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Thursday Edition Trump envoy AIETEUR NEWS announces launch of ‘phase two’ of plan to end Gaza war
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
January 15, 2026 - Vol. 19 No. 03
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 45,829
UK firm secures subsea pre-commissioning contract for Exxon’s Whiptail Project …Georgetown facility to be established Prosecution argues “no bias CANU seizes almost 50 lbs in Home Affair’s Minister’s of cocaine in La Grange authority to proceed” action in Mohameds’ extradition case …defence maintains political rivalry, prosecution
Teen shot during
botched robbery outside Brickdam Cathedral
U.S. halts immigrant visa processing for 11 CARICOM, Taxi driver shot in head …in new “crackdown other countries on immigration” during drive-by attack The cocaine that was seized during the operation.
U.S. completes first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at $500M, U.S. official says
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Thursday January 15, 2026
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U.S. halts immigrant visa processing for 11 CARICOM, other countries T h e U S S t a t e Department announced the suspension of all immigrant visas processing for 75 countries including 10 CARICOM member states. Among the Caribbean nations are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname were not named among the countries now restricted from processing permanent resident visas. Other countries that face the visa restriction include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen. The department said in a statement, “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth
…in new “crackdown on immigration” from the American people.” The pause will begin January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the department conducts a reassessment of immigrant visa processing. A state department memo directs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. In November, US President Donald Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “third world countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a member of the national guard. State Department s p o k e s p e r s o n To m m y Piggott said in a statement that “the state department
will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” H e n o t e d t h a t “immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the state department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” The state department has since revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump took office, it said on Monday. The administration has also adopted a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.
Meanwhile, in his initial response to news of the new travel restriction, Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the US, Sir Ronald Sanders sought to clarify that the new measures do not apply to all visa categories. “It relates only to applications for immigrant visas (commonly referred to as “green cards”), which are subject to a temporary pause of up to sixty (60) days while vetting and screening procedures are reviewed,” he explained. Additionally, Sir Sanders noted that he was not officially notified of the new visa restrictions. Upon becoming aware of these reports, I made immediate inquiries with the United States Department of State. As of this moment, no formal announcement has
Prosecution argues “no bias in Home Affair’s Minister’s authority to proceed” action in Mohameds’ extradition case …defence maintains political rivalry, prosecution By Shania Williams The prosecution on Wednesday firmly rejected claims of political bias against Minister of Home Affairs, Onidge Waldron, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC, arguing that she acted strictly in accordance with her statutory duties when she authorised extradition proceedings against businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed. The submissions were made during high court proceedings as acting Chief Justice, Navindra Singh heard a judicial review application filed by attorneys for the Mohameds, who contend that the authorisation of the extradition was tainted by political bias, particularly due to Azruddin Mohamed’s recent entry into politics and alleged rivalry with the g o v e r n i n g P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The defence argued that since joining the political arena in early 2025, Azruddin Mohamed has become a political opponent
Attorney General Anil Nandlall (left) alongside Darshan Ramdhani, KC of the PPP/C, and that this rivalry influenced the m i n i s t e r ’s d e c i s i o n t o authorise the extradition proceedings. H o w e v e r, t h e prosecution maintained that the minister complied fully with the law and that bias played no role in her decision. Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed are facing a federal indictment in Miami, Florida, following the unsealing of a 25-page indictment on October 2, 2025. The indictment
accuses them of orchestrating an extensive fraud and money-laundering scheme involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana. Following a request from the United States, Minister Wa l d r o n s i g n e d t h e Authority to Proceed (ATP), allowing the extradition matter to advance before the Magistrates’ Court. If sufficient evidence is presented, the magistrate
may approve the Mohameds’ extradition to face charges overseas. The Mohameds’ legal team, Roysdale Forde, SC, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva, subsequently filed a constitutional motion challenging the 2009 amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Act, alongside a judicial review application alleging bias by the government and, specifically, the Minister of Home Affairs. Justice Singh indicated that rulings on both matters will be delivered on February 2, 2026. The full-day proceedings featured submissions from the prosecution led by Attorney General Nandlall, along with Trinidadian Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, SC. Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, together with their attorneys, were present throughout the hearing. Also appearing for the Attorney General’s Chambers were Solicitor General Nigel Hawke and Darshan Ramdhani, KC, while Senior Counsel Arudranauth Goosai represented the third-named respondent, Principal Continued on page 16
U.S. President Donald Trump been made, and no official communication has been issued to the embassies of the countries reportedly affected. Sir Sanders asserted, “I was advised by senior officials of the department of state that this matter arises from a new requirement under direction of the White House. However, contrary to some media reports, the measure under consideration does not apply to all visa categories.” “I wish to emphasise that, at this stage, no written notification has been provided to embassies, and the information available to me is based on direct conversations with senior officials, rather than on any formal directive.” He also clarified that
applications for immigration to the United States are matters exclusively between the individual applicant and the Government of the United States. “The country of nationality or origin of an applicant has no legal or administrative role in decisions relating to the grant or refusal of immigrant status.” In the meantime, Sir Sanders said the Government of Antigua and Barbuda continues its representations to the relevant United States authorities to secure the removal of Antigua and Barbuda from the list of countries subject to partial visa restrictions, including the requirement for certain visa applicants to post a bond.
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Promises and threats For more than a decade, GuySuCo has stood as a monument to chronic mismanagement, serial underperformance and political indulgence. It has also become a testing ground for presidential rhetoric—strong on threats, weak on follow-through. President Irfaan Ali’s repeated warnings that “heads will roll” if sugar production targets are not met have now lost all credibility. They have become soundbites recycled so often that they no longer command attention, let alone respect. In December 2024, the President publicly declared that GuySuCo’s management had been “read the riot act” and warned, unequivocally, that if production targets for the first and second crops of 2025 were not met, consequences would follow. The message was clear. Expectations were set. Billions of dollars in state funding were approved on the promise of delivery. The targets were missed. Not once, but repeatedly. Original production goals were quietly revised downward, and even those reduced benchmarks were not achieved. Costs remained high, productivity lagged, and GuySuCo continued to depend heavily on taxpayer bailouts to survive. Yet despite the President’s dramatic warning, no heads rolled. There was no meaningful shake-up of management. No transparent review. No public accounting. Instead, the nation was treated to a familiar ritual, excuses, explanations, and silence. Now, at the start of 2026, the goalpost has been moved once again. At GUYEXPO 2025, the President warned that if GuySuCo’s managers fail to deliver in 2026, “we will have to find a new management system.” The words sound firm, but the question Guyanese are asking is simple: what happened to the promise made for 2025? This pattern of delayed accountability is not unique to GuySuCo. The same script has played out elsewhere. The President issued stern warnings to the management of Guyana Power and Light over chronic blackouts, rising costs, and poor service delivery. Years later, the problems persist, businesses suffer, households endure hardship, and yet no decisive action has followed. The same applies to the driver’s licence fraud scandal involving police ranks. Guyanese were assured that those responsible would be swiftly dismissed and held accountable. To date, there has been no comprehensive disclosure of outcomes, no public confidence restored, and no assurance that the system has been properly cleaned up. Once again, tough talk was followed by institutional inertia. Then there is the gas to energy. Guyanese were repeatedly told that the project would be completed and would slash electricity costs by up to 50 percent. Years later, the project remains unfinished, electricity costs remain high, and citizens are left wondering whether this was ever more than a headline promise. Leadership is not measured by press statements or threats issued from podiums. It is measured by outcomes. When deadlines pass, targets are missed, and no one is held accountable, credibility erodes. Guyanese are no longer interested in warnings about what might happen in 2026. They want to know why nothing happened in 2024 and 2025 when the same promises were made. There is also a fundamental governance issue that cannot be ignored. The President does not manage GuySuCo. The Board of Directors does. The Board is responsible for oversight, performance management, and corrective action. If GuySuCo fails year after year, the Board itself should be held accountable. Yet Boards remain untouched, management remains entrenched, and taxpayers continue to shoulder the burden. At a deeper level, the conversation must move beyond targets and threats. Years of underperformance since 2020 have shown that sugar production alone cannot sustain GuySuCo. Continuing to pour public funds into a failing,
Thursday January 15, 2026
Census 2022 reveals the “Paper Growth” of the Housing Sector DEAR EDITOR, I welcome the release of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census Preliminary Report. While it has arrived with significant delays and at a $2 billion cost to the taxpayers, its publication is a critical development. Data is the lifeblood of governance; without it, we are navigating the development of our nation by guesswork. Now that the “ground truth” is available, we must use it to interrogate the reality of our development, specifically regarding the housing sector. For years, the Ministry of Housing has touted administrative figures, allocations and processed titles, as proof of a booming housing market. However, when we overlay the Minister Colin Croal’s recent end-of-year figures, December 28, 2025, with this new Census data, a
disturbing picture emerges: the government’s claims are statistically impossible unless they are counting “paper transactions” as “housing delivery.” First, I am concerned about the hinterland title inflation. On December 30, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs claimed that 16,174 titles were issued to Amerindians between 2020 and 2024. However, the Census reveals that the total combined number of households in the primary Hinterland regions (Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9) is only 26,620. The math is damning. If the government issued over 16,000 titles in an area with only 26,000 households, they have effectively titled 60% of the entire existing population of the Hinterland. This confirms what we have suspected: the government’s “25,000 title” success story is not driven by new housing
construction. It is driven by the regularization of families already living in their ancestral homes. This is administrative cleanup, not housing delivery. S e c o n d l y, I a m concerned by the housing crisis in Region 4. The disconnect is even more alarming on the coast. Minister Croal recently admitted to a backlog of 52,000 applicants in Region 4 alone. The Census now confirms that Region 4 has a total of 112,876 households. This means the backlog of people waiting for a home is equivalent to 46% of the entire existing population of the region. A backlog of this magnitude, nearly half the region’s household count, cannot be solved by the current model of slowwalking land allocations. It represents a demographic crisis that the “Lot Allocation” strategy has
failed to dent. Finally, where is the construction boom? Minister Croal boasts of 53,000 allocations nationally. Yet, the Census data on “Building Stock” does not reflect a construction boom of this magnitude. If 53,000 new lots were truly active, we would see a massive divergence between building stock and households. We do not. The data suggests that while the Ministry has been busy printing allocation letters, the recipients have been unable to build. The Census measures people and homes. The Ministry measures paper and promises. The widening gap between the two is where 78,000 Guyanese are currently stuck, waiting for a strategy that delivers keys, not just allocation letters. Sincerely, Sherod Duncan, MP
The CH&PA must table and operationalise comprehensive zoning regulations DEAR EDITOR, Several weeks ago, I wrote to your publication highlighting growing concerns regarding zoning policies and the rapid proliferation of commercial enterprises within designated residential areas, often in clear violation of established planning regulations. More recently, staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) issued a cease order to a Chinese-owned commercial establishment operating within the modest residential community of Bel Air, reportedly due to the absence of the requisite approval. This action, while necessary, raises several troubling questions. First, were the Mayor and City Council (M&CC)
and the CH&PA unaware of the project during its construction phase? If so, this points to a serious lapse in monitoring and e n f o r c e m e n t responsibilities, particularly given that the Town and Country Planning Act, Cap. 20:01, mandates oversight of land use and development approvals from inception, not after completion. Second, why was enforcement delayed until the project was fully constructed and operational? Selective or delayed enforcement undermines the credibility of regulatory institutions and imposes unnecessary economic and social costs on communities already burdened by unregulated development. Your readers may recall that only months ago
sugar-dependent model is not compassion—it is negligence. Supporting workers and communities is essential, but endless bailouts without structural reform are unfair to taxpayers and cruelly misleading to those whose livelihoods depend on real change. GuySuCo’s future cannot be tied to sugar alone. A serious, transparent plan is needed—one that acknowledges reality, diversifies operations, retrains workers, and redefines the corporation’s role in the modern economy. Without such a rethink, the cycle of missed targets, recycled rhetoric, and shifting goalposts will continue indefinitely. Strong words have been spoken often enough. Guyana now deserves action, accountability, and honesty, not another warning deferred to next year.
(September 26, 2025), the same CH&PA issued a cease order to a Chineseowned commercial project on Brummell and Brickdam, during its construction phase. This demonstrates that early intervention is not only possible but has been previously exercised. The inconsistency in enforcement therefore warrants scrutiny. As Chinese-owned businesses continue to proliferate across Guyana, often outside designated commercial zones, a fundamental question arises; were the necessary zoning and planning approvals granted in accordance with the law? If not, why are violations repeatedly tolerated until public outcry forces belated action? It is increasingly evident that zoning laws and local government regulations are being disregarded, seemingly to accommodate central government interests and business associates. While I acknowledge t h e s t r u c t u r a l disadvantages faced by local democratic organs not aligned with the governing PPP/C, this does not absolve them of their statutory duty
to enforce the law fairly and consistently (Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap. 28:01). How much longer must Guyanese endure a system where government actors and their affiliates appear to operate above the law? Wo u l d G u y a n e s e b e permitted to flout zoning, construction, and business regulations in China, the United States, or elsewhere in the Caribbean? The unequivocal answer is no. We are required to comply fully with their laws, yet compliance at home appears optional for some. This culture of lawlessness must end. As Guyana enters 2026, I urge the CH&PA to finally table and operationalise comprehensive zoning regulations. It bears recalling that during the Coalition Government’s tenure, extensive stakeholder consultations on zoning and land-use planning were conducted. The groundwork has already been laid. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, only the political will and institutional maturity to implement what already exists. Yours sincerely, Annette Ferguson
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Is there a foreign Towards constitutionalized AI governance in the exchange shortage? DEAR EDITOR, I ordered some materials some time ago from China. The suppliers have already placed the goods in their warehouse, awaiting final payment before loading the container. Every time I enquire from the bank, they keep telling me that “Regrettably, due to high demand, we are unable to process your request at this time. We will,
however, retain your request for processing soonest, once adequate funds become available. We regret any inconvenience caused and t h a n k y o u f o r understanding”. This has been going on for a number of weeks now. It is very frustrating as my construction is being held up while the goods languish in the warehouse in China.
The amount I need is relatively small, less than US$10,000. I recall the Vice President saying that there will not be a problem in obtaining small amounts of foreign exchange. Has the situation changed? I hope the Bank of Guyana and the Vice President can look into this situation. Regards. Frustrated Citizen.
The 7,000 Ghost Milestone: Welfare or Wealth Re-distribution? DEAR EDITOR, T h e r e c e n t announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture to distribute grants to 7,000 individuals within the fisherfolk sector raises more questions about “phantom math” than it does about genuine relief. In a climate where the formal taxpayer is squeezed for every cent, the sudden emergence of a round, unverified number of beneficiaries is not just an anomaly; it is an affront to fiscal transparency. The Math that doesn’t add up Where did the number 7,000 come from? In the absence of a national registry or a verified census of this industry, it appears the ministry has worked backward: they didn’t count the people to find the cost; they counted the cash and invented the people to match. • If the pool is larger: Deserving citizens are being arbitrarily excluded because
they weren’t “first in line.” • If the pool is smaller: Where is the surplus? Subsidizing the informal, penalizing the productive The most jarring reality is that 90% of these recipients operate outside the tax net. While the selfemployed and informal workers certainly face hardships, a system that prioritizes those who do not contribute to the “national purse” over the compliant taxpayers who fill it is a system upside down. “When public funds are used to subsidize the untaxed while the taxpaying middle class is ignored, the government isn’t providing a safety n e t — i t ’s m a n a g i n g a patronage system.”
The “Ghost” in the Machine Reports are already surfacing of “non-business” individuals—friends, relatives, and political associates—collecting these grants. Without a public, searchable database of recipients, this “relief effort” is a black box. • Who verified the eligibility? • What prevents ‘doubledipping’ by the same individual? • Why is there no audit trail available for public scrutiny? Hard questions for the Ministry We deserve more than a press release; we deserve an audit. 1. Source of Funds: Were these funds diverted from (Continued on page 06)
Commonwealth Caribbean
DEAR EDITOR, With the AI-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution now in full swing, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming embedded in policing, healthcare, employment, and other critical areas of social life. While the Commonwealth Caribbean lags behind more technologically developed regions in AI uptake and deployment, there have been discernible movements toward a measured sociotechnical integration of AI across the region. Thus far, at least one Commonwealth Caribbean constabulary force has publicly stated its intentions to deploy facial recognition technologies (FRTs) in the fulfilment of its mandate to “serve and protect”. D e s p i t e t h i s commendable thrust towards modernising crimefighting strategies, commercial FRTs have unfortunately gained notoriety due to their p r o p e n s i t y f o r misidentifying people of colour and women at markedly higher rates, which has led to multiple wrongful arrests and detentions overseas. I n s m a l l Commonwealth Caribbean states, even wrongful arrests and detentions can occasion significant stigmatisation and ostracism within the wider society. Given the stakes involved when high-risk
AI systems such as FRTs are deployed by institutional actors, the necessity of centring human rights standards and AI ethics principles in AI governance has never been more crucial. At present, the Commonwealth Caribbean notably lacks dedicated human rights-centred AI governance regimes, which can take years to develop and promulgate through regional legislatures. This deficiency has produced a glaring AI governance gap that renders fundamental rights acutely vulnerable to algorithmic violation, especially where high-risk AI systems are deployed in sensitive contexts. It is therefore imperative that our region conceptualises creative, yet pragmatic, approaches to AI governance. To this end, I propose a reimagining of our Commonwealth Caribbean I n d e p e n d e n c e Constitutions—the supreme law and central organizing b e d r o c k o f a l l Commonwealth Caribbean polities—as localized human rights-grounded AI governance regimes that can be repurposed and tailored, through interpretive ingenuity, to safeguard constitutional rights from algorithmic violations in an increasingly digitalised era. Such a reimagining presents what I have termed “constitutionalized AI governance” as a modest interpretive response to
regulatory gaps produced by rapid technological advancement, which neither seeks to supplant legislative action nor promote judicial activism. My forthcoming article titled “AI Ethics as a Human Rights Imperative in the Digital Age: Prospects for Constitutionalized AI Governance in the Commonwealth Caribbean” explores in more detail the premise and prospects for constitutionalized AI governance in the Commonwealth Caribbean. As presciently articulated by former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Justice Adrian Saunders, “if the Emancipation Proclamation was our birth certificate, then our Independence Constitutions can be likened to the document that marks our coming of age, but with Independence, with a d u l t h o o d , o u r Independence Constitutions have not only enhanced rights but also new responsibilities…” By reimagining our Independence Constitutions as localized human rightsgrounded AI governance frameworks to address our region’s unique challenges, we are endeavouring to mark our “coming of age” within the AI governance arena. Sincerely, Amanda Janell DeAmor Quest Commonwealth Caribbean Lawyer, LLB (1st Class Hons), LEC
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Thursday January 15, 2026
Thomas Lands Road now open - Public Works Ministry T
he Ministry of P u b l i c Wo r k s announced Tuesday that phase two of the Thomas Lands Rehabilitation Project which stretches from Vlissingen Road to Albert Street, Georgetown is completed and opened for use. “Traffic will flow once again between Vlissingen Road and Albert Street, along the major artery. This isn’t just a new coat of asphalt—it’s a total upgrade featuring widened lanes and a dedicated pedestrian walkway,” the ministry said in a Facebook post. An engineer from the ministry, speaking about the project, stated that the stretch of road was expected to be completed by November 24, but the
Phase Two of Thomas Lands Rehabilitation Project which stretches from Vlissingen Road to Albert Street. contractor, JKP Construction, was given a two-month extension to complete the work. “This road was supposed to be completed on
November 24 however, due to delays of materials that have to be imported and inclement weather conditions, the contractor got a two months extension.
That two months extension led into January 24,” he explained. He shared that as works are completed on this phase, the contractor is in the process of completing some 120 meters of road which stretches from around the YMCA area to Camp Street. “The contractor has started there already. He’s currently
constructing dam to start building the MSE (Mechanically Stabilised Earth) wall and at the same time, we will be looking to actually upgrade the road,” he noted. According to the engineer, in a “few weeks’ time”, the entire stretch of Thomas land will be up and completely finished for use. The Department of
Public Information in January last year reported that works on phase two will cost approximately $813 million and that the road was being upgraded to asphaltic concrete and will also use the geocell construction material. The geocell is said to be a three-dimensional cellular structure that is used to stabilise soil, prevent erosion and support heavy loads. Included along the roadway is a pedestrian walkway. Phase one of the project was done by JKP for some $397.6 million, covering from Albert Street to Camp Street. However, following the works, there were reports the road was sinking on the western section, closer to the National Park, causing a major traffic hazard for commuters. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill had explained that the developed thoroughfare will be capable of accommodating all categories of vehicles.
Bewildered that the government deems bulletproof vehicles illegal DEAR EDITOR, Earlier I referred to a very popular column a few generations ago entitled; “Believe it or Not” by Ripley, it referred to unbelievable and sometimes silly things that took place, as some put it in a crazy world. This came to mind when I learnt that a government agency asked the police to seize vehicles sold by the Mohammed to someone, because the vehicles had bulletproof windows and other security features. I have been in public life since before 1953 when as a teenager I joined the struggle for independence. In 1962, I became General Secretary of the People’s National Congress and I am aware that before
and after independence, persons on all sides of our political divide acquired and used vehicles that were bulletproof, and there was never a thought that we were breaking the law.I am therefore bewildered, bothered, and bewitched that our government is now deeming vehicles that are bullet-proofed and has other security features as illegal. I am no lawyer, but if this is not a political witch hunt why didn’t pre and post I n d e p e n d e n c e commissioners of police not intervene in what we assume to be a normal practice? As a citizen I hold a brief for no one, but the absurdity of this recent adventure by government is unbelievable. The other steps of sheer stupidity are
that when the government unleashes its power in a matter that, as far as I can recollect, was never deemed illegal nor an issue, it makes the victim a hero, and adds to the victim’s popularity and appeal. Steps of sheer stupidity by a government that has so many other important issues such as corruption, crime, cost of living, and a failure to involve representatives of all the people in the present Ve n e z u e l a G u y a n a contortion. Even more surprising is that the government has a plethora of highly paid advisors, all these high-paid advisors are they enjoying sinecures? Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green
The 7,000 Ghost Milestone: Welfare... From page 05 essential infrastructure or healthcare budgets? 2. The Verification Gap: Show us the registry. If it doesn’t exist, admit that this is a “best guess” distribution. 3. The Fairness Doctrine:
What is the long-term plan to bring these 7,000 recipients into the tax net so they can contribute to the very purse they are currently drawing from? Public money is not a gift from the Ministry; it is a trust
held on behalf of the taxpayer. It is time we stop treating the national budget like a private checking account for political optics. Yours truly, Hemdutt Kumar
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Thursday January 15, 2026
Mohamed demands Govt. come clean on funds for rice subsidy Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Azruddin Mohamed is challenging the government to come clean on the distribution of the funds for the $300 per bag of paddy subsidy, claiming that the numbers were not adding up. “This message has to do with rice farmers, recent payout of 2.1 billion Guyana dollar subsidy of $300 per bag of paddy. This payout was done by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar
Mustapha, the WIN party, differs with the numbers paid out by Minister Zulfikar. Our research shows that agriculture minister as usual, inflate numbers which cannot be substantiated,” the party leader claimed on his Facebook page recently. He explained that for the second crop of last year, the country cultivated 218,000 acres of rice land using a high average of 30 bags paddy per acre. According to his calculations this
translates to 218,000 acres by 30 bags per acre being equal to 6,540,000 bags of paddy. This is then multiplied by the subsidy at $300 per bag, which is equal to $1,962,000,000 versus the payout of $2.1 billion shows a significant variance of $138 million. Questioning where the additional funds have vanished to, the businessman turned politician said, “This is how the PPP government
GECOM seeks temporary staff in preparation for Local Government Elections The Guyana Elections GECOM Headquarters Kingston, Georgetown Commission (GECOM) is seeking temporary staff for the upcoming local government elections. According to an advertisement placed on the commission’s website, suitably qualified individuals are being sought to fill the role of temporary trainer in preparation for the upcoming local government polls. The advertisement noted under the direct supervision of the chief election officer, (CEO) successful candidates will be responsible for designing and developing Neighborhood Democratic Councils and six training materials specifically tailored for the conduct of LGE, organising m u n i c i p a l i t i e s c o u n t r y w i d e . and implementing effective training Constitutionally, LGE are due every three strategies for election staff, evaluating the years. Guyana’s local government election performance of participants at the conclusion history is marked by significant delays, with of each training session etc. Local Government Election is deemed a the last elections held in 1994, leading to high priority for citizens, as it stipulates prolonged periods where councils were not governance and policies at the local renewed, despite constitutional requirements democratic or” grass root” level. The and calls for reform. Local government elections were last elections will pave the way for the held in June 2023. appointment of councilors for the 65
$30,000 fine for illegal use, installation of tint The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday announced that a $30,000 fine is attached to the illegal installation of tint on motor vehicles. In the release, the ministry said anyone who operates or permits a motor vehicle to be operated with tint darker than the legal limit commits an offense. Penalty on summary of conviction is $30,000. Regarding illegal installation, business persons who install or offers to install tint above the legal limit, will be committing an offence and will on summary of conviction be subjected to a $30,000 fine. Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond on December 30, 2025 announced that motorists will be allowed to install tint at 20-25 percent, with a three-month window to become compliant. The announcement came almost a month
after the government walked back on a new 35 per cent tint regime which was expected to come into force on December 31, 2025. Walrond had said adjustments were made and the new regulation would come into force. According to Walrond, when she assumed office, the law technically amounted to a near-total ban on tinted windows, permitting tint only by exemption and even then, limiting it to a minimum 65 per cent Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Walrond said Guyanese will be pleased to know that the new regulations allow all vehicles to carry some level of tint without the need for an exemption; introduce new clearly set permissible VLT standards; and establish a modern policing regime using approved tint meters, removing ambiguity and supporting fair, consistent enforcement nationwide.
continues to fill their pockets through corrupt transactions with the hard-working farmers’ moneys. Recently, I exposed the Minister Zulfikar, who is heading the rice farmers’ payout. The exposures were on the various mansions owned by Minister Zulfikar and his family. Up to this day, he cannot provide proof to show how he mustered those wealth in a very short time.” It is in this regard, the WIN party is challenging the government, that if it wants to refute the number in the aim of transparency it should, produce the register of all the rice farmers in the c o u n t r y, a l o n g s i d e a breakdown farmer by farmer in every region with records and receipts of paddy supplied to millers. “The information must be published to the public should the POP dispute W I N ’s p o s i t i o n . T h i s analysis shows how moneys are being siphoned by the PPP government, enriching themselves and their families with you, the farmers, hardworking money,” he added. However, in a statement to the media on Monday, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) said that it categorically rejected the “reckless, malicious and wholly unfounded statements being peddled by Azruddin Mohamed regarding the 2025 secondcrop paddy intervention.” The organisation said Mohamed’s claims are not rooted in facts, but are of a political fictional nature which was, “constructed from ignorance of the rice industry, arrogance in presentation, and a deliberate attempt to mislead hardworking rice farmers
Businessman and leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Azruddin Mohamed and the wider public.” In efforts to clear the air GRDB said that, “For the avoidance of doubt, rice farmers are not paid based on speculative acreage, imagined averages, or crude back-of-the-envelope calculations designed for political propaganda. Farmers are paid strictly on the actual verified number of bags of paddy delivered to licensed rice mills, a basic industry Mr. Mohamed has either failed to understand or has willfully chosen to misrepresent.” Furthermore, the GRDB remains resolute that the payment process was clearly, transparently and exhaustively done, with every bag of paddy being paid for officially recorded and then cross checked with the farmer issued vouchers. In a step further, the figures were verified farmer by farmer and not estimated, inflated or guessed, and it was only after all of this was done that the data was submitted to the Ministry. Subsequently funds were lawfully approved, and the cheques were then issued i n d i v i d u a l l y, w i t h distribution commencing on January 7 in Region Five. Then the same process was conducted in Regions Two, Three, Four, and Six, the agency relayed. “In light of these v e r i f i a b l e f a c t s , M r.
Mohamed’s assertions can only be described as blatant falsehoods deliberately crafted to sow confusion and mischief. His public utterances reveal a profound lack of understanding of how the rice industry functions. This is most clearly demonstrated by his simplistic and erroneous attempt to multiply acreage by an arbitrary yield figure, an approach that exposes not only his ignorance, but his gross incompetence on the subject. I f M r. M o h a m e d genuinely believes there were irregularities in the process, the Constitution of Guyana provides a clear and lawful avenue for redress: the Office of the Auditor General. Empty public accusations, unsupported by evidence, do not substitute for accountability,” the organization stressed. GRDB is assuring that rice farmers were not deceived as they have received their cheques, and they understand they system. In addition, farmers have been openly expressing their appreciation for the g o v e r n m e n t ’s t i m e l y intervention, with the evidence of these testimonies being shared on social media. Therefore, “The facts stand. And they continue to b u r y M r. M o h a m e d ’s falsehoods.”
Taxi driver shot in head during drive-by attack A 31-year-old taxi driver of Annandale West, East Coast Demerara, is now hospitalised in a critical condition, following an attempt by a biker to end his life on Monday. Police said an investigation was launched into the incident, where a loaded firearm was discharged with the intent to commit murder. The incident occurred around 23:45hrs on Monday at Triumph, East Coast Demerara in the vicinity of the Regional Democratic Council, Region # 4. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was travelling west along the public road in a motor car with another male when he was allegedly pursued by several
motorcyclists. While proceeding along the public road, a loud sound was heard and the right-side glass of the vehicle shattered after which the victim reportedly lost consciousness and the vehicle collided with a metal rail,” police said. The injured man was then transported to the Enmore Regional Hospital to receive medical attention and it was confirmed that he sustained a gunshot wound to the head. CCTV footage from the area was canvassed and extracted and several persons were contacted and questioned, police said. Up until press time, no arrests were made, but police are following several leads as investigations continue.
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Thursday January 15, 2026
PAGE 09
The unpredictable hand of history Kaieteur News – I met a man a few days ago. We struck up a casual conversation. We joked and poked fun at each other. As things ended up, I jokingly told him that perhaps one day I will have to address him as “His Excellency”, since he may end up being the President of Guyana. He laughed and said that it would take a miracle. But life is not always predictable. Things have a way of turning out in unexpected outcomes. Anyone can end up becoming President. Even though Samuel Hinds was Prime Minister when the PPP/C began its first term in 1992, very few expected that Cheddi would get sick and die on the job and that Sam would be elevated to the Presidency. Well, it happened and Sam Hinds, a member of the CIVIC component of the PPP/C who was hardly a political figure prior to 1990, became the President of Guyana. The person is already being groomed to
succeed Irfaan Ali... Not many could have predicted that development. Not many, including she, could have envisioned that Janet Jagan would have become President. But regardless of what her colleagues say, she was determined, on her husband’s passing to assume the mantle of leadership – she saw it as her entitlement given her long years of political struggle and, who knows, the political opportunism of many of those who surrounded her husband. The PPP/C went into the 1997 elections on an ‘A’ Team ticket – Janet Jagan as President, Samuel Hinds as Prime Minister and Bharrat Jagdeo to pull the youth vote. Even though it was said that there was always an agreement with the CIVIC that the PPP would always hold the Presidency and that therefore should anything happen to Janet that Bharrat would assume the Presidency, no one expected that Jagdeo would ever become President. He was
too politically inexperienced and junior within the party. But as things turned out he not only became President but powerful enough for the ‘matriarch’ of the party to be told that she was a private citizen. The unexpected hand, what Machiavelli refers to as FORTUNA, had its say. S i m i l a r l y, D o n a l d Ramotar, not being a member of PPP/C governments since 1992, was not necessarily the front-runner for the 2011 elections. Other names were given far more attention that Ramotar, and there was even the view that dynastic tendencies had overrun the PPP. But Donald prevailed over one of his more favoured rivals and emerged as the party’s Presidential candidate. Ramotar was dealt a hard hand. He not only presided over the country’s first ever minority government but the PPP/C’s first ever electoral defeat in 23 years. He was never a left-wing firebrand but has far more working-class sympathies
DEM BOYS SEH
More gadgets but less time Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh, we livin’ in de age of gadgets. Everybody got de latest phone. De phone seh it gon save we time. It do de work of newspaper, radio, clock, an’ even email. It play music, wake yuh up, organize yuh life. Yet, we still busier than a bee in de hive. We got machines to wash we clothes and even we dishes. But still, people complainin’ dem ain’t got time. How come? De car mek yuh reach faster, but de traffic mek yuh reach late. Yuh spend more time honkin’ horn than drivin’. An’ dem boys seh, yuh use GPS to find yuh way, but yuh still end up lost. Everybody got a laptop or tablet. Yuh can work from anywhere, anytime. But instead, yuh workin’ everywhere, all de time. No more 9 to 5. It’s 24/7. Yuh in de shower, an’ de boss sendin’ email. Yuh at dinner, an’ yuh phone ding-dingin’ with messages. Even in de bed, yuh scrollin’ till yuh eye burn. Dem boys seh, even de fridge
smart now. It tell yuh when yuh outta milk. But yuh ain’t got time to drink it! De microwave heat up yuh food in seconds, but yuh still eatin’ in a hurry. Instant coffee fuh de instant life. But dem boys seh, yuh ain’t got no time to taste it. People got fitness trackers. It countin’ steps, countin’ calories. But still, nobody got time fuh exercise. Dem boys seh, yuh runnin’ ’round like a headless chicken, but yuh ain’t losin’ no weight. Everybody seh gadgets gon mek life easier. But dem boys seh, life only gettin’ harder. We got all dis technology, but we got less time. Dem boys seh, we too busy. We need a gadget to give we more hours in de day. But until then, we gon be busy, busy, busy. Gadgets fuh everything, but time fuh nuttin’. Das de modern life. Dem boys seh, maybe we need to unplug an’ tek a break. But who got time fuh dat? Talk half. Leff half
and ideological groundings than most in his party. Even though it is now being suggested that he was not keen to return to parliament in 2015 as Leader of the Opposition, there was no reason for someone of his political mettle to have been bypassed for the Presidential candidate for the 2020 elections. An injustice was done to him. But even after it became clear that he would not be the Presidential candidate in 2020, not many persons would have thought that Irfaan Ali would have so easily sewn up the PPP/C support to be the Presidential candidate. The situation was so fluid that even a political novice who once embarrassed himself in the National Assembly threw his hat unofficially into the ring, deluding himself into believing that he stood a chance of gaining his party’s nod. But Ali had the backing
of the powerful economic class which supports the PPP and they were instrumental in sewing up his candidacy. And so, as we look towards the 2030 elections, we must not make the mistake of assuming that the predictable will happen. History has a way of turning out differently from the way we predict, and in politics, especially when it comes to the PPP/C, you never know what side the die of history will turn-up. Machiavelli once said that luck plays a role in human destiny. In The Prince he wrote, “So that our free will may not be extinguished, I think it may be true that Fortune is the arbiter of half of our actions, but that she still leaves the other half of them, more or less, to be governed by us.” The PPP/C is now controlled by a powerful bourgeois class. But the strength of the economy by
the end of the decade will see the middle class become more powerful and willing to assert its growing influence. By 2030, there is going to be a major conflict between the oligarchic class and an emerging powerful and large middle class. In the meantime, the oligarchic class has seemingly picked its candidate for the 2030 elections. And the choice will come as a total surprise because this person was never factored into presidential aspirations. But that is how the hand of history works. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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UTH
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
L
LAL
Thursday 2026 MondayJanuary May 02,15, 2022
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Susan Rodrigues questions, GHK Lall answers Reference is made to the SN article titled, “GHK Lall should answer these questions” penned by Susan Rodrigues (SN January 14, 2026). I make exception, respond. First, I reject that I have repeated any allegations, unsubstantiated or otherwise, against Ms. Rodrigues. My writings have focused on a) giving her the benefit of the doubt; and b) the president’s acceptance of the minister ’s explanations. I challenge Minister Susan Rodrigues to prove how and when I attacked her in any form in any forum. Unless, in her
haste to defend more the president and less herself, she has awarded herself license to use “asset accumulation” (she has, hasn’t she?), or a “political solution to an alleged unethical condition” (the president did accept, didn’t he?) as the basis for her own attack on me, which is definitely a recycling of the smears and slanders that PPP has peddled over the years. I completely reject Minister Rodrigues’ assertions that I have done her wrong in any from or fashion. What I did is question the president’s intervention and ruling on the minister’s matter(s).
And that it is better for an independent body to probe and pronounce. Nothing more; no allegations. Second, re the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), respected auditors have reviewed the annual records of the GGB and their reports are available for scrutiny. There were no allegations, insinuations of “corruption and questionable practices.” Six other board members, including people close to the PPP leadership, and they condoned corruption then, have not said a word since. The fact is a PPP Govt. witch hunt was instigated in the hope of turning up dirt, and
having unearthed none, second guessed and distorted decisions to diminish someone who induces fear and dread in the government and its leaders. Third, re the Travis Chase gold license award (“dubious company”), every procedure was followed, no exception was made, and the applicant fully qualified. All related records were shared with the venerable and respected Cameron and Shepherd law firm, which noted in its review that all standing procedures were followed, and that there was no breach or exception for this so-called “dubious
company.” The files are there and the minister should know that, just like g o v e r n m e n t ’s h u n t i n g parties that were and still are bent on attaching anything to me to intimidate and weaken. Fourth, a US Embassy official showed a file that had approx. 40 names in it around 2018. I repeat it didn’t have a single licensed gold dealer name in it. What former Minister Trotman likely had was a separate file provided by other US agencies that shared specifically names from the gold dealer community as early as 2016. I was not privy to those details, which I think was fair, so as not to give preset ideas against any in the dealer community. Fifth, I have never been a “part owner of Demerara Waves News Talk Radio.” I am a small shareholder along with about half dozen others, including a PPP Govt. expert. Regarding “substantial sum to acquire an ownership stake” I enlighten Minister Rodrigues and whoever is spurring her on, no such money was involved, no such wealth exists. It should be embarrassing to Minister Rodrigues that she has nothing left, but to resort to the defamations of Live in Guyana and other illustrious PPP Govt. organs. Before Nandlall, Jagdeo, and Ali (and the world) I reassert what is known. I have one house, one car, one bank account here of originally 30 years vintage, and a couple of dogs. Perhaps, in their world, and that of Minister Rodrigues, those count as substantial wealth, unexplained wealth, criminal wealth accumulation. Sixth, there are
document s that show that the GECOM records have been addressed and should have been. Seventh, re to “Wall Street Analyst” there is certification to that effect, and something called a CRD (Central Registration Depositary) record formerly under the auspices of the NASD. I suggest that Minister Rodrigues acquaint herself accordingly. Eight, it is revealing how desperate Minister Rodrigues is, that she even ventures in other media into allegations about Live in Guyana generated allegations of “pedophilia.” There is low, but Minister Rodrigues went lower. What else will the PPP Govt. do to silence a citizen? Previous public sharing of the reaction of the Police’s cybercrime unit should reinforce how criminal the PPP Govt. is, how far it will go to blast a conscientious citizen. Conclusion, Minister Susan Rodrigues rightly calls herself a devout Roman Catholic. I can claim practicing Catholic only. Yet, it is appalling that someone so devout could baptize herself in the scurrilous and venomous. Minister Rodrigues pretended at defending herself. She wasn’t. She has joined the pack, through renewed efforts to distort and damage. No hard feelings, Minister Rodrigues. Only utter disgust at the despicable mantle that she now wears. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Thursday January 15, 2026
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Teen shot during botched robbery outside Brickdam Cathedral The 13-year-old suspect who was injured.
A 13-year-old boy was on Wednesday shot during an attempted robbery on Brickdam, in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Georgetown. Police said the teen and an accomplice attempted to rob two brothers, aged 81 and 79, both of Robb Street, Georgetown. Preliminary investigations revealed that as the elderly men were proceeding to conduct official business, one of the
two suspects, who was armed with a knife, allegedly rode up on a bicycle and attempted to snatch a haversack being carried by one of them. The victim raised an alarm, attracting the attention of members of the public who intervened. A 25-yearold licensed firearm holder who was in the vicinity discharged his weapon in the direction of the suspects. The 13year-old suspect of Albouystown, Georgetown, was struck and fell to the
ground, while the second suspect escaped in an unknown direction. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were summoned and the injured teen was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he is receiving medical attention for a gunshot wound to his gluteus maximus. Police said CCTV cameras in the area are being reviewed. The firearm involved was secured and lodged pending further investigation.
CANU seizes almost 50 lbs of cocaine in La Grange US$2.4M awarded to Indian company for CJIA solar power plant
A solar energy company out of India, Oriana Power Limited, has been awarded a US$2.4 million contract for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 3.0 MV (AC) Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic System at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. The project which is being executed through the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTBA). This publication had reported that only two companies from India had express interest when bids opened for the project back in October 2025. This Oriana Power Limited is the company’s first in South America. The project is reportedly being funded by the ExportImport Bank of India (Exim Bank). A US$2.5 million line of credit was made available to the Guyana government by the Exim Bank to facilitate the construction of the solar photovoltaic power plant. The agreement was signed on February 29, 2024, but took effect on June 24, 2024. It was further reported that the line of credit will be supported by the Government of India, and will allow Guyana to access funds, as well as goods and services from the South Asian superpower. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at the time, the terms of the agreement state that “goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 per cent of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India, and the remaining 25 per cent of goods and services may be procured by the seller for the purpose of the eligible contract from outside India.” The proposed solar plant project is set to provide support for the energy requirements of the CJIA and aid sustainability efforts. “The 3-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) project, when it begins operation, will supply about 4.5 million units of electricity annually, which is about 80 per cent of the annual electricity consumption of CJIA. The proposed solar PV power project has the potential of mitigating around 72,000 metric tonnes of CO over its lifetime operation,” said Guyana Energy Agency CEO, Mahender Sharma. The RBI statement said that the last date for funds to be withdrawn from the line of credit is 48 months after the scheduled completion date of the project. Sharma stated at the time that the project is expected to be completed in 24 months. 2eq
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Units (CANU) on Wednesday seized 22.394 kilograms or 49.2 pounds of cocaine during an operation in La Grange, West Bank Demerara. The unit said CANU officers, acting on information, conducted an operation in the vicinity of the La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara, where they intercepted a motor vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 20 brick-like parcels containing a quantity of cocaine. The suspects were arrested and escorted to the CANU headquarters along with the narcotics, which was weighed, and totaled 22.394 kg. Investigations are ongoing.
The cocaine that was seized during the operation.
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Thursday January 15, 2026
UK firm secures subsea pre-commissioning contract for Exxon’s Whiptail Project
Stabroek Block
…GEORGETOWN FACILITY TO BE ESTABLISHED United Kingdom-based energy services company EnerMech has been awarded a contract to carry out subsea pre-commissioning works for ExxonMobil Guyana L i m i t e d ’s s i x t h o i l development offshore Guyana – the Whiptail project. EnerMech disclosed in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday that it was hired by Italian firm Saipem which had secured a contract in late 2023 for works on the US$12.9 billion project, located in the Stabroek Block. Under the agreement, EnerMech will provide subsea pre-commissioning services, including flooding, cleaning and hydrotesting of subsea infrastructure, umbilical monitoring and post-installation testing. Notably, EnerMech also
signalled continued investment in Guyana, noting plans to establish a new facility in Georgetown and deploy advanced equipment to support offshore energy operations, allowing for faster mobilisation and improved operational efficiency. EnerMech Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Davison, Jr said, “This latest award for our Energy Solutions team is another important milestone in our Guyana growth story. It underscores the trust that leading offshore contractors like Saipem continue to place in our people, technology and track record.” ExxonMobil Guyana in November 2023 awarded Saipem the main contract for the Whiptail Development.
That contract had formed part of two offshore awards announced by Saipem for projects in Guyana and Brazil, together valued at approximately US$1.9 billion. Saipem’s scope of work for Whiptail includes the design, fabrication and installation of subsea structures, risers, flowlines and umbilicals in water depths of about 2,000 metres. The company had said it will utilise specialised vessels, including FDS2, Constellation and Castorone, while fabrication support is to be provided through its Guyana Offshore Construction Facility at the Port of Georgetown. Moreover, EnerMech highlighted that the Whiptail award represents its fifth precommissioning scope in
Guyana, following work on the Liza Phase Two, Payara, Ye l l o w t a i l a n d U a r u developments. Currently, there are four developments producing oil from the Stabroek Block: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, Payara and Yellowtail. The fourth project, Yellowtail achieved first oil in August 2025 and has brought the Stabroek Block’s daily oil production to 900,000 barrels with the Yellowtail
Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel reaching its initial capacity of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd). In addition to the four projects currently producing, Exxon has three others sanctioned Uaru, Whiptail, and Hammerhead. The Uaru and Whiptail projects Guyana’s fifth and sixth developments are each expected to produce approximately 250,000 bpd,
with start-up targeted for 2026 and 2027, respectively. Hammerhead project, the seventh development which received government approval back in September 2025 is expected to add around 150,000 bpd when it begins production in 2029. Additionally, Exxon has filed an application for an eighth development, Longtail, which is currently u n d e rg o i n g r e g u l a t o r y review.
U.S. completes first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at $500 million, U.S. official says (Reuters) - The U.S. has completed the first sales of Venezuelan oil that are part of a $2 billion deal reached earlier this month between Caracas and Washington, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday. Additional sales are expected in the coming days and weeks, the official added. Revenue from the initial oil sales - valued around $500 million - is being held in bank
accounts controlled by the U.S. government, according to an administration official, citing an order issued on Friday. The main account is located in Qatar, according to an industry source familiar with the plan, who said the country represented a neutral venue where funds can move with U.S. approval and without risk of seizure. Semafor first reported that the sales had been completed.
An oil pump jack is seen in an oil field near Lake Maracaibo, in Cabimas, Venezuela October 14, 2022. REUTERS/Issac Urrutia
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Thursday January 15, 2026
Diaspora creatives explore Orange Family of drowned fisherman Economy investments in Guyana Corentyne still hopeful body could be recovered
Actor Jacob Scipio (2nd left) and other diaspora investors and creatives at the meeting on Wednesday. Actor Jacob Scipio, who starred in Bad Boys alongside Will Smith, was among a group of prominent Guyanese diaspora investors and creatives who on Wednesday engaged Chief Investment Officer and agency head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), Peter Ramsaroop, to explore long-term investment opportunities in
Guyana’s orange economy. Also part of the delegation were Ronnie Madra and Zach Scipio, accompanied by local partner Capt. Gerry Gouveia Jr. Discussions focused on high-value tourism and lifestyle developments, film and music production infrastructure, creative talent development, and sports-
linked entertainment initiatives, including the potential introduction of electric powerboat (E-boat) racing in Guyana. The engagement followed a call by President Irfaan Ali to expand and diversify Guyana’s emerging industries. It also highlighted growing diaspora interest in investing capital, skills and global networks into the
country’s development, particularly in tourism, culture, media and the creative industries. GO-Invest said the engagement underscores the government view of the diaspora as a strategic partner in national development and in scaling the Orange Economy as a new pillar of growth, jobs, and global cultural presence.
Nearly a month after his disappearance at sea, family members of Permaul Punsammy are yet to recover his remains. The 54-year-old man, of Whim Village, Corentyne, reportedly fell overboard and vanished while on a fishing trip on December 19 last year. A few days prior on November 27, Punsammy, also known as Leon, joined three other fishermen on a fishing trip, a trade he held for over 30 years. His daughter, Kamini, 30, had told Kaieteur News that the quartet had planned to make a “double trip.” She said they arrived in neighboring Suriname on December 7 with the intention of returning to Guyana in time for Christmas. The four, which included the captain, were fishing in the Coppename River, Suriname. On December 15, the crew left for their second trip. “On the fifth day at sea they were pulling in seine and they said how he tripped and fell overboard,” Kamini had stated. The grieving daughter shared that she received a call from the captain on December 20 to inform her of what befell her father. “The captain of the boat called me and said ‘Kamini, yuh daddy fall overboard and we can’t find he’,” she said. The boat owner also dispatched another boat with some of the man’s relatives to aid in the recovery effort, which was also unsuccessful. Punsammy’s brother was also onboard with him when the
Permaul Punsammy
tragedy occurred. His crewmen were unable to recover him despite scanning the area immediately. The men shared a close relationship with him, his daughter noted. He was holding on to the seine, she explained, but only his sticker suit and his headlight were found. The family has since accepted the possibility that Punsammy has drowned. As such, formal rites of 16-day wake in accordance with their Madrasi religion were held. His daughter told this publication Wednesday was holding out hope that his body may be found. “I’m trying really hard to keep up with what had happened to my dad....we spread the news about my dad as much as we could to most of the fishermen, but no one didn’t see anything, all I can say at this moment is that my dad die and we can never see him ever again, not even his dead body and this (is) hurting me and will continue to hurt me each day of my life cause my father was a very good man and he was a step dad to five kids and always treat them with love and he is a very friendly loving person and it hurt so bad losing him like that,” she expressed. On the morning of January 2, the daughter received a tip from someone that a body was sighted adrift in the Berbice River, in the vicinity of the Berbice River Bridge, at the D’Edward Village, Regjon Five end. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Kamini and other relatives quickly journeyed from Whim to the location where the caller had indicated. Upon arrival, there was no body. The frustrated daughter told this publication that the caller had given false information. This angered the already spent woman. “And the news about a body floating at the Berbice River was a fake news given to us, because we went there looking and saw nothing and we asked around and nobody saw nothing nor none fishermen either,” she said. Kamini disclosed that the man raised her from the age of four when her biological father passed away, and that the two shared a strong bond.
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Thursday January 15, 2026
Kaieteur News
Prosecution argues “no bias in Home Affair’s...
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From page 3 Magistrate Judy Latchman. In the judicial review application, attorney Siand Dhurjon argued that the process leading to the issuance of the ATP was politically tainted, involving both Minister Waldron and the attorney general. Dhurjon contended that the minister is “akin to the prosecution,” given her role as a member of the National Assembly and her association with the governing party. He alleged that government officials had publicly portrayed the Mohameds as criminals, thereby prejudicing the extradition process. “This party has demonstrated statements intended to portray across the length and breadth of this country that Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed are frauds, thieves, murderers, everything,” Dhurjon told the court. He further referenced the minister’s former judicial career and her political affiliations, arguing that these compromised her impartiality.
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Mohameds attorneys Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva Dhurjon also claimed that the minister acted in concert with the Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions, asserting that she was misguided in approving the ATP. The defence cited 15 public statements allegedly made by the president, vice president, and attorney general, asserting that the state possessed evidence against the Mohameds. One such statement, attributed to Attorney General Nandlall during his Issues in the News programme, was quoted as saying: “The person is a criminal already. If he gets a seat in parliament, then the whole country will be sanctioned.” Dhurjon also pointed to the timing of the extradition request, between two and four months into investigations for alleged tax evasion and gold smuggling, as further evidence of political interference. He urged the court to quash the ATP, arguing that the alleged bias amounted to a breach of his clients’ constitutional rights. Prosecution rejects claims Appearing for the state, Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes rejected the defence’s submissions, stating that the minister merely performed a statutory function and sought advice from relevant authorities, including the Attorney General’s Chambers. “The minister is bound by law to make her decision,” Mendes said, adding that while she is required to issue the ATP when statutory conditions are met, she is not required to determine the outcome of the proceedings. Mendes emphasised that the minister has no control over whether extradition is ultimately granted, noting that such authority rests with
the court. He argued that claims of bias were inapplicable at the ATP stage and added that, if bias were alleged against the minister, it would logically have to extend to all institutions she consulted, including the police. “Bias has nothing to do with this. If that were the case, everyone involved would be biased simply because the Mohameds are political opponents,” Mendes stated. He also dismissed claims that the Guyanese government had any role in initiating the U.S. extradition request, stressing that it was clearly initiated by U.S. authorities. Attorney General Nandlall echoed these arguments, asserting that the Ministry of Home Affairs processes extradition requests as a matter of routine and that the minister acted in full compliance with established legal procedures. “Bias plays no part. Natural justice does not apply at this stage of the proceedings,” Nandlall said. He described the applications as meritless and an abuse of the court’s process, arguing that they were designed to derail the committal proceedings. He further argued that the defence is attempting to use political rivalry as a shield for fugitive offenders, contending that the Mohameds’ position was that they could not be extradited simply because the government was allegedly biased against them as political opponents. “If that is extradition law, then politics becomes a safe haven for fugitive offenders. I have never heard such a preposterous contention, yet that is the basis of this case,” Nandlall stated.
Nandlall further noted that the extradition request predated the Mohameds’ decision to contest the general elections, stressing that those circumstances had no bearing on the minister’s authority to issue an ATP. He added that there was no allegation that the minister breached any statutory requirement, stating, “The law is the law. These things don’t make sense,what does bias have to do with anything?” Additionally, Senior Counsel Arudranauth Goosai, appearing on behalf of Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, clarified that the magistrate has no authority over the issuance of the ATP and is legally bound to proceed once it is received. Constitutional Challenge During the proceedings, Attorney Forde advanced similar submissions before the Chief Justice, focusing in particular on Section 8(3)(b) of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act 2009. The defence argued that Guyana’s extradition arrangement with the United States is deficient, as the treaty does not expressly guarantee that a person extradited to the U.S. cannot be re-extradited to a third country without the prior consent of the Government of Guyana. He further contended that Section 8(3)(b) expressly prohibits extradition to the United States unless safeguards are in place to prevent such reextradition without Guyana’s approval. However, Nandlall urged the court to dismiss the constitutional challenge, noting that the issues raised had already been judicially settled. After a full day of arguments, Justice Singh reserved his ruling, which is expected on February 2, 2026.
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Over 20 contractors bid to construct Police destroy $1M worth of ganja Letter Kenny Pump Station The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has received 26 bids for the construction of a pump station at Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne,Region Six. In its initial tender document, NDIA stated that
the project is estimated to cost $979 million. A s reported, pump stations play a crucial role in communities by providing residents and farmers with effective drainage systems, especially during heavy rainy periods.
Below are the companies and their bids:
It was reported that areas l i k e c a n a l s ’ b e i n g like Letter Kenny and Whim constructed. One will be are prone to flooding. built between the Number Minister of Agriculture, 51-52 villages, one in the Zulfikar Mustapha during Bengal Village, and the other one of his outreaches in between the Whim and R e g i o n S i x l a s t y e a r Letter Kenny areas. These informed residents that the canals are to be equipped region will see three ‘Hope- with pump stations National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Construction of Pump Station at Letter Kenny, Corentyne.
in Canje Creek The makeshift camp police discovered.
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Supply and delivery of industrial metrology equipment for the GNBS.
R
Guyana Energy Agency Consulting Services for the Presentation of Detailed Designs and Technical Specifications for Energy Efficiency Measures and Distributed Solar PV Systems for Second Batch Buildings in Guyana.
anks of the Guyana Police F o r c e o n Wednesday destroyed a marijuana farm measuring approximately one acre with plants worth $965,580 at Wel te Vreeden, Canje Creek. In a statement to the media, police said the exercise was executed between 04:00hrs and 12:30hrs. “During the exercise, a plot of land measuring
approximately one acre was located, on which approximately 950 cannabis plants were discovered. The plants ranged between two and five feet in height. A makeshift camp was also found at the location,” police said. The plants were destroyed by fire; however, no arrests were made during the incident free operation. Investigations are ongoing.
The plants on the farm.
Supply of Mobile Drainage Pumps to NDIA.
Supply of Fix Drainage Pumps tot the NDIA.
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Thursday January 15, 2026
Trump envoy announces launch of ‘phase two’ of plan to end Gaza war (AL-JAZEERA)United States President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East has announced the launch of the second phase of a USbrokered plan to end Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Steve Witkoff said in a social media post on Wednesday that Trump’s 20point Gaza plan is “moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.” The second phase will establish a transitional administration to govern over the bombarded Palestinian territory and see the “full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza”, Witkoff said. “The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” he said. Israel has violated the US-brokered ceasefire more than 1,190 times since it came into effect in October,
according to the Gaza Government Media Office, killing more than 400 Palestinians and blocking critical humanitarian aid from entering the enclave. Hamas, which has condemned Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations, did not immediately comment on Witkoff’s announcement. Reporting from Deir elBalah in central Gaza on Wednesday, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum noted that the Palestinian group previously said it was ready to abandon day-to-day governance in Gaza as outlined under the Trump plan. But the exact makeup and authority of the provisional body expected to govern in the enclave is not yet clear, Abu Azzoum said. He added that serious questions also remain around the reconstruction of Gaza, where more than 80 percent of all buildings have been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s bombardment. “The durability of the ceasefire itself remains a key variable. Any deterioration could delay or even ruin
A displaced Palestinian woman sits near damaged tents in Gaza City on January 13, 2026 [Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters] these plans,” Abu Azzoum said. In a statement shared on social media, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli prime minister had spoken with the parents of Ran Gvili, a former Israeli police officer whose body is still in the Gaza Strip. “The prime minister made it clear that Ran’s return is our top priority,” the statement said, adding that
plans to establish the technocratic committee to run Gaza “will not affect efforts” to get Gvili’s remains back to Israel. The 20-point US proposal, initially put forward in September, also includes the establishment of a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and the deployment of an “international stabilisation force” to oversee security in
Gaza. Last week, Netanyahu said former United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov would lead the board, which will be tasked with overseeing the Palestinian technocratic government governing Gaza. Gaza mediators’ welcome technocratic body Mediators Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt welcomed the formation of the Palestinian technocratic body, which they said would be headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath. “The mediators express their hope that the formation of the committee will pave the way for the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip,” they said in a joint statement on Wednesday. They also stressed that all parties must “fully commit to implementing the agreement in order to achieve a sustainable peace and create the appropriate conditions for the reconstruction” of Gaza. Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political
analyst, questioned how the US-led plan to end the Israeli war on Gaza would be successful, however, noting that the process “is rigged in favour of Israel”. “How can you have a just process moving forward if one party is favoured all the time against the other party?” said Bishara, adding that the freedom and rights of Palestinians also have largely been ignored. “The people in Gaza continue to suffer … while President Trump and his entourage are celebrating [and] are ‘peacemakers’ as it were,” he said. “Israel is not interested in leaving Gaza. The United States is not interested in pressuring Israel. And so I think that phase two, we’ll be stuck [there] for a very, very long time.” Meanwhile, the UN and leading humanitarian groups working in Gaza continue to call on Israel to allow unimpeded deliveries of aid into the territory, including food, shelter supplies, and equipment needed to clear rubble and rebuild homes.
Iran warns of retaliation if Trump strikes, US withdraws some personnel from bases (Reuters) - The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Te h r a n h a d w a r n e d neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes. With Iran’s leadership trying to quell the worst domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced, Tehran is seeking to deter U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was pulling some personnel from key bases in the region as a precaution given heightened regional tensions. “All the signals are that a U.S. attack is imminent, but that is also how this
administration behaves to keep everyone on their toes. Unpredictability is part of the strategy,” a Western military official told Reuters later on Wednesday. At the White House, however, Trump suggested he was adopting a wait-andsee posture toward the crisis. Trump told reporters that he has been told that killings in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on the protests were subsiding and that he believes there is currently no plan for large-scale executions. Asked who told him that the killings had stopped, Trump described them as “very important sources on the other side.” The president did not rule out potential U.S. military action, saying “we are going to watch what the process is” before noting that his administration had received a “very good
People attend the funeral of the security forces who were killed in the protests that erupted over the collapse of the currency’s value in Tehran, Iran, January 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS drawdowns from its Al Udeid being bussed out to a soccer statement” from Iran. Two European officials air base, the biggest U.S. base stadium and shopping mall as s a i d U . S . m i l i t a r y in the Middle East, were took place hours before an intervention could come in “being undertaken in response Iranian missile strike last the next 24 hours. An Israeli to the current regional year. Britain was also official also said it appeared tensions”. Three diplomats Trump had decided to said some personnel had been withdrawing some personnel intervene, though the scope told to leave the base, though from an air base in Qatar ahead a n d t i m i n g r e m a i n e d there were no immediate signs of possible U.S. strikes, The I u n c l e a r . Q a t a r s a i d of large numbers of troops Paper newspaper reported.
The British defence ministry had no immediate comment. Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where thousands of people have been reported killed in a crackdown on the unrest against clerical rule. Iran and its Western foes have both described the unrest, which began two weeks ago as demonstrations against dire economic conditions and rapidly escalated in recent days, as the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that installed Iran’s system of Shi’ite clerical rule. An Iranian official has said more than 2,000 people have died. A rights group put the toll at more than 2,600. Iran has “never faced this volume of destruction”, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Wednesday, blaming foreign enemies.
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 Oil fields L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U drying up . . 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 L B . . 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 . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B . . L LU ...BLUN . T B . . N . T U L N T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . 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 B Thursday January 15, 2026
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Guyana is burning through its oil future at a reckless pace, and the government is watching silently as ExxonMobil drains the Liza One and Liza Two fields years ahead of schedule. Projects sold to the nation as 20-year lifelines are now set to run dry in barely half that time, the result of aggressive extraction approved by the state. Worse still, Guyana has little to show for it. In the absence of ringfencing, Exxon continues to deduct up to 75 per cent of production to finance other projects, even as oil prices slide sharply from their 2022 highs. The promise that Guyana would “forego revenue now” for “massive future income” is looking increasingly hollow as reserves shrink and prices fall. This is not strategic patience; it is fiscal surrender. Guyana is losing oil, time, and leverage while being told to wait for bones that may never come.
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Jackman, George set for rematch at Pro/Am Showdown on January 24 G
u y a n a ’ s trailblazing boxer Abiola Jackman will step back into the ring on January 24 when she faces Trinidad and Tobago’s Eyed George at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, in a much-anticipated rematch that headlines the inaugural “Pro/Am
Showdown” under the recently formed Caribbean Boxing Organization (CBO). Widely regarded as two of the Caribbean’s finest female boxers, Jackman and George will renew their rivalry on Guyanese soil in what promises to be a defining moment for
regional boxing. Their first encounter took place in Trinidad and Tobago last January, where Jackman emerged victorious on points after a fiercely contested bout that showcased the grit and quality of both fighters. The January 24 clash carries added significance,
Thursday January 15, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Whatever tasks or chores you may have to perform today are likely to go much more quickly and efficiently than usual, Aries. Your level of common sense is high, as is your physical energy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may have been especially interested in promoting your general health for a while, Libra, and so today you could finally start that nutrition and exercise program you've been thinking about.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You generally tend toward a very high level of perseverance, Taurus. No matter how difficult a task may seem to you, today it should go very smoothly.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today should prove a busy day on all levels. Inspiration for creative projects, particularly writing, should come to you in profusion, Scorpio, and so you might produce results that could surprise even you.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Dreams could shed light on some personal ambiguities you've been trying to understand, Gemini. Your thinking is especially clear and logical now, and work should therefore be a snap. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Projects of all kinds that you could be working on with partners or friends could go especially smoothly today, Cancer, as your thinking is especially sharp, clear, and logical. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today could be one of those days when you look around the house and think, "What a mess!" You might then decide to give the whole place a thorough cleaning. This is fine, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Letters or phone calls could come today reaffirming the continued success you've been enjoying and presenting new opportunities, Virgo. Your mind should be in a very good space to consider anything new that comes your way.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Generally you tend to let paperwork go, Sagittarius, but today the necessity of handling budgeting and financial matters could force you to sit down and get it all done. However. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today sensitivity combines with mental astuteness to bring your innate practicality and efficiency to the surface. You'll probably have more than one chance to make use of this, Capricorn. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Communication with others should be as strong on a psychic level as on a verbal one, so expect some telepathic flashes. Practicality and common sense combine with intuition today to make you feel especially creative. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your innate practicality and common sense are apt to be called into action on behalf of a group with which you're affiliated, Pisces. Some of them may be feeling muddled.
not only because it marks their second meeting, but also because it forms part of a new initiative designed to reshape the boxing landscape across the Caribbean. The Pro/Am Showdown is the CBO’s first major event, blending professional and elite amateur talent in a platform aimed at elevating regional fighters onto the international stage. Jackman enters the bout riding a wave of historic achievements. Last May, she etched her name into Guyana’s sporting history by becoming the first boxer, male or female, from the country to win a gold medal at the Americas Boxing Confederation ( A M B C ) E l i t e Championships. Competing
Defending champs eyeing second... From page 27 wicket-keeper Reneice Boyce. Spinners Millington and Munisar alongside seamer Grimmond should continue to hold down the bowling attack, as key bowlers like spinner Kaysia Schultz or Analeisa D’aguiar play themselves into form with the competition getting deeper by the round. Tonight’s encounter is a major one for the champs Guyana, who will be needing every bit of points, momentum and form, from their match-winners as they look to continue their winning ways this season. Trinidad and Tobago will face Windwards from 14:30h, with Jamaica locking up against the Barbadians in the first match of the second round which gets underway from 9:30h.
first meeting and will be eager to even the score. CBO President and Briso Promotions CEO Seon Bristol have expressed excitement about the event, highlighting the high level of talent representing Guyana and the wider Caribbean. The January 24 card will also feature several other marquee matchups. Guyanese featherweight Keevin Allicock will face Yendy Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic, while super middleweight Desmond Amsterdam takes on Wilson Fernandez, also from the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Guyana’s Terrence Adams will square off against Trinidad and Tobago’s Anthony Joseph in a catchweight bout.
in the Women’s 81kg d i v i s i o n i n E c u a d o r, Jackman defeated Daniela Espana to secure the landmark title. That gold medal added to an already impressive résumé, which includes being named Best Female Boxer at the 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championships in St. Lucia. Her success also made her only the second Guyanese to medal at the A M B C E l i t e Championships, following Desmond Amsterdam’s bronze medal in 2022. D e s p i t e J a c k m a n ’s accolades, Eyed George is expected to pose a serious challenge. Known for her toughness and ring intelligence, George pushed Jackman to the limit in their
Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Thursday January 15, 2026
For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 14:15hrs Friday January 16, 2026
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Bangladesh cricketers threaten boycott unless BCB director Nazmul Islam resigns - Two BPL matches on Thursday could be affected by player action
ESPNcricinfo Bangladesh’s cricketers have threatened a boycott of all forms of cricket unless BCB director M Nazmul Islam tenders his resignation, following disparaging comments he made against players on Wednesday. Nazmul, the board’s finance committee chairman, had said earlier on Wednesday that he believes national cricketers should be asked to return the “crores and crores of taka” that the BCB spends on them. Mohammad Mithun, the president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), raised the prospect of a boycott which will have immediate impact on the BPL - hours a f t e r N a z m u l ’s p r e s s conference at the BCB’s headquarters in Dhaka. “The remark made by the BCB director [Najmul Islam] has hurt the cricket fraternity greatly and it’s not acceptable,” Mithun told reporters on Wednesday evening. “We demand his resignation. If he doesn’t resign before tomorrow’s match, we will announce a boycott of all cricket, starting from the BPL matches tomorrow
Will the BPL matches go ahead on Thursday? (Getty Images)
(Thursday).” There are two BPL matches scheduled for January 15. ESPNcricinfo understands that team captains Najmul Hossain Shanto (Rajshahi Warriors), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Sylhet Titans), Mahedi Hasan (Chattogram Royals) and Mithun (Dhaka Capitals), along with Noakhali coach Khaled Mahmud have confirmed their solidarity with the boycott call. Nazmul’s comments, which the BCB has officially distanced itself from, were made on the sidelines of the board’s prayer meeting for
the late former prime minister Khaled Zia. They come as part of ongoing reverberations from the BCB’s decision to not play matches in India at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The ICC event is co-hosted with Sri Lanka and the BCB, citing security concerns, has remained firm in not wanting to play games in India, a decision they made after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their playing roster. Nazmul was asked questions about the potential financial implications for
Bangladesh should they end up not playing in the T20 World Cup at all. He responded by saying the board would not take a hit and that only the cricketers would, adding that there would be no compensation for them should they miss out. “Why [would there be]? Are we asking them for the crores and crores of taka that we are spending on them? Answer me first. “We are spending so much money on them, they are not being able to do anything in different places. Have we got any international awards? What
have we done at any level? Let us now ask them for the money back after every time they couldn’t play. Give us back. Why should there even be a question of compensating the players?” The BCB released a statement soon after, making it clear Nazmul’s views were his alone. “The Board expresses its sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful. Such comments do not reflect the values, principles, or official position of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, nor do they align with the standards of conduct expected from individuals entrusted with the responsibility of serving Bangladesh cricket. “The BCB reiterates that it does not endorse or take responsibility for any statement or remark made by any director or Board member unless issued formally through the Board’s designated spokesperson or t h e M e d i a & Communications Department. Any statements made outside these authorised channels are personal in nature and should not be interpreted as representing the views or
policies of the Board. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board also makes it clear that it will take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual whose conduct or comments show disrespect towards cricketers or cause harm to the reputation and integrity of Bangladesh cricket.” It is the second time in quick succession that Nazmul has put himself in the spotlight for comments against players. Earlier this week he had hit out at Tamim Iqbal in a Facebook post, over comments the former Bangladesh captain made last Friday, calling for the BCB to think through more carefully their decisionmaking over participation in t h e T 2 0 Wo r l d C u p . “ B a n g l a d e s h c r i c k e t ’s interest, future and everything else must be considered before making such a decision,” Tamim had said, urging for a resolution to be found through dialogue. Nazmul and another board director Asif Akbar were harsh in their response to Tamim’s statement, saying that he was acting in the interests of India on this issue.
Outdoor Basketball Court at National Burkina Faso sack coach Gymnasium to close for upgrades as Mali hit by resignations
T
he outdoor basketball court at the National Gymnasium will be closed from January 15 to January 23 to facilitate a series of upgrades, according to the National Sports Commission (NSC). The temporary closure forms part of the NSC’s ongoing programme to improve and maintain sporting facilities across the country, ensuring they are suitable for training, competition and the hosting of major events. Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, said the upgrade of the basketball court aligns directly with the National Sports Commission’s mandate under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to ensure that all facilities under its management are kept in proper condition to accommodate the needs of their respective disciplines. “This closure and upgrade fall in line with our national drive to ensure that facilities under the care of the NSC are properly maintained and upgraded to meet the demands of the sport being played,” Ninvalle stated. “Our goal is to provide athletes with safe,
functional and high-quality venues that support performance and development.” Ninvalle pointed out that similar work is being carried out at the National Aquatic Centre, which is benefitting from upgrades aimed at improving its overall standard and readiness for competition. He noted that the outdoor basketball court is part of a broader schedule of facility improvements, with more venues expected to undergo upgrades in the coming months. “The NSC and the Ministry are prioritizing the need to ensure that our facilities are at the required standard to host matches and events under the parameters set out by the relevant international sporting bodies,” Ninvalle said. He added, “This is critical if we are to continue hosting quality events and preparing our athletes for regional and international competition.” The NSC has advised stakeholders and regular users of the facility to make note of the closure period, while assuring that the upgrades will enhance the overall playing experience once the court reopens.
BBC Sport - Burkina Faso have sacked coach Brama Traore and his coaching staff after their last16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The country’s football federation (FBF) said the decision was taken following results “deemed to fall far short of the objectives set for the national team” before the finals in Morocco. The Stallions had been targeting a place in the semifinals but lost 3-0 to defending champions Ivory Coast in the first knockout round. “This poor performance has caused deep disappointment among supporters, stakeholders in national football, and governing bodies,” said FBF chairman Oumarou Sawadogo. Traore, 63, had been appointed in March 2024, replacing Frenchman Hubert Velud after the Burkinabe exited the 2023
edition of Afcon in the last 16. Saintfiet in dark after Mali resignations Meanwhile, 10 members of the 19-strong executive committee of Mali’s football federation (Femafoot) have resigned, plunging the administration of the game in the West African country into a leadership crisis. The resignations came after the Eagles reached the quarter-finals in North Africa, matching their performance in Ivory Coast two years ago. However, Femafoot has moved to deny rumours that coach Tom Saintfiet’s job is also at risk. “[He] has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard,” Femafoot communications officer Ladji Kone told BBC Sport Africa. While the shakeup is significant, Femafoot president Mamatou Toure,
known as Bavieux, was not among those who quit their roles at the organisation. Bavieux was elected to a second term in April 2023 while in detention for alleged corruption, and was released in April last year after 622 days in prison. According to a source familiar with the situation, the crisis has been driven by repeated dysfunction in administrative management and internal tensions. Belgian Saintfiet, who took charge in September 2024, distanced himself from the politics swirling online. “I am in Belgium, I am not following what is happening on the internet,” the 52-yearold told BBC Sport Africa. “I coached Mali to the quarterfinal for the second time (in a row), that is the only thing I can say. “What kind of politics is going on, I don’t know.”
Thursday January 15, 2026
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GFF, UG ink historic MOU, unlocking a new era of Sports, Education and Empowerment
Present at the signing were Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed Martin (shaking hands) with GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay. Also, in photo are: Director Osafa Dos Santos, Junior Alumni Relations Officer Kristoff Shepperd, Assistant Registrar Karen Wills, International Student Support Officer Fhenise Garraway, and Football Federation intern Martin Massiah and student athlete Leonardo John.
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strong sense of optimism filled the Turkeyen Campus on Tuesday as the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that places young people at the heart of national football development. The agreement forges a formal bridge between higher education and a sector increasingly recognised for both its cultural importance and its growing economic and professional potential. In Guyana, football is steadily evolving from a recreational pastime into an emerging sport industry, with specialised career pathways taking shape in management, media, analytics, operations, coaching, event management and digital engagement. This partnership acknowledges that transition and seeks to prepare young women and men to actively participate in the industry’s growth. For students, particularly those studying management, media, business and the social sciences. The collaboration opens doors to an industry that has expanded significantly in recent years and remains largely inaccessible through
traditional academic routes. One of the immediate outcomes of the agreement will be the placement of four University of Guyana students as interns at the Guyana Football Federation in 2026. The cohort, comprising both young women and men, will be embedded within the GFF’s administrative and technical departments, gaining hands-on experience in sport management, digital media, data analysis, operations and other critical areas of football administration. Speaking following the s i g n i n g , U G Vi c e Chancellor (XI), Professor D r. P a l o m a M o h a m e d Martin, highlighted both the educational value of the partnership and the deep cultural resonance of football in Guyana. “ Wo r k i n g w i t h t h e federation is going to be really significant—not only in creating a live link between the university’s student body and the federation, but also in shaping our academic programmes going forward. Beyond my own personal love for the game, football is undeniably a major part of Guyanese life,” she said. GFF Vice President Dion Inniss emphasised the global scale of the football industry and the opportunities it
presents for local youth, noting that “this partnership positions young Guyanese to enter that global ecosystem with confidence.” GFF President Wayne Forde described the MOU as both historic and strategically important for football governance in Guyana. “This Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant and historic step in the Guyana Football Federation’s commitment to institutional development and capacity building. We are deeply honoured to collaborate with the nation’s most prestigious tertiary institution on an initiative that meaningfully bridges academic learning and practical application,” Forde said. H e e x p r e s s e d appreciation to Professor Mohamed Martin and her leadership team for embracing the proposal, noting that the internship programme will provide students with structured exposure to the realities of football administration. Participants will apply their academic training across key operational areas including finance, logistics, project management, marketing, communication and technical development. “We are confident this partnership will be mutually
enriching—fostering shared learning between the University’s students and our administrative team—while strengthening the overall football ecosystem in Guyana. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the first cohort of interns in the coming weeks,” Forde added.
The internship programme is expected to be the first of several joint initiatives, with both institutions expressing hope that the partnership will eventually expand into research, training, student engagement and community-based programmes.
Effective immediately, the MOU will guide collaboration throughout 2026 and beyond, offering renewed hope to students, support to educators, momentum for football governance, and meaningful opportunities for corporate, community and national development.
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Thursday January 15, 2026
2026 ICC Men’s U-19 50-Over World Cup…West Indies vs. Tanzania
Windies U-19 Head Coach Nurse says team ready for World Cup challenge - Praises centurions Apple, Francis performances ahead of today’s opener Rohan Nurse, the West Indies U-19 Head Coach has praised the brilliant preWorld Cup performances from centurions Shamar Apple and Tanez Francis, adding that his team is firing on all cylinders ahead of their opening match today versus Tanzania. West Indies demolished Japan by 229 runs during their World Cup warm-up match, with the Guyanese Apple signalling his intentions early with a brilliant knock of 124 off just 65 balls. Batting at 6, Apple spanked 10 fours and 8 huge sixes which was one of the better knocks at this level. The opener Francis got his 122 runs off 148 balls (6x4 3x6) after playing a more composed innings. A rampant Windies racked up 346-6 before rattling the Japanese for just 117 all out, thanks to the combo of medium-pacer R’jai Gittens who bagged 48 with left-arm spinner Vitel Lawes snaring 3-28 to help seal an emphatic win but more importantly gaining additional momentum ahead of their battles versus the Tanzanians today. Speaking with journalist
Tanez Francis will look to continue his form come today. Andrew Mason during his Mason and Guests show Tuesday, Head Coach Nurse said he was pleased with the recent string of performances leading up to this moment. “Quite happy with the batting performance,” said Nurse who also credited his bowlers for their exceptional work during the Japan match. Speaking specifically about the 16-year-old batting sensation Apple, the coach credited the Guyanese for his “Natural striking ability”. The Coach said his current form would have been a result of his recent growth which includes being selected by his senior national team, the Guyana Harpy Eagles for last season’s Super50.
He added that despite the young batter not playing, his mere presence around the senior regional structure would have played a role in his current understanding of how to apply himself on the international scene. Apple was also selected for the West Indies U-19 team recently, promoting his Coach to state, “He’s shown a very good capacity to s c o r e , h e ’s m o d e l l i n g himself after Sherfane Rutherford, who he said is his mentor and wants to be like him.” “Ultimately, we’re just happy with his natural strokeplay and it’s just about guiding that raw talent that he has,” said Nurse. Speaking on the growth of young opener Francis, the coach outlined his deep work ethics dubbing him a “very hard worker”. Nurse spoke on his growth and his progression through the respective levels, adding that Apple, Francis along with the entire squad has been growing from strength-to-strength over the last few series. The coach wished his boys the best heading into the Cup, but highlighted the importance of getting fully
acclimatized as they settled in. Speaking of the mood in the camp, Nurse said the b o y s w e r e “ We l l prepared”, but due to the weather which caused them to miss some bowling previously, they were happy to regroup during Tuesday’s game as the bowlers got in some overs while getting an opportunity to assess the conditions. Coach Nurse described the place as very humid and hot, adding that the high altitude presents a thinner air, which will take some time to get acclimatized to but added that the staff is currently working on getting the team in the right space. Touching on the last match before the World Cup against Japan, Nurse credited the team while stating that it was interesting to play them. He noted that most of the players reside in England and Australia, with just a few players actually coming from Japan. “It was interesting to play Japan, it was a good experience, they have some talented players and I think many of the players are
West Indies U19 Coach Rohan Nurse said the team is prepared for their ICC 50-Over World Cup campaign and wished his team all the best ahead of the tournament. eligible for the next World Cup.” Nurse, in closing, said the support has been good and heartwarming, citing the appreciation and happiness from the players, ahead of
their first game. West Indies and Tanzania will open Group D today at 3:30am, at the H ighPerformance Oval, Windhoek in the capital of Namibia.
Mark Austin (68*) pilots Reliance Hustlers to NECC/Jairam Bessesar T20 final F
ormer Essequibo Under-19 opening batsman Mark Austin struck a blistering, unbeaten 68 to pilot Reliance Hustlers into the final of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC)/Jairam Bessesar T20 competition. Playing last Sunday at Reliance Sports
ground, Essequibo C o a s t , R e g ion 2, the right-handed Austin hit five fours and three sixes as Reliance Hustlers reached a competitive 156-1 from the reduced 17-over, while Walton Hall replied with 148-9 at the expiration of the 17-overs. The reduction of the
overs was due to rain. Austin got excellent support from Raj Gourdeen who made 57 not out. For the visitors, D. Hurrill scored a fighting 62 as pacer Ryan Shivamber grabbed 4-25 from his maximum four overs on a responsive pitch.
Ex-Guyana youth player Rovindra Parsram supported Shivamber with 2-17 from three offspin overs. The championship game is billed this Sunday at Jagmohan ground from 1pm. Reliance Hustlers will tackle IIS Sports Club.
Kaieteur News
Thursday January 15, 2026
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Archery Guyana welcomes productive engagement with the National Sports Commission
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rchery Guyana has welcomed what it has described as a highly productive and encouraging meeting with the National Sports Commission, led by Director of Sport, Mr. Steve Ninvalle, as part of the C o m m i s s i o n ’ s comprehensive engagement with all affiliated sports associations for the 2026 calendar year. During the meeting, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, President of Archery Guyana, commended Director Ninvalle and the two Assistant Directors of Sport, Ms. Melissa DowRichardson and Mr. Franklin Wilson of the NSC for their proactive and structured approach to collaboration with national sporting bodies. She welcomed the platform for the Archery federation to present their updated externally audited financial statements, achievements to date, plans,
(From right to left): Assistant Director of Sport Ms. Melissa Dow-Richardson, Director of Sport Mr. Steve Ninvalle, President of Archery Guyana Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Assistant Director of Sport Mr. Franklin Wilson. share objectives, and discuss how the NSC can provide meaningful support for development programmes and international competitions. Persaud-McKinnon also took the opportunity to share exciting updates regarding Guyana’s hosting of the
Caribbean Development Championships (CDC) in October 2026, highlighting Archery Guyana’s ongoing preparations and plans for this major international event. She emphasised the significance of CDC2026 as a milestone for the sport, providing local athletes with
2026/27 CWI Women’s Blaze T20 Championships Round 2…Guyana vs. Leewards
Defending champs eyeing second victory as Night battle looms By Clifton Ross After holding their composure to secure their first win of the season, defending champions Guyana will look to go 2-0 in the tournament, when they face an equally upbeat Leeward Islands unit in tonight’s clash under lights at the Arnos Vale Ground, from 19:00h. Leewards did a fantastic job to sneak past Jamaica after a string of their bowlers, including Jahzara Claxton, all-rounder Shawnisha Hector, Rozel Liburd, Qiana Joseph and others pulled out some top performances with the leather to help defend a low score in round 1 versus Jamaica. Guyana on the other hand, showed their all-round class after some of their international stars like Shabika Gajnabi, Ashmini Munisar and Sheneta Grimmond and breakout regional star spinner Plaffianna Millington; all exhibiting confidence as they overcame a veteran Windwards team. Tonight’s battle should further test both teams, with conditions changing to much more attentive, alert setting; as the women will need to quickly adjust to the lighting, dew among other factors which come into play during night games. Should players like skipper Shemaine Campbelle, opener Mandy Mangru, who got a decent start with 16, Realeanna Grimmond alongside the Williams sisters in Latoya and
Ace spinner Plaffianna Millington will be the X-Factor for Guyana going forward. Laurene get going with the bat; Guyana could pose a bigger threat to the Leewards bowling unit. Leewards opener Hector scored the first half-century of the team before grabbing wickets, but will need help from front-line batters like Joseph, Claxton, skipper Amanda Edwards who had 20 in the last match and (Continued on page 23)
an international competitive platform and showcasing Guyana’s commitment to sports excellence. “This meeting represents exactly the kind of collaboration we need to
grow sport in Guyana,” Persaud-McKinnon said. “We are grateful to the support of the NSC and we are thrilled to continue to collaborate with the NSC as the Federation makes significant preparations for the upcoming Caribbean D e v e l o p m e n t Championships scheduled for October 19–26, 2026, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. President of the Federation reported that the Guyana National Stadium has been secured for this period, thanks to the unwavering support of the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Charles Ramson Jnr., and Hon. Minister within the Ministry, Mr. Stephen Jacobs. Their commitment ensures that the archery world and athletes, coaches, and officials will have access to a world-class facility to prepare and
participate at the highest level. “Collaboration is essential to the growth of sport in Guyana,” said Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, President of Archery Guyana. The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana reiterated that structured collaboration with the National Sports Commission is critical to aligning our efforts and ensuring that our sport continues to develop sustainably. “We are grateful to the NSC for creating this platform,” PersaudMcKinnon added. “These engagements represent an important step forward, not only for archery but for all sports in Guyana, as we work together to build stronger programmes, develop talent, and elevate o u r p r e s e n c e internationally.”
2026 ICC Men’s U-19 50-Over World Cup…West Indies vs. Tanzania
Windies U-19 Head Coach Nurse says team ready for World Cup challenge rt Spo
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- Praises centurions Apple, Francis performances ahead of today’s opener All eyes will be on Guyanese Shamar Apple following his breathtaking century.
Abiola Jackman
2026/27 CWI Women’s Blaze T20 Championships Round 2…Guyana vs. Leewards
Defending champs eyeing second victory as Night battle looms Guyana’s batting will revolve around the likes of Shabika Gajnabi who top-scored in the first game.
Jackman, George set for rematch at Pro/Am Showdown on January 24 Bangladesh cricketers threaten boycott unless BCB - Two BPL matches on Thursday director Nazmul Islam resigns could be affected by player action 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.