Plane billows smoke K NEWS at Riyadh airport as Houthis escalate attacks AIETEUR
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Friday Edition October 09, 2026 - Vol. 28 No. 40 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $200 readership
yesterday, 49,580
Karimbaksh sent on leave ...as police open probe into
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh
rape, gun threats allegations
“This brand new” ...COI shown revamped THD Kingston wharf after Barima tragedy
Sophia man found dead with gunshot wound to head Gold miner stabbed to death by wife at Mahdia
Kurt Beckles
. .injured woman hospitalised under guard Ziggy Webster
MV Barima COI Commissioners about to board the MV Ma Lisha during a site visit on Thursday at the Transport and Harbours Department Kingston Wharf, as part of their inquiry.
Six Venezuelan women, including teen screened in human trafficking probe Shot Dead: Esan Rose
Security guard gunned down at supermarket
...masked killer dropped off by motorcycle, flees on foot after shooting
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Friday October 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
Five days after High Court order, Seeram still not in jail Five days after the High Court upheld the magistrate's court ruling to remand Daniel Seeram to prison for beating his wife pending sentencing, the convict is yet to be placed in jail. Senior Magistrate Abigail Gibbs found the National Border Patrol Director and former Region Four Chairman Seeram guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, law enforcement authorities have still failed to hand him over to the Guyana Prison Service. The case stems from an incident on 11th September, 2023, at a Cummings Lodge apartment shared by Seeram and his now ex-wife, Farzana Hamid. During the trial at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court, Hamid testified that she was awakened in the early hours by sharp blows to her head inflicted by Seeram. When she attempted to record the assault on her phone, Seeram snatched the device, smashed it against a wall,
and threw it into a toilet before continuing the physical attack. Medical evidence submitted to the court detailed extensive injuries, including a swollen left eye, damaged wrist, and severe bruising to her head, left upper arm, left thigh, and right breast. In her ruling last week, Magistrate Gibbs rejected Seeram's defense that he had merely pushed Hamid while trying to leave after an argument over his interactions with other women at a bar. The Magistrate noted that the severity and distribution of Hamid's injuries were entirely inconsistent with a single push. Furthermore, Magistrate Gibbs highlighted that Seeram's claims in court, that Hamid fell while intoxicated or inflicted the injuries on herself, were omitted from his initial police statement, finding his testimony evasive and inconsistent. Satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Seeram had not acted in
self-defense, Magistrate Gibbs convicted him last week and ordered him immediately remanded to prison pending his formal sentencing on 2nd November, 2026. In the immediate aftermath of the verdict, defense attorney Nigel Hughes urged the court to rescind the remand order, emphasising Seeram's national security role as Director of the National Border Patrol Protection Unit. When Magistrate Gibbs refused, Seeram's legal team launched an urgent Judicial Review application in the High Court. On Monday, five days ago, defense counsel Hughes, appearing alongside Tifaine Rutherford, argued alongside Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna Lall that the Magistrate had erred in law. Both defense and state counsel submitted that remanding Seeram without first reviewing a probation report, victim impact statement, or mitigating
factors effectively presentenced him. However, High Court Judge Joy Persaud-Singh dismissed the application, ruling that Magistrate Gibbs had not acted unlawfully, irrationally, or outside her jurisdiction. Justice Persaud-Singh explicitly upheld the decision to refuse bail, removing the final legal barrier to Seeram's imprisonment and establishing that he was to be handed over to prison authorities immediately following Monday's decision. Despite concurrent orders from both the Magistrate's Court and the High Court mandating his immediate incarceration, senior correctional officials confirmed late Wednesday evening that Seeram has yet to be processed or received at any prison facility. The delay in executing the remand orders has drawn criticism from political leaders and members of the public. Opposition Leader
Daniel Seeram Azruddin Mohamed reported that he personally visited major detention centers to investigate Seeram's whereabouts, confirming through officers on the ground that the convict was held neither at the Lusignan Prison nor at the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street. Mohamed characterised the situation as an insult to victims during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and alleged political interference, noting that seasoned prison officers recalled only one other instance in over two decades where a remanded individual failed to reach jail. Adding to the c o n t r o v e r s y, r e p o r t s surfaced indicating Seeram
may have been permitted to leave police custody over the weekend prior to the High Court hearing, though his defense counsel maintained he was unaware of any such occurrence. Up to press time, top brass within the Guyana Police Force have maintained total silence regarding Seeram's actual location or why he has not been transferred. When contacted for clarification, Acting Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliott refused to comment on the matter, and the Director of the Corporate Communications Unit of the Guyana Police Force has ignored all messaged sent in the Joint Services Media Whatsapp group regarding same.
Pensioner freed of child rape charges Two days after his trial for alleged sexual offences against a child began, 65-year-old Neil Fredericks was acquitted on Thursday at the Berbice High Court. The pensioner, of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was found not guilty when a 12-member jury returned its verdict in the case, presided over by Justice Peter Hugh. Fredericks was indicted on two counts of child-related sexual offences. On the first count, sexual activity with a child under 16, contrary to Section 11(B) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, it was alleged that between 1st March, 2020, and 31st October, 2021, in Berbice, Fredericks engaged in sexual activity with a child aged 10 to 11.On the second count, rape of a child under 16, contrary to Section 10(B) of the same Act, it was alleged that, during the same period and in the same location, he sexually penetrated the child. Fredericks pleaded not guilty when the trial commenced on Monday. He was represented by attorney Charlyn Artiga, while prosecutor Marisa Edwards appeared on behalf of the State.The trial resumed on Thursday, when the jury retired to deliberate. The prosecution had arranged for 14 witnesses to testify.The jury forewoman subsequently delivered the verdict, declaring Fredericks not guilty on both counts. Upon hearing the decision, he appeared elated. Justice Hugh then formally discharged the jury and informed an emotional Fredericks that he was a free man. Outside the courtroom, Fredericks spoke to reporters and expressed relief that the trial had ended, particularly because he had been
Acquitted, Neil Fredericks acquitted of both charges. He said the case had damaged his reputation and affected his livelihood as a heavy-duty vehicle operator. “I feel so good. Seeing that people you love and that you try to help out in this life try to sink you. It affected me a great lot. Work, everything. I would like to say thank the Lord,” he said.Maintaining that he was well known throughout the town and that many people could vouch for his character, Fredericks thanked God and his attorney before leaving the court compound. Meanwhile, the child's family told Kaieteur News that although the matter had concluded at the Berbice High Court, they intended to pursue further legal action.
Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
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President signals greater spending ...says declining debt-to-GDP ratio creating more fiscal space
Guyana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has surged, recording massive growth over the past six years as the country's oil and gas sector develops at break-neck speed. This development has unlocked a new economic outlook for the country, reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio which measures a nation's debt to its productive sectors, showing how well an economy can pay off what it owes. President Irfaan Ali recently boasted about this progress registered under the leadership of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), highlighting that the country can now increase its spending on certain areas. Ali explained that four indicators are crucial when assessing a country's debt burden. These include the debt to GDP ratio (debt relative to the size of the economy), debt service to revenue (how much government revenue goes toward principal and interest), external debt service to exports (the pressure on export earnings and foreign exchange reserves) and the debt composition (the domestic debt versus external debt, the maturities of the debt, interest rates and whether financing is concessional). He said, “These are important elements for us to
understand and the debt burden will allow us to have a clear understanding of how Guyana's development was stymied because of this excessive debt burden, weak institutional framework and productivity deficit that allowed our debt to balloon in all of these categories.” The President noted that this negatively affected the country's ability to invest in education, health, housing, social services, infrastructure and other areas, leading to what he described as the “decay” in society and mass migration. Although the country's debt has steadily climbed, he said “tremendous strides” were made by the PPP since 1992 to reduce debt in Guyana. “From 1992 to now, the People's Progressive Party Civic government made enormous strides towards reducing our debt and putting us in the strong position we are in today,” Ali boasted. He highlighted major leaps in reducing publicly guaranteed debt from 47.4% to 24.3% in 2024. Notably, the President acknowledged the role of oil and gas in this transformation, pointing out that the “oil era” has changed all indicators. He said, “When you look at what is in our Natural Resource Fund and you look at projected revenue you will see how easily we can cover
Six Venezuelan women, including teen screened in human trafficking probe The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into suspected Trafficking in Persons (TIP) activity following an operation at a business premises at No. 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Wednesday evening. Police said the operation was conducted between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. on October 7, 2026, after ranks received information concerning suspected trafficking activity. Acting on the information, police executed a search warrant at the premises, where they found six female Venezuelan nationals, ages 16, 18, 21, 25, 25 and 32, each occupying separate rooms. The women were questioned and screened for possible indicators of trafficking in persons. According to police, the initial screening did not identify any such indicators. They were subsequently escorted to the No. 51 Police Station, where further interviews and screening were conducted. Police said the matter will now be referred to the Guyana Police Force's Trafficking in Persons Unit for further attention, particularly in relation to the 16-year-old girl. Investigations remain ongoing.
President Irfaan Ali our external debt.” To this end, he signaled that the country can now spend more. “That allow of course more room for investment in health, education, social welfare, infrastructure, D&I (drainage and irrigation),
agriculture- investment that allows us to continue to grow and expand the economy,” the President added. Equally important according to him is growing the productivity sectors. To this end, he said, “we have to focus heavily on linking
productivity to investment and ensuring that the growth of the private sector continue to be expansive, allowing the private sector to continue to be expansive.” Kaieteur News recently reported that the Government of Guyana (GoG) in the first half of 2026 increased the country's debt by nearly US$1B, growing the nation's total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt to US$8,573.1 million at the end of June 2026. It would be recalled that Guyana closed the year 2025 with a total debt burden of US$7.7B Government has already signaled its intent to push the country's debt to a staggering
US$10.3B before the end of 2026.Meanwhile, Guyana forked out 30% more than it did last year during the same period to repay its loans. According to the 2026 MidYear report, the total spent on debt service in the first half of 2026 was US$145.7M. During the same period last year, debt service payments were US$110M according to the 2025 Mid-Year Report. Government reported higher debt service payments to both domestic and external creditors. It said domestic debt service amounted to US$44.2 million in the first half of 2026, while external debt service amounted to US$101.5 million in the review period.
Grynspan leads UN secretary-general race …as Rodrigues-Birkett remains in contention UNITED NATIONS, Oct 7 (Reuters) - An informal poll by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday placed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as the frontrunner in the race to become the 10th UN secretary-general, two sources close to the process said. The fifth secret poll by the 15member Security Council followed days of intense negotiations among diplomats in New York after four previous ballots did not result in the emergence of one candidate with overwhelming backing. Although Grynspan is still leading the pack of seven contenders, the support for her weakened slightly compared to the poll last week, suggesting ongoing gridlock, a result that may prompt other senior figures to join the race. The selection is taking place at a critical time for the 193-member body. Whoever wins will have to tackle multiple crises, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, cutbacks in American contributions, and the UN's declining political relevance as Washington has pulled out of many of its agencies. Former UN official Daniel Safran-Hon said that while Grynspan had a bad day, she is still in the race because she still has the nine votes necessary to get the job. Under UN rules, a recommendation to the General Assembly for the secretary-general post requires an affirmative vote from at least nine of the 15 council members, although ultimately, the five veto powers the US,
Guyana's UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan
China, Russia, France and Britain need agree on a candidate. "Her unstable support could be seen by potential new candidates as an opportunity to join the race ahead of the next round later this month," said Safran-Hon, adding that the race has not been this competitive in 30 years. After former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet dropped out of the race last month, seven candidates are vying to succeed Antonio Guterres. The former Portuguese prime minister steps down at the end of this year after two five-year terms. If the impasse persists, more candidates could enter the race. Diplomats at the UN say several senior figures, including former and current foreign ministers and country leaders, are seriously considering throwing their hats into the ring.
In the more than 80-year history of the UN, there has never been a female secretary-general. In the straw polls, which are expected to continue for several more rounds, Security Council members are asked on secret ballots if they "encourage," "discourage" or have "no opinion" on candidates. Grynspan received 9 encourage votes, 6 discourage and 0 no opinion. That was down from 10 encourage votes at the previous vote. The rest of the candidates, who include Guyana's UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina's Rafael Grossi, the highprofile director general of the UN nuclear watchdog, received more discourage than encourage v otes, suggesting that the support for them is waning.
Kaieteur News
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Friday October 09, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Barima salvage and CoI It is two months since the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was sworn in. It is almost two and a half months, since the boat itself capsized and blanketed Guyana in a horror that citizens are still trying to get an understanding. A crucial part of the work of the CoI is related to the salvaging of the sunken boat and its cargo of dead, along with what other cargo it was carrying. In the manner of the CoI, the salvaging process seems to be stuck at a standstill. When it did come to life with an award, Guyanese spirits died again. President Irfaan Ali was his usual reassuring self. “The technical people are re-evaluating those bids so that the company can be selected to do the salvaging”, was what he shared during a meeting with the New York-based Guyana diaspora. Whatever “the technical people” were doing, they were taking too long, almost as if they have orders to drag their feet, been given official cover to take their time. Take as long as they can stretch their evaluation and re-evaluation out. This is record of the PPPC Government, now its own worst enemy, i.e., a group that cannot be trusted. Leadership promises have been made before; comforting words uttered at high levels. The outcomes have generally been opposite to what was promised, with that almost guaranteed to happen. Now there is the tender process for the salvaging of the MV Barima that has gone on too long. With each passing day, and nothing concluded relative to the salvaging, suspicions intensify that the government is up to no good. Again, the PPPC Government only has itself to blame, and now there is the salvage award. However, when President Ali is on to something, citizens are left with nothing. They now must deal with the salvage award. “We are not hiding from salvaging; there is a process and that process is ongoing. We are not hiding from investigation.” That award shattered any confidence in what the president said. Not on the MV Barima tragedy alone, and its salvaging, as bad as that was, but on most things. Even a cursory review of recent PPPC Government history confirms that delaying has provided room to allow for troublesome areas to be fixed, with sloppy investigations resulting. Recall the failed Amaila Falls hydro project and the millions spent for nothing. Recall the Mahdia Dormitory fire that claimed 20 lives, and not one official, political or public officer, held accountable. Revisit and scrutinize the repeatedly delayed Wales Gas-to-Energy project, and citizens tortured by endless rounds of blackouts from extended load shedding. These are just three instances extracted from a pattern, and almost immediately there is the now blindingly obvious. In taking the measure of the president’s words and postures, his unenviable leadership resume is conspicuous for its holes. Bigger and bigger promises, and little to show for them. Still, he persists with whatever game he is playing. Since an unknown number of citizens, starting at around 100, met a horrible death in the MV Barima tragedy, the totally different was expected from the president, starting with the COI. The COI should already have been moving with a tank full of energy and bent on discovery of the facts. That has not happened, and is furthest from anywhere near to the facts. It came to life in a bad way, and now struggles to find its footing some two months later. This is a COI going nowhere, other than where the PPPC Government wants it to go and on what timetable. Little comfort is taken from President Ali’s New York statement, “I am not going to interfere in the work of the COI.” We have heard similar words before on different issues, only for secrecy to rule the day, and more disappointments taking hold. Pinpointing “I am not going to interfere…”, there is no need for him to engage in any such influence or pressure. That was quite neatly dealt with in the composition of the COI. President Ali spoke. Families waited hopefully amid their loss. The salvage award wounds them. The COI going around in circles, barely moving. The same PPPC Government history continues.
ONE BILLION BARRELS, SEVEN YEARS LATER DEAR EDITOR, The announcement of Guyana’s billionth barrel of oil produced is being touted as a milestone. Indeed, it is. First oil came in December 2019. Today, production has moved to almost 1million barrels a day, crude oil exports have reached US$15 billion in the first half of 2026, while petroleum revenues are expected to approach US$6.5 billion for the year. Very big numbers, for little Guyana. However, seven years after first oil, the more important question is not how much oil we have produced but what that wealth has actually done for Guyanese and whether Guyana has a clear plan for where the next billion barrels should take the country. Daily, the government would post big fancy numbers about economic growth. What we saw in government’s Mid-Year report is that the economy
grew by 33.3 percent in the first half of 2026, while the non-oil economy grew by 10.1 percent. However, growth in the national accounts must be contrasted against the experience of Guyanese families daily. As we look at those numbers, we must also pay attention to numbers, that show by how much consumer prices have increased. 4.4 percent in the first half of this year alone. As of last month, September, food prices were still 4.4 percent higher than a year e a r l i e r, t r a n s p o r t a n d communication 4.1 percent higher, medical care 3.1 percent higher and miscellaneous goods and services 6.6 percent higher. The real question Guyanese want an answer to is, of the billions being generated by oil, how does that translate into a sufficiently better standard of living for me? The underlying
weakness to that enquiry is not that Guyana lacks projects. It is that we lack a clearly articulated national development strategy into which those projects fit so as to show a sufficiently better standard of living. Oil wealth should be the means by which Guyana builds an economy capable of standing when oil production eventually declines or prices drastically change. Guyanese can rest assure, it will. That then means we should see more deliberate investing in agriculture, manufacturing, education, health, housing, i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , e n e rg y, technology, small business and Guyanese ownership. We c a n n o t c o n t i n u e announcing projects as opportunities arise and then attempt to construct a national development philosophy around them. The national priorities must come first and the oil wealth must be directed towards
achieving those priorities. The Gas to Energy project demonstrates the danger of proceeding without that discipline. Guyanese were promised 300 megawatts of cheaper and more reliable electricity, originally expected around 2024. The project has been delayed, with full capacity now expected much later, while the original US$759 million contract has already increased by billions of US dollars, alongside further financial demands and disputes. This is not just a construction problem. It is a question of how responsibly we are converting an exhaustible national resource into lasting national benefit. Oil money must not become a source of funding for weak project management, escalating costs and delays. The test is not how much we spend. The test is whether Guyanese receive the cheaper, more Continued on page 5
Mahatma Gandhi and the Struggle to End Indentureship in Guyana and diaspora DEAR EDITOR, Nearly a hundred and ten years (March/May 1917) after the end of recruitment of indentured laborers from India and nearly 106 years after the abolition of indentureship in British colonies, the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to the campaign against that dehumanizing, slave-like labor system remains an important chapter in the history of India and the making of the Indian diaspora that is spread across the globe. The abolition of indentureship stands as a significant milestone in the history of the Indian diaspora. Indentureship led to the creation of the Indian diaspora similar to how slavery led to the rise of the African diaspora. The subject of indentureship continues to be of interest to descendants of Indians who labored during indentureship and to scholars of the subject in India and the diaspora. The struggle of Gandhi and other Indian freedom fighters was critical in ending that exploitative labor system. Gandhi’s opposition to indentureship developed from his experiences in observing that repressive, predatory labor system in South Africa
where he spent considerable years opposing it and the illtreatment of Indians and Blacks. He led a campaign against racism in South Africa and later became involved in the national campaign in India to end indentureship of Indian laborers overseas. Indentureship was a system under which Indian workers (girmitiyas) entered contracts to labour for fixed periods in British colonies and other imperial territories (of France, Holland, Denmark). The Indian indentureship period began in 1828 first to (French) Reunion Island where indentureship and slavery existed side by side and where Indians, according to reports, also served as slaves alongside Africans. Indentured laborers were sent to Mauritius in 1834, British Guiana in 1838, and other territories thereafter. Some 1.5 million Indians were transported to places including South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, British Guiana, Trinidad, Jamaica, French Guiana, Grenada, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Suriname, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Belize, St. Croix, Seychelles, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and other colonies. Workers were
promised (low) wages and other benefits (that were not delivered especially in British colonies in the Caribbean), and many faced difficult laboring conditions, restrictions on movements and cultural practices, poor nutrition, diseases that killed many, inadequate pay and at times no payment, fines if they ‘violate’ the contract, and very harsh, oppressive treatment. The system became increasingly controversial and was condemned by Indian nationalists (championing India’s independence) as an affront to human dignity – not dissimilar from slavery as scholars commented. It was criticised for its coercive character as laborers could not venture more than two miles from the estate and the dead (Hindus) could not be cremated. Workers could face penalties for breaches of labour regulations and faced restrictions on movement a n d d i ff i c u l t w o r k i n g conditions. Reports of abuse and exploitation gradually attracted attention in India and among reformers in the colonies. G a n d h i ’s p e r s o n a l experience in South Africa gave him an intimate understanding of the problems faced by
indentured laborers and confronting indentured Indians and their descendants overseas. He arrived in South Africa in 1893 and soon encountered racial discrimination against Indians including himself. During his years there, he fought against racism. His work brought him into contact with both indentured and formerly indentured Indians. He witnessed the social and economic difficulties faced by Indian workers and became convinced that the system was incompatible with human dignity. He worked hard to unite Indians across social and religious divisions and established political organisations to defend their rights. His campaigns brought him into contact with indentured and former indentured workers and exposed him to the hardships experienced by the Indian labouring population. One of the major issues in South Africa was a burdensome £3 tax imposed on former indentured workers who remained in Natal after completing their contracts. Gandhi opposed the tax because it placed an unfair burden on workers who had completed their Continued on page 6
Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
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Domestic Violence Demands a Firm Judicial Response DEAR EDITOR, On October 5, 2026, the Sparendaam court entered a guilty verdict, and the learned Magistrate r e m a n d e d M r. D a n i e l Seeram in custody until November 2, 2026 for a formal sentencing hearing. The Defence argued before Justice Joy Persaud-Singh. As reported in the Kaieteur News of October 6, 2026, the learned Judge found that the M a g i s t r a t e d i d n ’t a c t unlawfully, irrationally or outside her jurisdiction. That conclusion was right. I describe it only as reported and attribute no specific reasoning to her. Once a verdict is recorded, the magistrate’s sentencing powers are fully engaged.
There’s no “in limbo” period between verdict and sentence. The Magistrate was entitled to act on the agreed facts, and what matters is that the eventual sentence rests on rational and lawful principles. Her course follows binding authority. In Linton Pompey v DPP [2024], the CCJ said sentencing should ideally take place at a separate, formal hearing. A remand for that purpose is faithful application, not prejudgment. The CCJ has also stressed that prevalent offences demand denunciation and deterrence. I propose that all 2026 domestic violence cases involving assault or battery
demand the same: denunciation, general deterrence and specific deterrence, having regard to the Preamble to the Constitution. Kissoon J. has likewise emphasised the judiciary’s duty to deter gender-based crimes. Other jurisdictions agree. In Yemshaw v London Borough of Hounslow [2011] UKSC 3, the UK Supreme Court held that domestic violence isn’t only physical, and Parliament then enacted the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The Sentencing Council’s 2018 guideline treats a domestic setting as aggravating. English magistrates may also adjourn sentence after conviction to make inquiries,
ONE BILLION BARRELS, SEVEN... From page 4 reliable electricity they were promised. Guyanese must also examine how the wealth itself is being managed and distributed. Guyana is now producing and exporting oil on a scale that would have been unimaginable in g e n e r a t i o n s g o n e b y. However, the success of an oil economy cannot be measured only by the size of government revenue or the number of billions deposited into the Natural Resource Fund. The real measure is what those billions leave behind. Are we building productive industries? Are we creating skilled Guyanese workers? Are we increasing Guyanese ownership? Are we improving the quality of education and healthcare? Are we building infrastructure that will serve the country long after the oil declines? The Natural Resource Fund should ultimately be judged by the lasting national assets and opportunities created from the wealth it holds. ExxonMobil has a clear commercial strategy for Guyana. It moved from discovery to first oil, expanded from one producing vessel to several, increased production beyond 900,000 barrels a day and has already mapped out further developments. The company knows where it wants its next billion barrels to take its business. Guyana must demonstrate that same clarity about where its next billion barrels will take the country. Guyanese need a long term national
framework that determines how oil revenues are to be saved, invested and used to transform the productive e c o n o m y, w i t h c l e a r priorities extending beyond the life of the petroleum sector. The billionth barrel therefore should be more than a celebration for ExxonMobil and a major milestone for Guyana. It should be a moment of national reflection. Guyanese can acknowledge the jobs, investment and economic activities created by the petroleum sector while demanding greater accountability, stronger cost
control, better project management, greater transparency and a coherent national development strategy. The first billion barrels have made Guyana richer. The responsibility now is to make Guyanese feel richer and stronger. If the wealth beneath our waters does not produce a better life above them, then we have measured the success of the oil economy by the wrong standard. Hon. K. Sharma Solomon Member of Parliament APNU Rep for Natural Resources
holding the offender in custody meanwhile (s. 10(3), Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980). That sub-section reads: “A magistrates’ court may, for the purpose of enabling inquiries to be made or of determining the most suitable method of dealing with the case, exercise its power to adjourn after convicting the accused and before sentencing him or otherwise dealing with him; but, if it does so, the adjournment shall not be for more than 4 weeks at a time unless the court remands the accused in custody and, where it so remands him, the adjournment shall not be for more than 3 weeks at a time. The difference in that piece of legislation and in practice in Ms. Gibbs’ court was that the adjournment date wasn’t the latest of October 26, 2026, but set at November 2, and as outlined in the British statute which prescribes not more than 3 weeks, which means not later than October 26. This 3 weeks limit, if applicable and in line with the Guyanese jurisdiction,
could have been cured by the judge at the judicial review hearing because due to the hierarchy of the court structure same, if set earlier, would have been binding on the magistrate in compliance, she being a creature of statute. However, this isn’t fatal as it can be credited to the prisoner with a two to one computation of incarceration time, at his next appearance, that is, on November 2, 2026, thus can be seen as fortuitous, rather than an injustice done, and a prosecutor should run with that. Canada is persuasive too. In R v Wust, 2000 SCC 18, an appeal from British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada treated sentencing as its own reasoned exercise following a finding of guilt, in which the court weighs time already spent in custody, ordinarily crediting up to 2 days for each day held. British Columbia also runs criminal, family and domestic violence law in parallel, so a single incident can engage all 3.
Custody before sentence, and the sentencing process itself, must be handled with care. R v Wust is the leading British Columbia–origin authority on the post-verdict sentencing stage and presentence custody credit. It’s a Supreme Court of Canada decision, so it carries national weight. Mr. Seeram has been found guilty. He’s no longer presumed innocent. A judicial officer shouldn’t have to apologise for setting a penalty under the law she administers. The time until November 2, 2026 lets the court sentence him fairly and shows that Guyana’s courts take domestic violence seriously. Every unreported beating, and every victim told to keep family matters private, makes things worse. Courts must speak out, deter, and protect victims, as the learned Magistrate rightly did. I suggest she be considered for a National Award for strengthening criminal justice. Yours faithfully, M. Shabeer Zafar, Barrister
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
In the interest of the protection of women DEAR EDITOR, and children, Red Thread has no friends From October 5, 1992, and the present, many Guyanese
UNFORGETTABLE
are only vaguely familiar with the story about October 5,1992, its antecedents and that it was Cheddi Jagan who was the central figure at the time and up to his passing as President in March 1997. Many nowadays may recognize the value of free and fair elections and why democracy matters, but few can recall the details and even fewer would recognize that October 5th and the events that followed thereafter are central to our country’s contemporary political history. Evidential and scientifically-based poll-findings are rarities in Guyana. Take for example the question; how many young people in Guyana have an interest in politics and know about Cheddi Jagan and the role he played in the struggle for national unity, our country’s independence, the protection and maintenance of Guyana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty and a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, the right of nations to self-determination, mutual respect and rule of international law. Surely, these are historical facts and principles we must live by and even take to our graves. The story about Jagan’s fight for Guyana’s freedom documented in ‘The West on Trial’ must be told over and over again to each and every generation just as the epic stories about Buddha in the Jatakas, about Ram in the Ramayana, about Jesus in the Bible and about Mohammed in the Quran. In each of them, there are stories about mortals and immortals that must never stop being told. The tenuous grasp of the meaning and significance of Jagan’s contribution to the realization of October 5th is regrettable if unsurprising, given that only thirty-four years have passed, since that epochal event and more-so, since Jagan’s call for a New Global Human Order was made to help deconstruct the deplorable state of affairs prevailing in the world today. To visualise the story behind October 5th, one would have to create an interactive time-lapse map of Jagan’s and the PPP’s years of struggle for Guyana’s freedom, independence, and democracy, interrupted only by utopian, unrealistic and inapplicable economic and social experimentations, persistent rigged elections and dictatorial rule that delayed Guyana’s ability to carve out for itself what should have been a progressive and un-interrupted march towards peace and social progress. Instead, we lost many valuable years. In retrospect, it was perhaps destined for us as a nation to pass through the chequered stages of our nation’s political history. But in the final analysis, it is perhaps, better for us to be faithful to the past in which Jagan stood out as the primus inter pares in the pro-democracy struggles and the country’s political life steeled in the conviction that an informed populace is essential to democracy. Good history makes for good citizenry. A history that glosses over the real hero and heroes of the struggle for freedom, independence and national democracy is partial, in both senses of the word. It misleads people about the past and misinforms their debates about the present. While continuing on the current path characterized by an impressive but transformative developmental trajectory, and, as we chart a course for the future, we Guyanese would do well to put our country back on the map as one that stands in firm solidarity with the oppressed and suffering peoples of the world especially those of Cuba, Haiti and Palestine. As Jagan had unforgettably pointed out; “In our international relations, we should maintain a balance between conformity and transformation. While we are under pressure to conform from external forces which have their own agendas, at the same time, we have our own ideas and principles based on a well thought out vision of a world order in which small developing states like Guyana will have a clearly defined place and role in the sun.” Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
DEAR EDITOR, In a statement published in the October 6 Guyana Chronicle (‘Minister Walrond rejects Red Thread’s misrepresentation of comments regarding Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh’), Minister Oneidge Walrond stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, I did not say that the complainant would be confronted by the accused. I did not mandate such a confrontation, and I have issued no instruction directing investigators to subject the complainant to any procedure contrary to the Sexual Offences Act. What I communicated was information provided to me concerning the investigative process.” If Minister Walrond’s briefing on the investigation included mention of a confrontation, then as an officer of the court who knows better and as the Minister to whom the police force answers, she has a responsibility to instruct them that the law does not permit a confrontation. And while it is true that Minister Wa l r o n d s t a t e d t h a t D e p u t y Commissioner Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave, we are not concerned with her personal views on this matter. The question is, why is he still in his position? As the Minister under whose portfolio the Guyana Police Force (GPF) falls, she must consult with other Ministers and Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken to establish the path to removing Fazil
Karimbaksh from any position within the GPF where he may be able to exert influence on the investigation into the allegations against him by a female police inspector of rape and threatening behaviour. Former Commissioner Paul Slowe has stated that the Public Service Commission is in fact not needed, and that the Commissioner can take immediate administrative action and send Karimbaksh on leave. There is also precedent – Police Commissioner Henry Greene was sent on leave in 2011 while an investigation was carried out into allegations of rape against him. And in 2012, after the charges of rape against Commissioner Greene were dismissed, Red Thread was among several women’s rights organisations that protested the Office of the President demanding his removal for professional misconduct, given his admission that he had sex with a woman who had sought assistance from his Office. Minister Walrond referred to “the predictable selectivity of Red Thread’s public outrage” when it comes to “matters involving the PPP/C Government”. We would like to encourage the Minister to do some basic research, which will show that Red Thread has taken a public stand, whenever we are able, against whoever may be in government. A simple online search will show, for example, that in 2016, we led protests demanding the
resignation of then Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence over her efforts to shield an APNU+AFC candidate who was accused of child molestation. Let us be clear. In the interest of the protection of women and children, Red Thread has no friends. F i n a l l y, M i n i s t e r Wa l r o n d concludes that “[t]his is a serious criminal allegation involving a senior member of the Guyana Police Force…[that] deserves a serious investigation—not political theatre, manufactured controversy, or trial by public commentary”. There is no question that an accusation of rape against such a senior officer requires serious investigation. Red Thread does not subscribe to “political theatre.” We are very happy that Minister Walrond agrees that “the law must be followed consistently” and we hope that she will in fact be overseeing an investigation that is “professional, impartial and thorough”. Such an investigation, to be credible, should begin with the immediate removal of Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh while the investigation is ongoing. At the end of the day, the law will take its course. Hopefully it will take that course without undue influence from those who seek to shelter rapists and abusers of women. Sincerely, Karen de Souza Red Thread
Mahatma Gandhi and the Struggle to End Indentureship... From page 4 period of indenture and wanted to engage in free labor. His wider South African campaign eventually contributed to the abolition of the tax and other measures affecting the Indian c o m m u n i t y. T h e 1 9 1 4 settlement between Gandhi and the White South African authorities not only abolished the £3 tax but also recognized Indian marriages. Recognition of Indian marriages in Guyana and other territories came much later. Gandhi’s South African experience strengthened his conviction that indentureship had to end altogether. After returning to India in January 1915, he turned his attention to the continuing recruitment of Indian labourers for overseas colonies. He joined the growing campaign against indentured emigration. He was not alone as political leaders, reformers, journalists and community organisations had already been raising concerns about the system. His campaign coincided with growing criticism of indentureship throughout the Caribbean and India. Reports about the conditions of workers overseas had created
increasing pressure on the colonial authorities. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, in particular, played an important role in pressing for abolition. Gandhi’s contribution was to bring additional public energy and moral force to the campaign. In 1916, the Indian nationalist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya moved a resolution in the Imperial Legislative Council calling for abolition of indentureship. Although the British Government indicated that the system would eventually end, Gandhi believed that an indefinite promise was insufficient. He argued that India should demand a definite date for abolition. In early 1917, Gandhi began a determined campaign to build public opinion against indentured emigration. He travelled to major centres and addressed public meetings, urging Indians to reject a system that he considered degrading to the country’s dignity. CF Andrews, a lay preacher and sympathizer of Indians and a supporter of Gandhi, was sent abroad by the Indian leadership to look into conditions of the indentured laborers. CF Andrew’s visited Guyana and other
colonies. He reported that the indentured laborers and their descendants were treated very poorly. Gandhi himself acknowledged that public agitation and the work of other campaigners were important factors in securing the result. A significant moment came during Gandhi’s visit to Calcutta in March 1917. At a large public meeting at the Town Hall, he supported demands for the immediate abolition of indentured emigration. He insisted that India could not continue to tolerate the system while discussions and official procedures were repeatedly used to postpone action. The campaign helped create strong public pressure on the Government. The Gandhi Heritage Portal records his March 1917 activities in Calcutta, including his declaration that India could not tolerate indentured emigration beyond the proposed deadline. The British Government subsequently moved towards ending recruitment. The suspension of indentured recruitment was announced in March 1917, although reports say it was May 25, and the system was abolished on January 1, 1920. The abolition of
indentureship was also the result of the courage and persistence of some of the workers themselves, as well as the efforts of many activists, politicians, journalists and reformers. Indian labourers had resisted exploitation in different ways, while campaigners documented their conditions and brought their grievances to public attention. Several leaders in Guyana advocated for continuation of importation of laborers from India. The end of indentured recruitment had far-reaching consequences leaving over two million Indians behind. And although the system itself was abolished, Indians were still exploited. Indians settled down. Their descendants went on to make significant contributions to the cultural, economic and political life of countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, Mauritius and South Africa. Indians co-led the struggle against apartheid. As the diaspora celebrated Gandhi’s birth anniversary, his role in ending indentureship is remembered as part of his broader commitment to human dignity and justice. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Friday October 09, 2026
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Friday October 09, 2026
Karimbaksh sent on leave ...as police open probe into rape, gun threats allegations
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh has been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him by a woman who worked
under him. In a press statement the Guyana Police Force said that following the receipt of the report, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, established a team to conduct a thorough
investigation into the allegations. The Guyana Police Force said it wished to assure the public that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness they warrant and that the investigation will be
conducted professionally, impartially and in accordance with established procedures. The Force said it remains committed to ensuring that due process is afforded to all parties involved.
Investigations are ongoing and further information will be provided as necessary. Karimbaksh, head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is accused of sexual assault, threats to the life of a female inspector including an alleged incident in which a firearm was pointed at her. Last week F r i d a y, H o m e A ff a i r s Minister, Oneidge Walrond had disclosed that an official investigation had commenced into the allegations. Yesterday's development came several days of calls from political parties and civil society groups for Karimbaksh to be removed from operational duties and placed on administrative leave while an independent investigation is conducted. Earlier this week a broad coalition of civil society organisations, activists, academics, religious representatives and individuals is demanding urgent action over allegations of sexual violence involving senior officials, arguing that men in positions of power must be held accountable regardless of their political, professional or social connections. The civil society signatories, however, say the situation raises fundamental questions about accountability within the Guyana Police Force and the wider system for dealing with gender-based violence. “Men in positions of power
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh across the spectrum in Guyana, including those with ministerial positions, or exercising leadership roles in political parties including the political party in Government have to take responsibility and action for their continuing and appalling, disgusting, abusive and criminal behaviour towards women,” they said. T h e y p o i n t e d specifically to the Karimbaksh allegations. The signatories are demanding that an independent investigation and special independent prosecutor be appointed to deal with the allegations against Karimbaksh. They questioned whether survivors and the wider public can have confidence in police investigating allegations against one of its most senior officers. “Justice (Continued on page 9)
Cop faces three traffic charges, granted $90,000 bail A 20-year-old Police Constable attached to Regional Police Division #2 has been charged with three traffic offences and granted bail totalling $90,000. Elroy Lawrie was charged with driving an unlicensed vehicle, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02; using an uninsured motor vehicle, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act, Chapter 51:03; and using an uncertified motor vehicle, contrary to Section 15 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. The charges stem from an incident on Monday, October 5, 2026, on the Reliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Lawrie appeared on Wednesday, October 7, before Magistrate Caressa Henry at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He was granted $40,000 bail on the unlicensed-driver charge, $25,000 for the uninsured-motor-vehicle charge and another $25,000 for the uncertified-motor-vehicle charge, bringing the total bail to $90,000. The matter was adjourned to November 3, 2026.
Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
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Bigger is not necessarily better There is a particular danger when tourism people gather in a room to discuss the future of tourism. Before anybody notices, somebody is talking about luxury resorts, billion-dollar investments, global sporting events and infrastructure on a scale that would make Dubai look like a village rum shop. That appears to be the direction President Irfaan Ali was pointing Caribbean tourism stakeholders when he addressed the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Georgetown on Wednesday. The President’s central argument was that the Caribbean cannot continue relying on natural beauty alone. The region must invest, innovate, improve connectivity, develop new experiences and compete for major international events. He pointed to the Middle East’s enormous investments in luxury
hospitality, entertainment and sporting events and suggested that the Caribbean should collectively identify major global events it wants to attract. Somewhere between the first luxury resort and the tenth international sporting extravaganza, somebody ought to ask a rather unfashionable question: Who exactly are we trying to impress? The Caribbean already has one of the world’s most extraordinary tourism products. It has beaches, mountains, forests, reefs, rivers, music, food, festivals, cricket, history, culture, literature, rum, carnival and people whose warmth cannot be manufactured. And yet somehow the response to this extraordinary natural and cultural inheritance is increasingly to build something that looks like somewhere else. Apparently, the Caribbean must now compete with the Middle
East by becoming more like the Middle East. This is rather like telling a calypso singer that his problem is that he doesn’t sound enough like an opera singer. The Middle East has enormous financial resources. Some of its countries have sovereign wealth funds capable of writing cheques that Caribbean governments can only dream about. So why exactly should the Caribbean enter an infrastructure arms race with them? President Ali himself acknowledged that it would be “very difficult” for the Caribbean to invest in tourism in the same way as the Middle East. That should perhaps have been the beginning of the discussion. Because the Caribbean’s competitive advantage is not that it can build the biggest artificial resort, the most spectacular stadium or the most expensive hotel. It is that we already have what people are paying to escape
Karimbaksh sent on leave From page 8 must not only be served, it must appear to be served,” they said. Also adding its voice to the issue was the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) questioning the apparent lack of action by the senior management of the Guyana Police Force and warning that the matter has become a test of whether powerful officials can be held accountable. In a statement issued on Monday, WGEC Chairperson Indranie Chandarpal said the commission was particularly concerned about the “deafening silence” from the executive management of the police force, despite the allegations having reportedly been made months ago. WGEC said the circumstances are especially troubling because the alleged victim is herself a serving member of the organisation mandated to protect citizens. “What is particularly unacceptable in this instance, is that serving members of the Guyana Police Force, who are mandated to serve and protect the public, are themselves subject to sexual abuse from within their own institution,” the commission said. It noted that victims of sexual
exploitation in workplaces often face fear, embarrassment and concerns about retaliation, all of which can discourage them from reporting. According to the commission, those concerns become even more acute when the alleged perpetrator is a senior official with significant authority. The WGEC stressed that every Guyanese has a right to work in a safe environment and should not have to choose between personal safety, dignity and livelihood. “Human Rights are meaningless if those who violate it are protected by the very institutions charged with upholding said rights,” the commission warned. It said the responsibility for protecting rights rests particularly with those who have a duty of care, including ministers, agency heads and law-enforcement authorities. The commission said the latest allegations therefore go beyond the individuals involved and raise fundamental questions about institutional accountability. “This case represents a test of Guyana's institutions on whether they are capable of holding the 'powerful' accountable,” Chandarpal said. “It is therefore an imperative that we must not fail in this instance.”
to find. There is also something slightly troubling about the relentless elevation of “luxury tourism.” Of course, the Caribbean should welcome wealthy visitors. If a millionaire wants to spend a fortnight in a Caribbean hotel, eat expensive lobster and pay somebody US$200 to carry a suitcase 30 yards, nobody should stand in his way. But tourism policy cannot become a contest to see which island can attract the richest people. The region has to ask how tourism benefits ordinary Caribbean people. A small guesthouse employs local people. A taxi driver earns. A fisherman supplies a restaurant. A farmer sells produce. A musician performs. A craft maker sells something. A tour guide takes visitors into a community. That is tourism. And it is precisely why the theme of SOTIC 2026 — “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive” matters. Inclusive tourism cannot mean building an enormous luxury property and then employing the local population to polish
the silverware. And most of the food and senior staff on these luxury hotels are imported, food not sourced from local farmers. Yes, also the Caribbean should host international sporting events. But where will the money come from to build the stadium, to maintain it, to pay for security, transportation and to fill the hotel rooms. Investors do not like to carry these risks. Will the taxpayer be eventually presented with the bill. The President is right that the region needs better air and sea connectivity. He is right that Caribbean countries should cooperate rather than operate as 14 or 20 tourism islands competing against one another. He is right that technology, resilience and new tourism experiences matter. But bigger is not automatically better. The Caribbean does not need to become Dubai with palm trees. It needs to become a better version of the Caribbean. Let Barbados be Barbados. Let Jamaica be
Jamaica. Let Guyana be Guyana. Let Dominica sell its nature. Let Trinidad sell its culture. Let St Lucia sell its mountains. Let Antigua sell its beaches. And let the region package these differences rather than trying to homogenise them into a collection of luxury resorts with different flags outside. The great tourism opportunity is not to make the Caribbean look more like its competitors. It is to make the world understand why there is nowhere quite like the Caribbean. The future of Caribbean tourism should not be a race to see who can build the biggest playground for the richest visitor. It should be a race to see who can extract the greatest value from what we already uniquely possess while making sure that value reaches the people who live here. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10 UTHS
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
Friday October 09, 2026
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Pres. Ali- the mythmaker Pres. Ali has constructed a movie. He has a lot of help from former president, Jagdeo. Since both are into mythmaking, the movie they made presents an image to Guyanese. Perfection. PPP Govt. women made to look angelic. PPP men less demonic. Fantasy made to be reality. This is where Pres. Ali belongs, the top student in the university of farce (for which they award PhDs). It's a heady feeling. One that has led him to lose touch with reality, to live in a world of fantasy. His own fantasies. Pres. Ali is his own screenwriter, with a foot up that ladder from an old Burnham hand. The latter is in the race for being among the best in the region spinning yarns and fairytales. A bug has since bitten both: they believe in the power of their flimflam
artistry. To pull the wool over the eyes of Guyanese. To plant them on a perfumed primrose path. To make them forget all their troubles and stresses. Being the narcissists they are, the president and his cast of extras believe that they have succeeded in producing a box-office blockbuster, with the head-of-state in the seat of director. 'I shall walk with kings and still not lose sight of the common man.' President Ali, indeed, has walked with kings, but it is always behind them. If anyone shouts 'inferiority complex' I disagree vehemently. It's protocol: separating real royalty from the wannabee aristocracy. It just so h a p p e n s t h a t , notwithstanding Guyana's oil that every king wants to get his grubby paws on, Excellency Ali's place is
down the line. He walks with kings, but is relegated to a safe distance in the rear. Kings are sensitive creatures. Possess delicate stomachs. Have limits on how much fawning they can take. Relative to not losing touch with the common man, Pres. Ali hasn't. He keeps within touching distance of them, because he always has uses for them. No sooner that general elections are over than local government elections enter the frame. And, whenever the commoners have to be incited to disrupt a WIN party, they are within striking distance. Woe unto WIN. In Excellency Ali's motion picture mind, transparency and accountability in his PPP production office are not f l i g h t s o f f a n t a s y. Transparency and
accountability are hardwired reality. Clint Eastwood had a three-word sentence for road warriors: make my day. Thanks to Dr. Ali, one of his assistants, Dr. Ashni has the government's three-word equivalent to neutralize all comers: national development priorities. If there is a jumbie movie more horrible than national development priorities, it hasn't hit the cinemas, yet. If Pres. Ali were ever to consider doing his own m o v i e o n t h e Te n Commandments, it is going to insert these fresh ones: Thou shalt not ask embarrassing questions. Thou shalt not pursue revealing truths. Thou shalt not play with fire. In Pres. Ali's movie, there's no place for misinformation and disinformation. Until, that is, those are traceable to the
stormtroopers in his Palace Guard. Thus, backed against a wall, Pres. Ali censorship scissors went quietly and quickly back into the folds of his tribal apparel, when his own p e o p l e a r e t h e misinformation and disinformation broadcasters. Re tribal apparel, I believe that one of Guyana's president movie fantasies is that he is Lawrence of Arabia. This is getting out of hand. Next, he could fancy himself as the return of Charlton Heston, or a Guyanese Sharukh Khan. This is the leader who like to remind everyone how much he is for the law. He has a commissioner and a minister who lost their vocal cords in an alleged rape matter. Yet the president hears the sounds of singing
canaries borne on the wind. On the wind, or in his head, that's the question? Finally, Excellency Ali created, produced and directed his monumental masterpiece, an epic: One Guyana. In a land that once proudly boasted of six races, his mind has room for only one. The pursuit of perfection has pushed many men to insanity, forced them to d e c l a r e b a n k r u p t c y. Remember Howard Hughes from Texas. Oil and movie fantasies did that to him. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
U.S. sanctions Fijian businessman over alleged corruption tied to China The United States has sanctioned Chinese Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang over alleged corruption with ties to the Chinese government. Mr. Zhao has previously denied allegations that he is a senior member of a transnational crime syndicate. What's next? The designation means Mr. Zhao and his family will be ineligible for entry into the U.S. The United States has slapped sanctions on a high-profile Chinese Fijian businessman accused of being a member of a criminal network with ties to the Chinese government. In a statement issued this morning, the U.S. State Department said it was designating Zhao Fugang, director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, for his involvement in what it called "significant corruption" on behalf of China-based actors. Mr. Zhao and his immediate family members would be generally ineligible for entry into the United States as a result, it said. "Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance China-based government, business, and criminal interests," said the U.S. statement. Mr. Zhao did not respond directly to the claims, but his lawyers told the ABC they were unaware of the investigation, and that they would write to the U.S. government to seek clarity on the allegations. His lawyers previously said Mr. Zhao vehemently denied any
allegations against him, calling them false and misleading. On Thursday Mr. Zhao responded in a letter sent to the U.S. embassy in Suva, where he denied the allegations of bribery and pressed the State Department to take down the sanctions notice until he had been given a chance to respond. "I categorically deny the allegations that I paid bribes to Fijian citizens, abused a public position, or engaged in corruption to advance China-based government, business or criminal interests," the letter states. "There are no ongoing criminal proceedings against me in Fiji." "The statement makes serious allegations without identifying the specific conduct relied upon [and] its publication and widespread circulation have serious consequences for my reputation and my family." Mr. Zhao also demanded the State Department provide details of his alleged crimes to allow him to submit a formal response. Fiji's prime minister speaks about the relationship between China and the Pacific nation as Beijing's role in the country comes under intense scrutiny. Fijian Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka confirmed he had not personally been officially informed of the designation before being contacted by the ABC. He said the normal process for such an action would be for a formal notice to the government via the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Another senior cabinet minister said this was not the first time such allegations had been made against Mr. Zhao and said the last time was two years ago. In 2024, Nine Entertainment's 60 Minutes and partner newspapers alleged he was both a senior member of a transnational crime syndicate and a prominent member of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, which pushes Beijing's interests abroad. Investigative journalism outfit the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project also alleged that the Fijian national was a senior member of a syndicate involved in drug smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking. The report said that Mr. Zhao had been added to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's registry (ACIC) of Australian Priority Organisation Targets, which includes several alleged criminals who pose a criminal threat to Australia. The report emphasised that Mr. Zhao had never been charged in Australia or elsewhere and that authorities had not publicised any evidence against him. In 2024, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the ABC that he did not know if Mr. Zhao worked as an operative for the Chinese government, and that he was entitled to his rights as a Fijian citizen. In a statement on social media, the U.S. Embassy in Suva said there was "an established trend of criminals operating across the
Pacific with ties to China". "Zhao Fugang's actions have left Fiji vulnerable to malign foreign influence facilitated by Chinese government, business, and criminal actors inside and outside of Fiji," the statement said. "Corruption stunts opportunities for foreign investment and foreign assistance, facilitates organised crime, offers a permissive environment for malign actors, drives illegal migration, and undermines citizens' faith in government. "This directly impacts U.S. national security, economic, and foreign policy interests, and those of our partner nations and is why the Department is taking these actions." In 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Suva said that the work of Chinese diaspora groups in Fiji was "transparent, above-board and beyond reproach" and that Mr. Zhao was a Fijian citizen. "Your suspicion of the relation between Chinese government and Chinese community in Fiji is entirely groundless," it said. Mr. Zhao has appeared at several events with Chinese officials — including events at his hotel in 2021 and 2022 celebrating joint police cooperation between the two countries. Fiji's then-prime minister Frank Bainimarama and then-Chinese ambassador to Fiji, Zhang Ping, also attended the ceremony marking his appointment as director of Overseas Chinese Service Center (OCSC) a decade ago.
Zhao Fugang has denied previous allegations of criminal activity. (Supplied: Noya Media) José Sousa-Santos, head of the Pacific Regional Security Hub at the University of Canterbury, has written extensively about the way China has used alleged criminal networks as "strategically useful and plausibly deniable tools of the state". "Certain illicit actors can become strategically useful when they extend influence, cultivate local elites, generate deniable economic leverage, support patriotic narratives, and operate in spaces where formal state power would attract resistance," he told the ABC. Mr. Sousa-Santos said while the U.S. sanctions imposed on Mr. Zhao were "light" the message being sent was "clear". "This is about more than alleged organised crime, it is also about allegations of corruption and foreign interference," Mr. SousaSantos said. (ABC)
Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
Sophia man found dead with gunshot wound to head A 23-year-old labourer, known as “Savage”, was found dead with a suspected gunshot wound to the head at his C Field Reserve, Sophia home on Thursday morning. The victim has been identified as Kurt Beckles, who lived alone in a one-flat wooden structure enclosed by a zinc fence. Police said Beckles' body was discovered at about 8:15 a.m. on 8th October, and ranks arrived at the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m. According to the victim's mother, 41-year-old Danella Eastman, she was at home at about 8:00 a.m. when she received a telephone call from her former reputed husband, 57-year-old Raymond Smith. Smith reportedly told her that he had received information that her son had been shot at his home. Eastman immediately went to Beckles' residence, where she found him lying motionless in the yard with blood on his head. Police said Beckles was found lying on his right side, with his head facing south. He was clad in black shorts and grey boxer shorts and had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the right side of his head. An EMT, O. Lindie, and a team from the Central Fire Station responded to the scene. Beckles was
Gold miner stabbed to death by wife at Mahdia
PAGE 11
An aerial view of Omai Gold Mine (Tagewantie Nokram photo)
Kurt Beckles pronounced dead by Dr. Mohan of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Crime scene ranks processed the area but no spent shell was found. Police said CCTV cameras were seen in the area and footage is currently being reviewed. Several persons have been questioned and Dead: statements are being taken as Keion Wilman investigators work to determine the circumstances Omai Gold Mines Corp. has begun surrounding the killing. mobilising a sixth diamond drill for its The area was also Omai gold project in Guyana as it searched for the suspect or moves to advance exploration of suspects, but no one was additional targets near existing found. Beckles' body was deposits. subsequently escorted to The Canada-based firm is working Memorial Gardens Funeral towards a 2030 production target at its Parlour, where it is awaiting a gold project in Region Seven (Cuyunipost-mortem examination Mazaruni), which is projected to with dissection. produce 6.3 million ounces of payable gold over an 18-year mine life, including peak annual production of 435,667 ounces. In an announcement on Thursday, Omai said an initial 5,000-metre drill programme is planned, with the first target area already identified, where an eight-hole programme will examine an area that has previously returned successful trenching and drilling results. The Omai Gold Mine hosts the Wenot open pit deposit and the adjacent Gilt underground deposit. Omai, through its subsidiary Avalon Gold Exploration Inc., owns 100% interest in the mine.
...injured woman hospitalised under guard
Omai mobilises sixth drill to advance exploration at Guyana gold project
Ziggy Webster
Police are investigating the alleged murder of 34-year-old gold miner Ziggy Webster, who died following an altercation with his reputed wife at a camp at Noitgedacht Backdam, Potaro, Region Eight. The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday, October 8, 2026. Webster, of 111 Miles, Mahdia Airstrip, was reportedly involved in an argument with his 27-year-old reputed wife, a cook, at their camp. Preliminary investigations indicate that during the argument, Webster allegedly chopped the woman several times about her body with a cutlass, causing her to sustain injuries. The woman allegedly retaliated by stabbing Webster in his right buttock with a kitchen knife. Both individuals were subsequently taken to the Mahdia District Hospital, where Webster succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. His body was taken to the Campbelltown Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination. The 27year-old woman remains hospitalised under police guard. Her condition is listed as stable. Investigations are continuing.
Omai currently has five diamond drills focused on infill and expansion drilling at the Wenot deposit, following the completion of its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Omai President and Chief Executive Officer Elaine Ellingham stated that with the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) completed, infill and expansion drilling continues. She added that the sixth drill will allow the company to pursue several exploration targets identified through geophysical surveys, trenching and previous drilling. According to Ellingham that the company has identified several areas near the Gilt and Wenot deposits that contain gold occurrences, as well as untested geophysical anomalies with signatures similar to those of the main deposits. “We know that there are several areas in the immediate vicinity of the Gilt and Wenot deposits that are rich in gold occurrences, and certain untested geophysics anomalies with similar signatures to those of our main deposits,” Ellingham said.
She explained that much of the company's exploration work had been concentrated on Wenot because of the early success achieved there and the rapid expansion of the resource through successive NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimates and PEA. Ellingham said too that additional near-surface deposits could improve the project's economics by providing higher-grade material for early mill feed. “The team has been anxious to drill some of these additional gold targets and with the PEA completed we can bring this forward as one of our priorities,” she added. The 5,000-metre programme will begin at the BBH target, located west of the Gilt Deposit. Omai explained that the BBH area is a broad target area extending along a strike of approximately 600 metres. The area is defined by a series of trenches, shallow drill holes and historical data, which have identified numerous occurrences of significant gold mineralisation, including instances of high-grade gold mineralisation at surface.
Venezuelan held with ganja at Matthews Ridge The seized ganja
Police are investigating the discovery of 11.2 grams of suspected cannabis during a mobile patrol at Hima Top Main Road, Matthews Ridge, North West District, on Thursday. According to the police, the discovery was made at about 11:30 hrs. on 8th October, 2026, when ranks intercepted an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) carrying two occupants. The occupants were identified as a 24-year-old driver from Fitzburg, Port Kaituma, and a 24-year-old Venezuelan national from Port Kaituma.
A search was conducted on the occupants, during which ranks allegedly found 10 small transparent ziplock bags containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis in the possession of the Venezuelan national. The man was arrested and escorted to the Matthews Ridge Police Station, along with the suspected cannabis. The substance was weighed in his presence and amounted to 11.2 grams before being lodged as evidence. The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.
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Security guard gunned down at supermarket ...masked killer dropped off by motorcycle, flees on foot after shooting A 37-year-old security guard was shot dead on Thursday afternoon while on duty at Lida Supermarket, located at Sussex Street, Georgetown. Dead is Esan Rose, of Laing Avenue, who was employed with CMC Security Service. According to police, the incident occurred at about 3:05 p.m. while Rose was inside the supermarket, approximately five feet from the southern entrance. He was armed with a 9mm service pistol and a
along Sussex Street. The motorcycle then continued east along the street while the suspect entered the supermarket. Police said the suspect discharged two rounds in Rose's direction, striking him once to the chest. Rose fell to the ground and the gunman fled the supermarket, heading west along Sussex Street before turning north onto Charles Street. An EMT was summoned, but Rose was pronounced dead at the
Lida Supermarket
Shot Dead: Esan Rose
The body of Esan Rose leaves the supermarket
The crime scene at Sussex Street, Charlestown
magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition. Investigators said a man wearing a surgical mask and armed with a handgun, approached the supermarket as a pillion rider on a redand-white XR motorcycle. The pillion rider reportedly disembarked after the motorcycle travelled west
scene by Dr. Harikissoon of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police said Rose was found lying on his back, dressed in a cream jersey, black long pants and black boots. Blood stains were observed on his face and jersey. His service pistol was found on the ground near his
body, along with the nine live 9mm rounds in the magazine. Police investigators recovered one spent .32 shell and two live .32 rounds at the scene. The items were marked, sealed and lodged, while Rose's service firearm and ammunition were also lodged. CCTV footage from
inside the supermarket captured the incident and was extracted by investigators. The scene was subsequently processed by ranks from the Police Force's Crime Scene Unit. Police said additional CCTV footage from surrounding areas is being reviewed at the Command Centre as efforts continue to identify and
locate the suspect, the motorcycle and its rider. Several persons have been questioned as investigations continue. Rose's body was escorted to Memorial Gardens, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, when Kaieteur News arrived on a scene a large crowd had
gathered while police were processing the scene. A close relative explained that news of Rose's shooting came as a surprise to them. “All we hearing is that they just came shot him and they left. The shooter didn't take anything. The police ain't telling we nothing they say that we got to wait till the investigations done,” the relative said.
Friday October 09, 2026
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“This brand new” ...CoI shown revamped THD Kingston wharf after Barima tragedy …fresh equipment, suspended staff, and a manager's sudden return By Khadidja Ba On Thursday morning, members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) investigating the MV Barima tragedy descended upon the Transport and Harbours Department (THD) Kingston Wharf for a scheduled on-site inspection. What greeted the delegation of officials, maritime auditors, and media practitioners was a scene of pristine order and swift upgrades, a contrast to the historical realities described by staff who have laboured at the facility for years. The Kingston Wharf serves as the departure point for ferries plying the North West route, including the MV Barima, which departed from that very site on 18th July prior to its deadly voyage. During the walkthrough, commissioners inspected the cargo bond, the passenger waiting room, and vessels currently docked at the facility, including the MV MaLisha and the MV Kimbia. Jamaica-based maritime expert and compliance auditor Captain Hamada Fouda, one of five commissioners conducting the probe, was observed examining the exterior and interior of the MV Malisha while colleagues reviewed operational facilities. He was seen on more than one occasions taking photographs and notes of the rusted and broken sections of the vessel. Throughout the tour, members of the Commission frequently remarked on the seemingly immaculate conditions.
Inspecting a weighing scale on the wharf, one commissioner remarked aloud "This is brand new." However, photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts from the ground suggest that the scene presented to the Commission was a hastily assembled
"All of this was done a month or so ago after the boat sank," a worker at the facility remarked, pointing toward freshly installed wall fans in the waiting area and newly paved ground where stagnant pools of water once sat. "You were here and saw the state of this place. We
Captain Fouda dusting his hand off from the rust
New signage in the bond
“This is new!” Commissioners observing a newly installed scale
Waiting area with fans October 2026, there were no fans when KN visited in August 2026 v e n e e r. P h o t o g r a p h s captured during a prior media visit on 4th August, as the MV Malisha prepared to leave Georgetown, show a waiting area and wharf perimeter devoid of the infrastructure, and paved surfaces visible today.
worked in a deplorable state for years. All this you are seeing now is a 'new' THD... Soon as the vessel sank, we got a road and everything." Inside the cargo bond, long-time workers noted that several pieces of handling gear, signage and structural
Commissioners inspecting the MV MaLisha
arrangements were put in place mere days ago. "Everything you see in there in the bond is what was implemented yesterday and M o n d a y, " o n e s o u r c e disclosed, noting that prior to the installation of the scale occurred approximately two months ago, cargo measurements were routinely conducted without one. The inspection was further marked by the unexpected presence of senior management and the noticeable absence of key operational staff who were present on the day of the disaster. Transport and Harbours Manager Yerlander Hughes was seen walking alongside the Commission, guiding them through the bond and passenger areas. When pressed by reporters regarding the sudden arrival of new fixtures and equipment at the Kingston
Wharf, Hughes offered only a terse "No comment." Observers on the ground noted that Hughes was accompanied by the Department's Marine Superintendent Corwayne Stephens, the official to whom distress signals, logs, and formal letters written by the vessel's captain and crew were directed prior to the sinking. Staff members expressed frustration at seeing senior officers overseeing the walkthrough while lower-level employees faced the brunt of administrative action. "The supervisor and operator who worked on the day of the sailing…they know the operation inside out and all of them sent on Administrative leave, they just didn't want them man talking the truth," another staffer remarked, questioning why suspended crew and dock personnel were sidelined while
executive officers guided the inquiry's walkthrough. As the inspection concluded and media representatives were asked to give the delegation space, members of the Commission remained tight-lipped regarding their initial findings during that section. When asked whether the recent infrastructural additions would alter the Commission's assessment of historical safety compliance at the wharf, Chairperson Godfrey Smith declined to comment on specific observations, stating simply: "We are working and gathering evidence." The Commission's site visits are scheduled to continue to dry docking facilities as the panel sifts through operational records, maintenance logs, and witness testimonies to determine the sequence of failures that led to the MV Barima disaster.
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L Development Bank must not B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U become a political bank L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T B L . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BLU . L N . T B U . . L B UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . B BL T...BLUN BLUNT. . . . T N U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T BB T...BLU U N L U B L . . . B . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L . B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Friday October 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
Guyana's new Development Bank carries an enormous responsibility. With billions of taxpayers' dollars earmarked for interest-free, collateral-free loans, the institution cannot afford to be perceived as another vehicle for political patronage.
The composition of its board therefore matters enormously. The appointment of a sitting government MP, a senior Finance Ministry official and individuals with close links to government naturally raises questions about independence. These concerns cannot simply be dismissed as political noise. A bank lending without interest or collateral faces serious risks—from fraud and multiple applications to loan defaults and political influence. It requires proven expertise in credit risk, loan recovery, banking and rural finance, alongside rigorous oversight.Government should therefore welcome scrutiny, not resist it. Parliament and the public deserve clear criteria for appointments, disclosure of directors' interests, independent credit oversight, Bank of Guyana supervision and regular public reporting.
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Minister Persaud outlines Guyana’s progress on gender equality at IPU Assembly
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Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has outlined Guyana’s efforts to advance gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and protection from gender-based violence at the 153rd Assembly of the InterParliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania. Persaud, who is serving her second term as a member of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians addressed the Bureau during its 56th Session on 5th October. She was first elected to complete a four-year term and was re-elected in 2023 for a second four-year term. The minister underscored that gender equality must translate into tangible improvements in women’s everyday lives, including safety, economic independence, access to housing, opportunities for advancement and meaningful participation in decision-making. She highlighted the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal, launched in 2025, through which 20 pri-
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud in Tanzania vate-sector companies have been working to improve policies, infrastructure and working conditions, while advancing training on gender equality and the prevention of sexual exploitation and harassment. The minister also outlined measures to strengthen support for survivors of genderbased violence, including gender-responsive financing, one-stop support hubs offer-
ing counselling, shelter and medico-legal assistance, a 24hour hotline and a free mobile application. It was outlined too that women survivors are also benefitting from access to technical and vocational training and financing to establish businesses. According to the minister, more than 30,000 persons have benefitted from free technical and entrepreneurial training over
the past five years, while more than 350 women-owned businesses participated in Guyana’s largest Women Entrepreneurship Expo, gaining increased visibility and access to domestic and export markets. Turning to the care economy, Persaud pointed to the launch of registration for Guyana’s Care Economy CoInvest Programme, which combines Government financing, training and mentorship to support community-based childcare and eldercare enterprises. The initiative is intended to create opportunities for women as entrepreneurs and care professionals, while reducing the unpaid care burden that can restrict women’s participation in employment and education. She further reported that women received 48.3 per cent of land and housing allocations this year, while a special homestead initiative targeting single-mother families has commenced. The initiative includes shade houses to support additional income generation and food security.
“These measures connect skills to income, enterprise to markets, and land ownership to greater security and independence,” Persaud said. The minister also outlined legislative and institutional measures being pursued to strengthen women’s protection and rights, including work on a Protection from Harassment Bill and amendments to the Sexual Offences Act, including provisions for a sex offenders register. Persaud stressed, “Guyana’s conviction is clear: women must have the resources, rights and decision-making power to shape our growing economy. Services must reach the most isolated woman. Training must lead to decent work. Representation must carry real influence.” In concluding her address, she encouraged members of the Bureau to share effective practices, speak candidly about remaining gaps and learn from one another to strengthen legislation, budgets and parliamentary oversight.
Courts: T&T slower than usual, but chain confident of turnaround TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Despite challenges across business segments, Courts is betting on the resilience it has seen in the Trinidad and Tobago market since it opened in this country 35 years ago as a furniture, home appliance and electrical store. Shiva Mungal, the managing director of Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd, confirmed in an interview with the Business Guardian last Thursday that the current business year has proven notably slower than usual across both physical retail and consumer financing channels. “It has been slower than usual. I don’t think I’ll be surprised if you get any other feedback from any other industry within Trinidad, but it has been a slower than usual period for us. But we continue to drive it as best as we can,” said Mungal when asked about the performance of Courts retail operations. This would not be surprising as most indicators suggest that retail sales are down. According to the latest Central Bank Data Pack released last week, retail sales had seen a contraction for much of 2025 into 2026 • Q1 25 -3.7% • Q2 25 -0.5% • Q3 25 -1.5% • Q4 25 +0.5% • Q1 26 -1.1 The statistics underlined
what many businesses have said for some time: customers are being discretionary in their spending, with increases being seen in spending at supermarkets and groceries, growing by 5.4 per cent year on year by the first quarter of 26, while textiles and apparel also saw an increase of 17.3 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026 year on year in Q1-26. Although household appliances and furnishings were also said to increase by 9.5 per cent year on year in Q1-26, the market has seen challenges. Last year, long-standing furniture store Standards Distributors was sold to Term Finance and exited the retail market entirely. ANSA McAL stated that moderated consumer demand driven by inflation, which forced shoppers to prioritise essential living expenses over big-ticket household items, was one of the reasons for the sale. This was further exemplified by significant decreases in other aspects of retail. The Data Pack explained there was a decline in highvalue or capital-intensive items such as hardware and construction materials, which was down by 13.0 per cent year on year in Q1-26. In the past month, several major new car dealers have announced major sales, as motor vehicles and parts also
saw a drop-off of 12.9 per cent in Q1-26, with the Data pack stating sales dropped from 3,273 units in Q4-25 to 2,451 units in Q2-26, a fall of over 25 per cent.. The Data Pack stated business at gas stations also declined by 11.5 per cent year on year in Q1-26. This had been flagged as an economic warning by the President of the Owner Dealers Association Reval Chattergoon during an interview with the Business Guardian in July. Chattergoon had said then, “Gas stations are the first telltale sign, once you start to see fuel sales starting to decrease. Fuel sales around summer generally takes a dip, but you’re still seeing a 10 or 15 per cent decrease from the normal summer sales that tells me that retail is going to see a very hard time to come.” Notably, Standards’ did become a competitor for Courts in another market, consumer loans. But even there, Mungal noted there were challenges. “I would say, really, the same amount of volumes. But again, what we noticed again too in assessing our loans, we do have to assess the risk we take on. We are getting the sense that a lot of people, a lot, a lot of people out there are more or less borrowed out now. So that has resulted in a
little bit of a slowdown there as well too,” Mungal said. “And apart from we borrowed out again, too, you would have the uncertainty of next income as well too. So those are the major things that we have been seeing popping up, but there are issues that we continue to work with our customers on, to help us as best as we can, from a responsible lending point of view.” Mungal’s assessment too was supported by information in the Central Bank’s Data Pack, as consumer credit expansion has remained steady at 4.3 per cent year on year, but has noticeably outpaced business borrowing (+0.6 per cent year on year). The data showed consumer debt grew significantly faster than commercial business loans. However, Mungal said the Courts team believed T&T would turn around as it continued to invest in the country and maintain steady staff employment. “The year 1990 was really a defining time for the country. Coming out of a period of economic stagnation,” he said, “Courts would have come in at an opportune time in 1991 when the country was rebuilding itself. Then we were able to set that foundation and to maintain that footprint from that time of rebuilding until now, so it was an important entry time for us.” He explained that since the country had seen several other economic dips, as he
explained, “Trinidad being an energy-based economy, as you know, I mean we go through several periods of volatility, and there were some key periods: the 2019 financial crisis, the 2014 energy downturn, and the COVID-19 pandemic more recently. “Those were some defining moments for the company where business would have been challenged. Our customers would have been challenged, and we were challenged to really help guide both our business and customers through those periods. What didn’t change was our customers’ aspirations and their needs.” Mungal noted the company entered the market in a period of recovery and had seen T&T’s resilience consistently over the 35 years. He explained the company had a history of investing in T&T during these times, pointing out that the 2009 recession and 2014 both saw further investment in its Freeport headquarters. Mungal stressed this period was no different. “In business, it usually takes a time like that, a time of need, a time of lean, to really make improvements and to make some hard decisions and hard improvements along the way,” he said. “But we have been resilient through those periods, we have continued to invest in the country. as you can see Continued on page 18
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Russian strike on buses kills at least 30, say officials, as deadly attacks on Ukraine surge At least 30 people have been killed in a Russian glide bomb attack on two civilian buses in the eastern front line city of Kramatorsk, rescue officials say. Authorities said three people were also killed in the village of Bilenke, part of the Kramatorsk community. Another 18 people were wounded, said Donetsk regional head Vadym Filashkin, accusing Russia of targeting buses carrying passengers to kill as many civilians as possible. Kramatorsk and neighbouring Slovyansk are part of a so-called fortress belt that Moscow is trying to seize as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim to the entire Ukrainian industrial region of Donbas. U k r a i n e ’s P r e s i d e n t Volodymyr Zelensky said: “This strike will not go without our response.” In a post on Telegram, he said: “Russia is trying to destroy all life in Donbas, and the world needs to react to this. React harshly exactly as the Russians deserve for all the deaths they have caused.” Images posted by local prosecutors showed the burning metal shell of the bus along with debris and some of the victims on the road. Moscow is yet to comment on the latest attack. It follows a dramatic surge in Russian attacks across the country and a heavy increase in civilian casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv’s allies needed to take “concrete action” According to the UN, Ukraine saw more civilians killed by August this year than were killed in all of 2025. In one single attack that destroyed a five-storey block of flats in Pryluky east of Kyiv early on Wednesday, 22 people were killed, including five children. Three of the children were only one year old. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, meeting Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, said the attack in Pryluky showed Putin’s “evil intent and evil strategy”. He announced “more sanctions on Russia, on the war machine of Putin, on the shadow fleet, on the oil companies, on the crypto, on the financing of the war” and told Zelensky the UK would stand with Ukraine “as long as it takes for you to prevail in this conflict”. After the deadly attack on Kramatorsk, Donetsk regional head Filashkin appealed to anyone who was
still in the eastern front line region to move to safer parts of Ukraine. Given the sharp deterioration of security in the two neighbouring cities, he said all public transport had been ordered to stop. The safety of civilians was paramount, and “we have no right to risk the lives of passengers and drivers”, he said. Moscow has often cited the “liberation” and “protection” of the predominantly Russianspeaking Donbas as justification for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is made up of two regions Luhansk and Donetsk - and with most of Luhansk under Russian control, the Kremlin is also aiming to capture remaining 20% of Donetsk territory still held by Ukraine. For much of the war Kramatorsk acted as a logistics and supply hub for the Ukrainian military,
Teen motorcyclist killed in Eccles crash Police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred on Wednesday, 7th October, 2026, at about 16:00 hrs on Eccles Access Road, also known as Dumpsite Road, East Bank Demerara, involving motorcycle CL 5461, driven by 16-year-old Vitor Leca-De Alencar of Green Acres, East Bank Demerara. Initial enquiries revealed that the motorcycle was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of Eccles Access Road at a reportedly fast rate of speed when the rider lost control while negotiating a right-hand bend and collided with a lamp pole on the median separating the two carriageways. As a result of the collision, Alencar fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body. Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned to the scene, where Alencar was examined and pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.
Dead: Vitor Leca-De- Alencar His body was subsequently escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing.
however it has now come under almost daily Russian attack as its military moves closer to the east of the city. Glide bombs in particular have been launched at Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. The bombs are fitted with winglets so they glide towards their target rather than simply fall. In late August as many as nine glide bombs were fired at Kramatorsk in one day. Kramatorsk City Council described the strike as a “horrific crime committed by the Russian army against the civilian population”. “Once again, the Russians have struck a location where there are absolutely no military targets,” it said. Russia is also launching constant air
raids on the capital Kyiv, with sirens ringing throughout the day. Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said attacks on Thursday had killed three people, with 14 others injured. Two of the eight injured are in a critical condition. The attacks are forcing schoolchildren out of classes into shelters, shuttering businesses, and disrupting public transport. Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly on its energy grid, are causing power outages already and are even affecting the water s u p p l y. L o c a l w a t e r authorities in the capital warned on Thursday that pressure was dropping across the city’s right bank due to power cuts. Zelensky offered his condolences to families and loved ones affected by the
latest attack and said Ukraine’s partners needed to provide “concrete action through new defence packages for the protection of Ukraine”. Ahead of the Pryluky attack, the Ukrainian leader had warned this week of intelligence suggesting plans for a major Russian onslaught, and in Kyiv families responded by heading to metro stations for shelter. Such warnings are for now one of the only defences Ukrainians have. Interceptor missiles are in short supply around the world, so Ukraine has little chance to stop incoming Russian ballistics. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range strikes on each other in recent months, with Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian data centres and logistics warehouses.
Inter-American Mental Health Week calls for intersectoral action to improve mental health in the Americas The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS) are marking Inter-American Mental Health Week 2026 (October 5–9) with a call to strengthen intersectoral action to improve mental health and well-being across the Americas, where more than 185 million people live with a mental health condition. Under the theme “From commitment to action: Advancing mental health through intersectoral action in the Americas,” the Week seeks to mobilize governments, international organizations, civil society organizations and people with lived experience to accelerate the implementation of policies and actions that promote, protect and improve mental health throughout the Region. Mental health remains one of the Region’s major public health challenges, with millions of people continuing to face barriers to accessing quality services and support. “Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including mental health. Yet more than 185 million people in the Americas live with a mental health condition, and most do not receive the care they need,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “The health sector cannot address this challenge alone. We must work together across sectors to promote, protect and improve the mental health of all people,” he added. This year’s observance comes as countries across the Americas have reaffirmed the importance of mental health as a public policy and sustainable development priority. In June 2026, the OAS General Assembly, meeting in Panama City, adopted the Declaration on Improving Mental Health in the Americas through Intersectoral and Whole-of-Government Action, which recognizes mental health as fundamental to human development, social cohesion, productivity and sustainable development.
PAHO highlights that factors such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, violence, social exclusion and lack of access to educational and employment opportunities can significantly affect mental health and make it more difficult to access care. The Organization therefore promotes a “mental health in all policies” approach that engages sectors including health, education, finance, labor, justice, social protection and the environment. As part of Inter-American Mental Health Week, PAHO will host the regional webinar on October 8, “From commitment to action: Building intersectoral responses to mental health in the Americas.” The webinar will bring together representatives of Member States, the OAS and people with lived experience to discuss how to translate political commitments into concrete governance mechanisms, public policies and sustainable action. The meeting will explore experiences of coordination across sectors, the role of interAmerican cooperation in strengthening mental health policies, and the importance of meaningfully incorporating the voices of people with lived experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and services. Inter-American Mental Health Week takes place as part of activities marking World Mental Health Day, observed each year on October 10. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) global campaign highlights the importance of listening to and incorporating the experiences of people with mental health conditions into decisions that affect their lives. This approach complements the regional call to strengthen intersectoral action by recognizing that mental health policies and services are more effective when they are designed and implemented with the participation of the people they are intended to serve.
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Plane billows smoke at Riyadh airport as Houthis escalate attacks
RIYADH/DUBAI, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis escalated their campaign of strikes against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, trying to shut down the kingdom’s airspace and oil facilities with missile fire that has killed three people this week. The group said it had struck Riyadh airport, where witnesses saw smoke billowing from a plane, and it warned workers to stay away from energy plants. Saudi officials said debris from an intercepted missile hit a kindergarten and medical complex. Lufthansa and Air India said they were suspending flights to Riyadh after Houthi attacks. The Houthis say they are targeting the kingdom over its support for government forces in Yemen’s reignited civil war. Saudi Arabia says it is backing an offensive by Yemen’s UNrecognised government to take back territory from the Houthis. The conflict, now an overspill of the US-Iran war, has added new chaos to a region already aflame, and threatens to draw other states into gruelling mountain fighting with Syria now considering deploying troops to assist Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has pushed for support from allied nations, including Turkey and Pakistan, even if only in a logistical or defensive capacity, as it tries to reverse Houthi gains in southwest Yemen, by the southern entrance to the Red Sea. Those requests have taken on m o r e u rg e n c y s i n c e S a u d i authorities said on Wednesday that three people had been killed this week in strikes on Riyadh airport and Abha airport in the southwest.
CIVIL WAR REIGNITED BY CONFLICT IN IRAN The Houthis have made Saudi airports a focus of their strikes, and the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the group towards Riyadh and another towards Khamis Mushayt, home to a major airbase. A thick black column of smoke and flames were shown rising from Riyadh airport in video verified by Reuters. A witness and three people briefed on the matter said a commercial plane had caught fire and was the cause of the smoke. According to data compiled by aviation analytics company Cirium, almost 50% of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT, with 31 more cancellations expected for Friday in all Saudi airports. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities on the Houthi claims of ballistic missile attacks on Riyadh airport and the cause of the smoke billowing from the plane was not immediately clear, though people briefed on the matter said the fire had been put out. However, the flight tracker FlightRadar24 indicated numerous delayed arrivals and departures at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Thursday. The airport advised travellers to contact airlines to check the status of flights before trying to travel. Saudi authorities said debris from an intercepted Houthi missile had landed in Riyadh, causing damage to a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex, media reported. Riyadh is due to host a major meeting of energy policy makers, the WPC Energy
Courts: T&T slower than usual... From page 16 from the most recent investment, which you’ll see as we pass the highway our New Courts Mega Store, which has been rebuilt, redesigned, and reimagined, and along with that mega store, which is also in development as a plaza, which is again designed to really add value to that destination when it’s completed. “ Mungal also confirmed that the retail chain has invested more in local manufactures as it navigated forex challenges. He said, “Despite this economy-wide constraint, we remain committed to responsible financial management and uninterrupted service to our customers. We maintain close, proactive relationships with our bankers and international suppliers, working collaboratively to secure access to any available foreign currency. This disciplined approach allows
us to meet our obligations with timely and responsible payments, protect supply continuity, and uphold the trust our partners place in us.” He continued, “We also fully support our local manufacturers and suppliers, particularly in our bedding/mattress and furniture categories, where we prioritise TT dollar payments. This approach reduces reliance on foreign exchange while reinforcing our commitment to the local production ecosystem and the jobs it sustains. While the environment remains challenging, our focus is on stability, transparency, and prudent planning, ensuring Courts continues to serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago with reliability and resilience.” Additionally, Mungal explained the company was also developing its digital presence in response to shifting consumer behaviour.
A pro-Saudi-backed Yemeni government fighter fires a vehicle-mounted weapon during what government forces say was an advance against the Iran-backed Houthis, near Dhubab, Taiz Governorate, Yemen. Congress, this week. Several multinational firms based in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) told staff to work from home after loud booms were heard on Thursday morning, five people familiar with the matter said, including some affected staff. The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment, and KAFD was not immediately available for comment. Some diplomats said they had received warnings, and some schools in Riyadh told parents there were orders to shelter in place, though authorities did not issue a public alert. Reuters could not identify the source of the booms. The Houthis also warned workers to stay away from oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, saying they would be targeted. Yemen’s long-running civil war, which paused with a ceasefire in 2022, has erupted again in recent weeks with
the Houthis seizing stretches of the Red Sea coast last month, including along the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis have said they were responding to attacks from the Saudi-backed government, which the government denies. Their threats to shipping and attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure have drawn the kingdom back in. This w eek, S audi-backed forces launched a counterattack, taking back areas around the strait. However, in a war with several front lines, the Houthis have made gains of their own, surrounding Yemen’s third-largest city, Taiz, by taking territory along its main mountain road to Aden. The fighting, which pits the Houthis against a coalition of Saudi-backed forces under the internationally recognised government, has led to a humanitarian crisis in the poorest Arab state, displacing 200,000
people since the conflict resumed. OFFICIALS SAY SYRIAN AID MIGHT BE PURELY DEFENSIVE One US and one Syrian defence official said Syria was carefully considering options for military support, including defensive aid to protect Saudi Arabia from attacks, or an offensive deployment to help take the fight to the Houthis. In response to a request for comment to the Syrian foreign ministry, a diplomat said Syria stood firmly with Saudi Arabia but that its focus was on domestic priorities such as recovery from its own civil war. NATO-member Turkey said on Wednesday it was sending mainly defensive and technical support to the kingdom to help in the fight against the Houthis. A Turkish official said this was expected to take the form of military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife face new charges over alleged torture of Americans (CNN) Prosecutors in New York brought new charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on Thursday over the alleged torture of Americans and others who were held in Venezuelan government custody in recent years. They each face an additional charge of conspiracy to commit torture, according to the indictment. CNN first reported on Wednesday that the charges were expected. Prosecutors allege when Maduro became president in 2013 he “authorized the use of torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system designed to use torture, arbitrary detention, and violence as a means of repression against the political opposition,” the indictment said. The new charges relate to what the US government has said was the wrongful detention of more than a
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro dozen US citizens in Venezuelan prisons when Maduro led a repressive regime in Venezuela. Investigators have also discussed charging several additional people for their alleged role in the torture of Americans, according to a source
familiar with the matter, people briefed on the investigation told CNN Wednesday. CNN has reached out to lawyers for Maduro and Flores. Maduro and his wife were captured in a US military raid in January from the presidential palace in Caracas. They have pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism conspiracy and other charges and are held without bail in New York. Flores appeared at a hearing Thursday where her lawyer will ask that she be moved to house arrest ahead of trial. Maduro’s lawyer is challenging the legality of the arrest and argues the former president should have immunity since the alleged conduct occurred while he was in office. The Venezuelan government is not joining in claiming immunity on his behalf, according to the prosecution.
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Parole programme back on track after four-year hiatus – Walrond ...says structured reintegration critical to keeping young offenders from returning to prison The prison parole programme has been reimplemented after a fouryear hiatus, with the government now placing greater emphasis on the supervised reintegration of inmates into society. Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond made the disclosure during a recent appearance on the Starting Point Podcast, where she outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration within the prison system. “A couple weeks ago I had my first set of parolees after four, five years. So, we started to reimplement the parole programme,” Walrond said. She explained that the programme allows persons who have served an extended period in prison to be released on parole under supervision, with the aim of preventing young people in their productive years from languishing behind bars while providing them with an opportunity to redirect their lives. Walrond said particular attention is being paid to young inmates, especially those in their late teens and early twenties who are entering the prison system.
She said rehabilitation must begin while inmates are incarcerated, with greater emphasis being placed on education, skills training and counselling. “What can we do to rehabilitate the individual while they are incarcerated? Which skill can they hone?” the minister said, outlining some of the questions guiding the rehabilitation process. She said amendments to the Prison Act are expected to provide the Ministry of Home Affairs with greater legal scope to expand its rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. According to Walrond, while progress is being made in skills development and counselling, the prison system is also looking to expand sporting programmes as part of its rehabilitation strategy. Boxing has already resumed, with several inmates taking lessons as the authorities seek to rekindle young offenders' interest in sport and other constructive activities. H o w e v e r, Wa l r o n d stressed that rehabilitation does not end when an inmate walks through the prison
gates. She said structured reintegration and proper supervision are necessary to ensure that parolees can successfully transition back into society while remaining accountable. “And so that programme, that is what we still need building out to make sure that we are reintegrating safely into society, and ensuring that all of the training that's being done, it's actually turning out individuals who are productive members of society,” she said. Wa l r o n d s a i d t h e Government is also exploring opportunities with the private sector to ensure that inmates who acquire vocational skills while incarcerated can find employment upon release. She pointed specifically to skills such as joinery and carpentry, noting that discussions are being held with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GCCI) and other private-sector stakeholders to connect trained former inmates with employers in need of skilled workers. “We are making sure that we redirect them whether it's
L6 transmission shift nearing completion - GPL promises fewer outages The shifting of the L6 submarine transmission line across the Demerara River is nearing completion, with customers expected to experience fewer power outages once the works are finished, Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) Engineer Alfred Nunes said on Wednesday. Providing an update on the project, Nunes said two of the three conductors connecting the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston substations have already been shifted, with final tensioning now underway. “So presently, the phase now is where we're doing the final tensioning of those two phases, and we now proceed into the third one. So, we are looking to complete this job shortly, so that power can be restored to those customers that are affected,” Nunes said. He explained that all three poles already have conductors affixed to them, with workers now completing the shifting of the third phase. Nunes said jumpers have also been erected at both ends of the Demerara River, with the final installations currently being completed. Once that work is finished, the shifting project is expected to be brought to completion. The development follows GPL's
announcement in August that drilling was underway for a new 69-kilovolt (kV) submarine cable across the Demerara River. The new cable, described as the first of its kind in Guyana, will connect the Kingston Substation to the Vreed-en-Hoop Substation and is intended to strengthen the electricity supply to West Demerara. Works have been progressing at both ends of the river crossing, with the project involving horizontal directional drilling (HDD) approximately 75 feet below the riverbed. The trenchless method allows the cable to be installed without disrupting river traffic. The project also includes expansions at t h e Vr e e d - e n - H o o p a n d K i n g s t o n substations, including a new 69 kV gasinsulated switchgear (GIS) installation at Kingston. GPL has said the new cable will provide a redundant transmission route for electricity from the Gas-to-Energy plant at Wales. This means that power can continue to be transmitted if one link is taken out of service. The new transmission route is also expected to replace an ageing river crossing with limited capacity and form part of GPL's broader efforts to build a more resilient national electricity grid.
private sector. That's another discussion we're having with the private sector, (with) GCCI, to direct them to places that will need their skill and we know that those skills are needed,” she said. For former inmates who wish to establish their own businesses using skills acquired during incarceration, the Government provides what is known as a “Fresh Start Kit” to help them get started. Walrond said released inmates are also directed to
Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond
agencies and other support services that can assist them with their return to society. The minister said the broader objective is to ensure that rehabilitation inside prison
translates into productive and sustainable lives after release, while reducing the likelihood of former inmates returning to the criminal justice system.
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Six athletes set for South America U23 C/ships in Argentina Guyana will be represented by six athletes at the 2026 South America U23 Athletics Championships, scheduled for October 16–19 in Santa Fe, Argentina, according to the Athletics Association of Guyana. In a press release the AAG confirmed that its Council has approved the team of athletes who have attained the qualifying standards for the championships.
The Guyanese delegation is scheduled to depart on October 14, two days before competition begins. Leading the contingent a r e s p r i n t e r s Ti s h a w n Easton, who will compete in the 200m and 400m, Robert Marcus in the 100m and 200m, and Jeremiah George in the 100m. The field events will see Yohance Bourne contest the long jump, while Rodel
Greene and Krystal Morris will represent Guyana in the triple jump. The team will be accompanied by Technical Manager Dr James Cole, Team Coach Moses Pantlitz and Coach Trishel Thompson. Thompson will have an additional responsibility during the trip, having been nominated to participate in specialised training for female coaches in the
combined events discipline. According to the AAG, the coaching programme begins on October 15 and concludes on October 27, extending beyond the championships. The South America U23 Championships provide an important platform for Guyana’s emerging athletes to gain international experience against some of the region’s leading young competitors.
Monty Lewis puts $500,000... Friday October 09, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Is a new neighbor moving in nearby, Aries? This person could come from a very interesting locale, so you might want to get to know him or her. Don't expect to be able to do this today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An unexpected and perhaps not altogether welcome call could come your way today, Libra. It could come from someone you don't particularly care for or someone who has some disconcerting news to report.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Have you been spending too much lately, Taurus? Today you could be feeling the effects of it. You may have to wait to make a purchase that you've wanted for a long time, and this could be frustrating.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Worries about money that may have preoccupied you for the past day or so could prove unfounded, Scorpio. This should come as a real relief to you, although it may be difficult to grasp at first.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your sweetheart may seem upset today and unlikely to want to talk about it, Gemini. This could prove frustrating for you since you don't like to be kept in the dark. Take care to avoid giving in to the temptation to push.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A temporary separation from your romantic partner could have you agitated, Sagittarius. Are you worried that your friend has forgotten you? This is probably an overreaction, but your insecurities are getting the better of you.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Vague aches and pains could have you feeling a little under the weather, Cancer. You may not be able to discern why you have these pains, since there's no apparent reason.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Are things getting a little bit crazy, Capricorn? Too many tasks and too many people vying for your attention could have your nerves stretched as taut as violin strings. Try to get outside for a while.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Expect some delays, upsets, and unexpected turns when it comes to romance today, Leo. Jealousy may rear its ugly head, as you may at some point get the impression that your beloved is noticing someone else. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Changes may be taking place on the home front, perhaps unexpected repairs. Your household could seem frenetic and disorganized until the dust settles, which doesn't sit well with your love of peace and quiet.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) A rush of creative inspiration could take you temporarily away from your social life today. At some point you could be working as if there were no tomorrow, perhaps worrying that you will forget it if you don't get it all down now. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A small impromptu party may take place at your house today when some unexpected but welcome visitors turn up at your door. Follow current protocol. The gathering could continue well into the night.
From page 24 support, noting that the gesture would provide additional motivation for the participating players and teams to perform at their highest level. His contribution comes as organisers prepare for what is expected to be a highly competitive return of the tournament to the mining town, with some of Guyana’s leading First Division clubs set to battle for a share of the lucrative $8 million prize purse. The tournament will run from December 13, 2026, to January 1, 2027, and will be staged exclusively in Linden, with matches shared between the redesigned Mackenzie Sports Club and the Bayroc National Stadium. The opening match-day on December 13 will be played at Mackenzie Sports Club, returning the tournament to the venue where it was first staged in 1992. The ground will also host matches on December 20, 25 and 29. Bayroc National Stadium will host matches on December 18, 22 and 26 before taking centre stage for the grand final on New Year’s Day. The return to Linden was officially announced at the tournament’s launch last weekend under the theme, “Destination Linden, Football Means Business.” Beyond the football, organisers and government officials have pointed to the potential economic impact of the tournament, with players, supporters, officials and visitors expected to boost activity for hotels, Airbnb operators, restaurants, transportation providers, vendors and other businesses. Meanwhile, the competing teams, fixtures, tournament draw and breakdown of the $8 million purse will be unveiled on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The competition is also expected to serve as valuable preparation for athletes seeking to establish themselves at senior level. The AAG Council, coaches and affiliates extended best wishes to the athletes and officials ahead of their departure, while offering special commendation to Thompson for her nomination to participate in the female c o a c h ’s c o m b i n e d events training programme. The association also expressed appreciation to the Government of Guyana, particularly Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs, as well as the Executive Council of the Guyana
Tishawn Easton Olympic Association, for their continued financial support. The AAG said the assistance has helped provide Guyanese athletes with the opportunity to compete at international championships.
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Neville Sarjoo Memorial Benn earns West Indies T20 bowls off Saturday Over-40s World Cup selection
T
he inaugural Neville Sarjoo Memorial Over-50 T20 Tournament is set to bowl off this weekend, with six teams preparing to compete in a competition aimed at honouring the memory and contribution of one of Guyana’s respected cricket administrators. The tournament gets underway on Saturday, October 10, with matches scheduled at the Joe Jagmohan Ground at Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast, and the Everest Cricket Ground. The six participating teams, D. Lall and Sons, International Imports and Supplies, Invaders Masters, Everest Masters, Jai Hind and East Coast Masters, will compete on a round-robin basis in two groups, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. The tournament is expected to provide an opportunity for several experienced cricketers to return to competitive action while celebrating the contribution of the late Neville Sarjoo to Guyana’s cricket administration. The champions will collect $350,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up will receive $150,000 and a trophy. Several other individual and team prizes will also be up for grabs. The opening fixture will be contested on Saturday at Joe Jagmohan Ground from noon, with D. Lall and Sons taking on Invaders Masters. On Sunday, also at Joe Jagmohan Ground from noon, International Imports and Supplies will face D. Lall and Sons. Meanwhile, action at Everest will begin on Saturday at noon when Jai Hind tackle East Coast Masters, while Everest Masters will meet East Coast Masters at the same venue on Sunday, also from noon. The tournament will culminate with the final at the Joe Jagmohan Ground on the Essequibo Coast, bringing the competition
Neville Sarjoo back to the area where Sarjoo was born and raised. His son, Rohan Sarjoo, said the tournament is intended to become an annual fixture in his father’s memory and will be staged for the next five consecutive years. Neville Sarjoo was a long-serving administrator with the Guyana Cricket Board and also served as president of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association. He died in 1999. Born at Hampton Court village on the Essequibo Coast, Sarjoo made a lasting contribution to the development and administration of cricket in Guyana. The memorial tournament therefore carries significance beyond the competition itself, bringing together veteran players while keeping alive the legacy of a man who dedicated years to the administration of the sport.
Guyana Police Force (GPF) veteran all-rounder Trevor Benn has earned selection to the West Indies squad for the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in Guyana from October 17 to November 1. Benn’s inclusion in the 16-member squad represents another milestone in his cricketing career, rewarding his continued contributions to the Police Officers’ team, where he remains a key figure as an all-rounder. The West Indies team will be led by former international wicketkeeperbatsman Denesh Ramdin and features several other former West Indies players, including Ramnaresh Sarwan, S e w n a r i n e C h a t t e rg o o n , J a s o n Mohammed, Rayad Emrit and Devendra Bishoo. Benn will have the opportunity to showcase his experience and represent the Caribbean at the international masters level, alongside some of the region’s most recognisable former players and experienced cricketers from around the world. The tournament will feature 16 international teams competing in 72 matches across Guyana, with fixtures scheduled in the 45-over format at venues spanning several regions. The West Indies have been drawn in Zone A alongside Australia, Canada, defending champions South Africa, Colombia, Wales, Namibia and Sri Lanka, setting up a competitive group-stage campaign. The regional side will begin its World Cup journey against Australia on Saturday,
Veteran all-rounder Trevor Benn October 17, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. The opening fixture is scheduled to begin at 09:30hrs. The tournament will culminate with the Grand Final at the same venue on October 31, before the closing ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve-Leary. Benn’s selection also highlights the continued contribution of veteran cricketers to the sport, with the Over-40s competition providing an international platform for experienced players to continue representing their countries and showcasing their skills. The Guyana Police Force has congratulated Benn on his selection, extending best wishes to the veteran allrounder and the West Indies Over-40s team for a successful campaign at the upcoming World Cup.
Monty Lewis puts $500,000 on the line for K&S tournament top scorer
Monty Lewis presents $500,000 to Kashif Muhammad, in the presence of co-founder Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, as a prize for the K&S tournament’s leading goalscorer. A $500,000 individual prize has been added to the attraction of this year’s Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, with long-time supporter Monty Lewis stepping forward to reward the player who finishes as the competition’s leading goal scorer. The gesture by Lewis adds another incentive for players to find the back of the net when the prestigious 16-team tournament kicks off on December 13 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.
At a simple ceremony attended by tournament co-founders Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Muhammad, Lewis, a consistent supporter of the tournament over the years, congratulated the organisers for their bold decision to return the competition to its roots in Linden and encouraged others to come on board and support the initiative. Both Muhammad and Major expressed their appreciation to Lewis for his continued Continued on page 23
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Unbeaten GDF, Slingerz back in action …Four-match weekend set to test title contenders as struggling sides seek redemption The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League returns this weekend following the international break, with the leading contenders aiming to maintain their winning momentum and struggling clubs looking to revive their campaigns as the race for early-season supremacy intensifies. The eighth edition of the competition has already developed an intriguing battle at the top, with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC and defending champions Slingerz FC both boasting perfect records after their opening three matches. GDF currently lead the standings on goal difference, having scored 12 goals without conceding, while Slingerz have netted eight times and also maintained a flawless defensive record. S a t u r d a y ’s d o u b l e header will see Ann’s Grove United face GDF at 6:00 pm, followed by Guyana Police Force FC against league newcomers Camptown FC at 9:00 pm. GDF will be aiming to extend their winning streak and preserve their slender advantage over Slingerz. The army side has enjoyed an impressive start, recording a 5-0 victory over
Monedderlust, a narrow 1-0 win against Western Tigers and a commanding 6-0 triumph over Den Amstel. Their attacking efficiency and defensive solidity have established them as early title contenders, but Ann’s Grove will be eager to disrupt their momentum. Ann’s Grove enter the encounter with one win and two defeats from their opening three matches, leaving them needing a positive result to improve their position and build consistency. Facing a GDF side that has yet to concede a goal presents a formidable challenge, but a strong performance could provide the boost Ann’s Grove need to get their campaign back on track. GDF, meanwhile, will be determined to avoid dropping points in an early title race that promises to be closely contested. The second match on Saturday presents Police FC with an opportunity to return to winning ways against a struggling Camptown outfit. Police have recorded one win and two defeats from their three matches, collecting three points so far. Their most recent outing ended in a 4-0 loss to
Western Tigers, leaving the lawmen seeking a response as they attempt to climb the standings. Camptown, meanwhile, have endured a difficult introduction to the Elite League, losing all three of their opening fixtures. The newcomers will be desperate to register their first points and arrest their slide, making S a t u r d a y ’s c l a s h a n important test for both teams. Although Police will enter as favourites on current form, they cannot afford to underestimate a Camptown side eager to prove itself at the top-flight level. Sunday’s action begins at 6:30 pm, when defending champions Slingerz take on Fruta Conquerors in the opening fixture of the double-header. Slingerz will be focused on extending their unbeaten run and keeping pace with GDF in what is shaping up to be an early-season battle for supremacy. The champions have started their title defence strongly, defeating Police FC, Camptown and Santos FC while keeping three consecutive clean sheets. Their latest outing produced a convincing 3-0 victory over Santos, further
Slingerz FC’s Kelsey Benjamin and Kemar Beckford will be back in action this weekend. underlining their credentials as serious contenders for another championship. Fruta Conquerors, however, will be determined to frustrate the defending champions and avoid a third defeat. The Tucville-based club have managed one win and two losses from their opening three matches and need points to improve their standing. Slingerz will be targeting all three points, knowing that maintaining their perfect record is essential to sustaining the pressure on GDF. The weekend’s final
encounter will see Western Tigers meet Monedderlust at 9:00 pm on Sunday. Western Tigers occupy third place after winning two of their three matches, positioning themselves as the early challengers to the two unbeaten leaders. Their emphatic 4-0 victory over Police FC in their last outing highlighted their attacking potential and strengthened their bid to remain among the leading sides. Tigers will now seek another positive result to consolidate their position as the competition gathers
momentum. Monedderlust, who have played two matches and recorded one win and one defeat, face a demanding assignment against an improving Tigers side. They will need defensive discipline and greater attacking efficiency to secure a result and remain competitive in the standings. With the league still in its early stages, the four matches offer teams an opportunity to strengthen their positions, halt losing runs and build momentum for the weeks ahead.
Guyanese archers shine with seven medals in inaugural CPAL Guyanese archers made a strong impression at the inaugural Caribbean Premier Archery League (CPAL), capturing seven individual medals as the country continues to build depth and competitiveness across its senior and youth programmes. Seventeen Guyanese archers participated in the inaugural regional competition, finishing with three gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the event. The three-month virtual and regional competition, which got under way in July, saw Guyana competing against Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Curaçao, the US Virgin Islands, and Jamaica. The medal haul included standout performances in both the Barebow and Recurve divisions, highlighted by a clean sweep of the Senior Women’s Barebow podium. Shianne Affonso-Simon claimed gold in the Senior Women’s Barebow category, while Jo-Lee Zammet secured silver and Melesa Ramnaraine took bronze, giving Guyana all three positions on the podium.
Guyana’s youth archers also delivered impressive performances in the Recurve divisions. Lucas Chung won gold in the Under-21 M e n ’s R e c u r v e , w h i l e B r a n d o n Cummings captured gold in the Under-18 Men’s Recurve. Saifullah Gani added bronze in the Under-18 Men’s category, with Fatima Gani securing silver in the Under-18 Women’s Recurve. The combined performances gave Guyana a seven-medal return, three gold, two silver and two bronze, and underscored the growing strength of the c o u n t r y ’s c o m p e t i t i v e a r c h e r y programme. The Caribbean Premier Archery League is a new permanent annual competition platform sanctioned by World Archery Americas (WAA), specifically designed to provide Caribbean archers with access to high-level competition without the significant costs associated with frequent international travel. The league utilises standardised World Archery competition formats, digital submission of results and certified
national-level officiating, providing a structured and verifiable competitive environment aligned with WAAsanctioned standards. For developing athletes, the CPAL offers an important platform to gain valuable competitive experience, assess their performances against archers from across the Caribbean and prepare for major regional and international competitions. President of the National Federation, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, praised the participation and performances of the Guyanese contingent. “The participation of 17 athletes across multiple clubs in our beautiful country reflects the breadth of Guyana’s developing competitive archery programme,” Persaud-McKinnon said. She added that the results provide further encouragement as Guyana prepares to host the inaugural Caribbean Archery Championships and the eighth Caribbean Developmental Championships at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from October 22–25.
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Petra/Republic Bank U18 Football League returns ...tournament kickoff set for October 18 The Petra Organisation and Republic Bank Limited have renewed their partnership for the seventh annual Republic Bank Secondary Schools Football League, with eight of Guyana’s leading secondary schools set to battle for supremacy over a monthlong competition. The tournament, which was officially launched yesterday, is scheduled to kick off on October 18 and conclude on November 29, with all matches to be played at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Returning to defend their title will be Chase Academic Foundation, who have established themselves as one of the leading forces in the competition and will be aiming to capture their third consecutive championship. Joining the defending champions in this year’s field are Santa Rosa Secondary, Three-Mile Secondary, New Amsterdam S e c o n d a r y, A n n a n d a l e
Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, St Joseph High a n d We s t R u i m v e l d t Secondary. The Republic Banksponsored league has continued to grow into an important fixture on the local school football calendar, providing young players with regular competitive exposure while challenging teams to develop their tactical approach and consistency throughout the competition. More importantly, the tournament provides a pathway to the regional stage, with the top two finishers earning the opportunity to represent Guyana at the annual Goodwill International Tournament in December, which brings together school teams from across the region, including Brazil, Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , Jamaica, Suriname and Barbados. Since its inception, several schools have
benefited from the opportunity to compete internationally, with Chase Academic Foundation having twice emerged as champions and now returning in search of another championship. Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca, in his opening remarks, highlighted the tournament’s contribution to the development of young footballers, noting that many of the players competing at the secondary-school level have progressed through Petra’s U11 programmes and eventually into the U18 competition. Mendonca said Petra was proud of its contribution to football development while expressing appreciation to Republic Bank for its continued commitment to one of the organisation’s three U18 tournaments. He noted that the league creates an important pathway for young players to develop their talents and ultimately showcase their
Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Toussant Boyce welcomes the 7th Annual Republic Bank U18 Football League
abilities on the local stage and ultimately the regional stage. For the Petra Organisation, competition remains central to football development, particularly at the youth level, where regular leagues provide players and teams with the opportunity to gain experience, improve their decision-making and test themselves against quality oppositions. The tournament also carries attractive incentives for the participating schools, with the top four finishers set to receive cash awards towards selected school projects. The champions will receive $400,000, along with a trophy and medals, while the runners-up will collect
$250,000, a trophy and medals. Third place carries a $125,000 prize, trophy and medals, while the fourthplaced school will receive $75,000. Individual excellence will also be recognised, with awards to be presented to the tournament’s Best G o a l k e e p e r, H i g h e s t Goalscorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP). Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Allied Arts Unit Administrator Nicholas F r a s e r r e a ff i r m e d t h e ministry’s support for the competition and its role in promoting youth development through sport. Republic Bank, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to youth
development through its social investment initiative, “Powered to Make a Difference”, which seeks to create opportunities for young people and communities. The bank noted that the football league aligns with its broader vision of encouraging discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience and sportsmanship among young people. With the eight participating schools now expected to intensify their preparations ahead of the opening match on October 18, organisers and stakeholders are anticipating another highly competitive season, with both the championship and the coveted international berths up for grabs.
Kaieteur News
Friday October 09, 2026
PAGE 27
Bobb, Lovell hit hat-tricks ...Saints and SHC S’Team record wins at National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships The Guyana Hockey Board’s National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships got off to an exciting start on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with Old Fort, Saints Hockey Club, GCC Spartans and Saints High School among the teams making winning starts across the Boys’ and Girls’ Under-17 and Under-21 divisions. In the Girls’ Under-17 Group A, Old Fort Phantom Troupe and GCC ‘Her-ricanes’ battled to a 1-1 stalemate in an evenly contested opening encounter. Hannah Percival put Herricanes ahead inside the first five minutes, but Old Fort responded through Keitanna Percival, who found the equaliser 14 minutes later to ensure the points were shared. Meanwhile, Old Fort Predators then secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Multi Alumni in the Boys’ Under-17 division. Tyrese Benn struck in the third minute to give Predators an early advantage, and their defence held firm for the remainder of the contest as Multi Alumni failed to find a response.
Group B produced another commanding performance, with Saints Sensation stopping St Joseph High School Blue Bloods 4-0. Makaylah Poole opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Isabelle Grouper doubled the advantage five minutes later. Saints Hockey Club continued to dictate the contest and eventually stretched the lead to 3-0 before Grouper completed her brace with a 19th-minute strike to seal a convincing victory. Saints Sigmas also enjoyed success for the boys, edging GCC Outlaws 2-1. Ezekiel Moses was the difference-maker for Sigmas, scoring twice from penalty corners to give his side a 2-0 lead at the halfway stage. GCC managed a consolation goal in the 16th minute, but Sigmas remained composed to secure the narrow victory. The U21 competition also provided its share of one-sided and closely fought encounters. GCC Spartans edged Old Fort Bomb Squad 1-0, with Kadence Belony scoring the decisive goal to hand Spartans an important
Saints’ midfielder Clayza Bobb trying to evade the challenge of Hikers Trinity Greaves in their girls U21 clash.
opening victory. Saints, meanwhile, produced one of the day’s most emphatic results, dismantling Hikers 7-0. Clayza Bobb led the scoring charge with a hat-trick, while Chiamaka Agha added two successive goals. Africo Blackman and Isabelle Grouper also got on the scoresheet as Saints completed a
comprehensive rout. Saints S’Team also opened its campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Hikers 4-1, with Jabri Lovell producing a three-goal performance. SHC established an early 2-0 advantage through Aaron Abraham and Lovell before Lovell struck twice more to complete his hat-trick and put the outcome beyond doubt.
The championships continued yesterday through to Saturday, when the respective Boys’ and Girls’ champions in the U17 and U21 categories will be crowned. With several teams already making strong statements in the opening exchanges, the remaining matches are expected to intensify as the competition moves towards its championship-deciding stages.
Premier Eagles soar past Castrol Strikers to strengthen league lead Premier Eagles Volleyball Club continued their dominant run in the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) Men’s League, recovering from an opening-set setback to defeat Castrol Strikers in four sets and consolidate their position at the top of the standings. The Eagles demonstrated their resilience and attacking quality to rebound from a narrow 25–23 loss in the opening set, claiming the next three sets 25–14, 25–21 and 26–24 to complete an impressive comeback victory. Castrol initially caught the league leaders off guard, edging a closely contested first set to take an early advantage. However, Premier Eagles responded emphatically in the second, overwhelming their opponents 25–14 to level the match and seize the momentum. The Eagles maintained their intensity in the third set, securing a 25–21 win to move within a set of victory. Castrol, however, refused to surrender without a fight, mounting a determined challenge in the fourth set. With the contest hanging in the balance, the Strikers pushed the league leaders to the limit, but
Action between Premier Eagles and Castrol Strikers Premier Eagles held their nerve in a tense finish, winning 26–24 to seal the match in four sets. Trevon McRae was the standout performer for Premier Eagles, delivering a commanding display at the net to spearhead his team’s victory. McRae recorded 12 successful attacks, two blocks and an ace serve, consistently troubling
the Castrol defence with his offensive production while contributing to the Eagles’ efforts to contain their opponents. His impact proved crucial as Premier Eagles recovered from their early setback and maintained control through the decisive stages of the contest. Vance Harding led Castrol
Strikers’ resistance, registering eight attacks and three ace serves in an impressive individual effort. Harding’s serving pressure and attacking contributions helped keep Castrol competitive, particularly during the fourth set, when the Strikers threatened to force a more prolonged battle. Despite Harding’s efforts,
Castrol were unable to match the Eagles’ consistency in the closing stages, as the league leaders demonstrated greater composure to secure the victory. The result further strengthens Premier Eagles’ position at the summit of the DVA Men’s League and reinforces their status as one of the leading contenders for the title.
Petra/Republic Bank U18 Football League returns …tournament kickoff set for October 18
Petra Officials alongside Republic Bank Managing Director Toussant Boyce and other officials share photo-op with represented schools at this year’s launch.
s t r o Sp
Unbeaten GDF, Slingerz back in action …Four-match weekend set to test title contenders as struggling sides seek redemption
Hikers U21 captain, Michael Payne, about to unleash a ferocious shot at the Saints net.
Bobb, Lovell hit hat-tricks
GDF FC will look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
...Saints and SHC S’Team record wins at National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.