Kaieteur News

Widespreadfloods promptCabinet fanoutamidstclaims ofdysfunctional pumpstations

FortIslandtobecomemajortouristdestination–Govt.

…Opposition Leader alleges ‘desecration’ of heritage site

WhiletheMinistriesofTourism Industry and Commerce and the Culture, Youth and Sport has dubbed the hosting of Guyana’s 60th Independence celebration at Fort Zeelandia as successful, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamedbelievesthegovernment has “desecrated” the Dutch heritagesite.

Mohamed in a video from the island on Friday said there were piles of uncollected garbage and abandoned rental equipment left behindfourdaysaftertheDiamond Jubilee celebrations which included a cultural performance andflag-raisingactivity

Standing amidst the litter, the Opposition Leader described the heavily publicised State event as a “colossal disaster” and an egregious waste of taxpayers’ funds.

“Theydesecratedthisplaceand left it, left all the garbage, everything scattered all over the entire place,” Mohamed charged, claimingthatthesitehadbeenwellmaintainedduringpreviousvisits.

“This place should have been cleanedupassoonasthisceremony was completed at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. We are already heading into the fourthday Whyisittakingthemso long?”hequestioned.

The broadcast detailed post-

Screengrab of garbage strewn by the monument

event debris, including discarded plastic bottles, food containers, cardboardboxes,andbeerbottles.

The Opposition Leader highlighted several instances where miniature copies of the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s nationalflag, were found scattered on the ground and mixed into the refuse.

Additionally, five large commercial generator sets and rowsofleasedartificialgreengrass mats remained stranded on the

historicalgrounds.

“Taxpayers’ money has to pay fortherentalforallthisequipment lying here,” Mohamed noted, adding that a newly constructed helicopter pad, which allegedly cost“tensofmillions,”wasutilised justonceforthePresident’sarrival.

Local residents also voiced their frustrations during the walkthrough, complaining of a heavy stench from rotting food waste and alleging that the heavy infrastructure setup had severely

Paintings and trestles used for the flag-raising activities left at Fort Island

damaged a local farmer’s drainage system.TheOppositionlaidblame directly on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., Minister of Education Sonia Parag, and the Minister of Local Government Priya Manickchand for failing to implement a postevent sanitation plan, predicting that local residents would ultimately be left to clean up the mess.

However,itshouldbenoted

Continued on page 10

…amidst threats of legal action on validity of elections Arudranauth Gossai elected new Bar Association President

Attorney-at-law

Arudranauth Gossai was elected President of the Bar Association of Guyana on Friday evening, securing the leadership of the legal body during its 47th Annual GeneralMeeting(AGM)

The virtually held election saw the highest membershipattendanceinthe Association’s history However, the turnout followed a pre-election period marked by formal complaints from financial members regarding the transparency and procedural integrity of the voting process

The elections for the 2026-2027 fiscal year Bar Council were fiercely contested The slate led by Gossai, who previously served as the outgoing Council’s Second VicePresident, successfully defeated a rival block of nomineesheadedbyattorney DarrenWade

Joining Gossai on the newlyelectedexecutivebody are former President Kamal Ramkarran, who was elected FirstVice-President,andTeni Housty, who was elected Second Vice-President Yashmini Singh was reelected to her post as Secretary, while Samuel Glasgow and Mohanie Anganoo were elected Treasurer and Assistant Secretary,respectively

The remaining seats on theBarCouncilwerefilledby Senior Counsel Robin Stoby and Jamela Ali, along with Horatio Edmondson, Rea Harris,ChevyDevonish,and Ron Motilall. Attorney Rajendra Jaigobin oversaw thelegalvotingprocessasthe designatedReturningOfficer

W h i l e t h e B a r Association celebrated such highengagement,thelead-up toFriday’sballotwasclouded bygrowinguneasewithinthe legalfraternity

Prior to the virtual meeting,agroupoffinancial members in good standing dispatched a formal letter to the Association’s Secretary demanding urgent clarification on the electoral framework

The members raised serious questions regarding the“identityandappointment of the Returning Officer, as well as the exact procedures governing nominations, ballotcounting,andthefinal declarationofresults.”

Furthermore, these

membersrequested“detailed disclosures regarding the management of the virtual platform This included questions about who would operatethebackendsystems, the total participant capacity, andcontingencymeasuresfor potential technical disruptions Of particular concern were reports that multiple eligible, financially compliant attorneys had not receivedofficialnoticeofthe AGM,promptingurgentcalls fortheimmediatepublication of a verified voter eligibility list to prevent member exclusion.”

Wade in a statement on Saturday said he circulated correspondence to a number ofstakeholders,includingthe Caribbean Court of Justice, the Supreme Court of JudicatureofGuyana,several Senior Counsel, former PresidentsoftheAssociation, and Mr Arun Gossai on the matter In response, former President Kamal Ramkarran indicated that the Secretary, Ms YashminiSingh,wasout ofthejurisdictionandthatthe Council would meet to considertheconcernsraised

Wade thereafter contacted several Council members who informed him that the Council had already held its statutory meeting for the month and that the concernsraisedhadnotbeen discussed

“Mr Wade went back to theemailthreadseekingfrom Mr Ramkarranthenoticethat wassentoutforthemeeting. No substantive response was subsequently provided to the issuesraised.

Upon the Secretary’s return to Guyana, Mr Wade contacted her directly regarding his concerns, particularlytherequestforthe list of eligible voters Ms Singh indicated that she requiredthepermissionofthe Bar Council before releasing thatinformation

Questions were also raised regarding the appointmentoftheReturning Officer, Mr Rajendra Jaigobin Members were not informed of the process by which the Returning Officer was selected and appointed, nor were any criteria communicated to the membership Mr Jaigobin is associated with Nandlall & Associates Law Firm C

appointmentprocesswerenot addressed prior to the

elections,”thestatementsaid

Atthecommencementof theAGM,Wadesaidheraised concerns regarding reports that several financial membershadnotreceivedthe required notice of the meeting He also questioned whether Attorneys-at-Law who were not engaged in privatepracticewereentitled tovoteintheelections

The issue generated significant discussion among

memberspresent

“Mr Wade and several members contended that the Rules clearly distinguish between Full Members and Associate Members and that Associate Members are expressly prohibited from voting

Nevertheless, Attorneysat-LawemployedbytheState and State agencies were permitted to vote Among thosereportedlypresentwere the Honourable Minister of Labour, Mr Keoma Griffith, M P.; the Honourable Minister of Education, Ms SoniaParag,MP;Directorof InsuranceMs TracyGibson; Senior Parliamentary CounselMr CharlesFung-aFatt, S C ; Ms Geeta Chandan, MP; Mr James Bond, M.P.; Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma; and other Attorneys employed within thepublicsector” Wade reportedly raised concerns regarding the verification of participants stating that there was no

comprehensive verification exercise to confirm the identity and eligibility of all persons participating in the meetingandelections

“Several participants did not have their cameras activated throughout the proceedings,” the statement detailed Additionally, Wade proposed a motion that the elections be suspended temporarily to facilitate a verificationexercise

“However, the Returning Officerdidnotputthemotion to the membership for considerationorvote,andthe elections proceeded without the proposed verification exercisebeingconducted”

The statement noted that additional concerns were raised regarding the overall transparency of the process, including the circulation of reports during the meeting that had not been distributed to members in advance and the manner in which certain aspects of the proceedings wereconducted

President of the Guyana BarAssociation, Arudranauth Gossai

“These concerns further contributed to questions regarding compliance with the Rules of the Association andtheoverallfairnessofthe electoralprocess

The Guyana Bar Association plays an important role in promoting theruleoflaw,protectingthe independence of the legal profession,andadvancingthe interestsofAttorneys-at-Law It is therefore essential thatitselectionsbeconducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, and beyond reproach,” Wade said while noting that the concerns raised are presently under review, and legal options, including proceedings challengingthevalidityofthe elections, are being considered

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

Wales GTE

how much and when?

The Wales Gas-to-Energy project (project) was priced at US$759MwhenLindsayca-CH4wasawardedthecontractto construct two facilities. One was for a Natural Gas Liquids plant, the other a 300-megawatt power plant. Since then, a Dispute Arbitration Award Board favoured the contractor withaUS$97Msettlementfordelaysrelatedtounstablesoil. Meanwhile, Lindayca-CH4 is working on an additional US$250Mtogetthetwoplantsdone. Consideringthoseand other developments, several questions spring up. What will be the final cost for this GTE project? When will it be finished, fully operational? And, is the promised 50% cut in electricitybillsstillfeasible?

In addition to the Lindsayca-CH4 US$97M award, there wasUS$2Mforattorneyfees,plusapproximatelyUS$166M for two Turkish powerboats, plus US$619M for fuel imports at higher costs due to the two-year delay in the GTE coming onstream. When these costs are aggregated, the result is a massiveUS$884Mmorethatshouldbeaddedtoaprojectthat began at US$759M. By the time it is completed, this project could cost Guyana not US$3B, as now looks likely, but still more. Americans, Turks, attorneys, and others with some relationship to the project have landed near a milking cow TheusuallosersareGuyanesestillwaitingtwoyearslaterfor the promise and dream of cheap and a steady supply of electricity to happen. Though the focus has been on the cost elements that increased the price of the project, there is the timecomponent.

It is nearing the middle of 2026, with no Wales GTE in operation. The promise was delivery in 2024. The new promise is by the end of this year It is a shaky deadline for two reasons. First, more than one delivery deadline was made before with the same result. Electricity starved Guyanese consumers are still waiting and, to which we add, paying in scarce, hard-earned cash for a supply that is more oftenoffthanon. Second,peopleintheknow,thosewhocan claim some level of expertise about this type of project, believethattheprojectbeingoperationbytheendofthisyear isoutofthequestion. WillDecember2026belikeDecember 2024and2025? WillGuyanesewhocouldusetheelectricity relief be disappointed once again? At the rate that the GTE game, which has been an uninterrupted scam so far, is going, 2026 yearend seems out. But to when, and how much more, those are among the questions for which answers have not been coming from the Project Consultant, Winston Brassington, or the brainbox behind the project, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, or the man who happens to have responsibility for energy, Prime Minister Mark Phillips. The prime minister has been a study of someone labouring under extremes stresses whenever he is asked to provide an update aboutthisUS$2Bproject.

No one in the PPP/C Government, nor any of those who have featured prominently in this expensive scheme that just keep growing in price and gobbling up years at a time, can present a straight story They are uncomfortable supplying simple, credible answers The foremost advocate for this projectwasBharratJagdeo Onaweeklybasis,andinhisusual boisterous manner, he was the senior official who struggled with questions about the project He first went around in circles, led the media on a merry-go-round When the fault lines became more obvious, he resorted to hostility and abuse Whenheranoutofanswersthatdidnotaddup,hesettledfora new tactic He stopped answering questions (‘answered before’and‘notansweringGTEquestionsanymore’) Aleader hiding from his handiwork, jumping ship as calls intensified aboutwheretheWalesprojectisheading,andwhenthislatest Guyanesetaxpayerordealwillbeoveranddone.

Finally, half-priced electricity was promised to local consumers when the cost of the project was US$759M. When all of the additional costs identified above are factored in, does that still apply? With the Wales GTE project set to cost almost a billion more, it would be interesting to observe what new gimmicks the PPP/C Government and Jagdeo concocttomaintainthehoped-forhalf-pricedelectricity.

Information Commissioner problem requires help from the local and regional court system, not more legislation

DEAR EDITOR,

Permit me to try and kill ‘two birds withonestone’inthisletter First,Ihave applauded the general sentiment, as reported elsewhere, that President Irfaan Ali’s recently suggested that government bonds will be made available for overseas-based Guyanese to become investors in Guyana. The general concept is way overdue given that foreigners are marching into Guyana, exploiting our natural resources and ‘paying Guyana’ what theydetermine.

Why can’t government incentivise Guyanese at home and abroad to become investors/shareholders in exploitation of their own natural resources so that returns on investments w o u l d r e d o u n d t o Guyanese instead of foreigners?

Having said that, I now find rather odd that, instead of building on Ali’s suggestion of the steps that government will take for the bonds idea to become a reality, we have Finance MinisterAshni Singh, reportedly urging Guyanese to ‘look abroad for investment opportunities’(KN,May30,2026).

His call not only appears to contradict Ali’s proposed bonds idea, but amounts to a WTFart kind of about face from a government that has long exhibited an aversion to Guyanese being the true owners of their country

Was Minister Singh instructed to ‘course correct’ Ali’s vision of government bonds, perhaps indicating disagreement in the Freedumb House? For Ashni’s information, overseasbased Guyanese are already investing abroad.Dammit!

While we await further clarity on that oddity, I want to address another KN article for May 30, “Legislation needed to compel Govt., Commissioner to provide public with information –APNU.” The reality here is that more legislation is not what is needed, but a buildingonthestepstakenbyChartered Accountant,AttorneyandActivist, ChristopherRamtoengagethe High Court’s attention for a resolution to the Charles Ramson Snr problem. To-date, I have not seen anypublicrecordin

Continued on page 6

M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

We must confront and defeat political fear

DEAR EDITOR,

Iseektoraisetheissueof fear in our society, particularly political fear

This prevailing paralysis, while undeniable, is often glossed over in public political discussions It seems as though we share a collective reluctance to confront the politics of fear, preferringinsteadtofocuson otheraspectsofthecountry’s economic, social and politicalrealities.

Guyanese often ask why the masses at present are so sheepish in the face of their oppression. Yet the question itself can serve as a way of distancing responsibility, placingtheburdensonothers rather than examining our own role in confronting the situation.

We seek comfort in the position of an impartial observer Therein lies the problem. We have become people who want change without sacrifice, a notion inconsistentwithourhistory We overcame slavery,

i n d e n t u r e s h i p , a n d

colonialism through resistance and struggle Progress was achieved, but not without pain. This is not only our history but the historyofhumankind.

Our greater problem is that we are afraid to confront fear itself, because doing so inevitably raises the question:what is to be done? This is the elephant in the room. It is not that we have lost our collective memory of historic and more recent

struggles. Rather, we have allowed those who govern to cultivate a politics of fear that has encouraged us to police ourselves. In effect, we engage in self-inflicted fear, granting our rulers far more power over us than theyactuallypossess.

To date, no major section of society, whether political or civil, has given sustained commitment to challenging this culture of fear To its credit,WPAistheexception.

A keen observer noted that apart from Politics101 by Dr David Hinds, few intellectual or political resources are currently devoted to addressing this weakness within the body politic.

This is not an issue to be left exclusively to the opposition leadership. It is a matter for the wider society as a whole. Politicians are often beneficiaries of fear in governance, making it unwise to depend on them exclusivelyforitsresolution. But since they are part of the problem, they must also be partofthesolution.

Trade unions played an importantroleinthestruggle against oppression and exploitation long before the formation of political parties. Today, however, they have been weakened by repression and changing international circumstances.

“Solidarity forever,” once an expression of labour’s collective strength against employers and government, has lost its effectiveness and

isnowamereslogan.

I have long held the view that Guyanese society is too racially and politically polarised for sustained united action against the rulers.

Polarisation deepens insecurity and mistrust. Our ethnic communities often fear each other, making society more vulnerable to manipulation and less capableofcollectiveaction.

Yetthisisnoexcuse.Just as individuals must struggle with their weakness, nations do the same. Citizens who are conscious of our problems and are committed to changing the direction have a duty to initiate action. A failure to do so becomes partoftheproblem.Whatare theoptionsopentosociety?

Fundamentally, there are two options: accept the situationorfightback.Toput it in a popular saying, fight fire with fire. Given that the regime is committed to oppression and repression, patriots must be equally committed to fighting back using the tools known to

national united action is preferable in the war against fear, it is unlikely to develop in the short or medium term unless there is a major upsurge in the African community

My aim is to raise the issue in a way that fosters within both the African community and the wider nation a stronger resolve to confront it. We are already conscious of the problem; what is needed is the determination to act. We should also bear in mind that the price of confronting fear now will be far less than the price of postponing the struggleuntilthefuture.

In anticipation of my critics, let me state clearly that this is not an academic analysis of fear in politics and governance. I leave that task to sociologists and political scientists My intervention is one of advocacy and persuasion, driven by the conviction that change begins with a willingness to confront

uncomfortablerealities.

There is no need for me to provide an exhaustive catalogue of how fear operates in Guyana. Most citizens encounter it in everydaylife.Fearmanifests itself when public servants hesitate to criticise government polices out of concern for their jobs or careers, when citizens avoid attending opposition meetingsbecausetheyworry about being identified or victimised, and when community leaders remain silent on matters of public concern rather than risk losing access to State resources or opportunities (likecontracts).

It is also evident in the reluctance of many business owners, professionals, and the general public to speak openly on political issues, even in private settings These are symptoms of a

broader political culture in which self-censorship has become normalised. The big challenge is therefore not understanding how fear works but building the confidence, solidarity, and organisation necessary to overcome it and ask the enduring question: What is tobedone?

In concluding this missive, I will be satisfied if it contributes, however modestly, to a growing willingness within the nation, and especially within the African community, to address this issue both privately and publicly If it does so, it will have served a usefulpurpose.

The choice before us is clear: either we confront and defeat political fear, thereby restoring our freedom, or we continuetofacilitateourown domination.

Tacuma Ogunseye.

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Will a Guyanese Dangote please stand up?

DEAR EDITOR,

For those who don’t know whoAliko Dangote is, h e i s t h e N i g e r i a n businessman who gave his country an oil refinery with his vison, intelligence & perseverance. Dangote since 2013 realised his oil producing country was selling raw crude which brought in pittance in reference to Nigeria’s potential, so he embarked on pursuingarefinery

He realised that with oil, timber, cocoa, and mineral ore, the real money was in refining these resources which the developed world controlled reaping the lion’s shareofmassiveprofitsfrom the 3rd world When Dangote announced his plans for a refinery in Nigeria, he was told by foreign entities, it was a bad idea.

This alone made him more resolute since he knew whenever foreign entities give advice to 3rd world countries, it was for them to make money, not the country, if the country gets scraps, and pittance from their advice then so be it. So, Dangote began his quest

, contractors, foreign, and local expertise, government permits, refinery equipment, and all the components his refinery would require to startbuildingit.

Amid pollical turmoil in Nigeria influenced by foreign interest to hamper Dangote’s dream of a refinery, he stood resolute and would not be denied,

since 2024 Dangote’s Refinery has been producing refined aircraft fuel, gasoline, diesel, and other refined petroleum products selling to countries all over the world Dangote’s company will soon be listed onthestockexchange,andis expected to sell shares from its initial public offering (IPO) close to 40 billion US$, so Nigerians will be able to purchase shares in theirownrefinery

Business analysts have forecasted the value of Dangote’s refinery to rival the top ones in the world due toIran’sretaliatorystrikeson refineries in the Middle East after the destructive strikes on Iran own refineries. In addition to this, there has been bizarre fires, and production hampering incidents at oil refineries globally, in the last 60 days alone,therehasbeen11such incidents to 7 refineries in the U S , India, Mexico, Ecuador,andAustralia.

Dangote proved if one does the right thing, one can get rich from their country’s resources without corrupt deals, since those who corrupt you would be your masters having you giving away your country’s wealth for a pittance by holding threatening sanctions, and criminal charges over you.

The question is not whether Guyanamustbuildarefinery since this government is incapable of such projects, if they do embark on one it becomes riddled with shenanigans plus being bloated with overrun costs.

The Wales Gas Plant, a less

complex venture than a refinery, is already being proven to be an expensive bungling disaster with limited information available.

If all the information comes forth, most likely it will be proven to be national financial tragedy It is not Dangote’s refinery that is applicabletoGuyana,buthis principle that citizens of countries must decide the deals where their resources are concerned rather than foreignentities.

Yet there is a different a

Guyana’s wealth contrasting Dangote’s, where Guyana’s leaders like stubborn obstinate mules refuse to budge on changes to contracts

fit Guyanese citing sanctity of contract even as this was in their election campaign, and manifesto promise. The only time changes come is when the foreign entities require change, and such changes happen even if parliament must sit to facilitate such changes.

This refusal to budge is even being defended as aligning to international standards, making Guyana a countryonadifferentplanet, since no other country on earth makes deals on their resources like Guyana APNU now makes the excuse that they didn’t know about oil when they signed the contract, really APNU? Didn’t you know you had to consult with an oil management firm or a team of experts or even Bharat J a g d e o w h o k n e w

everything about oil as opposition prior to signing? How could you miss something this important while representing a country as the government? Finally, A P N U s p e a k s o f renegotiation, they have probably realised the slightest of paths they have to State House is to speak of renegotiation of contracts to attractindependentvoters.

So, kudos toAPNU, now APNU must now bring up the relinquishment of the 20%oftheoilblocksbackto Guyana which is now due. APNU must now say the original contract was based on3billionbarrelsofoil,any amount over that, and any other oil finds outside the contract parameters requires a new profit-sharing agreement to stop the sanctity of contract argument. APNU must stop

taking blame for signing the contract, since nine agreements had to be signed prior to production, the PPP signed7,APNUsigned2.

APNU waived taxes while PPP waived unlimited parent company guarantee insurance for oil spills, translation, 11 documents signed for the oil operations m a k i n g i t 1 1 f o r Exxon/Partners for Guyana. APNU must also say they would have limited the flaringfromtheoiloperating eliminating the current unbearableheatinGuyana.

In the end, Guyanese must share some of the blame for what transpires in this country, this newspaper is reluctant to blame Guyanese, so maybe we should blame Tanzanians or other countries citizens instead Guyanese who intend to stay in Guyana or

thediasporacominghometo resettle should note, the management of the resource wealth in Guyana is taking a dangerous turn. Normally, sensible countries with a variety of resources pursue some and preserve some due tomarketturbulence. Unfortunately, ALL of Guyana’s resources are going from Guyana simultaneously, so all be gone together now that Uranium has now joined the farewell party behind oil, gold, bauxite, timber, diamonds, manganese, etc. For Guyanese to survive going forward, they better put a stop to the plundering of Guyana has already gone too far with the country on thebrink,soGuyanesebetter find their Dangote or continuing misery will be bestoweduponthem.

Concerned Citizen

Information Commissioner problem...

From page 4 which the High Court handed down any ruling on Ram’smotionsfiledin2025, which means the matter is still open to an amicus curiae Maybe the Court does not see the Ramson problemasapriority

But if we revisit the appointment of Ramson to whatappearstobeRamson’s tenured position as Information Commissioner (2013topresent),welearned from then Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Roger Luncheon, that “the Commissionerhaspowersto p r o v i d e a c c e s s t o information if so required and to publish what is in the possession and control of publicauthorities”.

Additionally, “The C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information, under the Act, has considerable powers, the power to ensure disclosure. Guyanese would be told, through the media, that this information is available, available for access by members of the public. The Commissioner would be advising Guyanese how that is to be done,” (“Former Appeal Court Judge Ramson n o w I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner,” (Guyana Chronicle,May23,2013).

To the nation’s dismay, not only has Ramson failed to live up to Luncheon’s 2013 preview of the job, but a s s u r a n c e t h a t t h e

I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner’s office wouldbelocatedinOfficeof the President also did not

materialise In fact, Ramson’s residence has served as his government office with a taxpayerfunded sum of GY$40M or US$200,000 a year The President doesn’t seem b o t h e r e d b y t h i s skullduggery, but how can anyone comfortably collect millionsoftaxpayers’dollars ayeartodonothing,whichis illegal, and not appear in HighCourt?

Besides, Guyanese seeking information would likely need to make an appointment and show up at a private residence to conduct government-related business Who would compensate persons in event of injury or loss or worse while doing government business on private property?

Editor, since the caption of the news article in question cites APNU as its s o u r c e , i t i n v i t e s commentaryonthefailureof the Coalition Government to legally address the

I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner’s abdication of his taxpayer-funded responsibility. In a December11,2018Stabroek Newsstory,“Ramsonsacked as Commissioner of Information since March,” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo reportedly told the Committee of Supply, on December 10 or the day before, that Ramson was sackedinMarch2018.

Almost one year later, Stabroek News did a followup on November 17, 2019,

“Ramson still performing duties of Commissioner of Information despite purported ‘dismissal’.” Not o n l y d i d R a m s o n successfully challenge the ‘dismissal’claim in the High Court (January 11, 2019), he noted the Court ruled the C o a l i t i o n ’s a c t i o n s constituted an ‘abuse of the process’.

Whether the Coalition Government understood at the time that the Information AccessAct laid out the steps f o r r e m o v i n g t h e Information Commissioner (being ‘unfit to continue in office due to a physical or mental infirmity’ qualified since he was not doing his job), the government likely failed to go with Plan B: the same way the PPP used its parliamentary majority to pass the 2011 Act and appoint Ramson in 2013, the Coalitioncouldhaveusedits parliamentary majority to e l i m i n a t e t h e p o s t completely as opposed to trying to remove Ramson. The Coalition dropped the ball.

ItisonethingforthePPP government to have disdain for the Constitution and Guyanese, but a whole different thing for the Opposition parties not to understand their taxpayerfundedroleinresponsetoor, in certain cases, preempting the government’s moves. If you are not an effective Opposition, you cannot expect to be an effective government.Period.

Emile Mervin

The art of the scapegoat

Imagine poor John (not his real name). John gets a good job. Not a rich man’s job, mind you, but a decent one. The kind that allows him to finally move out of rented accommodation and build a little stability for his family

The bank sees his appointmentletterandoffers him a loan. The furniture store approves a hirepurchase agreement He buys a car because he needs transportation for work. The children are enrolled in a better school. Life begins to lookpromising.

John works hard He turns up on time. He follows instructions. He does what is expectedofhim.

Then one day, without warning, he is told that his services are no longer required. Not because he stole money Not because he was incompetent Not becauseheviolatedanyrule.

He simply becomes expendable. A convenient casualty A sacrificial offering.Ascapegoat.

The bank does not care thatJohnhaslosthisjob.The loan payments remain due. The furniture company still wants its money The insurance premiums must still be paid. The school fees donotdisappear

B u t s o m e b o d y somewhere decides that John must go Why? Because politics often

requires theatre. And theatre requires actors More importantly, it requires victims.Thisisthecontextin which one has to assess the recent mass replacement of Regional Executive Officers.

None of those replaced has been publicly accused of corruption No public inquiry has established wrongdoing. No transparent performance review has demonstratedincompetence. Nocredibleprocesshasbeen laid before the public showing that these individuals failed in their duties.

Yettheyaregone.

The official explanation

may vary, but many

Guyanese have become accustomed to a familiar political pattern. Whenever allegations of corruption begin attracting attention, thereisoftenasuddendesire to demonstrate action Someone must be seen payingaprice. Andbecausethepolitical heavyweights rarely seem available for sacrifice, attention shifts downwards. Thesmallfishbecomeeasier targetsthanthebigsharks. This is what might be called the theory of political deflection.Underthistheory, the purpose of removing junior officials is not necessarily to punish wrongdoing. Rather, it is to create the appearance that

Dem Boys Seh...

Dem boys seh Guyana got a strange disease. It ain’t COVID. It ain’t dengue. It ain’t even pothole fever Is de belief that nothing in dis country can happen unless somebodywithabigtitle,flashinglightsand a convoy pass through and sprinkle holy waterpondeproblem.

De latest outreach meetings prove de point. People line up from cock-crow morning to tell de Vice President and Ministers things like de drain need cleaning, a pension paper get lost, a land application sleeping longer than Rip Van Winkle, and somebody at an office refuse to answer de phone. By de time de outreach done, hundredsofproblemssuddenlygetsolved.

Now dem boys got a simple question: if all dem problems could be fixed in one afternoon, why de bureaucracy couldn’t fix dembefore?

Itlikeowningafirestationbuteverytime somebody see smoke, de President got to comepersonallywithabucket.

Dem boys seh de outreach exercise accidentally reveal a national secret. De bureaucracy functioning like a car with four flat tyres. Instead of changing de tyres, everybody celebrating because de passengerspushingdecarfaster

And de people encourage it too. Plenty citizens convinced that a complaint only

government is taking decisiveaction.

T h e p u b l i c s e e s dismissals The headlines report changes The international community observes movement A message is sent that somethingisbeingdone.

Whether the action addresses the real source of concern becomes a secondary matter The unfortunate reality is that non-political public officials often occupy the most vulnerable position in the politicalfoodchain.

Theycarryresponsibility but possess little power They implement decisions but rarely make them. They can be removed quickly while those at higher levels remaininsulated.

And this is where many Guyanese detect an inconsistency When last did the public witness a minister being sent home because of controversy surrounding his orherministry?

When last did a senior member of the political directorate lose office because public confidence had been undermined? Such e x a m p l e s a p p e a r exceedingly rare. If at all therearesuchexamples

Indeed, a perception has emerged that once a person reaches ministerial rank, he or she becomes practically untouchable. Controversies come Controversies go

Questions are raised Statements are issued. Yet thepoliticaldirectorateoften remainsremarkablyintact.

Meanwhile, lower-level officials continue to face abrupt career disruptions This is not to suggest that REOs or other public servants should enjoy i m m u n i t y f r o m accountability

Quite the opposite Accountability is essential. Where misconduct exists, evidence should be presented and action should follow Whereincompetence is established, consequences shouldresult.

But fairness demands process. Fairness demands transparency Fairness demands that people know whytheyarebeingremoved.

Otherwise, accountability begins to resemble something else. It begins to resemblesymbolism.

The danger is that such mass dismissals create fear throughout the public service. Officials learn that com

Performance may not guarantee stability And loyalty may not guarantee protection.Theylearnthatin times of political difficulty, someone must always be available to absorb the shock.

Someone must become the evidence that action is being taken. Someone must become the headline SomeonemustbecomeJohn.

The tragedy, of course, is that the real issues often

remain untouched The spotlight shifts. The public conversation changes. The controversy moves on. But the underlying concerns continuetolinger

And while the architects o f p o w e r r e m a i n comfortably in place, another collection of expendable officials quietly packs up their desks and heads home, wondering how they became the answer to questionstheynevercreated.

(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.)

become important after it reach somebody whose title got enough initials to fill a bowl ofalphabetsoup.

In post-colonial societies, de cult of personality does flourish better than tadpole in rainy season. People start believing leaders got magical powers. A simple signature become a miracle. A routine administrative task become a heroic rescue mission.

Soon enough, if somebody lose a goat, they might demand a Cabinet outreach. If a pipe burst, they might ask for a ministerial commission of inquiry If de dog refuse to bark, somebody gon request de Vice Presidentintervention.

Meanwhile, de actual public service sitting in de corner like an abandoned bicycle.

Dem boys seh a good government is not one where leaders constantly rescue citizens frombureaucracy.Agoodgovernmentisone wherecitizensneverneedrescuingindefirst place.

But miracles make better headlines than functioninginstitutions.

And dat, unfortunately, is why de Ministry of Miracles always got more customers than de Department of Common Sense.

Talk half. Leff half.

SluggishIntegrityCommissionfilers

It is a big number, those 231 Guyanese public officialswhofailedtofilethe required declaration of their assets before the Integrity Commission. The men and women whose names have been published by the Commission cover many spaces,highplaces.

They are not local riffraff, but hold some very prominent offices. It is troublingthatsomuchissaid aboutrespectfortheGuyana Constitution, yet there are those who should know better, be first in line to declare their assets, but whose names are the Commission’s list for reportedlynotdoingso.

Thenamesalarm. Some immediately caught the eye, slammed like a bad migraine Included are former Opposition Leader, Mr Aubrey Norton, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxanne, former chancellor(ag),CarlSingh. Following them in close f o r m a t i o n a r e 1 0 magistrates, 6 high-ranking public servants, 5 MPs, 4 former deans of the University of Guyana, and two diplomats. I stop there. Tooksleepingpill. Had enough. I implore thesefineGuyanese,all231, tosaythatit’snotso;thatthe Commissionerred;thatthey forgot; that emergencies

prevented timely filing There’saproblem. Their problem is my problem; well, at least, I make it mine. It is almost a year later, minus a few weeks, since the period for which their asset reports passed. Fault or flimflam? Theynowhaveanotherthree weekstofile,courtesyofthe Commission.

Frankly, I think the Commission is being too lenient. If any of the names published did not declare, then the time for excuses, apologies and submissions haslongexpired. Examples must be set, standards maintained. Rememberthat favourite saying in high

political and educational circlesinthiscountry,which iscertaintobeamainstayin theSeeofthejudiciary

There are no sacred cows. If there are such untouchables,mypreference is not to be anywhere near thatpasture. Fortherecord, Ihavehadinteractionwitha handfulofthe231.

They impressed as different people: clean hands, clear heads, and comprehensive eyesight. Summary: they can see the straight path and they know how to navigate it. Not one ofthemstruckmeasthetype that would be slow to act when timely declaration of assetsisinvolved.

I hope I am wrong, would like to give all 231 allegedly slothful Guyanese the benefit of the doubt. It would comfort to know that they were not handicapped by too much weight that madethemtentative.

From the world of horseraces and racetracks, I share this little piece of turf wisdom Many a thoroughbred that had to labour (run) with too much weight (as handicapped) ended up outside the winner’scircle. Justapiece ofhorsesenseforeveryone.

Whether their names are on the Commission’s list or not,itdoesn’tmatter

Onanothernote,itwould beinterestingifanyofthese Guyanese were encumbered by difficulties that would make a cost-of-living hurtingGuyanesedroolwith envy, his heart pound with anger That is, some in the Commission’s batch of 231 forits2024-25HallofFame, havesomanyassetsthatthey just can’t compile them quickly and efficiently enough to facilitate the timely handing over of their paperstothewatchdog.

T h o u g h s u c h circumstances are alien to me, I can understand. First,

the paperwork involved; putting the countless pieces together, and delivering the mostcompletepicturetothe Commission Which Guyanese would want to be caught napping by hustling to deliver their declarations on time, only to discover later that they left out a few assets, because they were so many?

Why risk stirring up unending speculations (the unfriendliest kinds), especially if much market value is involved? Could it be they have so little to report, that they sat on their hands.

Anyhow, now that the Integrity Commission has broadcast,thespotlightison those231namesthatarepart of Guyana’s Who’s Who Registry, its nobility, its aristocracy, and its landed gentrythrowninforflavour For those interested, I have nothingtoreport.

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

FortIslandtobecome...

Frompage2

thattheGuyanaFestivaleventsheldattheNationalStadium allcomprisedofpost-eventsanitationworkers.

TheMinistryofTourismcounteredMohamed’scontention by announcing multi-million-dollar plans to transform the historiclocationintoapremiereco-tourismhub

In a press release that avoided direct mention of the cleanup delays, the government in a joint statement titled “GREAT NEWS! Fort Island to Become Major Tourism Destination announcedthatthehighturnouthasaccelerated long-termdevelopmentstrategiesforthearea.

“Following the recent Diamond Jubilee Independence CelebrationswhichwasheldatFortIslandforthefirsttime, the event saw thousands in attendance indicating the potential of the tourism destination and encouraging more people to reconnect with its story and significance,” the governmentstatementread.

According to the Tourism Ministry, the event successfully catalysed interest from the private sector, with multiple local and international investors signaling explicit intent to construct eco-lodges on the island. The proposed upgrades aim to permanently improve maritime access, enhance the overall visitor experience, and integrate the island deeply into the national tourism route while strictly preservingits18th-centuryheritage.

The ministry emphasised that the development frameworkisstructuredtoempowertheisolatedcommunity directly, enabling residents to build sustainable revenue streams by providing meals, hospitality services, and logisticalsuppliestoanexpandinginfluxoftravelers.

“Together, these efforts are helping to preserve rich cultural heritage while ensuring Fort Island remains accessible,relevant,andengagingforvisitors,”theMinistry concluded,promisingfurtherupdatesasinfrastructuralwork progresses.

Turkish power company holds Guyana at ransom for more $$$ as contract expires

The Government of Guyana (GoG) is currently being held at ransom by the Turkishpowershipcompany – Karpowership - which is reportedly demanding higher rates in order to keep the lights on in Guyana, while State officials scramble behind closed doors,beggingforextratime tonegotiate.

exclusivelyseenbythis publication, exposes the chilling reality of Guyana’s energy crisis. The document sent by Karadeniz Powership Yasin Bey Company Limited and Urbacon C o n c e s s i o n s InvestmentstoMinister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, reveals that the governmentiscurrently being strong-armed into a rapid, secret contract renewal under the threat of immediate disconnection at the New Amsterdam location.

A damning joint letter dated May 25, 2026,

The country rented two vessels from Karpowership - a 36-

megwatts (MW) facility is dockedintheBerbiceRiver, while the 60MW craft is stationed in the Demerara River.

According to the letter, the initial “Powership Time Charter Plus Agreement” officiallyexpiredonMay21, 2026.Recognisingthecrisis they are in, the Ministry desperately wrote to the company on May 22, beggingforanadditional30day extension to hash out a newcontract.

Thepowershipoperators however flatly rejected the government’s plea, informing that it could not facilitate such a lengthy extension,grantinginsteada limited one-week window which closes on Monday, June1,2026.

Signed by Beyza Özdemir,Americas Director of Commercial Operations, and Antonio Neto, Managing Director of Urbacon, the letter explained, “We are unfortunately unable to accommodate a further thirty(30)daysextension.”

T h e e x e c u t i v e s explained that they have alreadycontinuedtoprovide services beyond the expiration date of the contract and urged that the negotiations and approval process be expedited to allow the continuation of servicebeyondJune1,2026.

The operators demanded that the government moves swiftly, stating that “alignment and unification ofthecommercialtermsand pricing structure across all country operations remain essential requirements for the continuation of the arrangement.”

The 36-MW powership that supplies Berbice with electricity

In other words, Guyana is being forced to accept the new pricing arrangement, whichislikelyexorbitant,by June1,orthelightsgooutas the executives ominously concludedthattheytrustthe matter will be settled “to avoid any interruption to operations.”

The situation leaves Guyana, a sovereign nation, being bullied by a barge operator with just days’ notice, the result of the catastrophic handling of the much-touted Gas-to-Energy (GTE)project.

The emergency power rental, already bleeding taxpayers billions in unscrutinised payments was only necessary because Phase One of the GTE projectfailedtodeliveronits promises - cheaper electricity by the end of 2024. The project is now instead “on track for delivery”bytheendof2026 accordingtogovernment.

The two-year delay falls squarely at the feet of GTE Task Force head Winston Brassington and the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor,CH4-Lindsayca.

Despite the billions of taxpayers’ dollars pumped intotheWalesdevelopment, Lindsayca Inc. has dragged its feet, missing critical deadlines and leaving the national grid starved of the promisedbaseloadpower

Because Lindsayca could not finish the job on time, and because Brassington’s task force failed to manage the timeline, the government was forced into a desperate panic and turned to Karpowership to rent

emergency power, throwing away money on temporary barges instead of securing long-term assets for the country

The government is now being held at ransom by Karpowership which knows that the GoG has no backup plan; as a result of the GTE delays,theforeigncompany hastheultimateleverage.

They can dictate their terms, demand their pricing to their maximum benefit, and deny standard 30-day extensions,takingadvantage of the fact that the Ministry ofPublicWorkshasitshands tiedbehinditsback.

The power crisis however exposes a deeper troubling reality, a nation that is fed only with convenient information by its government that controls billionsofoilrevenue.

The nation was only madeawarethattheirenergy sector is days away from a contract cliff after this newspaper accessed leaked documents.

Thegovernmentremains tight-lipped on exactly how manymillionsofUSdollars this “unification of commercial terms” will cost the public purse On Saturday, Minister Deodat Indar did not respond to a requestforacommentonthe power deal involving Karpowership.

Every extra dollar squeezed out of Guyana by the energy company is a dollar wasted—and reflects the incompetence of those taskedtomanagetheproject, the failures of Lindsayca Inc., and the questionable legal maneuvering surrounding the entire Gasto-Energyfiasco.

GouveiaJr.re-elected PSCChairman

PSCChair

CaptainGerryGouveiaJr andKathySmith, on Friday, were re-elected to their posts as ChairpersonandViceChairpersonrespectively ofthePrivateSectorCommission’s(PSC)34th AnnualGeneralMeeting

In a statement on Friday, the PSC said it, “successfully convened its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which members elected the organisation’s leadership team for the 2026–2027 term and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing private sector development, economic growth,andnationalprosperity.”

The newly elected Executive Committee are Capt. Gerald Gouveia Jr – Chairperson, Ms. Kathy Smith - Vice Chairperson, Mr Imran Saccoor – Treasurer, Ms. Josephine Tapp-HonorarySecretaryandMr Manniram Prashad-CorporateCoordinator

The PSC thanked its members and stakeholders for their support and participation in theAnnual General Meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to a competitive business environment, sustainable economic growth, and being a strongvoiceforGuyana’sprivatesector.

Truckreversesinto GPLpolecausingpower outageatDiamond

Thewireshangingoveracar

AtruckreversedintoautilitypoleatThird Avenue Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday damaging it along with anothervehiclewhilecausingapoweroutage inthatcommunity

The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) in a statement said the incident occurred around 09:30hrs, as the impactresultedindislodgementofassociated hardware, which caused electrical arching anddamagetoacustomer’svehiclethatwas nearby Noinjurieswerereported.

“The driver subsequently fled the scene. GPLhassincemadecontactwiththeownerof the vehicle, Mr Anson Charles, who has provided information to assist with the investigation.Thematterhasbeenreportedto the Diamond Police Station, and efforts are ongoing to locate the driver,” the company said.

GPL condemned the dangerous,

irresponsible behaviour which was not only disruptive to customers’service but posed a serious risk to members of the public. The power company said that such incidents are treatedwithutmostseriousnessandcommits topursuing,asithasdoneinthepast,allofthe available avenues to ensure that the perpetratorsareheldresponsible.

“GPLisagainstronglyurgingdriversand equipment operators to exercise extreme caution when operating near electrical infrastructure. The increasing frequency of these types of incidents is deeply alarming and unacceptable, as they continue to place livesatriskandcompromisethereliabilityof theelectricitynetwork,”thecompanysaid.

Further, GPL warned that even minor contact with its infrastructure can have far reachingandsevereconsequences,including serviceinterruptions,damagetopropertyand potentialinjuryorlossoflife.

Natalia Ann Jo rdan

MeetthebeautifulNataliaAnnJordan,aUS-based Guyanese.Shedescribesherselfasaconfidentandresilient person,whobelievesingrowth,faith,andstayingtrueto herself.Nataliafindspeaceinmusic,readingbooks,relaxingat home.SheiscurrentlyonajourneytoearnherGEDandpursue herfuturegoals.Shesays“Iuselife’sexperiencestobecome stronger,wiser,andmorefocusedonthefutureIwantfor myselfandthepositiveimpactIhopetohaveonothers.”

Her favourite verse is from the Bible, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

Not Charity, but Repair: a Response to Pope Leo’s Slavery Apology

By Sir Ronald Sanders

Signed on 15th May, 2026 and released on 25th May, 2026, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica

Humanitas, marks a significant moment in the longreckoningwithslavery Itcontainstheclearestpapal acknowledgment to date of the Holy See’s role in legitimising the institution andofitsfailuretocondemn itforcenturies.

For the Caribbean and Latin America, that acknowledgmenthasspecial force. Roman Catholicism did not merely accompany conquest and plantation society in this region; it helped shape the moral language through which empire,hierarchy,andracial domination were too often made to appear lawful and natural.

That is why, as a precocious 11-year-old, I parted company with the Catholic Church when an Irish priest told me that, when I grew up, I would understandtheeconomicsof theChurch.Ihadaskedwhy pewsatthefront,bearingthe namesofrichwhitefamilies, were mostly empty while many poor, mostly Black membersofthecongregation hadtostandattheback.That earlyexperiencerevealedthe widersocialorderthatmany in our region inherited: race andclassorderednotonlyon theplantation,butalsointhe pews.

Andrew S Curran’s recent book, Biography of a Dangerous Idea, released in February2026,helpsexplain why such arrangements could endure for so long. Curran’scentralthesisisthat racewasnotanaturalfactor biological truth, but an invention shaped in the Enlightenment, as European thinkers fashioned rigid hierarchies of human difference to justify slavery, empire, and inequality If Pope Leo has now acknowledged the Church’s complicity in legitimising slavery, Curran helps us understand the intellectual design that gave that complicity wider force: the dangerous idea that some humanbeingswerenaturally meant to command while others were naturally meant toserve.

If Curran explains the idea, Dr Eric Williams explains the system In Capitalism and Slavery,first

published in 1944, Williams argued that slavery was central to the rise of British capitalismandthatabolition owed much to changing economic interests. A West Indian to the core, he produced a thesis that remains foundational in the Caribbean:slaverywasnota regrettable side note to moderndevelopment;itwas one of its engines The wealth extracted from enslaved Africans and from plantation societies in the Caribbean helped finance a wider Atlantic economy from which European p o w e r s b e n e f i t e d disproportionately Read together, Williams and Curran provide a compelling framework for understanding the deeper meaning of Pope Leo’s apology Williams explains how slavery generated capital; Curran shows how race provided legitimacy Church,commerce,law,and pseudo-science did not operate in separate worlds. They converged in the making of an Atlantic order in which African suffering could be rationalised, normalised,andexploited.

That is why Pope Leo’s apology, historic and courageous though it is, cannot be the end of the matter In Magnifica Humanitas, he speaks of forgiveness, sorrow, and restorative justice, but he stops short of explicitly endorsingreparations.Inthe nations of the Western Hemisphere, where the legacy of slavery remains visible in unequal development, racial hierarchy, educational disparity, land inequality, and enduring social exclusion, apology without commitment to help repair remains politically unsatisfactory

Theinternationalcontext is shifting as well. On 25th March, 2026 the United Nations General Assembly

adopted a landmark resolutionthatrecognisesthe trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africansasthegravestcrime against humanity. Led by Ghana and backed by an overwhelming majority of African, Latin American, and Caribbean states, the resolution calls for reparationsasaconcretestep towards remedying these historical wrongs and for much greater attention to

justice, dignity, and healing for Africans and their descendants It does not create new law, but it does send a clear political and moral signal: slavery is not just a closed chapter in history; its consequences still shape lives and opportunitiestoday

Yet as soon as the discussion turns from memory to reparations, resistance hardens across parts of Europe and North America. In Britain, that unease is visible in the continuing debate over whether the Anglican Church should endorse and finance reparative measures for its historical links to slavery Critics continue to resist the idea that presentday institutions bear obligations flowing from historical crimes The pattern is by now familiar: institutions are often preparedtoresearchslavery, regret slavery, and condemn slavery; however, they become markedly less comfortable when justice requires structured commitmentstorepair It need not take the form of giant cheques. Sincere apologies, honestly naming the wrong, matter But they must be matched by longterm social and economic programmes through which those who profited from slavery commit real resources to help lift up the societies that slavery impoverished and scarred with racism. This is not an idea that should inspire fear

I n i t s g e n u i n e implementation, reparative justice can help make the worldawealthier,fairer,and more human place by affirmingthedignityofall.

This is especially importantatamomentwhen people of African descent have risen across the Caribbean in government, commerce,andcivilsociety In Latin America, North America, and Europe, African-descendant communities are also participatingmoreforcefully and more effectively in public policy, diplomacy, academia, activism, and culture.Inthatcontext,while expressions of remorse are i m p o r t a n t , t h e implementation of systems to ensure equality, equity, respect, and an end to racial discriminationiscrucial.

Pope Leo’s apology matters because moral acknowledgment matters

But the descendants of enslaved people do not live by acknowledgment alone. History also teaches that words, however sincere, do not by themselves repair inequality, exclusion, or inheriteddisadvantage.Ifthe international community is sincere in confronting s l a v e r y a n d i t s consequences,remembrance mustbematchedbypractical commitments to justice, opportunity, dignity, and an

Reparative justice is not aboutrevengeforthepast.It isaboutresponsibilityforthe future.

Descendants of African slaves are not asking for charity from nations whose wealth was built, in part, on slavery and racism; they are asking for practical repair and a better deal now and in thefuture.

S

C

University of Guyana. The views expressed are entirely hisown).

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of A m e r i c a a n d t h e Organization of American

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

‘Independencecannot existwithGuyanesein economicbondage’-Ram ...cites control of foreign entities of country’s oil, gold and other resources

“A country has no claim to economictransformation,letalone Independence,ifitscitizensremain marginaltothestrategiccoreofits most profitable industry Where is theindependencewhenourcountry exportsitsnaturalresourcesandits childreninthesamebreath?”

This profound message was presentedbyCharteredAccountant

and prominent attorney, ChristopherRamduringanaddress at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Symposium on Independence, held at the Guyana Teachers Union Hall, Woolford Avenue,GeorgetownonMay21.

In opening remarks, Ram quoted the words of then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, founder-leader of the People’s NationalCongressonJuly15,1971

who in a Linden address highlighted Guyana’s “political independence” without a “new economy”.

The former President reportedly said, “We achieved political independence on the 26th May, 1966. We got ourselves a new flag. We got ourselves a new outfit. We got ourselves a new wardrobe. But we did not get ourselves a new economy Our economy continued to be dominated by outsiders, important sectors like bauxite and the financial institutions by nonGuyanese. We Guyanese had no part or lot in the making of vital decisions which could affect our e c o n o m i c p r o g r e s s o r retrogression.”

This address came on the same day Guyana took over the bauxite installations at Linden – placing under Guyanese control, for the firsttime,aforeign-ownedindustry that had extracted the nation’s wealthforhalfacentury

To this end, the newspaper columnistpointedoutthatfromthe time Walter Raleigh set sight on whatwenowknowasGuyana,the country has been a story of vast resources and modest returns to its people.

“Gold continues to lure and reward foreigners; sugar helped build an empire and enriches a continent; and bauxite contributed to the industrialization of foreign economies.Andnowoilhasplaced Guyana among the most resourcerich territories in the world – yet many Guyanese remain economically insecure,” he explained.

The chartered accountant told attendees of the event that oil now accountsforapproximately88%of Guyana’s exports, meaning that

CharteredAccountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram delivering remarks at the PNCR Independence Symposium

nearly nine of every 10 dollars earnedfromtherestoftheworldis controlled by a single consortium, operatingunderasingleagreement that overrides all the country’s tax laws.

While waiving all taxes to the oil companies, he argued that the fastest growing economy in the world still struggles with wages, infrastructure,andmigration.

He urged, “Look around. Our gold leaves through channels Guyana itself cannot fully account for, under a royalty regime barely touched in a generation. Bauxite, the very industry over which Burnham acted in 1971, is again under foreign ownership, again negotiated behind closed doors. And now, new chapters. Uranium has quietly become a Guyanese story, with foreign juniors drilling atKurupungonadepositmeasured intensofmillionsofpounds–and not one national debate on the framework under which a nuclearfuel mineral leaves this Republic. Power generation, the most consequential infrastructure decisionofthisgeneration,isbeing shaped through contracts whose termsmostMembersofParliament haveneverseen.”

The lawyer noted that deals in each of these sectors are being finalized,contractsawarded,prices negotiated, and tax laws circumvented.Inthemeantime,the country’s political leaders remain silentandmesmerisedbyso-called investors,accordingtohim.

Ram however pointed out, “Leaders of independent states do not watch their country’s wealth being divided, stripped and exported.”Theadvocateshiftedhis attention to Guyanese workers in the various extractive sectors, especially the petroleum industry, where employees are paid a fractionofwhatexpatriatesearnfor similar work while the high-value technicalandmanagerialfunctions remaindominatedbyforeigners.

Consequently, Ram stated, “A country has no claim to economic

transformation, let alone Independence,ifitscitizensremain

marginaltothestrategiccoreofits most profitable industry...where is theindependencewhenourcountry exportsitsnaturalresourcesandits childreninthesamebreath?”

Notably, he reasoned that the dangerisnottheresource,butweak bargaining, institutions, and politicalleadership–onallsides–andthefailuretoconverttemporary resource wealth into lasting nationaltransformation.

Ram does not believe the country is condemned to such a future,andbelievesavoidingitwill require courage, discipline, and strongnationalinstitutions.

He therefore made three bold suggestions and recommendations tothePNCRfora“maturenational discussion on the renegotiation of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement,” the establishment of a Petroleum Commission and a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the circumstances surrounding both the 1999 and 2016 Petroleum Agreements.

R a m e x p l a i n e d t h a t renegotiation is not hostility to investment but is the legitimate exercise of sovereignty when circumstancesmakeitnecessaryin thenationalinterest.Regardingthe PetroleumCommission,thelawyer said the sector must no longer rest on political direction alone and should be insulated from partisan

influence, grounded in transparency and technical competence.

Meanwhile, he suggested that the COI be conducted not as vengeance or political theatre, but as a matter of national accountability

“Guyana stands at a defining moment. History will not judge us byhowmuchweextracted,buthow much came back to us. And by whetherordinarycitizensachieved dignity,security,andafairsharein thewealthoftheirowncountry

Let me remind our political leaders that economic independence remains the unfinished business of this Republic – a flag without an economy, as Burnham warned, is noindependenceatall,”heurged.

CNOOCwith12.5%stake inStabroekBlockrakedin US$2.5Bin2025while Guyanawith50%earned US$2.47B–financials

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana

Limited (CNOOC), a 25% shareholder in the Stabroek Block in 2025 bagged larger profits than thiscountryreceived,althoughhalf of the total revenue generated should be deposited to the nation’s NaturalResourceFund(NRF). According to the company’s

financial statements seen by this newspaper, CNOOC recorded GY$503,358,000,000 in net income before taxes This is equivalent to US$2 516B at an exchange rate of $200. As part of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the company doesnotpaytaxestoGuyana. Thecompany’searningsforlast year have surpassed the total revenue Guyana received during the period, although the country is entitledtohalftheprofitsgenerated intheStabroekBlock;notonlythat but the country is supposedly paid 2% royalty on gross production, meaning Guyana’s revenue should be larger than the oil companies’ share.

Presently Guyana is producing about920,000barrelsperday(bpd) with four projects currently in operation A fifth project is expectedtocomeonlinebeforethe endofthisyear Thestartupofthat development, Uaru, will increase Guyana’s daily capacity to approximately1.2millionbarrels. Todate,Guyanahassanctioned seven deepwater projects, with the oil companies seeking permits for another two In 2027, the sixth project- Whiptail- is likely to startup while the

commenceoperationsin2029. Continued on page 21

Frompage20

Last week Kaieteur News reported that Hess Guyana Exploration Limited with 30% interest in the block recorded GY$605B in after taxincomeorUS$3B.

In accordance with the PSA, ExxonMobil takes 75% of production to cover petroleum related expenses in the Stabroek Block. The remaining 25% is split betweenGuyanaandthecontractor as profits, with the country receiving 12.5% and the company receiving12.5%.

Althoughthecountryisentitled to half of the revenue, Guyana’s share continues to be outpaced by the profits recorded by the three Stabroek Block partners, Exxon, HessandCNOOC.

Recently, Kaieteur News reported that between 2020 and 2024, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the Stabroek Block partners recorded massive profits, amountingtoUS$29Bwhilebarely US$5 4B flowed into the NRF duringthesameperiod.

Highlighting this was the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN), a non-profit body registeredinNewYork,comprising Guyanese scholars based locally andabroad.

In a statement shared with this newspaper,OGGNdemonstrateda stark difference in the profits received by Guyana and the oil companies.

The NGO explained that some US$9 1B is missing from the country’s oil account, in accordance with the Petroleum Agreement and financials of the threecompanies.

It said, “The core issue presentedisstraightforward:Based ona50/50profit-sharingmodeland a total estimated profit oil of US$29B, Guyana was expected to receive profit oil of US$14.5B. However, inspecting Bank of Guyana audited financial s t a t e m e n t s , s e e https://bankofguyana.org.gy/bog/p ublications/natural-resourcefund/audited-financial-statements, the actual amount of profit oil Guyana received from 2020 to 2024wasUS$5.4B.”

This therefore means that instead of 50% profits, Guyana

only saw 18 6% of profits generatedovertheperiod.

To this end, OGGN said, “The public deserves to understand how this substantial shortfall occurred. We urge the Government of G u y a n a t o p r o v i d e a comprehensive, transparent account of the oil revenue management process This must include a clear explanation of all deductions and costs that reduce Guyana’s share (and) a plan to strengthen independent oversight ofthesector.”

MONDAY

11Canadianfirmsjoin Guyana’sgoldrush …15.7millionouncesidentified acrossfiveprojects

By Renay Sambach

Over the years, Guyana’s mineral wealth and “miningfriendly jurisdiction” has attracted significant foreign investment, leadingtoalmostadozenCanadian companiesengagedingoldmining here.

About 11 Canadian firms are currently advancing gold projects across Guyana’s mining districts, 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. Forfive ofthe11companies,theProvenand Probable Reserves and indicated MineralResourceEstimate(MRE) amount to 15.7 million ounces of gold. The remaining companies arestillintheexplorationstageand have not reached the point of announcingresourceestimates.

OmaiGoldMinesCorp.–OmaiProject

Since its return to Guyana’s mining sector in 2020, Omai Gold MinesCorp.throughitssubsidiary Avalon Gold Exploration Inc., has identified 2.5 million ounces of goldintheindicatedcategoryatthe historicOmaiGoldproject.

Omaiholds100%interestinthe project located in Region Seven. The property hosts two orogenic gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusion-hostedGiltDeposit.

In April 2026, the company announcedanupdatedMREforthe overall gold project showing 400,000ouncesincreaseabovethe August 2025, MRE – bringing the project’s indicated MRE to 2 5 millionounces.

The updated MRE puts the WenotIndicatedMREat1,453,000 ounces, and the Wenot Inferred MRE at 3,999,000 ounces. At the Gilt Deposit, the Inferred MRE standsat1,465,000ounces,andits IndicatedMREisnowat1,042,000 ounces. Overall, Omai’s updated MRE estimates 2,495,000 ounces of gold in the indicated category and 5,465,000 ounces in the inferredcategory

Omai is now engaged in a 50,000-meter drill programme at the Wenot deposit focusing on testingthelimitsofthedepositand to convert the large Inferred MRE toIndicatedMRE.

ArisMining–ToroparuProject

The Toroparu Project also located in Region Seven, is one of the largest undeveloped gold

gold annually over a 12 3-year mine life G2’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released last year, outlines a combined open pit and underground operation with a 14year mine life and estimate total production of 3.2 million ounces gold Annual production is projected to average 298,000 ouncesduringyears3through10.

Thedealisexpectedtoclosein June 2026, subject to shareholder and court approvals. Meanwhile, the targeted timeline for first gold production at Oko West is set for thesecondhalfof2027.

MakoMining –EagleMountainGoldProject

deposits in Guyana.Thisproject is being developed by ETK Inc. a subsidiary of Aris Mining Corporation.

This project is expected to produce an average of 235,000 ounces of gold per year over more than two decades, yielding approximately five million ounces ofgold,4.9millionouncesofsilver, and 260 million pounds of copper overitsminelife.

The company has already begunpre-constructionactivitiesat the site, including the construction of a bridge at the Puruni River crossingandongoingroadworksto improve access to the project. The Toroparu prefeasibility study is expectedtobecompletedthisyear, as the company positions for a potential construction decision by early2027.

GMiningVentures(GMIN) &G2GoldfieldsInc. –OkoGoldprojects

G Mining Ventures Corp (GMIN) is currently in the process of acquiring G2 Goldfields, to combine the companies’ adjacent gold projects in Region Seven miningdistrict.

On April 9, G2 entered into a definitive agreement with GMIN, valued at approximately US$2 2 billion(C$3billion).

Thetransactionwillconsolidate the two adjacent gold projects in Guyana: G2’s Oko-Ghanie Project and GMIN’s fully permitted and fullyfinancedOkoWestProject.

Acquiring G2 will bring the Combined Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources of 7.0 million ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.3 million ounces. The deal will also expand GMIN’s footprint in Guyana by 293 square kilometers (km²), creating a combinedcontiguouslandpackage ofover362km².

GMIN’s Oko West project is estimated to hold 4 64 million ounces of proven and probable reserves.Theprojectisexpectedto produce about 350,000 ounces of

Earlier this year, Mako Mining Corp through its subsidiary Stronghold Guyana Inc. submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Eagle Mountain Gold Project, which is located about eight kilometres south of Mahdia in RegionEight(Potaro-Siparuni).

Mako acquired the project through its 2024 takeover of GoldsourceMinesInc.,inheritinga resourcebase of nearly1.2 million ounces of gold (indicated) and 582,000ounces(inferred).

The Eagle Mountain Gold Project is in the advanced-stage gold exploration stage and is planned for an open pit gold mine overa15-yearperiod.

Stronghold Guyana holds a prospecting licence on the Eagle Mountain Property, referred to as the Eagle Mountain Prospecting Licence(EMPL)totalling48km². According to the EIA, the company will rely on up to six flights per week to support operations. Gold doré bars produced at the project’s processingplantwillbetransported by air either from the Mahdia airstrip or from the project site to Georgetown From there, it is expected that the doré will be exported to foreign refineries pursuant to standard terms and conditions of Mineral Agreements withtheGovernmentofGuyana. Mako Mining had disclosed that gold production at the Eagle Mountainprojectwillcommencein 2027.

Moreover, Guyana’s mining laws caters for either five or eight per cent royalties to be paid to the State from the large-scale mining companies operating here The lawsstipulatethatwhenthepriceof gold went beyond US$1000 per ounce, large-scale mining companies’ royalty would raise fromfivetoeightpercent.

The following projects are still intheexplorationanddevelopment stage.

FortunaMining -QuartzstoneProject

FortunaMiningCorp.isoneof thenewestadditionstoGuyana’s Continued on page 22

Frompage21

mining industry To establish its presence here, Fortuna recently paid a Guyanese firm, Qstone Inc.US$5 million as part of a deal that could see it acquiring up to 70% interest in the Quartzstone Project.

The project spans 295 km² and is located in the greenstone belt of northcentralGuyana.

As per the agreement, the company can earn an initial 51% stake by funding exploration and completing 60,000 metres of drillingwithinfouryears,andmay increaseitsinterestto70percentby solely funding a feasibility study withinthreeyearsofexercisingthe first option and continuing to pay alllicencefees.

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fortuna JorgeA. Ganoza commented, “We are excited to establish a presence in the Guyana Shield, a highly prospective region with a strong historyofgolddiscoveries.”

TajiriResources–Yonoproject

Justlastweek,TajiriResources Corp. reported that it is now fullyfunded to advance its gold project in Guyana, which it labeled as an “A High-Potential Gold Exploration Opportunity in Guyana.”

This company controls the Yono Gold Project, which consists of one mining permit covering 1.2 km²inRegionSeven.

Resultsfromthefirsttrenching exercise conducted in 2025

returned high-grade gold intercepts.Initslatestupdate,Tajiri saidfromtherecentclosingoftwo non-brokeredprivateplacementsit has strengthened its cash position andenhanceditscapacitytopursue high-impact opportunities, and continue aggressive exploration and development work at its Yono GoldProjectinGuyana.

GreenheartGold –GoldHillProject

GreenheartGoldwasformedin July 2024, as a spin-off from a business combination between fellow Canadian companies

Reunion Gold and GMIN Greenheart Gold was created to hold all of Reunion’s assets other thantheOkoWestProjectwhichis nowcontrolledbyGMIN.

Greenheartisfocusedonearlystage exploration within the geologically rich but historically underexploredGuianaShield.

Greenheart on April 20, announced it has upsized its nonbrokeredprivateplacementtoraise funds to support exploration in Guyana and Suriname, as well as potential acquisitions across the GuianaShield.

Earlier this year, Greenheart Gold announced it entered into an option agreement with “arms’ length third parties” to acquire a 100% interest in the Gold Hill

Project in Guyana, while terminating its option agreements

for the Tamakay and Abuya projects after concluding that the deposits do not meet the size and scale required for economic development.

The Gold Hill property covers roughly 40 km² in the Mazaruni mining district in north-western Guyana.

LighthouseGold

-AuroraNWGoldProject

Lighthouse Gold Corp formerlynamedAlerioGoldCorp. as of December 2025, this month announced that it has moved from acquisition to active exploration at itsAuroraNWGoldProjectlocated inRegionSeven.

In February this year, Lighthouseenteredintoadefinitive option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Aurora project, comprising of associated mineral rights,permitsandclaims.

Phase I of the exploration programme is aimed at identifying mineralised corridors and generating drill-ready targets Workincludesthecompilationand reinterpretation of historical data, geological mapping, structural analy

al samplingthroughrock,stream,and soilsurveys.

Initialtrenchinganddrillingare expected later in the exploration season Lighthouse is also evaluating potential additional acquisitionsinthesurroundingarea to consolidate prospective ground within the fertile Guyanese greenstonebelt.

GoldPort

-GroeteGoldCopperProject GoldPortCorporationcontrols the Groete Gold Copper Project, which spans across 13.8 km² of mining lands about 10 kilometres westoftheEssequiboRiver.

A 2019 report on the project states that the Groete Project hosts an inferred MRE of 1.57 million gold-copper equivalent ounces, containedin74milliontonnes.

In April, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) renewed three mining permits for Gold Port. The company is now engaged in constructing its camp facility and preparing the site for the construction of a road to make accesstotheprojecteasier

Gold Port had disclosed that

rising gold prices seen in recent years encouraged the company to renewitsinterestinthegoldproject inGuyana.

GoldenShieldResources

Golden Shield Resources controls the 54 57 km² Marudi Mountain Property located in the Rupununi District of southwestern Guyana.

Golden Shield commenced exploration on the Marudi Mountain Property in late 2021, completing a preliminary, ‘Phase 1’,drillprogramme.

Recent updates from the company, focused on reporting stock option grants and its fundraisingexercises.

Golden Shield in April said it intends to use the net proceeds raised,toadvancepermittingatthe company’s flagship Marudi Mountain Gold Project, and for generalworkingcapital.

According to Golden Shield, the project contains an extensive mineralisedgoldsystemcentredon the Mazoa Hill Deposit, with a historical resource of 350,000 ouncesofgold,andmultiplehighly prospective target areas. There are also other major prospects that were already identified by current and previous operators, as well as newtargets.

Govt.stillpursuingSuriname partnershipforsecond Berbicegasproject - Pres. Ali

Guyana’sGovernmentisstillin discussion with neighbouring Suriname to secure the Dutchspeaking nation’s partnership for Guyana’s planned second gas-toenergy(GTE)projectwhichwillbe locatedinBerbice,RegionSix.

At his press conference on Friday, President Irfaan Ali outlined the importance of the conversations with Suriname to create the massive gas project “The conversation with Suriname is important to see how they will treat their gas We’re working towards having our pipeline to see whether they will feed into our pipeline.Ifthathappens,ofcourse, theprojectgoesuptoahigherscale with massive additional opportunities,”Alisaid.

DespitethefirstGTEprojectat

WalesWest Bank Demerara is still to be completed, after missing several deadlines, the Aliadministration had earlier signaled their intention to have a second GTE project before the end of the decade.

“We’re in the process of GTE Two, because you know we are already projecting that the power that will be needed from what is happening in the economy will definitelyconsumeallofGTEOne in its initial phase So, we are already on that, the GTE Two project,”PresidentAlisaid.

BackinFebruary,PresidentAli at the opening of the Energy Conference made the call to collaborate with Suriname on the secondGTEproject.TheGuyanese head-of-state had told attendees thatdiscussionswereunderwayfor a joint initiative that could see gas from both countries being used for alarger-scaleprojectintheancient county.

Recently, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) president, Alistair Routledge announced that the second pipeline for the GTE project in Berbice should land before PresidentAli completes his second term in 2030 Since December 2024 EMGLcompleted the pipeline for the Wales GTE project; however, to date, the project is yet to be completed.The government is now eyeing the completionoftheprojectbytheend ofthisyear

The GTE project entails utilising natural gas from the Stabroek Block located offshore Guyana to power a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300megawatt(MW)powerplantwhich is expected to cut consumers’ electricitybillsby50percent.

Moreover, government had explainedthatGTETwowillplaya crucialroleaspartofitsplantoturn Berbice into a development zone.

At his press conference, President Ali cited previous interest for data centres, urea plants, and petrochemicalfacilitiesinBerbice.

“WhatIcansaytoyouthough,

is the interest, especially from the US (United States) has been incredible in terms of some of the onshore build out that can come basedonthatgas…Sodefinitelyin Berbice, we will have the development of that zone, that exclusive development zone,” the presidentnoted.

Healsobrieflysharedthatthere has been interest expressed from different funding agencies in relation to the deepwater port which will also be located in Berbice Like GTE Two, the deepwater port in Berbice is a critical component of turning Berbiceintoadevelopmentzone.

“So,we’renotgoingtoexplore that here, but definitely in the months ahead, you will definitely havefullunderstandingofwhatthis development would look like. But now two things: monetising as quickly as possible and also building out the onshore opportunities and facility,” PresidentAlinoted.

TUESDAY

Pres.Alidefendsforeign firms‘flipping’miningclaims despiteGuyanagetting nothingfromdeals ...says country operating under global market standards

President Irfaan Ali has defended the transfer and sale of Guyana’s mineral properties among foreign mining companies, arguing that such transactions are part of the global mining industry andnotuniquetoGuyana.

Atapressconferenceheldatthe Office of the President last Friday, thispublicationaskedPresidentAli whether the growing trend of foreign firms ‘flipping’large-scale mining assets in Guyana is a concern to his administration, and whether government believes stronger policies are needed to ensurethecountrybenefitsdirectly fromthosetransactions.

In response, President Ali first challenged the premise of the question. “Can you tell me how Guyana is not benefiting, give me one example,” he said. It was then pointedouttothehead-of-statethat G Mining Ventures Corp. (GMIN) last month announced plans to acquire fellow Canadian miner G2 Goldfields for approximately US$2.2B (C$3 billion). The deal will consolidate the two firms’ adjacent gold projects: G2’s OkoGhanie Project and GMIN’s fully permitted and fully financed Oko West Project, into a seven-millionounce large-scale project controlledbyGMIN.

Kaieteur News had reported thatthedefinitiveagreementallows GMIN to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of G2 pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement. In a similar move, GMINin2024,addedthe4.64Continued on page 32

Towards a better life with your psychologist

DavidRoseSchoolsaga…Systemic Failure of Support Neurodivergent Students Guyana’s Education System to

As a doctoral graduate with honours, two master’s degrees, including a Master ofLawsfromtheUniversity ofLondon,andpostgraduate and first degrees with credits,Iidentifyasachildof DavidRoseSchool.

I have ADHD, and I am dyslexic. I am not a special

needs child; I am neurodivergent. Forty-seven

years ago, Guyana’s education system did not cater for me. I left school withoutCXC.Ihadtofigure my way as an adult. Fortysevenyearslater,theGuyana education system is still irrelevant to neurodivergent students,whoarenowabout 25,000 to 35,000 Guyanese children.Asalecturerattwo universities, I encounter neurodivergentstudentswho are rising after experiencing a failed primary and secondaryeducationsystem.

The experiences of students attending David Rose School not only raise important questions about how Guyana’s educational

system understands, identifies, and supports neurodivergentlearners.But also, a reflection of these childrenisdealtwithdaily

While David Rose School was established to provide specialised educational services for childrenwithdisabilities,the challenges faced by many neurodivergent students extend beyond a single institution and reflect broader systemic issues withinGuyana’seducational landscape.

N e u r o d i v e r g e n t

students those with ADHD, autism spectrum

conditions, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, Tourette syndrome, sensory processing differences, and other learning and

d e v e l o p m e n t a l

differences often encounter educational environments that were designed for neurotypical learners. The result is not only a failure of individual teachers or schools, but rather a systemic failure of policy, training, resources, andsocietalunderstanding.

Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, was dyslexic. Bill

Gates (Dyslexia and ADHD), Simone Biles (ADHD), Sir Richard Branson (Dyslexia), Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, Autistic Albert Einstein (Autism, ADHD,

and Dyslexia), Leonardo da Vinci (ADHD), the list continues.

Understanding Neurodiversity

T h e c o n c e p t o f neurodiversity recognises that differences in brain functioning are natural variations of human development rather than deficitsthatmustbe“fixed.”

Neurodivergent students demonstrate several soft skills strengths that global corporations are looking for in their leadership. I sit on a regionalconglomerateboard

just because I am a professional who is neurodivergent, offering the same soft skills these companies need that neurodivergent children have in natural abundance.

G u y a n e s e s o c i e t y shamefully calls special needschildren:

Strengths of these neurodivergent children are creativity and innovation,

strong visual-spatial abilities, hyperfocus on i n t e r e s t s , P a t t e r n recognition, problems o l v i n g a b i l i t i e s , entrepreneurial thinking

(60% of the world’s neurodivergent are entrepreneur, while 40% of the world’s billionaires are), exceptional memory in specific areas, unique perspectives, emotional intelligence, Exceptional analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and deep expertise in specialised subjects.

They exude intense hyperfocus on tasks of interest,rapidadaptabilityin fast-paced environments

Stellar “big picture” t h i n k i n g , s p a t i a l visualisation Innovative out-of-the-box ideation, deep empathy, and strong strategic thinking In Psychology, these individuals are called gifted children. This giftedness comes with challenges, and this is where the education system’s failure is most significant: in helping these children master themselves bythetimetheyarereadyto leave school These challenges are executive functioning difficulties,

attention regulation p r o b l e m s , s o c i a l communication differences,

sensory sensitivities, reading, writing, or mathematical difficulties,

emotional regulation challenges, and difficulties adaptingtorigideducational structures. These challenges

highlight a new and innovativewaytodeliverthe same content to a typical children.

SystemicFailures

Late Identification and Assessment:MostGuyanese c h i l d r e

m a i n u n d i a g n

e d o r misidentified for years Common problems include l i m i t e d a c c e s s t o psychological assessments, long wait times for evaluations, a shortage of trained educational psychologists, and the lack of screening in schools. Ten are labelled as lazy, disruptive,slow,defiant,and unmotivated.Thesearepush factors;poorsystemstrigger children to be marginalised or discriminated against rather than receiving appropriatesupport.

Most teachers receive limited or no preparation regarding ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Executive functioning difficulties and Trauma-related learning difficulties. When I meet with teachers as part of my client’streatmentplan,thisis evident with the best graduating teachers from CPCE and the University of Guyana The older the teacher, the worse their

d neurodivergence.

A s a r e s u l t , neurodivergent behaviours are frequently interpreted as disciplinary problems rather t h a n n e u r o l o g i c a l differences. This can lead to excessive punishment, repeatedsuspensions,public shaming and negative selfconceptsamongstudents.

Guyana’s educational culture remains heavily

nted Success is often measured through memorisation, written examinations, uniform classroom behaviour and standardised achievement This framework disadvantages students, neurodivergent students whose strengths may lie in creativity, practical problem-solving, t e c h n i c a l s k i l l s , entrepreneurship, artistic talents, and hands-on learning. The system often asks, “What is wrong with the student?” rather than

“Whatlearningenvironment does this student need?”

Education Infrastructure: Although inclusive education is increasingly discussed, implementation remains uneven. Challenges include as large class sizes, limitedspecialeducationand trained education teachers and insufficient classroom aides.

Few individualised education plans (IEPs) and Limited sensory-friendly environments.Manyschools lacktheresourcesrequiredto accommodate diverse learning needs Private schools give the impression t h a t t h e y h a v e a neurodivergent focus, but that’s false. It’s about more moneyforanillusion.

TheCostof SystemicFailure

Repeated experiences of misunderstanding and rejection profoundly affect personality development Children internalise distorted messages, “I am stupid.” “I am broken.” “I always fail ” “Nobody understandsme.”Overtime, theseinternalisedbeliefscan contribute to shame, perfectionism, emotional withdrawal, aggression, anxiety disorders, depression, and identity dis

helplessness and Trauma from repeated academic failure The educational system can inadvertently become a source of developmental trauma Insufficient Mental Health Support,

The Economic Cost to Guyana: failure to support neurodivergent students has national consequences Potential outcomes include higher dropout rates, underemployment, reduced workforce participation, and increased mental health costs. Lost innovation and talent Greater social inequality Many gifted neurodivergent individuals never realise their potential because the system fails to recognisetheirstrengths.

MeaningfulReform Policy Reforms: to focus on the national neurodiversity strategy. Early screening programs upon entry into nursery schools and a national database of each student profile. Inclusive education legislation.Improvedspecial educationfunding

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

educational program. Trauma-informed educational practices.

C

training and Behaviour supportstrategies

counsellors must hold at least

S

occupational therapists

Speech and language therapists and learning supportspecialists.

E

Flexibility: Alternative

Project-based learning Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Strengthb

approaches

Family Support: Parent educationprograms.Support groups Community awareness campaigns. And reduced stigma surrounding neurodiversity

TheRoleof DavidRoseSchool

Institutions such as the David Rose School should notfunctionmerelyasplaces where students with disabilities are sent when mainstream education cannot accommodate them. Instead, they could become centres of excellence in neurodiversity Teacher training hubs. Research and advocacy institutions and resources for mainstream schoolsthroughoutGuyana

A modern educational system must move beyond a deficit model toward a neurodiversity-informed framework that recognises difference, supports strengths, and provides individualized pathways for success. Such reform would n o t o n l y i m p r o v e educational outcomes for neurodivergent students but would also unlock significant human potential for Guyana’s future development My clinic offers assessments and evaluationsforallstudentsat anaffordablecost.Resultsin 24 hours. The change starts with you, the parent. I am open to working with schools to better relate to neurodivergentstudents.

Buju Banton Announces New Album ‘Too Too Bad’

TheReggaeandDancehallveteran,whowillcelebratehis 53rdbirthdayonJuly15,sharedthetitleandreleasedateon Instagram on Thursday, declaring that it will be a “Real DancehallTing”.ThetitleisanodtoTooBad,his2006album that had marked a hard return to Dancehall after the more roots-reggae direction of earlier projects such as ’Til Shiloh, InnaHeights,andUnchainedSpirit.

Too Bad was built around the kind of sharp, physical dancehall that first made Buju one of the defining Jamaican actsofthe1990s.Its17tracksincludedYourNightTonight, TryOffaYuh,Nothing,TooBad,Waistline,Jig,Me&Oonu, ’Til It Bend, and Hey Boy The best-known cut, Driver A, became one of the album’s lasting records, with Buju riding SlyandRobbie’sTaxiriddiminasmoother,late-nightstyle.

IfTooTooBadfollowsthatthread,itwouldsignalanother dancehall-forwardturnfromBuju,whoserecentalbumshave movedacrossreggae,soul,R&B,andcrossoverproduction. The first single from the new album, Butterflies, was released inApril. Produced by Supa Dups for Black Chiney Music and issued through Gargamel Music/VPRecords, the trackridesaremakeoftheRealRockriddim.

Buju has placed 12 projects in the top 10 of Billboard’s ReggaeAlbumschart,withfourofthemalsoreachingtheallgenreBillboard200:VoiceOfJamaica,’TilShiloh,Unchained SpiritandFriendsForLife Hislastalbum,BornForGreatness, releasedin2023,didnotentertheReggaeAlbumschart Upside Down2020,releasedin2020,reachedNo 2

BujuhaswontheGrammyAwardforBestReggaeAlbum

once,forBeforeTheDawn,whichwonatthe2011ceremony His other nominated albums were Rasta Got Soul, Too Bad, FriendsForLife,InnaHeights,UpsideDown2020,andBorn For Greatness. The highly acclaimed ’Til Shiloh, widely regarded as his defining album, has spent 104 weeks on Billboard’sReggaeAlbumschart,whereitpeakedatNo.2in 1995. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry AssociationofAmericain2020,aroundits25thanniversary TooTooBadwillarriveduringBuju’sRootsandRhymes SummerTourwithStephenMarley TheNorthAmericanrun opensJune17inRedmond,Washington,andclosesJuly25in Atlanta, with stops including Oakland, Dallas, Chicago, Boston,Bethel,Elmont,AtlanticCityandCharlotte. GrampsMorganislistedasaspecialguestonselectdates.

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

The last thing the machines can’t copy

By Karen Abrams, EdD, MBA, AA

There is a quiet

a s s u m p t i o n running through the excitement about artificialintelligence:thatas the machines get better, the human element matters less. The opposite is closer to the truth.

As AI commoditises the technical layer of almost everything, the code, the copy, the design, the marketing materials, cognitive knowledge and even the baseline competence that once separated good firms from bad ones, the things AI cannot easily replicate

become the scarce and defensible sources of value; trust, reputation, and r

confidence people have in the name attached to a productorservice.

When any competitor can generate the same w

advertisements, the same businessplans,andthesame serviceable products using the same AI tools, the productitselfstopsbeingthe differentiator What remains iswhethercustomersbelieve you.Thatistheonethingno model can manufacture on yourbehalf.

businesses, this should be encouragingnews.Butthere is an obvious objection, and itdeservesadirectanswer In a country where many household

uggle financially, does price not dominate everything? Does talk of brands, trust, and reputation not sound like advice imported from richer countries? It is a fair challenge.

For the poorest householdspurchasingbasic necessities,pricewillremain decisive until incomes rise. No amount of branding changes that reality Any

business strategy that ignores it will fail. But that isonlypartofthestory

The first complication is that poor consumers are often more sensitive to risk than wealthier consumers.A wealthy customer who makes a bad purchase is inconvenienced A poor customer may lose money that cannot easily be replaced. This changes how purchasing decisions are made.

The shopkeeper who consistently sells quality products, the mechanic who fixesaproblemproperlythe first time, or the contractor who completes a job on schedule creates value beyond the product itself. They reduce risk. Over time thatreliabilitybecomestrust, and trust becomes loyalty Thisisbackedbytheorybut we also see it every day in Guyana.

Education provides a useful example Guyana offers free public education. Yet many parents sacrifice significantly to send their children to private schools, hireprivatetutors,orpayfor after-school programmes The decision is rarely about status Most parents are making a calculation about outcomes They believe certain institutions will provide greater attention, more consistency, better discipline, stronger academic support, or a greaterchanceofsuccessfor theirchildren.

The same pattern exists in technology education Government agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations frequently offer free workshops and training opportunities. Yet parents continue to pay for programmestheytrust.They are not simply choosing the freeoptionbecauseitisfree. They are evaluating quality, consistency, culture, accountability,andresults.

Parents often choose paid programs from organizations such as STEMGuyana not because they are unaware of free alternatives, but because they believe the programme hasdemonstratedvalueover time. They trust the brand. They trust the outcomes. Theytrustthepeoplebehind

it and that trust is an economicasset.

Thesecondcomplication is that the poor often pay more anyway Economists have long documented what is known as the poverty premium, the hidden costs associatedwithhavingfewer

resources Smaller purchases often cost more per unit. Access to credit is more expensive Reliable transportation may cost more.

Limited choices frequently increase rather than decrease costs. Price sensitivity,therefore,isoften a condition imposed on consumers rather than a simplepreferencetheyhold.

Thethirdcomplicationis particularly relevant to Guyana Many people assume that price dominates becauseconsumerscareonly about cost. In reality, price tends to dominate where competitionisweak.

When consumers have limited options, they focus on price because there is little else available to compare.

Ingenuinelycompetitive markets, prices tend to converge Once that

increasinglyimportant. T

significant in the age of artificial intelligence. AI is rapidly reducing the cost of creating products and

entrepreneur who could never afford a marketing department can now create professional marketing m

l business that could not afford software developers can now build tools and websites with assistance fromAI.Thebarrierstoentry that once protected larger firmsarebeginningtofall. This is good news for small businesses. But it also means that technical competence will become less valuable as a differentiator because everyonewillhaveaccessto similar capabilities. The local accounting firm can u s e A I . T h e n e w entrepreneurcanuseAI.The

multinational corporation can use AI. The technology itself becomes widely available What remains scarceistrust.

In many ways, Guyana hasalwaysoperatedontrust. Long before online reviews and digital ratings, business moved through family n e t w o r k s , c h u r c h communities, workplaces, a n d p e r s o n a l recommendations A contractor’s next project came from a previous customer

Aparent selected a tutor because another parent recommended one. A small business survived because peopletrusteditsowner Artificial intelligence cannot easily replicate years ofaccumulatedreputation.It cannot manufacture credibility earned through consistent performance. It cannot create genuine relationships within communities.Ifanything,AI makestrustmoreimportant. When everyone can generate professionallooking websites, polished advertisements, convincing presentations, and sophisticated customer c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , distinguishing between genuine quality and superficial appearance becomes harder Consumers will increasingly rely on signals of trust to guide decisions.

The businesses that thriveinthenextdecademay not be those with the most advanced technology They may be those that combine technology with reliability, responsiveness, integrity, and a reputation that has beenearnedoveryearsrather thangeneratedinseconds.

The question AI quietly forces on Guyanese businesses is not whether they can adopt the technology Mosteventually will. The more important question is whether they have built the trust that technology cannot replace. Because as art

ficial in

elligence makes competence abundant, trust may become the most valuable asset a business possesses. And unlike software, it cannot be downloaded.

In an evening defined by elegance, national pride, and institutional transformation, Kelcia Nelson was officially crowned Miss World Guyana 2026 during a landmark coronationceremonyheldonSaturday,24thMay,2026,atthe PegasusExhibitionHallinGeorgetown.

The coronation ceremony, produced by Majesty Talent ManagementInc.(MTMI),servedasaselectedappointment incelebrationofthe75thanniversaryyearoftheMissWorld Organisation.Theeventalsoformallyintroducedanewerafor theMissWorldGuyanafranchisethroughtheunveilingofits expandedregionalstructure.

Nelson received the crown from outgoing titleholder ZalikaSamuels,MissWorldGuyana2024,beforeanaudience that included members of the diplomatic community, governmentofficials,corporatestakeholders,membersofthe media,pageantsupporters,andspeciallyinvitedguests.

Theeveningwasco-hostedbymediapersonalityJamicia McCalmanandoutgoingqueenZalikaSamuels,whosereign was recognised for her representation of Guyana on the international stage and her continued advocacy through the BeautyWithAPurposeplatform.

TheceremonyalsosawtheofficialpresentationofJenica Wallcott as Heiress and first runner-up. In her capacity as Heiress, Wallcott will undertake national and local representational duties throughout the Miss World Guyana 2026 reign cycle, while newly crowned Miss World Guyana 2026, Kelcia Nelson, prepares to represent Guyana internationally at the 75th anniversary edition of the Miss WorldFestivalinVietnam.

TheMissWorldFestivalisscheduledtorunfromAugust9 toSeptember5,2026.ItwillbegininHanoiandconcludewith the grand finale in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together delegates from around the world in celebration of the organisation’smilestoneanniversaryyear

Saturday evening’s coronation also marked a significant institutional milestone for Majesty Talent Management Inc., which used the occasion to formally unveil its evolving national structure and renewed direction for the Miss World Guyanafranchise.

Inremarksdeliveredduringtheceremony,representatives of MTMI described the repositioning as part of a broader vision to strengthen talent development, national representation, cultural storytelling, and social impact initiativesundertheBeautyWithAPurposemandate

The organisation also outlined plans for expanded editorial,philanthropic,andyouth-focusedinitiativesthrough thefutureestablishmentoftheMajestyPurposeFoundation. AboutMajestyTalentManagementInc.

MajestyTalentManagementInc.(MTMI)istheexclusive national franchise holder for MissWorld Guyana and Mister World Guyana. The organisation operates across pageantry, talent representation, advocacy initiatives, and creative development, while promoting Guyana on regional and internationalstages.(PressRelease:MissWorldGuyana.org)

KelciaNelsoncrowned MissWorldGuyana2026

Capybara (HYDROCHOERUS HYDROCHAERIS)

Capybaras are the biggest rodent on Earth

National Geographic- You thought the beaver was a rodent of unusualsize?Thecapybaraistwice that big—the biggest rodent on Earth These impressive semiaquatic mammals are found throughout much of northern and central South America, though a smallinvasivepopulationhasbeen seeninFlorida.

They’re closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies, and

chinchillasandagouti.

Like beavers, capybaras are strongswimmers.Theirpig-shaped bodiesareadaptedforlifeinbodies of water found in forests, seasonally flooded savannas, and wetlands. Their toes are partially webbed for paddling around, and their reddish to dark brown fur is longandbrittle—perfectfordrying out quickly on land. Small eyes,

noses,andhairlessearsarelocated high on their heads so that their faces remain exposed and alert when most of their body is submerged.

Being alert is important when you’re often dinner for jaguars, pumas, and, in the water, caimans. Capybarayounghaveevenmoreto worry about—they are a favourite snack food of snakes like the boa constrictor, crab-eating foxes,

small cats, and birds of prey like thecaracaraandblackvulture.

Along with the seasons, the presenceofpredatorsaffectswhat time of day capybaras are active—which may be day or night, and is often at dawn and dusk.

Unusualdiet

Like other rodents, capybaras’ teeth grow continuously, and they wear them down by grazing on aquatic plants, grasses, and other plentifulplants.

They also eat their own faeces in the morning. That’s when their poo is protein rich from the high number of microbes digesting the previous day’s meals. Because the

grasses they eat are so hard to digest, eating their waste essentially allows them to digest it twice.

Breedingandpopulation

Capybaras don’t mind being alone,buttheyalsoliveingroupsof up to 40. Their breeding season varies throughout the year dependingonwhathabitattheylive in and the availability of mates. Females usually have one litter of fourtofiveyoungperyear. Though considered to have a stable population overall, in some areas capybaras are severely threatened by people who hunt themfortheirskin,andsomelocal populationshavebeenwipedout.

Guyanese Community in Grenada Communit Celebrates Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary in Grand Style

The Office of the Honorary ConsulofGuyana,incollaboration with the Guyanese Diaspora in Grenada, proudly hosted a vibrant and memorable celebration last Tuesday commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence marking the nation’s historic Diamond Jubilee milestone.

The landmark event drew the largest gathering of Guyanese nationals and friends of Guyana seen in Grenada in over a decade, reflecting the strength, pride, and growing unity of the Guyanese communityacrosstheregion.

A major highlight of the celebration was the attendance of Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, who graciously accepted the invitation to attend the festivities Prime Minister Mitchell reaffirmed Grenada’s commitment to strengthening bilateralrelationswithGuyanaand extended heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Guyanaonthisremarkablenational achievement.

The celebration also featured inspiring remarks from distinguished members of the community, including Mr Darshan Ramdhani, K C , Justice Paula Gilford, and Honorary Consul Mrs Sabrita KhanRamdhani, who each spoke passionately about Guyana’s progress, the importance of diaspora unity, and the enduring bondssharedbetweenthepeoples ofGuyanaandGrenada

Guests enjoyed an atmosphere filled with culture, fellowship, music, and authentic cuisine,

creating an unforgettable experienceforattendeesofallages.

The event served not only as a celebration of Guyana’s independence, but also as a proud reflection of the resilience,

achievements,andcontributionsof the Guyanese people both at home andabroad.

“The overwhelming support and attendance demonstrated the deep love and pride the Guyanese Diasporacontinuestoholdfortheir homeland,” said Honorary Consul

Mrs Sabrita Khan-Ramdhani

“ThisDiamondJubileecelebration wasmorethananevent—itwasa powerful reminder of our shared heritage,unity,andcommitmentto preserving Guyanese culture for futuregenerations.”

The organizers expressed

sincere gratitude to all supporters, attendees,communitypartners,and volunteers whose contributions madethecelebrationatremendous success.

As Guyana commemorates 60

yearsofindependenceandnational development, the Guyanese community in Grenada proudly joins in honoring the nation’s remarkable journey and bright futureahead.

GNBSISENSURINGACCURACYINTHEPETROLEUM SECTORTHROUGHVERIFICATIONSERVICES

Measurementaccuracy remains one of the most important requirements in Guyana’s petroleumsector Everylitreoffuel sold, transported or stored must be measured accurately to ensure fairness, safety and confidence for bothconsumersandsuppliersalike.

TheWeights and MeasuresAct of 1981 provides the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) with the legal mandate to verify measuring instruments used in trade, which include those used to measure Petroleum products. The GNBS verifies instruments includingfuelpumps,bulkmeters, tanker wagon compartments, and storage tanks on fuel vessels Verification ensures that these instruments operate within the

acceptedtolerancesandprovidethe correctquantityofproducts.

Generally, verification is important because inaccurate measurements can negatively affectconsumersandbusinesses.In the Petroleum sector, for example, iffuelpumpsareunder-delivering, consumers will be shortchanged andmayevenloseconfidenceinthe business.

Similarly, if pumps are overdelivering, fuel companies will incur financial losses. Therefore, accurate measurements protect everyone by ensuring equity in tradeandpreventingdisputes.

GNBS conducts routine verification exercises across the country During these exercises, Inspectors use calibrated test measures that are traceable to

international standards to determine whether fuel pumps and bulkmetersareaccurate.Thesetest measures range from 5 litres to 2,000litres.

If an instrument is found to be providing inaccurate readings, adjustments are made, and a security seal is affixed to it to prevent tampering. In cases where bulk meters and petrol pumps cannotbeverifiedimmediately,the GNBS seals off these instruments, preventing use, until the required actionsaretaken.

Besides the verification of fuel pumps, GNBS Inspectors also verify tanker wagons and storage tanks used to transport and store petroleum products This verification ensures that the quantities transported are correct

andthatsafetystandardsarealways maintained. The Bureau conducts safetychecksontankerwagonsand at fuel stations to ensure m

requirements are maintained to protecteveryone.

As Guyana’s oil and gas sector continuestoexpand,theGNBShas also strengthened its role in offshore petroleum operations by monitoring the measurements associated with crude oil lifting from the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

GNBS Inspectors oversee the calibration and verification of custody transfer meters, which are used to determine the quantity and valueofcrudeoilbeingsold.Since these measurements directly affect

national revenue, maintaining accuracy is important. To support these undertakings, the GNBS continues to invest in training for Inspectors on the international petroleum measurement standards, including standards developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

As we conclude a month focused on measurements, be assured that the GNBS will continue to perform routine inspection and verification of measuring instruments to maintain confidence and reliability within thepetroleumsector

For more information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers 2 1 9 - 0 0 6 4 - 6 6 , v i s i t www.gnbsgy.org, WhatsApp 6924627,oremailinfo@gnbsgy.org

Frompage22 million-ounce Oko West Gold project to its portfolio following a businesscombinationwithanother Canadian company, Reunion Gold Corp.,valuedatUS$638M(C$875 million).Reunionwastheprevious owneroftheOkoWestgoldproject.

For his part,Ali questioned the reporter about the company’s cost of exploration for the gold project and how much had been invested by the company “So, tell me, tell me everything. Tell me, what was the cost of the exploration? How much the company spent on exploration,sothattheycouldhave gotten the market value of what asset they have, and who carried thatcost?”hesaid.

President Ali outlined that Guyanaoperatesinaninternational investment environment which allows companies participating in global markets to trade and sell their shares and companies. “They canselltheirshares.Ofcourse,we want maximum benefit to come to Guyana. So, tell me about it,” he added.

AliremindedthatGuyanaisnot uniqueinseeingminingcompanies acquire and sell projects after exploration increases the value of the asset. He said, “Guyana is not special in this way You go to Canada in the mining sector, some of these very companies are operating there, they do the exploration, they go on the global market, they raise financing, their asset value increase, they sell the shares at higher price, they sell the company.”

President Ali interrogated the part of the question, which suggested that Guyana does not directly benefit when these transactions occur. He pivoted to theforestrysector,arguingthatone of the biggest hindrances for local claim holders was the lack of resources to build infrastructure neededtoaccessminingclaims.On the other hand, Ali said foreign investorsareoftenbetterpositioned to develop large-scale projects and that their investments have contributed significantly to the miningsectorbenefittinglocals.

Hefurtherstatedthatduringthe 2015 to 2020 period, Guyana lost severalmajorplayersinthesector, whichhesaidseverelyaffectedthe industry The head-of-state even questioned the reporter about developments in the forestry sectors under the David Granger administration.“I’maskingyou,as adearfriend,areyouawareofwhat took place in the forestry sector between 2015 and 2020 and in the miningsector?”hesaid.

PresidentAliwentontopainta gloomy picture of the forestry sector during the David Grangeradministration, stating that about 60% of local miners’ assets and equipment were parked because operatorscouldnotoperate.

Switchingbacktogoldmining,

President Ali explained that largescale mining operations require different levels of exploration and investment He stressed that foreign companies enter Guyana’s mining industry legitimately to acquire mining lands and develop projects.

However, when pressed on whetherhisadministrationbelieves stronger policies are needed to ensure Guyana benefits directly whenlarge-scaleminingproperties are sold or transferred among foreign firms, Ali responded, “My dear friend, don’t come with preconceived notion and stick to thetextonyourphone.Letushave aniceconversation.Yousee,oneof the beautiful things about journalism is it allows you to interactandprosecuteinrealtime.”

President Ali maintained that Guyana operates within the global mining environment and therefore functions under international standardsandinvestmentrules.

“We may not be happy with that,buttherealityisthatyouarein aninternationalmarket,soit’snota happiness index measuring, it’s a reality of the global system we’re operating in There are global rulesinthatenvironment.Thereare global standards in that environment.Asacountry,wehave to, we don’t have a choice, when youacceptinternationalinvestorin your country, you may not be happy…but it’s not a happiness index Policy making is not necessarily happiness index measuring on every issue…” he said.

Over the years, Kaieteur News has spotlighted the growing number of foreign players, particularly Canadian firms operatingintheminingindustry

On Monday, this publication reportedthat11Canadianfirmsare currently advancing gold projects across Guyana’s mining districts, collectivelycontrollingmillionsof ounces of gold at various stages of development – with some nearing gold production The article highlights that most of these projects are located in Region Seven, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni

recognised for its significant gold potential For five of the 11 companies, the Proven and Probable Reserves and indicated MineralResourceEstimate(MRE) amount to 15.7 million ounces of gold.Theremainingcompaniesare still in the exploration stage and have not reached the point of announcingresourceestimates.

Like GMIN, some of the other Canadiancompaniesacquiredtheir Guyana properties through takeovers or mergers involving junior foreign and, in some instances, local mining firms that previously controlled the assets Back in 2024, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was questioned on GMIN’s US-multimillion business combination with Reunion Gold, wherehestatedthat‘flipping’isnot unusualintheminingsectorandis something government cannot prevent.

Womanontherunafterminer killedatBambooLanding

A Spanish-speaking woman is reportedlyontherunafterstabbing aminertothethroatonThursdayat Bamboo Landing, Barama River, RegionOne.

The slain man has been identified by his Alias “Alligator” and reportedly hails from Port Kaituma,RegionOne.

Reportsarethatthekillingtook placeduringtheeveninghoursata shopinthearea.

The victim reportedly shared a relationship with the woman and thetwohaveahistoryinterpersonal violenceespeciallyduringdrinking sessions.

OnThursday,thewomanwasat a shop when the victim entered to purchasedrinks.

The woman, according to reports, confronted the man and attempted to remove money from his pockets He retaliated by pushingherdown.

Accordingtoeyewitnesses,she got up and broke a bottle before stabbingthemantotheneck.

Shethenescapedwhilepersons closebytriedtoassistthevictimbut he eventually bled to death before receivingmedicalattention.

Investigationsareongoing.

WEDNESDAY

Canadianfirmacquired Guyanauraniumprojectvia Singaporeandeal …Prospecting licences granted in 2024 for uranium, other radioactive minerals and rare earth elements

ByRenaySambach

U92EnergyCorp.,aCanadianregisteredcompany,gainedcontrol of Guyana’s only uranium project through a 2025 acquisition of a Singaporeanfirm.

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that serves as the primary fuel for nuclearpowerplantsworldwide. It is primarily used to produce electricity, providing a highly concentrated energy source and its special properties also make it the main source of fuel for nuclear reactors.

AJanuary2026filingstatement states that U92 on June 18, 2025, entered into a binding share purchaseagreementtoacquireLIA Industries Pte Ltd , a company incorporated in Singapore on November 11, 2020 under the Companies Act as a private company

According to the filling, LIA Industries was formerly known as Arafura Oeste Pte. Ltd, and the change of name took effect on December2,2022.

LIAIndustries indirectly holds mineral exploration rights to the Kurupung Property in Region Seven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni),through its wholly-owned subsidiary LIA (Guyana) Inc., a private limited liabilitycompanyinGuyanawhich was incorporated on March 20, 2023.LIAGuyanaregisteredoffice is listed at Lot 35E North Road, Lacytown,Georgetown.

Accordingtothedocument,the

Guyana Geology & Mines Commission granted LIA Guyana the “exclusive right of occupation and exploration” through the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting Licences (PLs) GS14: L1003/000/23 and GS14: L1003/001/23 on April 19, 2024 Explorationactivitiesattheproject sitecommencedin2024.

The two prospecting licences cover approximately 92.2 square kilometres (km2) and permit the exploration of uranium, other radioactiveminerals,andrareearth elements (REEs) for a period of three years endingApril 18, 2027. Thelicencesmaybeextendedupon application for a maximum of two additional one-year periods, extending the term to April 18, 2029.

First-year requirements included maintaining the property in good standing, submitting two six-monthlyprogressreportstothe GGMC, and paying an annual fee of US$17,101. The company was also required to lodge a performance bond of US$86,022 forthefirstyearofthelicenceterm endingApril18,2025.

Second-year requirements included maintaining the property in good standing, payment of an annualfeeofUS$20,521,whichthe filingstateswaspaidtotheGGMC on March 27, 2025 and lodging a p e r f o r m a n c e b o n d o f US$18,519 50, which was submitted to the commission on June 27, 2025. Together with the performance bond lodged for year one, the total bond held by the GGMCisUS$104,542,being10% of the work commitment of US$1,045,415 for year two of the termoftheprospectinglicences.

Moreover, research on U92 shows that the company was incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA) on December 13, 2024 under the corporate name “U92 Corp.”. The registered and head officeofU92islocatedat200Bay Street, Suite 2800, Toronto, Ontario.

TheKurupung uraniumproject islistedasU92’sonlyproject.The filing describes U92 as an earlystagemineralexplorationcompany with no production from any property, and consequently has no current operating income, cash flow,orrevenues.

U92 has outlined that the projectislocatedina“Pro-Mining Jurisdiction” with strong government support and a miningfriendlypermittingprocess.

The project hosts some 20 6 million pounds (Mlbs) historical resource. The historical Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) comprisesof10.6Mlbsindicatedat a grade of 0 072% and 10Mlb Inferredatagradeof0.067%UO.

There are four deposits at the projectsite:ArichengNorth, Continued on page 33

Frompage32

Aricheng South, Aricheng West and Aricheng C Other targets previouslydrilledincludeAricheng A, Aricheng Alpha, Aricheng Epsilon,ArichengSigmaandWild Cow

Back in March, U92 entered into a commercial agreement with Orbit Garant for phase one 5,000 metre diamond drill programme at the Kurupung uranium project. In itsmostrecentupdate,thecompany confirmedthatthediamonddrillrig assigned to U92 is currently in Guyana. The company anticipates that the rig will be available for mobilisationtositeinthenearterm tocommencephaseonedrillingon high-prioritytargetsattheproject.

The Canadian firm has already submitted the required environmental application for drill pad preparation, and that field teamsareonsitetocompletecamp

c

u

ncluding construction of a fuel storage facility in accordance with the applicable requirements It was also revealed that key machineries have been sourced to support access road upgrades and drill pad construction.

,

ofimportingHFOtokeepthelights on in the country which amount to aneye-wateringUS$619Mforthe two-yearperiod.

Since January 2025, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have relied almost entirely on imported HFO. During the 2026 budget defense by the PPP, it was revealed that GPL’s base fuel bill stands at a staggering GY$47 billion per annum roughly US$18 78 million every month with 93% of that fuel beingHFO.

Kaieteur News had previously contacted Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, who shared that U92 is the only company in Guyana that has a uraniumproject.Hehadalsostated thattherearenoplanscurrentlyfor any other uranium projects in the nearorlong-term.

THURSDAY

Two-yeardelayofWalesgas projectcostingGuyana US$884Mmore

Thetwo-yeardelayoftheWales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project is expected to cost the country approximately US$884M more than the initial cost of the two gas plantscurrentlyunderconstruction.

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

Notwithstanding, the government hopes that the project couldstartupbytheendoftheyear, but by then, the financial hemorrhage to the country would besevere.

Fuelimportbill

The country was initially informedofa2024year-endstartup for the Wales project- intended to slash electricity tariffs by half and supply stable, cleaner energy Due to delays in the site preparation phase, government is now anticipating that the project will come online by end of this year- a timeline experts believe is unattainable.

In the meantime, Guyana is forced to swallow an increasingly expensive pill: the exorbitant cost

The situation is rapidly worsening Recently, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillipsrevealedashocking74.8% average increase in fuel import costssincethebeginningof2026.

But here is what that actually means for the country During 2025, operating at the baseline of US$18 78 million monthly, the import bill was approximately US$225.36million.

With the Prime Minister’s acknowledged 74 8% surge, the monthly bill skyrockets to over US$32.83million.FromJanuaryto May 2026 alone adds another

US$164.15Mtothefurnace.

Should this inflated price for HFObeappliedtokeepthecountry powered to the end of this year, it meansthefuelimportbillfor2026 willbeastaggeringUS$393.96M.

Consequently, the two-year delayinstartupoftheGTEproject is costing this country a whopping US$619.32Minfuelimportsalone.

It was reported that the GoG signed a contract with the GTE contractor, Lindsayca/ CH4 to construct a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant and 300-megawatt power plant to the tune of US$759M.

ThismeansthatGuyanawillbe paying almost double the initial projectcostgiventhelengthydelay in delivery, forcing the country to importHFOs.

Powershipcosts

It should be noted that in addition to the fuel cost for GPL, Guyana was forced to hire two Turkish powerships to supplement thenationalgrid.Therentalbillon the country is GY$126M daily, as was previously highlighted by Interim Leader of theAlliance For Change(AFC),DavidPatterson.

Heexplainedthatinadditionto thedailyrentalfeeof$48.8million for the two barges, Guyana is also saddled with a daily fuel cost of $72 6 million and $4 2 million daily for transportation expenses.

Assuch,hepointedoutthatGuyana is paying close to $126 million dailytogeneratepowerattheships.

According to a document seen by this publication, which was providedtotheNationalAssembly on April 22, 2025, during the considerationofthe2025Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure Guyana, the total daily cost to rent both ships is $48,847,450

Therefore,forthefirstyearGuyana paid $17,829,319,104 The two years combined would cost the country $35,658,68,208 or U.S.$165,854,131.

Legaldispute

In addition to the rental of power,andtheheavyimportbillfor fuel, Guyana was also caught in a legal dispute with the contractor, Lindsayca/CH4.TheGoGrecently admitted that it was forced to pay out a US$97M settlement to the consortium. Government also paid close to US$2M for the battery of

lawyers that represented Guyana duringthedisputeprocess.

Assuch,theextensivedelaysin projectisexpectedtocostGuyanaa massiveUS$884Mmore.

Guyana,Trinidadrefusetosign CARICOMstatementagainst U.S.militaryactioninCuba

Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have reserved their positions on CARICOM’s statementontheU.S.government’s “ongoing and intensifying economic, commercial, and financialmeasures”beingimposed onCuba.

The two countries are the lone CARICOM states that are part of theShieldoftheAmericas-aU.S.led security framework launched by President Donald Trump at a March2026summitinMiami.The 17-nation body is focused on fighting transnational criminal organizations, stopping illegal immigration, and countering Chineseinfluence.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali wasamongleadersfromArgentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay,andTrinidadandTobago who were invited by President TrumpfortheSummit.

On Wednesday, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR)expressedits “profound concern” over what is transpiringinCuba.

“The COFCOR reminds that the mounting hardships facing the Cubanpeoplealsoseriouslyimpact CARICOMnationalsstudyingand living in Cuba, whose well-being remains a priority for the Community

These measures compound the trade and economic embargo imposed on Cuba for over six decades, which has had a deleterious effect on the lives and livelihoods of the Cuban people,” thestatementsaid.

Further, COFCOR said it “unequivocally affirms Cuba’s sovereign right to import and receive fuel, and condemns the obstruction of energy supplies to Cuba,whichhasprecipitateda Continued on page 34

Frompage33 grave humanitarian crisis ” The Region’s Foreign and Community Relations body reiterated the need topreservetheCaribbeanasaZone of Peace and “expresses alarm at recent statements that suggest the possibility of military aggression againsttheRepublicofCuba.”

“ any such action would

inflict unnecessary human suffering, impose grave material

costs, and fundamentally destabilizethesecurityarchitecture oftheentireCaribbeanregion.

Asamatterofinternationallaw

and in solidarity with the resolutions adopted year after year by the overwhelming majority of United Nations member states, the COFCOR reaffirms that Cuba posesnothreattoanynation,thatit stands as a peaceful and cooperative member of the international community, and that the continued application of these unilateral coercive measures constitutes an unjustifiable violation of human rights, the principles of free trade, and the fundamental norms governing relations among sovereign states,” COFCORsaid.

TherelationshipbetweenCuba and the United States has been strainedandfragilefordecadesand overthelastfewweeksdeteriorated significantly TheU.S.hasaccused the Spanish-speaking country of being a national security threat while imposing oil blockade and sanctions on the country Last week, the U S went further to indictformerleaderRaúlCastrofor murder The U S has accused Castro over the 1996 downing of two planes, an incident that killed four people and fuelled diplomatic tensions between Washington and theCaribbeanisland.

The BBC reported last week that both China and Russia condemned the U.S. decision to charge Castro with murder. The Chinese foreign ministry called on the U.S. to stop using “coercion” and“threats”againstitsally,while theKremlinsaidthepressurebeing exerted on Havana “borders on violence”.

FRIDAY

Asmoreoilprojectscomeon streamUS$600Minsurance remainssame-Exxon ...saysUS$2Bguaranteestill lodgedwithGovt.

As Guyana brings more

Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) to increase the nation’s generation capacity,thecountryhasbeenstuck with a US$600M insurance from theoperatorintheeventanoilspill occurs.

Thelimitedinsuranceremainsa major cause for concern for Guyanese and Caribbean citizens alike- a matter that was landed in the local courtrooms While the

High Court ruled for ExxonMobil to provide the country with an unlimited oil spill guarantee, the Appeal Court later overturned that decision.

Consequently, Guyana’s US$600M insurance remains in place along with a US$2B affiliate companyguarantee.

Notably, Exxon wholly owns the company that is providing insurance coverage to Guyana as was previously highlighted, creating further tension about the financial protection and its likely availability in the event of a disaster

Since the startup of oil and gas production in December 2019, Exxon has maintained its subscription to the limited insurance coverage with Ancon Insurance.

Between 2019 and 2026, the company’s operations have grown from 120,000 barrels daily to a whopping920,000barrelsdaily

During a recent engagement withmediaoperatives,Presidentof ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge admitted that the US$600M insurance remains stagnant, with the same conditions remaining in place.

He explained, “On insurance we continue to maintain our insurance policies in place as required under the Environmental Permit and meeting all those obligations, so no change on that front.”

When asked specifically if the figure remains the same, Exxon’s CountryManageradded,“Sothere are different elements- there is the insurance the US$600 but then there is also the guarantee from affiliated companies or from corporate structures, depending on whichofthecompaniesyoutalkto,

that number of US$2B is unchangedaswell.”

clear that increasing production on theFPSOsisnotallowed.

The affiliate company guarantee, seen by this newspaper, makesitexplicit“…theOperatoris permittedtocarryouttheactivities authorised by the Environmental Permits in accordance with their respectivetermsandconditions.”

To date Exxon has ramped up production on all of the vessels approvedtooperateinStabroek. Stringentconditionstoaccess

Perhapsmoreconcerningisthat before the Government of Guyana (GoG) touches a penny from the US$2Boilspillguaranteeprovided by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the country will first be required to write each of the three guarantors informing of the company’s failure to meet its legal financialobligations.

comprehensive full Validation review on May 15, 2026, evaluating the nation’s performance across critical resourcegovernancepillars.

Thisglobalassessmentfollows an April 2022 evaluation where Guyana achieved a “fairly low” overall score of 52 points out of 100, reflecting an average of weak component scores: 60 in Stakeholder Engagement, 53.5 in Transparency, and a low 42 in OutcomesandImpact.

While the EITI Board commendedthestateforlaunching its first functioning MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) platformandexpandingtrackingto cover forestry and fisheries, international oversight has flagged severeoperationaldeficiencies.

On Thursday, the company confirmedthatalthoughtheUS$2B guarantee was lodged during the Courtproceedingsasaconditionto staythe“unlimitedparentcompany guarantee” ruling, the added layer of financial protection remains in place.

US$2Bguaranteeexposes ‘fullprotection’lie

Exxon casually touts its commitment to take care of an oil spill in the event such a disaster occurs in the 26,800 square kilometers Stabroek Block The company, whenever faced with questions about the cost of an oil spill assures that it will not walk away from the country but will handle associated cleanup and compensation.

The assurances provided however have been cast aside with the US$2B oil spill Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement superseding all oral statements and prior writings. In fact, the agreement, entered into by the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram,explicitlyoutlinesUS$2B as the maximum amount to be provided by the Stabroek Block partnerscollectively

According to the document, “This Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement constitutes the entire agreementandunderstandingofthe parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto; provided that for certaintyitisacknowledgedbythe Beneficiary and the Guarantor that this Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement is not intended to and does not amend any term or provision of the Petroleum Agreement.”

Increasedproduction notallowed

Meanwhile, the document seen by this publication also makes it

The Guarantee and Indemnity AgreementlodgedbytheStabroek Block partners on June 9, 2023 states,“InorderfortheBeneficiary (GoG) to exercise its rights under this Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement, the Beneficiary must provide to the Guarantor at the Guarantor’s address stated in Section 4.4, written notice, signed by an authorized representative of Beneficiary (the “Notice”), of EEPGL’s Default of the EnvironmentalObligation…”

The notice to the guarantor must detail the environmental obligation(s)thatis(are)purported to have been defaulted on, includingthelegalbasisgivingrise to the environmental obligation (s) in question; how Exxon failed to satisfy the applicable Environmental Obligation(s) and the unpaid amount for which the companyisliablefor.

Additionally, the government under the agreement must also notify the guarantor that the oil companieshavebeenadvisedofits intenttodrawtheguarantee.

Subsequently,“paymentofany undisputedportionoftheamountin default” shall then be made by the guarantor within 30 days after receiving the notice from government. This means that the guarantormustbesatisfiedthatthe claimmadebythegovernmenthas a legal basis for the oil spill compensationtobereleased.

GuyanarisksEITIsuspension ifcitizensremainshutout ofinformationsharing ...as country faces fresh evaluation round

Guyana faces the risk of temporary suspension from the ExtractiveIndustriesTransparency Initiative (EITI) underArticle 6 of the EITI Standard if it fails to demonstrate substantial progress on a sweeping mandate of 21 correctiveactions.

Following an extension of its initial timeline, the EITI International Board commenced a

The low score of 42 on Outcomes and Impact stems from an ad hoc approach to public outreach, poor internal follow-up on EITI reform recommendations, and a failure to conduct thorough annual reviews to shape national work plans. On Transparency, the board highlighted that despite positive efforts toward contract disclosures and commodity sales, taxpayer confidentiality laws and weak corporate reporting mean only a minority of state resource revenues are currently disclosed to r e q u i r e d s t a n d a r d s o f disaggregationandreliability

The 21 mandated corrective actions demand immediate structuralandlegalreformstobring Guyanaintolinewithinternational transparency requirements. Under standard definitio

y implementclearopendatapolicies to ensure systematically disclosed information is online, machinereadable, and free to reuse without priorconsent.

Furthermo

required to publicly uncover the true beneficial ownership of all companies applying for or holding oil,gas,andmininglicenses,while establishing a publicly accessible r

ctive concessions, license coordinates, andapplicationdates.

Financial accountability protocols have also been extended heavilytoState-OwnedEnterprises (SOEs), r

hem to comprehensively publish audited financial statements, outline the rules governing their capital expenditures, and disclose all material transfers, joint venture t

l expenditures To cure systemic gaps in data collection, the independent administrator must rigorously evaluate corporate and state audit frameworks, projectlevel revenue streams must be strictly disaggregated rather than grouped by company, and all material omissions must be disclosedwithnon-reporting

Continued on page 35

Frompage34 entities named. Additionally, the government must implement enforceable legal provisions

guaranteeing full public participation and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) for indigenous and local communities during the extractive licensing process.

TheEITIBoardhasalsooffered

t e n t a rg e t e d s t r a t e g i c recommendations to fortify local resourcemanagementbeyondcore mandates. These guidelines urge the state to systematically disclose active reserves, exploration plans, draft legislative reforms, and national frameworks for the artisanal and small-scale mining

sectors To build a robust socioeconomic diagnostic, the board encourages publishing gender-disaggregated employment data, capturing methodologically sound estimates of the informal mining economy, making legally required environmental impact assessments publicly accessible, and clearly detailing the formulas used to calculate production and export volumes Finally, the country must ensure absolute transparencyregardingsubnational transfers and subnational revenue allocations earmarked for specific geographiczones.

This rigorous validation process marks the latest chapter in Guyana’scomplexhistorywiththe global watchdog since its admission as an implementing country on October 24, 2017 Following pandemic-related

standard adjustments and extensions, the EITI International Secretariat is actively seeking stakeholder views on Guyana’s progress between April 2022 and May 30th 2026. The confidential public call targets specific queries regardingindustryandgovernment engagement, operational barriers, and civil society’s freedom to participate in public natural resource debate without restraint, coercion,orreprisal.

SATURDAY

Asforeigncompanies flockGuyanaAshniagain urgeslocalstolookabroadfor investmentopportunities

Finance Minister Ashni Singh has urged Guyanese business owners to pursue investment and expansion opportunities overseas, arguing that local companies should follow the example of foreign investors who continue to flock to Guyana’s rapidly growing economy

Addressing the Private Sector Commission’s 34th Annual General Meeting at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Friday, Singh said Guyanese businesses should begin positioning themselves

beyond the domestic market and seek to establish a presence in

economies.

“I will tell you all of the big regional conglomerates, all of the big regional conglomerates started as a family-owned business, or as family-owned businesses. The big regional giants like Massey Regional giants today, they all startedasfamily-ownedbusinesses

jurisdiction.Throughconsolidation and strategic partnerships, through active pursuit of regional markets, theyhavenowgrownandexpanded into large regional conglomerates with not only a regional footprint butaglobalfootprint,”hesaid.

Singh’s appeal may raise questions among some local business owners who argue that manysectorswithinGuyana’sown

e c o n o m y h a v e b e c o m e increasingly dominated by foreign companies and workers, leaving local firms struggling to access opportunities in their home market even amid unprecedented economicgrowth.

Thatrealityhasfueledconcerns

about whether Guyanese businesses should first be given a stronger foothold at home before being encouraged to seek expansionabroad.

Singh reminded that the vision PresidentIrfaanAlihasforGuyana is one where Guyanese companies will be the next big regional conglomerates, having a global footprint as many others like TrinidadandTobago,Barbadosand Jamaica which had emerged in a previousera.

Making his second point he referred to the saying, “…we must fixtheroofwhilethesunisshining andnotwhenitbeginstorain”,the minister noted that as far as things on the economic side are concerned, the sun in Guyana is currentlyshiningbrightlyandinthe

right way on the business community “So, from that

perspectiveitisbesttofixtheroof”.

“For us to continue to grow in the manner that we have been growing, and for us to realise the potential to which we refer, it is absolutely imperative that we are globally competitive, that we not only secure transactions and deals and contracts, but that we are able to deliver them at world-class qualityandworld-classefficiency.”

Looking at US oil giant Exxon Mobil and what he described as their Tier One contractors, the ministersaidthatthishasfacilitated a quantum leap in the expectations related to service delivery Guyanese companies. This is becausetheynowunderstandthat towinanExxoncontract,orone with one of their top-tier contractors, one must be competitive and be able to deliverontime. “Theyhave to observe a wide array, a comprehensive array of standards, including health and safety standards and otherstandards.I’mhappyto see that Guyanese companies are rising to the challenge, and they are winning these contracts, as is evidenced by the billions dollars of local cont opportunities that have been securedbyGuyanesecompanies...”

“Butwemustcontinuetocreate even more opportunities for Guyanesecompanies,soI’mhappy and we are happy as a government to see Guyanese companies respond to the expectation by this world-class oil and gas sector of a certainqualityofdelivery.”

Qualityofdelivery

Meanwhile, Dr Singh said the qualityofdeliverymustnotonlybe achieved or obtained only in relation to the oil and gas sector The minister reminded that the same quality and efficiency displayed for that sector must be observed across the board. There must be “timely delivery of obligations, world-class quality, and observance of standards, this can’t be something that we just hopeforthebestorwejustleaveon autopilot.”

Hechargedtheprivatesectorto ensure that businesses up their game and get to the point where they can be world class competitors,includingthedelivery of goods and services to the Guyaneseconsumers.

“We in this room are well aware,mostofyouinthisroomare private sector owners of companies,entrepreneurs,CEOsof large and medium-sized companies.Idon’tthinkthatanyof you would be offended, like I said earlier, or even disagree with me that I believe that I am of the view thatthereisstillalotofroomforus to improve the quality of service thatwedeliver,”hestressed.

Theministerwentontosaythat

oldmanforthemurderofhis mother at their Cornelia Ida home, West Coast Demerara(WCD).

The dead woman has beenidentifiedas55-yearoldSurujdaiKahriu,called ‘Sharda’.

Reportsarethatshewas killed between 16:25h and 22:40h on Thursday Kahriu livedwithhertwosons,police said.

aieteur News understands thatoneofhersonslefttheirhome and upon his return found his motherdead.

it was recognized by the

government very early on, that transformation mush not only be physical, but there should be transformation in the daily experiencesofpersons,evenwhen interacting with institutions of state.

WomanfounddeadatCornelia Idahome;sonarrested

Police have arrested a 24-year-

Preliminaryreportssuggestthat the woman was beaten and hacked todeath.

Theotherson,wasreportedlyin the home at the time of Kahriu’s death He was arrested and the woman’sremainsweretakentothe Ezekiel Funeral Home where it awaitsanautopsy

Police are reviewing security cameras to ascertain what transpired.

The Last Day Locker Mystery

Danielslumpedinhischairandstaredatthe classroom clock Tick Tick Tick It was the finaldayofschoolbeforesummervacation,and the minutes felt slower than ever Outside the window, the playground sparkled in the sunshine Birdschirpedloudlyinthetrees,and somewhere far away, an ice cream truck playedahappytune

Emily leaned over from the next desk “I think the clock is broken,” she whispered Daniel nodded seriously “It's been 2:15 for at least an hour” Mrs Carter laughed from the frontoftheroom “Nicetry,detectives Westill haveonelastclassroomactivity”

Theclassgroaneddramatically Mrs Carter handedoutemptypaperbags “Cleanoutyour desks and lockers Anything left behind goes intothelost-and-foundbox”

Emily opened her desk and began pulling outcrayons,foldedworksheets,andtinypencil stubs Then her fingers bumped something strange A folded yellow paper “That wasn't therebefore,”shewhispered

Daniel scooted closer Emily carefully unfoldedthenote Itsaid,LOOKUNDERTHE BIGSLIDEBEFORETHEBELLRINGS

“That'sweird,”Danielsaid “Reallyweird,” Emilyagreed Atthebottomofthenotewasa tinydrawingofastar Thesamelittlestarwas scratched onto Emily's desk Daniel's eyes widened “Okay now this is officially a mystery”Emilygrinned “Wehavetosolveit”

Thebellforrecessrangmomentslater,and the class rushed outside Emily and Daniel sprintedacrosstheplaygroundtowardthegiant blue slide Kids raced past them playing tag whileteacherschattednearby Danielcrouched

My country

by Uncle Roy

Guyanaissuchabeautifulplace, Withsomanythingstosee, IcannotwaituntilI'molder, Andcantravelaroundthecountry

Iwanttoseethemanypeople Wholiveincountryandtown, Onthecoastlandandintheinterior, Inestatesandvillagesthatabound.

Thentherearethebeautifulbirds, Andanimalslargeandsmall, Denseforestsandwidesavannahs, Highmountainsandwaterfalls.

Itmakesmesoproudandhappy Toknowmycountryissorich Ofsomanythingsbeautifulandgreat, Toseeitallismygreatestwish.

Rainbow CrystalJars

HowItWorks

underneath the slide “There's nothing here exceptdirtand wait”Hereachedbehindone ofthesupportpolesandpulledoutasmallred box

Emily gasped Inside the box was another clue THESWINGSKNOWTHESECRET

“Who'sdoingthis?”Danielaskedexcitedly Emily pointed at the tiny star drawn at the bottomagain “It'sthesamesymbol”Thetwo hurried toward the swings The playground creakedandsqueakedaroundthemaskidsflew throughtheair Emilysearchedundertheswing seatswhileDanielcheckedthepoles “Ifound something!”

Taped underneath one swing was a blue ribbon with another note attached YOUARE GETTING CLOSER. CHECK THE OLD OAKTREE

“Thisisawesome,”Danielsaid “Itfeelslike we'reinarealtreasurehunt,”Emilywhispered

They ran toward the giant oak tree at the edge of the playground Its branches stretched widelikegiantarms Emilynoticedsomething shinyneartheroots Asilverkey Besideitsat another note ONE FINALPLACE WHERE STORIESBEGIN

Danielfroze “Thelibrary!”Thetworaced back inside the school justas the warning bell rang The hallways buzzed with students carrying backpacks and waving goodbye to friends Insidethequietlibrary,sunlightspilled across the bookshelves Mrs Green, the librarian,smiledastheyentered

“Well,well,”shesaid “Youmadeit”Emily blinked “You know about the clues?” Mrs Greenlaughedsoftlyandpointedtowardasmall woodenchestsittingbesidethereadingrug The silverkeyfitperfectly Insidethechestweretwo brand-new notebooks, packs of colorful gel pens, bookmarks shaped like stars, and one finalletter

Emily read it aloud “To the best mystery solversatMapleGroveSchool:Summerisfull ofadventuresifyouknowwheretolook Write your own stories Create your own mysteries Andneverstopbeingcurious HappySummer!

TheSecretStoryClub”

Daniel's jaw dropped “There's a secret club?”Mrs Greenwinked “Everygreatschool hasafewmysteries”Emilysmiledsowideher cheekshurt “Thisisthebestlastdayever”Mrs Carter suddenly appeared at the library door “Thereyoutwoare,”shesaidwithagrin “Iwas wondering how long it would take” “You helped?” Daniel asked Mrs Carter nodded proudly “Onlythestudentswhonoticesmall detailscouldsolveit”Emilylookeddownat thestarbookmarkinherhand “So doesthis mean we're members now?” Mrs Green smiled mysteriously “That,” she said, “is for summertodecide”

As the final school bell rang through the building, Emily and Daniel walked outside carryingtheirmysteryboxtreasures Summer vacationhadofficiallybegun,andsomehow,it already felt like the start of a brand-new adventure. TheEnd

The hot water dissolves the Borax and creates a saturated solution. As the water cools,itcannolongerholdallthedissolved Borax.TheBoraxbeginstoattachtothepipe cleanersandformssparklingcrystals.

MaterialsNeeded

Clearglassjars(1foreachcolor)

Hotwater(adultsupervisionrequired)

Boraxpowder

Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green,blue,purple)

Popsiclesticks,pencils,orchopsticks

Spoonforstirring

String

Stand

Instructions

1. Tie the end of the string to a popsicle stickandhangitinsideajarwithouttouching thesidesorbottom.Hangittoastand.

2. Fill each jar with very hot water An

adultshouldhandlethisstep.

3.Add about 3 tablespoons of Borax for every cup of hot water and stir until mostly dissolved. The mixture may look slightly cloudy

4.Add several drops of food coloring to eachjar,usingdifferentrainbowcolors.

5.Leavethejarsundisturbedovernightor forabout24hours.

6.Your colorful rainbow crystal jars are nowreadytodisplay!

Today we deal with the other

principles which are important to our living a balancedandmorallife,aswellasbeing abletoactintherightmannerinallthe situations we encounter along life's journey:-

Growth – the process of progressive development in all aspects of one's life. It involves making a continuousandpersistenteffortatselfimprovement, as well as cooperation with others in the progress in one's family, community, nation, and the world.

Tolerance – sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differingfromorconflictingwithone's

MAKE A DETERMINED EFFORT TO MAKE THESE PRINCIPLES AN INTEGRAL PART

OF YOUR PERSONALITY

own, as long as these are seen as not leadingtosomethingevilorbackward. Italsoenablesonetohavethecapacity to endure or become less responsive to an insult or other expression different fromone'sown.

This is the quality by which we eradicate all prejudices, including racism, class superiority, and other beliefsthatseparatehumanbeings.

Peacefulness – the state of being devoidofviolenceorforce;calmnessor state of being untroubled when confronted by conflict, agitation or commotion.

Basically, it involves the willingness to live with others peacefully, and contribute to a society

that remains free from strife and inequality

Loyalty - quality of being unswerving in allegiance; faithfulness to a person, cause, ideal, custom, product or institution to which fidelity is due. It encourages us to strive to be united with others in our quest at all levels for what is needed for living together, and involves devotion to our nationalaspirations.

I hope that everyone will be unwaveringinyoureffortstostudyand maketheseprinciplesthefoundationof your future, and be assured that the rewardsforthiswillbesuccessinyour own life as well as in that of those to whomyouwillbeasterlingexample.

Suguru

“The heavy lines indicate areas, called cages, from one to five squares in size. Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1. So for example a 2-square cage contains the numbers 1 and 2; and a 5-square cage contains the numbers from 1 to 5. Adjacent (touching) squares, even ones that touch diagonally, may never contain the same number."

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build them up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you, Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

The time and effort spent in identifying and living by right principles will inciples be rewarded a hundredfold.

MindYour Business

“What People Gon Say?”

— Shame, Embarrassment,

and the Psychology of Social Approval

- How the Fear of Public Judgment Quietly Shapes Decisions, Relationships, and Identity

ByDr.EonAndre George,PhD,EdD

Few questions have controlled more lives than a simple one: “What people gonsay?”

It has stopped people from leaving unhappy relationships It has prevented people from seeking counseling. It has kept individuals trapped in churches they no longer believe in, jobs they no longer enjoy, and situations they desperately want to escape.

For some, it has delayed dreamsforyears.Forothers, it has influenced who they married, what they studied, where they lived, and even how they grieved. It has convinced people to stay where they are miserable

because leaving would create conversation. It has persuaded people to suffer quietly because admitting struggle would invite judgment It has caused countless individuals to prioritize appearances over peace. What makes this so powerful is that the fear is often not about the actual decisionitself.Moreoften,it is about the audience surrounding the decision Before many choices are made, people have already imagined the reactions, the questions, the whispers, and the interpretations that may follow Long before reality arrives,themindhasalready stagedtheperformance. TheInvisibleAudience Before many decisions are made, another

conversation is already takingplaceinsidethemind. It is not always about whethersomethingisrightor wrong,healthyorunhealthy, wise or unwise. Instead, the mind begins imagining reactions. What will family think? What will the neighbours say? How will this look? Who will hear about it? What story will peoplecreateoncetheylearn whathappened?

These questions often become more influential than the actual problem itself. A person may know exactlywhattheyneedtodo, yetstillhesitatebecausethey are trying to calculate the social consequences of doingit.

Psychologists help explain this through what is known as the Need to

Belong Theory, developed by Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary The theory proposes that human beings possessadeeppsychological need to form meaningful social bonds and maintain acceptance within their social groups. This need is notsimplyapreference.Itis afundamentalpartofhuman functioning.

Throughout human history,belongingtoagroup increased the likelihood of survival. Those who were accepted gained protection, support, and access to resources. Those who were excluded often faced vulnerability and isolation. As a result, the human brain evolved to become highly sensitive to signs of acceptanceandrejection.

Although modern life has changed dramatically, thepsychologicalmachinery remainsmuchthesame.The brain still reacts strongly to socialdisapproval.Research has even shown that experiences of social rejectionactivatesomeofthe same neural pathways associated with physical pain.Thishelpsexplainwhy embarrassment can feel so intense and why public humiliation can remain emotionallypainfulforyears after an event has passed. In practicalterms,manypeople fearbeingtalkedaboutmore than they fear making a mistake. The emotional threatisnotfailureitself.The emotional threat is failing publicly

GrowingUpUnder WatchfulEyes

This dynamic becomes e v e n s t r o n g e r i n environments where social relationships are deeply interconnected Families know each other across generations. Relatives are often involved in one another’slives.Newstravels quickly, and people develop astrongawarenessthattheir actions are being observed andinterpreted.

Children growing up in these environments frequently hear familiar warnings: “Mind how you b e h a v i n g “ ” D o n ’t embarrass the family

“”People watching “”Don’tletpeopletalkabout us.”

Dr. EonAndre George, PhD, EdD

While these statements are often intended to teach responsibility, respect, and accountability, they also communicate another lesson: public perception matters. Over time, some individualsbeginorganizing their lives around that perception.Insteadofasking whether a decision aligns with their values or goals, they begin evaluating how others may respond to it. Personal conviction slowly competes with social approval. The result is that many adults continue carrying an invisible audience long after childhood Even when nobodyisactivelywatching, they behave as though someoneis.

WhenReputation BecomesIdentity

Psychologists and sociologists have long studied the influence of public perception on personalidentity Oneofthe mostinfluentialideascomes from Charles Horton Cooley’s concept of the Looking Glass Self AccordingtoCooley,people developpartoftheiridentity byimagininghowotherssee them. They imagine how they appear to others, imagine how those people evaluate them, and then develop feelings about themselves based on those imaginedevaluations.

Insimpleterms,weoften learnwhowearebylooking into the social mirror provided by other people. The challenge is that these reflections are not always accurate. Sometimes people are reacting not to actual judgments but to judgments theyanticipate. Consider a woman who returns home after the breakdown of a long relationship. Before anyone saysanything,sheisalready imagining conversations taking place. She imagines relatives discussing her choices She imagines neighbors offering opinions. She imagines being viewed assomeonewhofailed.

h e t h e r t h o s e

conversations are actually happening becomes almost irrelevant The emotional experiencefeelsrealbecause theaudiencealreadyexistsin her mind This is why reputationoftencarriessuch psychological weight

People are not only managing how others see them. They are managing how they believe others see them.

TheDifferenceBetween GuiltandShame

Understanding the distinctionbetweenguiltand shame helps explain why public judgment can feel so overwhelming.Althoughthe terms are often used i n t e r c h a n g e a b l y, psychologists view them as very different emotional experiences. Guilt focuses on behaviour It says, “I did something wrong. “Shame focuses on identity It says, “There is something wrong withme.”

A person experiencing guilt believes they made a mistake A person experiencing shame begins believing that the mistake reflects who they are as a person. This distinction is important because guilt often motivates correction, while shame frequently motivates hiding. For example,someonewhofeels guilty about a financial mistakemayworktocorrect it Someone who feels ashamed may avoid discussing it altogether because they fear being viewednegativelybyothers. In communities where reputationcarriessignificant value, shame can become especially powerful. People may spend years protecting t h e m s e l v e s f r o m embarrassment, even when doing so prevents growth, healing, or necessary change.

WhyPeopleHide TheirStruggles

This helps explain why so many people suffer silently A man battling depression may continue smiling publicly while struggling privately A familyexperiencing

Continued on page 48

Brickdam Cathedral hosts Festival of Flowers in honor of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee

In honor of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary, a Festival of Flowers was held in Brickdam, Cathedral on Monday 25th MayandTuesday26thMay,2026.

In post issued via Facebook, Catholic Media Guyana stated that more than 20 sections of the Cathedral were beautifully decorated with flowers and plants in celebration of Guyana’s Diamond JubileeofIndependence.

This sacred and inspiring display not only celebrates our nation’s rich heritage and natural beauty, but also serves as a gentle reminder of the message of Laudato Si’, a shared call to care for creation and protect the environment entrusted to mankindbyGod.

Thefestivalattractedvisitorsthroughoutthetwo days, some of whom spent hours admiring the displays were able to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of the cathedral which was adorned with flowers. Participants included most of the Catholic parishes in Georgetown, professional Florists, Bishop’sHighSchoolandSt.George’sCathedral.

There was also music for all of the two days providedbyfiveorganists.Agroupofstudentsfrom School of The Nations played on their various instrumentsmuchtotheenjoymentofvisitors.

ThefestivalisarareeventattheCathedralasthe last one was held eleven years ago. It is normally held to coincide with a significant anniversary On this occasion it was the 60th Independence anniversary’sFestivalofFlowers.

According to the Catholic media, the first FestivalofFlowerswasheldin1989,andsincethen only five Festivals of Flowers have been hosted, makingthisatrulyspecialandmemorableoccasion inthelifeoftheCathedralandourcountry

TributetoGeorgeE.Williams,atrueCaribbeanson

BySirRonaldSanders

GeorgeE.Williams,who died in England on 23rd May, 2026 was a true

C a r i b b e a n s o n : a distinguished Dominican public servant, regional

integration pioneer, diplomat, economist, and international civil servant whose life’s work advanced the interests of Dominica, the Eastern Caribbean, and the wider developing world. His passing marked the loss ofamanwhoseintelligence, discipline, and quiet resolve

strengthened every institution he served and s t r e n g t h e n e d t h e Caribbean’s voice in the internationalcommunity

For Dominica, George gave many decades of faithful service. He came fromhumblebeginningsand never forgot them. On one visit to him, after he had returned home to Dominica, he took me to the hills and rugged trails he had walked asaboytogettoschool.He spoke of it without complaint and without selfpity; it was simply a decent man recalling the hardship that had shaped him and strengthened his resolve to overcome.

Before entering the higher ranks of diplomacy, he built a solid professional foundation in the public

service, working in the MinistriesofAgricultureand Finance,wherehegainedthe administrative and economic skills that later made him such an effective voice in regional and international negotiations

Those early years were not simply a waystation in a career; they reflected a lifelong commitment to the hard, practical work of national development and carefulstewardshipofpublic affairs.

That commitment came fullyintoviewwhenhewas a p p o i n t e d H i g h CommissionerforDominica in London, a post he held from 1990 to 2001. His tenurecoincidedwithoneof the most difficult periods in Dominica’s economic history, when the future of banana exports and the livelihoods built upon them were threatened by the international disputes known as the Banana Wars. In that struggle, George was a tireless and persuasive advocate for preserving preferential access for Caribbeanbananaexportsto Europe,defendingnot just a crop but the economic survival of small and fragile societies. HisworkinLondonwent far beyond trade. He helped to build Dominica’s High Commissionintoaconfident

and effective mission, strengthened consular support for the Dominican community in the United Kingdom, and represented his country in important multilateral settings, including as Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization. After retiring from diplomatic service, he returned to serve Dominica o n t h e I n t e g r i t y Commission,bringingtothe defence of transparency and accountability the same seriousnessandintegritythat hadmarkedhisentirepublic life.

George E. W illiams

negotiations that laid the foundations for the subregional institutions that followed.

During his tenure at the EasternCaribbeanCommon Market, George enjoyed the full confidence and respect ofthepoliticalleadersofthe time.Theyrecognisedinhim a steady hand, a clear mind, andaregionalpublicservant they could trust with the most difficult questions of economic policy and integration.

But to speak only of his servicetoDominicaistotell onlypartofhisstory George Williamsalsobelongsfirmly in the history of Eastern Caribbean integration. The countries that now form the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States should remember him as one of the early pioneers and stalwarts of sub-regional cooperation. He played a leading part in theestablishmentoftheEast Caribbean Common Market and was its first Executive Secretary, involved in the detailed technical work, the inter-governmental consultations, and the

It was inAntigua, where theEastCaribbeanCommon Marketwasbased,thatIfirst had the privilege of meeting and working with George. There, we set our shoulders together to promote the economic interests of the Eastern Caribbean countries in CARICOM, the World Bank, and other multilateral institutions Out of that common work grew a friendshipthatendureduntil his death. Those who knew him in that period saw for themselves the qualities that made him such an effective servant of the region: an orderly mind, deep knowledge, patience in negotiation, and an unwavering commitment to theinterestsofsmallstates.

George joined the economics staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat early in his career, and in

1979 moved to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. At UNCTAD he served first in West Africa and then in Geneva as a senior trade analyst and Inter-regional Adviser, helping developing countries to expand their trade and negotiate with largerandricherpartners. It was a particular joy, many years later, for me to welcome George to London whenhewasappointedHigh CommissionerforDominica while I was serving as High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda. That period renewed our collaboration on behalf of Caribbean interests We worked together not only to defend the region’s trade preferences, including for bananas,butalsotohelpput in place a structured framework for regular consultation between the United Kingdom and Caribbean governments, a process that has since becomeanannualfixture.In all of this, George brought the same qualities he had always shown: diligence, clear thinking, sound judgment, and steady commitment.

In his later years, after suffering a stroke, George lost the ease of clear speech andtheabilitytowriteashe once had His mind, however, remained sharp, and his memory was as strong as ever Even in illness, he bore himself with quiet dignity My own departure from London reducedtheopportunities for the regular visits I would have wished to makeinthoseyears,andI regretthatdeeply

For those of us who knew him, George was not only an able economist and diplomat; he was a kind, modest, and decent man whose friendship was a privilege.

d

George E. Williams

h gratitudeandrespect.He gavethebestofhislifeto publicserviceanddidso withoutflourish,butwith distinction. His legacy e n d u r e s i n t h e institutions he helped to build, in the regional cooperation he helped to shape,inthestandardsof public integrity he upheld, and in the examplethatheleavesof a Caribbean man who served his country and his region with loyalty, intelligence,andgrace.

Widespread floods prompt Cabinet fanout amidst claims of dysfunctional pump stations

Persistentandheavyrainfallon Saturday, which caused floods across Region Four and other communities, prompted President Ali and his Cabinet to meet Regional Executive Officers and Regional Chai

ons to coordinate a national response to widespreadflooding. Speakingduringanassessment

in Region Three on Saturday morning, President Ali said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has activated a coordinated national response involvingregionaladministrations, drainage and irrigation authorities, andemergencyagencies.

Thevolumeofrainfallrecorded

significantly above normal levels, resulting in overtopping of drains, water accumulation in low-lying areas, and flooding in several communities. “We are seeing very high and unusual rainfall patterns across the country, and as a government, we are on the ground ensuring that every agency is workingtogethertobringreliefand supporttoresidents,”PresidentAli said.

President Ali explained that teams have been dispatched to assess damage, identify urgent interventions, and ensure that drainage systems are functioning effectively He said additional pumps and resources were being mobilised where necessary to accelerate the removal of floodwaters.

Cabinet ministers were also assigned to various regions to engage residents directly, monitor conditions and coordinate relief effortswithlocalauthorities.

Ali assured citizens that the government would continue to providesupporttoaffectedfamilies and commun

s, while maintaining close surveillance of weather conditions and water levels. He emphasised that public infrastructure agencies were working around the clock to clear drainage channels, operate pumps and address critical areas experiencingflooding.

Ali urged residents to remain vigilant, heed advisories issued by relevantauthoritiesandreportareas requiringimmediateattention.

“Wewillcontinuetobepresent in the communities, assess the situation firsthand, and ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to safeguard lives and livelihoods,”hestated.

While t

deployed its teams, the Leader of

Mohamed heavily criticised the stateofthedrainageinfrastructure, highlighting that communities like Better Hope are under water

pump stations are simplynotworking.

TheOppositionLeaderpointed outthatonlytwooutoffivepumps are currently operational at Montrose, causing major flooding on the East Coast, while the Plaisance pump station was completelydown,exacerbatingthe situation in both Better Hope and Plaisance.

Kaieteur News was reliably informed that the Plaisance pump was subsequently functional Furthermore, the Opposition Leader noted that the Le

and Success pump station has been down for three months, a timeline backed up by residents of Success who complained to visiting teams that theirpumphasindeedbeenbroken for three years, leading to severe localisedflooding.

The response efforts continued across the coastland with several ministerial teams on the ground. Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, visitedBeterverwagting,East Continued on page 42

Aresident of Region 5 showing the extent of the flood on her property to Regional Executive Officer for MahaicaBerbice, Mary Samaroo alongside Regional Chairman, Recardo Phillips and Regional Vice Chairman, Kleon Lindey

Exxon commences 3-month offshore inspection of Gas-to-Energy pipeline

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block has commenced a three-month long inspection of the subsea pipeline for the Gas-toEnergy(GTE)project.

This was revealed by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in a notice publishedonFridayintheKaieteur News

The inspection activities commenced on May 27, 2026 and areexpectedtoconcludeonAugust 15, 2026 MARAD said five vessels will be engaged in the process,includingTelesto,Gilligan Island, Sea Ark-SSC Adelaar, DN 87 and Rainbow Dolphin. All mariners “are required” to stay clear of these vessels and navigate with extreme caution when in the vicinity

“The inspection area commencesfromtheWestCoastof Demerara, approximately 2 15 nautical miles (4 kilometres) to 4.32 nautical miles (8 kilometres) along the pipeline and covers an area of 5.6 square nautical miles (18 2 square kilometres),” accordingtothenotice.

A few months ago, a notice appeared in the newspapers regarding aerial drone monitoring of the onshore pipeline, which lands at Crane and passes through several villages on the West Bank of Demerara before ending at Wales, where a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and 300megawatt power plant is under construction.

Althoughtheseinspectionsand monitoring activities are ongoing, the government previously

indicatedthatthedormantpipeline isnotcostingthecountryacent.

The220-kilometerpipelinewas completed by ExxonMobil since December 2024 even as the agreements between the company and the Guyana Government continue to be hidden from the public.

In a previous public notice, MARAD explained that pipe laying works commenced in June of2023. ExxonMobilwasgranted a Permit by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the project on November 25, 2022. Further, it explained that a 500 meter-pipeline protection area on eithersideofthestructurehasbeen established and covers an area of 56.8squarenauticalmilesor194.9 squarekilometres.

Although the structure is now completed,Guyaneseareyettosee the deal signed between the GoG and Exxon with regard to the structure.Infact,thecountryisalso in the dark on the final cost of this componentoftheproject.

When President of EMGL, AlistairRoutledgewasaskedabout the final cost of the project by Kaieteur News he said, “I don’t haveafinalnumber.”Eventhough he previously highlighted that all contracts were awarded for the structure.

Exxon’sCountryManagerlater told this publication that the company is confident that the project is on budget since all contracts have been awarded. He, however, noted “there will always be some final negotiation on any sort of details that the contractors might want to confirm. We’re on thatbillion-dollarnumber.”

When pressed in 2024 to say when the final price tag for the projectwouldberevealed,hesaid, “It would be some time next year whenwewrapupallthecontracts.”

WidespreadfloodspromptCabinetfanoutamidst...

Frompage41 CoastDemerara,toengageresidents,observe drainage conditions, and receive updates on ongoing efforts to facilitate the outflow of water

Simultaneously, Ministers Bishop Juan Edghill, Oneidge Walrond, Charles Ramson, Keoma Griffith, and Steven Jacobs were joined by local community leaders and councillors to conduct flood assessments acrossGeorgetown.

In Region Five, Minister of Education, SoniaParagandMinisterofHealthDr Frank Anthony joined Regional Chairman Recardo Phillips, Vice Chairman Kleon Lindey, Regional Executive Officer Mary Samaroo, and other regional officials to monitor conditions and oversee ongoing mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, teams in Region Six actively engaged with residents of Fyrish to assesstheimpactoftheheavyrainfalloverthe last24hours. Aflooded yard in Georgetown (PNCR)

President IrfaanAli led an emergency Cabinet meeting, with Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Regional Chairpersons about the impact of unprecedented flooding. (OP)

Inmate who escaped from Lusignan Prison recaptured

The inmate who escaped from the Lusignan Prison on May17hasbeenrecaptured.TheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF) inastatementsaidthatranks,actingoninformation,visiteda location at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday, about 00:20hrs, where Adrian Damder was contactedandarrested.

Damder, who was initially incarcerated for using threatening language, is currently at the Sparendaam Police Station,asinvestigationscontinue.

On May 19, Kaieteur News reported that Damder, escapedfromtheLusignanPrisonafterhescaledthefence. Reportsindicatedthattheinmatewastakenintotheyard to work, in the presence of high-ranking officials and other ranks.Inamatterofminutes,attentionwastakenoffDamder, who managed to slip away, and made good his escape. On discovering the man was missing, the CCTV footage was examinedandhewasobservedcommittingtheact. Hewasincarceratedforusingthreateninglanguage.

RECAPTURED:

Rupununi

duo

fined $50k each for DUI

Two Central Rupununi, Region Nine men were charged separatelyonFridayfordrivingundertheinfluencewhenthey appearedattheLethemMagistrates’CourtbeforeMagistrate OmadattChandan.

George Gildarie, a motor lorry driver of Lethem, Central Rupununi, was charged with the offence of, “Driving Motor Vehicle While Breath Alcohol Exceeded the Prescribed Limit.” He pleaded guilty and was fined $50,000. Failure to paythefinewouldresultinfiveweeks’imprisonment.

Similarly, Fitz Patrick Raphael, a motorcyclist of MocoMoco Village, Central Rupununi, also was slapped with the samecharge.Hewasalsofined$50,000.

TeachersbreaksilenceonabuseprobeatDavidRoseSpecialSchool

As the Ministry of Education intensifies its investigation into the alleged mistreatment of special needs learners by two educators at the David Rose Special School for Special Education, a deeper crisishasemerged.

W h i s t l e b l o w e r testimonies from inside the institutionpaintaharrowing picture of a broken system, where severely overworked teachers, operating without nurses, behavioral therapists, or functional infrastructure, are routinely left alone to manage understaffed classrooms

u n d e r e x t r e m e psychological and physical duress.

Inimmediateresponseto the public outcry generated by a circulated social media

video showing the alleged abuse, the Ministry of Education has announced the urgent installation of a governing board to seize control of the institution’s oversight, prioritising these severe teacher concerns alongside structural accountabilitymeasures. While not excusing the actions captured on film, educators from the David Rose School have broken their silence, describing an environment so volatile and unsupported that they feel structural failure was inevitable.

According to internal sources, the school is operating with severe deficits in specialised personnel, utilising zero permanent nurses or behavioural therapists,

while a single occupational therapist visits only two days a week and a speech therapist provides services justonceeveryweekortwo.

By Guyana Teachers’ Union regulations, the mandatory ratio for special education is six children to oneteacherandoneteaching aid, yet teachers are left entirelyunassisted,withone whistleblower personally managing more than 10 high-needs children and another solely responsible formorethan12learners.

Furthermore, existing teachingaidesarefrequently absent or lack appropriate communication skills; one teacher noted her assigned aideswasunabletospeakor see, rendering them unable to assist in a classroom where the teacher, who is

still a student at the University of Guyana, must simultaneously learn sign language while lesson planning, managing journals, completing online registration, and handling individualisedinstruction.

“...whenIsaysomebody has to help me, it’s one that can’t hear and mute. I can’t evenaskhertoteachalesson while I teach the students who need IEP work. I can’t ask her to conduct this lessonherewithanyamount of children. Break it down and let she teach the other nine children while I teach the other children with the IEPwork.Ican’tdothat.She cannot talk to the children. Oh, man! This is so much frustrating,”ateachersaid.

Teachers detailed shocking structural failures

that compromise the basic health and safety of both educators and students, noting that the grounds behind the facility remain heavily overgrown because theyarenotweeded.

“Teachersfindsnakesin their classroom and could not work. Why they aren’t talkingaboutthat? Ministry is aware of all these issues. They are not addressing it. Thelasttimethesnakeissue wasraisedwiththeMinistry was sometime last week. This is because a teacher opened her classroom and there were two snakes to greet her Mind you, the snake bit the cleaner And thecleanerrolledout,locked back the door,” a teacher detailed.

Only half of the washroom facilities are operational,asplumbersare allegedlypaidsmallsumsof tenthousanddollarstopatch isolated issues without fixing the underlying drainage crisis, leaving teachers to manually flush malfunctioning toilets and clean up human waste

Additionally, the facility lacks a calming area or decompression section for a u t i s t i c l e a r n e r s experiencing emotional meltdowns,forcingchildren to navigate outbursts in overcrowded spaces where they sometimes resort to tearing shirts, while new furniture brought to the school was described as l o o k i n g l i k e a n uncomfortable semi-V Teachers are also left waiting on basic tools like functional whiteboards, which are desperately needed for students who cannot write and need spacestoscribble.

Due to a lack of support staff, teachers’ contracted hours have expanded into exhaustive 12-hour cycles without respite, forcing some educators who travel from extreme distances to arrive at the school as early as 6:00 AM or 6:30 AM to beattraffic.

Though designated supportstaffaresupposedto remain on duty from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM to handle early drop-offs and parental meetings, teachers claim these workers are no longer present,forcingeducatorsto assume custody of children the moment they step onto the compound Teachers reportedly receive no lunch or rest breaks and must eat alongside the learners, frequently spending their own lunchtime physically feedingchildrenwhocannot feedthemselves.

In the afternoons,

teachers remain stuck on school grounds as late as 4:30PMor5:30PMwaiting for transport or stranded with abandoned children

The whistleblowers revealed that security personnel have been left guarding children on school property as late as 6:00 PM or7:00PM.

Educators expressed immense frustration over rigid bureaucratic requirements that ignore classroom realities, such as beingforcedtoimplementa Jamaican curriculum purchased by the State which is explicitly designed for the intellectually impaired but misapplied to autisticchildren.

“And you’ve got to change up that learner profile to suit the HM on deputy breakdown, because of the Jamaican curriculum, whichtheyadoptedandpaid for That does not work for autism children because it’s set plainly for intellectual, impaired children,” a teacherdisclosed.

Managing these legally binding plans requires teachers to abandon the rest oftheclassroomfor5to15minuteintervalsperchildto satisfy criteria covering math, language, and behaviour While a teacher sitsinacornertoadminister an individual plan, the remaining nine unassisted special needs children are left largely unsupervised, forcing the teacher to constantly yell across the room to prevent physical fights. To complicate matters, the Ministry now mandates that teachers create entirely separate planstoincorporateScience andSocialStudiesintothese strictly structured documents, despite a daily schedule that strictly limits subjectstohalf-hourblocks.

Following the initial fallout, further shocking disclosures from the faculty highlight a state of total institutional abandonment, leaving teachers to pay out of pocket to clothe students while navigating physical v i o l e n c e i n s i d e unsegregated classrooms Teachersreportthatoutofa classroom of 10 children, only5arefullyparticipating to the level of being able to use the washroom independently, while the remainder require total, hands-onphysicalcarefrom educators who receive no support from parents or the State.

According to staff, the school regularly admits vulnerable,unassessed

Continuedonpage48

Wanted one professional jeweller.Contact:612-2125.

Excavator Operations to workintheinterior.Contact: 223-5273/4,621-5907.

Small family to live on PoultryFarm,EBD&touse brush cuter. $170,000 a month.Call:695-5310/6174662.

Driver/OfficeAssistant,Van & Car License. $170,000 a month.Call:695-5310/6174662.

Night Guard wanted (Soesdyke). $120,000 a month.Call:695-5310/6174662.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, musicsystem,alarm,reverse camera,spoiler,lowmileage, PTTSeries(firstowner).Call: 649-0956.

SERVICES

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada&UK:Graphicsdesign,advertisements,wedding archrentals.Tel:626-7040.

LAND FOR SALE

UndevelopedLandsforSale at Manchester, Corentyne Section C $5M, Section D $1.8M.Call218-4142before 10pm.

FOR SALE

Solar System for sale. Contact: 757-1581 / 7159392.

TRUCK TIRES 295/ 75 R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP: +592-688-3201.

VACANCY

General Domestic (4 day work) & experiened handyman,applyatKeyfoodTrading, Mc Doom next to the post office.

Reliablehousekeepingstaff needed. Must be punctual &detail-oriented.Call:2250198

Reliable deskstaff needed. Mustbepunctual.Call:2250198.

Now Hiring Bus Drivers. Route 47 Zone (can be changed if required). Call / Whatsapp:592-681-8119

Vacancy exists for one domesticworker.Pleasecall: 647-8005

placement of rocks on Lethemof rocks on Lethem of rocks on Lethemof rocks on Lethem Lethem

aerodromerunwayaerodromerunway aerodromerunwayaerodromerunway aerodrome runway

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Saturday raised alarmed about the placement of rocks across the runway of the Lethem Aerodome, posing grave and unacceptable threat to the safety of aircraft operations and the lives of passengers, crew and all personsusingtheregionalair transport link.

Inastatement,theGCAA noted that an investigation has been launched into the deliberateplacementofrocks ontherunwaybytheGuyana PoliceForce(GPF).

“The Authority calls on members of the public who mayhaveinformationrelating to this act to come forward andassistthepolicewiththeir enquiries.

The GCAA wishes to remind the public that this conduct constitutes a serious criminal offence under the Civil Aviation Act 2018. Specifically,Section83(1)of the Act.”

The Act says that, “Any person who trespasses on any land forming part of an aerodrome or causes any animal to trespass on such land commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars and to imprisonment for six months.”

Section 86 of the Act makes it an offence for any

person to intentionally and wilfullyinterfereorattemptto interfere with air navigation within Guyana, with perpetrators liable on summaryconvictiontoafine of three million dollars and imprisonmentfortwoyears.

The statement noted that the Director General of the GCAA has unequivocally condemned the acts stating that, “The deliberate placement of rocks on the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome is a reckless and irresponsibleactthatdirectly compromised aviation safety and endangered the lives of all persons who depend on air operations at this aerodrome. The GCAA will not tolerate any conduct thatunderminesthe safety and security of civil aviation in Guyana, and we are firmly committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”

The GCAA urged the publictotreatallaerodromes as “safety-critical infrastructure and to immediately report any suspicious activity or threats to aerodrome operations to the relevant authorities, or anonymously to GCAA’s Hotline608-4222.”

“The safety of the travelling public remains the Authority’shighestpriority,” theGCAAsaid.

“What People Gon Say?”

From page 38 financialhardshipmaycontinue projecting success while carrying tremendous stress behind closed doors. A student overwhelmed by academic pressure may avoid seeking help because appearing capable feels safer than admitting difficulty

Psychologists describe this process through the conceptofImpressionManagement, a theory associatedwithsociologistErving Goffman. The theory suggests that individuals constantly manage the image theypresenttoothers,much like actors performing on a stage. People decide which partsofthemselvestoreveal and which parts to conceal. They present versions of themselvesthattheybelieve will be accepted, respected, or admired. This is not always dishonest. In many casesitissimplyhumannature. However, problems arise when maintaining the imagebecomesmoreimportant than addressing reality A person may spend enormous energy protecting appearances while neglecting emotionalwell-being.

The performance becomes exhausting because the individual is managing two lives simultaneously: the public version and the private one.

SocialMediaand theNewPublicSquare

Inpreviousgenerations, social judgment was often limitedtofamilycircles,workplaces, religious communities, neighbour hoods, and social gatherings. Today, social media has expanded theaudiencedramatically A photograph can trigger as-

sumptions. Avacationcaninvitecomparison.Arelationship status can generate speculation. Even silence can become a topic of discussion.

Psychologists explain much of this through Social ComparisonTheory, developed by Leon Festinger The theory proposes that people naturallyevaluatethemselves by comparing their lives to those around them.

Under normal circumstances,comparisoncanhelp people assess progress and set goals. However, social media creates a distorted environmentbecausepeopleare usually comparing their everyday realities to carefully curated versions of other people’s lives.

The result is often dissatisfaction,insecurity,andanxiety.Individualsbeginmeasuring themselves against standards that may not even be real. At the same time, the pressure to maintain appearances increases. People become conscious of how every post, photo, and update might be interpreted. Once again, the audience expands.

WhenApproval

BecomesaPrison

Thedesireforacceptance is normal. Human beings need connection, belonging, and community. Problems emerge when approval becomes more important than authenticity.Peoplepostpone dreams because someone may disapprove. People suppressopinionsbecausesomeonemaycriticizethem.

People avoid counseling becausesomeonemaymisunderstandthem.Peopleremain in situations that no longer serve them because leaving would create conversation.

Overtime,lifecanbecome organized around perceptionratherthanpurpose.Decisions are no longer driven primarilybyvalues,goals,or personal growth. Instead, they become driven by the desiretoavoidcriticism. Theironyisthatmanyof the people whose opinions seem so powerful are often dealing with their own insecurities, fears, and uncertainties. Yet their imagined judgments continue influencing decisions because the audience has become internalized.

UnderstandingBehavior ThroughContext

When viewed more closely,manybehaviorsthat appearirrationalbeginmaking psychological sense. What appears as stubbornnessmayactuallybeshame. Whatappearsasloyaltymay reflectfearofpubliccriticism. What appears as confidence may sometimes be carefully managedperformance.What appears as silence may be protection against embarrassment.

Understanding these dynamicshelpsexplainwhysocial approval exerts such a powerful influence over everyday decisions. It also reminds us that many of the struggles people carry are not simply practical. They are social, emotional, and deeply psychological. Becauseintheend,many people are not simply managing their lives. Theyaremanaginganaudience.

Every belief has a history.

Every reaction has a root.

Understanding them is where wisdom begins.

Teachers break silence on abuse probe at David Rose

From page 46 children without tracking parental accountability or employmentstatus,andsome parents openly tell educators that managing the children is strictly the teacher’sjob.The lack of basic provisions frequently forces teachers to dip into their own pockets to buy supplies, describing heartbreaking scenarios where children arrive at schoolwithoutbasicclothing necessitiesordiapers,forcing teachers to borrow clothing from other students.

Teachers noted that some parents have ignored requests for over two terms to simply sew a button on a child’s pants to keep their zipperfromridingdown.

Thecontinuoustraumaof the school environment has triggered severe psychological burnout, leavingmanyteachersdeeply disoriented, physically exhausted, and dreading returning to work each morning.

“But you know that the teachers are overwhelmed and frustrated. We are burnt out. Some teachers are burnt out to a level whereby some of them don’t even want to come to work the next day Yougottodealwithallofthe children. And then not only that, you got to go home and dealwithyourchildren.Ihave my own children.You know what I did to my son? I was so tired, I snapped at him and I felt so bad. Remember, when you first cometoyourfamilyathome, they are expecting the same thing attention you give the children at school,” another angry teacher said.

Teachers have criticised Assistant Chief Education Officer Dr. Keon Chung and the Ministry for failing to provide adequate sensory andprotectivegearforhighly hyperactiveandself-harming children, noting that in a classroom of 11 to 12 noisesensitiveautisticchildren,the Ministry has provided only

twoorthreenoise-cancelling earmuffs.

“The like to say, oh I’m holding you teachers accountable. Yeah, we know that but why are you not helpingustohavemoreaides and more assistance in the classroom? Why isn’t the Ministryfightingforustoget accurate furniture? Some of the classes ain’t even got the correcttypeoffurniture...I’m stillwaitingonmywhiteboard table. That was supposed to come for the children who cannot write… That need to scribble. Why aren’t they fighting for Mr. Cheong to bring weighted vests for the children who are ADHD? Why are they not bringing it for the children who are extremely hyper, man? HM andthembuyaone-weighted vest. And we have many hyper children in the school. How is that working? Oneweighted vest. And one original helmet for the children who self-harm their heads,” one teacher told

KaieteurNews.

Kaieteur News

understands that when a child begins screaming or experiencingameltdown,the noise triggers severe distress in the other learners, who beginfranticallybeatingtheir own ears, forcing teachers to stop instruction to analyse whichchildissufferingmore before rationing out the limited headphones.

This publication was told that the Ministry has purchased only one single weightedvestforhyperactive learners and one single protectivehelmetforchildren whoviolentlystriketheirown heads against surfaces or break glass windows, which teachers state is completely useless given the scale of the student body Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, held an emergencymeetingonFriday afternoon with Volika Jaikishun,HeadoftheSchool Board Secretariat, Dr. Keon Chung, Assistant Chief

Special...

EducationOfficerforSpecial Education Needs and Development, and Tiffanny Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Administration, to fast-track the establishment of a Board of Governors for the institution. The board will comprise parents, guardians, and experienced special education professionals with the explicit mandate of strengthening daily administrative supervision, establishing institutional accountability, enhancing parental engagement, and safeguardingstudentwelfare metrics.

Minister Parag declared that no child should ever be subjected to such treatment within an environment entrusted with their care, and affirmed that the new board is a direct, immediate intervention to patch the broken operational links between the school administration and the familiesitserves.

Govt. to spend $41M to upgrade

Kara Kara Landfill site

The government through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is planning to spend approximately $41 million to upgrade the Kara Kara LandfillsiteinRegion10.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Boardofficedisclosedthat14contractorsbidfortheproject.

Additionally, the ministry plans to spend $21 million to rehabilitate internal roads at the Mahdia Landfill in Region Eight. Kaieteur News understands that these projects will form part of the $5.9 billion approved in the 2026 National BudgetfortheSolidWasteDisposalProgramme.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Upgrade of Kara Kara Landfill Site.

Rehabilitation of internal Roads at Mahdia Landfill, Region 8.

Topographic, Geotechnical & Hydrogeological Studies for Sanitary Landfill Sites, L1-8.

Consultancy for Design & Supervision of Sanitary Landfill Facilities, L1-8.

Alarming surge in suicides among ICE detainees, investigation reveals

AP review finds unprecedented number of suicide deaths as critics attack failures of Trump’s immigration crackdown

The Guardian - Brayan Rayo Garzón was distraught. Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he was on his fourth day of isolation in a Missouri jail as he battled the fevers and chills ofCovid.

His request for mental health treatment had been put off,recordsshow,andstaffhad forbidden Rayo from making his nightly call to his mother, as a precaution intended to preventthespreadofillness.

He pleaded with his jailers inhandwrittennotestoarrange a conversation with her. “I feel in my heart that she’s very worriedaboutme,”hewrotein Spanish.

Brayan Rayo Garzón, who died by suicide in a Missouri ICE facility last year

Photograph: Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP

A guard collected the note and walked away Within an hour, jail records show, he was found unconscious in his cell. An autopsy determinedhekilledhimself.

Rayo’s April 2025 death was the first suicide in a surge among ICE detaineesthathasalarmedpublichealth officials and jail experts. They said the unprecedented number of suicide deathswasanindicationthatauthorities are failing to properly oversee the detention of tens of thousands of immigrants swept up in the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation strategy An Associated Press investigation found that at least 10 detainees, all men, have died by suicide since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, a pace that far exceeds the growth in the detainee population, according to a review of ICE data, autopsy reports, coroners’ rulings and police records. Since October, seven deaths have been classified as suicides, anumberthatisalreadythemostforany fiscal year in the agency’s history ICE has usually recorded one or no such deathsannually

“Something is going profoundly wrongfromanykindofpublichealthor mental health perspective,” said Dr SanjayBasu,aUniversityofCaliforniaSan Francisco epidemiologist who cowrote a study documenting the increase in mortality and suicide rates among ICE detainees. “This is one of those alarming,suddenincreases.”

Nine of the deaths were of Hispanic men who had arrived in the US from four countries, the AP found. One man was a Chinese citizen. Their average age was 32 While Trump has characterized those facing deportation as the “worst of the worst”, seven of the 10hadnorecordofviolentcrimesinthe US.

The suicides account for nearly a fifth of the 51 deaths in ICE custody since January 2025. The majority of those deaths were from natural causes and experts say many of them would have been preventable with timely medicalcare.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting assistant

secretaryLaurenBissaidsuicidedeaths in ICE custody remained “extremely rare”.

Bis said detention staff follow protocolstoprotectdetaineeswhoshow signs of self-harming and that ICE requires annual suicide prevention training. She said detainees receive comprehensive healthcare, including mentalhealthservices.

Reacting to AP’s investigation, the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, wrote onWednesday in a post on X that the country’s foreign ministry should issue a formal protest regarding Rayo’s death and that the US government should “reflect on how its immigration policy is killing Americans and Latin Americans.”

ICE becomes responsible for detainees’ wellbeing when they enter detention, and experts say well-run lockups should have few, if any, suicides. That’s because staff can take steps to mitigate the chances that detainees harm themselves by identifying those at risk, getting them care and monitoring them closely, the experts said. AP’s investigation found that ICE detention centers have repeatedly fallen short in ways that violateICE’sownstandards.

An examination of the 10 suicide deaths found the men died across ICE’s detention network, including at centers long run by private contractors and county jails that recently became ICE partners. AP found that staff in the facilities ignored signs of distress, delayed mental health treatment and failed to monitor detainees who were already deemed at risk. They also permitted detainees to have access to materials that could be used for selfharm, according to AP’s review of ICE inspectionreportsanddeathrecords.

In some cases, they jailed distressed detainees in isolation, which can exacerbate feelings of humiliation and helplessness,accordingtoexperts.

ICE has repeatedly asserted that it screens detainees within 12 hours of arrival for medical, dental and mental healthconditions.

At least three of the nine facilities where ICE detainees died by suicide have struggled to meet that standard,

according to ICE inspection reportsandjailrecords.

Dr Homer Venters, former chief medical officer of New York City jails who previously consulted with ICE on preventing detainee deaths, called the rise in suicides terrifying.

The increase “reflects failures in how the system’s being operated, and particularly failuresinhowthefirststagesof coming into detention are happening so that people aren’t being assessed adequately,” Venters said. “And then if that receivingscreeningpicksupred flags, they’re not acted on in a way that reduces the risk of them having preventable death.”

Among those who took their own lives was a 19-year-old from Mexico who had been detained following a misdemeanor traffic stop while riding hisscooter

Another was a 36-year-old restaurant worker who lost contact with his relatives in Nicaragua after ICE detainedhiminMinnesotaandsenthim toacrowdedcampinTexas.Athirdwas a 45-year-old who had repeatedly crossed the US-Mexico border illegally andhadalongcriminalrecord.

Rayo, who took his own life after pleading to talk to his mother, was a veteran of the Colombian military who had worked as a street vendor in his homecountry Aweekafterheturned26 in 2023, his family crossed the US border in California. He was detained forthreemonthsbeforebeingpermitted tosettlewithfamilyinStLouis,records andinterviewsshow

In March 2025 he was arrested on suspicion of a crime, court records show, and he died in the in the Phelps countyjailinRolla,Missouri,about100 milesfromStLouis.

Five of those who died by suicide were in centers run by longtime ICE detention partners CoreCivic and the GEO Group. A sixth died at a camp operated by an inexperienced contractor that ICE has since replaced. Three died in jails run by sheriffs, and oneatafederalprison.

“We are deeply saddened by and take very seriously the passing of any individual in our care,” a CoreCivic spokesperson,BrianTodd,said.

A GEO Group spokesperson, Christopher Ferreira, said the company trains staff on suicide prevention and seeks “to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliance with the standards and requirements set by the federal government.” Officials at the three jails either declined comment or didn’treturnmessages.

OthersuicideshaveoccurredinICE custody at facilities including Missouri’s Ste Genevieve county jail, the Moshannon Valley processing center in Pennsylvania, and Camp East Montana,Texas.

Govt.seekingdesign&supervision servicesfornewLawSchool

The government through the Ministry of Legal Affairs is currently seeking proposals for design and supervision services for the constructionofGuyana’sfirstLawSchool.

This is according to a request for proposals issued by the ministry first published in the May 23, 2026 edition of the KaieteurNews.Theadvertisementstatedthat bids will open on June 18, 2026 at the National Procurement and Tender AdministrationBoard(NPTAB)office.

Kaieteur News previously reported that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, during one of his weeklyprogramme,‘IssuesintheNews’said, “I am pleased to report that the construction phase will soon commence.” He noted that the facility will be built at the University of Guyana’sTurkeyenCampus.

During his programme, he said they will now commence the procurement process for thebuilding.Heexplainedatthetimethatthe procurement process will seek consultants to prepare “the detailed structural designs and drawings, the architectural drawings, design specifications, bills of quantities, engineer estimates and the bid document,” in addition to supervision services for the construction phase.

During the 2026 budget debates, the AttorneyGeneralconfirmedthatfundinghad been allocated for the project and that

construction is expected to commence this year

“So far, we have already identified and cleared eight acres of land at the campus of UG and in this budget, we have the first capitalinjection,”hehadstatedatthetime.

The new institution will operate under the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and will becomethefourthlawschoolintheCaribbean, joining the Hugh Wooding Law School in TrinidadandTobago,theNormanManleyLaw School in Jamaica, and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas. Beyond its academic role, Nandlall emphasised the broadereconomicpotentialoftheproject.

“This is not only an academic institution, but it is an economic venture, because people of the Caribbean will come here. They will have to live; they will have to find accommodation. They will have to board, lodgeandeat,”hesaid.

The law school is expected to address longstanding challenges faced by Guyanese lawgraduates,particularlylimitedplacement quotas and the high cost of studying abroad. Currently,Guyanareceivesapproximately25 placements annually at the Hugh Wooding Law School Once completed, the local facility will allow students to pursue their Legal Education Certificate (LEC) in Guyana,whilealsopositioningthecountryas aregionalhubforlegaleducation.

Former Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa, Ian Roberts

Guyana-born former U.S. educator jailed for two years

Guyana-born and former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, Ian Roberts was on Friday sentenced to two years in prison for falsely claiming to be a United States(U.S.)citizen.

Roberts was arrested last year during the immigrationcrackdownintheU.S.

TheAssociatedPressinareportonFriday stated that Roberts pleaded guilty in January to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen and illegallypossessingfirearms.

Roberts, who appeared in the courtroom on Friday, spoke to U.S. District Judge RebeccaGoodgameEbingerduringwhichhe pleadedforleniencyasheacknowledgedthat his dedication to teaching thousands of children and his achievements did not “excusemypoorchoice,myethicallapse.”

Accordingtothenewsreport,hislawyers had proposed that he be put on probation to facilitate his removal from the United States, but prosecutors argued that his likely deportation should not be a factor They soughtathree-yearsentence,atthetopendof thesentencingguidelines.

In explaining her decision, Ebinger said

Roberts knowingly lied about his citizenship statustoearnan“incrediblepositionoftrust” andsaiditwas“notanisolatedethicallapse.” While describing the dozens of letters of support that were submitted on his behalf as powerful and mitigating, she said probation was not a sufficient sentence, the Associated Pressreported.

Attorneys for Roberts said they expect he will likely to be deported to Guyana in South Americaonceheservesthesentence.

Roberts’ September arrest outraged and stunned the Des Moines community as President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign was escalating in cities across the country.

Roberts was in his school-issued vehicle when officers stopped him on September 26, 2025 in a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. He allegedly fled before he was located with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and $3,000 in cash was in the car Three other weapons were recovered duringasearchofhishome.

IrandemandsUS$300Breconstructionfund

For weeks, mediators between Iran and the United States have been trying to hammer out a preliminary agreement that might ultimatelyendthewar Those efforts have been repeatedly foiled as the warring sides have accused each other of stalling or misrepresenting theterms

Now,officialsinvolvedin the talks say a new draft memorandum is under discussion that is closer to gaining approval from both sides, though they have differingaccountsofsomeof the terms President Trump hasnotyetsignedoff

It would be an initial framework, paving the way for more substantive and mostlikelymorechallenging a n d p r o l o n g e d negotiationstodeterminethe future of Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions on the country and a formal end tothewar.

Inrecentdays,therehave been brief exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces,addingtothepressure on negotiators to reach an agreement Diplomatsinvolvedinthe talks said that the longer the haggling went on, the more frustratedthetwosidesmight get and exchanges of fire mightincrease whichrisks further endangering the broaderdiplomaticeffort

Here are some of the detailsunderdiscussioninthe latest proposal, according to an Iranian official, U S officials and two diplomats involved in the latest talks, whoallspokeonconditionof anonymityinordertodiscuss thedraft

Anendtothefighting, butforhowlong?

Theagreementislikelyto stipulate terms for a nonaggression pact between WashingtonandTehran

Mediators say it is expected to have a regional component, which Iranian officials and one of the diplomatssaidwouldinclude ahalttofightinginLebanon Despite a cease-fire there, both sides have continuously violatedit AndIsraelrecently stepped up a military offensive against the Iranbacked militant group, Hezbollah.

Yet, lingering vagaries

remain Because the negotiationshavetakenplace through the Pakistanis and Qataris, it has never been clear whether the Americans and the Iranians have been workingonthesameversion of the memorandum, or who exactly has the authority on the Iranian side to signal an agreement

The two diplomats briefedonthelatesttermssaid

...as ceasefire extends to 60 days

the preliminary agreement outlined an end to hostilities for an initial 60-day period, allowing for negotiations between the two sides, with the possibility for that to be extended

Want to stay updated on what’s happening in Iran, Israel and Lebanon? Sign up for Your Places: Global Update, and we’ll send our latestcoveragetoyourinbox

The version of the draft described by the Iranian official, however, says the termsincludeda“declaration of the end of war” on all fronts,includingLebanon,for the duration of the negotiations Two Iranian officials said the terms in the m e m o r a n d u m o f understandingpertainonlyto theperiodofnegotiationsfor a broader, more permanent deal.

TheStraitofHormuzis stillamajorstickingpoint

The agreement was expectedtoallowforaperiod offreenavigationthroughthe Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway for commercial shippingthroughwhichabout a fifth of the world’s oil and gaspassedbeforethewar Iranianattackseffectively closedthestraitsoonafterthe US-Israeli assault started in February, rattling the global economy In response, the US Navy imposed its own navalblockadeofIran’sports and energy outposts in the PersianGulf

U n d e r t h e U S understanding of the memorandum, the strait would reopen immediately, an official said, but the US blockade would remain, but reduced in stages depending howmuchprewarshiptraffic isrestoredbyIran Theideais to incentivize Iran to demine thestraitquickly

The diplomat briefed on thelatestframeworksaidIran hadagreedtoallowmaritime traffic to return to prewar levels for 30 days, while the two sides negotiated a final deal Despite that hope, the process of demining and opening the strait could take weeks Tehranisstilldebating withWashingtonwhatwould happenafterthat,hesaid.

The Iranian official said the deal would see the US navalblockadelifted“within 30 days” and the Strait of Hormuz opened for the duration of the talks The United States has placed no time frame on it, a US officialsaid

Iranian negotiators are sticking to their contention that Iran and Oman, whose territory borders the strait,

have the right to determine whethertoimposesomeform of service fee for passing vessels after that period, mediatorssay

OnWednesday,President Trump repeated his assertion that the international waterway should ultimately remain open to all, without anytollsorfees

Some U.S. negotiators have suggested that the longer-termstatusofthestrait bepushedintoasecondround oftalks,thediplomatsaid

Apostwar‘investment fund’forIran

Perhaps the most surprising, and apparently recent, addition to the agreementisareferencetoan investmentfundforIran The

Iranian official and one diplomatputitat$300billion, butotherofficialsinvolvedin mediationwouldnotconfirm theamount

The Iranian official d e s c r i b e d i t a s a “reconstruction program” that would be promised to Iran in the event a final agreement was signed Earlier in the negotiations, Tehran had demanded reparationsforbombardment damage that some Iranian officials estimate at $300 billionto$1trillion

Twodiplomatsbriefedon the latest draft called it an international “investment fund,” which the United Stateswouldhelpfacilitatein theeventofafinaldeal Plans

for such a fund would be further discussed during the negotiations period, the diplomatssaid

This proposal appears to be an iteration of an earlier idea floated by Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law

Botharerealestateinvestors, andsomemediatorssaidthey hadsuggestedpromotingreal estate projects in Tehran and an investment fund in the eventadealwasreached.

Iranianofficialssaidthey had proposed to American negotiators that U S companies, including major oil and energy corporations, could e

investmentsandjointventure deals

Nucleartalkswould bedeferred

The draft deal, both the

Iranian official and the two diplomats said, includes a pledgethatthetwosideswill committonegotiatingthefate ofIran’senricheduranium

Thosetalkswouldhappen during the second phase of negotiations, they said, and willincludehowtodisposeof Iran’s stockpile of about 970 poundsofuraniumthatcould be quickly enriched to weapons grade There’s another ten tons of nuclear material enriched to lower levels that negotiators would havetodealwith Mr Trump initially said that those stockpiles should be sent to the United States, while Iran wants to blend down part of the enriched uranium on its own soil und

al inspectors and ship other partsofthestockpiletoa

Continuedonpage52

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

MONDAY

Those 10AK-47 rifles

ThediscoveryoftenAK47 rifles in Berbice is a chilling reminder that Guyana remains vulnerable to organised gun trafficking and violent crime Weapons ofthispowerarenotcasually moved across regions without planning, networks and access to porous entry points.

Investigators must determine whether these rifles entered through the relatively unregulated backtrack crossings at Corriverton and whether others have already slipped into criminal hands. Equally troubling is the question of intent.

Were these guns meant for gangs, armed robberies, contractkillingsorwideracts of terror? Guyanese still remember the devastation caused when missingAK-47 rifles previously surfaced in

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, Mr Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about ongoing indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

t he possession of ruthless

, transparency and swift action. Police must pursue every lead aggressively, dismantle the networks involvedandensureGuyana doesnotreturntothosedark and violent days ever again infear

TUESDAY

Guyana at 60 Guyana enters its 60th year of independence as a nation of immense promise and enduring complexity Its peoplehaveshownresilience through decades of social strain, economic challenges, a n d

disappointment. Today,thereisbothhope

and unease as oil wealth, foreign investment, and rapid development reshape the national landscape Concerns persist about

exploitation,yetthespiritof

remainsunbroken.

Leadership must rise to meet the moment with transparency,accountability, and genuine commitment to nationalprogress.

As Guyana marks this milestone, may its leaders and citizens embrace unity, in

y,

d prosperity, ensuring that the promise of independence is fully realised for every community, and may the nation continue to grow in

peace, opportunity, and resilience as it navigates the challengesandopportunities ahead.WewishGuyanawell alwaysmovingforward.

WEDNESDAY

The ‘flippin’gold fields President Ali wants Guyanese to accept that foreign mining companies can buy, sell and ‘flip’ our gold assets for billions while thisnationcollectscrumbs

That is not policy leadership; it is surrender dressed up as ‘global standards’GMINcanstrikea US$638M takeover, yet government cannot explain what direct windfall reaches theTreasury beyond routine taxesandroyalties.

worsening economic hardship and increasing external pressure, Guyana chose political caution over principle.

gnores the real question: why are Guyana’s resources e n r i c h i n g f o r e i g n shareholders while locals remain spectators? Every ouncebeneathRegionSeven belongsfirsttothepeopleof Guyana, not Toronto boardrooms.

Countrieswithbackbone renegotiate terms, impose transfer taxes, demand equity stakes and protect national wealth. Instead, the Ali administration appears content to defend a system whereoutsiderscashoutbig while Guyanese are told to celebrate ‘international markets.’

THURSDAY

The president lectures about exploration risks, but i

Shameful abandonment of Cuba

This move reeks of appeasementandundermines the spirit of Caribbean unity It does not reflect the gratitude, solidarity, or independent foreign policy that many Guyanese believe should define our nation’s stance toward a trusted friendoftheCaribbean.

FRIDAY

Wales Delay: US$884M Burn

Guyana’s Wales Gas-toEnergy project delay has turned into a staggering financialdrain,nowprojected to cost an extra US$884M abovetheoriginalUS$759M pricetag

Reg.7RDCgets$24.8Mwaterambulance

Minister of Health, Dr. FrankAnthony at the handing over, at the ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown office.

The Ministry of Health on Friday handed over a new $24.8 million water ambulance to the RegionalAdministrationofRegion Seven.

Theministryinastatementsaid thatthevessel,procuredatacostof $24,883,154, is specifically designatedtoservetheresidentsof the middle and lower Mazaruni areas, significantly strengthening emergency medical evacuation networks and riverine medical outreachcapabilities.

The $24.8 million water ambulance which was handed over to the RegionalAdministration of Region Seven.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony who was present at the handing over ceremony said the ambulanceispartoftheMinistry’s broader master plan to build out a seamless transportation and technological grid across interior locations.

“We recognise that in Region Seven,weneededtohaveseveralriver ambulances. On the request of the regional administration, we were able to procure this vessel to assist in bringingpatientstocentralspots,when necessary,”theMinisterstated.

He also emphasised that the integration of the water ambulance alongside previously distributed AllTerrain Vehicles (ATVs) and land ambulancescreatesahighlyconnected regionalnetwork. The water ambulance will be deployedintoimmediateservicewithin the Mazaruni River’s clinical network, theministryadded. “Crucially, this mobility is being

paired with the Ministry of Health’s ongoing deployment of Telemedicine sites across Region Seven. Under this initiative, community health workers and medexes stationed at remote riverine posts can leverage real-time digital links to consult with specialist doctors,ensuringhigh-standardclinical guidance synchronously while emergency transport is underway,” the ministryreported.

For decades, Cuba has been one of Guyana’s most loyalallies,traininghundreds of Guyanese doctors, strengthening our healthcare system, and extending solidaritywithoutdemanding anythinginreturn.

Through successive governments, Guyana consistently opposed the unjust U S embargo and stood firmly with Havana at regional and international forums

That is why the Ali administration’s decision to reserveGuyana’spositionon the recent CARICOM statement on Cuba is both disgraceful and deeply disappointing. At a moment whenthe Cuban people face

Instead of cheaper electricity, the country is locked into soaring Heavy Fuel Oil imports, a bill that alone has surged past US$600M over two years. Every month of delay deepens the loss, as GPL depends almost entirely on imported fuel to keep the gridrunning.

Adding to the strain, government is also paying about US$126M daily to lease Turkish powerships, a stopgapmeasurethatisitself draininghundredsofmillions annually On top of this, a legal dispute with the contractor has already resulted in a US$97M settlement and additional legalcosts.

What was sold as an energytransformationisnow atripleburden fuelimports, rental ships and legal payouts—leaving taxpayers

IrandemandsUS$300B...

Frompage51

thirdcountry.Mr.Trumpsignaledsomeflexibilityinasocial media post this week, saying that diluting the enrichment underinternationalinspectorsorsendingittoathirdcountry wouldalsobeacceptable.ButonWednesday,hesaidhewas notcomfortablewitheitherRussiaorChinatakingit.

Accordingtotheversionofthedraftdealdescribedby the Iranian official, Iran will suspend its nuclear program inexchangeforapledgefromWashingtonnottoincrease sanctionswhilethetwosidesnegotiateafinaldeal

According to the Iranian official, existing U S sanctions on Iran which were imposed largely in responsetoIran’snuclearprogram wouldbeliftedover timeshouldafinaldealbereached Iran could ultimately get access to billions in frozen assets

Theframeworkagreementisexpectedtoallowforthe eventual release of some of Iran’s frozen funds, the three officials familiar with the draft said But what is on paper maynotmatchwhatthetwosidesagreetoverbally Iranhasanestimated$24billionofitsownmoneyfrozen in banks abroad, and insists that meaningful negotiations cannotbeginwithouttheirrelease.Thetopicisparticularly thorny for Mr.Trump because of how vocal he has been in his attacks on former President Barack Obama, after the latter’s administration sent $1.7 billion to Iran in exchange for the release of four detainedAmericans — which critics calledthe“PalletsofCash”scandal.(NewYorkTimes)

GCB congratulates new Guyana Bar Association President Gossai

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) extends its warmest and most sincere congratulations to Mr Arudranauth Gossai on his election as President of the GuyanaBarAssociation.

The Board regards this appointment as an excellent and commendable choice by the membership of the GuyanaBarAssociation.Mr.

Gossai is a highly respected professional, widely admired for his integrity, intellect, discipline, and unwavering commitment to service. His reputation as a distinguished member of the legal fraternity is well established,andhecontinues to command respect at all levelsacrossGuyana. His elevation to this

important office is a fitting r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s professional standing, leadership qualities, and the confidence reposed in him byhiscolleagues.

The GCB is confident that, under his stewardship, the Guyana Bar Association will continue to advance the highest ideals of the legal profession, promote justice,

PSG beat Arsenal in...

From page 57

chunksofthegame,withGabrielandWilliamSalibamaking a number of vital interventions as theArsenal defence dealt withwavesofattacksfromLuisEnrique’sside.

Arteta had a number of big calls to make for this game and opted to continue with 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, while he stuck with Cristhian Mosquera, who was filling in at right-back for the injured BenWhite and the notfullyfitJurrienTimber

And it was a clumsy Mosquera tackle that led to PSG’s second-half equaliser The Spaniard was caught out by a clever Khvicha Kvaratskhelia run and brought the winger down in the area, with Ousmane Dembele rolling in the resultingpenalty

Arsenal were forced to defend inside their own half for mostofthegameasPSGenjoyed75%ofpossessionandthe FrenchsidealmostwonitinnormaltimewithKvaratskhelia hitting the post and Vitinha going close from the edge of the area.

Sunday May 31, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Today you should be glowing with good health, energy, and stamina, and be doing well at work, whether career, volunteer work, or a personal project. Success should come yourwayonallfronts,Aries.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Love and romance are likely to be tops on your agenda today, Taurus. You're feeling especially warm and loving now Current and potential love partners could feel stronglydrawntoyou.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Important enterprises centering on your home could take up a lot of your energy over the next few days. Many people might come and go from your life. Perhaps you're movingtoanicerplace.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Some absolutely wonderful news could come your way, Cancer, possibly about career or financial success, perhaps involving positive changes in yourneighborhood.Thisisthe daytoseteventsinmotion.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You should feel especially warmandlovingtodaytoward just about anyone you meet. Good news about money may causeyoutofeelpositive.This could attract new people to you and bring closer those alreadyinyourlife.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You should be looking beautifulandfeelingespecially positive,andloving-attracting peopleofallkindstoyou Your

self-confidence , and determination should peak overthenextfewdays.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Creative inspiration could come from deep within today Visions,dreams-anythingthat excites your imaginationcould bring ideas for new projects. You might also find that your understanding of othersgreatlyincreases.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Group activities prove beneficial on several levels. You might project powerful warmth and love for all life. You're feeling especially optimisticaboutthefuture.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You might find yourself in the public eye at some point today, Sagittarius. This is fine since you're looking and feeling great.You'relikelierthanusual to project warmth and friendlinesstoothers.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Ifyou'veconsideredacareerin publishing, Capricorn, this is the time to go for it. It's also a great day to enroll in law school, an advanced degree program, or any field of higher education.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your dreams could be vivid, and full of information to help you make a decision. New and exciting contacts could come into your life today, possibly provinghelpfulinshowingyou waystoincreaseyourincome.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today you're likely focused on sex, romance, and committed relationships The planetary energies surrounding love are promising You and your partner could make plans to embark on a new enterprise together

uphold the rule of law, and contribute meaningfully to the continued development ofournation.

The Guyana Cricket Board therefore takes great pleasure in applauding Mr Gossai on this significant achievement and wishes him a successful, productive, and impactfultenureasPresident of the Guyana Bar Association.

Arteta completely changed his frontline as his side tired and the renewed energy led to a huge penalty shout when substitute Noni Madueke tangled with Nuno Mendes but referee Daniel Siebert waved away vociferous Arsenal protests that led to both Declan Rice and the manager being booked.

And after an extremely tense extra time it was centreback Gabriel who missed the decisive penalty as PSG won theshootout4-3toretaintheChampionsLeaguetitle.

Despite rain, prep continues for NA Inter Secondary School Female Cricket Competition

By Samuel Whyte

Pr e p a r a t i o n s a r e

continuing in the New Amsterdam Inter Secondary School female Cricket competition despite the continuous inclementweather

This is according to organiser and sponsor, overseas-based Guyanese, Petula Angela Samuels, aka Petal Samuels. According to Samuels,whoisaHalloffamerand awardee in the USA, despite the weather,thingsaregoingaccording to plans and she is certain that everything will be in place for the competition.

The competition will be known as the Georgia Women Cricket Association-NewAmsterdamInter Secondary Schools Girls’ T10 CricketTournament.

The competition will be held

from the 12th -14th June. All matches will be played at the Berbice High School ground beginningat09:00hrs.

The final is set for the 14th beginning at 15:00 hrs. Attractive incentives will be awarded to the top teams and outstanding individualplayers.

Samuels is expected to be in Guyana shortly to meet with the teamsandfinalizearrangementsfor thetournament.

Samuels, during her previous visits met with Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright Mc Intosh, representatives of the Ministry of Education and the schools.

She also put together a local committee, headed by Mayor Mc Intosh that is assisting in the organisingofthetournament.

Sheisthefounderandpresident

of Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) and Atlanta Pearls Women’s Cricket team Apartfromplayingthegame,sheis certified Cricket Umpire and coach. Over the years she has organised cricket development camps, coaching clinics and tournaments in the USA and plans todothesamehere.

She has been inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame in Hartford, CT She was also honored by the Georgia House of Representatives for her work in promoting youth and women’s cricket and was presented with a Resolution at a ceremony held at the Georgia State Capitol.

Samuels was also presented with a proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Forest Park declaring March 8, 2016 as “Petula Samuels Day.”

NewDemerarachampion...

From page 55

outfitshowednosignofbig-stagenerves.Theyacedthechase with an over to spare, reaching 54 for 4 on the back of a captain’sknockfromBrandonBilley,whoseunbeaten14-ball 22sealedanemphaticvictory

Chateau Margot’s reward is a semi-final clash against inaugural champions Stella Maris Primary, who kept their hunt for a second title alive with a gritty 13-run win over EnterprisePrimary Defendingamodest46for6,builtaround Delmar Mansell’s 17, Stella Maris choked Enterprise’s chase, restrictingthemto33for5.

Jared Joseph proved to be the game-changer with the ball, bagging2for6inhissolitaryover

On the other side of the draw, West Ruimveldt Primary stormed into the final four with a dominant performance againstSchooloftheNations.

Abrisk, unbeaten 21 from Steven Orie, well-supported by Jermaine Tracey’s 18, propelled West Ruimveldt to a formidable 61 for 2. School of the Nations never got going in reply,stalledat39for3whentheoversranout.

West Ruimveldt will face Rama Krishna Primary, who producedthemostlopsidedvictoryoftheafternoon.Powered by Shiv Singh’s fluent, 15-ball 21 not out, Rama Krishna posted an imposing 60 for 1 before their bowlers completely dismantledComeniusPrimary,routingthemforjust21for7in acomprehensivebowlingdisplay.

Thetournament,whichalsofeaturedspiritedparticipation from Camille’s Academy, Supply Primary, La Grange Primary, ISA Islamic Primary, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Winfer Gardens, St. Pius, and Redeemer Primary, moves into its businessendonSundaymorning.

The semi-finals are scheduled to bowl off at 10:30h, followed immediatelyby the third-placeplayoff and the final. At stake, beyond the immediate silverware and individual accolades, is a coveted spot in the Champion of Champions final.

TheDemerarawinnerswilleventuallyclashwiththezone champions from Berbice—who play at the Albion Sports Complex on June 13-14—and Essequibo, whose leg takes placeattheAnnaReginaNationalStadiumonJune20-21.

Swan United, Timehri United to clash for top spot

Swan United FC and Timehri United FC will clash today in the final of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Playoff Qualifier (East Bank) after both teams secured identical 4-2 semifinal victories at the National Training Centre (NTC) on Friday Withacovetedplaceinthe2026 Elite League Playoffs at stake, the two East Bank powerhouses enter the final in confident fashion following impressive attacking displays in their respectivesemifinalencounters.

Timehri United booked their place in the qualification match with a commanding 4-2 victory over Herstelling Raiders FC. Although the scoreline suggests a competitive affair, Timehri were in complete control for much of the contest before conceding twolateconsolationgoals.

Thematchfeaturedamidfieldbattle between two evenly matched sides on paper, but Timehri’s clinical finishing proved decisive. Nyron Barrow opened the scoring in the 44th minute,

…EliteLeaguePlayofflooms

capitalising on an opportunity just beforehalftimetohandhissideacrucial lead.

Shortly after the restart, Joseph DeFreitas doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute after breaking free from defenders and finishing emphatically Nine minutes later, Leroy Evans all but secured victory when he converted fromcloserangetomakeit3-0.

Keyron Williams added a fourth goal in the 70th minute as Timehri appeared destined for a comfortable shutout victory However, Herstelling ralliedlate,scoringinthe83rdand90th minutestoreducethedeficit,thoughthe comeback arrived too late to threaten Timehri’sprogress.

Swan United reached the final after overcoming Soesdyke Falcons FC 4-2 inanentertainingsecondsemifinal.

Murphius Andrews gave Swan an early advantage in the 20th minute, slicing through the Falcons’defence to make it 1-0. Soesdyke responded swiftly when Terrence Glasgow found

theequaliserfourminuteslater,sending the teams into the halftime interval lockedat1-1.Thesecondhalfproduced a flurry of goals. Christor Roberts restored Swan’s lead early after the restart, but Kelly Benson responded in the 58th minute to level the scores at 22.

Roberts then delivered the decisive moment of the contest, completing his brace with a superb strike in the 65th minutetoputSwanbackinfront.

The victory was sealed in the 88th minute when Abram Webb finished from close range, sending Swan United into the final with a convincing 4-2 triumph Today’s winner-takes-all encounter will determine which club earns the right to represent the East Bank Football Association in the 2026 EliteLeaguePlayoffs.

The East Bank Elite League Playoff Qualifier is sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the National TrainingCentre.

- Chateau Margot knocks out Grove

There will be a new Demerara zone champion in the Future Warriors Tapeball tournament after a clinical, allround display from Chateau Margot Primary dumped defending champions Grove Primary out of the competition on a rain-affected but ultimately rewarding opening day at theNationalStadium.

WhileinclementweatherbatteredthemajorityofRegion Four on Saturday, the Providence venue’s superior drainage infrastructureagaincametothefore.

The moment the rain dissipated, the ground was presentedinpristineconditiontowelcome16primaryschool teams for the Demerara leg of the ExxonMobil Guyanapowered tournament. By stumps, a day defined by highquality,buddingtalentleftjustfourteamsstanding:Chateau Margot,StellaMaris,WestRuimveldt,andRamaKrishna.

The headline act of the quarter-finals belonged to ChateauMargot,whoexecutedaflawlesschasetounseatthe titleholders.

GrovePrimary,optingtobat,putupacompetitive53for 3 from their allocation of eight overs, anchored by a solid 22 fromAndersonPeters.However,theEastCoastDemerara

Continued on page 54

IndependenceCyclingeventsuccessfullystagedinBerbice

The Independence cycling event organised by the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam in collaboration with the Flying Aces Cycle Club FACC was successfully held The two-lap event was held around the town of New Amsterdam in observance of Guyana’s 60th Independence anniversary

New Amsterdam Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh was prominent among the more than two dozen participants, which included senior cyclists Franco Crawford and Clement Doris and veteran athlete Errol Rose, among others. A number of juveniles on their mountain bikes and BMX bicyclesalsoparticipated.

The participants pedaled off from the junction of Charles Place and Republic Road outside RainbowBar

They proceed along Republic Road through Winkle, turned left into North Road, left onto Main Street, proceed through New Amsterdam and Stanleytown to Tacama, turned left onto Republic Road and past the starting point. The event ended at the Esplanade Play Park at the Junction of EsplanadeandVryheidRoad.

T

addressed by Mayor Mc Intosh, Deputy Mayor Kirk Fraser, Councillor Polly Ann Schultz and CoordinatorRandolphRoberts.

The lone female participant, 10

The event was coordinated by founder and President of the FACC and veteran Cycling Coach RandolphRoberts.

The event was powered by Banks DIH limited through their

ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League Launches “Super We” Campaign

Guyana’s landmark global sports event, the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), will be celebrating cricket’scentralroleinGuyaneseculturewiththe“SuperWe” campaign. From the GSL trophy - inspired by the majestic KaieteurFalls,oneofGuyana’smosticonicnaturalwondersto the electrifying crowds at the National Stadium, the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League is unmistakably Guyanese at its core. The tournament brings together the country’s deep love for cricket with the rich cultural diversity andvibrantspiritthatmakeGuyanaunique.

“SuperWe” explores cricket’s powerful role as a unifying force for the Guyanese people - a shared passion that transcendsbackgroundsandcommunitieswhilereflectingthe pride,energy,andambitionofanationontherise.Atthesame time, it captures Guyana’s growing global outlook, showcasing a homegrown event with international reach and aspirations. The love for cricket is a unifying force and in the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL the country has a major annual cricketeventofitsown.GSLisahomegrowneventthatseeks to engage the world. It is a celebration of Guyana’s love for cricket and of Guyana’s proud rise on the world stage. Produced by local agency Ogle & Stone, in line with the GSL mission of promoting Guyanese talent, the campaign seeks to beacelebrationofwhoWEare.

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Dr IrfaanAlihadthistosayaboutthe“SuperWe.”Initiative.

“The Super We campaign goes beyond statistics, trophies and scorecards to celebrate the enduring cultural soul of cricket and the sacred place it holds in the hearts, history and imagination of the people of Guyana and the wider Caribbean.”

ExxonMobil Guyana President & General Manager Alistair Routledge added: “We’re proud to welcome the third editionoftheExxonMobilGuyanaGlobalSuperLeague.The SuperWecampaignhighlightshowthetournamentcelebrates Guyana’s deep love of cricket, attracting world-class talent andgrowingsportstourisminthecountry.”

GSL Chairman & Cricket Legend Sir Clive Lloyd spoke passionatelyofGuyana’sdeeploveforthesport: “CricketispartofwhoWEare,andthiscampaignseeksto celebratetheloveofthegame.Letuscometogetherandshow theworldwhoWEareasapeople.SUPERLEAGUE.SUPER WE.”

PSG beat Arsenal in shootout to retain Champions League

(BBC Sport) - Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year

Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22yearslastweekend,butmissedouton

a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot andhumidPuskasArena.

But in a heartwarming moment, while PSG’s players celebrated wildly on the pitch, the French side’s captain Marquinhos immediately went to console his Brazilian team-mate Gabriel.

TheGunnershadmadeadreamstart

to the final in Budapest when Kai Havertz,whoscoredthewinninggoalin theChampionsLeaguefinalforChelsea against Manchester City in 2021, burst away from the PSG backline and rifled theballintotheroofofthenetafteronly sixminutes.

But from then on it was PSG’s final, astheytookcontrol,dominatinglarge Continued on page 53

Sports ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League Launches “Super We” Campaign

The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) 2026 brings T20 cricket action to the Guyana National Stadium in Providence from July 23 to August 1, 2026.