(Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab is cutting more unprofitable flights over the next two quarters as it prepares for a prolonged period of high jet fuel prices due to the Iran war,asstrongtraveldemand has allowed U.S. carriers to raisefares.
Chief Executive Scott Kirbysaidinastaffmemoon Friday the airline is preparing for oil to rise as high as $175 a barrel and remain above $100 until the endof2027.Atthoselevels, United's annual fuel bill would rise by about $11 billion, more than twice the profit it earned in its "best yearever,"hesaid.
The war in Iran has pushed airlines into a fresh fuel shock Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since late February, raising costs across the industry and disrupting global flying patterns through reroutings andairspacerestrictions.
Still, U.S. carriers have
so far been able to push through fare increases, helped by resilient travel demandandtightercapacity
"There'sagoodchanceit won't be that bad," Kirby wrote of the airline's fuel assumptions "But there isn'tmuchdownsideforusto preparingforthatoutcome."
CUTTINGMARGINAL FLYING
Unitedhadalreadybegun trimming less profitable flights, including some midweek, Saturday and overnightservice.
In the staff memo shared by the company, Kirby said the airline would cancel aboutthreepercentagepoints of off-peak flying in the second and third quarters, targeting routes and periods withweakerdemand.
Itwillalsopullaboutone percentage point of capacity from Chicago O'Hare and keep service toTelAviv and Dubai suspended, bringing the total reduction to about fivepercentagepointsofthis year'splannedcapacity
Kirby said United currently expects to restore thefullscheduleinthefall.
The latest cuts build on Kirby's comments earlier this week that the airline would rather leave some demand unmet than keep flyingroutesthatlosemoney iffuelstayshigh.
FARESHELPSOFTEN THEHIT
Big U S airlines have saidstrongdemandisgiving them room to raise, helping soften the impact of higher fuelcosts.Capacitycutssuch asUnited'sarealsoexpected to support the industry's pricingpower
Rival Delta Air Lines (DAL N), opens new tab, which raised its first-quarter revenue forecast this week, hasalsosaidithasflexibility totrimcapacityiffuelprices remainelevated.
U S carriers are particularlyexposedbecause mostdonothedgefuelcosts, unlike some European and Asian airlines that use (Continuedonpage53)
A46-year-oldmanwasonFriday arrested after officers of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Friday seized 12 104kg of cannabis and 1.272 kg of cocaine at the Transport Wharf, Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
In a statement, CANU said that its officers, acting on information received conducted an operation at the wharf where they intercepted Jermain Mickel of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara with two cardboardboxes.
“A subsequent search of two (2) cardboard boxes in the possession of the suspect revealed thirteen (13) parcels containing a quantity of cannabis and one (1)parcelcontainingrockcocaine,”CANU said.The narcotics were taken to CANU's headquarterswheretheywereweighed. Investigationsareongoing.
AUnitedAirlines flight lands in front of the U.S. Capitol at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as the Trump administration warns of impending cuts to commercial airline operations more than a month into the continuing U.S. government shutdown inArlington, Virginia, U.S., November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Jermain Mickle
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News
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EDITORIAL
Full 50% profit share
The more revenues Guyana collects for its oil, the more themysterydeepensaboutwhenitwillbegintoreceiveitsfull 50%profitshare. Whytheuncertainty,whatisgoingonwith Guyana’s full profit share? Why did Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana hedge when asked that question? What did he hide within his answer, about when Guyanawillreceiveitshalfshareofprofits?
Since the War against Iran started, oil prices have almost doubled to around US$100 a barrel. More revenues mean thereisabiggerpoolfor75%costrecoverydeductionsfromoff the top The seven already approved oil projects should be repaidbyyearend,onceoilpricesstayaroundUS$100abarrel, andproductionremainsatapproximately900,000barrelsdaily But there were three considerations that factored heavily in Routledge’s answer to the question about when Guyana starts receiving its 50% profit share He fudged his answer: “What exactly that percentage is depends on oil price, depends on volume,dependsonhowmuchmoneyisbeingspentinthe months or two months leading in to any given month.” Those are important, but so also the 25% costs that are carried forward, the lack of ringfencing, and new oil projects presented by ExxonMobil that could add US$2530BinnewcoststoGuyana’scostbank.
Instead of Guyana being nicely positioned to begin collecting its full 50% profit share, as stated in the 2016 ProductionSharingAgreement,thosethreefactorscontribute powerfully in delaying this country’s receiving that 50% profit share. Instead of the cost bank being depleted to zero, those three factors (carryforwards, no ringfencing, and new projects) insert residual costs and add new costs into the cost bank. Under this scheme, the cost bank is a perpetual, neverending game that traps Guyana. It is in ExxonMobil’s intereststokeepthecostbankrunningforever MorebilliondollarbillsenteredonGuyana’ssideoftheledger,andthefull 50%profitshareisamirage.
NowExxonMobilpushesaheadwithtwonewoilprojects numbereightandnine,LongtailandHaimara,intheStabroek Block. From past standards, the Guyana Government would approve these two new oil projects, following some farcical review Longtail and Haimara represent new costs added to thesupposedlyrapidlydwindlingGuyanacostbank.
What citizens are absorbing, in their capacity as eyewitnesses, is this game that inserts fresh billions into Guyana’s cost bank, through these ongoing projects. No sooner that costs attached to existing projects are poised to approach zero, than new ones enter into the scheme. Guyanese can be confident that when Longtail and Haimara reach near their total cost removal state, that there will be more to follow after them. ExxonMobil has this vision, its cost squeeze on this country, down to a science. All the companyhastohaveisagovernmentwillingtoperpetuateits exploitative 75% cost recovery bonanza, which is what it has in the PPPC Government. Willing, prostrate, and colluding governments have been high points of the ExxonMobil Guyana experience. With carryforwards and no ringfencing, projectskeeprollingoffGuyana’soilpartner’sassemblyline. They continue to be approved routinely, and the cost billions go on increasing. It shouldn’t surprise that there is this dodging about when Guyana will get the contracted for 50% profitshare,arealhalfshare.
Routledge gave a little opening, in his nuanced conditioningofGuyaneseaboutwhattheyshouldexpect. We do not disagree about the roles of oil price and volume (daily production), but we point to that part Routledge slippedin:“dependsonhowmuchmoneyisbeingspentin themonths…leadingtoanygivenmonth.” Itisalsoabout what he didn’t say, what suits ExxonMobil’s program. Wesaythis:theoilgameplayedbyamasteroperatorsuch as ExxonMobil is a slick one. Depending on how much is involved in the 25% costs the company brings forward, and ExxonMobil spends on new projects, Guyana’s 50% profit share is elusive. Frankly, full 50% profits for Guyana may always be out of reach, something dreamed of, but which neverhappens. ItwaswhyRoutledgehedgedhisanswer,said nothingaboutthethreefactorsidentified.
Exxon’s Pre-Emptive Salvo: Accelerated Cost Recovery or a Call for Fiscal Deference?
DEAR EDITOR,
Alistair Routledge has fired the first shot in a well-rehearsed campaign of persuasion.
His triumphant declaration that ExxonMobil Guyana will wipe its Stabroek Block “cost bank” clean by year’s end—thanks to US$100 oil and surgingoutput—isnoneutralbulletin.It is a flare launched into the public sky, meant not to inform but to warn: don’t get ideas. It’s Exxon’s polite way of saying, “the table is set, but wait your turn.”
“Accelerated cost recovery”—how melodious the phrase sounds. It hums with progress and prosperity, as if it were a national triumph rather than a corporate ploy The narrative is intoxicating: costs are dwindling, Guyana’s break-even grows nearer, and soon, oh so soon, the country will bathe in flowing oil wealth. On the surface, it’sreassurance.Beneathit’s,strategy
What Routledge really offers is a lullabyofdeference.
By linking this “acceleration” to currenthighprices,heslipsinawarning
cloaked as wisdom: now is not the time to renegotiate, revisit, or reclaim. High prices—the very conditions that trigger windfall taxes worldwide—are, in his telling, grounds for restraint The subtext is plain: do nothing now; your rewardiscominglater
That is Exxon’s first motive—to inoculateitselfagainstawindfalltax.
The logic is as transparent as it is cynical. Around the world, when oil prices soar and profits balloon, governments enact windfall taxes to capture a portion of those extraordinary gains. These are not punishments but patriotic correctives: the state reclaiming value that belongs to the people. But Routledge’s framing flips thatmorallens.
He recasts cost recovery as something sacred, fragile, and untouchable an altar upon which national prudence must be sacrificed. He warns that any fiscal adjustment might disturb the sacred balance, delaying Guyana’s golden moment. And if the public swallows this story of patient submission— “let us finish
well” Exxon wins without firing another shot. When that “full recovery” finally arrives, the moment for reform willhavepassed.Thewindowwillhave slammed shut. The giant will be too entrenched, and its beneficiaries too comfortable,toriskchange.
Then comes the second motive—to redefinefairnessonExxon’sterms.
Routledge’s voice drips with the familiar colonial cadence: we took the risk, we built the infrastructure, therefore we deserve the spoils. It’s the same script that underwrote every extractiveempirefromtheCongotothe Niger Delta. Guyana, in this telling, shouldbowingratitudefortheprivilege ofhostingforeignenterprise.
But this mythology breaks down under its own contradictions. Guyana already shares in production, in profit oil, and in mac
oeconomic spillover—though on terms heavily skewed toward the operator The 75 percent cost-oil ceiling and the absurdityofthestatepayingthe
A s a p u b l i c communications analyst, I have been closely following reports and emerging information over the past two to three years concerningtheillegalmisuse of national resources, particularly land and forested areas across Guyana.
These developments raise serious concerns about governance, compliance,
country’snaturalassets.
Reports from Regions Five and Six, particularly in Berbice, as well as Regions Four and Seven, point to a
growing pattern of unauthorizedoccupationand exploitationofstatelands.In some instances, privately owned but unoccupied lands are also being used for housing and small-scale vending.
Such actions undermine national regulations and place additional pressure on resources intended for structured development and e n v i r o n m e n t a l preservation
The issue of illegal squatting continues to be a significant challenge. It is important to emphasize that individuals seeking land for residential purposes must follow the established legal process by applying through the Ministry of Housing and Water or the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.
The government has maintained a firm position that no new squatting areas will be formally recognized, reinforcing the need for lawful engagement with the system.
Several communities have already been identified for intervention, including Vigilance South and North, Coldingen North, De Endragt South of the Railway Embankment, Enmore Newtown and Beezie, Enmore Hope West, Enterprise Block 8, and Enterprise Market Street
Addressing these areas in a structured and humane manner will be essential to restoring order while ensuring that the rights and
dignity of affected individualsarerespected. Additionally, illegal farming has become a major issue affecting forested areas.
Reports indicate that some individuals have been found cultivating crops unlawfully, in some cases accomp
weapons.
This not only threatens the integrity of Guyana’s forestsbutalsoraisesserious concernsaboutpublicsafety, law enforcement, and environmental degradation. Stronger monitoring and decisive action will be necessary to curb these practices.
The issue of illegal mining also demands urgent attention. Gold miners who fail to declare their production are now facing strict enforcement measures, including deregistration, prosecution, and possible expulsion.
T h i s i n t e n s i f i e d crackdown reflects the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency within the miningsector
Guyana is moving forward into an exciting era
of development and opportunity As a nation, we must ensure that every citizenhastheopportunityto pursue a better quality of life
through lawful and sustainable means. Progress must be grounded in respect for the rule of law, responsible use of resources, and a shared commitment to nationalgrowth.
In conclusion, while enforcement is necessary, it mustbebalancedwithpublic education, access to legal pathways, and consistent communication.
Protecting Guyana’s natural resources requires not only strong policies but also collective responsibility from all stakeholders to ensure long-term national d e v e l o p m e n t a n d sustainability
Sincerely,
Mr.
Blane R Bunbury Public Communications Analyst & community advocate
Question for the Minister of Natural Resources through your Letters column
DEAR EDITOR,
On 19 March, Kaieteur News carried a Department forPublicInformationreport that Guyana has again sold jurisdictional forest-based c a r b o n c r e d i t s (https://kaieteurnewsonline com/2026/03/19/guyanasold-carbon-credits-to-19airlines-under-lcdsframework/). No price has been reported, nor any transactional costs which must be carried by Guyana for the entity, which makes the estimate of how many carbon credits are available for what period, or for an independentauditor
The same Kaieteur News report repeats the frequent government claim: ‘Guyana remains in a unique global position as a net carbon sink, meaningthecountryabsorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits’.
T h r o u g h y o u r newspaper,IasktheMinister toexplainhowthisclaimcan bemade,inthefaceofdatain the Guyana Forestry Commission report –‘REDD+ monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) system report 2023, August 2024’–which shows that Guyana has been a nett emitter of forest carbon
every year since 1990 when recordsbegan.
I ask the Minister for Natural Resources to provide a step-by-step written explanation of how the government makes its claim that Guyana is nett positive for forest carbon and hence what are the independently-verifiable steps by which Guyana avoids the charge that its marketing of forest-based carbon credits is an outright fraud and a national disgrace.
To help the Minister consider judiciously his reply, I refer him to the Low
Carbon
pmen
Strategy 2030, pages from 121. According to estimates by Winrock International’s ART/TREES program (Architecture for REDD+ Transactions/The REDD Environmental Excellence Standard), Guyana had a standing stock of 19.5-21.8 gigatonnes of forest carbon in 2020 (1213 tonnes of CO2e/ha x 18,001,790 ha), and adds a further 154 milliontonneseachyear. A moment’s reflection will show that this is only part of the story. Trees take inatmosphericgasesbyday
Continued on page 6
Exxon’s Pre-Emptive Salvo: Accelerated Cost...
From page 4 company’staxesarevestiges
of a deal struck in desperation,notdignity
The days of exploration riskareover;thisisnolonger frontier pioneering it is factory-scale extraction
Treating Exxon as a fragile risk-takernowisliketreating acasinoasacharity
F
s
Contracts evolve Only coloniesstayfrozenintime.
To tether the concept of fairness to rapid cost recoveryistoredefineequity so that it always favors the extractor It’s the theology of resource dependency rewritten in corporate prose: bless the pipeline, and pray forpatience.
Then there’s the third motive to discipline ambitionitself.
Oilawakensexpectation. People see tankers load and coffersswellandrightlyask: where are the roads, hospitals, wages, schools? Exxon’s gospel response is a sermon in delay “The big money comes after cost recovery,” they chant,
turning hunger into virtue and postponement into policy It’s a formula for nationalsedation.
An administration lulled by this lullaby won’t dare test temporary windfall levies, won’t audit cost claims with sharp teeth, and won’t reopen the most lopsided contract in the hemisphere.And Exxon will smile two victories secured: silence from politiciansandpatiencefrom the people. So, we must ask: is this prudence—or preemptivesurrender?
For Exxon, prudence is profit security For a sovereign state, prudence is theabilitytoadapt,toprotect its people from the volatility of markets and the predations of multinationals. True prudence means building mechanisms a time-bound, price-linked windfall tax among them to ensure that extraordinary profits from Guyana’s patrimony don’t vanish offshore before the tideturns.
Yet bewitched by
Exxon’shymnof“don’trock the boat,” the government risks institutionalizing submission. It becomes a willing custodian of someone else’s fortune Rejecting the debate while oil prices tower isn’t prudence—it’s capitulation dressedincivility
That is the real sting hiding inside Routledge’s cheerful press release. His talk of acceleration is not c e l e b r a t i o n i t ’ s choreography. A softly spoken campaign to brand fiscaljusticeasrecklessness, and any attempt at sovereignty as “antiinvestment.”
So, let’s strip away the euphemisms.
Why the rush to clear Exxon’s billions, but the crawl to deliver citizens’ basics? Why should the richest oil company in the
world decide when a poor country can tax its own wealth? Why are tools like windfall taxes—routine in London, Ottawa, and Oslo suddenly taboo in Georgetown?
Routledge’s song of acceleration is a siren’s tune. It calls Guyana closer to the reef of dependency, dressed astriumph.Therealquestion is whether we will dance to it—or break the spell and demand our share of this fleeting abundance before it’s siphoned away under the bannerof“partnership.”
Because this moment, thispricesurge,thisdizzying windfall that is our window,notExxon’s.
Thesalvohasbeenfired. Now, Guyana must decide whether to stand and salute—ortoreturnfire.
Regards, Hemdutt
Kumar
M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
GM&CC must quit being subversive
DEAR EDITOR,
This is a long overdue move, that is, the GPHC’s moving to the High Court over ‘vendor encumbrances around the hospital.’ The whole thing of selling in that precinct or nearby vicinity is abhorring.
Over all, street vending near hospitals is often considered a poor practice due to significant public health, safety, and logistical concerns.
While street vendors can
s o m e t i m e s o f f e r convenience and food, their proximity to any healthcare facilityintroduceshighrisks, including the spread of p a t h o g e n s , l a c k o f nutritional options, and traffic congestion, all of whichcanresultinavoidable fatalities.
I am really all for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s filing the “…. legalproceedingsintheHigh Court, seeking to compel the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) to remove vendors and other
obstructions from streets surrounding the country’s mainpublichealthfacility.”
Editor,weareinarapidly changing Guyana, and as societies keep evolving and the various determinants of health are becoming more and more enlightened and understood, it has quite clear that what determines health is how society overall, rather than the health care system alone,isorganized.
The GM&CC, being the level of government closest to the day-to-day life of citizens, local public health agencies and municipal governments have an important impact on health directly and indirectly through, among other functions, policing and community safety, transit and transportation, zoning, h o u s i n g a n d t h e environment, and social services.
My point is that local decisions and policies can and should be designed to meet the specific health needs of each community
This is important, as the particular health issues and the potential interventions that can mitigate them may well differ between different communities in priority, form, and magnitude Perspectives on issues held in common may also vary between local and higher ordersofgovernment,which can result in different opinionsonwhatneedstobe addressed to safeguard populationhealth.
Inthisbackdropthen,the GPHC is very much in order for “… asking the court to order the removal of “food, beverage and other vendors and hucksters… including vehicles, push-carts, drays, barrels, boxes, dust-bins, pallets, structures and all things left, placed or stored on the street, parapet and pavement” in areas surrounding the hospital.”
Without waiting for legal intervention, the GM&CC s h o u l d h a v e b e e n spearheadingthisasadefault role, especially in the ‘name of health and well-being.’
For too long, these areas (Lamaha Street, East Street, New Market Street and Middle Street-corridors described as critical to the hospital’s daily operations), have been ‘humbuggingly’ infested,andthismustnotgo on.
The general ‘best practices’ norm is that local public health practice policies have on occasion been driven by municipal decisions. Conversely,
municipalities have
s o m e
d provincialdecisionstobetter fit the relevant community context What has been prevailing for too long is an unacceptable situation where public health and safety concern are facing too many encumbrances that are obstructing easy access for both patients and staff. A mere casual survey will show that vendors have been affecting quite negatively ‘ingress to and egress from’ the GPHC, resulting in the hampering of the medical andprofessionalstaffaswell
as patients seeking medical services, especially via emergencyvehicles.
I surmise that the GM&CC will be peeved,but let us remember that health must not be stymied. This said body is definitely acting inawaythatisquiteinimical to the well-being of the city and the country as a whole.
For example, we recall the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, having to sound a stern warning to Mayor Alfred Mentor and the M&CC for their illegal attempt to implement a controversial “financial regulation” that seeks to w a i v e i n t e r e s t o n outstanding property rates and taxes.The truth is that in seekingthisruse,theM&CC is arrogating to itself the legal authority to enact such aregulation.
The law only allows for thisviatheMinisterofLocal Government, who has the power to make financial
regulationsforlocalcouncils (as outlined in the Municipal and District Councils Act). This by itself is not automatic and the process is quitelonganddetailed. I am in no way surprised therefore that this specific dereliction of duty forms a partofthemodusoperandiof theGM&CC.Itisquiteclear that they are revolting, as under the Municipal and DistrictCouncilsActandthe City’s by-laws, the council h a s a c l e a r , n o ndiscretionary obligation to keep public spaces free from obstruction. Succinctly put, it is that “the City Council has failed to uphold its legal responsibilities under the Municipal and District CouncilsAct.”
Hopefully, this matter will be resolved and the GPHC will be facilitated in its desire to better serve the public.
Yours truly,
Hargesh B. Singh
Question for the Minister...
From page 5 and convert them by photosynthesis into sugars, a small proportionofwhicharelaterconvertedintoleavesandwood, rootsandbark. Butbyfarthelargestproportionofthesugars are used up to provide energy for the living processes, including lifting soil water into the leaves in the tree canopy This respiratory loss of gases back to the atmosphere is like human breathing; in for photosynthesis and out for respiration. And like all other living organisms, trees grow, mature, decay and die, losing the gases during the decay process. If this dynamic equilibrium between growth and decay did not take place, and the trees were everlasting, the Earth would be covered by enormous trees, which is obviously not true. So almost all of those added 154 MtCo2e are returned to the atmosphere by natural respiration and decay All this happens naturally, without any policy or activityonthepartofgovernmentagencies.
Guyana’s forests are not expanding in area. Forest area is lost each year through clearance for agriculture and infrastructure and by wildfire. Three-quarters of the annual loss totalling more than 200,000 hectares during 1990-2023 has been due to deforestation by surface mining for gold, not to mention the large areas degraded by poorly controlled timber logging It is this poorly-controlled annual deforestation which makes Guyana a nett emitter of forest carbon.
ButsurelytheminersarerequiredbyMininglegislationto restore the mined-out land? Yes, the environmental Mining Regulations2025 do requirerestoration,but GGMC and EPA do not enforce the requirement. Not counting small experimental plots administered by the Guyana Forestry Commission, there are only a few tens of hectares of reforestation after mining, mostly in old bauxite areas. Compare this with the deforestation loss of around 10,000 hectaresperyear
In other words, the re-gain in forest area is tiny compared withtheannualnettlossofforestcarbon.
Yours truly,
Janette Bulkan
Rising oil, freight costs test Guyana
...but Pres. Ali says govt. maximising all macro-economic tools available to keep prices low
The government of Guyana has maximized its adjustments on freight and fuel, President Irfaan Ali disclosed on Thursday at the 136th General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.
President Ali reminded attendees that no excise tax is charged on fuel while noting that freight cost adjustments are still in effectsincethepre-covidperiod.
“We have never removed that benefit,sowe'llmaximizethetools
available…macro-economictools, and here is where social responsibility from businesses comes in. When the state has maximized its tools, the private sectormustsupport,”hesaid.
The head of state said that freight prices have increased between 20-50%, and air transport hasalsoincreaseddueto50%ofair transport costs being fuel. This, he said,ishavingahugeimpactonthe cost of transport whether it be to move services, freight, people or goods.
He revealed that India has
alreadyaddedUS$200ona20-foot container in some locations adding that there have been freight increases of between 20 per cent to 50percent.
“If Qatar is to invoke the force majeure on the existing contract… because the conditions are there to invoke this, then that will have massive, unbelievable impact on the global economy,” saidPresidentAli.
On Friday, Reuters reported that the price for oil and fuel cargoes smashed record highs as the Iran war chokes Middle East
supply The international news agency said that if cargo of oil is to be purchased in Asia or jet fuel in Europe, record prices would have tobepaid.
“Surging oil prices in physical markets - the trading place for oil onships,railcarsorinstoragetanks - have outpaced the already dizzying increases in benchmark futures markets, as refiners and traders across Asia and Europe are snapping up whatever barrels they can secure to plug the enormous supply gap caused by the U.S.IsraeliwaronIran,”thearticlesaid.
Thearticlenotedthatthesupply gapisexpectedtopersistfollowing a barrage of attacks on oil-and-gas facilities across the Middle East that has turned into the largest-ever disruption to global energy supplies.
“Iran has also throttled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway transited by 20% of the world's oil and gas, with threats to fire on ships that attempt to sail through the narrow strait,” Reutersreported. It is important to note that oil,
(Continued on page 54)
The evil empire that is out to recolonise the world
There is a peculiar vanity among nations. It takes the form of the belief that history is something that happens elsewhere, to other people, in less fortunate geographies, preferably in languageswedonotspeak.
We c o n g r a t u l a t e ourselves on being on the right side of development. The state of our economies, our political systems. And then we stand aghast when the bill arrives, as if consequences were an unexpected surcharge rather thanthecentralfeatureofthe transaction.
Wearenowstaringatthat bill. The rising price of oil will move through our economies with the quiet efficiency of a contagion. It will touch transport, food, electricity, and the small humiliations of daily life. This consequence is not an accident of markets or the mischief of fate. It is, rather, theaccumulatedinterestona moral debt long ignored. We are, to put it plainly, the progenitors of our own misfortune.
For years the world has watched the destruction of Palestinian life with the detached curiosity of a spectator sport The language employed has been one of “concern,” that most elastic of diplomatic euphemisms, stretched thin enough to cover inaction but
neverfirmenoughtorestrain violence Even as the carnage mounted, the machinery of international o r d e r t h o s e g r a n d institutions erected in the ashes of the Second World War issued statements, convened sessions, and then adjournedtolunch.
The International Court of Justice, in its provisional m e a s u r e s , f o u n d i t “plausible” that acts falling under the Genocide Convention were being committed and ordered that such acts be prevented Plausible genocide, one might have thought, would occasion something more than polite applause and procedural delay But plausibility, it seems, is not sufficiently theatrical to stir theconscienceofstates.
Likewise, the United Nations has warned repeatedly of catastrophic humanitarian conditions, with its officials describing Gaza in terms that recall the darker chapters of the twentiethcentury Ithasused phraseslike“uninhabitable,” “famine,” and “collective punishment.” These are not metaphors; they are diagnoses. Yet the response has been less that of a response to a global emergency We summon international conferences to lament climate change but hold no grand assembly to debate the slaughter of
Dem Boys Seh...
innocent women and childreninGaza.
Even after Hamas released hostages and a ceasefire was agreed upon, the violence persisted. The Palestinians continue to be slaughtered.
A handful of states severed diplomatic ties with Israel, but most countries, including Guyana, preferred thesaferpostureofrhetorical regret, a stance that allows one to appear humane withouttheinconvenienceof actinghumanely
The complicity of the United States has been neither subtle nor reluctant. It has been, instead, methodical through military aid and diplomatic cover Having perfected this arrangement, Washington nowextendsitsreachtoward Tehran.
Here in Guyana, the dissonance is particularly striking. Irfaan Ali has been swift to condemn Iranian’s attacks on those Gulf States hosting U.S. military bases that are being used to attack Iran Yet there is a conspicuous reluctance to acknowledge that, under established principles of international law, states retain a right to self-defense against military aggression. The logic appears selective: it is improper for Iran to strike at installations used againstit,butpermissiblefor Israel to conduct operations
OilMoneyorOweMoney?
Demboyssehisastrangetimeweliving in,whena“reconditioned”carcostlikehow a brand-new one used to cost back in the good old days when people actually used to condition their finances before buying things.
Now is a different story. Is oil economy, bai!Andapparentlyoileconomymeanevery yard must got not one, not two, but sometimes three cars—like is a small car martopenupnexttothechickenpen.
Dem boys seh government doing dem part, cutting taxes on lil vehicles so people could afford something decent. But the dealers? Oh lawd. Dem watching demand like hawk watching chicken. As soon as people start running in, price start climbing likeittrainingforOlympics.Onemansayhe wenttolookatasmallcarandbythetimehe blink twice, the price gone up two hundred thousand. He ask if the car learn a new skill whilehewasblinking.
Buttherealcomedyistheyoungpeople. Everywhere you turn boom! another freshdriver Someofdemcan’tevenreverse properly yet, but dem have loan papers longer than the Essequibo River Dem boys seh is no longer “learning to drive,” is “learningtoowe.”
across its borders, including inLebanon.
Thisisnotjurisprudence. T h e s t e p s a r e familiar condemn here, remain silent there, and always, always keep in rhythm with the prevailing power
Meanwhile, the world’s selective indignation extends westward to Cuba, where decades of economic strangulation is now being tightened through a fuel embargo Fuel shortages, blackouts, and scarcity are treated as unfortunate but acceptable side effects of geopoliticaldiscipline.
And so we arrive at our present discomfort Oil prices climb, supply chains tremble, and governments scramble to explain what they had no interest in preventing.Theinstabilityof theMiddleEastisinnosmall measure, the product of
internal moral collapse. We chose expediency over justice, alignment over integrity, and silence over speech. The markets, being less sentimental, have respondedaccordingly
TheghostofAdolfHitler is often summoned as the ultimate symbol of historical e v i l , a c o n v e n i e n t benchmark against which to measure our own virtue. But thecomparisonisusefulonly if it provokes recognition ratherthandenial.
Genocide proceeds incrementally, rationalized at each step, until the sum of i t s p a r t s b e c o m e s undeniable except, of course, to those who prefer not to notice Economic genocide is being committed by the Americans in Cuba; and human genocide in PalestinebyIsrael.
As for DonaldTrump, he will, in due course, exit the
stage. Empires, however, are less punctual in their departures The damage done in the interim may prove more durable than any singleadministration.
We like to imagine that wearepassengersontheship of history, occasionally inconvenienced by rough seas The truth is less flattering.
We are the crew, and the course we have charted has ledusdirectlyintothestorm. The rising cost of oil is merely the first wave breaking over the bow The restwillfollow,indifferentto oursurprise.
(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.)
And the banks? Smiling from ear to ear Because nothing sweeter than a customer who say, “I gon take it,” before even asking, “HowIgonpayforit?”
So now you got people riding round in nice shiny vehicles… but when the gas light come on, is pure panic. Dem pull up at the pumpandsay,“Boss,lehmegetathousanddollar gas.” The attendant does look at dem like,“Yuhsureyuhdon’twantairinthetyres instead?Itmightcarryyuhfurther.”
Dem boys seh some of these cars spending more time parked than moving. Not because dem broken—but because the owner waiting on payday, prayer day, or miracledaytofullupthetank.
And don’t talk about insurance, maintenance, and loan payments. By the time dem done pay everything, the only thingleftinthebudgetisslackchange.
So dem boys seh, in this oil economy, some people ain’t driving on fuel—they driving on faith. And if caution ain’t taken, plenty of dem shiny cars gon end up as very expensiveyardornaments.
Because at the end of the day, bai, is one thing to own a car… and a whole next thing toaffordit. Talk half. Leff half.
TRUTHS
Appealing to, working at influencing, Minister Vindhya Persaud
I come humbly before Hon. Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud today. Cap in hand, a curtsy for a sister, a fine lady The legacy of my folks, village, times
Something came to me recently, and I shook. So, I come before Minister Persaud with a thought, hopefullyaspeckofgrace,in me. The liberty is taken of
using the personal in appealing to Minister Persaud. Permit the indulgence.
Melinda Janki, a fighter for Guyanese, a woman of
courage, wrote the president about Mash celebrations. TheexcessisallI'llsay. She said more. Then a social mediapostcametome,what degraded Ms Janki, all women, from little girls to mature, sophisticated women. Iblinked. Can'tbe. Not former Minister Nigel Dharmalall, a man himself once embattled. Just can't be,nothe. Notagain. Vileis too mild. Where were you, Minister Persaud? I believe that you have more in you than silence. The doctor in youshouldknowaboutpain. The minister in you, Dr Vindhya, must know about the horrors in many women lives, children included, of which there were two savaged ones recently The woman that you, and the spiritual leader that you, have been, cannot be about what is so precious to hold onto that the sacred is diluted, that the throat becomes so clogged that not awordcanbesaid. Publicly Frankly Fearlessly Yes, I know of the pulls, compulsions, of politics But standing for women and their dignity must be superiortoallelse.
You, Vindhya Persaud, have a duty to set a standard, stand tall, be an example. 'I will not stand for such behaviors. I will not have any part, any association, any comradeship, with those who revile women. Or anyoneforthatmatter Iwill not stand with any leader who, by their inaction, seemingly condones
attacking outspok women, citizens that fight for Guyanese. It is where you must be, minister How do you standfordignityandpridein women,respectfortherights andpresenceoffemales,and then still have nothing to say in a full baring of the chest?
This is wrong. This isn't my team.
This cannot continue. A former minister, a Central Executive member of the ruling PPP, an insider to President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo has to be a different presence The social media hordes can be ofextremes,thebarbaric,but notamanwiththeintimacies that Mr Nigel Dharamlall enjoys with national leaders. If he is unable to manage himself, then Drs. Ali and Jagdeo must put in time and effort to help him do so. Serioustime,andnotforany show (Have some helpful words for Mr Dharamlall, others,soon)
You are a Guyanese noblewoman when you rise to your full height and say: I'll be damned if I don't. Therefore,Iwilldo,Iwillbe a tribute to women by the honors I dedicate to them, comewhatmay It'stimefor a different government, a different culture. So that there's a different Guyana. Give it a try, Vindhya Persaud. Be a woman of steel,andnotofstraw Make a believer of me. I don't matter Do so for all Guyana,sister
(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.)
Pres. Ali has spoken of Civics. Begin within, Mr President, with the circle of insiders: stop, no mas. This is not the PPP of Irfaan Ali. Let that good word spread to PPP cyberspace battlers For what most of them don't know, care Oil brings people of all kinds to Guyana. There will be some who have stalking eyes, groping hands, endangering minds. Beware. When social media, any media, is misused to revile and violate Guyanese women, then invitations are extended to u n k n o w n i n c o m i n g predators. Minister Persaud: your own hands just got heavier;yourworkloadmore demanding. Whatyouspeak about so earnestly, so brightly, you must stand for, minister Doesn'tmatterthat it may be a conscientious objector(aterrortothePPP), or a member of the PNC or WIN. Or a lapsing PPP brother, sister The call to duty, call to arms, must be unchanging Yours, Minister Persaud. When Roman Catholics cannot speak, another spiritual man istoopreoccupied(theirturn coming), then you must standup, speak up, Minister Persaud. You are better when not cowering, not selfprotecting.
BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!
In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.
MONDAY –MARCH 16, 2026
The closure of Stabroek News
The closure of Stabroek News,markedbytheprinting of its final edition on Sunday, March 15, 2026, is a deeply regrettable moment for Guyana's media landscape
For decades, the publication played a significant role in informing the public and contributing to national dialogue. Its absence leaves a gap that reminds us how
essenti
y democracy
A t t h i s t i m e , a l l stakeholders—citizens, civil society, and the private sector must remain vigilant.
A strong democracy
depends on scrutiny, transparency, and the free flowofinformation.
We wish to reassure readers that Kaieteur News remains steadfast in its commitment to fearless and independent journalism. We will continue to expose corruption, highlight mismanagement, and hold
t h o s e i n a u t h o r i t y accountable Our mission remains unchanged: to defend the public interest, uphold press freedom, and ensure that truth and transparency remain at the heart of Guyana's national conversation.
TUESDAY –MARCH 17, 2026
$100K grant: Good news, but why the hurry?
T h e p r o m i s e t h a t Guyanese will soon begin receiving the $100,000 cash grant is certainly welcome news.
Few things lift the
n a t i o n a l m o o d l i k e government money flowing to citizens rather than the other way around. But while the grant is lawful and budgeted, its timing raises a fair question: why the sudden
urgency?
When the Budget was crafted, oil prices hovered around US$65 per barrel
Today they are pushing past US$100. For an oil producer like Guyana, that means revenues are about to swell dramatically
Ifthegrantwascalculated at $100,000 under modest oil prices, shouldn't soaring revenues justify something more?
And there is another issue: thousands of poorer citizens lack bank accounts, while overseas account holders may receive funds effortlessly Generosity is welcome, but fairness and timingmatterjustasmuch.
SATURDAY –MARCH 21, 2026
Where in the world is theAFC ?
The Alliance For Change appears to have vanished into politicalthinair
accountability, the Alliance ForChangenowstrugglesfor relevance after its crushing electoral defeat. Since then silence has replaced substance.
Therearenoweeklypress conferences, no strong voices on matters of the state, no clear direction, no visible effort to reconnect with the people it once claimed to represent.
Where is the leadership?
Where is the reflection, the rebuilding,thefight?
In politics, defeat is not death, unless a party allows it to be Yet the AFC seems content to drift, leaving supportersabandonedandthe national discourse poorer for itsabsence.
Guyana needs credible opposition, not ghosts of past coalitions. If theAFC intends to survive, it must re-emerge with purpose and courage Otherwise, the question will answer itself: it no longer exists.
Govt. to spend $5.4B to build parking facilities for trucks in Regions 3, 4 & 6
These projects which opened recently at the National Procurement and TenderAdministration Board (NPTAB) will be done in several lots and have attracted over 300 bidders combined.According to information provided by the Tender Board, CHP&PA plans to construct truck parking facility at Hermitage toWales on theWest Bank of Demerara in Region Three.The project is divided into six lots and 106 contractors haveappliedtoexecutetheproject.
The engineer's estimate for each lot is as follows: Lot1$289,715,258;Lot2-$218,626,632;Lot3-$287,300,194;Lot4 -$287,300,194;Lot5-$287,300,194;andLot6-$292,868,408.
InRegionFour,theconstructionoftheparkingfacilitywill bedoneatBlock'HH'Hope-Enmore,EastCoastDemerara.A total of 127 contractors bid, and according to the engineer's estimate Lot1 is $350,619,437; Lot2 is $345,004,562; Lot3 is $345,004,562; Lot4 is $354,554,312; Lot5 is $345,004,562; andLot6is$350,632,037.
AnothernewareaidentifiedforthisfacilityisatPlantation Smithson Place in East Canje, Berbice, Region Six. Some 99 contractors bid for this project and Lot1 is estimated at $321,929,257; Lot2 is $325,731,467; Lot3 is $322,578,317; Lot4 is $339,599,867; Lot5 is $325,731,467; and Lot6 is $314,202,477.The construction of these parking facilities will form part of the $159.4 billion which was approved for the ministryinthisyear'sbudget. It was reported by the Housing Ministry that the establishment of parking facilities is intended to provide a designatedspaceforheavy-dutyvehicles,whileaddressingthe (Continuedonpage13)
'Minutes' gets 6 years in jail for cocaine charge; fined $1.7M
Shemroy Robertson, also known as 'Minutes', was on Thursday sentenced to six years in prison and fined $1, 734,000 when he appeared before Justice Priscilla Chandra -Hanif at the High Court.
In January 2016, Robertson was arrested for possession of 1 156 kilograms of cocaine for the purposeoftrafficking.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit said that Robertson had discarded a bag containing 139 cocaine pellets during a pursuit while driving.Hewassubsequently apprehended by CANU officers while hiding at a MandelaAvenueresidence.
Robertson is currently s e r v i n g t w o y e a r s ' imprisonment on charges relatedtotheoffenceofaiding thecommissionoftrafficking 1.174 kilograms of cannabis. In 2025, he appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates' Court where he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined $30,000 for aiding the commission of trafficking
Robertson
1.174kilogramsofcannabis. That conviction stemmed from an operation conducted on June 17, 2021, during which officers intercepted a minibus at Ann's Grove Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and arrested a suspect with the saidquantityofcannabis.
Thesuspectwasreleased, while Robertson was ordered tostandtrialinthehighcourt. Additionally, he was previously charged alongside three (3) others in March 2017, though those charges weresubsequentlydismissed.
The site where the parking facility is being constructed at Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara.
Shemroy
Seaboard engages Gira Food to assess viability of developing pork industry in Guyana
DPI - Seaboard has engaged leading international strategic consultancy firm Gira Food to conduct a comprehensive assessment on the feasibility of establishing a sustainable pork industry within the country This initiative aligns closely with President Irfaan Ali's vision to diversify Guyana's economy and reduce the reliance of CARICOMmemberstateson
i m p o r t e d f o o d b y strengthening regional productioncapacity
According to the
Department of Public Information (DPI) Gira Food, a globally recognized consultancy specializing in the food and agriculture sectors, has been on the ground in Guyana this week undertaking a series of consultations and site visits. Theengagementformspartof a broader initiative to evaluate opportunities for localproduction,value-added processing, and long-term industrydevelopment.
Duringtheirvisit,theGira Food team met with key
government officials, including Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Government Efficiency Zulfikar Ally, as well as representatives from the G u y a n a L i v e s t o c k Development Authority (GLDA) In addition, discussions were held with a widecross-sectionofindustry stakeholders, including members of the Swine Association, local farmers,
processors, retailers, butchers, and restaurant
o p e r a t o r s . T h e s e consultations are aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of the current agricultural landscape, m a r k e t d e m a n d , infrastructure capacity, and potential challenges and
opportunities associated with developing a domestic pork industry
Seaboard, through its U S -based operations including Prairie Fresh, Daily's Premium Meats, Seaboard Farms, and St. Joe Pork,isoneofthelargestpork producers and processors in the United States, bringing decades of expertise in integrated pork production, processing,anddistribution.
“This initiative represents animportantstepinexploring how Guyana can strengthen its agricultural sector, enhance food security, and create new economic opportunities,” said Mr Jack Bresky, President Seaboard OverseasTradingGroup.“By partneringwithGiraFood,we are ensuring that any future investment decisions are grounded in robust data, global best practices, and meaningful engagement with localstakeholders.”
Should the assessment confirm the viability of establishing a pork industry, Seaboard indicated that such a development could drive additional investment beyond its previously announced GYD $10 billion upgrade of the National Milling
Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) facility, which was announced in October 2025 This would further support the expansion of Guyana's agro-industrial capacity and value-added production.
The findings from Gira Food's assessment will inform the next phase of discussions and potential investment considerations. Seaboard emphasized that c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h government, industry bodies, and local producers will remain central to any future developmentplans.
Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
Govt. to spend $5.4B to...
From page 12 growingissueoftrucksparkingalongpublicroadways.
The ministry had noted that with Guyana's growing economy driving a surge in construction activity, the number of large trucks operating across the country has increased significantly The new facilities are therefore designed to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and prevent damage caused by trucks and other large vehicles parking along road shouldersandwithinresidentialcorridors.
Additionally, upon completion, the ministry noted that it will engage truck owners and operators who are interested in utilizingthefacilities,particularlythosewithoutsuitableprivate parkingspaces.
In addition to these new areas, the ministry through its CH&PA team is currently constructing parking facilities at Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, and at Meten MeerZorginRegionThree.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro under investigation in US for drug ties
Faced with reports that two US prosecutors have opened probes, the left-wing leader denies links to drug traffickers.
Aljazeera - Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has been named in two separate criminalinvestigationsled by prosecutors in the United States.
The NewYork Times was thefirsttoreporttheexistence of the two probes on Friday, citing sources familiar with theproceedings.
Media reports indicate thatPetroisnotpersonallythe target of the investigations, which focus on drugsmugglinginLatinAmerica.
But according to the Times, US attorneys in Brooklyn and Manhattan are looking into whether Petro
Petro has not been charged with any crimes, and the investigations are in their initialstages,accordingtothe Times.
Butexpertssaythetiming of the report is significant, as itcomesbarelytwoandahalf months before Colombia is set to hold a closely watched presidential election on May 31.
“If this would have happened a week before the first round, it would be election interference,” Sergio Guzman, director at Colombia Risk Analysis, a security think tank, told Al Jazeera.
met with drug traffickers and soliciteddonationsfromthem for his 2022 presidential campaign. Al Jazeera has not independently verified the Timesreport.
By Friday afternoon, Petro had issued a statement denying the claims, which threaten to reopen the rift between the US and Colombia.
“In Colombia, there is not a single investigation into my relationship with drug traffickers, for one simple reason:Ihaveneverinmylife spoken with a drug trafficker,”Petrowroteonthe socialmediaplatformX.
He added that he told campaign managers to never accept donations from bankersordrugtraffickers.
The investigations in the US, he argued, would ultimatelyexoneratehim,and he blamed Colombia's rightwing opposition for stirring controversy
“So, the proceedings in the US will help me to dismantle the accusations of the Colombian far right, whichisindeedcloselylinked t o C o l o m b i a n d r u g traffickers,”Petrosaid.
“Thisseemstobemoreof a warning that shows how the US could influence the outcomeoftheelection.”
Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, is limited to a single term in office, but the election is likely to be a referendum on his four years inoffice.
It will also be a test for Petro's Historic Pact coalition, whose candidate, Ivan Cepeda, is currently leadinginthepolls.
But United States President Donald Trump has repeatedlysoughttoboostthe prospects of right-wing candidates in Latin America. He and Petro have been at loggerheads since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
Their feud came to a head in January after the US attacked Venezuela and abducted its president, NicolasMaduro.
Shortly afterwards, a reporter asked if the US would take military action against Colombia Trump replied: “It sounds good to me.”
To cool tensions, Trump (Continued on page 53)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during a news conference on March 8 [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters]
EPA takes Vilvoorden dust nuisance to court
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) on Saturday announced that the longstanding dust nuisance affecting residents of Vilvoorden, Essequibo Coast, is now before the court, as authorities move to determine whether adequate mitigation measures have been implemented by the company atthecentreofthecontroversy
According to the EPA, a magistrate has directed that the agency assesses and report on the level of compliance by Vilvoorden Investment Inc with required environmental mitigation measures. The findings are to be presented at the next court hearing scheduledforJune4,2026.
The development follows persistent complaints from residents of Vilvoorden, who say their daily lives have been severely disrupted by dust pollution allegedly originating from the Hack's Rice Mill, operated under VilvoordenRiceInvestmentInc.
Residentshavereportedthatthe
continuous accumulation of black, dusty residue from the rice milling process has created unbearable conditions, particularly during the dry season when the particles are easilydispersedintonearbyhomes.
Families living in close proximitytothefacilityhaveraised serious concerns about potential health risks, including respiratory issues linked to prolonged exposuretothedust.
As a result, affected residents are calling for urgent intervention by authorities and are urging that the businessman responsible to relocate the dust heap to a safer location, away from residential areas.
Inastatement,theEPAoutlined several actions ordered by the court Firstly, the agency will prepare and submit a formal compliance report at the upcoming hearing Secondly, Vilvoorden InvestmentInc.hasbeeninstructed to provide documentationdetailing the mitigation measures it has already implemented, along with
Residents of Vilvoorden staged a protest in 2023 against dust pollution caused by the rice mill ( Photo credit; Stabroek News)
anyproposedalternativesolutions.
The EPA noted that it will review the company's submission to determine whether the measures meet regulatory standards “The EPA will prepare and present a compliance report at the next court hearing,”thestatementsaid.
The agency also disclosed that its officers have visited the Vilvoorden location on multiple occasions and attempted to engage residents to provide updates on mitigation efforts undertaken by the developer However, it noted that only some residents were successfully engaged during those
outreachefforts.
“The EPA remains committed to protecting community health, enforcing environmental standards, and pursuing all necessary administrative and legal remedies,”theagencystated.
Itaddedthat,giventhematteris now before the court, it will be addressed in accordance with the law
The EPAis also urging affected residents to cooperate with its officers so that concerns can be properly assessed and addressed. The agency said further updates will be provided following its
submission, the compliance inspection, and subsequent court proceedings.
The dust issue has persisted for several years Back in 2023, frustratedresidentsstagedprotests, arguing that the rice mill was improperly established within a residential community and continues to negatively impact theirqualityoflife.
Residents have also claimed that despite numerous complaints beinglodgedwiththeEPAoverthe years,littleactionhadbeentakento bringrelief.
Taxi driver, passenger die in Mahaicony crash
…four
A24-year-old taxi driver andhispassenger,a33-yearold woman were killed on Friday evening in an accident along the Airy Hall Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. Four children were also injured in theaccident.
Dead are Seerochanie Khemraj of Tuchen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Nicklas Lillah of Lot 918 Tuchen Housing Scheme, EBE. Khemraj was a mother of one, while Lillah leaves behindtwoyoungchildren.
The injured include Khemraj's 14-year-old daughter, along with three otherrelatives:a14-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old boy. They were all taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment for various injuries.
According to a Guyana Police Force (GPF) report, preliminary investigations revealed that Lillah was driving hire car HD 5859 east along the northern side of Huntly Public Road,
children injured
Mahaicony, behind a line of traffic. While attempting to overtake the line of vehicles, hiscarcollidedwiththerearview mirror of motor car PAN 2760, which was proceeding in the same directionaheadofhim.
“The driver of hire car # HD 5859 continued east at a fast rate of speed, as he approaches Airy Hall public road and in the process of negotiatingasharpleftbend, he lost control of his vehicle which collided with an aluminiumrailontheeastern
side of the said road, continued north on the eastern side and collided with a GPL pole,” police said.
The impact of the collision left the hire car extensively damaged. Lillah and Khemraj, who was seated in the front passenger seat, sustained severe injuries to their heads and bodies They were both found in an unconscious state at the scene and were t r a n s p o r t e d t o t h e Mahaicony Public Hospital,
The car involved in the accident resulting in the death of taxi driver Nicklas Lillah and passenger, Seerochanie
wheretheywerepronounced deadonarrival.
The four children, who were passengers in the vehicle at the time, also suffered injuries and were rushed to the same hospital, where they remain under medicalcare.
Investigations are ongoing.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and has left both familiesindeepmourning.
Speaking with Kaieteur News on Saturday, Lillah's father, 48-year-old Lillah, expressed immense
Dead: Seerochanie Khemraj Dead: Nicklas Lillah
Khemraj
Waterfalls Waterfalls
The
Guyanese-backed fashion label, make Paris Fashion Week debut
‘Sabrina’s Tropical Blend’ CHOOSE for your natural local fruit
juices
Two-time Grammy award winning singer is keynote speaker at WeLead Women’s Leadership Conference
ThewarinIranisalready at Caribbean doors The attacks in Iran and the Gulf are being justified by some on the grounds that Iran’s record on terrorism, nuclear ambition, and regional meddling leaves the “free world”withnochoicebutto actmilitarily TheCaribbean haseveryreasontotakethat record seriously But for small, import dependent states in this hemisphere, an additional set of questions demands urgent attention: who is paying the economic andsocialpriceforthiswar, and what is it doing to the rules that are meant to protectsmallstates?
Awarfoughtthere, abillpaidhere
The conflict has already pushed up oil prices, freight rates, and insurance premiums for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s mostcriticalcorridorsforoil andliquefiednaturalgas.For Caribbean countries that import most of what they consume, every additional dollar on a barrel of oil, and every extra cent on a container or tanker, quickly appears on electricity bills, f o o d p r i c e s , a n d publictransportfares. Many states in this hemisphere import a large shareoftheirgoodsfromthe United States. As American producers face higher fuel, fertiliser, logistics, and financing costs, those increasesarepassedoninthe prices of exports to the Caribbean. Our region is therefore not only directly exposed to world oil and freight markets; it is also importing USembedded costs in the form of more e x p e n s i v e f o o d , manufactured goods, and inputs.Formostcountriesin the Western Hemisphere, including the US itself, the warhasmeanttightersupply chains, higher shipping and war risk insurance costs.
Only a narrow group of oil and gas exporters have enjoyed a short-term windfall from elevated prices. In our own region, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are among the few that see higher hydrocarbon revenues, but even they remainexposedtovolatility, shipping risk, and the broader slowdown that higher energy prices can bring.
Securitynarrativesand internationallaw
Public argument over
thiswarhasbeendominated by two types of narratives. One focuses on sovereignty and international law: whetheroneortwopowerful nations may bomb another sovereign state on the basis thatitmightdevelopnuclear weapons that could one day be used against them, even without an imminent attack or a mandate from the UN Security Council. The other is increasingly cast in ethnic and religious terms, with social media flooded by Islamophobic and sectarian rhetoric that reduces complex realities to a clash ofcivilisationsandobscures sober discussion of law and proportionality
The Caribbean should notturnablindeyetoIran’s conduct The regime’s longstanding repression at home, including the grave violations of the rights of women and dissenters, and its support for armed groups and destabilising activities abroad, are matters of legitimate concern to all states, including ours. Nor should any country’s aggression against its neighbours be excused or ignored. At the same time, arguments in some quarters, which catalogue Iran’s support for Hezbollah, Hamasandothernetworksin the Middle East and Latin America and then treat this as sufficient justification for openended military action, raiseprofoundconcerns.
Similarly, Israel’s declared aims require scrutiny By his own account, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not seek only to neutralise discrete threats He has spoken of “crushing” and “weakening” Iran’s regime, of delivering “crushing blows” to its security apparatus, and of creating “optimal conditions” for a future toppling of the regime, even as he acknowledges that actual regime change would depend on the Iranian people These statements pointnotjusttoselfdefence, buttowardanefforttoleave Iran a substantially weakened state, with longterm implications for regional balance and for the principle that one or two powersshouldnotdecide,by force, the political future of others.
A c c e p t i n g t h e seriousness of Iran’s record, and recognising the genuine security concerns of other states, does not mean accepting that powerful
statesmayunilaterallywage preventive war outside clear selfdefence or Security Council authorisation. For small countries, the restraints in the UN Charter on the use of force are vital; they are the first line of protection.
Fracturedglobaland regionalleadership Institutions that should help guide global opinion have done so only partially The UN Security Council has managed to condemn specificIranianattacksinthe Gulf and to call for an immediate halt to hostilities and the protection of civilians. But deep divisions among its permanent members exist. Some are simultaneously profiting from higher oil prices and from easing of sanctions related to their own past violations of international law
Regional organisations in the Americas have likewise fallen short. The Organisation of American States (OAS) has not even d i s c u s s e d a memberstatenegotiated positiononthiswar Thereis no collective view of the Organisation Likewise, although CARICOM had issued earlier statements on Middle East escalation and some governments have spoken nationally on the latest developments, there is no unified Caribbean position on the present conflictequivalenttoaclear, common line adopted by HeadsofGovernment.
In practice, public opinion in the Caribbean is beingshapedlessbyregional guidance than by global cable news and polarised socialmediafeeds.
Wheredoesthis leavetheCaribbean?
Caribbean countries, i n d i v i d u a l l y a n d collectively, have virtually no military leverage and limitedeconomicpower,yet they are deeply exposed to the conflict’s fallout
To u r i s m d e p e n d e n t economies face higher jetfuel costs, potential softening of travel demand, and tighter airline margins. Importdependent economies confront rising energy and food prices, more expensive USsourced goods, and growing fiscal pressure as governments try to protect households from inflation while servicing already heavy debt burdens For many,thewarhasarrivedas higher bills, fragile supply chains, and renewed threats
to growth and social stability
Ideally, CARICOM should respond by speaking clearly and collectively A unified Caribbean stance could defend deescalation and immediate ceasefire; insist on respect for the UN Charter’s rules on sovereignty and the use of force; call for the protection and reopening of critical sea lanes; and draw attention to the disproportionate economic burden the war places on small, vulnerable states that had no say in the decisiontofight.
In practice, such unity is u n l i k e l y R e c e n t developments have exposed divisionswithinCARICOM. Some member states see the United States as their principal security partner and a crucial economic lifeline in trade, investment, remittances, and tourism Smaller states are acutely aware of how shifts in US visa policy, travel restrictions, and migration enforcement can affect their societies, and recent episodes of visa and travel pressure have reinforced the p e r c e p t i o n t h a t foreignpolicy choices can carry real costs In this environment, many governments will hesitate to support any collective position.
Ameasured Caribbeanstance
But, even without full regional consensus, Caribbean states can still exercise leadership by articulating a firm stance grounded in their own interests and values. Such a stance would rest on a clear defence of international law and sovereignty, opposing unlawfulusesofforcebyany country, and insisting that concerns about security, nuclear proliferation, or terrorismbeaddressed,asfar as possible, within the framework of the UN Charter It would maintain a consistent call for deescalation and diplomacy, prioritising ceasefire, restraint,andtheresumption of negotiations on nuclear issues and regional security, while underlining the urgent need to keep vital shipping lanesopenandsafe.Itwould insistoneconomicjusticefor vulnerable economies, showing how the war’s consequences - such as energy price spikes, freight costs, imported inflation, and potential recessions in tourism origin markets - are hurting societies that had no voiceinthedecisiontofight, and pressing for tailored financial support and s h o c k a b s o r b i n g mechanisms. And it would reject ethnic and religious
polarisation, acknowledging humanrights abuses and security threats without embracing narratives that stigmatise entire peoples or faiths, drawing on the Caribbean’s own history to advocate for a discourse rooted in rights, law, and sharedhumanity
For small states in this hemisphere, the path forward lies in principled, measured diplomacy: engaging all major actors, avoiding gratuitous offence, but speaking clearly about the need for deescalation, respect for the Charter, and protection of societies that areotherwiselefttobearthe war’s distant but very real costs To say nothing protectsnoone.
(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)
Sir Ronald Sanders
WEEK-IN-REVIEW
SUNDAY
‘UGGot90%ofMe’PalomaMohamedreflects onsevendemandingyears asViceChancellor …to continue building on her Specialist work as Futurist Strategist
ByDavinaBagot
When Professor Paloma
Mohamed applied to become Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG) she did not envisage the extra loads of responsibility that came with the portfolio. Whilesheexecutedwith Lazer focused excellence for the past years she is now eager to reconnect with aspects of her life thatwereneglected,
Before she was appointed VC, theprofessorservedasChairofthe Transition Management Committeefollowingthedeparture of the then VC in 2019 Dr Mohamedwasofficiallyappointed as VC in June 2020, where she becamethefirstfemaletoholdthe position at any University in the AnglophoneCaribbean.
Her decision to apply was one heavilyinfluencedbyherpeers,Dr Mohamed recalled, during an interviewwithKaieteurNews.
“Ididn’treallywanttoapplythe position. That’s the first thing. I hate applying for anything... I was asked when I was Deputy Vice Chancellor because I’d been on faculty, I was asked to do the DeputyVice Chancellor job. I told you, my reaction to that was like, no, no, no, no, for six months. But the then Vice Chancellor kept at it and then I was like, eventually, okay,”shesaid.
Herfriendsalsoencouragedher to take on the responsibility recognisingherabilitytoinfluence changes at the institution. At the time-February2020-theworldwas grappling with a pandemic that later hit these shores, an epidemic that the Change Specialist maneuvered with grace and excellence Under her astute leadership,theUniversity,withjust around 6900 students at the time, managed to transition to online classes.
“We’re state funded, we could sit down and say, well, look, you know what, it’s COVID, nobody’s teaching,westillgetpaid.Butthat was never a conversation The conversation was we are state; we have to ensure that when this is over,wepickupthepieces,people are there to pick up these jobs and that we are going to be able to function if ever this happens again,”sheremarked.
She rallied through numerous difficult seasons during her tenure, including an impasse that lasted severalmonthsafterthetumultuous national elections in 2020, heightened border threats from
Venezuela and more recently the
Reflecting on her years of service, the professor said she almost gave up her personal life to focusonUG,butonethingthatshe madesurewasnevercompromised washerspirituallife,ananchorthat ledherthroughvariouschallenges. The number 7, she has said, is significant for her “It speaks of
completion, perfection, appreciation”. She said her social life started to “disappear” with dinner plans often being cancelled
and her loved ones left disappointedtoomanytimes.
At just 14-years old, the VC said her eldest son at the time lookedintohereyesandprotested, “Youhave11,000childrenandIam notoneofthem.Itwaslikeablow to my stomach,” she added with tearssettlinginhereyes.
Professor Mohamed shared, “There could be no balance. Too much needed to be done, and the resources were never enough… I don’tthinkintheseconditionsthere could have ever been any kind of work-lifebalanceatonepointwhen IwascarryingtheportfoliosofVice Chancellor, Pro Chancellor and Chancellor all at once. So UG got 90%,everythingelsegot10orless. And that’s just because of how much the place needs...there have been times when I (had) people waiting for me for hours for social eventsandtheneventuallyIhaveto say,Ican’tdoitbecauseIhavethis thing that is urgent or something happened with a student. I have to go by the police station to help somestaff,orsomebody’spregnant andneedstogettohospital last minute request for a brief opportunity with a tight deadline….”
The scholar said she is grateful for her support group and friends including her mom who has been helpingto nurturehersix children, fiveofwhomwereadopted.
for the first time but we had accreditation for our petroleum engineering programmes, our medical school which was accredited but got reaccredited, accreditations for the business school and for the engineering and faculty of engineering and technology,onthewayISOforthe facultyofAgriculturesowe’rekind of continuously working on international standards and accreditation for various programmes.And I am very proud of our Maka Tawa Forest Campus at Aishalton a model for the world.Aswellastheachievements of mycolleaguesandour students. Any success associated with my tenureisacollectiveone.Couldnot haveachievedanythingalone.”
loveinpeace”.Shesmiles,“Itried tobalancemyintellectualpassions with the work of a high-level manager Itcannotwork;it’stimeto connecttootherthings.Sheplansto complete several books that she started working on years ago and get back to other things that she neglected such as her nurturing work in the Theatre, teaching and research.
“I missed so many things, you know, birthdays, parties I, you know, have not seen my own husband for eight months now Because he’s away and looking after his parents who have been unwell, and if I spoke to him five times in the last six or eight months...andthen,ofcourse,Imiss my own work as a scholar so I wantedtoreallykindofrefocusmy logicandmyintellectonthingsthat I was interested and have passion for because that has suffered a tremendous lot ” She added “Bitter-sweet it was also my greatestprivilegeandhonourtobe entrusted with this place I love so much… this responsibility which totallyconsumedme.”
Beyondherpersonalchallenges and numerous different circumstancesattheUniversity,Dr. Mohamed was able to achieve monumental accomplishments, whichshehumblyacknowledgedis not due to her role alone. “I have had a generally great team and it’s not enough” as the University still requirestremendouswork.
Some of the notable achievements highlighted by her between 2020 and 2026 were the growthofthecampusfrom6900to 16000 students The addition of several new buildings including new laboratories where the first timeinthecountry’shistory23new species of flora and fauna were genetically sequenced in 2025, the construction of a new dental clinic tobenefitstaff,asportsfacilityand the tremendous back-end work, of setting up systems and polices to support the rapid growth in programs and delivery sites. The number of campuses has grown fromaroundfiveto10. “Thereare hundreds of ways in which we changed UG for the better “she says.
One thing was the increased ranking of UG internationally She explained, “Not only did we achieve institutional accreditation
Dr Mohamedisalsoproudthat the University enhanced its online services with local online payments, other services and registration to benefit students as wellasreducingthetimeforgrades to be available. “I am a systems person.Alotoftimehadtobespent on building good systems, with morestilltobedone.”
While many are deeply concerned about whether the scholarwillbejoiningthepolitical stage,Dr Mohamedsaidshehasno such intentions and never had any “I have a very strong personal aversiontopartisanpolitics.“
Shesaidshereceivednumerous phone calls from people who were curioustoknowwhethershewasill orplanstoteamupwithapolitician given her decision not to reapply fortheposition.
The Vice Chancellor, however, clarified that she had two terms as VC, the longest tenure of a Vice Chancellor at UG for at least 20 years. “I don’t know why a person cannot wish to return to their first
Moreover, Dr Mohamed is thinking of creating an Institute forFuturistStrategy,Researchand Policy “One of the things that I think that I really want to do is set upaninstituteforfuturists,research and policy, I think not only for institutionsbutcompanies,perhaps the region The changes in technology, geo-politics, environment, their application, implications for human functionality, the changes in society, the changes in workforce, in mentality and attitudes, all of thosethingssomebodyorsomeset of people have to make sense of thosethingsandtheyhavetomake sense of them fast enough so that we are able to not only be resilient to these changes but to adapt and leveragewhatwereallyhaveatthis point for th
Abandit was shot on Saturday afternoonbypoliceandiscurrently re
nt at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation(GPHC)whilehisfour accomplices have been arrested following an armed robbery on ChapelStreet,Georgetown.
KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat themenrobbedabuscarrying Continued on page 21
Prime Minister of Sénégal, Ousmane Sonko has revoked 71 mininglicensesafterdeclaringaBP gas contract “unfair”, freezing the accounts of a major Indorama subsid
s approximately 380 million euros ($438million).
Reuters reported that the prime minister vowed to lay out more sweeping reforms, signalling the most decisive measures yet from a government that came to power in 2024 with a pledge to audit and potentially renegotiate resource dealsintheWestAfricannationand restoreitsfinancialstability
“The contracts that have been signed are unfair contracts, which we intend to discuss in detail,” Sonkosaidinatelevisedstatement.
The government review found that a gas contract for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project operated byBPwasone-sidedandunfair As such,Sonkosaidhewouldpublish a document with the details of the contracts studied, which also includedfishingandinfrastructure, but did not provide specific details aboutanydiscussionswithBP.
BPdidnotrespondtoaReuters emailseekingcomment.
Review ‘to boost Senegal’s economy
Sonko said the renegotiations would rebuild Senegal’s finances and boost the economy by deliveringcheapergastoindustries aswellasthepopulation.
Senegal is grappling with debt that reached 132 per cent of gross domestic product at the end of 2024,accordingtotheInternational MonetaryFund(IMF),whichfroze its lending programme after a government audit discovered misreporteddebt.
Sonko has previously said the countrywillnotneedtoimplement a restructuring plan, despite what he referred to as a difficult and painfulrepaymentschedule.
Senegal has announced a plan toclose19governmentagenciesto savemoney Tensionshaverisenat universities over the government not paying students promised financialaid.Meanwhile,teachers’ unionshaveheldnationwidestrikes
overshortages,salariesandtaxes.
Sonko said talks to nationalise the Yakaar-Teranga gas project, operated by Kosmos Energy were nearly concluded and Senegal wouldretaketheblockatnocostin thecomingweeks.KosmosEnergy, whichhasa90%stake,becamethe operatoroftheYakaar-Terangagas field in 2023 ‘after BP decided to exit.
Kosmossaidinanemailitwas withdrawing from the block and thatitslicenceexpiresinJuly2026. “Wehavenotbeenabletoattracta suitable partner and agree a
commercially attractive development concept with the government of Senegal,” Kosmos spokesman Thomas Golembeski said.
Senegal became an oilproducing nation when the Sangomar field began production inJune2024.
Sonkosaidthegovernmenthas also cancelled the licences of several ‘blocks such as Diender Offshore, Differe, Cayar Offshore Shallow, St Louis Offshore ShallowandRufisqueOffshore.He saidthegovernmentwasdiscussing the resizing of blocks, as the previous perimeters were too vast and did not meet international best practices.
Senegalhasfrozentheaccounts ofIndustriesChimiquesduSénégal (ICS) until the phosphate and fertiliser company pays the ‘state 250billionCFAfrancs(380million euros),Sonkosaid.
The government has also revoked 71 mining licences, including14goldlicenses,because the companies failed to abide by ‘contractterms.
Morebroadly,Sonkosaidmany infrastructure projects had overchargedSenegalbyanaverage of 15%, costing the indebted country hundreds of millions of euros.
“We are still a long way from having completed this work,” he
said, adding that the review would likely continue through his term in office.“We’regoingtocompletely changethewayofdoingthings.”
While the west African nation has taken a stern approach on its resourcedealasanewcomertothe sector, Guyana maintains its commitment to “sanctity of contract”insistingthatthelopsided Stabroek Block deal with ExxonMobilcannotbeimproved.
Stakeholders have argued that due to the drastic changes in the Stabroek Block, Guyana would be well within its right as a sovereign nation to demand greater benefits for its resources. In 2016 when the agreement with ExxonMobil and its partners were made, the country’soilreservesstoodatajust threebillionbarrels.Fastforwardto 10years,theStabroekBlockisnow estimated to hold more than 11.6 billionbarrelsofoil.
Previously,PresidentIrfaanAli made it clear that he has no intention on writing Exxon to seek a renegotiation of the lopsided contract.
He explained, “No, we don’t need an official response (from Exxon).Wehavemadeourposition veryclearthatfuturePSAs,andwe have stuck to that and existing PSAs, the sanctity of contract, we
which was also travelling east alongthenorthernsideoftheroad, reportedly swerved onto the southernlaneinanattempttoavoid thecollisionbutendedupcolliding head-onwiththecar
Singh was pinned inside the wreckage with injuries about his body
He was subsequently removed by public-spirited citizens in an unconsciousstateandrushedtothe De Kinderen Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body is currently at the Ezekiel Mortuary awaiting a postmortemexamination.
“A breathalyser test conducted on the driver of motor lorry GAB 5416 detected 071 and 072 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, while a test conducted on thedriverofmotorlorryGAF6756 detected 05 micrograms,” police said.
respect that. You know this, we have discussed this, many times before.”
The PSA requires the prior writtenconsentofthecontractorfor anyamendmentstotheterms.
Article 32 states, “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter, or limit this agreement without the prior written consent of contractor.”
Essequibomankilledafter carslamsintotwotrucks
A55-year-old man lost his life on Saturday night after his car crashed into two trucks along the Greenwich Park Public Road, East BankEssequibo.
DeadisDerrickSingh,55,ofSt Lawrence, East Bank Essequibo. The incident occurred around 21:10hrs.
According to the police, the accident involved motor car PXX 9053,drivenbySingh,motorlorry GAB5416drivenbya31-year-old man of Leonora, West Coast Demerara, and motor lorry GAF 6756 driven by a 21-year-old man of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
Initial investigations revealed thatthetwotruckswereproceeding east along the northern side of the GreenwichParkPublicRoadwhen Singh’s car, which was travelling west in the centre of the roadway between the northern and southern lanes, swerved north into the path ofmotorlorryGAB5416andwith theright-siderearwheelofthesaid lorry
“As a result, the motor car lost control and ended up on the southern lane facing west,” police said.
Further,motorlorryGAF6756,
Both drivers are presently in police custody assisting with investigations, while the vehicles involvedhavebeenlodgedpending examination.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat on Monday said theoperatoroftheStabroekBlock, ExxonMobil and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have agreedonasoleexperttosettlethe US$214 million dispute that arose from the first audit of the company’sexpenses.
The minister, in an invited comment,saidanarticlepublished by the Stabroek News on Sunday whichclaimedthatthegovernment is moving to initiate arbitration overthefailureofthetwopartiesto agree on a sole expert was inaccurate.
Assuch,hemaintainedthatthe dispute will be settled through the sole expert to be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA).
The minister said, “The next step is sole expert agreed upon betweenthetwoparties-Exxonand GRA We are at the stage of finalisingthis.”
Bharratcouldnotsayhowsoon the sole expert could be appointed as he noted this was dependent on thetwopartiesmovingtheprocess along.
Anauditofthecostbankofthe Stabroek Block was conducted for the years 1999 to 2017 by IHSMarkit, a British firm. The audit resulted in findings of US$214 millionandareportwassubmitted tothegovernmentinMarch2021.
Following the submission of thatreport,theflaggedsumwas Continued on page 22
Singh’s car after the tragic collision involving two trucks.
Dead: Derrick Singh
Frompage21 reduced to a meager US$3 million
based on submission of documentation that was absent duringthecourseoftheaudit.After careful consideration the government did not accept the presented documents, and the sum wasrestoredtoUS$214million.As such, the disputed amount highlighted by the auditor will stand.
Consequently, the sole expert process has been invoked to settle the dispute between the parties Should the sole expert determine that the costs were inaccurately added to the cost bank, Exxon will berequiredtocreditthesum.
Article 26 of the Petroleum Agreementstatesthatiftheparties failtoagreeonasoleexpertwithin 30 days such expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) in accordance with its rules for the appointment of experts and neutrals.
The contract states at Article 26 10 “ the parties shall cooperate fully in the expeditious conduct of such expert determination and provide the expert with access to all facilities, books, records, documents, information and personnel necessarytomakeafullyinformed decision in an expeditious manner
The sole expert shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator or mediator, and shall endeavour to provide an opinion on the dispute within thirty (30) days of his appointment,butnolaterthansixty (60)daysafterhisappointment…”
While the first audit drags on, two other audits of the company stillremaintobeconcludedaswell. The second audit, for the period 2018 to 2020 was conducted by VHE consulting. The local audit team found that another US$65 million of the US$7.2 billion in expenses was incorrectly charged toGuyana.
The third audit of a whopping US$19.6 billion was completed by the same local consultant Government received that report since May 2025, but the disputed costs flagged have not been revealed as the administration continuestohidethedocument.
Canadianoilcompanyto expandfootholdinCanjeBlock …through US$52M acquisition of JHI
Canadian oil and gas explorer Eco (Atlantic) Ltd. has announced plans to expand its presence offshore Guyana through a US$52.3millionacquisitionofJHI AssociatesInc.,amovethatwould also give the company entry into theoffshorepetroleumsectorofthe FalklandIslands.
The company announced last week that it signed a binding agreement on March 10, 2026 to
acquireallremainingsharesinJHI not already owned by Eco The transaction will be completed through the issuance of new Eco sharestoJHIstakeholders.
“This landmark acquisition complements Eco’s existing Atlantic Margin portfolio in Namibia and South Africa, whilst adding to its exposure offshore Guyana.TheAcquisition positions Eco at the forefront of one of the most compelling offshore growth storiesglobally,theNorthFalkland Basin, alongside intended operator and strategic partner Navitas PetroleumLP,”thecompanysaid.
Through the acquisition, Eco would gain JHI’s 17 5% participating interest in the Canje Block, located 180km offshore Guyana, and covers 4,800km2 in deep to ultra-deep water, and contains prospectivity in both continental slope and basin floor targets. Canje lies adjacent and
directly northeast of the prolific Stabroek Block, which is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).
WhilethelicencefortheCanje blockexpiredonMarch4,2026,it was noted that discussions are ongoing with the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding a possible extension “The Transaction is not conditional on theCanjeExtension,”Econoted.
In Guyana, Eco holds a 100% working interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block This block is situated in shallow water, 170 km offshoreGuyana.
In 2019 two oil discoveries were made, Jethro-1 and Joe-1, bothwellsencounteredhighquality reservoirscontainingmobileheavy crude.The Orinduik Block licence expiredonJanuary14,2026.
As the licence for the offshore area has reached the end of its secondrenewalterm,Ecoisintalks with the Ministry of Natural Resourcesonthecontinuationofits appraisalandexplorationactivities ontheOrinduikBlock.
The company reminded that provisionsunderthePetroleumAct allowittoretainrightstoitsJethro1 and Joe-1 discoveries while its appraisal programme is under review The company is working alongside its partner Navitas Petroleum,anIsraelifirminwhatit described as “ongoing, constructive discussions” with the ministryregardingthewayforward for the block In addition to expanding its footprint in Guyana, Eco will gain entry to JHI’s principal asset, 35% working interestinthePL001licenceinthe
North Falkland Basin, a block directly adjacent to Navitasoperated Sea Lion Field under development Notably, the remaining 65% interest in the PL001licenceareawillbeheldby Eco’s strategic partner Navitas –onceNavitasfarm-inisapproved.
Eco’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CE0), Gil HolzmansaidtheacquisitionofJHI marks a ma
p in the company’sgrowthstrategy.“”This Transaction represents a further transformational milestone in Eco’s strategic evolution and reinforcesourdisciplinedapproach toassemblinghigh-qualityAtlantic Margin acreage alongside best-inclassoperatingpartners,”Holzman said.
He added that by securing ac
L
on development and partnering with Navitas Petroleum LP, the company is positioning itself for development-led growth in that basin. Moreover, the acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to
completed, JHI shareholders are expected to hold about 21.8% of Eco’sthenissuedsharecapital.
For their part, JHI said the transaction would transition its investors from a privately held company into a publicly traded entity while broadening their exposure to exploration assets acrossseveralregions.“Onclosing, Eco will issue approximately 96 millionnewcommonsharestoJHI shareholders on a ratio of 0.7054 Eco shares in exchange for each JHI share on a fully diluted basis,
resulting in JHI’s shareholders, excluding Eco, owning approximately 22.5% of Eco,” the statementsaid.
JHI said the transaction will also expose its shareholders to Eco’s broader exploration portfolio, including acreage in Namibia’s Walvis Basin and offshore blocks in South Africa, while maintaining and potentially expandingexposureinGuyana.
WEDNESDAY
GuyanaleavingUS$9M adayonthetable ...as oil windfall surges amid Middle East conflict
Guyana could gain at least U S $9M more daily from ExxonMobil if the government of Guyana (GoG) applies a 25% windfall tax on the profits being earned by the energy giant as oil prices continue to climb in light of theongoingwarinIran.
TheconflictintheMiddleEast has resulted in oil prices soaring past U.S. $100 per barrel for the firsttimesince2022.
At the beginning of the year, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh estimatedinflowsfromthesectorat anaverageofjust$59abarrel. Currently,Guyanaisproducing an average of 900,000 barrels per day (bpd), meaning that Exxon is generating a whopping U S $40 extraoneachbarrel.Inotherwords, the Stabroek Block is now generating U.S.$36M more daily than was anticipated by government.
Emotionalsafetyis the experience of feeling secure, respected, and accepted enough to be your authentic selfwithoutfearofcriticism, rejection, or retaliation. It means you can share your thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilitiesknowingthey will be handled with care. When present, the nervous systemrelaxes;whenabsent, a feeling of defensiveness is triggered, shut down, or constantly “on guard” Without emotional safety, women maladapted and relationships become toxic. Men need emotional safety in relationships, too, and it must be provided and maintained by their partner to guarantee a healthy relationship.
Emotional safety is built through consistent, reliable
interaction Men are emotionaljustaswomenare; the difference is that we process and respond to emotionsdifferently Men are coming from a societal norm where we are not seen as emotional and whereemotionalsafetyisnot provided from birth by our parents, especially our mothers,sisters,auntsandto s o m e e x t e n t , o u r grandmothers.Somewomen who are now wives and girlfriends have not seen it modelled by their parents’ relationships or an inherent, distorted, and dysfunctional
concept of men and relationships, which may have been acquired from challenging childhood experiences.
Wayswomen makerelationships emotionallyunsafe
Threatening and
Ultimatum: Threatening to leave the relationship if he doesnotchange,orifhedoes it again, is the biggest indicator of an emotionally unsaferelationship.
Judgmental Listening: Menfeelingunheard,unseen and misunderstood This sends him into secondguessingeverytimehewants to shave. Over time, a false self emerges as abnormal
Lack of Freedom to be Vulnerable: The lack of a created environment to express fears, mistakes, and insecurities. Saying “I am tired, burned out, overwhelmed, sad, lost, and frustrated without having
Towards a better life with your psychologist Men need emotional safety in relationship too
them used against him later Itiswhatmenlongforbutdo nothave.Amanwhosayshe is unhappy with his partner, who is struggling with low self-esteem,willbeattacked, orhewillshutdown.
Lack of Respect for Boundaries: Feeling safe to say “no” or request space without experiencing backlash, guilt-tripping, or coercion. Men want to hang with “the boys”, go on “ boys’ trip “, just as “girls’ trip” These are met with anger, distrust, rejection, guilt trip, shame, tailored to makehimfeelthatthespace and indulgencies he desires as his wife, he does not deserve or is not trusted to have.
Lack of Emotional Reliability:Knowingthathis partner will not remain steady and respectful even during conflicts or disagreements is noted by men and suppressed until it unconsciously drives his abnormalactions
Lack of Accountability: When mistakes happen, an emotionally safe person takes responsibility and prioritises repairing the relationship over “winning” the argument.Apartner that lacks accountability is unsafe Unaccountability saysIcannotrelyon,depend on, trust, or expect fairness and support during the relationship, especially in a crisis. Not taking accountability for one’s behaviour without saying youmademedothat,senda clear message, I am not healthy enough for this relationship, so I practice unaccountability to protect my fragile identity I cannot be taken seriously I am a risk.
Unforgiving: An unforgiving partner is someone who has learned that forgiveness comes with punishment and must be earned by paying a price. Punishmentisthemethodof extracting payment An unforgiving partner is struggling with their own guiltandshameandisunable toforgivethemselves.
Lack of Emotional Regulation:Aman’s partner whothrowstantrums,lashes out, behaves passively aggressive, shouts down every time she is frustrated, disappointed,sad,saidnoto, or did not get her way, or is unfulfilled, cannot provide the surety and peace that’s neededinarelationship.
ImpactsofEmotional insecurity
When emotional safety—the assurance that you can be vulnerable without fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection is absent,therelationshipshifts fromasourceofsupporttoa sourceofrisk.
1 Psychological & NervousSystemEffects
Chronic “Survival Mode”: The man’s nervous systemremainsonhighalert, constantly scanning for threats.This often manifests as hyper vigilance, in which he obsessively tracks his partner’s moods to prevent conflict.
Anxiety and Mental Health: Chronic stress leads to persistent anxiety, insomnia, depression, and feelingsofhopelessness.
PhysicalSymptoms:The man’s body often holds the tension of an unsafe relationship, leading to headaches, digestive issues, andmuscletension.
2 E r o s i o n o f AuthenticityandIntimacy
Wearing a “mask”; or staysafe,hestopssharinghis true feelings, needs, or desires. Love begins to feel like a “performance” rather thanagenuineconnection.
Withholding and
Numbness: He becomes emotionally numb or withdrawstoprotecthimself from potential pain, leading todeeplonelinessevenwhen withhispartner.
ReducedIntimacy:There is a false and distorted concept that men are not emotional Physical and emotional intimacy decline because the man’s body and mind cannot relax into vulnerability when they perceive danger in the relationship.
3 Communication & RelationshipDecay
Walking on Eggshells: Conversationsbecometense andguarded.Youmayavoid difficult topics entirely to maintainafragilepeace.
Defensiveness and Attack: Without safety, conflictsescalatequickly,as men shout down others and focus on self-protection rather than resolution Alternatively, he stonewalls toavoidfurtherinjury
Erosion of Trust: Trust cannot survive in an unpredictable environment. Whenmencannottrusttheir partner to handle their vulnerability with care, the foundation of the
relationshipcrumbles.
CoreBenefitsof EmotionalSafetyformen andrelationships Whenamanexperiences emotional safety the freedom to be his authentic self without fear of judgment, rejection, or havinghisvulnerabilityused against him several
profoundshiftsoccur:
Nervous System
Regulation: Emotional safety moves a man out of “fight or flight” mode Physiologically, this results in lower heart rate, reduced stress hormones, and a calmerdemeanour, allowing clearer thinking and better conflictresolution.
Release of “Stoic”
Burdens: Many men are conditioned to believe they must be invulnerable Emotional safety provides the permission to drop this armour, reducing the immense psychological weight of bottling up emotions, which is linked to betteroverallmentalhealth.
A u t h e n t i c
Vulnerability: Instead ofwithdrawingorusing anger to protect himself,asafemancan expressfear,sadness,or insecurity This is not a sign of weakness; it is theprerequisitefortrue emotionalintimacy
I m p r o v e d
By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic
Relationship Satisfaction: Whenamanfeelssecure,he ismorelikelytoleanintothe relationship rather than withdraw This creates a positivecyclewherehefeels m o r e c o n n e c t e d , appreciated,andunderstood.
Shift from Protection to Connection: Without the needtoconstantlydefendhis ego or position, his energy shifts from “surviving” the relationship to “thriving” within it This fosters a
partnership based on mutual respect rather than a power struggle. When emotional safetyispresent,itactsasan “anchor” It allows both partners to weather life’s inevitable storms with resilience, knowing they have a secure base to return to.Formenspecifically,this sense of being “held” emotionally is one of the most powerful predictors of long-term commitment and happiness. Emotionally safe menareconsistent.
ByKarenAbrams, MBA,AA, DoctoralCandidate
Guyana is moving quickly; new roads, new hotels, new investment, and new expectations. We speak confidently about transformation, prosperity, and opportunity We talk about the future as if it has alreadyarrived.
But there is a harder question we must be willing to ask. Are we preparing Guyanese children for the jobs of 2035, or are we still educating too many of them forthejobsof1985?
It is a question I have repeatedly asked because it goes to the heart of whether our development will be broad-basedandsustainable, or whether many of our childrenwillbeleftstanding on the sidelines of the very economy now being built aroundthem.
Thetruthisthattheworld our children are entering demands far more than obedience, memorization, and routine performance. It demandsliteracy,numeracy, problem-solving, digital fluency, adaptability, confidence, communication, and the ability to keep learning over a lifetime Employers increasingly value workers who can analyze information, use technology, collaboratewith others, and solve unfamiliar problems In a modern economy,thesearenolonger luxury skills They are baselineskills.
Butbeforeweevengetto coding, robotics, data, artificial intelligence, or STEM careers, we must confront a deeper national problem.
We have a massive literacyandnumeracycrisis.
The data have been warning us for years. A widely cited World Bank projectdocumentonGuyana reportedthatin2016only14 percent of Grade 2 students attained the standard in literacy and numeracy combined, while 41 percent were approaching the standardand45percentwere below it. That alone should have forced a national reckoning.
Andtheconcernremains
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…
Are We Preparing Guyanese Children for the Jobs of 2035 or the Jobs of 1985?
urgent.Basedonallthedata towhichwehaveaccess,we are not dealing with a minor weakness, we are dealing
eme
g
ncy In plain language,toomanychildren arefallingbehindatthevery stage when they should be learning to read with confidenceandusenumbers with ease. And this is the point, I have repeatedly made; children who cannot read well will not be able to take advantage of STEM investments, no matter how generous those investments maybe.
We can build beautiful labs. We can donate tablets. We can fund robotics clubs. Wecanlaunchcodingcamps andcelebrateinnovation.All ofthatisgood,andallofthat matters But if a child s t r u g g l e s t o r e a d instructions,interpretaword problem, follow a sequence, write a response, or make sense of basic information, thatchildwillremainlocked outoftheveryopportunities weclaimtobecreating.
Literacy is not separate from STEM. Numeracy is not separate from innovation They are the doorwayintoit.
Achild who cannot read proficiently cannot fully accessscience.
Achildwhocannotwork confidently with numbers will struggle to access technology, engineering, or finance.
A child with weak foundations will find the future harder to enter, no m a t t e r h o w m a n y opportunitiesexistonpaper
That is why this issue matters so much in Guyana atthisparticularmomentand this is why I do not understand why in our oil producing economy, our organization is not overwhelmed with offers of support from Guyana’s private sector to support learning pods in vulnerable communities across the country
We are not a stagnant country We are a rapidly changing one.The economy is diversifying. The labor
market is evolving Technology is reshaping how work is done.Artificial intelligenceischanginghow
information is accessed and how productivity is measured The jobs our children will face in 2035 will require stronger thinking skills, stronger communication skills, and stronger technical confidencethaneverbefore.
Yet, too many of our systems, still reward children for passivity rather than initiative, recall rather than reasoning, and quiet compliance rather than curiosity.
Thatmustchange.
Tobefair,theMinistryof Education has not ignored these challenges The Ministry has invested in curriculum reform, gradelevel standards, worksheets, literacy resources, and other measures aimed at strengthening foundational learning The official resource platforms show a clear effort to provide structured Grade 2 literacy and mathematics materials, along with assessment guidelines and teacher support.
That work deserves recognition.
But the scale of the problem tells us that recognition alone is not enough. We need urgency, consistency, and a broader national response that matchesthesizeofthecrisis.
This cannot be left to schools alone. Parents must understand that reading is not a side issue. It is the issue Communities must understand that numeracy is not only about passing math exams. It is about giving childrenthetoolstofunction in a modern world Policymakers, educators, civil society, and the private sector must understand that if foundational learning remains weak, then the promise of national development will remain uneven and their companies will not experience the exponential growth which a rapidly expanding oil economyportends.
A modern economy cannot be built on weak foundations.
What is also clear in the data is that the children who suffer most from weak foundational learning are usuallynotthechildrenwith
the most advantages. They are the children in ordinary homes, in struggling communities, in households whereparentsaredoingtheir best but may not have the time, money, or academic backgroundtoclosethegaps alone.Thosearethechildren forwhomschoolmustwork. Those are the children for whom national policy must mattermost.
If we fail them early, we do not merely create academic weakness. We createfutureexclusion.
So yes, let us invest in STEM Let us expose children to robotics, coding, digital tools, and artificial
intelligence. Let us dream biggerforGuyana’schildren than previous generations wereabletodream.
But let us also understand that the child who cannot read at grade level by Grade 2 is already being placed at a grave disadvantage. And the child who cannot use numbers confidently is already being pushed further from the centeroftheneweconomy.
Thatiswhyfoundational learning must become a national priority with the same seriousness we attach toinfrastructure,investment, andeconomicgrowth. Because roads do not
read, buildings do not calculate. Economies do not
Children do but only if we preparethem.
The real question before us is not whether Guyana is developing.Itis.
The real question is whether the average Guyanese child is being equipped to participate meaningfully in that development.
If the answer is no, then we are not yet preparing our childrenforthejobsof2035. We are preparing too many of them to be left behindbyit.
MindYour Business
How Obedience, Correction, and Cultural Expectations Shape Behaviour Discipline, Authority, and the Psychology of “Hard Ears”
ByDr.EonAndre George,PhD,EdD
Spend time around any group of parents or elders andsoonerorlaterthephrase will surface. Someone will shake their head and say, “That child hard ears.” The statementmaysoundsimple, evenhumorous,butitcarries a deeper meaning about expectations, authority, and h o w b e h a v i o u r i s understood.
In many homes, obedience is expected early and reinforced consistently Achild is called once and is expected to respond Instructions are not suggestions When those expectationsarenotmet,the issuequicklyshiftsfromthe task itself to what it represents It becomes a matter of respect, but also a matterofhowthatbehaviour might be interpreted by others who are watching, listening, and forming opinions.
Consider a familiar scene.Aboyissenttosweep theyardbutinsteadlingersat thegatetalkingwithfriends. Bythetimehereturnsinside, the frustration is no longer just about the unswept yard. It is also about what that behaviour suggests. To the parent, it may signal laziness, disregard for instruction, or even how
neighbours might view the household. The correction that follows is therefore not only about completing a chore, but about reinforcing disciplineandprotectingthe family’s image From a psychological perspective, this reflects structured discipline aimed at shaping behaviour, while also revealing how strongly behavior is tied to perception,notjustaction.
HowDisciplineis Understood
For many parents, discipline is rooted in preparation. The belief is that life requires resilience, and that resilience must be taught early Correction is often viewed as guidance, even when it feels harsh to thechildreceivingit. Take another common situation. A teenage girl is toldnottostayoutlate.One eveningshereturnslaterthan expected.The response may be immediate and intense, not only because of the time she returned, but because of whatthatdelayisassumedto represent.Questionsbeginto form quickly, whether spokenorimplied.Whowas shewith?Whereexactlydid shego?Whatmightshehave been doing? In many households, the concern is notonlyaboutsafetybutalso about reputation and how others might interpret her
actions.
To the parent, the reaction is protective and preventative,shapedbyboth experience and the desire to guard the family’s name. To the teenager, however, the response may feel like mistrust or restriction. She mayfeeljudgednotonlyfor what she did, but for what others assume she might h
h perspectives exist at the same time, and both shape
understoodmovingforward. Psychologists describe
behavioral conditioning, where repeated responses shape future behaviour Yet
ning, perception plays a powerful role. Children are not only learningwhattodo,theyare learning how their actions areseenandinterpreted. TheEmotionalImpactof StrictAuthority
While firm discipline creates structure, it also shapeshowchildrenprocess emotion. A child who is correctedfrequentlywithout explanation may learn to comply but struggle to express feelings openly Over time, that internal tension can surface in differentways.
Some children become highly cautious, constantly
trying to avoid mistakes. Theybegintothinknotonly aboutwhatisrightorwrong, but about how every action might be judged. Anxiety can develop quietly as they try to stay within acceptable boundaries.
O t h e r s r e s p o n d differently. They push back. They question rules. They earn the label “hard ears,” but what may actually be unfolding is a struggle for autonomy within an environment where perception feels constant Psychologistsconnectthisto reactance theory, where individuals resist when they feel their freedom is being restricted.
In some cases, anger becomes the visible expression of deeper frustration.Achildwhofeels constantly corrected but rarely understood may carry tension that surfaces as irritability, defiance, or withdrawal. What is often labeled as attitude may in fact be accumulated emotionalpressure.
Respect,Fear,and Understanding
An important distinction emergesbetweenrespectand fear Both can produce obedience, but they lead to different outcomes Fear may create immediate compliance, yet it can limit communication and trust Respect, when built through consistencyandexplanation, tends to produce internal discipline.
Forexample,achildwho understandswhyaruleexists is more likely to follow it evenwhennooneispresent. T h i s r e f l e c t s internalization, where external expectations become part of personal values Without that understanding, behaviour may depend entirely on the presenceofauthorityandthe fear of how one might be judgediftheyfallshort.
Thegoal,therefore,isnot theabsenceofdiscipline,but the balance of firmness and understanding Children benefit from clear expectations, but they also need space to express themselves without feeling constantly evaluated or assumed.
Dr. EonAndre George, PhD, EdD
TheTransitioninto Adulthood
The effects of early discipline often extend into adulthood. Individuals raised in structured environments may become highly responsible and resilient. At the same time, somemaycarryaheightened awareness of how they are perceivedbyothers,shaping howtheyspeak,behave,and evenmakedecisions.
Others who pushed back against strict authority may d e v e l o p s t r o n g independence, but sometimes with lingering tension around authority figures Their early experiences influence how they respond to supervisors, i n s t i t u t i o n s , a n d expectationslaterinlife.
In both cases, discipline does more than shape behaviour Itshapesidentity, emotional expression, and thewayindividualsinterpret both authority and perception.
Rethinking“HardEars”
When viewed more closely,thelabel“hardears” becomes less about simple defiance and more about development within a specificcontext.Achildwho doesnotlistenmaybetesting boundaries, seeking independence,orresponding tohowauthorityisexpressed andperceived.
Understanding this does not remove the need for discipline. It deepens how behaviour is interpreted. A child may need clearer structure, but they may also need to feel understood rather than assumed. When discipline combines f i r m n e s s w i t h understanding, it produces not only obedience but growth.
UnderstandingBehaviour ThroughContext
Looking more carefully at these patterns allows behaviour to be understood in context. What appears as stubbornness may reflect a
desire for autonomy. What appearsasdisrespectmaybe a reaction to feeling misunderstood. What appears as compliance may sometimes be rooted in fear of judgment rather than genuineunderstanding. Atthesametime,whatis often labeled as rebellion deserves a closer look Rebellion is not always random or purely defiant. In some cases, it is learned, as children observe how others respond to authority and repeat those patterns In other instances, rebellion develops as a response to internal pressure. A child who feels constantly controlled, judged, or unheard may begin to resist, not simply to oppose authority, but to regain a sense of control over their ownchoices.
Mental health also plays a role in how behaviour is expressed Anxiety may present as avoidance or refusal to comply Depression may appear as low motivation or withdrawal, which can be misinterpreted as laziness. Anger,especiallywhenithas beenbuildingovertime,may surface as defiance, irritability,orwhatisquickly labeled as attitude. In these situations, behaviour is not just a choice. It is often an emotional response shaped byexperience,environment, andinternalstruggle.
Recognizingtheselayers shifts thefocus fromcontrol alone to understanding. It allows parents, educators, and communities to respond not only to what is visible, but to what may be driving behaviour beneath the surface. When behaviour is viewed through this broader lens, correction becomes more effective because it is pairedwithinsight.
Every belief has a history
Everyreactionhasaroot.
Understanding them is wherewisdombegins.
Guyanese-backed fashion label, make Paris Fashion Week debut
When the Paris Fashion Week came alive this week as designers fromaroundtheworldgatheredto showcasetheirlatestcollections.
Alongside iconic and established fashion houses, emerging brands also took center stage, bringing fresh perspectives andcreativitytotheglobalfashion scene.
Among the new brands featured was Blu Saki, a Guyanese-backedCaribbeanlabel specializing in women’s and men’sresortwearaswellashome accents.
Blu Saki’s fabrics reflect the beauty, vibrancy, and rich colours of Caribbean including the CaymanIslands.
The brands including the
fabrics are designed by Supriya Singh-Bodden, who is also the founder of the Guyana Foundation, a charitable trust that provides empowerment and skills training through its Sunrise Centers.
The materials used are made from fiber that is 100 percent biodegradable and compostable, making the brand inherently ecofriendly Beyondfashion,BluSaki iscommittedtosocialimpact.
A portion of the brand’s revenue supports empowerment training programs in Guyana and other Caribbean countries. The brand operates a flagship retail store in the Cayman Islands, and its collections are sold wholesale tovendorsaroundtheworld.
Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of the Guyana Foundation
Guyanese-backed Caribbean label Blu Saki Designs specializing in women’s and men’s resort wear
Many consumers regularly purchase household electrical appliances to replace outdated items, improve convenience at home or upgrade to more efficient technologies.
Whilethesepurchasescanmakedailylife mucheasier,itisimportantforconsumersto carefully select appliances that demonstrate quality and meet proper labelling requirements.
Consumer protection is a paramount priority at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards(GNBS).Asthenationalstandards bodyresponsibleforstandardsandqualityin Guyana, the Bureau works to ensure that consumers are protected from unsafe, substandard or misleading products labels. Properly labelled appliances provide essentialproductinformationandhelpreduce safety risks such as electrical hazards, misuse, malfunctions and damage By enforcing national standards, the GNBS safeguards consumers and facilitates
informed purchasing decisions for safe and reliableproducts,hence,valueformoney
Tosupportthismandate,GNBSmonitors electricalappliancesimportedandsoldinthe country Using the National Standard Specification for Labelling of Commodities –Part 7: Labelling of Electrical Equipment, Fittings and Household Electrical Appliances,theBureauconductsinspections atportsofentry,warehousesandretailoutlets across the country.These activities form part oftheBureau’songoingeffortstostrengthen consumerprotection.
Therangeofappliancesmonitoredbythe GNBS is extensive and includes refrigerators, televisions, blenders, microwaves and electric stoves, among others. According to the national standard, these appliances must be permanently marked with key electrical information such as nominal or rated voltage, rated frequency range, and rated power or current (for example,120volts/60Hz).Appliancesmust
alsobelabelledwiththecountryoforigin,the manufacturer’s name, trademark or identificationnumber,themodelnumberand serialnumberortype.Thisinformationhelps consumers identify the product and its source, and is especially useful when aftersales service, repairs or product redress are required.
Consumers are also encouraged to look for internationally recognised certification markssuchasUL,CE,CSA,orNOM,which indicate that the product has been tested and meets accepted safety and quality standards. Whensuchcertificationmarksareabsent,the GNBS requires importers and dealers to provide test certificates from independent third-party laboratories to verify that the productsmeetqualityrequirements.
The standard also requires detachable appliance components to carry their own labels where necessary, while switches must be clearly marked or positioned to indicate which component of the appliance they
control. Additional markings may also be included, provided they do not create any confusionforconsumers.Safetyinstructions related to installation, use or maintenance must be clearly marked on the appliance to guideconsumers.
By paying attention to standards, labels andcertificationmarks,consumerscanmake smarter purchasing decisions and product use.
March 15 was World Consumer Rights Day, which remains an opportune time to remind consumers of their rights and responsibilities and the role Consumer Protection Bodies like the GNBS play in ensuring Consumer Protection. Through the enforcement of the requirements of several standards, the GNBS offers consumer protection.
For further information on how to access this and other standards, contact GNBS at 219-0064-66, via WhatsApp at 692-4627oremailinfo@gnbsgy.org
A Practical Guide for Healthy Living in Guyana UnderstandingHypertension:
Contributor:DrPengSen, 21stChinaMedicalTeam
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a widespread chronic conditioninGuyana,closelytiedtodietsrich insaltandunhealthyfats,physicalinactivity, andrisingratesofoverweight.Oftencalleda “silent killer,” hypertension may show no obvious symptoms until it leads to severe complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, or vision loss. Yet, the message from health experts is clear: Hypertension is manageable. With early detection and commitment to the “Five Pillars” of control diet, activity, monitoring, medication, and lifestyle mindfulness—youcansafeguardyourhealth andliveactively
TametheSalt:Localstapleslikesaltfish, canned meats, and processed snacks (e.g., bakes with added salt) are often loaded with sodium. Limit these to occasional treats. Instead, flavour meals with fresh herbs (like thyme, shado beni), garlic, lime, or pepper Avoidaddingextrasaltatthetable,andrinse cannedvegetablesorbeanstoreducesodium.
Embrace Fresh & Fiber-Rich Foods: Prioritize local fruits such as soursop, pineapple, and watermelon, and vegetables like okra, breadfruit (unripe). These are rich in potassium, which helps balance sodium levels.Optforwholegrainslikewholewheat rotiorboiledgreenbananasinsteadofrefined flourproducts(e.g.,whiteflourbake).
Choose Heart-Smart Proteins: Lean local proteins—such as steamed fish (like snapper), grilled chicken, or legumes (red beans, pigeon peas)—support healthy blood vessels. Limit fatty meats, fried fish, and processed meats (for e.g., sausages), which canraisecholesterolandstraintheheart.
Cooking with Care: Swap deep-frying for baking, grilling, or stewing. Use small
amounts of heart-healthy oils (like coconut oil in moderation or olive oil) and avoid sugary drinks or excessive alcohol, both of whichcanspikebloodpressure. StayActiveand KeepStressinCheck
Regular movement is vital to lowering andmaintaininghealthybloodpressure.
MoveRegularly:Aimfor150minutesof moderate exercise weekly—this could be brisk walking, dancing to local music, or tending to your garden. Even 10-minute walksaftermealshelp!
Strength Matters: Simple exercises twice a week (e.g., lifting water jugs, doing squats while holding a chair) build muscle, whichsupportsbettercirculationandreduces pressureonbloodvessels.
Breathe & Unwind: Chronic stress raises blood pressure. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or joining a community yoga group. In Guyana’s lively pace, taking 5–10 minutes daily to pause and connect with nature (e.g., sitting under a mango tree) can work
wonders.
MedicalCare andDailyVigilance
If diagnosed with hypertension, follow your doctor’s advice exactly—never skip medications or adjust doses without consultation. Regular check-ups are critical: Get your blood pressure measured at least twiceyearly(moreoftenifadvised),andask for a kidney function test annually to catch earlysignsofdamage.
InGuyana’stropicalclimate,dehydration cantemporarilyraisebloodpressure,sodrink plenty of water daily (6–8 cups, more if active). Also, limit caffeine (e.g., excess mauby or sweetened drinks) as it may cause short-termspikes.
BottomLine
Hypertension doesn’t have to control your life. Small, consistent steps—choosing lesssalt,movingmore,andstayingconnected tocare—adduptobigprotection.Starttoday: Talk to your healthcare provider about screening,andlet’sbuildahealthierGuyana, onehealthychoiceatatime.
Frompage22
U S $9M more daily from the windfall profits being enjoyed by ExxonorU.S.$270Mamonth.
Even if Guyana opts to benefit fromhalfoftheexcessprofitsbeing generatedandapplya50%windfall tax, Guyana will benefit from a whoppingU.S.$18Mmoredailyor $540M if oil prices remain at US$100perbarrel.
Trinidadian Energy Expert and International Consultant, Anthony Paul previously pointed out that windfall taxes do not violate petroleumcontracts.
He pointed out, “Since all contracts must abide by national law and since such an instrument does not violate existing contracts, Windfall Profits Taxes provide a simple and fair mechanism to ensure that countries get their just dues.”
The Energy Expert explained that oil companies do not produce oil;naturedoes.Theroleoftheoil companies is simply to extract the resource.
To this end, he reasoned, “Nature blesses countries with it. Once the oil company removes it, that asset is gone forever For this reason,countriesshouldrealisethat they are not just innocent bystanders to the business venture ofoilandgas.”
In fact, the energy expert described the role of countries as “active contributors,” providing their natural heritage as an asset in thebusiness.This,henoted,makes countries co-investors with a contractor, so that both can make money
He was keen to note that stabilisationclausesincontractsare based on an agreed economic modelwhichcontemplatesarateof return to the contractor, based on a projected price or pricing formula for the commodity on an agreed market.
However, Paul explained that whenthepriceofthecommodityis far higher than the projected price in the economic model, the extra profitisreferredtoasawindfall.To this end, he noted, “Since the market conditions are generally beyondthecontroloftheproducer, it is the commodity itself that createsthehigherrevenue,notany actionofthecontractor.”
It has therefore become customary in jurisdictions around the world, including developed countries, to introduce a Windfall ProfitsTaxtoensurethattheowner of the resource gets a bigger share of the profit, in line with the disproportionate contribution the resource makes to the increased revenue,theEnergyExpertsaid. Further, “Since all contracts must abide by national law and since such an instrument does not violateexistingcontracts,Windfall ProfitsTaxes provide a simple and fair mechanism to ensure that countries get their just dues,” Paul
noted.
Last week, former Finance Minister,WinstonJordancalledon governm
negotiations with the operator of theStabroekBlocktoimplementa windfalltax.
Jordan explained that the ongoingconflictinIranislikelyto impactthecostofvariousitemsand materials,causinggreaterfinancial strainongovernment.
He said, “After all it’s the government who will also have to bearthebruntofthecostsidewhere everythingthatthegovernmentwill nowimportwillcarryextracostfor which the oil companies will benefit.Theroads,theydriveonthe roadanddon’tpayanything.It’sthe government who will have to buy bitumen and maintain those roads and import whatever they need to buildtheroadsorthefactoriesand kinds of things so it’s not unreasonableforthegovernmentto say that they need to benefit from partofthissuperprofitthatyouare making.”
— APNU urges gov’t to find housing for those displaced
More than 50 families at Friendship, East Bank Demerara are facing eviction, some removed on Tuesday after a court-ordered evictionsawtheirhousestorndown and belongings dumped along the roadside.
The affected area, reportedly acresoffarmlandhasbeenhometo over 30 families, many of whom have lived and farmed there for decades. The eviction was carried outbycourtmarshals,supportedby armed ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who moved into the community early Tuesday They were met by angry and distressed residents as masked workmen begandismantlingwoodenhomes.
Images and videos from the scene showed furniture, appliances, and personal items strewn along the roadway, while
entire structures were reduced to rubble In some cases, residents were not even at home when their housesweredemolished.
Speaking with Travis Chase who livestreamed the ordeal, one resident can be heard saying, that they were only given notice on March 10th to remove from the land.“Yuhcome2025inJune-July, Augusttime,comeandsurveythis place , (in) 2026 now the 10th of this month, you bring a notice for metomoveoutinsevendays.How that can be fair, how that can be fair?Youcometodestroymyhardearned money,” the resident expressed.
“Itgetagirllivinghere,getfive children Inspector, where she gonna go with her children,” another resident protested This publication understands that several persons who operate small businesses and livestock farms are all being affected According to copies of the Certificate of Title seenbythispublication,thelandis reportedlyownedbyRozelDiLeon Investment Limited who became the registered proprietor under the Land Registry Act on April 22, 2022.
Additionally, the court order seen by this newspaper was dated March 17, 2026 for removal of occupants from the land Upon receiving reports of the eviction, APNU’s Members of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul and Nima Flu-Bess visited the area to assess thesituation.
After visiting several homes which were affected, Mahipaul spoke with the residents during which he called for the government’sintervention.
He told residents that similar situations like these have occurred in other communities over the past couple of years.
“Now this is a common thing that is happening here, people are occupying lands for decades. I met a guy just now
who told me that he is living here for over 40 years and there are many other people who are living herefordecadesandwhatweseeis people showing up who are not from the area with documents and theyaresayingthatcourtordergive them right to these lands,” he stated.
Mahipaul noted that there is a need to review how business is done in Guyana especially when it comes to land and land allocation, “...because it is becoming a trend where people who claim to have money are having land and people who are occupying the lands for decades, they are not having the opportunity to get first preference totheland.”
The MP noted that for persons livingonthelandfor40plusyears and to now have to be removed in this manner is “totally wrong ” Subsequently, via his Facebook page, Mahipaul in a statement disclosed that if the land is legitimately privately owned and the eviction of these families is beingcarriedoutbywayofacourt order, “then I respectfully urge the Government to intervene from a humanitarianstandpoint.”
The APNU MP stated that immediate priority should be the allocation of house lots to the affectedcitizens.
He said that where families have already been allocated land but are unable to afford construction, support must be extended. “The Men on Mission programme, which received a $900M allocation, can play a critical role in helping to build homes for these families,” he added. “Sixty families, many with childrenandbabies,arenowbeing displaced after occupying the area fordecades.Thisisnotjustalegal matter; it is a human one. The emotional, financial, and social impact cannot be understated Compassion,urgency,andpractical
support must guide the response,” Mahipaulexpressed.
THURSDAY
Teacheraccusedofsexually assaultingnineschoolgirls — pulled from classroom as Education Ministry launches probe
The Ministry of Education has moved swiftly to remove a teacher from the classroom following serious allegations of a sexual nature made by students of a city secondaryschool.
In a statement issued Wednesday,theministryconfirmed that it was first informed of the allegations on Friday, March 13, and immediately placed the accused teacher on administrative leave the same day The action, officialssaid,wastakeninkeeping with established procedures, as authoritiesbeganengagingparents and activating child protection mechanisms.
According to the ministry the Welfare Department of the Department of Education met with one parent on Friday, 13 March 2026, a second parent on Monday, 16 March 2026, and a third parent on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. Each parentwasissuedareferralletterto the Child Protection Agency, consistent with standard operating procedures. Each affected student istoundergoaforensicinterviewto be conducted by Blossom Inc, the release added. To date, one such interview has been completed “TheMinistryofEducationwishes to state unequivocally that, contrary to certain misleading claimscirculatingonsocialmedia, there has been no delay in the investigative process,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, speaking to Kaieteur News a source disclosed thatthevictimsreportedly Continued on page 39
The aftermath of homes at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, which were destroyed following a court order.
Trinidadian Energy Expert and International Consultant, Anthony Paul
Frompage38 discussedtheirinteractionswiththe teacher which led to the matter being reported and the Education Ministry was called in.The source stated that nine schoolgirls are reportedly involved This publicationlearnedthattheaccused teacher is a Physical Education (PE) teacher and has been employed with the secondary school for some three years Guyana recorded in excess of 300 sexual assault cases monthly last year, according to the Manager of Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Policy Unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Cona Husbands.
Globaldemocracy slidesbackto1978levels — Guyana among “Grey Zone” states as authoritarian surge deepens
A major new global study has sounded the alarm on the state of democracy worldwide, warning that hard-won democratic gains have effectively been wiped out and Guyana is now classified in a fragile “grey zone” between full democracyandautocracy
The V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2026 paints a troubling picture: for the average global citizen, democracy has regressed to levels last seen in 1978, erasing decades of progress made since the so-called “third wave”ofdemocratisation.
In a finding of direct relevance to the Caribbean, the report places Guyana among “grey zone” electoral democracies, meaning its classificationasademocracyisnot fully secure due to underlying weaknesses. While Guyana is still consideredanelectoraldemocracy, the report’s methodology indicates uncertaintyaboutthestrengthofits democratic institutions, suggesting vulnerabilities in areas such as governance, political competition, orcivilliberties.
Observers say for Guyana, the reportservesasacautionarysignal. Being placed in the “grey zone” category suggests that while democratic structures exist, they may not be resilient enough to withstand sustained political pressure or institutional strain Withglobaltrendsmovingsharply toward authoritarianism, analysts warn that small democracies must actively strengthen transparency, rule of law, and institutional independence to avoid slipping further
Regionally, Latin America and the Caribbean remain the world’s secondmostdemocraticregion,but troublingcracksareemerging.The report notes that only 5% of the region’s population lives in full liberal democracies, while a significant portion resides in weakerelectoralsystemsorhybrid
regimes.GuyanaandHondurasare specifically highlighted as part of this “democratic grey zone,” underscoringtheneedforvigilance insafeguardinginstitutions.
Globally,thenumbersarestark: 92autocraciesvs87democraciesin 2025; 74% of the world’s population, about 6 billion people live under autocratic rule and only 7%liveinfullliberaldemocracies. Thismarksthesecondconsecutive year that autocracies outnumber democracies, signaling what researchers describe as a sustained “thirdwaveofautocratisation.”
Freedomofexpression
Thereportidentifiesfreedomof expression as the hardest-hit democratic pillar, with conditions deteriorating in 44 countries over the past decade Freedom of Expression, a core aspect of democracy,showsthemostdrastic global decline, and is the most c o m m o n t a rg e t a m o n g autocratising leaders over the past 25 years. Other worrying trends include: Media censorship, which is now the most common tactic used by governments, the report noted. The report also stated that civil society repression is rising sharply, election quality declining in more countries than improving andpoliticaltortureincreasingasa tool of suppression in 33 nations.
These trends suggest that democratic erosion is not only spreading but also becoming more severeandsystematic.Meanwhile, the report underscored that the scale of democratic backsliding is unprecedented with 44 countries currently autocratising, up from just 12 in 2005 and 41% of the globalpopulationlivesincountries actively becoming more authoritarian. Moreover, even traditionallystabledemocraciesare not immune with the report highlightingsignificantdeclinesin Europe and North America, with multiple countries experiencing democraticerosion.
In one of the report’s most strikingfindings,theUnitedStates haslostitsclassificationasaliberal democracyforthefirsttimeinover 50years.Thereportpointsto:rapid concentration of executive power; weakening of legislative oversight and declining civil liberties and media freedoms. And despite this, elections in the US are said to remainlargelyintact.
According the report, the U.S. democracy is currently in a much faster deterioration process than any other democracy in modern times. Within only one year, the USA’sscoreontheV-DemLiberal Democracy index has declined by 24 percent, while its world rank droppedfrom20thto51stplaceout of 179 nations. The liberal aspects of democracy show the largest decline in the U S President Donald Trump’s second term can
be summarised as a rapid concentration of powers in the
presidency,accordingtothereport.
“ T h e c u r r e n t U S administration has been undercutting institutionalised checks and balances, politicising civil service and oversight bodies, and intimidating the judiciary, alongside attacks on the press, academia, civil liberties, and dissenting voices “says Staffan I Lindberg Professor at the V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg.
Since election specific indicators are only evaluated during national election years, therehasnotbeenachangeinthose indicatorsin2025fortheU.S.“The 2026 American midterm elections willbeacriticaltestforthequality ofelections,anddemocracy,inthe UnitedStates.Ifelectionindicators alsodecline,theU.S.willfalleven further,” says Staffan I Lindberg. Onamorepositivenote,thereport shows that 18 nations worldwide
(10 percent) are currently democratizing,withlargecountries such as Brazil and Poland continuing their democratization processes. In the majority of these countries, media freedom is improved. Botswana, Guatemala, and Mauritius are the three new democratizing countries identified inthe2025data.
FRIDAY
Babycrushedto deathbytractor
A one-year-old baby was on Thursday crushed to death by a
Oil prices, according to Routledgearenowhoveringabove U S $100 per barrel, compared with the anticipated $60 per barrel at the beginning of the year He highlighted that the oil contract allows up to 75% of the gross revenuestobeusedtorecovercost.
tractor his father operated at Canal No 1, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Thechildhasbeenidentifiedas TaleshBhudhram.
KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat the child was in upper floor of the family’shomewhenhisfatherwent intotheyardtooperatethetractor.
The man was reportedly unaware that the child made his wayintotheyard.
The child’s father was taken intopolicecustody Investigationsareongoing.
Guyanawillpayoff Exxonallcostsfor7oil projectsbyyear-end …but company cannot say when country will receive full 50% profit
ByDavinaBagot
Bytheendof2026Guyanawill repay ExxonMobil all expenses relating to the seven sanctioned projects but the company is uncertain whether the country will beabletoenjoyitsfull50%profits in accordance with the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).
ThisisaccordingtoPresidentof ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge During a media conference on ThursdayatitsOgleHeadquarters, East Coast Demerara the Country Manager disclosed that the situation in Iran has resulted in increased oil prices, which may workinfavourofGuyana.
Tothisend,henoted,“Wewere anticipating sometime next year in 2027 that we were going to get to the point where we had recovered thosehistoriccostprobablylargely becauseofjustincreasingvolumes of production that were generating higherandhigherrevenuestooffset the ongoing expenditures plus recoverhistoriccosts.Whatweare now seeing in this price environment is that will accelerate.”
Routledge said that while the company does not forecast oil prices, if the cost per barrel is maintained then the country can payoffallcostsinthecostbankthis year
“If you stay at the current oil price then it will happen this year based on the level of expenditures and the production that we anticipate so that’s a significant acceleration.Whatthatthenmeans isthatinsteadroughlythe14anda half percent that the country has beenreceivingbywayofrevenues into the Natural Resource Fund from the Stabroek production and revenues, what will happen is that percentage will significantly increase,”heexplained.
When it comes to Guyana’s shareofprofitshowever,Routledge made it clear that Guyana’s contractual50%profitshareisstill uncertain.
According to him, “What exactly that percentage is depends on oil price, depends on volume, depends on how much money is being spent in the monthsortwomonthsleadingin toanygivenmonth.”
The 2016 PSAstates atArticle 11 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil) shall bear and pay all costs incurred in carrying out petroleum operations and shall recoverthesecostsonamonthly Continued on page 40
The tractor the child’s father drove
The scene of the incident
Frompage39 basis at a rate of 75% of total production.
Following the recovery of all costs, Article 11.4 provides “The balance of crude oil shall be shared between the Government andtheContractorforeachFieldin the following proportions: Contractor fifty percent (50%) and Ministerfiftypercent(50%).”
So far, ExxonMobil has expendedU.S.$40Btodevelopthe sevenoilprojectsapprovedtodate. Currently, U.S.$5B remains in the cost bank to be recovered by the company
Should oil prices decline, the EMGL Country Manager noted that the timeline could be pushed back to 2027. He however noted, “...given what’s happening in the world,itlookslikewemaybeina higher price environment for several weeks and that’s all it may take to significantly reduce that costbank.” In his e
interview since the brutal ordeal, told Kaieteur News that she is feeling better She said, “I feel alright, feel more safe” but wants the arms of justice to hasten its work.
Chapman, who is now on a steady path to recovery said, “I’m feelingmuchbetter I’mjustgetting lilpain.”
The teen is adamant that her attacker, 28-year-old Christopher Ali must be punished for her stabbing noting that she would be satisfiedwith“lifeinprison.”
The Pepper Street, Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice residentwasatafriend’shousenot farfromherhomeonFebruary24, when her ex-boyfriend attacked her with a knife and left her in a poolofblood
The young mom told Kaieteur NewsthatAliphysicallyabusedher during their relationship and disclosed that the week before the brutalstabbing,hehintedatkilling her
receives no paternal maintenance. Atmost,shesaidAliwouldrequest toseehischild.
Recalling the evening where she almost lost her life, Chapman saidAlisnuckintothehomewhile it was dark. Earlier, he visited the friend’s home, but she instructed her friend to tell him she was not there Later on, she had accompanied her friend to bathe, when she was attacked from behind. Her friend, she said, ran upstairs, and Ali made good his escape.
TheteenwasrushedtotheNew Amsterdam Hospital where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She was discharged twoweekslater,butAliwasstillat large, and this created concerns about her well-being. Last Friday, however,hewascaught.
utledge po
n
ed
o the company’s plans to pursue two additional projects in the Stabroek Block- Longtail and Haimara- the eighthandninth,respectively
, R
To this end, Kaieteur News asked the company to explain how Guyana would still clear the cost bankthisyear
Routledgehowevermaintained that higher oil prices coupled with increased production will keep the costbankdown.
He said, “Remember our production levels are going up so wearealreadysomewherearound 900,000 barrels per day and then whenyoulayeronhigheroilprice, the revenue stream is increasing significantly. By the time we go into next year and we start up the next project it will add another 250,000 barrels per day, so then youseeagaintheproductionlevel is increasing so even if the oil prices come down, we are generatingmorerevenuesoallour forecast would indicate at any reasonable projection of oil price we will not go back into the mode where we are building up a cost bank ”
SATURDAY
Exxonshutsdoortotalks withGovt.onwindfalltaxes ...despite paying no tax to Guyana
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge on Thursday made it clear that the company is not willing to engage the Government of Guyana (GoG) toapplyawindfalltaxontheexcess profits being generated in the StabroekBlockduetothehigheroil prices.
A windfall tax is levied by governments on companies that earn sudden, excessive profits due to unexpected conditions rather thancorebusinessstrategy
TheconflictintheMiddleEast has resulted in oil prices soaring past U.S. $100 per barrel for the firsttimesince2022.
During the company’s first pressconferencefortheyearheldat its Ogle Headquarters, East Coast Demerara, Kaieteur News asked Routledge whether Exxon is open to discussions on applying a windfalltax.
In response, Routledge bluntly stated, “No we’ve been very clear on that ” He explained that “stability” is key to investment as hepointedoutthatthecompanyhas committed to spend US$60 billion inthecountry
As such, the country manager noted, “It’s extremely important that there’s a stable investment climate. These spikes in oil price happen from time to time, but they’re not predictable, and when they do happen, they are what enableus,then,tocarrythroughthe periods when oil price drops again.”
Moreover, he added, “I’ve yet to hear a government or office to give us a rebate when oil prices fallen, because, of course, they’re also losing it. So, the contract, the constructisdesignedtoincentivize theinvestment,andforthebenefits to be there for all the parties. It’s deliveringonthat.”
Guyana could gain at least U. S$9 million more daily from ExxonMobil if a windfall tax of 25% is applied to the excess revenuecurrentlybeingearned.
TheconflictintheMiddleEast has resulted in oil prices soaring past U.S. $100 per barrel for the firsttimesince2022.
At the beginning of the year, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh estimatedinflowsfromthesectorat anaverageofjust$59abarrel. Currently,Guyanaisproducing an average of 900,000 barrels per
day (bpd), meaning that Exxon is generating a whopping U S $40 extraoneachbarrel.Inotherwords, the Stabroek Block is now generating U.S.$36 million more daily than was anticipated by government.
Byapplyingjust25percenttax totheexcessprofits,Guyanacould earn U.S$9M more daily from the windfall profits being enjoyed by ExxonorU.S$270millionamonth.
In 2022, Canada had moved its royalty charged between five and 40%;theUSinDecemberof2021, raised its royalty rate higher than the 18.75% it had been receiving while the UK slapped a one-off 25 per cent tax on the oil companies there.
Bethatasitmay,VicePresident BharratJagdeohaddismissedcalls for the government to institute windfall taxes from ExxonMobil. This is especially significant since Guyana does not receive any taxes underthe2016ProductionSharing Agreement(PSA).
The sweetheart deal Exxon states in Article 15 1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shallnotbesubjectedtotax,valueadded tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge, or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified undertheagreement.
Fifteen-year-old Tiana Chapman, who was stabbed more than 25 times by the father of her child, is relieved that her attacker has been apprehended and is in police custody but is pleading for justice.
Hesaidplaithishair Ididplaithis hair Ah seh ‘man ah going home now’,andthenahopenthedoor He get this scissors in he hand, and he said ‘is best I kill yuh hay suh and done’,”sherecounted.
She continued: “He has a bad character He’s aggressive, he lies, he’s abusive,” she summed up, addingtoothattheir11-monthchild
Ali was handed over to the policeinRegionSix(EastBerbiceCorentyne), but not before he was assaulted by vigilantes while he ventureduptheBerbiceRiver He had successfully evaded policefortwoweekssincestabbing Chapman more than 25 times, but wordofhissightingatthelocation circulated.
In videos seen around social media,Ali sustained chop wounds tohishandsandfeet,andwasseen tiedupinaboatbyindividualswho captured him and were heard chidinghimforhisgruesomeact.
Meanwhile, Ali remains in policecustody (ShermonHawker)
President of ExxonMObil Guyana,Alistair Routledge addressing reporters during the press conference.
Tiana Chapman and her son, Jahvid Tiana
Food for the Poor launches ‘Braids of Hope’
— empowerment project for vulnerable young women
Food For the Poor Guyana Inc. officially launched its Braids of Hope Project on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, as a transformative skillsbuilding initiative aimed at empowering young women through training, mentorship, andpersonaldevelopment.
The project is being implemented at the Festival CityYouth and Parent Organisation community centre building in Festival City, North Ruimveldt, and currently engages 15 young women from in and around Georgetown.
The initiative is designed to support unemployed, out-of-school, and at-risk young women by equipping them with practical hair braiding skills, basic entrepreneurship knowledge, and essential lifeskills,enablingthemtogenerateincome,
Participants of the Braids of Hope Project is pictured with senior management officials of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc
build confidence, and pursue sustainable livelihoods.
Present at the launch were Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Paul Chan A Sue, representatives from the Festival City YouthandParentOrganisation,participants of the programme, and members of other
demonstrating strong community support fortheinitiative.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer Andrea Benjamin highlighted the importance of investing in young people, particularlyinarapidlydevelopingGuyana: “Asourcountrycontinuesto
Continued on page 43
Food for the Poor launches...
Frompage41 grow,itiscriticalthatouryoungpeopleareequippedwiththe skillsandopportunitiesneededtoparticipatemeaningfullyin that growth. The Braids of Hope Project is about creating pathways—movingyoungwomenfromvulnerabilitytoselfreliance.”
Thethree-monthprogrammecombinestechnicaltraining with psychosocial support and mentorship, ensuring that participants are not only equipped with a skill, but also the confidenceandmindsetneededtosucceed.
The initiative aligns with national priorities focused on youth employment, skills development, and social empowerment, and supports broader efforts to reduce unemployment and social vulnerability among young people. Participants will benefit from: Hands-on training in professional hair braiding techniques, Basic business and entrepreneurship guidance Life skills development, including communication and self-confidence, Ongoing mentorshipandsupport.TheBraidsofHopeProjectreflects Food For the Poor (Guyana) Inc. ’s Relief-to-Resilience approach,whichemphasizessustainablesolutionsthatbuild capacity and empower individuals to improve their socioeconomiccircumstances.
Through initiatives like this, the organization continues toinvestinhumancapitaldevelopment,ensuringthatyoung women are equipped to contribute to their families, communities,andthewidereconomy (PressRelease—Food forthePoorGuyanaInc.)
After the crescent moon of Ramadan had quietly slipped away, the village of Noorfield woke to a different kind of light—one that feltsofter,warmer,andsomehowfuller
For thirty days, the people of Noorfield had risen before dawn, shared meals in the quietearlyhours,andspenttheireveningsin reflection, prayer, and kindness. But now, withEidjustpassed,lifewasreturningtoits usualrhythm—yetsomethinghadchanged.
Aminanoticeditfirst.
As she walked through the marketplace, she saw Mr Ravi, the baker, handing out extra bread to a family who couldn't afford much He wasn't Muslim, but during Ramadanhehadadjustedhishourssopeople could buy fresh bread before sunrise. Now,
even after Ramadan, he still opened early—“Just in case someone needs it,” he wouldsaywithasmile.
Down the street, old Mrs. Fernandes sat outside her home, a small bowl of sweets beside her Every year, she waited for the childrenwhohadvisitedherduringRamadan evenings.Thistime,eventhoughthefasting hadended,thechildrenstillcame—laughing, sharingstories,andcallingher“Grandma”as ifshehadalwaysbeentheirs.
Amina paused and realized something beautiful: Ramadan had ended, but its spirit hadnot.
That evening, she gathered her friends—Samir, who had fasted every day; Leila, who had struggled but tried her best; Ravi's son Arjun; and Maria, who loved joiningtheiftardinnerseventhough shefollowedadifferentfaith.
“Why does it feel like Ramadan isn't over?” Maria asked.
Help othersand youhelp yourself
I know I feel nice when someone gives me something, And when others help me in some way; I know it feels good when people smile at me, And tell me words that make me feel gay
This means that I should also try To do the same for others what I can, I should not only seek to get for myself, But do my best to help everyone
First I must obey my parents at home, And try to keep brothers and sisters happy, Next do what I can from my friends, And then seek ways to help anybody
The great thing is that when I try
To help others and make them feel the best, I find that I myself gain so much That it makes me feel the greatest.
Qur’an Bookmarks
Add a personal touch to your Qur'an readingswithbeautifullycraftedbookmarks. Usingthetechniqueofpaintingcoloursonto wet paper, you can create stunning, blended effectsthatresemblesereneskiesandvibrant sunsets.
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PirateA4Card&Paper
Watercolourpaints
Gold&SilverSatinRibbon
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Instructions
Put some paint or coloured ink colours intoamixingtray
If you use paint, it needs to be a fairly runnyconsistency
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Useadifferentbrushforeachcolour
Work quickly so the colours merge togetherbeforetheystarttodry Daboffany excess water from the surface with a paper towel.Leavetodry
Measure and cut out a black card strip 18cmx5cmforthebookmarkbackground.
Cut out a 4cm x 18cm strip from the painted coloured card, trim the ends into points (or cut a different shape) then glue it ontotheblackbackground.
Add small offcuts, triangles, moons or othershapesasdecorations.
Cut out a simple silhouette shapes for a mosque,minaretoralanternfromblackcard.
Gluethemontothebookmarkwithsmall coloured pieces for windows and other details.
Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark then tie a tassel or pieces of ribbon through thehole.
To make a tassel, wrap 1 metre of wool around3-4fingersintoloops,slidethemoff yourfingersthentietheendofa30cmlength of wool around the loops to hold them together
Cutacrossthesideoftheloops,holdthe wool strands together then tie another piece ofwoolabout1cmfromtheendforthetopof thetassel.
Wrap a short piece of ribbon around the topofthetasselthensticktheendswithglue.
Press the ribbon until it stays in place or wrapanelasticbandoverthetoptoholdthe ribboninplace.
Amina looked around at her friends different backgrounds, different beliefs, but sitting together as if they were one family
“Maybe that's the real gift of Ramadan,” she said softly. “Not just what we do during it… but whatwecarryafter.”
Asthesunset,paintingthesky in shades of gold and violet, the call to prayer echoed gently across Noorfield. Some rose to pray Otherssimplystoodinquiet respect. And in that moment, no onefeltseparate.
Because the lessons of Ramadan—kindness, generosity, p a t i e n c e , a n d understanding—had woven them together in a way that went beyondreligion.
And long after the month had passed,itslightremained…notin the sky, but in the hearts of everyoneinNoorfield.
Korbut
Kropko Jigsaw Sudoku
“Each digit from 1-9 occurs once within each row, column, and jigsaw block. Digits in squares separated by white circles are always consecutive Digits in squares separated by black circles have a 2:1 relationship All other pairs have neither of these attributes. There is only one solution."
Therearemanywaysbywhichyoucanmakeyour lifemoreworthy,someofwhichwehavebeendealing with in the weeks past in our discourses about selfimprovement.
However,thereisonewayinwhichwecandothisin an unselfish manner, and that is by looking out continuously to find how you can help others, both on thelongandshortterms. Iamsureyoucanthinknowof instances when you have seen someone close to you actinginamannerthatcanleadtosomenegativeresult.
Ifyouhadhelpedthatpersontobehavebetter,then youwouldhavebeenabletoseehowrewardingthiswas tothatperson,aswellasthesatisfactionitgaveyoufor having spent your time and energy to do something unselfish.
Makeyourlifematter bydoingyourutmost tohelpothers
Therearealsootherwaysinwhichyoucanreachout to your friends and lead them into understanding your approachtothepropersolutionoftheproblemstheywouldbe facedwithintheireverydaylives.
Onewaybywhichyoucanmakethisanongoingprocess istostartadiscussiongroupinwhichyougetthosewhoare members of any group to which you belong to interact and spreadyourideasofgoodbehaviour
Has a reason for his creation; But we will live as the dumb animals If we do not realise our life's intention.
A life without a purpose will never fulfil
The reason for its own existence, And will not bring to the bearer of that life
Any meaningful fulfillment.
If there is one thing you should do; Amid all the turmoil and strife, It is to search until you find
The true purpose of your life
When you have an understanding Of what your life is meant to be, Then you will find in it the joy
To fulfill your purpose fully
INSPIRE YOU 2026 - Empowerment Through Purposeful Giving
As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, I am reminded that empowermentisnotsimplyaboutrecognition Itisaboutresponsibility Itisabouthowweuse our voice, our influence, and our journey to createimpactinthelivesofothers
Lastweek,wefeaturedthefirstsixspeakers whowillbepartofINSPIREYOU2026 This week, we highlight the speakers who will be featured on the Sunday panel, continuing a global conversation that is rooted in purpose, service,andtransformation
INSPIREYOUhasgrownintoapowerful platformthatbringstogethervoicesfromacross theworld Whatbeganasaninpersongathering hasevolvedintoavirtualexperiencethatallows us to connect across continents, cultures, and time zones It is a space where stories are shared, lessons are learned, and lives are impacted.
Thisyear,INSPIREYOUtakesplace on March 21 and March 22, and once again,wegatherleaders,visionaries,and change makers who are committed to buildingpeopleandcommunities
SaurelQuettan
Saurel Quettan brings a transformativeperspectivetoleadership thatgoesbeyondtraditionalframeworks
As a Human Behavior and Transformation Expert and founder of exeQfit, his work centers on helping individuals become the leaders they mostadmire
With more than twenty years of experience in human development, Saurelworkswithentrepreneurs,CEOs, andbusinessleaderstodeepenemotional intelligence,strengthencommunication, and build high performing teams He challenges individuals to confront the barriersthatlimittheirgrowth,whether itisfear,uncertainty,orthetendencyto playsmall.
Hisworkremindsusthatleadership is not about title or position It is about alignment,courage,andthewillingness to step into something greater than ourselves
VidushiPersaudMcKinnon
Vidushi Persaud McKinnon stands as a powerful example of excellence, discipline, and service. With over twenty-fouryearsasanAttorneyatLaw,shehas built a distinguished career grounded in governance,advocacy,andleadership
globalandcommunityspaces
With more than twenty years in medicine, her journey has taken her from international platforms such as the United Nations to grassroots initiatives that touch lives at the community level As CEO of SISU Global Wellness, she champions preventative health and conscious leadership, empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize wellbeing.
Her work in gender equity, conflict resolution,andhealthadvocacyreflectsadeep commitment to service Whether she is addressingglobalaudiencesorworkingdirectly withcommunities,Dr Safcontinuestoleadwith compassion,excellence,andpurpose
Herstoryremindsusofthepowerofusing our voice to influence change and to uplift others
powerfulintersectionofcreativity,strategy,and global vision As a Colombian entrepreneur, fashion designer, and strategic consultant, she has built a career that bridges design and businessonaninternationalscale
As founder of Active Code, she has supported the creation and expansion of more thantwohundredbrandsworldwide Herwork connects creative ideas with sustainable business structures, allowing brands to grow withpurposeandlongevity
With academic training in Colombia and London,alongwithadvancedstudiesinluxury brand management, Valentina brings both technical expertise and a global perspective to her work What truly distinguishes her is her human approach to business, rooted in resilience,discipline,andadaptability
Shecontinuestoempowerentrepreneursto
Sonia Noel
others
APersonalReflection
AsIreflectonthisjourney,Imustfirstgive thankstoGodforthevisiontocreateINSPIRE YOU
Over the years, I have had the privilege of workingwithincrediblespeakersfromdifferent parts of the world Both past and present speakerswhobelievedinthisvisionandsaidyes tothismission Forthat,Iamdeeplygrateful
Ifeeltrulyhonouredtobeabletobringthis platform together, knowing that it is not something I could have done alone It takes a collective effort From the speakers to the moderators, from the media partners to the teams working behind the scenes, from those whoshareaposttothosewhoofferakindword ofencouragement.
Everycontributionmatters
ArethaAuguste
Her influence extends far beyond the courtroom Through her work in sports administrationatbothnationalandinternational levels,shecontinuestochampiongenderequity, inclusion, and athlete development. Her roles within the Guyana Olympic Association and globalsportingbodiesreflecthercommitment tocreatingsystemsthatarefairandinclusive.
Yet,beyondherprofessionalachievements, Vidushi places great value on family She embraces her role as a wife and mother as her greatestaccomplishment,remindingusthattrue successisfoundinbalanceandpurpose
Dr SafeeyaMohammed
Dr Safeeya Mohammed, affectionately known as Dr Saf, is a physician, CEO, and internationalspeakerwhoseimpactspansboth
ArethaAuguste,widelyknownasTheChief Ignitor, is a transformational speaker and leadership strategist dedicated to helping womenleadboldlyandpurposefully
Withovertwentyyearsofexperienceacross banking, consulting, governance, and international development, she brings a groundedandpracticalapproachtoleadership
As the founder of You’re Amazing Academy and the IGNITE Her Conference, she has created platforms that empower women to aligntheiridentity with purpose and execute withconfidence.
Her work is rooted in the belief that when women rise in alignment, families, organizations, and nations rise with them She continues to inspire women to step into their powerwithclarity,courage,andintention
ValentinaMolinaVélez
Valentina Molina Vélez represents the
build brands that are not only profitable, but meaningfulandenduring
EdwardLee
Edward Lee is a creative entrepreneur whoseworkhassignificantlyshapedthemedia andbusinesslandscapeinSuriname Withmore than twenty-five years of experience in branding,media,andbusinessdevelopment,he hasbuiltplatformsthatconnectpeople,ideas, andopportunities
As the founder of United, he has led initiativesthatincludedigitalmediaplatforms, business applications, and large-scale business events that bring together local, regional, and internationalstakeholders
His ability to combine creativity with strategic thinking has allowed him to expand multiple business concepts while supporting others in building visibility and growth His journey reflects innovation, vision, and a commitment to creating opportunities for
I want to thank everyone who has playedaroleinmakingINSPIREYOU possible Thosewhogavetheirtime,their energy, their expertise, and even their encouragement Itallmatters
ALegacyofGiving andOpportunity
As I look at this journey, I am reminded that INSPIRE YOU did not begin in isolation It was born as the climaxoftheWomeninBusinessExpo
Ifeeladeepsenseofprideknowing thatmyteamandIinitiatedtheveryfirst ExpoforwomeninGuyana Atthetime, it was simply about creating a space where women owned businesses could beseenandheard
Iunderstoodfirsthandthechallenges of starting and growing a business, and the difficulty of gaining visibility Women in Business Expo became that platform
Today,asIattendvariousforumsand events, I see so many entrepreneurs thriving, and a significant number of thembegantheirjourneywithWomenin Business Expo Watching their growth hasbeenincrediblyrewarding That experience reminds me of an important principle We give, not with the expectation of receiving, but becauseitistherightthingtodo Andin giving, we create opportunities for others to believe in themselves and to stepintotheirpotential
TurningInspiration intoAction
INSPIREYOUisnotjustaboutlisteningto powerfulstories.Itisabouttakingaction. Thereisnomonetaryregistrationfee. Participants secure their seat by performing an intentional act of kindness for anotherwomanorgirl.Thatactbecomestheir entry.Thissimpleyetpowerfulmodelensures thatimpactbeginsevenbeforetheeventstarts
AGlobalExperience
INSPIREYOU 2026 will be streamed on Facebook, OMG Media, Caribbean Broadcasting Network, and Ignite TV, allowingaudiencesacrosstheworldtobepart ofthisexperience TakingplaceonMarch21 andMarch22,thisvirtualplatformcontinues to connect voices, inspire action, and create meaningfulimpact
Melanie Fiona
Two-time Grammy award winning singer is keynote speaker at WeLead Women’s Leadership Conference
The We LeadAssociation in partnership with BB Energy Foundation has announced that two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and creativeentrepreneurMelanieFionawillserveasthekeynote speaker for the We Lead Women’s Leadership Conference 2026,amajorgatheringofwomenleaders,entrepreneurs,and changemakersfromacrossGuyanaandtheCaribbean.
The conference will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026,at9:00AMatthePegasusSuitesandCorporateCentre in Georgetown, bringing together influential voices from business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and public life for a day of meaningful conversations, networking, and inspiration.
Melanie Fiona rose to international acclaim with her 2009 debut album The Bridge,whichintroducedher powerful blend of soulful melodies and deeply personal storytelling The album’s breakout single “It KillsMe”spentnineweeksat number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and earned her first Grammy nomination. Her follow-up album The MF Life further solidified her place in contemporary R&B with standout tracks including “4 AM”and“WrongSideofaLoveSong.”
Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Founder of the WeLeadAssociation
Throughouthercareer,FionawhoisofGuyanesedescent has earned global recognition for her artistry, including two GrammyAwardsforBestTraditionalR&BPerformanceand BestR&BSongforthehitcollaboration“FoolForYou.”
Beyond her music career, Fiona has expanded her influenceasacreativeentrepreneur,storyteller,andwellness advocate, using her platform to explore themes of authenticity,healing,andpersonaltransformation.Sheisalso aco-hostofthepopularparentingpodcastTheMama’sDen, where she shares candid conversations about motherhood, identity,andgrowth.HerkeynoteconversationattheWeLead Conference will reflect on resilience, creativity, and the journey of building influence while navigating global industriesasawoman.
“WeareincrediblyexcitedtowelcomeMelanieFionato Guyana as our keynote speaker,” said Abbigale LonckeWatson, Founder of the WeLeadAssociation said in a press statement. “Herjourneyembodiesresilience,creativity,and authenticity SherepresentsthespiritofwhatWeLeadstands forwomenwhorise,lead,andcreateimpactbeyondborders. It is especially meaningful for us to welcome her to Guyana knowingsheproudlycarriesGuyaneseheritagethroughboth ofherparents.Webelieveherstorywillresonatedeeplywith the women and young leaders who will attend this conference.”
The WeLead Women’s Leadership Conference 2026 is designedtoserveasapowerfulplatformforconversations
Continued on page 54
Another ExxonMobil study warns Govt.
about high cost of living from 8th project
75% hike in fruits, vegetables, meats and ground provision prices since 2021
Guyanese purchasing cheaper, less nutritious foods in smaller quantities 29% of respondents skip meals or eating less to counter food costs 5% reported going a day or more without eating
In a nation blessed with notonlybillionsofbarrelsof oil, but massive gold, diamond,bauxiteandtimber resources among others, Guyanese are skipping m e a l s a n d , i n s o m e instances, eating cheaper and less nutritious foods just to get by as cost of living in the country continues to climb.
A recent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by ExxonMobil for its eight project in the Stabroek Block indicates that this may just be the beginning as cost of living can further increase due to the project. The impacts will be felt greater by lowincome families, the assessmentwarns.
The study, done by Exxon's consultant, Acorn International, highlights potential impacts on cost of living and highlights the difficulties already being experienced by Guyanese in low-income households to affordfood.
With 900,000 barrels of oil now being produced offshore daily, the country benefits from a meager 14 and half of every 100 barrels pumpedbythemultinational oil giant. While profits soar
Exxon's consultant, Acorn International used a study by the University of Guyana in its EIA that shows the trend in food prices over the years.
f o r t h e c o m p a n y ' s shareholders, Guyanese continue to cry out over increasing food prices, with m o t h e r s e s p e c i a l l y struggling to provide meals fortheirchildren.
G u y a n e s e w e r e previously warned by the company that its operations can impact cost of living, a reality that was downplayed by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Exxonhasagainsounded the alarm that Longtail, its eight deepwater project can further deepen the cost of living struggles being faced byGuyanese.
It said, “The Project's potentialforadverseimpacts o n s o c i o e c o n o m i c conditions, employment, and livelihoods include a potential increased cost of living in the Georgetown area; although this impact is
expected to be negligible for the general population, there could be a minor impact on lowerincomehouseholds.”
Deeper into the 734w o r d s Vo l u m e O n e document, Kaieteur News learned that communities havereportedthatthecostof livinghasgoneup,“andthey don't feel like oil money is helping them directly.”This, the study adds, has made citizens lose trust in the government and groups like t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l ProtectionAgency(EPA).
According to the impact study, “As of mid-2025, the cost of essential food items in Guyana, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and ground provisions, has surged by over 75 percent since 2021, according to a (Continued on page 55)
Map showing location of Longtail in the Stabroek Block
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“Young entrepreneurs play an important role in society; we bring new ideas, innovation, and energy We createopportunities not only for ourselves but also for others, an
economy.”
ByAllyiahAllicock
With the aim of opening a store front location, young entrepreneur Sabrina Johnson makes fresh locally produced fruit juices on demand. The 24-year-old is
theproudownerof'Sabrina's Tropical Blend', a small business she started about threeyearsago.
Johnson recently went viral on the social media platform Tik Tok, for riding her bicycle, decked out in her business cap and t-shirt with her cooler selling her naturaljuices.
O r i g i n a l l y f r o m
Venezuela but residing currently in Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara, the young entrepreneur in a recent interview with The
Waterfalls said that viral moment was sort of the turning point that garnered her business a lot of attractionandsupport.
Speaking about what inspired her to start the business in the first place; Johnson recalled that while growing up in Venezuela, shereallylovedastrawberry juice, a family used to make. She noted that it is with that love and passion for locally made juices that she decided to start 'Sabrina's Tropical (Continued on page 56 )
New Amsterdam's veteran float designer Murice Richards is a cultural genius
By Shermon Hawker
Ma s h h a s
r e c e n t l y concluded
As time maintains course, there will be debates on w h e t h e r o r n o t Mashramani in the modern era is infused with modern elements that dilute its significance, or if a pinch of contemporary flavour makesitmoremeaningful.
Whatever the position
t a k e n , o n e N e w Amsterdam native prefers to 'whistle and mind his own business,' while he concentrates solely on
contributing
culture with
award-winni float designs
d i s t a n c i n g himself from t h e contentions and politics thatmayfrom time-to-time hover over the p a t r i o t i c celebration.
For almost half a century, M Richards, 67, has stooped, perspired and given his essence to weaving costumes for Mash bands throughout Region Six, where his name is lofted among its brightest cultural figuresforhiscontributions.
1980s and well into the90s.
"I developed a lot when we used to have Mash Night. I b e c a m e professional. I used to enter in the male category Iwonalotofprizesin
the male categories," he reflected.To his name, the Berbician has won between 12-16 Mash costume competitions at thenationallevel.
Also, he won 12-14 competitions in the Small Bandcategory
One of his earned titles
The father of five resides at Lot 18 Kent Street, New
Amsterdam Berbice, formerlyaresidentofTucber Park,NewAmsterdam.Heis a lover of classic oldies, and is also versed with the steel pan.
Richards would secure employment at the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital, where for over 40 yearshefaithfullyservedthe institutionasanurseaid.
This afforded him an advantageous preparedness, with concepts being toyed withintheinterim.
AHOUSEHOLD NAME
Being an expert float maker was a natural evolution from being a masterfulseamster
Years of hard-earned recognition as a magician behind the sewing machine only helped to encourage his
desire to explore, and in 1983, Richards launched out into the highly complex undertaking of crafting physical features for the ever-anticipated Mash float paradeandcostumedisplay
Hetold The Waterfalls, "I started doing small bands, making small costumes. In New Amsterdam, we had 'ComradeMash'. In that time, we used to get costumes from the hospitals, banks, et cetera. Costume at that time was very important in New Amsterdam.
Majority of industry placesandcorporationsused to make costumes New Amsterdam was very big withcelebratingcostumes. Thecelebrationwasvery good."
His themed floats and concepts were much touted, and made him a staple in the r e g i o n ' s a n n u a l commemorateactivities.
He noted that the region took part in Georgetown's Mash, where his work was a notable eyecatcher as he rapidly made himself a s t a n d o u t a m o n g h i s contemporaries from the
was'Kingoftheroad'.
Though mostly inactive currently, Richards reflected on the era of his prime when hewasaconsistentheadache to other designers with the
intricate configuration of his creativeconcepts. "I enjoyed Mash. I fight againstalotofprofessionals. I used to come (Continued on page 55)
One of Richards' projects of yesteryear, as he was bursting on the scene as a costume designer
Veteran float designer, Murice Richards
One of Richards' celebrated pieces
PresidentAli urges Guyanese to pursue inner peace, honour parents in Eid message pursue
DPI-AsthesunbegantoriseonSaturday morning, hundreds of Guyanese Muslims gatheredattheMuslimYouthOrganisationof Guyana (MYO) on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy monthofRamadan.
Among those in attendance was President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who joined worshippersfortheEidprayeranddelivereda (Continued on page 54)
President Irfaan Ali delivering the feature address to the gathering at the Muslim Youth Organisation
The gathering at the Muslim Youth Organisation (DPI)
T&T makeup artist, pageant queens, titleholder selected to judge Miss Teen with a Purpose Pageant
The judging panel for 2026 production of the Miss Teen with a
Purpose (MTWP) pageant will
feature local and regional stakeholders of the industry Coordinators of the pageant
announced via the MTWP Facebook page that its panel will comprise of popular Trinidadian makeup artist Sohan Badall, pageant queens Christa Simmons and Simone Williams as well as titleholder,LishaBeache.
According to the bio released by MTWP, Badall affectionately known within the beauty and fashion community as “D Glam Master,” is a celebrated makeup artist, bridal stylist, pageant director, and creative visionary from Trinidad and Tobago whose work has become synonymous with elegance, glamour, and excellence.
With a distinguished career dedicated to enhancing beauty and confidence, he has built a reputation as one of the region's most respected figures in the world of pageantry, fashion, and bridal artistry
Simmons is a former pageant queen who comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience to panel. Whenitcomestopageantry, Simmons has 'the know-how,' as sheparticipatedinvariouspageants
for many years winning the titles such as Miss Guyana World 2008, Miss Bartica Regatta 2007, and MissJamzone2007.
She has represented Guyana on the international scene twice, once at the Miss World competition whichwasheldinSouthAfricaand Miss Tourism Queen International which was held in China. Over the years, the pageantry queen saw the need for more women leaders and business owners so she went into her own business where she provides party service rentals on theWestDemerara.
hedging to cushion price shocks. Instead, they have been relying on fare increases and capacity discipline to recover part of the added expense.Soaring fuel costs are piling additional pressure on low-cost carriers, compounding strains on business models already challenged by rising labor expenses Airline executives, however, have so far voiced confidence in fare strength and demand, even as operating costs continuetoclimb.
United has said the first 10 weeksoftheyearwerethestrongest bookingweeksinitshistory,atrend echoed by other large U.S. carriers reportingrobustspringbookings. A strong demand environment hasalreadyallowedairlinestopush through two fare increases of about $10 each way, and could support a
further 5% to 7% rise, according to MeliusResearch.
Kirby said earlier this week United aimed to fully offset higher fuelcoststhisyear,notingthatfares bookedoverthepastweekhadrisen 15%to20%.
LONG-TERM GROWTH
INTACT
Even as it pares back flying in thenearterm,Kirbytoldemployees that United was not backing away fromitsbroadergrowthstrategy
The Chicago-based carrier will continue taking delivery of about 120newaircraftthisyear,including 20 Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab 787s, with another 130 aircraft due byApril2028,hesaid.
United also will not respond the way it did in past downturns by furloughing staff or delaying future investments, Kirby wrote in the memo.
performing arts, advocate and educator for children with special needs and the reigning Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Queen with a decade of experience in the model industry, Simone has participated in five pageants and claimedthreecrowns.
Living by the philosophy, “Aspire to Inspire before you Expire”theMissCaribbeanBeauty and Intelligence queen aims to creating a legacy where youth are
opportunities to better themselves and their communities. Williams hailsfromBarbados.
Beache is a creative and ambitious young woman from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with strong passions in pageantry, activism,andregionalintegration.
Lisha has graced numerous pageant stages across the region, earning titles such as the current First Runner-Up for Miss St
VincentandtheGrenadinesandthe Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Pageants and Second Runner-Up for Miss OECS 2025. Beyond competing, she also contributes behind the scenes, workingwithteamsandsupporting contestants in local pageants, helping to uplift and empower the next generation of young women. The 2026 production of the MTWP pageant will be happening on March28th,2026atParcRayne.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro...
From page 14 andPetroheldacallafterwardsand agreedtomeet.
Petro then visited the White House in early February to mend his often-combative relationship with Trump While there, the Colombian delegation interacted with their counterparts, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno,alongtimecriticofPetro's government, was also in attendance. Guzman believes the senator'spresencewassignificant.
“We don't have a lot of straightforward answers about whatwerethecommitmentsduring that meeting, but Bernie Moreno did say that he wanted Petro not to be as involved in elections,” GuzmantoldAlJazeera.
“And guess what? Petro is fully involvedintheelections.”
The meeting also addressed collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking, an issue core to Trump'sforeignpolicy
Both presidents walked away from the meeting in good spirits,
with Petro sharing a photo signed by Trump that read, “Gustavo – a greathonor IloveColombia.”
But Petro and Trump have long been at odds over how to tamp downonnarcoticssmuggling.
Colombia, the region's largest producer of cocaine, has been criticised by the Trump administration for what it sees as soft-on-crime policies, including negotiationswitharmedgroups.
Petro, meanwhile, has denounced the US for its lethal tactics, calling them tantamount to murder.
The US, for instance, has bombed at least 46 alleged drug boats and vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Some of the 159 people killed were Colombiancitizens.
TheUShasalsofloatedtheidea of conducting military attacks in Latin America against suspected drug traffickers, and it recently began joint operations against gangs in Ecuador, Colombia's neighbour
Analysts say actions like these have Latin American leaders on edge.
T r u m p ' s a g g r e s s i v e manoeuvres suggest that the US president is willing to jeopardise “thesovereigntyandpeaceofevery nation” in his campaign against illicit drugs, according to Rodrigo Pombo Cajiao, a constitutional law professor at the Pontificia UniversidadJaveriana.
PomboCajaiopointedtotheUS abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. Maduro was a longtime adversary ofTrump, and he is currently being heldinprisoninNewYorkondrugrelatedcharges.
“Every political leader in the regionhasbeenputonnotice”after thatabduction,PomboCajiaosaid.
“As the world's leading producer of cocaine, Colombia found itself at high risk of judicial prosecution” from the US, he added.
Currently, Petro's Historic Pact is leading May's presidential race. A GAD3 poll released this week suggested Cepeda is ahead in the polls with 35 percent voter approval, ahead of far-right candidateAbelardo de la Espriella, whohad21percent.
Former Miss Guyana World, Christa Simmons
Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Queen, Simone Williams W
First Runner-Up for Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lisha Beache
Trinidadian makeup artist, Sohan Badall
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From page 16 tragic loss of his eldest son. Through tears, he described Nicklas as “the first to come and the first to go.”
“I saw Nicklas yesterday morning around 8:00 hrs.We spoke for a while before I left for work. When I came back home around 16:00 hrs., I didn’t see him,” the grieving father recounted.
He explained that he later became aware of the tragedy after his wife received a phone call. “I heard her talking, and then I heard her say, ‘No, it can’t be my son.’ My daughter come outside with the phone and when I pick up the phone, I see my son lay down in a grass corner like it was an animal get knock down and dead. I can’t catch myself up to now,” he said.
Jamie Lillah noted that his son had been working as a taxidriverforanumberofyearsandwaswellknowninthe community. He said Nicklas was often privately hired by the Khemraj family to transport them on various trips.
According to him, on the day of the accident, his son had been hired to take the family to Berbice to visit relatives.
“He left about 4:00 p.m., when he reach Mahaicony it had a very difficult turn so as he approach the turn, he mirror and the other vehicle mirror knock and then he lash into the pole and the vehicle topple over four times. I assume that while the vehicle was toppling, he pelt out the vehicle,” the father said.
The grieving father also emphasized that his son was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
“Hewasasoberpersongoingonthattrip,”hestressed. “This is a real shock. I never expect this to happen. He does drive long but for somehow I don’t know how this happen,” the father added.
NicklasLillahleavesbehindtwoyoungchildren,atwoyear-old and an infant.
EffortstocontactrelativesofKhemrajwereunsuccessful, as the family is too distraught to speak.
From page 8 gas, and refined products are criticaltotransportation,shipping and manufacturing industries, and energy supply and price shocks can affect consumers, businesses and economies hard, impairing demand for months or years.
Recently, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party notedthatwhilerisingglobal oilpricestriggeredbygeopolitical tensions could generate billions of dollars in additional revenue for Guyana, higher freight costs may simultaneously drive-up foodpricesandthe overallcostofliving.
In a statement, the party said it was seeking to highlight both the opportunities and risks facing Guyana’s economy as tensions in the Middle East continue to influence global oil markets.
WINnotedthatGuyanais currently producing about 900,000barrelsofoilperday, and a US$30 increase in oil prices could have significant financial implications for the country
“Under the current production arrangements,
Guyana receives approximately 14.5 per cent of the value of production through its royalty and share of profit oil.Basedoncurrentproductionlevels,aUS$30increase in oil prices could generate roughlyUS$4millioninadditional revenue per day for Guyana,” the party said. At an exchange rate of GYD$208toUS$1,thistranslates to approximately GYD$830 million daily, or more than GYD$300 billion annually if such price levels persist.
However,WINcautioned thatthesamegeopoliticaltensions pushing oil prices highercouldalsodisruptmajor global shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime passages.
According to the party, instability in shipping lanes tends to increase freight charges, raise insurance premiums and disrupt global supply chains—factors that could significantly impact countries like Guyana that rely heavily on imported food, agricultural inputs and consumer goods.
PresidentAliurgesGuyanesetopursueinnerpeace...
From page 52 message focused on inner peace,unityandcompassion.
Addressing the congregation, the president reflected on the spiritual lessonsofRamadanandencouraged Muslims to carry those values into their daily lives.
“Today,aswegatherhere inGuyanatocelebrateEid,we do so under circumstances in a world where peace is elusive,”PresidentAlisaid,noting that societies which enjoy peace must never take it for granted.
He urged worshippers to remember the spiritual discipline cultivated during Ramadan(patience,humility,
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charityandmindfulness)and apply those lessons beyond the holy month.
“Ramadanwasthatperiod that allowed us to demonstrate and prove to ourselves thatwearecapableofexecuting these responsibilities…that we are capable of sharing love, that wearecapableofbeingcharitable,andthatwearecapable of honouring our parents and elders,” he said.
The president also spoke about the concept of inner peaceinIslam,explainingthat itbeginswithremembranceof God.
QuotingtheQuran,heremindedthegatheringthat“in the remembrance ofAllah do hearts find rest,” noting that prayer and faith strengthen the direct connection betweenbelieversandtheirCreator
He outlined several principles for achieving inner peace,includingcontentment with God’s decree, patience during hardship, gratitude during times of blessing, and purifying the heart from jealousy, greed, and hatred.
“When we achieve inner peace, we are able to spread peace with those around us. We are able to lift others up, spreadjoyandteachpatience in our own lives,” President Ali said.
The head of state also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of family bonds by urging citizens to honour their parents and maintain unity among relatives.
“Toomanyofourfamilies are broken by siblings fighting against each other,” he said. “Let this Eid be the one in which you bury your
pride…pickupthephoneand call your sibling and simply say Eid Mubarak.”
He reminded the gathering that caring for parents and elders is a central teaching in Islam and one of the highest forms of service.
Following the prayers at the MYO grounds, President Ali continued his annual Eid observances by travelling to his childhood home in Leguan and later to his residence in Leonora, where he hosted his traditional Eid breakfast.
Food and refreshments were shared freely with visitors, reflecting the spirit of generosity that defines the celebration.
Thepresidentalsovisited several families throughout the day, extending Eid greetingsandjoiningthemintheir celebrations.
Two-time Grammy award winning singer...
From page 48 around leadership, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and the growing role of women in shaping Guyana’sfuture.
As Guyana continues to experience rapid economic transformation, the conference will spotlight women who are building businesses, influencing policy, and positioning themselves within emerging industries across the country and the wider Caribbean. In addition to the keynote address, the conference will feature dynamic paneldiscussions,leadership
conversations, and networkingopportunitieswithprominent women across sectors includingenergy,finance,entrepreneurship,publicleadership, and innovation. The conference will featureadistinguishedlineupof speakers, including Minister Vindhya Persaud, Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna V.Lall,MichelleA.Nicholas, Melissa Noel, Deborah Edward,JosephineTapp,among others. Building on its growing reputation as a platform forinfluentialwomenleaders, WeLead has previously featured notable voices such as
Princess Arianna McKonnen, Yvette NoelSchure, Lisandra Rickards, JesikaKalika,TenilleClarke, Avia Lindie-Maria, Renatha Exeter, Evie KhanaiGurchurranamongothers. Organizersexpecttheconferencetoattracthundredsof attendees, including entrepreneurs, corporate executives, policymakers, students, and emerging leaders from across Guyana and the Caribbean.Ticketsandadditional information about the conference can be found at: https://wcguyana.org/ welead-2026/
The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), along with local bottled water manufacturers, is supporting the call to achieve 100% locally produced bottledwaterinGuyana,statingthatpotential reduction in imports is estimated by GY$150 million.
bottled water industry with heavy focus on qualityandglobalcompetitiveness.
Kaieteur News reported back in February that during the commissioning ceremony of the Bartica Water Treatment Plant, President Alimandatedthatalllocallyconsumedwater mustbeproducedlocallyin12months.
Additional 100km of Linden-Mabura Road project paved
DPI - Onehundredkilometresofthe110kilometre stretch promised for paving along the Linden to Mabura road project have been completed, the Ministry of Public Works announcedonFriday.
The project is closer to completion just ahead of the highly anticipated Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo, set for Easter weekend in Lethem,RegionNine.
The completed paving works represent significantprogressalongthecorridor,which serves more than 50,000 Guyanese and is central to the movement of people and goods betweenthecoastandinteriorregions.
Construction is continuing at pace, with contractor Álya Construtora focusing on heavy structural engineering, road surfacing, and the installation of safety features along the route. Paving activities have accelerated inrecentweeks.
To ensure the project is completed within the scheduled timeline, the contractor has employed an additional 100 workers,
approximately900.
The historic Linden to Mabura Hill road project, signed in 2023, forms part of the government’s strategic plan to strengthen connectivity between the coast and hinterland, while advancing regional integrationthroughafuturelinkwithBrazil.
The corridor is expected to connect with the planned deep-water harbour in Berbice, creating new opportunities for trade and improving the flow of goods and services betweenGuyanaandnorthernBrazil.
Once completed, the road is expected to significantly reduce travel times between the two countries and strengthen long-standing economicandculturalties.
Another ExxonMobil study warns...
From page 49
July 2025 report.” The consultant explained that this trend reflects persistent inflationary pressures driven by rising transportation costs,importdependencies,andsupplychain disruptions.
Further, data in the EIA highlighted that malnutrition remains a dual burden in Guyana. It states, “According to Global Nutrition Report (Undated) and the United Nations World Food Programme (2024), 9.1 percent of children under five experience stunting, while 6.9 percent are overweight. These patterns reflect both undernutrition and increasing access to energy-dense processed foods. Nutrition challenges are linked to food insecurity, limited dietary diversity, and public health education gaps, particularly in Hinterland Regions (FAO 2025; Global Nutrition Report Undated; WFP2024).”
Notably, to address this, the study points to efforts by the local Ministry of Health in
interventions for women and children under its 2022–2026 Food and Nutrition Security Strategy
The study found that declining financial resources and rising costs have resulted in citizens choosing to purchase cheaper, less nutritious foods in smaller quantities. According to the study, “In 2024, 29% of respondents indicated that they were skipping meals or eating less to counter food costs as compared with 37% in 2023 (including 49% of women), while 5% reportedgoingadayormorewithouteating.”
Exxon said that the rates were higher among low-income respondents, and 89% of those considered to have well below average incomes reported that they found it difficult to eat enough. “Coping strategies included use of financial savings to meet food needs, reduced essential non-food expenditures (including health and education expenses), anddecisionstosellassetstopayforfoodand other needs (CARICOM and WFP 2024),” theEIAexplains.
GMSAin a statement on Friday said that its representatives along with Water Manufacturers have engaged Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar and the leadership of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), to discuss opportunities and challenges within Guyana’s water manufacturingsector
The Association said it welcomes President Irfaan Ali’s initiative achieve 100% loc produced bottled water thecountry
“The association highlights this as a strategic move towards self-sufficiency, estimating a potential reduction in imports by around $150 million, which would bolster the local manufacturing industry and fost economic growth,” GM explained.
The President said that Guyana cannot be a resource rich country in fresh water and be importing bottled water The head of state said too that the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation must work with the private sector to ensure that the water consumed locallyisproducedhereandatareducedcost.
During the engagement, GMSA emphasized the need for a unified approach among stakeholders and regulators to uphold consistentstandards.
“Themeetingalsoprovidedaplatformfor dialogue on key areas impacting the sector, including production and distribution issues, policy measures, investment incentives and quality assurance and regulatory compliance,”GMSAdetailed.
Further, GMSA said it is dedicated to collaborating with the government and all industry stakeholders to enhance the local
“Thisministrymustthereforesetasideon a target of ensuring that all our water consumed locally is produced locally in the next 12 months.
hether we have to collaborate and we must collaborate with the private sector to ensure that they build up their capacityandcapability
Everyentitydon’tneed to have a bottle blower
We can have one entity to produce all of the plastic bottle at standard size across the country, so we have economies of scale.So,wehavetolookatallthe verticals and to see how we can have economies of scale at every level so that we can bring down the cost of water,” he explained. President Ali disclosed then that officialsattheGWIassuredhimthattheycan economicallybottlewaterandsellitfor$100 orless.
“What we have to do is work with the private sector to see how we can actualize this,sothatacountrythatisknownastheland of many waters can have the cheapest water available to its people, and that is what we havetodo,”hesaid.
New Amsterdam’s veteran float designer...
From page 51 with a different something when I started building my costume. Either my costume moving, something moving about it. It was enjoyable in front of the judge. I’m very creative.”
FOR LOVE
Owing to it being a once-a-year festivity late February-early March, a livelihood solely based thereupon is not feasible, but Richards explained the many benefits of being able to showcase his work and travel the country, and to also bring recognition to not only himself but New Amsterdam where helivedallhislife,andthewiderRegionSix. His presence through all the years, and the many hours of sweet toil has never been for the benefits and gains, but simply a steadied loveforthecraft.
“WhenIdocostumes,Idon’tgetinvolved in politics, I don’t get involved in nothing at all. I do costumes for the region. I work with this region nearly 30 years. I worked for nothing at all during my time with Mashramani. When I finished working, I neverusedtogetacent,”heemphasized.
He has also crafted costumes for Region Five The veteran’s final piece was constructedin2024fortheRegion’sMedium Band.
LOOKINGAHEAD
He posited that the celebrations are much larger now, but called on more corporate
entities playing a part in Berbice’s activities, which he said are heavily sustained by arriving government floats from Georgetown. Also, he suggested that the floats be adjudicated prior to hitting the streets, as the judges would not be able to detecteverythingdetailwhilethefloatsareon thestreetsandamongstthemasses.
Unresolved factors that prompted him to “ease off,” as well as visual impairment dating back two years, have been a spoke in the wheel for him in his love for costume production. Despite, he is not ready to close thecurtainsonhispassion.Infact,evenathis ageandnotwithstandinghisphysicalsetback, Richards stands ready to transmit his immenseexperienceandemptythecoffersof his knowledge on those who seek to develop themselves with the art. More than that, he expressed his capability of putting together a costume, which he stated confidently would beasurefireprizewinner
“The experience I have, I would like to share it when Mashramani time comes. They can call on me, invite me to share my vision. It’s still there with me. I can help the region. I’m willing to share my ideas because I have somuch.”
With over 40 years’experience, and with over 40 designs to his name, Richards has earnedhisrecognitionasoneof,ifnotthebest designer in the entirety of the region. His manyaccoladesholdtruetothis.
A
Trump threatens Iran with power plant strikes over Hormuz blockade block
T E L A V I V / JERUSALEM/WASHING
TON, March 22 (Reuters) -
U S President Donald
Trump on Saturday threatened to “obliterate”
Iran’s power plants ifTehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a dramatic escalation that came barely a day after he talked about “winding down”thewar
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY
O P E N , W I T H O U T THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States ofAmerica will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
Trumpsaidonsocialmedia.
The threat landed as the
conflict entered dangerous newterritory
Israeli officials said that Iranian forces had for the first time fired long-range missiles, expanding the risk ofattacksbeyondtheMiddle East, even as an Iranian strike injured dozens of people not far from Israel’s nuclearsite.
Iran launched two 4,000kilometer-range ballistic missiles at the U S -UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said.
The Israeli military said it was the “first time” Iran hadusedlong-rangemissiles since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran onFebruary28.
“These missiles are not
intended to strike Israel
Their range reaches
European capitals - Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” Zamirsaidinastatement.
A source at Britain’s defence ministry said the attack had occurred before the government gave specific authorisation on Friday for the U.S. to use British military bases to out
strikes on Iranian missile sites.
More than 2,000 people havebeenkilledinIransince the U.S. and Israel began their attacks. In Israel, 15 people have been killed in Iranian strikes since the war started.
Lateon Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children, in separate strikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said
in a statement early Sunday that they targeted “military installations” and security centersinsouthernIsrael.
I s r a e l i a r m y spokesperson Brigadier GeneralEffieDefrinsaidina post on X that the country’s a i r d e f e n s e s w e r e functioning but did not intercept the strikes. “We will investigate the incident andlearnfromit,”hesaid.
Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor is about 13 kilometers southeast of
Dimona Both cities lie near several military sites, including Nevatim Air Base, one of the country’s largest
“This has been a very difficulteveninginthebattle for our future,” Israeli Prime M i n i s t e r B e n j a m i n Netanyahu said in a statement released by his officefollowingthestrikeon Arad. “We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” the statementsaid.
CHOOSE ‘Sabrina’s Tropical Blend’...
From page 50 Blend’. “I was also inspired by a Christian family; they made the Strawberry drink (Pink paradise) and I liked it so bad I wanted to start makingittosellaswell,”she shared.
Before launching her business, Sabrina said she usedtoworkatdifferentjobs and would save her earnings which she would use to invest to get the materials needed to kick start her journey
She said she started off with not only juices but sandwiches and other foods to sell. According to the young woman, back then business was slow She used to put out a stand but had to move several times because of not having designated locationtosell.
This, Johnson said resulted in her doing the business part time until she went viral for riding her bike andselling.
“One of the challenges was looking for an affordable location in the town area but it was so hard to get because of the high cost for rent. So I used the bike.Itmademegoviral…,” sherelated.Thatmomentshe
said, riding through the streets and delivering to customers grabbed a lot of attention. She shared that since then, she has been receiving support and follower from so many people across the world, including countries like the United States, Trinidad, Suriname, Canada, and Jamaicajusttonameafew
“It means a lot to me,” Johnson said because the business is picking up and more and more customers arereachingout.
Johnson noted, “I also received negative comments from people close to me that told me that is not carrying me anywhere; I just kept going no matter what they said.”
Workinghardtocontinue to supply her customers, Johnson explained to this publication that her longterm goal is to get a location of her own Also she mentioned, she hopes to have juices, “reach the countries that asked for my juices.”
Already making a meaningful impact in society, our featured entrepreneur is of the view that young entrepreneurs introduce new ideas and innovation which helps strengthen the local economy
“Young entrepreneurs play an important role in society because we bring new ideas, innovation, and e n e r g y We c r e a t e opportunities not only for ourselves but also for others, and we help strengthen the localeconomy,”shesaid.
That being said, Johnson suggested that to boost small businesses locally, there should be easier access to f u n d i n g a n d m o r e community support to buy localproducts.
“When communities support small businesses, everyone benefits,” she mentioned.
Persons interested in s u p p o r t i n g S a b r i n a Johnson’sbusinesscandoso by reaching out via telephone number (+592) 618-8901 or her on Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube at Sabrina’sTropicalBlend.
“To be so good in what I do so I can hire people to work with me and to take it worldwide if it’s possible; everything is possible. My goal is to reach as much peopleIcan,”sheadded.
The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
Second gas pipeline to Berbice can cost over US$2 billion-ExxonM
With interest pouring in from across the world to utilize Guyana's gas, ExxonMobil is eager to lay a second pipeline from the Stabroek Block to Berbice, a structure that can cost GuyaneseoverUS$2B.
This was revealed by President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge during a mediaconferencelastweek.
He told reporters that both the government and
“small investment” but can cost US$2B or more, which istwiceasmuchspentonthe 225-kilometer pipeline from the Liza Fields to Wales, West Bank Demerara. That pipeline, constructed and completed by Exxon since 2024 will support the Gasto-Energy (GTE) project in Waleswhichaimstoproduce 300MWofelectricityinthis first phase. A second phase couldseeanother300MWof power being added along
President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge addressing reporters during a media conference
Exxon have been receiving letters from companies around the world that are interested in using Guyana's gas to develop projects such as data centers, converting bauxite to alumina and more powergeneration.
Given the significant interest, Routledge explained that large gas resources will be required to supply and sustain these developments.
He said, “So we can see real interest in building a domestic gas market, which in the early stages will requireustohavesomelarge anchor projects, and when I say that, an anchor project, these are projects that are large enough to give us the demand needed from an offshore gas supply point of view to make it worthwhile investing in significant infrastructure.”
The company however indicated that such pipeline will require not come at a
with other facilities to produceNaturalGasLiquids (NGL) Government has already invited bids for a cooking gas and fertilizer plant.
The second pipeline according to Routledge will belargerinsize.Considering inflation over the years as well, he pointed out that there is no hope in the structurecostingUS$1B.
As such, the Country Manager noted, “So, as you know, it costs roughly a billion dollars to lay a pipeline and put the rises in, in order to supply gas from the Liza field to Wales in Region 3. To do similar for Berbice in larger volumes, a larger pipeline could easily beUS$2billionormore.”
Before making such an investment, Exxon said it is ensuring that there is a market for the gas which can besoldatapricetoensureits feasibility.
Tothisend,heexplained,
“So that's why it's so important that we work with these other companies- their interest in making these other investments in the country So, we can line out thatcommercialvaluechain, they'll be looking to us to have surety of supply of gas, and we'll be looking to them to make sure that they're gonna be ready to take the gasfromus.”
The company has not yet worked out d
s
surrounding the size of pipeline that would be constructed as discussions are ongoing with Suriname.
“ T h e r e w a s s o m e engagement with Suriname around would they be interested to share a pipeline because it could be economiesofscaletodothat and that discussion is ongoing,” the EMGL Presidentnoted.
Routledge added that since gas development
would be new to the Berbice area,Exxonwillbeengaging c o m m u n i t i e s a n d businesses.
Once operational, he pointed out that potential exists for other small industries such as glass manufacturing or a small manufacturing plant that does not require much gas.
T h e s e i n v e s
m e n t s according to him would be more efficient for Guyana compared with importing
liquidfuels.
Gasfromtheseventhand e i g h t o i l p r o j e c t sHammerhead and Longtail, respectively- could be used tosupplythepipeline.
Hammerhead could deliveraround80-90million cubic feet of gas per day Meanwhile, Longtail, which is currently under review by government, has a gas production capacity of 1,200 million standard cubic feet perday(MMscf/day).
Ann’s Grove topple defending champs in 4-2 affair
From page 62 twice in the 10th and 20th minutes, while Lyndon Gray added a third in the 26th minute to complete a dominantdisplay
One of the day's biggest upsets came when Ann's Grove Secondary defeated
defending champions Dolphin Secondary 4-2 After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Ann's Grove signalled their resurgence w i t h a n e m p h a t i c performance.
Kennard Halley and Isaiah Williamson each scored twice, overpowering thereigningchampions,who could only manage two consolationgoals. In another fixture, Charlestown Secondary and St John's College played to a goalless draw, with both sides unable to break the deadlock. Action continues
today at the same venue with eight more exciting round onematches.
The tournament is sponsored by Massy Distribution, with Demerara Mutual Group providing personal accident insurance coverageforallparticipating players.
The competition is approved by the Ministry of Education and coordinated bythePetraOrganisation.
Sunday March 22, 2026
ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)
The study of psychology might be especially appealing today, Aries Some new discoveries that you may have heardaboutinthemediacould have piqued your interest and mightpropelyoutothelibrary tofindbooksonthesubject.
TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)
Occult sciences, such as alchemy, phrenology, and astrology, could be singing theirsirensongtoyou,Taurus. Youliketothinkofyourselfas downtoEarthandrealistic.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
A group activity could lead to discussions of famous unsolved mysteries, Gemini. Jack the Ripper, the Black Dahlia, the truth about O.J. Simpson, and other intriguing problems might capture the interestofeveryonepresent.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Ayoungcolleaguecouldleave your place of employment under strange circumstances andthiscouldcomeasashock to you. You may have been quite fond of this person, and findyourselfwonderingabout thetruthbehindthedeparture.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Spiritual occurrences could lead to a very powerful healing experience, Leo Repressed past traumas could come to the surface and be processedandreleased.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You may find them useful today as you play the role of Sherlock Holmes. A missing object, intellectual problem, ormysteryofsomekindcould have you curious enough to searchforthetruth.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Abusiness or romantic partner may seem a bit preoccupied with some very serious matters today, Libra, and not be likely tosharethemwithyou.Asking totalkaboutitwon'twork.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Some rather extensive and annoying paperwork might need to be dealt with It will probably require all your attention, so if you can, take care of it first thing in the morningwhenyou'restillfresh
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Afascinatingarticleyoureadin thenewspapercouldinspireyou totrytocreateamysterystoryof your own Today your mind is perfectly suited to devising plot twists and interesting but complexcharacters
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
An important lost object, perhaps a paper of some kind, could command the attention of your entire household. This could prove frustrating at first, because you will know that it has to be somewhere in the house.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Someone or something has disappeared Gossip could spread like wildfire as everyone imagines the worst. Listening to rumors probably doesn't appeal to your sense of fairness; nonetheless, you're wondering,too.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
You could have some paperwork to do today, Pisces, which could make a big difference to your financial future.Thiscouldbeacontract, settlement, or agreement of somekind.
Saint Stanislaus make return...
From page 67 Fredericks 66 (6s x 10) and LatoyaWilliams26.Houston Secondary in their first tournamentmade85inreply
Among the Males, defending champions Saint Roses High School batted first and scored 97-1, with NoelMadramotooandSamir Rasool each scoring 34 runs apiece and Ezekiel Ramnauth24.
C h a r l e s t o w n Government Secondary School replied with 56-4. DerickHingtook2-wkts.
CPCE after elected to bat made 71-0, Elon Bloomheart slammed 65, (6s x 9) Houston Secondary School 56-1inreply
Saint Stanislaus College made 74-0 with Ishan Haricharan 51 (6s x5) and TessieCraig19.
Brickdam Secondary School responded with 75-1, Prosper Jacobs 34 and Abiel Maynard12.
Meanwhile, the action moves to Region 6 with the Canje- New Amsterdam zone in Canje at the Welfare CentreGroundfrom9:30am. Schools in action are defending Champion Male Berbice High School, Canje Secondary, Tut
Institute, Vryman’s Erven Secondary & defending (Champion female) New Amsterdam Multilateral School.
Annandale Secondary wins Massy Distribution U18 Football March Past event.
Ann’s Grove topple defending champs in 4-2 affair
- Zeeburg, Charity, West R/veldt Secondary start with wins in Massy Distribution U18 Schools Football tournament
The ultimate Secondary Schools Football challenge kicked off yesterday at the Queen's College Ground in Georgetown, delivering an action-packed opening day
Title sponsor Massy
Distribution witnessed a tightly contested start as Zeeburg Secondary, Charity Secondary, West Ruimveldt
Secondary and Ann's Grove
S e c o n d a r y s e c u r e d impressive victories to launch the 2026 edition in style.
Annandale Secondary were the first to claim honours, capturing the March Past trophy with a well-organisedandtactically sound display during the traditional opening ceremony Following the colourful proceedings, fourteen determined teams tooktothefieldtobegintheir questforthe2026title.
The tournament opened with a few simultaneous fixtures. Zeeburg Secondary faced Hope Secondary,
while Patentia Secondary battled East Ruimveldt Secondary on the adjacent pitch. The latter encounter proved to be a thrilling contest. Patentia took the lead in the 27th minute through Johnathan Redman and doubled their advantage in the 41st minute courtesy ofYohan Bobb.Trailing 2-0, East Ruimveldt mounted a spirited comeback, with Josiah Norton pulling one back before Jahiem Heibert nettedtheequalisertosecure
a 2-2 draw at the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Zeeburg Secondary enjoyed a confident start, defeating HopeSecondary2-0.Quincy Evans
Cameron found the back of the net in the 54th and 60th minutes respectively to seal thevictory
Inothermatches,Charity Secondary delivered a dominant performance against Vryman Erven Secondary, overturning an early deficit to secure victory JohnnySmithledthe charge with a brace in the 24th and 60th minutes. West Minster Secondary and St Joseph High, however,
played to an entertaining 1-1 draw Alexandro Sankar gave West Minster an early lead within the first five minutes, but Leeman McAbee responded in the 59thminutetoearnStJoseph ashareofthepoints. W
Secondary later underlined their title ambitions with a commanding 3-0 win over Yarrowkabra Secondary Donavan Welcome was the standoutperformer,netting Continued on page 61
Kannard Halley (left) and Isaiah Williamson net braces for Ann's Grove Secondary in 4-2 win.
Shaw hits fastest WSL hattrick as Man City edge closer to title
M A N C H E S T E R , E n g l a n d ,
(Reuters) - Manchester City striker
Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters/ Craig Brough)
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw continued her sparkling form on Saturday by scoring the fastest hat-trick in Women’s Super League history as the leaders cruised to a 5-2 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur, moving another step closer to thetitle.
City top the standings on 46 points from 18 matches, eight clear of Manchester ‘United, with Chelsea third on37andArsenalfourthon35.
Shaw opened the scoring by reacting quickesttoalooseballinthepenaltyarea following a corner She then rose highest
to head home from another set piece before completing her hat-trick with a powerful header, all within a blistering spellof12minutesand37seconds.
“I just try my best,” Shaw, who is in thefinalfourmonthsofherCitycontract, toldSkySports.
“I enjoy playing with the girls, I `amazingplayersaroundmeandIjusttry to do the best I can at the top end of the pitchandIthinkeverythingwillworkout foritself.
“Keep going, keep our heads down, keep focused. Don’t watch the noise in the market we `just need to keep going.” The 2
international, who already held the record for the most hat-tricks in WSL history, leads the league scoring charts with18goalsthisseason.
Manchester United ‘climbed into second place after late drama at home, snatching a 2-1 victory over Everton thanks to Melvine Malard’s winner deep into stoppage time. Arsenal demolished ‘visitorsWestHamUnited5-0.
Champions Chelsea dropped points in a 1-1 draw at London City, for whom Isobel Goodwin grabbed a late equaliser after Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s firsthalfgoal.
Chris Barnwell hammered a mind-boggling century to help GPF Officers book a place in the final.
2026 Commissioner of Police T20 Cup…
Barnwellblitzpropels GPFOfficerstoFinal
A scorching hundred from former Guyana all-rounder Chris Barnwell piloted the GPF Officers to the final of the 2026 Commissioner of Police T20 Cup, after dismantling Region 6 by 93 runs during the Super Stages played this pastweekatthePoliceGround.
Barnwell, a key player in the success of the then GuyanaJaguarsfranchise,slammedabrutal139offamere 36 deliveries, lighting up the Eve Leary Ground with a whopping 18 sixes and just 3 fours, arguably one of the better T20 knocks locally across any significant senior formatorcompetition.
Contributions came from Ravindradat Budhram (26) and Joshua Budhram (20) who scored two fours each as Rocky Hutson somehow escaped the carnage and returned 2-14bowlingforRegion6.
Following the Barnwell blitz, the GPF Officers racked up a majestic 233-5 after 20 overs. Region 6 crumbled under the pressure only managing 140-7 by the time their 20oversended.
Another former Guyana batting star, left-handerAssad Fudadin, carried Region 6 with a robust knock of 70 with seven fours and a pair of maximums, finding help from ZominiArchibald(21).
GPFOfficersbowledwithdisciplineandcohesiveness, as Stephen Harris (2-7) and Michael Newland (2-25) controlled the innings along with help from Barnwell, Ivor TrotzTroywhoreturnedawicketapiece.
GPF Officers will now look to regroup and maintain theirformastheypreparetobattleHeadquartersinthefinal whichwillbeannouncedsoon.
Reg. 3 receives cricket gear from DC Budhram ahead of Super 4 game
Deputy Commissioner of Police, ‘Administration’, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram, who also serves as Chairman of Guyana Police Cricket, on Wednesday morning, March 19, 2026,supportedtheRegion3policecricketteamwithcricket gear ahead of its second Super 4 match against Headquarters intheCommissionerofPoliceT20Cup2026.
The gesture reflected Mr Budhram’s continued commitmenttothegrowthanddevelopmentofcricketwithin the Guyana Police Force, as well as his unwavering support forteamscompetinginthetournament.
Region 3 captain Jason Anderson collected the items on behalf of his team and, in brief remarks, expressed sincere appreciation to Deputy Commissioner Budhram for the timely support. Anderson noted that the contribution was a meaningful one for the team as it prepared for an important Super 4 encounter, adding that such encouragement serves as added motivation for the players to remain focused and continuegivingoftheirbestinthecompetition.
Budhram’s continued support once again underscored his passionforpolicecricketandhisdedicationtofosteringunity, discipline,andexcellenceamongranksthroughsport. (GPF)
Three Horsemen host one-day Gymkhana Horserace meet today
Horseracing enthusiasts are in for an exciting return to action as Cane GroveVillage prepares to host a thrilling day ofcompetitionattheS-turnDam,EastCoastDemerara.
The spotlight will be on the highly anticipated one-day Gymkhana meet, organised by the Three Horse Men Promotionteam—Junior,Sancho,andBlackBall—fanscan look forward to a thrilling day of horseracing. With gates openingat1:00pm,theeventpromisesnotonlycompetitive racingbutalsoalivelyfundayatmosphere.
With a strong lineup in the L and K classes, the event seeks to entertain all. Today, the Cane Grove S-Turn Dam will feature some of the country’s standout horses. Among those expected to take to the track are Top Ranking, Glory Queen, Damage Control, Tarzan Secret, Jet Coco, Risky Affairs, and Scores. Each contender brings its own reputation and racing style, setting the stage for what could beafiercelycontestedseriesofevents.
Top Ranking enters as a name that commands attention, while Glory Queen is expected to draw strong support from the crowd. Damage Control and Tarzan Secret add depth to the field with their proven competitiveness, and Jet Coco alongside Risky Affairs could prove to be dark horses capable of upsetting the favorites. Scores rounds out the list asanothercontendertowatchclosely
With a mix of experienced runners and emerging challengers, today’s meet is shaping up to be a showcase of speed, stamina, and strategy The S-turn Dam track, known for testing both horse and rider, should add an extra layer of excitementtotheraces.
For additional information, interested persons can contactJunioron672-9443orSanchoon723-9967.
Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravindradat Budhram speaking with the players from both teams. (GPF photo)
r e m e m b e r w h e r e t h e y come from, but not so Petula Angela Samuels-Felicien, better known as “Petal Samuels”. Samuels a native of NewAmsterdam has been livingintheUnitedStatesfor anumberofyears.
M s . S a m u e l s ’ s achievements shows that she has a long and outstanding career in the area of Sports andSportsadministration. Her ability and desire
have pushed her to stage a tournamentforschoolsinher native NewAmsterdam. The schools down to participate are Berbice High School, N e w A m s t e r d a m Multilateral Secondary, Berbice Educational Institute, Tutorial Academy Secondary and Vryman’s ErvenSecondary. The Competition is set for June 12-14 and will be playedonaT10bias. More details will follow shortly Ms. Samuels has had an outstanding career in cricket
involvement. She is the founder and president of Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) and Atlanta Pearls Women’s Cricketteam.
Ms Samuels is a compete
ter, certified West Indies Cricket Umpire and a certified Level 1CricketAustraliacoach.
Samuels was a go getter since her early childhood days back in Guyana, where her love for sports began. She is a multitalented athlete where she was active throughout her student life,
especially in football and cricket.
According to Samuels, the GWCA focuses on developing cricketers to their fullest potential, while providing a platform to showcase their talents and skills. It is about using cricket to transcend racial, economic an
barriers.
The goal being, spurring thedevelopmentofwomen’s cricket in the USA and now in Guyana. Over the years she has organised cricket
cs and tournamentsintheUSA.Her latest venture is the Georgia Women’s Annual T20 CricketTournament.
She wants to use her talent and experience gained over the years to do the same backhomeinGuyana.
According to Samuels her desire to get into this venture began back in 2010, after participating in a tournament in Florida, at the end of which there was no word on when and where the next tournament would be held.
That is when she decided to organize a tournament the followingyearinAtlantaand hasbeendoingsosince.
To date teams from New Jersey, New York, Cayman Islands, Canada, Belize, Bermuda and Atlanta have showcased their talents during the annual Memorial Day weekend in Georgia. She is hoping that a Guyana teamcouldparticipatesoon.
National Cricketers from as far as Zimbabwe, India, Ghana and the West Indies have participated in the tournament.
Anumber of West Indies and other international female cricketers have participated in the tournament over the years, including Guyanese Tremayne Smartt, Subrina Monroe and Hema Singh amongothers. Her experience has taken
Petula Angela Samuels-Felicien
her places. She managed a male cricket team in Georgia, which was groundbreakingandatribute to and recognition of her exceptional knowledge of the game, and her human relations and organizational skills.
Over the years she has conducted training and coaching sessions with a number of school and other organization in the USA, where hundreds have been introducedtothesport.
In2015shewasinducted intotheCricketHallofFame in Hartford, CT In March 2016 she was honoured by the Georgia House of Representativesforherwork in promoting youth and women’scricket.
She was presented with a Resolution of Dedication by G e o r g i a S t a t e Representative Valencia Stovall,ataceremonyheldat theGeorgiaStateCapitol.
Earlier that month, MayorDavidLockhartofthe City of Forest Park, declared March 8, 2016 as “Petula Samuels Day.” She was also p r e s e n t e d w i t h a proclamationbytheMayor Samuels is a proud mother of three. She comes f r o m a f a m i l y o f multitalented sports personalities She is the sister of former National R u g b y S t a r a n d multitalented athlete Colvis Samuels.
Eight-year-old Bryson Medford benefits from “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”
Bryson Medford, a righthanded batsman, is the youngest cricketer ever to benefit from this joint initiative between Anil Beharry, a former long serving BCB executive and Kishan Das of the USA. His uncle Sean Cameron, reached out, indicating that young Medford is madly in love with cricket, and is in need of a junior bat. The Meeten-Meer-Zorg Primary School student was the recipient of one cricket bat. Young Medford was advised to balance his cricket with hisacademiclife.
Over the years, many Guya
benefitted from this project, some of whom went on to represent West Indies at differentlevels.
This project will continuetoimprovethelives of youths in every community We are pleased tobepartofthedevelopment of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports,cricketinparticular
Bryson Medford
To date, one hundred and sixplayers,maleandfemale, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directlyfromtheprogramme alongwithseveralclubs. Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed
free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the
Saint Stanislaus make return to Cheddi and Janet Jagan Memorial Windball Cricket
Play in the 2026 edition of the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport National Sports Commission Janet Jagan Memorial Female Windball Cricket and the
d
M
, continued at the National
G y m n a s i u m . T h e tournament is organized by
MCYS and NSC Sports OfficeA.Munroe. In the Female section, Saint Stanislaus College made a return to the sport aftermorethantwentyyears. They batted first and scored an opening partnership of 112,withDeondraBenjamin hitting (4s x12 & 6s x 6) in
recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the countryandclubleadersalso assist to identify same Progressive and well
managedcricketclubswitha youth programme, will also benefit.
Distribution will continue.
her 87 and Darshina Lalbeharry26. Saint Roses High School scored 66-1 with Tanuja Singh 32, Rhea Sookhal 26. Tucville Secondary replied with 43-4, Arlene Singh 12. MadhuSinghtook2wkts. CPCEhit137-1,Deena
Continued on page 61
Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
Deondra Benjamin (left) hit 87 and Darshina Lalbeharry 26 in an impressive opening stand of 112 for Saint Stanislaus.
Ann’s Grove topple defending champs
in 4-2 affair
- Zeeburg, Charity,West R/veldt Secondary start with wins in Massy Distribution Under-18 Schools Football tournament
Sports Region 3 receives cricket gear from DC Budhram ahead of Super 4 game
Region 3 skipper Jason Anderson receives the cricket gear from Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravindradat Budhram. (GPF photo) Mr
Defence! 32 Secondary Schools commenced battle for 2026 title as the 12th Annual Massy Distribution Boy’s U18 Football tournament kicks off.
