Kaieteur News

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Guyana soon to know if

oil

...as American company launches seismic

Corentyne teen killed during police chase

...as rescuers search Venezuela earthquake rubble ...Guyanaoffershelp ...brutalityclaimssparkfieryprotests ...Govt.promisesimpartialprobe

People search for casualties amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, in the aftermath of earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25. (Getty Images, Reuters and EPA/Shutterstock)

“Cop

of five homeless Bath Settlement to monitor uranium mining - police reveal from confession statement

DEATHTOLLHITS188 fire leaves family

Guyana and Jamaica hold bilateral talks on Technology,

Energy, Agriculture and Security

held high-level bilateral discussions on Thursday, with both leaders and their respective delegations reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation acrossabroadrangeofsectors.

The talks, which brought together members of both cabinets,focusedonadvancingthelongstandingpartnership between the two CARICOM nations across key areas including technology, education, energy, security, governmentefficiency,agriculture,andhousing.

Themeetingformspartofatwo-dayStateVisitbyPrime Minister Holness to Guyana, undertaken at the invitation of PresidentAli.

No joint statement had been issued at the time of publication, with details of the engagement drawn from PresidentAli’sofficialFacebookpage.

Former EPA Head raises alarm over Guyana’s inability to monitor uranium mining

Guyana lacks the regulatorycapacity,technical expertise, and institutional readiness to safely oversee uranium mining operations, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Dr VincentAdams has warned noting that the country’s track record in environmental governance offers little reason for confidence

His warning comes as Canada-based U92 Energy Corp. moves to advance the Kurupung uranium project in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), following its acquisition of Singaporean firmLIAIndustriesPte.Ltd. earlier this year The project spans92.2squarekilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium — and it is currently U92’s onlylistedproject.

Speaking with HGPTV Nightly News, Dr Adams was unsparing in his assessment “Guyana just based on their track record do not have it, they do not understand what it takes to have it, and they have no interest in providing that capacity to take on such an operation,” he said. “They have no clue what they’re getting into. Have no clue whatsoever.”

Dr. Adams drew on extensive professional experience to underpin his concerns, having overseen uranium-relatedremediation programmes in the United States and chaired international conferences

Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams

attended by representatives frommorethan60countries e x a m i n i n g

h e environmental impacts of uranium mining includinginKazakhstan,one of the world’s largest uraniumproducers. Hestressedthaturanium mining is among the most technically demanding and e n v

o n m e n t a l l y consequential forms of resourceextraction,carrying serious risks of water contamination, wildlife disruption, and long-term environmentalliabilityifnot

rigorously managed He warned that countries which engaged in uranium mining decades ago are still spending heavily to address contamination and rehabilitationtoday.“Thisis no walk in the park type of operation,”hesaid.

Central to Dr Adams’ concern is the principle of regulatory independence — the idea that governments must possess sufficient technical knowledge to independently verify what operators are doing, rather than allowing companies to

effectively self-regulate. He argued that Guyana currently lacks that capacity entirely, and pointed to the country’s environmental

governance record in the oil and gas sector as evidence that the gap is not being adequatelyaddressed.

On April 19, 2024, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) grantedLIA(Guyana)Inc awholly-ownedsubsidiaryof Continuedonpage8

KaieteurNews

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Stalked, setup, victimised

Guyana has become the world’s punching bag.

Manycomerosy-eyedwithexpectations. They reaparichharvest. Thereisagovernmentthatis either unconscious or close to it. Perhaps, the PPP/C Government is part of the schemes that hit this oil rich country hard. Oil rich is an invitation that few can resist. That label invites all so inclined to take advantage of conditionsinGuyana.

The conditions encourage insiders and outsiders to slip in another sharp jab on a country now too frightened to do anythingtosaveitsownskin,evenprotectitswealth. Those whoareskilledatoperatinginthesetypesofenvironments haveagreenlighttohelpthemselves,tomakemerryoffthe backsofGuyanese.

Guyana’spartnertocompletetheUS$2BWalesGas-toEnergyproject,Lindsayca-CH4,wasrecentlysuccessfulin extracting US$97M plus legal costs, because Guyana did not conduct its own credible feasibility study The soil where the two remaining plants are to be erected was too soft,leadingtolengthydelays,andthatUS$99Mtotal. This newspapertriedandtriedtogetastatement,acommitment, from the PPP/C Government’s leading oil and gas spokespersononacrediblefeasibilitystudydone,orbeing done, and got nowhere. Lindsayca-CH4 got its US$99M, anditsowndocumentsindicatethatitwouldneed,possibly be approaching the government, for another US$250M to completethegasconversionplantandthepowergeneration facility Now, Guyana is only seen as a punching bag that cannotberesisted,onethatinvitesfreshpunches. Guyanais also seen as a milking cow whose udders are so full that it wouldbeacrimenottosqueezethemtoextractmoreoftheir richness. It seems that ExxonMobil, another Guyana partner, one that insists it always has Guyana’s interests in mind, has been also positioning itself for more from Guyana.

The underwater gas pipeline connecting to the Wales project site from 220 kilometers offshore has been laid for closetotwoyears. Duringthatspan,almosttwoyears,the best that citizens can get from both ExxonMobil and the PPP/C Government is an “average” price for the pipeline. An “average” price of US$1B gives a first clue of how Guyana is being stalked and setup to be victimised. It amazing that a company such as ExxonMobil, with over a hundred years of experience in the oil and gas industry all overtheworld,seesitfittoshelterunderaweak,lame,word as“average.”

ThiscouldbehowGuyanaisbeingsetup,prepared,for thekill. Since“average”isthebestthatExxonMobilcando almosttwoyearsafterthepipelinehasbeenlaid,US$1Bas thefinalcostlooksremote. Onethingisalmostcertain:itis notgoingtobelessthanUS$1B. Toputthenearcertaintyof aguaranteethatthefinalcostcouldbemorethanUS$1B,we urgereaderstonotehowthePPP/CGovernmenthastaken comfortinsilence.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharat, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, and former Wales GTE Taskforce Head, now Project Consultant, Winston Brassington, have alllockedtheirjaws,withnotawordescaping. Thebiggest land-based project ever undertaken by this country, and threeseniorofficialsofthePPP/CGovernmentcannotfind their voices. It is this same government, with President Irfaan Ali in the lead, that sells itself as a champion of transparency

Onlyrecently,thegovernmentwenttoparliamenttoask for another $54.89B in supplementary funds. Parliament couldnotbeinsessionformorethan100days,butamongits first order of business is consideration of $54.89B to enhanceongoingworksattheWalesGTE,theMinistriesof Housing, Agriculture, and Utilities and Aviation. We questionifthereconveningofparliamentwouldhavebeen delayed longer, if the government did not need to raid the treasury This country’s biggest budget ever, $1.558T was

Protecting our children in this digital age

DEAREDITOR,

Irecentlycameacrossan important question posed by myfriend,veteranjournalist Gordon Moseley: “Should regulating social media use bychildrenrestwithparents orthegovernment”?

I firmly believe this is a question that deserves far more than a passing response. In my view, it requires a serious national conversation involving

organisations, and young peoplethemselves. The rapid expansion of s o c

d i a h a s fundamentally changed childhood as we know it. Today’schildrenhaveaccess to computers, smartphones, tablets,anddigitalplatforms atincreasinglyyoungerages. Many parents struggle to keep pace with emerging

he growing number of social media applications, some of

DEAREDITOR,

which they may not even knowexist.

In countries such as Guyana, where digital literacy and parental monitoring tools are still developing, children are often left exposed to powerful online influences withlittleornosupervision. Let us not be naive because social media undoubtedly offers benefits. It can facilitate learning, communication, creativity, and global connectivity However, it also presents significant risks that cannot be ignored. These include cyberbullying, exposure to harmful and inappropriate content, online grooming, sexual exploitation, misinformation, addictive behaviours,decliningmental health, and the growing pressure created by unrealistic social standards promotedbyinfluencersand onlinepersonalities.

These concerns are not merely theoretical. Around

the world, governments, researchers, educators, and health professionals have increasingly raised alarm about the impact of excessive and unregulated socialmediauseonchildren and adolescents Some governments have gone a step further to offer greater protection, the United Kingdom for example has recentlymovedtostrengthen protections for children online,withmeasuresaimed at restricting social media access for younger users.

The underlying principle is simple: to give children the opportunity to enjoy their childhood, to be children, free from many of the dangers that exist in unregulateddigitalspaces.

Itisnoteworthyforusas a developing country to pay attention when a mature and highly developed society takes legislative action to address a growing threat to children Developing countries like ours need to

pay close and rapt attention. Such actions are not evidence of overreach but rather recognition that governmentshaveadutyand responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens when emerging risks outpace existingsafeguards.

Guyana should not wait until we experience the full extent of the social and psychologicalharmsalready being reported elsewhere. We have the advantage of learning from the experiencesofcountriesthat have travelled this road before us Acting early places, us in a stronger positiontodevelopbalanced policiesthatprotectchildren whilepreservingthepositive aspects of technology and innovation.

Thisisnottosuggestthat government should replace parents responsibilities to their children Parents remain the first line of responsibilityforguiding

Continued on page 5

The Arrogance of it all

It was with immense disbeliefthatIwitnessedthe most recent tirades by Comrade Ali. His remarks regarding foreign investors and regional opportunities were quite revealing. He stated that if Guyana was “not good enough for you (international companies) to manufacture and produce your goods by investing in oureconomythenwearenot good enough to consume their goods too”. Not only doesthisstatementshowthe true nature of his deeprooted communist leaning beliefs, but it also confirms his lack of understanding of global trade and business. Unfortunately,hisarrogance and inexperience may cost our nation the goodwill being shown by the leading economies towards our little country Furthermore, ComradeAli also stated that he was willing to have Guyana go it alone without regionalpartners. This will ultimately render Caricom useless Theseareremindersofparts of Comrade Burnham’s philosophy that led to the economic collapse of our nation. There is a lot of competition within the

regionandonlyviamutually beneficial trade agreements can this be resolved with a win-win solution Our comrade must be cautious and not try to take regional leadership in every lucrative sector

The push back will be enormous and the restricted access being faced in regional markets is a symptomofthispushback.

Of more concern is whether Comrade Ali will peacefully relinquish power at the next general elections orwillhetrytoholdontoitto further his lacklustre economic agenda Either way his influence over Guyana’s reputation within the global economic system isturningintoahindranceto sustainable and reliable economic development. The timehascomeforthesenior leaderswithinthePPPtoreel in our comrade before he furthercreatesaninvestment climate that isolates Guyana asitdidduringtheBurnham years.

Consider the approach being suggested by our comrade If international businesses were required to manufacture wherever they sell they would firstly only pick the largest consumer

approved on February 14, and here is a PPP/C Government thatissoshamelessthatitisbackagaininearlyJunetoaskfor morebillions.

One more example of how Guyanese are stalked, setup, and victimised, on this occasion by the people they put in power

markets available where demand for their goods justified the investment. An important consideration that Comrade Ali should have been advised on before making such a demand, which unfortunately will be viewedbyglobalcompanies as both arrogant and a deterrent to further entering Guyana’smarket.

As a nation, we must keep our situation in a realisticlight.Wearerapidly growing off a very small economicbase,oureconomy isminusculecomparedtothe annualrevenueofeachofthe Fortune 500 companies, and our GDP is less than more thanhalfofthenationsinthe world.

The reality is that we need investors more than they need us. Arrogance, angry tirades, and an investment strategy that leads to economic isolation will only result in the downfall of our nation’s economy and hinder long termlastingprosperity

CRG suggests focusing on creating an attractive investment climate by providing competitive tax incentives, increasing the availability of skilled labour and professionals, establishing strong intellectual property rights, and providing favourable trade conditions for investors These “must haves” will also need to be accompaniedbyastronglaw

andordersystemthatcreates a safe investment environment which helps improve our country risk rating and improve our sovereign credit rating Currently, our nation has a U.S. level 3 travel advisory duetoviolentcrime.

Anyopportunitytogaina favourable trade status and additional foreign direct investment should be embracedandnotarrogantly demanded Our comrade would benefit from a strong dose of humility and diplomacy Not long-ago banks left our shores due to money laundering and corruptionconcerns. Comrade, fix these substantial fundamental problems within our economybeforeraisingyour expectations for investment. The reality is that the investment environment in Guyana is not the most attractive when compared to more lucrative and safer alternatives.

Improve our nation’s competitiveness & attractiveness, and then we cantrulyreapthebenefitsof our evolving economic growth.Theseniorleadersof thepartyneedtoprovideour comrade with a qualified presidentialadvisorwhocan guide him through the remainder of his term in office before things spiral outofcontrol.

Withconcern, JamilChanglee

DEAREDITOR,

Safety first

I recently read comments from a Caribbean traffic engineer who suggested that public transportation should be made “sexy” to commuters and operators to alleviate traffic congestion This is an outrageous statement with no relevance to infrastructuredevelopment,anditmakesone wonder if the speaker misunderstood the natureoftheforum.

While the engineer did mention affordablefaresandscheduling,trueprogress requiresamorepracticalapproach.Wecould learnfromthepublictransportationsystemin Suriname.

Their system utilises mini-buses rather

than vans, operates from a central hub at the city market, and follows specific routes and schedules with assigned stops Most importantly,thesebusesaresafeandmaintain arespectfulenvironmentforpassengers. Safety and security must be the primary focus to make public transportation appealing.Whencommutersfeelsecurefrom accidentsandcrime,theyarefarmorelikely to use these services. Prioritising these fundamental elements, rather than using inappropriate buzzwords, is what will truly keep our transportation systems running smoothly

Sincerely, DanielSingh

Protecting our children in...

Frompage4 andprotectingtheirchildren. However, parents cannot be expected to confront alone an industry driven by sophisticated algorithms, billion-dollar technology companies, and digital ecosystems specifically designedtocaptureandhold theattentionofyoungusers. Effective child protection in the digital age requires a partnership between families, schools, communities, technology companies,andgovernment. A national conversation should therefore explore several important questions. Should there be minimum age requirements for social mediause?Shouldplatforms be required to implement stronger age-verification systems?

Should digital literacy and online safety become a mandatory component of school curricula? Should there be legal obligations on social media companies to remove harmful content targetingchildren?Theseare legitimate policy questions

Asourcountrycontinues to modernise and embrace the opportunities of the digital era in healthcare, agriculture, government services and more, we must ensurethatprogressdoesnot come at the expense of our children The evidence emerging from developed societies should serve as an early warning and an opportunity for proactive action.

If other nations have identified genuine dangers and have taken steps to addressthem,weshouldnot hesitate to examine whether similar protections are appropriate for our own circumstances.

that deserve careful consideration. At its core, this discussion is more about the future of our Guyanese children. The young people of today who will become our leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and citizens who shape Guyana tomorrow Protecting their mental health, emotional well-being, and personal safetymustremainanational priority

Whatisaknownfact,our children are equally vulnerable to the harms of the digital world? They deserve the same level of concern, protection, and advocacy Thetimehascome forGuyanatohaveamature and informed national conversationonsocialmedia regulation for our children. The future well-being of a generationmaydependonit. Thetimeisnowforusto act.

Yoursrespectfully, JermaineFigueira

New Amsterdam man arrested after gun and weed found at home

A38-year-oldtaxidriver from New Amsterdam, Berbice,isinpolicecustody after officers discovered a loaded revolver and nearly 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis at his Shoe Lane residenceonTuesday

The operation, carried out at approximately 11:45 hoursbyranksfromRegion

Six (East Berbice-

C o r e n t y n e ) , w a s intelligence-led. Acting on information received, officers visited the man’shomeandconductedathoroughsearch forarms,ammunition,andnarcotics.

During the search, officers uncovered several transparent plastic-wrapped parcels containing what appeared to be cannabis sativa — leaves, seeds, and stems — concealedinsidetwoblueplasticbarrels.The suspect acknowledged ownership of the substance.

Asubsequentsearchofawoodenchestof drawersyieldedasilver-coloured.38Special revolver, serial number UA852487, loaded withsixmatchingroundsofammunition.

The suspected cannabis was weighed in the suspect’s presence at the Central Police Station and recorded at 14.650 kilograms. Samples were extracted from each parcel, placed into sealed and marked transparent evidence bags, and submitted for laboratory analysis. The firearm and ammunition were similarly processed and submitted for ballistic examination. The man faces three charges: possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunitionwithoutalicence.Heremainsin custodyattheCentralPoliceStationinNew Amsterdamasinvestigationscontinue.

Bath Settlement fire leaves family of five homeless

The

destroyed Bath Settlement home

A two-year-old boy’s persistent knocking on a bathroom door may have saved his mother’s life — moments before a Thursday morning fire reduced their family’s two-storey home at Waterloo Street, Bath Settlement, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to ash, leaving five people without shelter

The blaze broke out just after10:00amandconsumed the wooden and concrete structure—whichhadstood for more than 20 years — withinminutes.

Bibi FareenaWahab, 20, was bathing when her toddlersonbeganrappingon the door “He called two times — ‘mammy, mammy’ but he can’t talk properly,” she recalled. “I barely wrapped up with a towel.WhenIcameout,allI could see was smoke I grabbed him and I ran out. I couldn’tdoanything.”

Wahab said it was the urgencyinherson’stonethat compelled her to stop and checkonhim.

Neighbours heard the commotion and rushed to help, but the fire moved faster “I hollered for help, theneighbourscameout,but nothing could save it. I lost everything. I don’t know what I will do now,” Wahab said.

The home belonged to Jasoda, 56, who along with her husband spent most of their time working in the

Mahaicony Creek, visiting theBathSettlementproperty on weekends Her son DhanrajArnold,32,hiswife Wahab,andtheiryoungchild had been living there for threeyears.

“Only yesterday I was here.Mydaughtercalledme thismorningandtoldmethe housewasonfire.Icaughta boat and came out. By the time I arrived, everything wasalreadyburnt,”shesaid.

Arnold, a construction workerandblockmaker,was atworkwhenhereceivedthe news.Hereturnedtofindhe had lost three electric generators valued at over $130,000, a motorcycle worth $270,000, a grasscutting machine, and an

assortment of tools The family also lost beds, wardrobes, multiple refrigerators, appliances, andimportantdocuments— with only a handful of partially damaged papers salvagedfromtheruins.

Divisional Fire Officer, Clive McDonald told Kaieteur News that preliminaryfindingssuggest achildplayingwithmatches may have ignited the blaze.

The family, however, disputes this, saying there were no matches on the premises.

McDonald confirmed that a fire tender from Onverwagt Fire Station was dispatched and was not far from the scene, but by the time crews arrived, the structurewasalreadylargely destroyed. No injuries were reported.

The family is appealing tomembersofthepublicfor assistance as they begin the processofrebuilding.Those wishing to help can contact themat648-6498.

Investigations are ongoing.

Govt. and Gas-to-Energy contractor deny Venezuelans helped finance Wales project

The Government of Guyana (GoG) through Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has strongly denied that the country’s flagship G

y (GTE) project was financed with assistance from a Venezuelan-owned bank, B a n c o S a n J u a n Internacional(BSJI). In an interview with this

newspaper on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, Dr Singh was explicit, “I don’t know anything about that The project was financed by the US EXIM (Export-Import) Bank and theGovernmentofGuyana.”

“I saw that being referenced somewhere but I don’t know anything about that,” he added while referring to a recent article by Kaieteur News that the Bankpubliclyannouncedits role in helping Guyana to financethegasproject.

In LinkedIn post, the bank said, “Guyana has some of the highest electricity rates in Latin America — but this is about to change. BSJI played an

integral role in securing financing for a $759M natural gas and power generation facility, which will decrease energy expenses for thousands of homes and businesses by over50%.”

“BSJI was pivotal in supporting Lindsayca CH4 Guyana’s$759Mprojectfor the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for the construction of a natural gas liquids extraction plant and a 300 MW power generation facility that will provide clean, stable and affordable energy to thousands of families and businesses in thecountry,”itcontinued.

Be that as it may, the

contractor hired by Guyana to construct the project also flatly denied that the project was financed by that institution Chairman of Lindsayca, Nelson Drake in a brief telephone interview with this publication on Thursday morning stated, “Banco San Juan never financed the Gas-to-Energy project.TheprojectwasselffinancedbytheGovernment of Guyana, with assistance fromtheU.S.EXIMBank.”

When asked about the Bank’s claim, Drake maintained, “It was false. I havenoothercomment.”

While both government andthecontractorrejectedthe bank’s involvement, the lack of transparency surrounding the project continues to concernGuyanese.

Recently, Senior Energy and Strategy Advisor, AnthonyPaulurgedGuyana toguardagainstsecrecyinits petroleum sector Paul said, “The Gas-to-Energy project shouldbealearningpoint.If key licences, agreements, cost-recovery arrangements, pipeline terms, gas supply a r r a n g e m e n t s , reimbursements or related project documents are not available in the same way petroleum agreements have beenpublished,thencitizens

shouldaskwhy.”

He added that the public should know (i) what agreements exist; (ii) who thepartiesare;(iii)what;(iv) recoverable costs; (v) what obligations the State has assumed; (vi) whether any licence,rightorapprovalhas been granted; (vii) whether any transfer or assignment has occurred and (viii) what information is confidential, andwhy

BSJI

PROPOSAL

BSJI is owned and directed by Venezuelan national,MarcelinoBellosta Varady This newspaper has seen a leaked financial proposal submitted by the Venezuelan-owned entity, stating its interest in providing a loan for the Guyanagasproject. It is understood that key players in the project received a copy of the document, including the GTE Taskforce Head, WinstonBrassingtonandDr Singh. The document, dated 10th June, 2022 laid out crucial details about the proposal, including the repayment duration, interest and its intent to supply 35% of the project cost up to US$252M.

BSJImadeitclearinits

Continuedonpage12

FormerEPAHeadraises...

Frompage3

LIA Industries incorporated in Guyana in March 2023 — Exclusive Prospecting Licences covering uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare earth elements. The licences run for three years toApril 18, 2027, with the possibility of two additional one-year extensions, potentially keeping the project active until April 2029. Exploration activities commencedin2024.

U92 has since acquired the complete historical technical and exploration dataset for the Kurupung project, consolidating more than a decade of systematic exploration work it describes as the core technical foundation of the project. The company has also finalised a commercial agreement for a Phase One 5,000-metre diamond drilling programme and submitted the required environmental applicationfordrillpadpreparation.

Dr Adamsdidnotarguethaturaniumminingisinherently incompatible with Guyana’s development — only that the countryisnotyetequippedtodoitsafely Hispositionisthat the necessary regulatory, technical, and environmental oversight infrastructure must be built before operations advance,notafter

The Brazilian Bulldozer

The local livestock industry has always had its challenges but there was a time when the livestock farmer could earn a decent living. The cattle rancher braved droughts, floods, rustlers, marauding jaguars and government promises. The poultry farmer rose before dawn, tended his birds, borrowed from the bank,prayedfornooutbreak ofdiseaseandhopedthatthe market would reward his efforts.

Today, many of these farmers are discovering that the greatest threat to their existence is not nature, not disease and not even incompetence It is a truckload of beef and chicken imported – and in somecasessmuggled–from Brazil.

The local livestock industry is in deep trouble. Fromcowstochickens,from goats to pigs, the sector is reeling. But nowhere is the painbeingfeltmoreseverely than among cattle farmers andpoultryrearers,whonow find themselves locked in a contest between local productionandimports.

The irony is thick. For years Guyanese were told that agriculture was the future. Billions were spent on farm to market roads, drainage, irrigation and development programmes. Farmerswereencouragedto expand production Some borrowed heavily to do so.

Then,justastheypreparedto reap the rewards, cheaper importsarrivedandbeganto devourthemarket. Takebeef.Brazilianbeef isnowappearingonthelocal market at prices that local cattlefarmerssimplycannot match.

The consequences have been devastating Local cattleproducersarefindingit increasingly difficult to secure markets for their animals Buyers naturally gravitate to the cheaper product.Price,afterall,hasa persuasive vocabulary A supermarket manager looking at two cuts of beef rarelypausestocontemplate patriotism. He studies the pricetag.

The result is that cattle farmers are being squeezed fromeverydirection.Floods periodicallydestroypastures and livestock. Rising costs increase the expense of production. Now imported beef threatens to complete the destruction of the industry What the floods may not accomplish, competitionfromBrazilmay wellfinish.

Yet amid this crisis, an important question remains unanswered. Who exactly is importingthisbeef?

The government has not publiclydisclosedthenames of those granted licences to import beef. This omission has fuelled suspicions and allegations that access to licences is reserved for the

Dem Boys Seh...

Demboyssehsomethingstrangehappen down in de farmyard last week. Cow and chickendecidetothrowaparty Notbecause businessgood.Notbecausepricegoup.But because,foronceindemlife,badeconomics starttolooklikeretirementplan.

Thecowwasfirsttoraiseaglassofstale molasses water. “Me brethren,” he announce,“wefinallyreachdegoodlife.No moreslaughterhouse.Nomorebutcherman sharpening knife and pretending he doing maintenance on de gate. Brazilian beef so cheap,nobodyevenlookingatwesideways again.” The chicken clap he wings like he win lottery “Talk it!” he seh. “Me used to hear footsteps and think is the end. Now is peace and quiet. Man passing me pen and saying,‘nah,Brazilianchickencheaper.’Me neverknowrejectioncouldfeelsosweet.”

So dem celebrate.The goat bring vibes.

The donkey provide unsolicited commentary as usual. Even the pig start dancinglikeheinventhappiness.

The cow lean back under a mango tree. “Me feel like pensioner already,” he seh. “Long service award without the service endinginsoup.”

The chicken nod. “Me too. Me old age secure.Nobodywantme.Metooexpensive

fortunatefew Whetherthese allegationsaretrueorfalseis almost beside the point Transparency exists precisely to eliminate suspicion.

If licences are being issuedfairly,thenpublishthe names. Publish the criteria. Publish the procedures Sunlight remains the cheapest disinfectant ever invented.

The same troubling pattern is evident in the poultry industry For years Guyanese have heard declarationsthatthecountry is self-sufficient in chicken. Yet consumers continue to pay more than G$500 per pound for locally produced chicken If this is selfsufficiency,itappearstobea particularly expensive versionofit.

Meanwhile, imported Brazilian chicken continues to arrive and, despite attracting substantial tariffs, often reaches consumers at prices below those of local producers This reality exposes an uncomfortable contradiction. How can an industry be genuinely competitive if imported chicken can absorb transportation costs, duties andtariffsandstillundersell thedomesticproduct?

The answer is that something is fundamentally wrong. Local poultry farmers invest millions in pens, feed, labour and veterinary care They

topluck.Somejust…existing.”

But as the party get sweeter, a silence creepin.Thekindofsilencethatdoescome beforeafarmerstartcalculatingbills.

Thecowlowerhevoice.“Eh…butwho feedingwenowthough?”

Thechickenstopmid-dance.“Truetalk. If nobody buying we, farmer pocket empty. Iffarmerpocketempty…wegrassrationgo startlookinglikepublicservantpay

The cow look around the yard. “So we retire…butwestillemployed?”

Dem boys seh the farmer walking past that moment, scratchinghe head like a man doing mental arithmetic with no numbers. He mutter, “Imports cheap, market dead, feedexpensive…”

The cow whisper to the chicken, “If he stopfeedingwe,wemightgetderetirement packageearly…veryearly.”

Thechickenanswer,“Boy,thisisdeonly pensionplanwheredebeneficiariesstillgot toworryaboutlunch.”

So the party continue—but now with caution. Because in this fastest growing economy, even retirement come with feeding uncertainty, and happiness got to sharespacewithhunger

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

provide employment Yet these farmers now find themselves competing against imported products thatseemcapableofentering themarketatpricesthatdefy ordinaryeconomiclogic.

Predictably, the strain is beginning to show Margins are shrinking for those rearing meat birds. And for cattle farmers, the losses are mounting Farmers now spend their time calculating howlongtheycansurvive.

Again, the question arises:whoisreceivingthese import licences? The public deserves to know More importantly, local producers deserve to know What are the requirements for a license? What standards must applicants satisfy? How many licences have beengranted?Towhom?On whatbasis?

T h e s e a r e n o t unreasonable questions They are the questions that naturally arise whenever government decisions affect livelihoods and millions of dollarsincommerce.

Foodsecuritycannotrest solely upon imports A nation that abandons its

farmerseventuallydiscovers that dependence is a poor substituteforproduction.

The livestock industry doesnotrequiresympathy It requires fairness. It requires transparency It requires policies that do not leave local producers wondering whethertheyareexpectedto compete against foreign imports with one hand tied behindtheirbacks.

Until the government reveals who is receiving these import licences and how they are being granted,

the questions will persist. And as the questions multiply,sotoowillthefears of farmers watching their markets disappear beneath theadvancingshadowofthe Brazilianbulldozer (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper)

FromKamlatotheU.S.-SOS

I c o n f e s s t o disagreementswithTrinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Excellency Kamla Persad-Bissessar Toomuch under the thumb of the U.S. Reacting too readily to stimulifromDJTrump. But whatever is said about PM Kamla, she has the interests of the TT people at heart. I wish I could say that of the PPP,PresAlietal. She is faced with a

paralysing crimewave of monstrousproportions.TT’s national security apparatus is shorthanded, short of results, short of confidence, and just plain short. So, what does Mrs PersadBissessardo? Sheleverages the TT-U.S. relationship to protectherpeople.

Not UNC people exclusively, but T&T people Are PPP Govt leaders listening? Are they

embarrassed? They should be U S Navy Seals operating near TT shores. The best for best friends. U S intelligence, other assets, no doubt around the hotspots and underworld nests of the Twin Island Republic.

Did Guyana’s Pres Ali get that, absorbed its significance? The TT-U.S. special relationship is leveraged. To solve an intractable, unyielding problem. One at crisis proportions. Crime and crimebosses. Weaponsand mentalities to match. Bring out the U.S. Marines. Is it FourthofJuly,yet? Cansee myselfsaluting.

Guyana has a crime problem. Guyana has a border problem. Guyana has a porous port problem. Guyana has a gun problem. How many? What type? Whose hands? For what purposes? SeewhatImean?

The PPPand Mr Ali are proudtorunuptheflag(after proper prep, greasing) for visiting American special

relationship envoys Admirals and generals with enoughmedalsandbraidsto force a cargo plane to abort liftoff Gunboats and aircraft circling U S interests Exxon and Chevron in their offshore habitats 200 klicks from Guyana’sshores.

The Chinese get free security When the PPP agreestothat(whatsaydoes it have?), its protecting PPP interests. Its staying power. Its relationship with Marco RubioandDJTrump.

Somebody say, please, when the interests of Guyanese have featured prominently in the PPP Govt’scalculus. IhelpPres Ali to change that formula. The good news is that it makes he and the PPP even biggerandmorebeautifulin theeyesofDJTrump.

Invite the U.S. to send troops to patrol Guyana’s side of its borders with Ve n e z u e l a T h e Venezuelans wouldn’t object. After all,theU.S. is now a major Caracas and

Delcy Rodriguez

partner And, Venezuela is about to become the 51st State of theUnitedStates. Theysaid so, not I. Time for a quick aside.

I f A m e r i c a h a s Venezuelaasitsdefacto51st State, and Venezuela has Essequibo as one of its provinces, that means Guyanese living there are now U.S. citizens. Back to business. WiththeU.S.asa friend of Venezuela, there’s no need for American military strengths near Exxon and Chevron. Pres Ali should press the U.S. to shift those assets to Guyana’sborders.

Unlimited value as a deterrent to Tren and Syndicato presences. The U.S. wins. The PPP wins. Guyanese get to win a reprieve. This can happen, but only if the Ali government is interested in ridding this country of crime. Cronies would have to find a new line of business.

IftheAligovernmenthas any concern about Guyana gold mingled in that big Brazilian bust, the best prescriptionisanarmedand dangerous American presence in that Roraima area. ThePPPwouldhaveto sacrificeconsiderableassets, m a n y i n t e r e s t s UnfortunatelyforGuyanese, thatistoohighapriceforthe PPP Govt to consider No deal.

Compare to PM Kamla, andonegetsanappreciation of how TT is dealing with crime conditions

Understanding dawns of where Guyana’s PPP really is with crime. TT sends an S-O-S. Guyana sends this: shoveoff. Fbecames.

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

StateraisesstipendsforNDCandRDCofficials, demandsbettercommunityperformance

Local government officials across Guyana are set to receive substantial stipend increases within days, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand announced Thursday — but the boost comes with a firm expectation of improved communityservice.

In a video message, Manickchand confirmed that 2026 budget measures authorising the increases have cleared the Ministry of F i n a n c e a n d t h a t disbursementsareimminent.

The adjustments represent dramatic hikes for officials at the village level, where many have long managed community affairs on what amounted to token allowances.

The increases are as follows:

A screengrab of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand during her address

Councils (NDCs), which

Councils (RDCs), which oversee broader regional affairs An estimated 70 NDCChairpersons,70Vice-

ten administrative regions standtobenefit.

Manickchand attributed the delay in rolling out the measures—firstoutlinedin the2026NationalBudget— to the time required to process documentation

took some time,” she said. “We’ve finally gotten that, and we’re about to give you this significant raise in stipends.”

The Minister, however, was equally clear that the increases carry an obligation Invoking a familiar principle, she tied

thefinancialupliftdirectlyto e x p e c t a t i o n s o f performance. “When much is given, much is expected,” Manickchand said “I believe that we can work together to make our local bodies function better, and this is our part of trying to makesurewecandoourpart

as a state to help these bodies.”

The NDC Chairperson stipend alone reflects a 400 percentincrease,whileNDC Councillors the most numerous tier — will see theirallowancesrisetenfold, from $3,000 to $30,000 per month.

Councillor

The increases target two tiers of local governance: Neighbourhood Democratic

Chairpersons,andmorethan 1,000 local and regional councillors across Guyana’s

betweenministries.“Wehad togetsomepaperworkfrom theMinistryofFinance,that

GuyanaoilblockholderRatio

PetroleumbuysPharosin£124Mdeal

Israel-based Ratio Petroleum has moved to strengthen its global portfolio through a £124.3 million (US$164 million) acquisitionofLondon-listed PharosEnergy

The deal centers on producing assets in Egypt

and Vietnam The transaction comes amid heightenedcommodityprice volatility linked to the U.S.Israeli war on Iran, which hasliftedenergycompanies’ share prices. Against that backdrop, Pharos sought an improvedofferfromRatioto reflectitsstrongercashflow

generation, Reuters reported.

Ratio Petroleum currently holds petroleum interests in three different basins on opposite sides of theworld:Guyana,Morocco Atlantic, and the East Palawan Basin in the Philippines. In Guyana, Ratio, which

serves as operator of an oil blockhasbeenatcrossroads w i t h t h e G u y a n a Government in relation to the3.3-million-acreoffshore block.

additional extension for providingitsresponsewhile continuing negotiations regarding the update of the work programme and drillingschedule.

In December 2025, the ministryhadaskedRatioand its partner Cataleya Energy Limited (CEL) to indicate

The company recently announced that government hasgiventhemsevendaysto submit its work programme anddrillingtimetableforthe Kaieteur Block for the next twoyears. According to unofficial translation of the statement, Ratio said in light of the foregoing, it intends to approach the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat to request an

whethertheyintendtomake an additional investment or abandontheacreage.Priorto the aforementioned disclosure, Ratio Guyana hadnotifiedthegovernment oftheportionoftheblockit is prepared to relinquish while continuing its search tobringinanewpartner

“Cop used teddy bear as silencer

to kill Cuban woman”

-policerevealfromconfessionstatement

The police constable whoconfessedtothemurder of a 26-year-old Cuban woman, described in disturbingdetailhowheshot her using a teddy bear as a makeshift silencer, bound her remains with rope, and thensystematicallydisposed of evidence across East CoastDemerara.

The suspect, Police

Constable Randy Thomas, gave the account to detectives investigating the disappearance and death of Dailen Paneque Gómez, a Cuban national who was reported missing on 18th June while travelling to her jobattheMonReposHealth Centre Her body was discovered six days later in Enmore Backdam, East

According to his confession, Thomas contacted Gómez and arranged to meet her at Enmore, where a discussion escalated into an argument. He claims she physically assaulted him during the confrontation—afterwhich he pressed a teddy bear againstherheadandshother with an unlicensed firearm hehadinhispossession.

Thomas then allegedly used a rope which investigators say he had purchased earlier that same day from a Chinese supermarket in Mahaica — to bind her remains before dragging the body into nearbybushestoconcealit.

In what investigators describe as a calculated effort to destroy evidence,

Thomas disposed of the teddy bear along the roadway leading out of the backdam and discarded the firearm in nearby bushes beforedrivinghome.

At his Mahaica residence, he cleaned the interior of his vehicle with hand sanitiser He subsequently threw the victim’s cellphone and a spent shell casing over a bridge at Unity, East Coast Demerara.

Investigators are currently searching the area to corroborate the details of theconfession.

Thomas is a serving member of the Guyana PoliceForce.Hisallegeduse of an unlicensed firearm whileoffdutyisexpectedto form a key part of the prosecution’scase.

Govt. and Gas-to-Energy contractor deny...

Frompage8 list of requirements “NGLcommercialisation: the party that winsthetradingcontractmustbeapprovedbyBSJI,asshall thefinalcontract.”

Additionally, the proposal states that BSJI “may use any carboncreditsgeneratedbytheproject,particularlyasitrelates tothesubstitutionoffuelingeneratingelectricpower,foritsuse to offset carbon footprint BSJI may also assign any of those creditstothirdparties,withorwithoutreceivingbenefits”

Recognising the risk involved with the project, the bank also made it clear that the coverage for construction/performance, operating and political risk must be in place and acceptable to BSJI. Furthermore, the cost of thisinsuranceistobecoveredbytheclient(Guyana).

A deep dive into the records of BSJI by Kaieteur News unearthedatroublinghistoryofFBIraids,millionsseized,and amulti-yearlegalwarwiththeUnitedStatesFederalReserve. R e a d m o r e h e r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/2026/06/23/bank-ownedby-venezuelans-claims-it-helped-guyana-to-finance-walesgas-to-energy-project/

In January 2025, it was reported that the GoG signed a US$527 million loan agreement with the U.S. EXIM Bank, for the project. At the time, it was explained that Guyana would plug the additional resources required to support the project.

Guyana soon to know if shallow-water blocks hold oil

...asAmericancompany launchesseismicactivity

The Government of Guyana (GoG) and an American firm, CGG

Services Inc. has commenced Geotechnical Surveying and Seismic surveying operations within Block S4 of Guyana’s ExclusiveEconomicZoneto determinethepotentialofoil resourceswithinthatarea.

Block S4, a shallow water block was awarded to French oil giant, Total Energies on November 11, 2025.

According to a notice published on Wednesday by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the exercise is scheduled to conclude on November 15,

2026 The SV BGP

Prospector and OSV Moonrise-G will be used for theactivityinthesurveyarea

which is situated approximately1698nautical miles (314 kilometers) off the country’s coast and covering an area of 178228 square nautical miles (611305squarekilometers)

Seismic surveys are routinely used in offshore

and gas exploration activities worldwide to detect and define geological structuresundertheseabed.

According to the Environmental Permit granted to the company by

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CGG will be required to submit a report to government on the survey

three months after completingtheprocess.

Section 10 19 of the Permit states: “The Permit Holder shall submit an OperationalSummaryofthe SeismicSurveywithinthree (3) months after completion of the survey The use of maps, figures and tables should be included where applicable. The Operational Summary should include a copy of the report prepared by the Marine Mammal Observers and Passive

Acoustic Monitoring Observers.”

Anoperationalsummary foraseismicsurveyprovides a detailed account of the entire lifecycle of the data collection process in the field. The document is the officialrecordofthetypeof equipment used, how it was

deployed and what

challenges the crew encountered. A key feature of the summary is data quality and preliminary processingwhereevaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio anddataqualityinthefieldis explained.

According to the threeyear permit obtained by CGG, the 3-D seismic survey will be conducted in shallow water between Lots 2-4,offshoreGuyana.

An application for the initial oil exploration works was made by CGG, an affiliate company of the Viridien group.Viridien is a globaladvancedtechnology, digital and Earth data company that provides a comprehensive range of data, products, services and solutions for complex digital, energy transition, n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e , environmental and infrastructurechallenges.

Inadditiontoproprietary offshore projects for clients such as Exxon, which discovered the successful Liza field from CGG data, CGG acquired the only two offshore multi-client projects available for licensing in Guyana (StabroekPhase1&2).

Regionally, CGG recently completed a multiclientprojectinSurinamein 2023.Covering1,800sqkm, Phase IV completed the programmed 14,500 sq km surveyofnewlyacquired3D data in deep and shallow water in the GuyanaSurinamebasin.

On November 11, 2025, CGG applied for an EnvironmentalAuthorisation to the EPA, seeking to conduct geophysical 3D surveys within shallow waters offshore of Guyana The areas for the shallow watersurveyareoutlinedona mapattached

The survey area is offshore of Guyana, east of the border of Venezuela and west of the border of Suriname.The closest shore distance is around 120 km away and ranges with water depths approximately 10 to 70metresdeep.

THESURVEYPROCESS

According to the Project Summary,aresearchvessel

Continuedonpage24

Map showing the shallow water areas earmarked for 3D seismic activities.

Guyana offers help as deadly Venezuela quakes trigger relief push

President Irfaan Ali has extended Guyana’s condolences and offered assistance to neighbouring Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the South American nation on Wednesday, leaving scores dead, hundreds injured and entire communities buried beneath rubble.

“As neighbours, we are deeply saddened by the scale, magnitude, and destruction caused by the two powerfulback-to-backearthquakes that struck Caracas yesterday and sofar,claimingdozensoflivesand injuring hundreds. We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela. As neighbours, we are readytoofferassistancewithinour capacity Our love, prayers, and thoughts are with the families of those affected and the people of Venezuela,”PresidentAlisaid.

Theearthquakes,measuring7.2 and7.5inmagnitudeandoccurring less than a minute apart, are being described as the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century

The powerful tremors rocked Caracas and surrounding regions, collapsing dozens of buildings, overwhelming hospitals and forcingauthoritiestodeclareastate ofemergency

Earlyofficialreportsplacedthe deathtollatmorethan30withover 700 injured, but authorities have warned that the numbers are expected to rise as rescue operationscontinue.

In Guyana, the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) has moved swiftly to coordinate a business-led humanitarianresponse.

“The Venezuelan people are facing one of the most devastating natural disasters their country has seen in living memory R3CCI standswiththem,asachamber,asa community,andasneighbourswho knowthatthefamiliesbeingpulled fromtherubbleinCatiaLaMarand Macutoare not strangers to us.We are coordinating the Region Three business community’s response and calling on every member to step forward,” said Chamber PresidentBhabitaAlbert.

The Chamber noted that thousands of Venezuelans live and work in Region Three, with many anxiously awaiting news from relatives in some of the hardest-hit areas.

R3CCI said it will coordinate with the Civil Defence CommissionandthePrivateSector

Commission to organise relief efforts, including the collection of food supplies, hygiene kits, water purification products and emergencymedicines.Italsoplans to establish a public aid tracker to ensu

e transpar

ncy and accountabilityinthedistributionof assistance.

Albert stressed that the initiative is focused on helping ordinary Venezuelans affected by thedisaster

“Our response is to the Venezuelanpeople,tothefamilies, the civilians, the children. It is not directed to, coordinated with, or filteredthroughanygovernmentor political authority. Aid goes to people.”

The Chamber is also urging businesses employing Venezuelan nationals to provide support and communicationaccessforworkers attempting to contact relatives in affectedareas.

As rescue teams continue to search collapsed buildings in Caracas, La Guaira, Catia La Mar andMacuto,Guyana’sgovernment and private sector have joined a growing list of regional actors offering support to a nation grapplingwithoneofthedeadliest natural disasters in its recent history

Aftershocks

Guyanaalsofelttheaftershocks from the quakes with powerful

storm and heavy rainfall ripping through Region Two, damaging more than 100 homes, public buildings,andprivatepropertieson Wednesday A school teacher was also injured as the storm left the Essequibo Coast grappling with widespread power outages and structural destruction at two schools.

PresidentAliimmediatelyleda senior inter-agency team to the regiontoconductanon-the-ground assessment and coordinate the emergency response, joining Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Mandanlall Ramraj, Civil Defence Commission (CDC) DirectorGeneralColonel(Retired) NazrulHussain,andseniorofficials of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Initialassessmentsindicatethat roof damage accounts for the majority of destruction across the affected communities. Emergency respondershavebegundistributing tarpaulins to provide temporary cover while a full-scale damage assessment remains underway Temporary shelter facilities have been placed on standby should displacement worsen, and power restoration crews are actively working to address major electricity disruptions across the region.

The storm inflicted significant

Campaignlaunchedtoreduce waste dumping at Linden Blue Lake

Waste To Wealth Caribbean and its official Execution Partner, Outliers Zone Caribbean, this week met with the Town Clerk of Linden, Lennox Gasper and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethunewhereasustainable model was presented to potentially divert up to 50% of the biodegradable waste currently destined for the dumping site at the entrance ofLinden’sBlueLake.

TheBlueLakeinLinden is one of Guyana’s most visitedtouristattractions,yet the entrance has become a dumping ground that takes away from the serene destination.

During the meeting with the Linden leaders, officials from Waste to Wealth conductedalivecomposting demonstration which they hope will attract Lindeners and reduce a significant portion of refuse being dumpedatthesite.

In a statement shared with this newspaper, it was explained that both municipalleaderswelcomed the Waste To Wealth Trainthe-Trainer Composting Programme and expressed supportfortheinitiativeasa practical, community-

activated response to one of Region 10’s most pressing environmentalchallenges. Additionally, Mayor Dominique Blair, who is currently on leave, also related his endorsement of the initiative via telephone, affirming the municipality’s collective support for the Lindencommunity

“Theendorsementmarks the first formal municipal backing for the Waste To Wealthmovementoutsideof Georgetown, and a significant step in the organisation’s national mission to establish composting champion communitiesacrossalltenof Guyana’s administrative regions,” the statement explained.

Following the meeting, Waste To Wealth Caribbean confirmed that its Waste To Wealth Champions Educational and Compost Skill-Building Session; ‘the first Train-the-Trainer certification of its kind in Region 10’ will be held on Thursday, 25th June, 2026, from9:00a.m.to12:00p.m.

a t t h e G u y m i n e Constabulary Recreation Hall and Club in Linden. Organisers confirmed that

only a limited number of slots remain, with registration closing once capacityisreached.

Thesessionformspartof the organisation’s signature

T E C H Composting Method, which converts household kitchen scraps and cardboard into nutrientrichOrganicMiracleGarden Soil (O M G S ) in approximatelytwelveweeks using a simple, low-cost two-bucket system accessibletoanyhousehold.

For an investment of GYD $50,000, participants receiveacompletebackyard compost kit, hands-on compost skill-building training, twelve weeks of weekly check-ins and technical support, and to harvest their first batch of O.M.G.S., which graduates mayuseintheirowngardens or sell Upon successful completion of the programme and the harvest of their first batch of O M G S , participants

r certification as a Waste To Wealth Trainer, with the opportunity to earn GYD $15,000foreveryadditional Linden family they enroll and support through to their

structural damage on the Anna Regina Multilateral School and RiversTownPrimarySchoolonthe Essequibo Coast. A teacher at Rivers Town Primary was injured in the incident and is currently receiving medical attention Reports are that a shed from the primary school fell on her head causinginjuries.

The Ministry of Education confirmed it is mobilising further assistance and working closely with the Regional Administration tocoordinaterepairs.

“We remain in close contact with the regional administration as we begin to mobilise further assistance. Meanwhile, extensive countrywide assessments are currently being conducted,” the Ministry stated, adding that once immediate evaluations are complete,itwillworkalongsidethe relevant Regional Democratic Councils and Municipalities to ensure all structural damage is remediedasamatterofurgency

TheCDCisleadingthebroader damage assessment as authorities worktodeterminethefullextentof destruction across affected communities.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said too it received multiple reports of damage to the electricity network asaresultofthesquallthataffected severalpartsofthecountry

ownfirstharvest.

“The dumping site does not have to be the final destination for our wealth,” said Rampertab Etwaria, FounderofWasteToWealth Caribbean. “Every family in L i n d e n c a n

k e responsibility and become part of this sustainable solution.”

Massy Guyana breaks ground on major Houston Hub development

…new facility to feature 190,000-square-foot distribution warehouse and expanded Massy Motors dealership

Massy Guyana on Thursday broke ground on the Massy Hub at Houston, an ambitious multi-facility development that will consolidate the company’s distribution, automotive sales, servicing,andsupportoperationsontoasinglesite

Scheduled for completion in 2028, the centrepiece of the development is a 190,000-square-foot state-of-the-art warehousethatwillserveastheflagshipdistributioncentrefor MassyDistributionGuyana Thefacilitywillbeequippedwith 15 container receiving bays, 28 dispatch bays, temperaturecontrolled storage, modern office facilities, and warehouse automation technology — positioning the company to significantlystrengthenGuyana’ssupplychaininfrastructure.

The automotive component of the Hub will include four vehicle showrooms, a 9,000-square-foot administration building, multiple service bays with capacity for heavy and industrial vehicles, a body shop, a dedicated parts warehouse and sales area, and a separate tyre, battery, and lubricant warehouse

Troy Beharry, Chairman and Country Manager of Massy Guyana,saidtheHubwasdesignedtoraisethebaracrossthe board “This investment will position Massy to meet future market demand while setting a new benchmark for warehousing,distributionandautomotiveserviceexcellencein Guyana,”hesaid

JamesMcLetchie,PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficerof MassyGroup,framedthedevelopmentasanexpressionofthe company’s long-standing commitment to the country “For Massy,Guyanaisnotamarketweareentering;itisacountrywe havebeenproudtogrowalongsideforalmost60years,”hesaid, adding that the investment would expand local capabilities, deliver training in advanced technologies, and create career opportunitiesforGuyaneseprofessionals.

McLetchiealsolinkedthedevelopmenttobroadernational priorities,includingfoodsecurity “Weseethisaspartoftherole wecanplayinsupportingGuyana’sfoodsecurityambitionsby buildingthecapabilities,infrastructureandpartnershipsneeded tomovefoodmoreefficiently,reducewasteandstrengthenthe resilienceoftheagriculturalvaluechain,”hesaid.

The ceremonial sod-turning was attended by government andcorporateleadership,includingMinisterofPublicUtilities andAviationDeodatIndar;ChiefInvestmentOfficerandGOInvest Agency Head Peter R Ramsaroop; Massy Group ChairmanRobertRiley;andseniorexecutivesfromacrossthe MassyGuyanaportfolio

CARICOMextendscondolences toVenezuelafollowing devastatingearthquakes

TheCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM)hasexpressedits deepest condolences to the people and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, claiming lives, injuring scores, and causing widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure.

In a message of solidarity on Thursday, CARICOM acknowledgedthescaleofthetragedyandconveyedprayersfor therecoveryofallthoseinjuredordisplacedbythedisaster

“WestandinsolidaritywiththepeopleofVenezueladuring thistimeofimmensegriefandofferprayersforaswiftrecovery totheinjuredanddisplaced,”CARICOMsaid.

Theregionalbodycommendedthecourageanddedication ofemergencypersonnel,firstresponders,andordinarycitizens working under extraordinarily difficult conditions to rescue survivorsanddeliverurgenthumanitarianassistance.

CARICOMcalledonthespiritofresiliencethathasdefined theVenezuelanpeopleasthecountryfacesthelonganddifficult roadofrecoveryandreconstructionahead

Deodat Indar (centre) with other official at Massy Guyana’s sod turning event.

Corentyneteenkilledduringpolicechase

A16-year-oldCorentyne

teenager was killed following a police chase on Thursday evening, with conflicting accounts of how the tragedy unfolded triggering fiery protests and renewed allegations of police brutality in Region Six.

Residents allege that Altaf King was struck from his motorcycle by a police patrol vehicle during the pursuit, while the Guyana Police Force maintains that the teenager lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to evade ranks and crashed into a utility pole. As tensions mounted Thursday night, angry residents blocked the Princetown Public Road withburningtyresandother debris, demanding justice and an independent investigation into the teen’s death.

In a statement last night, the Guyana Police Force

Motorcycle involved in accident

(GPF) said its Office of Professional Responsibility has commenced an immediateinvestigationinto thedeathofKing.

According to police, enquiriesdisclosedthatKing was riding motorcycle #CL 5607 when he attempted to evade a police patrol, lost control of the motorcycle and collided with a utility pole.

King sustained injuries andwasconveyedtotheNo. 75RegionalPublicHospital, where he was examined and pronounced dead on arrival byadoctoronduty

“The OPR investigation will examine all aspects of the incident and establish whether there was any criminal or disciplinary culpability, “ the statement read.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce said it recognises the seriousness of this matter and assures the relatives of the deceased and members

ofthepublicthatappropriate action will be taken should any criminal or disciplinary culpabilitybeestablished.

Meanwhile, in a video uploadedtoFacebook,King is shown lying in a pool of blood,withsevereinjuriesto his head and leg His mangled motorcycle was seen a few meters from where he laid. Onlookers lamented the seemingly callous manner in which the young man was placed into the trunk of the police vehiclebyattendingranks.

While full details surrounding the incident havenotbeenmadeclearso far, reports are that a police patrol vehicle was involved in a high-speed chase with King,andthathewasstruck downbytheForce’svehicle. Other reports stated that the teen crashed into a utility pole.

The teen’s death has led to instant protest, and irate residents within the area

...brutalityclaimssparkfieryprotests ...Govt.promisesimpartialprobe

reacted by blocking the Princetown Public Road with burning of tyres and other materials on Thursday evening.Callsforjusticeare intensifying, even as residents regard the incident asmurderandholdtheview thatthepolicewillattempta cover-up.

King attended the Skeldon Line Path SecondarySchool,wherehe recently sat the CSEC examinations and was awaiting his results Kaieteur News also understand that he was an onlychildforhisparents.

“Duh wuh happen tonight ain’t supposed to happen. The police them chase down a young school individual. Not like he’s a thief man that rob people or something An innocent youth,”onebystandernoted, calling for the traffic police to cease harassing individuals.

“It’sachild,andheneeds justice, he is just 16 years old.It’smyneighbour’sonly

Dead: Altaf King, 16

child, and she needs justice forherchild.Thatiswrong,” an acquaintance of the familystated.

The incident has drawn the condemnation of the Opposition,ledbyWeInvest inNationhood(WIN),which expressed concerns over what it believes is rapidly becoming a pattern in Guyana, where extraneous coursesofviolencearetaken against civilians by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Also leading calls for

investigations was the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) In a statement, the party noted thattheyoungman’sdeathis a tragedy Expressing that it is “deeply concerned,” the party mounted calls for thorough and impartial investigations over the serious allegations of police brutality

“The PNCR/APNU strongly condemns any conductbylawenforcement officers that places the lives and safety of citizens, particularly our young people, at unnecessary risk.

The Guyana Police Force hasadutytoprotectlife,and every operation must be c o n d u c t e d w i t h professionalism, restraint, and full regard for human life.”

I n t h a t r e g a r d , PNCR/APNU is also demanding that the ranks responsibleforcausingthe

Continuedonpage23

GPL working to restore power across multiple communities affected by storm

The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Thursday said it has mobilised emergency teams across several communities nationwide to restore electricity following Wednesday’s storm, which toppled utility poles, downed trees, and caused widespread damage to the transmission and distribution network.

Thestorm,whichbroughtheavy winds and significant rainfall, caused the most extensive damage across the Essequibo Islands, the Essequibo Coast, and sections of Demerara, where debris and fallen trees made contact with the electricity network and triggered multipleserviceinterruptions.

Amongthehardest-hitareaswas Carlton Hall Backlands, where two utility poles collapsed under the combined pressure of heavy winds and waterlogged soil GPL teams dispatched to the site faced significant challenges navigating the saturated terrain, eventually requiring an excavator to improve access and allow crews to safely carryoutrepairs.

Residents from Colombia to Central Mahaicony, who experienced outages connected to the same area, were kept informed throughaseriesofupdatesonGPL’s

Facebookpageasworksprogressed North Georgetown was also affected,withafallenpole again attributed to adverse weather cutting power to consumers in the area GPL confirmed a technical team was dispatched to assess the damage and carry out remedial

works. GPL reported significant progress in restoring power to affected areas Approximately 90 percent of customers along the Essequibo Coast had been reconnected by Thursday, with the remainder expected to follow

The fallen poles.

within the hour Electricity supply wasfullyrestoredtoLeguan,while customers on Wakenaam were expected to be back online within the same timeframe. Restoration efforts in the remaining affected parts of Demerara were described as progressing steadily, with full

restorationanticipatedwithinthree hoursoftheupdate.

GPL apologised to affected customersfortheinconvenienceand thanked them for their patience as crewscontinuedtoworkaroundthe clocktocompleterestorationacross allimpactedareas

DEATH TOLL HITS 188

...as rescuers search Venezuela earthquake rubble

L A G U A I R A / CARACAS/MORON, June

25 (Reuters) - Hundreds of people in Venezuela were trapped under rubble and manymorestillunaccounted for on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes wreakedhavocinandaround the capital Caracas, setting offpowerfulaftershocksand leavingthousandshomeless.

A magnitude 7 2 earthquakehitabout160km (100 miles) west of Caracas on Wednesday evening, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor,thestrongestinmore than a century, according to theU.S.GeologicalSurvey

The disaster struck a country already grappling with years of economic turmoilthathadleftmuchof its infrastructure fragile, complicating rescue efforts and posing a crucial test for the country’s interim

government, which welcomed promises of aid fromacrosstheinternational community

Jorge Rodriguez, who heads Venezuela’s national assembly and is the brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez,saidonThursday afternoon that at least 188 people had been confirmed deadand200weretrapped. He said at least 1,520 peoplehadbeenhospitalized

People search for casualties amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, in the aftermath of earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25.

REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno

and 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed, leavingnearly3,000families homeless.

‘DISASTER ZONE’

The worst-affected area, La Guaira state, near Caracas, “has become a disaster zone,” acting President Rodriguez said, adding that her government wasworkingwithbusinesses to deploy heavy machinery to accelerate rescue efforts.

Electricity in the state was scarceonThursday Caracas’ main airport in La Guaira was closed on Thursday after suffering damage. Witnesses’ footage during the earthquakes showed scenes of panic as ceilingscamedown. I n s o m

s , emergency workers scrambledoverthedebrisof collapsed buildings through the evening and into

Thursday In others, residents decried a lack of help.

La Guaira resident Yamileth Jimenez said her ‘19-year-oldsonwastrapped in the rubble of their sevenstoryapartmentbuilding.

“He’sundertheslabsand there’s no machinery to get him out,” said Jimenez, distraught after her father had died just three days earlier

Rescue workers were scarce in the state’s eponymous capital, where volunteers were digging withtheirbarehands.

“We lost everything. We havenofoodormedicines We hope help arrives quickly,” said Pedro Perez, 64, the owner of an upholstery workshop He said he lost his home and businessandhadbeenforced out onto the streets with his

wifeandchildren.

RESIDENTS RUSH OUTSIDE

Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck during a public holiday. Residents fled shaking buildings and poured into the streets as structures collapsed across Caracas and nearby coastal areas.

“When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie,” said Caracas resident Maria Alejandra, who did not give hersurname.

Houses collapsed near the quake’s epicenter in Morón,asmallseasidetown in the state of Carabobo, where there was no water or electricity Three children were among at least eight killed in the area, Mayor EmilyRieratoldReuters.

Some 200 families who liveinadamagedresidential complex in Morón were removing what personal possessions they could reach, including mattresses, televisions and washing machines.

Some said they were going to stay with relatives. Others were waiting for promised government shelters.

Denis Sequera, 47, said her5-year-old

Continued on page 24

Israeli forces shoot and kill Palestinians in occupied West Bank, Gaza

Aljazeera - Israeliforces have killed at least two Palestinians in separate shooting incidents in the occupiedWestBankandthe GazaStrip.

In a statement on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry announced the death of 32-year-old Mustafa Taha Mustafa alKhatib “at dawn today after being shot by Israeli occupationforcesinSalfit”.

Al-Khatib was killed after Israeli forces stormed hishomeandshothimdead, local sources told news agencies.

His family told the Anadolu news agency that al-Khatibhadreturnedfrom

Jordan two years ago to work and had no known security or armed group affiliation

His uncle Yassin Khatib described the killing as a “cold-bloodedexecution”.

“From the broken door andthedamagedcontentsof theroom,itwasobviousthey [Israeli forces] forced their way in without giving [alKhatib] him time even to open the door or get dressed,”Yassin Khatib told Anadolu.

Hesaidhisnephew,who held both Jordanian and Palestinian citizenship, had livedonthepropertyforfour years,workinginagriculture andconstruction.

Relatives said Israeli t r o o p s p r e v e n t e d ambulances from reaching al-Khatib for nearly two hours.

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said Israeli forces left his body inside the house after ransackingit.

The Israeli military told theAFPnewsagencythatits troops had fired at someone “throwing objects” at soldiers during a raid in the area.

The killing came alongside separate settler violence in Halhul, north of Hebron,whereresidentssaid Israeli settlers pelted Palestinian homes with

stones after the dismantling of a nearby outpost. A local resident told Israeli news outlet Haaretz he saw about 35 masked settlers throwing stonesathousesandtryingto startfires.

Theviolencecameaday after another Palestinian, Mohammad Nazem Zayed, was killed inYabad, west of

Jenin, after Israeli undercover agents besieged ahouseandshothiminside.

OnekilledinGaza

At the same time, Israeli attacks have not ceased in Gaza, despite a so-called “ceasefire” agreed in October

In northern Gaza, one Palestinian was killed after

The deaths come amid escalating Israeli military raids and settler attacks across the occupied territories.

Israeli troops opened fire in the al-Atatra area of Beit

Lahiya on Thursday, Anadolureported.

The deceased was transferred to al-Shifa Medical Complex, medical sourcessaid.

A separate drone strike hit a group of pedestrians near the Italian Complex in Gaza City’s Nassr neighbourhood, wounding twopeople,onecritically Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, 2025, have already killed 1,031 Palestinians and injured 3309others. In total, since Israel’s

genocidal war began in October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have beenkilledinGaza.

At the same time, violenceagainstPalestinians in the occupied West Bank has escalated sharply since Israellauncheditsgenocidal war,withintensifyingIsraeli military raids and settler attacks on homes and property

The Palestinian health ministry said al-Khatib’s deathbroughtthenumberof Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the beginning of the year to 72, including 17 children, five women, and two elderly people.

GPL losing skilled workers to oil sector as system losses exceed target — PUC Report

The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated(GPL)ishaemorrhagingskilled workers to the oil and gas sector at an accelerating rate, and the drain is taking a measurabletollonthecompany’soperational performance, according to the 2025 Public UtilitiesCommission(PUC)AnnualReport.

The report reveals that GPL recorded system losses of 25.43 percent in 2025 — three percentage points above its target of 22.43percentandastepbackfromthe24.71 percentrecordedin2024.

The reversal is significant: after years of steady improvement from loss levels that once exceeded 30 percent, progress appears tohavestalled.

GPL attributed the underperformance in

parttotheongoinglossoftrained personnel to the more lucrative oilandgasindustry,aswellas the diversion of its existing workforce toward a prepaid meter upgrade programme.

The company also cited electricity theft, s t r e e t l i g h t i n g inefficiencies, metering inaccuracies, and network lossesascontributingfactors.

“The 2025 perform suggestedthatexistingmeasuresmay not have been sufficient to achieve the required reductions,” the report stated,

calling for stronger revenue otection, improved metering systems, and upgra

k infrastructure It also flagged the need for

monitoring to address persistentlossareas.

Faced with a skills shortage that shows no signs of easing, GPL has ed to build a more sustainabletalentpipeline.

In May, the company signed a MemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)with

the Ministry of Education, linking GPL’s accelerated Technician Training Programme to four technical institutes: the Government Technical Institute, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Essequibo Technical Institute,andtheUpperCorentyneIndustrial TrainingCentre.

The agreement is designed to align institutional curricula with industry requirements, giving students competencybased training, practical exposure, and a direct pathway to employment in the power sectoruponcompletion.

KeshNandlall,HeadofGPL’sExecutive Management Committee, described the timingascritical.“Theinitiativecomesata Continued on page 23

Govt.doublesmortgageinteresttaxreliefforfirst-timehomeowners

DPI - Firs

-time homeownerscannowdeduct thefullinterestpaidontheir home loans from their taxable income, after the government doubled the relief ceiling under Section 28 of the Income Tax Act, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced on Thursday at the opening of the International Building ExpoattheGuyanaNational StadiuminProvidence.

The ceiling now covers mortgages of up to $30 million,upfromtheprevious limit.

“What does this mean in practice? It means the government is sharing the cost of your mortgage with you,” President Ali said “We’re not just giving you

access to a loan. We are makingthegovernmentyour partner in building your home, ” acco

g to PresidentAli.

He said the relief would r e t u r n m o n e y t o homeownerseachyear

The president said,

“Every year when you file your taxes, the interest you paid on your home loan comes back to you directly, reducing the tax you owe, increasing your disposable income, and putting more moneybackinyourpocket.”

Thehead-of-stateframed the measure as part of a wider housing push that has driven applications in the system to 81,000. Of those, 67,000 are new applicants whoenteredsince2020,with

Corentyneteenkilled...

Frompage17 deathoftheyoungmanbeheldaccountable,andcalledforthe findingsoftheinvestigationstobemadepublic.

Forherpart,OneidgeWalrond,MinisterofHomeAffairs extendedcondolencestothefamilyandlovedonesof King. “My thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of profoundgrief.Iwishtoassurethefamilyandthepublicthat this matter will be the subject of a thorough, impartial, and transparentinvestigation.Everyaspectoftheincidentwillbe carefully examined, and if any criminal or disciplinary culpability is established, it will be dealt with swiftly and in accordancewiththelaw Nooneisaboveaccountability,”the ministersaidinastatement.

“I also appeal to the residents of Skeldon and the surrounding communities to remain calm, refrain from actions that may endanger lives and allow the investigative processtoproceedwithoutinterference.Iunderstandthegrief andconcernbeingexpressed,butitisessentialthatthetruthis established through a comprehensive and independent investigation,”thestatementended.

GPL losing skilled workers...

Frompage22 critical time as GPL continues to embark on several major infrastructure projects that will require additional skilled personneltosupportthecompany’sexpandinginfrastructure andoperations,”hesaid.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag welcomed the partnership as a meaningful opportunity for students nationwide, saying it would expand access to technical trainingandopennewcareerpathways.

While the MOU represents a proactive step, the 2025 systemlossfiguresmakeclearthatGPLfacesacompounding challenge one where workforce attrition, ageing infrastructure,andcommerciallossesintersect.

The PUC’s message is unambiguous: incremental measures are no longer sufficient, and more targeted, sustainedactionwillbeneededtobringGPL’sperformancein linewithitsowntargetsandinternationalnorms.

anaverageageofabout23.

He also committed to clearing the backlog of land titles at a faster pace. The government processed 30,000 titles between 2020 and 2026, with just over 20,000stilloutstanding.

“Whatwetookfiveyears toprocess,wewillnottakea

single year,” he said, while urging allottees to complete theirendofthetransactionso titlesalreadypreparedcanbe delivered.

President Ali said a full housing development strategywouldbeoutlinedin the coming weeks, aimed at reducingthebacklogtozero

within four years and targeting vulnerable groups, including persons living with disabilities, single parents, and those facing extremevulnerability

He pointed to falling mortgage rates across the commercial banks and the New Building Society, with

some institutions now offering rates from 3 5 percent and 100 percent constructionfinancing.

The Expo, which drew more than 500 exhibitors, also featured a regional dimension, with Jamaican Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holnessinattendance.

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DEATH TOLL HITS 188

From page 19 granddaughter helped lead her 79-year-old father to safety as the shaking began, whileshehelpedher70-yearoldmother

“She kept telling my dad, ‘Grandpa, get out, put your hands over your head,’ and she led him into the yard,” Sequera said. “We couldn’t go back inside. We slept outside and are now waiting for help.”

WEBSITE SHOWS MORE THAN 41,000 PEOPLE UNACCOUNTED FOR

The U.S. Geological Survey, using predictive modeling, estimated the death toll wouldmostlikelyrunintothe thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.

A website set up to track missing people ‘and shared by leaders from the country’s opposition listed more than 41,000peopleasunaccounted for just after 3:30 p.m. (1930 GMT). Reuters could not verify the reports.

The7.5-magnitudequake was Venezuela’s strongest since 1900. The country lies on the boundary between the Caribbean and South American plates and has suffered

devastating earthquakes, including one that killed an estimated30,000peoplein1812.

“This earthquake was horrible,evenworsethanthe one in 1967,” said Maria Romero,an80-year-oldpensioner in southern Caracas, referring to a magnitude 6.3 quake that the USGS said killed240people.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Leaders from across the political spectrum expressed solidarity with Venezuela, a shift from the international polarization that has surroundedthecountryinrecent years.

Rodriguez said international rescue teams were expected soon and thanked leaders including U.S. PresidentDonaldTrumpandRussianPresidentVladimirPutin.

Expatriate groups representingVenezuela’sdiaspora, whichnumbersinthemillions afteryearsofmassmigration, began organizing aid collections abroad as relatives worked to contact family membersbackhome.

Rodriguezcalledforunity inVenezuela,whereanti-governmentprotestsoverannual inflationofmorethan‘500%

have become more frequent sinceTrumporderedthecapture of President Nicolas Maduro in a violent raid in January

Trump said the U.S. was “ready, willing and able to help”andthattheU.S.would “be there for our new and greatfriends,”whileU.S.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said rescue teams were being deployed and the Pentagon wouldsendassetstoCaracas’ badlydamagedairport.

U.N. aid chief Tom Fletchersaidtheorganization was coordinating the rapid deployment of international rescue teams, adding that “a massive collective effort” would be needed in a country where, even before the quake, 8 million people neededhumanitarianaid.

TheU.N.’sVenezuelahuman rights mission urged the governmenttoliftrestrictions onsomesocialmedia,saying it ‘was a “matter of life and death.”

OIL INFRASTRUCTURE SPARED

At least eight hospitals had been affected, Jorge Rodriguez said.TheVenezuelan Red Cross said its headquarters had been critically

damaged but it sent rescue teams to the worst-affected areas. The French embassy was also badly hit.

Neartheepicenter,workers were restarting the Morón Petrochemical Complex,Venezuela’ssecond-largest in operation, a local firefighter chief said, after damage was assessed. The smallElPalitorefinery,meanwhile,remainedpartiallyout of service due to power outages. Other oil infrastructure appeared to be unaffected.

Foreign oil companies operating in Venezuela, including Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab, the main foreign partner of the country’s state-run oil company PDVSA,aswellasItaly’sEni (ENI.MI),opensnewtaband Spain’s ‘Repsol (REP.MC), opens new tab, said all personnel had been accounted for

Chevron said the company remained operational whileEniandRepsolsaidthe quake had not affected their operations.

Shell,whichisevaluating developinggasfieldsinVenezuela,saidallitsemployees were unhurt.

Guyanasoontoknowifshallow-waterblocks...

From page 13 withatowedstreamerwillbe used for the seismic acquisition.Towedstreamer3Dseismicacquisitionallowsforthe efficient and comprehensive mappingofoffshoregeological formations, providing valuable insights for oil and gas exploration and production activities.

“Thisisacommonmethod used to gather detailed subsurface geological informationinoffshoreexplorationfor oil and gas. CGG currently planstousetheBGPProspector for this project.”

The company noted that the vessel is fully furnished with state-of-the-art equipment for seismic 3D surveys.

Kaieteur News understands that the activities will be conducted in a total of eight phases beginning with setup and deployment, data acquisition and closing with data processing and interpretation.

Marineseismicdataacquisition is based on the prin-

ciple of ‘seismic reflection’. The method involves releasingpulsesofacousticenergy (i.e. sound waves) at regular intervals along designated transect lines. In general, the energypenetratessubsurface formations and is reflected back to the surface where it can be detected by acoustic receivers, or hydrophones,

encased in a long cable (i.e. streamer),whichistowedbehind the seismic vessel.

Eachtimeaseismicpulse meets a change in rock properties; part of the pulse is reflectedbacktothesurfaceand receivedbythehydrophones. Consequently, by measuring preciselythedifferenceinarrivaltimeofreflectedseismic

energy, distinct subsurface rock layers can be identified, and subsequently mapped.

Thismaphelpsgeoscientists understand the geology and structure of natural resources. It plays an integral roleindecisionmakingwhen exploringforanddeveloping oil and gas reserves in ocean waters.

Campaignlaunchedtoreduce...

From page 14

Environmental Protection Agency,theRegionalExecutiveOfficer(REO),andtocorporate Guyana to sponsor staff and community participation in the programme as a corporate social responsibility initiative, with packages available to sponsor groups of ten or five participants. Since launching its public education programme in April 2026,WasteToWealth Caribbean has educated and activated 57 families across Georgetownandsurrounding communities, and received formalendorsementsfromthe

Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of LocalGovernmentandRegional Development,theMayorand CityCouncilofGeorgetown, and landfill management authorities, following the successful hosting of Guyana’s inauguralInternationalCompost Awareness Week at the National Park on 3rd May 2026. The organisation’s nationalvisionistoreducelandfill-bound biodegradable waste by 25% by 2030 through the development of 1,000 Waste To Wealth Champion Families across Guyana.

Outliers Zone Caribbean has been appointed the officialExecutionPartnerforthe Region10expansion,providing strategic project execution, stakeholder engagement,publicrelations,media visibility,andcommunityactivation support.

Membersofthepublicinterested in registering for the 25thJunetrainingsession,or businesses interested in corporate sponsorship, may contact Waste To Wealth Caribbeanat757-3855/6981485 or email: wastetowealth347@gmail.com.

Fruta Conquerors FC avoids...

Frompage32

equaliser, Fruta Conquerors remained organised defensively and capitalised on their opportunities. Stefon Walton put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute, slottinghometheinsurancegoaltoseala2-0 victory and confirm the club’s participation inEliteLeagueSeasonEight.

Following the match, Fruta Conquerors

Head Coach Jersild Wright credited his players’ commitment and the tactical adjustments made at halftime for the importantvictory

“The playoff game was an important matchup for both teams. Timehri played well.Itwasaveryhard-foughtvictoryforus,

but the boys committed themselves and worked hard for the result. At halftime, we wentintothedressingroom,discussedafew pointers, where we wanted to improve, and the players executed the plan in the second half. We are pleased everything came togetherandthatwewereabletocomeaway witha2-0victorytonight,”Wrightsaid.

With their Elite League status retained, Fruta Conquerors will now shift their focus topreparationsforSeasonEight.

The club will look to build on its rich legacy while continuing its commitment to competitive excellence, community engagement, and the ongoing development offootballinGuyana.

CWIMA, Govt. ministers...

Frompage33 allowed us to align on the remaining priorities so that Guyana can showcase its renowned hospitality and passion for cricket on a globalstage.”

Minister Ramson commended CWIMAfor its detailed planning and reaffirmedthegovernment’s full support. “This Masters World Cup is a significant opportunityforGuyana—to boost sports tourism, create economic activity, and demonstrate our capacity to host major international events The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport standsreadytoensureevery logistical requirement is met.”

Friday June 26, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Today may be tough for you, Aries. It might seem like nothing is fitting into place. Could it be that you're trying to be someone you aren't? If things aren't working out, don'tpresstheissue.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Enjoy yourself today, Taurus. You have a great deal to be grateful for, so give thanks. Take pride in all that you've accomplishedsofarandshare yourjoywithothers.Feelfree to let go of the reins and sit backandgetcomfortable.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Today may be one of those days when you don't know which way to turn, Gemini. You're spinning around, and no direction looks good to you. For some reason, your enginewon'tturnoff,andyou justkeepgoingincircles.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Romanceiscomingyourway today as long as you stay levelheaded about the immediate situation, Cancer Takecareofmenialdailytasks andthenletyourheartsoar

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Your emotions may be a bit reservedtoday,Leo.It'sOKto take a break from the activity and simply lay low This is a good time to sit back and receive Don't make any suddenmoves.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Family issues play an important role today, Virgo. Speakfromyourheartandtell your closest relatives how muchtheyreallymeantoyou. Ingeneral,youmightfeelabit reservedwithyourenergy

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You may feel some indecision regarding a loved one today. Somethingcouldbeurgingyou to act in this department, yet you might find that you just wanttolaylow

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Todayisagreatdaytoworkon getting yourself together Your emotions are stable, leaving your heart free to soar in the clouds. Feel free to daydream. Now is a good time to make planswitharomanticpartnerif possible.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

There's a somewhat conservativeairtoyourfeelings today You might be called on to get serious for a second and takecareofbusiness.Thismay notbeabadidea.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

There's a conflicting push-pull aspect at play that may leave youfeelingabitunsureofhow to proceed, Capricorn. On the one hand, you feel like you want to plan and get your emotionsstabilizedsoyoucan functionatfullcapacity

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Get your chores done early todaysoyouhavetimetoplay tonight Plan a romantic evening with someone you love,ifpossible.Feelfreetolet yourimaginationcarryyoutoa wholenewrealmofpleasure.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

This is an excellent day to tell people exactly how you feel, Pisces.Youremotionsaremore stable than usual, so open up andletyourheartspeak.What you learn today will be extremely valuable for the future

Minister Jacobs underscored the importance of robust broadcasting and security frameworks, noting that the tournament’s global audience will place Guyana intheinternationalspotlight. “We are working closely with CWIMA to guarantee that both the physical and digital infrastructure are in place, so that fans everywherecanenjoyasafe, high-qualityexperience,”he said.

The Masters World Cup will bring together veteran cricketers from 16 nations fortwoweeksofcompetitive cricket, with matches to be staged at venues across G u y a n a F u r t h e r announcements regarding

fixtures, participating teams andticketavailabilitywillbe madeinthecomingweeks.

During the visit Raj Singh took the opportunity to present World Cup Shirts & Caps to the Ministers in recognition of their continued support of masters’ cricket over the years.

FitnessExpress backingremains...

Frompage33

palyourpartasaresponsible corporatecitizen.”

Apartfromdirectsupport towards the championships, including the Novices and Juniors held in March this year, Fitness Express assists dozensofathletesinthesport with discounted prices on supplements and equipment onaweeklybasis.

Wilson on behalf of the G A P L F e x e c u t i v e committee and members, conveyedprofoundgratitude to McDonald and Fitness Express for their continued investment in the sport noting that the partnership is cherished.

Sunday’s competition will get underway with the weigh-inat07:00hrsatSaint Stanislaus College Auditorium with lifting time setfor09:00hrs.

Dataman (Centre) had the better of Olympic Kremlin (right) at their last encounter

Rematch of Dataman, Olympic Kremlin on the cards for CARICOM Cup

Alleyeswillbeon two of Guyana’s premier horses, reigningchampionDataman and former champion Olympic Kremlin at the CARICOM Cup on Sunday July 5 at Bush Lot United, WestCoastBerbice.

Bothhorseswereseenin practicesessionsattheBush Lot United Turf Club and reportsindicatethattheclash

of the champions is confirmed.

The Master Z top horse, Dataman had the better of

Olympic Kremlin of Slingerz Racing Stables, but it was by a small margin on their last meet at Port MourantTurfClub.

Both horses had extended preparation period and it will be the perfect preparation for the Guyana Cup which is quickly approachingonAugust23.

Atotalof11racesareon thecardandmorethanG$15 million in cash and prizes

willbeupforthetaking.

The CARICOM Gold Cup feature will be open to all three-year-olds and over horsesgoingatadistanceof 1900metres.

A total purse of four million will be up for grabs andthetophorsewillreceive twomilliondollars.

Other races on the programme include the CARICOM Sprint stakes open to all four-year-olds and over, CARICOM Derby open to three-year-olds Guyana bred, and the ‘E’ ClassandLower.

There is also the Rising Star stakes, open to threeyear-old imported horses, the three-year-olds and over WI Bred winners, ‘H’Class and Lower WI Bred nonwinner in Guyana, threeyear-olds and over I/J/K Class, ‘L’ Class winners, K&LMaidensandthefuture star stakes two-year-old Guyana-bredjuveniles.

All races will be run

under the Guyana rules of racing and entries opened from June 22 and close on June26.

Full Entries, declaration

Equipmentaretobemadein person at the Racing Office

YBGconfirmsvenueshift asNSBFtipsoffJune28 19th National School Basketball Festival

With the countdown to tip-off underway, Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has been forced to make a late venue adjustment ahead of the 19th AnnualKFCNationalSchoolsBasketball Festival (NSBF) after ongoing rehabilitation works rendered the originallydesignatedfacilityunavailable.

In a statement issued by YBG CoDirectorChris Bowman, the organisation assured stakeholders that all logistical arrangementsremainunchanged,withthe exception of the venue for the opening phaseofthetournament.

The adjustment comes as the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall continues the installationofnewlyacquiredbucketseating, preventing the facility from hosting the tournament’s opening ceremony and preliminaryrounds.“Theopeningceremony andinitialroundsofcompetitionwillnowbe held at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, due to ongoing works attheCliffAndersonSportsHall,”therelease stated.

Despite the setback, organisers remain optimistic that the refurbished venue will be readyintimetohostthetournament’sclimax.

“WeanticipatethattheFinalsandClosing Ceremony on Sunday, July 5, 2026, will be heldattheCliffAndersonSportsHall,subject tothecompletionoftheongoingworks,”the releasefurthernoted.

YBG emphasized that the venue adjustment affects only the location of the opening segment of the festival, with all dates, schedules and activities remaining intact.

Theprestigiousschool’schampionshipis scheduled to run from June 28 to July 5 and

will feature four divisions: Girls Under-16, Boys Under-14, Boys Under-16 and Boys Under-18. Action is set to begin from 13:00hrs on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

The Girls Under-16 championship is expected to be fiercely contested, with six schoolsbattlingfornationalhonours.Among the challengers are President’s College, Queen’s College, MarianAcademy, Tutorial Academy (Berbice champions), J C Chandisingh Secondary and Hururu Secondary Meanwhile, the boys’ divisions promiseanotherthrillingshowcaseofschool basketball talent. Schools such as The Bishops’HighSchool,St.StanislausCollege, St. Joseph High School, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary, Good Hope Secondary, President’s College, Kwakwani Secondary,LinePathSecondary,St.Ignatius SecondaryandWestDemeraraSecondaryare among those expected to compete for championshipglory

Preliminary matches will be contested from June 28 to July 2, with the semifinal roundslatedforJuly4andthechampionship finalsscheduledforJuly5.

One Guyana Softball Cricket Knockout returns for Third Year

– Kwakwani to host Mega Tournament

With the highly anticipated bowl-off just weeks away, organisers of the 3rd Annual ‘One Guyana’Male and Female Softball Cricket Knockout tournament have officially unveiled the full line-up and prizestructureforwhatpromises tobethebiggesteditionyet.

Thetournament,whichbowls off on July 25 and runs until August 23, will this year take place in the Kwakwani region, bringingtop-tiersoftballactionto oneofGuyana’smostpassionate sporting communities The announcement was made yesterday during the championship’s official launch, setting the stage for a month of electrifyingcompetition

A staggering $4 million in cash prizes will be up for grabs, attracting some of the strongest softball teams from across the country The tournament will featureabalanceddrawofteams – 13 male and 13 female – all vyingforgloryandashareofthe record-breakingprizepool.

In the male and female categories alike, the champions will walk away with $1 million each, while runners-up will collect a handsome $600,000. Third-place finishers will not leave empty-handed either, securing $400,000 in cash Additionally, trophies will be presented to teams finishing in the top three positions, ensuring lasting recognition for their effortsonthefield.

This year’s tournament boasts an impressive roster of corporate and community backing.Confirmedparticipants include teams from the Government of Guyana, Linden Electricity Company Inc ,

KwakwaniElectricityCompany, Guyana Tourism Authority, Guyana Beverage Inc , SM Swamy Logistics, McRae Supermarket, Blue Springs Water, Massive Hotel Inc , Banks DIH (Linden), Otis Logistics,andShanghai.

They will be joined by formidable softball giants representing communities including Aroima, Hururu, Kimbia, Sandhills, Speighland, Coomacka, Mabaruma, Rock Stone, and Three Mile –promising a thrilling blend of corporate firepower and raw grassrootstalent.

Once again, the tournament enjoys the unwavering support ofPrimeMinisterMarkPhillips, under the One Guyana banner, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering nationalunitythroughsport.

Organised by Gregory Harris, the tournament has quickly become a staple on the local softball calendar, drawing growing participation and spectator interest with each passing year With the bowl-off nowonthehorizon,alleyesturn to Kwakwani, where teams will battle not only for substantial cash rewards but also for the pride of being crowned One Guyana champions. Among the sponsors on board is popular Trophy Stall. Proprietor Raesh Sunichrecentlypresentedoneof the championship trophies to Lance ‘Wild Pine’Easton of the organisingcommittee.

Action gets underway on July 25. Fans are urged to come outintheirnumbersandsupport their favourite teams as the road to the final unfolds over four action-packedweeks.

It’s too much for some, the tears are flowing. This means so much. Perhaps redemption for the coach was all set to pack his bags if they didn’t win this game. (Getty Images)

Ecuador stun Germany to reach World Cup last 32

BBC Sport - Ecuador reached the World Cup knockout stage in dramatic fashion as they came from behind to beat Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium and set up a potentialmeetingwithEngland.

Theyhadnotscoredagoalintheirfirsttwogames,adraw with Curacao and a defeat by Ivory Coast, but finally showed the talent they possess as they took advantage of a lacklustre displayfromGermany,whohadalreadytoppedGroupE. Germany made the perfect start after only two minutes whenLeroySanepickedupFlorianWirtz’scleverpassinthe area to fire a clinical finish beyond Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez.

Ecuador were furious, convinced they should have been awarded a foul for Alexandar Pavlovic’s high boot on Pedro Vite,buttheirprotestswereignored.

Fuelledbythatinjustice,andbytheirmassesofyellow-clad supporters, Ecuador responded with intensity and were level seven minutes later when Sunderland’s NilsonAngulo sent a lowdrivepastManuelNeuer

Ecuador continued to press in the second half and were rewarded 13 minutes from time when Gonzalo Plata reacted quicker than Neuer at a corner to send their fans wild with delight.

The result is bad news for Scotland as it reduces their chancesofqualifyingasoneofthebestthird-placedfinishers.

WIwrapSLupfor308despiteDhananjaya120

E S P N c r i c i n f o -

Dhananjaya de Silva’s 120 off168deliveriesformedthe centrepiece of Sri Lanka’s fighting batting efforts on day one of the Test series against West Indies. West Indies lost three wickets in the first hour, Kemar Roach breaking through in the first over of the game, before Alzarri Joseph struck twice inthreeballsinthe10thover

Butonatrackwithsome assistanceforthequicks,Sri Lanka fought back, first through a counter-punching half-century to Dinesh Chandimal, before de Silva imposed himself on the match, scoring briskly through the middle and eveningsessions.

The innings was largely builtuponthreepartnerships that de Silva was part of - a 68-run stand with Chandimal, a 99-run stand with Sonal Dinusha, and a 64-run seventh-wicket stand withMilanRathnayake.

Atotal of 308, however, wasonlyacompetitivefirstinnings total, rather than a commanding one West Indies’ seamers were m

particularly Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Shamar Joseph, who tested the batters whenever they were operating.Itwasthemedium pace of Justin Greaves that wreakedthemostdamagein the end, however He dismissed de Silva midway throughthefinalsessionand wouldclaimtwofurthertailend wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 39. Roach, Alzarri, and Shamar all claimedtwowicketsapiece. Having bowled Sri Lanka out for 308, West

Indies had one over to bat before stumps, and survived it without loss. Their over ratethroughthedayhadbeen exceedingly slow, however Only 72 5 overs were bowled on day one, though all six-and-a-half hours of playwereutilised.

De Silva had been confidentfromtheoutset.In the morning session he had defended well, and had playedsomeassuredstraight drivestogethimselfmoving, as Sri Lanka strove to recover from 42 for 3

Chandimal was the primary aggressor in his first partnership, as he found boundaries through cover and point in particular Chandimal hit 41 of the 68 runstheymadetogether,and although not fluent in this particular innings, had kept Sri Lanka ticking through a difficultperiod.Heappeared to be finding his touch as he crossed 50, but was bowled by an excellent Shamar yorkersoonafter Kusal Mendis, reaching for a full wide one, was

caughtatsecondsliplaterin that Shamar over This was the second occasion Sri Lanka lost two in an over, with Alzarri having earlier dismissedNishanMadushka and Kamindu Mendis in the 10thoveroftheday

De Silva got Sri Lanka outofthatimmediatedanger with some sparkling shots square of the wicket, spanking one from Alzarri through point before pulling thesamebowlerimperiously through square leg two balls later.

He had his outside edge beaten frequently, but also found singles and twos into the outfield to keep himself moving Disdainful pulls wouldbecomeahallmarkof this innings, though he also scoredheavilythroughcover anddeepthird.Dinusha,who played a restrained innings, also dug deep to lift Sri Lanka out of trouble. He scored heavily through the backward point region, pouncing on the short wide deliveries whenever they wereofferedup.Hehit43off 75.

Soonaftertea,hemoved smoothly to a 13th Test hundred,offthe150thballhe

2026 MOE/Beharry U19 School’s T20 Cricket

faced, reaching the milestone with a sumptuous flick through midwicket. In the end, a tame length delivery from Greaves claimed his wicket, as de Silva gave a catch off the leading edge to point as he attempted to clip through midwicket.

SriLankawere273for7 at that point, and a little lower-order hitting propelled them past 300, Rathnayakescoring27.

Thefirsthouroftheday, however, had belonged to West Indies. Pathum Nissanka was caught off Roach at short leg, when he failed to keep a legside flick down.

Alzarri then nailed Madushkainfrontwithaball that nipped off the surface, and had Kamindu caught at first slip with a delivery in the channel outside off. Sri Lankawere42for3afterthat first double strike. Shamar would also take two wickets inanover,soonafterlunch.

Scores:WestIndies 0 for no loss (Campbell 0*, King 0*) trail Sri Lanka 308 ( D h a n a n j a y a 1 2 0 , Chandimal 54, Greaves 339)by308runs.

tournament…

Teams aiming for contender spots as crunch stages loom

Following a few exciting rounds of Ministry of Education/Beharry

T20 School’s Under-19 cricket, actionheatsupthiscomingweekendasteams looktobooktheirspotsintherespectiveZone finals.

Last weekend’s action saw a number of topperformancesfromafewofthecountry’s elite U19 cricketers, who kept their respective school teams in the hunt for the finalzonalspots.

Action in the Beharry School’s Under-19 T20 competition continues to gather momentum as teams enter the deep stages.

With competition increasing, action shifts this coming weekend to a number ofvenuesacrossthecountrywhereteams will look to make their final push as key players will be looking to continue their form.

Zone1at JoeJagmohanGround Semi-Finals1: Santa Rosa Secondary vs. Charity SecondaryJune28that9:30h Semi-Finals2: Abram Zuil vs. Aurora Secondary June28th13:30h Zone2atUitvlugtGround Semi2: West Demerara Secondary vs. West MinisterSecondaryJune26th13:00h

Final:

Essequibo Islands Secondary vs Winner ofSemi2June28th13:30h

Zone3EastBankDemerara/Upper Demeraraat UitvlugtGround

Semi-final1:

Diamond Secondary vs. Coven Garden from8:00h

Semi-final2: Yarrakabra vs. Camille’s Academy from 11:00h

Finals:

Winnerofsem1vsWinnerofsemi2June 28th2026from9:30h

Zone5NorthGeorgetownatUitvlugt Chase’sAcademyvsNewCampbellville June27from14:00h

...Defeat Timehri United in 2026/2027 Elite Qualifiers Fruta Conquerors FC avoids relegation

Fruta Conquerors FC outlasted Timehri United in important Qualifier matchup, following second half goals from Codrington and Walton.

Given a second opportunity to secure promotion to the 2026/27EliteLeague,TimehriUnitedsawtheirhopesdashed onWednesday evening after suffering a 2-0 defeat to former champions Fruta Conquerors FC in the Elite League Qualifiers playoff at the National Training Centre, Providence.

Withtheirtop-flightstatusonthelinefollowingrelegation concerns from the 2026/2027 campaign, Fruta Conquerors delivered a composed performance, producing two secondhalfgoalstosecurevictoryandretaintheirplaceinGuyana’s premierfootballcompetition.

The Georgetown-based club entered the encounter determined to erase any lingering doubts about their Elite League future and responded with a resolute display against anambitiousTimehriUnitedside.

ForTimehri,thedefeatmarkedadisappointingendtotheir qualification journey after they had already fallen 2-0 to CamptownFCinSunday’splayofffinal.

WhileTimehriUnitedwasseekingredemptionandaroute back into contention, Fruta Conquerors approached the contestknowingtheirEliteLeaguesurvivaldependedonthe result. After enduring a below-par Season Seven campaign, the former champions rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

The opening half proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides battling for control but unable to find a breakthrough Fruta Conquerors eventually broke the deadlockinthe56thminutewhenJamalCodringtonfoundthe backofthenet,givinghissideacrucialadvantageshortlyafter therestart.AsTimehripushedforwardinsearchofan

Continued on page 27

a

Govt. ministers advance planning for Masters World Cup in Guyana

G E O R G E T O W N , Guyana – The Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) yesterday met with the Hon Charles

Continued on page 27 -16nationstocompeteinOctober17–November1tournament

Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Hon. Steven Jacobs at the Ministry’s boardroom to review preparations for theupcomingMastersWorld Cup,scheduledtobeheldin Guyana from October 17 to November1.

CWIMA, who was representedbyitsChairman, Mr Raj Singh, and the

on’s F

e Convenor Mr Ramdeo

Kumar, prov

w

t h a comprehensiveupdateonthe

work completed to date and outlined the critical next steps required to deliver a world-class tournament featuring 16 participating countries.

Keyareascoveredduring thebriefingincluded:

P

d readinessofcricketgrounds

Television broadcast a

arrangements

Accommodation and hotellogistics

Transportation and securityplanning · Recruitment of match referees, umpires, venue managers and liaison officers

Fitness Express backing remains solid for GAPLF Intermediates/Masters Championships

Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald (left), hands over sponsorship cheque to GAPLF President, Franklin Wilson.

AsathletesattheIntermediateandMasterslevelsfinetune preparations ahead of Sunday’s Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), Intermediate/Masters competitions,longtimecorporatepartner,FitnessExpresshas maintainedsupportforthesport.

Manager of the Sheriff and John Street based business, which is approaching two decades of consistent, quality servicetoGuyana’ssportsmenandwomen,JamieMcDonald, reinforcedhisbusiness’commitmentforsupportingthesport.

McDonald,toldFederationPresidentFranklinWilsonata simple hand over of the sponsorship cheque on Wednesday, thatthesportwillcontinuetoreceivesupport.

”WehereatFitnessExpressvaluethepartnershipwiththe GAPLF Wehavebeenconsistentlysupportingthissportever since we started business and have seen the continued development of the athletes, both male and female. We are veryproudofbeingavaluedpartnerandwewillcontinueto

Continued on page 27

volunteers, event staff and cateringservices “ We h a v

m a d e substantial progress across all operational areas, but the scale of this event requires seamless collaboration with the Government and our local partners,” Mr Singh said.“Today’smeeting

One Guyana Softball Cricket Knockout

– Kwakwani to host Mega Tournament returns for Third Year

(AFP/Getty