One Communications (Guyana) Inc. on Thursday announced plans to invest US$25 million in domestic fibre infrastructure in 2026 to strengthen its multicoverage network and build the capacity required to supportthecountry’srapidly expandingeconomy
The company also intends to expand its fibre network along the East Coast, Linden, Berbice and Parika, creating improved connectivity and greater economic opportunities in thosecommunities.
The announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abraham S m i t h d u r i n g h i s presentation at the Guyana
Energy Conference held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.
During his address, Smith emphasized the importance of expanding and mode
e company’s network as Guyana accelerates its digital transformation He noted that reliable digital infrastructure will play a critical role in supporting major national initiatives, including the Wales Gas-toEnergyProject.
Smith revealed that over the past 15 years, the company has invested approximately US$250 m
development, including US$100 million in fiber
infrastructure alone within the last few years. He said
continue, with an additional US$25 million earmarked fordomesticfiberexpansion in 2026 to ensure the networkcanmeetincreasing demand.
“We are also building systems that can hold up underpressure.Resilienceis
depends on uptime, finance
government depends on digital service delivery,” Smithsaid.
Toenhancereliability,he explained that the company hasreconfigureditsnetwork
topology, strengthened redundancy, and is working more closely with national partners such as the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) to ensure its systems evolve
G
infrastructurerollout.
He acknowledged that r
li
bility remains a challengeamidthecountry’s rapid growth and ongoing infrastructure works, noting thatteamsaredeployeddaily to respond to issues and i m p r o v e n e t w o r k performance.
Importantly, Smith stressed that network resilience must extend beyondcoastalregions.
“Ourinvestmentsarenot limited to Georgetown.
The Government’s muchtouted Gas-to-Energy (GTE)projectwillnothitits full 300-megawatt capacity until mid2027, despite repeated assurances that theplantwillcomeonlinebytheendof 2026.
Speakingduringapaneldiscussion at the Guyana Energy Conference, NaturalResourcesMinistryConsultant Winston Brassington disclosed that contractor Lindsayca will initially deliver only 228MW under a simplecycle configuration, four gas turbines by yearend 2026. The full 300MW combined-cycle output will only materialise sometime in 2027. This timeline raises serious questions about the government’s promise to slash electricity costs by 50%. If the plant is not operating at full capacity, can consumers realistically expect full savings?
Also on the panel were Chief ExecutiveOfficer(CEO)oftheGuyana EnergyAgency(GEA)andCEOofthe Guyana Power and Light Inc, Kesh Nandlall.
Inremarks,Brassingtonpointedout that while everyone has heard that the power plant will come online by yearend, the contractor has committed to delivering only 228MW until the entireprojectfinalises.
“Everyone has heard we’re gonna havethepowerplantonlinebytheend of the year Our contractor, Lindsayca from the US, has promised us that they’re going to complete the 300megawattproject,firstonsimplecycle bytheendofthisyear,andsimplecycle isessentiallythefourgasturbines,with a total installed capacity of about 228
megawatts.
Sothatweexpecttohaveonlineby the end of the year,” the Consultant explained.Alsoexpectedbytheendof this year is the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility which will produce cooking gas to reduce the commodity priceby50%.
Meanwhile, Brassington noted, “Simple cycle for the power plant and the NGL plant, by the middle of next year, we’re gonna have the combined cycle fully completed. So all 300 megawattswillbecompleted.Sothatis whatisbeingbuiltrightnow.”
Upon completion of the 300MW project, government promised that the priceofelectricitywouldbeslashedin half.
Itisunclearwhetherthisislikelyby theendof2026giventhattheplantwill notbegeneratingatfullcapacity
Brassington reminded conference delegates that ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block completed the pipeline component of theGTEprojectsincetheendof2024 Hesaid,“Sothisisa12-inchpipeline, coming 250 kilometers from one mile deepintheocean,wheretheLizaField is and that’s coming on shore, and initially, out of a capacity of 120 million cubic feet of gas per day, initially,wewillget50andthenwhen wefillthatpipelineinphasetwo,we’ll go to 120 That pipeline is done, waiting for the power plant project to comeonline ”
PhaseTwoGTEtostartthisyear
Beyond Phase One of the GTE project, Brassington highlighted the progress being made on Phase Two, which will be constructed at theWales
Development Zone, West Bank Demerara. He noted that five firms havebeenprequalifiedandisexpected tosubmitbidsbytheendofMarch.
TheConsultantrevealedthatPhase Two of the project, will be split into three phases. “One is the Natural Gas Liquids plant, which will go right next totheexistingoneonthesite.
The second is what we call the balance of plant and then the second power plant will go right next to the existing one so we’re doubling from 300MWofcombinedcyclepowerwith gas, to 600,” he said. Construction activitiesonPhaseTwowillcommence thisyearaccordingtohim.
He pointed out that the Wales Industrial Estate is situated on over 1,400acresofland.Withplansinplace foranammoniaplant,glassfactoryand datacentres,theConsultantflashedthe opportunities still available for small industrialoutfits.
Today, our fiber network serves more than 180,000 homes and businesses nationwide, with nearly 80 percentofourfiberfootprint locatedoutsidethecapital.In 2026, we will continue expanding along emerging economic corridors, includingLinden,Parika,the East Coast and Berbice Opportunity must reach beyond the city limits,” he stated. The investment will also support the rollout of additional digital services Smith highlighted platforms such as MMG, which provide easier access to payments and financial services, and referenced the Electronic TransactionsAct, w h i c h e n a b l e s telecommunications and
other digital providers to expand online services and further drive Guyana’s digitaleconomy
One Communications (Guyana) Inc , formerly knownasGuyanaTelephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), was established in 1991 Over the years, the company has played a significant role in Guyana’s telecommunications development, pioneering fibre-optic technology, installing subsea cables, and expanding its One Fibre network to more than 150,000homes.
The company says it remains committed to keeping Guyana connected and supporting the nation’s continuedgrowthanddigital advancement.
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.
Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456
Editor: NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
We reported earlier this week the Guyana Police Force (GPF)haulingbeforethecourtsseveralmotoristsonarange of traffic offences as footage from the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) continues to detect dangerous driving across thecountry
In a statement issued onTuesday police disclosed that as of February 4 hundreds of dangerous driving incidents have been captured by the traffic cameras and advanced through the judicial process. “To date, one hundred fifteen (115) caseshavealreadybeenprocessedincourt,resultinginfines and, in some instances, suspension of drivers' licences. The remaining matters are currently at various stages of review andprosecution,”policesaid.
Police in the statement explained that dangerous driving occurs when a motorist operates a vehicle in a manner that endangers the public, other road users or property Such offences are not ticketable and must be heard before a magistrate.AccordingtotheGPF,eachincidentrecordedby the SRIS cameras is individually reviewed by trained ranks. “Each incident captured by SRIS cameras is individually reviewed by trained police personnel, with evidence carefullyanalysed,compiled,andformallypresentedbefore thecourt,”policesaid.
We have said before that Guyana's roadways have enteredoneofthemostdangerousperiodsinrecentmemory What should be arteries of movement and national progress have instead become corridors of chaos, confusion, and tragedy The rapid pace of road construction across the country,whileessentialforagrowingeconomyhascreateda daily reality in which ordinary citizens must navigate narrowed lanes, shifting detours, heavy machinery, and poorly managed worksites. This is compounded by reckless drivershurryingtoandfromtheirdestinations.
The result is predictable: more accidents, more injuries, and more lives needlessly lost. In Guyana everywhere one turns, there are unfinished bridges, half-carved shoulders, deeptrenches,andworksitesleftopenwithlittletonoproper signage or traffic control. At night, many of these sites become outright death traps. Cones are missing, lights are inadequate, and warnings are either unclear or absent altogether Drivers moving along familiar routes are suddenly forced into oncoming lanes or through temporary bypasses that are poorly marked. Those responsible for supervising these projects have failed to appreciate that construction zones require discipline, technical management, and constant monitoring, not a scattershot approachthatleavesmotoriststofendforthemselves.
Compounding this dangerous environment is the sheer volume of heavy-duty trucks now dominating Guyana's roads. Every day, fleets of sand trucks, stone trucks, cement trucks, and container-laden trailers barrel through narrow corridors never designed for such weight and traffic. The construction boom has brought investment and economic opportunities, but it has also placed unprecedented strain on thecountry'stransportinfrastructure.
Many of the roads across Guyana were not built to withstand today's level of use, far less to accommodate constant streams of overloaded trucks. Lanes are narrow, shoulders almost non-existent, and with ongoing road upgrades eating up what little space remains, motorists are routinelysqueezedbetweenspeedingtrucksononesideand construction encumbrances on the other This creates a treacherous mix where even experienced drivers find themselvesfightingtostaysafe.
The consequences are right before us. A worrying number of recent accidents- tragic and fatal have involved heavy-duty trucks. The reasons are obvious. Some of these vehicles are overloaded far beyond legal limits. Many are driven at speeds wholly incompatible with their size and weight.Othersaredrivenbyveryyoungandinexperienced
DearEditor,
In the year 2026 — in a country boasting record oil revenues, glittering expositions, and lavish government projects — an Amerindian village leader, Deputy Toshao Elvis Francis, carried an ailing pensioner on his back through river and mountain to reach medical help. Hours of struggle, one canoe, one narrow footpath, and one man's moral strength against the state's monumentalindifference.
Thissingleactofcompassionstands as a damning indictment of what Guyanahasbecome:alandoverflowing with petro-dollars but starved of basic decencyingovernance.
While the nation's political elite flaunt mansions worth hundreds of millions, its first peoples — the same custodians whose stewardship of the forests generates carbon credit wealth — remain stranded by neglect. The irony is cruel The Minister of Amerindian Affairs, often draped in cultural self-congratulation, presides over communities still without a passable trail to reach a health post. When pressed about these lived
realities, she retreats behind heritage and sentiment, as if nostalgia were infrastructure.
Andasthishumandramaplayedout in Paruima, the capital stage dazzled with the Oil and Gas Expo. There, foreign investors in crisp suits spoke of Guyana “lifting the world out of poverty,” echoing Exxon's Dan Ammann's grand declaration. But what cruel contradiction lies in those words. Even as global oil executives praise Guyana for its world-saving potential, our own citizens cannot access a boat, a road,orareliablemedicalteam.
If we cannot lift our own, how can welifttheworld?
If a Deputy Toshao must bear a human life on his back, what exactly is the government carrying — besides the burdenofhypocrisy?
The President boasts of billions from carbon credits while diverting a mere 15 percent to the very people who keep the forests alive. He speaks of inclusion from air-conditioned podiums, yet an elderly woman's survival still depends on the back and braveryofonemaninthehinterland.
These are not isolated failings — they are systemic, moral, and deliberate The government has mastered the art of selling glitter to the outside world while dimming the light at home. This is political gaslighting at its most refined: a state peddling illusions of progress to investors, even as its citizens endure colonial-era hardships masked by modern slogans. The spectacle sells, the suffering remainsunseen.
ElvisFrancis'sjourneyshouldhaunt every policymaker who sleeps comfortably tonight. His story exposes what no oil or gas summit can hide — thatgenuineleadershipstillexists,butit lives among the people, not the powerful.
Until our leaders value human endurance as much as they celebrate economic expansion, Guyana will remain rich in oil and poor in soul — a nationledbysnake-oilsalesmenselling prosperity while their people walk, crawl, and carry each other toward survival
Sincerely,
Hemdutt Kumar
Guyana will lose a vital component of democracy when the Stabroek News closes its doors
DearEditor, From the time of our Independence, some 60 years ago, Guyana and its peopledefinedourselvesasa democracy, yet, if you consult, for instance, the EncyclopediaAmericanofor a definition of democracy, youwon'tfindone.Whatyou will find is a history and description of a form of d e m o c r a c y, l i b e r a l democracy, which is generally common to the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the British Commonwealth of NationsandWesternEurope.
We may, therefore, define democracy as an indirect, representative, and constitutional government controlled by a multiparty system and universal adult
s u f f r a g e A s t h e Encyclopedia describes it “the whole process of determining who shall governandtowhatendsthus takes place within a constitutional framework, whether of custom, fundamental law, or separate charter.”
Criticaltoallofthisisthe emphasizing of “discussion and compromise within the political process” and that “liberal democracy requires the maintenance of freedom o f e x p r e s s i o n a n d associationinsocietyatlarge as necessary conditions for the proper formation of a majority party prepared to assume responsibility for governing.”
Freedom of expression, freedom of speech in any
drivers, some barely out of their teenage years, thrust behind the wheel of machines capable of wiping out entire familiesinamatterofseconds.
A country undergoing explosive infrastructural growth cannotrealisticallyremovethesetrucksfromtheroads,butit can, and must, regulate them with an iron hand. Guyana has no shortage of rules. What it chronically lacks is the consistent application of them. For years, the public has witnessed a familiar pattern: new regulations are announced with great fanfare, but after a few weeks the vigilance fades, officers return to “business as usual,” and reckless operators regain free rein on the roads. The result is predictable: more carnage, more public outcry, more morning headlines mourninganothersetoflivesgonetoosoon.
We therefore insist that the Guyana Police Force must treat this moment with the seriousness it demands. The country is on the brink of catastrophe if current trends continue. Enforcement must be constant, nationwide, and non-negotiable.
Overloaded trucks must be stopped, weighed, and penalised every time. Speeding trucks must be pulled over
modern democracy is founded and pursued through the freedom of the press, the freedom of the media, independent of the ownership, control and direction of the elected governmentinpower Fundamental to a practicing democracy is also free
assembly and petition, security against arbitrary search, seizure or arrest and the protection of life, liberty and property through due process of law and trial by jury.
The Ten Principles of the Declaration of Chapultepec adopted by the Inter American Press Association th in Mexico City, 11 March, 1994, sets out and defines
freedomofexpressionandof the press as “an inalienable right of the people”. It might have added a 'right of the pursuitofdemocracy.'
So,whenacountryloses, especially a small country like Guyana, a newspaper independent of government ownership and control, such as is the Stabroek News, it is to be hugely regretted and undermines the democratic credentialsofthecountry
The reality of social media as a pervasive source of information, however unreliable, untrustworthy and uninformed, is a major causefornewspaperslikethe Stabroek News losing readership, suffering collapsing circulation and consequential loss of
(Continued on page 6)
everytime.Drivers'underageorunlicensedmustbetakenoff the road every time. No favours, no compromises, no “ease ups.”
The police cannot afford to simply make an example of one or two offenders. They must send a message that resonates across every construction site, trucking company, and sand pit in the country: reckless behaviour on the road willnotbetolerated.
At the same time, contractors must be held accountable fortheconditionandsafetyoftheirworksites.Signs,barriers, reflectors, flagmen, cones, and adequate lighting are not optional they are indispensable tools for the protection of the public. Poorly managed construction environments are not mere inconveniences; they are hazards that destroy lives. Development must never come at the cost of human lives. Theroadsmustnotbeturnedintosacrificezonesinthename ofprogress.Nowisthetimeforactiongroundedindiscipline, responsibility, and respect for human life. If the authorities enforce the law with consistency and courage, Guyana can curb this rising wave of road tragedies. If they fail, the death tollwillcontinuetoclimbandtheblamewillbetheirstobear.
DearEditor,
O n S atu r d ay, 2 1 February 2026, the world will observe International Mother Language Day, under the theme “Youth voices on multilingual education” (UNESCO). A reminder that languages are not merely tools for communication, but vessels of memory, identity, and worldview In Guyana — a nation proudly known as the Land of Six Peoples — this observance carries special weight.
We are a multilingual s o c i e t y s h a p e d b y Indigenous, African, Indian, European, Chinese and Portuguese heritage Yet while we celebrate this diversity in festivals, food and fashion, we often neglect the very foundation ofculture:motherlanguage.
F o r I n d i g e n o u s communities in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, languages such as Macushi, Wapichan, Akawaio, Patamona, Wai Wai and Lokono are more than spoken words. They
e n c o d e e c o l o g i c a l knowledge of the rainforest and savannah, traditional governance systems, spiritual beliefs, oral histories and ancestral laws. When a language weakens, so too does the knowledge systemitcarries.
Mother language is the first language a child hears.
I t s h a p e s t h o u g h t , confidence and identity. Researchconsistentlyshows thatchildrenlearnbestwhen they begin education in their mothertongue.Whenachild is forced to abandon their first language at the school gate, learning becomes alienating rather than empowering In contrast, bilingual and multilingual education strengthens cognitive development and p r e s e r v e s c u l t u r a l continuity
In Guyana, we have made strides in recognising Indigenous heritage in education, yet language preservation requires urgent and deliberate action. Many of our Indigenous languages are vulnerable. Elders who are fluent speakers are passing on, and younger generations—influencedby migration, media and urbanisation — are shifting toward modernity and Englishdominance.
Language loss is not just a b o u t v o c a b u l a r y disappearing It is about
losing ways of seeing the world For example, Indigenous languages often contain precise terms for plants, animals and ecological cycles that have nodirectEnglishequivalent. These are invaluable in a country that positions itself as a global leader in forest conservation and climate a c t i o n P r o t e c t i n g Indigenous languages is therefore also protecting Guyana's environmental wisdom.
But this issue is not confined to Indigenous communities alone. Across Guyana, we must value the linguistic richness in our Creolese expressions, in the Hindi and Urdu words preserved in Indo-Guyanese communities, and in the remnants of Portuguese and Chinese heritage languages. Every language spoken here tells a story of survival, adaptationandcontribution. If we are serious about building a cohesive, inclusive Guyana, then language policy must reflect thatcommitment.Weneed:
· Stronger support for mother tongue-based bilingualeducation.
T r a i n i n g a n d employment of Indigenous languageteachers.
Documentation and digital archiving of vulnerablelanguages.
· Community-led language revitalisation
initiatives.
· National recognition that multilingualism is an asset,notabarrier
Preserving mother languages is not about dividing the nation; it is aboutstrengtheningit.Unity does not require uniformity True national unity respects and uplifts the voices of all itspeoples.
As we reflect on International Mother
Language Day, let us move b e y o n d s y m b o l i c celebration. Let us invest in practical measures that ensure our children and youth can speak, learn, dream and lead in the languages of their ancestors — alongside English, not insteadofit.
A language dies when it is no longer spoken. But it lives when it is taught, valued and heard in homes, schoolsandpublicspaces. Guyana's future must be multilingual — because our pastcertainlyis.
Happy International MotherLanguageDay!
Yoursfaithfully,
MedinoAbrahamMsc
Policymakers need to place stronger emphasis on inclusive growth strategies
DearEditor,
As a public communications analyst, I continue to engage in meaningful dialogue with everyday citizens who are closely observing the evolving financial and economic landscape of Guyana These conversations reveal a population that is proud of national progress yet increasingly concerned about whether that progress is translatingintoimprovedlivingstandardsfor theaveragehousehold.
At present, major developments such as the ongoing energy conference in Georgetown highlight Guyana's growing international profile and economic potential for tourism and energy These events showcaseopportunity,investment,andrising global confidence in the country's future. However, they also serve as a reminder that high-level economic activity does not automatically translate into widespread prosperity for all citizens. In this context, statementsfromExxonMobilemphasizethat oil discoveries are intended to contribute to poverty reduction and economic mitigation. The oil and gas industry has indeed played a significant role through increased employment opportunities and substantial contributions to national revenue, strengthening Guyana's macroeconomic position. The ongoing challenge remains ensuring that these gains are equitably distributed and meaningfully improve the dailylivesofthewiderpopulation.
Many Guyanese acknowledge that the nationisperformingwellontheinternational stage. Significant attention and engagement have come from organizations such as the
PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF, CARICOM, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Carter Center, and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). Their sustained observation reflectsGuyana'simportancewithinregional andglobaldevelopmentframeworks
Despite these positive indicators, there remains a clear sentiment among local citizens that the benefits of growth are not beingfeltevenly Risingexpectationsaround employment, cost of living, access to services, and social mobility continue to shape public discourse. Development, while visible, must become more inclusive and people-centered.
Guyanese living in the diaspora can rightfully feel proud of their country's achievementsandgrowingglobalreputation. Yet national success should not be measured solely by international recognition or macroeconomic indicators. True progress is realized when everyday citizens experience tangibleimprovementsintheirqualityoflife, economicsecurity,andprospects.
Therefore, I respectfully call on policymakers, private-sector leaders, and development partners to place stronger emphasis on inclusive growth strategies. Investments must be paired with clear pathways for local participation, workforce development, and community upliftment. Ensuringthatnationalprogressmeaningfully reaches the lives of ordinary Guyanese is not only timely—it is essential for long-term stability,trust,andsharedprosperity
Sincerely:
Mr Blane R Bunbury
DearEditor, It is with reverent resignation, I absorb, the recent announcement that Stabroek News will print its final edition on March 15, 2 0 2 6 , a s I g l u m l y contemplate that this is not merely the closure of a business; it is an extinctionlevel event for democracy in Guyana.
For nearly four decades, this newspaper stood as the bulwarkoftheFourthEstate,
reporting objectively without fear or favour, and its dissolution will leave a void that will severely dilute the scrutiny applied to those in power Kaieteur News now have the uninfluenced responsibility of being the sole volume newsprint of andforthevoiceless.
In a small, developing
petro-state like Guyana, a freepressisnotaluxury;itis a necessity Stabroek News epitomised a brand of journalism that served the powerless, not the powerful. The primary catalyst for the genesisofStabroekNews,in November 1986, was the pronounced lack of media independence and the desire to break the state's (Guyana) monopoly on information during a period of authoritarian control. David de Claire's and Miles Fitzpatrick, creators/ owners of Stabroek News saw an opportunity to introduce a new, independent voice especially in the wake of then President Hoyte's deBurnhamisation (democratic liberalization)ofGuyana. Possessing the cerebral and intestinal fortitude- even
under a baptism of fire- they both resolutely prevailed. It was an act of rebellion and soundless screams against silence pre1986 and since r e m a i n
n t e rgenerational chronicler and catalyst of change, holding successive governments to accountandhelpingtocreate the conditions for political transitionsin1992and2020. It was, by any measure, our "newspaper of record"—an a u t h o r i
n d independent institution Guyanesecouldtrust.
The reasons for the c
, competition from social media, and the shift in reading culture—are welldocumented. However, the context cannot be ignored. The newspaper also faced an
unlevel playing field, including the denial of a radio licence and, according to recent correspondence, a government refusal to settle outstanding payments, approximating G$100 million, in an economic climate where such a debt would cripple any business. As one letter writer aptly noted, the country has demonstrated that there is no democratic culture robust enough to protect a truly independent news media f r o m t h e c u r r e n t administration's march towarddomination.
The loss of Stabroek News means fewer checks onauthority,fewerplatforms for alternative voices, and fewer spaces where national conversations can unfold without rancour or malice.
The "echo chamber" that remains will breed the overconfidence and arrogance that lead to decay from within When the Fourth Estate is diluted, the government begins to hear only itself, and that is a dangerous path for any republic.
I/we bewail the passing of this hallowed institution and extend our forever gratitude to the ownership, journalists, editors, and staff who worked tirelessly to illuminate the truth. History w i l l r e c o r d y o u r contribution. The question now is: apart from the Kaieteur News, who will hold the powerful to account in the post-March 15, 2026 era?
Fare thee well, Member of the “Fourth Estate” StabroekNews.
Kaieteur News, it is now yourwheelhouse.
Concerned / hopeful Citizen, Jonathan Subrian Esq.
From page 4
advertising revenue, leading tofinancialcollapse.
As Ian Mc Donald in st writing in Ian On Sunday (1 February, 2026) points out, “the fact is that social media is becoming best known for spreading poison rather than truth. Instead of imparting wisdom it dispenses carefully selected material which reinforces biasesthereby increasing partisan outrage and aggravating the politics of hatred and contempt.”
A pervasive threat to countries like ours with a population prone to latch on to every rumor as fact and a dangerous substitute for informed news and documented opinion featured in a newspaper such astheStabroekNews.
The Guyana Press Association in commenting on the shutdown of Stabroek News correctly makes the point that it is “a significant loss to the nation's media landscape” and, more importantly, “to the democratic fabric of our society.”
In recent years of its publication, I have personallydisagreedwiththe editorial slant of the newspaper, affording space, in particular, to virulent and biased critics of the governing party, like Christopher Ram, and Editorial after Editorial h a m m e r i n g a t t h e government, but, rightly or wrongly, that is what freedom of the press is all about.
As a competitive newspaper, Kaieteur News, has concluded, “Guyana is poorerforitssilence”.
T h e p e n d i n g disappearance of the Stabroek News is of much more significance to our country than the fact that it is the loss of a professional and generally reliable source
of information, it is, in fact, the loss of a vital component of the structure of a democratic government, because it is the loss to the nation of a vital platform for freeandopenexpressionand debate.
An essential element of a practicing democracy is a viableoppositionpartytothe party elected to government. As the late Peter d'Aguiar, when leader of the United Force, put it bluntly in Parliament, “the role of the political opposition is to oppose, expose and depose” the government of the day Themediagivesvoicetothat opposition as a balanced choice to the voice of the electedgovernment.
The Stabroek News, most certainly, provided that balancedvoice,thoughsome would say overbalanced in favouroftheopposition.
There is no question of the fact that we have in place a governing party elected by a majority in a free, open and credibleelection.
An election endorsed by every international observer
The question is, can we say, with serious conviction, that we have a credible opposition, also an essential component of democracy? No,wecannot.
Yet, a viable opposition is an essential component to democracy
When we consider the consequences of the shutdown of the Stabroek News,itisinthiscontextthat weshouldevaluateit. It is, therefore, for me, and should be for all Guyanese who value democracy, that it is of particular concern and extremely unfortunate that we are about to lose a vital component of democracy when the Stabroek News th closes its doors on 15 March,2026.
Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
A number of critical pieces of oil and gas legislation are in the pipeline to be enacted, among them, a draft bill intended to regulate downstream natural gas operations,AttorneyGeneral(AG), Anil Nandlall SC told the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply ChainExpoonThursday
Addressing delegates at Marriot Hotel in Georgetown on thefinaldayoftheconference,the attorney general said that the governmentisbuildingarobustand attractiveregulatoryframeworkfor Guyana’senergysector
Heexplainedremainssteadfast in its commitment to ongoing development regulations that
reflectglobalbestpractices.
As a result of the development trajectory of Guyana’s petroleum industry, the AG said the government has become intentional about creating a legislative framework that aligns with internationally recognised modellaws.
To this end, the AG noted a number of draft laws are in the p i p e l i n e i n c l u d i n g a comprehensiveenvironmentalact.
“We have in draft a comprehensivesolidandofcourse, liquid waste management bill that willembracetheoilandgassector We have also an oil and gas corporation bill that will deal with
thedownstreamactivitiesofnatural gas when, as you know, we are building that capability.We have a gas to shore project that is being completed,hopefullybytheendof this year,” Nandlall told the conference.
Speaking of the improved legal structure, the attorney general explained too that local content laws were introduced to create an environment where Guyanese can benefit from the boomingoilsector
“We legislated to ensure, as far as possible, the largest injection of Guyanese in companies. The Act establishes a local content secretariat that maintains a local content register of Guyanese nationals for employment, and Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies from which goods and services may be procured.TheAct creates offenses if there is any breach,”heasserted.
Nandlall explained further that thelawscanbeadjustedtosuitthe changingtimesandconditions.
Hesaid“TheActincorporatesa sliding scale approach to local content requirements, reflecting a practicalunderstandingofthestage of development at the time of drafting,werecognisethatGuyana did not possess the full range of technicalskill,specialisedservices
and industrial capacity required acrosseverysegmentoftheoiland gas and related supply chains, rather than imposing rich, rigid threshold that could impede investmentsofprojectdelivery,the Actallowsforadjustmentovertime aslocalcapabilitiesarebuilt.
“This sliding scale ensures that requirements can be strengthened and trained progressively as Guyanese businesses expand, workers trained and infrastructure improves,”Nandlalladded.
Consequently,hesaidthesector has attracted more local operators caused“anexplosionofbusinesses andcorporations.
“And if I can just share some statistics with you, in 2025 alone, 36,251 new businesses were registered in Guyana, 36,251 new businesses.Whenyoudividethat,I came up with an average of 3,021 new businesses registered per month, an average of 755 businesses registered per week a five-day work week, 755 new businesses being registered in Guyana.”
“…Let’s go to corporations, limited liability companies, 1,516 local companies incorporated in 2025 that is 126 companies incorporated per month, 31 companies incorporated per week, thatistheexplosiontakingplacein
the commercial sector Now, with thatkindofactivitytakingplacein the commercial sector, our companies act, which was enacted in 1990 crafted in 1991 but came intoforcein199530yearsago.”
Another major piece of legislationthathasenacted,theAG saidistheOilPollutionPrevention, Preparedness, Response and ResponsibilityAct.
This piece of legislation addresseshowthegovernmentwill determineliability Itembracesthe internationalstandards;drawingon the polluter pays principle and the framework of global conventions on oil, pollution, preparedness and response.
“We much of the controversy thatsurroundstheoilandgassector globally, relates to environmental matters, and this is the main piece of legislation that addresses those. The act is constructed on four imperatives,asisstatedinthetitle, prevention,preparedness,response and responsibility The Act addresses the entire chain, preventing oil spills from happening, preparing effective contingency plans in case they do, mounting a swift and coordinated response if an incident occurs, and assigning clear responsibility, including financial liability for damagecaused,”hestated.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is raising red flags over the Ministry of Education’s revised 2026 Senior Promotion criteria, warning that the new points formulacouldsidelineexperienced teachers and upend long-standing normsintheprofession.
GTU President Coretta McDonald told reportersThursday that the changes will affect
thousandsofeducatorsnationwide.
According to Mc Donald, the new formula assigns one point for every five years of trained service, replacing a system that awarded two points per year of trained service.
“Thepointssystemhaschanged drastically with no hint. For example,beforetimeateacherwas awarded 2 points for every year of
trained Service, the new formula assigns one point for every five yearsoftrained.”
Under previous system, Mc Donald explained that a teacher with 15 years of trained service wouldhaveaccumulated30points, under the new system, that same service would now earn only three points. ‘The points system offered now is only gearing to boast qualifications and does not reflect both. So, many of our younger teachers will be ahead of older teachers. As a result we demand that all should be given a level playingfield.”
The GTU has since raised its concerns with the CEO at the Ministry of Education. The Union emphasises that meaningful consultation with the Union is essential to ensure fairness, transparency, and equity in the promotionsprocess.
‘Teachersdeserveaprocessthat is collaborative, accountable, and just. The Union will continue to advocate for all educators. The actingpresidentthenMs.Williams wrote the CEO last year indicating the discrepancies,” Mc Donald asserted. In a previous statement, the GTU publicly registered its deep concern regarding the Ministry of Education’s recent
handlingoftheseniorvacancylist, motion criteria, and point system forseniorpromotion.
The GTU noted that while no formal requirement exists mandating consultation between the Ministry and the Union, the established norm and practice has always been for both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue priortosubmissiontotheTeaching ServiceCommission.
Thestatementpointedout“The absenceofsuchengagementinthis instanceisunacceptableanddeeply troubling.”
The GTU said it views the “unilateralaction,alongwithother recent practices, as blatant disrespect and disregard for the functionalrelationshipbetweenthe
MinistryandtheUnion.”
“This continued pattern of decision-making without consultation reflects a level of lawlessness that undermines the principles of partnership and collaboration that should guide the education sector.” As such, the Union said it will not allow this situationtogounnoticed.
“We call on the Ministry of Education to immediately reconsideritsapproachandrestore the practice of consultation and engagement with the GTU on matters that directly affect the teaching profession. Failure to do sowillcompeltheUniontotakeall necessarystepstodefendtherights and interests of teachers across Guyana,”theUnionsaid.
There is in Guyana today astrangeoptimism,asthough prosperitywereatidealready visible from the seawall and merelyawaitingitsappointed hour The talk is of hotels, of branded franchises, of entertainment houses that are rising.
It is said that the hospitality sector is poised to flourish. But to walk the streets from Sunday to Thursday is to encounter another truth: the bars halflit, the music subdued, the waiters more numerous than thepatrons.Onebeginstosee that the promise of a thriving hospitality industry rests on foundationsnotyetfullylaid.
The matter is, at its simplest, one of spending power A hospitality sector depends on surplus on money that remains after rent is paid, groceries
bought, school fees considered, and the monthly anxieties attended to It depends on leisure not merely as an idea, but as a habitsustainedbyincome.
In Guyana, for all the talk of transformation, that surplus is not yet widely distributed There are pockets of wealth, certainly; there are individuals whose expenditures would impress. But an industry cannot be built on a handful of pockets. Itrequiresabroadandsteady base.
The evidence is visible in therhythmoftheweek.From Sundays to Thursdays, the country's bars are generally poorlypatronised.Thechairs are arranged with hopeful symmetry; the flat screens glow with imported spectacle; the bartenders
polish glasses in anticipation of a crowd that does not come. It is only on Fridays andSaturdaysthatsomething like animation appears. On those two evenings, the music is louder, the patrons flood the place and there is the fleeting sense that the entertainment economy has founditsfooting.
Yettwodaysofpatronage cannot sustain a robust hospitality sector The arithmetic is unforgiving Rent is due every month; staff must be paid for seven days; utilities and suppliers demand constancy A business cannot thrive on the compressed excitement of theweekendalone.
Investors are, by nature, cautious They seek assurances—of foot traffic, of turnover, of a clientele not restricted to forty-
Dem boys seh is a strange thing how some people does treat public road like if it is dem great-grandmother backyard. All over Guyana, you seeing derelict vehicles and big, hulking trailers park up so permanent, you would think dem paying landtax.
Dem boys seh some of dem trucks ain't move since de last general election. Grass growingrounddetyres,bushcreepingupde chassis,andyetdethingstilloccupyinghalf de roadway like it pay rent.And when night fall? Lawd have mercy No reflectors, no lights, no warning sign. Just one big shadow waiting to baptize some unsuspectingdriverintoeternity
Dem boys seh plenty people done meet dem end crashing into dem abandoned trailers and broken-down vehicles Especially on some of dem new roadways where traffic moving fast-fast because everybody testing out de fresh asphalt. One
minute you enjoying de breeze, next minute you kissing steel and saying goodbye to life and limb. And then we does shake we head andtalk'bout“anothertragicaccident,”like if tragedy does sprout from de drain by itself.
These things is death traps Not inconvenience, not eyesore — death traps. You driving at night and suddenly is like de roadgrowobstaclecourse.
Dem boys seh government promise that dem gon remove dem. And yes, we hear de announcement. Press conference, strong words, stern faces. But like plenty other promises, it taking it sweet, sweet time. Meanwhile,detrailersstillsunbathingonde shoulder and de old vehicles still leaning overlikedrunkunclesatwedding.
If a citizen park so in de middle of de road, police quick-quick to clamp and tow But these big metallic coffins? Dem getting VIPtreatment.
eight hours of indulgence. If the crowd appears only at week's end, the calculations become strained The margins must widen to compensatefortheleandays;
prices inch upward; exclusivity replaces accessibility What might havebeenademocraticspace of recreation becomes a guarded enclave for the few And so, the cycle continues: higher prices discourage broader participation, and limited participation justifies higherprices.
There is, too, the matter ofscale.Avibranthospitality sector is not merely a collection of bars and clubs.
It is an ecosystem: restaurants that remain open because diners are plentiful throughout the week; taxi services that operate at steady capacity; performers and DJs who can depend on regular bookings; security staff, cleaners, caterers—all sustained by the predictable circulationofmoney
I n G u y a n a , t h a t circulation remains uneven. The promise of oil wealth, often invoked as a talisman, has not yet translated into widespread discretionary spending For many, the week is an exercise in restraint The idea of
clubbing or partying from Monday to Thursday seems i n d u l g e n t , e v e n irresponsible. One might argue that Guyanese are simply inclined toward quieter evenings But where spending power grows, habits change Midweek dining becomes ordinary; livemusiconaWednesdayis not an extravagance but a pleasure Without the materialbasisforsuchhabits, exhortations to “support local nightlife” ring hollow One cannot patronise what onecannotafford.
Theconsequencesextend to perception Visitors, whether business travellers or members of the diaspora, measure a country not only byitsinfrastructurebutbyits atmosphere. A city that dims after sunset, that saves its animation for two nights alone, risks appearing tentative This affects investment in subtle ways.
Developers of large hotels, international brands, e
n t conglomerates they seek evidence of sustained demand. If the existing establishmentsstruggletofill their rooms and floorspaces except on weekends, the signalisambiguousatbest.
Thus, we arrive at a sober conclusion G
's hospitality sector has a long way to go. The ambition is evident; the scaffolding is visible; but the underlying capacity w
disposable income sufficient
week remains limited Without increasing the amount of money that ordinary persons have to spend on recreational activities, including clubbing and partying, the nightlife will continue to be uneven and, for many days of the week,bleak.
Until that empowerment becomes general rather than exceptional, the lights in the bars will flicker brightly on Fridays and Saturdays—and wait, with diminishing patience, through the long, subdued evenings that follow
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d
necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Study what is happening
in Guyana, and the contradictions emphasize pure damnation. I put two questions before fellow Guyanese, with Americans following What is happening here in a steady stream: the vulgar, indefensible contradictions of a country that stands naked and exposed before all? Or, the blatant contradictions of a revolting PPP, the ugliness of a group andgovernmentenshrinedin diabolicaldarkness?
ThePPPGovt.-fromDrs. Ali, Jagdeo, Nandlall, sundry others-insists that democracy’sfreedomsareas free as the air, freer than uncaged birds. There’s the fatality of Stabroek News. Not of a leaf falling in a forest. Butofagroveforced into a state of collapse for lackofoxygen. Paymentfor its services to the people from the dollars of the people. The PPP Govt. withheld with calculating o b j e c t i v e n o w accomplished: Stabroek
going down. I hear that Bharrat Jagdeo is invisible. He may be so, but he’s no less impotent; his groundwork producing results, exhibiting his larger footprint. It is the first contradiction.
Second, the PPP Govt. can enthusiastically pay American lobbyists over $200 million a year to do smear jobs, garbage works, the tasks of untouchables.
The selling of Guyana What a light shone. But the government can’t pay StabroekNews$100million that keeps extending, dragging out. Red tape, or the green slime that announces globally what Guyana’s PPP democracy is about. Anobrainer,theman said. And, quite another flavorofthepriorityofLocal Content. Itistheeveningof thesecondcontradiction.
Third, the PPP Govt propagandizes its record on freedomofthought,freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to differ, and there is what I
term the deformities of the unhinged and deranged Stabroek News on the way out. And, one 70-year-old citizenissubjectedtothevile and vicious power of State assets and PPP Govtcontrolled men seeking to shut him up, snuff him out. Others are less foully addressed. I’m certain that Hon Minister Vindya Persaud would shout elder abuse, if political complexion and temps were different.
The lawman, Hon. Anil Nandlall, would thunderthere’s the law, with none above. Guyana is a country of laws, not men. The man has spoken. Listen to this herald. The spittle from his trumpet blotches his face, drips down to his chin There it stains and smells. Bless his clean, democratic heart. Itisthemorningofthe thirdcontradiction. Theday hasnowbegun. Itislong. Fourth, the PPP Govt. takes great pleasure in reminding and emphasizing howBurnhamwasbad,bad,
bad. Today,fromwhichever heaven or hell he resides, he must be chortling and celebrating: de PPP seh me patblack. CheckoutthePPP pot! Whose pot is blacker than black? First, the PPP control the Police. ThePPP commandeer the public service.
The PPP bearhug the private sector The PPP penetrate, preside over the army ThePPPclosingdown the media, steering the judiciary But the PPP proudly claims that Guyana is a democracy, when its main arms have been a m p u t a t e d b y t h e machinations of Freedom House and Office of the President (and VP and OPM). Sorry, mon general. ThePPPmadeanindustryof Burnham was a dictator, a full-blown tyrant. Whose pot now blacker than Burnham’s record of blackness? These are the multiplications of
contradictions. (I kno l’il arithmetic tuh, Daktar Ashni.)
Fifth (it may be number 10), the PPP Govt is democratic. TheAmericans say so with a straight face.
From oilman John Hess to Excellency Nicole D
T h e r i o t , l o f t y plenipotentiary, in her plateglass ivory tower The ambassador knows more than all Guyanese put together
Butdutycalls. Interests.
Last, the PPPGovt. says it is about capitalism’s free enterprise. Ohyes,itis! O, how self-enriching it is for fathers and sons in the PPP Capitalism’s freedoms, for sure.
Butalso,Stalin’s,Putin’s and Jinping’ communistic controls Total control Thus,thestory,thetragedies, of Guyana’s contradictions. Thus, the sum of the PPP Govt contradictions, its lawless orgies, calumnies. Timeforablog.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
There’soil,Exxon,Chevron, hemisphericcalculations. In obsequious deference, the PPP Govt has taken curry favoring to a new level of meaning. Uncharted, the dollarstoremaestromaysay MyfellowAmericansloveto prattleaboutdemocracyand its sacred pillars, and the rightsofman,howthoseare inviolable Apparently, whenthePPPGovt.isinthe picture, a radically different standardapplies. Ornoneat all. Man! Do Americans make those ole time Commiesandtheirclaimsof democracieslooklikeFather Christmas! Contradiction numberX. Ilostcount.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)hasinvitedproposalsfromqualified firmstoserveasIndependentAdministrator (IA) for the preparation of Guyana’s eighth andninthExtractiveIndustriesTransparency Initiative (EITI) reports, covering fiscal years2024and2025.
In an invitation published on Thursday, MNR, on behalf of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), said it is seeking a “competent, reputable, conflict free and independent firm” to execute the assignment in accordance with the 2023 EITI standard.
The consultancy will require the selected firm to support the GYEITI MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) in producing timely, comprehensive and reliable reports for the two fiscal years. Both reports must be completed and ready f publication on or before October 30, 2026.
foroil,gas,miningandforestry,andfisheries should it be included Additional deliverables include open data files, standardised summary data templates for submission to the EITI international secretariat, a summary of the reconciliation report, and an assessment of the comprehensiveness and reliability of disclosures.Technicalandanalyticalsupport totheMSGindevelopingrecommendations tostrengthennaturalresourcegovernanceis alsorequired.
Among the key responsibilities outlined are the preparation of a scoping study and gapanalysistoguidedecisionsonthescope of the reports, including a comprehensive assessmentofthefisheriessector
The IAwill also be required to make an evidence-based recommendation to the MSG on whether fisheries should be incorporated into the reporting framework forthefiscalyears.
The task is to also consolidate reports organisedby sector, withdedicatedsections
I terested applicants must submitproposalstotheNational Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by Tuesday, March17,2026.
EITI is a global standard for improving t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountabilityintheoil,gas, nd mining sectors EITI implementationrestsontwocore pillars, transparency through disclosure and reconciliation of company payments and government revenues, and accountability through oversight by a MSG comprising representatives of government, industry,andcivilsociety GYEITI recently released it’s the 2023 report on transparency in Guyana’s extractiveindustries.GuyanajoinedtheEITI in 2017 to advance and promote transparencyandaccountabilityinmanaging oil,gas,mineral,andothernaturalresources. GYEITI has published several reports since 2017.
The Association of Unified Realty Agents (AURA) is partnering with Assuria General Insurance to provide insurancecoverageforlocalrealestateprofessionals.
AURA made the announcement during its second consecutivemonthlyrealestateconferencewhichwasheldat thePegasusHotel&SuitesConferenceCenterinGeorgetown onFebruary12.Theassociationinareleasestatedthatmore than 200 participants attended the free seminar, which featuredvaluableinsightsonrealestateinvestment,property development, emerging opportunities for Guyanese in the rapidlyexpandingmarket,financingsolutions,andinsurance coverage. The event provided attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to participate more actively in Guyana’sdynamicrealestatesector,AURAnoted.
“AURA also announced a strategic partnership with Assuria General Insurance, one of the nation’s fastestgrowing financial services companies Through this collaboration, AURA members will gain access to the country’sfirstgrouphealthinsurancecoverageforrealestate professionals, expanded mortgage opportunities, and crosstraining programs that allow real estate agents to receive licensing within the insurance industry,” the association reported.
The association related that persons who attended, expressedthattheinformationsharedwouldempowerthemto becomemoreactiveparticipantsintherealestatemarketand capitalise on opportunities within one of the world’s fastestgrowingeconomies.
AURA’s Vice President of Operations, Sandy Harry was quoted in the release that “With strong partnerships such as Assuria,PegasusHotel&Suites,andthesupportofourmore than 300 members, we are well positioned to transform the industry AURAisthefutureofrealestateinGuyana.”
The executive team which comprises ofAleem Hussain, PetePersaud,SandyHarry,WynetteBritton,RobertPearson, Wendell Stephens, Sherry Ali, Joseph Hoyte, Onkar Eindu Autar, ShellizaAllie, and Richard Sukhdeo reaffirmed their commitmenttoensuringthatGuyanesecitizenshaveaccessto the information, training, and professional development necessarytosucceedintherealestateindustry.
Further, AURA stated that it continues to expand its initiatives through engagement with governmental agencies stakeholders education, professional development, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening the real estate sector and creating sustainable opportunities for Guyanese nationwide.
Wanted by the police, Joshua Brown aka “Black Bai” and “Uncle Big Head”
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday issued a wanted bulletin for 26-year-old Joshua Brown in connection with the murder of Fendel Trotman- a mason whowasstabbedtodeathatMeten-Meer-ZorglastFriday PolicesaidthatBrown’slastknownaddressisLot613 Continued on page 15
Excel Guyana Inc. has signed four Memoranda of Understanding(MOUs)with Latin American companies during the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply ChainExpoonThursday. The agreements, include firms from Brazil/Portugal, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. The signings were executedinpartnershipwith Latitude Geospatial, led by
Haimwant Persaud, underscoring a strategic
m o d e l t h a t p a i r s international technical and financial capacity with local expertise.
Excel Guyana Inc , headed by Chief Executive OfficerKrisSammy,focuses on facilitating investment and delivering technical solutions across key sectors of Guyana’s economy Latitude Geospatial serves as its leading local technical partner Sammy described the signings as representing decades of combined expertise across port construction, offshore services, civil engineering, and geological surveying. Each MOU was signed by Sammy and Dr Persaud,
reflectingtheirjointmandate to guide international firms intotheGuyanesemarket.
“These companies bring both financial strength and deep technical capacity,” Sammysaid.“Ourgoalisto efficiently bridge the gap between international expertise and local capacity to support Guyana’s rapid expansion.”
He noted that the agreements align with the ambitious infrastructure agenda outlined by the administration of President IrfaanAli.
1 memorandumLENAGroup/Proyectos eInnovaciónCincoS.A.S.
The first agreement was signed with LENA E N G E N
four Latin America Firms.
S.A., part of the LENA Group, a Portugal-based construction conglomerate with 40 years of experience across Latin America. The MOU also incorporates Colombian firmProyectoseInnovación Cinco S.A.S., with which Excel Guyana works directly
The agreement was
signed with Jaime Augusto representing the LENA Group.
According to Sammy, LENA’s portfolio includes healthcarefacilities,schools, hotels,energyinfrastructure, roads, highways, and sanitation works — sectors closely aligned with G u y a n a ’s c u r r e n t developmentpriorities.
“LENAbrings money to Guyana and they bring their technical capacity,” Sammy said “They are a wellfunded organisation, and they are bringing significant investment.”
nd2 memorandumCIPORTS.A.
The second MOU was s i g n e d w i t h C I M E N TA C I O N E S GENERALES Y OBRAS PORTUARIAS CIPORT S A , an E
company with 45 years of
construction, marine works, foundation engineering, and bridge construction The agreement was formalised
S
CIPORT as an ideal partner given Guyana’s growing need for port infrastructure alongitsrivernetworks.The company has constructed an estimated six to seven ports inEcuadorandhasexpertise inbuildingfacilitiessuitedto variedweatherandtechnical conditions.
“Guyana is currently looking at constructing a numberofports
Continued on page 16
The Iwok
Internat
onal Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
s u p p o r t t o u r i s m development in the North Rupununi,Regionnine. Inastatement,Iwokrama said that Guyana continues tostrengthenitsreputationas a leading ecotourism
destination, with the Government of Guyana
advancing tourism at the communitylevel.
InJanuary2026,Guyana recorded its highest January arrivals on record, welcoming34,923visitors,a 17 2 per cent increase compared with January 2025.Growthisprojectedto continueintheyearsahead.
“Historically, Iwokrama has been at the forefront of tourism development in the North Rupununi by providing the link between Georgetown and the River Lodge at Kurupukari. Many former staff members of
Iwokrama
urism operations have gone on to lead tourism initiatives in their own villages,” Iwokramasaid.
The MOU will provide for marketing, product development support and capacity building in various tourism disciplines done throughtheestablishmentof a community tourism training institute at the IwokramaRiverLodge.
CEOofIwokrama,Dane Gobin, speaking on the importanceoftheMOUsaid, “Iampleasedtohaveentered
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh (right) and CEO of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin (left) exchange signed copies in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Hon. Susan Rodrigues (back right) and Iwokrama Special Projects Coordinator, AnneMarie Ford.
intothisMOUwiththeGTA for the development of community tourism operations in the North Rupununi. The GTA is also committedtothiseffort,and so there is alignment in our work plans Iwokrama r e m a i n s t h e o n l y internationally certified area for Recreational Services in the region – a testament to the Centre’s commitment to best practices in its operations. Iwokrama was awarded the Good Travel SealCertificatein2023fora
two-year period It was renewed in 2026 following ongoing,measurableworkin sustainability Inmorerecent times, Iwokrama was awarded the Good Travel Sealfor2026.”
Director of the GTA, Kamrul Baksh, remarked that, “This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step in deepening collaboration between the Guyana Tourism Authority andIwokrama.Itreflectsour shared commitment to sustainable tourism
development that protects our natural heritage while cre
communities and visitors alike. By working together, we will continue to strengthen Destination Guyana’spositionasaglobal leader in nature-based tourism and conservationfocusedtravel.”
Iwokrama expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for its valuable, ongoing support to the Centre.
The government through the Guyana Energy Agency(GEA)hasofficially handed over the site for construction of the new 3 MW grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at t h e C h e d d i J a g a n InternationalAirport(CJIA), Timehri to Indian company, OrianaPowerLimited.
A c c o r d i n g t o information provided by GEA on Wednesday, the project forms part of the government’s national efforts to continue investing in sustainable energy initiatives that provide affordable, reliable and stableenergy.
The project, financed through a loan from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India, is part of the Government’s low-carbon e n e rg y a g e n d a t o decentralise power generation, strengthen energy security, and lower carbon dioxide emissions to supportthecountry’srapidly evolving sustainable, lowcarbon economy, GEA stated. “Over its lifespan, the 3 MW solar PV installation is expected to produce more than 112 million kWh of energy.Oncecompleted,the solar plant will supply renewable electricity to benefitmorethan1.2million passengers who travel
throughtheairportannually It will also reduce operating costs,enhanceefficiencyfor airport management and staff, and decrease the reliance on the utility grid,” theAgencyexplained.
Kaieteur News had reported recently that following the national
bidding process, Oriana Power Limited out of India was awarded the contract in thesumofUS$2,487,170.
GEA stated that following a recent joint inspection and site visit i n v o l v i n g p r o j e c t stakeholders, the site was officially handed over to the
contractor to commence work.
Quoted in the release, Chief Executive Officer of the GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma said “The Guyana EnergyAgency is thrilled to be part of another strategic sustainable energy investment that advances
For decades, the l i v e s o f incarcerated women in colonial Guyana were buried in punishment logs, hospital registers and brittleprisonrecords.Today, those silenced lives stand firmly at the centre of a groundbreaking new book byEstherineAdams.
Ti t l e d S l a v e r y, Indentureship,andWomen’s Labor in Early British Guiana’s Jails, the work is the most comprehensive account yet of how African and Indian women were swept into a brutal colonial system that fused punishment with profit Prisons,Adamsargues,were notmereholdingpens—they were engines of coerced labourpoweringthecolonial economy
The publication comes on the heels of international recognition for Dr Adams’s earlier article, “At Work, in Hospital,orinGaol:Women in British Guiana’s Jails, 1838–1917,” which recently won theASSLH Edna Ryan Prize for Best Article on Wo m e n ’s H i s t o r y (2023–2024), the University of Guyana said in a press release. The judges praised the paper for its originality, theoreticaldepth,andhuman sensitivity, describing it as
“beautifully written to imagine and illuminate the lives of female indentured labourersinBritishGuiana.” While the prize-winning article made a significant intervention into debates about prison labour and women’s incarceration, Dr Adams noted that the book allowed her to go much further “Thearticlerevealed the limits of the format. Expanding the research into a book has allowed me to fully develop the historical
a r c o f w o m e n ’ s imprisonment and to situate it more clearly within wider debates about colonial labour regimes, gender, and punishment,”Sheadded.
The book moves beyond a single period or argument, t r a c i n g w o m e n ’ s experiences across a much longer historical span, including the pre
It incorporatesabroaderrange of archival voices and explores everyday strategies of survival, resistance, and negotiation within carceral spaces Through microhistories and individual cases, Dr Adams constructs a layered, deeply human narrative of women who wereoftenrenderedinvisible inofficialrecords.
O rg a n i s e d b o t h t h e m a t i c a l l y a n d chronologically, the book beginswiththedevelopment of colonial prison systems duringtheDutchoccupation, before moving into chapters on key sites such as the first all-women’s prison, work gangs, and moments of discipline and resistance Across its pages, readers encounter recurring themes of coerced labour, race, gendered punishment, and the blurred lines between welfare and control in
Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.” He noted that by integrating large-scale solar power into the country’s critical infrastructure, they are making steady, tangible progress in keepingwith the renewable energy goals as a nation.
KrishnanKuttyJaigopal, arepresentativefromOriana Power Limited speaking on the project said, “We are committed to delivering the project in an effective and efficient timeline and without any cost variation.” Henotedthattheobjectiveis to ensure the successful construction and operation ofthesolarPVplant.
Further, the Guyana EnergyAgencyrevealedthat it remains committed to providingrigorousoversight t h r o u g h o u t t h e implementationofthe3MW solar PV plant project, to ensure that it meets its execution timelines and technical standards, while further advancing the country’s sustainable, lowcarbonagenda.
Head of the Department of History and Caribbean Studies in the Faculty of Education and Humanities, University of Guyana, Dr. Estherine Adams.
colonialgovernance.
For Guyanese and
Caribbean readers in particular, the book holds significance. It recovers a neglected dimension of regional history and places women at the centre of narratives about colonial power “This book is about morethanprisons.Itisabout howpoweroperatedthrough gender,race,andlabour,and how ordinary women navigated and sometimes challengedthatpower These histories continue to shape our legal and social institutions today,” she explained.
Theworkspeaksnotonly to scholars of slavery, indentureship, gender studies, and carceral history, butalsotoanyoneinterested in understanding Guyana’s past through the lives of those long erased from the
record. It stands as both an academic contribution and anactofhistoricalrecovery Through this remarkable publication, Dr Estherine Adams ensures that the whispered lives of colonial Guyanese women are no longer confined to archival margins, but recognised as central to understanding the region’s history, not as footnotes, but as voices finallyheard.
D r A d a m s ’ s achievementalsoreflectsthe growing international impact of scholarship producedattheUniversityof Guyana. The University of Guyana,throughitsstudents, faculty and research institutes, has consistently produced path-breaking research which continues to add to the existing body of knowledge in various areas ofacademicresearch.
With significant economic growth recorded over the past five years, Guyana’s electricity generation has stretchedsignificantly,withpeakdemand moving from 120 megawatts (MW) in 2020 to 236MW at the end of 2025, a 100%increaseinfiveyears.
Presenting the company’s push towards ensuring reliable electricity was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., Kesh Nandlall on day three of this year’s EnergyConference,hostedattheGuyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston Georgetown. This year’s energy conference is being held under the theme “Building tomorrow’sfuturetoday”.
During a panel discussion on the country’s energy landscape, Nandlall explained that the power company now has 244,000 customers, compared with 201,000 customers in 2020, a 21% increase. Despite the increase in demand for energy, the GPLCEO assured that the company has madeeffortstoensure“reliable”electricityis supplied across the Demerara Berbice InterconnectedSystem(DBIS).
Essequibointwolocations.
In fact, he noted that GPL has increased power generation from 903 gigawatt hours (gwh)in2020to1,485gwh-a65%increase duringtheperiod.
He explained, “We had to really move veryquicklytomeetthisincreaseindemand. From2020tonow,wehaveaddedmorethan 186MW firm capacity, including the 46.5MW at Garden of Eden- fossil fuel. We added a 28.9MW at Colombia. We have added the 36MW power ship in the Berbice River…weadded60MWofpowershipinthe DemeraraRiver.”
More recently, he noted that 18MW of solar was added to the grid, with 10MW in Berbice, at three locations, 8MW at
To this end, the CEO assured that the DBIS currently has approximately 260MW of“reliable,firm”electricityexcludingsolar He said, “We have over 300(MW) installed but on the maintenance, ever so often you havetotakedownaset,anumberofsetsare usually under maintenance. In 2026, we expecttheDBIStogotoover285MW.”
With tremendous growth in the use of electricity already recorded, GPL is expecting even more growth by 2030. Nandlallexplained,“Sohere’swhereweare, peakdemand(at)236.(In)2030itsgoingto be1650MWweestimateittobe…whatdoes that mean from now? 600% increase in our generatingcapacityfromnowto2030.”
The CEO noted that the significant growth results from increased power consumptionfromexistingcustomersaswell asthenewcustomersthatarecomingontothe grid, with government’s rapid development of the housing sector and expansion of the industrialsector
Frompage11
East Ruimveldt, Georgetown This publication reported that 30-year-old Trotman of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara was stabbed to death during a scuffleataconstructionsite.
According to the police on February 13, Trotman was working as a mason on a twostorey concrete structure along the MetenMeer-Zorg Public Road when an altercation
occurred between him and another male. “Theconfrontationallegedlyescalatedintoa scuffle during which the suspect, who was armedwithaknife,inflictedastabwoundto thedeceased’schestbeforefleeingthescene on foot,” police reported. Trotman was rushedtotheDeKinderenRegionalHospital, wherehewaspronounceddeadonarrivalby adoctor Policesaidatthetimeaknifesheath wasfoundinthebuilding.
Job opening: Truck Driver, ACTechnicians,Excavator and Skid Steer Operators. To apply send application via WhatsApp: 689-1111/ 608-2114.
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From page 12 alongourrivers,andCIPORT are ideal for these conditions,”Sammynoted,adding thatthefirm’scapabilitiesextend beyond port facilities to broader marine and bridge construction.
3rdmemorandum-GRP Geología Regional y ProspecciónS.A.S.
The third MOU was concluded with Geología Regional y Prospección S.A.S. (GRP), a company with approximately25yearsofexperience in soil studies, geological services, and geotechnical assessments. The agreement was signed withFelipeGomezReyesrepresentingGRP
GRP’s expertise is expected to support the critical investigative and groundlevel assessments required aheadofGuyana’snumerous planned infrastructure projects.
4thmemorandum-HPS Offshore Services S.A. de
C.V.
Thefourthagreementwas signed with HPS Offshore Services S.A. de C.V., a specialistfirmwith14yearsofexperienceinsubseainspection using remotely operated vehicles(ROVs),aswellasgeophysical and geotechnical studies. The MOU was concludedwithAmirCarrLopez representingHPS.
Sammy highlighted that HPSfillsacriticalgapinsupportingGuyana’soffshoreoil and gas operations.
“Dealing in deep water is highly technical,” he said. “HPS can attend to all of the technical needs that offshore vessels have in our waters, ensuring they remain in proper condition to reduce risk and avoid potential issues, including hull erosion fromextendedperiodsatsea.”
CentraltoExcelGuyana’s approach is its partnership with Latitude Geospatial. Sammy emphasised that the MOUsarenotsimplyforeign
investmentarrangements,but part of a deliberate strategy to serve as a bridge between international firms and the Guyanesemarket.
“These companies need toentertheGuyanesemarket and they need local expertise,”heexplained.“Between Excel Guyana and Latitude Geospatial,wecanefficiently bring international capacity into the local environment, combining technical knowledge with financial investment.”
Sammy concluded that the four agreements collectively provide a broad and complementarysuiteofcapabilities,spanningoffshoreinspection, port and marine construction, geological surveying, and large-scale civil works including hospitals, schools, roads, and hotels.
“They all fit within Guyana’sinfrastructurestrategy,” he said. “This group aligns with the vision of developing Guyana.”
Anew primary school is set to be constructed at RechtDoor-Zee, Region Three using prefabricated materials, the Ministry of Education has announced.
Below are the companies and their bids: Ministry of Education Design, Construction Cost and Supervision Services for Design Build and Furnishing of Recht-Door-Zee Primary School Using Prefabricated Materials.
Guyana Sugar Corporation Supply and delivery of Scrapper Plates for the Industry
The ministry recently invited bids for the design, construction cost and supervision services for design build and furnishing of the primary school.
Installation of Hybrid PV Battery Systems Region 7 Lot 1-2. Bidder
J&M Shipping Inc.
Lot1
$29,000,000
Lot2 $58,000,000
Expert Builders & Supplies Contractors Lot1
$34,800,000
Lot2 $50,950,000
Faldhari Singh & Son Contracting Services Lot1 $22,000,000
Akamai Inc.
Lot2 $75,360,000
R. Kissoon Contracting Service Lot1
$34,300,000
Lot2 $50,450,000
Andrect Engineering & Construction Lot1 $28,535,000
Lot2 $57,420,000
Statix Construction & General Supplies Lot1 $32,880,000 Lot2 $63,360,000
JC Mining & Construction Lot1 $28,880,000 Lot2 $55,620,000
Fazam Future Builders
Extension of PCMD Bond at Blairmont Estate.
Lot1 $24,260,000 Lot2 $58,570,000
Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services Lot1
$35,400,000
Lot2 $57,800,000
LGS Barnes General Building Construction & Civil Engineering
Lot1
$24,260,000
Lot2 $50,450,000
Vertex Engineering Solution Lot1 $32,837,086
Lot2 $65,789,172
D&R Construction & Machinery Rental Lot1
$28,360,000
Lot2 $56,720,000.
Atotal of five firms submitted proposals to the National Procurement and TenderAdministration Board (NPTAB) for this contract.
Monarch Investments
Lot1
$29,600,000
(St Vincent Times) In the wake of this tragedy, a viral death threat was issued against Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, leading to a swift criminal investigation and public condemnation from former officials.
Former National Security Minister Herman G. Francis defended the Prime Minister against online misinformation that falsely linked the government to the maritime attack. Francis urged the administration to leverage this incident to bolster regional security by seeking advanced surveillance technology and financing from the United States.While the government pursues diplomatic justice for the victims, the local social media landscape remains divided between those supporting the official investigation and critics of current foreign policy
(CMC)—Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Godwin Friday on Thursday said that the recent United States military action against alleged illegal drug traffickers in the CaribbeanSeathatleftatleastthree people dead, presumed to be St Lucians,isof“concern”.
Inaninterviewbroadcastonthe state-owned Agency for Public Information (API), Friday said that the Minister of National Security, St Clair Leacock, would be addressing the nation on the matter lateronThursday “We have no official confirmation of this from any sourceotherthantherewasastrike, there were casualties,” Friday said, adding “a lot of the information we have received is not official…but you know we can see what has
happened and we heard the unofficial report and it is a matter thatisveryconcerningtous.
“It is a very worrying situation for persons to operate in these waters, fishermen they go out and so forth and there is always the risk to them,” Friday said, adding that the police have since issued a notice “essentially cautioning people, but saying you can't stop doing your business…and we will seek to find more concrete information from the sources who wouldhavethoseanswers”.
Earlier this week, the St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre said that his administration is “actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels” after confirming that “people lost their lives” in the latest United States military strike against what
Washington says are illegal drug dealersintheCaribbeanSea.
“I can confirm that people lost their lives and to the circumstances I have got no official notification on the circumstances surrounding their deaths,” Pierre told reporters, repeating that statement when asked by reporters whether those killedwereStLucians.
“Theissueisbeinginvestigated by the powers responsible for investigations,”hesaid.
Last Friday, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said
General. Francis L Donovan, the Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated TerroristOrganisations.
Prime Minister Godwin Friday
Last Saturday, the St Vincent Times newspaper published photographs of what it said were the remnants of an alleged drug boat blown up in a lethal strike by the US military last week that surfaced off Canouan, one of the Grenadineislands. It said that the discovery was madebyagroupoffishermenfrom the mainland who had indicated thatnobodieswereseenfloatingin thearea.
( A L - J A Z E E R A )
Donald Trump has told the first meeting of his Board of Peace that nine member nationshavepledged$7bnto a reconstruction fund for the Gaza Strip, with five countries agreeing to deploy troops to an international stabilisation force for the Palestinianterritory
Addressingtheboardina meeting in Washington, DC, on Thursday, the United States president said the US will make a contribution of $10bntotheBoardofPeace, although he didn't specify what the money will be used for Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait have raised an initial down payment for Gaza reconstruction, Trump said.
“Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of a new and harmonious [region],” said Trump He added, “The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be
US President Donald Trump has hosted the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, the United States [Kevin Lamaque/Reuters]
builtrighthereinthisroom.”
Thefundspledged,while significant, represent a fraction of the estimated $70bn needed to rebuild the Palestinian territory that has been decimated after more than two years of Israel's genocidalwar
Proposed stabilisation force
Meanwhile, Indonesia,
Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have pledged to send troops for the Gaza stabilisation force, partofTrump's20-pointplan toendIsrael'swaronGaza.
Egypt and Jordan have committed to training police officers.
Indonesian President
P r a b o w o S u b i a n t o announced his country
wouldcontributeupto8,000 troops to the proposed force “tomakethispeacework”.
The force, led by a US general with an Indonesian deputy, will start in the Israeli-controlled city of Rafah and train a new police force, eventually aiming to prepare 12,000 police and have20,000troops.
While the disarmament
of Hamas was a part of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, the group has been reluctant to hand over weaponryasIsraelcontinues to carry out daily attacks on Gaza.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international force must “monitor the ceasefire and prevent the [Israeli]
occupation from continuing i t s a g g r e s s i o n ”
Disarmament could be discussed, he said, without directlycommittingtoit.
Trump first proposed the board last September as part of his plan to end the war
But since the October “ceasefire”, Trump's vision for the board has morphed, and he wants it to have an even more ambitious remit to tackle other conflicts worldwide.
The board has faced criticism for including Israeli representatives but notPalestinians.
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud said that
Palestinians want to see concrete solutions rather thanpledges.
“Past experiences with conferences, with regard to reconstruction, with regard to the peace process, all endedupwithlargeneedsfor funding that were delayed or [plans] that were not implemented,”hesaid.
“Palestinians don't want to see this again; they don't want to see the Board of P e a c
h e r international body that falls into the category of crisis management rather than findingatangiblesolutionto this longstanding problem, the Palestinian problem,” Mahmoudnoted.
More than 40 countries and the European Union confirmedtheyweresending officials to Thursday's meeting.
Germany,Italy,Norway, Switzerl
board, but are taking part asobservers.
(Reuters) - Venezuela's economic and humanitarian situation is "quite fragile," the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday, adding that it was seeing inflation estimated to be in the triple digits and a rapid depreciationofthecurrency IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack told reporters that the global lender was continuing to monitor developments in the South American country despite having paused its relations
with the Venezuelan governmentsince2019.
She said the IMF would be guided by its members and the international community on whether to
re-engage with the country, which has seen about a quarter of its population - some 8 million people - leave since2014.
" Ve n e z u e l a i s undergoing a severe and prolonged economic and humanitarian crisis," Kozack said during an I M F b r i e f i n g
" S o c i o e c o n o m i c conditions remain very difficult; poverty is high, inequality is high and there's widespread shortages of
basic services. The situation overallisquitefragile."
The IMF estimated that Venezuela's public debt amounted to 180% of the country's gross domestic product, before any judgments or arbitration linkedtopreviousdefaults. K
K
a discussed Venezuela with U S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as part of their regular engagement on policyandcountrymatters.
She said the global lender was still gathering information and facts on the
best way to proceed with Venezuela.
U.S. President Donald Trump last week said he would visit Venezuela. Last
month, U S forces attacked Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, who had been in power for morethan12years.
Trump said he would recognize interim President Delcy Rodriguez, w h o s e r v e d a s M a d u r o ' s v i c e president, as the head of the legitimate government of Venezuela, which would represent a change in his
p o s i t i o n T r u m p administration officials in recent weeks had made it clear that such a recognition was not Washington's position.
TheIMFhasnotengaged with Venezuela for more t h a n t w o d e c a d e s , completing the last formal IMF assessment of its economyin2004.Venezuela paid off its last World Bank loanin2007,whenMaduro's predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, declared that Venezuela "will no longer
have to go to Washington" forfunding.
Georgieva told Reuters last month that the IMF was ready to support Venezuela, but needed its major shareholders - including the U S - to recognize the country's leadership, and Venezuelan authorities to seek assistance from the globallender
If the IMF restores ties with Venezuela, the South Americanoilexporterwould have access to about $4.9 billion worth of IMF Special
Drawing Rights reserve assets frozen when the IMF suspended dealings with Venezuela seven years ago over the lack of recognition ofMaduro'sgovernment.
Bessent said last month t h a t t h e T r u m p administration would be w i l l i n g t o c o n v e r t Venezuela's SDRs to dollars for use in helping rebuild country's economy as more sanctions on it are lifted. SDRs are comprised of dollars, euros, yen, sterling and
Even as ExxonMobil’s upstream boss proclaims at the Guyana Energy Conference that Guyana’s oil will “lift the world from poverty,” the bitter irony festers at home. In a land now producing over 900,000 barrels per day, some 58% of citizens still wrestle with poverty, scraping by on a $60,147 minimum wage while rent alone swallows $45,000. Street begging swells.
Homelessness creeps through the capital’s corners. Under the lopsided 2016 PSA, Exxon and partners cart off billions, US$8.4B in 2024—while Guyana pockets a fraction, just 12.5 barrels of every 100 produced.
The glitter of FPSOs offshore contrasts cruelly with empty pots onshore. Before preaching about rescuing the globe, the oil titan should confront the stark reality in Georgetown’s yards and villages. Charity, as they say, begins at home.
ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19
Financial prosperity is just around the corner, Aries, especially with your recently a c q u i r e d m o n e ymanagementskills.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)
The significant other in your life needs your support not a lecturerightnow,Taurus.Let him or her know you’re availabletolistenandhelp.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
Today is the final push to complete a very big project you've likely been working on for some time now, Gemini.
CANCER (June 21–July 22)
A pleasant outing could get delayed or cancelled due to an event entirely out of your control Ratherthanhavingafit, Cancer, you and your friends couldseizetheopportunity
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
There’s no question about it, Leo, you’ve been working hard these last few weeks.As an approaching deadline looms,youmayfindyourself waking up at night, running numbersthroughyourhead.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
Today, or rather tonight, is for romance and cozy intimacy, Virgo. You pull out all the stops for your evening with that special someone.
Scented candles, your best perfume, and your most sensuous clothing work to enchanttheperson.
(Reuters) - Zimbabwe fired a warning shot towards the heavyweights who have reached the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eight stage as they beat co-hosts Sri Lanka bysixwicketstotopGroupB onThursday, chasing down a target of 179 with three balls to spare Opener Brian Bennett scored an unbeaten 63andcaptainSikandarRaza
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
S o m e i n t e r e s t i n g moneymaking opportunities are likely to come your way, Libra,eithertodayorinthenear future
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
There’s going to be so much to get done today that you might feel a little daunted about getting started By midday you could even find y o u r s e l f d o w n r i g h t overwhelmed.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
No sooner do you set foot in the office this morning than you begin to get pelted from all directions with various crises and problems, Sagittarius. It isn’t a very welcomereception.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Someone who is a student of natural healing may come to visit you and share some ideas today Youtendtobeinterested inmattersconcerninghealth
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
Today will be a lovely combination of harmony and passion. Make the most of it, Capricorn With things runningsosmoothlyatwork.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)
You could be feeling a bit flush today, Pisces, and thereforeyoumightdecideto do a little work on your house. This is more likely to be redecorating than any majorrepairs,asyou’remore intobeautyrightnow
made a quick 45 as Zimbabwe, who stunned Australia last week, handed Sri Lanka their first loss in the campaign, with both teams having already qualified for the Super Eights.”I am pretty excited withhowwehavegoneabout our business," player of the match Raza said. "We are unbeaten so far nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at leasttonight."
Zimbabwe won three of
their four group games while Tuesday's match against Ireland was washed out, which meant Zimbabwe qualifiedfortheSuperEights withAustraliaeliminated.
Sri Lanka, who ensured their qualification for the Super Eights with Monday's win over Australia, chose to bat first and posted 178-7, as opener Pathum Nissanka led withaknockof62.
Two-wicket hauls by Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans and Graeme Cremer helpedcontainSriLankatoa competitive total in Colombo, before Bennett combined with Tadiwanashe Marumani (34) for a 69-run openingpartnershiptosetthe stageforthechase.
Raza hit four sixes and two boundaries to score 45 from 26 balls, leaving Zimbabwe 12 short with 10 balls left. Bennett scored the winning runs with a drive towards mid off, getting his teamto182-4.
Zimbabwe, who did not qualify for the 2024 edition, are the only team in this year's Super Eights who reached the T20 World Cup through a continental tournament.
Sri Lanka face England, NewZealandandPakistanin Group Two of the Super Eights, while Zimbabwe will be in Group One alongside holders India, South Africa andWestIndies.
ZimbabwewillplayWest IndiesonMonday,adayafter SriLankafaceEngland.
Scores: Zimbabwe 182 for 4 (Bennett 63*, Raza 45, Hemantha 2-36) beat Sri Lanka 178 for 7 (Nissanka 62, Rathnayake 44, Cremer 2-27, Evans 2-35) by six wickets.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), has officially announced its 2026 Easter
Vacation Swimming Programme, set to run from March 30 to April 15 at several locations across Guyana.
The annual initiative, held under the banner of the “Teach Them Young” programme, is designed to cater to children between the ages of 6 and 18. Organisers say theprogrammecontinues to play a pivotal role in developing swimming skills among the nation's youth whilepromotingwatersafety andhealthylifestyles.
Activities will be hosted at the National Aquatic Centre, the Colg
ain Swimming Pool, the Watooka Swimming Pool, and the Albion Estate Pool, ensuring that children from multiple regions have access totheprogramme.
For participants in
Region Four/Georgetown, sessions are scheduled for March 30 and 31, as well as April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Daily sessions will be conducted in five time slots:
2:00pm–3:00pm, allowing flexibility for parents and guardians.
Parents and guardians
s e e k i n g a d d i t
o n a l information can contact the Colgrain Swimming Pool on 226-0387 or the National Aquatic Centre on 222-1306 between8:30amand4:00pm. Details are also available from swimming coach Paul Mahaica on 615-5714
Organisers have emphasised thatimmediateregistrationis essential to guarantee participation, as spaces are expectedtofillquickly In keeping with its commitment to safety, Guyana Lifesaving teams will be on deck throughout the programme's duration to
The 2026 Easter Vacation Learn to Swim Programme set for March 30 to April 15 in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.
secure and supervised environment for allswimmers.
The MCYS and NSC have encouraged parents to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the E a s t e r S w i m m i n g Programme remains one of the ministry's flagship youth development initiatives, combining recreation, discipline, and lifesaving skills during the school vacationperiod.
From page 23 tracking systems, and criteria-based return-to-play frameworks.
Wickham, who will address sports medicine team dynamics, injury patterns, and International Olympic Committee injury prevention protocols, is expected to set the f o u n d a t i o n f o r understanding how coaching decisions influence athlete healthoutcomes.
Edghill will focus on acute injury response, concussion management, and heat-related illnesses, an especially relevant topic in Guyana's climate, w h i l e H o l d e r w i l l emphasise the importance of proper warm-up and recoverystrategies.
Barry's presentation will centre on strength and conditioning principles for both performance and injury prevention, with Coonjah concluding with guidance
onsafe return-to-play systems and youth athlete development.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, described the seminar as a critical
component of the NSC's long-term vision to m o d e r n i s e s p o r t development in Guyana, noting that athlete welfare must remain central to any performanceambitions.
“Our vision is clear…we want Guyanese athletes to perform at their highest level, but never at the expense of their health,”
Ninvalleexplained.
He added, “Programmes like this ensure that coaches, who are often the first responders when injuries occur, are equipped with the right knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. That directly impacts athlete longevity, safety, and success.”
Ninvalle further stressed that the partnership with the Ministry of Health, and its department headed by Dr Arianne Mangar, represents an important shift toward a more integrated national sports system, where
medical expertise is embedded into training environments rather than treatedasanafterthought.
“This collaboration signals that sport and health
must work hand in hand. When we invest in education for coaches, we are investing in the protection of athletes across every discipline, from grassroots to elite levels,” Ninvallenoted.
The NSC believes the seminar will also contribute to reducing injury incidence, preventing reinjury, and improving performance sustainabilitynationwide.
Beyond technical knowledge, the initiative reflects a broader national commitment to athletecentredsportdevelopment.
By integrating evidencebased sports medicine principles into coaching culture, organisers hope to create safer sporti
strengthening referral systems between coaches, medical professionals, and institutions.
The seminar is open to coaches from all sporting disciplines, with the NSC e n c o u r a g i n g b r o a d participation as Guyana continues its push toward sportingexcellencebuiltona foundation of athlete protectionandwelfare.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his round of 16 match against France's Valentin Royer (REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
Reuters - Top-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz ushered himself into the quarterfinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a straight-set romp against France's Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 in the round of 16 WednesdayinDoha.
Alcaraz had a clean first set, saving the two break points he faced while breaking Royer twice. Royer jumped ahead 5-2 in the secondset,butAlcarazwon21ofthefinal27 pointsofthematchtostormbackandsealthe win.
Second-seeded Jannik Sinner also advancedwitha6-3,7-5winoverAustralia's Alexei Popyrin. The Italian has yet to face a break point in his two matches. Fourthseeded Daniil Medvedev fell to Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in the lone upset of the day.Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev, sixth-seeded Jakub Mensik, seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov, eighth-seeded Jiri Lehecka and Arthur Fils advanced as well, with all but Khachanov winning in straight sets.DelrayBeachOpen
Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong upset seventh-seeded American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the roundof16atDelrayBeach,Fla.
Wong was lights out on his first serve, converting 32 of 38 shots (84 percent) and onlydroppinghisserveonce.Wongwillface
offagainstthird-seededFlavioCobolliinthe quarterfinals after the Italian took down France'sTerenceAtmane7-5,6-4.
Norway's second-seeded Caper Rudd fought back to oustAmerican Marcos Giron 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Rudd rattlted home 20 aces andsavedallthreebreakpointshefacedafter droppingthefirstset.InanAll-Americantilt, Sebastian Korda took downAlex Michelsen 6-3,7-6(6)asKordaconvertedfourofhis13 break-pointopportunities.
RioOpen
Argentina'sThiagoAgustinTiranteupset fellow countryman and top-seed Francisco Cerundolo6-2,3-1afterCerundoloretiredin the middle of the second set due to a back injury during the round of 16 in Rio de Janeiro.
Tirante was dominating with seven aces and breaking three times before Cerundolo was forced to pull out of the match. Tirante will face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo, who battled back to take down Italian Francesco Passaro4-6,7-6(0),6-2.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo, older brother of Francisco, defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-4, while Czech Republic's Vit Kopriva took down Argentine Roman AndresBurruchagainstraightsets6-3,6-1to alsoadvancetothequarterfinals.
(Field Level Media)
Action in the ongoing GCB U16 Inter-county tournament continued yesterday with big wins for both BerbiceandDemerara.
Essequibo beat GCB XI by 54runs
GCBXIslumpedtoanotherdefeat inthiscompetition,thistimefailingto capitalizeonwhatwasasolidbowling exhibition effort which restricted Essequibo to 134-10 in the 26th over, battingfirstatLBIGround.
Medium-pacer Gautam Dhanraj led GCB XI's bowling with brilliant figures of 5-29 while Niquan Fraser chippedinwith2-37.
Essequibian Timothy Ramdass spanked a brisk 32 with 6 fours while Jonathan Barry (16), Usain Fredricks (15*) and Devraj Persaud (11) lent supportearlier
However, the GCB lads could not replicate such performances with the bat and were reduced to 80-9 with a playerretiringhurt.
Openers Tufan Chanderpaul (12) and Shaker Ramesh (19) were the main run-getters, as left-arm spinner Barryledwithmagicalfiguresof6-16 whilePersaudgrabbed2-17.
Berbice beat Demerara by 7 wickets
At Lusignan, the city boys were muzzled for 120-8 by the end of 50 overs, a strange innings compared to the fireworks which they have providedinthepast.
Opener Lomar Seecharran however continued to score runs at an easy clip, leading with a watchful 30 off50ballswith6fours.
All-rounder Afraz Khan again
All-rounder Jonathan Barry had another brilliant game
provided much-needed stability despite grinding for 23* off 102 balls, while Nathan Bishop (17) and Ashton Collins(13)triedtogetgoing.
One of the competition's leading wicket-takers, Berbice skipper Leon Reddy, had another brilliant game, snaring 3-41 with help from Brandon Grimmond(3-8).
Gautam Dhanraj snared 5 wickets yesterday.
Amsterdam(14)andAkeshRamdewar (27) consolidated after losing opener JustinHicks(8).
However, Asgaralli Nabi steadied the ship with 40* off 49 with 3 fours andasixalongsideAltafAli(12*),who playedacalmhand.
Collins returned to claim 2-23 with his left-arm spin while seamer Prosper Jacobus ended with 1-18. (Clifton Ross) 2026 GCB U16 50-Over
TheAncient County boys then had a strong start to the chase, after Luke
Win Big! Who will walk away with the 2026 trophy? As Sundays in the Country slams off this Sunday.
Domino enthusiasts are set for an electrifying showdown this weekend as The Day Day Sports Bar hosts the muchanticipated 'Sunday in the Country' Domino Tournament on February22.
The popular venue on Middle Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, will come alive from 2:30 pm when competitors clash in what promises to be a fiercely contested one-day tournament. Organised by Jumbie and Honda, the event is expected to draw top domino players from across the district and beyond.At stake is an impressive $200,000 pot prize, which will go to the eventual champions.Teams hoping to secure a seat at the tables must lodge a $15,000 entry fee, whileanyall-femaleteamswillbenefitfroma$2,000discount on the registration cost—an initiative aimed at encouraging greaterfemaleparticipationinthesport.
The competition will be played under a four-game format featuring six sittings and guided by the traditional “two in and one out” rule, ensuring fast-paced and strategic encounters throughouttheday
In addition to the main prize, individual excellence will also be rewarded. Cash incentives totaling $10,000 will be presented to the MostValuable Player in the final and the Best Player of the tournament, adding extra incentive for standout performances With competitive spirit, community camaraderie,andsubstantialprizesontheline,allroadsleadto The Day Day Sports Bar this Sunday for what is shaping up to beathrillingdayofdominoaction.
For further details, interested participants can contact Jumbieon659-6872orHondaon669-1994.
ESPNcricinfo - West Indies headed into the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup unbeaten after successfully defending 165 against Italy
at Eden Gardens on
Thursday Spinners Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti impressed with the ball, and were backed up by some sharp fielding, but the batters couldn't get the Italianjobdone.
While Italy exited their maiden World Cup with a win against Nepal and many memories to cherish, West Indies sealed their fourth successive win at the venue where they will face India in their final Super Eight fixtureonMarch1.
Italy may have sensed an opportunity for another win when they stifled West Indies'power-packedmiddle order, but Matthew Forde's twinstrikesinthepowerplay decisively tilted the game in WestIndies'favour Bowling three overs on the bounce, Forde dismissed both Justin Mosca and No 3 Syed Naqvi, helping West Indies restrictItalyto37for3insix overs. Shamar Joseph then bagged four wickets to go with his four catches as Italy werebowledoutfor123.
The win was set up by Shai Hope, who hit back-toback half-centuries and dominated the early
exchanges with an array of off-side drives. West Indies lost steam after Hope departed for 75 off 46 balls, but they regained it through theirbowlers.
Hope's solo act
After West Indies were asked to bat first, they hit seven boundaries in the powerplay, and Hope was responsible for all of those.
By the eighth over, the West Indiescaptainhadzoomedto a 28-ball half-century The first boundary by a West Indies player not named "Shai Hope" came in the tenth over when Roston Chase backed away and lifted left-arm spinner JJ Smutsoverextra-cover Hope peppered the off side, scoring 46 of his 75 runs in that region.Anything that was remotely full and outside off was crashed in the arc between mid-off and point. When Italy dragged theirlengthsback,Hopewas ready for it as well. Like when left-arm seamer Ali Hasan banged one into his upper body, Hope swatted himawayoversquarelegfor six in the fourth over Hope was particularly severe on right-arm fast bowler Thomas Draca, taking him for20offnineballs.
Italy finally stopped him in the 16th over when legspinner Kalugagame
bowled him with a tossed-up wrong'un.
Italyfightwiththeball
West Indies were on track for 200, especially when Hope was in charge, b u t w r i s t s p i n n e r Kalugamage combined well withoffspinnerBenManenti to drag them back. After
final eight overs on a fairly flat pitch at a ground with small boundaries.Chase didn't find his timing at any point, labouring to 24 off 25 balls before Ben Manenti had him holing out. Powell scored a run-a-ball 9 before alsofallingtoBenManenti.
Kalugamage busted his finger while taking the catch of Powell in the outfield, but after a quick trip back to the dressing room, he castled Hope and brought out his trademark arms-crossed celebration,payingtributeto Lautaro Martinez, his favourite football player
The celebration made another appearance after Kalugamage had Holder caught at wide long-on with ashortandwidelegbreak.
Forde, who retained his place in the XI ahead of Romario Shepherd, who had also missed the previous game with a niggle, made a cameo (16 not out off eight balls) to haul West Indies past160.
Joseph and Forde close it out
beingon90for2in12overs, a West Indies middle order that included the likes of Rovman Powell, Sherfane RutherfordandJasonHolder could only manage 75 in the
After having the righthanded Mosca brother hopping to the inswinger, Forde brushed the off bail of the left-handed Mosca brother with an inducker
Daren Sammy, who also workswithFordeatStLucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League, trusts his bowler to swing the new ball both ways. On Thursday, Forde showed that he can also bang it away on a hard length when he hit the splice of Naqvi's bat and had him miscuingacatchtomid-off.
Akeal Hosein, another powerplay specialist for West Indies, got rid of AnthonyMoscafor19off18 balls. It was Joseph's first catch of the day He went on to take three more and four wickets to hasten the end for Italy Joseph hit the deck harder than Forde and generatedmoreextrabounce todiscomfitItaly'sbatters.
Ben Manenti was the onlyItalybattertopass 25in the chase When Grant Stewart fell to a near yorker from Joseph for 12 off seven balls, Italy were 103 for 6 in the 15th over Joseph came backtowrapthemupfor123 in 18 overs and keep West Indies' spotless record intact inthisWorldCup.
Scores: West Indies 165 for 6 (Hope 75, Kalugamage 2-25, B Manenti 2-37) beat Italy 123 (B Manenti 26, Joseph 4-30, Forde 3-19, Motie 2-24) by 42 runs.
Former national basketball player
turned coach
Abdulla Hamid has commended the Linden
Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) on the staging of a basic basketball course last Wednesday for teachers in Linden at the Community Hard Court in Retrieve, with the aim of bringing more basketball officials to the game to improve youth basketball development.
In conjunction with the NABORS Basketball Foundation out of New York, the LABA organized the one-day seminar attracted some twenty teachers through the
Regional Education DepartmentofRegion10. Hamid and another former national player, Shana Chester, were
recruited to start what is to beaseriesofprogrammeson refereeing and officiating involving teachers in the miningtown.
AccordingtoHamid,“In this day and age a lot of senior players do not show any interest in the game in youth development, so the burden now falls on the L A B A S o , h a v i n g something structured for the youth, and also seniors, it willshowthatbasketballcan gobacktowhereitwasinthe 80s,the90sandearly2000s.
So, I commend the NABORS association and the LABA to have this refresher of basketball course in Linden and hope therearemoretocome.
N e w Yo r k b a s e d Lindener Gary Stephens, who observed the clinic, had this to say, “This was initiated by NABORS, the
North American branch of the LABA helping to resuscitate youth basketball. Our main focus is on youth basketball and the extension intoseniorbasketballtoo. So,whatweweresaying istogetgoodbasketball,you h a v e t o g e t g o o d officiating.”
The President of the LABA, Ms. Dawn Barker, also a leading education official in the region, was pleased to have successfully completedtheclinicwiththe help of Mr Hamid and Ms. Chester, and the assistance given by the NABORS BasketballFoundation.
M s B a r k e r h a s guaranteed that more clinics will be done to ensure improved refereeing and table officiating is realized, for the upliftment of the sport both at the youth and clublevels.
The upcoming physiotherapy
s e m i n a r f o r coaches, featuring a panel of
e x p e r i e n c e d l o c a l practitioners and sports medicine specialists, is being positioned as a major step toward strengthening athlete welfare and performance standardsinGuyana.
The one-day programme, setforFebruary27attheCliff AndersonSportsHall,willbe led by physiotherapists
Vanessa Wickham, Jana Edghill, Angelica Holder, Neil Barry, and Kelly Coonjah, with each presenter focusing on critical areas
ranging from injury prevention to safe return-toplayprotocols.
Organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with t h e P h y s i o t h e r a p y
Department of the Ministry of Health, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between clinical sports medicine and everydaycoachingpractice. According to organisers, theseminarwillcoverawide cross-section of practical topics including injury
management, mechanisms of injury linked to coaching decisions, acute injury management, concussion recognition, heat illness prevention in tropical environments, hydration strategies, structured warmup and cool-down protocols, a n d s t r e n g t h a n d conditioning for injury resilience.
Additional sessions will examine youth athlete considerations, injury
(Continued on page 22)
Ernesto Amet Mesa Vilorio (right) of the Trophy Stall hands over one of the trophies to Andre Erskine of the RTC.
The Rebel Tennis Club (RTC) is celebrating their 11th Anniversary with a packed month of activities.
RTC was founded in February of 2015 by Head Coach, Andre Erskine. They kickstartedtheircelebrations with their Anniversary Tournament, which will see players competing in various categories ranging from U8, U10, U12, U14, U18, U25 and an internal parent competition.
The Tournament, which is name RTC Anniversary
Clash, started January 31st and will be played on weekends throughout the monthofFebruary
The Club, which is located in the compound of GBTI on Diamond Public Road, is being partially funded by Trophy Stall for the second consecutive year at this event. Trophy Stall's Ernesto Amet Mesa Vilorio made a presentation of trophies on behalf of Proprietor Ramesh Sunich to AndreErskineoftheClubfor theongoingevent.
