Kaieteur News

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Wednesday Edition Rescuers in AIETEUR Venezuela pluck NEWS child alive from collapsed building 6 days after twin quakes July 01, 2026 - Vol. 21 No. 26

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

President Irfaan Ali and Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons during their engagement in 2025

Ogle Airport elects new board ...announces $204 million expansion drive as domestic travel hits record high

Govt. to fully digitise Lands and Surveys Commission - Pres. Ali

Suriname pulls out of joint Corentyne bridge project ...stumped Pres. Ali says “ that’s news to me”

Artistic impression of the Corentyne River Bridge

No severe COVID-19 - Health cases recorded Minister

ExxonMobil takes $82B from Guyana for production expense as citizens get $60B cash grant President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

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ExxonM takes $82B from Guyana for production expense as citizens get $60B cash grant

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) in 2025 handed Guyana an $82B bill it said it racked up for oil production-related expenses. The company’s financial statements for the year were shared with the media early in June during a press conference at its Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) headquarters.

According to the c o m p a n y ’s f i n a n c i a l s , production costs in 2025 jumped to a whopping $82,226,427,711 or approximately US$395M. Notably, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has set aside $60B to distribute the $100,000 cash grant to each adult Guyanese for 2026. E x x o n ’s B u s i n e s s

Services Manager and Vice President, John Colling said production expenses for 2025 increased due to the startup of a new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Stabroek Block. “There’s a number of items that go into production costs. The key driver really was the startup of ‘One Guyana’ but there are some additional costs included in there such as research costs and future development,” Colling explained. While Guyanese may welcome the startup of another project, the commissioning did not translate into more revenue for the country, but more expenses instead. In 2024 Guyana’s profits

Govt. to fully digitise Lands and Surveys Commission – Pres. Ali The government of Guyana intends to fully digitise the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) over the next four years as part of a broader push to modernise land administration and improve service delivery. The announcement was made by President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday at the c o m m i s s i o n ’s 2 5 t h anniversary and awards ceremony in its compound at Durban Backlands. President Ali said the transformation will position the agency to support G u y a n a ’s e x p a n d i n g development agenda. He explained that the modernisation effort will focus on integrating advanced technologies in every department and strengthening systems to deliver faster, more efficient and transparent services. “Our objective in the next four years is to deliver an agency that is fully digitised and one in which we will fully implement the most advanced technology to help our work here in every department, in every aspect of our work,” the president stated. According to President Ali, the commission now operates in a more complex environment that requires greater speed, stronger interoperability, and closer coordination with multiple sectors, including housing, mining, fores try, infrastructure, and regional planning. He noted that as Guyana

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivering the feature address at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) continues to expand, land administration has become increasingly important to ensuring projects move forward efficiently. The president said the government’s vision is to create a modern, efficient and citizen-centred land administration system where information is readily accessible and records are increasingly digitised. As part of the transformation agenda, he highlighted plans to strengthen geographic information systems (GIS), improve institutional coordination, and enhance the security of land tenure for citizens, farmers, businesses, and communities. “We want institutions that work seamlessly together in support of national development, and we want a system that balances economic growth with responsible stewardship of our land resources for future generations,” he said.

President Ali underscored that land administration is often overlooked but remains critical to national progress, noting that every major development initiative begins with proper land identification, surveying and planning. “ W h e n l a n d administration works well, development moves forward. When land administration is weak, development slows down,” he told attendees. Established in 2001, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is responsible for managing State lands, land surveying, mapping, and supporting national planning and development initiatives. The president expressed confidence that the agency’s digital transformation will strengthen its ability to support Guyana’s continued growth and position it to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. (DPI)

and royalty in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) was US$2.6B, while in 2025, the country merely received US$2.5B. On the other hand, Exxon racked up a higher bill in 2025 when compared with 2024. The company’s total reported expense in 2025 was $498B, while in 2024 it said its operating expenditure was $478B. It must be noted that all expenses incurred by the company related to the Stabroek Block is paid by Guyana through cost recovery. Each month, ExxonMobil takes up to 75% of the oil produced to pay for those expenses. The remaining 25% is split with

Guyana as profits. It is therefore extremely important that Guyana not only examines, but seek to verify the sum the country is saddled with. To date, the country has done three audits of the company’s expenses for the period 1999 to 2023 but has not finalised or completed the process. The first audit for the years 1999 to 2017 was conducted by a British Consultant, IHS-Markit which reviewed US$1.6B in pre-contract costs for ExxonMobil. The consultant advised Guyana that US$214M in costs were improper. Government is yet to ensure the disputed cost is added to the oil fund, with

talks still ongoing with Exxon. The second audit was done by a local consortium, VHE Consulting for the period 2018 to 2020. The group was tasked with auditing US$7.3B in costs that were billed to Guyana and found that just US$64.790M was wrongfully added to the cost bank. They were later rehired for the third audit, this time to review a whopping US$19.6B spent by Exxon between 2021 and 2023. That report has been handed over to the government but the initial report has not been made public despite calls for transparency in the process.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

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

EDITORIAL

Powerboat, Power Negotiation “You negotiate with the people. And we are back and forth. They give their position. We say, fine, we give you a position. It was very difficult. You bet your bottom dollar. Our government led by President Ali, we made sure that we took some strong positions on negotiation.” There are so many flaws and contradictions in those representations of Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. It would have been more helpful to the PPP/C Government’s reputation if he had taken another position. He certainly opened up President Ali for renewed scrutiny. The type of critical scrutiny that is faithful to the destiny of all citizens. Not what is productive to PPP/C Government (and the president’s) interests. Minister Indar spoke in the context of the negotiations with Turkish powerboat officials for the continuation of electricity supplies at a mutually acceptable price. We at this paper take his own words and examine them beyond electricity. Minister Indar said: “you negotiate with the people. And we are back and forth.” The government, the president, has feared to take that precise action the minister raved about. When it is ExxonMobil and its 2016 oil contract that damages Guyana so much that is involved. Was it not Ali himself, who made his position so clear, that it brooked no argument, no room for maneuvering different? It was, indeed, Ali who committed to ‘reviewing and renegotiating’ all contracts. Whatever he had in mind, all contracts had to include the oil contract penned almost exclusively by ExxonMobil and pushed into the face of the APNU+AFC Coalition. The PPP/C Government, and its president for six years, promised to reverse the economic tragedy that the former APNU+AFC government inflicted on every citizen of Guyana, born and unborn. In sharp contradiction to Minister Indar’s statement, “you negotiate with the people” that never got off the ground, never tried the first word. Not even to test what opening could be possible, through sheer spirit, and fierce energy. Lost was what could be had, however minimal. President Ali, with the full backing of his vice presidents, and the cabinet, came up with they all believed would carry the day. Sanctity of contract was what the president fastened himself to, became comfortable in the protection that it offered the ruling party (his), and the presidency (his own). National interests distilled to the cheapness of the paramountcy of the PPPC’s interests. That is where the issue of the national shame of the 2016 ExxonMobil contract has stalled. It could be that is the nature of “you negotiate with the people” that Minister Indar had in mind. It is what now characterises governance and leadership Guyana. It could be rich gold lands, it could be vast, still undisclosed and unknown, oil assets. Minister Indar then said: “we are back and forth.” That is with the Turkish powerboat people. Was there ever one posture, one word, by the PPP/C Government, that represented the “back and forth” relative to the ExxonMobil oil contract? Maybe, “sanctity of contract” represented the “back and forth”, of which he spoke so boldly relative to electricity. The problem, and it is one at crisis proportions, is that the PPP/C Government, as led by President Ali, has dug a deep hole for itself. The words and postures, intended to inspire confidence, fall right back on the heads of the president and his ministers. When they cannot produce, or when they hide from delivering. Minister Indar also said: “It is very difficult.” That is what governance is all about. That is why ambitious individuals hold themselves out as leadership material. One difficult issue after another, challenging the fortitude and courage of those the people elect. If they cannot take the heat, they should get out of the kitchen. The ExxonMobil contract would be a difficult negotiation. But the contract opens a door to that kind of discussion

Oil wealth cannot mask cronyism and erosion of accountability DEAR EDITOR, It is clear that as we boast of being the fastest growing economy on the planet, we have, thanks to an unprecedented availability of massive sums of money, drifted into the world pool of the worst form of cronyism, corruption, and an apparent contempt for the rule of law. Whereby way of example, an opportunity to scrutinise public spending by utilising the Public Accounts Committee is being suffocated, unprecedented in the annals of postIndependence Guyana. Examine world history over the last century, Guyana today has out-sprinted the three best known propagandists, I refer to the three Josephs; Joseph Goebbels Hitler’s Minister of propaganda, U.S. senator Joseph McCarthy, and Premier of the Soviet Union

Joseph Stalin, who mastered the technique of repeating something often enough until citizens come to believe it as true or, as we say, the gospel. We listened earlier this month to the high-sounding phrases, on the occasion of the anniversary of an important Christian denomination. The head of state quoted from the Bible on five occasions, very impressive, and to many quite convincing. Those of us who are keen recognise the handiwork of a pastor who himself run against a pledge to love, honour, and obey, until death do us part. Much damage to the moral fabric of our society has already been done, however, notwithstanding this hemorrhage, in the marketplace, the mosque, the temple, the churches, the schools, we must take the

message to save our beloved country. Silence and wanting to be in the good books of the oppressors must not be an option. But worst we must know that fear is man’s worst enemy. If we really want the majority to enjoy and share this bonanza we must take action within the limits of the law, and don’t allow others to tell us what is right and appropriate. Our erstwhile masters the British, executed their King, Charles 1 for believing that he could manage the country ignoring the parliament. Finally, be wary of those who with facility quote passages from the scriptures. Let us face the world as it is today; Islam says (Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13) Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. Christianity says (Matthew

7:12) Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. Hinduism says (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8) One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire. And Buddhism says (Sutta Nipata 705) comparing oneself to others in such terms as “Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I,” he should neither kill nor cause others to kill. I hope when next our head of state and his wise oracles speak to us, they can explain why with all of this oil, gas, gold being harvested that our exchange rate is still GY$215 to US$1, likely a contributary factor to our high cost of living. Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green

It was Chandisingh’s idea to erect the Enmore Martyrs monument DEAR EDITOR, I write in reference to Mr. Hamilton Green’s missive titled “On these occasions the least we can do is acknowledge and recognise those whose idea it was” as published in KN of 6-19-26 Mr. Green claims that it was Prime Minister Mr. Forbes Burnham’s idea for the erection of the Enmore Martyrs monument. Mr. Green’s assertion is

most incorrect. The idea for the construction of the monument was birthed by Mr. Ranji Chandisingh, the former PPP Marxist Leninist ideologue who had crossed the floor and joined the PNC. It was common knowledge that Mr. Chandisingh was the PPP’s party ideologue and had been knighted by PPP leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan to be his successor. Because of his socialist

credentials Mr. Chandisingh had persuaded the PPP leadership in the 1970s to offer “critical support” to the PNC government of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham. Actually, Mr. Chandisingh had pushed for the merger of the PPP with the PNC but this was rejected. M r. C h a n d i s i n g h ’s crossover was a PNC coup and that party was most beholden to him in

embellishing their party’s socialist credentials. The PNC changed its party’s constitution to reflect a Marxist Leninist thrust and this policy is still on their books. Mr. Burnham was only too willing to accommodate M r. C h a n d i s i n g h ’s suggestion to build the Enmore Martyrs monument. Yours sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

Economic recovery vs Economic transformation DEAR EDITOR, One can easily argue that Guyana is not going through economic transformation but instead is experiencing a period of economic recovery with the addition of the oil and gas sector. Most of the expenditure over the last five years has been focused on fixing long lasting problems in infrastructure, education and housing that have taken root since we gained independence. It should also be noted that if our economy had kept pace with the world’s economic growth since gaining independence, our economy’s size would be

in the lower double digits today vs. the paltry lower single digits we have experienced for decades due to wasteful spending, poor investments, and corruption. Our economy’s recovery must be built on a foundation of strong fiscal management that ensures that the natural resource fund expands at a rate that outpaces national spending. It’s premature and accelerated depletion has resulted in the fund foregoing an annual rate of return that ranges from 13.4% to 14.4%. This would have been easily gained by investing in the American

happening. To local disappointment, the government detected the difficulties. To its self-inflicted humiliation, it decided that taking the easy way out of those negotiation difficulties was best for its interests. Finding favour with ExxonMobil and staying in power. Minister Indar’s words have many applications. When avoided, they come back to haunt government and president.

stock market. The result could have been a NRF equivalent to what our economy would have been if Guyana’s growth had kept pace with the world’s economic growth over that last 60 years. That’s an amount just short of $12 Billion USD. An amount that allows for the sustainable distribution & increase in cash grants for our citizens over 18 years of age, the “because we care” cash grants for school children and monthly payments to pensioners. Instead, government spending has ballooned beyond government tax revenue, and corruption has become widespread. We need a government that can do a much better job managing the finances of the nation. Thus, what is being termed economic

transformation is nothing more than a squandered opportunity for robust economic recovery that can be sustained. What Comrade Ali outlined in his recent visit to the Baker Institute at Rice University does not add confidence that his vision for economic diversification and global leadership will be accomplished. China on the other hand has accelerated their adoption to renewable energy with the help of their economic growth and d e v e l o p m e n t s t r a t e g y. Diversification of their economy has also been stellar. Unfortunately, Comrade Ali’s administration has yet to show that they can successfully diversify our economy to replace the growth gap that will be left Continued on page 5

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Oil riches won’t save a broken state DEAR EDITOR, South America is a laboratory of instructive contrasts. 4 countries offer Guyana lessons it would be politically costly to dismiss. Argentina reflects G u y a n a ’s w e a k n e s s e s closely. Both relied too much on agricultural exports and failed to diversify. Both judiciaries, nonindependent, with delays, corruption, and mountainous backlogs that keep ordinary people from getting justice. Argentina’s crises were the result of prioritising political favours over economic policy, keeping decisions in the hands of connected groups. Institutional weakening of governance structure evidenced by lack of judicial accountability

makes self-correction impossible. These same problems are Guyana’s today. Oil revenues haven’t changed that environment but supported it on a larger scale. Oil isn’t an institutional safeguard. It’s an accelerant amplifying good governance where it exists, amplifying patronage capture where it doesn’t. Guyana’s gleaming capital infrastructure, 2 or 3 meduim sized third world class stadiums, and Interior airports, mainly funded by borrowing from future generations’ backs, and regional distribution patterns reflecting electoral arithmetic over developmental need, follow A r g e n t i n a ’s t e m p l a t e precisely. Region 10 — tens

of thousands of Guyanese — is rendered stagnant-no Chair. Interior communities constantly on the Wait List for roads and secondary schools, while Georgetown transforms. This is misrepresentation made by political actors at its highest, in any assessment. To worsen the electorate’s governance crisis, Stabroek revenues flow through accounting systems; the communities above whose geography the oil was found were never invited to audit, bringing the Whip’s role into sharp constitutional focus. Guyana currently has at least one parliamentarian rendered functionally silent in the House — a symptom of institutional failure that the

Venezuela’s tragedy must spur Guyana to strengthen disaster preparedness DEAR EDITOR, The devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on 24th June, 2026 have left the Caribbean and South American region in mourning. The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and occurring less than a minute apart, have caused catastrophic destruction, resulting in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, the collapse of residential and commercial buildings, severe damage to transportation infrastructure, and economic losses that are expected to run into billions of United States dollars as rescue operations and damage assessments continue. The human tragedy continues to unfold as emergency responders search for survivors beneath the rubble. Although Guyana was spared the direct devastation, many Guyanese experienced the tremors, particularly in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), where residents reported feeling the ground

shake and expressed understandable concern. Such events remind us that natural hazards do not recognise national boundaries. They also h i g h l i g h t t h e interconnectedness of countries within our region and the importance of collective preparedness. Natural disasters are often considered solely through the lens of physical destruction. Yet, the invisible consequences are equally significant. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, and other environmental emergencies frequently leave lasting psychological impacts. Survivors may experience grief, anxiety, fear, sleep disturbances, depression, and post-traumatic stress. In fact, even people who are not directly affected can develop heightened anxiety after witnessing the suffering of neighbouring countries or experiencing tremors themselves. Clearly then, mental health is an essential component of disaster

Economic recovery... From page 4 after the hydrocarbons are consumed. Instead, “transformation” and urgency are being used as an excuse to raid the nation’s coffers and to justify poor project selection and wasteful spending as seen in the gas to energy saga and the power ship fiasco. We must demand better of our fellow comrades, and a clear message must be sent at the upcoming local government elections that if they do not perform, they will be replaced! Best regards, Jamil Changlee

preparedness and disaster recovery. Communities recovering from environmental disasters require more than rebuilt homes, roads, schools, and hospitals. They also require psychosocial support, trauma-informed care, community solidarity, and access to mental health services that help individuals and families regain a sense of safety and hope. Still, the events in Venezuela should serve as a timely reminder that Guyana must pay closer attention to its own environmental c o n d i t i o n s a n d vulnerabilities. While our country is not known for frequent major earthquakes, we face other significant environmental threats, including flooding, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, extreme rainfall, droughts, wildfires, and the broader impacts of climate change. As our population grows and infrastructure expands, disaster risk reduction must become an even higher national priority. Preparedness is not simply the responsibility of emergency agencies. It requires collaboration among government, local authorities, schools, businesses, health professionals, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and individual citizens. Every community should understand the risks it faces and know how to Continued on page 6

Whip is constitutionally positioned to address. In functioning Commonwealth parliaments, that responsibility extends beyond party discipline to ensuring meaningful parliamentary participation, proper attendance accountability, and the protection of every member’s right to discharge their parliamentary function. Under Canada’s Parliament Act, s. 57(1), attendance deductions (CDN$120.00) are calculated monthly from members’ own statements, with the Whips on both sides rostering attendance for debates, votes, and committees. One can’t cheat the system, else jail time. In Guyana, the ones who don’t cheat the system, they are the ones sought as jail candidates, it’s a reverse psychology system, bullyism is rampant, totally dysfunctional. The underlying principle is accountability — a parliament whose members aren’t present, not engaged, and not empowered to scrutinise the executive isn’t performing its constitutional function, regardless of how many sessions it formally convenes. Guyana’s Opposition Whip, the Honourable Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, holds precisely the institutional authority to demand that parliamentary participation — including the Walton-Desir committee service matter — be treated not as a political

management question but as a constitutional obligation. This is politics. The Opposition’s accountability function depends on every validly nominated member being permitted to discharge it. A Whip is the most effective institutional check available against the procedural soft authoritarianism the current administration has demonstrated, provided she exercises that authority with the full rigour the role demands. The Tiananmen Square revolt is an example of what can happen when a bad regime creates bottlenecks, but Taiwanese are unlike Guyanese. Guyanese in 2026 are docile, irreverent, and accommodating to anything, even disproportionate crime statistics against culpability, sentencing, and convictions, e.g., rape, which could simply mean that the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, or the Offices of the Police Legal Advisor have been compromised, or the police have stymied the situation by their blatant corrupt modus

operandi. It is obvious the Chancellor can’t fulfil the supervisory role that Office seeks. Guyana’s free press — K i s k a d e e Wa t c h a n d Kaieteur News — provide meaningful accountability but is financially outweighed by the state media’s capacity, as the March 2026, episode at Stabroek News confirmed. One of its journalists has courageously described Guyana’s population as “a citizenry yoked to poverty” — a precise and damning characterisation of the regime’s policy failures. Whether sanctions follow that candour is, given this administration’s demonstrated modus operandi, an outcome as f o r e s e e a b l e a s i t ’s indefensible. Where the press is financially outgunned, the institutional correctives that remain — a vigorous Whip, a united Opposition coalition, and an engaged electorate — must bear the accountability burden the press alone cannot. Brazil’s Lava Jato Continued on page 6

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Police probing Clonbrook hit-and-run — $200,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation into hit-and-run accident that left two bikers dead along the Railway Embankment at Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Relatives of the deceased, Collis Bristol, called “Cappo,” and Akeem Burgess, known as “Burnham,” both of Nabaclis Village, ECD have since put out a $200,000 award for anyone who has information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. Kaieteur News understands that Bristol and Burgess were on a bike when a car hit them. The car drove away from the scene. Public-spirited citizens later responded to assist the men, but they were pronounced dead at the Enmore Regional Hospital by the time they were transported there for

treatment. In an invited comment, Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh said while the accident is unfortunate, commuters should be wary of roads that are under construction. The traffic chief believes that the accident could have probably avoided had the motorists paid attention to the fact that the road was not open. “That road is not commissioned… The railway embankment is under active expansion works, and so they were not supposed to go there,” he said adding under those circumstances, it would difficult to garner information if an accident occurs. He explained, “When the road is under construction, there is no CCTV and in the absence of CCTV cameras, you depend on eyewitnesses to actually help you with active information.”

Singh said nonetheless that the commander of the East Coast Division, along with his traffic team and also traffic headquarters, are actively engaging an investigation.

“We are looking to see what we can gather, that points us in the direction of our vehicle number where we’ll approach the GRA to get ownership, and then seek to make an arrest…It has to be

somebody who knows the area. Let me be very honest with you, because if you don’t know the area, you wouldn’t have been driving the area at that time.” According to the officer, the bid to put out a reward for information concerning the accident should help with the investigation. “I noticed the family put out a reward for that should help too, because it’s the same things we are looking for and by elicit the information, and somebody will come forward with the vehicle number …Sometimes we look at things as always from a structured way, and then the other people who are affected meaning the family, does something like this and it helps because somebody will definitely come forward with some information that will be very useful to us,” he said.

Oil riches won’t save a broken state From page 5 scandal demonstrated what happens when political patronage and commercial interest become structurally indistinguishable. Public trust collapsed. Recovery has been partial and e x h a u s t i n g . G u y a n a ’s procurement irregularities, ministerial conflicts of interest, and judicial pressures suggest a trajectory uncomfortably close to Brazil’s pre-crisis condition. Chile shows what good governance can achieve and how rapidly social progress unravels when inequality is left structurally unaddressed. Forty years of democratic governance could not prevent the 2019 protests that revealed concentrated growth had generated deep social dissatisfaction no GDP figure had captured. Oil revenues announced at press conferences and distributed through patronage networks do not constitute shared prosperity; they constitute a pressure cooker. Pressure cookers release. The argument that a President holding a doctorate in Urban Planning ensures that everything will therefore turn out well for the populace is, with respect, advocacy of the most unconvincing kind. Colombia under President Petro navigates structural reform against entrenched conservative opposition while confronting a justice system riddled with inefficiency and corruption at the highest governmental levels — a description that maps with near-perfect accuracy onto

Guyana’s present institutional condition. Without genuine judicial independence, transparent procurement, inclusive resource distribution, and a decisive break from the patronage model that both the PPP and PNC have practised, Guyana’s oil wealth will produce a more capitalised version of the same structural inequality — better roads leading to the same unequal destination. On a positive note, the democratic realignment that Guyana’s body politic urgently requires is already underway — and its momentum is structural, not merely electoral. Over seventy-five percent of the PNC’s traditional leadership base has either migrated to WIN, FGM, ALP, and ANUG, or has exited the active political stage entirely with a corresponding percentage of its grass-root supporters. This is not ordinary political attrition. It is the organisational collapse of a party whose governance record has rendered it institutionally incredible to the very communities it historically claimed to represent. Two prominent former PNC figures now lead FGM and ALP respectively — carrying with them the institutional knowledge, regional credibility, and community networks that the PNC squandered through decades of ethnic patronage and democratic drift, which soon will be the fate of the PPP regime. The ALP’s leader, whose calibre is beyond

reasonable dispute, has yet to earn her rightful parliamentary seat — a democratic deficit that the 2030 electoral cycle must c o r r e c t . T h e P N C ’s p a r l i a m e n t a r y representation, currently twelve seats, faces decline to potentially fewer than six. In contemporary political science terms, this is what scholars of party system change call dealignment followed by realignment — the collapse of inherited loyalty structures and their reconstitution around formations that better reflect the electorate’s actual interests and aspirations. WIN, FGM, and ANUG are positioned to constitute the largest opposition bloc and, on the trajectory the evidence consistently supports, the governing coalition of the next electoral cycle. FGM’s proposal for a tripartite Opposition Front is not merely tactically sound — it is the logical organisational expression of the realignment already occurring at the grassroots level, where communities that once voted along ethnic lines are increasingly voting along governance and interest lines. This is precisely the transition that mature multi-ethnic democracies undergo when resource wealth raises the stakes of political exclusion to levels that inherited party loyalty can no longer contain. In this context, any reluctance by the LOTO to engage seriously with FGM’s tripartite proposal isn’t merely a tactical error. It

is a failure of the objectivity that the historical moment demands. The evidence is unambiguous: no single opposition formation commands sufficient parliamentary weight to displace the current administration alone. The coalition mathematics work only in combination. A leader who understands the constitutional imperative of cooperative governance — and Mohamed has built his entire political project on precisely that understanding

— cannot in good conscience apply that principle to cabinet composition while resisting it in Opposition alliance architecture. The argument for objectivity is not a political preference. It is the same constitutional logic applied one level higher. FGM’s proposal deserves not merely consideration but urgent, formal, and public embrace. The South American comparisons teach 1 main lesson: the window between resource discovery and

institutional capture is narrow. Countries that build transparent, rule-of-law governance frameworks before that window closes become Chile at its best. Countries that don’t become Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia at their worst. Guyana is still inside the window. The question is what Guyanese are prepared to do with the time that remains. Regards, M. Shabeer Zafar Barrister-at-Law

Venezuela’s tragedy must spur Guyana... From page 5 respond before, during, and after an emergency. Mindful Guyana Inc. believes that environmental health and mental health are inseparable. Healthy communities depend upon healthy ecosystems, resilient infrastructure, informed citizens, and accessible mental health services. Building resilience means investing not only in engineering and emergency response but also in people, relationships, education, and community well-being. Accordingly, I respectfully recommend that Guyana: Strengthen national and communitybased disaster preparedness programmes through regular public education and emergency exercises; Integrate mental health and psychosocial support into all national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery plans; Establish stronger community resilience programmes that train volunteers in psychological first aid and community support; Invest in hazard mapping, environmental monitoring, and early warning systems for natural hazards; Ensure that schools include disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship,

and emotional resilience within their educational programmes; Encourage partnerships among government, the private sector, civil society, and community organisations to promote environmental protection and mental wellness as shared national responsibilities; and Support research into the relationship between environmental change, disasters, and mental health to inform future public policy. The tragedy unfolding in Venezuela reminds us that disasters can occur suddenly, with consequences that extend far beyond damaged buildings. They affect lives, families, communities, economies, and mental well-being. The best tribute we can offer our neighbours is to learn from this event and strengthen our own preparedness, resilience, and compassion. Mindful Guyana Inc. remains committed to promoting awareness of the vital relationship between environmental stewardship and mental wellness. Together, we can build communities that are not only environmentally sustainable but also emotionally resilient. Yours faithfully, Royston King Chairman Mindful Guyana Inc.

Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

The Road to First Oil - Every Man, Woman and Child must become oil-minded. Column 191 (July 01, 2026)

Part 2: Six-to-one is not 50-50 By Christopher Ram Today continues where C o l u m n 1 9 0 l e f t o ff , examining the egregious failures of omission and c o m m i s s i o n b y ExxonMobil, Hess, CNOOC and their auditor, the cumulative effect of which is to present a distorted picture of the economics of their Stabroek Block operations. At the media briefing on EMGL’s 2025 financial statements, John A. Colling sought to explain the gap between the Government’s share of petroleum revenues and that of the oil companies by referring to “petroleum agreement accounting” and a “cost bank”. Yet neither term appears in the 2016 Petroleum Agreement, any

annex thereto, or the financial statements of any of the three Stabroek Block partners. Readers sent to the accounts for an explanation will search in vain. And far from showing seventy-five per cent of revenue going to costs, EMGL’s 2025 accounts show the opposite. Costs, including noncash charges, amount to less than thirty per cent of revenue, while profit exceeds seventy per cent. Sent to the accounts to find cost recovery, the reader finds disproportionate profits instead. Three companies, one Petroleum Agreement, one Block, one operator and one audit firm. The accounts

should be comparable and consistent. They are not. On matters central to understanding the venture, they disclose different things, omit different things, and sometimes present the same reality in different ways. Where those differences are material, one or more must be wrong. It falls to the auditor who signed all three to explain what will not reconcile. 1 - The basis that will not name itself EMGL’s basis note states only that its figures represent the company’s “unassigned interest in various Petroleum Agreements”, without identifying either the interest or the agreements.

Accounts that do not disclose the very interest being reported fail to tell the reader what they are accounts of. Hess, audited by the same firm in the same year, disclosed its 30 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block in a single sentence. CNOOC, did the same, and a bit more. The information was plainly available; only EMGL withheld it. The omission affects every figure in EMGL’s financial statements. Every asset, liability, revenue and expense relates to an interest the reader is never told. On that basis alone, the unqualified audit opinion is difficult to sustain. 2 - One tax, one law, three faces EMGL reports income tax expense of about G$231.6B, an effective rate near 19 per cent, yet offers virtually no explanation. Hess provides a full reconciliation and records an effective rate of about 25 per cent. CNOOC records approximately 8 per cent and, alone among the three, discloses that the Government pays its taxes under the Agreement. One law, one venture, three effective tax rates. No reconciliation between them and, in EMGL’s case, no meaningful explanation at all. The problem is deeper than disclosure. The accounts create the impression that the companies bear a tax burden which, under the Agreement, is borne on their behalf. That is not merely incomplete reporting. It obscures the economic substance of the arrangement. 3 - The depreciation that will not reconcile E M G L’s i n c o m e statement records depreciation and amortisation of G$300.8B. Note 10 reports depreciation alone of G$431.0B. The difference may be legitimate. Depreciation can be capitalised into assets rather than expensed immediately. But the accounts do not bridge the two figures. No reconciliation is provided, no capitalised amount identified, and no explanation offered for the G$130.2 billion difference. On one of the largest non-cash charges in the accounts, the reader is left to

assume what should have b e e n c l e a r a n d unambiguous. 4 - The decommissioning puzzle Accounting standards require companies to provide, up front, for the estimated cost of dismantling wells and facilities at the end of their lives. Yet CNOOC, with a 25 per cent interest, reports the largest liability at about G$197.6B. EMGL, with a 45 per cent interest, reports about G$102.8B and Hess about G$90.1B. The figures may be correct. The accounts do not explain them. Hess and CNOOC disclose the discount rates used in their calculations. EMGL does not, although the valuation depends critically on that assumption. Three companies sharing the same field report markedly different liabilities, using different disclosures and apparently different assumptions, while the largest participant provides the least information. 5 - Hiding the 6:1 mystery When challenged about the disparity between the companies’ revenues and Guyana’s share, Exxon points to the “cost bank”. Yet that balance appears nowhere in the Agreement and nowhere in the financial statements of any of the three companies. That omission hides perhaps the most important issue to the financial statements. The balance of unrecovered costs determines how much oil is taken as cost oil before profit oil is shared. It determines who gets what from the Block. Yet none of the companies discloses the balance, its movement during the year, or the amount remaining to be recovered. The result is that billions of dollars of costs are recorded, but the recovery that explains the disparity is not. The most consequential number in the revenuesharing arrangement is absent from all three sets of accounts. The Question the Auditor Must Answer Directors are responsible for the preparation and the contents of the financial statements; an audit does not

relieve them of that burden. Auditors, for their part, are responsible for the contents of the opinion they express on those statements. One omission may be an oversight. Two may be error. Beyond that, the pattern becomes harder to explain. One block, one agreement, one operator and one auditor should produce the most consistent financial statements in the country. Instead, they produce some of the least. EMGL will not identify the interest on which its accounts are based. It leaves unexplained a G$130B difference in one of its largest charges. It discloses no discount rate for a major decommissioning provision. And it omits the recoverablecost balance that determines how petroleum revenues are shared. These are not defects at the margins. They go to the basis, measurement and understanding of the accounts themselves. Hess and CNOOC disclosed information that EMGL withheld. Yet all three remain silent on the recoverable-cost balance. And all three present taxation in a way that obscures the economic reality that the State pays their tax. The big question is not whether every number in the accounts is wrong. It is how accounts containing omissions of such significance came to receive an unqualified opinion. That is a question for the auditor. This coming Friday, we will look at the growing list of failures by successive governments. Be warned, t h e y m a k e d e p re s s i n g reading. These columns are offered by Christopher Ram and posted on his blog chrisram.net and are reproduced with the consent of the writer.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Common sense is the antidote to inefficiency Our public service still does business today with an attitude that says: this is how it is, and therefore this is how it must remain. And this attitude is the source of much public frustration when accessing public services. The truth, of course, is that many of the things we complain about in public service are not complicated technical failures. They are, more often than not, the result of systems that simply need tweaking and management that needs to remember a very radical idea: the public is not an inconvenience interrupting the work of government. The public is the reason why government exists. This may sound obvious, but so did the idea that you shouldn’t smoke in an elevator, and yet here we are. There was a time where there was a notice in the passport office forbidding the use of cellphones. Not “please silence your phone,” not “avoid disturbing others,” but a blunt prohibition, enforced with the kind of seriousness usually reserved for smuggling contraband. If you so much as glanced at your device, you could be treated as though you were trying to coordinate an international terrorist act, rather than informing your aunt that you might actually still be alive after three hours in a queue. The message, whether

intended or not, was exquisitely clear: you are here at our discretion. That sign was never really about phones. It reflected an administrative worldview in which public servants were not, strictly speaking, servants at all, but custodians of a scarce and slightly mysterious favour called “service,” which might or might not be dispensed depending on what side of the bed the staff woke up that morning. This mindset, of course, did not arise overnight. It emerged in an era when accessing public services required either extraordinary patience, knowing someone who knew someone that knew someone whose cousin once worked in an office adjacent to someone with a stamp. You did not simply apply for a passport; you embarked on a minor pilgrimage involving earlymorning queues, and the existential gamble of whether today was your day or merely your rehearsal for disappointment. People would arrive at dawn —4 a.m., sometimes earlier—not because they were enthusiastic about administrative efficiency, but because they understood a simple arithmetic: scarcity plus uncertainty equals sleep deprivation. And even after surviving the queue, there was the elegant possibility that one might be told, with bureaucratic serenity, that

the quota for the day had been filled. Please try again t o m o r r o w. A s t h o u g h tomorrow were not also made of time, distance, transport costs, and mounting fatigue. For those travelling from far-flung areas, this was less an inconvenience and more a practical demonstration of how distance can develop a personality disorder. There has been, to be fair, b e e n p r o g r e s s . Decentralisation efforts under the APNU+AFC nudged things in a better direction. But things, as they often do, slipped back into the old inefficient routines because of the inability to adapt to increasing volumes in demand for passports. Then President Ali intervened personally. This resulted in a more humane and functional passport process. The revelation was almost embarrassingly simple: if you change the system, increase the staff allocation, and adjust the attitude, things improve. One could almost hear the collective gasp of discovery: Wait—you mean management matters? Applying for a passport over the past few years have become a breeze. And yet, like all good systems, progress is never a straight line. Today, the passport process is generally efficient—until it reaches the final act, the uplifting of documents.

Dem Boys Seh...

Trump loses again… but only for the moment Dem boys seh it was just announced that the U.S. Supreme Court, in one of them legal twists that make Trump’s lawyers rub their heads and reach for aspirin, has reaffirmed birthright citizenship. In other words, if you born on American soil, you American—no ifs, no buts, no “check again tomorrow.” And dem boys seh this is a serious setback for Trump, who been trying all kinds of creative gymnastics to bend that rule like it’s made of warm wire. But the Supreme Court basically tell him, “Hold it right there, bossman, law is law—even if you wear red tie and shout loud.” Now dem boys already predicting what comes next, because if there is one thing Trump does better than golf (and that debate still open), is finding new ways to fight old battles. So don’t be surprised if he move from “no birthright citizenship” to “no pregnant women tourism programme.” Yes, dem boys seh it now: a new policy might be coming where immigration officers start asking, “Madam, you look like you 32 weeks pregnant… purpose of visit? Shopping? Tourism? Or strategic delivery operations?” And some airport might even get extra seating: “Pregnancy Screening

Lounge—please remove belts, shoes, and due dates.” Guyanese people, of course, watching this with special interest. Plenty already know the famous “holiday trip strategy”—go America for vacation, come back with souvenir baby, plus passport that stronger than black cake at Christmas. So, when Trump was making noise about stopping birthright citizenship, whole lot of aunties in Georgetown nearly drop their phone in panic. But dem boys seh the Supreme Court decision basically tell him: “You can build wall, you can build rhetoric, but you can’t build your way around the constitution. Still, knowing Trump, dem boys wouldn’t be surprised if next week he propose something new like: “Only babies born above sea level of 10,000 feet qualify,” or “citizenship only valid if both parents can name three U.S. states without hesitation.” At the end of the day, dem boys seh this is just another episode in the long-running series: ‘As the Court Turns and Trump Returns with Another Plan.’ And season finale? Nobody betting on that just yet. Talk half. Leff half.

Between 1 and 4 p.m., the public gathers. Most people arrive just before the commencement time for distribution, which means the waiting area quickly becomes crowded. Then someone comes out with pile of documents and begins calling names. The persons whose names are called are then directed to another section of the waiting area, to be ushered into another room where they will uplift. It is not an efficient system at all. The solution to this conundrum does not require algorithmic reinvention. It requires what one might call common sense. It requires a separate building for uplifting passports. It requires a long counter with three or four wickets/ windows, arranged

alphabetically. Window 1: A – F; Window 2: G – L; Window 3: M – R and Window 4: S – Z You arrive. You go to window related to the first letter of your surname. You collect your document. And you leave. It is as simple as that and avoids you having to sit and be shuffled around from seat to seat like schoolchildren. It avoids someone having to come out and call out names and then you having to be shuttled to another room. Improving public services does not require futuristic governance. It requires, fundamentally, a shift in attitude towards management. Governance, at its most functional, is based on accountability. The public does not exist to

accommodate the system. The system exists to serve the public. Not grudgingly. Not ceremonially. Not as a favour. But as its primary reason for being. And once that shift in mindset occurs, most of the “impossible problems” begin to look suspiciously like solvable ones that have simply been waiting for someone to notice they were never impossible at all. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

Times change, not so business America! America! America! America is on a roll. Can’t make a misstep. Unable to do any wrong. In the right place, and in the money. Venezuela. From savaging sanctions that dispatched the citizens of a pariah state all over, to soothing symphonies of help. America taking the lead. Many countries feared to whisper the name Venezuela up to a few months ago. They are now rushing forward with good intentions, and a heart of gold. Above them all, stand the USA. Even in a time of Venezuelan national tragedy, the damage of

which will take some time to assess, the U.S. holds the cards, will benefit still more. I begin at the beginning. There’s that big, bubbling, beauty: the splash of 300 billion barrels. Who cares about thicker and bitter? Business for Exxon and Chevron. Business for oil refineries in Louisiana and others around that square. Recall what I said: America in the money. From oil, there is oil infrastructure. Rehabilitation is a little on the tame side. Try a complete overhaul, with new technology and architecture.

Go the whole nine yards, and wander over decayed, dilapidated nonoil physical infrastructure. A cool trillion (American) is taking shape. Business, business, business. The U.S. industrial complex can’t do all the work. Some small jobs should trickledown to countries that are given the greenlight by DJ Trump’s men on the ground in Caracas. China can continue to rearrange the sphere on its side of the world. The U.S. is busy anticipating and well along with its moves to rearrange matters to its own advantage this side of the globe. Sanctions lifted. Venezuelans lifted. Lest I neglect, Wall Street sharks lift themselves from their skyscrapers in Manhattan and travel to the magic in Lakes Maracaibo and Orinoco. From oilmen to moneymen. From builders to bankers. Those who don’t have a New York accent are sure to have a good ole down home Texas twang. But there is still more to those trillion-dollar plus enchantments in Venezuela. For out of catastrophe and adversity come opportunity

and prosperity. And who is best positioned, who has the controlling say, of who is in and who shouldn’t bother to show their faces? The good ole USA and DJ Trump. Business is business, and post-earthquake business pays with the same kind of currency. Though the damage is not yet fully known, a decent estimate is that there are heavy billions that will be needed to repair the damage, get Venezuela back on its feet again. Its credit is the best. For there is nothing that can beat the collateral of 300 billion barrels. Plus, a signoff from a newly benevolent Uncle Sam. Money begets more money. America is the living embodiment of that state. Its US$40 trillion debt spiral given its proper consideration. Simply look at where and how it is perched in Caracas. Calling the shots. Dictating the flow. Oil billions. Banking billions. Road billions. Billions for this, that, and the thorough. And now to top all those, there are earthquake related billions. Truly, it doesn’t rain, it pours. Look who is there with a hanky for tears and balms for pain. America. Look at others following

the leader, and setting foot out of the woodwork. A hearty hand for Venezuela in its time of turbulence and more trouble. America’s backyard is now its front lawn. The white tables, the comforting chairs, the glistening silver, all speak of the treasures of this hemisphere long yearned for, now all in hand. Nobody is rocking the SS America. No one is stepping out of line. A Trumpian leader in Columbia. Venezuela and Guyana in the bag, and labouring under their yokes of Washington’s command and control. Trinidad making clear where its heart is. Guyana, as usual, playing at the shifty. Working overtime to give the impression of being savvy. Still possessing some potency of its own. Indeed, the domino theory has come to past, but with a difference. The dominoes have all fallen America’s way. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Ogle Airport elects new board ...announces $204M expansion drive as domestic travel hits record high Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI), operators of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, has elected a new Board of Directors while unveiling plans to invest G$204M in new infrastructure projects following a record-breaking year for domestic aviation. The board was elected during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday, 26th June, 2026, Ogle Airport Inc said in a press release. The newly elected directors are: Michael O. Correia Jr. (Chairman), Anthony Mekdeci, Nicole Correia, Ronald Reece, Marcel Gaskin, Timothy Jonas and Captain Gerald Gouveia. Addressing shareholders after his re-election as Chairman, Michael Correia Jr. said Guyana’s aviation sector continues to expand alongside the country’s rapidly growing economy. “The year demonstrated two important realities. First, domestic aviation demand in Guyana is expanding rapidly and sustainably. Second, the airport must continue investing aggressively to keep pace with the country’s broader economic transformation,” he said. According to the airport’s annual report, domestic operations

Chairman, Michael Correia Jr. reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with passenger traffic, aircraft movements and cargo volumes all exceeding prepandemic figures, the release said. The airport handled 267,503 domestic passengers during the y e a r — i t s h i g h e s t ever—representing a 14.6 per cent increase over 2024. International passenger traffic totalled 73,119, a decline of 10.7 per cent from the previous year. Correia noted that domestic landings recorded the largest single-year increase in the airport’s history, underscoring the airport’s growing role in supporting

commerce, tourism, healthcare access, hinterland connectivity and national development. He also highlighted the increasing importance of commercial revenue streams, including land development, leases and concessions, to the airport’s long-term financial sustainability. “Modern international airports cannot rely solely on aeronautical revenue to finance the scale of infrastructure required to support sustained growth and evolving international aviation standards,” he said. During 2025, OAI pressed ahead with several major capital works aimed at improving o p e r a t i o n a l e ff i c i e n c y a n d e x p a n d i n g c a p a c i t y. T h e s e included apron expansion, drainage upgrades, cargo infrastructure, maintenance facilities, improved roadway access, additional aircraft

parking, enhanced perimeter security and terminal improvements. Looking ahead, the company plans to undertake 11 new capital projects valued at G$204 million. The projects will focus on strengthening airport security, expanding apron space for corporate jets and further d e v e l o p i n g t h e a i r p o r t ’s commercial corridor. T h e E u g e n e F. C o r r e i a International Airport, formerly Ogle Airport, was established in December 2001 after a consortium of local aviation operators entered into a long-term lease agreement with the Government to develop and operate a modern domestic and international airport in keeping with international aviation standards. Since then, the airport has evolved from a small facility that

once primarily served cropdusting aircraft into one of the Caribbean’s busiest regional aviation gateways. A major expansion programme launched in 2003 paved the way for upgraded immigration and customs services, runway extensions, improved air traffic management systems and enhanced emergency response capabilities. The airport achieved another milestone in 2009 when it was granted Port of Entry status, allowing it to process international arrivals and departures and significantly expanding Guyana’s regional and international connectivity. OAI said it remains committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance while continuing to expand its role as a key gateway for domestic and regional air travel in Guyana.

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Suriname pulls out of joint Corentyne bridge project ...stumped Pres. Ali says “that’s news to me”

President Irfaan Ali and Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons during their engagement in 2025 The government of Suriname has unilaterally scrapped its joint infrastructure venture with Guyana, announcing it will fully finance and manage the construction of the planned Corentyne (Corentyne) River Bridge on its own. The announcement, delivered late Monday by Surinamese Minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning Stephen Tsang according to Surinamese news outlet Suriname Nieuws, caught Guyanese authorities entirely off guard. Speaking exclusively to Guyanese media outlet D e m e r a r a Wa v e s o n

Tuesday, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali responded to the declaration, stating, “That’s news to me”. Minister Tsang revealed the change of course in the National Assembly during a parliamentary budget debate. Responding to questions from opposition VHP party leader Asis Gajadien regarding the p r o j e c t ’s s t a l l , Ts a n g declared that the government would bypass the bilateral framework entirely. “The government has decided to finance the bridge one hundred percent itself,” Tsang told legislators. “The fact is that it must and will be a Surinamese bridge,” he

said. The minister conceded that the decision will effectively reset the project’s timeline. Depending on the ultimate financial structure chosen by Paramaribo, a new international tender procedure will likely be required. Tsang indicated that the Ministry of Finance is actively evaluating various solo models, including potential toll collection mechanisms. In Georgetown, President Ali made it clear that his administration continues to recognise only the original bilateral treaties. President Ali told Demerara Waves that he was

No severe COVID-19 cases recorded - Health Minister Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony says no severe cases of COVID-19 have been recorded so far, even as infections have spiked in recent weeks across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). “Over several months, we haven’t seen any cases of severe COVID. What we’ve seen is these asymptomatic cases that we’ve had in Berbice,” Dr. Anthony said. While acknowledging the virus remains a concern, the minister said the local health system is equipped to manage current case numbers. His comments follow outbreaks at three schools along the Corentyne corridor within the span of a single week. The first cluster emerged at the GuySuCo Training College in Port Mourant earlier this month, where nearly 20 cases were recorded — all asymptomatic. The college temporarily closed its dormitories and placed affected students under quarantine. Cases were subsequently confirmed at Port Mourant Primary School and Lower Corentyne Secondary School, also asymptomatic. Sources at Lower Corentyne Secondary School told this publication that monitoring continues but no new cases have emerged since the initial cluster. Port Mourant Primary School has since resumed regular classes. Dr. Anthony urged anyone with possible symptoms to get tested rather than assume they have a common flu. “The signs and symptoms are similar to

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony that of a flu. In the milder cases, you will have some fever, you might have a runny nose, you might have an itchy throat. If you want to differentiate what you have, then it’s better to come in and get tested,” he said. He added that difficulty breathing is a marker of more severe cases warranting closer medical attention. The minister also confirmed that Paxlovid, an oral antiviral used to treat mildto-moderate COVID-19, is now available and will serve as one of the primary treatment options for clinicians managing active cases.

operating under explicit commitments made directly to him by Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. Demerara Waves reported that President Ali said Geerlings-Simons recently assured him that Suriname was simply finalising its side of the existing shared legal framework, while Guyana had already completed its administrative preparations. “There is only one thing we’re interested in and that is the joint development of the bridge and that was the arrangement from day one,” Ali stated. The Guyanese head of state heavily downplayed M i n i s t e r Ts a n g ’s parliamentary remarks, signaling that Georgetown does not currently view the minister’s statement as an officially communicated or binding change in government-to-government policy. The proposed 3.1 kilometer Corentyne River

Bridge is widely viewed as a critical economic linchpin intended to physically link Suriname, Guyana, and eventually French Guiana and Brazil. Intended to replace the aging ferry connection between South Drain and Moleson Creek, the $236 million megaproject was designed to accelerate trade, tourism, and energy corridor connectivity between the neighbouring oil-producing nations. Just last year, both Presidents Ali and Geerlings-Simons issued a joint statement hailing the “transformative potential” of the project. “With regards to the bridge between Suriname and Guyana, over the Corantijn (Corentyne) River the two Leaders recognized the timely advancement of the transformative potential for trade, tourism, connectivity, and people-topeople exchanges. They agreed to continue close

coordination to address outstanding legal, technical and financial matters. They recognise that this bilateral initiative is also an integral part of the interconnectivity within the Amazon Region,” the joint statement said. Suriname Nieuws further reported that Minister Tsang declined to clarify what specific ramifications this sudden financial decoupling will have on current bilateral treaties or if any diplomatic warning was given to Guyana. The official response from Guyana’s Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill to Kaieteur News was brief, with the minister stating only, “The President has already commented, I have nothing further to say on the matter.” Efforts made to contact President Ali and Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Ashni Singh on the matter proved futile.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

Rescuers in Venezuela pluck child alive from collapsed building six days after twin quakes (Reuters) - Jordanian emergency workers in Venezuela, which was hit by devastating twin earthquakes last week, rescued a child early on Tuesday, the only reported survivor on the day of rescue efforts, according to Venezuelan authorities. Klieber Moran was pulled from the Los Corales Garden 1 building in La Guaira state by rescuers from Jordan after spending six days trapped under the rubble, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy ‘Rodriguez said in a message via Telegram. Venezuela was hit by two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 less than a minute apart last Wednesday, toppling buildings and trapping thousands of people beneath the rubble, according to authorities and rescue teams. Moran, described as 3 years old by Rodriguez – but as 2 years old by National

Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez – was subsequently taken for medical treatment, the message . “We `must hold onto the hope of continuing to find people alive beneath the rubble,” Jorge said in a televised address. “Early this morning, a 2-year-old boy was rescued and is currently receiving care at a health `center in Caracas.” A shipment from UNICEF carrying 47 metric tons of humanitarian supplies arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, adding ‘the equipment would help support children and families in need. The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies ‘for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention, and treatment, Dujarric added.

GPL waives $1.6M capital contribution for electricity to Yarrowkabra youth facility The Guyana Power and Light (GWI) on Tuesday announced that it has waived $1.6 million capital contribution for the electricity connection to a new facility being constructed by the Youth for Hope Not-forProfit Foundation in Yarrowkabra. According to a release by GPL, the move reaffirms the company’s commitment to supporting community development and youth empowerment countrywide. It said the waiver also represents a significant investment in a project that will provide expanded opportunities for young people through mental health programmes, education, mentorship and skills development. Further, GPL said its decision to waive the capital contribution reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable community development and improve the quality of life for all Guyanese. “The Youth for Hope Not-for-Profit Foundation, founded by Amar Ram, has been

at the forefront of initiatives aimed at empowering young people and fostering positive community engagement in prisons, notably the Lusignan and Timehri prisons,” the agency noted. Founder of the Youth for Hope Not-forProfit Foundation, Amar Ram, welcomed GPL’s contribution, describing the waiver as a significant boost to the project and an example of how public and community partnerships can create lasting social impact. GPL shared that the Yarrowkabra facility is expected to benefit hundreds of young people through a range of programmes focused on mental health, education, leadership development, life skills, mentorship and community engagement. “As Guyana continues to grow, GPL remains committed to working alongside organisations that are making a positive difference in communities, ensuring that development extends beyond infrastructure to include meaningful investments in the nation’s people,” the agency stated.

GPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Kesh Nandlall (left) and Founder of the Youth for Hope Not-for-Profit Foundation, Amar Ram.

A Jordanian team works to rescue a child trapped under rubble following earthquakes in Venezuela, in a location given as Caracas, Venezuela, in this still image obtained from a handout video released on June 30, 2026. Two deadly back-to-back 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes occurred in Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Jordan Public Security/Handout via REUTERS

GPL preparing for increased consumption – Min. Indar DPI - As drought-like conditions are expected to occur soon, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is preparing for an increase in electricity demand this year. This will be due to rising household connections and greater use of air conditioning, according to the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. Speaking on Sunday, Minister Indar said GPL is currently operating with sufficient capacity to meet peak demand. The minister placed the current peak demand at about 228 megawatts, while available generation stands at approximately 267 megawatts, allowing the power utility company to supply current consumption levels. “Every time more connections are happening, more demand is on the grid. So we have to cater for that,” Minister Indar said. He noted that increased temperatures naturally lead to higher electricity usage as households rely more heavily on cooling systems. He said this seasonal and structural increase in demand is being factored into GPL’s planning to ensure continued supply stability. “When the place is hot, people put on AC all the time… you can’t stop people from that. That is the natural thing, so you’ve got to accommodate that,” the minister explained. Reiterating that once the gas-to-energy plant comes on stream, consumers will see an increase in power supply and a reduction in

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar the cost of electricity. The minister noted that “you won’t have these massive amounts of shutdowns, even if somebody hits it as well, because the turbine technology that the gas to energy and now employed with the Siemens turbine, they don’t work with injectors. Injectors, these reciprocating engines that we have now, those are injectors”. The turbines are expected to be installed to aid in the power generation for the gas-toenergy plant in Wales. One will come on stream in the latter part of this year, while the others are expected not long after.

Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

Wednesday July 01, 2026

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Online spaces become the primary arena for racial and ethnic violations in Guyana - ERC Report Statistical data released by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Tuesday in its Newsletter for the period March 2025 to February 2026, reveals a shift in how ethnically sensitive conduct is manifested in Guyana. According to the newsletter, digital platforms officially overtake physical gatherings as the primary source of complaints. Compiled by the ERC’s Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) and its Investigative Unit, the newsletter was distributed to the public at t h e E R C ’s N a t i o n a l Symposium – “Guyana at 60: Unity, Diversity and the Path Forward” at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). The annual metrics outlines a changing landscape for regulatory oversight, particularly surrounding the general and regional elections period. Digital space accounts for nearly 70% of all complaints According to the ERC’s operational status profile, the commission recorded 84 total complaints during the reporting period, representing a decrease from the 100 cases recorded in the previous cycle. Despite the lower overall volume, online infractions saw an unprecedented surge while internet-linked complaints grew to 69.0% (58 cases) of the total caseload, up from 46.0% the previous year. “Over the past year, the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) monitored 669 matters, a significant increase from the 448 matters recorded during the last reporting period. It is worthy to note that 2025 was an elections year and it was expected that public discussion across media platforms would increase,” the newsletter said. The MMU’s monitoring accounted for 60.7% of all flagged entries, compared to just 35.0% in the prior cycle. Conversely, public and external complaints dropped significantly from 62.0% to 34.5% with Region 4 remaining the primary physical locality for alleged violations, accounting for 22.6% (19 cases) of complaints, followed by Region 3 (4 cases), with Regions 2, 6, and unspecified areas accounting for 1 case each. Typology and case resolutions Racial discrimination remained the dominant

complaint category handled by the commission, accounting for 56.0% (47 matters). Matters falling entirely outside the ERC’s mandate made up 25.0% (21 matters), followed by religious discrimination at 11.9% (10 matters), and ethnic discrimination at 6.0% (5 matters). Procedurally, 44.0% (37 complaints) reached definitive outcomes during the period, while 56.0% (47 matters) remained active or pending at the cut-off point. The single largest segment remains pending subcommittee review at 32.1% (27 matters). The report attributes these unresolved files to downstream bottlenecks in legal review and non-responsive stakeholders. Social media monitoring and election period surges The ERC intensified its digital enforcement ahead of the September 1, 2025 polls, a c t i v a t i n g a n o ff i c i a l campaign monitoring programme from July 6 to August 31, 2025. While public gatherings showed relative restraint, online spaces saw elevated toxicity. The commission issued 313 cautionary statements as warnings against ethnically offensive digital content. Stand-alone racial slurs were the most common infraction, tracking at 26% (83 instances), closely followed by intolerant, prejudicial, or insensitive remarks at 25% (77 instances). Racially hateful content accounted for 16% (51 instances). N o t a b l y, x e n o p h o b i c statements fell sharply to 12 instances this year, down from 41 in the previous cycle. During physical political campaign tracking, monitors covered 377 public meetings across nine regions, detecting 12 infractions. These field infractions spanned diverse political entities: APNU accounted for 5 cases, the PPP/C for 4 cases, and AFC, WIN, and WPA recorded 1 case each. The release of these statistics served as a

backdrop at the ERC’s National Symposium, where political leaders and international delegates marks the 60th milestone anniversary of Guyana’s political independence by debating the true parameters of national unity. D r. A s h n i S i n g h , Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, praised the constitutional legacy of the ERC and pointed to structural data as evidence of institutional fairness. Dr. Singh reported that the Irfaan Ali administration has successfully slashed the national unemployment rate from 12.8% in 2020 to 6.8% in 2024, creating 104,000 new jobs. “… President Ali has adopted as the special theme of his presidency ‘One Guyana’ intending to highlight and to emphasise, to highlight in the first instance our oneness and to build on this oneness and like I said leverage on this oneness to ensure that in this particular era in our country’s development that every single Guyanese person is able to participate in, contribute to and indeed benefit from the economic transformation that is on the way,” Dr. Singh said. Furthermore, youth unemployment dropped from 30.2% to 12.1% over the same window. He insisted that social policies, such as the universal $85,000 Because We Care cash grant and the forthcoming SME Development Bank, are purposely structured without eligibility means-tests to ensure seamless, crossethnic deployment to all regions. Opposition demands systemic, regular metrics Conversely, Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha SaraboHalley of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party emphasised that deep-seated perceptions of economic exclusion persist. “The important point is this: if African Guyanese feel

left behind, if poor IndoGuyanese feel left behind, and if Indigenous Guyanese feel forgotten, then perhaps the challenge before us is larger than the grievances of any one community.” Sarabo-Halley argued that a mature society must move past anecdotal grievances and look strictly to empirical findings. She called on the ERC to fully execute its research powers by outputting a

comprehensive Ethnic Relations Report every five years tracking employment patterns, business ownership, and state service access across ethnic cohorts. She highlighted that over 110,000 voters backing alternative political movements outside the traditional divide signifies an emerging cross-ethnic political baseline. International frameworks United Nations Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau, framed the discourse within global human rights protocols like the Durban Declaration. Highlighting constitutional and integration adjustments implemented in Kenya following its 2007 postelection structural crisis, a l o n g s i d e C a n a d a ’s institutionalization of multiculturalism,

Ambassador Kamau noted that cohesion cannot be built accidentally. “Just as many rivers flow through a common landscape, so too do many histories, cultures and identities contribute to the story of this nation. Yet, diversity alone does not automatically create cohesion. Social cohesion is about the horizontal group between us, the strength of relations, trust and solidarity among individuals and groups within a society,” the UN Resident Coordinator said. She reaffirmed that transparent processes regarding resource allocation and governance frameworks remain the definitive factor in transforming ethnic diversity into national stability.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

U.S. Supreme Court rules against Trump order to end birthright citizenship (AL-JAZEERA) The United States Supreme Court has ruled against US President Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship for all individuals born in the US. The 6-3 ruling represents a major blow to Trump and his efforts to transform US immigration policy. Upon taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order seeking to bar those born in the US to parents on temporary legal statuses or without documentation from automatically receiving US citizenship. The nine-panel Supreme Court’s ruling upholds a lower court’s determination that Trump’s order ran counter to the US Constitution, as well as a subsequent Supreme Court decision on the matter. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts traced the US practice of birthright citizenship to English common law, through the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868 and the Supreme Court’s 1898 ruling in the United States v Wong Kim Ark. In his 26-page opinion, he said Trump administration lawyers and dissenting Supreme Court justices had offered insufficient evidence in their reinterpretation of longstanding law. “The trouble is that there is scant evidence for this dramatically revisionist view,” he wrote. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land,” he wrote. “We keep that promise today.” Roberts was joined by fellow conservative Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, as

U.S. Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to deny automatic citizenship to children born to undocumented migrants. well as all of the liberals on the court, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. Trump, meanwhile, called the ruling “too bad for our country” and appealed to Republicans in Congress to pass legislation constricting birthright citizenship. That will likely prove an uphill battle, with public opinion polls regularly suggesting strong public support for the practice and the Supreme Court’s majority opinion suggesting a constitutional amendment would be required. “Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship,” Trump wrote. “They will have my Complete and Total Support!” ‘Already core to the Nation’s identity’ L a w y e r s f o r t h e Tr u m p administration had argued that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in the US and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof”, only applies to infants whose parents are US

citizens or permanent residents. They argued that the 14th Amendment had been narrowly written to apply to newly freed slaves, and was never envisioned to include all individuals born in the US. They further argued that United States v Wong Kim Ark, a Supreme Court ruling that established the citizenship of a man born on US soil to Chinese national parents in the late 1800s, did not affirm the current practice of birthright citizenship, as has been the interpretation for decades. Their argument largely hinged on the definition of the terms “subject to the jurisdiction of”, “natural allegiance” and “permanently domiciled”. In his opinion, Roberts noted that Congress has had ample opportunity to define those terms to limit birthright citizenship, notably when drafting the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. “If Congress intended to hinge citizenship on each individual’s domicile—a question that ‘is sometimes a matter of great difficulty to decide’ … it is

reasonable to expect there would have been at least some discussion of the topic,” he wrote. In a concurring opinion, Ketanji Brown Jackson took aim at the assertion that the 14th Amendment was meant only to apply to freed slaves, instead arguing its language reflects principles that were already longstanding in US culture and law. “Such universalist appeals were a conscious choice. Yes, Black Americans had suffered a singular wrong. And yes, they had ‘fought and bled’ for the Union, paying a steep price for their freedom,” she wrote. “But the delegates did not rest on these laurels. Rather, they drew upon the moral and political force of the universal principles that were already core to the Nation’s identity.” In his dissenting opinion, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas argued the majority’s account was “not historically accurate”, saying that the 14th Amendment had been “repurposed for political projects”. “The Court today takes the extraordinary step of holding facially unconstitutional the President’s Order excluding from citizenship the children of foreign temporary visitors and illegal aliens,” he wrote. “Because many potential applications of the President’s Order are consistent with the original public meaning of the Citizenship Clause, I respectfully dissent,” he said. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch also authored dissenting opinions. Kavanaugh, despite joining the majority’s opinion, wrote that he

did not believe Trump’s executive order violated the US Constitution, but that it ran counter to the Immigration and Nationality Act. He wrote Congress could amend or enact “new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country”. “But Congress has not yet done so,” he wrote. ‘Self-perpetuating, multigenerational underclass’ Tuesday’s ruling represents a major blow to Trump in his effort to implement his executive order, which comes amid a broad effort to overhaul nearly all forms of immigration in the US. The court had previously handed the president several immigration victories in recent weeks, including allowing him to effectively do away with special legal status for residents of some crisis-hit countries, called Temporary Protected Status, and employing a controversial tactic of physically blocking asylum seekers from stepping on US soil, where the government is legally obligated to allow them to apply for protection. Underscoring the significance of the case, Trump attended oral arguments in early April, making him the first sitting president to do so in an active case before the Supreme Court. Rights groups hailed the court’s decision. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer Cecillia Wang, herself a birthright citizen who argued the challenge at the Supreme Court, said the decision “reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen”.

U.S. envoys arrive in Qatar for meetings on Iran, with tensions high over Hormuz (AP) — Two U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar on Tuesday for talks with mediators about the implementation of an initial deal to end the war in Iran, an official said. The visit by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special Mideast envoy, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, comes after a weekend of crossfire in the Persian Gulf over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. The envoys won’t be having direct negotiations with Iranian diplomats while in Qatar’s capital, Doha, said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Instead, mediators are

working for the time being as gobetweens for the talks, which won’t include any high-level officials, he added. The U.S. and Iran have held indirect negotiations before. However, the two previous rounds collapsed and preceded the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in 2025 and this year’s war, launched jointly by the U.S. and Iran on Feb. 28. Iran is also sending a delegation to Qatar this week. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday that Iran has had no plans for a meeting with the American side at any level in the coming days.

“What will take place in Doha tomorrow is a discussion with the Qatari side about implementing parts of the memorandum of understanding, including the release of Iran’s blocked assets,” Baghaei told journalists at his own briefing. It is possible the two sides could exchange messages through the Qatari mediators. The U.S. and Iran agreed to an interim deal earlier this month that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium. It also waives U.S.-backed oil sanctions on the country, calls for free traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and gives each side 60

days to hammer out broader agreements. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Qatar plans to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive negotiations, confirmed the release amount, saying it would be used to buy U.S. food products for the Iranian people. A fifth of the world’s oil was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz before the war began. Iran’s attacks and threats stopped cargo ships and tankers from moving through the strait, creating a global energy crisis.

The strait has long been considered an international waterway despite being in Iran and Oman’s territorial waters. Both sides traded strikes amid efforts last week to open Oman’s territorial waters in the strait to both inbound and outbound ship traffic from the Persian Gulf. That raised concerns that negotiations to formally end the war could be disrupted. Iran twice attacked vessels in the strait — including a tanker filled with Qatari crude — and drew retaliatory American airstrikes. Iran also launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday.

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Wednesday Thursday November July 01, 2026 24, 2022

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YGB’s National Schools Basketball Festival tips... From page 25 with discipline, integrity and determination while reminding them that sport creates opportunities beyond the court. She also commended Youth Basketball Guyana for sustaining the championship over the past 19 years, noting that it continues to provide a valuable platform for student-athletes from across the country to showcase their talent while representing

their schools. Adding to that, Minister Jacobs announced a joint programme between his Ministry and the Ministry of Education, to support student athletes off court development, noting, this will allow athletes, from all disciplines, to continue dedicating the time needed in training to excel in their sporting discipline, while maximizing personal development.

“We want to provide opportunities. At the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, along with the Ministry of Education, we have worked together on putting together a sporting program through a scholarship that persons will have in the coming weeks,” Jacobs shared. Once formalities concluded, the competition wasted little time producing dominant performances across the

Wednesday July 01, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might feel like you've come out of the dark and into the light today. A weight has been lifted, but there's still a great deal of emotional drama that needs to work itself out. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take a break from your steady climb today and have a look at the world around you, Taurus. Enjoy a night out with friends, if possible, and take an active role in the conversation. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Pay attention to the news today, Gemini. Be sure to check not just the mainstream news but also the offbeat independent publications and websites. Question what you hear and read. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is a great day to go out and get things done, Cancer. You might find that you're a bit indecisive, but don't sweat it. Don't feel like you have to make any great commitments. You'll do fine jumping around from lily pad to lily pad. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The name of the game for you today is action. The air seems to get clearer, and it feels as if a weight has been lifted off you. You might notice a sudden burst of physical energy urging you to get out and go for a long bike ride. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Take some of that knowledge you've picked up and processed over the past few weeks and spread it around, Virgo. It's time to put your communication skills to work. You'll find that your emotions are strongly tied to your actions today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your physical stamina is apt to be quite strong today, Libra. You should consider working out to release some of that pentup energy. Engage in a sport or something that involves strategy and good coordination. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take a break from the seriousness that has prevailed over the past couple days, Scorpio. You'll find that upbeat conversations are the way to navigate through today's waters. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Jump back onstage and say your peace. Your active participation in the conversation of today is critical to maintaining a healthy energy flow. The things you say to others will have a profound effect. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your solid footing may become a bit unstable today, but don't worry about it. Be a little more flexible and release your tightfisted grip on the situation. Infuse a bit of laughter and playfulness into things. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) There's no excuse for laziness today, Make sure you get out of bed before the day ends. You'll find that the more action you take, the happier you'll be. Express your thoughts to the people around you. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't let things stagnate, Pisces. It's time to take action. In everything you do today, see how far you can go as opposed to how deep. Cover a wide range of topics. Take a break from your usual emotional intensity.

Girls’ and Boys’ Under-16 divisions. P res ident’s College opened the girls’ competition with a disciplined, low scoring 10-4 victory over JC Chandisingh Secondary behind Sarah Williams’ allround effort of five points, three rebounds and four steals, while Paulette Flatts controlled the court with six rebounds. Hururu Secondary then produced the day’s most commanding girls’ performance, routing Queen’s College 33-4. Kelcia Phillips and Nashanna Vaderburg each scored eight points, while Jenniah Archer added seven points and five rebounds in the comprehensive victory. Across in the Boys’ Under-16 competition, Skeldon Line Path Secondary announced itself as an early contender with a convincing 36-17 win over School of the Nations. Daniel Duke led the scoring with 13 points, while Chris Promes dominated the paint with 12 rebounds. Queen’s College also enjoyed a successful start, overwhelming JC Chandisingh Secondary as Liam Bart poured in a gamehigh 18 points. Antoine Liverpool supported with 10 points, while Demitri Singh chipped in with seven points and five rebounds. Regional champions Berbice High made a powerful opening statement, defeating The Bishops’ High School 39-11. Avion Kesney continued his outstanding form with 13 points, while Justin Benjamin added nine points and six steals as Berbice forced turnovers throughout the contest to secure a comfortable 28point victory. Hururu Secondary maintained its unbeaten start on the opening day by crushing Mackenzie High 3 0 - 5 b e h i n d Ti m o t h y Williams’ efficient shooting display. St. Stanislaus College also advanced after defeating Plaisance Secondary 32-11, with Quasie Newton leading the way with eight points, three rebounds and three steals, while Marcus Fernandes and Nathaniel Archer anchored the defensive effort. Marian Academy displayed impressive balance in a 38-19 victory over President’s College as Nyle George produced eight points, five steals and four

rebounds. Nehemiah Francisco and Joshua John combined for 16 points to complete the convincing win. St. Rose’s High rounded off the day’s winners with a 24-9 victory over Tutorial High. Nathan Williams paced the winners with eight points and five rebounds, while Tuyen Paul added six points and four steals. Tutorial’s Keion Lynch accounted for all nine of his team’s points. Quarter-final

action in the Under-16 divisions continued as schools battled for places in the championship rounds of Guyana’s largest secondary s c h o o l ’s b a s k e t b a l l tournament. The 19th National Schools Basketball Festival is sponsored by KFC Guyana with support from Edward B. Beharry Limited, G-Boats Inc., the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education.

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

Guyana to host first-ever InterCollegiate Golf Championship - Cyril Potter, UG, Texila among confirmed institutions

The GGA yesterday confirmed the launching of Guyana’s first ever collegiately-contested golf championship which will feature a number of top institutions. The Guyana Golf Association (GGA), in partnership with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Department of Physical Education, will host Guyana’s first-ever Inter-Collegiate Golf Championship on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Westside Golf Course. More than 70 student-athletes representing eight of Guyana’s leading tertiary institutions are expected to compete in this historic event, which marks another significant milestone in the growth and development of golf throughout the country. The championship, hosted at the Westside Golf Course, will become an annual fixture on Guyana’s sporting calendar. Through the exclusive efforts of the Guyana Golf Association and NexGen Golf Academy, the rapid expansion of school golf programmes has created a natural pathway for students to continue their involvement in the sport at the tertiary level. Guyana Golf Association President Aleem Hussain emphasized the importance of the tournament in the sport’s development. “The Inter-Collegiate Golf Championship represents the next stage in our vision of creating a complete player development pathway in Guyana. Over the past few years, we have introduced thousands of students to golf, and many of those young players are now pursuing tertiary education. This championship provides them with an opportunity to continue competing while

representing their institutions with pride. We are delighted to partner with CPCE to launch what we expect will become one of the premier annual sporting events for colleges and universities in Guyana.” CPCE Physical Education Coordinator Mr. Alque Stanley praised the initiative and its educational value. “Golf teaches discipline, integrity, concentration, and decisionmaking—qualities that complement the educational experience. We are excited to collaborate with the Guyana Golf Association in providing students with another avenue for healthy competition and personal development.” The GGA remains committed to expanding access to golf at every level of society and looks forward to welcoming participants, faculty, supporters, and sponsors to this landmark event. Participating institutions include: 1. Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) 2. University of Guyana (UG) 3. Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) 4. Government Technical Institute (GTI) 5. Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) 6. Texila American University 7. Leonora Technical Institute of Engineering 8. Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology

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Guyanese all-rounder Paul added to Windies squad ahead of 2nd Test

2026 Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies Test Series… In-form Guyana Harpy Eagles all-rounder Keemo Paul

G

uyana Harpy Eagles all-rounder Keemo Paul was yesterday officially added to the West Indies Test squad ahead of the second match against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Paul, with 3 Test matches under his belt, was expected to join the squad ahead of

today’s training session, as the West Indies finalize preparations for the 2nd Test, which bowls off on Friday. Game one featured an emphatic performance by the West Indies, who defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs. The Windies selection panel then bolstered their options by calling up the 28-year-old, who has carved a solid limited-overs career with 30 ODI’s and 23 T20I’s under his belt but will now have another shot at reviving his international career following this recent drafting. Almost 2 years after stamping his name in the history books alongside fellow Guyanese when the West Indies Under-19 team won the

2016 World Cup, Paul and ironically now senior West Indies players/teammates in his current Harpy Eagles captain Tevin Imlach and the dynamic Shimron Hetmyer, would all meet years down the line again as current members of the West Indies Senior structure. The Essequibian, who would get his international breakthrough a few seasons later in 2018, earned his recent recall to the fold, on the heels of a highly productive domestic season in the West Indies Regional Championship, where the Eagles all-rounder ended with 13 wickets at an average of 21.00 to go along with his 212 runs which he accumulated across roughly a handful of games. After regaining his form in both departments thanks to a strong return to form

in the Regional 4-Day Championships, Paul’s inclusion now offers the Men in Maroon a fresher, more dynamic, 5th fast-medium bowling option to go alongside the likes of Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales. His prowess as a dangerous lower-order batsman will also play a huge role given the need for a more counter-attacking option at the number 6/7 position for the longer format. After bagging the T20 series and now seemingly cementing their dominance in this Test skirmish, West Indies will look to secure a clean sweep having won the first match which should easily add to their momentum heading into Friday’s first day of battle in the second match. (Clifton Ross)

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Wednesday July 01, 2026

Mooney, spinners take Australia to eighth T20 World Cup final ESPNcricinfo - Beth Mooney’s unbeaten halfcentury led Australia into the T20 World Cup final after a miserly display by A u s t r a l i a ’s s p i n n e r s outclassed West Indies in a dramatic first semi-final at The Oval.

Chasing just 126, Mooney’s unbeaten 61 off 36 balls eased Australia to victory with a massive seven overs to spare. It wasn’t all easy from their point of view, with Ellyse Perry, the most in-form batter in the tournament after England

opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, retiring hurt with a quadricep issue. West Indies endured some drama of their own when Deandra Dottin took ill moments before the match then recovered in time to bat down the order and give

Hayley Matthews was cleaned up by Georgia Wareham. (Getty Images)

We s t I n d i e s ’ b o w l e r s something to defend before a decent crowd of 10,023 given the Tuesday afternoon timeslot. That was after Ashleigh Gardner had put the squeeze on with a scrooge-like 2 for 13 from four overs of her offspin while legspinner Georgia Wareham and left-

armer Sophie Molineux chimed in with two wickets apiece. West Indies had only beaten Australia twice in 19 T20Is heading into this match, which proved to be the mismatch many feared on the basis of Australia’s unbeaten path to the knockouts while West

Indies snuck in after two defeats and relying on England to eliminate New Zealand. Scores: Australia 127 for 2 (Mooney 61*, Gardner 35*) beat West Indies 125 for 7 (Matthews 30, Dottin 26*, Gardner 2-13, Wareham 2-17) by eight wickets.

Mbappe scores twice as France breeze past Sweden into last 16 Kylian Mbappe times his run perfectly to get on the end of Michael Olise’s defence-splitting pass and curls it past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. (Getty Images) 18 goals. (Getty Images)

BBC Sport – Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches as France cruised past Sweden 3-0 to set up a last 16 tie with Paraguay. A strike in each half took Mbappe to 10 knockout stage goals, while he now shares the lead in the Golden Boot race at this tournament with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, with both on six goals. Both sides had to content with scorching temperatures in New Jersey, but Les Bleus wasted little time in bombarding their opponents. An offside flag denied Mbappe a 20thminute opener before he struck the post when Jules Koude’s low cross found the striker with the goal gaping. Minutes later, Michael Olise hit the foot of the upright with an audacious scissor kick from just inside the penalty area, before Ousmane Dembele smashed the rebound wide. Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom frustrated the French with a

string of fine saves, but was powerless to keep out Mbappe on the stroke of half-time. French frustration was just beginning to show when Mbappe ran onto Dembele’s slide-rule pass, wrong-footed Viktor Gyokeres with a stepover, and fired into the far corner. Sweden should have drawn level immediately, but Elliot Stroud blazed over after the ball fell to him 12 yards from goal. That was the peak of Sweden’s resistance, as eight minutes into the second half Bradley Barcola ran onto a cute Olise pass and rifled the ball in at the near post. Dembele drew another fine save from Widell Zetterstrom with a trademark curing shot from the right, before the Swede denied Olise one-on-one. Mbappe got his second in the 74th minute when he ran onto another fine Olise pass and curled the ball past Widell Zetterstrom. Paraguay, who defeated Germany on penalties on Monday, will be France’s next opponents in Philadelphia on Saturday, 4 July (22:00 BST).

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 01, 2026

PAGE 25

YGB’s National Schools Basketball Festival tips off - Bart explodes against JC Chandisingh Sec’ as Georgetown schools headline opening day The Boys’ U16 championship got off to a flyer as Skeldon Line Path, Hururu Secondary, St. Stanislaus, St. Rose’s High, Marian Academy, Queen’s College, Berbice High and Kwakwani Secondary advance to quarterfinal stage.

President’s College Girls were the first winners in this year’s championship, opening with a six-point win against JC Chandisingh Secondary school on Sunday in the Female U16 clash. Government’s support was evident at this year’s opening, as Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) brought the curtains down on an action-packed opening day of the 19th Annual National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) on Sunday, June 28, inside the National Gymnasium, with nine teams advancing after impressive opening victories.

Backed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the KFC National Basketball championship officially tipped off with Government ministers joining corporate sponsors and basketball officials in opening of this year’s tournament, which features Boys’ Under-14, Boys’ Under-16, Girls’ Under-16 and Boys’

Under-18 divisions. Minister of Education, Hon. Sonia Parag, along with Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Steven Jacobs, attended the opening ceremony, highlighting the Government’s continued commitment to youth development through sport. Also present were Guyana Basketball

Federation Vice-President Rawle Toney, representatives of title sponsor KFC Guyana, Edward B. Beharry Limited, and Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Co-Directors Chris Bowman and Rayad Boyce. Addressing the athletes, Minister Parag encouraged the student players to compete Continued on page 21

GBA opens training camp as Commonwealth and CAC Games preparations intensify

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he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will o ff i c i a l l y o p e n a n intensive training camp on Sunday as preparations ramp up for the country’s participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the Dominican Republic. The CAC Games will take place from July 24, to August 8, while the Commonwealth Games runs from July 24, to August 2. The encampment will bring together Guyana’s top amateur boxers, with the Association focusing on ensuring that the boxers receive the highest level of preparation ahead of the prestigious multi-sport events. Leading Guyana’s charge at the Commonwealth Games will be Shakquain James, Emmanuel Pompey, Keevin Allicock and Akeelah Vancooten. The quartet will be accompanied by experienced coach Lennox Daniels as they seek to end Guyana’s long wait for a boxing medal at the Games. Meanwhile, Terron Wintz, Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis have been selected to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the CAC Games. They will be guided by coaches Francisco

Desmond Amsterdam

Akeelah Vancooten and GBA president and Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle. Roldan and Jeff Roberts. President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, said the decision to immediately begin an encampment underscores the Association’s commitment to providing every opportunity for success on the international stage. “These competitions represent some of the highest levels of amateur boxing in the region and the Commonwealth, and we want

our boxers to be fully prepared physically, technically and mentally,” Ninvalle said. Ninvalle noted that the camp follows the team’s recent training stint in Trinidad and Tobago, which provided valuable exposure and high-level sparring opportunities. “The boxers have just returned from a productive period of training in Trinidad and Tobago, but preparation does not stop there. Continued preparation is critical if

we are serious about competing against some of the best boxers in the world,” Ninvalle explained. The GBA president added that the Association remains focused on creating an environment that allows the boxers to maximize their potential and arrive at their respective competitions in peak condition. Guyana’s boxing history at the Commonwealth Games serves as both inspiration and motivation for the current generation. To date, Guyana has won five boxing medals at the Commonwealth Games, comprising one gold medal and four bronze medals. T h e c o u n t r y ’s g r e a t e s t

Terron Wintz achievement came in 1978 in Edmonton, Canada, when Winfield Braithwaite captured Guyana’s first and only Commonwealth Games boxing gold medal in the Men’s Light Welterweight division. T h e m o s t r e c e n t Commonwealth Games boxing medal for Guyana was picked up by Wesley Christmas, who earned bronze in the Bantamweight division at the 1990 Games in New Zealand. With a talented group of boxers now entering a focused period of preparation, the GBA is hopeful that the nation’s medal drought can finally be broken as Guyana looks to make its mark on both the Commonwealth and CAC stages.

Education Minister, Sonia Parag greets students during the opening ceremony of the 19 Annual KFC National Schools Basketball Festival.

YGB’s National Schools Basketball Festival tips off - Bart explodes against JC Chandisingh Sec’ as Georgetown schools headline opening day

The NSBF are off! Several key stakeholders attended the opening of YBG’s nineteenth edition of the KFC NSBF. Ministers Sonia Parag and Steven Jacobs were also present at the jump, YBG’s co-directors Chris Bowman and Rayad Boyce sharing the moment with a few team representatives at the Gymnasium for the nineteenth time.

Mooney, spinners take Australia to eighth T20 World Cup final

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Beth Mooney plays behind square. (ICC/Getty Images)

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GBA opens training camp as Commonwealth and CAC Games preparations intensify

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