anchoring 12 fromAdriel Chichester.

Meanwhile, Rose Hall Estate Primary navigated a lowscoring scrap against All Saints Primary Precision bowling from Mario Ramsammy (3-10) and Timothy Chester (3-11) dismantledAllSaintsforjust42in8overs.

Despite a spirited fightback from All Saints’ Kyden Springer, who claimed 2 for 12, Rose Hall Estate showed enoughnervetocrossthelineat43for5in6.3overs.

Thesemi-finalline-upforSundaymorningpromiseshigh drama. St. Theresa’s Primary will lock horns with Tain Primaryat09:30h,followedimmediatelybytheheavyweight clashbetweentheimpressiveMassiahPrimaryandRoseHall EstatePrimary

The Berbice Zone—comprising Belvedere, Cropper, Betsy Ground, Massiah, New Amsterdam, New Market, Sandvoort, Tain, Albion, St. Theresa’s, Fort Ordnance, Latchmansingh,All Saints, SheetAnchor, Rose Hall Estate, and Cumberland—has served as the perfect canvas for a tournament designed to modernise grassroots cricket in Guyana.Toensureacompletelylevelplayingfield, Continued on page 51