Kaieteur News

GoldnearsUS$5,000peroz

…as Guyana mining projects gain billions in value

Gold prices surged sharplyinJanuary,withrates published by the Guyana GoldBoardshowingasteep climbbetweenJanuary2and January23.

On January 2, gold quoted at 94% purity was priced at US$4,386.85 per ounce in the morning and US$4,352.95 per ounce in the afternoon. The price per pennyweight (dwt) stood at $40,274 in the morning and $39,963intheafternoon.

By January 23, gold had climbed to a new high, edging close to the US$5,000 per ounce Morningpriceswerelistedat US$4,926 20 per ounce, r i s i n g f u r t h e r t o US$4,946.25 per ounce in the afternoon. The per dwt

price also advanced significantly, reaching $45,226 in the morning and $45,410intheafternoon.

The rise between January 2 and January 23 reflects a substantial gain in gold prices within just three weeks, pushing the metal to recordterritory

Notably, over the past year, gold prices have maintained a strong upward trajectory,repeatedlysetting newrecordhighs.

At a time when gold has been recording its highest prices ever, it is worthy to note that several gold operations across Guyana are expected to start productionbeforetheendof thedecade.

Currently, there is only

one large-scale gold producer in Guyana, Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd, a Chinesestate-ownedmining

Continuedonpage6

Kaieteur News

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Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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EDITORIAL

Medialockedout,more PPP/CGovt.control

Forthosewhoanticipatedthattheprocessforelectionof the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) would be smooth sailing, that just got smashed to pieces. Only the Stateowned National Communications Network (NCN) will be allowedtoobservetheproceedingsfirsthand. Somethingis afoot, and the distinct impression is that the PPP/C Government has some trick up its sleeve. There is alarm that some sort of fix could be on the move to thwart what shouldbenothingbutaformality NCNisamongthemost biased of media presences in Guyana, the least credible monitorforwhathasbeenriddledwithdelay,controversy, and disgraceful conduct in and out of parliament.What couldthegovernmentbeupto,whatlastminuteshockerit hasorchestratedandisreadytounveilintheelectionofthe LOO, but with only NCN to be the witness? Guyanese could not have a more distrusted witness, the worst of options,foraprocessthatneedstoemphasisethatresistance toWeInvestInNationhood's(WIN)AzruddinMohamedas LOO is over, and that progress has been made. How can thatbe,whentherestofGuyana'smediahousesareblocked frombeinginsidetheparliamentaryspacewhereanewkind of history was seemingly set to be made? In its obsession with more and more control, the sacred ground that is parliamentanditsworkisbeingwalkedoverandmadeinto amockery.Whythisunpardonableactionistakeninamost watchedoflocalpoliticalissues,whenthroughouttheyears themediahasbeenallowedthefreestaccesstoparliamentto coverandinformcitizens? Whyhasthatchanged,andwhy in this situation, which has attracted so much media attention, and which requires as many media eyes as are available to report on the LOO election process, is now subject to this mysterious twist? This is yet another uncalled-for degradation of the work of the mainstream media,andmustrankasanaffronttoallGuyanese. Thishas goneontoolong,anditshouldnotbetakensittingdownby boththemedia,andGuyaneseinterestedinwhatisfairand democratic.ThePPP/CGovernmenthasnotbeensmoothor nuancedinitsdeterminationtosabotageMohamed'spathto his rightful election as LOO. Instead, the government, using the Speaker as its agent, has already engaged in the crassandsickening,toblocktheelectionofMohamedtobe the LOO. Where is the government going to go now, and could it be that it has another dubious arrangement all locked up and ready to unload as its Monday surprise? Whatever it has in store, we at this paper condemn in the strongest terms possible. If ever there was a development thatisunacceptablebecauseitissooutrageous,thismedia lockoutisit.Inlastyear'selections,thePPP/Cgarneredthe untouchable advantage of a seven-seat majority in parliament. Itisbafflingthatagovernmentthatissoontop oftheworldcouldnowreachsolow,asthoughitharbours some great desperation, is fearful of being toppled. In making a complete fool of itself, the ruling party's leadership doesn't fool any citizen about its ultimate objective. Delay and deny Mohamed and his party, and hope that the judiciary rules in the manner that the government desires on extradition proceedings Democracy keeps losing ground in Guyana, while parliamentary democracy is scorned and kicked about to suitthetwistedvisionsofthegovernment'sleadership. In any country, where the government is driven to madness by its quest for control and more control, it will crossanyline,anduseanymeanstoachieveitssordidends. WehaveseenthiswiththePPP/CGovernmentbefore,and even at more nauseating levels, since its mandate to continueinpowerwasgivenlastyear Evenwhenplacing the brightest gloss on the PPP/C Government and its inexplicable actions, there is a conclusion that cannot be shaken. This bears all the features of political leadership that is drunk with arrogance and sick to its core. The government is miscalculating and overstepping on this LOOprocess,andwedenounceitoutright.

Guyana-India Relations at 76

DearEditor,

On January 26, India celebrates 76th anniversary sincebecomingarepublic.In August 15, 1947, India, using non-violence method spearheaded by Mahatma G a n d h i , g a i n e d independence with a PM as head of government and the King (George) as head of state.

And almost two and a half years later, India became a republic with a President as the ceremonial head of state Guyana followed a similar pattern, gaining independence in 1966 with a PM as head of governmentandbreakingoff from Britain in 1970 with a PresidentreplacedtheQueen asheadofstate.

In December 1980, Burnham changed the constitution with the President becoming head of governmentandheadofstate andthePMbeingassigneda cabinet role. Several other nations around the globe followed that path, becomingrepublic.

Since 1947, and even before that, then British India, India, and the Republic of India, has had verycloserelations(initially cultural and economic and subsequently political and later strategic ties) with Guyana(BritishGuiana).

Since Indians started coming to British Guiana in May 1838 as indentured

laborers, British India had maintainedculturaltieswith Guiana and the British, Dutch, French, and Danish West Indies (Caribbean); India had queried into the welfare of the indentureds.

India fought against indentureship and led the fight to end recruitment of labourers it in 1917; indentureship end in 1920. Cultural linkage was closely followedbycommercialties asfellowcoloniestotradein goods used by the indentured.

And as India was strugglingforindependence, sotoowerethecoloniesthat followedIndia'slead,tofree themselves from colonial rule. Relationship grew!

After India gained independence, the colonies around the globe also becamefreeofimperialrule.

MostoftheBritishterritories obtained independence (1962 thru 1970s) as did Surinam (from Holland 1975) French colonies

b e c a m e o v e r s e a s departments of France Denmark sold its copy to USA which is an overseas territory

Independent India strengthened cultural and commercial ties with the colonies and after they became new nations, political ties were established Meanwhile, India took the lead, with a few other larger newly

independent nations, and launched the non-aligned movement.

The newly independent states became members of and closely followed the NAM movement India became a kind of leader, maintainingneutrality Other third world or developing world or south countries followed India's lead on neutrality — not tied to the USA led western bloc and the Soviet led eastern bloc.

Guyana was very strong in the NAM movement under

Burnham and Jagan leadershipandevenhosteda foreignministersconference ofNAM.

India has maintained a pro peace stance, urging dialogue and diplomacy, on international conflicts especiallyonUkraine,Gaza, andothers.

It has maintained a balanced relationship India's size, economy, and power makes it one of the most influential nations — big powers are courting India.Indiaisoneofthefew countries that can engage Russia, USA, Ukraine, and Palestine at the same time.

India has achieved great/leading power status because of its neutrality and the strategic convergence of a balance between USAand Russia and countering the hegemony of the several powerful nations or blocs.

Smaller nations are wooing

Indianavarietyofmatters.It is not forgotten that India supplied vaccines to all countriesduringCovidwhile the wealthy countries retained their vaccines for themselves first and foremost.

Guyana follows similar position calling for ending conflict in those wars Guyanahasstrengthenedties with USA, aligning its position on international issues with Washington. its futureiswithUSAandIndia, notadversariesofAmerica.

Ties between India and Guyana have grown since the 1950s. India has been providing a lot of assistance to Guyana and other d e v e l o p i n g nations scholarships, grants, loans, training, etc. Guyana is the largest aid recipient per capita. India supports Guyana at international forums PM Modi visited Guyana President Irfaan visited India.Vice President Jagdeo and PM Phillips as well as severalMinistersalsovisited India.

Guyana must pursue strategic economic ties with Delhi—EconomicInterests — trade with India — and defense as well as commercial ties with USA. Andourfutureishavinggeostrategic defense ties with Washington.

Yourstruly, Dr VishnuBisram

On Budget Day, Housing Strategy Must Shift from Spending to Stewardship

DearEditor,

Today is Budget Day As the Finance Minister announces billions in new allocations for the housing sector, thenationisaskedtoacceptexpenditure as a proxy for success. However, after fiveyearsofrecordbudgetsand53,000 announced allocations, the hard data forces a confrontation with a difficult truth:spendingisnotdelivery

Thecurrenthousingmodelisfailing to keep pace with reality Official data confirms that despite billions spent since 2020, the backlog of applicants hasgrownto78,000.

Worse,ofthe53,000lotsallocated, only about 4,000 new homes were completed,areal-worldconversionrate of just 7.5%. A class of 28,000 "Paper Landlords" has been created; these citizens hold allocation letters but lack the titles to approach a bank or the infrastructuretobuildahome.

Solving this crisis requires more thanpouringnewrevenueintoabroken system.Itdemandsafundamentalshift from a "Lot Allocation Model" to a "StewardshipDoctrine."Thisapproach recognisesthatlandisanon-renewable nationalassetthatmustbemanagedfor

long-term sustainability rather than short-termpoliticaldistribution.

Aviable strategy for the new fiscal yearrequiresthefollowingpillars:

1. The "Serviced-Land" Doctrine: The practice of allocating "bush" must end.ACertificateofServiceReadiness should be a legal prerequisite for allocation This ensures that no Guyanese is given a lot without the roads, water, and electricity needed to occupy it immediately, shifting the metric of success from "allocations" to "occupancy."2. A Unified Beneficiary Registry:Housingassistancemustbea right,notalottery Currently,deliveryis fragmentedacrosstheMinistry,Menon Mission,andotherad-hocinitiatives.A single, statutory Unified Beneficiary Registry is required to prevent duplication, patronage, and the "Shadow Sector," ensuring every citizen faces the same transparent process.

3. "Keys-in-Hand" Financing: The gap between a $100,000 allocation fee and a $13 million construction cost is wherethesystemfailsthepoor Arobust Rent-to-Own Scheme and low-interest construction financing must be

introduced to bridge this gap. This ensures working-class families can convert an allocation into a home without falling into the "double-debt" trap of paying rent while paying for a lot.

4.AccountabilityforInfrastructure: Recent oversight visits to Bartica, Lethem, and Mabaruma among other places, revealed a pattern of "Ghost Projects",roadsthatfailwithinmonths and housing schemes overtaken by vegetation.AHousing LifecycleAudit isnecessarytomandatelegallybinding timelinesforinfrastructurecompletion, prohibiting the culture of spending withoutdelivery Consequently, we intend to rigorously interrogate the housing sector'sestimatesandexpenditureinthe 2026 Budget. The poor and working class depend on us to rationalise how these vast sums are spent and more importantly, to deliver homes. In this regard, we intend to make relevant policy prescriptions rooted not in abstract statistics, but in the lived experienceofourpeople.

Sincerely, SherodDuncan,MP

Guyana's democratic test is not about comfort, it's about confidence

DearEditor,

On Monday, our

Parliament will address two significant matters, firstly, the presentation of the national budget and secondly, the election of a new Leader of the Opposition.

While the budget will shape economic priorities and hopefully bring additionalandmoretangible resultsforthepeoplesuchas increased public servants wagesandsalaries,thelatter decision has attracted disproportionate attention. Yet beneath the controversy liesaclearerpoliticalreality, one that speaks less to instability and more to the confidence of Guyana's democraticinstitutions.

ThelikelyelectionofMr Azruddin Mohamed as LeaderoftheOppositionhas generated debate because of his personal legal circumstances locally and abroad and the broader implications for Guyana's international image Such concerns are not without basis. However, democracy is not designed to yield only comfortable or convenient outcomes. It is designed to followrulesespeciallywhen those outcomes provoke discomfort.

Guyana's Constitution is unambiguous.TheLeaderof theOppositionisdetermined by parliamentary arithmetic arising from free and lawful elections. Voters chose the composition of the National Assembly, and that choice howevercontestedcannotbe overridden by local or external pressure nor

s

without weakening democraticlegitimacy

Whatisoftenoverlooked in this discussion is the extreme imbalance of political power within the current Parliament. The fact is Mr Mohamed would assumeleadershipoverwhat is arguably the weakest and leastexperiencedopposition cohort in Guyana's modern parliamentary history With the exception of a small n

P N C R / A F C parliamentarians who make up the opposition and a few who now aligned with the WIN party, most of the opposition MPs possess m

legislative experience. Institutionalmemoryisthin, parliamentary skill uneven, and strategic cohesion largelyuntested. Numerically, the challengeisevenstarker Mr Mohamed would preside over the smallest opposition bloc ever to produce a Leader of the Opposition. In a legislature where numbers determine committee influence, procedural leverage, and legislative outcomes, this oppositionlacksthecapacity to meaningfully constrain executive authority In practical terms, it poses no seriousthreattogovernance. This stands in sharp contrast to the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC), which commandsanoverwhelming majority and benefits from deepinstitutionalknowledge and experience That dominance is reinforced by the national popularity of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whose administration has overseen visible transformation across every

region of the country Major i n v e s t m e n t s i n infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, agriculture, energy and more, all of which have tangibly reshaped communities and citizens' lives and strengthened public confidence in the executive,numbersdon'tlie.

Beyond policy delivery, President Ali's leadership

s t y l e h a s f u r t h e r consolidated authority. His accessibility, pragmatic engagement, his down to earth, hands-on and grounded public presence have resonated positively across traditional and nontraditional political constituencies alike The result is an administration that governs from a position of strength, electorally secure,politicallyconfident, andinstitutionallydominant.

Against this backdrop, fearsthattheelevationofMr Mohamed represents a destabilising moment are overstated.Evenunderideal circumstances, leading an oppositionagainstapopular, well-resourced, and experiencedgovernmentisa formidablechallenge.Under the present conditions, novice leadership, an inexperiencedparliamentary team, and minimal numerical leverage, the role is largely symbolic The opposition may scrutinise, but it cannot seriously disrupt.Imightbewrongbut timewilldetermine.

Critics argue that Mr Mohamed's political emergencemaybedrivenby self-interest. That may or may not be true But (Continuedonpage6)

Contempt for democratic norms

DearEditor,

The election of the Leader of the Opposition has exposed a disturbing contempt for democratic norms. Instead of defending the clear constitutional right of non-government members of parliament to freely elect their leader in accordance with Article 184(1), some have chosen to dictate who should be voted for and who must not, hidingbehindreasonsandexcusesthathave nogroundinginlaw

This conduct is an affront to the law, an attackontherighttoself-determination,and adirectassaultonrepresentativedemocracy

In any functioning democracy, the law, including the right to vote freely, is sacrosanct. Every non-government Member of Parliament is elected by the people, throughalegalprocess,toexercisejudgment infurtheranceofthewell-beingofthosethey represent and in the interest of society as a whole, not to take instructions from selfappointedpowerbrokerswhoneitherrespect democratic principles nor uphold them except when it suits their personal interests. When coercion replaces conscience, the people's mandate is reduced to a hollow ritual, and the vote itself is stripped of meaning.

Atthesametime,itisnotlostonmethat the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)engagedinactionsduringthelast General and Regional Elections that undermined the electoral law and the integrityoftheprocessbyfailingtoconclude those elections in accordance with the requirementssetoutintheRepresentationof the People Act, a matter to which I shall returnatalatertime.

That said, the troubling developments surroundingtheelectionoftheLeaderofthe Opposition go well beyond political disagreement. They reflect a readiness to undermine the rule of law whenever it obstructs partisan objectives. Those who now presume to command the votes of others, and those who have erected a convenient legal and moral platform to justifysuchconduct,shouldunderstandthat society is not fooled, either by their posture ortheirintent.

Guyanese can see clearly that this behaviour is not about upholding rights or defending constitutional order. It is about self-serving ambition, raw partisanship, and anunashamedtoleranceforlawlessness.

Wereitotherwise,therewouldbeafirm insistence on adherence to one of the most fundamental tenets underpinning the Constitution and laws of Guyana, the presumptionofinnocenceuntilprovenguilty in a court of law, not a court of public opinion Instead, we are witnessing a reckless stampede to trample that principle intoirrelevance.

The trade union movement understands wherethisroadleadsbecauseithaswalkedit before and continues to walk it every day Workersremainvictimsofrightsviolations, abuse of power, exclusion, and repression, often suffering at the hands of powerful interestswhiletoomanyothersremainsilent, fearful, or complicit when justice and fairnessdemandsolidarityandcourage.

The historic struggle in this nation for one-man-one-vote, first waged by the trade unionmovementacenturyagoin1926,laid the foundation for the march toward selfdetermination and internal self-government. That struggle was never fought so that a privileged few could decide for everyone else. Its victory secured equality of voice, freedomofchoice,respectfortheruleoflaw, andrespectforthewillofthepeople.Todeny thoseprinciplestodayistobetraythathardwonlegacy

On Monday, the non-government members of parliament must therefore be allowed,withoutpressureorintimidation,to elect from among themselves who should lead them in the National Assembly It is a constitutionalrightthatmustberespected. Democracy cannot survive selective principles.

Either we defend the rule of law, includingtherighttovoteandthefreedomof conscience,orweadmitopenlythatrawselfserving power, not principle, is what truly governsouractions.

Regards

LincolnLewis

Thisyear'snational budget will be presented today amidst a whirlwind of c

consumers and businesses alike. To ensure lower oil price revenue does not have a damaging impact on growth, economist, Elson Low has suggested that the fiscal plan implement lower corporate taxes to not only trigger new business development, but also providerelieftoconsumers.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Low pointed out that Guyana, like other petrostates, is preparing for the potential of sustained lower oil prices. This is

largely due to the recent move by United States President, Donald Trump who not only abducted the presidentofVenezuelaatthe time, but announced sweeping measures to run thecountryandcontrolitsoil resources.

Trump has since revealed his intention to use Venezuela's oil to lower the commodity price to US$50 perbarrel.

To this end, Low urged Guyana'sgovernmenttouse thisyear'sbudgettoposition the country to negotiate uncertainty and lower revenues.

Currently, Guyana is producing an average 900,000 barrels per day

- Low

(bpd) in Stabroek Block, operated by American oil giant, ExxonMobil The company has four Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) inoperationwiththreeother projects under development to come on stream over the nextthreeyears.

Low said w

e a reduction in oil prices could yield a lower cost of living, a s f e

a n d transportation costs are likely to fall, without competition in the market, consumers may not benefit andgrowthwillslow

As such, he suggested, “the government should

2026 Budget must increase minimum wage, fix education, NIS, and Post Offices

DearEditor,

The government's 2026 budget is being eagerly anticipated for the next phase of our national development. There were enormous infrastructural development and improvements in many areas resulting from the 2025 budget. Budget 2026 must continue with a balanced approach to infrastructural development and increases in family income and benefits.

Inmywishlist,Iwouldliketosee the minimum wage increased to at least$150,000permonthforthemost vulnerable among us The Government must understand that people gauge their well-being by how much their salary and payment has goneup.

They don't give you credit for indirect benefits such as subsidies on gas, removal of taxes and VAT, provisionofdaycare,orone-timecash grants.The only measure poor people use is whether their base pay is increasedsubstantially.Somesecurity

guardsontheWestCoasttoldmethey make $2,800 a day I told them that can't even buy a 3-piece KFC meal! The base pay must be increased substantiallyforguardsmostofwhom are women, retail workers, cleaners, labourers, and entry level clerical workers.

I would like to see the budget resolving longstanding, ongoing problems with workers getting their benefits. NIS has been broken for a verylongtimewithnoendinsightfor resolutionoftherootcauseproblemof NIS having incomplete contribution statements There must be a mechanism to resolve all those cases where claimants say they worked but NISdidnotfulfillitsstatutorydutyof maintaining proper records, and the workerssuffer IcallonMinisterAshni whohasresponsibilityforNISandthe Government side to withdraw their appeal of the Zainul case where the ruling would help resolve many cases where workers are being denied benefits.

prioritise measures to encourage new business development, such as loweringcorporatetaxesand introducing innovationbased tax holidays, to incentivise this. Greater competition in the market willhelpensurecostsavings fromtheselowercommodity prices are passed on to consumers while also providing more stimulus for growth in the non-oil economy.”

Low believes that by continuing with a high tax and low competition economic model, the countrycouldsufferaperiod of economic stagnation and high cost of living until oil pricesrebound.

The 2026 budget will be laid today in the National Assembly by Senior Minister in the Office of the P r e s i d e n t , w i t h responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. Based on the revised Schedule of the Natural Resource Fund Act (NRF), government will have about $500B or US$2.4Binoilrevenueatits disposal to fund its developmentagenda.

Opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity(APNU)hascautioned the administration against 'expandingthecountrysdebt burden, at a time when oil prices are likely to continue along the downward trajectory

Guyana's democratic test...

It'sabouttimetheGovernmentpay some attention to most of our Post Offices falling apart all across the country At Whim, the Post Office therehasbeeninadeplorablestatefor many,manyyears.

There are Government buildings on the Government compound there falling apart too and nothing has been doneforadecade.TheGPObuildingis inadeplorablestate.

Intheeducationarena,Iwouldlike to see massive sums allocated to the refurbishing and repainting of all schools across the country Our children learn nastiness in schools from the nursery to university levels because they grow up in nasty school environments. Even UG and college buildingsareinvariousdecrepitstates. Putmoneyinthebudgetforasecretary at each school, and at least one male janitorateachschool.Putmoneyinthe budget for the electrical rewiring of schools to accommodate digital technology

To make the Digital School work well, schools have to be given new technology, and such technology can onlybeusedifthewiringcansupport charging and points are available for charging your devices. Most schools donothavecomputersforeverychild, teacher, and administrators. Schools needbigscreenTVsineveryroomand smart boards. Where digital devices are available, many are outdated in theircapacities.

TorealisePresidentAli'svisionfor aDigitalSchool,wemustinvestinthe readiness for such an initiative. Most importantly, the Internet services provided by the Ed-Gov program is woefully inadequate There is probably no school where Internet accessisavailableallacrosstheschool campus,ineveryclassroom.Thismust changeurgentlywithBudget2026.

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall CivilSocietyAdvocate

Frompage5 democratic systems are not designedtoadjudicatemotive; they are designed to regulate conduct through law and institutions The absent a domestic judicial ruling or c o n s t i t u t i o n a l disqualification, allegations and foreign sanctions cannot replace due process without underminingsovereignty

Internationally, Guyana's decision will be observed closely Thecountry'sgrowing strategic importance ensures thatsymbolismmatters.

Butyieldingconstitutional procedure to local or external discomfort would signal fragility, not responsibility Mature democracies are defined not by the absence of controversy, but by their adherence to rules when controversy arises. Hence, I welcome the election of the Oppositionleader

It is also worth remembering that the Leader

of the Opposition does not wield executive power The office exists to question, critique, hold the government accountable and represent dissentnottogovern.

The executive remains firmly in control of policy direction and national development.

Ultimately, Guyana is not being asked to endorse a person; it is being asked to respect a process This moment does not expose executive vulnerability, it underscores executive strength The government governs from a position of dominance and legitimacy, while the opposition remains constitutionally necessary but politicallyconstrained.

That is not democratic failure It is democratic confidence, so let the oppositionleaderbeelected.

Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira

GoldnearsUS$5,000...

Frompage3 giant operating locally through itssubsidiaryAGMInc.

Beyond Zijin, at least five Canadian mining companies collec

At a gold price exceeding US$4,900 per ounce, the 15.5 million ounces of gold controlled by these Canadian companies now represent a value of more than US$75 billion Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana has intensified efforts to crack down on and eradicate illegal miningacrossGuyana. Theoperationsspearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resourcesincollaborationwith theGuyanaGeologyandMines Commission and the Guyana PoliceForce.

l an estimated 15.5 million ounces ofgoldacrossvariousstagesof developmentinGuyana. These projects, spread across several mining districts, are advancing through exploration, feasibility studies andpermitting. The companies have consistently pointed to Guyana's mining-friendly policies as a key factor underpinning their investment decisionsandlong-termgrowth strategies.

CampbellhopesPPPbacksamendmenttooilfundlaw

Newly minted Member of Parliament (MP), Dr TerrenceCampbellishoping that the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would see merit in the motionhesubmittedtoallow the Natural Resource Fund (NRF)Acttobeamended.

The motion was submitted by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP on November3,2025.

T h e p r o p o s e d amendment seeks to repeal and substitute Section 16 of the Natural Resource Fund Act in order to ensure that withdrawals from the fund are used in a transparent, accountable,andsustainable mannerfordevelopmentand disaster-relatedprojects,and notforrecurrentexpenditure ofthegovernment.

Beforetakingtheoathof office, Campbell a former member of the NRF InvestmentCommittee,filed legal action in February 2025 to compel government to manage the revenue generatedfromtheoilsector in a more transparent manner

His application highlights serious violations of the Santiago Principles,

which are explicitly incorporated into Guyanese law through Section four of the Natural Resource Fund Act.

These internationally recognised principles establish mandatory standardsforthegovernance and accountability of Sovereign Wealth Funds

The government’s current practices violate Principles 2, 4, 6, 17, and 24, which require strict accountability, transparency, and responsible investment strategies in managing sovereignwealthfunds.

The legal challenge seeks declarations that all withdrawals from the fund must be exclusively used to f i n a n c e n a t i o n a l development priorities, including green economy initiatives, and essential projects directly related to ameliorating the effects of majornaturaldisasters.

Given that the matter is still before the court, Attorney General (AG) and legal affairs minister, Anil Nandlall SC previously suggestedthatitcouldnotbe debated in the house at the time.

To this end, Campbell

APNU MP, Dr. Terrence Campbell

duringanewsconferenceon Friday was asked by this newspaper to comment on the fate of his motion to the nationalassembly

He explained, “the amendment that I filed in parliament, I fully expect will be debated…I honestly expectedthatwewouldhave had a decision on the court matterbynow.”

The MP noted that the decision was first expected by October, then December in 2025, but was delayed againtoJanuary Withonlya few days remaining in the month, he is still not sure when the court will issue its ruling.

Inthemeantime,theMP

told this publication, “I intend to pursue the amendment in parliament. Weknowthatwedon’thave the votes to have it enacted, but I believe it will lead to better governance of our oil resourcesofouroilfundssoI am hopeful and prayerful about PPP support for that a m e n d m e n t , notwithstandinguninformed comments made by the attorneygeneral.”

Campbell made it clear that he is willing to pursue the matter, which is confident about, to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)ifnecessary

COURTACTION

In his application, Campbell requests the court to order the minister of financetoprovideadetailed b r e a k d o w n o f a l l expenditures from prior withdrawals within 30 days and establish proper procedures for documenting futurewithdrawals.

Thisrequestissupported by evidence showing that noneoftheprojectslistedin the 2025 Public Sector Investment Programme explicitly identifies natural resource fund financing, despite the massive withdrawalsfromthefund.

Mr Campbell is representedbyMr Roysdale A. Forde, S.C., and Mr SeenathJairam,S.C.

PARLIAMENTARY MOTION

The motion states that revenuesfromthefundshall beusedonlytofinance—(a) infrastructure and development projects of the government, including any initiative aimed at realising aninclusivegreeneconomy; and(b)essentialprojectsthat are directly related to ameliorating the effects of a majornaturaldisaster

Most importantly, the

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC

proposed amendment to the legislation states, “The minister shall submit an annual report to the national assembly describing the stage of implementation of all projects financed by the fund.”

NRFTRANSPARENCY

Presently, government does not report on the specific uses of revenue garneredfromtheoilandgas sector.

In fact, Vice President and chief policymaker for the sector, Bharrat Jagdeo previouslymadeitclearthat thegovernmentwillonlylist emergency projects being fundedbyoilmoney

Heexplained,“outsideof this annual withdrawal which is captured by a c e i l i n g n o w a n d formula government can draw down money for one specific additional purpose that’s in case we have a national emergency for example a major flood disaster or a tsunami…in that case there is no ceiling but you can’t go and say oh I’mforecasting.Youhaveto give the projects and the specificuseofthefundifyou trigger that provision of the law.”

He pointed out that that provision was never triggered. “So, that’s the

onlycasewhereyouhaveto detail the expenditure made from the oil revenueto have the withdrawal done,” Jagdeosaid.

Presently, oil money is transferred to the consolidated fund and blended with other sources of revenue.As such, Jagdeo pointed out that it would be difficult to show what specifically oil revenue was spenton.

He reasoned, “How do you balkanise revenue coming into the budget? (It) becomes a very difficult thing to do; so, where the transparency is done, transparency is that every cent spent from oil money, from non-oil revenue and from borrowing, has to be appropriated by the national assembly through a budgetary appropriation process, whether it is the original budget or through supplementary budgets which then form an appropriation act or a s u p p l e m

n t a r y appropriation act, which itemises all of the expenditure of the state and how much is going to be spent…”

Section 16.2 of the NRF Act states that, “All withdrawals from the fund shall be deposited into the consolidated fund and shall be used only to finance: (a) national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realising aninclusivegreeneconomy, and(b)essentialprojectsthat are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a majornaturaldisaster.”

Be that as it may, the government has not highlighted any national development priority or essential project funded through this source of income.

Re-Imagining Autonomy Begins at the Bottom From where I stand...

ByJanelleA.N.Persaud

When Canada's Prime MinisterMarkCarneyspoke about the fragility of the global order at the World Economic Forum recently, he cracked something open that many of us have long known, but rarely hear articulated so plainly by thoseinpower

His argument was simple, almost unsettlingly so: systems survive not because they are just or inevitable, but because people accept the illusion that there is no alternative. Small actors, in particular, learn to behave as though they have no choice, until someoneprovesotherwise.

Carney used the analogy of a shopkeeper who keeps up a sign he no longer believesinbecauseeveryone else does.The illusion holds until one person takes the sign down. That single act doesn'timmediatelycollapse the system, but it cracks and it reveals that compliance, not inevitability, was doing mostofthework.

He was explicit in identifying that elusion. For decades, he noted, countries prospered under what was called the rules-based international order They joined its institutions, praised its principles, and benefited from its predictability Inreturn,they could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection But, as Carney acknowledged, this story was only partially true. The strongest actors exempted t h e m s e l v e s w h e n convenient.Traderuleswere

enforced asymmetrically International law applied with varying rigour depending on who was accused and who was harmed.The fiction endured not because it was accurate, but because it was useful. American hegemony, in particular, provided enough stability; open sea lanes, a functioning financial system,collectivesecurityto make participation feel worthwhile.

And so, as Carneyputit, countries“placedthesignin the window ” They participatedintheritualsand largely avoided calling out thegapbetweenrhetoricand reality Thatwasthebargain. But, he warned, that bargain no longer works. “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.”And then he said something even more striking:thatmanycountries are now realising they must build greater strategic autonomy in energy, food, critical minerals, finance, and supply chains His reasoning was blunt A country that cannot feed itself, fuel itself, or defend itselfhasfewoptions.When the rules no longer protect you, you must protect yourself.Contextually,thisis a lesson in foreign policy However, the longer I sat withit,thecleareritbecame that it is just as much a domesticone.

Guyana'srecentresponse toeventsinVenezuelamakes that tension visible. Faced withavolatileneighbourand a long-standing border controversy, Guyana has leaned toward alignment

with the United States, framing its position in the language of democracy, stability, and the rule of law Given our vulnerability, that postureisunderstandable. Protection matters Ideologically, Guyana historicallyhasstoodagainst imperialist postures, s o

paradoxically called out foreign intervention into our own domestic affairs while still receiving aid. What is striking, however, is not the choiceitself,buthownarrow the range of acceptable choices appears to be Guyana, like many other small states, behaves as though it has no leverage at allandIamconvincedthatis largely because countries likeourshavebeentrainedto believethatsurvivalrequires deference. The same pattern canbeseenacrosstheregion. Small states internalise constraints long before a statementiseverdrafted. Andyet,thatassumption is beginning to be tested. Across parts of Africa, and within groupings such as BRICS, countries are cautiously pushing back

alternative partnerships and assertinggreatercontrolover resources, currency, and policy space.The results are uneven, sometimes messy, but the signal is clear: deference is not the only survivalstrategyavailableto small or historically subordinated states. This is where Carney's point truly lands Autonomy doesn't s

Threeteensarrestedfor WindsorParkrobbery

PoliceonSundayarrestedtwojuveniles, ages 16 and 17 along with an 18-year-old while probing a violent attack on a man at FirstLadyPark,WindsorForest,WestCoast Demerara.

Theattackwasrecordedwithacellphone byaneyewitnesswhoallegedthatitmightbe abrazen“broadday-lightrobbery.”Policein a press release said the assault took place around14:00hrsonSaturday

According to police, they have not yet receivedanofficialreport.

“TheGuyanaPoliceForceisappealingto the victim, or anyone with information in relation to this matter, to come forward and makecontactwiththenearestpolicestation”, police stated.The video showed one of the suspects grabbing some items from the man while another held him in a vice grip and wrestledhimtheground.

Eyewitnesses could be heard in the background pleading with them to leave the

confrontation. Autonomy in this case, is having enough internal strength; economic, institutional, civic; to act deliberately rather than reflexively Andthatstrength isconstructed.

In Guyana's case, that construction is uneven. In some respects, we already hold several of the cards Carneynamed.

We are energy-rich, we possesscriticalmineralsand we have agricultural potentialthatmanycountries can only imagine. However, possessionishalfthejob.Of course, oil does not automatically translate into energy independence if it is not converted into a selfsufficient energy system Foodsecurityisnotachieved when imports continue to rise and our tastes increasingly shift toward what is foreign rather than what we grow and food inflation is through the roof. Minerals do not build resilience if they are e x t r a c t e d w i t h o u t strengthening domestic value chains And while

finance and supply chains are often discussed, there is still significant work to be done to ensure they serve national resilience rather thandeependependence.

These are still only one side of the autonomy equation. The other side is cultural and civic and it is here that the work becomes hardertoname,andeasierto avoid. From where I stand, autonomy is not only about what a country has. It is aboutwhatitspeoplebelieve is possible I have been writing a lot about rei m a g i n a t i o n a n d revolutionary, outside of the box thinking Someone asked, “what does that look like?”And'Howdowebegin toreimagine?”

manalone.

“Hey stop it” a woman shouted as the suspectreleasedthevictimfromhisgrip.He then pulled a large knife from waist and advanced to the victim before grabbing his slippers and fleeing the scene with his accomplices.

The suspects then entered a waiting red Toyota Carina Model 192 suspected to be their get-away car and escaped from the location.

Police during their investigation learned that the car's registration number is PGG 6502. That information led detectives to Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) where policearrestedoneofthesuspects,a17-yearold driver The teen driver then assisted police in locating his accomplices an 18year-oldmanofZeelugtandanotherjuvenile identifiedasa16-year-oldofUitvlugt.

Thetrio,alongwiththecarwastakeninto custodyattheLeonoraPoliceStation.

By Janelle Persaud

I will always return to education. I was genuinely saddenedtolearnthatweno longersingnationalsongsin schools. Not because they were a silver bullet for patriotism -they weren't- but because repetition matters. Theyquietlykepttheideaof country present. When we removed them, we did not replace them with anything equally grounding That vacuumwasfilledinsteadby pop culture, algorithms, and distraction. None of these things are inherently bad. But left unchecked, they shape us into consumers ratherthancitizens. Howcanyouloveathing youdonotknow?

This question sits at the (Continuedonpage16)

TheSpeaker:Azealoussoldier

The Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, the sloppy and slippery, Manzoor Nadir, should come into his own on this much-watched last Monday in January He has come in for a battering. Though his appearance should be a sideshow, a cameo, when compared to the man of the hour, marathoner Ashni Singh, the Speaker's moves will be studied during the

timethathelasts,asthoseof themoneyman. The fervent wish is that Speaker Nadir will do his duty, somehow redeem himself He has been bruised. He has responded pathetically to the sight of scars and oozing plasma. His own. Notwithstanding SpeakerNadir'sfloppingand flaying, I think that Guyanese who have gone after him have the wrong

man. A farcical and pitiful oneheis,admittedly;butthe wrongtarget,Iinsist.

ForwhoistheSpeakerof theHouse,anysuchfigure,if not a product of Guyana's political schemes, leaders' twisted ambitions? Get the kind of person who sees neitherharmnorfoulinmost of their actions that others denounce,andgoldisstruck.

Some men and women willdomostthingstostayin

favor of those who decide their present, their destiny Leaders love those types of dedicatedsoldiers,whohold the line, even when they are struck sideways, runover repeatedly, but still stay on thejob.

I think the PPP Govt. found a gem in Manzoor Nadir,thecagey,resourceful Speaker The PPP's leadershipprizeisGuyanese blight. So, they curse and rage. At the wrong man on selection, election, and presentation of an OppositionLeader Aroutinesoordinaryand uneventful that the Speaker isunnoticed;noblowsonhis bared and bowed head. He had sensible options. Until he blew up and split at the seams For Guyana's thoughtful, I assert that that was calculated. Speaker Nadir, already in for a jill, hadtogowithhisjukka.

Thus, his tormented presence, his shrill and strident voice, standing in service as the PPP leadership'szealousproxyfor adirtyjobthathadtobedone

Mr Nadir's assignment wastodeliveramessageand afistattheplenipotentiaries, who had the audacity to insert themselves into Guyana'spolitics. Whatthe smart men in the PPP

hierarchy were too cowardly and puny to do, poor Manzoor was recruited for the role of surrogatemessenger

Having invited the comforting presence of the internationalcommunity,the ruling party's spare wheel, for elections, its utility was over Like the used and misused Guyanese electorate,thesameisdished out to the suddenly out of order and out of place diplomaticcommunity

The message was clear, asfetchedbySpeakerNadir Around here, the PPP does themessingaround. Noone else-including the international community, which includes the diplomatic community-is allowed to mess around in a purelydomesticaffair

When an enthusiastic soldier was needed for a suicidemission,theSpeaker was the ready volunteer Guyanese should recall that ancient, but still timely, phrase now unfashionable these days: plausible deniability Here is a bowl for citizens to drink from: when has the Speaker, this Speaker, done anything that had his and only his prints? Whendidherisewiththebit between his teeth, advanced with valor and vigor, and

said: 'this is where I stand; thisiswhatwillbe?'

The Speaker has declined to a man made of smoke, one molded and givenbackbonebymenwho orchestrate their deeds from theshadows. Thecorps,the corps,thecorpsthathasbeen so good (questionably) for Guyana generally, and greater still for the PPP specifically, now comes in for its own season of stripping, defacing, and mocking.

If the diplomatic community-the ABC&E luminaries-can be targeted and sullied so recklessly, so ungratefully, by the PPP, thenIsubmitthatthereisno Guyanese that is exempt from the now uncontained wrathofitsleaders.

Speaker Manzoor Nadir did his nasty job a little too well. He is the latest in a long line of executioners incited and unleashed in service of the repugnant causes of a PPP that has powerinitshands,butislost onhowtobestuseit.

FellowGuyanese,fellow Americans: The Speaker is thewrongmantoblame. Go higher The Speaker has transformed into a mummified pawn that's a decoy doubling as a macaw His road to partial recovery startstoday

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

Publishing company denies scamming first time authors

The dreams of four young female authors were shattered after what theydescribedasadistressingand costly experience with a local publishing company, Learning Tree Group Media and Publishing.

The women claim they collectively lost hundredsofthousandsofdollarsandwereleft with poor-quality publications, delayed deliveries, and late communication from the company,believingthatthebusinessisascam

However, the owner of the company, Dennis Adonis denied the allegation of scamming his customers, calling it an unfortunatecircumstance.

Among the issues reported were books being published without proper editing, prolonged delays in printing and delivery, inconsistentcommunication,nopaymentsor knowledgeofonlinesales.

Frustrated and disheartened, the authors have stepped forward to share their experiences, describing the ordeal as a scam thatrobbedthemofthejoyofbecomingfirsttimepublishedauthors.

PHEBEWALLERSON’SEXPERIENCE

One such victim is Phebe Wallerson, a poetandformertownclerkofRegionSeven (Bartica) In an interview with this publication,Wallersonexplainedthatshehas always loved reading and poetry and began compilingabookofpoemsinmemoryofher latesister, who diedin2024.Sheplannedto launchthebookonOctober26,2025,tomark theone-yearanniversaryofhersister’sdeath.

However, Wallerson said her plans were derailed after she entrusted her work to Learning Tree Publishing Group, where she encountered multiple setbacks and was left deeplydisappointedwiththefinalproduct.

Wallerson detailed that in July 2025 she was introduced to the company through Facebook She said the company’s website appeared authentic and showcased several publishedworks InAugust,shecontactedthe company seeking editing services, printing, and online publication of her book The company’s CEO, Dennis Adonis, responded, andabusinessrelationshipwasformed

“I saw his post and saw other persons speaking about their experiences, so I contactedhim.Ichosetheplatinumpackage, which was the most expensive package he had.Itincludedpublishing,abanner,and50 physicalcopies,”shesaid.

Wallerson stated that she paid $200,000 in cash on August 27, 2025, after initially

receiving a quotation of $236,000. She was informed that the books would be ready within two weeks, by September 9, 2025, “Thepromiseddate,hesaiditwouldtakehim two weeks to get the book, well, the book could be published within two days, but because I wanted to go through the process where I got my own ISBN number, it would take me two weeks.And he agreed, he said, yes,we’llhaveitbefore,thenwe’llhaveitby the9thofSeptember,”shesaid.

Wallerson added, “I gave him the deadline because I told him my date that I want the books out and in hand for a launch wouldhavebeenonthe26thofOctober.”

However, those expectations were never met. Wallerson said updates were only provided when she repeatedly contacted Adonis, sometimes waiting more than two weeksforaresponse.

Before printing, Wallerson requested a draft of the book, which Adonis agreed to provide However, she said no draft was sent formorethanamonth “Iwaitedoveramonth for the draft, it never came, all the while I’ve been talking to him through WhatsApp messages,callingrepeatedly,nothing,nothing, it’s always, yes, I’m getting to it, yes, I’m gettingtoit,yes,I’mgettingtoit,”shesaid

By the end of September, a draft was finallysubmitted,butWallersonsaidshewas dissatisfied after noticing that little to no editinghadbeendone.Shelaterlearnedthat the book had been published on Amazon without her approval, without corrections being made, and without her receiving a singlephysicalcopy

As a result, Wallerson was forced to reschedule her book launch after paying a non-refundabledepositforthevenueandpreselling100copies.

“ThebookwentonlineonOctober24,but I didn’t have a single copy in Guyana. I couldn’tdoalaunchonthedayIwantedtodo it,”shesaid.

Wallerson further explained that to date, she has not received any records of online salesoranypaymentsfrompurchasesmade. Shesaidrequestsforsalesreportswereeither ignored or met with unverifiable spreadsheets. “On request, he sends you a spreadsheetofthesalesthathesaysisbeing madeorwasmadeonthebooks,butyoucan’t get to see fromAmazon.You have no proof that in fact he sold 10 books or he sold 3 books.I’vebeenaskinghimsinceabouttwo weeks now to have a record of sales for the

booksaswellbecauseIhaven’treceivedany moneyfromtheonlinesales,”shesaid. Eventually, Wallerson purchased two copiesherselftoshowcaseatherrescheduled launch on November 8. She later received 100 copies but expressed disappointment at thenumerouserrorsandpoorprintquality

“WhenIgotmytwocopiesthatIordered,I couldnotbelievethatthebookwasstillinthe statepre-editbeforeItoldhimabouttheseedits thatIneeded So,he,infactmadenochangesto thebook,didnoedits SonowthebookthatI have in hand is actually without all of the changesthatIwant Someofthewordsareto thecornerofthebook,youcan’tevenseeallof thetitleshere,”Wallersonexplained

Sheadded,“SowhenIgotmybook,Itold himIwassodisappointedinthequality Butat the time when I got the book, the launch was alreadysetoninmotion Ihadalreadypre-sold copies of the book So, I had to actually give outbooksthatI’mnotproudof”

Wallerson stated that she invested over $600,000 in total and described the experience as deeply painful, especially giventheemotionalsignificanceofthebook. Despitethis,shesayssheismovingforward andhopestopublishagaininthefuture.

SIMILAREXPERIENCES FROMOTHERAUTHORS

Other authors, Melissa Moore, Kachell Morris, and Vanisha Ramnauth reported similar experiences involving poor communication, delayed deliveries, and substandardwork.

KachellMorris,a25-year-oldnursefrom Eldorado Village, West Coast Berbice, said she paid $250,000 in October 2025 for proofreading, publication, and 73 copies of her book. To date, she has received only a limited number of copies, no evidence of editing,andnoearningsfromonlinesales.

Morris said she requested a refund in January2026aftermonthsofdelaysbutwas informed she would receive only $23,000. Shehasnotreceivedthatrefund.

“It’s frustrating because I collected moneyfrompeopleforthebooksthatwould comein.Itoldhimthisbooksupposedtobe here by now and I paid in full. I sent all of thesemessages.Hedidnotrespondtoanyof themduringtheday.”

Morrisexplainedthatherbookdetailsher journey living with scoliosis, including surgeries,bullying,andpersonalchallenges. Despitethesetback,sheremainsdetermined torepublishherbookindependently

Melissa Moore, a teacher, also reported losses after engaging with the company in September 2025. She paid $100,000 via MMG for publication and an additional $66,500for35copies.Monthslater,shehad receivedneitherthebooksnorarefund.

Nothing was coming from me. I reached out to him and I told him it’s been a month since I made my order, and he’s saying that there’saproblemonAmazon’ssideandthat he’s looking into it, trying to get the books here as soon as possible. I had the same conversation again He said he was experiencing the same thing.And so, I kept reaching out, reaching out, and they are the sameexcusesanddelays,”shesaid.

Moore explained that she invested her savings from writing academic papers into the book, which focuses on the challenges faced by teachers She expressed disappointment but remains open to publishingagain—thoughnotwiththesame company.” I was hoping that the savings I investinthis,Iwouldmakeaprofit.Itwasa sacrificeindeed,”shesaid.

Vanisha Ramnauth, a single mother and teacher from West Coast Berbice, also accused the company of scamming her In January 2025 she paid $54,000 for proofreading and cover design. She later ordered 25 copies, which arrived with multipleerrors.“The25thatIordered,Igave it to a few lecturers, some close friends, family,andthatishowIfoundoutaboutthe errors,becausepersonswerereachingoutto meandaskingmeifthisishowit’ssupposed to be, if this word is supposed to be here, or stuff like that. I felt embarrassed because I told them that I thought this was a professional company, and I paid for him to

proofreadthemanuscriptbeforepublishing.”

Ramnauth said she has not received any sales reports or earnings from online purchases. She explained that she invested her limited savings while earning less than $100,000atthetime,hopingthebookwould beaninvestmentinherfuture.

“I was receiving a low salary apart from havingtopaybills,payrentandtakingcareof my family That was basically all of my savings.Iwantedtoinvestinmyfuture.Isaid thatthisbook,Ilookedatitasaninvestment inmyfutureandwhereIwanttobemaybea year or two years from now So, it was the littlesavingsthatIwassavingeachmonth

Continued on page 16

After years of delays…

Govt. turns to Indian firms to revive Amaila Falls hydro project

The Government of Guyana is looking to attract Indiancompaniestobidforthe Amaila Falls Hydropower project, which was first introduced back in 2011 and shelved on multiple occasions Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Dhanamkumar Seeraj, during an interview with an Indian media entity, ANI News outlinedthatGuyanacurrently hasanexpressionofinterest open for the project and encouraged Indian firms to participate.

“Andwealso,wehavean expression of interest out for the development of a hydroelectric power station at aplacecalledAmeliaFalls So, weexpectIndiancompanies, and we trying to encourage Indian companies to also go there,expressinterestandto bid,”Seerajsaid.

He noted that the governmentisflexibleonhow the project can be structured, depending on proposals received “Youknow,itcanbe done under different arrangement, under a power purchase agreement, under build own operate and transfer and so, depending on the particular project itself there are different models that the government is open to pursue with companies,”headded.

Despite the project’s history, the People’s Progressive Party administrationhasrenewedits push for the project to reach realisation The revised RequestforProposals(RFP) issued last year, states that the Amaila Falls project is expected to generate more than 165 megawatts (MW) ofelectricity

Thescopeofworkforthe project, according to the RFP includes a 165MW installed hydro dam, plant and a substation at the Amaila site, along with other related works and construction of a 23 square kilometer (KM) storage reservoir, consistent with environmental reports, studiesandpermits.

Government also said the project, to be built under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model will beexecutedviaanew“Special Purpose Company (SPC)” and will be issued with all previous permits, licences

and permissions that previously existed in April

2015; however, the

developer will be responsible for any updates requiredbylaw

GoGalsoindicatedthatthe transmission network will be built separately Under the

BOOT arrangement, the Government of Guyana (GoG) will purchase the electricity from the private developer As such, the RFP explained that government will select a suitable partner based on (i) lowest Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

d Construction (EPC) price, operating cost and capital amortisation;(ii)timeframes to complete and (iii) ability to finance the project on a PPAbasis.

Notably, interested firms and consortiums should note that they will only be considered if they have completedatleastthreehydro projects, generating at least 100MWeach within the last 15 years. The deadline for s u b m i s s i o n s o f prequalification is on February17,2026.

This publication had highlighted that since assumingofficein2020under the first Irfaan Ali-led PPP administration, government tendered twice for a contractorfortheprojectbut both were unsuccessful in materialising The Amaila Falls Hydro project was introduced by a previous PPP/CAdministrationin2011. However, the project faced obstacles in its realisation when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) Opposition parties, stopped the project back in 2014.

In its 2020 election manifesto, the PPPadministration noted that the project will be revived However, to date the PPP governmentwasunable to do so before the end of the first terminoffice.

In2021,negotiationshita stalemate after Cabinet grantedano-objectionforthe Prime Minister’s Office to engage the China Railway Group Limited for construction Discussions faltered as the company sought to alter the project’s

model due to financing challenges for a BOOT model, requesting a shift to an EPC model The governmentwasreluctantto switch to the EPC option, resultinginthetalkswiththe Chinese contractor coming to an end. The government later issued a revised RFP undertheBOOTmodelforthe Amaila Falls project and four local and international firms submitted proposals for the AmailaFallsprojectthatwas scheduled to begin in 2027. However, this too was stalled.

Early in 2025, the governmentannouncedthatit wouldonceagaingototender fortheproject,andthisledto thecurrentRFPbeingissued

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

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A 17-year-old labourer willspendthenexttwoyears behind bars for robbing a Chinese businessman on Sunday, January 11, at lot 23 ZorgPublicRoad,Essequibo Coast, Region Two. His accomplice, identified as 26year-old Anthony Scott called “Bowman” was remanded.

The teen identified as Kevin James of Onderneeming Sandpit; Essequibo Coast reportedly pleaded guilty to robbery underarmswhenheappeared at the Anna Regina Magistrates' Court on Friday

He was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars by Magistrate TariqMohamed.

Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice who also appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate Court on Friday, he pleaded not guilty, and wasremandedtoprisonuntil February20,2025

Jameswasontherunbut was nabbed at Bartica, Region Seven on Wednesday January,23.

Policedidnotdivulgeany details about when and wheretheallegedaccomplice was arrested.

Remanded for armed

From page 9 heart of the work I have been doing through the Before Us project.As I spend time listeningtoelders,documentingmemory,andtracing how our communities have changed, one thingispainfullyclear:manyofuswerenever taught who we are in any meaningful way We inherited fragments of history, stripped ofcontext,resistance,andimagination.What wedidnotinheritwasadeepsenseofownership over the country we live in. A people who do not know their story will struggle to imagine their future. And a society that has not been taught to see itself as capable will always defer to stronger states, louder cultures, and inherited systems; even when alternativesexist.

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Re-imagining, then, is an unlearning project. It requires us to consciously undo the ways we were socialised into obedience, gratitude, and smallness, and to replace them withcivicconfidence,historicalclarity,anda

From page 14

thatItooktogiveittohim to publish my book,” she shared. Despite the experience, Ramnauth said she is working on republishing her firstbookandiscurrentlywriting a second.Kaieteur News understands that at least one other individual, Tomeika Bonds, had a similar experience.

COMPANYRESPONDS

Meanwhile, when contacted,Adonisdeniedthatthe company is a scam.

“It’s not a scam. We have systems in place, but there were delays due to internal andexternalfactors.Wehave sinceimprovedoursystems,” he said.Regarding unedited manuscriptsbeingpublished, Adonis stated that edited documents are typically sent toauthorsforapprovalbefore publication.

“Whenever we get these books, we are not the authors of these stories we would send the edited document to the authors for approval beforewepublish,tohavethem

sense of responsibility for shaping what comes next. It is for this reason that I believe Guyana needs a deliberate civic and historical re-education project to complement the more visible efforts underway to strengthen autonomy in energy, food, minerals, finance, and supply chains. This means teaching our history in schools with depth and honesty and restoring civic education that helps young people understand how the state works, what citizenship demands, and what power looks like beyond elections. It also meansgroundingchildreninwhotheyareand where they come from, so that autonomy is not something we reach for in moments of crisis, but something we grow into over time. Withoutthisinternalwork,externalautonomy remains fragile; built on resources, but unsupported by people prepared to defend, shape, and sustain it.And we will continue to behave as though we have no leverage, even whenrealleverageexists.

run through it to make sure everything is okay,” he said.

On refunds, Adonis said discussions are on-going and that refunds are expected to beissuedbetweennextmonth and early March. “At no point did we indicate that we would not refund dissatisfied clients,”hesaid.Whileadmitting that he does not have evidence of the authors receivingpaymentsfromonline sales, he explained thatAmazonpay-outstaketime. “Amazon takes a little while before they pay out, there is only so muchIcando,“hesaid.Adonis added, “They then pay within 60-90 days of the end ofthemonthinwhichtheroyalties were earned. So, for instance sales that happened in December might not come throughuntilFebruarymonth end into March.

Adonis added, “Learning Tree is a dream come true for me.

They’remanytimesthatI honestly wanted to give up onthiscompanyandjustshut everything down. But

through the years, I’ve just been consistently trying to grow it into something that canmakeadifference.”

Adonis acknowledged there were instances where delivery timelines were not met and regrets the inconvenience to his clients. “Once these issues were identified, weproactivelyreachedoutto the affected customers to offer resolutions, including refunds or alternative arrangements.”

The company stated that itactivelyimprovingitsinternalprocessesandoverallcustomer experience to ensure greater consistency and reliability moving forward.

“While it is unfortunate that somepastclientsexperienced delays,weareusingthisfeedback as an opportunity to strengthen our operations and service standards.

We remain open to correctingtheexperienceforany dissatisfied customers and would welcome the opportunitytocontinueservingthem under improved conditions.”

300 hours community service for Bartica woman nabbed with drugs

A 37-year-old Bartica woman was ordered to complete 300 hours of communityserviceandpaya fine of $30,000 after she pleaded guilty to possession ofnarcoticsforthepurposeof trafficking The woman, identified as Kerrianna Simon of Fifth Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, was arrested on Friday She appeared at the Bartica Magistrates' Court that same day before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed. Failure to pay the finewillseeherspendingsix months in prison in addition to the 300 hours of communityservice.

Essequibo man jailed for shooting at cop

Jailed for shooting at a cop, Dhanraj Persaud

A36-year-oldsawmanof Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two was on Friday jailed for three-years after pleading guilty to shooting at a police constablein2024.

He was identified as DhanrajPersaud,knownalso as“Javin”or“Beer.”Reports are that he discharged a loaded firearm with intent at Ramesh Singh, a police constable attached to the

Suddie Police Station on October23,2024.

He was recently arrested and appeared Friday at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court before Magistrate TariqMohamed.

The sawman pleaded guilty after the indictable offencewasreadtohim.

Magistrate Mohamed then sentenced him to three years behind bars following hisguiltyplea.

Region Five to lead Guyana's livestock revolution - Mustapha

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday met with sheep and goat farmers in Region Five (Mahaica–Berbice) to review progress under the Government of Guyana's livestockdevelopmentprogrammeand reaffirm continued support for rural producers.

The engagement forms part of the administration's broader strategy to strengthen the small ruminant sector, expand economic opportunities for farmers, and advance President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali's vision of transforming Region Five into Guyana'slivestockcapital—agoalfirst announced at the launch of the Black BellySheepProject.

At that launch, President Ali outlined a comprehensive strategy centered on self-sufficiency in livestock production, regional export o

participation by women and youth in the sector, the ministry said in a press release. During the meeting, Minister Mustapha highlighted the significant progress made in pasture development under the Government's livestock strategy He noted that 60 five-acre parcels of land have been developed andallocatedtosheepandgoatfarmers to support sustainable grazing and improvedproduction.TheMinisteralso emphasised the Government's broader objectiveofreducingGuyana'sreliance on imported mutton and other small ruminant products while improving genetic stock and farming practices through targeted interventions, including the importation and distributionofBlackBellysheep.

“Each farmer will receive five acres. A few years ago, the President launchedtheBlackBellySheepProject in this region, and Region Five was designated the livestock capital of the country Wehavetorampupproduction

because we want to create a brand and reduce the importation of mutton from New Zealand andAustralia,” Minister Mustaphaexplained.

He noted that substantial progress has already been made in building the national flock. “Over the last three to four years, more than 1,500 farmers received breeding rams and other breeding animals, including Black Belly sheep. Based on what was distributed,wewereabletoincreasethe stocktoover5,000animals,”hesaid.

MinisterMustaphaalsoprovidedan update on the allocation process and continued land development efforts.

“After the meeting, officers from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority(GLDA)visitedtheareawith farmerswhodrewlots.Todate,54out of the 60 persons have received their parcels. GLDA will continue working with farmers to develop these lands as pasture, because we want you to have propergrazinggrounds,”henoted.

He explained that the lands were designated exclusively for sheep and goat rearing to support the long-term success of the initiative. “If we are serious about building and developing this brand, we have to properly fatten thesesheep.Thatiswhytheselandsare reservedspecificallyfortheproduction andrearingoftheseanimals,”Minister Mustapha added.While responding to concerns raised by farmers, the agriculture minister assured them that the GLDA and the Ministry of Agriculture will continue working closely with them to establish and secure the area. He acknowledged concerns relating to security and explained that additional financial support mechanisms are forthcoming.

“With the introduction of the Guyana Development Bank, which is expected to become operational this year, interest-free loans of up to $3 million

will be made available to farmers,” MinisterMustaphasaid.

Farmers were also encouraged to join the regional sheep and goat association and to collaborate on implementing collective security systems for the area. He also assured farmersthatthedrainageandirrigation systemintheareaisalreadydeveloped, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and supporting year-round production. Minister Mustapha also revealed that requests for the development of similar programmes are being made by farmers in other regions.“Thisprojectwillbereplicated in other regions because farmers are seeingwhatisbeingdonehereandare askingforthesametypeofassistance,” hesaid.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Dr Dwight Waldron, disclosed that work is ongoingtoestablishatrainingcentrein the area “We have a contractor currently working on the training centre. Once completed, farmers will haveaccesstosilagebinsandamobile corral to work their animals—whether for hoof trimming, deworming, or general animal care.We will also have technical staff based there daily The entireareawillbedevelopedtosupport a wide range of livestock-related activities,”Dr Waldronexplained.

President Ali has since reiterated that the livestock transformation in Region Five is part of a broader agricultural development agenda that includes expanded land access, improved drainage and irrigation systems, upgraded infrastructure, and direct support to farmers. He has emphasised that establishing Region Five as the livestock capital will not only strengthen national food security but also create sustainable livelihoods forruralcommunities.

Senior Finance Minister Dr.Ashni Singh and budget staff putting the finishing touches on Budget

'Parliament braces for showdown'

...asWINmobilisessupportersaheadofoppositionleadershipvote

In what is being described as a defining moment in Guyana's democratic journey, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has summoned its supportersandbackerstothe parliament building today, ahead of the crucial vote to elect the leader of the opposition.

Thepublicisbeingurged to witness history as nongovernmental members of the national assembly

c o n v e n e f o r a constitutionally mandated meetingunderArticle184of the Constitution The session, scheduled to begin at10:00a.m.,willbechaired by the Speaker of the

National Assembly, ManzoorNadir Novotewill be cast by the speaker, and the election of the leader of the opposition will be conducted by a show of hands.

In a public statement on Sunday, WIN emphasised theimportanceoftheevent:

“ W e I n v e s t i n Nationhood is pleased to inform the public that a constitutionally convened meeting of the NonGovernmental Members of the National Assembly will take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, marking a significant moment in Guyana's democratic journey We encourage supporters, well-wishers, and members of the public who believe in strong r e p r e s e n t a t i o n ,

accountability, and democraticprogresstocome outandstandpresentforthis importantoccasion.”

The call has already sparked massive public anticipation, with citizens expected to gather at the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown, to witness the historicproceedings.

Under pressure from the diplomatic community and WIN, Nadir last week Tuesday declared that the election will be held on Mondayat10am–ontheday the government is expected to present its 2026 national budget.

Nadir made the disclosure during a live broadcast,severalhoursafter the leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed and others visited the parliament building to seek clarity on when the meeting would be held.

Nadir's comments also followed months of WIN callingonhimtoconvenethe meeting with the nongovernmental members of parliament since the 13th Parliament opened on November3,2025.Theissue had also attracted comments f r o m d i p l o m a t i c representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the European Union (EU).

Addressing the issue, Nadir said that over the past few months, he has been

bombarded with “vile aspersions” particularly by WIN's leader and his party supporters. He noted that in his more than 45 years of public life, including 33 years as an elected official, he has never experienced such attacks despite his acknowledged contributions to humanity, democracy, the ruleoflaw,andservicetothe people.

“Ihaveeveryintentionto continuing in my tenure as speaker to honour and uphold the contribution of the Cooperative of Guyana without fear or favour, affectionorill-will,”hesaid.

However, he added, “I have an obligation to preserve the dignity of the house.”

Thespeakernotedthathe had planned to convene the meeting with opposition parliamentarians following hisrecenttriptoNewDelhi, India, where he participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Officials Conference (CPOC) He addedthathehadintendedto callthemeetingregardlessof how the vote would go. He also took aim at WIN's leader, noting that the likelihood of Mohamed becoming the leader of the opposition could result in a stain on Guyana's parliament.

Mohamed, who is sanctioned by the United Statesandcurrentlyinalegal battleinthelocalcourtsover an extradition request, was

Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood, Azzurddin Mohamed

among 16 WIN members sworn in as Members of Parliament on November 3, 2025. WithWINcontrolling 16ofthe29oppositionseats alongside A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Forward Movement Guyana (FGM), it is presumed Mohamed will be elected leaderoftheopposition.

Nadir said, “If the opposition MPs see it morally right to elect an 'international fugitive' as the country's opposition leader, then the stain on our parliament and our country rests solely with them. This likelihood has been unprecedented in our west minister parliamentary system.”

Further, the speaker a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e diplomatic community's historic support for

democracy in Guyana

However, he responded to comments made by U S Ambassador Nicole Theriot and Canadian High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin, who were among several diplomats weighing inontheissue.

Ambassador Theriot had said, “We all recognise the importance of a functioning opposition as part of any legislative body I join my EUandBritishcolleaguesin encouraging the convening of parliament and the election of the leader of the opposition as soon as possible so all those elected bythepeopleofGuyanacan begin performing their constitutionally designated duties. An active parliament is important for Guyana's continued growth and development which will

benefit all the people of Guyana.”

Nadir responded, “to the USAmbassadortoGuyanaI ask, who is the leader of the opposition in your country Does the absence of an opposition leader interfere with your country democraticprocess?”

C a n a d i a n H i g h

Commissioner, Sébastien Sigouin

He also addressed

Commissioner Sigouin, saying, “to my dear friend SébastientheCanadianHigh Commissioner Your great democracy took six months toproduceabudgetlastyear and your country has the unique distinction of having apersonwhoisneverelected parliament serve as a prime minister The person imposed on the citizens of Canada by the former prime ministerJustinTrudeau.”

Commissioner Sigouin had called for the protection and strengthening of democratic principles, good governance and the rule of law. He stated: “The appointment of the leader of the opposition and the scheduling of parliamentary sittings are matters for Guyana's constitutional actors to resolve in accordancewiththelaw Iam confident that Guyana's democratic traditions and institutions will address these issues and ensure that parliament can carry out its important work on behalf of thepeopleofGuyana.”

US storm leaves 850,000 without power, forces 10,000 flight cancellations

(Reuters) - More than 850,000 customersintheU.S.asfarwestas New Mexico were without electricity and over 10,000 flights were canceled on Sunday during a monsterwinterstormthatparalysed eastern and southern states with heavysnowandice.

As snow, freezing rain and dangerously frigid temperatures sweptintotheeasterntwo-thirdsof thenationonSunday,thenumberof poweroutagescontinuedtorise.As of10:47a.m.EST(1547GMT)on Sunday, more than 850,000 U.S. customerswerewithoutelectricity, accordingtoPowerOutage.us,with at least 290,000 in Tennessee and over 100,000 each in Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Other states affected included Kentucky, Georgia,VirginiaandAlabama.

More than 10,200 U.S. flights scheduled for Sunday were canceled, according to flight

tracking website FlightAware

Over 4,000 flights were canceled onSaturday

Washington, D C 's Ronald Reagan National Airport said airlines had canceled all flights at theairportonSunday

DeltaAirLines(DAL.N),opens new tab on Sunday said that it intended to operate on a reduced schedule "subject to real-time frozen precipitation and afternoon stormconditions."

The airline had adjusted its schedule on Saturday, with additional cancellations in the morning for Atlanta and along the EastCoast,includinginBostonand New York City, and said it would move experts from cold-weather hubs to support de-icing and baggage teams at several southern airports.

TheNationalWeatherService's latest forecast for Sunday through

Monday morning calls for heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, including up to 18 inches in New England. Much of theSoutheastandpartsoftheMidAtlanticareexpectedtogetrainand freezingrain.

Forecasters predicted "bitterly coldtemperaturesanddangerously coldwindchills"fromthesouthern plains to the Northeast in the wake of the storm, bringing "prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts "Calling the storms "historic,"PresidentDonaldTrump on Saturday approved federal emergency disaster declarations in South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana,andWestVirginia.

"We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe,

andStayWarm,"Trumpwroteina postonTruthSocial.

Seventeen states and the DistrictofColumbiahavedeclared weather emergencies, the Department of Homeland Security said.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, at a news conference on Saturday, warned Americans to take precautions."It's going to be very, very cold," Noem said. "So, we'd encourageeverybodytostockupon fuel,stockuponfood,andwewill getthroughthistogether."

The Department of Energy on Saturday issued an emergency order authorising the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to deploy backup gene

n resources at data centers and other major facilities, aiming to limit blackoutsinthestate.

On Sunday, the DOE issued an emergency order to authorise grid

operator PJM Interconnection to run "specified resources" in the mid-Atlantic region, regardless of limits due to state laws or environmentalpermits.

U.S. electric grid operators on Saturdaysteppedupprecautionsto avoidrotatingblackouts.

DominionEnergy(D.N),opens newtab,whoseVirginiaoperations include the largest collection of datacentersintheworld,saidifits ice forecast held, the winter event couldbeamongthelargesttoaffect thecompany

Reporting by Phil Stewart, Lewis Krauskopf and Blake Brittain in Washington, DC; Additional reporting by Chandni Shah, Devika Nair, and Preetika Parashuraman in Bengaluru;

Editing by Sergio Non, Chizu Nomiyama, Edwina Gibbs, Bernadette Baum and Nick Zieminski.

Andrew,McKenziedeliverWestIndiescomfortablewin asbowlers,HoganhelpAustraliabreezepastSouthAfrica

ESPNcricinfo – West Indies wristspinners, Micah McKenzie and Vitel Lawes, combinedtotakesixwickets on a surface that had plenty ofturnandbitetocloseouta rain-shortened contest againstIreland.Optingtobat first,theWestIndiesinnings had earlier been held together by keeper-batter

JewelAndrew at No. 3 - his 66 off 82 consisted of four fours and four sixes, the majority of which came in thecompanyofJonathanvan Lange, during their fourthwicketpartnershipof67.

Jewel departed just six oversaftervanLange,inthe 33rd, and the rest of the batters struggled. No one besides him managed to

cross the 30-run mark

Reuben Wilson scalped up van Lange, before returning to take out two lower-order batters to finish with figures of 3 for 50, closing out the innings with West Indies bowledoutfor226.

H i s e f f o r t , complemented by James West's economical 2 for 24 offsevenovers,gaveIreland a realistic chance at chasing down the total. West also opened the batting for Ireland and top-scored for them,hittinga55-ball45that was littered with eight boundaries. By the time he wasLawes'firstvictimofthe innings, in the 18th over, Ireland sat at a comfortable 82for2.

Monday January 26, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

A partner, either your life partner or a colleague, is likely to be in an irritable moodtoday,whichyoucould findabitupsetting.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Toomanyunfinishedtasksor chorestodaymighthaveyou feelingpressuredtogetthem done, creating unnecessary stressandstrain.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Emotional levels run high among members of a group you're affiliated with as disagreements turn into quarrels.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Pressures to get unfinished tasks completed and new onesbeguncauseemotionsto run high. Everyone, yourself included, is likely to feel nervousandstressedout.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Frustrated energy resulting from inability to put your plans into action could have yournervesonedgetoday,Leo, and you might be tempted to get into petty quarrels with thosearoundyou

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Overwork and the resulting stress and nerve strain might result in fevers or headaches today, Virgo. Therefore, it might be a good idea to start out the day pacing yourself

and concentrating on whatever tasks are the most pressing.

However, the going just gotworsefromthere:Ireland lost four wickets to McKenzie, who spun his way through the middle order Lawes held back his best over for his final one of thematch,fizzingoutOliver Riley with its first ball, and then turning the ball prodigiously against Wilson andBruceWhaley

Irelandwereon164for7 by the time they played out Lawes' over, needing an unlikely 62 off the final ten overs. The rain had the final say when it interrupted the matchanddeliveredthefinal blow to Ireland's hopes. The DLS par score had shot way pastIreland'stotal,andwhen nofurtherplaywaspossible,

West Indies walked away with a convincing spin display and a 25-run win to boost their chances in the SuperSixes.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Ifyou'reinvolvedinaclassor if you find yourself in any kind of group activity or social situation, be prepared for quarrels to break out amongthepeoplethere.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Frustration and upset with others in your circle could tempt you to go out and get ridofthatenergybyspending alotofmoney

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

An increased level of irritability and frustration couldtemptyoutotakeitout on friends, children, or your significantother.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A conflict between career obligations and home responsibilitiescouldpresent itself today, Capricorn You're likely to feel totally powerlessinthesituation.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

- Long-distance phone calls from people living in distant states could bring some rather disconcerting news yourway

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Nightmares that come your waytodayarelikelytocause you to wake up feeling extremely angry for no tangible reason. You might want to take a close look at your dreams and try to analyze them so that you'll learn the source of your ire and how best to expunge it.

Scores: West Indies 226 (Andrew 66, Wilson 3-50, West 2-24) beat Ireland 164 for 7 (West 45, McKenzie 436) by 25 runs (DLS method). IttookAustraliaU19s 32.5 overs, going at just around 3.5 runs an over for the majority of a belaboured chase against an excellent South Africa U-19 bowling

effort. But they had that liberty after Charles Lachmund's 3 for 29, and two wickets each from Will Byrom and Aryan Sharma, hadbowledSouthAfricaout for 118 all but ensuring the result of the match was in little doubt even at the halfwaystage.

South Africa had been reducedto37for4insidethe powerplay, failing to find answersagainsttherawpace and movement that LachmundandByromfound

off the surface Opener Jorich Van Schalkwyk was thesolebrightspotforthem, battlinghiswaythroughthis periodandputtingtogethera 30-run stand with Paul James,evenashewaspinged on the helmet off a brutal KaseyBartondelivery SpinnerAryan proved to be particularly troublesome to face, as he kept spinning the ball away from the outside edge of the righthanders. He dropped two catches at point before coming into the attack, but made up for his fielding by scalping up two wickets of hisown.

James kept one end steady once Schalkwyk was run out for a 26 off 55, but wickets kept falling at the other He would eventually bethelastbatterout,fora60ball34.

In response, JJ Basson led a South Africa bowling attack that was incisive and economical.Hisspellof3for 41 was the highlight of a bowling effort that kept the Australia batters defensive, and also ensured that the Australia line-up lost three wickets for the first time in this tournament - in their fourth match of the tournament.

Steven Hogan never looked comfortable during his 73-ball 43, but timed short deliveries well while cutting late, and mowed downmorethanathirdofthe targetbyhimself.Hewasthe lastAustralianwickettofall, as Basson's third wicket. Alex LeeYoung and Jayden Draper got together at the crease, and the latter smacked two fours in the 33rd over of the contest to bringittoaclose.

Scores:Australia122for 4 (Hogan 43, Draper 23*, Basson 3-41) beat South Africa 118 (James 34, Lachmund3-29,Aryan2-27) bysixwickets.

Guyana'sfirstmaleCaribbeanTableTennis ChampErrolCaetanovisitshishomeland

Statistician Charwayne Walker has informed that Senior Sports Journalist

Allan LaRose has highlighted that Guyana's first male Caribbean Table Tennis champion, Canada based, Errol Caetano, has returned to the land of the MajesticKaieteurfallsfora briefstay Caetano'sgrand daughter is representing Guyana at the Concacaf Under17 Football Championship.

Errol won Guyana's first male Caribbean championship in Trinidad in 1972, defeating Barbados' Robert Earl in thefinal.

Wa l k e r f u r t h e r informed that the other Guyanese male Table Tennis players to lift that crownwereBruceEdwards in 1974 in Barbados, the late George 'The Chief' Brathwaite in 1979 in Aruba and Sydney Christophe in 1992 in Guyana.

Kaieteur Sport joins Charwayne Walker in welcoming Errol Caetano back home and extending best wishes to his grand daughter in her sojourn with the National Under17 footballteam.

Walker informed that Errol's father, Eddy Caetano, represented British Guiana at football andhockey

Caetano got the opportunitytointeractwith several Guyanese personalities including present National Table Tennis Champion Sharmar Britton, former National Champion Colin France,

former national youth player Leslie 'Peassy' Gill andStatisticianCharwayne WalkerattheGCC,Bourda.

Caetano took the opportunity to have a

SaffieJosephJr.makesPegasusWorldCuphistory asCaribbeanracingreachesnewheights

G U L F S T R E A M

PARK, FLORIDA -

Caribbean horseracing reached its highest global moment yet on Pegasus World Cup Day, as Saffie Joseph Jr., the Barbadosborntrainerwhohasbecome one of the most powerful figures in international racing, delivered a historic one-two finish in the prestigious US$3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational(Grade1).

Joseph saddled both the winner,Skippylongstocking, and the runner-up, White Abarrio,achievingafeatfew trainersinthemoderneracan claim.Moreimportantly,the victory confirmed Joseph as the only trainer to win the

Saffie Joseph Jr., the Barbados-born trainer speaks after history was made.

Pegasus World Cup twice and the only trainer to do so in consecutive years, an accomplishment that places himfirmlyamongtheeliteof worldracing.

What made the victory evenmoreextraordinarywas the nature of the result

Skippylongstocking entered the race as a 21-1 outsider, overlooked by many in a fieldstackedwithstarpower. Yet under patient handling, the tough, battle-hardened runner surged late to upset the heavily favoured field, returningmassivepayoutsto

Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav were unstoppable. (BCCI)

IndiaclinchT20seriesafter AbhishekfireworksagainstNZ

NEWDELHI,(Reuters)-Indiasecured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand after opener Abhishek Sharma's explosive unbeaten 68 off 20 balls set up a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the thirdmatchinGuwahationSunday Jasprit Bumrah (3-14) led India's tidy bowling display as they restricted New Zealand to a modest 153-9 after the hosts elected to field at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

India,whowillbedefendingtheirtitleat nextmonth'sT20WorldCup,completedthe chaseinjust10overswithAbhishekleading the charge and skipper Suryakumar Yadav making57notoutoff26balls.

Abhishek's14-ballfifty,whichincluded five sixes, was the second-fastest by an Indian - behind onlyYuvraj Singh's 12-ball half-century against England in the 2007 T20WorldCup.

Suryakumar needed only 25 balls to bring up his second successive fifty of the series.

Earlier, Hardik Pandya took a stunning catch to remove Devon Conway and dismissed Rachin Ravindra with his second ballasNewZealandslumpedto13-2inthe first10deliveriesoftheirinnings.

Bumrah's first delivery then sent Tim

Seifert'soff-stumpcartwheeling.

Glenn Phillips (48) and Mark Chapman (32)haltedtheslidewithastandof52before spinner Ravi Bishnoi removed both batters toputIndiabackincharge.

Kyle Jamieson lost his leg stump to Bumrah, who, operating as the secondchange bowler, also claimed the wicket of NewZealandcaptainMitchellSantner(27).

Matt Henry bowled Sanju Samson for a duck with his first ball when New Zealand cameouttodefendtheirbelow-partotalona high-scoring ground, but Ishan Kishan (28) hit the bowler for back-to-back sixes and followedupwithafour

Abhishek struck the first ball he faced, from Jacob Duffy, for six to signal India's attacking intent despite the early loss of Samson.

Kishan fell immediately after India had passed the 50-mark in the fourth over but Abhishek and Suryakumar plundered 22 runsfromaDuffyoverasIndiareached100 intheseventhover.

ThefourthgameisinVisakhapatnamon Wednesday

Scores: India 155 for 2 (Abhishek 68*, Suryakumar 57*, Kishan 28, Henry 1-28) beat New Zealand 153 for 9 (Phillips 48, Bumrah 3-17, Bishnoi 2-18, Pandya 2-23) byeightwickets.

world stage carries special significance. His success is not only personal, but symbolic of the region's growing influence in international racing, an influence that Guyana has increasinglybecomepartof.

believers and stunning the racingworld.

Theupsetwas oneofthe most talked-about moments of the Pegasus programme, with Skippylongstocking paying double-digit odds whiledenyinghisstablemate White Abarrio, last year's Pegasus winner, who ran courageously in second.The result delivered Joseph a clean sweep of the top two positions, a rarity at the Grade1levelandatestament to his conditioning and preparation.

Following the race, Joseph was visibly emotional, acknowledging thepressureofmanagingtwo elite runners in one of racing's richest events Speakingafterthevictory,he described the moment as overwhelming, crediting his team,owners,andthehorses themselves for rising to the occasion.

For Guyana and the wider Caribbean, Joseph's continued dominance on the

The One Guyana Racing Stable, which has forged a strong and successful relationshipwithJoseph,has alreadyreapedtherewardsof his expertise Under his guidance, the stable has recorded major victories across the Caribbean, includingaprestigioussprint triumph in Jamaica and the coveted Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, one of the most important races in theregion.

This season, Joseph has once again positioned One GuyanaRacingStableonthe international stage, having already secured one confirmed entry for the upcoming Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, with a

p

tions underwaytopossiblyqualify asecondrunnerfortheevent. Such representation continues to elevate Guyana's profile in elite Caribbeanracingcircles.

Beyond the wins and trophies,Joseph'simpacthas been deeply felt in the Caribbeanitself.

Despite his global success, he has remained closely connected to the region, con

owners, trainers, and racing jurisdictions. His guidance, mentorship, and willingness to campaign Caribbeanownedhorsesinternationally have helped bridge the gap betweenlocalracingandthe world'sbiggeststages. F

transformative. The success of Guyanese-owned horses under Joseph's care has reinforced the belief that locally based stables can compete and win at the highestlevelswhengiventhe right opportunities and preparation.

As Guyana continues to expand its racing ambitions, withmajoreventssuchasthe Guyana Cup growing in purse value, prestige, and international attention, Joseph's achievements serve as both inspiration and validation.

His Pegasus World Cup triumph stands as proof that Caribbean excellence is no longer an aspiration, it is a reality

With history now firmly on his side, Saffie Joseph Jr has once again shown that the road from the Caribbean can lead straight to the winner's circle on racing's biggest days And for Guyana, his success is a powerful reminder that the nation's racing future is firmly aligned with the globalstage.

Basketball Federation meets with DoS Ninvalle and his Deputy as the NSC charts way forward with sports associations

Th e G u y a n a

B a s k e t b a l l

Federation(GBF) continuestoberecognisedas one of the country's most active sporting bodies, fol

NationalSportsCommission (NSC) as part of the Commission's ongoing meetings with National A s s o c i a t i o n s a n d Federations.

The meeting saw the GBF represented by Vice President Rawle Toney, while Director of Sport, SteveNinvalle,alongsidehis assistant Melisa DowRichardson, led discussions on behalf of the NSC. The engagement focused on reviewing the Federation's r e c e n t a c t i v i t i e s , strengthening collaboration, and aligning plans for the yearahead.

According to the GBF, the NSC highlighted the Federation's high level of activity throughout 2025,

noting that basketball enjoyed steady interaction and consistent support from theCommission.

The NSC pointed to the GBF as an example of effective governance and programmeexecutionwithin Guyana's sporting landscape.

Speaking following the meeting, Toney confirmed that 2025 had indeed been a demanding but rewarding yearfortheFederation.

He noted that the GBF successfully hosted two major international events; the One Guyana 3x3 Quest and the Women's Caribbean Championship, both of whichplacedGuyanafirmly on the regional and internationalbasketballmap.

In addition, Toney referencedthestagingofthe One Guyana Premier League, describing it as the largest basketball league in the Caribbean. He said the competition not only elevatedthestandardoflocal

play but also provided meaningfulopportunitiesfor athletes, officials, and administrators.

Toney said the GBF is extremely thankful to the NSC for its unwavering support, adding that the relationship will be even more critical as basketball prepares for an ambitious 2026.

According to Toney, local basketball's governing

body has rolled out an expansive development plan aimed at strengthening the game locally, regionally and internationally With 2026 shaping up to be another busy year, the GBF Vice President stated that the Federation will be leaning heavily on the NSC and the Ministry of Culture, YouthandSporttohelpbring manyofitsprogrammesand initiativestofruition.

For his part, Ninvalle reiterated that the GBF has been one of the most active andfunctionalfederationsin Guyana, highlighting its balanced calendar of local and international events, acrossbothmaleandfemale competitions.Heassuredthe Federation that the NSC standsfirmlybehinditsgoals andaspirations.

Ninvalle also reminded that the GBF was named

Sports Association of the Yearfor2024attheNational Sports Awards, describing the honour as a testament to the work being done under the leadership of President MichaelSingh.TheNSChas indicatedthatitwillcontinue its engagement with all nationalsportingbodies,asit works to strengthen governance, performance and development across Guyana'ssportingsector

Gauff survives roller-coaster ride against Muchova to reach quarter-finals

MELBOURNE, (Reuters)American third seed Coco Gauff weatheredathree-setthrillertobeat KarolinaMuchova6-13-66-3and advance to the Australian Open

quarter-finals on Sunday, extending her perfect record against the Czech player to five straightwins.

The result bodes well for the American, who has won every tournamentinwhichshehasbeaten Muchova, including the 2023 U.S. Open."IthinktodayIdidn'tpanic.I felt like the second set could have

easily went my way," Gauff said. "So I knew I just had to capitalise onthosechancesinthethirdsetand I did that "What started as a demolitionjobquicklyturnedintoa compelling see-saw battle at Melbourne Park, with Gauff storming to a blistering 5-0 lead in just20minutes.

Muchova,whoarrivedwithtwo top-10 wins under her belt in Brisbane, did not get on the board untilthesixthgameandbythenthe opening set had already slipped away as Gauff closed it with

clinicalefficiency

The tide turned in the second set, however, with Muchova breaking twice to establish a 4-1 lead as Gauff struggled with her serveandmadedoublefaults.

When the chance to serve for the set arrived Muchova did not waste it, serving to love to claim a set over Gauff for the first time in fivemeetings.

Gauff, who constantly looked totheplayers'boxinthesecondset, came out swinging in the decider, forcingmoreerrorsfromMuchova

Amsterdam roars to first-round KO...

Frompage25 counterpunching in the final round proved decisive.In some other results, Suriname's SamuelGreendefeatedKeevinIssac,while Barbados' Charles Cox dominated Quincy Gomes to capture the Caribbean Light Heavyweight victory.The amateur segment was equally competitive. Abiola Jackman secured a points victory over Trinidad's Angel George in the 90-plus kg division, with both fighters earning praise for their skill and determination. Roopesh Balgobin defeated Junior Madray in the 40 kg schoolboys' division and was named Best SchoolboyBoxer.KenHarveycontinuedhis

strong form, stopping Suriname's Zahir Timpico two minutes and 45 seconds into round two. Chivoro Blackman defeated Jofes Jackson in the 75 kg division, while Travis Inverary claimed a points victory overSuriname'sMardinoMassietoearnthe BestYouthBoxeraward.

Thesuccessfuleventwasmadepossible through expert coordination by the Bris-O Promotions group. Support also came from SuperBet Guyana, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and V&V Construction Inc., and was sanctioned by the Caribbean Boxing Organization and the Guyana BoxingBoard.

togoup4-1.

A thrilling seventh game had both players scrambling in long rallies as the momentum shifted back and forth until Gauff fired a backhand winner and screamed in triumph Muchova saved three match points before Gauff sealed progresstothelasteight.

"She plays with so much variety," Gauff said. "You never knowwhatyou'regoingtodo.

"InthatlastgameIwastrusting mysecondserve,whichIfeellikeis a stepping stone in the right

direction to be able to hit as many secondservesinthecourtthatIdid, especially in the two games that werelongholds."

Amsterdam roars to first-round KO victory as lights went dim for De Clou

Gu y a n a ' s Commonwealth bronze medalist

Desmond “Young Lion” Amsterdam lived up to expectations on Saturday night, delivering a crushing first-round knockout to headline the Caribbean

Boxing Organization Pro/AmfightcardattheCliff

A n d e r s o n S p o r t s

Hall Fighting at light heavyweight, the Berbician tipped the scales at 177 poundsandwastedlittletime asserting his dominance againstseasonedcampaigner Edward DeClou. Before a largeandenthusiasticcrowd, Amsterdam unleashed a thunderous left-hook early into the opening round, sending the Lindener (with more than two decades of experience) crashing to the canvas, this came just after two separate knockdowns earlyon.RefereeEonJardine promptly waved off the contest, sealing a clinical knockoutvictoryforthemost fearedGuyanesecontender

c

Theemphaticwinfurther

ments Amsterdam's reputation as Guyana's most dangerouslightheavyweight andwasthestandoutmoment onapackedcardfeaturing13 bouts including six amateur andsevenprofessionalbouts, marking a memorable night ofboxing. Another highlight came in the welterweight division, where Bahamas NBA champion Rasheed Williams outclassed Jamaica's Nico Yeo over eight rounds Although Yeo showed early grit, and a courageous armoryofpunches,Williams' superior skill and ring awareness gradually took over Fromthelatterstagesof round three, the 147-pound Bahamian controlled the pace, even showboating severaltimes,beforecruising to a unanimous decision victory

G u y a n a ' s J o e l Williamson also impressed on Saturday evening, continuing his rise on the regional stage with a TKO

win over Jamaica's Demar Haslam in the light featherweight division

Haslam refused to return to the ring following a few steadyblowsearlyon,which forced the referee to make a decisivedecision.

Localinterestwashighin the professional debut clash between Guyanese fighters Jamal Eastman and Delon Charles. Eastman endured some early pressure and stumbled in round two but recovered well, using a stiff uppercut and improved control to limit Charles' offence Both fighters showed heart, but Eastman edged the contest to win by unanimous decision and claim victory in his first professionalouting.

In another professional bout, Surinamese Mitchell Weilson earned a unanimous

decision over the towering BarbadianTyreeseTaitt,with all three judges scoring the four-round contest 39-37

Weilson established control early with a sharp left jab, while Taitt rallied in the middle rounds, turning the

third into a slugfest

However, Weilson's movementand (Continuedonpage24)

Andrew,McKenziedeliver WestIndiescomfortable winasbowlers,Hogan helpAustraliabreeze pastSouthAfrica