Man gets $8M for spending 80 days ‘Sue cops who demand bribes’ - AG Nandlall urges
Mayor says
The World Bank in a recent assessment of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) noted that Guyana's rapidly expanding oil-driven economy must be carefully managed.
The bank flagged that while some Caribbean countriescontinuetostruggle withhighdebt,oil-producing states like Guyana face a differentbutequallycomplex challenge-managing volatile revenues as government
Guyana confront the parallel task of managing revenue volatility and avoiding procyclicality as public finances expand rapidly,” it wasstated.
The findings highlighted divergent economic trends across the region. The bank notedthatamongcommodity exporters, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname experienced sharp economic contractions during the pandemic due to falling
spendingaccelerates.
The report noted that countries benefiting from oil productionlikeGuyanamust avoid procyclicality where spendingrisessharplyduring periods of high revenues but becomes difficult to sustain whenpricesfall.Itnotedthat public debt trends remain uneven across the Caribbean and Central America. While several countries have reduced debt-to-GDP ratios through economic growth and fiscal consolidation, helping to stabilise public finances and bolster fiscal credibility,otherscontinueto facesignificantsustainability challenges.
“Some highly indebted Caribbean economies continuetofacechallengesin achieving durable debt sustainability, while oilproducing countries such as
United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot is calling for reforms to Guyana's tender system, outliningthatclearerandmoremodern procurement processes would provide American and other international investorswithgreaterconfidencewhen investinginGuyana.
Speakingonarecentepisodeofthe Energy Perspectives podcast, Theriot said American companies seek predictability and transparency when enteringforeignmarkets.
“U S companies are always lookingforsecurity,forreassuranceto know that when they're investing or when they're partnering in a foreign country that the regulations and the rulesandwhat'sgoingtohappenisvery clear,”shenoted.
Theriot added, “I think Guyana could do itself a huge favour, not just for U S companies, but for all international companies if they looked atmodernizingthetenderprocess.”
The U.S. envoy also pointed to specific improvements such as digitizing submissions and strengtheningoversightofmajorpublic contracts.
international commodity prices, but has since seen a rebound alongside price recovery
However, it highlighted Guyana for its exceptional performance, recording sustained and rapid Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growthsince2020,drivenby thescalingupofoffshoreoil production.
“Thisexpansionhasbeen accompanied by rising fiscal revenues, improved external balances, and a declining public debt-to-GDP ratio, although the pace of growth a
importance of strengthening p
management, building institutional capacity, and ensuring that oil wealth translates into broad-based and inclusive development,” thebanknoted.
“Ithinkthat'ssomethingthatcould reallyaddalotofvalueanditwouldbe awinforallofus…thosethingswould give U.S. and international companies
a peace of mind, so that they know whenthey'redealingwithGuyana,they know exactly what the requirements are, what they need to do, and how it's goingtowork,”Theriotadded.
Ambassador Theriot's comments come amid great foreign interest in Guyana as the country experiences rapid economic expansion, fuelled by itspetroleumsector
She previously raised concerns affecting American firms operating in Guyana and indicated that the United States Embassy in Guyana is working to eliminate double taxation for Americancompaniesoperatinghere.
The Ambassador said that American companies operating in Guyana have complained that they are required to pay taxes twice – once in GuyanaandthenintheUnitesStates.
“We do not have a bilateral tax treaty Thatissomethingthatmyoffice, my embassy here, has been working verycloselywithWashingtonon.
We'retryingtoconvincethemthat thiswouldbeuseful.
Because, you know obviously, if you'reaU.S.company,youdon'twant tohavetopaytaxesbothinGuyanaand in the United States. That's patently unfair,”shesaid.
Theriot outlined that American companies are expanding rapidly
across several sectors in Guyana but notedthattheabsenceofabilateraltax treatywithGuyanaisakeyconcernfor investors.
She said now that Guyana is becoming a popular destination for U.S. investment, she thinks that it's natural that there will be areas the country should revisit including laws andregulations.
Guyana currently has double taxation agreements with Canada, the United Kingdom, CARICOM and the UnitedArabEmirates,butnotwiththe UnitedStates.
Instead, the two countries have a TaxInformationExchangeAgreement, which allows for the sharing of financial information but does not addressdoubletaxation.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
Guyanastandsatahistoriccrossroads,yetitsoilwealth is being shadowed by rising debt and questionable fiscal choices that continue to define its petroleum era. With offshore production in the Stabroek Block generating an estimatedUS$18billionin2025alone,thecountryshould, byalllogic,becash-rich. Instead,itisincreasinglyrelianton borrowing, including a US$527 million loan from the US EXIM Bank for the Gas-to-Energy project, an initiative repeatedly framed as “transformational” but financed with debtratherthanoilrevenuesupport.
At the same time, Government waived approximately US$525 million in corporate taxes for ExxonMobil in the same period, effectively surrendering revenue that could have significantly reduced or eliminated the need for externalfinancing.Thecontradictionisglaring:oilwealthis flowingoutthroughcontracttermswhiledebtisflowingin throughinternationallenders.
Under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement, the structure heavily favours cost recovery Up to 75% of productionisfirstusedtoreimburseExxonanditspartners forinvestment,leavingonly25%asprofitoil.Thatprofitis then split 50/50, with Guyana receiving a relatively small share compared to global norms. Even then, the State must indirectly absorb the tax obligations of the contractor through mechanisms embedded in the contract itself. This arrangement, repeatedly criticised in Kaieteur News analysesandpubliccommentary,haslongbeendescribedas a“giveaway”frameworkthatlimitsnationalretentionofoil wealth. The numbers tell a stark story Of the US$18 billion generatedin2025,approximatelyUS$135billionwasabsorbed throughcostrecovery,leavingaboutUS$4.5billioninprofitoil. Guyana’sshare,includingroyalty,amountstoroughlyUS$2.3 billion, significant on paper, but dwarfed by the scale of production and the country’s development needs. Meanwhile, debt obligations continue to mount, with national borrowing reachingUS$77billionandprojectedtowardUS$10billionin thenearterm.Whatmakesthistrajectorymoretroublingisnot only the structure of the contract, but the political narrative surrounding it As Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo was amongthemostvocalcriticsofthe2016agreement,describingit asabetrayalofnationalinterestandpromisingrenegotiationor improved contract administration once in office Those commitmentswereevenembeddedinthePPP’s2020election manifesto,whichspokeofcorrectingimbalancesintheoildeal. Yet,onceingovernment,therhetoricshifted Renegotiationof theStabroekBlockcontractwaseffectivelyruledout,justified bystabilisationclausesandinvestorconfidencearguments As reported previously, Jagdeo has maintained that unilateral changes are not feasible and would trigger arbitration or compensationobligationsundertheagreement Thisreversalhas left critics questioning whether political promises were ever realistically intended to be fulfilled or simply deployed as electoral messaging. The result is a paradoxical economic model:Guyanaborrowsbillionsoninternationalmarketswhile simultaneously granting tax waivers to one of theworld’s most profitableoiloperationswithinitsjurisdiction TheGas-to-Energy project,financedthroughexternaldebt,isitselftiedindirectlyto Exxon infrastructure and arrangements that further entrench repaymentobligationsstretchingdecadesintothefuture Kaieteur News has consistently highlighted the broader concern that Guyanaisexperiencingresourcewealthwithoutresourcecontrol Whilegovernmentofficialsoftenpointtoinfrastructureexpansion, roads,andenergyprojectsasevidenceofprogress,thefinancing structure behind these developments tells a more complicated story Muchofthe“development”isbeingunderwrittenbyloans ratherthanretainedoilrevenue,meaningfuturegenerationswill inheritbothinfrastructureanddebtservicingburdens
Thisraisesafundamentalquestion:ifGuyanaisalready producing billions in oil annually, why must it borrow to fundprojectsthataredirectlylinkedtoitspetroleumsector? The answer lies in the architecture of the PSA, which prioritises investor recovery over national accumulation. Themoreoilisproduced,themorecostsarerecoveredbythe operatorbeforetheStateseesmeaningfulgains.
I write as a concerned Guyanese citizen, deeply troubled by the state of governance and public accountability in our beloved nation. While it is evident that infrastructure developmenthasaccelerated in recent years, there is a growing and troubling perception, supported by observable outcomes that corruption, weak oversight, and poor contract management continue to underminetheseefforts.
The Ministry of Public Works has consistently highlightedtheexpansionof roads, bridges, and other publicinfrastructureoverthe past five years Indeed, budgetary allocations to the sector have increased significantly, with capital expenditure on public infrastructure rising into the tens of billions of Guyana dollars annually, supported by oil revenues and external financing However, the critical issue is not the scale
of investment, but the efficiency,transparency,and accountability associated withtheseprojects.
Several high-profile projects raise legitimate concerns. The government complex at Haags Bosch Backlands Road, reportedly valued in excess of G$8.7 billion remains largely incomplete, with visible progresslimitedprimarilyto structural steelworks.
Similarly,thePrincessStreet roadexpansionproject(from High Street to Cemetery Road) has stalled following the termination of the c
n t s I n c , highlighting deficiencies in procurement, contractor vetting, and enforcement mechanisms The Sussex Street upgrade (from St Stephen’s Street to Mandela Avenue) also appears to be experiencing delays, with limited on-site activity observed over extended periods.
These examples are not
isolated The recurring pattern of stalled or delayed projects suggests systemic weaknesses in public sector project management According to reports from theAuditorGeneral’sOffice in recent years, there have been persistent findings of contract overruns, breaches of procurement procedures, and inadequate supervision of works. Such findings underscore the need for s
oversightandenforcement.
The fundamental question therefore arises: who is being held accountable? The Ministry of Public Works, as the executing agency, bears responsibility for contract administration and ensuring value for money Yet, the apparent lack of visible sanctions against nonperforming contractors raises concerns about impunity within the system. Furthermore, the role of the Auditor General and the Public Procu
GreenmustconcedethatBurnham
be strengthened to ensure timely audits, enforcement of penalties, and greater transparency in public reporting.
T h e f i n a n c i a l implications are significant. With Guyana’s rapidly expanding fiscal space driven largely by petroleum revenues, public investment has increased dramatically. The 2026 national budget, for example, exceeds G$1 trillion, with a substantial portion allocated to infrastructure Without robust accountability mechanisms, there is a real risk that inefficiencies, waste, and potential corruption will erode the developmental impact of theseresources.
Historically, Guyana has experienced similar challengeswithmajorpublic projects. The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the S k e l d o n S u g a r ModernisationProject (Continuedonpage06)
Guyanadespite‘loyalandcompetent’individuals
Iwriteinresponsetothe letterbyMr HamiltonGreen titled “Forbes Burnham had the ability to identify individuals of competence and loyalty to serve the people of the State of Guyana in the Kaieteur Newsof4-28-26.
Mr Green wrote “Say what you like about Forbes Burnham, one of his strengths was his ability to identify individuals of competence and loyalty to servethepeopleoftheState ofGuyana.Asaresult,there was established the Venezuela-Guyana mixed boundary commission headed by Sir Donald Jackson, and included legal luminaries, such as Mohamed Shahabuddeem and (sic) Shirley FieldRidley.”
Can Mr Green explain why with all the wise men associated with the PNC’s Forbes Burnham the latter wrecked Guyana’s economy resultinginamassexodusof thousands of talented Guyanese from their native land?
What Mr Green fails to admit was the fact that the
border misunderstanding with Venezuela resulted from an Anglo-American conspiracy which installed t h e P N C - U F i n t o government in 1964. The principalaimwastoremove the 1960s PPP from office through PNC-UF collusion with the CIA in fomenting race riots targeting Indo Guyanese and Indo Guyanesebusinesses.
Would Mr Green ever apologize for his involvement in rigging elections and bullying opposition supporters? How w o u l d h e e x p l a i n Georgetown becoming the filthiest garbage city in the Caribbean under his watch? Allthisisnowpublicrecord as per CIA declassified documents.
Atatimewhenconcerns have been raised by Mr Lincoln Lewis about exclusion of the opposition from national issues it is fitting to note that no PPP representative was on the boundary commission. The PPPdisagreed strongly with the ruling government on how to handle the border issue and opposed the Agreement, with the PPP
votingagainstitintheHouse ofAssembly
Mr GreenboaststhatMr Burnham had very competent and loyal individuals in his PNC government. Yes it is very trueasitisveryclearthatMr Green is, up to this day, a very loyal kikuyu to Mr Burnham. But is Mr Green competent and without scandal?
Mr Charles Sohan writing in the SN of 4-16 2024 titled “Elder Green should not cast stones if he lives in a glass house” recordedthat“Inthe1970’s, I was employed as a Civil Engineer by the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics (MW&H).
ThethenMinisterwasno other than Hamilton Green, the most powerful minister in Prime Minister Burnham’s Government at that time. As Minister of MW&H he acquired steel sheet pilings earmarked for useonGuyana’sseadefense to construct a paal-off using MW&H labour around his house lot located at upper Durban Street. This paal-off couldbeseenfromthestreet. At the time no one was
allowed to buy gov’t steel sheet piling stock-piled at theKingstonWharffortheir private use Secondly, Minister Green gave his private trucking company a contract to deliver white sand for reconstruction of theGeorgetownseawall.
These and other questionable transactions were executed during his tenure as MW&H Minister, and to this day he has never provided any answer when confrontedwithquestionsas to why these transactions and others were executed without being reviewed and approved by the responsible authority and recorded for subsequentaudit”.
Mr Greenwrites,”Iwrite this letter with a prayer that those documents and others have been preserved and thereforeavoidusthetedium of doing work that was already done by competent super patriots.” I too write this letter with a prayer that Mr Green would repent and clearhisrecordfor truthand reconcilliation.Howtoocan Mr Green then become a ‘competentsuperpatriot’?
Sincerely SultanMohamed
There comes a point where patience, though virtuous, must give way to clarity
T h e o n g o i n g inconsistenciesdisplayedby some leaders within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) regarding the Guyana–Venezuela border controversy have become not only noticeable, but deeply troubling. For our fellow Guyanese, this is not an abstract diplomatic issue it is a matter of our sovereignty, identity, and nationalsurvival.
Our country has chosen the path of law Under the leadership of former presiden David
G r a n g e r a n d i t s continuation under President Irfaan Ali, our country has demonstrated maturity, restraint, and an unshakable belief in international legal order by placing the matter before the International Court of Justice This decision reflects not weakness, but strength, strength rooted in confidence that justice must bedeterminedbylaw,notby militarymight,provocation, symbolism,orforce.
P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s stewardship on this issue
h a s b e e n c l e a r , consistent, and resolute
At every juncture, he has
affirmed Guyana’s sovereignty, defended its territorial integrity, and engaged the international community with dignity andpurpose
His leadership has ensured that Guyana speaks with one voice, calm, firm, and grounded in principle even in the face of actions designed to provokeorundermine.
Yet, even as Guyana maintains this principled
p o s t u r e , w e a r e
c o n f r o n t e d w i t h developments close to h o m e t h a t r a i s e legitimate concern The open engagement with Venezuelan leadership
particularly when
a c c o m p a n i e d b y symbolic displays provocatively asserting claim over the Essequibo region of our country cannot be dismissed as trivial.
Symbols matter
Silence, too, carries
meaning and quite franklyspeaksloudly
It is within this context that the posture
of some CARICOM leaders, “friends and f a m i l y ” m u s t b e examined not out of hostility, but out of a necessary commitment to principle
We have long been told that CARICOM stands as a family, united by shared values: respect f o r s o v e r e i g n t y, a d h e r e n c e t o international law, and commitment to peace Butfamily,ifitistomean anything, must be
consistent Principle cannot be situational It cannotshiftdependingon who is being engaged or whatinterestsareatstake.
As the well respected Nelson Mandela wisely reminded us, “we cannot change our principles depending on who we are dealingwith.”
This is not merely a moral observation it is a standard by which leadership must be judged, especially within a community that prides itself onsharedvalues.
Thisiswhyclarityof leadershipmatters.
In this regard, the position taken by Kamla Persad-Bissessar stands out. At a time when ambiguity seemed convenient, she choseinsteadtobeboldand unequivocal, publicly affirming support for Guyana’s sovereignty, not merely through collective statements, but through her own voice. That level of
forthrightness is not divisive;itisprincipled.
It also lends weight to her earlier assertion that CARICOM is, at times, “factional” Whether one
agreesentirelyornot,recent developments suggest that the observation warrants serious reflection CARICOMmustnotfail.
Let us also be honest with ourselves. Friendship among nations is not measured by eloquence, nor by the ease with which leaders invoke shared culturalicons.Itismeasured by consistency especially when principle is tested. Those who speak well and bold are not always those who stand firm when it matters.
Guyana understands that every state must pursue its own interests That is the nature of international relations However, we must also be clear-eyed in assessing the implications of proximity, particularly when partners engage closely with those who openly challenge our sovereignty
This is not a call for division It is a call for coherence.
Guyana’s position, a s c o n s i s t e n t l y articulated by PresidentAli, remainsunwavering.
We r e s p e c t t h e sovereigntyofallnations.
We respect the right of our Caribbean brothers and sisterstoengagewhomthey choose. But we also expect that the principles we collectively proclaim, sovereignty,law,andmutual respect are not diluted by c o n t r a d i c t i o n o r convenience.
And let there be no misunderstanding:
Guyana will never, never compromise on it’sEssequibo.
This is not rhetoric It is reality
Atthisdefiningmoment, thecredibilityofCARICOM will not be measured by its communiqués, but by the consistency of its conduct. For small states like ours, principleisnotaluxuryitis ourshield.
The time has come for clarity
YoursRespectfully, JermaineFigueira
DEAREDITOR
Recent engagements between Caribbean leaders and representatives of Venezuela have exposed a troubling weakness at the heartofregionalleadership.
When Venezuela, acting president Delcy Rodríguez appearedatofficialmeetings wearing a pin depicting the Essequibo as part of Venezuela, it was not a casualorharmlessgesture.It was a calculated political statement one widely viewed as deliberate and provocative, and even described as “symbolic aggression” against Guyana’ssovereignty The failure to confront this openlyisbothdisappointing anddangerous.
It is particularly concerningthatleaderssuch as Mia Mottley, who has
deliveredpowerfulspeeches on the international stage about fairness and the treatmentofsmallstatesand Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell did not use thoseengagementstoclearly andpubliclyinsistonrespect for territorial integrity
Leadership on the international stage demands more than eloquence; it requires courage when it mattersmost.
T h e s i l e n c e o f
CARICOM in the face of such a blatant provocation suggests that economic issues and narrow national interests have become the major causes of disunity At a time when Guyana faces sustained and increasingly assertive pressure, anything short of a firm, unified stancerepresentsafailureof regionalresponsibility
Recently, academics havecalledforconsideration
“PetroCaricom” to replace PetroCaribe,ledbyGuyana, in order to rekindle regional
security
Guyana must now lead not only by asserting its sovereign rights but by strengthening regional partnerships in ways that remove vulnerabilities It must also embark on
campaign to ensure that the globally accepted map of Guyana is recognised and used in every country, includingVenezuela.
Atthesametime,therole
, particularlytheUnited (Continuedonpage06)
DEAREDITOR
Permit me a small space to vent a frustration of this inspector of police who is presentlystationedatVreeden-Hoop.
He was once the commissioner’s driver as a sergeant but since he was promoted to inspector and got transferred to west side,
it’s like he vex with the whole world. The way he speakstociviliansandtohis ownfellowcolleaguesonthe road,it’slikeheisourfather
a n d w e a r e h i s children…very haughty veryarrogant,justimaginea policestopona‘noparking’ signandhewantstoputthat rank under ‘close arrest’
….very stupid People told methathehasaseniorofficer as a friend but matters not, that’snotthewaytodealwith thepublic…heisaservantto the public. I recommend a next dose of anger managementforthatspecific inspector
Regards
Concernedcitizen
Frompage05 States, raises legitimate concerns about influence and division within the region. Caribbean leaders must ensure they are not participantsinstrategiesthat weaken collective unity This is a defining moment. CARICOM must convene urgently and take an unequivocalstandindefense
of Guyana’s territorial integrity Anything less will confirm the growing perception that regional solidarity is negotiable and that Caribbean unity can be compromised precisely when it is most needed
Regards RawleBlackman
Frompage04
(which exceeded its initial budget of approximately US$110 million and faced operational difficulties), the fibre optic cable initiative, and the One Laptop Per Family programme all illustrate the consequences ofweakplanning,oversight, and execution These experiences should have informed a more disciplined andaccountableapproachto contemporary investments, including the ongoing Gasto-Energy (GTE) project, which itself has attracted public scrutiny regarding costs, timelines, and governancearrangements. Equallyconcerningisthe apparent public apathy surrounding these issues Democraticaccountabilityis not sustained by institutions alone;itrequiresactivecivic engagement Silence, whether borne of fatigue or disillusionment, only serves toentrenchthestatusquo.It is therefore imperative that
Guyanese demand greater accountability from elected o
c institutions.Transparencyin p
enforcement of contractual o
mely publicationofauditfindings, and consequences for nonperformance must become the norm rather than the exception. The nation’s resources belong to its p e o p l e , a n d t h e i r stewardship must reflect the higheststandardsofintegrity andresponsibility If we fail to act collectively, we risk bequeathing to future generations not a legacy of development, but one of squandered opportunity Guyana stands at a pivotal moment in its history; whether it succeeds will depend not only on the resourcesitpossesses,buton the governance systems it upholds.
Yoursfaithfully, AnnetteFerguson
As the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) continues to grapple with financial constraints, Deputy Mayor Denise Miller attributed the situation in part to residents' inability to pay rates and taxes due to ongoing economichardship.
Miller was speaking in context of the council's $5.697 billion budget for 2026, which was presented by Finance Chairman Lelon SaullastApril21,andwhich outlines the municipality's planned spending for the year, including allocations
for infrastructure maintenance, sanitation, drainage, administrative operations, and human resources.
“Withdepletedfunds,we are trying our best with the limited monies offered to us fromcentralgovernmentand ratepayers who, because of economic deprivation, have
notbeenabletopayratesand taxes,”Millersaidinavideo shared on the council's official Facebook page. She explained that the M&CC relies heavily on revenue from property rates, taxes, and fees collected from various service providers o p e r a t i n g w i t h i n Georgetown. However, she noted that collections have been inconsistent, as many individuals and businesses are struggling to meet their financialobligations.
“We have not been able to get a lot of money from everyserviceprovidersector because every sector brings in money to the council, but people cannot find some of thesemonies.Itistrue;itisa reality,” she said The Deputy Mayor pointed out that the 2026 budget includes a substantial allocation to the Human Resources Department,
reflecting ongoing staffing challenges within the municipality According to her, a shortage of personnel has affected the council's ability to deliver core services such as waste collection, drainage maintenance, and general upkeepofcityinfrastructure.
T h e M & C C i s responsibleforawiderange of municipal services, includingthemaintenanceof roads, markets, and public spaces, as well as the management of solid waste and drainage systems Persistent issues such as cloggeddrains,deteriorating roadways, and irregular garbagecollectionhavelong been concerns for residents, often intensifying during periods of heavy rainfall.
Miller noted that the council's financial difficultiesarenotsolelythe resultofreducedrevenuebut
arealsolinkedtooperational limitations, arguing that greater collaboration with the central government is necessary to address these challenges and improve service delivery “It is very sad that central government does not see it fit to work in tandem with municipal government,” she said, adding that stronger cooperation is essential for effective governance. She also raised concerns about the state of democratic processes within the city, d e s c r i b i n g r e c e n t developmentsastroubling.
Despite these concerns, Miller said the council remains open to working with central authorities to improve governance and service delivery in the capital.
Other councillors have also weighed in on the budget's priorities and challenges Councillor Dexter Forte said the 2026
financial plan places strong emphasis on communitylevel interventions, particularly addressing longstanding issues such as blocked alleyways and inadequate drainage. These conditions, he noted, contribute to public health risks,includingthespreadof mosquito-borne illnesses
Forte said that while the council is operating with limitedresources,thebudget still allows for meaningful work in communities aimed at improving sanitation and livingconditions. Meanwhile, Councillor Clayton Hinds said the budget reflects ongoing efforts to tackle persistent municipal challenges that have affected the city for years but that successful implementation will depend heavily on the performance and commitmen
of municipal staff. He noted that while the council can outline policies and allocate funds, the effectiveness of those measures ultimately restswithstaff.
Citizens are being urged to take legal action against ranks of the Guyana Police Force(GPF)whodemandbribesfromthem. Attorney General and Minister of Legal AffairsAnil Nandlall SC issued the call on Tuesdayeveningduringthisweek'sepisode of'IssuesintheNews'.
Nandlall said that the issue of ranks demanding money from drivers who are stopped for traffic offences have been broughttohisattention.
“Let me say firstly, there are very few trafficoffensesforwhichapoliceofficercan detain you, very few,” the AG said while makingitclearthatcorruptioninvolvestwo playersoractors:thebriberandbribee.
He made it clear that if a police officer asks for a bribe citizens must use their cell phones and record the officer (s) and share theevidencepublicly
“He cannot lock you up for a traffic offense.Hemustgiveyouaticket.Ifhelocks you up, then you come to the Attorney General office. That is why we are making these offenses ticketed offenses or retain a lawyer,retainalawyerandyouwillsuehim and you'll have to sue theAttorney General too. So, I'll get involved in the matter,” Nandlalldeclared.
TheAttorney General reminded citizens not to pay bribes while explaining that the matterisnottrivial.
Meanwhile, in March, Commissioner of PoliceCliftonHickenalsoissuedawarning to ranks of the GPF to stop taking bribes. Kaieteur News reported that the police commissioner, who was at the time addressing ranks at the opening of the 2026
GuyanaPoliceForceSergeants'Conference, madeitclearthatcorruptionwithintheForce willnotbetolerated.
“If you become corrupt is because you have a giver and you're the receiver As of today, stop receiving and persons must be chargedwhentheycometobribethepolice. I'm making myself very clear or else other thingswillhappen,”Hickensaid.
TheTopCopremindedthatSergeantsare the frontline leaders of the Police Force.
“You translate supervision into daily action…You set the tone at stations, on patrol, in traffic enforcement, during investigations, and in community engagement. The public does not see our policies or strategic plan, they see your conduct, your discipline, and the standards youenforce,”hesaid.
There is a lot of noise right now aboutwhetherthe government’s invitation for investments in the fertilizer and gas bottling projects is legal. But while we are all busy looking in that direction, something far moreimportantishappening inplainsight.
The real issue is not just legality Itisownership.And more specifically, who gets toownthenextgenerationof Guyana’swealth.
Does anyone recall the PPPC speaking about “shared prosperity” The PPPC promised that ordinary Guyanese would not just benefit from development, but would participate in it. We were told about co-ownership of national projects. We were told about investment vehicles that would allow citizens to put their savings to work. We were told that wealth would be built at the individual, household, and nationallevels.
That was the vision of a country where development does not just enrich a few, but empowers the many Now compare that promise withwhatisunfolding.
The government is seeking to raise roughly US$300 million for an ammonia (fertilizer) plant and additional funds for a gasbottlingoperation.These are not marginal ventures. These are potentially lucrative, long-term, revenue-generatingprojects. In simple terms, they are money-makingmachines.
Andwhoisbeinginvited to invest? Not the average
Guyanese Not the schoolteacher,thenurse,the public servant, or the small businessowner
Instead, the structure of the investment—millions of U S d o l l a r s p e r investor—effectively limits participation to a narrow class: the wealthy, the connected,the“bigplayers.”
Whether you call them the bourgeoisie, the elite, or simply the well-off, the result is the same. These projects will end up in the hands of those who already have significant financial power
So while the country debates legal technicalities, a deeper question is being quietly answered That question is who will own Guyana’sfuturewealth?
Here is where the contradiction becomes impossibletoignore.
Atthesametimethatthe government is seeking US$300 million from investors for these projects, itisalsodistributingroughly the same amount—US$300 million—in cash grants to citizens.
On the surface, that sounds generous. And for many households, that money provides immediate relief. There is no denying that. But let us be honest aboutwhathappensnext.
Mostofthatcashwillbe spentonconsumables.Itwill gointoshops,supermarkets, and imported goods. It will circulate briefly and then disappear It will not create
lasting wealth for the individualswhoreceiveit.
Now imagine a different approach Instead of handingoutUS$300million in cash to be spent, what if thatsamesumhadbeenused
investment pool? What if every adult Guyanese had been allocated shares in the fertilizer plant and the gas bottling company? What if, instead of a one-time payment, citizens received annual dividends year afteryear—astheseprojects generatedprofits?
That would have been shared prosperity in action. That would have been coownership.Thatwouldhave trans
med ordinary citizens into stakeholders in the cou
promisingventures.
But that is not what is happening.Instead,thecash is distributed and quickly c
he ownership of profitable national projects is quietly concentratedinthehandsof afew
watched with hawk-like eyes. Because the pattern matters.
When large, strategic projects are structured in ways that exclude the majority, it raises serious concernsaboutwhopolicyis really serving. When stateled initiatives bypass broader public participation and instead cater to those with millions to invest, it sends a clear signal about priorities.
Imagine we gat to go till England to learn about urban planning and sustainable development. Dem boys seh is like flying firstclasstolearnhowtoboilricewhenthe potrighthereonthefiresidewholetime.
Nowdon’tgetdemboyswrong.Guyana gat planners. Plenty planners. Educated, certified,andwell-versedinbig-bigwords. But somehow, we planners does be more urbane than urban. Plenty style, little substance And instead of promoting sustainability, dem boys seh some of them expertsonlysustainingproblems.
Dem boys seh one time in England, London was a proper mess. Horse, cart, carriage, soot, smoke. Everything jam up. ButthentheEnglishdoastrangething:they plan.Notplanlikehowweplantoplan,or form a committee to examine the planning of the plan. But actually, plan and execute. They build proper roads, sort out zoning, regulatehowpeoplemove,andevendecide where things should and should not be. Radicalidea,right?
StorygothatwhenLondonstartchoking onitsownconfusion,theauthoritiesdidn’t
And when this happens in a country that has explicitly promised shared prosperity, the gap between words and actions becomes toowidetoignore.
Noneofthisistosaythat investment should not be encouraged.Itshould.None of this is to deny that large projects require significant capital.Theydo.
But the question is not whether investment is needed.Thequestionis:who getstheopportunity?
If the government can designasystemtodistribute cash to every adult, it can certainly design a system to allow every adult to own a piece of national development If it can guaranteereturnstowealthy investors, it can structure dividends for ordinary
citizens.
The choice, therefore, is not about feasibility It is aboutintent.
Right now, the message being sent is simple: take your cash, spend it, and move on—while others step intoowntheassetsthatwill generatewealthfordecades.
That is not shared prosperity.That is a transfer ofopportunity
And unless Guyanese begin to look beyond the legal debates and focus on the bigger picture, we may wakeuponedaytofindthat the most valuable parts of our economy are already spoken for—owned not by themany,butbythefewwho were always in a position to takeadvantage.
This is all the more reason why the Opposition
must state, plainly and without ambiguity, that any fertilizer or gas bottling projectstructuredtoexclude ordinary Guyanese from ownership will not stand. And that upon assuming officein2030itwilltakethe necessary steps to bring those assets back under nationalcontrolinawaythat genuinely reflects shared prosperity
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
say,“lehwewaitandsee.”Theysay,“lehwe fix this before it fix we.” And just so systems, structure, and a little discipline turnchaosintosomethingthatalmostmake sense. Meanwhile, back home, one minute you feeling like you deh in Miami, next minuteyoufeeklikeyuhdehinanobstacle course. And don’t talk about drainage. Water does gather faster than when people liningupfuhcashgrant.
Dem boys seh the real comedy is that everyproblemalreadygotasolutionwritten down somewhere in a report, in a drawer, under a pile of dust labelled “urgent.” But implementing it?That part still waiting for clearance.
SoimaginethatEnglandhadtoorganize London,andherewearetryingtolearnhow to organize. Dem boys seh at this rate, we gon soon need a study tour to learn how to usecommonsense.
Untilthen,keepyuhpatience,mindyuh speed, and remember: in Guyana, development ain’t just sustainable. The problemsaretoo. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Former Wales Gasto-Energy (GTE) Taskforce Head, Mr Winston Brassington should resign. Project Consultant, his new crown, does nothing to defend or distance him from the US$2 billion
Bharrat Jagdeo contraption that now crumbles before the eyes. Resigningwould bethehonorablestepto take. He should make that preemptive move, and go on his own powerbeforeheisfired. Somebody has to take the fall for that Jagdeo concoction, and Winston Brassington is head and shoulders the bestcandidate. Facts to be faced, reality acknowledged General Secretary and VicePresidentJagdeois not going to be fired. By whom? Nor will Prime Minister Phillips be made to run on his sword,inthemannerof genuinewarriorsofold.
In Guyana, politicians don'ttakethefall. Why shouldthey,whenthere is a Dr Gopinath “Bobby” Gossai?
Willing, able, and zealous, and also with being a fair sub for that US$214 million IHS Markit audit findings sleight-of-hand. Pres Ali has performed very p o o r l y w i t h accountability, but can redeem himself, given that US$2 billion is in thefryer. Thepresident can only waffle for so long. Vice President Jagdeo has the luxury and cover story of jetting off, and has a well-earned reputation as Dr Teflon. Nothing sticks to him; neither Velcro nor Crazy glue. By subtraction, by default, there's only Winston Brassington left in the line of fire. Ascitizenandbrother,I do my duty, take a chance and send him this warning. Take a hike. Getoutwhilethe
goingisgood,moveon whilethetemperatureis stillmanageable.
The Wales GTE is notSkeldon. Itisn'tthe Berbice Bridge nor Sonata. ItisallofUS$2 billion, or 400 billion Guyana dollars; maybe GY$600 billion, or GY$500 billion, with discounts. The PPP Govt. of Ali et al may wish to pretend that all is kosher and under control. Like hell it is. In the unlikely event that the project is completed and were to deliver, as touted, half price electricity wouldn'tlast,willcome back to cost expectant Guyanesetwiceorthree times of what was promised, however spaced. Like the Cheddi Jagan Airport there will always be costly add-ons to keep theUSmillionsrolling. Mark my words, and my name isn't Mark Anthony Clever PPP men will find ways to wrapgullibleGuyanese heads in wool, then trickortreatthem.
Mr Brassingtonmay consider himself untouchable, secured
b y t h e ledger of secrets he has about PPP internal works and skeletons. I admire his enduring faith. Others felt the same way, until they were brutally and ruthlesslymovedoutof the way The money awardedtoLindsaycais too secret, too sketchy, andtoomuchparforthe c o u r s e , t o b e overlooked as usual business.
The US$250 million more it is asking for, willnothelpittodeliver on time, or anything related to quality Lookslikeoletimesand old history having anotherreplay Delays, cost overruns, secrets, and a big bill for longsuffering Guyanese taxpayers However kindly this is looked at, it must qualify as a n o t h e r m a j o r disappointment for most Guyanese, including yours truly Only a fool, or an extraordinarily spiteful citizen, wouldn't want halfpriceelectricityand areliablesupplyofit,as
abonus.
Inalessdocile,more demanding, society, both political and agency heads would have rolled long before matters reached this sorry stage. Because costly developments like the US$2 billion (and climbing) Wales GTE are now seen as the norm, the most that squeaks out of Guyaneseisayawnand shrug of the shoulder BecausetheWalesGTE now carries such an astronomical price tag, even a calloused and scalyoutfitlikethePPP Govt will be hardpressed to live it down. To leave it alone, and start over with a new billion-dollar dead duck. Last, who isn't relieved will be reassigned There's precedent: a PPP ministerandPS.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hasfoundthatGuyanaPowerandLightInc. (GPL) met just 2.5 of its 8 performance targets for 2025, raising continued concerns about the reliability and financial health of electricityservicesinGuyana.
The finding was detailed in Order No. 1 of 2026, issued following the Commission's annual review of the Operating Standards and Performance Targets (OSPT) The determinationcameafterapublichearingon March 27, 2026, where GPL presented its performance and stakeholders were invited toweighin.
Despite the low level of compliance, the Commission pointed to limited areas of progress, including improvements in generation availability, better voltage regulation on some feeders, and partial success in issuing bills to non-maximum demandcustomers.However,itstressedthat shortcomings in system reliability and financial performance remain “significant concerns.”
The PUC expressed dissatisfaction with GPL's overall performance and underscored the company's responsibility to strengthen infrastructure maintenance and improve operational efficiency to deliver more consistent and higher-quality service to consumers.GPL, in outlining its plans for 2026, said it intends to focus on integrating advanced technologies, optimising skilled labour, and improving cash flow and time management The company also cited challenges such as labour shortages and ongoing infrastructure works as factors affectingitsabilitytomeettargets.
Consequently, the Commission applied regulatory leniency, even as it signalled expectationsformarkedimprovement.Itsaid the completion of ongoing projects should positionGPLtoachievefullcompliancewith itsperformancetargetsin2026andbeyond. The full order is available on the Commission'swebsite.
BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT
( A L - J A Z E E R A )
President Donald Trump says the United States will continue its naval blockade ofIranuntilanucleardealis reachedwithTehran.
The US president told AxiosonWednesdaythathe does not want to end his blockade on Iranian ports, apparently rejecting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz so that US-Iran talkscouldproceed.
“The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig,” TrumpsaidofIran.“Anditis going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon.”
Iran has set lifting the siege as a precondition for returningtothetalks.
According to several mediareports,Iranoffereda limited deal this week that would end its own blockade on Hormuz in exchange for the end of the siege on its ports.Trump's comments on Wednesday indicate that he turned down the Iranian proposal.
The US president has been emphasising that he is comfortable with the status quo with Iran, suggesting that he is in no rush to push for a comprehensive agreement or return to the fighting.
The Epaminondas ship during seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, April 24 [File: Meysam Mirzadeh/Tasnim/WANA via Reuters]
At least two commercial ships linked to Iran have been captured by the US as part of the siege. The US militarysaidonMondaythat it has also redirected 39 vesselsintheregionalwaters overthepastweeks. Iran has responded by also seizing vessels it accuses of violating maritimeregulations.
The impasse has sent oil prices soaring, fuelling energy inflation in the US, wherethepriceofonegallon ofpetrolhassurpassed$4.22 ($1.11 per litre) – up from less than $3 ($0.79 per litre) beforethewar
benchmark Brent crude oil futuresjumpedtomorethan $119 per barrel on Wednesday as Washington and Tehran escalated their rhetoric.
Iranian Parliament SpeakerMohammadBagher GhalibafsaidonWednesday that the US is trying to “activate economic pressure and internal division” in the country “to weaken or even collapseusfromwithin”.
He promised that Iranians “will defeat this deceptiveplanoftheenemy” and “achieve a brilliant victory”inthewar
S e p a r a t e l y, a n
unidentified senior security source told Iran's stateowned Press TV that the blockade will soon be met with “practical and unprecedentedaction”.
Later on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his claim that the US has severely degraded Iran's military capabilities “They have very little left. They have some missiles, a small percentage,”hesaid.
Beyond the duelling blockadesintheGulf,theUS and Iran appear to be at a deadlock on the nuclear issue.
Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, but insists onitsrighttoenrichuranium domestically However, Trump wants the country's nuclear programme fully dismantled.
Iran has also ruled out limitingitsmissileanddrone productionorendingsupport for regional allies like HezbollahandHamas–two key demands by Israel and theUS.
After the ceasefire was reached earlier this month, USandIranianofficialsheld one round of talks in P a k i s t a n , b u t t h e negotiations did not break
thedeadlock.
On Wednesday, Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg twodaysearlier
After the call, the Kremlin said Russia has put forward a “number of proposals designed to resolve the disagreements surrounding the Iranian nuclearprogram”.
“To this end, active contacts will be maintained withIranianrepresentatives, leaders of the Gulf states, as well as with Israel and –naturally – the American negotiatingteam,”itadded.
For its part, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Araghchi met Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and decried US and Israeli attacks on the country's civilian sites, including schools, cultural sites and hospitals.
“The foreign minister recalledtheresponsibilityof theinternationalcommunity and competent international authoritiestotakeaclearand firm stance in condemning thesewarcrimesandholding accountable and punishing their perpetrators,” the ministrysaid.
The Guyana Teacher's Union (GTU) is calling for there to be a broader stakeholder approach to
violence in schools President of the GTU, Coretta McDonald on Wednesday in an invited comment told Kaieteur News that in order to tackle thesurgeinschoolviolence.
“We're deeply troubled bytherecentsurgeinschool fightsthathavebeenmaking their way on social media, fightsandoutsideofschools. We saw just recently, fights Leonora Secondary, Linden Foundation, and the Essequibo Coast. We saw fights in Region six, we're seeingfightsinGeorgetown, and what is most worrisome is that when these fights are happening, we are having teachers attempt to break thesefightsup,ortopullthe fightersapart…ourteachers are injured,” the GTU
Presidentsaid.
McDonaldhighlighteda recent incident where students were involved in a brawl in the streets and a teachertriedtointervene.
“The teacher was passing, and he decided to intervene,andthebrotherof oneofthestudentswhowas involved in the fight, assaulted the teacher, and thenheclaimedafterthathe didn't know the young man was a teacher,” the GTU Presidentdetailed.
To this end, Mc Donald s a i d s t a k e h o l d e r involvement is crucial to tacklingthescourge.
PresidentoftheGTU, Coretta Mc Donald
“The conversation has got to widen. We can no longer speak to our children at assembly, we have to widen that conversation, to bringourstakeholderstothe tablesothatwecanworkand charter a course that will guide what happens in our schools.”
McDonald continued: “I think a wider stakeholder approach is what is missing and when I say stakeholder we'retalkingheretheunion, the parents, the wider community,thepolicewhich means we're talking about the Ministry of Home Affairs, we're talking about the Ministry of Human
Services, welfare officers and counsellors We're talkingabouttheMinistryof Sports… We have to be involved to ensure that we chart a safer path for our children…”sheasserted.
The GTU president emphasized that children must be able to accept rebuke without resorting to assaultingteachers.Shesaid,
the Ministry of Education has launched campaigns to address the issue but noted that their efforts need to be consistentandongoing.
“It is very troubling, very, very troubling. When you look at some of the weapons that are being foundinschools;thevaping andallkindsofthingsthatis happening amongst our schoolchildren.
It is troubling, when we lookatthemarijuanaandall those things that we find in the possession of our children, it is saying to us that we are trodden a dangerous path, and if we don't stop and sit around the table and arrive at measures tocorrectit.
This is our society is goingtobedoomed.”
In January, the government through the Ministry of Education launched a major campaign
violenceamongstudent.
The Education Minister Sonia Parag had said the efforts to curb the problem must pull together support from m
han the Governmentandeducators.
“We are taking a zerotolerance approach to any kind of violence, whether it be student against student, student against teacher, student from one school to another school, school against school, and when I say zero tolerance, we are going to be working to drastically reduce bullying, violence, that is stemming from bullying and so on. It's asituationwhereIdefinitely want this to become something that I will work wholeheartedly on for the next five years and that is the position of the Government as well”, she said.
Terrence
AKuru Kuru resident, who was wrongfully arrested, detained, imprisoned and maliciously prosecuted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for 80 daysin2023wasonApril29, 2026 awarded $8 million by theHighCourt.
Terrence Sandy, through his attorneys at Dexter Todd and Associates Law Firm suedtheGPFandthestatefor wrongful arrest and imprisonment.
According to a statement by the law firm, the High Court in its judgement declared that Sandy was wrongfully arrested by members of the Guyana Police Force; wrongfully i m p r i s o n e d b y agents/officers of the State between June 10, 2023, and August 28, 2023; and was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment by agents of the State between thesameperiod.
“A declaration that the fundamental rights of the claimant, as guaranteed under Articles 139(1) and 141oftheConstitution,were violated by the State, their servants and agents by imposing inhumane and degrading treatment, false imprisonment and wrongful deprivation of liberty b e t w e e n S a t u r d a y th10 June,2023 and Monday th28 August, 2023; A declaration that the claimant was maliciously prosecuted by members of the Guyana PoliceForcewithoutseeking legal advice on the matter,” thestatementdetailed.
The Court also ordered compensatory damages in the sum of $3 million for unlawfularrestanddetention and for the contravention of the claimant's fundamental rights to protection of personal liberty as guaranteed under Article 139(1)oftheConstitution.
The court declared compensatory damages in thesumof$2millionforthe contravention of the claimant's fundamental rights to protection from inhuman treatment guaranteed under Article 141(1) of the Constitution; and exemplary in the sum of $2,000,000 and special damages in the sum of
forspending 80daysinjail wrongfully
$600,000forlossofincome, andanothersumof$400,000 tobepaidbythedefendantto th theclaimantonorbefore29 May,2026.
R e c a l l i n g w h a t transpired, law firm shared thatSandy,aporter,whowas 22 years old at the time, was on June 10, 2023 walking home in his village when he was approached by a police van and subsequently arrestedbythepolice.
He was taken to the Timehri Police Station then to the Madawini Police S t a t i o n , o n t h e Linden/Soesdyke Highway, wherehewasplacedinacell with no explanation and without a statement being requested of him. He was subsequently charged with theoffenceofbreakandenter and larceny, and taken to the Diamond Magistrates' Court where he was unrepresented and subsequently remanded bytheMagistrateonJune13, 2023.
Sandy was imprisoned at the Lusignan Prison and his family thereafter retained an attorneytorepresenthim.
TheLawFirmstatedthat a full disclosure was done in this matter and upon review of all the statements served on Sandy, it was discovered by his attorneys that there was absolutely no evidence implicating him in the alleged offence that was committed.
“Therewasabsolutelyno mention of his name, no mentionofanaliasorevena description of him by any of the witnesses. The virtual complainant himself made nomentionofMr Sandyand never identified him as someone who robbed him. Even further, there was no statement speaking to his arrest,anallegationbeingput to him or anything pointing to the Police following the proceduresprescribedbylaw and the judges' rules,” the agencyexplained.
Sandy's attorney wrote the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on July 18, 2023 requesting that she reviewthefileandwithdraw thechargesagainsthim.This was also raised in Court on July 27, 2023 where the police revealed that the file wasneversenttotheDPPfor (Continuedonpage16)
Guyanajoinshemispheric bloctodefendPanama,warns
Guyana has joined a coalition of regional and international partners including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States in defending Panama's sovereignty and warning againstwhattheydescribeasgrowing external pressure on the hemisphere's maritime system.In a joint statement issued on the US Department of State website, the countries reaffirmed that “the freedom of our region is nonnegotiable,” signaling a coordinated response to concerns over China's targeted economic actions and their impactonPanama-flaggedvessels.
Thecoalitionsaiditis“monitoring with vigilance” recent developments following a ruling by Panama's Supreme Court regarding the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals—two critical ports at either end of the Panama Canal arguing that subsequent actions represent “a blatant attempt to politicise maritime trade and infringe onthesovereigntyofthenationsofour hemisphere.”
Highlighting Panama's strategic roleinglobalcommerce,thestatement describedthecountryas“apillarofour
maritime trading system,” warning that any effort to undermine its sovereignty poses a broader threat to hemisphericstability
“Any attempts to undermine Panama'ssovereigntyareathreattous all,” the statement declared, as the countriescollectivelyvoicedsolidarity with Panama The Balboa and Cristóbal ports sit at the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal,oneoftheworld'smostcritical shipping arteries, through which roughly five to six per cent of global trade passes annually. Control, management, and legal oversight of these terminals have long carried geopolitical weight, particularly as global powers compete for influence overstrategicinfrastructure.
In recent years, China has significantly expanded its economic footprintacrossLatinAmericaandthe Caribbeanthroughinvestmentstiedto its Belt and Road Initiative. This has included port development, logistics networks,andfinancingarrangements in several countries, raising concerns in Washington and among some regionalgovernmentsabouteconomic
dependencyandstrategicleverage.
The latest tensions stem from a decision by Panama's independent SupremeCourtrelatedtotheoperation and legal status of the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals. While the ruling itself is a domestic legal matter, the coalition's statement suggests that actions taken in its aftermath particularly those affecting Panamaregisteredvesselsarebeinginterpreted as external pressure with broader geopoliticalimplications.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmationofcommitmenttopeace, cooperation, and vigilance, as the signatoriespledgedtoworktogetherto ensure theAmericas remain “a region offreedom,security,andprosperity
On Wednesday, China's foreign ministrycalledthestatement"entirely baseless and misleading", accused the UnitedStatesofpoliticisingports,and said it would take steps to safeguard China'sinterestsinPanama.
"China also urges the relevant countries not to be deceived or exploited by malevolent forces," added Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson.
The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is seekingtorecovermore than $30.6 million in damages followingaweekendpoweroutage triggered by construction activity, warning that legal action will be taken if the sum is not paid within 14days.
InastatementWednesday,GPL saidithaswrittentoChinaRailway FirstGroup(Guyana)Incorporated demanding $30,645,189 for losses
transmission line during road works at Dennis Street, Sophia on April26.
The incident occurred at approximately 08:50 hours when the equipment came into direct contact with the L10 transmission line linking the New Georgetown and Sophia substations, the impact ofwhichcausedamajordisruption in electricity supply and affected tens of thousands of customers across several communities in Georgetown and surrounding areas.
Thecompanysaidithasissued a strongly worded letter to Ma Qiang, project manager of China Railway First Group (Guyana) Incorporated, warning that failure to settle the compensation claim
Heavy-duty machinery struck a key transmission line during road works last Sunday (Photo: GPL Facebook page)
within the stipulated timeframe will result in court proceedings.
Theincidenthasalsotriggeredlaw enforcement action, with one individual already arrested as investigationscontinue.
GPL described the occurrence as a serious breach of safety and operationalrequirements,stressing that all works carried out near electrical infrastructure must be done in strict compliance with
established protocols These include maintaining safe clearance distances and ensuring proper coordinationwiththeutilitybefore undertaking any excavation or constructionactivities.
The company further warned that contact with high-voltage infrastructureposesimmediateand severe risks to life, including the potentialforseriousinjuryordeath, in addition to causing extensive
damage to the power network and prolonged outages. GPL is now reminding contractors and heavy equipment operators that adherencetosafetystandardswhen working near transmission lines is mandatory, noting that any violations will attract firm action, including financial recovery and legalconsequences.
MinisterofPublicUtilitiesand Aviation Deodat Indar had told
Kaieteur News that the struck line carried 69,000 volts, and the resulting outage left most of Guyana without electricity for approximately four and a half hours. He noted that attempts to restore power around 11:30 hours wereunsuccessfulduetoinstability in the national grid, with fluctuating frequency triggering a secondshutdown.
The minister further disclosed that the incident damaged a key switchgear at the Garden of Eden facility, preventing power from beingreintroducedintothegridand prolonging outages, particularly alongtheEastBankcorridorwhere some customers remained without electricity until about 16:15 hours. He also stated that the contractor didnothavepermissionfromGPL to operate near the transmission infrastructure at the time of the incident.
GPL has warned that contact with high-voltage infrastructure poses immediate risks to life and can result in widespread outages anddamagetocriticalsystems.The company said that contractors and heavy equipment operators must adhere to all safety standards, noting that violations will attract financialrecoveryeffortsandlegal consequences.
Hundreds of persons poured i n t o t h e University of Guyana BerbiceCampus(UGBC)on Monday at Tain, Corentyne, fortheannualOpenDayand J o b F a i r, t h e m e d "Innovation Opportunity Impact."
The event drew strong attendance by students and youngprofessionals,aswell a s t h o s e s e e k i n g employment.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), P r o f e s s o r P a l o m a Mohamed-Martin, in her feature address, noted that theeventisinharmonywith tradition,evenasshelauded itasthebiggestturnout.She also invited individuals to make good on the afforded opportunities.
"This morning we'll also seenotonlypersonswhoare here to look at the external exhibits we have, because persons are looking for employees, for people to hire, but they are also lookingforpersonswhothey can work with as interns, to
One of several booths at the campus event
give opportunities too," she stated at the opening ceremony.
Dr. Mohamed-Martin disclosed that the institution has crossed its 1000th students mark in its 25-year history She encouraged students tocarefullyconsiderthepath they want to explore before leavinghighschool.
The university, she suggested,isapracticalway
for launching careers through its broad programme base. In that regard, she charged them to apply it to align themselves along with the country's d e v e l o p m e n t trajectory
Vice-chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin at Monday's event
"Wehavebeenvery excited by what prospects of this part country, and the whole c
ountry, is seeing- a very significant dynamic of growth and development.... this Berbice we knew was goingtobeaverysignificant playerinthedevelopmentof ourcountry,"sheaffirmed.
On the sidelines of the event, the vice-chancellor told Kaieteur News that Monday's activity was coordinated on three vital objectives: to highlight programmes being offered by the Berbice extension of the university for students seeking to pursue tertiary studies; to spotlight current future national development in the context Region Six (East erbice-Corentyne), and to also provide career proposals and jobopportunities.
Those stated objectives were met
t h r o u g h t h e placement of several booths arranged by many of the event sponsors, including the nistry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of
Labor and Manpower Planning, Republic Bank, D e m e r a r a B a n k , Halliburton, SBM Offshore, Eldorado Offshore, ExxonMobilGuyana,AGM, NandPersaudandCompany Limited,andotherentities. Young professionals in particularflockedthejobfair to pursue opportunities to better their economic prospects.
Students from multiple secondary schools along the Corentyne Coast took to the over 20 booths for insights on both government and business entities' products andservices.
M e a n w h i l e , ExxonMobil Guyana and other major players in the local oil and gas industry were on board to facilitated on-sitejobinterviews.
Formal remarks were also given at the opening ceremony by Professor G o m a t h i n a y a g a m Subramamian, Director of UGBC, and Ms. Geraldine John, Human Resources Manager of ExxonMobil GuyanaLtd.
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Guyana’s education reform agenda is set to deepen in 2027 with the introduction of a nationwide numeracy assessment aimed at boosting mathematics performance from the primary level, Education Minister, Sonia Parag has said.
Parag made the comments on Wednesday while visiting Diamond Grove Primary School, where she met students sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations and offered words of encouragement ahead of the two-day exercise.
The education minister
disclosed that the government has already introduced literacy assessments for grades two and four, with a numeracy assessment to follow in 2027. “We have recognised that mathematics is one of those areas, not only at the secondary level, but at the primary level, that we need to strengthen,” she said.
Reforms are also underway at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), where curriculum improvements are being made to better prepare teachers entering the school system.
The minister noted that these measures form part of the government’s wider strat-
egy to strengthen human capital development and ensure children are equipped to contribute to Guyana’s future growth.
During her visit, the minister also highlighted the extensive support provided to candidates in the lead-up to the examinations, noting that she observed some of the online classes and reviewed several special NGSA camps and tent programmes established to help students strengthen weak subject areas.
She said that schedules were created nationwide to group students from various schools, where teachers
specialised in certain subjects helped them prepare for exams.
Minister Parag said these interventions, coupled with textbooks, past papers and additional resources distributed by the Ministry of Education, have positioned students for strong performances this year.
“I have no doubt that our grade six pupils will perform well at NGSA, given the interventions, the investment, and the resources that we have provided,” she stated. A total of 15,935 students will be writing the NGSA examination on April 29 – 30. (DPI)
(Reuters) - The United States’ war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of the military’s tag for the conflict.
With just six months before midterm elections in which President Donald Trump’s Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House majority, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability.
Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
Hurst did not detail what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing ‘base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.
Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, responded to Hurst: “I’m glad you answered that question. Because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and
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no one’s given us the number.”
The $25 billion cost is equal to the entire budget of NASA for this year.
But it is unclear how the Pentagon arrived at the $25 billion amount given that a source had told Reuters last month that President Donald Trump’s administration estimated that the first six days of the war had cost the United States at least $11.3 billion. WHAT WOULD YOU PAY?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the cost was justified given the U.S. goal of ensuring Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
“What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?” Hegseth asked.
Hegseth sought to defend ‘Iran war more broadly in fiery remarks, saying it was not a quagmire and attacking
Democratic lawmakers as “feckless” for criticizing the unpopular conflict.
“You call it a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies? Shame on you for that statement,” Hegseth said in response to Garamendi, and slammed “reckless, feckless, and defeatist” Congressional Democrats.
The United States started carrying out strikes against Iran on February 28 and the two sides are currently maintaining a fragile ceasefire. The Pentagon has poured tens of thousands of additional forces into ‘the Middle East, including keeping three aircraft carriers in the region.
Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed in the conflict and hundreds wounded.
Few issues resonate with U.S. voters more deeply than price increases, and the latest inflationary upswing is unsettling Republican insid-
ers worried about their party’s prospects before November elections that will determine control of the House ‘and possibly the Senate. Disruptions in shipments of oil and natural gas since the war started have caused a run-up in U.S. gasoline prices and agricultural products such as fertilizers, on top of the long list of other high consumer prices.
The average U.S. gasoline price on Tuesday rose to its highest ‘level in nearly four years, according to data from the American Automobile Association. Trump’s popularity has taken a beating since the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran.
Just 34% of Americans approve of the U.S. conflict with Iran, down from 36% in mid-April and 38% in midMarch, a recent Reuters/ Ipsos poll found.
From page 13 advice before the charges were instituted against Sandy.
On August 28, 2023 $150,000 bail was eventually granted to Sandy along with weekly reporting conditions.
By letter dated September 26, 2023, the DPP indicated
that she reviewed the file and advised that the matter be withdrawn. The charges were subsequently withdrawn on October 5, 2023 at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court, but only after counsel raised the point of the letter sent by the DPP to withdraw the charges.
The law firm said that the
ruling in the case once again reflects the court’s zero tolerance for constitutional breaches against citizens and their posture of compensating victims of these breaches. Justice Sherdel IssacsMarcus presided over the matter and handed down Friday’s ruling.
The government is m o v i n g t o m o d e r n i s e Guyana’s legal profession through major amendments to the Legal Practitioners Act, following growing public complaints and concerns about professional standards.
DuringhisweeklyIssues in the News programme, Attorney General (AG)Anil Nandlall, SC, said he has
d
he judiciary and the Guyana Bar Association on the proposed reforms to bring
Amongthekeymeasures
mandatory continuing legal education for practising attorneys.
The AG noted that laws andlegalprinciplescontinue to evolve in areas such as c
intelligence and public decision-making.
stagnant, the justice system
stagnant. The minister also announced plans for new
, professionalism and higher ethicalstandardstothelegal sector
attorneys to undergo a
experienced lawyers before enteringfullpractice.
At the same time, he stated that the disciplinary system for lawyers must be strengthened, as many citizens have complained about poor treatment, uncertainty over where to lodge complaints, and penalties that are often not proportionatetomisconduct.
“Justice is crucial to humanity itself Without justice, there is no society
development; There can be
no economic progress,” MinisterNandlallstated.
The minister expressed concernsaboutpeopleacting as lawyers or illegally providing legal services without the proper qualificationsorskills.
He specifically noted that some Justices of the PeaceandCommissionersof Oaths to Affidavits are performing functions they are not authorised to carry out and are using their appointmentsforprofit.
further cautioned that
conspiring with such
The AG warned that these practices are illegal andwillbemetwithstronger sanctions, including the revocation of appointments inappropriatecases.
disciplinary action under the strengthened legal framework
Guyana’s expanding digitalplatformsareplaying a critical role in improving access to government services, strengthening accountability, and deepeningdemocracy
Delivering the feature address at the National Stakeholders Forum, “Strengthening Access and Accountability through Digital Platforms”, held Tuesday at the World Trade Centre, Georgetown, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira said the government’sinvestmentsin connectivity and locally designed digital systems are transforming how citizens interactwiththestate.
Shenotedthatwithmore than 900,000 cell phone owners in Guyana and expanded internet access across hinterland, riverain and rural communities, the country is now better positioned to benefit from digitalgovernance.
“Itisonlywithinthelast five years that we became a connected country,” she said,explainingthatreliable Wi-Fi/ICT hubs in Indigenous and remote communities have removed Georgetown-centric access toinformationandservices.
The minister said this connectivity has laid the foundation for platforms such as Citizen Connect, telehealth services, the housing single-window system, electronic ID initiatives, and online job andskillsplatforms.
“These platforms are basedonthepremisethatwe have connectivity If you didn’thaveconnectivity,you wouldn’t be able to have theseplatforms,”shestated.
Minister Teixeira highlightedthatthesedigital systemsaredirectlylinkedto constitutional rights, particularly Article 13, which promotes citizen participation in decisionmaking.
Members of various civil society groups in attendance at the National Stakeholders Forum, “Strengthening Access and Accountability t h r o u g h D i g i t a l Platforms ”
She explained that by allowing citizens to raise complaints, request appointments, apply for services, and engage ministries directly, digital platforms are enhancing inclusion, consultation, a n d d e m o c r a t i c governance.
“The more citizens can participatethroughtheuse of digital platforms, that is, in fact, enhancing our democracy and our human rights platforms,” she said She also underscored the anti-corruption
benefits of digital services The minister pointed out that the housing ministry’s singlewindow platform has significantly reduced the need for citizens to move
b e t w e e n m u l t i p l e agencies
Previously, applicants had to engage up to 13
agencies, creating opportunities for delays and bribery
“With that system being introduced, it has removed opportunities for persons to request bribes or to pay bribes,”sheexplained.
Minister Teixeira said theseplatformsalsohelpthe government respond more effectively by providing real-timedataoncomplaints and community issues, allowing better decisionmaking and more targeted useofresources.
While the president and ministers’ community outreaches will continue, digital platforms provide an additional layer of access,
ensuringcitizenscanengage with the government more efficiently, regardless of location, Minister Teixeira said.
In his remarks, Minister of Housing, Colin Croal explained that the new systemiscreatinganeasein doing business with governmentagencies.Under hisMinistryinparticular,the systemisbeingimplemented in the form of the single window system which was introducedin2023.
“It removes the red tape and allows shorter time of application process, in the c a s e o f t h e housing/construction sector Prior to the window being implemented, the process thattookmonths.Nowithas
beenreducedtoweeksandin some cases, days” Croal said.
Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond underscored a notable impact the system has had processing of immigration documents. “This is what modernisation looks like in action, greater access, improved efficiency, and enhanced transparency Applicants can now submit applications online, track their progress in real time, and experience faster turnaroundtimes. We are building a more responsive, accountable public service, one that works better for every citizen.”
Melissa Pinheiro of the Immigration Department made a presentation of the
Services (ISS) e-Services Platform which showcases ourtransition.
Pinheironotedthatunder the online system 6,873 workpermitswereapproved and4,427employmentvisas wereapproved.
She noted that the processing for applications morethandoubledonadaily basis.
“We moved doing 60 applications per day to 150 perday.”
Data P
Giddings told the gathering that efficiencyof the system is facilitated by digital identificationcard.
“It is not to be confused with the GECOM issued ID card, the functions are similar but completely different,”heexplained.
The Ministry of Health has issued a rebuttal to statementsmadebyLemmel Thomas, President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), at a recent United Nations meeting, labeling his allegations of a deepening healthcrisisandinstitutional
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a s “ m i s l e a d i n g ” a n d “disappointing.”
The statement by the ministry follows Thomas’s testimony at the UN
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) on April 21, 2026 Addressingtheinternational body, Thomas painted a harrowing picture of the hinterland, claiming elders are forced to trek through treacherous terrain for care, womenmustcrossbordersto give birth safely, and youth suicide is being neglected. He further linked the extractive industry to spikes in malaria and mercury poisoning, accusing the government of “cultural exclusion.”
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony
In its response, the Ministry of Health hit back, specifically accusing, albeit withoutevidence,theAPAof actively sabotaging healthcare advancements Officials revealed that a modern hospital slated for Kamarang,UpperMazaruni, was blocked after the APA reportedly discouraged community leadership from approvingtheland.
The Ministry stated the stalled project would have provided specialized surgical care, created 400 jobs for Amerindian youth,
and generated significant local revenue. “While the government looks at other options the APA discouraged the community, stalling the entire process and depriving residents of access to higher-level healthcare,” the Ministry statementread.
Countering claims of physical barriers to care, the Ministry highlighted a massive $21 2 billion (GYD) investment in hinterland infrastructure between 2020 and 2026. According to government
data:
· 172 facilities across indigenous regions have been renovated or modernized.
· Four Level 4 hospitals are currently under constructioninRegions2,7, 8,and9.
· 130 telemedicine sites are now operational in remote villages, with plans to expand to another 100 sitesbytheendof2026.
TheMinistryarguedthat this technology “bridges the gap” by providing remote access to specialists and
40outof46contractors
$534Mestimateto
Forty out of the 46 contractors who bid to construct a sluiceatSpringHall,Region Four have bid below the National Drainage and
engineer’s estimate of $534 millionfortheproject. Spring Hall, which is p
ng community is located
psychosocial support, directly challenging Thomas’s claims regarding mentalhealthneglect.
While the APA told the UN that linguistic barriers l e a d t o “ m e d i c a l emergencies,” the Health Ministry pointed to a decentralized training strategy Over the last five years, 840 indigenous persons have been trained and deployed back to their homeregions.
“These personnel serve their communities speaking their native language where applicable,” the Ministry noted, adding that an additional 434 students are enrolled for 2026 The g o v
scholarshipsareprovidedfor indigenous youth to become med
d specialists.
The Ministry confirmed an annual allocation of $220,000,000 specifically for Amerindian emergency evacuations. “At no time is anypatientrequiredtotravel over any border or walk for miles without being able to accesscareorgetareferral,” theMinistryasserted.
TheAPA’sUNtestimony called for “consistent, respectful consultations” and linked the survival of indigenous culture to land protection.
In contrast, the Ministry maintained that its “hierarchical model” of five levelsofcareissuccessfully delivering primary and tertiary services to all 106 Amerindian villages and 64 satellitecommunities.
The Ministry of Health maintains that Mr Thomas has “ready access” to data provingprogress,callinghis UN statement a dismissal of the “significant strides” made for Guyana’s First People.
Addressing the APA’s claimthatpatientsareforced tocrossbordersforcare,the Ministry clarified that while some patients near the Brazilian border choose referrals to Brazil due to family ties, the state-funded medical evacuation programmeremainsrobust.
through Old Road Mahaica and lies near communities like Unity, Mosquito Hall and Tranquility Hall on the EastCoastofDemerara. A c c o r d i n g t o
information provided by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, 46 companiesbidfortheproject ranging from $465 million and $650 million. NDIA in its initial invitation for bids had stated that the project is e
NDIA’s $81 billion allocation which was approved in the 2026 nationalbudget.
$534,235,695. Theprojectformspartof
Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: RehabilitationofDrainageStructureinWauna. NationalDrainage&IrrigationAuthority
ConstructionofSpringHallSluice.
Ve n e z u e l a n I n t e r i m
President Delcy Rodríguez has dismissed international criticism over herchoiceofattire,asserting that her display of a Venezuelan map including the Essequibo region is a reflection of "irrefutable" history rather than a diplomaticprovocation.
Speaking following official visits to Barbados and Grenada, Rodríguez addressed the growing scandal involving a brooch she wore which erroneously depictstheEssequiboaspart of Venezuela. The display has sparked a formal protest
from the Guyanese government and outrage across the Caribbean community
"Now they are bothered even by how one dresses," Rodríguez said, defending the brooch “I told the Foreign Minister, well, ask them if they're also going to come and burn the history, because Venezuela's rights over the Essequibo are
historical, they are irrefutable."
Rodríguez maintained thatthemaponthepinisthe "only map" she has known herentirelifeandreaffirmed that Venezuela will soon appear before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to defend its stance based on the 1966 GenevaAgreement.
President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday issued a formal complaint to CARICOM Chairman Dr Terrance Drew,describingRodriquez' actions as a "calculated and provocative assertion" that threatens to undermine regional unity PresidentAli argued that Venezuela is attemptingtousesymbolsto bypass international law whiletheterritorialmatteris currently being adjudicated by the ICJ "Venezuela cannot, while the case is before the Court, seek to normalize by symbols, maps, legislation, appointments or official display what it has failed to establish in law,"Ali stated.
He further warned CARICOM leaders that allowing such displays during official engagements risks being interpreted as "acquiescence or tolerance" ofVenezuela'sclaims.
The controversy has strained relations within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Guyana's
Mi
G
Manickchand, offered a pointed critique of regional
allies who hosted the Venezuelan delegation "Principle is principle. It shouldn'tbecowardly,andit shouldn't be convenient,"
Manickchand said, questioning the sincerity of leaders who entertain guests "openly disrespecting Guyana"whilethelegalcase remainsactive.
The Private Sector
Commission (PSC) categorised the incident as "symbolic aggression" designed to test the resolve o
nal community The PSC reminded stakeholders that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains the "full, perfect, and final settlement" of the border
Also on Tu
CARICOM c
tioned MemberStatesagainstbeing used to push claims that are before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) CARICOM said that it has taken note of the engagements and President Ali's letter on Tuesday and reaffirmed that each Member State retains the sovereign right to conduct bilateral relations with externalpartners.
“This principle is well established and respected within the Community. Those engagements are conducted in a manner consistent with the shared obligations and collective c o m m i t m e n t s o f CARICOM.”
Notwithstanding, CARICOM said that “it u n d e r s c o r e s t h a t Community platforms and engagements should not be used, whether directly or indirectly, to advance or appear to legitimise claims that are the subject of o n g o i n g j u d i c i a l proceedings before the International Court of Justice.” Additionally, the statement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat pointed to the commitments made under the Revised TreatyofChaguaramas–the bindinglegalinstrumentthat defines the Community, its objectives, and the conduct expected of its Member States.“TheTreatycommits Memberstothepreservation oftheCommunity'sintegrity and cohesion in their external relations, ” CARICOM said while m a i n t a i n i n g “ t h e Community's longstanding and unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,andforthepeaceful resolutionofthecontroversy through the Court remains
firm and unchanged ” CARICOM said too that it remains committed to unity, to the rule of law, and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with internationallaw
The ICJ will on May 4 begin several days of oral hearings on the merits of Guyana's case against Venezuela on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award.
Venezuela Interim President, Delcy Rodriguez responding to Guyana's protest against her distorted map
- As Berbice High, Berbice Educational Institute, Line Path register wins
The Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) regionals continued in Region 6 on Tuesday, delivering four thrilling encounters in the Ancient Regional Tournament as teams battled for playoff supremacy
The evening tipped off withthelonegirls’matchup, where Vryman’s Erven SecondaryandTutorialHigh
played to a 16-16 draw in a tightly contested affair
Despite the deadlock, individualbrilliancedefined thegame.VenicaMayerswas unstoppable for Vryman’s, accounting for all 16 of her team’spointsinaremarkable solo effort On the opposing side, Jelicia Myers kept Tutorial High competitive with 14 points and four rebounds, ensuring her team stayed level until the final
whistle In the boys’division, Skeldon Line Path asserted their dominance with a convincing23-10winoverJC Chandisingh Secondary Dequone Ross led the charge with nine points and three rebounds, while Daniel Duke provided solid support with seven points and four rebounds Their combined efforts secured a comfortable 13-point victory The third game of the evening saw
Berbice Educational Institute edge Vryman’s Erven Secondary 16-8, thanks to a standout performance from Kirton Byron Byron sliced throughthedefencewithease, finishingwithninepointsand three rebounds to guide his teamtovictory
You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.
TAURUS
When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.
Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.
If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.
LEO
Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.
VIRGO
Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra. There's an incredible opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.
Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.
Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.
Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.
Mix your reality with a bit of fantasytoday,Aquarius.Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.
Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.
Berbice High School delivered the most emphatic performance of the night in a one-sided clash against New AmsterdamSecondary Avion Kesney was in sensational form, pouring in 21 points andaddingthreereboundsin a dominant 54-11 win Kesney’s control at point guardproveddecisive,while Shamron Jafer contributed 12 points and Gettson Matteson chipped in with eight to round off the commandingdisplay
With wins secured by Skeldon Line Path, Berbice Educational Institute, and Berbice High School, the competition is intensifying as teams push deeper into the playoffs The regional tournament is supported by key sponsors including Edward B. Beharry Ltd., GBoats Inc , the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Education, and BanksDIHLtd.
Ms. Alesha London of RS Sports receiving Mr. Angad Ganesh supports towards the tournament.
Frompage27 tournaments are what allow softballplayerstoshowtheir skillsinthegame.
Meanwhile, Mr Angad Ganesh said that he glad to bepartofthelocalgameand wishalltheteamsthebest.
Therewillbelotsofside a t t r a c t i o n s a n d entertainment for the entire
family
S u p p o r t i n g t h e tournamentareAmayaMilk Company,PTHatchery,Z’S Enterprise, Singh and Sons Construction, Luxx Bar, DBLGround Inc., and J&G Supermarket.
Interested teams can registered by contacting telephone726-1386.
Frompage27 effectivelyagainstolderand more experienced players. Additional prizes in the Junior category were awardedasfollows: -Best Under-12: Mark DeFreitas, recognized for his determination and competitive mindset at a young age -Best Female:
Axela Vieira, who scored 5 points with a spirited fight throughoutthetournament -Best Newcomer: Kaleb Ramchandar, also scored 5 points and showing promising development -Youngest Player: Jayon Sookram, at 7 years old, who score an imperssive 2 5 points in this his first involvement incompetitivechess Conclusion
Overall, the years the A p r i l O p e n C h e s s Tournament served as a valuable platform for both experienced players and emergingtalents
Theeventhighlightedthe depth of talent within Guyana and provided important competitive exposure across all levels T h e c o n t i n u e d development seen in both the Senior and Junior sections reflect positively on the future of chess in thecountry
The tournament with celebrates sixteen years this year, reinforces the importance of structured traini
developmental pathways as key fac
ors in improving performance and preparing players for i n t e r n a t i o n a l representation
The AprilOpen Chess tournament management, would like to thank the Guyana Chess Federation for its unwavering support and guidance for the tournament.
The Guyana rugby community is in
m o u r n i n g following the passing of former player, coach, administrator, and Treasurer of the Guyana Rugby FootballUnion,TroyYhip.
Yhip, a well-known sports enthusiast and stalwartofthegame,diedon Monday after a prolonged battle, sending shockwaves acrossthelocalandregional rugbyfraternity
Revered for his tireless commitment, he was more t h a n j u s t a n administrator he was a driving force behind the
rugby’s survival and growth inGuyana.
A devoted husband, father, and friend, Yhip’s contribution to rugby extended far beyond the field From personally soliciting sponsorships to
d logistical support, he consistently went above and beyond His hands-on approach and willingness to s e r v e m a d e h i m indispensable to the rugby community
Those who worked alongsidehimrecallamanof
remarkable generosity and resolve. “He was always willing to assist, whether organ
po
t, securingaccommodation,or even stepping in as a team manager
He made sure every playerandeverytournament ran smoothly,” members of theunionshared.
Affectionately dubbed “the Mayor of Georgetown” by peers, Yhip had an unmatched ability to get things done. If he couldn’t solve a problem himself, he knew someone who could. Formany,hewastheperson whoneversaidno.
Frompage25
m a g n i t u d e o f h i s achievement that Gleason’s Gym, one of the most famous boxing gyms in the world, where he trains has already proudly displayed banners celebrating his world title triumph Recognition from such a globally respected boxing
institution underscores the scale of Dharry’s accomplishment and further cements his place among Guyana’s greatest sporting ambassadors.
This world title victory will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of Guyanese athletes, reminding them that
greatness is built through sacrifice, discipline, hard work, and an unbreakable fighting spirit Much like the rest of Guyana, the
GGA congratulates Dharry, a true champion, a proud son of Guyana and now an IBO World Champion (Clifton Ross)
During his playing days with Yamaha Caribs, Yhip defiedexpectations.
Though solidly built, he was agile and dynamic
opponentsandplayingkey roles in his team’s successes
His passion for rugby never waned, transitioning seamlessly into coaching andadministrationwherehe continuedtoshapethesport.
In a statement, the GRFU expressed deep sorrow: “We are deeply saddenedbythepassingof Mr Troy Yhip, a former
Development Officer, coach,andTreasurer
He played an integral role in the growth and
development of rugby in Guyana. His dedication and passion left a lasting impact on players and the wider rugbycommunity.”
Tributes have poured in from former and current players, administrators, and regional partners, including close friends at Trinidad Enthusiasts Rugby Football Club, all honouring a man whose influence stretched well beyond Guyana’s borders.
Condolences are extended to his wife, children,family,friends,and the entire rugby fraternity duringthisdifficulttime.
YoughestirBachan(107*)inspiresWestCoastWarriorsto7-wicket victoryatCommonwealthLeagueCricketinNewYork
Youghestir Bachan struck a responsible,unbeaten107to inspire West Coast Warriors to a commanding, 7-wicket win over Gotham Cricket Club in their second-round match at the 2026 Commonwealth Cricket League 30-over Division 2 tournament. On Sunday at Cunningham Park in New York, the left-handed Bachan stroked nine fours and clobbered five sixes during his 72-ball display at the crease as West Coast Warriorsreached195-3with 9-ballstospare.
Gotham Cricket Club had earlier won the toss and
opted to take first knock but onlymanagedaninadequate 193-7 from the reduced 25overs. The reduction of the overswasowingtorain.
After opening batter Bachan lost his partner Rajendra Khan (19), he and skipper Kevin Christian posted up a quick-fire 32 runsforthesecondwicket.
Christian,theex-Guyana youthplayer,contributed25.
Bachan also shared a steady, 88-run unbroken fourth-wicketstandwithAvi Dhanpaul who kept the innings flourishing with an elegant34.
For Gotham Cricket Club, skipper Gopinath Premnath hit a top-score of
52 which contained three sixes and similar number of fours Jeevtesh Singh also recorded a half-century by making exactly 50 and 43 fromDweepBarotasseamer Rajin Rahoman claimed 344 from five overs on a placidpitch.Meanwhile,the opening-round fixture was abandonedduetorain. However, the action is slated to resume on Sunday West Coast Warriors will clash with Empire Strikers while Gotham Cricket Club andPehowaWarriorswilldo battle The curtains are expected to come down late September with a grand finale Twelve teams are currentlyparticipating
Northeast beat Festival City 6-2.
Thestageissetand
t h e s t a k e s
couldn’t be higher, as the organisers of the ‘Kings of the Streets’ Futsal Championship seeks to crown its 2026 champions.
Team Spirit and North East will be locked in for a blockbuster showdown tonight, Thursday, April 30, after both sides powered through Tuesday’s semifinals at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tarmactobooktheirplacein thechampionshipfinal. Four contenders entered butonlytwosurvived.
North East made a statement (loud and clear) brushing aside Festival City 6-2 in a commanding, nononsensedisplay Itwasone-waytrafficfor long stretches, with North East asserting dominance and leaving no doubt about theirtitleambitions.
As Guyanese alike celebrate the milestone of arguablyoneofthecountry’s top boxers in, Elton Dharry, who this past week on local soiletchedhisnameintothe recordbooksbyclaimingthe IBO Super Bantamweight World Title, the fighter celebrated his victory by spending a bit of his time at theWestSideGolfCourse. Nexgen Academy head andpresidentoftheGuyana Golf Association (GGA), Aleem Hussain who is a closefriendandsometimesa key part of the boxer’s management team, welcomed Dharry along with friends, family, members of his team while keeping gates open to Guyanese who wanted a chance to share a light momentwiththestar
Guyana is celebrating a h i s t o r i c s p o r t i n g achievement as Dharry won t h e I B O S u p e r BantamweightWorldTitleat the remarkable age of 40, showing that sometimes if not most, experience outweighs youth as he outboxed the 22 year-old Tanzanian lion, Salmin Kassim; who put up a brave fight but in the end was no matchforthewilyveteran.
Tuesday’s event was headlinedbythepresenceof the new champ, who spent timewiththosepresent,still marinating a cool demeanor which has been a hallmark partofhisidentityoutsideof thesquaredcircle.
Hussain lauded the pugilistforhisachievements and for continuing to carry and proudly represent the
Golden Arrowhead regardless of the magnitude of a fight. He believed that Dharryshouldbecelebrated more locally as he remains one of Guyana’s premier athletes.
For more than 12 years, Dharryhasstoodamongthe world’s elite, consistently proving his class on the international stage and carrying Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead proudly into battle His longevity, discipline and sustained excellence has firmly establishedhimasoneofthe g r e a t e s t s p o r t i n g ambassadors this nation has ever produced, while continuing to prove that Guyaneseboxersareamong theverybestintheworld. Suchhasbeenthe (Continuedonpage24)
The second semifinal delivered pure drama. Team Spirit and Ballers Empire wenttoe-to-toeinagripping contest that ended 2-2 in regulation.
With nerves stretched and everything on the line, Team Spirit held their composure in the penalty
shootout, edging Ballers Empire 2-1 to punch their tickettothefinal. Now, it all comes down tothis.
Tonight,April 30, North East and Team Spirit will collideforultimatebragging rights and the 2026 crown. Power meets resilience.
Firepowermeetsnerve. Meanwhile, before the main event, Festival City and Ballers Empire will battle for third place at 9 PM one last shot at redemption before the championsarecrowned.
One night. One title. No secondchances.
Madrid, Spain I n a milestone moment for a rising young talent, Tejpal Singh Nijjar has made his first-team debut in Spain’s Tercera RFEF at just 17 years old, markingasignificantstepin hisfootballjourney
Thedebutistheresultof years of hard work, discipline, and steady progression. After spending three seasons developing in the Rayo Vallecano academy, Tejpal has built a reputation as a focused and high-potential player ready to compete at higher levels. This season, Tejpal earned the opportunity to train regularly with Racing Madrid’s first team while continuing his development at Juvenile level His performances and consistencyledtoadeserved call-up and, ultimately, his senior debut He later featured against Atlético Madrid C — an experience he described as “out of this world” — facing one of world football’s most respectedinstitutions.
At just 17, Tejpal is believed to be among the youngestplayerstodebutin the category this season and one of the first players of Guyaneseorigintocompete atthislevelinSpain,adding
Tejpal Singh Nijjar has made his first-team debut in Spain’s Tercera RFEF at just 17 years old.
historic significance to an al
eady rema
e achievement. Hisjourneyisshapedby a
background, with Guyanese heritage through his mother and Punjabi roots through hisfather Internationally,he has represented Guyana at U15, U17 and U20 level, bringing valuable experienceandprideintohis clubcareer He said, “Making my debut at this level is something I’ve dreamed about for years Playing against Atlético Madrid C was honestly out of this world — it showed me the
level I want to keep reaching.I’mgratefulforthe opportunity, proud of how farI’vecome,andhungryto keepbuildingeveryday.”
Thisdebutismorethana milestone—itisastatement ofintent.Atjust17,Tejpalis already taking important steps in senior football, showing the composure, ambition, and mentality needed to keep progressing. The club, his family, and supportersaroundtheworld celebrate this moment with pride and look ahead with confidence as Tejpal continuestogrowandcarve out his path in European football.
L
powerhouse Yarrowkabra Secondary School crowned themselveschampionsofthe prestigious Pure Diamond Inc Secondary Schools
T
Championship last Sunday at the National Park tarmac, producing a dominant performance to secure the 2026title.
d
I
outclassed a determined St. Joseph High side by nine wickets in the final, underlining their batting strengthinemphaticfashion.
The championship clash followed two gripping semifinal encounters Yarrowkabra booked their placeinthefinalwithvictory over Diamond Secondary,
while St Joseph High showed their mettle by overcoming Christ Church Secondary to set up the title
ByCliftonRoss Guyana Harpy Eagles
completed their 3rd consecutive win against the WindwardVolcanoes after a comprehensive 93-run trouncingcameonthewings of a sterling 2nd innings hundred from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, reinforced by another clinical bowling exhibition led by spinner Gudakesh Motie yesterday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Guyana piled on 242 and 299 respectively, after the West Indies Test openerChanderpaulsetup the entire match for the two lefty spinners, grinding for a first innings 69 before carving 117 in thesecond.
Volcanoes were kept to 223 in the first innings, before requiring 302 runs for victory after losing a wicket on the 3rd day beforestumps
As a result, their second batting innings was also a tough battle as they could only muster 225 all out with Captain Alick Athanaze trying to findsomemeasureofhope withaclassy64(6x4)
Butthebowlingmightof theEagleswastoomuchfor theVolcanoes, as the pair of Motie, who followed up his 4-52withfiguresof4-82and VeerasammyPermaul(3-41) put on another spin clinic; which was the primary bane of theWindwards all season long.
The Eagles’ pacers however set the tone, as Nial Smith (2-27), ShamarJoseph(2-64)and Keemo Paul (1-42), kept theVolcanoes cool for the majority of the run chase; setting up the perfect play for the two left-arm
spinners to follow throughandsealedtheir3rd successivewin. When play resumed, the Eagles ripped into the Volcanoes batting order after Joseph removed
Ackeem Auguste (7) minutes before the close o f p l a y o n t h e penultimate day, which put their team in a tricky spot with 302 runs still neededforvictory
The overnight pair in opener Stephan Pascal (12), whowasthefirsttodeparton the morning of the final day and top-scorer from the first
innings Kavem Hodge, both paid the ultimate price with theirwicketsaftervenomous spells from Joseph and his accomplice Smith left them reelingat36-3.
The skipper and Johan J
e score past 100 before tragedy struck in the form o
arm spinners with Permaul knocking over the latter for 25 after looking set with a couple of fours and a six; while Motie trapped ShadrackDescarteLBWfor just7runs.
As wickets continued to fall carelessly around him, Athanaze much like in the first innings where he dug in for his first significant score of the season, was forced to not only up his scoring but to also play coach at the other end with the Eagles slowly carvingintothelower-order.
After a brief standoff between the spinners and Noelle Leo (20), Kenneth Dember (21) and Darel Cyrus (24); the Eagles eventuallywonthatbattle bringing an end to the Volcanoes tail-end resistance.
top-scoring with a resilient 28.
In reply, Yarrowkabra wasted little time asserting control. James returned to s
alongside Nicoli Morris, the paircombiningeffectivelyto guide their team to 49-1 in just3.2overs.Jamesstrucka fluent 31, while Morris supported with a composed 11, sealing a comfortable nine-wicketvictory
S
Yarrowkabra Secondary
h
the
restrict
championship trophy and received medals for their triumph, with Leon James earning Player of the Tournament honours for his outstanding all-round performance.
Theeventwassupported by sponsors including
Beacons FC and
V e n g y F C recorded hardfought victories when the 2026 NALICO/NAFICOGeorgetown Football
ssociation Senior Knockout Tournament continued with an exciting doubleheader on Tuesday evening at the Plaisance Ground In the opening fixture, Beacon FC edged NorthStars2-1tobooktheir place in the next round, maintaining the momentum from Sunday’s curtainraiser The contest began cautiously, with both teams lockedinatightbattleforthe first20minutes.
Beaconeventuallyfound thebreakthroughinthe26th minute, as Stayan Murray
, CummingsElectricalandthe NationalParksCommission. Attention now turns to the next major secondary schools’ boys’ competition, scheduled for IndianArrival Day on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the National Park tarmac
9:00h Organiser James Lewis and the Guyana Organisation of Amateur Power Cricket (GOAPC)arealsocallingon corporateGuyanatosupport the continued development of young talent in a structured and enjoyable environment.
For further information ontheupcomingtournament o r s p o n s o r s h i p opportunities, interested parties can contact the GOAPCofficeon672-6179.
broke the deadlock to give his side the lead They doubledtheiradvantagenine minuteslaterwhenAntwone Vincent calmly finished in the 35th minute, putting Beacons firmly in control at 2-0headingintothebreak. NorthStarsrespondedin thesecondhalfandmanaged to pull one back through Yonick Norton, whose welltaken strike added late tension to the encounter However, Beacon held their composure to secure the 2-1 winandadvance. The second match of the night proved to be an even tighter affair, with Black
deadlocked at 0-0 after the first half. Both sides created chances but were unable to
find the finishing touch in a competitiveopeningperiod.
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when Vengy’s Francisco Hermendez found the back of the net with a clinical
stalemate and ultimately sealing a narrow 1-0 victory for his side.With the win, Vengy FC progressed to the next round, joining Beacons FC as the latest teams to move forward in the competition.
The tournament is being
The AprilOpen Chess Tournament 2026 edition concluded successfully on 26thApril;bringingtogether a wide cross-section of Guyana’s chess talent, in both the Open and Junior categories. The event once again demonstrated the s t e a d y g r o w t h o f competitive chess locally, with players displaying
increasedresilience,fighting spirit, and a willingness to competeathigherlevels.
OpenCategory
Kyle Couchman, emerged as the winner, capturinghisfirstAprilOpen title with a commanding performance He finished the tournament with 7 5 points out of 9, securing the top prize of $300,000. His
Mr. Latchman Sukha, director of DBL Group Inc. handing over his entity’s support to Ms. Aitana of Trophy Stallreceiving on behalf of RS Sports
performance highlighted strong preparation, composure,andtheabilityto deliver results consistently against quality opposition, reinforcing his position as one of Guyana’s leading competitiveplayers.
Keron Sandiford, secured second place with a solid 7 points, maintaining consistent form throughout the event and demonstrating strong competitive discipline across multiple rounds.
Candidate Master
Ronuel Greenidge, claimed third place, edging out former National Champion Taffin Khan on tie-breaks afterbothplayersfinishedon equal points Greenidge’s
performance reflected sharp decision-making and effective execution in key moments.
Taffin Khan, finished in fourth place and was awardedamedal,continuing to demonstrate his experience and presence at the top level of Guyanese chess. Special recognition awards were also presented in the Open category Rudy Jadoopat was awarded Best Newcomer, marking an impressive entry into highlevel competition Alexander Zhang received theBravestJuniorawardfor competing in the senior division and taking on more experienced players, showing determination and
competitivecourage.
JuniorCategory
Matthew Singh, an emerging talent in Guyana, delivered a dominant performance to secure first place with an exceptional scoreof8.5outof9. His performance demonstrated control, consistency, and a clear competitive edge, earning him his first major tournamentvictory
Nicholas Zhang, of Queen’s College finished in secondplacewith7.5points, continuing to establish himself as one of the most consistentyoungperformers inthecountry
Kataleya Sam, one of Guyana’s leading female
players, placed third. Sam continues to perform at a high level and is set to represent Guyana at the upcoming Chess Olympiad. Herperformanceonceagain highlighted her strength and reliability in competitive play DominicSam,secured fourth place, marking a strong return to the competitive scene after time awayfromthegame. His result signals a positive resurgence and potential for further improvement.
Javier Davenand, a 12 yearoldraisingstarcamein fifth place, continuing to show significant promise andtheabilitytocompete
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According to the organisers, teams will be vying for cash incentives and trophies along with prizes for the best bowling figures and highest score in aninnings,MVPsandplayer ofthefinals.
Mr Latchman Sukha, director of DBL Group Inc. said that he is very pleased support the tournament and thesegrassroots (Continuedonpage23)
The inaugural Region 5 Softball Extravaganza is set for Sunday at the Bath Settlement Community Centre Ground from 9am andfanswillbeupforatreat as several softball teams from across regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be competing for supremacy The one-day limited overs knockout competition will see both male and female teams in action as players will have the opportunity to once again showcase their skills in the sports as the format will be round arm bowling and extrasinplace.
TAssociation (DVA) spiked off their Men’s League recently with tons of excitement and high-octane competition at the National Gymnasium. In a thrilling showdown, the Premier Eagles VC soared to a huge win, clinching a triumphant victoryoverGDFinakeenly contestedaffair Eagles MVP Ian Baggot
wasdubbedtheplayerofthe Game with 10 precision Attacks, whiles Macrae had 4 blocks, GDF’s Clarence Luciushad4Aceservesand OmariJosephhad5Attacks. With the first day wrapped, the league is officially alive, expect more battles, more drama, and moretriumphsasthejourney continuestodaywithCastrol Strikers going head-to-head againstClassicBallBlasters inanelectrifyingandground shakinggame.
Veerasammy Permaul, Nial Smith and Shamar Joseph shared 6 crucial wickets in the second innings.
