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Govt. paying US$90,000 monthly to U.S. lobby firms

The Government of Guyana is paying two foreign lobbying firms a combined US$90,000 per month to represent its interests abroad, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd confirmed during Tuesday's consideration of the2026BudgetEstimates.

The disclosure came as $269 million was allocated for “advocacy services” undertheministry

Todd was at the time responding to questions

posed by Forward Movement Guyana (FMG) party leader and Member of

Parliament, (MP) Amanza Walton Desir who sought clarity on the type of “advocacy services” the firms conducted for the government.

MP Walton-Desir questioned the particular parameterswithinwhichthe lobbyists are hired in the context of the development.

The minister explained that thefirmstakedirectionfrom Guyana and are intended to enhance reach and visibility ratherthanreplacediplomats ordeterminepolicy

Toddexplainedthat“The lobby firms are not there to help us conduct our foreign policy These are registered agencies that advocate on

You look at most of the developing world and even larger countries they will hire lobby firms in the jurisdiction where they may want to penetrate and it is something that that yields benefitsforacountry

Pres. Ali touts fully digitised GPF …advised

AG, judiciary to examine necessary

legislation

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday touted the full digitisation of the Guyana

Police Force (GPF), revealingthathehasadvised the attorney general and judiciary to examine the necessary legislation to do so.

In his address at the opening of the Police Officers' Conference at the Police Officers' Mess Eve Leary,Alisaidtheforcemust be positioned to address current and future threats, as wellasopportunities.

“I want to start with the most important partnership forthefutureofthisforceand thefutureofourcountry,and that is the partnership with technology. The world and everything around us are not changing, it has rapidly changed, driven by AI and technological changes that arenecessaryforoperational success,”hesaid.

Givingafewexamplesof some immediate things that the government will be pursuing, he said that the eticketing has commenced and has been working well, allowingsomelevelofsanity onGuyana'sroadways.Ithas alsohelpedtoremovealotof the bias and human interference.

Looking at the speed of the technology and the number of transactions, he noted that the judiciary may very well have to look at a specialisedcourttodealwith thetrafficoffenses.

“…if those who breach

President Irfaan Ali speaking at the event. (PC: GPF Facebook page)

the traffic laws believe that they can be delayed in the waytheyareprosecuted,then we have to address that also.

Therefore, I have asked the minister to look at the legislative amendments that are necessary to ensure an electronic form throughout the process, e-ticketing, eprosecution,butimportantly, the trance, the writs, the warrants and everything that has to be presented in court.

All of this must be on the

electronic platform. It is the onlywaywecanachieveand celebrate the fullness of the technology,”hesaid.

In addition, there will be amendments to integrate the demerit system into the eticketingsystem.

“The points demeriting system will be integrated in the e-ticketing system, we don't have to wait and the amendments would speak to this, how the demerit system would work, how it is

behalfofgovernmentsandin our case because of where we are in terms of our development trajectory and wehavetoalsocompetefor the attention of big states it helps us to maneuver in the corridors of power to get to those offices that they need tohearfromusandwedon't have the manpower or the size to do it ”While acknowledging “lobbying is not unusual” globally, Walton-Desir, raised concerns about whether Guyanese expertise are being bypassed to hire foreignfirms.

integrated in the e-ticketing systems, how its integrated into persons who don't pay theirticketsandthedifferent tiers of suspension for your license, we have to do this ourlifematters,”hesaid.

The head-of-state said further that the e-ticketing system will be evolving and legislative amendments will remain the solution to the evolution of the e-can managementsystem.

“With the technology available today, this whole problem of missing case files, misplacing case files, case files not turning up on time, is not practical in today's world. So, all of this will be implemented this year,wewanttomoveintoan e-filing system and e-case management system The system would tell us who goes into the system, when they went into the system, whentheyexitedthesystem, whoupdatedfiles,”hesaid.

Allofthisisintheaimto cut out the extended waiting time for files to be transported from one part of thecountrytotheother

In response, Todd said diaspora engagement does happen and can sometimes beonavoluntarybasis,but maintained that lobbying firms typically have seasoned professionals, often including retired diplomats with expertise to conduct adequate representation on behalf of theGovernmentofGuyana.

“When we're dealing with a very competitive globalenvironmentandyou as a country in the protection of your people and the advancement of your country, you need outfits that have the reach and the capacity and the humancapitaltodothat.

And it's no it's not strangetoGuyana.

It's not a case where as a country you can hire a marketing firm. We're not running a business…” We InvestinNationhood(WIN) parliamentarian, Tabitha Sarabo Haley queried specifically whether the lobbying firms hired by his ministryhadanyworktodo regarding extradition matters Todd maintained that “the firms are hired to ensure that we are able to highlight those initiatives that we find pertinent to not only our national policies and national development but ensuring that we can moreeffectivelyexecuteour foreignpolicyagenda.”

Sarabo-Haley asked whether the minister could name the firms and give a breakdown as to how much they are paid. To which, MinisterToddindicatedthat thegovernmentcontinuesto retain DR Consultancy at US$40,000 per month and ContinentalStrategyLLCat US$50,000.

TheWINMPthenasked of the foreign minister whether he could state whether any recent extradition request was received.

However, house speaker ManzoorNadirdidnotallow the question to be put to the minister

Hesaidthisisespecially since it had nothing to do with the line item being considered at the time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperation has been allocated $10.03 billion in thisyear'sbudget.

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EDITORIAL

Venezuelan oil

The first report from the US was that US$500M of Venezuelanoilhasbeensold,andthemillionsdepositedina Qatari bank. It is hailed as a neutral venue. The latest developmentisthattheUS$500Mhasbeenhandedoverto Venezuela for the benefit of the Venezuelan people, but under the direction of the US. The world watches this unbelievable situation where superpower breaches the normsandrestraintsofinternationallaw,violatesatwillthe sanctity of national sovereignty, and dictates to an independentcountryhowtomanagethemoneyfromitsown national patrimony This is a precedent that doesn’t bode wellfortheworld,asotherpowerfulcountriescouldbully smallernationsintheirspheresofinfluence,andremakethe world.

When President Maduro was seized and hurried away, allthatclaimeddrugboatactivitycametoahalt. Itisnow obviousthatthedrugboatbombingswereapretextforthe bigger intervention that resulted in the seizure of a sitting president,andtheinevitablefollow-upofransomdemands inUS$500Mofoilsold. ItisthefirsttrancheinaUS$2Boil dealwithVenezuelanofficials,whowere,forallintentsand purposes, negotiating with the barrel of a gun pressed againsttheirheads. Coolerheadsseemtohavetriumphedin Washington, with the US$500M handed over, but with humiliatingconditionsattached.

Thetellingirony,anditisatragicone,isthattheleader of the world in emphasizing human rights, democratic rights, and legal rights can be so callously dismissive of what is claimed to be stood for A country’s treasure is coveted, then seized, and next sold, with some relief now coming to distressed Venezuelans. Some of their distress came from crippling sanctions, which in hindsight representedthesofteningupofapopulation,sothatitcould becontrolled,manipulated.

Observersnowabsorbtheoldwaysofimperialism,but with a difference. There is no pretense relative to brazen objectives,noexcuses,noapologies,noletup. Butpushing aheadcalculatinglywithaprogramthatisallaboutwresting controlofatinier,frailer,country’sriches. Thishaslessto dowithideology,andsuppliesalltheevidenceofablatant robbery premeditated, then put in operation. It is less of a leader and his approaches to governance, and the consequences to his country It is about the ambitions of those who set their greedy eyes on the property of other people,thenmovewithpowertograbitforthemselves.

Right before the eyes of the world, US$2B worth of Venezuelanoilissewedupinadealcompletedunderduress, one thatis raw in its underpinningsand bruises the senses. Howcansuchanarrangement,thatkindofone-sideddeal, ever be looked upon as an acceptable standard of honest commercebetweentwo nations,amongdifferentcountries of the world? What kind of precedent is set for other powerfulcountriesindifferentpartsoftheworld,thatalso have their minds fixed on taking their neighbors assets by brute force? Will the US be seen, now ever accepted, as a trustedpeacemaker,insuchdangerouscircumstances,given itsownexampleofhowthosewhooperateoutsidethelaw conducttheirraids?

The situation is relatively calm in Venezuela in the aftermathoftheUS’interventionandextractionbyforceof Maduro. The concern that we at this publication have, in thiscountrythatneighborsVenezuela,ishowlongwillthat peacehold? Andshoulditcollapseindisarray,whatarethe consequencesforGuyana,whichissuretoexperiencesome ripple effects? Like Trinidad, Guyana has been rewarded withvisaexceptionbytheUS. Goodbehavior,stooge-like postures, go a long way in today’sWashington. The price that Guyanese will have to pay is still being counted, with this country’s oil also long subject to those who hold the controlling hand in a slave market. The people’s oil inheritanceisthere,butitisnottheirstodecideonormuch sharing in. Yet that is broadcast universally as a viable partnership, when this country is being robbed blind. It seemsthatbeforeVenezuela,therewasGuyana.

The $12.5 Billion Mirage and the 6.9 Billion Cloak: The High Cost of Budgetary Fudging

DEAREDITOR,

T h e r e c e n t

“adjustments” to the 2026 NationalBudgetsuggestthat our fiscal planners have traded their calculators for magicwands.

We are being presented withaseriesofnumbersthat do not merely stretch the truth—theysnapitentirely

The following points expose a coordinated effort to reconcile political p r o m i s e s w i t h a demographic reality that simplydoesnotexist:

• The Mid-Debate

“Discovery”: When Budget 2026 was first tabled, the $100,000 adult cash grant was allocated $60 Billion, precisely accounting for 600,000 people. Following publicscrutinyregardingthe 630,000 recipients claimed in 2025, the government performed a sudden U-turn. Within days, Prime Minister Mark Phillips “discovered” an additional 116,000 eligible adults, ballooning the headcount to 716,261

and forcing a mid-debate budget injection of $12.5 Billion.This is not a refined estimate; it is a desperate attempttopadtheledger

• The GECOM Smoke Screen:Perhapsmosttelling is the staggering 600% increase in GECOM’s b u d g e t a r y allocation skyrocketing from an initial $897 Million to a massive $6.9 Billion.

The government claims this is to facilitate Local Government Elections (LGE). However, the timing is too convenient By funding an election cycle so closely following the General Elections, they are effectively using the constitutional process to validate and “cloak” a voter listthatisclearlybeingused as the blueprint for these cashgrants.

• The Voters’ List Paradox: In the September 2025 General Elections, the Official List of Electors (OLE) stood at 757,690. If the government is now preparing to pay 716,261 adults,theyareclaimingthat 94.5% of every single name on that controversial list is a resident, eligible, and active recipient.Thisisastatistical impossibility in a country withasignificantdiaspora.

• The Absent Electorate: During those same 2025 elections, only 443,066 citizens actually showed up to vote. If the real, active adult population is roughly 443,000,wheredidtheother 273,000 grant recipients comefrom?Thegovernment is essentially budgeting to pay a “phantom population” thatisnearly60%largerthan the number of people who actually participated in the democraticprocess.

Thenarrativeisclear:the government is caught between a bloated voter list and a cash grant promise they cannot mathematically fulfill without exposing “ghosts.”

By jacking up the

GECOM budget to “legalize” the list through LGE, and simultaneously inflating the grant fund by $12 5 Billion, they are attempting to legitimize a massive transfer of wealth that defies the laws of biologyandtherealityofthe ballotbox.

It is time to stop the “fudging” and provide the nation with a transparent, auditedlistofrecipients.

Our treasury should not be used to fund a census of ghosts.

• The Nation Without Children: With a total population estimated at roughly 840,000, a recipient listof716,261adultsimplies that children under 18 make uponly14.7%ofGuyana.To accept these budget figures, one must believe that Guyana has the lowest birth rate on the planet. In reality, ouryouthpopulationismore than double that, proving thatatleast150,000ofthese “recipients”existonlyasline itemsinabloatedbudget.

Regards, HemduttKumar

The President has shown a penchant

for violating provisions of the Constitution

DEAREDITOR,

I noted with great concern a recent statement attributed to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira that the Police Service Commission (PSC) is consideringthepromotionof as many as 645 police officers this year This statement was said to have been made in response to a question from Opposition Chief Whip Tabita SaraboHalley during the opening consideration of the 2026 budget.

Therecordswouldreveal that there is currently no PoliceServiceCommission.

The last Police Service Commission, which was chaired by the late Bishop Patrick Findlay, was sworn inonMay31,2022.

Article 210 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyanastates,interalia:

210 (1) The Police Service Commission shall consistof-

(a) a C h a i r m a n approved by the President acting after meaningful consultationwiththeLeader of the Opposition from among members appointed undersubparagraph(c); (b) theChairmanofthe PublicServiceCommission;

(c) four members appointed by the President upon nomination by the National Assembly after it hasconsultedsuchbodiesas appear to it to represent the majority of the Police Force and any other body it deems fit. Provided that a person should be disqualified for appointmentasamemberof theCommission,ifheorshe isapublicofficer

(2) subject to the provisions of the next paragraph, the office of an appointed member of the Police Service Commission shall become vacant at the expiration of three years from the date of his or her appointment or at such earlier time as may be specifiedintheinstrumentof appointment.

The late former Chairman, Patrick Findlay, and two members, the late Lloyd Mark Conway and Ernesto Choo-a-Fat were sworn in as members of the Police Service Commission on May 31, 2022 (the fourth member, Hackeem Mohammedwassworninon asubsequentdate).

AccordingtoArticle210 (2) the life of the last Police

Service Commission automatically expired after three years, i.e. May 30, 2025.

There is no provision in the Constitution for the life of the Commission to be extendedbeyondthreeyears. The process outlined in Article210(1)wouldhaveto be repeated for the appointmentofaNewPolice ServiceCommission.

The minister is also reported to have pointed to t h e n e e d f o r n e w appointments to the Police Service Commission to fill vacancies created by the death of two members, the lateformerChairmanPatrick Findlay and Attorney-atLawMarkConway Iwishto emphasize, it is not about filling vacancies created by thedeathofthetwomembers ofthepreviousCommission, it is about appointing a new

Commission: whilst the former members can be reappointed, the procedure laidoutinArticle(210)(1)of the Constitution must be compliedwith. It would be of great interest to know if after approximately 2800 ranks werepromotedintherunup to the 2025 General and Regional Elections if there arestill645vacanciesinthe ranks from inspector to assistant commissioner, which the Police Service Commissionerisresponsible forpromoting.ThePresident has shown a penchant for violating provisions of the Constitution. Let’s see what hewilldoonthisoccasion.

Yourstruly, PaulSlowe

GECOM’s budget

DEAREDITOR,

Havingreadabouttheapprovedallocationinthenational budget for GECOM, I am penning this letter post haste without reference, or prejudice, to the opinions of my colleaguecommissioners,withwhomIhavenotconferred. I previously publicly stated that GECOM, the Commissionperse,hadbeenrenderedcomatosebytheChair byvirtueofherconsciousdecisionnottoconvenemeetingsof the Commission. According to her, as stated in her letter of October10,2025:“Inrelationtoyourrequestofsummoninga meetingpleasebeadvisedthatIamguidedbyArticle161(3) (b) of the Constitution as to the composition of the Commission,whichwillbedecidedontheconveningof Continued on page 5

The quantum imperative for Guyana’s financial sovereignty

DEAREDITOR,

Therecentglobalcallfor governmentsandtheprivate sector to prepare for the quantum computing era represents a critical warning thatGuyanacannotaffordto ignore. As we push forward with our national digital transformation, we must recognizethattheencryption currently securing our banking transactions and sovereign data has a rapidly approachingexpirationdate. Leadersintheglobaltech industry have recently emphasized that while a

m computer may not yet be operational,maliciousactors are already practicing “store

now, decrypt later” tactics, harvesting our encrypted financial data today to unlock it the moment the technologymatures. This emerging reality makes the modernization of the Bank of Guyana and our commercial banking sector an issue of national security rather than just economic efficiency

Within the context of recent discussions regarding theneedforamoreproactive Central Bank, we must ensure that “proactivity” includes a transition to postquantumcryptography Fora nation like ours, currently building its digital rails and expanding financial

GECOM’s budget

Frompage4

Parliament”. She virtually arrogated to herself the authority to interpret the Constitution (a function of the Judiciary), and acted basedonherinterpretation.

She subsequently indicated to the elected Leader of the Opposition that it was not within her jurisdictiontodeterminethe composition of the Commission.Yet,noprioror subsequent meeting was held as GECOM was held hostage by her earlier pronouncements.

Asaconsequenceofthat action, there was the submission of the proposed 2026 budgetary estimates, for GECOM, among other acts,withouttheimprimatur of the Commission. This resulted in items such as digital registration and digital identification (biometrics), as promised, apparently not being considered, and definitely notproposed,forGECOM‘s 2026 budgetary provisions, and subsequently not

presented for appropriation bytheParliament.

Thefundamentalissueis that the actions of the Chairperson resulted in the C o m m i s s i o n ‘ s constitutional mandate and authority being usurped, under her watch, by a body other than the Commission, as a result of her act of w r o n g f u l l y decommissioning the Commission.

It should be noted that even if the Chair is right in her interpretation of the Constitution,thecircularfor thepreparationofthebudget predated the convening of the 13th Parliament, and the appointmentoftheLeaderof theOpposition.

H e n c e , i n n o circumstancewastherebasis for the decommissioning of the Commission before November 3 when the Parliament convened, or more so January 26, 2026 when the Leader of the Oppositionwaselected.

Yourstruly, VincentAlexander

inclusion, failing to adopt quantum-resistant standards nowwouldbelikebuildinga new vault with a lock that is already being phased out globally. To maintain our financial sovereignty, our policy response must be s o p h i s t i c a t e d a n d immediate.

The Bank of Guyana shouldconsidermandatinga quantum readiness audit for all financial institutions to identify legacy systems that rely on vulnerable 2048-bit RSA encryption. Our path forward should prioritize what experts call “cryptoagility,” allowing our systemstoupdatetothe2024 NIST-finalized standards without disrupting the daily flowofcommerce.

This is particularly vital aswelooktointegratemore closelywithourneighborsin the Global South and develop our Orange Economy,whereintellectual property and digital assets will become the new currencyofprogress.

We are currently at a moment of unprecedented opportunity to shape a resilientfuture.

However, that future depends on our ability to protect the integrity of our digital economy before the shift in computing power renders our current defenses obsolete.

Byaligningourbanking reforms with post-quantum security today, we ensure that Guyana’s wealth and the private data of our citizens remain secure in a w o r l d o f r a p i d technologicalchange

Respectfully, Dr.WalterH.Persaud

Why Guyana’s

policy

is ‘pump, pump, pump?

DEAREDITOR,

The traditional oil producing countries act to defend oil prices They would increase or decrease production as the situation demands One of the geopolitical interests of the West is to put strain on the Russian economy and so they would do everything to reducethepriceofoilsoasto reduce money flow into the Russianeconomy

The price of crude has fallen and with increased supplies from Venezuela prices may fall further The situation in Iran seems to be slowing the fall as most

knowthatifIranblocksships in the Strait of Hormuz this would cause oil prices to soar

My question is why is Guyanapolicyispumppump pump when it is said our crude supply is assisting the downward slide of the price of crude. So, should Guyana not beha

ke the traditional oil producing c

production to help stabilise thepriceofcrude.

Itseemsthatourpolicyof pump

p pump is contributing to us earning lesslessandless.

IhaveaskedbeforeandI

wouldaskagain.Itisclaimed thattheprofitshareis12.5% tousandsametoExxon.The reality is we are paying the taxesforEXON.Ifthatisso does it not mean we are actually getting less than 12.5%. Could some finance person, accountant inform us, based on the figures how muchtaxesissupposedtobe paidbyEXON.

Ihaveaskedthisquestion many times before. Do we not have anyone in Guyana who is capable of answering this question?Anyone in the diaspora?

Sincerely,

RajendraBisessar

Will Guyana become the next Peru?

DEAREDITOR,

The annual tradition in Peru of burning effigies of corruptandhatedpoliticians isquitetelling.

Severalex-Presidentsare behind bars for corruption, andthevotersareangrywith the politicians over the high level of corruption in the country

After listening to the 2026 budget debate and the disregard shown for the immensewasteofmoneyon display as in the case of the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information’s salary ($33 Million plus), one can only conclude that the national purse is being mismanaged. Years of no measurable resultsandalackofreporting isindicativeofthehighlevel of fiscal mismanagement occurringinthegovernment.

The spendthrift approach to this year’s budget is once againaccompaniedbyalack of measurable outcomes in

numerousareas.

A serious gap that needs to be corrected to ensure responsible spending and prudent fiscal management. At the current rate of wasteful spending the Natural Resource Fund will underperform once again this year, leaving programs geared towards helping alleviatepovertyatrisk.

The nation is struggling and our politicians would ratherseethefundsfromthe NRF in the pockets of their cohorts instead of in the nationalpurse.

They have overlooked what could be to their own benefit if doing what is correct was their guide Financial strength of the fundcansupportsustainable salary increases across the board, but few have shown an ability to resist instant gains under the guise of transformation.

The leader of the

opposition continues to show the high level of corruptionthatisrampantin the country, and with his latest video of a Minister’s home being linked to an exposedcorruptionnetwork one can only imagine what is behind a salary for a Commissioner that surpasses that of Ministers who produce more results for the nation and more reportsinParliament For the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to defendsuchwaste,showsthe public that little will change for the better in the fiscal management of the nation. Guyana may not be burning theireffigiestodayastheydo in Peru, but at this rate the country will return to being poor once again and when thishappenswhowillbeable to contain the anger of the masses?

Sincerely, Mr.JamilChanglee

U.S.tosend200troopstoNigeria

totrainAfricannation’smilitary

A U.S. Army soldier (L) trains Nigerian Army soldiers at a military compound in Jaji, Nigeria, February 13, 2018. Capt. James Sheehan/U.S. Army/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - The United States is planning to send about 200 troops to Nigeria to train theAfrican nation’s military to fight Islamist militants,aU.S.officialsaid on Tuesday, weeks after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against whathecalledIslamicState targets. The U.S. military saidlastweekitsentasmall team of troops to Nigeria without specifying a number, marking the first acknowledgment of U S forces on the ground since Washingtonstruckbyairon ChristmasDay Trump has said there couldbemoreU.S.military action in Nigeria and

Reutershasreportedthatthe U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over the countryfromGhanasinceat leastlateNovember

Theofficialsaidthe200 troops will supplement a handful of U.S. military personnelalreadyinNigeria tohelplocalforces.

U.S. Africa Command didnotimmediatelyrespond toarequestforcomment. Nigeria has come under intense pressure from Washington to act after Trump alleged the West Africannationwasfailingto protect Christians from Islamist militants operating inthenorthwest.

T h e N i g e r i a n

government denies any systematic persecution of Christians, saying it is targeting Islamist fighters andotherarmedgroupsthat attack and kill both ChristiansandMuslims. BokoHaramandIslamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have intensified attacks on military convoys and civilians, and the northwest remainsanepicenterofa17yearIslamistinsurgency Nigeria’s population of over 230 million people is roughly evenly divided among Christians, who predominate in the south, and Muslims, who predominateinthenorth.

The opening of the Bayroc National Stadium creates opportunities for the establishment of new sports clubs

DEAREDITOR,

As a tourism writer and public analyst, I believe that the recently opened Bayroc National Stadium in Linden represents a major opportunity for growth within Guyana’s tourism industry and the wider nationaleconomy

The stadium sets a strong precedent for the development of multipurpose sporting and entertainment facilities across the country Its presence positions Linden, and Guyana as a whole, to attract regional and international sporting events, cultural showcases, and entertainment activities that canplacethecountryfirmlyontheCaribbean eventsmap.

The opening of the Bayroc National Stadium also creates opportunities for the establishment of new sports clubs and encouragesinvestorswhohavebeenwaiting foravenuestoexpandprogramsandprojects withintheCaribbean.

With the right promotion and management, Guyana can become a leading destination for sports tourism and youth

developmentinitiatives.

Additionally, the hospitality and transportation sectors are likely to see increaseddemand.

Hotels, restaurants, taxi operators, tour services, and small vendors in and around Lindenstandtobenefitfromincreasedvisitor traffic, both from locals and overseas guests attendingeventsatthestadium.

The ripple effects on employment and small and medium-sized businesses should not be overlooked. Job creation across construction, event management, security, marketing, and service industries can contribute to stronger community developmentandimprovedlivelihoods

Withimprovedfinancialandcommercial infrastructure being put in place, facilities such as the Bayroc National Stadium can serve as catalysts for entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable tourism growth, providedtheyarestrategicallyintegratedinto Guyana’slong-termdevelopmentplans.

Sincerely,

Mr BlaneRBunbury

Cuba has treated Guyanese over the years with first-class medical service

DEAREDITOR,

I held my breath as I once again recall a popular newspaper article, “Believe it or not by Ripley”, as I heard the most Honourable Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, explainingwhyGuyanahasnotrenewedthe bilateralmedicalcooperationagreementwith Cuba.

Hiswordswerespuriousandunbecoming ofarepresentativeofanindependentcountry Cuba has provided “top-class” training of medicalphysiciansandalliedskills.

Theabsurdityis,whenDr Anthonymade this announcement this week, we had about fifty young Guyanese being trained in the RepublicofCuba.

Of interest, there is a photograph of the MinisterandtheCubanAmbassador,takenin 2023hailingthesigningofthiscontract.

Recall recently Guyanese were bombarded by top PPP operators about the sanctity of contracts, thereby taking a moral

high-ground, are we witnessing a classic exampleoftheonlythingbeingconsistent,is theinconsistencyofthisadministration?

Dr Jagan, Mrs. Janet Jagan, Boysie Ramcharanandallthefreedomfighters,must beweepingandaskingthequestion;isthisthe PPPweestablished?

Cuba has treated Guyanese, including very senior PPP, PNC and other Guyanese over the years, with first-class medical and dentalservices.

The provision of these services never stopped;IamawareofseniorPPPoperatives whowereinreceiptofthismagnanimityfrom thepeopleofCuba.

What therefore is behind this sudden severance, for me, it is not only silly, it is more of a betrayal, being pusillanimous is onething,butbetrayalisunacceptable And weasktheministertotellusthewholestory

Sincerely,

ElderHamiltonGreen

Caricom not high priority for T&T PM

DEAREDITOR,

It appears the PM of T&T is speaking frombothcornersofhermouthasitrelatesto Caricom.

From one corner the impression is given Caricomisnothighpriority

Shehasnotgivenadefinitiveresponseon herattendancetotheupcoming50thCaricom MeetingtobeheldinStKittsandNevis.

She has also not responded to queries aboutherattendancetotheCaribbeanEnergy Week slated for Suriname, at which she has

beenadvertisedasakeynotespeaker Allthis while criticisms at Caricom, its work and function,abounds.

From the other corner, comes carefully crafted sound bytes, particularly during the recent visit of Chairman, Dr Drew, created the impression of a committed regionalist (SNFeb5).

IsthePMseriousaboutCaricomandthe regionorisshejuststringingalong?

Regards, ShamshunMohamed

Govt. finalising process for full acquisition of Berbice Bridge

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on

Wednesday said the government is finalising negotiations for the full acquisition of the Berbice RiverBridgeinRegionSix.

The minister made the disclosure while responding to APNU's Member of Parliament (MP), Saiku Andrews, during day three

of the consideration of budget estimates and expenditures. The opposition MP had questioned why was there a zero allocation for the Berbice Bridge now that thereisatoll-freecrossing.

Minister Edghill in his responseremindedthatsince the announcement of the toll-free crossing at the

House approves $1.7 B for Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning

– Min. Edghill

Demerara, Wismar –McKenzie and Berbice Bridges as of August 01, 2025,thegovernmenthadto absorb that cost to ensure that the bridges continue to operateandthestaffpaid.

“In last year's allocation there were monies that were appropriated to take care of that activity and as a result those bridges were compensated based upon their monthly operational expenses in a formula that wasworkedout,”hesaid.

The minister stated that while there is no allocation for the bridge under subsidies, he indicated that monies could be under a different line item in the estimates.

Noticing that there is a significant increase in the allocation for maintenance of bridges which moved from$175millionin2025to

$1,342,381,000 in 2026, the APNU member further questioned, “Can the honourablememberconfirm or say, what is the major bridge that has allowed this sum to climb to this amount formaintenancepurposes?”

MinisterofLabourandManpower Planning, Keoma Griffith

The Committee of Supply on Wednesday approved an estimated $1.7 billion for the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning The sum was approved during the

consideration of the estimates and expenditures forbudget2026.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, KeomaGriffith,highlighted that the Government of Guyanaisprovidingvarious opportunitiestoeducateand upskill citizens The minister said that the governmentwillcontinueto buildasystemtoensurethat everypersonacrossGuyana has access to world-class educationateverylevel.

Minister Griffith noted that, as it pertains to his ministry, the vision is to decentralise all of the training that is currently available.“Thereisalsothe central recruitment agency of the ministry that seeks to ensurethatweallowpersons to get decent employment, andsowewilljustcontinue totrainanddecentraliseour training”, the minister highlighted Additionally, for manpower planning, the budget allocation is $791,326.

Moreover, answering a question by an Opposition member on the allocation for trade unions, Minister Griffith explained that the Guyana Public Service Union will receive

$1,297,297, while the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) will receive $1,297,297.

The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning's budget increased from approximately $1.51 billion in 2025 to $1.74 billion in 2026 Last week, Griffith detailed the restoration and expansionoftheMinistryof Labour, noting that it was upgradedfromadepartment to a full-scale ministry dedicated to promoting decent work and protecting labourrights.

He also highlighted strengthened enforcement capacity, including the expansion of health and safety officers from nine positions in 2015 to more than32todate.

Minister Griffith further pointed to modern labour marketinterventionssuchas thenationaljobbank,which registered 11,387 job seekers,solicitedover2,157 vacancies, and successfully placed 647 persons in employment, many of them youngpeople.

Minister Griffith noted that Budget 2026 will also advance manpower planning through the establishment of a national manpower agency and new training initiatives, r e i n f o r c i n g t h e government's commitment to decent work, stronger labour protections and sustainabledevelopment.

expenses.

As it relates to the BerbiceBridgeheexplained “Wehavetopaythetollsup toaparticulartimebywhich we hope all the necessary n

completed and it becomes t

The minister in his explanationstatedthatunder this line item, monies have been appropriated for the payment of thetollsforthethreebridges and for operat

Government of GuyanaMinistry of Public Works andtheministrywouldhave tomaintaineverythingatthe Berbice River Bridge as well,thatiswhywehavethis sumhere.”

Following up on the minister's response, Andrews further asked, “Can the minister say how (Continuedonpage10)

Plans to reduce mercury use,

brand Guyana's gold, support

small miners in 2026 – Min

Plans to brand Guyana's gold, expand purchasing systems, support small miners and reduce mercury use wereamongkeyinitiativesoutlinedon Tuesday by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat during the consideration of Budget 2026 estimates.

Minister Bharrat told the Committee of Supply that the government is advancing standards for the gold and jewellery industry, includinganationalbrandinginitiative.

“We have been working on a standard especially for jewellery, gold, and very soon we'll be launching that programme to have our Guyana gold branded,andabrandthatwillbeknown worldwide,” he said, noting that the initiative is expected to attract investmentandboosttourism.

Mobilepurchasing, highercashlimits

Responding to questions about the Guyana Gold Board's operations, the minister said there are currently no short-term plans to open a fixed office in Region Ten. Still, mobile goldpurchasing systems are being considered for mining communities, including areas in Regions Seven and Ten He also noted that the cashpayment limit for miners has already beenincreased.

“Recently we would have increased the cash payment by the GuyanaGoldBoardto$6millionfrom $1.5 million,” Minister Bharrat said, adding that authorities will continue to monitor gold prices to determine whetherfurtheradjustmentsareneeded.

The minister reported that stronger enforcement and engagement with

Bharrat

miners have led to improved declarations.“We had a declaration of 81,000 ounces of gold in December — neverhappenedbefore,”hesaid,adding that small and medium-scale miners declared approximately 317,000 ouncesfor2025.

The natural resources minister stressed that ongoing compliance operations are not intended to displace miners but to ensure production matchesdeclarationsandthatactivities remainlegal.

The government is also working to make more land available to small miners through structured

developments and lotteries in Regions One, Seven and Eight, similar to the Issano-14Milesmodel.

At the same time, a national mineral-inventory project using aerial surveys is nearing completion and is expectedtoimprovelandallocation.

“That will put us in a better position…toidentifyareaswithgreater signs of mineralisation,” the minister said.

Mercuryreduction andnewtechnology

Minister Bharrat also addressed effortstoreducemercuryuseinmining, notingthatGuyana,asasignatorytothe Minamata Convention, is promoting alternativetechnologies.

“There are alternatives… that will increase the recovery rate significantly,” he said, explaining that mercury-free systems can raise gold recovery from about 35–40 per cent to ashighas70percent.

He added that many medium-scale operators are already adopting these methods, while the government is encouraging small miners to form groups or consortia to invest in the technology.

The minister said these combined measures, improved regulation, better data, expanded land access and technological upgrades are aimed at strengthening the gold industry while protecting the environment and ensuring greater benefits for Guyanese miners.(DPI)

The PPPC has begun to resemble the PNC

DuringtherecentBudget debate, the PPPC reached back into history It invoked the name of Forbes Burnham.

It spoke of his political viciousness. It reminded the Opposition, and especially the WPA, of a dark time. It reminded them that Burnham did not merely defeat his opponents. He soughttocrushthem.

The WPA knew that wrath Its leaders were openly threatened. Burnham is recorded as telling WPA leaders to make their wills. That was not a metaphor It wasawarning.Thepolitical climate was tense and dangerous. The country was undertightcontrol.Thestate watched its critics The Commission of Inquiry into the death of Walter Rodney laidoutdisturbingfacts.The report found that Rodney was killed by an explosive deviceonJune13,1980.The device was given to him by GregorySmith,asergeantin the Guyana Defence Force. The Commission concluded that Smith acted with the knowledge and support of seniorstateofficials.Itfound that there was a climate of hostilityagainstRodneyand the WPA It spoke of surveillance, intimidation, andstateharassment.

The report detailed how the WPA and its members were constantly monitored.

Their meetings were infiltrated Their phones were tapped Their movements were tracked Their homes were searched.

The state used its security apparatus to keep the party under pressure WPA activists, whether prominent or obscure, were targets. Some lost their jobs. Some

were transferred to remote interior locations Others were denied opportunities.

Even those loosely associatedwiththepartyfelt thesqueezeofthestate.

The Commission described a pattern. It was not an isolated act of violence. It was part of a broader campaign to silence dissent. Rodney was seen as athreat.Hewasbrilliant.He waspersuasive.Heappealed toordinarypeople.Thestate viewed him as dangerous. The atmosphere was one of fear

Thathistorywasraisedin the National Assembly The younger generation needed to hear it Many young Guyanesedonotknowthose events in detail. Some have onlyheardfragments.Others havegrownupinadifferent era and assume that such things belong to another world. But history does not disappear It lingers. If it is notstudied,itisrepeated.

Theironytodayisheavy The PPPC now uses Burnham’s record to rebuke the WPA, which sits within APNU. Yet the PPPC has begun to resemble what it condemns Reports have surfacedaboutthetreatment of the Mohamed family and persons associated with the WINparty Thereareclaims of harassment. There are claimsofpressure.Thereare claimsofvictimisation.

The pattern sounds familiar The Mohameds are under threat.Associates feel the heat. Public accusations by the Mohameds are followed by state action. Supporters of the PPPC government dismiss the complaints.Theysaythelaw is taking its course. But WIN, the party of the

Dem Boys Seh...

Mohameds, say the law is being used as a weapon. Walter Rodney offered two responses to dictatorship The first was moral appeal. He appealed to the conscienceofthepeople.He believed that ordinary citizens, in sufficient numbers, could protect the oppressed. He believed that solidarity could check power Hehopedthatpeople would see injustice and refusetoacceptit.

ButGuyanawasdivided. Many PNC supporters did not come to the aid of those targeted They remained silent. Some believed the propaganda Some feared consequences. Some simply didnotcare.Thestatemoved against its rivals with little resistancefromitsbase.

The second tactic Rodney embraced was exposure. He believed in naming wrongdoing He calledfortheexposureofthe dictatorship and its agents. He spoke pointed to the lackeysandfootstoolsofthe Burnham dictatorship who carried out the dirty work. He believed that sunlight could weaken tyranny He believed that truth, once widely known, could mobilizethenation.

Today, the Mohameds have begun to make public claims of corruption and misconduct within the PPPC.With each allegation, there is response by the State. With each exposure, there is also retaliation, at leastinperception.Thecycle isfamiliar Thedangerisnot in strong government. The danger is in unchecked government. The danger is when supporters excuse everything done in their party’s name. The danger is

Puppyknowwhatheisabout

Demboysremembersestoryofacouple that retired and moved into Guyana’s interior to enjoy the peace and quite there. Nice breeze, plenty bush, not a soul to disturb them — except each other Now all the children done migrate, marry off, or gone town, so the missus start feel that “emptynest”syndrome.Shetelltheoldman shewantadoptapuppy

Notacow Notasheep.Apuppy

The old man seh alright, because after fortyyearsofmarriage,sometimesyoujust nod and survive. They get a cute lil brown puppy De wife treat that puppy better than she ever treat the husband. Special food. Special bed. Bath with warm water She evencallingit“Mommy’sbaby.”

The old man watching all this and feelinglikehegetreplacebysomethingthat still teething. So one day, when the wife gone inside watching serial, he put the puppy in basket and walk deep into the jungletostraydepuppy

when citizens forget that power can corrupt any group.

The story of Burnham and the WPA is not ancient history It is a warning. The Commission of Inquiry d o c u m e n t e d t h e consequences of a state that turned against its critics. It documented the fatal cost of political intolerance It showed how surveillance,

harassment,andintimidation canendintragedy

G u y a n e s e m u s t remember those dark and deadlydays.Ifweforget,we drift. If we excuse today what we condemned yesterday,weinvitethesame outcome. History is not a weapon.Itisateacher Those whoignoreitarecondemned to relive it. Guyana has paid too high a price for political vendettas. We should not return to those days. The PPPCistakingusbackthere. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Whenhereachback—thepuppysitting inthedrivewaywaggingtaillikeitpaylight bill. Demanvex.

Next day he drive he go deeper into de jungle,passsomecreeksandwaterfalls.He drop de puppy in some bushes. Come back home.Puppyinthedrivewayagain.

Nowtheoldmanpridehurt.

He decide this time he going deep interior Two and a half hours into jungle overcreek,overmountain.Tillhereachland dat he never know existed. He drop off de puppyandheadbackhome.Aftertwohours onthewayback,hegetphonesignalandcall hewife.

“Honey…youhome?”

“Yes,dear.”

“Thatpuppytherebythehouse?”

“Yes,hesittinginthedriveway Why?”

Theoldmanclearhethroatandseh,

“Welllehmetalktohequick…becauseI lost.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

HowParliamentisdefiled

Itisareflectionofthe slowly accelerating rot that has taken over Guyanese life. When the highest, most sacred, most inviolable House in Guyana is reduced by the conduct of its members to a house of ill-repute, there is the first confirmation

Parliament profaned Parliament, now a hotbed of menacing body language andverbiage,withthreatsto complete that revolting picture.

Whatqualityofdebatein such an environment?

Whereistheheavyhand,the keeneye,thedecisivepower

of the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, when sucharemostneeded,would have the greatest utility?

And what of the moral and ethical certitude of honorable members from every side, particularly the PPP Govt's side, to call wayward and riotous colleagues to show some discipline?

To manifest some respect for Guyanese, who are responsible for them being in that once pristine environment in the first place. Politicianslovetosell a farce: the children are the wave of future, the

foundations of national destiny I assert that it is a farce, a shabby vulgarity, when the obscene plays out repeatedlyinthehouseofthe people, the arena to which thechildrenshouldaspire.

When the gladiators embroiled in combat are laced through with foul words and fouler threats, those are what adults and childrenseeandhear Some adults may have been conditioned by life with a tough skin, which makes them better equipped to absorb the obscenities that seepoutofparliament. Nay, not seep out, but gush out.

Butwhataboutthefateofthe children,whenthestandards ofthosewhoaresupposedto be their role models, their heroes, are so grimy, so sleazy?

It shouldn't surprise that there is so much vile bullyism dotting Guyana's schools,andoutsideofthose oncesafehavens.

It shouldn't upset that Guyanese are ready to settle differences,withtheabusive inhomes,andoutrageinthe s

Childrentakingouttheirbile andmaliceandmischiefson other children, weaker ones. It was the most opportune time for domestic violence warrior, Minister of Human Services, Dr Vindya Persaud, to raise her voice against,standagainst. What better manner for the new MinisterofEducation,Mme. SoniaParag,tosaynothere, notnow,notever

Both fine daughters of Guyana had to have the courage, the personal standards, to rise against the tide,raiseahand,andinsist: notus,notoneofus;letthat bethecultureofthoseacross theaisle.

Thepoliticalopposition, incombinationorapart,also had to make its voice heard, take a stand against any further dissipation of Guyana's last house

standing If nottheNational Assembly of Guyana, then where in Guyana?

SpeakerNadirhadtobe the first out of the block: not on my watch, none of this will be tolerated in this hallowed space, regardless of who is thecontributor

If the respective parliamentaryleadersarenot strong enough, cannot rein their comrades in, the Speakershouldbetheoneto throw down the gauntlet. Proceed at peril. If the president is neither engaged enough nor angry enough (nordisturbedenough),then into Speaker Manzoor Nadir's hands falls that difficulttask.

Itcouldbeafinehourfor him; one that launches him into the pantheon of Speakers who are spoken of w i t h r e s p e c t ; notwithstanding his terrible failuresofjudgment,ofwhat I interpret to be the rankest sortofunfairness.

Perhaps, what has emerged out of this parliament, in what were supposedtobethegive-andtake of a budget debate, should be made mandatory readingintheCivicstextsof which so much was heard from His Excellency, Dr. IrfaanAli. Parliament is an

arena usually soaked in disagreement. When done right-with courtesies observed, received, and delivered-there is hope for a still better quality of discourse on the national affairs that induce such i n t e n s e p a s s i o n s Parliament has its rules and privileges, and the Speaker should be man enough to wield those as a matter of routine.

And as a mace that compels compliance If there is genuine interest in a betterGuyana,anduniversal willingness to make that a reality,thenparliamentisthe placetostart.

Parliament must be that cathedral to which all Guyaneselifttheireyes,and before which they worship, when the level of conduct within so justifies. It hasn't been.

By God! It hasn't been. Yes, I swore. I regret that wrathful expression of disgust,ofdismissal.

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

Govt. finalising process...

Frompage8

far along are these negotiationsforustoacquire this asset, and in acquiring this asset, what is the ballpark figure we expect because the contractual agreement is supposed to cometoanendin2027?

So, if we are going to negotiate to own this asset, what is the ballpark figure that we anticipate we are willing to pay one year in advanceforthisasset?”

The minister clarified that the reason the money is under maintenance of bridgesisbecauseitwillnot behandedtoacompany,and that the money will be with theministrywhichwillhave tooperatethebridge.

The public works minister continued, “…the Berbice Bridge and I don't want to use this opportunity tomakeanannouncement,I wanttoinformthehousethat the Government of Guyana isonitswaytofinalisingall

the I's and crossing the T's for the ownership of the Berbice River Bridge and baseduponthefiguresIhave been looking at, what it will be costing the treasury for the acquisition of the bridge wouldbelessthanifwehave topaytollbetweennowand next year, based upon the figuresI'mlookingat.”

Back in October 2022, when President Irfaan Ali announced plans for a new Berbice River Bridge, he said at the time, “we are in the process of discussing with the Berbice Bridge Corporation the possible acquisitionof thatbridge by thegovernment.”

If the acquisition is not finalisedbythetimethenew Demerara River Bridge is operational, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also become toll-free simultaneously

Moreover, the current BerbiceRiverBridge,which was constructed between

2006and2008atacostof$8 billion, received financial backing through loans and equity contributions from various entities, including the state-run National InsuranceScheme(NIS)and privateinvestors.

The bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice Bridge Inc (BBCI): National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds 10 per cent, NIS owns 20.2 per cent, and other stakeholders include Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance(10percent),New GPC (20 per cent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 per cent), and Secure International Finance Co Limited(20percent).

On Wednesday the committee of supply approved the sum of $227,201,792,000 for the publicworksministry

SOCU raids Mohamed's Enterprise

…cash, documents seized, four detained ...Azruddin claims political victimisation

More than 20 ranks from the Special Organised Crime Unit(SOCU)swoopeddown on Mohamed's Enterprise on Lombard Street Wednesday morning,seizinglessthan$2 million in cash, documents linked to gold trading and bank records, and detaining fourpersonsforquestioning.

Businessman and

Opposition LeaderAzruddin Mohamed, said the premises has been closed since 2024, when he, his father Nazar

Mohamed and their businesses were sanctioned bytheU.S.Treasury'sOffice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over alleged gold smuggling.

In a statement SOCU said it.conducted a targeted joint law enforcement operation on Wednesday 11th February 2026 at a money exchange location at 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown. The operation was launched following

credible information receivedbylawenforcement that illicit activities were takingplaceatthepremises.

"Duringthecourseofthe o p e r a t i o n , o ff i c e r s uncovered evidence of illegal financial operations and additional materials believed to be connected to unlawful activities were recoveredatthelocation.All

items seized are currently subjecttoactiveforensicand financial investigation," SOCUsaid.

According to the law enforcement agency, several individuals were taken into custody and are assisting with ongoing enquiries.

"Investigations remain

a c t i v e a n d f u r t h e r enforcement action will be taken where the evidence so warrants.

This action forms part of an intensified national and regional security strategy

aimed at disrupting organised criminal networks engaged in gold smuggling, illicit financial flows, unlicensed money exchange operations and related seriousoffences.

It reflects strengthened

coordination among domestic law enforcement agencies, joint services and regional partners to confront cross border criminal activity and protect the integrity of Guyana's financial and security architecture," the SOCU statementadded.

The statement asserted that the Government of Guyana remains unwavering in its commitment to combat illegal activities, including the purchase, smuggling and sale of gold, money

laundering, illegal cambio services and associated financial crimes. "In close collaboration with regional c o u n t e r p a r t s a n d international partners, Guyana will continue to p u r s u e c o o r d i n a t e d enforcement operations to

told reporters that he rushed to the scene after learning of the raid. “So immediately, I jumped in the vehicle and head down here. When I head down, I see they got a police dog, a sniffer dog. They had about 20 officers from SOCU. So, as I

safeguard economic stability, strengthen border security and ensure that those engaged in unlawful conductareheldaccountable underthelaw

Charges will be laid shortly," the statement concluded.

They didn't find anything Meanwhile, Mohamed

approach, I asked him what is going on, really, because I'm not operating here. My businesses is closed. The PPP shut down all my businesses. So, what is the purpose,”hesaid.

According to Mohamed, the ranks informed him that they were there to conduct a search of the premises,

because we will normally staple envelopes to help the less fortunate,” he told reporters Mohamed also said that one of his worker's personal firearm was seized duringtheoperation.

whichhesaidheallowed.He further stated, “They didn't find anything, they didn't find any drugs, they didn't find any large amount of money All they found was a couple thousands.” “I think it's less than 2 million, less than 2 million, with a lot of envelopes with $5000 inside, $10,000, $15,000,

The businessmanturned-politician contended that the search was politically motivated and linked it to remarks he made during his recent budget presentation in the National Assembly, where he claimed tohavefinanciallysupported the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) between2015and2020. He also claimed that his family made substantial donations to the party, some of which he said were made without receipts due to their closerelationship.“Iknowit trigger the president and the attorney general. I know it trigger them, so I think it's because of the speech in (Continued on page 15)

30 students caught skipping school in city sweep

Students liming at city bus parks during school hours maysoonfindfewerplacestohide.TheMinistryofHuman Services, Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), in partnership with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has launched daily inspections targeting truancy at major transportationhubs.

Dubbed “Street Light Activity,” the initiative began Monday and will see joint patrols at key routes including East/West, South, Lamaha and Kitty Officers from the StabroekPoliceOutpost,alongsideCPA'sNorthandSouth district teams and Director Levine Gouveia, led the first sweep.

“Joint patrols were conducted along key public transportation points, including the East/West bus route, Southbusroute,Lamahabusroute,andtheKittybusroute,” theministrysaidinastatement.

Duringtheoperation,30studentswerefoundloiteringat busparksduringschoolhours.“Officersinteractedwiththe students to verify school attendance, assess the circumstances surrounding their presence at the bus parks duringinstructionalhours,andreinforcetheimportanceof consistent school participation as a critical foundation for theirdevelopmentandfuturesuccess,”theministrystated. TheministryemphasisedthattheStreetLightActivitywill continue daily as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to safeguard children, encourage regular school attendance, andstrengtheninter-agencycollaborationinprotectingthe nation'syouth.

Team of officers of the Guyana Police Force, Childcare and Protection Agency engaging with a student found loitering at a bus park during instructional hours

Bus driver arrested for supplying minors with alcohol

Aminibusdriverwas nabbed on Tuesday

a f t e r p o l i c e discoveredaquantityofalcohol in the vehicle transporting school-aged passengers, whom he allegedly supplied with the beverages.

According to a statement issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday, ranks conducting a traffic enforcement exercise on the eastern side of the Lima Public Road, Essequibo Coast, observed the minibus parked alongtheroadway Police said that upon approaching the vehicle, ranks observed, “20 school-aged passengers inside Upon

19-year-old arrested for fatal stabbing of tourist guide

approaching the vehicle, ranks observed what appeared to be alcoholic beverages within the bus.”

T h e d r i v e r w a s subsequently instructed to proceed to the Anna Regina Police Station, where the vehicle was searched in the presence of the authorities

During the search, several bottles containing alcoholic beverages, along with other items,werediscovered. The students were later handed over to a child care officerforfurtherintervention.

Meanwhile, the driver was arrestedandremainsincustody

The minibus has been lodged, andinvestigationsareongoing.

Alcoholic beverages found in the minibus

Dead: 21-year-old Tourist Guide John Elliot A 19-year-old resident of

Rupununi, Region Nine, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the fatal stabbingof21-year-oldtourist guideJohnElliot.

Elliot, a resident of Surama Village, North Rupununi, and a tour guide attached to Atta Lodge, was reportedly stabbed to death around 01:30 hrs on September 21, 2025, during heritagemonthcelebrationsin AnnaiVillage.

According to police, a femalepoliceofficerwhowas attending the event witnessed theattack.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the suspect was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation conducted at his residence.

During the operation, officers observed several individuals in the house, including five male juveniles, a 21-year-old man, and the murder suspect.Asearch was carried out, and a quantity of suspected cannabis was allegedly found in the possessionofthe19-year-old.

Police said the narcotics were weighed in the suspect's presence and amounted to 11 grams before being lodged as evidence.

All individuals at the residence were arrested and taken to the Annai Police Station, where they are assisting with ongoing investigations.

The suspect is also being investigated for possession of cannabis. Investigations into themurderarecontinuing.

Government service center taken to Region Five

Another government service center was on Wednesday commissioned intheRegionFivevillageof Fort Wellington, to improve citizens' accessibility to fundamental government services, affording ease of travelandsavingtraveltime.

The addition of the new center follows last December's commissioning of a similar facility at West Central Mall, Leonora, in RegionThree.

S

Minister of Public

Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, in his feature remarks, said the new center was birthed from the vision of

P r e s i d e n t I r f a a n Wednesday's opening, the minister stated, brings to reality the president's ambition to make basic benefits available and convenientforcitizens.

"Whatyou'reseeinghere today is a representation of His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali's commitment to you. Theloveandthepassionthat hehasforyou,andtoensure as well that you all benefit from services that everyone is benefiting from Georgetown."

While in Region Six last November, both President Ali and Minister Ally unveiled plans for the

strategic positioning of several service centers across the country with the purpose of facilitating critical government services to citizens, essentially decentralising most of these services primarily acquired inGeorgetown.

Theservicecentersoffer immigration and passport services, issuance of birth, marriage and death certificates through the general registrar's office, enrollment for and issuance ofdigitalidentificationcard, processing and issuance of police clearance, among otherimportantservices.

The second of its kind, Minister Ally said so far, thousands of persons have already capitalised on the added convenience He pointedtoobtainingapolice clearance and the hassle of waiting for one, as it is processed all the way through police headquarters atEveLeary,requiringsome amount of time, and for some, traveling to Georgetown. This has been made less hassling, he emphasised.

At the same time, the minister stressed the importanceofcitizensbeing not only afforded the convenience of these services, but these must be accompanied by respect

from those conveying the services.

"Idon'twanttohearthat our citizens are going in public offices for public servicesandtheyaregivena hard time, they are not spoken to too well, they are not treated too well. That is not the government that we will be leading. The government we will be leading is that the citizens come first, services will be brought to them in their communities, and every citizen, young or old, must

The newly commissioned Government Service Center at Fort Wellington, Region Five

MinisterofPublic Service,Government Efficiencyand Implementation, Zulfikar Ally at the launch

be treated with respect," the public service minister affirmed.

This forms part of the government's step towards complete digitisation, allowing for citizens to access services online and withouthavingtoleavetheir homes, or enter an office in

manycases.

"You've heard the president speak of the digitisation of NIS, for example.Wedon'twantyou to go lining up for NIS. We don't want you to go in to find out how much contributions you've had, or whether your employer is

Newtownmangets20years forkillingneighbour

George Moses of Lot 18 Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown was on Tuesday sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his neighbour,Anthony Williams back inMarch2023.

Thesentencewashandeddown by Justice Gino Persaud. Moses had been charged with the murder of Williams, which occurred on March 30, 2023, at the Lamaha Street address. The court heardthatMosesandWilliamslivedin separate flats within a two-storey apartment building.Williams occupied the lower flat, while Moses resided in theupperflat.Themenreportedlyhada long-standing dispute that frequently escalatedintophysicalconfrontations.

Investigations revealed that on March 30, 2023, at about 18:30 hrs., a police corporal stationed near the residence witnessed the two men arguingintheyard.

The altercation reportedly began after Moses aggressively chased Williams'childrenfromthestepsofthe building. According to the officer's testimony,Mosesarmedhimselfwitha knife and attacked Williams, shouting, “I gonna kill you and go lie down for you.”Williams was first stabbed in the back and attempted to flee, but Moses chased after him and inflicted three additional stab wounds to his body

After the attack, Moses discarded the knifeintoanearbycanal.

Williams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after Moses was arrested at the scene, cautioned, and laterchargedwithmurder

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard emotional victim impact statementsfromthedeceased'schildren and partner The deceased's partner, Dahlia Gouveia, said she has faced severe financial hardship since Williams'death,ashehadbeenthesole provider for their children. She added that the family continues to grieve, notingthatthelosshasbeenespecially difficultforherandthechildren.

Kiara Williams, the victim's eldest daughter,toldthecourtthatherfather's death forced her to take on significant responsibilities, including assisting in the care of her younger siblings. She expressed the family's desire for the offender to face the full consequences of the law “I hope he faces the consequencesforhisactions,”shesaid.

The victim's son, Shemroy Williams,describedthedeepemotional paincausedbylosinghisfather Hesaid the loss remains a constant and painful reminder “I wish my father was still (Continuedonpage16)

Sentenced

actually making your contributions. Right now, as wespeak,youcangoonthe NIS website, you can create an account, and you can see howmuchcontributionsyou have."

The minister urged residents of that region to familiarize themselves with t h e p l a n s o f t h e administration and take advantage of same, and to alsosignupfortheE-ID.He disclosed too, that the government will in the new launch a 'Citizens Connect' app, a virtual platform for citizens to report community-relatedissues.

Joining the public serviceministeratthelaunch was Minister of Education, Sonia Parag. She said that over 70 community meetings were held with residentsintheregion.These meetings, she said, were to informthemofgovernment's commitment to providing

convenienceandaccess.

"While you will have to travel-andmanyofyouwill havetotakeadayoutofyour job,adayoutfromyourlifeand when we are saying a day, it's not just an hour It's an entire day to go from Region Five to Georgetown toaccesstheseservices.And whenyoudothat,sometimes youdon'tget,onthatday,the service that you want, and you'll have to go back again," Minister Parag stressed.

S h e n o t e d t h a t government is keen on bringing effective and efficient services to communitiesaspartofwhat transformationentails.

"So, while we are building nice buildings and we are putting up great schools, and making quality healthcare, we also have to make the services that are available to you easier for youtoaccess."

A36-year-olddriverwas on Wednesday granted $300,000bailafterappearing in court on fi

earm, ammunition and narcoticsrelatedcharges.

AudwinMingoofBamia, Linden Highway, was arrestedonFebruary8,2026, atAmelia'sWard,Linden.He wasaccusedofpossessionof narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of ammunition without a licence. He was subsequently chargedandappearedbefore Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Linden Magistrate's Court, where thechargeswerereadtohim. Mingopleadednotguilty to all three offences and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000oneachcharge.

adjourned to March 12, 2026.

GuySuCo on track for 2030 turnaround to profitability

…Opposition MPs raises concerns as $13.4B approved –

The operations of theGuyanaSugar Corporation (GuySuCo)tookcentrestage on Tuesday as the Committee of Supply considered the Ministry of Agriculture's allocation for 2026.

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Vishnu Panday of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MPs Vinceroy Jordan, Dr Terrence Campbell and Saiku Andrews, among others, grilled Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on whether the state-owned company will finally meet its production targetsafteryearsofbillions of dollars being invested. Throughout it all, Minister Mustapha expressed optimism, pointing to the Government of Guyana's five-yearstrategicplanasthe framework expected to return GuySuCo to profitabilityby2030.

Pandayaformerdirector atGuySuCo,pointedoutthat the corporation has missed its production targets in recent years. He outlined that previous years, sugar factoriesgrindsugarforjust over300hoursperweek.

He positioned that in order to meet the target set forthisyear,itwouldrequire the factories to grind sugar for about 445 hours per week. “What is it that we havedonesuddenlytomake GuySuCo prepared to crush for445hoursperweek,ifwe don't, we cannot produce 100,000 tonnes of sugar,” Pandaysaid.

Minister Mustapha countered,insistingthatheis h o p e f u l t h a t t h e mechanization of the corporation would move between 50 to 60 percent in the field to drive up production. Healsopointed to the recapitalisation of sugarfactories,includingthe replacement of rollers, turbines and conveyor systems, as well as improvements in juice extraction.

“All these things will contribute to better sugar production and I am very optimistic,”headded.

Minister Mustapha

referenced the first maintenance period, expressing confidence that improved extraction rates would be realised once factories restart. He also

noted that this year it is expected to have a higher yield of cane output per hectare. “And that will help driveupproductionandIam very optimistic that we will meet the 100,000 tonnes cometheendofthisyear,”he said.

However, Panday contended that producing

Agri. Minister

tonnes of cane you will get morethan100,000tonnesof sugar,”theministersaid.

For 2026, GuySuCo has beenallocated$13.4billion, of which $8.4 billion is for current expenditure The minister disclosed that 81%

of the $8 4 billion, approximately $6.8 billion will go towards wages and

100,000 tonnes of sugar w o u l d r e q u i r e approximately 1.4 million tonnes of cane. Adding that sugar production in the first half of 2026 is projected at 29,000 tonnes, with 71,000 tonnes expected in the second half. “How are we going to produce 71,000 tonnes of sugar only from onecrop,whenfrom2020to nowwehaveneverproduced close to 71,000 tonnes,” Panday said, adding that such production levels were only achieved in 2023 when heservedasadirector

“Sugar production does not only depend on cane in the field…all the factors are importantbutwhenyoulook at what we are doing now, unlikewhenhewasthere,we are not cutting young canes

anymore we have approximately or over 1.2 million tonnes of canes that areinthefieldsnow,wewill haveverylowTCTS(tonnes cane per tonnes sugar) and when you look at a conservativefigureandIcan take it even up to 13 TCTS, we will achieve more than 100,000 tonnes,” Mustapha responded.

However, Panday maintained that even with 1.3 million tonnes of cane andarendimentof14TCTS, GuySuCo would still fall short of 100,000 tonnes of sugar “Inevermentioned14 TCTS, I don't know where themembergotthatfigure,I amsayingthatIwouldgothe highest of 13 (TCTS). The projection here is 12 tonnes cane per tonnes sugar…and [with] over 1 2 million

certainty. In response, Mustapha said, “I am very optimistic because what we have in the plan, we already start moving in the right direction, over 41% of GuySuCo's cultivation have alreadybeenmechanized,in that plan you will see new machinery being bought in thenextfiveyears.”

salaries. However, he noted that this figure does not coverGuySuCo'sfullannual wage bill, which he said is approximately$20billion.

“So,therestwillhaveto be made up from the sale of sugar,”Mustaphasaid.

He disclosed that the remaining 19% of the allocation will be spent on fuel (8%), lubricants (2%), otheressentialmaterialsand supplies (4%), and lorry contractors (5%) The minister also noted that payments to other contractors will also have to be made from sugar sales.

“Notallthecontractorswere paid at the end of December ( 2 0 2 5 ) w e h a v e approximately 100 million outstandingwhichGuySuCo isnowtryingtogettopayas they sell sugar over the few months,” Mustapha added. Responding to a question

from MP Panday on GuySuCo's internal debts, the minister said these, too, will have to be settled using revenue generated from sugarsales.

Meanwhile, MP Saiku Andrews questioned when the government expects GuySuCo to become selfsustaining and reduce state subsidies.Mustaphapointed tothefive-yearstrategicplan outlined during the 2026 budgetdebate.

“Weareworkingtowards thatandhopefully,hopefully we can make a change from thisyear,”hesaid.

Andrews expressed concern over the use of the word “hopefully,” stressing thatpublicspendingrequires

MinisterofAgriculture,

He added that the plan focuses heavily on mechanisation, noting that prior to 2020, GuySuCo facedsignificantchallenges,

including factory closures and worker displacement, which increased production costs.“Weareworkingvery diligently,weareworkingto

modernize the corporation, we are looking at the p e r f o r m a n c e o f management, managers havetobemoreaccountable now…and we will ensure that the strategic plan of GuySuCo be successful and GuySuCo can return to profitability in 2030,” Mustaphasaid.

On the mechanisation, the minister assured that workers will not lose their jobs during the upgrade process. He also disclosed that GuySuCo is currently facingalabourshortageand that workers are being (Continuedonpage17)

SOCUraidsMohamed's...

Frompage11

Parliament…I have no need to lie about it, becausethisispublicknowledge.Everyone knows how close we were with the PPP government.Everyoneknows,”hestated.

Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed,alongwiththeirbusinesses,were sanctioned by the United States Treasury's OfficeofForeignAssetsControl(OFAC)for alleged gold smuggling. Following the sanctions, their local bank accounts were closedandtheircambiolicencerevoked.

Mohamed said that since the sanctions, their gold operations have ceased. “No, we don't have any gold, because the last shipment was exported, and we couldn't operateanymore,becausethatshipmentwas heldatMiami,andthatwasalegalshipment thatwasheldbeforethesanctions,beforewe were sanctioned, that shipment left this country,threeweeksbefore,”hesaid.

Headdedthatalloftheirbusinesseswere shut down, with the exception of a small snackette in front of the Lombard Street building.

He also stated that after their bank accountswereclosed,callsweremadetothe GovernoroftheBankofGuyana,Dr Gobind Gangatohaveanaccounttheretosavetheir moneybutthiswasnotallowed.

“Itlooksliketheywantnowtosearchthe entire Guyana to see where, if we got whatever little cash to confiscate… I want theGuyanesepeopletoseehowwicked,how vindictive is the PPP government by all means. They want to get me out by all means,”Mohamedsaid.Lastyear,thefather and son were indicted in a United States federal court in Miami, Florida, on 11 charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracytocommitmoneylaunderingand the importation of a Lamborghini luxury

vehicle, stemming from allegations of massive tax fraud committed against Guyana. They are currently challenging a U.S.extraditionrequestinthelocalcourts.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Wednesday night,We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) condemned the raid and stated that therankswereheavilyarmed,somemasked.

“Mr Mohamed was refused permission to photograph the alleged warrant and was not provided a copy Legal counsel states clearly that no judge signed the warrant. It wasnotissuedbyanycourtoflaw Portions wereselectivelyreadaloudbyarank,while other sections were concealed The document purported to grant blanket and arbitraryauthoritytosearchandseizeawide list of innocuous items, powers that do not existunderGuyaneselaw,”thepartyfurther stated.

WIN also disclosed that up to 5pm, the fourpersonsdetained,includingtwoelderly personswerestillincustody.Thepartyalso disclosed that at SOCU headquarters, an attorney representing the Mohameds was refused access to meet with the detained staff.

Further, the party said that the raid was unjustified, pointing to the absence of a judge-signedwarrant.

“The seizure of privileged legal materials, the deployment of a drug-sniffer dog at a non-operational premises, and the treatment of staff form part of continued political persecution by the government PPP,”WINsaid.

The party also called for the immediate internationalscrutinyandintervention.“The weaponisation of specialised police units against political opponents threatens constitutional rights, democratic standards, andtheruleoflawinGuyana,”itstated.

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Chikungunyacasesincreasingin severalcountriesintheAmericas — PAHO recommends preparedness

ThePanAmericanHealth Organization (PAHO) has issuedanepidemiologicalalert following a sustained increase in chikungunya cases in several countries in the Americassincelate2025and intoearly2026.Thealertalso highlights the re-emergence oflocaltransmissioninareas that had not reported virus circulation in several years.

Whilethistrendisconsistentwithexpectedpatternsin areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector is present, environmental factorssuchasextremetemperatures favour mosquito breeding. The persistence of the virusinendemicareas,along with the circulation of the Asian and East, Central, and SouthAfrican (ECSA) genotypes, underscores the need forsensitivesurveillanceand a timely response.

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sea, and rash. Other, non-articular symptoms can range from mild to severe, with higher risk in children under 1-year, older adults, people withunderlyinghealthconditions, and pregnant women. Chikungunya can also cause chronic joint pain, whichmaylastfromweeksto several months in about 60% of cases. There is no specific antiviral treatment; acute symptoms are managed with analgesics and antipyretics. High-risk patients should be assessed by health professionalsforpotentialhospitalizationandmonitoringtoprevent severe complications and fatalities.

REGIONAL AND GLOBALSITUATION

“Chikungunya spread across theAmericas in 2013, and after years of low transmission, we are now observingaresurgence,particularly in the Intertropical Zone where Aedes aegypti is present,” said Sylvain Aldighieri, Director of Communicable Diseases Prevention,Control,andElimination at PAHO. “The purpose of this alert is to ensure that health workers and governmentsarepreparedforpotential outbreaks and can plan public information campaigns.”

PAHO recommends that countries strengthen epidemiologicalandlaboratorysurveillance to detect cases and outbreaks early, ensure properclinicalmanagement–especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women,childrenunder1year of age, older adults, and peoplewithunderlyinghealth conditions—and intensify integratedvectormanagement actions,includingtheelimination of mosquito breeding sites.

Chikungunya is a virus transmittedbyAedesaegypti and potentially Aedes albopictusmosquitoes,which alsospreaddengue,Zika,and other arboviruses. Infection can cause high fever and severe joint pain, often debilitating, along with muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nau-

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bean have reported increases in specific areas. Since late 2025, sustained rises have been observed in multiple countries and territories, including the re-establishment oflocaltransmissioninplaces that had been free of the virus for years. In Guyana, FrenchGuiana,andSuriname, detections in 2025 and 2026 indicate the resumption of transmission after a decade without reported cases.

Genomic analysis in the Americas shows circulation of the ECSA genotype, with no detection of the A226V mutation associated with increased transmissibility by Aedes albopictus.

Globally,betweenJanuary 1 and December 10, 2025, a totalof502,264chikungunya cases were reported, including 208,335 confirmed cases and 186 deaths, across 41 countries and territories. In the Americas, 313,132 cases were reported, of which 113,926 were confirmed, including170deathsin18countries and one territory during 2025. Regionally, total cases declined compared to 2024. However,severalcountriesin SouthAmericaandtheCarib-

The virus’ persistence in endemic areas and its reappearanceinpreviouslyvirusfree territories highlights the need for integrated surveillanceandongoingpreventive measures. PAHO recommendsthathealthcarepersonnel include chikungunya in the differential diagnosis of fever and rash, along with measles and other arboviruses.Healthfacilitiesshould ensure that staff are trained andequippedforaccuratediagnosis, classification, and treatment.

Vector control teams are

advisedtointensifyeffortsto eliminate mosquito breeding sites in areas where cases are being reported, including within and around health facilities treating patients with chikungunya and other arboviral diseases. The public is encouraged to use repellents, bed nets, and clothingthatcoversarmsandlegs; avoid mosquito exposure in areaswithactivetransmission (especially at dawn and dusk); and ensure rest and home care for patients with chikungunya under bed nets to prevent bites and further transmission. Community participation in eliminating mosquito breeding sites through simple measures, such as emptying, covering, or discarding containers that collectwater,isalsoessential. These recommendations align with previous PAHO alertsandguidelinesforclinical management and treatment of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. PAHOwillcontinuetomonitor the situation and provide technical support to countries to strengthen surveillance, patient care, and vector management to mitigate the impact of these diseases in the region.

Newtown man gets 20 years

From page 14 alive,” he told the court. In delivering the sentence, Justice Persaud outlined several aggravating factors, including the fact that Williamswasunarmedandvulnerableatthe time of the attack, and that Moses demonstrated a persistent pattern of violent behaviour. Justice Persaud noted that after the initial confrontation, Moses chasedWilliams and continued stabbing him as he attemptedtoescape.Thecourtalsohighlighted that the killing occurred in the presence of the victim’s children, significantly increasing the gravity of the offence.

JusticePersaudfurtherstatedthatMoses showed no genuine remorse and that the attack was entirely avoidable. Instead, he per-

sisted in pursuing and stabbing the victim, establishing him as a danger to society “Thisisaheinouscrimecommittedinthe presence of his children. This could have been avoided,” the judge said.

In determining the sentence, the court began with a starting point of 30 years’ imprisonmentduetotheseverityoftheoffence and added three years for Moses’ propensity for violence. However, three years were deducted in consideration of an apology and his challenging childhood, which included physical abuse. A further 10-year reduction was applied for his early guilty plea. This resulted in a final sentence of 20 years’imprisonment,withtimealreadyspent on remand to be deducted.

FAO, ILO, and ITC partner to enhance linkages in Guyana’s seafood sector

T h e F o o d a n d Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Labour to host a one-day workshop on Monday

Titled “Strengthening Guyana’s Agribusiness: FromFisheriesCooperatives to Seafood Markets”, the workshop brought together fisheries cooperatives, seafood and agrifood businesses, banks, business support organisations, and policymakers. Its main goal wassimple:tohelpfisheries cooperatives connect more easily with buyers, markets, and sources of finance in Guyana. By creating space for these groups to meet, talk, and plan together, the event aimed to reduce gaps in the seafood value chain and to support more stable, profitable business relationships.

Minister of Labour and ManpowerPlanning,Keoma Griffith, in his keynote address, said, “The forum is timely as it ensures that Guyana’sfisherfolkarefully partofthecountry’songoing d

e government supports these p

n

ships between international organisations, cooperatives,andtheprivate sectortobuildmoreresilient agricultural and fisheries systems that can drive inclusive economic growth in Guyana and across the Caribbean.”

Mr. Denzel Roberts, ChiefFisheriesOfficerofthe Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, echoed Minister Griffith’s sentiments that the Government of Guyana supportsthedevelopmentof fish cooperatives and this workshop.Headdedthatthe event will create linkages between fisherfolk and financial institutions and help the sector access new markets, in line with the Government’sobjectives.

Theeventwassupported by business stakeholders such as national banks, regional partners, and the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Their involvement facilitated discussions beyond ideas towards practical partnerships that can improve access to markets and finance. Over

time, these partnerships can help cooperatives invest in better equipment, improve productquality,andincrease production,leadingtohigher incomes and more secure jobs in fishing and related industries.

Rory Osborne, a fisher from Wakenaam, noted, “Thiseventopenedmyeyes to all the things required to runacoopandwasgreatfor networking with new people”.

Victor Mangru, a fisher from Region Three, added that “The event is great because I’ve been able to meet people like business incubators, supermarkets, and banks, which can help mybusinessgrow”.

Through focused discussions and networking sessions, participants shared practical ways to work together more effectively They looked at how to strengthen relationships between suppliers and b u y e r s , i m p r o v e productivityandquality,and adopt responsible business practicesacrossthefisheries andagrifoodsectors.Special attention was given to the needs of cooperatives, small-scale producers, and micro, small, and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs), so that growth in the sector benefits a wider range of people.

Labour standards and decentwork were a key part of the conversation By encouraging businesses and cooperatives to follow fair labour practices from the start,theworkshophelpedto link market growth with safer working conditions, skills development, and more stable employment for Guyaneseworkers. The workshop also

allowed representatives fromtheMinistryofLabour

and the Ministry of Agriculture to engage directly with private-sector actors. This will help to ensure that new business partnerships support nationalpriorities,including sustainability, inclusive growth, and decent employment. When public policy and private investmentworkinthesame direction, successful models can be expanded and have a greater impact across the sector

The representative of Survival Supermarket said that this was a beneficial event for first engagement, andhecanseegreatpotential withnewseafoodsuppliers.

The collaboration reflects the different but complementary roles of the partnersinvolved:

• FAO works to strengthen sustainable fisheries, agrifood systems andlivelihoods;

• ITC supports MSMEs tobecomemorecompetitive andaccessmarkets;

• ILO promotes decent work and respect for labour standards;and

• Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Labour provide national

leadership on sector d e v e l o p m e n t a n d employment.

By strengthening links within Guyana’s seafood value chain, the workshop s u p p o r t s n a t i o n a l development goals such as job creation, economic diversification and food system resilience In the longer term, stronger and more inclusive value chains can increase incomes for workers and producers, attractinvestment,andboost

the seafood sector’s contribution to the national economy

The event also supports the goals of the FISH4ACP programme, which aims to make fisheries and aquaculture value chains more sustainable, inclusive andresilient.Itcontributesto progress on the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals(SDGs), particularly those related to decent work, economic growth, innovation and sustainable use of marine resources.

FISH4ACP is an

initiativeoftheOrganisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) aimed at making fisheries andaquaculturevaluechains inAfrica, the Caribbean and thePacificmoresustainable. FISH4ACP is implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic C o o p e r a t i o n a n d Development(BMZ).

Mr Joan Nadal Sastre, Head of Cooperation for Guyana and Suriname, Delegation of the European

Union to Guyana, Suriname andCARICOM,saidtheEU supports this initiative that willcreatelocaladdedvalue, stimulate growth, generate decent jobs, and strengthen cohesion that are aligned with the European Union values – particularly inclusion, social cohesion a n d s u s t a i n a b l e development.

Looking ahead, the UnitedNationspartnerswill focus on translating the workshop outcomes into concrete business opportunities for fisheries cooperatives. They hope to sustain the commercial l i n k a g e s b e t w e e n cooperatives, banks, and supermarkets, strengthen c o o p e r a t i v e s ’ competitiveness to be more marketdriven,increasesales volumes, and position them asviableplayersinGuyana’s seafood market. FAO, ITC and ILO, together with nationalpartners,reaffirmed their commitment to follow up on the outcomes of the workshop and continue supporting the development of competitive, sustainable, and inclusive fisheries and agribusiness value chains that deliver lasting benefits for Guyanese workers, communities, and the economy

GuySuCo on track for 2030 turnaround...

From page 15 trained through various government initiatives.

Moreover, MP Jordan raised concerns over complaints from retired GuySuCo workers,whohavereportedlybeenunableto access their benefits from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) because the corporation owes the agency Jordan also said he received similar complaints from workerswhotooksickleave.

Against this backdrop, the MP questioned the minister on the amount allocated in the 2026 budget to address payments to NIS. The minister said, “None of the money here is budgeted to pay NIS contribution,NIScontributionisbeingpaid byrevenuegeneratedfromthesaleofsugar.”

He disclosed that GuySuCo's arrears to NIS amount to approximately two years, totalling about $2 billion, but noted that the

corporation is working to bring the account uptodate.“Theyarehopingthatbymidthis yeartheyareabletogeneratethesumtopay overtotheNationalInsuranceScheme,”the ministersaid.

MP Campbell also raised the issue of whether the Ministry of Agriculture had approached Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh to liquidate the $2 billion owed by GuySuCo to NIS Minister Mustapha however,statedthatwhileheagreesthatthe arrearsshouldbesettledassoonaspossible, hesaidhedoesnotbelieveworkersarebeing preventedfromaccessingtheirNISbenefits duetoGuySuCo'snon-remittance.Heurged affected workers to come forward so the mattercanbeaddressed.

Hefurthernotedthatseveraldiscussions have already been held with the Minister of Finance and expressed optimism that the outstandingsumswillbepaidovertoNIS.

TrumpmeetsNetanyahu,withUS-Iran nucleardiplomacytoppingagenda

(Reuters) - President Donald

Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, with the Israeli prime minister expected to press him to widen U.S. talks with Iran to include limits on Tehran’s missile arsenal and other security threats beyonditsnuclearprogram.

In his seventh meeting with Trumpsincethepresidentreturned to office nearly 13 months ago, Netanyahu was looking to influence the next round of U.S. discussions with Iran following nuclear negotiations held in Oman lastFriday

Trumphasthreatenedstrikeson Iran if no agreement is reached, while Tehran has vowed to retaliate, stoking fears of a wider war He has repeatedly voiced support for a secure Israel, a longstandingU.S.allyandarch-foe ofIran.

In media interviews on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his warning, saying that while he believesIranwantsadeal,hewould do “something very tough” if it refused.

TRUMP SAYS NO TO IRANIAN NUCLEAR

WEAPONS, MISSILES

TrumptoldFoxBusinessthata good deal with Iran would mean “nonuclearweapons,nomissiles,” without elaborating. He also told Axioshewasconsideringsendinga second aircraft carrier strike group

aspartofamajorU.S.buildupnear Iran.

Israel fears that the U.S. might pursue a narrow nuclear deal that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program or anendtoIraniansupportforarmed proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah, according to people familiar with the matter Israeli officialshaveurgedtheU.S.notto trustIran’spromises.

“I will present to the president ourperceptionsoftheprinciplesin the negotiations,” Netanyahu told reporters before departing for the U.S. The two leaders could also discuss potential military action if diplomacy with Iran fails, one source said. Iran has said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but has ruled out linkingtheissuetomissiles.

“TheIslamicRepublic’smissile capabilities are non-negotiable,”

AliShamkhani,anadvisertoIran’s supreme leader, said on Wednesday

Netanyahu’s arrival at the White House was lower-key than usual.Heenteredthebuildingaway from the view of reporters and cameras, and a White House official then confirmed he was insidemeetingwithTrump.

GAZA ON THE AGENDA

Also on the agenda was Gaza, with Trump looking to push ahead with a ceasefire agreement he

helped to broker Progress on his 20-point plan to end the war and rebuild the shattered Palestinian enclavehasstalled,withmajorgaps over steps such as Hamas disarming as Israeli troops withdrawinphases.

Netanyahu’s visit, originally scheduled for February 18, was brought forward amid renewed U.S. engagement with Iran. Both sides at last week’s Oman meeting said the talks were positive and furthertalkswereexpectedsoon.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the Oman meeting that negotiations would need to address Iran’s missiles, its proxy groups, and its treatment of its own population Iran said Friday’s talks focused only on nuclear issues. Trump has been vague about broadening the negotiations. He was quoted as tellingAxiosonTuesdaythatitwas a“no-brainer”foranydealtocover Iran’s nuclear program, but that he also thought it possible to address itsmissilestockpiles.

Iran says its nuclear activities areforpeacefulpurposes,whilethe U.S. and Israel have accused it of past efforts to develop nuclear weapons.LastJune,theU.S.joined Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilitiesduringa12-daywar

Israel also heavily damaged Iran’s air defenses and missile arsenal. Two Israeli officials say there are signs Iran is working to

U.S. President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they shake hands during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

restorethosecapabilities.

Trumpthreatenedlastmonthto intervenemilitarilyduringabloody crackdown on anti-government protestsinIran,butultimatelyheld off.

ISRAEL WARY OF A WEAKENED IRAN REBUILDING

Tehran's regional influence has been weakened by Israel's June attack,lossessufferedbyitsproxies inGaza,Lebanon,YemenandIraq, and the ousting of its ally, former SyrianPresidentBasharal-Assad.

But Israel is wary of its adversaries rebuilding after the multi-front war triggered by Hamas' October 2023 assault on southernIsrael.

While Trump and Netanyahu have mostly been in sync and the

U.S. remains Israel's main arms supplier, Wednesday's meeting couldexposetensions.

PartofTrump'sGazaplanholds out the prospect for eventual Palestinian statehood - which Netanyahu and his coalition, the most far-right in Israel's history, havelongresisted.

Netanyahu'ssecuritycabineton Sundayauthorizedstepsthatwould make it easier for Israeli settlers in theoccupiedWestBanktobuyland while granting Israel broader powersinwhatthePalestinianssee as the heartland of a future state. The decision drew international condemnation.

"I am against annexation," Trump told Axios, reiterating his stance. "We have enough things to thinkaboutnow.”

Iran says missile programme non-negotiable as Tehran, Washington eye talks

(AL-JAZEERA)

Iran is unwilling to compromise on its missile capabilities, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has said, indicatingapotentialstickingpoint in negotiations with the United States.

Ali Shamkhani made the statementonWednesdayduringan eventmarkingthe47thanniversary of the Islamic Revolution. “The

Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,”hewasquotedby statemediaassaying.

His remarks follow a round of mediatedtalksbetweentheUSand IranianofficialslastweekinOman that failed to yield a breakthrough.

“TheIraniansaresayingweare readytotalknuclear,butwearenot ready to talk ballistics,” said Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, reporting fromTehran, Iran. “For the United States,thisisabigissue.”

Many Iranians, still marked by memoriesoflastJune’s12-daywar with Israel that killed some 610 people in the country, fear the prospect of renewed conflict

“Many here are quite concerned this could lead to something unfavourable,”saidHashem.

‘Willnotyieldtoaggression’

Washington and Tehran are weighing another round of talks,

though no date has been announced.

US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on the negotiations.Whilesayingthefirst round was “very good”, he also threatened military action if Iran doesnotmeetUSdemands.

“Eitherwewillmakeadeal,or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” Trump told USnewssiteAxiosonTuesday.

Iran wants the talks to focus exclusively on nuclear issues, while the US has pushed to also address Iran’s ballistic missile programmeandregionalalliances.

Trump also floated the idea of sending a second aircraft carrier towards Iran, a menacing signal after the US bombed three Iranian nuclearfacilitiesinJune.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that his country is ready to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme, but would not “not yieldtoexcessivedemands”.

“Our Iran will not yield in the face of aggression, but we are continuing dialogue with all our strength with neighbouring countriesinordertoestablishpeace and tranquillity in the region,” Pezeshkiansaid.

Qatariemirspeaks toTrump,Iran’sLarijani

Meanwhile, Iran’sAli Larijani, another senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visited Qatar and met with Emir SheikhTamimbinHamadAlThani todiscussthestatusofUStalks.

That discussion on Wednesday was positive, Larijani told Al Jazeera,addingthatIranremainsin contact with “all sides” about a

possiblesecondroundofUStalks.

The Qatari emir also spoke by phonewithTrumpaheadoftheUS president’s meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli premier is expected to press Trump to take a hardline stance in negotiations with Iran, including demanding concessions on Tehran’s military arsenal, including ballistic missiles, and support for regional groups like Hezbollah.

Hassan Ahmadian, an associate professor at the University of Tehran, said Iran views its ballistic missile programme as a red line because it’scriticaltoitsdefence

“There are limits to what Iran can offer,” Ahmadian told Al Jazeera “So far, the Iranian decision-makers have been insisting that a talk on Iran’s defensive capabilities is unacceptable. It’s an absurd argument to attack a country and thenexpectittohandoveritsmain meansofdefence.”

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Parkedamongthecorrupt

Guyana's climb from 39 to 40 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index is nothing to pop champagne over.

Ranked 84 out of 184 countries, we remain parked among the corrupt, with watchdogs warning that harassment of independent media and civil society is choking oversight. That is no small footnote; it is the headline.

Allegations of billion-dollar contracts for friends and family, ministers tied to private businesses, and stalled enforcement of whistleblower and witness protection laws continue to swirl. The UN Human Rights Committee has already flagged weak institutions and timid prosecution of high-level graft, especially in the oil and gas sector.

Over five years after returning to office, the PPP/C presides over a score lower than the 41 reached in 2020. One-point progress cannot mask shrinking civic space and stubborn impunity.

Until transparency is enforced and dissent protected, 40 will feel like zero.

One more race added as preparation continues for Kennard Memorial Phagwah

Horserace meet - Prize money soars to $9 million

BySamuelWhyte

Aspreparationcontinues for the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) annual Phagwah Horse race meet, the organisers have added one more event to the day's programme. This is as a result of the number of sponsors and horse owners that have indicated their

willingnesstobeapartofthe day'sactivity

The event is set for Sunday 8th March 2026 at the prestigious KMTC Turf club at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne,Berbice.

TheFclassracehasbeen addedtothealreadyexciting list of events. The winner will run home with an encouraging $500,000 and

trophyover7furlongs. With the addition of this new race the day's enticements have pitched to over $9M in cash, trophies andotherincentives.

The Phagwah Cup

matchupremainsthefeature event for the day with the horses matching skills for a winner's grab of $2M along withthePhagwahCupover9

Furlongs.

Horses running in the H classracewhichwillseethe winnergetting$450,000and atrophyover7furlongs.

The three years old Guyana bred maiden event has a first prize of $350,000 andatrophyinthe6-furlong event.

There is $350,000 and a trophy available for the top horse in the J class 7 Furlongscontest.

ThehorsethatwinstheK class and lower event will runawaywith$350,000and atrophyover6Furlongs.

Thursday February 12, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Attempts to contact others in different states or foreign countriestodaycouldgoawry, Aries, as technology that we tend to take for granted, such astelephonesandtheInternet, could malfunction, perhaps duetosolarflares.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Machines involved in financialtransactions,suchas ATMs, phone systems, or banking websites could malfunction today, Taurus, so you might have to resort to dealingwithmoneyintheold fashionedway

GEMINI(May21–June20)

This might be a good day to take some time for yourself. Contactwithothers,nomatter howmuchyoulovethem,isn't likely to go well, as most people are probably restless andinuncertainmoods.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today you might be trying to learn about a new form of modern technology, perhaps computerrelated,Cancer,and youcouldfindittooconfusing forwords.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Weirdness is the keyword for today, Leo. You could be flooded with information from newspapers or the Internet that seems very strangetoyou.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Rumors may be circulating today, which could cause a certain panic Some of your friendsandcolleaguescouldbe calling you at home to discuss the matter However, these rumors are probably based on littlemorethangossip

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Bizarrenewsthatcomestoyou from far away, possibly via email or the Internet, could be spreading like wildfire among the people you know and causingalotofexcitement.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Some rather disturbing news about trends in the world economy could have you and everyonearoundyouworrying about your financial future. Have faith, Scorpio What you're hearing may be total misinformation.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Get-togethers with friends today could prove a bit unsettling, as someone who attends them could throw out an opinion or possibility that seemsrathershocking.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Someone close to you could develop some strange symptoms that cause this person to panic. It never hurts to consult a doctor, but when this person does, he or she is likely to find that these problemsareprobablynothing morethanstress.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Groupactivitiesmightprovea little unsettling for you today Animated discussions could turn into angry quarrels and this could offend your desire forharmony

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Amemberofyourhouseholdis likely to be in a very strange mood today, Pisces This person has heard some news that is confusing and probably untrue and therefore is wondering what effect this wouldhaveontheirsituation.

Australia begin T20 World Cup...

Frompage24

all guns blazing during his 17-ball 37 as Australia accumulated64runsintheirsixpowerplayoversfortheloss ofHeadandCameronGreen(21),butIreland'sbowlerswere innomoodtoletthematchslipaway

Some tight spells of bowling turned the screws on Australia,butaworkmanlike61-runstandbetweenRenshaw (37)andMarcusStoinis(45)forthefifthwicketlaidasolid platformforthe2021championstobuildon.

"We've obviously been an aggressive team over the last couple of years. We want to try and keep that rate," Head added.

"Ithoughtwedidthatreallywellindifferentwaystoday Wehitalotoftwosinthatbackenduntilwegottothedeath, andtheboyswereabletofinishoffandgetustoareallygood score."

AustraliawererockedagainwhenRenshawwasbowled by a quicker one from Matthew Humphreys while Stoinis survivedbeingdroppedatcoverbeforeperishinginthe18th overbowledbyMarkAdair(2-44).

Lower-order batsmen Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett(both11notout)thentookAustraliapastthe180-run mark, a score that proved decisive in the end and ensured AustraliasealedacomfortablevictorytotopGroupB.

A similar amount of $350,000 and trophy is first prize takings for the winner in the L class maiden horseraceover6furlongs.

O u t s t a n d i n g performances including the Champion Jockey and Runner up Jockeys, trainer and stables etc will all receive accolades compliments of Ramesh SunichoftheTrophyStall.

The event will be held using the rules of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.

Interested persons can contact any executive of the clubforfurtherdetails.

Racestartsat12:30hrs.

"I think they managed the middle period really well against our spinners. Our spinners bowled well," Ireland's LorcanTuckersaid.

"Theycontrolledthegamereallynicelyandsetthemup tobeabletogetabiggerscorethanmaybethepartotal."

Scores: Australia 182 for 6 (Stoinis 45, Inglis 37, Renshaw 37) beat 115 (Dockrell 41, Ellis 4-12, Ireland Zampa4-23)by67runs

Rutherford, spinners lead Windies to second straight win

ESPNcricinfo - Givenallthepre-match hype about their 2016 encounters, this contestcouldwellhavebeensetupforafall. Instead, all the chat about their T20 glory daysinspiredWestIndieswithbatandball, as they landed a brilliant 30-run victory under the floodlights at the Wankhede Stadium,thankstoacalculatedbutpowerful half-centuryfromSherfaneRutherford,and astunningspinstrangleindewyconditions, ledbyGudakeshMotie'sthreewickets.

England looked to have the match in their grasp on numerous occasions: when West Indies slumped to 8 for 2 after losing whatseemedavitaltoss;whenAdilRashid bounced back from a rough day against Nepalwithastunningboundary-lessspellof 2for16;whenPhilSaltcameclatteringout ofthestartinggatestopowerEnglandalong to67for1inthepowerplay

Butthewallsclosedinonthemassoonas WestIndiesturnedtospin.MotieandRoston Chasedovetailedmagnificentlythroughthe middle overs for combined figures of 5 for 62 in eight, which became 6 for 94 in 12 whenAkealHoseinendedwhathehadbegun by picking off England's seventh wicketJamieOverton-inthecovers.

Gudakesh Motie is pumped up after getting rid of Jacob Bethell. (Getty Images)

fitting way to cap a fine personal display

Roston Chase removed Jos Buttler for 21. (Getty Images)

Jofra Archer's dawdling run-out by a Jason Holder direct hit epitomised an England performance that had run out of road, long before Sam Curran was left high anddryon43notout,withChase'stumbling catch at deep square leg off Rashid being a

Having edged over the line against Nepal in their previous game, England's impressive run of 11 wins in 12 T20Is came to a shudderinghalt,andagainstafamiliarWorld Cupnemesis.

Scores:WestIndies196for6(Rutherford 76*, Chase 34, Rashid 2-16) beat England 166(Curran43*,Motie3-33,Chase2-29)by 30runs.

GuyanaCricketBoardreceivesOlympicaffiliation

groundbreaking development for Guyanese sport, the Guyana CricketBoard(GCB)hasofficially received Olympic affiliation following the unanimous approval and ratification of its membership application by the Executive CommitteeandGeneralCouncilof the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

The Guyana Cricket Board affiliation follows key meetings held between the GOA and GCB and the fulfillment of all governance, constitutional, and financialcompliancerequirements, consistent with Olympic standards bytheGCB.

This landmark affiliation formally integrates cricket into Guyana'

framework and creates a clear p

women—to represent the nation at the Olympic Games and across the wider Olympic multi-sport cycle, including regional and continental Games.

PathwaytotheOlympicStage

The GCB's affiliation aligns Guyana with cricket's global expansion into the Olympic movement, driven by the sport's inclusion in upcoming OlympiccycleeventssuchastheLima2027 PanAmericanGamesandthe2026 South American Games in Argentina with ultimate aims of qualifying for and winning Olympicmedals.

Cricket will make its Olympic return at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where six teams will compete in the T20 format in both the men's and women's

tournaments.Eachgenderhasbeen allocated 90 athlete quotas, allowing participating nations to field squads of up to 15 players, following approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)ExecutiveBoardon9April.

GOA President Godfrey Munroe welcomed the decision, describingitasamilestoneforboth cricketandtheOlympicmovement inGuyana.

“I am truly happy to have the full support of the Executive Committee and Council in unanimously approving the inclusion of the Guyana Cricket Board as an affiliated member of theGuyanaOlympicAssociation.

Cricket is a sport with deep institutional strength structures, global reach, and immense developmental potential and its inclusion brings significant synergies to the Olympic family in

Guyana and for the Olympic movement".

Munroe continued, "The GOA hasbeenactivelyworkingwithand will continue to work with international partners to provide

qualification pathways, regulatory

participation."

"We are confident that this affiliation will generate strong synergies, advance Olympic values, and open new highperformance opportunities for Guyanese athletes as we look toward to the 2027 Pan America Games Lima Peru, 2026 South America Snr Games Santa Fe Argentina, LA 2028 Olympic gamesandbeyond.”

GCB president Bissoondyal Singh during his remarks said, "

represents a historic moment for

cricket in Guyana. It validates the governance reforms, development programmes, and long-term vision oftheGuyanaCricketBoard,while openingthedoorforourathletesto compete on the world's highest multi-sportstage."

"With this affiliation now in place,Guyanaformallyembarkson its Olympic cricket journey setting in motion plans for qualification, teamselection,athletepreparation, andhigh-performancetraining."

"Theultimateambitionisclear: to position Guyana competitively on the world's grandest sporting stage and pursue Olympic success and the nation's first Olympic gold medal.

We look forward to working closely with the Guyana Olympic Association as we prepare our athletes and teams to meet the demands of Olympic-cycle competition.”

CricketandtheOlympicGames Historical Cricket was last contestedattheOlympicGamesin 1900inParis,whereasinglematch was played between teams representing Great Britain and France,withGreatBritainwinning thegoldmedal.

Following its inclusion at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, the sport did not reappear on the Olympicprogrammeformorethan acentury Cricket's return to the Olympic stagewasformallyconfirmedatthe IOC Session in India in October 2023.

The sport's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been an ICC Recognized federation since December2007;pavingthewayfor cricket's long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.

groundbreaking push for epilepsy awareness in Sport

…Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana welcomes collaboration

The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, on

We d n e s d a y h o s t e d a groundbreakingworkshopaimedat increasing awareness and improving the management of epilepsy within the sporting environment.

Held at the National Racquet Centre in Georgetown, the session focused on “Epilepsy in Sport –Awareness and Management” and brought together sports administrators, coaches, and athletes from various national associations.

The initiative forms part of the NSC and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ broader push toward inclusivity and athlete welfarebeyondcompetition.

The workshop was facilitated by EFG executive, Dr Mallika Mootoo along with Dr Alex

Persaud, one of only three neurologists in Guyana and a specialist attached to the GeorgetownPublicHospital.

Participants were guided through medical facts, practical response strategies, and long-term management considerations for athleteslivingwithepilepsy

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, described the workshop as both historic and purposeful, emphasising that the NSC’s vision for sport extends beyond medals andmatches.

“And it shows that we are moving in the right direction, as Honourable Minister Charles RamsonJrwould’vesaidthisisthe yearofopenings,”Ninvallesaid.

Headded,“AndIthinkwhenhe saidthat,itledourmindstothinks that he was only talking about infrastructure, but actually, we’re openingmindsalso,andthisispart andparcelofwhatwewouldliketo

do,andwhatwewillcontinuetodo attheNSC.”

Ninvalle also revealed that the engagement with the Epilepsy Foundationisonlythebeginning.

He noted that following preliminary discussions, the NSC has started conversations with the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry of Health to host similar workshops, as part of a broader effort to strengthen safeguarding systemsandprovidepropercarefor everyone involved in sport at the highestlevel.

Meanwhile, Secretary General oftheGuyanaOlympicAssociation (GOA), Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, labeled the workshop asbothtimelyandnecessaryforthe localsportinglandscape.

She underscored that the Olympic movement has long promoted sport as a tool for unity and human development, and that this promise can only be fulfilled

when access is truly inclusive, including for athletes living with neurological conditions such as epilepsy

“Research has consistently shown that when communities are educated, stigma is reduced, participation increases, and individuals has the power to reach their full potential; sport is no exception,” the GOA Secretary Generalnoted.

The workshop also formed a keypartoftheEpilepsyFoundation of Guyana’s week of activities designed to raise national awareness about the condition. Activities will culminate with a publicawarenesswalkonSaturday from6:00am.

Asthefirstworkshopofitskind in Guyana to specifically address the intersection of epilepsy and sport, the session tackled a topic experts say has long been overlookeddespiteitssignificance.

RepresentativesoftheEpilepsy Foundation expressed confidence that the initiative will benefit the local sporting fraternity by dispellingmyths,reducingfear,and equipping participants with practical,life-savingknowledge.

Epilepsy remains widely misunderstood, and athletes living withtheconditionoftenfacestigma anduncertaintyaboutwhetherthey can safely participate in physical activity

However, research consistently shows that with proper medical managementandinformedsupport, individualswithepilepsycansafely engageinsport. Key topics covered included understanding the nature of epilepsy, recognizing different seizure types and symptoms, administering appropriate first aid duringaseizure,andmanagingthe conditionoverthelongtermwithin astructuredsportingenvironment.

ProteasedgeAfghanistanaftertwosuperovers

BBC Sport - South Africa and Afghanistan played out one of the most memorable matches in T20 World Cup history with the Proteas edging past their opponents after two super oversinAhmedabad.

After the first super over was tied, David Miller’s 16 fromfourballshelpedSouth Africa post 23-0 in the

second one before Afghanistan fell four runs short in a remarkable game, which was decided by the finestofmargins.

SouthAfricaposted1876 after half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton but Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 from 42 and cameos from Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan, whoadded22and20,kepta resolute Afghanistan in the chase.

Needing13runsfromthe finaloverwithonewicketin

hand, the Afghans were handedalifelinethroughtwo noballsfromKagisoRabada.

However, with two required from three balls, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out looking to scamper a second,forcingthematchto gotoasuperover

There was no winner after the first super over as South Africa matched Afghanistan’s 17-run effort, despite losing Dewald Brevis,buttheycameouton topinthesecondattempt. Itisthethirdtimeamen’s T20 international has

Afterbeingsentintobat by Afghanistan captain Rashid, SouthAfrica opener DeKockreachedhisfiftyin 34balls,whileRickeltongot his half-century in just 23 deliveries.

RashidthenremovedDe Kock for 59 off 41 and Rickeltonfor61off28inthe sameover,butonlyafterthe pair had put on a 114run secondwicket stand to guide themtoacompetitivetotal.

Chasing 188 to win, Afghanistanracedto50-0in four overs before Lungi

required multiple super overstobesettledafterIndia beat Afghanistan following two super overs in January 2024, while Netherlands beat Nepal after three super oversinJunelastyear

This was a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinalwheretheProteascame out on top, but this time Afghanistan offered them a far sterner test than in Trinidad, where they were bundledoutfor56.

Ngidi halted their momentumwiththewickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib in the fifth over

Despite the setback, Rahmanullah kept the Afghans firmly in the contest, powering to a halfcentury in 26 balls and, by the time he departed, they needed only 67 from 45 deliveries.

Noor Ahmad’s nine-ball 15thentookthegametothe tie-breaker, where Azmatullah’s hitting carried Afghanistanto17-0,onlyfor

Tristan Stubbs to clear the ropeinthefinalballofSouth Africa’sfirstsuperovertotie thematchagain.

It was then South Africa’s turn to set Afghanistan a target in the second super over and Rahmanullah’s 18 off four proved in vain as spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets, including one off the final ball, with the Afghans finishing on 19-2, havingneeded24towin.

The Proteas’win adds to their 57-run victory over Canadaintheiropener,while Afghanistan’s chances of reachingtheknockoutstages are as good as over after back-to-backdefeats.

South Africa next face New Zealand at the same venue on Saturday, while Afghanistan take on the United Arab Emirates in DelhionMonday Scores: South Africa 187 for 6 (Rickelton 61, de Kock 59, Omarzai 3-41, R a s h i d 2 - 2 8 ) b e a t Afghanistan 187 (Gurbaz 84, Ngidi 3-26) in the Super Over

Australia begin T20 World Cup with 67-run win over Ireland

(Reuters) - Australia launched their Twenty20 WorldCupcampaignwitha commanding67-runvictory over Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday, powered by four-wicket hauls from Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa. Australia shrugged offthelast-minutepulloutof captain Mitchell Marsh to post182-6in20overs,after stand-in skipper Travis Head won the toss and electedtobatfirstonaslow and spin-friendly wicket at theRPremadasaStadium.

Ireland'schasegotoffto theworstpossiblestartwhen captain Paul Stirling pulled upinjuredafterdartingfora run off the first ball, his premature retirement leavingthemamandownin Colombo.

Harry Tector perished for a duck in the second over, bowled by Matthew Kuhnemann, before Ross Adair failed to make the most of his reprieve following a drop by Matt Renshaw and was bowled out by Ellis for 12 to leave Irelandindeepertrouble.

Thewritinglookedtobe on the wall when Ellis had Curtis Campher caught at

Adam Zampa (right) and Co celebrate the wicket of Gareth Delany. (Associated Press)

mid-wicket for four, before he had Ben Calitz bowled for his third wicket inside the powerplay to leave Irelandreelingat27-4.

Zampa(4-23)thenmade hismarkashepickedupthe nextfourwickets,including middle-order batter George Dockrell, who gave Ireland hopewithaquick-fire41off 29 before he was stumped offawidedeliverywhenhe gavethespinnerthecharge.

Barry McCarthy was caughtatdeepmid-wicketto give Ellis (4-12) his fourth

wicket and with Stirling unable to bat again, Ireland werealloutfor115.

"The way that Nell and Zamps bowled throughout the second innings was exceptional. It's what we need from them two, they are probably the leaders of our attack, so for them to stand up tonight was an exciting start for us," Head said.

61-RUN STAND Earlier,JoshIngliswent Continued on page 21

Scenes from Bayroc National Stadium as LTI held CPCE to slim 2-1 defeat.

ThePetra-organisedinauguralModecTertiaryEducation Football Tournament continued in electric fashion on Wednesday at the Bayroc National Stadium, where Linden Technical Institute (LTI) secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory overCyrilPotterCollegeofEducation(CPCE)inthefirstleg oftheirhome-and-awayshowdown.

LTI wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest.Justnineminutesin,DarnellProfitcapitalisedonan open look at goal, calmly dabbing home to give the Linden sideanearly1-0advantage.Itwasaconfidentstartthatsetthe toneforthefirsthalf,withLTIcontrollingthemidfieldbattle andenjoyingacommandingshareofpossessionheadinginto thebreak.Thesecondhalfbroughtmoreintentfromthehome side. In the 56th minute, Kemani Field tried his luck with a cheeky effort on goal — and it paid off. His strike doubled LTI’s lead, pushing them firmly into the driver’s seat at 2-0. ButCPCErefusedtorollover

The Georgetown-based unit kept pressing, and their persistence paid dividends in the 70th minute when Trevon George pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box and rifledaflat,powerfulstrikeintothenettocutthedeficitto2-1. Momentum nearly swung completely five minutes later as George unleashed another attempt that rattled the crossbar, leavingLTIbreathingasighofrelief.

With three minutes of added time, CPCE searched desperately for the equaliser, but LTI’s defense held firm to seal a slim yet crucial 2-1 win in front of their home supporters. Tuesday’s action delivered fireworks of its own. Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre ran riot against UniversityofGuyanaTAINCampus,hammeringthem6-0in a commanding display Joshua Marshall led the demolition jobwithaclinicalhat-tricktoopenhistournamentaccountin style.

In the other fixture, NewAmsterdam Technical Institute edgedPortMourantTechnicalInstitute2-1toclaimtheirfirst pointsofthechampionship.

The tournament, coordinated by the Petra Organisation, continues to gather momentum with Modec Guyana as title sponsorandsupportfromMacrop,MVPSports,theMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSports,andBanksPowerade.

LTI clobbers CPCE in home fixture

-

Modec Tertiary Football Tournament continues today

(ICC/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Proteas edge Afghanistan after two super overs