Applications for tint exemptions to be facilitated through online portal –Walrond GPHC launches internal review after pensioner’s fatal jump Man busted with over 3kg of ganja charged, remanded to prison
3-bedroom housing units at Leonora 65% complete – Housing Minister Election fraud case: Trial adjourned until March 27
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, February 28 –14:00h–15:30h, and Sunday, March 1 – 14:55h–16:25h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Partly cloudy skies are expected to be briefly interrupted by isolated showers before clearing again into the evening, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly between 4.02 metres and 6.25 metres.
High Tide: 14:41h reaching a maximum height of 2.39 metres.
Low Tide: 08:13h and 20:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.99 metre and 0.76 metre.
Guyana continues to enjoy the unequivocal and unwavering support of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) as the regional bloc reaffirmed its calls for the judicial settlement of the decades-long border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.
This commitment by regional leaders was one of the outcomes of the recently concluded 50th Meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government in St Kitts and Nevis.
At a closing press conference on Friday, Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Terrence Drew of St Kitts, described the four-day conference as a resounding success as he provided an update on key outcomes of the meeting, including the renewed support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Heads of Government received an update on the latest developments regarding the Guyana-Venezuela controversy pending before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Heads of Government reaffirmed their full support for the ongoing judicial process as the means of resolving the controversy. Finally, and in accordance with international law, they reiterated their unequivocal and unwavering support for the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” Prime Minister Drew said in his statement.
Venezuela is laying claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass – the entire Essequibo region and a portion of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been found and oil operations are currently ongoing offshore.
Over the years, the Spanish-speaking nation has been increasing its aggression towards Guyana, including as recently as last year –something that Caricom has always rejected and expressed support for Guyana.
Back in 2018, Guyana approached the ICJ, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which establishes the boundaries with neighbouring Venezuela.
The world had first established its jurisdiction to hear the border case in December 2020. The written phase of the case concluded last year after Guyana filed two written pleadings on the merits of the case, and Venezuela also filed two – the last being in August 2025.
It was revealed earlier this month that the ICJ has set May 4 for the commencement of oral arguments on the merits of the case. This will be followed by the court’s deliberations and issuance of its fi-
nal judgement, which will be binding on both countries under international law.
Guyana has already declared its steadfast commitment to the peaceful resolution of this border controversy with Venezuela in accordance with international law through the ICJ. The Guyana government has also indicated its confidence in a favourable ruling, likely for some time this year.
In addition to Caricom, Guyana’s defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity has similarly enjoyed the widespread support of the international community, which President Dr Irfaan Ali recently acknowledged.
“I want to recognise members of the diplomatic community, and I want to thank them for their steadfast support for our country, our sovereignty, and our territorial integrity,” the Guyanese Head of State said during his Address to the
Nation on Sunday last at the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate Guyana’s 56th Republic Day Anniversary.
According to President Ali, Guyana is backed by history and international law as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Venezuela’s spurious claims.
“On the world stage, when it comes to the defence of our territory, we’ve assembled an able and capable team to argue the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award before the International Court of Justice. Let no one be mistaken; history and international law are on our side. Our borders are sacred, and we will defend them,” the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces in Guyana declared in his address last Sunday.
He further reminded that the valiant Guyanese men and women in uniform are on the borders, standing vigilant-
ly to ensure that the Republic is safe and secure. Their capability, he assured, is boosted with unprecedented resources from the government.
“As a collective unit – the Guyanese people – we thank our men and women in uniform. We thank them again and again for this selfless service. Know that your home, your land, and your brothers and sisters hold you up. Hold you up every day in strength, honour, and dignity,” the Guyanese leader stated.
The Commander-in-Chief added, “While we still have much work to do on the security front, the indisputable reality is that our Republic is not just growing wealthier; it is growing safer, proving that development and security are two sides of the same sovereign coin.”
President Ali attended the now-concluded Caricom Meeting, during which he held a series of engagements.
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Early detection remains the cornerstone of successful cancer treatment, making screening programmes not only essential but life-saving. For many cancers, such as cervical and prostate, the early identification of abnormal cells can mean the difference between a simple, localised treatment and a much more complex, aggressive intervention.
Only recently, the Health Minister reported that of 91,000 citizens who have access to healthcare through the Government’s voucher programme, only 36 per cent were males.
As such, he insisted that more needs to be done to attract the male population to solicit the services of the Ministry of Health, especially as it relates to prostate cancer.
He nevertheless stated that health authorities have been able to diagnose more men at an earlier stage of the disease, allowing them to bring patients into care sooner and begin treatment.
To date, screening programmes empower individuals with the opportunity to detect cancer in its nascent stages, significantly increasing the chances of survival and improving quality of life. Guyana’s recent initiatives in this regard demonstrate a proactive approach to public health, placing the country on a progressive path towards comprehensive cancer care.
Prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide, often remains undiagnosed until it has advanced significantly. This is primarily due to a lack of awareness and inadequate access to regular screenings. The Government’s announcement of a National Prostate Cancer Screening Programme is thus a monumental step in tackling this issue head-on. President Dr Irfaan Ali’s commitment to rolling out this program for men aged 45-69 is a welcoming move, and it also shows the Government’s prioritisation of men’s health. This nationwide initiative will enable early detection, allowing for timely treatment and potentially saving countless lives.
This effort is not happening in isolation. It follows on the heels of Guyana’s comprehensive Cervical Cancer Screening Programme, which has already garnered significant praise both domestically and internationally.
Launched in June 2024, the cervical cancer initiative provides $8000 vouchers for screenings, ensuring that women from all walks of life can access these vital services. By reducing financial barriers and guaranteeing results within just 72 to 96 hours, the programme is setting new standards for cancer care in the region.
The initiative was lauded by Dr Rachel Vreeman of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who emphasised that such rapid test results can be life-altering, providing patients with swift diagnoses and treatment options that were previously unimaginable.
The partnership between Guyana and global health leaders, such as Mount Sinai, further underscores the country’s dedication to creating a robust, world-class healthcare system.
Mount Sinai has not only assisted with cancer screening programmes but is also actively collaborating with Guyana on its Child and Youth Health Programme (CYHP). This initiative is revolutionising child health in Guyana, having already screened 70 per cent of nursery-level children in less than a year. Such accomplishments are unprecedented, especially at a national scale, and demonstrate that Guyana’s healthcare infrastructure is growing at an extraordinary pace.
Beyond the screenings, the Government is committed to building the capacity and infrastructure necessary to treat individuals once they are diagnosed. The effort to create synergy between testing and treatment is fundamental to a functional healthcare system.
It is not enough to detect cancers early; there must be the resources – trained professionals, equipped hospitals, and accessible treatment options – to ensure that diagnosed patients receive the care they need.
Cancer, in all its forms, can be a daunting diagnosis for individuals and families. However, with advancements in technology, treatment, and early detection, the outcomes are far more hopeful than they once were. Guyana’s leadership in cancer screening is setting an example for other nations, especially those with limited resources. The journey ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the efforts made by the Government signal a promising future, where preventable deaths from cancers like cervical and prostate may be significantly reduced.
As the country continues to build on these programmes, it is essential that the public remain informed and engaged. Education and outreach must accompany screening efforts, ensuring that individuals are aware of the risks, benefits, and availability of these life-saving services. A well-informed population is a healthier one, and with continued collaboration between Government and global health partners, Guyana is on track to becoming a model for effective, nationwide cancer screening programmes.
Dear Editor,
The recent statements by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago concerning regional diplomacy, Caricom’s reliability, and the region’s posture toward Cuba require a frank but respectful response, for the issue at stake extends far beyond a single Administration. It concerns the credibility, consistency, and future relevance of Caribbean diplomacy itself.
Caricom has historically articulated a principled foreign policy grounded in sovereignty, non-interference, and regional solidarity. These principles have allowed small Caribbean states to exercise influence in international affairs far beyond their material size. However, principles retain value only when applied consistently. When they become conditional, they cease to function as principles and instead become instruments of convenience.
Recent criticisms suggesting that Caricom has failed in the face of external tensions overlook the Community’s longstanding diplomatic achievements attained through sustained dialogue, mediation, and collective judgement.
Caricom has worked to reduce tensions within the hemisphere and has consistently supported negotiated outcomes rather than confrontation. For small states, diplomacy is not passivity; it is the primary mechanism of security. The alternative alignment with
external military actors or unilateral foreign policy departures risks transforming the Caribbean into an arena of geopolitical competition rather than preserving it as a zone of stability.
If Caricom is to be described as an unreliable partner, such a characterisation would more accurately reflect the persistent trade imbalance that exists between Trinidad and Tobago and several fellow Member States. In Guyana, beyond the local business community and the recognised Chinese commercial presence, Trinidadian enterprises occupy a significant portion of the domestic market. Additionally, the Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago holds substantial influence within Guyana’s financial sector. These realities underscore not regional exclusion, but rather the depth of regional economic integration and opportunity that Caricom has facilitated.
Equally concerning is the dismissal of the Caribbean’s historic relationship with Cuba. This relationship is not incidental history. On December 8, 1972, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago jointly established diplomatic relations with Cuba despite considerable external pressure. That decision represented a defining moment of Caribbean political independence and is commemorated annually as Caricom-Cuba Friendship Day.
It affirmed that the re-
gion would conduct its foreign relations according to its own judgement rather than external instruction.
Since that time, Cuba has moved beyond the rhetoric and has maintained one of the most sustained records of practical cooperation with the Caribbean. Thousands of Caribbean nationals, including Trinidadians who have been educated in Cuban universities, particularly in medicine, and many practising physicians across the region today are Cubantrained professionals.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban medical brigades entered several Caribbean states and worked directly within hospitals, healthcare centres and intensive care units when health systems were under severe strain. Their contribution was not rhetorical; it was lifesaving. Cuba has already been more than a friend to the Caribbean; it has been family.
Cuba now faces a profound humanitarian crisis characterised by shortages of food, fuel, electricity, and essential medicines. Whatever one’s political assessment of the Cuban state, humanitarian suffering among civilian populations cannot be treated selectively. Caricom has consistently advocated human security and opposed measures that harm ordinary people. Silence or distancing in this context risks appearing less like prudence and more like inconsistency.
It is therefore both appropriate and timely for the
Caribbean Community to renew, in a clear and unified voice, its longstanding call for the lifting of the decades-long economic embargo imposed upon Cuba. Prolonged comprehensive restrictions that contribute to hardship among civilian populations cannot be reconciled with the humanitarian principles the international community professes to uphold. From a moral and humanitarian perspective, the continued maintenance of measures that materially affect the welfare of ordinary people is neither constructive nor justifiable. Respectful engagement and cooperation, rather than isolation, remain the more humane and effective path.
The Caribbean/Caricom has never required ideological uniformity in its diplomacy. The region maintains active economic and diplomatic relations with states of varied political systems, including countries that are not liberal democracies. Caribbean Governments engage commercially and strategically with partners such as China, Saudi Arabia, and others in pursuit of development financing, energy cooperation, and infrastructure support. It would therefore be inconsistent and, quite frankly, very hypocritical to single out Cuba for exceptional treatment based solely on political structure while simultaneously maintaining normal relations elsewhere. Sovereignty re-
The election fraud trial was adjourned on Friday until March 27, 2026, when testimony in the voir dire will continue.
The matter, which is being heard before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, concluded for the week with the continuation of testimony in a voir dire related to co-defendant Sheffern February, who is being represented by attorney Eusi Anderson.
Former PPP/C Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Robeson Benn, had initially been scheduled to continue giving evidence during Friday’s afternoon session
but was unavailable. At the close of proceedings, several additional dates were set for the continuation of the trial. The court fixed March 27 and March 31 for the hearing of
voir dires, with both days scheduled to begin at 9:30h.
Further dates agreed upon were April 20 and April 24, as well as April 27 to April 30. In May, the trial is set to be heard on May
18, May 20, May 21, and May 22.
For June, the court scheduled hearings from June 15 to June 26. Dates in July were also discussed. July 20 to July 24 was sug-
gested, as well as July 13 to July 17.
However, a representative for defence attorney Dexter Todd noted that they would have difficulties with any dates in July or August.
Anderson further indicated that a number of persons have family commitments during that period. “I will not set any dates in July now, but I will leave it that we are suggesting the week of July 13,” the Magistrate noted.
The trial in the election fraud case has been ongoing since 2024. Nine persons are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit electoral fraud in relation to the tabulation of votes for Region Four during Guyana’s
March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. The accused face a total of 19 charges alleging conspiracy to commit electoral fraud stemming from events following the 2020 polls. Those charged include former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; former APNU+AFC Minister Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Joseph; and former GECOM employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise BobbCummings.
Housing units being constructed under the Government’s national housing programme at the Leonora/ Groenveldt Housing Scheme in Region Three are approximately 65 per cent complete.
This information was shared during a site visit by Housing Ministers Collin Croal and Vanessa Benn, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen, senior engineer Randolph Hunte, and technical staff.
During the visit, Croal stated that 115 flat, three-bedroom concrete houses are under construction by a pool of 19 local contractors from Region Three, with the project approximately 65 per cent complete.
These homes each have a total area of 1013 square feet, featuring living, kitchen, and dining areas, one bathroom, and both front and back patios.
He noted the Ministry’s satisfaction with the contractors’ overall perfor-
mance, stating, “We are particularly pleased with the progress and the improved quality of work being delivered by this pool of local contractors.”
Croal encouraged contractors to maintain the current standards and adhere
to established timelines to ensure timely completion for allottees awaiting their homes.
He further emphasised that Region Three remains central to the Government’s broader housing drive, which aims to deliver 40,000
Dear Editor,
The news that the US is going to allow Venezuelan oil into Cuba for humanitarian purposes to help the Cuban people is great news and provides an opportunity for Guyana to also step up and work with the US to supply these urgently needed resources. This goes to show that President Ali’s comment that oil cannot be used for humanitarian purposes was false and ludicrous. The selfishness displayed in his statement illustrates how lost our nation’s current leader is at the helm. The Guyanese public is growing tired of his misleading statements and false narratives. The US Government is targeting the provision of humanitarian aid in the form of oil at the non-Governmen-
tal level within Cuba so that the Cuban children, the elderly, and the sick may no longer suffer due to the decisions made by the Cuban Government.
This is a great solution to an urgent problem that Guyana should have been involved in solving if our current president truly cared about the people of one of our nation’s oldest
Sovereignty requires respect for differing political systems, whether or not one shares them.
The Caribbean owes Cuba neither uncritical endorsement nor political alignment. It does, however, owe recognition of shared history, mutual assistance, and adherence to its own declared principles. Criticism of any Government is legitimate; selective moral diploma-
cy is not. A region that invokes solidarity, sovereignty, and moral authority in global negotiations on climate justice, development financing, and international equity must apply those values consistently or risk weakening its negotiating credibility.
Caricom states should therefore support humanitarian access, encourage medical and pharmaceutical cooperation, and utilise
and closest allies. It is now time for the Ali administration to change direction and become part of the solution being put forward for this urgent humanitarian crisis that is developing in Cuba. Guyana must also send oil to Cuba in partnership with the US.
Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
“who...
diplomatic channels to ensure assistance reaches the Cuban people, our affected family.
When the Caribbean faced its own crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba responded in practical and immediate terms.
The present moment offers the region an opportunity to demonstrate that its foreign policy remains guided by principle rather than expediency.
Supporting humanitarian assistance to Cuba is not an ideological position. It is an affirmation of Caribbean gratitude, diplomatic consistency, and respect for sovereignty. To defend these principles is to defend Caricom itself.
“Who vex lose”!!!
Yours faithfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament
homes nationwide in the coming years. In addition to the three-bedroom concrete houses, young professional homes and modular housing units are also being constructed within the scheme.
“Region Three, alongside Region Four, will see some of the largest investments under the housing programme,” he explained. “This includes new allocations, clearing existing backlogs, and the construction of a significant number of homes. We are also advancing modular, prefabricated, and other housing solutions, many of which are being undertaken by local builders.”
The Minister added that continued housing expansion along the West Coast of Demerara, together with large-scale development at Wales, will generate employment, stimulate the construction sector, and expand access to homeownership for Guyanese families.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
00:00 Movie - Atlas (2024)
02:00 Movie - Gigi & Nate (2022) 04:00 Movie - Nightbooks (2021) 05:45 Daily Quran Recitation 06:00 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Cartoons
08:30 KTLT 09:00 Stop Suffering
Movie - Luck (2022) 12:00 Movie - Cars (2006) 14:00 Movie - Cars 2 (2011) 16:00 Movie - Cars 3 (2017) 18:00 Evangelistic Hour 18:30 Hephzibah Ministries 19:00 Movie - Puss in Boots (2011)
20:30 Movie - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) 22:00 Movie - Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Subtracting Fractions
Much like adding fractions, to subtract fractions, they need to have the same denominator (the same bottom numbers).
Then we can subtract the fractions by subtracting the numerators (the top numbers) and keeping the denominator the same.
Example 1
5 is the denominator for both fractions, so we can subtract the numerators.
The final answer is
Materials
•Coloured cardstock or construction paper (white, yellow, blue)
•Scissors
•Glue
•Markers
Instructions
1.
2. Draw the head, neck, and legs on the same coloured construction paper and cut them out.
3. Draw the eye and white band on white construction paper and cut them out.
4. Draw the beak on yellow construction paper and cut it out.
5. Glue the head of the pigeon to the neck.
Example 2
4 is the denominator of the first fraction, and 5 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.
4 and 5 have a lowest common multiple of 20, so we change both fractions so that they have a common denominator of 20.
We have converted the fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be subtracted:
The final answer is
Example 3
6 is the denominator of the first fraction, and 2 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.
6 and 2 have a lowest common multiple of 6, so we make sure that both fractions have a common denominator of 6 by changing the second fraction:
So we have converted the fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be subtracted:
The answer is
This fraction is not in its simplest form, as it can be simplified because both 2 and 6 are multiples of 2.
So 2 is a common factor and can be cancelled:
The final answer is
(Adapted from simpleeverydaymom.com)
BY LUCIEN STRYK
Sweden, 1986
The season leaning into winter in Uppsala, my friend Lennart and I warm up with coffee in a second-floor café. Look out the window at the year-end remnants of Linnaeus’ Garden, speak of the harmony of rows, the rage for order. Remembering the Latin cry for Clarity, I see now what I lack, wonder why this handsome young translator of plays and poems chose to take on a voice lost in wild and unnamed grasses where birds, so namelessly alive, return from unknown regions every spring, to swoop where gold untitled flowers light leaf-fossils through old winter’s mud.
(Source: Poetry [October/November 1987])
Tell a story through diary/ journal entries.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has renewed calls for the removal of what he describes as “artificial barriers” and bureaucracy surrounding trade with Trinidad and Tobago.
For years, the Guyanese private sector as well as the Guyana Government have bemoaned the restrictions that hinder free trade to some Caribbean countries, such as the Twin Island Republic.
Speaking with reporters on the side-lines of the 50th Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government Meeting in St
Kitts and Nevis earlier this week, President Ali said it is now time to address this matter in the interest of expanding trade between the two nations.
“A major issue [is] us getting our goods into Trinidad without the bureaucracy and without the type of delays that we face. And I believe that the time has come for those barriers – the artificial barriers – to be removed and the bureaucracy to be removed so that we can facilitate trade in a more efficient way, and we can facilitate the movement of goods in a more efficient way,” the
Guyanese leader stated.
President Ali’s remarks come on the heels of him being expected to have bilateral talks with Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the near future. The two Caribbean leaders are expected to meet United States President Donald Trump in Miami next month.
While no date has been set for the Guyana-Trinidad bilateral meeting, the Guyanese Head of State indicated that trade, food security, regional integration and energy are among key topics that he will prioritise
Chairman of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited, Suresh Beharry, has credited the bank’s strong performance in 2025 to its robust loan portfolio and growing customer deposits.
In a statement on Friday, GBTI and its subsidiaries reported the financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025, showing a profit after tax of $4.5 billion – an eight per cent increase over the $4 billion recorded in the previous year.
“This result was driven by robust loan portfolio growth of 17 per cent and a 29 per cent increase in customer deposits,” Beharry stated.
At the end of the reporting period, the bank’s deposits totalled $269 billion, representing a 29 per cent year-over-year growth.
GBTI’s total assets at the end of 2025 stood at $312.9 billion, growing from the $249 billion recorded in 2024. Moreover, the bank’s total revenue for 2025 was $14.6 billion – an increase of nine per cent.
Earnings per share also increased by eight per cent to $111.1 in 2025.
With a capital adequacy ratio of 16.42 per cent, the chairman said the bank continues to demonstrate solid financial resilience, prudent risk management, and operational strength.
He went on to add that 2025 also marked significant progress in GBTI’s digital transformation agenda. The bank launched digital account opening and retail loan onboarding last year, further streamlining the customer experience.
In addition, GBTI also expanded its Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and Point of Sale (POS) networks, thus improving access to banking services across Guyana.
As Guyana’s economy thrived last year, fuelled by the oil and gas sector and non-oil growth, Beharry stated that GBTI maintained its focus on smalland medium-sized enterprises (SME) financing, cybersecurity, and governance, positioning itself as a trusted partner for businesses and communities.
during those talks with PM Persad-Bissessar.
“A position has been painted that that bilateral meeting must only focus on energy… But I think that the bilateral must be far broader than energy,” he posited.
The Guyanese leader went on to remind that Trinidad has been one of Guyana’s strongest trading partners for decades. He said Trinidadian distributors have long maintained a solid presence in the local market, while contractors there played key roles in some of Guyana’s most transformative infrastructure projects.
He noted that companies such as Dipcon Engineering and Ceran Brothers were involved in major national undertakings long before Guyana’s petroleum sector emerged.
According to President Ali, since the onset of oil and gas production in Guyana, the Twin Island’s private sector has again benefitted
substantially, participating freely in Guyana’s expanding energy ecosystem without restrictive barriers.
“I look forward to our bilateral being very progressive and future-driven [looking at] how we expand trade. And the fact is that Guyana has had an open relationship with Caricom. The entire private sector in Caricom is welcome on the same playing field as Guyanese to invest and to work in Guyana.”
“We have had many discussions here at Caricom. We were able to talk a bit about how we see the energy sector evolving, the type of relationship that can be built and the connectivity that can be built… Of course, energy is an important component of those meetings –energy that leads to the energy security of the region,” he asserted.
Guyana’s commitment to the energy security of the Caribbean was reinforced by President Ali during his engagements with regional leaders on the side-lines of the Caricom Meeting in St Kitts.
On Thursday, the Guyanese Head of State met with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness to discuss continued cooperation in energy, agriculture, investment, technology transfer, regional security and infrastructure development.
Similarly, President Ali had discussions on continuing the strong partnership on energy and food security as well as cooperation
towards regional connectivity with his Surinamese counterpart, President Dr Jennifer Geerlings-Simons.
Diaspora engagement
Meanwhile, President Ali on Friday met with the Guyanese diaspora in St Kitts, telling them about Guyana’s ongoing development trajectory as well as current collaborations between Guyana and St Kitts. He also spoke of the many investment opportunities for persons who may want to return to Guyana to live or invest, encouraging them to seize these chances. Moreover, several issues were also raised by members of the Guyanese community – many of which were addressed on the spot. St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew and Guyana’s Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally were also at the meeting with the diaspora members.
The Chinese have a saying, “May you live in interesting times,” and it ain’t as benign as you may suppose it to be at first hearing!! It’s actually a CURSE!! So, the “interesting times” they wish on you may be more along the lines of “challenging times” – at its kindest interpretation!! The saying popped into your Eyewitness’ mind as he followed up on the fallout from the just-concluded meeting of the Caricom HOGS!! In it – as your Eyewitness recounted yesterday – T&T PM Kamla Bissessar had come out swinging at 13 of the leaders sitting in front of her when she said that they’d stood mute as Guyana and T&T were being attacked by Mad Maduro!! And now they had their knickers and bucktas in knots after the US removed the man who had no compunction in ANNEXING SIXTY THOUSAND SQUARE MILES OF GUYANESE TERRITORY!!
Barbados’ Mia Mottley – who your Eyewitness mentioned yesterday – had taken an early stand against the US by condemning their move when they gathered a fleet in the Caribbean. She declared her position last October on any subsequent use of force – which did occur in January: “We equally do not accept that any nation in our region, or the greater Caribbean, should be the subject of an imposition upon them of any unilateral expression of force and violence by any third party or nation.” Talk about talking fat!! Well, Mottley attempted to contain any confrontation when she ran into Bissessar on the side-lines, and the latter made a joke about their common legal background by saying they were “sisters-in-law”!! She said she was gonna deal with disagreements behind closed doors – away from cameras!!
Well, Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness showed how interesting the times were when he tried to finesse his way on the new point of contention – Cuba – after the US had seized tankers of oil from Venezuela which had kept their electricity going!! While sympathising with the plight of the Cubans now shrouded in darkness, Holness must’ve figured he was on safe ground when he took the middle ground by saying while Jamaica would continue to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people, “This moment calls for responsible leadership and constructive dialogue, particularly between Cuba and the United States, to ease tensions and promote reform and stability.”
Well, who told him to say even that!! US Congressman Carlos A Gimenez, R-Fla (Floridian Republican) – who, not coincidentally, like Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, is a Cuban American from near Miami who’d fled Castro’s Cuba as a youth and now sees the island as facing its “Berlin Wall moment” – ripped into him by saying, “Jamaica would have to face consequences”!! Gimenez advised Caribbean leaders to “follow the lead” of T&T’s Kamla Persad-Bissessar!!
…the US (Iranian) raindrops
Well, the talks between the US and Iranian teams on the latter’s nuclear bomb programme are over. While it’s said there’s some “progress”, it doesn’t seem enough to rule out another attack by the US – which would certainly lead to war!! Now as an oil-producing country approaching that 1M bpd production – that’s gonna impact us hugely!! Not only would Iranian oil production be impacted, but also the strategic Straits of Hormuz – and therefore oil prices!!
But in a larger sense – as part of the “interesting times” in which we all now live – we’ve gotta look at the big picture and make some decisions about where we stand in the faceoff between the US and the rest of the world. We’ve seen – as with the demand to purchase Greenland from a NATO ally –that all the old verities have been thrown out of the window. With Pressie heading up to Mar-a-Largo any day now, band-wagoning seems to be the only option!! A military pact??
…hemispherically
Such a pact would fit in nicely with the “cooperation framework” that was worked out between US Secretary of State Rubio and Caricom.
This showed that evidently, the 13 errant Caricom leaders have now seen the light!!
– makes US$250,000 advance payment
The main parliamentary Opposition party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), founded by US-indicted businessman Azruddin Mohamed, has hired a lobbying firm to engage the US Government and business leaders.
According to filings with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Wyomingbased LSG LLC is the consulting firm hired by WIN. The firm registered on February 24, 2026, under the DOJ’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
“The Registrant will advise the Foreign Principal in developing and cultivating its relationships within the United States Government and private sector,” LSG LLC said.
In its FARA registration, LSG LLC disclosed that it received US$250,000 from WIN on February 13 as an advance payment for services. These services include preparing and distributing informational materials such as memoranda and other documents.
LSG LLC added that no budget has been established for its activities in preparing or disseminating informational materials, which will be shared with groups such as US legislators.
The filing also stated that no individuals or organisations, including public relations firms or publicity agents, will participate in
preparing or disseminating the materials.
The registration document named LSG LLC’s President, Stephen Payne, and Vice President, Logan Somera, as the individuals providing services directly for WIN.
Payne previously served as an aide to former US President George W. Bush. He and Somera reportedly have close connections to the energy sector in Texas, where they both live.
WIN’s recruitment of a lobbyist firm comes as its founder, Azruddin Mohamed, now the Opposition Leader, faces extradition to the US.
Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. The charges are related to alleged irregularities in gold exports to the US through their company, Mohamed’s
Enterprises.
The US has requested the extradition of the Mohameds to face the indictments. The extradition proceedings are currently pending in the local courts.
The Mohameds are accused of conspiring to defraud the US and Guyanese Governments between 2017 and June 11, 2024. They are also accused of using a scheme to unlawfully obtain property by transmitting communications via interstate and foreign commerce, in violation of US law.
According to US prosecutors, the scheme aimed to enrich the Mohameds and defraud the Government of Guyana by evading taxes and royalties on gold exports. They allegedly reused Guyana customs declarations and official seals on multiple shipments to make it appear that taxes and royalties had been paid.
The indictment stated that Mohamed’s Enterprise would pay taxes and receive official Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Guyana Gold Board (GGB) seals for one shipment, then reuse those same seals and documents on subsequent, untaxed shipments.
The indictment further alleges that the Mohameds arranged for empty wooden boxes bearing intact GRA and GGB seals to be shipped from gold buyers in Dubai to Miami and then
sent to Guyana. These boxes were then used to export gold while falsely appearing to have cleared customs and tax obligations.
US authorities allege the scheme resulted in more than US$50 million in lost taxes and royalties to the Government of Guyana. Additional indictments detail similar conduct involving shipments of gold, emails allegedly from Nazar Mohamed requesting the sealed boxes from Miami, and exports of over 165 kilograms (kg) of gold per shipment destined for Dubai.
Charges six to nine focus on mail fraud, referencing the shipment of sealed empty boxes from Dubai to Miami, while charge 10 addresses money laundering, which alleges that the Mohameds knowingly transferred funds within the US with the intent to promote unlawful activity.
The other charge has to do with Azruddin Mohamed purchasing and importing a Lamborghini sports car to Guyana in 2020. The indictment alleges he directed someone to purchase the car for US$680,000, then falsify the invoice to state a value of US$75,300 to understate import taxes.
If convicted, most charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines of up to US$250,000, while the money laundering charge carries a fine of
US$500,000 or the value of the laundered property.
The US Government is seeking forfeiture of certain assets connected to the accused and has since assigned asset forfeiture specialist Assistant US Attorney Joshua Paster to join the case involving the two Guyanese businessmen in the Florida Court, pending their extradition.
These indictments follow sanctions imposed over a year ago by the US Department of Justice’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on the Mohameds, their businesses, and Guyanese Government Permanent Secretary (PS) Mae Thomas in relation to the same allegations.
The sanctions are related to the evasion of tax-
es on gold exports, with OFAC noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kg of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana. Since the imposition of the sanctions in June 2024, the Guyana Government has suspended the licences of the Mohameds’ various businesses, highlighting that the US-sanctioned businessman is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty, and diplomacy. Subsequently, several Government entities and local businesses, including commercial banks, have cut ties with the Mohameds.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond on
Thursday witnessed the voluntary tint testing exercise at the Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, as part of the national rollout of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2025.
Several motorists presented their vehicles for examination, voluntarily subjecting them to testing in order to determine the current Visible Light Transmission (VLT) levels of their windows ahead of full enforcement.
Testing was conducted exclusively by designated officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who have completed specialised training in the use of approved tint meters.
During the process, officers guided motorists step-by-step through the examination process, demonstrated how readings are obtained using calibrated equipment, and provided clear guidance on whether adjustments would be required to meet the prescribed legal standards.
The Minister was briefed on the operational procedures, calibration protocols, and public engagement approach being utilised at the site. She noted that the use of certified meters and trained personnel ensures that compliance determinations are objective, consistent, and grounded in technical measurement rather than visual estimation.
The voluntary testing forms part of the threemonth amnesty period, during which motorists may have their vehicles examined free of cost at identified locations nationwide.
The initiative aims to raise awareness, promote early compliance, and ensure a smooth transition before the full enforcement begins. Presently, there are 47 testing sites across all Police Regional Divisions.
Minister Walrond reiterated that the Government’s approach is structured and education-focused during this phase. She encouraged motorists to utilise the established testing sites across the country to verify compliance and make any necessary adjustments in advance.
The Minister also highlighted that applications for tint exemptions will be facilitated through an online portal established by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the coming days. The exemptions will be guided strictly by the categories mentioned in the Regulations – Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act (cap. 15:02). Applicants can submit applications and supporting documentation electronically, and once approved, exemption certificates will be issued digitally and transmitted via email. This streamlined process is intended to ensure accessibility, efficiency, and convenience for eligible applicants.
Approved exemption certificates must be available at all times so that upon the request of an authorised officer, they can be produced. These certificates are also recorded within a national digital tint registry for verification during lawful traffic stops.
Motorists are reminded that they are now permitted to install tint within the legally prescribed Visible Light Transmission (VLT) limits without applying for a tint exemption. The new regulations allow the front side windows (driver and front passenger) to maintain a minimum of 25 per cent VLT, while the rear side windows and the rear windscreen must maintain a minimum of 20 per cent VLT. Tint within these limits does not require a permit or special approval.
Following the conclusion of the amnesty period on March 31st, 2026, motorists operating vehicles that do not comply with the prescribed VLT standards will be subject to enforcement action, including a fine of G$30,000 as provided under the law.
The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to monitor implementation activities nationwide to ensure uniform standards, procedural integrity, and public confidence in the new regulatory framework.
Motorists are encouraged to visit the Ministry’s official website for information on testing locations and access to the exemption application portal.
In 2024, the Health Ministry launched sever-
al initiatives to assist citizens in easing the burden of accessing healthcare services through voucher distribution.
These include a $2000 eye-testing voucher, a $15,000 spectacles voucher, an $8000 cervical cancer (HPV) screening voucher, and $10,000 universal health laboratory vouchers for both children and adults.
The programme has been renewed for another year, and some 67 private health facilities are already on board. According to Subject Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the programme can be dubbed a success. Of the 91,000 adult tests conducted, the majority of beneficiaries were women, an imbalance Dr Anthony stated is troubling.
“So, I mentioned earlier about diabetes. First of all, of the people utilising these
91,000 vouchers, 64 per cent of them are women, which means the men hardly come in to seek healthcare... which is a big problem. Of the vouchers, only about 36 per cent were used by men. So that too we want to change because one of the tests included on this voucher allows people to do a PSA.”
One of the main reasons for the imbalance is that prostate cancer remains the number one cancer affecting men, and thus he stressed the importance of early testing and diagnosis.
Dr Anthony further revealed that over the past year, health authorities have been able to diagnose more men at an earlier stage of the disease, allowing them to bring patients into care sooner and begin treatment.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that over the last two years, 20,000 women under-
went cervical cancer screening using the vouchers, but many more are eligible.
“So, we need to reach out to [women as well] and let them get the test. Because, again, if they test positive, we are able to bring them into care. What we noticed is that of the 20,000 women tested, about 19 per cent had positive results. So that’s quite high. If left untreated, over time, these conditions can develop into cervical cancer. So, we want to work with our population to help prevent this. That’s where we want to enlist your help – those of you operating labs and working with this programme.”
On that note, the Health Minister pointed out the vast number of vouchers that the ministry has distributed since the programme was launched.
“Over the two years, we have processed 461,020 vouchers, so that’s a lot of people,
right? And I think, as I said, this has been a very, very successful program for us. Over the two years, in terms of eye testing, we conducted 175,272 eye tests. In terms of giving out spectacles, we distributed 160,282 pairs. In terms of the laboratory tests we did for children, we were able to conduct at least 13,112 such tests. For adults, we did 91,501 tests. And in terms of HPV screening over the two years, we conducted 20,853 screenings.”
The Minister remains committed to expanding the services to ensure that more women can access and benefit from cancer screening, noting that the current figure of 20,000 is low. He indicated that by the end
of 2026, the aim is to double that figure.
However, he stressed that achieving this target will require the support and cooperation of stakeholders.
While access to the pro-
gramme is relatively easier along the coastline – where individuals can present vouchers and receive services –reaching residents in the hinterland regions remains challenging.
In efforts to address infrastructure delays affecting about 21 per cent of allottees of Blocks One and Seven at Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (ECD), the Housing Ministry is moving to terminate underperforming contractors and re-tender the works so that
allottees can gain access to their lands.
Ministers Collin Croal and Vanessa Benn, along with Deputy Director of Projects at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Intakab Indarjeet, and engineers, visited the area on Thursday
to inspect ongoing works.
“It’s not the entire Blocks One and Seven that are inaccessible. It’s only sections within those two blocks that are affected, as some beneficiaries have already identified their house lots through the Ministry,” Minister Croal stated in a social me-
dia post.
Block One comprises 1018 lots, with lots 493–677 affected, while Block Seven contains 725 lots, with lots 31–220 impacted.
and night to advance Lot 1 of the project.
The new highway will connect to the recently commissioned Great Diamond to Craig Highway, which is
as
The re-tender process is underway and is expected to open by the second week of March, with contracts likely to be awarded by the end of March. Once awarded, contractors will mobilise to commence infrastructure works.
To ensure transparency, the Ministry will keep all affected allottees informed so they can track when access to their lands becomes available.
Minister Croal emphasised that the action taken at Great Diamond demonstrates the Ministry’s firm approach to contractor performance and its commitment to delivering serviced house lots to Guyanese.
Meanwhile, the Minister also inspected ongoing works at the four-lane highway from Craig to Land of Canaan, EBD, and engaged Project Manager Ramachandar Rao of Ashoka Buildcon Ltd, whose team continues to work day
also connected to the Heroes Highway. The distance from Great Diamond to Craig is
in Timehri. Simultaneously, works are ongoing on the main
approximately 4.2 kilometres (km), while the new section extending to Land of Canaan will cover about 11.3 km.
Currently, the Ogle to Eccles four-lane highway is connected to the Heroes Highway. Future plans also include linking
However, these works have been causing major traffic congestion along the EBD road, with commuters complaining about the inconvenience of being stuck in traffic for hours almost on a daily basis.
Patients, healthcare workers and visitors to the Diamond Regional Hospital on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) can soon expect safer, easier access, as the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) advances
works on parking lot facilities to ease congestion and improve overall traffic flow in the area.
It will also complement the hospital’s parking facilities within the compound.
Housing Minister Collin Croal during a visit to the facility on Thursday,
announced that the Government is taking steps to resolve parking challenges at the Diamond Regional Hospital, following persistent congestion in front of the facility.
“For those who are commuting on the roads, we recognise that there is a bit of
In light of the unfortunate death of 70-yearold Abdul Fazlur Tusuf, who jumped to his death at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday, the medical facility stated that an internal review has been initiated to fully examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the hospital, the now deceased man was admitted on February 8, 2026, following an incident in which he sustained a self-inflicted injury to the right side of his neck.
He reportedly underwent emergency surgical intervention, including repair of a right-sided pharyngeal injury and placement of a tracheostomy. During his hospitalisation, the hospital stated that he remained under close medical management and was placed on suicide watch with ongoing psychiatric monitoring and support.
However, on Thursday at approximately 12:41, the patient reportedly jumped from a second-floor ward area. He was immediately attended to by medical staff and transported to the Accident and Emergency Department, where advanced resuscitative measures were initiated.
“Clinical assessment revealed severe traumatic injuries, and despite aggressive intervention, including ventilatory support, administration of blood products, and vasopressor therapy, the patient’s condition deteriorated. He subsequently went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 14:10h,” the GPHC stated in a release.
The GPHC stated that it is also concerned by a recent upsurge in suicide attempt cases being managed at the hospital, including among vulnerable populations.
“Our clinical teams are actively providing care, close monitoring, and enhanced safety measures for patients experiencing mental health distress, while working closely with national mental health services and relevant partners to ensure timely intervention and support.”
Meanwhile, the hospital stated that it remains committed to maintaining patient safety, strengthening monitoring systems, and ensuring that all patients, particularly those requiring mental health support, receive appropriate supervision and care.
“The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation also wishes to remind the public of the importance of seeking mental health support and encourages persons experiencing emotional distress to reach out to qualified healthcare professionals or available support services,” the hospital stated.
congestion as a result of persons who have been parking to access the hospital,” the Minister admitted.
In recognition of this issue, he said the Government is in the process of developing designated parking facilities on the northern and southern fences of the hospital.
“When this is complete, persons would no longer be able to park on the road,
and the Guyana Traffic Department would be required to ensure enforcement is done,” the Minister said.
The scope of works for the Diamond Hospital parking facilities includes site clearing and excavation, subgrade preparation and compaction, installation of base and sub-base layers, construction of drainage structures, and the instal-
lation of lighting to enhance safety and visibility. With works having commenced in December 2025, the project is scheduled for completion in March 2026. Croal was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn, Deputy Director of Projects at the CHPA Intakab Indarjeet and engineers of the Projects Department.
On the opening day of AgroFest 2026 in Bridgetown, Barbados, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Peter R Ramsaroop, emphasised Guyana’s expanding leadership in agriculture and ecotourism across Caricom.
On this note, Dr Ramsaroop underscored the country’s rapid growth in soy and corn cultivation, livestock expansion, and value-added agro-processing.
Backed by the tax-free agriculture framework under Budget 2026 and guid-
ed by Vision 2030, he noted that Guyana is not only increasing output – it is building scale, strengthening corporations, and positioning itself as a production anchor within the Caribbean.
In his remarks to the media, he stated, “Under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali – who has taken a lead responsibility for agriculture within Caricom – Guyana has moved from commitment to execution. Food security must be driven by production, logistics, and corporate expansion. We are scaling agricultural output in soy, corn, livestock, and agro-processing, and we stand ready to work
with our Caribbean partners to reduce extra-regional imports and retain more value within our economies.”
He also emphasised Guyana’s expanding ecotourism sector, highlighting the country’s vast rainforest, biodiversity, river systems, and sustainable tourism investments. He noted that ecotourism represents one of the Caribbean’s strongest growth frontiers, particularly as global travellers increasingly seek authentic, nature-based experiences.
He explained that Guyana’s jungle and ecotourism product complement the established beach tourism markets of Barbados and Saint Lucia. By aligning destination marketing, encouraging multi-destination travel, and strengthening corporate partnerships in hospitality and tour operations, the region can offer a diversified Caribbean experience that extends visitor stays and increases overall regional earnings.
“Ecotourism is not competition for beach tourism – it is a complement,” he added. “When we align our strengths, we create a
stronger Caribbean brand. Guyana’s rainforest and sustainable tourism model add depth and resilience to the regional offering.”
With more than 50 Guyanese enterprises participating at AgroFest this year, Guyana’s presence reflects a broader diversification strategy – expanding corporations in agriculture and tourism, facilitating investment, and translating policy reform into measurable economic opportunity.
Ramsaroop also joined the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security for Barbados, Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Climate Change for St Lucia, Lisa Jawahir, on a tour of AgroFest 2026.
The officials visited the Guyana Hub, which features displays from agro-processors, craft producers, and other stakeholders in the country’s agricultural sec-
tor.
During the tour, the two leaders discussed strategies to further strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation, support local production, and enhance investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing.
AgroFest 2026 continues as a platform for business engagement and regional collaboration aimed at accelerating sustainable growth across Caricom.
Air quality across the Low Coastal Plain, including Georgetown and surrounding areas, is still being impacted by Saharan dust, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday.
In a missive, the EPA stated that currently, air quality in Georgetown and Whim in Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) is within the unhealthy for sensitive groups range.
The EPA’s air quality sensors in Eccles and Central Georgetown have recorded PM2.5 levels in excess of the WHO guidelines for good air quality.
This decline in air quality is primarily due to elevated levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), caused by Saharan dust and high humidity.
The Saharan Air Layer, which consists of fine particles of sand, dirt, and dust from North Africa, is transported across the Atlantic Ocean by air currents in the upper atmosphere. This phenomenon has led to the visible haze observed across the low coastal plain, including Georgetown and its environs.
These conditions are projected to persist until late evening on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Residents are strongly advised to take the following precautions to minimise exposure:
Limit outdoor activities, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions; wear a mask when outdoors, especially if you must be outside for extended periods; monitor health, and seek medical advice if you experience difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, or other related symptoms.
The EPA stated that it will continue to monitor air quality conditions and provide updates as necessary.
Man busted with over 3kg of ganja charged, remanded to prison
Forty-eight-year-old Rondell Melville, who was busted with 3.072 kilograms (kg) of ganja during an operation conducted by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) at Lot 20 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, on Thursday, was charged and remanded to prison.
Melville appeared before
Magistrate Anette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he was arraigned for the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, to which he pleaded not guilty.
As such, he was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on March 26, 2026.
CANU stated that on Thursday, its officers, acting on information received, conducted an operation at Lot 20 Durban Street Lodge, Georgetown, during which several parcels containing a quantity of cannabis were found.
Melville, who was at the premises at the time, was arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters, along with the narcotic, which was weighed and amounted to 3.072 kg. He was subsequently charged and placed before the court.
The Education Ministry has intensified its national anti-bullying and anti-violence campaign by engaging parents, teachers, and students of Aurora and Abram Zuil Secondary Schools in Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) with the aim of stamping out bullying across schools and communities.
The outreach forms part of a broader initiative launched earlier this year at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, bringing together key ministries to address what officials describe as a growing social concern.
Leading the Region Two consultation was Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical) Dr Ritesh Tularam, who emphasised that the campaign is not about speeches but rather about meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions.
Dr Tularam explained that while bullying is not new, its frequency
and severity, particularly with the rise of social media, have become alarming. He noted that incidents circulating online often show students involved in violent confrontations in schools, on roadways, and in public spaces. In some cases, he said, the consequences have been tragic.
”Bullying is not something that blossomed yesterday. Bullying has always been there in our society. Even as adults, we’ve been bullied at some point in time. Today, we have recognised that every time we go on social media, or most of the time if not all of the time, and we open our social media page, be it Facebook or wherever, TikTok or what have you, we will see some video posted somewhere with some child involved in some issue in a school, on the road, or in the park,” he said.
He stressed that bullying must be addressed
urgently and strategically, with strong systems in place to both safeguard victims and correct those who deliberately engage in harmful behaviour.
Importantly, he underscored that the responsibility does not rest solely with schools.
According to Dr Tularam, parents play a critical role in shaping children’s attitudes and behaviour. He expressed concern that some parents fail to monitor their children adequately, while others may even encourage confrontational responses.
He urged parents to be more vigilant – checking school bags, monitoring peer associations, and taking an active interest in their children’s daily routines. He also highlighted troubling patterns discussed during previous consultations, including students accessing alcohol and drugs, forming gangs, and bringing prohibited items to school.
Addressing these issues, he said, requires sustained collaboration with community groups, religious leaders, and law enforcement, rather than reactive measures only after incidents occur.
Dr Tularam further cal-
led for a restructuring of parent-teacher engagement, suggesting that traditional parent conferences be made more interactive and solution-driven rather than passive sessions where parents simply listen and leave. Schools, he noted, must create environments that actively engage both parents and students.
He also raised concerns
about excessive cell-phone use and social media influence among students, pointing to international discussions on school phone bans. While acknowledging the digital age, he maintained that boundaries must be established to prevent distraction and cyberbullying.
Public Communications Consultant for the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Kit Nascimento, confirmed on Friday that the airport has formally requested the Government of Guyana –through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority – to remove squatters. The squatters occupy land along the western side of E Field extending to Main Road, adjacent to the airport’s perimeter.
He reiterated that the squatters pose an imminent threat to the airport and aircraft, as the area lies directly in the flight path.
He also raised concerns about alleged political interference by opposition parties.
“The airport has become aware that opposition political parties have approached these squatters and are encouraging them to remain in place. We consider this to be highly irresponsible, and they should know better,” he said.
“These squatters have
built accommodation in an area that is absolutely restricted from any form of housing. When they first settled there, airport authorities informed them that they could not remain and that they had to move – some two years ago. Rather than relocate, they have continued to expand their presence in the area.”
Nascimento empha -
sised that the squatters must understand the severity of the safety risks, which could affect all aircraft using the airport.
“They need to understand that they are creating a major safety issue for all aircraft using the airport. And we fully support the action being taken by the Government to have them relocated,” he added.
$20,000 transportation
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud on Friday announced that the newly introduced $20,000 annual transportation grant for senior citizens will be available in May.
She made the announcement during a recent live broadcast.
“The Government of Guyana has made a transportation allowance available for senior citizens, which will supplement the old age pension. So, there is an increase of old age pension to $46,000 plus the transportation allow-
ance of $20,000. That will become available in May,” the Minister noted.
Details surrounding the pay-out of the transportation grant will be made available later, the Minister added.
Meanwhile, with the increase in old age pension to $46,000 in Budget 2026, senior citizens are expected to collect $56,000 in pension next month, inclusive of back pay from January and February. Persons on the permanent disability record will also receive back pay, since that grant has also increased in Budget 2026 to $25,000 per month.
“It will be equivalent to $56,000 just for the month of March for old age pension and $31,000 just for the month of March for permanent disability,” she noted.
She urged pensioners to ensure their vouchers are stamped at post offices, noting that the process confirms the updated payment amount.
“What you need to do is take your pension book with the vouchers for the month and get these vouchers stamped at the post office,” Dr Persaud explained, reiterating that the stamp ensures pensioners receive the accurate monthly payment of $56,000.
The Minister also clarified that pensioners do not have to visit post offices themselves.
“A member of your family or someone you trust can go and stamp it for you… You have to authorise it with a signature or thumbprint and witnesses,” she said, emphasising that the system provides security measures against misuse and supports accountability.
Recently, Housing Minister Collin Croal stated that officials have begun relocating persons from the dam area between the Ogle Airstrip and the Cummins Lodge Housing Scheme.
He emphasised that the Administration will not recognise new squatting and has made it clear that illegal occupation in sensitive zones will not be allowed to continue.
Croal said a small group of squatters, initial -
ly estimated at about eight to nine persons, were identified occupying land within the Ogle flight zone, specifically along a dam reserve near existing housing developments.
As Guyana strives to build on key aviation safety gains in the last few years, the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana calls on all citizens to act responsibly around aerodromes and avoid any actions that may affect the safety of others
or, indeed, their own personal safety.
The association has also declared that aviation safety requires obstacle clearance and safety zones around airports. Impingement of these areas poses significant threats to the safety of both aircraft and the persons unknowingly putting themselves in grave danger by their proximity to low-flying aircraft in the landing and take-off phases.
This was reflected just last month when GBTI introduced its private banking service-the second local bank to do so. Private banking is a personalised, exclusive offering that provides high-end financial services like wealth management, investment advice, and lending to high-networth individuals (HNWIs) through a dedicated relationship manager.
Meanwhile, beyond numbers, GBTI continues to champion nation-building. The Chairman said in Friday’s missive that initiatives in financial inclusion, employee development, and community engagement reflect a forward-looking institution that is as committed to the country’s growth as it is to innovation.
“With ambitious plans for digital expansion, regional growth, and sustain-
able banking, GBTI is not just shaping the future of banking; we are redefining it,” Chairman Beharry asserted.
These end-of-year figures come on the heels of GBTI reporting a strong mid-year performance in 2025 with a profit after tax of $2.23 billion-a 24 percent increase over the $1.80 bil-
lion recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.
During that period, the bank’s total assets grew by 41 per cent, rising from $209 billion to $249 billion, which it said was driven by disciplined expansion in its loan and investment portfolios, enhanced operational efficiency, and favorable market conditions.
Azruddin founded the WIN party in June 2025 –one year after these sanctions were imposed – and contested the September 2025 General and Regional Elections, which put him in Parliament as the main parliamentary opposi-
tion. In October, a 25-page indictment was unsealed in the Florida court, charging the father and son businessmen.
The US Government subsequently issued an extradition request to Guyana for the duo to face the charges there.
The Mohameds are currently out on $150,000 bail each as they continue to fight their extradition. That case is going through the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and has been adjourned to March 12.
”Bullying is everybody’s responsibility. Parents, teachers, and communities must work together immediately to safeguard our children and create schools where respect, discipline, and learning come first,” he said.
Meanwhile, the headteacher of Aurora Secondary School, Rabinauth Boodram, welcomed the initiative and called for stronger enforcement measures.
”Many times, bullying is reported, but the consequences do not match the severity of the evidence. It is not fair
to the students who are truly bullied,” Boodram said.
He stressed that stricter disciplinary measures and consistent follow-through are necessary if schools are to effectively address the problem.
”If persons bear the consequences of their actions, I believe we will move faster to curb this, especially within our school system,” he added.
Students at the consultation also contributed practical suggestions. One student from Abram Zuil Secondary recommended the introduc-
tion of more clubs and extracurricular activities, including chess, sports, field trips, and structured group engagements to steer students away from gangs and substance abuse.
Another student emphasised the influence of the home environment and warned about the dangers of social media becoming an outlet for bullying and unrealistic expectations. The student called on adults to model responsible behaviour, noting that young people often imitate what they see.
Will Jacks rode the confidence he gleaned from a breakthrough global tournament, while Rehan Ahmed landed feet-first in the competition with a crucial display of youthful bravado, as England found the gumption to outmuscle New Zealand in a gripping, spin-dominant encounter in Colombo to march into the semi-finals with their first real statement win of the campaign.
It was a dead rubber from England’s perspective, but it was anything but for New Zealand. They remain oddson to reach the last four unless Pakistan can pull off a massive win over Sri Lanka in their own group finale on Saturday night. But this was their chance to progress on their own terms, and when England had slumped to 117 for 6 at the end of the 17th over, with Jos Buttler’s crisis tournament hitting a new nadir, a target of 43 from 18 seemed outlandish, to say the least.
The winning boundary came via Jacks’ grille with three balls to spare and was greeted with a shrug of the shoulders as he prepared to claim his fourth Match award of the campaign, but the decisive onslaught had come two overs earlier, in Glenn Phillips’ fourth and final burst of a compelling all-round game.
Phillips had previously chipped in with the day’s most imposing knock, 39 from 28 in New Zealand’s hard-grafting innings of 159 for seven, and if his firstball dismissal of a rampant Harry Brook hadn’t been the decisive blow of the chase, then his stunning diving catch at deep midwicket off Jacob Bethell, to leave England 58 for four in the ninth over, seemed to have wrecked any remaining hopes.
But, after Tom Banton’s 33 from 24 had kept
England afloat through the middle overs, Jacks and Rehan combined to rampage through the finish line. Rehan, making his tournament debut in place of Jamie Overton, crashed Phillips over long-on for six before Jacks launched him over midwicket, then closed out a 22-run over with backto-back fours.
Rehan then greeted Mitchell Santner, hitherto so frugal for New Zealand, with an exceptional reverse sweep for four more, and when he charged down the track to his final ball with a gung-ho swing for a second six over long-off, the requirement had been obliterated to five from the final six.
England’s latest power failure
The winning hit came off Matt Henry, in his final involvement before flying home for paternity leave, and what a hole he will leave at the top of New Zealand’s bowling card. He has spent the past few winters making mincemeat of Zak Crawley’s figures across formats, and today he scarcely needed to deviate from his tried-andtested to leave England’s run-chase in the mire.
Phil Salt had no answer to Henry’s each-way movement from a full, zippy length: a big first-ball inducer induced the nervy poke that got him off the mark through deep third and set up the knockout punch. A wonderful bat’s-width seamer, shaping in on off and zipping away, to snick the edge through to Tim Seifert.
Salt had been one half of England’s proudest asset coming into this tournament. Buttler had been the other, but what is there left to say about his ghastly state of mind as a run of 15 runs in five innings culminated in a second-ball duck? In mitigation, Lockie Ferguson’s hard lines might have done in many a batter, as he found good lift from
the back of a length to wreck Buttler’s attempts to be proactive.
At two for two after eight balls, the chase seemed dead before it had begun. Brook, however, relishes such opportunities to throw caution to the wind and risk utter calamity for a shot at a reboot. In his new berth at number three, he opened with an air shot to close out Henry’s opening over and was all at sea for the start of his second. So Brook, naturally, galloped down the pitch once more to slam his first boundary through longoff, then knelt into a simply outrageous scooped six that smashed the LED screens in the square-leg scoreboard.
It was too good to last, but in the wake of his solo century against Pakistan, it was another front-running example of the bravery that Brook has repeatedly demanded throughout this stuttering campaign. Rachin Ravindra’s mid-innings haul of three for 19 in four overs suggests that there’s still a cloying degree of reticence to do away with. By the back end of the same innings, Jacks and Rehan had served up evidence that his team are actually primed to answer the call.
Powerplay predictability
While England in general have struggled to get themselves going, Jofra Archer has been hiding in plain sight at the top of the bowling card, habitually hitting the high 140s kilometres per hour (kph) while easing into a rhythm that has now justified three powerplay overs in every innings since the win over Scotland five games ago.
Today, he opened the match with a 124kph slower ball to Seifert, but that was the only respite he was willing to offer in a breathlessly aggressive introduction. Seifert danced at the crease for the rest of his maiden over, but could barely lay bat on ball (fortu -
nately so, given the suc cessfully reviewed caught-behind that spared him a five-ball duck).
The only dent in Archer’s first two overs came when Finn Allen connected with a slower ball (the last he would bowl), and the temp tation to stick to the for mula was overwhelming. Not for the first time, Brook slipped into predictability with his bowling options, and Seifert was waiting to cash in for Archer’s third over: anchored on the back foot, anticipating the heat, and carving two fours and a six over midwicket. By the time Sam Curran’s slower ball had also been launched over long-on, New Zealand had marched to 54 for 0 in the powerplay, and that impact up top had been wasted.
Rashid googly to be stumped before he could cash in, before Daryl Mitchell’s fallow tournament continued with a chipped drive to long-off for seven. And when Jacks pegged back Phillips’ off stump for 39 from 28, New Zealand struggled to produce the big finish they had hoped for.
Santner, their hero
Spin for the squeeze Archer aside, Brook’s faith in his spinners has been unwavering, and for the rest of the innings it was amply justified. Until he took over as captain, England had never bowled more than 11 overs of spin in any T20 International (T20I). Now, they have bowled 11-plus in seven different matches on Brook’s watch, including this new record, 16, breaking their previous high of 15.3 set in Pallekele earlier this month.
From Adil Rashid in the seventh to Rehan in the 20th, England did not even countenance a return to their seamers, as New Zealand’s under-functioning middle order endured another gruelling day.
Rashid struck first, moments after being slog-swept for six over deep midwicket. His next ball was tossed up fuller, straighter, slower… and Seifert galloped past his swish for Buttler to pull off a neat stumping. And, with that early evidence that the ball was sticking and climbing off the surface, Jacks’ leaping lollipops were the obvious go-to. He may look hittable, but he gives it a rip, and Allen duly pinged his fourth ball straight to deep midwicket.
Phillips made it his business to take up the cudgels against Rashid, but England’s other leggie made an instant tournament impact. Rehan served up a nervy drag-down from his first ball in the 12th over, but Rachin – sensing his chance to seize on an apparent weak link – instead launched his pull straight to deep midwicket.
against Sri Lanka, did at least drill the final ball of the innings, from Rehan, for six over long-off, but he then marched off the pitch wincing, as if realising he’d just telegraphed to England’s batters the best means to hunt these runs down. To judge by Rehan’s gleeful thwacking at the death, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Under clear skies and against the backdrop of Lusignan’s lush greens and rolling fairways, golfers are set to converge this weekend for the Lubrex & Parsun Outboard Golf Tournament, presented by Crown Mining, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Lusignan Golf Club.
Players will tee off in an atmosphere that blends competitive sport with scenic tranquillity. The
well-manicured fairways and fast greens at Lusignan promise to test precision shot-making, course management, and consistency, creating ideal conditions for an engaging day of tournament golf.
The event will be contested over 18 holes in a medal-play format with a shotgun start at 08:30h. Competition will be played across three handicap divisions – nine and under, 10-
18, and 19-36 – allowing golfers of varying abilities to compete on level terms. Beyond competition, the tournament highlights Crown Mining’s featured brands, Lubrex Lubricants and Parsun Outboard Engines, both recognised for durability and performance in demanding environments. Lubrex Lubricants are engineered to provide enhanced engine protection and efficiency
The 2026 National Chess Championship Qualifiers will begin today, Saturday, February 28, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 09:00h.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) and Diamond Fire and General Insurance are the main sponsors of the Open and Women’s categories, respectively.
The first four rounds of the eight-round classical tournament will be contested this weekend – Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1 – before concluding the following weekend on March 7 and March 8, 2026.
The eight-round Swissformat tournament will feature a classical time control of 90 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment per move. Players will battle for qualification spots to challenge reigning National Champions Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan in the Open Championship and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi in the women’s Championship.
In the Open category, a formidable lineup featuring FIDE Masters (FMs)
Rawle Allicock and Anthony Drayton, along with Kyle Couchman, CM Sachin Pitamber, CM Ronuel Greenidge and Keron
ers as they aim to break into the top nine.
In the women’s category, former champions WCM Jessica Callender and WCM
Sandiford, is expected to headline a competitive field of senior players seeking one of the top nine qualifying spots.
Meanwhile, a rising wave of junior talent – including Under-12 Champion Aidan Tinne, Under-14 Champion Abel Fernandez Ciria, Vir Narine and Javier Davenand – will challenge the more experienced play-
across industrial, mining, and marine applications, while Parsun Outboard engines are known for dependable marine power and fuel efficiency across Guyana’s rivers and coastal operations.
Players will compete for Overall Best Gross and Overall Best Net honours, along with speciality prizes for Nearest to the Flag and Longest Drive. Trophies will also be awarded to the top three finishers in each flight, ensuring competitive stakes throughout the field.
The tournament further reflects the growing partnership between corporate sponsors and local golf, as events of this nature con-
tinue to strengthen the sport’s development while providing players with opportunities to compete under structured tournament conditions.
Registration closes today, Saturday, February 28, at 13:00h, with interested players required to confirm participation through the Lusignan Golf Club.
With favourable weather, pristine course conditions, and strong sponsorship backing, the Lubrex & Parsun Golf Tournament is poised to deliver a memorable day on the greens while reinforcing Crown Mining’s commitment to supporting sport and performance excellence.
Housing Minister Collin Croal was last Saturday inducted as Honorary Patron of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC).
The induction ceremony was held at the St Francis Community Developers Meeting Hall and was attended by a wide cross-section of club members, awardees of several club programmes and officials of the Rose Hall Town Council, including Mayor Dave Budhu and Town Clerk Natasha Griffith.
Club Secretary Hilbert Foster provided the gathering with a comprehensive history of the club, which was founded in September 1990 by St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club, a three-time Commonwealth Youth Service Award recipient.
Sasha Shariff are expected to headline a highly-competitive field.
They will face strong opposition from experienced competitors such as Treskolé Archibald, Ciel Clement, Chelsea Harrison, Rebha Lachhman and Parnita Kishun, along with rising talents including Under-14 and Under-16 Girls’ Champion Kataleya Sam and Under-12 Champion Divya Persaud, all vying for qualification.
The top nine finishers from each category will earn qualification to compete in the National Chess Championship 2026, scheduled to commence on March 14, 2026.
The top eight boards in the Open category and the top four boards in the Women’s category will be live-streamed on lichess.org by John Lee, FIDE Arbiter and Technical Director of the GCF.
The club was established with four main objectives: to offer sports, culture and education to youths as an alternative to a life on the streets; to bring youths closer to the God they believe in; to improve facilities for young people in the township; and to make a positive difference in the lives of the elderly and less fortunate.
The Secretary noted that the club undertakes hundreds of activities annually under the areas of sports, education, culture, religion,
youth develop ment, coaching, charity, social development, publications and awards, among others. Over the past 36 years, the club has produced 132 players for Berbice, 76 for Guyana and 14 for the West Indies and the USA – three at the Test level and 11 at the One-Day International (ODI) level.
selection as patron. Town Clerk Griffith also wished the new patron success in fulfilling his duties within what she described as a dynamic and productive club.
The club’s junior and senior level cricket teams have won a combined 132 tournaments, including three national titles in 2004, 2005 and 2009. The RHTY&SC remains the only cricket club in Guyana to have received a national award. Among the cricketers produced by the club are Assad Fudadin, Royston and Esuan Crandon, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Rampersaud, Shakabi Gajnabi, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Plaffiana Millington.
Foster also highlighted several promising upcoming players, including Daniella Manns, Jayden Gaupert, Khemraj Bharrat, Raffel McKenzie, Tameshwar Deonanan and recent Under-16 Most Valuable Player (MVP), Leon Reddy.
Mayor Budhu praised the contribution of the club to youth and community development and congratulated Minister Croal on his
The duties of the Honorary Patron include serving as the public face of the RHTY&SC, submitting Patron’s Remarks for club publications, acting as a positive role model to members, creating opportunities for the club, and offering counselling if necessary to youths of the organisation.
West Indies Under-19 female player Manns inducted Minister Croal as Honorary Patron, while West Indies Test player Kevlon Anderson presented him with a special gift and his personal club uniform.
In his inaugural speech as the club’s patron, Minister Croal stated that he was very pleased to accept the honorary position and pledged his commitment to working alongside the club’s management to continue producing cricketers for Guyana and the West Indies.
He hailed the rich history of the club and urged members to continue working together as a collective unit. The Honorary Patron also emphasised the importance of discipline, dedication, and hard work for cricketers aspiring to represent the West Indies at the highest level.
Past patrons of the RHTY&SC include former Presidents of Guyana Hugh Desmond Hoyte and David Granger, June Mendes of Farfan and Mendes, Beverley Harper of ANSA McAL and Peter Ramsaroop of GO-Invest.
– stands ready to work with newly elected executive
Team CAMS, based in the United States of America (USA), has reaffirmed its full commitment to supporting motor racing in all aspects and has pledged strong participation at circuit events promoted by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).
Team President Afraz Allie stated that collaboration between clubs and administrators remains key to the continued development and success of the sport.
“Over the past three years, Team CAMS has been creating quite a stir. Although we have been participating in circuit races since 2020, about three years ago, we have been doing quite well... we have been sending more racers to Guyana, Trinidad, and Jamaica, and, more importantly, we have been winning races and putting our names out there,” Allie told Guyana Times Sport
Allie was recognised as the 2025 Champion Driver in the Starlet and Group Three classes when the
motor racing body hosted its annual awards gala.
Additionally, Sylvester Carew was named Champion Driver in the Rookie Class, while another Team CAMS achievement came through Quin Lanlall, who recorded the fastest lap time of 1:15.8 at the November 2025 race meet.
The 2026 season has already begun on a positive note for Team CAMS, with Chris Lall securing overall victory in the first endurance race of the year. Allie noted that with the Team now more focused and prepared, members are eagerly anticipating the April 12 circuit race.
On behalf of the Team, Allie also congratulated the newly-elected executive committee of the GMR&SC, led by President Mohamed Shiraz Roshandin.
He explained that ahead of the elections, Team CAMS had supported Mahendra Boodhoo with the aim of maintaining continuity and ensuring overseas partnerships contin-
ued to operate smoothly.
“However, the membership has spoken, and the majority has voted for a new administration under the leadership of Mr Roshandin. As a touring body, Team CAMS respects the democratic process and stands ready to work with the newly elected executive in the best interest of motor racing.
“We are racers first. Our focus remains on delivering competitive and exciting events for fans and competitors alike. Team CAMS has worked with several members of the new executive in the past and looks forward to continuing and strengthening those relationships as we move forward together.”
Team CAMS remains optimistic that motor racing fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive year ahead as the Team works alongside the new GMR&SC executive to further develop motor racing in Guyana.
The West Side Alliance secured all three top positions when the Vreed-en-Hoop Football Competition came to a climax on Wednesday at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station compound.
West Side Alliance A team emerged champions following a hard-fought 1–0 victory in extra time during the finals. Their determination and discipline earned them the coveted first-place prize of $100,000, sponsored by the Vreed-en-Hoop Traffic Department, along with the championship trophy.
Second place was claimed by West Side Alliance B Team, who received $40,000, sponsored by the Officer-in-Charge of
the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, and a trophy for their consistent performance throughout the tournament.
West Side Alliance C Team completed the sweep by finishing third and taking home $20,000, sponsored by the Inspector of the Vreed-en-Hoop Traffic Department, along with a trophy.
The competition featured approximately 10 teams from Regional Division Three all of whom demonstrated commendable sportsmanship and competitive spirit throughout the tournament.
In attendance was Deputy Superintendent Antonio Fredericks, who commended the partici -
pating teams for their discipline both on and off the field.
He encouraged players to remain committed to maintaining active and healthy lifestyles, noting that the region will continue to host similar tournaments aimed at positively engaging teams from various communities. He emphasised that such initiatives not only promote fitness but also strengthen the relationship between the police and the public.
The successful staging of the competition underscores ongoing efforts within Regional Division Three to promote unity, youth engagement, and stronger community partnerships through sport.
The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) on Saturday honoured several teachers and secondary school students under its Heeria Seenarine Memorial Tribute to Teachers and Dropattie Ramsammy Tribute to Students programmes, respectively.
The club also honoured four employees of the Rose Hall Town Council under its Tribute to Town Council Employees programme.
The awards ceremony was held at the St Francis Community Developers Hall, and newly inducted RHTYSC patron and Minister of Housing, Collin Croal was the guest speaker.
The cricket teams that organised the award programmes were Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-11 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under-16, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19, Metro Female and Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-23 and First Division.
Tribute to Teachers
The teachers were selected by the administrations
of nine schools based on their performance in 2025. The awardees under the Heeria Seenarine Memorial Tribute to Teachers programme were:
• Purbattie Rustamsingh – Rose Hall
Town Nursery
• Diana Khan –Port Mourant Nursery
• Zuan Hurst –Port Mourant Primary
• Indranie Tilacknauth – Rose Hall
Town Primary
• Leona Ramnarine
– Belvedere Primary
• Keisha Davis –Port Mourant Secondary
• Allisa Butcher –Lower Corentyne Secondary
• Damien Branco
– Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary
• Shyama Pattu-
Naidu – JC Chandisingh
Secondary School
Each awardee received two special gifts, a medal of excellence, a framed certificate and a trophy.
Tribute to Students
The cricket teams also honoured five outstanding students of Lower Corentyne Secondary School under the Dropattie Ramsammy Tribute to Students Award.
Those honoured were:
• Jileesa Mangal
– Level Seven
• Mithun Jegmohan
– Level Eight
• Jayden Ganpat
– Level Nine
• Emily Beharry
– Level 10
• Ruth Ramoutar
– Level 11
Each student received an
electronic tablet, an educational package, a trophy, a medal and a framed certificate of excellence.
Club Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that the ceremonies were held under the RHTYSC “Say Yes to Education” programme and were sponsored by USregistered nurse Dropattie Ramsammy, a former student of Lower Corentyne Secondary School.
Ramsammy congratulated the awardees and urged them to always strive for excellence. She noted that her success in life stemmed from the educational foundation she received in Guyana, and she expressed the desire to assist others in fulfilling their future ambitions.
Mayor of Rose Hall Town Dave Budhu and Town Clerk Natasha Griffith also congratulated the awardees and praised both the RHTYSC and Ramsammy for recognising the achievements of teachers and students.
Housing Minister Collin Croal, in a well-received feature address, highlighted the importance of education and commended the RHTYSC for its longstanding work in sports, culture and education. He encour-
aged the awardees to use the recognition as motivation for greater success and pledged to use his position as honorary patron to positively impact the lives of youths.
Tribute to Town Council
Employees
Meanwhile, four employees of the Rose Hall Town Council were honoured as part of Guyana’s 56th Republic Anniversary Celebration. Those recognised for outstanding contributions in 2025 were:
• Jerry Bones –Finance Department
• Aleslie Ally –Security Department
• Liyana Alexander
– Sanitation Market
• Suraj Mangal –Works Department
The awardees were se-
lected by the council’s administration based on work ethic, attendance and personal discipline. Each received a trophy, medal, framed certificate and a special gift from the RHTYSC.
After a heavy defeat against South Africa, the West Indies must win against India to secure a semi-final spot at the T20 World Cup in India. The West Indies will meet India in a must-win game on Sunday, March 1.
According to Captain Shai Hope, that encounter will be treated as a final – the first of potentially three. “Well, you know, everything is not going to come easy. We’ve got to find ways to overcome our challenges. And the way we’ve been playing cricket, yes, we’ve got to put a loss behind us. Sometimes it’s good to have a loss earlier in the campaign, but now we see the importance of this next game, and it’s important for us to make sure we hit our straps well. And we’ve got to treat it as a final as well, our first final and hopefully two more after that,” Hope said.
Reflecting on the game against South Africa, Hope said the West Indies left about 50 runs on the field.
“I’m sure when you come up on a wicket just as good as that, it is very important to get a big score on the board, and losing so many wickets in the powerplay will always set us back. Like I said, I just felt it was a very good surface, maybe 40-50 runs short in the end,
but yeah, so many wickets in the powerplay – that’s going to set us back as a batting team. (You must be happy to get 176.) You must commend the guys in the bottom half there for giving us a chance. You know, the way T20 cricket goes sometimes, if we get a couple of wickets ourselves in the powerplay, you never know, things could have changed, but you must give credit where it’s due, and I think Jason and Sheppi played really good innings to give us a chance,” Hope explained. Despite being on the losing side, Hope credited the quality of the Ahmedabad pitch.
line, and if we get an opportunity to come back here, we have to make sure we learn quickly.”
With this being a long campaign and most players active throughout the season, Hope is confident his team will manage their workloads and pull through.
“I would say it’s probably even better. I thought the ball came out really nicely; not a single ounce of turn I saw when Kesh started, and then when our spinners were bowling, there wasn’t much purchase, so yeah, I think it was very good to bat on; you can play through the
“Not necessarily, I just think we need to ensure we play; it’s just about execution. We have all the right people in our arsenal to make sure that we can play in whatever conditions we’re faced with.
Again, you can have things in your favour as a bowling unit, but if you’re not executing, then you’re still going to give the batters opportunities to score. It was one of those days where we didn’t get enough runs on the board, and then it was a lot harder for the bowlers to really pull things back,” Hope added.
Sunday’s game against India will bowl off at 09:30h local time in Kolkata, India.
RTeigning Elite League champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) have signalled their intent to remain at the summit of local football after securing the signature of Cameroonian defender Njoh Motutu.
The announcement was made via the club’s official social media platforms, where Slingerz FC confirmed that Motutu joins the side from Fako United FC. The acquisition represents a bold international move by the Guyanese outfit as they strengthen their squad ahead of upcoming domestic and regional competitions.
In their statement, the club revealed that they had “journeyed all the way to
Central Africa” to secure the defender’s services, underscoring their ambition to build a team capable of sustained success. Hailing from Cameroon – a nation renowned for producing top-tier football talent – Motutu is expected to add steel and structure to the reigning champions’ backline.
The post highlighted the defender’s strength, discipline, and defensive intelligence as key attributes that made him a prime target. With Slingerz aiming to defend their Elite League crown and make a strong push for silverware on multiple fronts, the addition of an experienced international presence could prove pivotal.
Motutu’s arrival not only reinforces the defensive unit but also reflects the club’s broader vision of raising standards and competing at the highest level both locally and regionally. Supporters will be eager to see how quickly the Cameroonian adapts to Guyanese football and integrates into a squad already brimming with confidence following their championship triumph.
As Slingerz FC continues to build on their success, the message is clear: the champions are not standing still. With Njoh Motutu now donning the Slingerz colours, the club’s journey toward continued excellence has taken another decisive step forward.
he fourth edition of the Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix was held on Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with 16 secondary schools putting their engineering skills, innovation and teamwork to the test.
Students will compete in three dynamic categories –Acceleration, Advanced, and Innovation and Creativity – offering multiple avenues for technical excellence and original thinking.
At stake is $350,000 worth of science equipment for each winning school, aimed at strengthening science laboratories and supporting STEM development.
Delivering remarks at the event was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, who highlighted the importance of investing in youth STEM initiatives as career opportunities continue to evolve in
Guyana. He also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting its partnership with SBM Offshore for the staging of the event.
Also in attendance was Member of Parliament and Director of Youth Suresh Singh, whom the minister commended for the Youth Department’s work in training more than 8000 Guyanese in coding and robotics.
The event, organised by SBM Offshore with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, continues to serve as a valuable platform for students to apply STEM training in a practical and engaging environment.
The top three performers in each category will have their race videos submitted to Monaco for consideration in the international leg of the competition. Should a
Guyanese team advance, SBM Offshore Guyana will fully sponsor the team’s travel to Monaco, where students will also have the opportunity to experience the Monaco E-Prix.
The second phase of the programme includes a fully funded educational and cultural trip to Suriname, during which students selected for the Monaco leg will apply for their Schengen visas and participate in immersive learning experiences designed to broaden their global perspectives.
Full support will also be provided for travel to Monaco, where participants will represent Guyana on the global stage. In 2025, six students benefited from an immersive visit to Suriname followed by a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Nice, Monaco and the Netherlands, rewarding their creativity and innovation.
The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry of Health, has launched a ground-breaking Physiotherapy Seminar for Coaches at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, marking a significant step toward strengthening the integration of health science into sports development in Guyana.
The seminar, described as the first of its kind, forms part of a broader strategy to modernise and decentralise the approach to sports development, ensuring that coaches, athletes and officials are better equipped with knowledge in injury prevention, rehabilitation
and performance optimisation.
Director of Sport at the NSC, Steve Ninvalle, emphasised the importance of the initiative, describing it as a landmark moment for the sports sector.
“This, to me, is an extremely important occasion,” Ninvalle stated. “It’s an important event that we are having, and I must say that when I reached out to Dr Mangar, it was a simple process of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission joining hands with the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry of Health.”
He noted that the partnership builds on earli-
The curtains came down on the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-19 Cricket Association tournament with an exciting final day of action at two venues, as teams battled for top honours and final standings. At the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Ground, the East Coast Cricket Board faced off against the Upper Demerara Cricket Association in a decisive encounter.
Upper Demerara U19 won the toss and opted to bat but struggled to build momentum against a disciplined East Coast bowling attack. They were bowled out for 102 in 22.3 overs, with only two batsmen reaching double figures. Nathan Bishop top-scored with 33, while Tyric Henry contributed 25 in an otherwise faltering innings.
Arun Gainda led the charge with impressive figures of four for 20, dismantling the middle order. He was well supported by Kaylan Callendar and Vijai Kalpu, who claimed two wickets apiece to ensure Upper Demerara never found stability at the crease.
In reply, East Coast made light work of the target thanks to a blistering knock from Yannick Newton. The right-hander smashed an
unbeaten 51 off just 26 balls, an innings decorated with seven fours and two sixes. His aggressive stroke play propelled East Coast to 104 for one in just nine overs, sealing a comprehensive victory.
With the win, East Coast finished the competition on six points to secure second place, their only blemish being a single loss in four matches.
er collaborations, including engagements with the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, and reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding sports development beyond traditional training methods.
“In my memory, I cannot remember us as a Sports Commission or Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport having such an engagement, and this will not be the last,” Ninvalle added. “As we look at muscles and how we deal with them through physiotherapy, we’re trying to open the minds of coaches, athletes, and officials.”
Leading the technical component, physiotherapist Dr Ariane Mangar outlined a comprehensive series of
upcoming seminars aimed at addressing diverse athlete populations and their unique needs.
“Today we’re starting with a health physiotherapy seminar,” Dr Mangar explained. “Then we’ll move on to one focused on the female athlete, where we look at syncing training with the athlete’s menstrual cycle. We also want to address the para-athlete – the disabled athlete – and explore how training can be adapted for them.”
port coaches. This is part of preventing injuries.”
NSC Commissioner Cristy Campbell underscored the importance of shifting public perception about physiotherapy in sports.
NSC Commissioner Cristy Campbell underscored the importance of shifting public perception about physiotherapy in sport.
Over at the Police Sports Club ground, the West Demerara Cricket Association won the toss and chose to bat against the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA).
West Demerara posted 140 all out in 40.3 overs.
Pameshwar Ram top-scored with a brisk 35 from 29 deliveries, while T Argyle added 30 to give the innings some respectability. However, disciplined bowling from Georgetown kept the scoring in check. Danvir Seegobin was outstanding with four for 15, and Emmanuel Lewis provided strong support with three wickets.
In response, Georgetown’s chase was an-
chored by Khush Seegobin, who struck 47, and an unbeaten 50 from Emmanuel Lewis. The pair guided their side comfortably to 150 for three in 27.1 overs, sealing another convincing victory.
With four wins from four matches, Georgetown remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to claim the Under-19 title in dominant fashion, capping off an impressive campaign and underlining their depth in youth cricket.
The final day’s performances highlighted the promising talent emerging across Demerara, setting the stage for an exciting future in the region’s cricketing landscape.
She further highlighted plans to focus on the “master’s athlete”, or older competitor, noting that this group requires specialised training considerations, including tendon health, collagen support and understanding sarcopenia – the age-related loss of muscle mass.
“Our role is to help them excel in what they do,” Mangar said. “As we move forward, our young therapists will develop various training programs to sup-
“Many times, we believe in sport that we only need to see a physio when we have a niggle or an injury, but that is just public perception,” Campbell remarked. “There are programs in place to deal with prehabpreparing your muscles and framework to avoid those niggles.”
The seminar represents a proactive approach to
sports medicine in Guyana, focusing not only on treatment but also on prevention, education and longterm athlete development. By equipping coaches with essential physiotherapy knowledge, the NSC and Ministry of Health are laying the foundation for a more scientifically informed and inclusive sporting environment. With additional seminars already planned, the initiative signals a sustained commitment to athlete welfare and high-performance excellence across all levels of sport in Guyana.
