Skip to main content

Kaieteur News

Page 1

UK, France among 12 states backing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements

Wednesday Edition September 09, 2026 - Vol. 21 No. 36

Price $200

Online readership

yesterday, 61,270

‘Deportee deal under fire’ p. 2

…as govt. faces calls to publish agreement signed with U.S.

Two dozen Venezuelans No salvager for MV Barima 26 days after tender rounded up ...Mahipaul condemns delay as “wickedness” and deported ‘Guyana lagging behind in digital trade race’ - World Bank, IDB, WTO Report

The families of the still-missing Bryan Thomas and Kyle Thomas, alongside the family of Neil and Kenrick Cort on Tuesday continued their weekly protest outside the Office of the President. They are demanding the immediate salvaging of the MV Barima, the resignation of Ministers Edghill and Indar, and answers regarding the official Commission of Inquiry (CoI).The ferry capsized on July 18, 2026, leaving 73 confirmed dead and approximately 30 individuals still unaccounted for in the country's worst maritime disaster. While a five-member CoI has been empowered to probe safety and regulatory failures, MARAD, an agency under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation headed by Minister Deodat Indar, issued an EOI to salvage the wreck to gather forensic evidence. Attempts by this newspaper to reach Minister Indar for an update on the salvage operation have been unsuccessful.

U.S. eyes Venezuela’s gold, iron, bauxite after tapping its

oil, sources say

Guyana already paying th th for Exxon’s 8 and 9 oil projects- Former EPA Head ...demands ring-fencing


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

‘Deportee deal under fire’ …as govt. faces calls to publish agreement signed with U.S. T h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s decision to accept deportees from third countries under a new migration arrangement with the United States is coming under mounting criticism from political leaders and human rights advocates, who are demanding that the administration immediately make the full agreement public. The controversy intensified following the arrival in Guyana on Friday of the first six individuals under the arrangement: four from Cuba and two from Afghanistan. No information has been shared on the background of the deportees who arrived here. The government has finalised a one-year migration cooperation framework with the United States, under which the country will receive, according to a statement issued on Saturday, limited, vetted group of noncriminals, skilled individuals through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Assisted Voluntary Return Programme. The agreement marks the immediate rollout of a temporary third-country deportation mechanism, with an initial cohort of six deportees, four originating from Cuba and two from Afghanistan, arriving in Guyana on Friday. In brief remarks on Sunday, Nicole Theriot U.S. Ambassador to Guyana told this newspaper that the U.S. has been working on the arrangement with Guyana for many months. The deal outlines a temporary arrangement for individuals who voluntarily opt for relocation to Guyana while awaiting the final determination of their immigration status. Official government statements detailed that depending on the outcome of their cases, individuals will either return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere of their choosing. The arrangement operates under strict parameters and does not offer open-ended residency or permanent resettlement. Under the agreed terms, the United States Government will bear the complete financial burden of the relocation exercise, ensuring Guyana incurs no financial liability. The operational execution of the

framework falls directly under the IOM, which will fund and manage reception, housing, basic support, and social integration services, including healthcare, employment supervision, and facilitating contact with legal counsel and family. The IOM confirmed that the arrangement does not transfer any of the state’s official legal duties concerning immigration admission, protection, legal stay, or deportation. The administration maintained that Guyana holds total sovereignty and retains complete veto power to review and deny any individual put forward by U.S. authorities. Only individuals who explicitly consent to relocate of their own free will, have been denied asylum in the U.S. without wanting to return home, and meet strict non-criminal and skill criteria will be admitted. VULGAR AND UNAUTHORISED Addressing the issue in his latest column, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram said agreement is concerning. “Economics can hardly explain it. If not money, is it goodwill,

US$5.1 million arrangement, while Liberia has agreed to accept as many as 1,200 third-country nationals. “This perhaps is the most discomforting development of all, coming on top of the broken promises at home. I believed the PPP/C when it pledged to renegotiate the 2016 Petroleum Agreement. In office, it abandoned that promise for “better contract administration”, while refusing to insist on protections such as ringfencing and stronger fiscal terms. Production accelerated; State capacity and contractual protection did not. BREACH OF CONSTITUTION On Monday the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), said the arrangement reeks of disregard for human rights and may violate Guyana’s Constitution. In a strongly worded statement, the association rejected President Ali’s reported claim that persons sent to Guyana “chose” to come here, arguing that such a claim is difficult to sustain when the alternatives reportedly include countries

President Ali and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot punishment or other treatment.” The human rights body stressed that the constitutional protection applies to all persons, not merely Guyanese citizens, and contains no exception permitting the State to expose deportees to inhumane or degrading treatment. The Government, it said, has also failed to explain the legal basis for agreeing to receive an undisclosed number of

Haitians deported from the US land in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, on August 27 [Ketlain Difficile/AP Photo]

strategic credit or insurance against Venezuela – or is this simply President Ali’s vulgar, unauthorised and unlawful attempt to find favour with Washington?” Ram said in the process, he has placed Guyana in the same basket as Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia and other states recruited i n t o t h e Tr u m p administration’s thirdcountry deportation programme. Eswatini is receiving deportees under a

such as Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador. The organisation said no amount of official justification could erase what it described as the “pervasive stench” surrounding the agreement. More seriously, the GHRA contends that the Government’s decision could breach Article 141(1) of the Constitution, which states that “No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading

deportees in the future. The GHRA further argues that the arrangement runs counter to international obligations undertaken by Guyana, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Inter-American Convention. The GHRA has demanded that the government must release the

full text of the agreement with the United States governing the acceptance and treatment of deported persons. Until that document is made public, the organisation contends, serious questions will remain over exactly what Guyana has agreed to and at what cost to the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations. GUYANESE DESERVE ANSWERS Leader of Forward Guyana Movement, Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton said the administration concluded months of secret negotiations without informing the National Assembly or briefing the relevant Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations. She too raised concerns regarding the legal, security, and administrative gaps in the framework, emphasising that the public was left to learn about the deal through foreign news outlets. “Guyanese deserve answers on this thirdcountry deportee agreement,” Walton stated, criticising the government’s timeline. Walton stressed that reliance on the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to administer the framework does not absolve the state of its constitutional responsibilities. Pointing out that Guyana lacks national asylum legislation and is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, she questioned which domestic agencies would oversee the admission, legal protection, and potential removal of the arrivals.

“The government’s own release admits that IOM will not assume, and the arrangement will not transfer to it, any of the government’s responsibilities concerning admission, legal stay, protection or removal,” Walton warned. “Those four functions remain with Guyana alone. The question the government has not answered is which domestic agency exercises each of those four functions, under what legal authority, and through what documented procedure.” Walton further questioned the long-term legal and civil status of those brought into the country, raising practical concerns over their right to work, access to public health, voting eligibility, and security vetting. GUYANESE MUST COME FIRST Another Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul warned that Guyanese citizens must not be made a secondary priority in their own country. While the administration framed the deal as an extension of Guyana’s international human rights commitments, Mahipaul argued that the nation’s fragile public infrastructure is ill-prepared to handle additional obligations. He emphasised that while Guyanese are historically known for their hospitality and willingness to assist those in need, serious questions remain r e g a r d i n g t h e s t a t e ’s institutional capacity. “My concern is not with helping people, nor am I opposed to Guyana being a hospitable nation,” Mahipaul stated. “My concern is whether our country has the institutional capacity to properly manage and monitor this programme and live up to the responsibilities it is accepting.” Although international agencies like the IOM are tasked with covering financial costs for housing, integration, and initial support, the legal and administrative duties regarding admission, protection, legal stay, and potential removal remain strictly with the Guyanese state. Mahipaul questioned whether state entities possess the required independence and professionalism to manage Continued on page 21


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Guyana already paying for Exxon’s 8th and 9th oil projects Former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams has called on President Irfaan Ali to explicitly announce ringfencing of future projects in the Stabroek Block to avoid the country’s current 39.8% profit share from sliding to just 12.5% again. In a letter to this publication, Dr. Adams argued that while the president has committed to seeking “expert advice” regarding the financing arrangements of additional oil projects in Stabroek, he believes the administration’s only advisor is the contractor, ExxonMobil. As such, he holds little hope that changes will be made. As explained by the petroleum engineer, ringfencing means each project has an independent cost bank (all monies charged to that project) and no use of revenues from any project to offset costs in another project. He pointed out that although the contract does not bar ringfencing, the government gives Exxon a free rein to mix-up all of the revenues and spending into one bucket or “cost bank” being filled with the daily running costs from every project. This has resulted in ExxonMobil using oil from the four projects currently producing to pay for an additional three projects and its massive exploration and appraisal campaign. Notably, Guyana received less oil to allow the company to pay for the additional projects. To date, seven projects have been sanctioned by the Government of Guyana but the contractor has already began using the country’s oil to finance two more projects it is pursuing according to Dr. Adams. He said, “...most

...demands ring-fencing - Former EPA Head

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams conspicuously suspicious is that there is no mention that the paid off cost bank also includes all costs running into US $billions for drilling exploration and appraisal wells and other costs for projects eight and nine already submitted to the government early this year for approval.” The environmental engineer explained that it takes years of drilling exploration and appraisal wells and other activities such as preparing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before applying for government approvals. He cited Guyana’s first oil project, Liza One as an example, reminding that the discovery was made in 2015, but it took years of drilling and over one year afterwards to apply for permits. To this end, the former EPA head said, “Similarly, since applications for permits for projects eight and nine were submitted early in 2026, there had to have been many USD $billions charged to the cost bank at least starting in 2025 and before for those two projects.” On August 18, President Ali announced that US$55B in costs was recovered by ExxonMobil. To this end, Kaieteur News specifically asked the head-of-state to explain how new projects would be governed, whether Guyana would allow its share

of profits to be invested into upcoming developments and if government would then seek a greater share of revenue as an investor. He explained that the country would seek expert advice on the matter. “Now that we are at this new phase in the development of our oil and gas sector, there are ongoing internal discussions and of course we will also seek expert advice on this matter to make a determination on how the next phase of projects will be

treated having regard for the state of the global sector and of course the need for investment, the structure of that investment, where that investment is coming from and of course all the other exploration that is going to take place,” the president said. In response, Dr. Adams said the head-of-state must be aware that in the absence of ring-fencing, the US$55 billion in costs recovered do not merely relate to the seven

projects approved, but the two other developments. He said, “The government must explain how is this possible, and come clean with what are the costs left in the cost bank for projects eight and nine, other projects in the works and the cumulative costs carried over every month above the 75% cost oil.” The former EPA head contended that Guyanese are not comforted by the president’s assurance of seeking expert advice on the

financing of future projects. “First, despite what VP Jagdeo believes, Guyanese are not stupid, and know fully well that Exxon is the government’s only advisor and controller, so the “discussions” start and end how Exxon wants it. Notwithstanding Exxon being his only expert and advisor, the president is still advised that there is nothing more to discuss nor think about, since the precedent for ring-fencing has now been set, whether or not motivated b y E x x o n ’s f i n a n c i a l interests, and must stay in place,” Dr. Adams urged.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Wednesday September 09, 2026

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

EDITORIAL

Lindsayca: more money, more time The US$2B Wales Gas-to-Energy (GtE) provides a textbook case of how business is conducted in Guyana. Lindsayca Guyana Inc., a U.S. firm with Venezuelan links, is seeking another US$170M on to top of the US$759M that was the original contract price agreed upon and executed. Sometime ago, the number that was circulating for additional funding needed stood at close to US$250M. It seems that Guyana is now benefitting from a 32% discount. What is clear is how sanctity of contract can be played with, then revised, and holding to the original terms and conditions does not matter. The inviolability of contracts loses standing when parties other than Guyana are the ones that gain a benefit.In view of what we at this paper have heard repeatedly from the highest offices in Guyana, with President Irfaan Ali in the lead, a contract is a contract. It should not be touched, it cannot be tampered with, it must stay the way that it started out, regardless of what is the product or service involved. But there is this contradiction that is now in the open and offends the intelligence of citizens. There are reports of Lindsayca Guyana making its case for more money from Guyana to move the already expensive Wales GtE along. It is not a small sum of money. It is US$170M or 22% above the original contract price of US$759M. In Guyana dollars, it is $32B, a weighty sum by itself, and which should give pause.Why is the PPP/C Government giving any time, even listening, to this development for more millions from Lindsayca Guyana? Is this brainchild of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana's suddenly missing in action oil and gas leader, set to go the way of other PPP Governmentoriginated and Jagdeo-sponsored projects? A failure and the latest nonperformer? The project is already years behind schedule. Citizens have been disappointed repeatedly, while the project's cost goes up, through penalties awarded, the delays which do not come without their own costs. What are the energy consumers of this country going to get when this project is finally completed? It could be a project that costs taxpayers so much that the promised 50% cut in electricity prices is either a mirage, or a scheme that has con written all over it. In other words, the US$2B Wales GtE is not worth it anymore. Another concern of ours is how capable Lindsayca Guyana Inc., is in delivering on the gas conversion and electricity generation plants? From as early as its own 2024 Annual Report, its money woes were made plain: “negotiations with the Government of Guyana for a significant contract price adjustment are at an advanced stage, providing strong evidence of the Group's ability to continue to meet its commitments.” Almost two years ago Guyana's Wales GtE partner was in a financial hole, and looking for the Government of Guyana to bail it out. Give it a little time, and the Wales GtE could bear a close resemblance to the Chinese-led Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project. A project that was always extending its delivery deadlines, and with a claim for more money to keep going. Separate and apart from the aforementioned, it is worrying that this Houston-based American company has such close ties to Venezuela. Examples of its involvement and generosity include being the primary sponsor for a Venezuelan PGA Tour golfer, and other golf competitions inside of Venezuela. Lindsayca Guyana is also recognised for its financial support for cultural preservation activities in Venezuela, as well as a giver of disaster diplomacy funds. We think that a fair question, given the continually cash-strapped condition of Lindsayca Guyana, is whether some of Guyana's millions are being used to boost Venezuelan businesses and activities. Some industry observers and strategists believe that this is what is happening in plain sight. The bottom line is that Lindsayca is flying an American flag, but has been very much up to its elbows in Venezuelan matters. How this is acceptable to Guyana's PPP/C Government is simply part of the mystery of how governance and leadership operate in this country. Bluntly, Lindsayca should not be here, should not be accommodated with one penny more.

Power woes continue as we get richer Dear Editor, The PPP administration has proven itself to be completely clueless and wholly incompetent in managing the country's electricity sector. It has now been more than six years since the PPP returned to office, yet the power sector and its service to Guyanese has deteriorated at the fastest rate seen in the last two decades. Upon returning to office in 2020, the government sought to place all blame for the sector's problems on the previous administration. Claims of inadequate maintenance and a lack of investment in generation systems were repeatedly made, despite being largely unsubstantiated. Those excuses may have been enough to satisfy their political base, but the familiar chorus of "it's not us, it's them" has done little to improve the performance of the state-owned power company. Unlike the previous administration, the PPP has not faced constraints in accessing financing. Since returning to office, it has spent hundreds of billions of dollars with little to show for

it from the power sector. The government has signed agreements with more than a dozen countries, including the United States, China, India, and the Dominican Republic. Yet despite having access to what appears to be virtually unlimited resources, the power sector remains on life support and getting worse. Over the past five years, the PPP has sourced generating sets from the United States, China, Finland, and Honduras. Some of these acquisitions were made under highly opaque circumstances. Nevertheless, the country continues to endure daily power outages. The PPP has also procured fuel from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and several Middle Eastern countries through contracts worth billions of dollars annually. In addition, the government has leased two power ships from Turkey over the last three years. GPL is paying more than G$75 million per day for these vessels, yet citizens continue to suffer from unreliable electricity service. Despite these expenditures and many PR stunts, power outages

remain a daily reality for all. The excuses offered for the country's electricity woes have been endless. At various times, blame has been placed on excavator operators, erratic donkeycart drivers, climate change, the war in Ukraine, increased use of air-conditioning units, animals of various sorts, and of course, the previous administration. At no point has the PPP acknowledged that the state of the electricity sector is a direct consequence of its own incompetence, non-strategic management and questionable procurement practices. Nothing better exemplifies the government's ineptitude than the ill-fated Wales Gas-toEnergy Project. Hailed by the PPP as a "no-brainer," the project has instead reinforced what many citizens already believe: that the administration lacks the skills and interest required to successfully execute major infrastructure projects. A lack of skills and competence is one challenge but what is even more problematic is the unwillingness to access the correct skills based on merit

to execute the projects successfully. In its efforts to justify the project, the PPP projected that the country's peak electricity demand would reach 480MW by 2026. Therefore, it cannot now claim that rising demand was unexpected. The government had six years to prepare. Yet in 2026, peak demand stands at just 256MW, roughly 50% its own projection made in 2021, to justify the urgent need for the Wales Gas to Shore project. Even at this significantly lower level, the PPP has failed to provide a reliable electricity supply. Setting a target and then failing to achieve even 50% of the required capacity to meet that target is the definition of failure. But why should we be surprised? Doesn't this sound like another billion-dollar project east of the Berbice River? The crown jewel of the government's incompetence is the Wales Gas-to-Energy Project, which was presented as the silver bullet to solve Guyana's electricity challenges. The PPP promised that once completed, the project would (Continued on page 6)

Burnham and Jagdeo: Abuse of Power in Guyana Dear Editor, Guyana has never had a simple relationship with the exercise of political power. From independence to the oil age, the country produced leaders who promised to transform the nation while accumulating extraordinary power over the institutions meant to restrain them. Forbes Burnham and Bharrat Jagdeo belong to different generations and different political parties. Yet the comparison between t h e m r a i s e s a n uncomfortable question: Has Guyana really escaped the politics of the strongman or authoritarian regimes? There was undeniable political ambition to both, and they did everything to acquire power and oppress opponents. Burnham left London with the ambition to become ruler and Jagdeo left Moscow on a similar mission, skilled in the communist mode of exercising power. Guyana's current authoritarian politics and g o v e r n a n c e ( o f f e a r, vindictiveness, and corruption) were or have been profoundly shaped by two strong men rulers—Forbes Burnham

and Bharrat Jagdeo who were quite unlike the incorruptible, peaceful, all embracing democrat Cheddi Jagan. Burnham led Guyana through independence and the difficult years of nationbuilding, from 1964 to 1985, while Jagdeo governed from 1999 to 2011 during a period when the country was attempting to modernise its economy. Both understood that controlling the political machinery of Guyana was essential to controlling the direction of the country and for self-accumulation of wealth. And they controlled all machineries of the state using different method—Burnham a crude direct power method and Jagdeo a softer, manipulative approach. Burnham developed as an authoritarian ruler without respect for democratic principles while Jagdeo developed authoritarian tendencies allowing democratic practices nationally while being authoritarian inside the PPP driving fear on party stalwarts. There was under Jagdeo Presidency and since 2020 as VP excessive centralisation and authoritarian tendencies.

Some critics even compared aspects of his administration with the authoritarian political style associated with Burnham. Although Burnham and Jagdeo belonged to different political traditions and operated in dramatically different circumstances, comparisons between them are inevitable on the issues of corruption, greed, and authoritarianism. Political observers have also noted similarities between Jagdeo's centralised political style and aspects of Burnham's governing approach. They became increasingly dominant, manipulating the political system to preserve hold on personal power. Both placed strong emphasis on the role of the state and heavyhanded personal control, leaving legacies that remain deeply debated. Yet their approaches to economics, nationalism, political power were markedly different. Just as a reminder on the academic background of two leaders: Burnham was trained in London and was one of the central figures in Guyana's struggle for selfgovernment, a gifted lawyer, powerful speaker,

charismatic figure, orator, scholar, intellectual, widely feared and interested in total power. Jagdeo didn't do well in GCE and was sent by Jagan on a Soviet scholarship to study economics in Moscow; he lacks the above characteristics of Burnham except of being feared. Jagdeo is also known like Burnham for victimisation of critics and opponents. Burnham was a charismatic nationalist who gave Guyana a strong sense of sovereignty and pride. But he increasingly centralised governance, persecuted opponents, and made life difficult with his authoritarian tendencies. Jagdeo lacked the nationalism and charisma and intellect of Burnham and Jagan. But he learn well in Moscow on how to manipulate situations and people for power and party control. Like Burnham, he used the state for control of others and to get his way. Like Burnham and quite unlike Jagan, Jagdeo did not and does not allow democratic principles in the party - his way or the highway. That is why many (Continued on page 6)


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 05

Is Brassington the correct person for the job? What is Ramkarran's pong diplomacy". Maybe a Guyanese Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project. Dear Editor, position on Cuba? Given the increasing controversy energy project can have a similar With the ongoing delays and cost overruns involving the multimillion USD project continuing to negatively impact the country's energy bill we must ask ourselves if Winston Brassington is the correct person for the job. Supplier selection has already created much controversy, bringing into question his judgment and his team's due diligence capabilities. In addition, one must also consider the current national security situation w i t h Ve n e z u e l a a n d t h a t t h e controversial supplier chosen is well connected within Venezuela's oil sector and government apparatus, both of which have taken a strong position against Guyana's offshore oil claims. It would be in both their interests to slow down and even prevent the successful completion (on time, within budget and functioning correctly) of Guyana's

surrounding the GTE project we must as a nation seriously consider better alternatives including those that entail bringing in new companies for the completion of the project. Experienced, knowledgeable, and reputable firms from both the U.S. and China should be considered. The recent comments by a U.S. representative that raised concerns over the use of China in our nation's development and the disagreeing response from China's representative suggests that deescalation is needed. The GTE project presents an opportunity for our country to provide a major project where the U.S. and China can work together and possibly achieve cooperation once again. Global peace was accomplished in the past with table tennis in events known today as "ping-

impact. The GTE project may be just what the doctor ordered. Speaking of doctors, the Brassington name has a strong heritage in Guyana thanks to the Chairmanship of GuySuCo and the strong academic achievement gained by future generations. After the previous arrest t h a t i n c l u d e d b o t h Wi n s t o n Brassington and Dr. Ashni Singh one would expect that they would both exercise tremendous caution before getting their names further tainted in any alleged wrongdoing. Ashni has also built a name for himself thanks to the Trotz family which gave him the prestigious role as head prefect at our premier educational institution. The Singh name was strengthened in Guyana as a result and most notably (Continued on page 6)

Children living with learning disabilities Dear Editor, As an advocate for mental health and a public analyst, I believe Guyana needs stronger systems to identify, support, and educate children living with learning disabilities and developmental conditions such as autism and early-childhood ADHD. Parents, guardians, and teachers must work together to establish better mechanisms for identifying children who may be struggling in silence. Too many children who are perceived as “different” can become vulnerable to bullying, discrimination, neglect, and even abuse simply because their needs are not properly understood. Greater educational awareness among parents and guardians would go a long way toward encouraging early intervention, acceptance, and appropriate support. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding childhood mental health and developmental conditions can prevent some families from seeking professional assistance. Teachers also play an important role. However, not all educators have the necessary training to recognise learning disabilities or understand how

to appropriately support children with developmental challenges. Providing teachers with practical training and resources could make a significant difference in the classroom and in the lives of these children The cost of specialised educational and healthcare programmes is another major challenge. For many families, professional assessments, therapy, counselling, educational support, and other interventions can be financially difficult to access. As Guyana continues to develop and move forward, mental health services, child p s y c h o l o g y, d e v e l o p m e n t a l assessments, counselling, and awareness programmes should become more commonplace and accessible across the country—not services available only to families who can afford them. The GOAL Scholarship Programme has helped many Guyanese, including single parents, improve their educational and professional opportunities, and that achievement is commendable. However, I believe we should also consider expanding similar forms of

structured support for infants and children who are struggling with developmental, learning, and behavioural challenges across all regions of Guyana. Our children deserve access to professionals who are properly trained to identify their needs and provide appropriate support. This should include greater investment in child psychologists, special education professionals, counsellors, developmental specialists, and teachertraining programmes. Early identification and intervention can change the trajectory of a child's life. Instead of waiting until a child reaches a crisis point, we should build a system that recognises the signs early, supports families, equips teachers, and protects children from being labelled, bullied, or left behind. Guyana's development should not only be measured by its economic growth and infrastructure. It should also be measured by how well we protect, educate, and support our most vulnerable children. Sincerely Blane R Bunbury

Dear Editor, Much of Ralph Ramkarran's recent column, “Cuba,” published on his Conversation Tree blog, is essentially a regurgitation of facts and developments about Cuba that are already well known and widely reported. All of which was useful background information. But it leaves unanswered the important question: where does Mr. Ramkarran stand on the economic strangulation of Cuba? What is also missing from Mr. Ramkarran's discussion is a sufficiently searching examination of whether economic strangulation is a legitimate instrument of foreign policy, and whether the suffering it inflicts on ordinary Cubans can be justified by the objective of forcing political change. I look forward to him filling those gaps in his future columns. Your Sincerely Roopnauth Hardyal

On values and attitudes Dear Editor, It is my belief that too many of us have lost confidence in our politicians with respect to service with commendable values. I may be wrong. I say the same confidently for our religious leaders. I may be wrong. Our public school system produces students but of what quality? I am judgmental. Yes and therefore I may be wrong. We have evaded moral values to turn to acquisition of wealth values. We have lost the battle for decency and honesty. We are wandering lost in a wilderness we created. Will we ever find ourselves? Regards Krishna Nand Prasad

Learn from the past Dear Editor, Following political independence from Great Britain in 1966, the PNC sought complete decolonisation by targeting "subtle colonialism" through the integration of Anti-Colonial Nationalism and Cooperative Socialism. To achieve economic autonomy and self-determination, Mr. Burnham declared Guyana a Cooperative Republic in 1970 and executed several key initiatives. Structural ties with former colonial powers were severed. Key industries were nationalised, bringing them under State control. Self-reliance was promoted with the "Feed, Clothe, and House" campaign to foster national unity and independence. If we don't critically analyse the historical consequences of such actions, if we don't learn from the past, we are condemned to repeat it. Sincerely Daniel Singh


Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Wednesday September 09, 2026

I was abused, assaulted and robbed of my telephone Dear Editor, I would like to share my story of how I was abused, assaulted and robbed of my telephone by a senior person at Pure Diamonds Inc. The incident occurred in front of the Pure Diamonds Inc. building on Duncan Street. I am also of the strong view that the Guyana Police Force is protecting the person who committed the offence against me because he is a big businessman. On the morning of August 5, 2026, I parked my vehicle on the Mayor and City Council's (M&CC) reserve on the parapet outside of the Pure Diamonds Inc. building. I started walking towards a business place on the opposite side, as I was walking away, I heard one of the security in front of Pure Diamond Inc. building, shouting aggressively; hello,

hello, hello, but I continued walking. He continued shouting aggressively, hello, hello, I knew that he was calling me because I had parked my vehicle in front of the building. I then turned back and asked the security if he was going to abuse me for parking on the Mayor and City Council's reserve and I proceeded to go to transact my business. I spent about 10 to 15 minutes at the business place where I was going and was returning to my vehicle when I saw one of the security guards from Pure Diamonds Inc. business videoing the number plate on my vehicle. I approached him and asked him why he was videoing the number plate on my vehicle. I then took out my telephone and started to video him while he was videoing my vehicle and my number plate. He

proceeded to walk around my vehicle slowly videoing my front number plate, the side of my vehicle, the back number and the other parts of my vehicle. He had a big gun (an AK47, I think) around his shoulder. I kept walking behind him and asking him why he was videoing my number plate and my vehicle, I also asked him if he was going to find out who I am and come and look for me to harm me? I kept repeating my questions. He then turned to face me and started to video me asking him the questions, I was also videoing him. The security then walked back into the Pure Diamonds Inc. compound, and I stood on the Mayor and City Council's parapet in front of the building asking him, why he was videoing the number plate of my car and my car and if he was going to look

for me and harm me because I parked on the Mayor and City Council's parapet in front of the building. I further said that if I broke the law, the thing to do, is to call the police, and they will tell me which law I broke and the police will take it from there, but you cannot be videoing my number plate and my car like that. What happened next was even more

shocking and traumatic. A male who I described to the police as being about 5 feet 4 inches, Caucasian-Latino, fair in complexion with curly hair, rushed out of the building at me and snatched my telephone out of my hands and went back into the building. There were three security guards with big guns (AK47's) in front of the

building. I was so traumatised that I started to call for help, help, somebody help me please, they have my phone in that building. People were passing looking at me. A man jumped into his vehicle and drove away quickly. I then ran to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Vlissengen Road, visibly (Continued on page 22)

Guyana accepts six U.S. deportees from Afghanistan and Cuba

detention centres left the regime should provide all Dear Editor, It is with disappointment detainees with little choice. immigrants, whether illegal and dismay that I read in A m n e s t y I n t e r n a t i o n a l or otherwise, rights under the Kaieteur News Guyana's strongly condemns the U.S. U.S. Constitution including a acceptance of forced U.S. g o v e r n m e n t ' s f o r c e d timely hearing before a judge deportees. What sort of r e l o c a t i o n a n d t h i r d - adjudicator. Subsequent deportations coercion was employed by c o u n t r y r e m o v a l o f i m m i g r a n t s a s c r u e l , should be made only to their the Trump regime? G i v e n t h e b u l l y i n g inhumane, and unlawful country of origin and in cases behaviour of the Trump under international human w h e r e t h e r e p a t r i a t e d regime, I can only imagine rights law, as detailed in individual's life would be in their Amnesty International danger, relocation to another the tactics employed. I s u g g e s t t h a t t h e Campaign on Third-Country country of their choosing. Sincerely suave of Burnham, but he has h o r r e n d o u s i n h u m a n e Removals. Joseph Schuler Ins tead , the Trump been able to control the state conditions reported in U.S. through victimisation. He does not allow dissent resulting in good people expensive failure than the first. It is therefore leaving the PPP or being cast From page 4 aside. He manipulated the not only guarantee a stable electricity supply clear that Guyana's electricity problems will party machinery that resulted but also immediately reduce electricity rates persist for the foreseeable future. The PPP has repeatedly demonstrated, in the selection of flawed by 50%. Launched in 2021 with a promised characters like Donald completion date of mid-2024, the project through projects such as the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project, the Fibre Optic Cable Ramotar and Irfaan Ali as remains unfinished. More than two years after its promised Project, and now the Wales Gas-toPPP Presidential nominees when there were far more completion date, it has yet to produce enough Energy Project, that incompetence and corruption continue to undermine its qualified candidates. And electricity to power a single light bulb. The latest information suggests that after ability to deliver critical national that helps to explain why Guyana is in the mess it is more than two years of delays and cost i n f r a s t r u c t u r e w h i l e G u y a n e s e today — a very corrupt state overruns exceeding US$500 million, only continue to suffer as though our GDP is still with hardly any way out of 19% of the project's originally promised US$5.17 Billion as in 2019 versus the the miasma. With all of his output is expected to be available by the end US$33.96 Billion that it is expected to reach flaws and authoritarian of 2026. Even that target appears increasingly in 2026. Why should we be experiencing our worst ways, Burnham did not put a unlikely to be met. Undeterred by its failure, the PPP has experience from the electricity sector, when flawed character like a Green t o s u c c e e d h i m . A n d recklessly moved forward with a second Gas- as a country we earn six times more??? No right-minded Guyanese would accept Burnham was not driven by to-Energy project. Without first demonstrating success on this from their family or their business, but yet excessive, compulsive greed as has been the case over the the initial project, and without releasing our leaders march on with their full chest detailed studies to justify the investment, the proclaiming DEVELOPMENT for some!! last six years. Regards Guyana was and is in government has plunged headfirst into a new David Patterson theory a democracy after venture that is likely to become an even more independence. But Institutional weakness has allowed the rise of the authoritarian Burnham and From page 5 management, it is now also necessary for him Jagdeo. A democracy is not this occurred during a time when Indians were to step in and show leadership in achieving protected merely because considered by many to be marginalised by the transparency, accountability and course citizens vote has been the PNC. Maybe this has caused some reluctance correction. Jagdeo has once again gone silent case since 1992; Burnham by the PPP/C to allow his entry into its inner when answers matter most and maybe this is a and Hoyte rigged elections circle of party leadership. However, it is in sign of the changing of the guard, but his between 1966 and 1992. both Ashni and Winston's best interest to have influence remains strong within the Ali Democracy also requires any doubts or questions raised concerning administration, leading many to suspect that independent institutions, a their integrity and the resulting negative there is a lot happening behind the scenes that f r e e p r e s s , j u d i c i a l impact this controversy may have on their should be brought into the public eye before i n d e p e n d e n c e , families removed. The best way for them to accusations of another coverup begin to parliamentary scrutiny and accomplish this is to ensure that a thorough surface. But the question remains, is Winston political leaders willing to fiscal audit of the GTE project is carried out the correct person for the job? Maybe or accept limits on their by an independent third party as soon as maybe not. The current evidence suggests that authority. Will Jagdeo and possible. stronger leadership is urgently needed and Irfaan Ali? The Prime Minister has become a changes are overdue in whom we use to carry Yours truly prominent figure thanks to his leadership in the Gas- to -Energy project to completion. Name Withheld for damage control in the MV Barima Tragedy With concern Protection Jamil Changlee and given that the GTE project falls under his

Burnham and Jagdeo: Abuse of Power... From page 4 stalwarts left or were pushed out. Jagdeo does not allow party democracy. When Jagdeo came to power in August 1999, the ideological battles of the Burnham era had faded, and the major challenge was how to generate sustainable economic growth while a d d r e s s i n g p o v e r t y, infrastructure deficiencies and social divisions. He did a fair job given limited resources. During Jagdeo p r e s i d e n c y, G u y a n a experienced significant economic and social changes. Contemporary accounts highlight improvements in education, health, housing, roads, transportation, water and sanitation, alongside reforms to taxation, public procurement and investment policy. Guyana also reduced its external debt and accumulated greater international reserves. Since his return in 2020, debt has ballooned approaching US$10 billion, much of it looted by a handful of corrupt figures., friends, families, and preferred contractors. Also, most of the budget of the last six years of over US $50 B was looted by the same government officials. Looting also took place under the Burnham, Hoyte, and Granger presidencies, but their budgets were a fraction of those from 2021 onwards; there has been large scale looting over the last six years from almost every official, particularly

the Ministers and highranking officials. To their credit, Jagan and Janet did not allow looting. On the issue of looting, Burnham used Rabbi Washington and House of Israel while over the last five years the Chinese mafia have been used to collect money. An armored black SUV has been used to regularly collect Chinese royalty money that is converted into American dollars, millions weekly, and sent to China for safe keeping. The Chinese have been allowed duty free imports and to sell VAT free; in exchange, for the privilege, they pay a fee which is collected by the armed black SUV. The dutyfree goods make their way in containers at the back of the Chinese Embassy where they are distributed to the Chinese businesses. The special privileges given to Chinese have driven local business out of the wholesale and retail market; because of the special privileges granted to the Chinese, Guyanese can't compete and they close shops or rent out to them. The Chinese dominate and largely control the local market at the expense of local Guyanese. The amount of money Burnham and his cronies siphoned off was small change compared with what was looted over last six years from the treasury, loans, and the collected from the Chinese businesses and contractors. Jagdeo lacks the charm, charisma, intellect, and

Power woes continue as we...

Is Brassington the correct person...


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 07


PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

No salvager for MV Barima 26 days after tender The MV Barima when it was refurbished in 2017

...Mahipaul condemns delay as “wickedness” Twenty-five days have passed since the deadline for Expressions of Interest to salvage the MV Barima, yet Government has still not disclosed which company or companies will undertake the recovery of the vessel. Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul has condemned the delay as “wickedness” and “an insult” to the Guyanese people, particularly the families of the more than 100 people who lost their lives in what he described as the country’s

largest tragedy in modern times. At a recent news conference President Ali told reporters that the Expression of Interest (EOI) period had closed and that several companies were being shortlisted before being invited to submit prices for the recovery operation. “I think…the expression of interest would have closed. They have received a number of expressions of interest,” Ali said. “Those interests are being shortlisted now by the agency, and then those shortlisted entities will be invited to supply prices to have the vessel salvaged.” The president at the time estimated that 10 or more entities may have expressed interest, although he cautioned that he did not have the exact figure. He said the companies were being assessed against established criteria and that there was no distinction, to his knowledge, between local and international firms in the process. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has meanwhile placed the estimated cost of the salvage operation at between US$8 million and US$10 million. MARAD’s Request for Proposals documents outline the considerable technical challenges involved in recovering the vessel. The 38.6-metre ferry lies in soft seabed mud at a depth of between 13 and 15 metres, or approximately 42 to 49 feet. Poor underwater visibility, strong currents and tidal streams are among the conditions contractors would have to contend with. Prospective salvors were required to submit detailed methodologies covering the various stages of the operation, demonstrate between five and 10 years of successful salvage experience in Guyanese or Caribbean waters and show the technical capacity to recover and stow the vessel upright on a barge while preserving forensic evidence that may be required by the Commission. Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed previously called on the government to authorise the recovery of the Barima at no cost to the state, using specialised international salvage teams. Mohamed criticised earlier suggestions that the vessel could remain submerged and later be turned into a memorial, describing such proposals as

Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul “premature and wicked” and “an act of cruelty.” “Families have reached out to me saying they want the bodies of their loved ones, even if all that remain are bones. It will bring closure,” Mohamed said. “The government did not exhaust every possible option. They have not sought out international help with the expertise and equipment to recover that vessel. Yet, they are already talking about turning it into a memorial.” WICKEDNESS In a blistering statement on Tuesday Mahipaul said 25 days have now passed since the closure of the Expressions of Interest for the salvaging of the MV Barima, and the PPP Government still cannot, “or will not, tell the Guyanese people which company or companies are being engaged to salvage the vessel.” “This is wickedness. This is shameless behaviour. This is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Guyanese people. Evil to say the least is how this Government is choosing to treat the families of more than 100 people who lost their lives,” Mahipaul wrote. He noted that this was the largest tragedy in modern Guyana. “More than 100 lives were lost. Families were shattered. Children lost parents. Parents lost children. Husbands and wives lost each other. Yet, instead of treating the recovery of the MV Barima as an urgent national priority, the PPP Government has allowed 25 days to pass without the families knowing about the salvager.” He asked” what kind of Government does this? What kind of leadership is this? Where is the urgency? Where is the transparency? Where is the respect for the dead and their grieving families?” The APNU MP said the Continued on page 14


Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

PAGE 09

The three leashes of empire Empire, in its modern form, seldom arrives wearing a military uniform. It comes dressed instead as an investment banker, carrying a development plan, or as the representative of a multinational corporation bearing gifts in the language of progress. The empire does not always need soldiers to occupy a country. It can arrange for the country to occupy itself with the repayment of its debts, the protection of foreign investments, and the preservation of a political class that understands which side of the table holds the cheque book. There are at least three principal leashes by which powerful imperial countries, particularly the United States, have historically exercised influence over smaller states. The first is economic dependency, dressed in the respectable vocabulary of neoliberalism. The neoliberal

prescription is familiar: liberalise the economy, privatise where possible, open the doors to foreign capital, reduce the role of the state, allow markets to allocate resources and integrate the national economy into the great machinery of global capitalism. A small economy entering the global marketplace does not meet its giant competitors as an equal. A country with a small population, limited capital, narrow production capacity and weak bargaining power enters negotiations with corporations and governments whose economic resources may exceed its own. It sells commodities cheaply and purchases finished goods dearly. It becomes dependent upon external markets, external financing, external technology and, sometimes, external expertise. The result is a curious f o r m of dependence in

which a country is politically sovereign but economically constrained. The country is tied to the empire by virtue of economic relations. The second leash is the multinational corporation. The multinational arrives with the promise of jobs, infrastructure, technology and development. Sometimes it delivers all four. But it also arrives with shareholders to satisfy, profits to maximise and a legal department considerably larger than the ministry responsible for negotiating the agreement. Its obligation is not to the citizens of the country in which it operates. Its first obligation is to its owners. The history of extractive industries offers some of the clearest examples. Oil, minerals, timber and other natural resources have repeatedly turned small countries into geological treasure chests for companies headquartered elsewhere.

DEM BOYS SEH

De best alibi is one without holes! De police investigating a bloody murder. Dem arrest a suspect. De suspect clothes full ah blood. Suh de detective asked he, “Where were you last night?” De man start fuh talk, “I was driving meh car when it fall in a pothole and I get thrown out and end up falling down a manhole. When I managed to climb out a dog chase me and I twisted my ankle in a rabbit hole.” De policeman tun to de suspect and seh, “We gan charge yuh with murder. Yuh alibi full of holes.” One time a man get charge fuh murdering he wife and daughter with a spade. De judge tun to de man and tell he, “You are charged with beating your wife to death with a shovel.”

A voice at de back of de courtroom yelled out, “You bastard!” De judge continued, “You are also charged with beating your daughter to death with a spade.” Again, de voice at de back of de courtroom shout, “You bastard!!!” De judge stopped, looked at de man in de back of de courtroom, and say, “Sir, I can understand your anger and frustration at this crime, but I will not have any more of these outbursts from you or I shall charge you with contempt! Now what is the problem?” De man stand up at de back and say, “For 15 years I lived next door to that bastard and every time I asked to borrow a spade he said he didn't have one!” Talk half. Leff half.

The multinational may become so economically important that governments become reluctant to challenge it, lest investment d i s a p p e a r, p r o d u c t i o n decline or the country's international reputation as a hospitable destination for capital be damaged. The tragedy of the Ogoni people in Nigeria demonstrated how dangerous this imbalance can become. Ken Saro-Wiwa became an international symbol of resistance to the environmental devastation and political consequences associated with oil exploitation in Ogoniland. His execution by the Nigerian military government in 1995, alongside eight other Ogoni activists, revealed something darker than a dispute over pollution. It revealed the extraordinary power that can emerge when governments, natural resources and multinational corporations become entangled. Not every multinational, however, is part of an imperial conspiracy. But a multinational corporation does not have to conspire against a country to exercise power over it. It needs only to become indispensable. The third leash is political leverage through secrets. Great powers collect information. They know things. Intelligence services exist precisely because governments understand that knowledge about another country's leaders can be more

useful than armies. Corruption, hidden bank accounts, illicit transactions, sexual indiscretions, secret business interests, questionable political dealings—whatever the material may be—can become a currency of influence. The accusation that a foreign government possess compromising information about a particular leader should therefore never be casually accepted as fact. But neither should the possibility of political leverage through intelligence be dismissed as the stuff of conspiracy novels. History is crowded with examples of powerful states cultivating relationships with foreign political elites and using information, money, influence and intelligence to advance national interests. The question for Guyana is consequently where the leashes are attached. Are we becoming excessively dependent upon a neoliberal economic model in which our prosperity rests upon foreign capital and external markets? Have multinational corporations acquired such economic and political weight that the state is reluctant to renegotiate lopsided agreements? And, perhaps most uncomfortably, does any foreign power possess information about our political leaders that could be used to influence decisions made in the name of the Guyanese people? The modern empire asks for access to resources. It

seeks influence over economic choices. It cultivates dependable friends in a country's political establishment. And sometimes it asks the smaller country to do things that serve the interests of the empire while having little or nothing to do with the interests of its own people. For Guyana, therefore, the real test is whether we possess the courage to make decisions without first asking permission. And that principle must apply even when the price of saying no is high. A sovereign Guyana must be able to say no to the exploitation of its resources,no to the bullying of its government—and, when necessary, no to the demand that we accept or facilitate the deportation of persons who are not Guyanese nationals merely because a more powerful country wishes to rid itself of them. The measure of an independent nation is when it can look an empire in the eye and calmly say: No. But even more important is for us to ask why our leaders said yes. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper


Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Deportees-inevitable was written all over them It was just a matter of when. From where they hail. Then, how many of them. Last, what kind of undesirables. They go by the name of ‘deportees’, third country nationals. From the moment the first word of a destination for deportees from the U.S. came up, I considered it a done deal, as guaranteed as inevitable. At the heart of this is a captive and prostrate PPP Govt that just doesn’t have the

masculine equipment to say a loud NO to the Americans. Not here! Not with the troubles that Guyana has. Not with local difficulties that have proven to be intractable and insoluble for over six decades. Of course, every Guyanese that can boast of a Nursery level education had a sense that none of that was being said by the PPP Govt. What and get on the wrong side of the White House?

Not a chance, when retention of power is of such crucial importance; when America holds the key. Especially with WIN Mohamed nipping at the heels, and likely to become more of a chameleon that plays to his strengths, and keeps his PPP Govt adversaries (former bosom pals) on edge. In the America-Guyana scheme, the special relationship that exists

between the two means that Guyana gets to own the “dirty/wrong end of the stick.” Undesirables from a U.S. perspective. Deportees in need of a home. Incidentally, that ‘stick’ business is one of the patents owned by Pres Ali. From the time third country nationals slipped past Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s lips, it was over. Guyana was going to be on the receiving end. A few

months were allowed to pass, so that the PPP Govt could create the impression that it was battling to keep nonGuyanese deportees out of Guyana. Like so many things PPP, it was a charade. A waste of time at camouflage. It’s how predictable and transparent Pres Ali is now. Third country deportees were going to arrive in Guyana. Not so much as a matter of why, but when the curtain on the scam was going to be pulled back, and the picture that emerged made clear. Whoever in Guyana is convinced or comforted by ‘vetted, skilled, and noncriminal deportees’ dumped on Guyana, just joined the parade of naïve and gullible in this country. Those who would swallow the contents of any latrine deposited on their heads with a sick grin. If the deportees possess all those qualities ‘skilled and non-criminal’ why get rid of them in the first place? How is it that the U.S. doesn’t have uses for them, can’t find space for them? What makes Guyana so special as a dumpsite for deportees? Or converted these deportees into prime candidates for the U.S. expulsion blacklist? Further, the reassurance that Guyana reserves “full discretion” to review and reject any deportee (get rid of that garbage language about relocation) doesn’t hold

water here. Since Guyana has that so-called right of refusal, with no questions asked and costs borne by the U.S., then somebody explain to the Guyanese people why even one individual from any batch is being accepted. I interpret that as the usual slick salesman pitch that means one thing: it’s a dud. I recall that timeless Native American Indian ditty so loaded with meaning: someone speaks with forked tongue. It surprises that the UN is part of this deportee exercise. Allowance must be made for humanitarian grounds. In separating from this tainted subject, something is tabled for all Guyanese to ponder and remember. It’s now only a matter of time before non-criminal falls away from the deportee conversation and Guyana becomes home to third country criminals. Under the PPP Govt, it would be part of the continuum of doing anything to please the Americans to guarantee continuity in office. I wonder what will be the fate of the Chinese. Looks inevitable, also. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Guyana appointed to ICAO’s Air Transport Regulation Panel Guyana has been appointed to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Regulation Panel (ATRP), further highlighting the country’s role in global aviation. This appointment, effective 28th July, 2026, underscores Guyana’s growing leadership and active role in shaping international air transport, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said in a press release. The Panel brings together qualified technical experts

who help the ICAO create, update, and improve policies for the economic and legal regulation of international air transport. Director General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field said: “Guyana’s appointment to the ATRP is another step in the right direction. Our request to join this Panel dates to 2019, but ICAO ATRP now sees it as appropriate to appoint us. This is therefore a pivotal opportunity for us to make a greater contribution to global air

transport regulation. In this role, Guyana can advocate for policies and contribute to innovative, collaborative solutions that strengthen connectivity and aviation development worldwide.” Dr. Saheed Sulaman, Deputy Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is the appointed official and Guyana’s representative on the Air Transport Regulation Panel. Dr. Sulaman is known for his regional involvement in the CARICOM Technical

Negotiating Team on Air Services; his role as Chairman of the Special Committee on Transport of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and his role as an ICAO Global Ambassador. Guyana will no doubt contribute meaningfully to the ATRP’s work. According to the GCAA this appointment aligns with the vision of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whose 10-Pillar National Aviation Policy aims to position Continued on page 14

Dr. Saheed Sulaman, Deputy Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority


PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Pres. Ali, Qatar advance bilateral cooperation during State Visit President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, held official talks on Tuesday as Guyana’s Head-of-State continued his three-day State Visit to Qatar. The meeting, held at the Amiri Diwan, focused on strengthening relations between Guyana and Qatar, with particular emphasis on investment and expanding opportunities for bilateral cooperation. At the start of the official talks, the Amir welcomed President Ali and the accompanying delegation, expressing hope that the visit would further broaden the prospects for

cooperation between the two countries and contribute to their mutual interests. He expressed appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and the Guyanese delegation, while reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to deepening relations with Qatar. He said, “Guyana is keen to strengthen cooperation relations and advance them toward further development and growth.” The two sides discussed the state of bilateral relations and explored avenues for cooperation, particularly in investment. They also exchanged views on several regional and Continued on page 14

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13


Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Patterson blasts Govt. over electricity woes ...says current inefficiencies inexcusable Former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson has criticised the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration for the current state of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Company, calling the nation’s power woes nothing short of inexcusable. Patterson asserted, “The excuses offered for the country’s electricity woes have been endless. At various times, blame has been placed on excavator operators, erratic donkey-cart drivers,

climate change, the war in Ukraine, increased use of airconditioning units, animals of various sorts, and of course, the previous administration. At no point has the PPP acknowledged that the state of the electricity sector is a direct consequence of its own incompetence, nonstrategic management and questionable procurement practices.” In a letter to the editor expressing his frustration, the former minister said that the government has proven itself

to be completely clueless and wholly incompetent in managing the country’s electricity sector. “It has now been more than six years since the PPP returned to office, yet the power sector and its service to Guyanese has deteriorated at the fastest rate seen in the last two decades. Upon returning to office in 2020, the government sought to place all blame for the sector’s problems on the previous administration.” According to Patterson, claims of inadequate

Former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson maintenance and a lack of investment in generation systems were repeatedly Continued on page 22

Wednesday September 09, 2026

No salvager for MV Barima 26 days... From page 8 government owes Guyanese a proper explanation for this “disgraceful delay.” “Let me say what many Guyanese are already asking: is this delay deliberate? Because the longer the MV Barima remains on the seabed, the greater the concern about the preservation of evidence that could be critical to the Commission of Inquiry.” Mahipaul said there have already been serious questions about the vessel, including questions about its c o n d i t i o n a n d seaworthiness. Those questions he said must be answered by evidence. “But if evidence is allowed to deteriorate while the Government drags its feet, then the public has every right to question why. The PPP Government cannot claim to want the truth while behaving as though recovering the most important piece of evidence in this tragedy is an inconvenience. This is beyond incompetence. It is

political wickedness. It is gross disrespect. It is shameless. And it is an insult to every Guyanese who wants answers.” The MP said President Irfaan Ali and his Government should be ashamed of this behaviour. “More than 100 people are dead, and the families are still waiting. The nation is waiting. The evidence is sitting at the bottom of the sea and the Government is moving at a pace that gives Guyanese every reason to question whether the salvaging of the MV Barima is truly being treated as a priority. Enough of this madness! Salvage the vessel. Preserve the evidence. Tell the nation who is doing the job. Let the Commission of Inquiry examine the evidence. And let the truth come out. Because when more than 100 Guyanese lose their lives, government silence is not an acceptable response. Twenty-five days are 25 days too many.”

Pres. Ali, Qatar advance bilateral... From page 12 international issues of mutual interest. The official talks were followed by a bilateral meeting between President Ali and the Amir, during which the two leaders further exchanged perspectives on major current issues and developments. Earlier on Tuesday, the president arrived at the Amiri Diwan, where he received an official welcome and participated in a formal reception ceremony. The head-of-state was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar Safraaz Ahmad Shadood, Director of Presidential Affairs at the Office of the

President Marcia Mezan Sharma, George Andrew Hallaq and other members of the official delegation. On the Qatari side, the discussions were attended by Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, along with other senior officials. Following the official engagements, the Amir hosted a luncheon in honour of President Ali and the Guyanese delegation. The engagement is part of the president’s state visit to Qatar, which commenced on Sunday following his arrival in Doha.

Guyana appointed to ICAO’s... From page 11 Guyana as a premier regional aviation hub and to advance connectivity across the region. Guyana’s new role on the ICAO ATRP will certainly help advance the connectivity agenda. Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, said: “These accomplishments are the sum total and impact of the hard work of the Government and what we are doing. The achievements in development within the aviation sector in Guyana are outstanding; across the entire aviation ecosystem, there is growth. Our representation at the regional and global level is not accidental but the result of diligent, targeted effort, vision and leadership. In this regard, we are relentless in our pursuits.” This development underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing international air transport and highlights the national and global significance of Guyana’s growing aviation leadership.


Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

PAGE 15

Phillips, Indar visit troubled gas-to-energy project site Prime Minister, Mark Phillips who has oversight responsibility for the energy sector and the Gasto-Energy Project on Tuesday visited the site of troubled gas-toenergy project. According to a press release, the visit formed part of Phillips’ periodic assessment of the development to ensure that works remain aligned with the established implementation schedule. During the inspection, the delegation observed progress on the gas turbines, steam turbine, storage tanks, foundations, piping and other supporting systems, as well as works on the substation that will facilitate the transmission of power from the facility. Following the briefing and site inspection, Prime Minister Phillips noted that, since his last inspection in June, works have advanced substantially, with several major components now installed and critical infrastructure progressing across key areas of the facility. The current timeline provides for the first gas turbine to come online by the end of 2026, delivering approximately 57 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. The remaining units will subsequently be brought online in keeping with the project’s implementation schedule. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar; Head of the Gas-to-Energy Task Force and Project Lead, Mr. Winston Brassington; Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Bobby Gossai Jr; Head of Guyana Power and Light Inc.’s Executive Management Committee, Mr. Kesh

Nandlall; and other technical officials from GPL and the project team. Meanwhile, in a separate release from the Department of Public Information (DPI), the government said it is continuing to advance the project with the first turbine expected to undergo initial firing and testing in December, as efforts intensify to increase electricity generation and meet Guyana’s rapidly growing power demand. During the site visit Indar, said the first turbine is being prepared to receive natural gas, with the necessary infrastructure, including the natural gas liquefaction plant, sludge catcher and associated piping, being put in place. According to the minister, the first turbine is expected to provide approximately 57 megawatts of additional power to the national grid. Phase One of the Gas-toEnergy Project is designed to deliver 300 megawatts of electricity. Minister Indar said the additional generation capacity is critical as electricity consumption continues to increase, particularly during periods of extreme heat when demand on the national grid peaks. “The grid needs the power. There’s El Niño happening, there’s a heat wave, people are using a lot of electricity in Guyana, and we have to meet that demand,” he said. The minister explained that the project is being advanced through a coordinated effort involving several technical teams, with some 1,300 workers currently engaged at the Wales site. He said once the first turbine is fired and tested, work will

The Wales Gas-to-Energy project site

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips visited the project site on Tuesday continue to bring it online and ultimately integrate the additional generation capacity into the national grid. The project includes four gas turbines and two steam turbines, which together are expected to provide the planned 300 megawatts. A substation is also being established to facilitate the transmission of the generated

electricity into the national grid. The increased generation capacity is expected to play a critical role in supporting Guyana’s expanding e c o n o m y, a s r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial and industrial development continues to drive higher electricity consumption. Minister Indar said the Government is simultaneously strengthening the transmission

network, noting that approximately 425 kilometres of new lines are being constructed to help distribute electricity more efficiently and reduce pressure on existing infrastructure. With electricity demand continuing to rise, the Gas-toEnergy Project is expected to provide a significant increase in reliable generation capacity.

Minister Indar silent as MV Barima victims’ families demand recovery of sunken ferry Families of the victims of the MV Barima disaster continued their weekly protest on Tuesday in front of the Office of the President, calling for the immediate salvaging of the sunken ferry as Minister within the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, who is responsible for the recovery process, remains silent on the operation’s progress. The demonstration was spearheaded by family members of the still-missing Bryan and Kyle Thomas, alongside the family of Neil and Kenrick Cort. The picketing follows the July 18 capsizing of the vessel, which stands as the nation’s worst maritime disaster, claiming 73 confirmed lives and leaving approximately 30 individuals unaccounted for. The family members held their placards demanding the immediate resignations of Minister Indar and Minister of Public Works Juan

Families continue protest action in front of Office of the President Edghill. Relatives maintained that severe regulatory oversight failures directly contributed to the tragedy and argued that administrative accountability remains nonexistent.

A central point of contention for the grieving families is the delay in raising the vessel from the seabed, which they believe holds both the physical remains of their missing loved ones and critical forensic

evidence. While a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has been empowered to investigate the safety and operational breakdowns surrounding the disaster, families

expressed frustration over a lack of transparent updates regarding its proceedings. The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), an agency under Minister Indar’s purview, issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify contractors capable of salvaging the wreck for forensic analysis. However, weeks after the tender notices, recovery operations at the site have yet to begin. Attempts by this newspaper to reach Minister Indar on Tuesday for an update on the EOI evaluation process and the timeline for the salvage operation were unsuccessful. Calls and messages routed to him went unanswered up to press time. The families vowed to continue their weekly vigil outside the Office of the President until the government provides a clear timeline for the recovery of the vessel and the formal proceedings of the CoI.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Pensioner dies in Mahaicony crash while heading to city hospital

Sheik Mohamed, 39, who lost his grandfather-in-law to the accident, is appealing for safer road usage

Mohamed’s Toyota Spacio pinned against another vehicle after colliding with the lorry

An Angoy’s Avenue family is mourning the tragic loss of a 77-year-old pensioner who died on Monday following a three-vehicle collision at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, while he was being transported to Georgetown for medical treatment. Dead is Balram Ramnarine, of Lot 2 Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Ramnarine was travelling in a car driven by his grandson-in-law, 39-year-old Sheik Mohamed, when the vehicle collided with a motor lorry on the Farm Public Road, Mahaicony, shortly after 10:00am. Also in the car was Mohamed’s 15-yearold son, Odesh. Ramnarine was seated in the front passenger seat, while Odesh occupied the backseat. Mohamed and his son were taken by public-spirited persons to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they received medical attention and were subsequently discharged.

Ramnarine, however, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the facility. The elderly man had reportedly undergone hip surgery about two weeks ago after suffering a fall. Mohamed said they were taking him to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for therapy when tragedy struck. Speaking to Kaieteur News at his Angoy’s Avenue home on Tuesday, a visibly shaken Mohamed recalled the terrifying moments leading up to the collision. According to him, it had been raining heavily and the road was slippery when the lorry allegedly overtook two vehicles before colliding head-on with his car. “A truck came out from nowhere, overtake two cars, and he hit me head-on. I tried to stop before, my vehicle slowed down yes, but the guy didn’t show any interest in

slowing down. When I pressed brakes, the vehicle slide in a slant and it killed the old man, my grandfather (in-law) in the front seat,” Mohamed recounted. He said he was driving within his lane and believed he was travelling within the speed limit when the collision occurred. The impact left Mohamed with non-lifethreatening wounds to his face and hands, while his son sustained injuries to his face from shattered glass. Mohamed said the moments immediately following the crash were terrifying. “I was actually frozen with fear in the vehicle after the airbag blow and the glass was shattered. The fear got me so much that I could not move,” he said. After regaining his composure, Mohamed began shouting for help, prompting persons in the area to rush to the scene.

He said an ambulance arrived about 15 minutes later. By then, Ramnarine had been removed from the wreck and was reportedly gasping for air. Mohamed said the incident has left him traumatised, particularly because what began as a routine trip to take his grandfather-in-law for medical therapy ended with his death. He also expressed feelings of guilt over Ramnarine’s death, since the pensioner had been travelling in his vehicle. His son, however, assured him that he had done everything possible as the driver and was not responsible for the collision. Mohamed said the truck was being driven by a Chinese national. He maintained that he was in his lane when the collision occurred. He said the family intends to pursue the matter through the courts. Reflecting on the tragedy, Mohamed urged motorists to exercise greater caution and patience on the roadways. “We got to be cautious, the road is for everybody to use. We got to take our time and use the road carefully. My son and me, we escaped death’s door,” he said. Ramnarine’s body was taken to Bailey’s Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a postmortem examination.

Two dozen Venezuelans rounded up and deported

Venezuelan migrants lining up to be deported

At least two dozen Venezuelan migrants were reportedly rounded up and deported on Tuesday, with men, women and children, including a six-month-old baby, among those detained. Kaieteur News has not yet independently verified the reports. This newspaper contacted the relevant authorities seeking confirmation and further details. However, calls to officials went unanswered up to press time. Kaieteur News understands that some of the migrants reached out to a group seeking assistance while they were being transported to a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) base at Timehri. One woman sent a message to the group shortly after she was detained. “Buenos días grupo, necesito alguien que me ayude aquí a ver” (Good morning group, I need someone to help me), she wrote, before explaining that she was among the Venezuelans picked up by soldiers on Tuesday morning in the Hill Foot area along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. According to the woman, GDF ranks arrived in the area at around 6:00 a.m. and rounded up the Venezuelan nationals. “Vinieron en una buseta y nos recogieron

a todos los venezolanos y ahora nos están deportando para Venezuela” (They came in a bus and picked up all the Venezuelans and now they are deporting us to Venezuela), she said. The woman also complained that the migrants were ill-treated during the process. However, she said that upon their arrival at the military base, they were provided with food and water. After reaching the airport, she informed the group that three additional busloads of Venezuelans were expected to arrive. The migrants were reportedly prohibited from taking photographs or recording videos. However, at least one person managed to secretly record a few videos on a cellphone, which were subsequently shared. Kaieteur News also received information that the migrants were transported by aircraft to Kumaka, Mabaruma, Region One, before reportedly being taken by boat to the Venezuelan border. The circumstances surrounding the reported roundup and deportation, including the number of persons involved and the authority under which the operation was conducted, remain unclear.


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17


Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

‘Guyana lagging behind in digital trade race’ —World Bank, IDB, WTO Report Guyana is being warned that it risks being left behind in the rapidly expanding digital economy, despite having relatively affordable internet access, as the country remains outside several key international frameworks designed to facilitate digital trade. A new joint report by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) identifies significant room for Guyana to expand its participation in digital trade, while pointing to weaknesses in its trade commitments, digital infrastructure, logistics and integration into emerging international digital-trade rules. The report, “Digital Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean: Connecting Markets, Powering Growth,” examines how countries in the region are positioned to take

FIGURE 2.11. Fixed broadband household penetration and distribution of technologies in LAC countries, 2024 (% shares)

advantage of the rapidly growing trade in digitally delivered goods and services. In the report, the institutions said that digital trade is emerging as a major growth opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The regions, the report states exports of digitally delivered services increased nearly fivefold, from US$18.5 billion in 2005 to US$87.7 billion in 2024, yet they represent only 2 percent of the global total. Under a scenario combining technological progress with an improved policy environment, digitally deliverable services exports could grow by up to 7.9 percent annually through 2040, the report noted. The report examines the regions digital trade landscape and the factors that enable or constrain its expansion. These include market openness, regulation, digital infrastructure and

c o n n e c t i v i t y, c r o s s - b o r d e r payments, logistics and trade facilitation, export promotion, firm capabilities, skills, and access to finance. Drawing on new evidence, the report identifies possible actions to strengthen participation in digital trade and deepen regional integration. While providing a common foundation, these actions can inform country-specific roadmaps that reflect national circumstances, priorities, and needs, helping governments prioritize reforms, mobilise resources, engage stakeholders, and harness digital trade as an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth. Internet access Meanwhile, the report findings present a mixed picture for Guyana- on one hand, 83% of Guyana's population was using the internet in 2024, putting the country ahead of several Caribbean and Latin American economies. The report also found that fixed broadband was relatively affordable in Guyana, costing less than 2% of per-capita gross national income, among the lowest costs recorded in the region. However, the report stated that Guyana's digital export performance remains weak. The report shows that digitally delivered services accounted for only about 13% of Guyana's total services exports in 2024, considerably below regional leaders such as Brazil, Suriname, Costa Rica and Uruguay. Even more striking is the contribution to the wider economy. Digitally delivered services exports represented less than 1% of Guyana's GDP in 2024, placing Guyana among the countries with the smallest digital-trade contribution to economic output. Meanwhile, the report highlighted that Guyana is among the LAC countries that have subscribed to neither the WTO B a s i c Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Reference Paper nor the Services Domestic Regulation disciplines. The former contains procompetitive rules designed to promote efficient and affordable telecommunications, while the latter seeks to make authorisation procedures for service suppliers more transparent and predictable. Guyana is also listed among the countries that have joined neither of the WTO Joint Statement Initiatives covering e-commerce and Investment Facilitation for Development. The list includes Guyana alongside Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The report says such international agreements can help establish predictable rules for electronic signatures, electronic contracts, e-invoicing, paperless

FIGURE 2.10. Percentage of population using the internet in LAC countries, 2024 (% share)

92 90 84 82 82 80 82 82 79 77 82 91 82 87 82 83 82 80 82 73 82 66 82 61 82 60 82 59 82 92 82 90 82 87 82 83 82 82 70 82 82 77 82 82 76 73 82 82 70 68 82 91 82

trading, electronic payments, data p r o t e c t i o n a n d cybersecurity—areas increasingly important to businesses seeking to sell services across borders. ICT equipment still carries tariffs Guyana also has an average 6.5% most-favoured-nation tariff on ICT goods covered by the WTO I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y Agreement, according to the report. Guyana has not joined the ITA, unlike nine LAC countries which have eliminated and bound tariffs on covered ICT products. The report argues that reducing such tariffs can lower technology costs and encourage wider adoption. At the same time, Guyana's average bound tariff on those ICT products is listed at 50%, meaning the country has considerable room under its WTO commitments to raise tariffs above the currently applied rate. Additionally, the report makes clear that simply having internet

access does not automatically translate into digital exports. Countries need the regulatory framework, skills, digital businesses, payment systems, logistics, financing and international market connections to turn connectivity into economic activity. The report notes that Guyana's digitally delivered services remain a tiny share of GDP, while countries such as Costa Rica have reached around 9%, Dominica 8%, and Belize, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda about 6%. It also identifies logistics and border procedures as important constraints across the region. Guyana appears toward the lower end of the LAC countries measured in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index, with weaknesses across areas including customs, infrastructure, international shipments, logistics competence, timeliness and tracking.


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19


PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026


Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

St. Lucian Commission begins probe into deadly Anse Cochon boat collision (St Lucia Times) The investigation into the deadly July 18 boat collision at Anse Cochon, Anse La Raye is officially underway, with four Commissioners sworn in on Tuesday morning to determine what led to the incident and recommend measures to help prevent a repeat. Retired Justice Mario Michel is chairing the Commission of Inquiry, which will also examine Saint Lucia's laws, procedures and safety protocols governing maritime activity. The other commissioners are maritime consultant Cuthbert Didier, retired Superintendent of Police Kentry Frederick and Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke De Freitas. The commission was appointed by Acting

Governor General Felix Finisterre, on the advice of Cabinet, on September 4 – a month and a half after the incident that claimed the lives of Mhakeida Nestor, Debbie Dolor, Marley W i l l i a m a n d Ty r o n e Elivique, and left several others injured. It has been mandated to conduct a full, fair and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision involving the Ocean Angel, registered in Castries under official number SL077875, a n d t h e C a z o r l a J r. , registered in Castries under official number SL078180. Speaking at Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony at the Governor General's official residence at Morne Fortune, Finisterre congratulated the Commissioners and

expressed confidence in the work ahead. “I wish to congratulate all of you, especially Chairman, Justice Mario Michel. I know we'll g e t s o m e g o o d recommendations in terms of what really happened,” Finisterre said. He also thanked the Commissioners for undertaking the assignment and wished them well in carrying out their responsibilities. Michel acknowledged the significance of the Commission's mandate and pledged that the Commissioners would work collectively to fulfil the confidence placed in them. “I don't think we'll underestimate the severity of the responsibility, and the significance of it. But, we will certainly endeavour to

Govt. to use part of US$76M CDB loan to install transmission mains for water supply in Regions 2, 3, 5 & 6 The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation said it will be using part of a US$76 million financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the supply and installation of transmission mains in communities in Regions Two, Three, Five and Six. This is according to five invitations for bids published on the government's procurement opportunities website. According to the tender notices, the Government of Guyana has applied for financing from the Caribbean Development Bank in an amount e q u i v a l e n t t o US$76,249,000 towards the cost of Water Supply Improvement Project (WSIP) and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. According to the ministry's document, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is the executing agency for the projects. It should be noted that the transmission mains are large pipelines that transport treated bulk water from water treatment facilities to distribution systems. Providing details as to where the transmission mains will be installed in the various regions, the document states that works will be executed at Walton Hall to Charity in Region Two. The work consists of

the installation of approximately 17.1km of 300mm PVC pipes from Walton Hall to Charity, Essequibo Coast. The project there is divided into four lots, and includes the supply and installation of transmission mains from Walton Hall to Bounty Hall; from Bounty Hall to Maria's Delight; from Maria's Delight to Berks; and from Berks to Charity. In Region Three, transmission mains are slated for Leguan Island, where work consists of the i n s t a l l a t i o n o f approximately 4.4km of 150mm PVC pipes on the Island. In the same region, Wakenaam Island will see the installation of approximately 6.5km of 200mm PVC pipes on the Island. Moving to Region Five, contractors there will execute the supply and installation of transmission mains at Bath, West Coast Berbice across four lots. The four lots will cover transmission mains from Jacoba to Union; from Union to St. John; from St. John to Bath; and from Bath to No. 7 Village and Experiment Housing Scheme. This publication understands that work consists of the installation of approximately 20.1km of 300mm PVC pipes from Jacoba to Experiment Housing Scheme. Finally, in Region Six, supply and installation of transmission

mains is at Adventure, and the project will also be done in four lots. The tender document noted that work consists of the installation of approximately 20km of 400mm PVC pipes from Ta i n t o 4 7 V i l l a g e , Corentyne. The four lots will cover from Tain to Alness; then from Alness to Kilmarnock; then from Kilmarnock to Kiltairn; and from Kiltarin to Village 47. All bids are expected to open on October 6, 2026 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. Regarding the loan, the Caribbean Development Bank in a July 2023 release said it has approved a US$ 76.2 million loan to the Government of Guyana for the Guyana Water Supply Improvement Project under which the water supply systems serving five coastal communities will undergo major upgrades. “The infrastructure development initiative involves the construction of five water treatment plants, complete with storage tanks, and the installation of transmission mains and water meters to vastly improve the quality and reliability of the water supply to Bush Lot, Tain to No. 50 Village, Walton Hall to Charity, Wakenaam and Leguan Island. Nearly 15,000 households in these communities will benefit from the interventions,” CDB disclosed.

the best of our collective abilities, live up to the confidence that you have reposed in us,” Michel said. Beyond establishing the circumstances surrounding the collision, the Commission is required to review Saint Lucia's legislative framework governing maritime accidents. That review will include relevant provisions of the Civil Code, Shipping Act, Police Act, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Act, Customs (Control and

Management) Act and Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. The commission will also examine standard operating procedures and protocols governing maritime activity, maritime safety and maritime investigations. Its recommendations are expected to inform the drafting of a modern Maritime Act. Michel said the Commission would seek to use the inquiry to make recommendations that could help prevent similar

tragedies in the future. Anyone wishing to provide a submission or appear before the Commission to give oral evidence should contact Secretary Lenita Joseph at the Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries, by telephone at (758)285-6273 o r b y e m a i l a t inquirymaritime@govt.lc or lenita.joseph758@gmail.co m.The chairperson is required to submit the commission's report on or before March 8, 2027.

‘Deportee deal under fire’ From page 2 these tasks without political interference. He pointed directly to ongoing national struggles with basic public services, including persistent utility disruptions, healthcare constraints, security challenges, and an escalating housing crisis affecting local families. “Our utilities are struggling to adequately provide reliable water and electricity to our own citizens,” Mahipaul stressed. “While I understand that IOM will finance housing under this programme, the broader question remains, why does our Government seem capable of finding arrangements for everyone except the Guyanese who elected it?”

The Opposition MP presented a series of direct inquiries to the administration, demanding clarification on the maximum number of individuals to be received, precise housing locations, oversight mechanisms, local agency responsibilities, and procedural safeguards against political influence. “Guyanese are naturally hospitable people,” Mahipaul concluded. “But hospitality must not mean that Guyanese citizens become last in their own country. Before the Government takes on more international obligations, it must demonstrate that it can adequately provide for, protect and serve the people who already live here.”


PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Three held as police and residents clash in Kitty noise nuisance fracas FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Helium Gas for Balloons Price 6230 ltrs $136,800 VAT Inc. 9350 ltrs $171,000 VAT Inc. UHP Argon gas, Mix gas and other high purity gas can be ordered Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 634-3430

Air Compressor Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/ Whatsapp: 634-3430

Caterpillar Generator Caterpillar D342C Engine in good working condition WhatsApp # 634-3430

Liquid Nitrogen Tank 45 Gallons. Taylor Wharton Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/ Whatsapp: 634-3430

2-100 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts 1-75 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts WhatsApp # 634-3430 1234yf $14,799 VAT Inc.

100 HP Stop and start switches. Friendship Oxygen Limited, WhatsApp #6343430

Granular Chlorine 100 lbs $77,520 VAT Inc. Chlorine Tablets 40 lbs $72,960 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 6343430

C Belt Pully, 12 Groove by 18'’ Dimensions and other sizes. Friendship Oxygen Limited. WhatsApp #634-3430

Aluminum Sulphate $13,700 VAT Inc. Soda Ash $18,200 VAT Inc. Pool Salts $13,700 VAT Inc. Caustic Soda Pearls $18,000 VAT Inc. Copper Algaecide $11,400 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430 PAG 46 $22,800 VAT Inc. RPO 32 Oil $22,800 VAT Inc. RPO 68 Oil $22,800 VAT Inc. AC Flash Flush $22,800 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 6343430

White Wash Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara. Call/Whatsapp: Natasha #655-9846

SERVICES Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.

Sulphuric Acid 5 gal $34,200 VAT Inc. Nitric Acid 5 gal $34,200 VAT Inc. Hydrochloric Acid 5 gal $34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 6343430 Condemned Oxygen Cylinders $1,140 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430 Compressed CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Gas and Cylinders also Hydrogen and other gases Can be supplied on order Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 6343430 Honeywell Refrigeration Gas: R404a $30,000 R134a $38,7960 R410 $33,000 R-448 $77,520 R290 $14,800 R600a $14,800. R32 $30,780 R407c $34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430 2000 lbs, White metal in shape of a boat rudder. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/Whatsapp: 634-3430 White Wash Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara. Call/Whatsapp: Natasha #655-9846

VACANCY Maid for East Bank area call #615-9132 One (1) painter call #615-9132

WANTED One cook to work at restauant and one handyman to work at shop. Contact #7011998 One cook preferable form the East Bank.Contact #616-5700 or 748-0359 Skilled carpenters and mason to work in Linden. Call #6157526 or 602-9469

Police are investigating an incident which occurred Tuesday afternoon at a wash bay along the Railway Line, Kitty, Georgetown, during which ranks were allegedly obstructed while responding to a report of loud and continuous music. According to a police release, initial enquiries revealed that an unknown caller con-

tacted the police and reported that loud and continuous music was being played from a motorcar at the wash bay, causing annoyance. The report was communicated to the Police Operations Room, and a patrol was dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, ranks attempted to address the reported disturbance but were

allegedly obstructed by several persons at the location while carrying out their duties. An additional police patrol was subsequently summoned to assist. Three persons were subsequently apprehended and are presently in police custody. Efforts are being made to locate other persons in connection with the incident.

The Guyana Police Force is aware of video footage circulating on social media showing a portion of the interaction between police ranks and several persons at the location. The circumstances surrounding the entire incident are being investigated. Investigations are ongoing.

Patterson blasts Govt. over electricity... From page 14 made, despite being largely unsubstantiated. “Those excuses may have been enough to satisfy their political base, but the familiar chorus of ‘it’s not us, it’s them’ has done little to improve the performance of the state-owned power company.” Unlike the previous administration, Patterson noted the PPP has not faced constraints in accessing financing. He emphasised that since returning to office, it has spent hundreds of billions of dollars with little to show for it from the power sector. “The government has signed agreements with more than a dozen countries, including the United States, China, India, and the Dominican Republic. Yet despite having access to what appears to be virtually unlimited resources, the power sector remains on life support and getting worse.” Over the past five years, he noted that the PPP has sourced generating sets from the United States, China, Finland, and Honduras. Some of these acquisitions, according to Patterson were made under highly opaque circumstances. Nevertheless, the country continues to endure daily

power outages. He said the PPP has also procured fuel from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and several Middle Eastern countries through contracts worth billions of dollars annually. “In addition, the government has leased two power ships from Turkey over the last three years. GPL is paying more than G$75 million per day for these vessels, yet citizens continue to suffer from unreliable electricity service. Despite these expenditures and many PR stunts, power outages remain a daily reality for all.” Further, he said nothing better exemplifies the government’s ineptitude than the ill-fated Wales Gasto-Energy Project. “Hailed by the PPP as a “no-brainer,” the project has instead reinforced what many citizens already believe: that the administration lacks the skills and interest required to successfully execute major infrastructure projects. A lack of skills and competence is one challenge but what is even more problematic is the unwillingness to access the correct skills based on merit to execute the projects successfully.”

In its efforts to justify the project, Patterson said the PPP projected that the country’s peak electricity demand would reach 480MW by 2026. Therefore, it cannot now claim that rising demand was unexpected. “The government had six years to prepare. Yet in 2026, peak demand stands at just 256MW, roughly 50% its own projection made in 2021, to justify the urgent need for the Wales Gas-to-Shore project. Even at this significantly lower level, the PPP has failed to provide a reliable electricity supply. Setting a target and then failing to achieve even 50% of the required capacity to meet that target is the definition of failure. But why should we be surprised? Doesn’t this sound like another billiondollar project east of the Berbice River?” He noted the PPP promised that once completed, the project would not only guarantee a stable electricity supply but also immediately reduce electricity rates by 50%. Launched in 2021 with a promised completion date of mid-2024, the project remains unfinished. According to Patterson,

the latest information suggests that after more than two years of delays and cost overruns exceeding US$500 million, only 19% of the project’s originally promised output is expected to be available by the end of 2026. Even that target appears increasingly unlikely to be met. Undeterred by its failure, the former minister said the PPP has recklessly moved forward with a second Gasto-Energy project. He noted that without first demonstrating success on the initial project, and without releasing detailed studies to justify the investment, the government has plunged headfirst into a new venture that is likely to become an even more expensive failure than the first. It is therefore clear that Guyana’s electricity problems will persist for the foreseeable future. “Why should we be experiencing our worst experience from the electricity sector, when as a country, we earn six times more??? No rightminded Guyanese would accept this from their family or their business, but yet our leaders march on with their full chest proclaiming development for some!”

I was abused, assaulted and robbed of my... From page 5 traumatised and shaken and asked the police to help me get my telephone back, and I told them what had happened. The police allowed me to make a telephone call to my lawyer, Mr. Nigel Hughes and I told him what had occurred. The police took me back to the Pure Diamonds Inc. building and Mr. Hughes was also there and they retrieved my telephone from inside the building. What was even more bizarre was that a security guard of African descent (kind of mixed) told the police and Mr. Hughes, that he was the person who snatched my telephone, even though the description of the person who snatched my telephone was a male Caucasian-Latino, fair in complexion with curly hair. The security was willing to take the fall for the person. I

told the police and Mr. Hughes that the security guard was not the person who snatched my telephone. On August 18, having not gotten any further reports from the police about the arrest of the person or them even bringing the person in for me to identify him, I staged a protest in front of the CID Headquarters on Vlissengen Road. I included a photograph of the person who snatched my telephone on one of the placards and the name of the person on another placard. So, that the police would no longer confused the person who snatched my telephone with the security of African descent (or mixed race). The Deputy Crime Chief, Mr. Caesar, invited me into his office and assured me that he will ensure that the matter is

addressed. I visited the CID Headquarters twice after meeting with the Deputy Crime Chief, to follow up with the inspector dealing with the matter and was told that he was not there. I have therefore instructed my lawyer, Mr. Nigel Hughes to proceed to file private criminal charges for robbery against this very senior person at the Pure Diamonds Inc. business. I have also discussed with my lawyer about bringing a civil lawsuit against this senior person from Pure Diamonds Inc. for damages in excess of five hundred million Guyana dollars (G$500M) for invading my privacy, etc. After he snatched my telephone, he accessed my information and deleted information also. For e.g. he deleted the video that I was recording. He had

access to my personal, financial and professional information. We will also be requesting an order from the court restraining him from using, sharing, etc. any of my information. These court cases will be filed with the courts by the end of this week. While I am pursuing this case for justice for myself in this matter, I am also using my voice to fight for every black woman and girl, every Amerindian woman and girl, every East Indian woman and girl, every woman who was abused, assaulted and violated by a powerful man who was too powerful for even the police to charge him. Women must be treated with respect in Guyana; women will be treated with respect in Guyana. Yours sincerely, Audreyanna Thomas


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

UK, France among 12 states backing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements (AL-JAZEERA) France, the United Kingdom, and Canada are among 12 countries that have backed restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli ⁠settlements in the occupied West Bank. “ To d a y, C a n a d a , Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, ⁠Poland, Portugal, Spain, ⁠Sweden and the UK confirm their intention to introduce national and or support ⁠European restrictions on trade in goods ⁠with settlements which ⁠are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures,” the statement of the 12 countries' foreign ministers said on Tuesday. “The government of Israel's in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution,” the statement said. The move came soon after UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in coordination with France. The UK will ⁠introduce an import ban on goods ⁠from Israeli settlements, Miliband told parliament on Tuesday. He said that Canada and France will also announce a

View of a factory belonging to Israeli company Libi Construction and Infrastructure in Shilo, th an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank,30 April, 2026 [Ammar Awad/Reuters] ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements, while Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Sweden have pledged to “support further action”. Miliband said that there will also be a comprehensive sanctions regime put in place, adding that the UK could no longer simply “call out” injustice and suffering, but told the House of Commons that the country

The gun and ammunition seized by police ranks.

Gun, ammo found hidden in New Amsterdam home Police are investigating the discovery of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition at a residence at Main and Asylum Streets, New Amsterdam, Berbice, on Monday, September 7, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that ranks, acting on information received, proceeded to the residence, where a search was conducted. During the search, a suspected firearm and three suspected rounds of ammunition were found concealed in a wardrobe in a bedroom. A further search of the premises led to the discovery of five additional suspected rounds of ammunition concealed in the ceiling of an adjoining washroom. The suspected firearm and eight rounds of ammunition were taken to the Central Police Station, where they were lodged pending examination. No arrest has been made. Investigations are continuing.

now had to “act” to oppose the expansion of settlements. “Today we refuse to be bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution,” Miliband said, referring to the UK's longheld support for the twostate solution, which Israel opposes. Responding to the measures, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement on Tuesday that “the accusations made today by the Foreign Secretary of the Labour Government in the British Parliament were outrageous lies”. He added that Israel ⁠was closing Britain's consulate in occupied East Jerusalem ⁠accredited to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank in retaliation. Saar also said Britain would no longer be able to allowed ⁠to participate in the ⁠US-led coordination mission for Gaza, that British training of Palestinian ⁠Authority forces in the West Bank ⁠would be ⁠terminated, and that some elected UK officials and other nationals be banned from entering Israel. “Unfortunately, a hostile Labour Government is in office, systematically acting against the State of Israel, and it has left us with no choice but to finally respond to its hostile actions,” Saar said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that “France is going to put an end ⁠to its commerce with Israeli settlements in Palestine, along with 11

other countries which have also undertaken similar engagements.” “Why are we doing this?” Barrot asked, adding, “because the West Bank is close to exploding – ⁠there is frenzied expansion of the settlements, a flare up of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, and acts of terror which have been attacked by Israeli authorities themselves.” The United States, through its ambassador to Israel, has already criticised the UK's plan to impose sanctions, while two Israeli ministers called for measures to be taken against the UK. Miliband, who became UK foreign minister in July, also said the UK's position is that the occupation in the West Bank is unlawful, and that London believes that there is “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank. “Today the Foreign Secretary admitted [former Prime Minister] Keir Starmer's government had got it wrong on Israel. This must be the start, not the end, of putting it right,” Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now said in an emailed statement to Al Jazeera. “Britain has always said settlements are illegal. It made no sense that we allowed trade and investment which helped these entities, built on the violent forced displacement of Palestinians,” Dearden said.Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the

occupied Palestinian territory, said Miliband's comments condemning the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank by “settler terrorists” signal a “seismic shift” in the UK government's position. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Albanese said the foreign secretary's remarks amount to the “strongest condemnation ever issued by the UK government on Israeli occupation”. “It's an official position on the illegality of the Israeli occupation as a whole and ethnic cleansing,” Albanese said. “This is huge.” Details remain unclear The impact on the 6billion-pound ($8.12bn) annual bilateral trade between the UK and Israel is likely to be minimal, with details remain unclear of how the UK will differentiate between goods originating in West Bank settlements and products made in Israel. Israeli settlements and outposts across the West Bank are illegal under international law. According to the Palestinian Colonisation and Wa l l R e s i s t a n c e Commission (CRRC), Israeli settlers now number approximately 780,000 across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. They live in 192 settlements and 400 outposts, making up 71 percent of Area C in the West Bank, which is under full Israeli civil and military control, and 91 percent of the J o r d a n Va l l e y , t h e

commission said. Settlers often set up outposts without formal approval around Palestinian villages, from which they launch a campaign of harassment, including killing and stealing livestock, cutting off water, electricity and supplies, and damaging property to drive local residents out. Once they establish a more formal settlement, they often receive retrospective approval from the Israeli government for the settlement. In some places more recently, settlers have laid siege to individual family homes, such as in the Ras alEin area of Qusra, cutting off water and other supplies, as well as damaging orchards o r h a r m i n g livestock.Pogroms against Palestinian communities by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, which are often supported by Israeli government forces, have gathered pace over the past few months since settlers from the Havat Gilad settlement attacked Palestinian homes on the e a s t e r n e d g e o f Ta l , southwest of Nablus. Israel is also pushing ahead with plans for the socalled E1 settlement expansion close to Jerusalem, which human rights organisations warn would essentially sever the West Bank in two, further hampering the freedom of movement of Palestinians on either side of it and endangering the possibility of a Palestinian state.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Govt. inks contract to upgrade 30km of roadway between Mabura Hill & Kurupukari – Min. Edghill Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill recently announced that the government has signed a new contract to continue the upgrade of the Linden to Lethem road corridor, this time, it is to construct some 30km of asphaltic concrete road between Mabura Hill and Kurupukari. Speaking at a Cabinet Outreach in Region 10 last week, the minister was listing some “major transformative” projects underway in and around the region, boasting that his government in the last five years exceeded $100 billion on infrastructure for the region. “Some very major transformative things are happening: by the end of September, the new four-lane (Wismar-Mackenzie) bridge will be ready, they are 80% complete with the Linden to Mabura road. We have just signed a contract to continue another 30 km beyond Mabura to keep going to Kurupukari to get it done,” he told residents. The Mabura to Kurupukari road project is a continuation from the Linden to Mabura Hill road project that is nearing completion. Kaieteur News reported in January 2026, that Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh during the presentation of this year’s budget had announced that the government intends to

Section of the Linden to Mabura Hill road project. commence works between Mabura Hill and Kurupukari this year.

“Going forward, our vision for transport infrastructure includes the completion of

the Linden to Lethem corridor, inclusive of a bridge at the Kurupukari crossing,” he stated. He said this year the Mabura Hill to Kurupukari Road will commence, for which some $7.6 billion has been budgeted and that another $10.4 billion has been set aside to complete the Linden to Mabura Hill road. The Ministry of Public Works began the Linden to Lethem road link, following the signing of a US$192 million contract with Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A. (now Alya Construction), the Brazilian company in May 2022, for the asphaltic concrete road from Linden to Mabura Hill (approximately 121km long). Regarding that first phase of the project, the Ministry of Public Works earlier this month said the Linden to Mabura road project is now moving beyond its major earthworks phase, and that the new focus is that of finishing works and the installation of associated road infrastructure and signage. Upon completion of the entire corridor, the road project will provide major support to ease travel, trade and general connectivity between Guyana and Brazil and open vast opportunities by linking Guyana’s hinterland communities to Georgetown.

PM Phillips: Build a smarter, safer and more connected Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips has challenged Guyanese innovators to turn bold ideas into practical solutions, as Government pushes ahead with its drive to build a smarter, safer and more digitally connected Guyana. Phillips issued the challenge on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of the Innovation Challenge, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) under the theme, “Transitioning through Innovation.” The initiative is organised by the Office of the Prime Minister through its Industry and Innovation Unit. Phillips said the programme is central to Government’s efforts to build human capital, foster entrepreneurship and create opportunities for Guyanese ideas to evolve into solutions capable of addressing real-world problems. Prime Minister Phillips said the initiative reflects the Government’s focus on building human capital, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for Guyanese ideas to be developed into practical solutions. He explained that digital transformation remains central to the Government’s development agenda, with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) playing an increasingly important role across education, healthcare, agriculture, public safety, energy, manufacturing, commerce and public administration. Highlighting the progress made, the Prime Minister noted that high-speed internet is now available at more than 3,800 public locations across the country. At the

same time, services have been extended to all 253 hinterland, remote and rural communities through Government buildings and public spaces. Additionally, 97 per cent of schools, 92 per cent of health facilities, and all fire stations are connected to high-speed internet. He went on to note that between 2021 and 2026, close to $1.8 billion

skills through the One Guyana Digital Initiative. PM Phillips stressed, however, that expanding digital infrastructure must be accompanied by investments in skills development and safeguards that build public confidence in emerging technologies. “A digital economy can only be strong if its people have the skills to

prototyping, collaboration, user testing, responsible use of artificial intelligence and realistic implementation planning. For the first time, the competition also included a Junior Category, which Prime Minister Phillips described as an important pathway for young people to become more involved in Guyana’s innovation ecosystem. “This category establishes an

the development of innovative solutions. The Prime Minister challenged the participating teams to look beyond the competition and focus on developing solutions that are practical, sustainable and responsive to the needs of citizens, communities and industry. “Think beyond this year’s competition. Your prototype may

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips and other officials with the participants of the challenge. was invested in ICT hubs across hinterland communities, with more than 3,000 persons from 200 communities receiving training, approximately 75 per cent of whom were women. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise public services through the national electronic identification system, the My Guyana Citizen Portal, Citizen Connect and AI-supported platforms such as AskGov, alongside investments in digital

participate and if its systems have the security to earn their trust… It is also why cybersecurity, data protection, resilient infrastructure and responsible governance remain central pillars of our Digital Guyana agenda.” According to the Acting Head of State, this year’s Innovation Challenge introduced a refreshed format which placed greater emphasis on problem analysis, research, design thinking, rapid

earlier pathway into the national innovation ecosystem and tells our young people that their ideas play an important role in solving the challenges confronting their communities and country.” Prime Minister Phillips also recognised SBM Offshore Guyana for its continued partnership with the Innovation Challenge, noting the importance of private-sector collaboration in supporting mentorship, practical exposure and

become a pilot, a start-up, a publicinterest solution or a service capable of reaching regional and international markets.” In closing, he reaffirmed that the Government will continue to invest in connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, innovation, cybersecurity and partnerships to ensure that more Guyanese can participate meaningfully in the technology-driven economy. (DPI)


Kaieteur News

PAGE 25


PAGE 26

Kaieteur News


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

U.S. eyes Venezuela’s gold, iron, bauxite after tapping its oil, sources say (Reuters) - The Trump administration is seeking greater U.S. access to Ve n e z u e l a ' s m i n e r a l s , including gold, as it expands its push to gain control and influence over the South ​ A merican country's vast natural resources beyond oil, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.The effort could open the Venezuelan mining sector to U.S. investment and give U.S. companies to not only oil, but supplies of minerals crucial for national security, the sources said on condition of anonymity. It also would expand President Donald Trump's push to more closely align Venezuela's resources with Washington's strategic and economic interests in the wake of the U.S. military's ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a raid in J a n u a r y. T h e Tr u m p administration is considering a range of steps to increase U.S. involvement in

Venezuela's mining sector, including a possible executive order focused on critical minerals, the sources said. ​The order is still being drafted and the administration's strategy to secure minerals in Venezuela could yet change, they added.U.S. officials have also held meetings with companies to gauge interest in investing in ​or otherwise participating in Venezuela's mining sector, the sources said."We are all watching the oil situation closely and recognise there could be a parallel track with critical ⁠minerals," said one of the sources, an executive from a critical minerals firm who met with the administration about Venezuela. Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said the U.S. and Venezuela are "benefitting from renewed cooperation between ​ o ur governments and new investments by Western companies in Venezuela's key industries."A White House official told Reuters that there

is no current need for an executive order, adding the administration believes current laws provide a solid framework ​for investment. The effort fits into Trump's broader strategy of reasserting U.S. influence across Latin America and pushing back against China's expanding economic footprint in the region. Maduro, a socialist who is being held in a federal jail in New York City on charges of drug trafficking, which he denies, had developed strong economic and diplomatic ties with China. Maduro's vice president and ally, Delcy Rodriguez, has pivoted and increased cooperation with the U.S. since becoming Venezuela's interim president after his ouster.With its enormous oil reserves ​and potentially significant deposits of gold and other minerals, Venezuela offers the Trump administration an opportunity to tie resource access to its national security

Wednesday September 09, 2026 LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 The glass may look half Your world is changing, empty, but only at first glance. Libra, both internally and Keep looking at it, or perhaps externally. You feel a need to change the way you look at it, broaden your horizons. You and you'll see that it indeed is may be contemplating a half full. move to a new neighborhood or trip to a faraway land. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There are lots of personal and SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) financial issues to resolve Romance is in the air today, today, Taurus. You may hear Scorpio. It's likely that your from your bank or see some relationship with your loved alarming numbers on an ATM ones will see a dramatic receipt. improvement. . GEMINI (May 21–June 20) SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A rising tide lifts all boats. You're focused and attentive When someone close to detail. Some longstanding experiences a windfall or projects benefit from this especially good luck, Gemini, the ripple effect reaches you. sudden spurt of energy and Change is in the air. get completed in record time. CANCER (June 21–July 22)

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't let others' bad moods get you down, Capricorn. And don't feel it's your responsibility to cheer them up. Their moodiness is their business, not yours.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Crazy as it seems, why not plan that trip you've been eager to go on, Leo? Adventure calls, and although there are a few obstacles to stop you from answering, you can’t wait to get out of your rut.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to let go of the past and focus only on the future, Aquarius. A new person may come into your life who can help you do just that.

It looks as though change is on the horizon at work, Cancer. You've just recently completed some long-term projects and are being recognized for your efforts. Perhaps a bonus or promotion is in store.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Prosperity is just around the corner, Virgo. With it comes change. Change in your job, career, or environment figures prominently today. However this change manifests, it's bound to be positive. You're lucky, and you're about to hit the road.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's definitely a downside to home ownership! Much as you love projects, Pisces, the joy is tempered when the chores never end. While your home is structurally sound, it may need some cosmetic enhancement.

and economic agenda. The administration has already taken steps to open Venezuela's minerals ​sector to U.S. business.In March, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control authorised certain transactions involving Venezuelan-origin gold, including activities tied to state-owned gold miner Minerven. Later that month, Treasury broadened the authorisation to cover Venezuelan-origin minerals, gold, while ⁠allowing some mining-related services and negotiations of potential investment contracts. The moves have created a framework for U.S. companies to pursue opportunities in Venezuela's mining sector as the administration seeks to revive investment while expanding U.S. sway over the country's oil industry. Trump already has moved aggressively to reshape Venezuela's oil industry. Last week, he announced a deal under which the U.S. would take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Ve n e z u e l a ' s p r o v e n o i l reserves, although the precise legal structure of that arrangement has not been disclosed.

There are, however, fears within Venezuela that Trump is turning the country into a modern-day colony. FURTHER STUDY OF MINERAL RESOURCES NEEDED Ve n e z u e l a ' s m i n e r a l potential remains difficult to ​assess because much of its geological data is outdated ​and illegal groups control gold deposits in the ⁠ O rinoco Mining Arc, a vast area near the country's borders with Guyana and Brazil. While Venezuela has produced gold, iron ore, bauxite and nickel, mining companies and investors are likely to seek updated geological studies before making significant new investments, analysts have said, given the uncertainty surrounding its mineral estimates, weak infrastructure and pervasive illegal ​mining. In 2012, Venezuelan officials declined to renew Anglo American's (AAL.L), opens new tab mining concession for the Loma de Niquel nickel mine, which at the time was estimated to hold ​ r eserves of more than 4 ⁠million metric tons of the m e t a l . T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government took control of the assets and has been trying to resume operations ever

since.A 2018 Venezuelan government report estimated the country's resources at 644 metric tons of gold, 14.68 billion metric tons of iron ore, 321.5 million metric tons of bauxite and 407,885 metric tons of nickel. But the report used terms such as "reserve" a n d " r e s o u r c e " interchangeably, making it difficult to determine how much could be economically extracted. A 2 0 2 1 ⁠ Ve n e z u e l a n government map, ​based on data compiled in 2009, identified deposits of numerous other minerals, including copper, nickel, coltan, uranium and tungsten, but did ​not provide volumes.The country does not appear to have sizeable reserves of rare earths, which are used in magnets and other advanced technologies. Venezuelan lawmakers in April unanimously approved a mining law aimed at spurring new investment. It dictated that mineral deposits remain the property of ​the government and set a royalty tax of up to 13% of the gross production value of a mineral.

RHTYSC and... From page 29 Management and staff of Poonai's Pharmacy for their continued support of the club which since its formation in 1990 has won a total of 134 tournaments at different tournaments and has produced 136 inter county players, 76 for Guyana and thirteen at the international levels. Players like Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Assad Fudadin, Dominic Rikhi, Askay Homraj, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi are all products of the club. Additionally, to its exploits on the cricket field, the Rose Hall Town Poonai's Pharmacy teams co-hosted a total of fifty three different projects under the name of the sponsor. They include Annual Christmas Village, Say Yes to Education, Tribute to Mothers, Tribute to F a t h e r s , A n n u a l Yo u t h Magazine, Annual Cricket Academy, Grade 6 Summer Camp, Tribute to Medical Doctors, Basil Butcher Trust Fund and the distribution of school bags for less fortunate kids.​MR. Poonai Bhigroog, Managing Director of the Pharmacy stated that he was very impressed with the success of the different teams over the years and urged them to maintain their standards in the future. He congratulated the club management on a job well done with the youths. Poonai's Pharmacy he stated would continue to sponsor the teams in the future once they can maintain their success on and off the cricket field.


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

2026 Republic Bank CPL… GAW vs. ABF: All-round Shadab (30 & 2-19)/

Alzarri (4-41), star as Falcons hand Warriors first lost of season - Guyana lose by 65-runs Guyana Amazon Warriors had their fairy-tale, unbeaten run this season come to an abrupt end, after the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons put on an all-round clinic last night to hand the home team their first defeat all tournament; by a massive 65-run deficit as part of last night's encounter at Providence. Warriors, who were bowled out for the first time all tourney, won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Falcons, who would go onto post a formidable 182-5 in their 20 overs; which was enough to hand Guyana their first loss.

Falcons Match MVP, Shadab Khan was brilliant with bat and ball last evening

Fast -bowler Alzarri Joseph cranked up the heat last night during his 4-wicket spell

Warriors senior spinners Mohammad Nabi and skipper Imran Tahir were the pick of the bowlers despite a tough loss

Hassan Nawaz anchored the Falcons top-order with a steady 36 off 27 balls, while Man of the match, Pakistani Shadab Khan, provided an explosive finish, smashing p30 from 9 balls (2x4 3x6) striking at 333.33. Gloveman Amir Jangoo chipped in with a vital knock of 27, as the Amazon Warriors' bowling unit

experienced mixed results seemingly for the first time all competition. Warriors Ace spinner Mohammad Nabi ended the season with 1-23 while captain Imran Tahir kept things tight with 1-21, as fast-bowler Romario Shepherd leaked 51 from 3 overs despite claiming a wicket.

Speedster Shamar Joseph and spinner Khary Pierre also claimed a wicket each but the Falcons had already gained the psychological advantage. Warriors then imploded during the chase, going down for just 117 all out in the 15th over, despite a great start from Mavendra Dindyal (25) who hit two fours and two sixes and Rahmanullah Gurbaz who smacked 3 sixes in his 8-ball 18. But after the openers were removed, Guyana proceeded to lose wickets in clusters as big guns Shai Hope (0), Shimron Hetmyer (14), Quentin Sampson (12) and Romario Shepherd (6) all failed to push on. Falcons had a brilliant bowling game led by the returning pace ace Alzarri Joseph who snared impressive figures of 4-41 alongside Khan (2-19) who was amazing with the ball just as was with bat and Sufyan Moqim (2-18); who never took their feet off the gas as the Warriors suffered a staggering backend collapse on their way to defeat. Guyana will need to shrug off their first bad game of the season and regroup immediately ahead of tonight's turnaround game against the St. Lucia Kings. (Clifton Ross)


Wednesday September 09, 2026

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

RHTYSC and Poonai Pharmacy renews cricket sponsorship for 7th consecutive year The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the Poonai's Pharmacy and Animal Health Care Store on Thursday renewed their cricket relationship for the seventh consecutive year. The company handed over the sponsorship cheque to the club during a simple presentation ceremony at its Public Road, Rose Hall Town Head Office. ​Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonlall disclosed that Poonai's Pharmacy and Animal Health Care came on board as an official sponsor of the RHTYSC in 2020. The popular pharmacy came on board as the sponsor of the

Rose Hall Town Under 11 and Under 13 teams. The sponsorship deal was then expanded to include the Rose Hall Town Under 12 team. Over the years, the Rose Hall Town Poonai's Pharmacy Under 13 team has won four Berbice wide tournaments and was the runner up twice. Kissoonlall noted with pride that the team has reached the Berbice Under 13 tournament finals each year since the BCB started to host such tournaments under the Presidency of Hilbert Foster in 2020. The Poonai's Pharmacy Under 12 team has currently reached the semifinals of the ongoing

Poonai's Pharmacy C.E.O Poonai Bhigroog hands over sponsorship cheque to Under 12 Vice Captain Evan Dhaupat in the presence of some teammates.

Faizal Jafferally BCB Under 12 cricket tournament, while the Under 13 team has reached the quarter finals of the BCB Under 13 tournament. ​Kissoonlall stated that the Poonai's Pharmacy teams forms the nursery of the club as it feeds junior players for the Under 15, Under 17, and Under 19 levels. The team over the years has produced a total of twenty six players at the inter county level, while several have gone on to play for Guyana including Tameshwar Deonandan, Leon Reddi, Jayden Ganpat, Trisha Hardat, Daniella Manns, and Rafael

McKenzie. Hardat and Manns have gone on to play for the West Indies at the female Under 19 levels. Japhet Khaan, Lamer La Fleur and Aiden Moore are

the three players from the RHTYSC who played in the Guyana Cricket Board inter county tournament. Moore and La Fleur played for Berbice while Khaan

represent the GCB President XI team. ​RHTYSC Asst Cricket Manager, Keith Hicks expressed gratitude to the (Continued on page 27)


PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

Sabalenka survives Noskova Patrick Prashad takes NTFGL Tour #2 crown test to reach US Open semis in PromoTech, Danny's Auto Sales final NEW YORK, (Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka survived her toughest test of the tournament to beat Wimbledon champion ​Linda Noskova 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6(107) on Tuesday and reach the .S. Open semifinals for a sixth consecutive year. Defending champion Sabalenka had not dropped a set before facing the Czech sixth seed, who fired 18 aces and saved seven of ​nine break points but faltered when leading by a break in ​the final set.Sabalenka, chasing a third straight title at Flushing Meadows, ⁠next plays the winner of an all-American clash between Jessica Pegula and ​Emma Navarro."What a battle. What an incredible player she is. I'm speechless ​right now because I was pushing myself to the limit this match," said Sabalenka.The Belarusian broke in the second game, whipping a forehand into the corner that Noskova did ​not even attempt to chase down, but the Czech broke back with ​a pair of powerful groundstrokes from the baseline in the ninth. Sabalenka, who reached a record

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning her quarter final match against Czech Republic's Linda Noskova. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

c⁠ onsecutive tiebreak wins at the slams earlier this year, was completely in her element in the opening-set tiebreak, where she sprinted through the first six points.But her firepower deserted her in the second set and she struggled to contain Noskova's serve before handing the Czech a ​4-2 lead with a ​double fault.After levelling ⁠the contest at one set all, Noskova set about pressing home her advantage.Sabalenka screamed in frustration when a pair ​of double faults midway through the third set helped her opponent secure ​another break. Noskova ⁠seemed to be heading for an upset win before Sabalenka recovered her poise to level the contest in the eighth game.And the Belarusian was right at home again in ⁠the decisive ​tiebreak, clinching it with an ace before ​giving credit to the fans for helping to propel her to the win. "I honestly thought, 'this is it'," said Sabalenka. "It's a ​tough match, tough battle."

Under bright sunshine and against a backdrop of lush greens and manicured fairways, Patrick Prashad produced a commanding performance to capture the National Turf Golf League (NTFGL) Tour #2 title when the competition concluded on Sunday. The finale, sponsored by PromoTech and Danny's Auto Sales, provided an exciting conclusion to the tour, with golfers battling for valuable points as the competition went down to the wire. The course was in excellent condition, setting the stage for a day of quality golf, close finishes and spirited competition among the players. Prashad was the man of the moment, carding an impressive net 67 to secure first place on the day and collect eight points. His performance also saw him finish at the top of the overall Tour #2 standings with 24 points, earning him the championship title. Arnold Deo, returning to action, made an immediate impact with a solid net 69 to secure second place and five points. Deo also captured the front nine, earning two points for his effort. The battle for the remaining positions was closely contested. Pantanjilee Persaud secured third place and three points, while Ian Gouveia finished

Patrick Prashad (L) receives the championship trophy from former champion Patanjilee Persaud alongside sponsors Promotech Guyana Inc Country Manager Bala Vinjimoor and Owner of Danny's Auto Sales Maxim Mangra.

fourth after winning the b a c k - n i n e t i e b r e a k e r, earning four points. Anand Persaud completed the top five and collected one point after winning a tiebreaker against Joseph Szeplaki. Both players finished with a net 74, but Szeplaki was unable to hold his position after a difficult finish on the 18th hole, where he carded a seven. When the final scores were tallied, Prashad emerged as the clear winner of Tour #2 with 24 points. Per Persaud finished second overall with 22 points, followed by Anand Persaud on 19 points. Danny secured fourth place with 18 points, while Pops rounded out the top five with 17 points. A total of 16 players received points during the tour, reflecting the competitive nature of the series and the strong participation throughout the competition. There was also a club

tournament held on Saturday, this saw Patrick Prashad claiming first place with a Net of 67 and Best Gross 79. Arnold Deo and Ian Gouveia copped second and third place respectively with Net scores of 69 and 73. Arnold Deo bagged the longest drive while Mahin Harry took the prize of nearest to pin. The NTFGL expressed sincere appreciation to PromoTech and Danny's Auto Sales for their sponsorship and continued support of the event. Their contribution helped make the finale a successful one, as players enjoyed a competitive day of golf in an atmosphere filled with excitement, camaraderie and sportsmanship. With the final round completed and the standings settled, it was Patrick Prashad who had the last word, finishing the Tour #2 campaign at the summit and walking away as the NTFGL champion.


Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

PAGE 31

BCB / Faizal Jafferally Under 12 Cricket Tournament

Brilliant Dhaupat leads RHT Poonai's Pharmacy in to semifinals

Eon Dhaupat ​ A majestic allround performance from the talented eleven year old Eon Dhaupat spearheaded the Rose Hall Town Poonai's Pharmacy Under 12 team to a commanding nine wickets victory over Black Bush Polder in a quarterfinal match of the Berbice Cricket Board Faizal Jafferally Under 12 tournament. The easy victory enabled the Poonai's Pharmacy team to book a place in the tournament semifinals

The winning RHT Poonai Pharmacy Team.

Jarrel Grant where they will play the winner of the Cotton Tree vs No 73 Young Warriors quarterfinals. ​Playing at the Area 'H' Ground in front of a sizable crowd in blazing sunshine, the visiting Black Bush Polder team won the toss and

elected to take first strike. They suffered an early setback when opener K. Agana was caught by Michel Alexander off medium pacer Eon Dhaupat off the third ball of the innings for nought. Dhaupat struck again in his second over

Cricket Australia announces sale of Big Bash League franchise to private investors SYDNEY, (Reuters) - Cricket Australia announced on ​ Tuesday that private investment would be introduced into the Big Bash League (BBL) from the 2027-28 season, with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades Twenty20 franchise. An earlier CA privatisation proposal, which would have allowed the sale of 49% of BBL franchises and 100% of a team from those states which have two, was scuppered in April by the cricket boards of ​New South Wales and Queensland. "CA will invite bids from private owners for the Renegades with a view ​to them playing the 2027-28 season under new ownership," the governing body said in a ⁠statement on Tuesday. "Pending the result of that process, CA will consider taking other clubs to market under a ​self-determination model that gives each state member the ability to assess the optimal pathway for its own club and ​community." The Renegades, BBL champions in the 2018-19 season, are owned by Cricket Victoria, which backed CA's original plan. CA had hoped to raise up to A$600 million ($432.48 million) from its initial privatisation plan to safeguard the future of the sport, boost its finances and improve ​its competitiveness in the booming T20 market. Despite a revenue boost from hosting a lucrative five-test series against cricket's financial ​powerhouse India, CA reported a net deficit of A$11.3 million for the 2024-25

financial year. "By opening the door to private investment the ⁠Big Bash Leagues, Cricket Australia is taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game," CA Chairman Mike Baird said in Tuesday's statement. "Importantly, CA and its members will maintain control over the most significant aspects of Australian Cricket operations ..." Influential figures in Australian cricket have voiced opposition to opening the league to private ​money, saying it could mean ​a damaging loss of ⁠local control. Some of the concerns stemmed from the growing global footprint of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners, who now control or hold stakes in T20 teams in England, South ​Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the West Indies. CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said ​in May that ⁠he thought those fears were overblown. "India are such a huge part of cricket, but we're not looking to sell the game to India. That's it, full stop," he told SEN radio. "We are looking to add value to our clubs and ⁠bring ​good partners in, and the decision on who those partners are is ​at the behest of the states."Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in July that December's BBL season opener between the Renegades and Perth ​Scorchers would take place in the Indian city of Chennai. ($1 = 1.3873 Australian dollars)

when he also had A. Robin caught by Navo Raghoo for 01. Joshua Mangru 15, Omar Ragubeer 22, L. Singh 10 and Ayan Belderam 11 not out all batted well to enable Black Bush Polder to reach 130 all out off their allotted twenty overs. Extras contributed a healthy 53 runs to the overall total. Medium pacer Eon Dhaupat 3 for 15, Jarrel Grant 3 for 18 and off spinner Daniel La Cruz 3 for 19 were the successful bowlers for the home team.

​Needing to score 131 runs from a maximum of twenty overs, the home team was given a solid opening partnership of 110 runs by the exciting Eon Dhaupat and the talented Daniel La Cruz. The hundred runs opening stand came up in the 13th over before La Cruz departed for a well-crafted 41. La Cruz struck three boundaries in his matured knock, while Dhaupat, the team Vice Captain, hit six

boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 50. The elegant Dheiroj Dhaupat drove and pulled well during his match winning innings. Inter county player Japhet Khan was at crease with Dhaupat when victory was achieved in the 16th over. Khan scored ten runs with two boundaries. Joshua Mangru was the only successful bowler for the visitors with one wicket for 47 runs from three overs.


Wednesday September 09, 2026

PAGE 32

Bastian, Dodson, Chattergoon among 31 shortlisted by GCB as focus on Guyana U13 squad begins The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has shortlisted thirty-one (31) players following the completion of the recently concluded Under-13 Inter-County Tournament, which saw Berbice emerge as champions. The shortlisted players were identified based on their performances during the tournament and will now participate in a series of developmental and assessment sessions organised by the Guyana Cricket Board. These sessions will include structured training, skills development exercises and practice matches, providing the players with further opportunities to demonstrate their ability and readiness for national selection. Following the completion of the assessment programme, the final Guyana Under-13 squad will be selected. The Guyana Cricket Board is also urging the respective Clubs, Associations and County Boards to ensure that the shortlisted players remain fit and continue to train aggressively and maintain a strong work ethic whenever they are not engaged in official GCB sessions. The GCB believes that consistent training, proper fitness, discipline and continued development at the club, association and county levels will greatly enhance the players' individual skill sets and overall preparedness. This collective effort will significantly assist in the development and preparation of a strong and competitive Guyana Under-13 national squad. The GCB is therefore

Caleb Bastian players, coaches, managers, match Rakeeb Latif

Xavier Dodson

Saif Hussain

Deonarine Chattergoon encouraging all relevant stakeholders to work closely with the shortlisted players and provide the necessary support, guidance and training opportunities as they continue their development towards possible national selection. The Guyana Cricket Board congratulates all thirty-one players on being shortlisted and encourages them to make full use of the

upcoming sessions to continue improving their cricketing abilities. The GCB also congratulates

Berbice on capturing the Under-13 Inter-County Championship and commends all participating teams,

officials and other stakeholders for their contribution towards the successful staging of the tournament. The Under-13 programme remains an important component of the Guyana Cricket Board's playerdevelopment pathway, providing young cricketers from across the country with opportunities to compete, develop their skills and progress towards representing Guyana at the national level. The 31 shortlisted players listed below: Xavier Dodson Aryan Persaud Deonarine Chattergoon Kaysean Doodnath Julian Singh Isaac Hussain Kishan Bhikham Vidal Narine Rakeeb Latif Austin Peters Elijah Mohamed Alden Hope Caleb Bastian Thavin Roopnarine Saif Hussain Aryan Ali Kenneth Mahadeo Yougesh Rammarine Aiden Moore Justin Southwell Aaron Perkins Huzaifah Shadir Nitan Manna Aryan Atkinson Jovell DeJong Kayden Springer Trevon Henry Lamar Lafleur Summit Samaroo Jayden Garner Lorenzo Webster

Dhaka and Sylhet to host West Indies for two-Test series in October-November Cricinfo - West Indies will return to Bangladesh for their first Test tour of the country in five years, when they arrive in October for a two-match series that forms part of the World Test Championship. The first Test is scheduled for October 28 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, before the two teams head to Sylhet for the second Test from November 5. West Indies will arrive in Dhaka on October 18, while Bangladesh will be away in the UAE, where they are scheduled to play an ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The visitors will play a three-day practice match against a local XI at the Basundhara Sports Complex from October 22 to 24. The series will be significant for Bangladesh, who are fourth in the WTC table with 55.56 percentage points. Bangladesh will want to put up a good showing against West Indies, being one of the five teams who have a realistic chance of making the final. West Indies will return to Bangladesh with good memories from their last tour. Kyle Mayers made an unbeaten 210 as they successfully chased 395 runs in the fourth innings. West Indies also won the second Test by 17 runs in Dhaka. However, West Indies are currently in the eighth position on the WTC table with 20.83 points, having won just two out of their 12 matches. Bangladesh have done better in Tests in 2026, having beaten Pakistan 2-0 and drawn the two-match Test series against Australia.

West Indies are currently in the eighth position on the WTC table, while Bangladesh are No. 4. (Athelstan Bellamy)


Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 09, 2026

PAGE 33

Cox, Wray takes aim at Pan Am MMA Championship gold in Mexico

Ryan Cox will compete in the Heavyweight division at the Pan Am MMA Championship.

…GMMAF president confident of duo's success By Rawle Toney

G

uyana will be represented by two of its rising amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) talents at the Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Championships in Monterrey, Mexico, as the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF) continues its drive to expose local fighters to higher levels of regional competition. Sponsored by Lynx Logistics, Super Heavyweight Zidhan Wray and Heavyweight Ryan Cox will carry the Golden Arrowhead at the continental championships, scheduled for September 9–15. Both fighters train at the Campayne Mixed Martial Arts Academy and enter the tournament with considerable momentum after securing gold medals at this year's Trinidad and Tobago Mixed Martial Arts Championships. Michael Singh, president of the GMMAF, said the Federation is pleased to provide Wray and Cox with the opportunity to compete at such a significant regional tournament. “Our aim is to foster the continuous development of Mixed Martial Arts in Guyana, and providing our fighters with opportunities to compete against

high-level opposition is an important part of that process,” Singh said. The GMMAF president also

medal at the championships, adding that their gold-medal performances in Trinidad and Tobago have demonstrated their

Zidhan Wray

expressed confidence in the two fighters' ability to make a strong impact in Mexico, noting that their recent performances have shown they are ready for the next level of amateur MMA. Singh said he has placed his trust in both Cox and Wray to

readiness to test themselves against the best amateur fighters from across the Americas. While the GMMAF is also preparing to host its own MMA event in Guyana, Singh stressed that the Federation remains committed to ensuring local

fighters receive consistent competitive exposure. The Federation recently purchased an octagon, a major step toward strengthening the infrastructure for MMA competition and development locally. “We are preparing to host our own event in Guyana, and with the recent purchase of an octagon, we are making progress on that front.

But we will continue to give our fighters as much exposure as possible because that is how they grow, gain experience and become better athletes,” Singh added. The Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Championships are major continental amateur MMA tournaments, bringing together s e n i o r, j u n i o r a n d y o u t h competitors from across North, Central and South America.

NA Inter Secondary School female cricket competition back on the rooster September 18th and 20th

Ms. Petal Samuels met with New Amsterdam Mayor Mr. Wainwright Mc Intosh whilst she was in Guyana.

By Samuel Whyte The previously postponed, G eo rg ia Wo men C r ick et Association- New Amsterdam Inter Secondary Schools Girls' Inaugural T10 cricket tournament is back on the cards. The event, which is organised by overseas based Guyanese Ms. Petula Angela Samuels aka Petal Samuels, was postponed from last term due to the inclement weather. It will now be held from the 18th 20th September. Samuels, who is a native of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was a former student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School. She migrated and has been living in the United States for decades. She has a long and outstanding career in the area of Sports, Sports administration and Community Development

whilst in Guyana and overseas. She is the founder and president of Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) and Atlanta Pearls Women's Cricket team. She is a cricketer and a certified Cricket Umpire and Cricket coach. She has organized cricket development camps, coaching clinics and tournaments in the USA and plans to do the same here.Her aim is to impart some of her skills learnt over the years overseas, back in Guyana. In 2015 she was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame in Hartford, CT. In March 2016 she was honoured by the Georgia House of Representatives for her work in promoting youth and women's cricket. She was presented with a Resolution at a ceremony held at the Georgia State Capitol. She was also presented with

a proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Forest Park declaring March 8, 2016 as “Petula Samuels Day.” Attractive prizes will be awarded to the top teams and outstanding individual players. Meanwhile, a number of corporate sponsors are expected to be on board. All matches will be played at the Berbice High School ground beginning at 09:00 hrs. Ms Samuels has met with a number of local officials during her effort in organizing the tournament. Among the officials were New Amsterdam Mayor Waynewright Mc Intosh, representatives of the Ministry Of Education and the respective schools. She also put together a local committee headed by Mayor Mc Intosh that is assisting in organizing the tournament.

Ms. Petal Samuels umpiring in a match in the Georgia League in the United States.


2026 Republic Bank CPL…

Falcons Match MVP, Shadab Khan was brilliant with bat and ball last evening

GAW vs. ABF: All-round Shadab (30 & 2-19)/Alzarri (4-41), star as Falcons hand Warriors first lost of season - Guyana lose by 65-runs

s t r po

S

Patrick Prashad (L) receives the championship trophy from former champion Patanjilee Persaud alongside sponsors Promotech Guyana Inc Country Manager Bala Vinjimoor and Owner of Danny's Auto Sales Maxim Mangra.

GMMAF president, Michael Singh (centre) along with Zihan Wray (first from right) and Ryan Cox, before their departure to Mexico for the Pan Am MMA Championships.

Cox, Wray takes aim at Pan Am MMA Championship gold in Mexico …GMMAF president confident of duo's success

Patrick Prashad takes NTFGL Tour #2 crown in PromoTech, Danny's Auto Sales final

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Kaieteur News by GxMedia - Issuu