Kaieteur News

Guyana and Belize signed several agreements on Monday aimed at deepening bilateral relations across key areas. The signing ceremonies were spearheaded by President IrfaanAli and the Prime Minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño

‘Unemployment cut by

OppositionLeaderwithoutsecurity,vehicle

...accuses Govt. of denying him constitutional benefits

LeaderoftheOpposition Azruddin Mohamed has raised alarm that one week after assuming office he has not been provided with official state security or a government vehicle, benefits guaranteed under law, which he says signals

continued political discriminationagainsthim.

“It’s a clear case of political persecution and victimisation by the government.Theyaretrying to strip me of everything. I have no right as a citizen of thiscountry,”Mohamedtold this newspaper on the sideline of the budget debates at the National AssemblyonTuesday

He argued that under established protocol and constitutionalpractice,these benefits should have been made available immediately following his election, or at the very least, formally communicatedtohim.

Under the Leader of the Opposition (Benefits and Other Facilities)Act 2010.), the Opposition Leader is entitled to a rent-free f u r n i s h e d o f f i c e accommodation; medical attention including medical treatment or reimbursement

of medical expenses incurred by him for himself and the dependent members of his family; full-time securityserviceathisofficial placeofresidenceandatthe office of the Leader of the Oppositiontobeprovidedby theGuyanaPoliceForce;the

services of a research assistant, an executive

ssistant/secretary, a clerical/ office assistant, a chauffeur, a personal security officer, a gardener and two domestic servants; salary, vacation allowance, and parliamentary benefits equivalent to those of a CabinetMinister

However,oneweekafter being elected, Mohamed said none of these benefits has been afforded him Mohamed said that just before his election he had enquired about a vehicle as wellaspersonalsecurityand was told by the clerk, Sherlock Isaacs that the Speaker,ManzoorNadirhad

saidnothen.“About10days ago before my election, we talkedaboutthebenefitsand so on, then I asked about a v e h i c l e s i n c e t h e government has instructed insurance companies and so on to take away all the insurances for my vehicles…He said, no, but nowthatIhavebeenelected, Iamstillwaitingtoseewhat theywilldo.”

Mohamed said while he can understand that some of the other benefits would have to wait on the passage of the budget, he believes something as important as securityandavehicleshould havebeenmadeavailableto him. “ These are things that

should have been provided for immediately on a transition This is a constitutional office ” Mohamedlamented.

Asked how does he feel about this development and whether he thinks it is deliberate given the problems he faced before being elected, Mohamed said he would reserve his comments.“Iwillgivethem thebenefitofthedoubt,soI willawaittheapprovalofthe budget before I comment directlyonthis.”

Meanwhile, Mohamed said that since his personal security was stripped when thegovernmentseizedallhis firearms, he believes that now being the leader of the opposition his security is compromised. “I had all my securityweapons,youknow, handguns, shotguns, and rifles to protect my assets,

properties, even personal, security, and bodyguards, and so, and the government seizedallthefirearmsandso Ihavenoarmedsecurity,no armedsecurity.”

The Clerk of National Assembly had told Kaieteur News that provision was made in the budget for the office of the leader of the opposition, but Mohamed saidhewasnotawareifany allocation is in the budget.

Late last month this newspaper reported that Isaacs had confirmed that it submitted budge

ary proposals for the Office of theLeaderoftheOpposition, even though no leader was yetinplacethen.

“Yeah, we submitted a proposalforsalaries,upkeep of the office and so on.Yes, we did. To pay rental for a building and so on,” Isaacs hadtoldKaieteurNewsinan

interview Heexplainedthen that the estimates are generally based on previous allocations, noting, “Well I thinkwhatInormallydo.We look at the previous years’ allocationandweincreaseit just by five or ten percent, notmuch.”

Isaacs added that the allocation for the office would only be known after the budget process is completed “But we wouldn’t know until the budgetispassed,”hesaid.In 2025, the Committee of Supply approved $32 5 million for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. That allocation, unchanged from the previous year, formed part of the $2 1 billion approved for the ParliamentOffice. Nadirhadbuckledunder pressuretoconvenethe Continuedonpage6

Kaieteur News

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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EDITORIAL

Parliamentary media access

CitizenswhothoughtthatSpeakeroftheNational Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, had turned to the corner, are sure to be disappointed. When the senseofmanywasthatSpeakerNadirhasalreadyreachedso low that he couldn't fall lower, there's a surprise. For the Speaker is in a seeming race with himself to the bottom, having plunged headlong over a precipice. We at this publication thought that he had learned some valuable lessons on the Leader of the Opposition selection delay, whichresultedfromhisinexplicablesloth. Ittookthepublic putdown of the diplomatic corps to get him to initiate the procedurestoaddresstheLeaderoftheOppositionimpasse. Now there is limiting of the media from the parliamentary debateonthe2026budget. NowSpeakerNadirisdiggingin hisheelsagain,andthequestioniswhatwillittaketogethim to reverse his decision. His announcement to severely shortenmediapresenceinsideparliamentbeforethebudget debateevenbegan.

TheSpeakerspokeofspaceandsecuritychallenges. It waspointedoutthatthesettingoftheparliamentarybudget debate,theArthurChungConventionCenter,hasmorethan ample room to accommodate more than the ceiling of five journaliststhatheimposed. TheGuyanaPressAssociation is expectedly up in arms, and noted that as many as 17 journalistswereaccommodatedinpastyears,soitisbaffling that only five are now allowed when there is more room available. Speaker Nadir, in turn, spoke of configurations andtheneedforstrictsecuritymeasurestobeimplemented. He himself admitted that there was more room, but those were mostly taken up by government and parliamentary officials.

It is obvious that the Speaker is trying hold an indefensible position, as this paper noted that there were several vacant seats inside parliament, while media professionals were locked out, in keeping with Speaker Nadir'slatestdiktat. Witheachnewactionthattakeshimtoa newlow,Guayna'schiefparliamentarymanagerhasbecome alawuntohimself.

What he is saying makes no sense, shouldn't fool any independentobserver Thelimitationthatheisapplyingin 2026isfromtheCOVID-19eraofseveralyearsago,when fear, panic, and numerous unknowns were the order of the day To our knowledge, nobody is sick, still limping from the effects of that virus. To shore up his unacceptable decisionandshakydefenseofit,theSpeakerfoundrefugein whathebelievesisanimpregnablefortress:securityissues, and more of them. To Speaker Nadir we say: what is this newlydiscoveredfearallabout?

Theanxietydoesn'taddup,whenthegovernmenthasi) layersofovertandcovertsecurityagenciesatitsfingertips, ii) media professionals are a known quantity, having been involvedinparliamentarycoverageforsometime,iii)they have had prior screening and clearance to get media accreditation, and iv) the government enjoys a degree of control and awareness that facilitates its arrogance and dismissalofGuyaneseasthreatsofanykind.

In another piece of shabby reasoning for his media limitation decision, he told the frustrated media representatives that they weren't losing anything of substance, since the Department of Public Information (DPI)livefeedisavailabletothem.

The man in charge of Guyana's parliament is either pretending at ignorance, or is simply so far gone, that he doesn'thaveaclueaboutlocalpoliticalrealities. TheDPIis mocked as a tool and stooge of the PPPC Government, nothingbutayellowofficialpropagandarag. TheDPIhas nocredibility,itsfeedsareknownfrompastexperiencetobe unreliable.

So, the kind of true and correct reporting that independent media pros would like to deliver to the public

Commission a study on effectiveness of grant

DearEditor,

The government gave a cash grant (GY$100K)lastyeartoeveryadult(18 and over) with a valid Guyanese ID. Another grant of same amount is budgetedforthisyearforalladults.The President said the cash grant is not sustainable; the government cannot affordit–some$65BoroverUS300M. TheVice President, a smart economist, is probably in agreement with the President Anyone who studies economics (economic development in particular)wouldknowthatcashgrants don't sustain improving lives except possibly for those at the extreme bottom; they need the grant to get by Cashgrant,verypopularwiththelower income 75% of the population, has its problems besides the huge cost to the treasury Government should rethink whether it is an effective way to spend our oil proceeds; it will not contribute towardsdevelopment.

Cashgrantisgiveninvirtuallyevery country In USA, it is called cash transferandtakesdifferentforms(food stamps, welfare, paying rent and utilities,aidforchildren,etc.)toaidthe poor Itisnotgiventoallbutonlyon'a needs test' basis; several Guyanese receivecashtransferinUSA.Itiscalled 'transfer'becauseitisnotdirectcashto spend on any items; it is directed for specific uses (buy food and medicine,

“ATM

pay rent, etc ) Some wealthy oil countries in Middle East give direct cash grant on a monthly basis. In Guyana, the grant is given to all adults irrespective if they need it.And this is separatefrompension,disabilitygrants, children grant, etc , which should continueastherecipientsneedit.

In USA and developed countries, cash transfers are used to alleviate poverty and provide assistance to the lower income in emergencies. It is a quickandcost-effectivewaytoimprove thelivesofpoorhouseholds.InGuyana, isacashgrantaneffectivewaytoaidthe poor? Should every adult (the rich) get the grant?Won't it be better to give the granttothepoor(basedonneedstest)to purchasefood,improveshelter,andpay formedicalexpenses?Won'titbebetter to pump some of the allocated grant towards agriculture and livestock production -- to encourage people (directed to the lower class) to produce more food to bring down the cost of living? Or won't it be better to offer a larger grant to the poor to modernise their homes (windows, flush toilets, etc.).Cashgranttendstofuelinflation; when people have free money, they spendmostofiton'wild',consumption, notonbasicneeds.AndasIlearninmy studiesineconomicsinsteadofhelping thepoortopurchaseitems,grantdrives prices up limiting their intended

benefits.Italsoisadisincentivetowork albeit it is a one-time grant; there are adults who are constantly looking for handoutsinsteadofworkingoractively seekingwork.

Governmentshouldlookatwaysto maximise benefits to the population with those very grant allocations Everyone will be pleased to get free money Is it a wise way in doling out money? Instead of grants to all, government should consider regularised targeted transfer (amounts adjusted for household size) for a limited period based on needs (income threshold) directed at particular goals (toreducepoverty,improvehealth,pay utilities,rents,providesustainablejobs, encourage farming and livestock production,startsmallbusinesses,etc.). Therecipientsmustshowimprovement (in visits by investigators) in direct income and lifestyle and the transfer should be for a limited period to motivatefamiliestoimprovetheirlives. In providing cash transfer, every effort must be made not to create a dependency syndrome as happens in almosteverydevelopedcountry Government should commission a (rapid survey) study to evaluate the impact of the last cash grant before rollingoutthenextone.

Yourstruly, Vishnu

Bisram

Economics: How Ashni Singh's Fiscal Genius Is Draining Guyana's Future”

DearEditor,

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has once againtakentotheairwavesto sermonise about fiscal responsibility and the “careful management” of Guyana's oil revenues. In a recentpost-budgetinterview on Hits and Jams 94.1, he spoke glowingly of our “late-mover advantage” — asthougharrivinglatetothe oil game automatically guarantees wisdom The ironyisimpossibletoignore.

The Minister's words are gentle, even professorial: learn from others' mistakes, rely on a strong non-oil economy, safeguard the future. But beneath the reassuring cadence lies a different reality — one in which the government he serves has converted the nation's Natural Resource Fund (NRF) into the fiscal equivalent of an automated

tellermachine.Thefundthat was intended to save for the future and stabilise the economy during volatile oil cycles now bankrolls yearly budget excesses in the name of“development.”

When the administration came to power, it swiftly amended the NRF Act 2021.

Gone were the tight withdrawal limits and independent oversight; in cameasliding-scaleformula granting near-discretionary access to billions. Under the new rules, as total inflows s o a r n o w exceeding US $10 billion — the permitted draw-down may be dressed up as “formulaic,”yetinpracticeit leaves only symbolic sums after the government carves outitsbudgetaryshare.What oncewasashieldagainstthe resourcecursehasbecomea convenientrevenuetap.

Dr Singh's sermon on volatility — recalling oil at $140 a barrel and again

could be held to ransom, a victim of DPI (PPPC Government) calculations. Which reporter who cares abouthisorherreputationisgoingtodependonanerratic DPIfeed,aprobablydoctoredone?

TimewillrecordhowlongSpeakerNadirmaintainshis masquerades, which drag him, and Guyana's parliament, intothedust. Heneedstowalkbackthislatestrevulsion, so as to salvage claims about parliamentary democracy operatinginGuyana.

at $8 underscores precisely why this approach isreckless.Oilincomeis,by definition, finite and unstable. Using it to fund an avalanche of recurrent expenditure rather than productive investment empties tomorrow's coffers to cushion today's politics.

The NRF was established to preventthatverytemptation, to ensure that our children inherit stores of wealth and n o t s t o r i e s o f mismanagement The finance minister insists that Guyana is avoiding the mistakes of other resource-rich nations. Yet history's cautionary tales — Nigeria, Trinidad andTobago, evenVenezuela allbeganwith this same confident rhetoric Each vowed to spend “prudently” while the windfall lasted; each eventually discovered that revenue convenience can turn to economic dependency Oil wealthismeanttobuildschools, hospitals,androads yes but also to generate alternative engines of growth Instead, the wideningofeverybudgetcycle now seems to rest on withdrawals from petroleum reserves and, increasingly, carbon credits which ironicallystillpaysameager, static15%ofearningstothe indigenous community, the

stewardsoftheseforests.

This is not prudent management It is fiscal short-termism dressed in technocratic language. The nation's most valuable finite resources are being depleted to inflate the illusion of prosperity A truly responsible strategy would channel oil earnings into a stabilisation mechanism and p r o d u c t i v e diversification powering manufacturing, agriculture, technology,andeducationso that, when the wells run dry, the economy hums on its ownsteam.

Guyanese citizens have every right to demand more than slogans about “sustainability.”Theydeservea transparentaccountingofevery cent extracted from the NRF, parliamentary scrutiny over withdrawals, and safeguards strong enough to outlast any administration's political appetite Untilthen,Dr Singh's appealstoprudencewillremain an eloquent mask on what is fundamentally a reckless plunder on the nation's future Oil wealth, once squandered, does not regenerate The test of leadership is not how deftly onespendsit,buthowwisely onesavesit.

Sincerely HemduttKumar

The armed robbery at G-Mining Ventures

DearEditor,

The recent armed robbery at G-Mining Ventures in the interior of RegionSevenhasleftmany Guyaneseshaken—notonly because of what happened, but because of what it reminds us of. Our brothers and sisters who work in the interior face real dangers every day, often far from their families, proper

medical care, and immediatehelp.

The workers who were held at gunpoint during this incident are not just employeesonaroster They are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and providers whowenttoworkexpecting to return home safely No oneshouldhavetocarrythe trauma of staring down a gun simply because they chose honest work in a remotelocation.

For years, interior

workers have quietly carried the burden of long separations from home, harshlivingconditions,and limited support. Incidents like this bring that reality into sharp focus. While the nation benefits from gold production and economic activity, the people doing the work too often feel forgotten once they move beyondthecoastland. This incident raises necessary but human questions Were enough safeguards in place? Do workers have adequate training and support when emergencies arise? Are companies and state agencies doing all they reasonably can to protect thosewholabourdeepinthe interior?

This is a serious issue, and it is my sincere hope that the Ministry of Labour andManpowerwillgivethis

matter urgent attention and ensure that company securityismodern,properly equipped, and capable of safeguarding the lives of workers.

Development should never come at the cost of fear, trauma, or silence Interior workers are not expendable. They deserve to feel valued, protected, and respected not only after an incident, but every single day they report for duty

Let this not be just anotherheadline.Letitbea moment where we listen, reflect,andcommittodoing better for the men and women who help build this country under the most difficultconditions.

Sincerely,

LorenzoJoseph United Workers Party (UWP)Activist TradeUnionist

Why has the PPP deliberately neglected our senior artists?

DearEditor,

When the PPP returned to government in August 2020-2025, there was no opposition to their rule for fiveyears.

Billions drained from the NRF still remain unaccounted for…let's be honest the PPP only gave out the GYD$100,000 to Guyanese18yearsandover, includingthediasporaforits electoralmachinations.

TheoppositionPNCand theircoalitionofpartieshad lost all credibility after its attempted electoral fraud of the 2020 elections, and for five years they were draggedbeforethecourt.

During which time the PPP billion-dollar budgets grewintotrillionsofdollars.

The ministry of culture was allocated every year

billionswhichitissaidwent into the construction of a new gallery and museum to accommodate the art works purchased since the early eightiesbyChairmanofthe Department of Culture Ms. Lynette Dolphin and Director of Art Dr Dennis Williams Despite the enormous sums of money allocated to this ministry there were no grants nor purchases ofArt work from any senior Guyanese artist who had represented Guyana at home and the diaspora with distinction, winning national and international awards. It is notonlyunfairandunjust,it isinhumane.

It requires an answer that the opposition and no member of civil society has everasked,WHY?Whyhas

STRESS BUDGET

DearEditor, Last Monday (26th January 2026), the Government of Guyana presented a $1.558 trillion National Budget under the APNU's manifesto theme “PuttingPeopleFirst.”

The government has repeatedlypromisednational transformation through production However, as output expands, inequality rises Philosopher Rawls arguedthat"progress isonly moral when it benefits the leastadvantagedfirst."

This budget must, therefore, be judged not by its size or rhetoric, but by whetherinatangiblewayitis able to reduce the pressures under which Guyanese live. Thereisoneissuethataffects every Guyanese and which thePPPbudgetsconsistently refusetoconfront:STRESS.

it is against the background ofthepastfiveyearsthatthe 2026 Budget must be assessed. If it truly puts people first, it must first reduce STRESS by securing access to life-sustaining resources Two such resourcesarewaterandfood. This discussion, therefore, focuses on water supply and sanitation From 2022 to 2025,thegovernmentreports investing approximately $88 billioninthesector,aimedat expandingaccess,improving quality, and easing the burden on households alreadypayingforwater No one disputes these objectives. But using the government's own data and basicinput-outputmeasures, t h e c o n c l u s i o n i s unavoidable: the spending has not relieved stress; in many

representing a 62 percent decline in value Lavish s p e n d i n g w i t h o u t commensurate outcomes is not compassion; it is financial violence against taxpayers.

Second, per capita consumption of water and sanitation services has consistently declined since 2021

the PPP deliberately neglectedourseniorartists?

Once again in its 2026, $1 558 trillion dollars

allocated to the Ministry of culture - once again a new gallery and museum! In addition, the government has expressed its intentions to support young artists. Howso?

The PPPhas shown that it has absolutely no respect for senior Guyanese artists nor for the contribution we havemadeinthemakingof thetreasuryofGuyaneseArt th

Collection...

Yoursfaithfully

Desmond Alli (Senior GuyaneseArtist)

W h i l e p e r s o n a l experience makes citizens keenlyawareofthisthreatto their livelihoods, it was Sir Hilary Beckles who recently remindedusthatforover300 years enslaved Africans enduredunimaginablestress, malnutrition, and physical exhaustion First, under slavery,thenunderthebrutal cynicism of colonialism Those conditions did not vanish; they evolved.Yet no budget submission from this government has treated STRESSasahealthissue,an economic issue, a social issue, or even an environmental one. Despite boastfullanguageaboutcare and compassion, Guyanese feel marginalised and abandonedamidtheglitzand glamour of oil wealth, left with quiet despair, hopelessness, and a longing for relief that remains invisibleinfiscalplanning.

The budget is a management tool used for planning, implementation, monitoring, and control, and

conditionshaveworsened.

Two metrics expose the failure. First, value for money Government investment in water and sanitation increased by 191 percent, yet the measurable return in service delivery improvedbyonly12percent,

spending Access remains sporadic, water quality is poor, and many households treat tap water at their own expense out of necessity These outcomes corroborate the warning of Guyana's development partners that approximately 41 percent of public investment is lost to waste and incompetence Something is fundamentally wrong in the sector, and the 2026 budget gives little reason to believe that more moneywillproducedifferent results.

This pattern of rhetorical confidence masking institutional fa

reappears in the Minister's claim,madeinparagraph1.3 of the 2026 Budget Speech, (Continuedonpage6)

WIN demands accountability for billions spent on GuySuCo

Faced with questions aboutbillionsbeingspenton an industry which has been repeatedly failing to meet targets, the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday pointedtoafive-yearplanto revive the industry to profitabilityby2030.

A

e blueprint was Minister of

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) for the We

InvestinNationhood(WIN) party, Vishnu Panday cited the urgent need for accountability of billions spent to date at the Guyana Sugar Corporati

(GuySuCo).

Panday,

r GuySuCo Estate Manager and Agriculture Director, focused his presentation on DayTwoofthe2026Budget

Debates on w

t he described as a devastated sugarindustry

He told the

...Agri Minister says plan in place to make sugar profitable by 2030

National Assembly that the state of the agency was largely due to political appointments, rath

than qua

d individuals filling positions. “Whenyouplacepeoplenot with merit but with other beliefsandotherreasons,the end result i

ter destruction,”Pandaysaid.

Questioning the billions inrevenuesofarallocatedto GuySuCo, he noted that in

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha flashes the new five-year plan for GuySuCo in the National Assembly during the Budget Debates on Tuesday.

2022adronewaspurchased that to date never arrived. “Millions were spent

GuySuCo purchased something that we call French cutter, it's a mechanical harvester that never cut canes to produce one tonne sugar. GuySuCo produced a captain mechanicalharvesterthatup to today it didn't cut cane to produce quarter tonne of

sugar,” the former Estate Managernoted.

Moreover, he told the House that $144M was paid to a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and while it was suggested that the payment be appealed, Panday stated that the minister said he was instructednottopursueit.To this end, he argued, “The peoplemustknowwherethe

m oneyhasgone-$144Mandif thatwasnotenough,theman was promoted to an esteemedoffice.”

Furthermore, he pointed out that the minister was alerted that government monies were being spent to fund birthday parties and otherpersonalevents.

In winding down his presentation, Panday said that although billions are being spent by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority(NDIA),twodays of rainfall still result in flooding across the country To this end, he contended, “We are managing an organisation called the NDIAthat billions are spent andwedon'tknowwhatthey aredoing.”

M e a n w h i l e , i n

(Continuedonpage22)

NIS and its own

DearEditor,

My name is Rudolph Walcott and I reside in Georgetown, Guyana I commenced working with th NISonthe25 January,1982 as a Clerical Officer I worked continuously until September 1992 when I residedasaSeniorInspector

For these 10 years 9 months, I worked, my contributionsshouldbe530.

When I checked for my contribution record in 2022 whenIattainedtheageof60, therewasnocontributionfor mefrom1989to1992.

I then wrote the Personnel Manager and visited to obtain my service record.

I also wrote to the GeneralManager Inevergot any response, I kept writing the Personnel Department

since 2021. Only to be told the matter is being dealt with.

I have waited long enoughformyentitlement.I am now speaking out and appealing to the authorities. No one seems to be paying any attention to my case. After this letter, I will be goingtothefinanceminister Regards, RudolphWalcott

STRESS BUDGET

Frompage5

that “we consolidated our domestic institutions and returned our country to globalrespectability.”Thegovernmentmust bemadetotellthepeoplewhichdemocratic institutions investigated the allegations of misconduct against senior government ministers.

It must also explain which institution is investigating allegations of drug trafficking involving a senior police officer and other Guyanese sanctioned by the United States Government.

ThepeopleofGuyanaarestillwaitingto hearwhichdemocraticinstitutionsolvedthe murder of “Paper Shorts,” explained the death of Adriana Younge, or accounted for

over USD 2 billion in undeclared gold leavingthecountry Theyarealsoentitledto anexplanationofwhatis“respectable”about so many public officials and their family members having their US visas revoked. Respectability is not declared; it is demonstrated through accountability, transparency, and justice Until natural resource wealth visibly reduces stress, improves basic services, and strengthens institutions rather than protecting power, “Putting People First” will remain not a governingprinciplebutapromisecompeting withreality

Regards

Hon.K.SharmaSolomon MemberofParliament

Oppositionleaderwithoutsecurity...

Frompage3 meetingofnon-governmentalMPstoelecta leader of the opposition, but not before he had warned: “If the opposition MPs see it morally right to elect an 'international fugitive' as the country's opposition leader, then the stain on our parliament and our country rests solely with them. This likelihood has been unprecedented in our westministerparliamentarysystem.”

Mohamed, who is sanctioned by the UnitedStatesandcurrentlyinalegalbattlein the local courts over an extradition request, was among 16 WIN members sworn in as Members of Parliament on November 3, 2025.

He was then formally elected Leader of the Opposition, securing 17 votes in a processthatlastedlessthanfiveminutesand chairedbyNadir.

‘FluffBudget”vs“FutureInvestment”

— McDonald and Parag clash over Education priorities

ByAllyiahAllicock

A heated exchange unfolded in Parliament on Monday as APNU Member of Parliament and Guyana Teachers’ Union President Coretta McDonald accused

the government of

neglecting classroom realities despite rising education budgets, while Education Minister, Sonia Parag defended the administration’s long-term investment strategy and commitment to universal access.

Speaking during the debate on the 2026 National Budget, McDonald argued that although education

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag

spending has increased in absoluteterms,thesectorhas received just over two percent of total central government expenditure

since 2021, a level she said reflects a lack of true prioritisation. “Mr. Speaker, these numbers demonstrate that whil

Opposition Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald

spending has increased in absolute terms, it has failed tokeeppacewiththegrowth of the national budget. The resultisthateducationisnot being prioritised, despite repeated claims to the contrary,”shestated.

AccordingtoMcDonald, “with all the trillions and budget theme after budget theme, our children are still suffering.”

Highlightingsomeofthe issueschildren,teachersand schools have faced, McDonald noted of the reports of “stale food,” the filthystateofclassrooms,the pigeon, bat and mosquito infestations, the failing infrastructure of schools amongotherchallenges.

The MP also noted that teachers are crying out for better salaries, safe working environments, and educational policies that are geared to mould children, which are “failed promises andcopyandpastepolicies.”

She noted that while the government announce modernisation of the sector, operational basics still fail too often These issues which still persist, McDonald said that “if education is not first, then thefuturewillbelast.”

The Opposition MP detailed that the capital expenditure rose from approximately $123 6 billion in 2021 to over $400 billion by 2024, with transport and public works accounting for the single largest increases year after year Infrastructure, she revealed has become the most visible symbol of education investment. She said that “visibility, h o w e v e r , i s n o t functionality.”

“A building is not a school simply because it exists. It becomes a school when it is staffed, maintained, equipped, safe, andintegratedintoalearning system. Public discussions have repeatedly highlighted

increased budgets will continue to yield disappointing outcomes “Budgets must deliver r e s u l t s , n o t j u s t reassurance,”shenoted.

Speaking on this year budget,shesaid“itsetoutto continue its oppression of theordinaryGuyanese.Isaid to you on that side of the house, you are not putting people first You are continuing to have your knees on the necks of ordinarypeople.”

situations where physical expansion has not translated into improved learning environments. This, Mr. Speaker, is a sick pattern. And patterns demand correction, not celebration,” shedisclosed.

McDonald further stated that budget credibility, therefore, depends not only on what is procured, but on what reliably reaches the classrooms. “Budgets are growing, Mr Speaker, but classrooms are not improving at the same pace.

Mr Speaker, modern Caribbean education systemsarecentredonsmart classrooms, universal students’accesstolaptopsor tablets, strong digital connectivity, and well-paid, professionally supported teachers. These investments are deeply linked to improved learning outcomes,”sherelated.

InGuyana,however,she noted that too many schools still lack reliable electricity, water, sanitation, and basic maintenance.

“One cannot credibly s p e a k o f d i g i t a l transformation when foundational learning conditions remain unmet Mr Speaker, increased spending alone has not translated into improved educationaloutcomes. If it had to be, we would have seen cleaner classrooms, safer learning environments, improved attendance, stronger discipline, and better examinationresults.

Instead, the same structural problems persist year after year despite regular allocations Mr Speaker, Guyana is now an oil-producing state, and this reality demands a strategic shift in education policy,” sheargued.

McDonald added that until education is treated merelynotasalineitembut as the central pillar of national development,

This budget she described highlights a national disgrace for this nation in the eyes of the Caribbean colleagues, statingthatit“isaboutfluff, it’s short, and it definitely is not putting people first.” On thatnote,shementioned,the Opposition will not support thisbudgetinitsform.

Universalaccess Meanwhile,indefending her government’s budgetary allocations, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag said that “Expenditure is based oneveryfiscalyear,wehave a five-year plan, and every fiscal year we invest money in that space to ensure that wewillbeabletodeliveron our policies and our programs, beginning with 2026forthenextfiveyears.”

Parag stated that the PPP/C government over the lastfiveyearshasworkedto ensure universal access to education, and this will continue from the 2026 budget.

Speaking about access, she mentioned that her government since resuming officehasadvancedaccessto education through the construction of 66 nursery schools,34primaryschools, and 33 secondary schools, while major rehabilitation and expansion was done to 45 nurseries, 61 primaries and 32 secondary schools acrossthecountry

She added that more projects will be executed, which will see a significant amount being advanced in the hinterland villages During her presentation the minister also addressed a number of issues flagged by the Opposition members about the sector, noting that thesehavebeenresolved.

For example, she noted on the issue of teachers’ salary increase, Parag mentioned that there is a multi-year agreement that the government sat down with the GTU which was agreedupon,andthatisthe Continuedonpage21

The PPPC's big blunder

PoliticsinGuyanais b e c o m i n g a romantic comedy Itisincreasinglylookinglike a sideshow in which everyone behaves badly, nobody learns anything, and the audience keeps rooting for the person who looks mostpersecuted.

Take the PPPC's ongoing vendetta against AZMO. It has all the hallmarks of a classic mistake. The idea, presumably, was simple: hound the man until he shrinks,discredithimuntilhe fades, and reduce his public standing to something resemblinganexpiredlibrary card. Instead, the result has been the political equivalent of trying to diet by staring angrily at cake. The harder you stare, the more you are temptedtotakeapieceofthe cake.

The problem is that Guyanese people, for all our many quirks, share one deeply ingrained moral instinct.Wedonotliketosee advantage taken of others. We don't like a bully. We reallydon'tlikeacoordinated pile-on. And we absolutely hate seeing a man kicked when he's already flat on his back, wondering what on earth just happened and whethertherefereeislegally blind.

With AZMO, what the publiciswitnessingdoesnot feel like normal political rivalry It feels systematic.

Orchestrated Almost rehearsed Like a badly directed play in

which the villain keeps reentering the stage to boo the hero, only to discover the audience is now applauding louderoutofspite.

The PPPC seems baffled by this. Each new act of nastiness is delivered with the confidence of someone convinced that the next punch will finally do the trick Instead, it has the opposite effect AZMO grows larger in the public imagination more sympathetic, more relatable, more likeable while the government's image shrinks into something peevish and mean-spirited.

Consider the Budget speech.Therewasnoearthly reason no constitutional emergency, no cosmic a l i g n m e n t o f t h e planets why Parliament could not have been summonedearlier Andyetit wasn't.Thepublic,nevershy of suspicion, connected the dotswiththeenthusiasmofa conspiracy theorist The conclusion was obvious to many: Parliament would not be called into another sitting untilAZMOwasextradited.

Because to call a sitting would mean electing a LeaderoftheOppositionand this would mean electing AZMO The PPPC was determined not to give him thatmomentofglory Thisis whatthepublicperceivesand true or not, the perception stuck And in politics, perceptionisreality'slouder, moreobnoxiouscousin.

Thepussyfootingwhenit came to the constitutional duty to elect a Leader of the Opposition was so elaborate it could have qualified as a new Olympic sport. Only when the international community cleared its throat politely, but with meaning—did the process suddenlyfinditslegs.

Guyanese people noticed.Theyalwaysdo.We may forget the exact details, but we never forget the feelingthatsomethingwasn't right.

Add to this the increasingly obvious weaponisation of state agencies. When bodies like the GRA begin to look less like neutral institutions and morelikepropsinapolitical vendetta, the public's sympathy meter starts spinning wildly Nothing makes a man more popular than the impression that the full weight of the state is being leaned on him for reasons that feel political ratherthanprincipled.

The PPPC appears not to understand a basic rule of human psychology: persecution creates martyrs, not villains. Every new act againstAZMO is interpreted n

evidence that he must be important enough to fear And fear, when visible, is terriblyunflattering.

Sohereweare,watching a government inadvertently

antagonist The

DEM BOYS SEH

Bail is not a fine

Dem boys seh dem bin listening carefully—well, as carefully as dem boys everlisten—toallthenoiselately'boutbail. Everywhere you turn, people vex. “How dem let he get bail?” “Is joke justice playing?”“Lockdemupandthrowawaythe key!” Dem boys seh if complaining was a sport, Guyana woulda win by two goals to zero,andstillaskfuhVARreview

Buthereiswheredemboysscratchdem head—carefully, because thinking too hard is dangerous business.Alotta people seem to believe that bail is supposed to be punishment.As if when police charge you, the next step is automatic suffering, preferablytelevised.

Demboyssehbailain'tpunishment.Bail is not lash. Bail is not jail warm-up. Bail is not, “leh he suffer lil bit fuh now, just in case.” Bail is simply a security—money, property,orpromise—thatyougoshowup when court call your name. That is all. No more.Noless.Islikewhendemboysusedto tell dem mother, “Ah coming back just now,” and she seh, “Leh me hold yuh phone.”Sameprinciple.Security

But in Guyana, dem boys seh we want bail to hurt. We want bail to pinch, bruise,

moretheyhoundAZMO,the greater he becomes in the public eye. The more they push, the more he is vilified, the larger he looms. It's a masterclass in political selfsabotage by the PPPC. The more it hounds AZMO, the more people dislike the PPPC.

If the goal was to diminishAZMO,thestrategy has failed spectacularly What it has done instead is turn him into a symbol—of

victimisation, of resistance, of unfairness. And symbols, oncecreated,arenotoriously difficulttogetridof.Justask anyone who ever tried to arguewithaGuyanesecrowd that a bully was only “doing hisjob.”

and send message. We want bail to punish youbeforeguiltevendecidetowakeupand cometocourt.Innocentuntilprovenguilty?

Demboyssehplentypeopletreatthatphrase likeexpiredtinsardine—niceintheory,but demain'teatingthat.

Demboyssehsomefolksonlysatisfied if bail is denied, passport seize, dog seize, goldfish seize, and accused sleep on concrete while case take five years to call. Then, if the man acquit, everybody does blinkandseh,“Oh…well,thingshappen.”

Demboyssehjusticeisnotrevengewith robe on. Court is not Facebook comment section. And bail is not a mini-sentence to keepcrowdhappy

If bail turn into punishment, then trial become rerun, and verdict become afterthought.

So dem boys seh complain all you want—but remember, bail ain't there to make you feel better Is there to make sure accused come back. If we forget that, then tomorrow any of us could be punished first… and explained later And dem boys sehthatain'tfunnyatall—thoughknowing Guyana,somebodywouldstilllaugh. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Intheend,thePPPCmay discover too late that you cannot bully someone into political irrelevance.All you candoisconvincethepublic that you are afraid of him. Andfear,likeneurosis,hasa way of announcing itself loudly—usually right before theridiculestarts.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the authoranddonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Oil Fund expected 2026 intake

The much-watched Guyana Natural Resource Fund (Oil Fund) is expected to be boosted by US$2.8 billion in 2026. The Oil Fundneedseverypenn7that it can get, given its current ragged state, thanks to the chronic extractions of the

scheming PPP Govt ‘National development

priorities’ are the watchwords, the symphony, that the carousers and celebrators in the government sing. If I can withdrawatwillalmostallof the Oil Fund of the people, and not be forced to give a true accounting of the cash drainedoff,thenitwouldbe

partytime,too. Ifeverthere wasaHardTruth,that’sone. Hereareothers.

The US$2 8 billion projected as Guyana’s share of royalties and profits from its oil is guaranteed to be as goodasgone. Itisonlyearly February, but that guarantee is made from now Thereis precedent, with written recordtomatch.

What has the PPP Govt executedsincetheveryearly yearsofGuyana’soilera,its own return back to the corridors and controls of power since 2020? It has raidedtheOilFund. Before that it fixed the Oil Fund law, so that the

party’sleadershipcabalscan use the billions in a New York bank for pet projects that always have loads of built-in riches for insiders, and with the bonus of zero transparency, zero accountability

Put a dollar in the hands ofarogueorconman,andbe prepared to say goodbye to it. PutabillionUSdollarson thetablebeforeserialthieves and pathological fixers, and that’stheendofthatnational booty plundered by political pirates, who call themselves patriots. Well, that’s what hashappened,hasn’tit?

Yearafteryear,sincethe arrival of this precious

global commodity, a rare liquid of a compelling kind, has intensified the addiction of PPP Govt plotters and hustlers. They cannibalise the people’s Oil Fund limb by limb to feed a voracious addiction.

I call this rainy day, emergency, contingency, money the Oil Fund, so that the ordinary Guyanese man and woman can feel it more closely, and claim it as their own Natural Resource Fund is a big and beautiful thing, but sort of an abstract creation for rank-and-file Guyanese. Oil Fund gives them a sense of having a stake, a deposit book, some levelofbelonging. Itisthis Oil Fund with which PPP Govt planners and visionaries had the cunning to raise its withdrawal ceiling.

A middle finger should betheresponse. Iencourage allGuyanesetolookbeyond $100,000 cash grants and a quintetofpunishingnational budgets (may be a sextet), and check for themselves where the real money from oilwent. Intowhosehands, into whose designer purses, and custom-made jackets, and the kinds of institutions that can accommodate that amount of money (and business) in a formidably impenetrableway.

Thebestpartaboutallof this is that there is no accounting. No books, no records, no one saying anything about how a single oil dollar received has been spent. Can’t be done, an impossibility

Only the most stupidest (yes, double superlative applies) of bandits compiles

More Oil Fund money taken out; more public cash goinginprivatepockets. To add acid to Guyanese trials, they are told about how muchgoodhasbeendonefor them (with their money), and how much more they could be in line for (with their money), if they conduct themselvesacceptably

a notebook to track his looting,thenissoslack,asto make it accessible and available for public discoveryandscrutiny The historyofGuyana’sOilFund deposits and withdrawals is the best evidence. Simply followthetrailofbothinthe lastfiveyears.

The 2025 Oil Fund was skimmed to the bone, like past years. Why should 2026OilFundcollectionsbe any different? Who is there in the PPP Govt that is principled enough to take a stand and

he addiction? His first challenge would be to break hisownaddiction.

The addiction to binge borrowing. Theaddictionto draining the Oil Fund. The addiction to siphoning off huge fractions (billions) from the loans and PPP Govt-inducedhemorrhaging of Guyana’s Oil Fund. The addiction is public, now uncontrollable throughout the PPP The 2026 oil revenue intake of US$2.8 billionisgone. Guaranteed. Guyanese:Watchthemoney disappear

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a

hor and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

WIN’s Barker blasts budget

— says teachers neglected, schools under threat

WIN, MP and Shadow Minister of Education, Dr. Mark Barker

ByShaniaWilliams

New We Invest in Nationhood(WIN) Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Education, Dr Mark Barker, on Monday launched a stinging critique of the education sector, accusing the government of failingtoadequatelysupport teachers and improve education delivery in the 2026NationalBudget.

Delivering his maiden parliamentary contribution during the opening day of the budget debates at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Barker said the allocations fall short of addressing long-standing systemic problems affecting educators nationwide. “Mr Speaker, no education system can rise above the quality,morale,andstability ofitsteachers.Yet,whenwe examine allocations related to the Teaching Service Commission and teacher management, we observe a glaring silence on several critical issues,” Barker told theHouse.

He outlined the concerns as:1 Backlogsinpromotions which affect pension and gratuity payments upon retirement 2 Delays in confirmations 3. Lack of succession planning for retiringeducators4 Absence of incentives for teachers in high-demand regions 5. No risk allowance for teachers Barker also noted that while thebudgetspeaksextensively about digital education platforms and broadcast technologies, it fails to outlineaclearprogrammefor providinglaptopstoteachers and students. “Access to onlinecontentismeaningless without access to individual devices,andthatgapremains unaddressed in the budget speech,”hesaid

Violence against teachers Dr Barker also raisedconcernsaboutrecent incidents of students

attacking teachers, calling for stricter measures to address the issue “Our childrenarebeingbulliedby theirpeers,andwhatismost alarming is that we have reached a point where students have attacked teachers. Yet, Mr Speaker, no measure has been considered in the 2026 budget to address this atrocity in our schools,” he said.

He added that teachers are already struggling with lowsalariesandtheabsence of risk allowances. “Now theyhavetoendurephysical attacks by learners. If strict m e a s u r e s a r e n o t implemented, this heinous act will continue to spread likewildfire,consumingour schools,” Barker added

Criticism of GOAL programme Barker also criticisedtheGuyanaOnline Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, describing it as poorlymanagedandlacking clearoutcomes.

“TheGOALprogramme was sold to this nation as a transformational investment in education. Instead, it has become a symbol of poor planning, weak oversight, a n d u n a c c e p t a b l e uncertainty for thousands of Guyanese,” he said He noted the absence of clear reporting on completion rates, accreditation standards, and employment outcomes.

“Students have been left in limbo, institutions have changedwithoutexplanation, and this House has received no comprehensive impact assessment despite billions beingallocated,”Barkersaid Dr Barker also questioned the effectiveness of the National School Feeding Programme, suggesting that funds may be better directed toparents According to Barker, approximately$7billionis Continuedonpage22

Guyana to attend 2026 Commonwealth law ministers meeting in Fiji

Fiji is all set to welcome ministers and attorneys general, includingofficialsfromGuyana,to theCommonwealthLawMinisters Meeting,whichwillbeheldinNadi from9to12February2026.

The meeting takes place at a timewhentheruleoflawissteadily declining around the world, the Commonwealth Secretariat said in a release. Over the three days, law

ministers will discuss how strong legal safeguards protect everyday life, from people’s ability to participateindemocracyandearna fair living, to their right to live in safeandhealthycommunities.

Ministers are also expected to agree on practical measures to advance the rule of law by improving access to justice and strengtheninglegalinstitutionsthat

support stable societies, fair economies and environmental protection Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley BotchweythankedtheGovernment ofFijiforhostingthemeeting. She said: “The rule of law remains essential to peace, stability,anddevelopment,yetitis under serious pressure in many parts of the world. Where it is

weakenedorunevenlyapplied,the impact is felt most sharply by ordinary people For the Commonwealth,theruleoflawisa cornerstoneofourCharterandour work It demands practical, thoughtful commitment and cooperation,notrhetoric.”

The Secretary-General added: “In Fiji, our ministers will come together to strengthen the rule of

law as the foundation of a resilient future, where every person has a voice in democracy, every worker is treated with dignity, and every vulnerablecommunityisprotected fromachangingclimate.

“That is what our people count on us to do. By working together, wecanupholdtheruleoflawasan essential protection for the people oftheCommonwealth.”

Themeetingwillbechairedby Hon.SiromiTuraga,Ministerfor

Continued on page 22

— President says wages up over 100% in key sectors ‘Unemploymentcutbyhalf’

President Irfaan Ali says Guyana’s unemployment rate has fallenbymorethan50percentsince 2020, wages have climbed sharply across major industries, and inflationremainsamongthelowest globally The Head of State made the disclosure during a Facebook LivebroadcastonTuesday,linking the country’s improving labour

indicators to sustained economic growthanddiversification.

Citing figures from the latest labour force bulletin issued by the Bureau of Statistics, President Ali noted that unemployment declined significantly between 2020 and 2024. “If you look at the period 2020 to 2024, unemployment fell from 12.8%to 6.8% in the fourth

quarterof2024,”Alisaid.

Analysing the 6.8 per cent unemployment rate, the President explained that a portion of unemployed persons are selective about the type of work they are willing to accept, particularly in sectors such as construction and operations.

“The fact the fact is our

unemployment reduced by more than 50% between 2020 and 2024. Now what is also important is a

unemployment rate. Our female unemployment rate reduced from 14.4%tolessthan9%,”hestated. A

A

, unemploymentratesarealsofairly

Continued on page 22

Agri Minister lays out Govt. plan to expand food production

One day after the Opposition accusedtheGuyanagovernmentof presenting a national budget that failstomakeadequateprovisionfor the expansion of food production, therebykeepingGuyaneseinabject poverty, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha outlined an extensiveplantobefinancedwitha $113.2Ballocation.

Respondingtocommentsmade onMondaybyAPNUMPVinceroy Jordan, Mustapha pointed out that allocation for the fisheries sector have been increased in 2026, moving from $1.7B in 2024 to $2.3Bthisyear

Overall,hepointedoutthatthis year’s allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture has increased by 33%

government’s focus on food security

This year, Minister Mustapha said coconut production will expand by 5000 hectares, while provision will also be made for 40 more fish cages to increase fish production across the country For other crops, $3 3B has been

allocated with a shrimp hatchery likelytobecomeoperablethisyear, with more vessel tracking devices tobeprocured.

Alsoongovernment’sagendais the Digital Seafood Market platform. In the livestock sector, Mustapha explained $1 9B is allocatedforvariousinitiatives

Continued on page 23

Caribbean Motor Spares Guyana opens new location in Region Six

Since opening its companydoors14yearsago, Caribbean Motor Spares (CMS)Guyanahasemerged as a prominent name in the supply of vehicle maintenance products and services that even extends beyond local bounds. Over theyears,itoperatedthrough five locations across the country

On Sunday January 25, the company officially cut theceremonialribbonforits sixthbranch,unveiledatLot

40, No. 69 Village, Corentyne, a strategic and timely expansion backed by the entity’s commitment to making its services convenient to that part of Guyana.

General Manager, Mr Hardial Doobay, in his addresstocompanyofficials and invitees, emphasised said the ceremony was a

salute to “vision, p e r s e v e r a n c e a n d teamwork,”supportedbyan anchored commitment to churnoutexcellence.

“This milestone represents years of hard work, sacrifice, dedication and faith in our purpose and mission. Caribbean Motor Spares began humbly in the year 2012, driven by a simplebutyetpowerfulgoal to provide high-quality automotive spares, reliable service and exceptional customer care to the people

Kathy Smith, GCCI President and PSC Vice-Chairman

of Guyana. From our very firstlocation,wefocusedon building trust, delivering value and ensuring that our customers always left satisfiedandconfidentinour products.”

Thenewstore,headded, came not only through a business decision, but a resolvetobeofservicetothe community This also translates to employment opportunities created by the opening of the new branch, together with the critical value the new location will have for scores of drivers, especially hire car, and particularly truck, tractor and heavy-duty machine

operators along the Corentyne corridor whose activities are mainly agriculture-based This aligns with the company’s goalofimprovingaccess.

Equally satisfying was the accomplishment of both its business endeavors as well as its national contributions Caribbean Motor Spares affirmed its pride in supporting local businessesforoveradecade.

Highlighting this, the general manager noted that “ourgrowthreflectsnotonly our business success, but also our contribution to the automotive sector and economy.”

“Our success is not measured only by the number of branches we

o p e n , b u t b y t h e relationships we build, the lives we impact, and the value we bring to our communities We remain

committed to maintaining thehighstandardsofservice, i n n o v a t i o n

n everything we do,” Doobay

stated Speaking to this publication, he explained that the services and products offered to the Guyana market are unique. He stated that CMS’s presenceintheregionspeaks confidence in the Guyanese economy, but also “gives customers an opportunity to experienceourproducts,the service that we boast so much about, and our unique culture that we bring to the village and the entire Corentyne.”

Offering remarks as president of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and

Development Association (BCCDA), Samantha Reid welcomed CMS to the region, and lauded its decision to erect its branch there, which she said was “good for Berbice.” Reid also highlighted that the company is promoting economicgrowth,andhailed it as a partner in development.

Joel Ghansham, Strategic Marketing Partner for CMS, commended the companyfortheauthenticity ofitsproducts.

Also giving remarks at the event was Kathy Smith, PresidentoftheGeorgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and ViceChairman of the Private SectorCommission(PSC).

“The company has continuedtogrowandrefine its product and service delivery with multiple locations serving both passengers and commercial vehicles. So, I want to think that this company is an appropriate case study on developing a sustainable businessmodel,”shestated. Otherofficialspresentat the opening ceremony included Mrs Kavita Doobay (Assistant General Manager), Hardesh Narine (Berbice Branch Manager), and executives from Scotiabank and the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce.

The well-established enterprisesuppliesarangeof vehicular essentials through its branches at 210 Albert and Charlotte Street, Bourda, Georgetown; 74 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; 74 Zeelugt Public Road, East Bank Essequibo, 39 Bath Experiment, West Coast Berbice,DistributionCenter at 729 Great Diamond, East Bank Essequibo, and now through its latest instalment atNo.69Village,Corentyne.

Man charged for killing 6-yr-old boy sent to High Court for trial

Odel Garnett, was charged with the murder of six-year-old Jeremiah Gustave, has been committed to stand trial in theDemeraraHighCourt.

Therulingwasdelivered

on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Senior Magistrate FabayoAzore,followingthe completion of preliminary proceedings.

During the hearing, Magistrate Azore noted that all witness testimonies were presented and several exhibits were tendered. The court found that the prosecution had established a sufficient case to be heard before a judge and jury, pavingthewayforGarnettto becommittedfortrial.

The matter was prosecuted by Sergeant QuincyLacon.

Jeremiah Gustave was shot in the head by a stray bulletonJuly9,2024,along CharlesStreet,Charlestown, Georgetown, during an alleged dispute between Garnettandanothersuspect, Marlon Christopher Wilburg, also known as

“Mice Man.” Following the shooting, the child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in a critical condition and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he was placed

on life support He underwent multiple surgeries and spent several months in and out of hospital.

After eight months of battlingforhislife,Jeremiah succumbedtohisinjurieson March29,2025,athishome on Charles Street, Charlestown.

Reports indicate that Jeremiah, a student of Smith’s Memorial Primary School, was sitting at his mother’sfoodstallwhenthe altercation escalated and gunfireerupted.

Garnett was arrested in July 2024 and initially charged with attempted murder Another suspect, Marlon Marcus, also known as “Mice Man,” was also charged, but his matter was withdrawninOctoberbythe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

Following Jeremiah’s death, Garnett’s charge was upgraded to the capital offenceofmurder

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, Jeremiah’s mother, Keisha Gustave, ex

satisfaction that the case is now moving forward to the highcourt.

“I will get justicefor my son,becauseattheendofthe day, he didn’t went in anybody way so let he [Garnett]restheselfrightin there[prison].Jeremiahisan

innocent child and justice willbeserved”,”shesaid.

Jeremiah would have celebrated his eighth birthday on January 29. His mothersaidtheoccasionwas particularly painful as it served as a reminder of her loss.

“I cried the whole day, knowing that Jeremiah is goneandcouldn’tlivetosee thisday,”sheshared. Garnett is currently awaitingadatetobefixedby the high court for the commencementofhistrial.

Singh, Persaud spar over support for vulnerable groups during budget debate

In a heated war of words on Monday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud and WIN parliamentarian Natasha Singh battledontheflooroftheNational Assembly over the quality of support being provided for Guyana’smostvulnerable.

MinisterPersaud,defendingthe $1.588 trillion national fiscal plan, said there are significant investments in early childhood development such as integrated day-and-nightcarecentres.

“Child abuse is a very serious issue,andwetakeitveryseriously atalllevelsoftheministry Wehave seen a consistent reduction in the number of cases, from over 4,000 cases to over 3,000 cases. That’s still too much, but we are working to make sure every child is safe,” shesaid.

Minister Persaud highlighted “$70 billion of that [allocation] is going directly into the hands of beneficiaries across the length and breadthofGuyana.”

The minister noted that beneficiaries include recipients of public assistance, persons with permanent disabilities and senior citizens,addingthatthenumberof beneficiaries has increased since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C)tookoffice.

The number of pensioners has grown to more than 90,000, with the government honouring its commitment to double pension., shenoted.

Minister Persaud said pension payments are on track to reach $60,000,translatingto$46,000per

WIN Member of Parliament, Natasha Singh

month, along with a $20,000 transportation grant, an electricity grant equivalent to $30,000 per yearandawatersubsidy.

She added that senior citizens also have access to spectacles, healthcare and eye-testing vouchers.

In addition, a new senior citizens’home will be constructed at Enmore, while trained women from the Women Innovation Investment Network (WIIN) Programme will be engaged in innovative ways to support these careservices.

The minister said the WIIN programme has empowered more than21,000womenacrossRegions Oneto10atnocosttoparticipants.

She challenged critics of the budget to speak directly to women who have benefited from the programme, including those operating sewing hubs in Baracara and garment production initiatives

inSophia.

“We continue to advance and champion the rights of women,” MinisterPersaudtoldthehouse.

The ministry’s training budget has increased from $10.9 million under the previous administration to $330 million to date, with $70 million allocated directly through WIIN for women’s training and empowerment.

Minister Persaud said 129 women were trained through the City and Guilds programme in areas such as carpentry, welding, masonry,electricalinstallationand plumbing,withplanstoexpandthe initiativethisyear

Minister Persaud highlighted the establishment of a model early childhood development day-andnight care centre, described as the firstofitskindintheCaribbean.

More than 100 women have been trained in early childhood development as part of the initiative.

In her contribution, MP Singh zeroed in on the budgetary allocation to support vulnerable groups including at risk women, childrenandelderly

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been allocated $78.3 billion this year

Singh believes it is huge sum that represents very little for the nation’s most vulnerable, since the annual figures of child abuse and femicide tell a different story to whatthebudgetproposes.

“It says ‘a good life for all’but Mr Speaker,theannualfigurestell a different story In 2024 13

Minister of Human Services and Social Protection, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

women died and recorded as femicide and in 2025 22 died. In two years, 35 women died as a direct result of Intimate Partner Violence in the most gruesome manner,” theWIN parliamentarian said.

“We can’t be approving large sums of monies for buildings and our children are punishing.... In 2024 3,953 cases of child abuse were reported. In 2025 it is 4,032 casesofchildabusereported,atotal of 7985 cases of child abuse in 24 months.Somethingisrottinginthe Child Protection Agency, and this house should investigate this matter More importantly tell us what the measures are to eradicate child abuse, how many of those cases are flagged as child sexual abuse. This is not putting people first, Mr Speaker Our children are our future....by this here our futurelooksgloomy.” Singh alluded to a state-of-the-

art 24-hour childcare facility valued at $93.8 million which was opened last year but is not yet operational.

She said “It hailed as a beacon of support for families, a crucial step in early childhood development, and a relief for parents striving to build a better life, but it is left to decay or until Region3figuresouthowtousethe center Mr Speaker, why was this centre commissioned with a grand ceremony if it was not operationallyready?”

Singh noted that another such care centre was awarded another $93.8 million dollars to be built in Providence.

“The minister of finance spoke onitglowingly,butwhathedidnot tell you is that this centre which started in mid-2023 was supposed tobecompletedinDecember2025 and after four contractors in February 2026, the project is still incomplete and now in 2026, you see request for money to complete thecentre.”

TheoppositionMPcalledforan immediate and thorough investigation by the relevant parliamentaryoversightcommittee into the procurement, commissioning, and subsequent abandonmentofthecentres.

“The Minister of Human Services and Social Security to makeafullministerialstatementto theNationalAssemblydetailingthe reasonsfortheclosureofthestateof-the-art facility, and a clear, costed plan for its immediate opening of the centre at Anna Catherina….”shestated.

BelizetojoinGuyana’sGlobalBiodiversityAlliance

…ascountriessignseriesofMoUs

The Governments of Guyana and Belize have

signed a series of M e m o r a n d a o f Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across several key sectors, including defence and security, education, tourism, digital transformation and investment.

The agreements were signedonMonday,February 2, 2026, in Belize where President Irfaan Ali is on a three-day official visit. As part of the engagement, Belize also confirmed its intention to join Guyana’s GlobalBiodiversityAlliance which was launched last year.TheAllianceisanopen, non-binding platform that seeks to expand financial

opportunities and cooperation by raising

a w a r e n e s s o f t h e biodiversity crisis and its linkagestoclimatechange.

According to a joint

statement, the MoUs establish broad frameworks for cooperation guided by principlesofmutualrespect,

equality, reciprocity and non-interference, and are cons

h countries’national laws and obligations under the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Intheareaofdefenceand security, Guyana and Belize

informationsharing,training and dialogue to address shared challenges such as transnational organised crime, drug trafficking and other emerging security threats. The cooperation is described as defensive in natureandnon-binding.

T h e e d u c a t i o n agreement focuses on expanding opportunities for scholarships, academic exchanges and skills development, including access to digital learning platforms, with the aim of strengthening people-topeople ties and investing in humancapital.

Tourismcooperationwill centre on joint initiatives, knowledge-sharing and

development, including multi-destination travel opportunities, capacitybuilding and diaspora engagement to support economic growth and culturalexchange.

The two countries also signed an MoU on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, intended to i

efficiency,effectivenessand implementationcapacity

In addition, a Joint Statement of Intent to Negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty was issued, signalling readiness by both governments to commence negotiations towardsaformalinvestment agreement.

It was stated that these understandings form part of a broader effort by both governments to strengthen

encourage collaboration between institutions, and promote inclusive and sustainable development in

Caribbeanpriorities.

The Governments of Guyana and Belize emphasise that these MoU express mutual intentions to

cooperate and do not create legally binding obligations.

Notably,allcooperationwill be implemented gradually, transparently, and in accordance with available resources and national priorities.

‘Lifelineforsmallminers’

— GOVT. EXTENDS DEADLINE TO REGULARISE DREDGE LICENCES

Government has granted a one-month extension to allow mining operators additional time to become fully compliant with dredge licencing requirements, following representations from the Small MinersAssociationGuyanaInc.(SMAGI).

In a notice issued on Monday, miners wereinformedthattheextensionwouldgive operators more time to complete the necessary documentation and regularise their operations without undue pressure. SMAGIencouragedminerstousethegrace period wisely and ensure full compliance withintheextendedtimeframe.

The announcement followed a meeting between miners and authorities over the weekend,duringwhichconcernswereraised aboutthechallengesmanyoperatorsfacein meeting the new regulatory requirements within the original timelines. Chairman of the Association, David Daniels, confirmed the extension in a video statement, saying miners were informed after what he describedasasuccessfulengagement.

“AfterasuccessfulmeetingonSaturday, we were informed today that a one-month extensionwasgrantedtominorswithinbyan industry to have their licence renewed after we came together as one in unity to show solidarity that what is important to us in the mineindustrytoensurethatlivelihoodmust beprotected,”Danielssaid.

He explained that the extension would allow miners to submit outstanding documents to the Guyana Geology and MinesCommission(GGMC)toensurethey areoperatinglegally.

“Wewereinformedagainthatonemonth extensionwasgrantedsothatallminerswill beabletotakeintheirdocumentstoGGMC to ensure that they get their licenses. Our objective at the small miner’s association is to ensure that livelihood are protected,” Danielssaid.

According to Daniels, the association’s primary objective is to protect livelihoods whileensuringminerscomplywiththelaw He urged operators to take advantage of the additionaltimetoregularisetheiroperations

Chairman of the Small Miners Association, David Daniels

andavoiddisruptionstotheirwork.

He also said efforts are being made to ensureGGMCofficesareoperationalacross the country, allowing miners to submit documents within their respective districts rather than travelling to Georgetown. He added that the association will continue to advocate for improved access to services, including the presence of the Guyana Gold Board in mining districts, and encouraged miners to apply for traders’ licences to purchasegoldlegally

The extension comes after SMAGI formally wrote to President Irfaan Ali on January 19, 2026, requesting a three-month amnesty period from January to March to allow small miners to update records and meet new regulatory requirements without penalties.

In that correspondence, the association expressedsupportforimprovedgovernance, transparency and environmental responsibility in the mining sector, while noting that many miners face practical challenges in complying within the existing timelines.

SMAGIsaiditsproposalwasintendedto ensurenominerisunfairlydisadvantagedor forcedoutofproductionwhileattemptingto complywiththenewrules.

Amerindian Affairs Minister, WIN MP clash over

hinterland development during budget debate

Fiery exchanges marked the second day of the National Budget debate on Tuesday as discussions turnedtoIndigenouswelfare

and development in Guyana'shinterlandregions.

WeInvestinNationhood (WIN) Member of

Parliament Dawn HastingsWilliams criticised the government for what she described as inadequate development benefits for Amerindian and hinterland

communities, raising

concerns about poor infrastructure, unreliable

electricity, and the deteriorating condition of hinterlandairstrips.

In response, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne-Shadeek, rejected the claims, insisting that Indigenous communities have benefited significantly from sustained government investmentandthatthe2026 Budget provides for further expansion and development inthehinterland.

During her presentation, Hastings-Williams said

m a n y h i n t e r l a n d communities continue to face unfinished school

projects, poor road networks, limited access to

potablewater,andunreliable electricity supply She highlighted the situation in Kamarang, Region Seven, where residents reportedly receive only four hours of electricitydaily

“Mr Speaker, for years the people of Kamarang have experienced limited accesstoelectricity,justfour hours per day, dependent on acostlyandunreliablediesel system,” Hastings-Williams said. She added, “I am humblyaskingforatleast12 hoursofelectricitysupplyto ease the burden of spoiled goods, especially fresh fish and meats, for residents and small miners. If this request istakenonboardandcatered for in this year's budget, we cantrulysaythatthebudget isputtingpeoplefirst.”

She also noted that access to water in the hinterland remains uneven, w i t h i n a d e q u a t e maintenance of existing systems and persistent quality issues affecting vulnerablecommunities.

Turning her attention to transportation, HastingsWilliams emphasised the critical role of hinterland airstrips in connecting Amerindian villages to

'FluffBudget”vs“Future...

Frompage8 collective agreement on the percentages for the years 2024,2025 and 2026 which isstillinexistence.

Turning her attention to school infrastructure, the minister recalled when the BV Primary School was facing some issues, which she said she and other officialswenttoaddress.

“We go and we fix the issues from the Ministry of Education, because that's what the Government of Guyana does. That's what the Progressive Party Civic does, we go and we fix issues once we know of them Now you have schools, you have infrastructure, and I'm standing here, and I'm not going to deny that there are i s s u e s w i t h t h e infrastructure. They have i s s u e s w i t h t h e infrastructure.I'mnotgoing to deny that. But here is what Mister Speaker, once the issue is reported to us, wewillgoandfixit,”Parag argued.

The education minister also highlighted that the learningmaterialsandother interventions that are being implemented in schools are providing the results. For

healthfacilities,schools,and markets. She criticised the condition and maintenance

o

describing them as unsafe andpoorlymanaged.

“The opposition continues to receive reports of poor drainage, rapid surface deterioration, and inconsistent maintenance schedules,” she said “Rehabilitation works often donotendurebeyondoneor tworainyseasons.

W

implemented to ensure durability, safety, and value for money? There must be systems in place to cater for emergencies.”

She also called for i

example, she noted that the mathematics intervention whichwasintroducedunder the former minister has since seen the pass rate at the CXC level being increasedbysome5%.

Additionally, touching on funding for school cash grants, Parag called out McDonald and the APNU/AFC regime for taking it away from families. Noting that her government has since restored and increased the grants,Paragrespondedthat “we are government that doesn't take away, we add valuetopeople'slives.” In highlighting other i n v e s t m e n t s , t h e government has made to en

s improvedqualityeducation, Minister Parag on Monday said, “So Mr Speaker, education is poised to continue its progress, we will see the outcomes for ourchildren,wewillseethe development for our children, we will see the improvements for our teacher, the improvements for our infrastructure, and wewillalsoseewewillalso see safer environment in which it will be conducive forthemtolearn.”

Amerindian hostels to better serve hinterlandresidents.

Responding to the criticism, Minister BrowneShadeek defended the government's record, stating that hinterland communities continue to benefit from steady improvements in infrastructure, education, andsocialservices.

She noted that access to internet connectivity and education has expanded significantly,withmorethan 3,000 hinterland residents currently enrolled in the GOAL scholarship programme.

“As Amerindians and persons living in the hinterland, we are set to benefit from every single

measure under this budget, just like every other Guyanese, ” BrowneShadeeksaid.

She outlined several b

residents, including a oneoff $100,000 cash grant for new-borns, $46,000 for pensioners, an annual $20,000 transportation grant, one-off adult cash grants, and $85,000 cash transfersforstudents.

The minister also highlighted growth in housing and land allocation across hinterland regions, noting that 253 Amerindian villages have each received approximately $3 million in housingsubsidiestosupport vulnerable residents, with

furtherincreasesplannedfor 2026.

“We can further support communities by bridging gaps through transportation, buses, boats, ATVs, and other modes,” she said “Childrendon'thavetowalk long distances or paddle to schoolanymore.”

Addressing the Low

Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), BrowneShadeek revealed that $14.5 billion has been directly disbursed to Amerindian villages for development projects.

“While revenues from carboncreditsaleswerelow, Amerindian communities did not receive less,” she said.“In2023,15percentof revenues were transferred directlytovillages,followed by26.5percentin2024and 21percentin2025.That,Mr Speaker, is putting people first.”

She further cited LCDSfunded projects including a new guest house in Mabaruma, a minimart in Kamana Village (Region Eight), women's group initiativesinKaikan(Region Seven), and a state-led tourism project featuring cabins in Region Two that are fully booked on weekends.

Guyana to host Caribbean Tourism Organisation conference in October

–MinisterRodrigues

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,

Susan Rodrigues, on Tuesday announced that Guyana will host the Caribbean Tourism Organisation(CTO),Stateof the Tourism Industry Conference,forthefirsttime inOctober Rodrigues made the announcement during the second day of the 2026 Budget Debates in the National Assembly being held at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre.

“It gives me great pleasuretoannouncethatthe Caribbean Tourism Organisations, State of the To u r i s m I n d u s t r y Conferencewillbehostedin Guyana in October for the very first time since its inception,”theministersaid.

The minister explained that the conference is CTOs premier gathering for tourism leaders of the

Caribbean, and attracts hundreds of regional and international delegates, positioning Guyana as a major player in the development of MICE tourism (a specialised, highvalue segment of business travel focused on Meetings, Incentives,Conferences,and Exhibitions.)

A c c o r d i n g t o information provided on the CTO's website, the

o r g a n i s a t i o n i s headquartered in Barbados and is the Caribbean's tourismdevelopmentagency

comprising membership of Dutch, English, French and Spanish countries and territories, as well as a myriad of private sector alliedmembers.

Theprimaryobjectiveof the CTO is to provide through its members the services and information necessary for the development of sustainable tourismfortheeconomicand social benefit of the Caribbeanpeople.

Minister Rodrigues reminded that Guyana obtained the bronze award

for exhibition design at the Japan Expo 2025. She said toothatGuyanawasfeatured inBloomberg'sWhereToGo in2026,NewYorkTimes52 places to go in 2026 and Wanderlust Good to Go list in2026.

“Looking ahead as Guyana marks its Diamond Jubilee anniversary and positions itself as a regional hub for events, several c o n f e r e n c e s a n d international engagements will be hosted. The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo this month,theCaribbeanPublic Health Agency will host its 70th annual health research conference in April The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana will be hosting the 42nd annual Caribbean Conference of Accountants in June. And our judiciary will host the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers conference in November,” the minister announced.

TheCTOconferencewill beheldfromOctober5to9.

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‘Unemployment cut by half’

From page 13 balancedacrossGuyana’sregions, reflecting job creation beyond urban centres. “So, it is not to say that the jobs are onlycreatedinurbancenters. When you look at the distribution of jobs and the analytics behind unemploymentrates,youwillseethatit is evenly distributed in rural and urban centers,”Ali said.

President Ali further pointed to a strong correlation between government policies,employment,investment and economic growth. Hedisclosedthatbetweenthe first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2024, more than 104,000 new jobs were created.

“So, persons employed movedfrom264,000toalmost 370,000 in the last quarter of 2024.Thatismorepersonsin thelabourforcebecausethere are more jobs available, because the economy is growing,”Ali stated.

He added that unemploymentratesacrosskeycategories women, men, rural and urban are now almost equal, reflecting what he described as stronger labour absorption. Ali also noted that declining youth unemployment points to improved integration of young people into the workforce.

Beyond job creation, President Ali said average earnings have increased significantly across major sec-

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tors between 2020 and 2024, withwagegrowthrangingbetween50percentandover100 percent.

He outlined that the highest growth in earnings occurredinagriculture,forestry andfishingat84percent,followed by mining and quarryingat59percent,manufacturing at 57 percent, electricity, gas and steam at 61 percent, construction at 71 percent, wholesale and retail trade at 69percent,transportationand storage at 62 percent, informationandcommunicationat 88 percent, professional scientific and technical services atover100percent,healthand socialworkat63percent,arts,

entertainment and recreation atover114percent,andother services at 112 percent.

“Look at the distribution ofthegrowthrateinearnings. Itfollowsthedistributionalso oftheeconomy,thediversification of the economy and the structure of our employmentoverthelastfouryears. There is no other economy thatismorediversified.There is no other structural growth in employment and earning like we have in Guyana,”Ali noted.

President Ali noted that rising wages have not triggered the level of inflation seen globally, noting that Guyana continues to record

one of the lowest inflation rates.“Westillmanagetosee the lowest inflation rate,” he said. He also referenced a labour assessment conducted by the Centre for Local Business Development, whichshowsGuyanaisshort of52,396workers.Headded that the International Organisation for Migration estimates that even if all unemployed and discouraged workers were absorbed, the available labour pool would be about 63,000 in the mediumterm.“Itgoesontostate that Guyana will need approximately160,000workers and concludes that Guyana

willneedaminimumof100,000 workers to realise the growth agenda that this government is pursuing,” Ali stated. Responding to criticisms about unemployment figures, Alidismisseddetractors,saying,“Theseparrotsdon’tread. Alltheydoisparroting. They don’t read. They don’t analyse reports. They don’t look at the facts. They don’t look at statistics because it does not suit their agenda. Their agenda is a simplistic agendadevoidoffactsdevoid of the reality, devoid of an analysisandfranklyspeaking maybe incapable of making the analysis that is glaring in every single report.”

WIN’s Barker blasts budget

From page 11 allocated to feed about 115,000 students, which equates to roughly $61,000 perchildannually

“With the number of reported concerns about the quality of meals being provided,itmaybebettertogive parents that additional $61,000peryear,”hesaid.

Barkerfurtherarguedthat the budget failed to address key infrastructure problems, includingovercrowdedclassrooms,unhygienicwashroom facilities,pitlatrines,non-nutritious meals, lack of furniture, lack of teacher incentives,andthepresenceofanimals such as snakes and cows on school compounds, alongwithbatandpigeoninfestations.

“Education delivery cannotbereducedtosalariesand chalk. It requires safe physical spaces, functional utilities, adequate classroom capacity, and properly resourcedschooladministrations,” he said.

Region Three education concernsFocusingonRegion Three, Barker highlighted

From page 6 respondingtotheOpposition MP, Minister Mustapha acknowledged that $13.4B has been allocated to GuySuCo this year. Furthermore, he pointed out that sugar production has increased by 26%.Hesaid,“Sugarproduction increased by 26.4% in 2025,risingfrom47,108metric tonnes in 2024 to 59,600 metric tonnes. Over 113,470 metric tonnes of cane were harvestedmechanically,demonstrating real progress in modernisation.”

Furthermore, the agriculture minister said, “Mr. Speaker I have here in my hand the new five-year strategicplanforGuySuCowhich will see GuySuCo come to profitabilityby2030.”

This plan according to

several challenges affecting educationdelivery,including overcrowdedclassrooms,inadequatesanitationfacilities, flood-prone school compounds, and delayed maintenance works.

He noted that some schools, including Parfaite HarmoniePrimary,areforced to rotate classes due to space constraints, while others, such as the newly constructedblockatNismesSecondary School, reportedly haveinsufficientornon-functionalwashroomfacilities.

“These issues raise serious public health concerns, particularly for female students,”Barkersaid.Headded that Volume Three of the Estimatesdoesnotclearlyidentify which Region Three schools will be rehabilitated orexpandedin2026.

Turning to agriculture in Region Three, Barker said farmerscontinuetofacechallengesincludingpoorlymaintained drainage channels, inconsistent irrigation during dry periods, and limited accesstofarm-to-marketroads, especiallyinriveraincommu-

him,seekstobuildoutamodern, competitive, diversified and sustainable industry

Itincludestheconversion of over 3000 hectares for mechanised harvesting in 2026 alone; replacement of three sugar boilers and procurementoffivenewharvesters; modernisation of factoriesatAlbion,Blairmont,Rose Hall,andUitvlugt.

Government also intends to expand value-added production, including packaged sugar and specialty products;improveall-weatheraccess roads to support billet cane movement; promote high-yielding cane varieties and strengthen agronomic practicesandtransitionworkersintohigher-skilled,betterpaid roles as mechanisation expands.

nities. “When drainage fails, cropsfail.

Whencropsfail,incomes collapse. And when incomes collapse, children are pulled from school,” he said.

“Agriculture cannot be treated as a standalone sector—it is directly linked to educationattendance,household stability, and regional health outcomes.”

In conclusion Barker said, “while the Budget re-

peatedly affirms the importance of education and speaks eloquently about opportunity and world-class learning,itfallsshortonclarity,specificity,andmeasurable outcomes.

I urge this House to ensure that the allocations we approve translate into visible classrooms, functional schools, empowered teachers,andpreparedlearnersfor tomorrow.”

Guyana to attend 2026...

From page 12 Justice and acting Attorney General of Fiji, under the theme ‘Anchoring Justice in aChangingTide:Strengthening the Rule of Law for a ResilientFuture’.

Minister Turaga said Fiji hoped to explore how the Commonwealthfamilycould strengthen the rule of law by ensuring justice systems remainedflexible,inclusiveand responsive. He added: “Together, we will also consider the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, digital transformationandregionalcooperation,

so that our legal systems remainresilientforgenerations to come.”

The meeting will also includefivesideeventsthatwill bring together youth leaders, people with lived experience of the justice system and disability rights advocates to ensure their perspectives inform ministerial discussions. The meeting’s outcomes are expected to help shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Antigua and Barbuda later this year

‘Bring a motion or sit down’ ...Speaker clashes with MP over media lockout

ByShaniaWilliams

Speaker

of

the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, on Tuesday interrupted a

presentation by A

Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan, after he criticised recent restrictions on media access to the House, challenging himinsteadtobringaformal motion if he wished the policytobechanged.

During his budget

debates presentation, Duncan condemned the limitation placed on media coverage of parliamentary th proceedings of the 13 Parliamentandcalledonthe Speaker to immediately lift the restrictions, arguing that they undermine press freedom and democratic norms He strongly condemned the policy during his contribution, accusing the government of

hypocrisy on press freedom. “Now this is a government whowilltellyouaboutpress freedom and Press Freedom Day and how much they respect the media, but they continue to lock out the media from the People's House,” Duncan said. He added, “This is a troubling moveandaclearbreakfrom democratic norms and longstanding parliamentary practice. This House must immediately rescind the restraints and restore full unfettered access to all accreditedmedia.”

However,beforeDuncan could continue, Speaker Nadir rose to his feet and without stopping the MP's speaking time, read aloud from the Standing Orders governing media access to the National Assembly He stressed that under Standing Order 110, the authority to grant or revoke permission

AgriMinisterlays...

Frompage14 such as tunnel pens, expansion of abattoir in Onverwagt, Berbice and i n c r e a s e d h o n e y production.

An agro-processing facility is also slated to be constructed at Parika and Lethem while a black eye and red peas project will come online in Kimbia. On the coastland, some 50 shade houses will be built for women specifically in Tiger Bay to commence cultivation of high value crops. The Guyana School of Agriculture is also high on government's agenda, as well as the game changing GuyanaDevelopmentBank that will benefit farmers across the country, providing$3Minloanswith no collateral or interest rates.

B e s i d e s t h o s e initiatives, he pointed to measures imbedded in the budget such as the removal of corporate taxes on agroprocessingbusinessesanda flat tax on double door pickups and removal of taxes on certain engines to benefit farmers and the workingclass.

As such, he concluded, “There are lots in this budget for the farmers and the working people in this country...this$113.2Bisthe government's contract with thepeopleofourcountry It is a contract that says your food will be affordable,

Speaker of the National Assembly Mansoor Nadir on feet, addressing Member of Parliament

Sherod Duncan

for media representatives to attend sittings rests solely with the Speaker, subject to rulesmadebytheAssembly “Iwanttoturnyourattention and the clock is working, to page 59 of Standing Order 110. The Speaker may grant general permission to representativesofanymedia to attend sittings of the Assembly under such rules as the National Assembly maymakefromtimetotime.

your land will be irrigated anddrainedintimeandyour children will have a career in the most noble of all industries.”

On day one of the BudgetDebates,APNUMP, Vinceroy Jordan criticised the $1.558 trillion budget presented to the National Assembly on January 26.

He said, “This government is not serious about food production and food security and wanting Guyana to return to being the breadbasket of the Caribbean a mere $1 9 billiongoestolivestockand $3.3 billion to other crops.

Mr Speaker, to the area which generates our foods including meat and milk only a mere 4.5% of the entire budget is allocated. This is not putting people first.”

Jordanbelievesthatany government serious about decreasingthecostofliving would have ensured that each region enacts a sound planforthedevelopmentof sustainable agriculture to increase food production and contribute to reduction of the price of food, ensuring food availability andsecurity

He questioned, “Where are the plans, where are the programs that would transform the agriculture sector, put food on our tables,anddevelopthelives and livelihoods of our people?”

Duncandirectly,Nadirurged him to pursue the matter through a motion. “You can

bringamotiontothisHouse, have it debated and passed, and I will implement it,” Nadirsaid.“Untilthen,what existed in this House up to the end of the last sitting of the12thParliamenthasbeen expanded.Thatpositionwas established in consultation with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) So, when you speak of full unfrettedaccesstothemedia be careful. You have an option, you can mislead persons who want to go down that road or you can bring a motion,” Nadir stated.

Nadir rejected claims that the media had been

locked out of Parliament, maintainingthatbothprivate and state media continue to haveaccess.“Iwillcontinue to ensure that the media the private media as well as the state media have access. No one is being restricted from covering the proceedings of thishouse,”thespeakersaid.

Duncan, however, strongly condemned the policy during his contribution, accusing the government of hypocrisy on press freedom The controversy follows a decision by Speaker Nadir on Monday to reinstate pandemic-erarestrictionson media coverage of the 13th Parliament Journalists arrivingattheArthurChung Conference Centre for the opening of the 2026 Budget Debates were informed that only five reporters would be allowed inside the parliamentary Dome at any given time, on a first come firstservedapproach.Media houses were also told that journalists would be required to lodge a form of identification, a national ID card, passport, or driver's

licence, in exchange for one of the five available media passes.Similaridentification requirements were imposed on other attendees, excluding Members of Parliament.

In defending the measure, Nadir said the restrictions were a continuation of protocols implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association (GPA),inastatementissued shortly before the third sitting of the 13th Parliament, expressed deep concern over the reduced access The Association noted that in previous years, up to 17 reporters were accommodated within Parliament Buildings to cover sittings. “It is difficult to comprehend why, in a largerspace,fewerreporters arenowpermitted,”theGPA stated. The Association urged the Speaker to urgently review the measures and restore full mediaaccessinkeepingwith democratic principles and opengovernance.

U.S. demands St. Lucia ban students from studying medicine Cuba

(SV Times) In a bombshell report delivered just ahead of the St. Kitts CARICOM summit, Prime Minister Philip Pierre of St. Lucia revealed that Washington has moved beyond general policyshiftstoissuingdirect,sovereign edicts. St. Lucia has been explicitly ordered to stop sending its students to Cubafordegreesinmedicineandother essentialfields.

For decades, Cuba has been the primary educational engine for the region's professional class By demanding the closure of this educationalpipeline,theU.S.iscreating a “massive political dilemma” for Pierre,whomustnowfacetherealityof a future healthcare sector without a training ground.“Many of our doctors got trained in Cuba, and now the great US has said we cannot do that any longersothatisamajorproblemIhave to face. Some of my colleagues (prime ministers)havealreadytakenaposition on this and banned them. So, the American government has said that we cannot even train them in Cuba, so I haveamajorissueonmyhands.”

The U S State Department is currently wielding visa access as a weaponoftotalcompliance,amovethat signals a “one-way street” in regional relations.

In December, the U.S. singled out citizens of Dominica and St. Vincent, banning them from tourist visa applications.Thiswastheopeningsalvo inarelentlessstringofpoliticaledicts.

Washingtonhassinceaddedmostof the15-nationCaribbeanregionalblocto alistof75countriesworldwidebanned from processing immigrant or permanentvisas.ThecurrentU.S.stance presents a staggering irony that threatensaregionalhealthcarecollapse. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio demandstheremovalofCubanmedical brigades—which several governments havewarnedaretheonlythingkeeping their health sectors from imploding the U S has simultaneously shuttered USAID and itsfundedprogramsintheregion.

This creates a dangerous vacuum. Washington is demanding the removal of an “indispensable partner” while providing no alternative. By stripping away U.S. aid and then banning the region's primary source of medical personnel, the U.S. is leaving these island nations with zero options for maintainingpublichealth.

The friction between Washington and the Caribbean is perhaps most visible in the “modern slavery” allegations championed by Marco Rubio, who serves as the Trump administration's frontman on the issue. Rubio argues that because the Cuban government retains a majority of the professionals' salaries (leaving workers with less than 20%), the program is a formofhumantrafficking.

However, this argument faces a significantcredibilitygapattheSt.Kitts summit The summit chair, Prime

Minister Terrance Drew, is himself a Cuban-trained physician His perspective is not one of a detached politician, but of a product of the very system the U.S. seeks to dismantle. Drew views these professionals as “pillars of society” and “family” rather than victims

ghting a fundamental disconnect between U.S. rhetoricandCaribbeanreality

“The federation values its relations with both Cuba and the U.S. We are a friendtoallandanenemyofnone.Any accusations of labour practices in our federation are inconsistent with our lawsandvalues.”

The U.S. campaign of geopolitical brinkmanship extends beyond healthcare into the realm of high-tech surveillance. Even as it restricts the movement of Caribbean citizens via visa bans, Washington is pressuring these nations to allow the U.S. military to install “high-tech radar stations” on localsoil.Theasymmetryisglaring,the U.S. requests land for its military technology while simultaneously mandating that member states accept U.S. deportees. This has forced a strategic shift among regional bodies; the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has signaled it wants to talk “collectively” about the deportee mandate to protect regional interests. It isastrikingcontradictiontoaskforthe hospitality of a radar base from nations currently being treated as diplomatic pariahs.

U.S. refiners struggle to absorb sudden surge in Venezuelan oil imports

(Reuters) - Oil refiners

on the U.S. Gulf Coast are struggling to absorb a rapid surge in Venezuelan crude shipmentssincelastmonth's flagship $2 billion supply deal between Caracas and Washington, pressuring prices and leaving some volumes unsold, according totradersandshippingdata.

The soft U.S. demand represents an early obstacle for President Donald Trump'shopesofsendingthe majority of the South Americancountry'soiltothe United States since U.S. forces captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro last month in a raid in Caracas.

TradinghousesVitoland Trafigura were granted U.S. licenses to market and sell millions of barrels of Venezuelanoilfollowingthe U S operation and a subsequent supply

agreement with interim PresidentDelcyRodriguez.

The trading houses, which joined energy major Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab in holding approval to export Venezuelan oil, struck several early deals to sellsomecargoestorefiners intheU.S.andEurope.

However, with Chevron also raising exports quickly, the trading companies are now finding it harder to secureenoughbuyersamong Gulf Coast refiners, traders said.

"We're all facing this issue where there's more to place and not enough takers," one of the traders said, citing reluctance from U S refiners to buy Venezuelan crude Some refinersarecomplainingthat prices, albeit declining, remain high compared to competing Canadian heavy grades.

Venezuelan heavy oil cargoes for delivery at the GulfCoastarebeingoffered at about $9.50 per barrel below benchmark Brent , versus discounts of between $6 and $7.50 per barrel in mid-January

Meanwhile, Canadian WCS crude for delivery to theGulfCoastwastradingat adiscountofabout$10.25a barrel under Brent futures, a tradersaidonTuesday.

Last month, total

Venezuelanoilexportstothe U.S. almost tripled to 284,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to data basedontankermovements.

The U.S. was absorbing some 500,000 bpd of Venezuelan oil before Washington imposed sanctions on the country in 2019.

But exports to the U.S. went to zero in mid-2025 after Trump revoked all

licenses to trade and ship Reaching the U S refiners' maximum capacity again will require time, one of the traders said, in part because some facilities wouldrequireadjustmentsto processheavieroil.

Refiner Phillips 66 (PSX.N),opensnewtabcan process around 250,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude, but prices must be competitive for Venezuelan grades to displace other sources of heavyoil,itschiefexecutive Mark Lashier said at the Argus Americas Crude Summit in Houston on Tuesday

Chevron and Trafigura declined to comment Venezuela's state oil firm PDVSA and Vitol did not reply to requests for comment.

INCREASED COMPETITION

Chevron, whose current

Venezuelalicenseauthorises it to export to the U.S. only, increasedexportsto220,000 bpd in January from 99,000 bpdinDecember

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth told investors on Friday that the company's refiningnetworkcanprocess up to 150,000 bpd of Venezuela's heavy grades, which implies it must store or market the remaining portion

refiners.

The firm, which is the onlyU.S.oilmajoroperating in Venezuela, is producing some 250,000 bpd there. Wirthsaidthecompanysees potential for a 50% output increase over the next 18 to 24months,providedtheU.S. authorises it to expand operations.

Vessel monitoring data this week showed several Chevron-chartered tankers loaded with Venezuelan

crude waiting for days to discharge at U.S. ports or slowingdownnavigation.

A person familiar with Chevron's operations said the company had to negotiate new discharge dates with customers after a U.S. blockade on Venezuela caused shipping delays between December and January

But all cargoes had been sold before departure, the personadded.

Meanwhile, Vitol and Trafigura exported some 12 million barrels - equivalent toaround392,000bpd-from VenezuelanportsinJanuary, mostly to storage terminals in the Caribbean, the data showed.

Much of it has not yet beensold,sourcessaid.Total Venezuelan oil exports bouncedtonear800,000bpd last month, from 498,000 bpdinDecember

U.S. shoots down Iranian drone approaching aircraft carrier, official says

(Reuters) - The U.S. military on Tuesday shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in theArabian Sea, theU.S.militarysaid,inanincident firstreportedbyReuters.

Theincidentcameasdiplomats sought to arrange nuclear talks betweenIranandtheUnitedStates, and U.S. President Donald Trump warned that with U.S. warships heading toward Iran, "bad things" would probably happen if a deal couldnotbereached.

Oil futures prices rose more than $1 per barrel after news the dronewasshotdown.

The Iranian Shahed-139 drone wasflyingtowardthecarrier"with unclear intent" and was shot down byanF-35U.S.fighterjet,theU.S. militarysaid.

"An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iraniandroneinself-defenseandto protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board," said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson at the U.S. military's Central Command Iran's U N missiondeclinedtocomment.Iran's Tasnim news agency said connection had been lost with a drone in international waters, but the reason was unknown No American service members were harmed during the incident and no

U.S. equipment was damaged, he added.The Lincoln carrier strike group is the most visible part of a U.S.militarybuildupintheMiddle Eastfollowingaviolentcrackdown against anti-government demonstrations last month, the deadliest domestic unrest in Iran sinceits1979revolution.

Trump, who stopped short of carrying out threats to intervene during the crackdown, has since

demanded Tehran make nuclear concessionsandsentaflotillatoits coast. He said last week Iran was "seriously talking," while Tehran's top security official, Ali Larijani, said arrangements for negotiations wereunderway

IRANIANBOATSHARASS

U.S.-FLAGGEDTANKER

In a separate incident on Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after the drone

shootdown, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces harassed a U S -flagged, U Screwedmerchantvessel,according to the U.S. military."Two IRGC boatsandanIranianMohajerdrone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker," Hawkinssaid. Maritime risk management group Vanguard said the

boats ordered the tanker to stop its engine and prepare to be boarded. Instead, the tanker sped up and continueditsvoyage.

Hawkins said a U.S. Navy warship,theMcFaul,wasoperating in the area and escorted the Stena Imperative.

"Thesituationde-escalatedasa result, and the U.S.-flagged tanker is proceeding safely," Hawkins added.

Chunilall Balgobin Memorial T20 Competition launched in Essequibo

The North Essequibo Cricket Committee recently launched the Chunilall Balgobin Memorial T20 Competition attheEssequiboCricketBoardHostelinAnnaRegina. Itwasdisclosedthat10teamswouldbeparticipatingbeing dividedinto2groups.

Group B will feature: Renegades Cricket Club, Affiance SportsClub,InternationalImport&SuppliesChallengers,DC TitansandSparwinSportsClub.

Group A will see: Reliance Hustlers, Walton Hall Sports Club, Richmond United, Walton Hall Junior, and Young Achievers.

Prize money to the tune of $1,000,000 would be up for grabsforthetopperformers.

ThecompetitionisbeingplayedinmemoryofthelateMr. ChunilallBalgobinwho was aformerChairmanoftheNorth Essequibo Cricket Committee. Matches will play at the Joe Jagmohan Cricket Ground, Sparta Cricket Ground, Reliance Sports Club Ground, Walton Hall Ground and Richmond United Ground. Chairman of the North Essequibo Cricket CommitteeAdjhodia Lall speaking on behalf of the board at thelaunchingofthecompetition,thankedtheBalgobinfamily for their continued support towards cricket and cricket developmentinNorthEssequibo.

76ers win fourth straight as Clippers play without James Harden again

Reuters - Tyrese Maxey scored 16 of his 29 points in the first quarter as the Philadelphia76ersgotofftoa fast start and extended their winningstreaktofourgames with a 128-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on MondayinInglewood,Calif.

Dominick Barlow scored a career high 26 points with 16reboundsandJoelEmbiid added 24 points as the 76ers matched their longest winning streak of the season while opening a five-game West Coast road trip with a victory Kelly Oubre Jr had 15pointsforPhiladelphia.

The76ersgrabbedan182 lead five minutes into the game, led by as many as 23 points in the first half and s

Wednesday February 04, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Welcome to another great day, Aries. The energy from the day's aspects is positive and encouraging when it comestocommunicationand interactionwithothers.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You might find yourself really interested in getting out and doing something today,Taurus.Andwhynot?

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Consider channeling your philosophical inspirations into some creative writing, Gemini You’ll certainly enjoythistypeofactivity

CANCER(June21–July22)

You might feel the need for some time to yourself today, Cancer Andwhynottakeit?

Chances are you’re surroundedbyothersmostof thetime,andwhenyoudon't taketimetobealone.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today you may want to go your own way regardless of what someone else wants, Leo Your independence is very important to you

However, compromise might benecessaryinordertoavoid seriousconflict

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today may well find you in the mood to head out on a venture or visit someone, Virgo.Whenwasthelasttime youtookadayforsomething like this? Chances are it's beentoolong.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Serious thinking and communication will be enhancedtoday,Libra.These are strong qualities for you anyway, and with this added boost, you'll need to have a placetoexpressyourself.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

You might feel cornered into doing something you just don't want to do today, Scorpio.Perhapsyoumadea promisetohandleaproject3

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You might discover that someone close to you, a family member perhaps, could use a hand today, Sagittarius. Chances are good,too,thatheorshewon't askforhelpoutofpride.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

When was the last time you used a pen and paper, Capricorn? In this age of computers, the keyboard has all but replaced these wonderfultools.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Todaymaybringakeensense

o f e m p a t h y a n d understanding, Aquarius Wi t h t h i s , v e r b a l communication is also more likelytobeeffective.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Don'tbesurprisedifyoufind your mind going a thousand miles a minute today, Pisces Slowingdownwilllikelyelude you and you’ll have to find onemeansoranother

wept the two-game season seriesagainstLosAngeles.

KawhiLeonardscored29 points and Jordan Miller added 21 as the Clippers' five-game home winning streak came to an end. Kobe Sanders had 17 points, John Collins scored 15 and Brook Lopez added 13 for Los Angeles, which dropped to 17-5sinceDec.20. T

consecutive game without guard James Harden because of personal reasons, with the veteran starting to emerge in trade rumors ahead of Thursday'sdeadline.

The 76ers led 38-19 after onequarterwhileholdingthe Clippers to 36.8% from the floor as Maxey went 4 of 5 from3-pointrange.

Barlowadded11pointsin the quarter when Leonard was0of5fortheClippers.

The Clippers rebounded to score 34 points in the second quarter, but they merely matched the Sixers' outputasPhiladelphialed7253athalftimewhileshooting 10 of 19 (52.6%) from 3pointrange.

Los Angeles pulled within 94-83 late in the third quarter before Philadelphia went into the fourth with a 100-87advantage.

A Leonard dunk got the Clippersbackwithin115-104 with5:19remainingbeforea Maxey 3-pointer put the Sixers up 120-104 with 4:25 left.

Both teams unloaded their bench the rest of the way

(FieldLevelMedia)

England spinners seal Sri Lanka series sweep ahead of T20 World Cup

KANDY, Sri Lanka, (Reuters) - Spinners Jacob BethellandWillJacksledthe way as England beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs in a lowscoring match onTuesday to sweep their Twenty20 series 3-0aheadoftheWorldCup.

England posted a meagre 128-9 with the bat, their lowesttotalagainstSriLanka intheformat,aspacebowler Dushmantha Chameera bagged a five-wicket haul, but all-rounders Jacks (3-14) and Bethell (4-11) produced their best bowling performancesintheformatto

restrictthehoststo116.

"We've shown we can adapt to surfaces... the way thespinnersbowled,16overs against Sri Lanka in their own conditions was an awesome effort," England captainHarryBrooksaid.

Ben Duckett was dismissed for a golden duck by Chameera, and Bethell, Tom Banton and Brook fell cheaply, leaving England strugglingat34-4inthesixth over Jos Buttler (25) was beaten by Maheesh Theekshana's sharp turn off

Kandy's spin-friendly track, whichfoundthegapbetween theEnglandopener'sbatand padtohitthestumps.

Player of the match Sam Curran made a battling 58 to lift England to a respectable total and Luke Wood removedKamilMisharafora duckinthefirstover

The spinners then took over, with Liam Dawson getting Pathum Nissanka caughtatcoverfor23

Adil Rashid bowled Pavan Rathnayake, before Jacks worked through Sri Lanka's middle order,

Jacob Bethell celebrates with Jos Buttler. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

dismissing Kusal Mendis (26), Kamindu Mendis (14) and Janith Liyanage (17) to reduce Sri Lanka to 97-6 in the16thover

Bethell took three wickets in the 18th over and withSriLankaneeding14to win from the last over Theekshana's attempt to hit Bethellforsixgothimcaught

asthehostswerealloutwith threeballsremaining.

"Great win to be part of, the way the boys kept fighting to the end... the World Cup is here, so when we have the opportunity to play here we have the experiences to carry over," Brook said.England, twice world champions in the

format,willflytoMumbaito begin their T20

Scores:

12runs.

FIFA boss Infantino supports lifting ban on Russia

(Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he wants Russia's fouryear ban from international tournamentsliftedbecauseit had"achievednothing".

Russian clubs and the national team have been suspended from FIFA and UEFAcompetitionssincethe country invaded Ukraine in February2022.

"This ban has not achievedanything,ithasjust created more frustration and hatred," Infantino told Sky Sports.

"Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other partsofEuropewouldhelp."

Infantino said FIFA should "actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts oftheirpoliticalleaders."

"Somebody needs to keep the ties open," the 55year-oldadded.

Ukraine sports minister Matvii Bidnyi said

FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives ahead of the opening ceremony. (REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool)

Infantino's comments were "irresponsible" and "infantile".

"They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed," BidnyitoldSkySports. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has maintained the war in Ukraine needs to end for Russia to be reinstated, echoingthestatementsatthe UEFA Congress closing press conference last year in April.

Infantino also defended FIFA's decision to award a peace prize to United States President Donald Trump at the2026WorldCupdraw

"So, whatever we can do tohelppeaceintheworld,we should be doing it, and for thisreason,forsometimewe were thinking about [whether] we should do something to reward people who do something, " Infantinosaid.

“Objectively,he(Trump) deservesit."

West Indies bring power and depth to the T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo – Big picture:WIwithdepthand power

Six-hitting is how West Indies won their last ICC title, in 2016, and the squad they have picked for theT20 World Cup in 2026 contains plenty of power-packed players. Daren Sammy, who liftedthetrophythen,ishead coach now and believes "something special is about tohappen."

It might even be necessarygiventhatofall20 teams, West Indies have the second-lowest win-loss ratio - 0.52 - on the back of winning14outof43matches since the end of the previous T20 World Cup in 2024. A mitigating factor is that they tend to face stronger opposition than the likes of Nepal (3.2) or Canada (2.4), and some of their Testplaying peers, like South Africa who were almost champions in 2024, are just barelybetteroff(0.6).

Shamar Joseph has a chat with his captain Shai Hope. (Associated Press)

Until the Afghanistan series in mid-January, he hadn't played any cricket for four months.

Early wickets are unlikely to decide West Indies' matches. Not when Romario Shepherd could come in and live up to aT20 balls-per-boundary ratio of 4.64.Theycanputoutalineup with batting all the down to 11. Their middle-order (Nos.4to7)hashit150sixes over the last seven monthsonly one team has bettered that - and eight fifty-plus scores-onlythreeteamshave betteredthat.

rateof178.12.

Recentform

Toshoreupthetop,there werereportssuggestingCWI had reached out to Nicholas Pooran to reverse his retirement. When that didn't happen, they brought Shimron Hetmyer in and his returns against SouthAfrica, fromtheNo.3position,were rather promising: 171 runs fromthreeinningsatastrike

West Indies lost 2-1 to South Africa with the same squadtheypickedfortheT20 WorldCup.Priortothat,they lost to Afghanistan 2-1 and NewZealand3-1.

Players to watch:

Holder,ShamarandMotie

Jason Holder was part of the squad that won the 2016 T20WorldCup,butdidn'tget to play He has since

expanded his range of skills and is now prepared to take ontheDwayneBravorole,all the way down to bowling in the death and stifling righthand batters with the angle fromaroundthewicket.

ShamarJosephwillcarry the new-ball threat though whetheritwillbethesameas before remains to be seen. The fast bowler is coming back to the spotlight after a long period on the sidelines.

Gudakesh Motie also missed some game time leading into the World Cup because he had to iron out some technical issues with hisbowlingaction.However, as a left-armer capable of deliveringbothorthodoxand wristspin, he could be vital for the team in subcontinent conditions.

Lasthurrah

Johnson Charles is 37 now Thoughheislargelyan openingbatter,he'smanaged onlythreefifty-plusscoresin hislast40innings.

BestXI 1ShaiHope(capt,wk),2 Brandon King/Johnson Charles,3ShimronHetmyer, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Gudakesh Motie/Matthew Forde, 11 Shamar Joseph/Jayden Seales Groupfixtures vs Scotland in Kolkata, February7 vs England in Mumbai, February11 vs Nepal in Mumbai, February15 vs Italy in Kolkata, February19

Pitamber, Clement overall winners of I-CEE Chess Grand Prix Three

Following two weekends ofintensecompetitionat the David Rose Special School, CM Sachin Pitamber and Ciel Clement emerged as champions of the I-CEEsponsored Grand Prix 3 in their respective categories. Concluding on February 1st, 2026, the tournament saw Pitamber dominate the Open Category to secure vital Grand Prix points, while Clement clinched the top spotintheFemaleCategory CM Pitamber finished the eight-round tournament unbeaten, scoring an impressive 7.5 points. He once again showcased his tactical brilliance, most notably securing a victory over FM

against CM Pitamber, while he drewhisthird-roundgameagainst KeronSandiford.

In third place was Alexander Zhang,whofinishedwithasolid6 points. Despite his second-round loss against FM Drayton, he showedhistalentandresiliencein the remaining rounds by drawing his games against top seeds CM Pitamber in the sixth round and KyleCouchmaninthefinalround of the tournament. Zhang's win against the formidable Sandiford in the seventh round secured his topspotvictory

In the Open division, Couchman's talent shone through as he tallied 5.5 points. He was followed closely by Sandiford

Anthony Drayton in the fifth round.

His draw against Alexander Zhanginthesixthroundprevented aperfectscore.

FMAnthony Drayton finished insecondplacewith6.5points.He demonstrated his experience and knowledgeofthegamethroughout thetournament.

He only lost in the fifth round

with 5 points, and a determinedGilbertWilliams,who roundedoutthetopgroupwith4.5.

In the Female category, Clement scored 6 5 points, showcasing her years of experience and disciplined training over the chessboard.

Clement secured draws against WCM Jessica Callendar in the thirdround,WCMSashaShariffin

skillstofinishwith4.5points,and Sharma, who made a mark with 4 points, including a stunning victoryoverWCMCallendar

The top three winners in each categorywerepresentedwithcash prizestotaling$100,000.

The Grand Prix 3 is part of a seriesofqualifyingtournamentsto selectplayersfortheGuyanaTeam for the 2026 Chess Olympiad, whichwillbeheldinUzbekistanin September2026.

The FIDE-rated tournament was overseen by FIDE Arbiter John Lee, who live-streamed the top twelve boards for viewers at home.

Results were published on chess-results.com.

the fifth round, and Treskolé Archibaldintheseventhround.

Former Women's Champion

WCM Shariff also finished with 6 5 points, but due to the tiebreaker, she finished in second place. Her only loss came against WCM Callendar in the second round, while she drew the fifth roundwithClement.

WCM Callendar, Former

Women'sChampion,securedthird place with 5.5 points after a shocking loss to young Amaya Sharmaintheseventhround,along with three drawn games throughoutthetournament.

Notable performances in the female category included Archibald, who impressed with a strong 5.5 points; Kataleya Sam, demonstrating consistency and

The Guyana Chess Federation wouldliketoextenditsgratitudeto I-CEEforitscontinuedsupportof ChessinGuyanaandtotheDavid Rose Special School for generouslyprovidingthevenuefor thetournament.

Forpersonsinterestedinchess, theycanfollowGCFonFacebook and Instagram. All information about chess clubs and registration canbefoundonguyanachess.gy

Cricket West Indies and Shane Dowrich Reach Amicable Resolution West

ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Barbadian former West Indies wicketkeeperbatsmanShaneDowrichhaveresolved legal matters arising from Mr. Dowrich's early return from the West IndiestourofNewZealandin2020.

The issues are related to Mr Dowrich's eligibility for selection and the non-renewal of his central playing contract. After engagement between the parties, the matter has now been broughttoaclose.

Both parties are glad to report that

the legal issues surrounding Shane's earlyreturnfromtheNewZealandtour of2020havebeensettledamicably

Chris Dehring, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies, said: "CWIispleasedthatanagreementhas been reached and welcomes Shane to be part of its coaching structure as he moves into further professional development, having retired from international cricket in December 2023 "Philip Nicholls, Attorney-atLawforMr Dowrich,stated:"Shaneis delighted that this uncertain period

over the last five years has come to an end and is now looking forward to forging a coaching career and maintaining his involvement in the game he loves, having hung up his glovesin2023.”

“He welcomed the opportunity to passontheknowledgegainedduringa careerthatincluded35Testmatchesto the next generation of cricketers, and wicketkeepersinparticular."

Bothpartiesagreethatthetermsof thesettlementwillremainconfidential betweenthem.

Guyana Hockey Board excited and optimistic over robust Budget 2026

The Guyana Hockey Board is excited and optimistic uponthepresentationofanotherrobustBudget2026 whichincludesgreatinvestmentinsportandnational development.

Sustained national investment is key to strengthening programmes, improving access, and creating better opportunities for athletes at every level. The Board welcomed theoverallallocationof$6billionforsportsdevelopment,along withthe$1.3billionsetasideforthemaintenanceandupgrading ofsportsgroundsnationwide,describingthesecommitments as practical steps that can translate into safer, more reliable playing environments and more consistent sporting activity in communities.

“Budget 2026 keeps sport on the national agenda in a meaningful way,” said Dominique Fraser, Secretary of the Guyana Hockey Board. “When facilities are improved and properly maintained, it directly supports participation, structuredtraining,andstrongercompetition.Forhockey,these investments help us build a healthier pipeline—from schools andclubsrightthroughtonationalrepresentation.”

TheGHBnotedthatthefocusonmaintenanceandcontinued development is especially important for ensuring that facilities remain active and usable, and that resources reach athletes and programmesthroughouttheyear,notonlyduringmajorevents.

TheGuyanaHockeyBoardextendeditsappreciationtothe Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission for ongoing engagement with sporting organisations, and reaffirmed its readiness to work alongside stakeholderstoensureBudget2026resultsinlastingbenefitsfor athletesandsportacrossGuyana.

Cricket Equipment Guyana partners with project “cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” to provide support to Makhaya Jones

Fourteen years old, Makhaya Jones was the recipient of one cricket shoes, compliments of Cricket Equipment Guyana and this noble joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and KishanDasoftheUSA.Heiscurrently participating in the Demerara Cricket Board inter association under16 competition which will be used to selectthecountysquad.

The Demerara Cricket Club fast bowling allrounder is a student of Campbellville Secondary School YoungJones,whoisbenefittingforthe secondtimefromthisproject,wasvery thankful for the metal spike cricket shoes.Weencouragehimandallyoung cricketers to strive for a solid education.We take this opportunity to say thank you to Cricket Equipment Guyanafortheirreadyandcontinuous support.

Over the years, many Guyanese cricketers benefitted from this project, some of whom went on to represent WestIndiesatdifferentlevels.

This project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community We are pleased to be part ofthedevelopmentofyoungcricketers inGuyana.Ouraimistokeepthemoff

Fourteen educational institutions set for kickoff in Modec Tertiary Football Championship

- Team briefing and Ball distribution completed

Fourteen tertiary institutions are set to compete in the

Petra Organisation's inaugural Modec Tertiary

Education Football Championship, which kicks offonSunday,February8,at the Queen's College Ground inGeorgetown.

Final preparations were completed yesterday at the NationalLibraryConference

Room, where team representatives gathered for theofficialteambriefingand ball distribution exercise Among those in attendance were Modec Technical Manager João Soares, Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson, and Petra Organisation Director Troy

Mendonca The meeting focused on outlining tournament rules, codes of conduct, and operational guidelines ahead of the openingwhistle.

T h e o n e - m o n t h championship represents Petra'snewesttieroffootball developmentandisaimedat engaging players outside of the common 'secondary school' bracket, more so, targeting those within the higher learning/Tertiary educational landscape Beyond competition, the initiative seeks to promote camaraderie, networking, and excellence both on and offthefield.

Sunday's opener will feature two exciting

Several team representatives attended yesterday's team briefing exercise at the National Library ahead of Sunday's kickoff.

h the University of Guyana (UG) TurkeyenfacingtheGuyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) in the first matchup, followedbyTexilaAmerican University taking on the Government Technical Institute (GTI) Prior to kickoff, the customary

MarchPastwilltakeplaceat 1:30pm.

Speaking on behalf of t

sponsor Modec, Technical Manager João Soares urged participants to embrace fair play and enjoy theexperience.

“Itisapleasuretobehere with you as we prepare to open the Modec Tertiary FootballChampionship.

I wish every team the verybest,andIencourageall players to play fair and observetherulesofthegame as we join Petra in officially launching the first-ever tertiary-level football tournament,”Soaressaid.

Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson commended the Petra Organisation for its continued commitment to grassroots football and developmentinitiatives.

He noted that the championship expands opportunities beyond the primary and secondary

school levels and represents an important step in broadeningfootball'sreach.

Wilson also encouraged teams to give their best, strive for excellence, and build a strong identity that can endure for generations.

He highlighted that the tournament also serves as a valuable networking platform,allowingplayersto c o n n e c t w i t h k e y stakeholders and corporate partners supporting the competition.

Modec Technical Manager, Joao Soares delivering remarks during yesterday's briefing.

Following the ball distribution exercise, fixtu

s and other preparatory information were finalized, setting the stageforSunday'skickoff. After the opening d o u b l e - h e a d e r i n Georgetown, matches will alsobeplayed at venues in Linden, Berbice, the East Coast, and the West Coast Playing dates include February 10, 12, 14, 15, 1 7 , 2 1 , a n d 2 8 , c u l m i n a t i n g w i t h quarterfinals,semifinalsand final billed for March 1, 5 and8.

Guyana to make Commonwealth Games debut in Men's 3x3 Basketball

…GBF hails historic milestone for the sport

Guyana is set to make sporting history after its men's 3x3 basketball team officially qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth

Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

While Commonwealth Games runs from July 23 –

August 3, the 3x3 component is scheduled for July 24–29 at the Scottish EventCentre(SEC).

The qualification marks the first time Guyana will compete in basketball at a major multi-sport event

outside of regional competition, a landmark achievement for the sport's developmentinthecountry.

The announcement,

c o n f i r m e d b y t h e International Basketball Federation (FIBA), places Guyana among 12 nations entered in the men's 3x3 tournament.

TheGlasgoweditionwill feature an expanded field compared to the eight-team

format used at the Birmingham 2022 Games, further underlining the growthandincreasingglobal appealofthediscipline.

Guyanawillbejoinedby fellow Caribbean nations Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The rest of the field includes Singapore, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Fiji, host nation Scotland, and Nigeria, ensuring a highly competitive lineup from acrosstheCommonwealth.

Thisqualificationsignals

appearanceinbasketballata major multi-sport Games, with the Commonwealth Games regarded as the second most prestigious global multi-sport event aftertheOlympics.

Guyana'spresenceinthe tournamentdrawistherefore not just symbolic, but it is evidenceofthesport'ssteady rise locally and the success of deliberate development effortsinrecentyears.

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) President MichaelSinghdescribedthe milestoneas“amonumental occasion for Guyana basketball,”emphasisingthe federation's commitment to buildingthe3x3format.

“This qualification showsthatthehardworkthe GBF has done in 3x3 basketball is being recognised internationally It'sahistoricmomentforour federationandforGuyanese sport,”Singhsaid.

According to Singh, the breakthrough is the result of sustained work done in the formatbytheGBF,strategic planning, and increased international participation He noted that while qualification itself is historic, the federation's ambitionsdonotstopthere.

“We're committed to a robust plan now to not only select the best players but also to prepare Guyana for the competition ahead,

giving our players a real opportunitytocompetefora medal,”Singhstated.

Preparation plans, Singh said, will include strengthening domestic tournaments, increasing international exposure, staging targeted training camps, and potentially integrating overseas-based talent.

The president said the goal is to ensure Guyana's squad arrives in Glasgow well-prepared, confident, and capable of challenging higher-rankedopponents.

The event will feature both men's and women's competitions, reflecting the continued expansion of the s p o r t a c r o s s t h e Commonwealth.

Travis Belgrave in action for Guyana at last year's FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Mexico.

The GBF president added, that for Guyana, the tournament appearance is a historic breakthrough that placeslocalbasketballonthe global stage and signals a bold