Guyana Times - Saturday, January 17 , 2026

…says tailored banking services reflect Guyana’s economic maturity Page

US$8.14M Charity Solar Farm commissioned, delivering clean energy to 3500 households …culprits

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 17 –15:40h–17:10h and Sunday, January 18 – 16:15h–17:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected during the day and will continue into the night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 17:07h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 10:41h and 22:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.57 metre.

US$8.14M Charity Solar Farm commissioned, delivering clean energy to 3500 households

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) has now been boosted with the US$8.14 million Charity Solar Farm, a transformative project that will deliver reliable electricity and create jobs along the Essequibo Coast.

The three megawatt-power (MWp) facility, now operational, is set to benefit approximately 3500 households while supporting small businesses, schools, and health centres in the region. It features 4928 solar modules, eight photovoltaic inverters, and a 2.25 MW, two-hour battery energy storage system, which together enhance the stability and reliability of the Essequibo Coast grid. A new 13.8 kilovolt (kV) line connects the farm to the North

Feeder, further strengthening energy supply to the community.

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who commissioned the facility, emphasised the importance of renewable energy for regional development.

“Most of your energy going forward will be coming from the sun, from a natural source,” he said, highlighting that the combined output of the Charity and Onderneeming Solar Farms, totalling 8 MWp with 12 MWh of battery storage, can meet more than half of the region’s peak demand.

The PM also noted that the project has implications beyond energy generation, as it opens the door for new investments, tourism, and infrastructure development, citing ongoing hospital, road, airport, and ferry projects in Region Two.

PM Phillips further encouraged investors to seize the opportunity presented by the increasing flow of people along the Essequibo Coast, highlighting that Region Two is experiencing a surge in activity and is in urgent need

of additional hotels, services, and infrastructure to meet growing demand.

“Region Two is running out of hotel rooms. So, if you’re an investor and you’re listening to me, come and build a hotel in Region Two. Because it seems like every weekend, people from all over Guyana and overseas are utilising the frequency of the ferry movement to drive and come and enjoy. We have to run out of service, but we’re still going to be creating omnibus services for everyone, and I want to get the people from the community involved in this project involved in getting the opportunity to make this project happen,” he remarked.

Diversified energy mix

Phillips further reinforced the Government’s commitment to a diversified energy mix, including solar, hydro, and gas-to-energy projects. He underscored that by the end of 2026, the country will generate 300 MW of power from gas, complemented by ongoing hydro and solar developments, creating a resilient and sustainable energy sector.

Meanwhile, GPL Chief Executive Officer Kesh Nandlall celebrated the facility as a major step in Guyana’s shift toward sustainable and low-carbon energy. He highlighted that the 3MWp solar farm, built on a 10.8-acre site with nearly 5000 solar modules, eight inverters, and a 2.25 MW battery storage system, will strengthen the Essequibo Coast grid and provide clean, reliable electricity to thousands of households.

TURN TO PAGE 7

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Energy and Development

The commissioning of the US$8.14 million Charity Solar Farm is a defining moment in the economic and social transformation of Region Two. Reliable electricity has long been a decisive factor in regional development, and the arrival of a utility-scale renewable facility signals that the Essequibo Coast is entering a new phase of opportunity. The project is an investment in livelihoods, public services, and the long-term competitiveness of the region.

With a capacity of three megawatts peak, the facility is designed to serve approximately 3500 households while also strengthening the operations of businesses, schools and health institutions. The infrastructure, comprising thousands of solar modules, multiple inverters and a battery storage system, introduces a level of stability that the local grid has not previously enjoyed. By connecting directly to the North Feeder through a new transmission line, the farm improves both reach and resilience, reducing the disruptions that have historically constrained productivity along the coast.

Energy security is inseparable from economic growth, and the availability of cleaner and more predictable power encourages investment in agro-processing, tourism, information services and other emerging sectors. The Essequibo Coast has witnessed increasing movement of people and goods, aided by upgraded ferry services and road networks. Adequate electricity is the essential foundation upon which new hotels, commercial centres and community enterprises can confidently expand. The solar farm therefore functions as a catalyst, enabling private initiative to flourish rather than struggle with unreliable supply.

National leaders have correctly framed the project within the wider pursuit of a diversified energy portfolio. Solar generation, combined with hydro and gas-to-energy initiatives, forms a balanced approach that shields the country from the volatility of imported fuels. The Charity facility, together with the nearby Onderneeming installation, is expected to satisfy a substantial share of regional peak demand. Such progress demonstrates that renewable solutions are no longer experimental additions but core components of the national grid.

Equally significant are the environmental gains and the fact that the farm is projected to produce thousands of megawatthours of clean electricity each year, cutting fuel expenses and preventing thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions. These outcomes align with Guyana’s international commitments and with the expectations of citizens who increasingly value sustainable development. Lower operating costs for the utility can translate into more resources for maintenance and expansion, creating a virtuous cycle of improvement.

The social dimension of the project deserves special recognition, as training and employment opportunities have been deliberately woven into its implementation, with dozens of women and young professionals receiving practical exposure to renewable energy disciplines. Such inclusion ensures that technological progress is accompanied by human development. Skills acquired on this site will circulate throughout the economy, strengthening local capacity for future ventures in engineering, finance and environmental management.

The Charity Solar Farm also illustrates the benefits of constructive international partnership. Financing through the Guyana-Norway cooperation and administration by the InterAmerican Development Bank have enabled investments that might otherwise have been delayed. Similar projects across several regions are steadily reducing dependence on diesel generation and demonstrating the wisdom of long-term planning. The National Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme has become a model of how external support can be aligned with domestic priorities.

Challenges remain, including the need to maintain equipment in demanding coastal conditions and to integrate variable renewable output with conventional generation. Yet these are manageable tasks when confronted with professional management. The experience gained at Charity will inform future installations and help refine regulatory and technical standards.

For the people of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region, the new solar farm is already reshaping daily life. The broader message is that regional development is achievable when innovation, investment and inclusive planning converge.

Guyana stands at the threshold of an energy transition, and the Essequibo Coast has taken a decisive step forward. Continued commitment to such initiatives will ensure that the benefits of growth reach every corner of the nation.

Together: our self-discipline, collaboration & competent governance – the foundation of Guyana’s future

By Ron Cheong

The eye of the inclement local turbulent weather seems to have largely run its course and is sputtering and grasping at straws now. And so this is a good time to revisit some ancient wisdom which describes what we have seen, the reasons underlying it and age-old frailties that foster it.

Democracy is built on freedom, equality, and collective decision-making –yet again and again it often elevates leaders who are unprepared, incompetent, or dangerously unfit to govern.

This is not a new paradox. More than 2400 years ago, Plato warned that democracy contains the seeds of its own decay, not because people are evil, but because human desire, left undisciplined, overwhelms judgement. What feels like a uniquely modern crisis –celebrity leaders, emotional politics, social-media outrage, and the triumph of confidence over competence – is in fact the fulfilment of a pattern Plato described with unsettling precision.

How Democracy Decays from Within In The Republic, Plato outlines democracy’s lifecycle. It begins nobly, animated by a passion for freedom and equality. Over time, however, freedom becomes excess. Restraint is dismissed as oppression, expertise as elitism, and discipline as weakness.

Citizens increasingly value pleasure, impulse, and self-expression over respon-

sibility and wisdom. In such a climate, the distinction between qualified leadership and theatrical confidence erodes. The masses, Plato argued, come to prefer those who entertain them, flatter their desires, and promise immediate gratification over those who understand the complexities of governance.

This is not corruption imposed from above; it is decay generated from within. When citizens lose their internal discipline – the ability to delay gratification, tolerate complexity, and submit to reasoned authority – democracy becomes vulnerable to manipulation. Politics turns emotional. Serious debate gives way to spectacle. Popularity replaces competence.

The Rise of the Demagogue

Plato warned that democratic excess naturally gives rise to the demagogue: a figure who presents himself as the pure embodiment of the people’s will. He at-

tacks institutions, experts, and rivals as enemies of “the people”, while offering simplistic solutions to complex problems. He promises everything and demands nothing – except loyalty.

The contemporary parallels are hard to ignore. In Guyana, where the self-promoted richest man in the country, openly lacking any knowledge of governance, captured 16 of the Official Opposition’s 29 seats in the last election by projecting confidence and making promises untethered from reality. His appeal was not policy or competence but certainty – certainty that reflected his followers’ desires back to them.

In this case, fortunately, wealth was not the Teflon coating he thought it would be. He overestimated his pull on voters – other realities and hard facts stepped in and pre-empted what Plato saw as the aspiring demagogue’s ultimate and most dangerous stage: when

the demagogue convinces his followers that he alone can solve their problems.

Chaos as a Political Strategy Plato’s insight goes further. The demagogue, he argued, does not reduce chaos – he intensifies it. Disorder becomes a tool. Constant crisis exhausts the public, erodes attention, and weakens the capacity for independent judgement. Over time, citizens become overwhelmed by complexity and contradiction. Freedom, once cherished, begins to feel like a burden.

It is at this point – when the electorate is emotionally drained and intellectually fatigued – that democracy quietly surrenders itself. The people do not lose their freedom by force; they give it away. They trade deliberation for devotion, criticism for loyalty, and shared responsibility for the comforting belief that someone else will carry the weight of decision-making.

Canada’s digital diplomacy and diplomatic overexposure in Guyana

Dear Editor, In November of last year, I felt compelled to address High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin’s public exhortations for Guyanese citizens to “speak up” regarding domestic electoral processes – a move I characterised then as an overreach into our sovereign internal affairs.

Today, observing the High Commissioner’s recent social media output regarding his “engagement” with the National Assembly and various stakeholders, I find a different, yet equally troubling trend: the transi-

tion from quiet, effective diplomacy to overt self-advertisement.

As a dual citizen of both Canada and Guyana, I have long valued the deep, historically grounded relationship between our two nations. However, the efficacy of that relationship is compromised when the representative of a sovereign partner appears to prioritise a high-frequency public profile over the traditional “mystique” of the diplomatic office.

There is a fine line between modern “digital diplomacy” and what looks

increasingly like personal branding. When a diplomat frames every routine meeting or “engagement” as a public affirmation of their personal “belief in institutions”, they inadvertently centre themselves in the narrative.

In the world of high-level international relations, a diplomat’s power is often inverse to their visibility. True influence happens in the quiet corridors of the Ministry of Finance or the Office of the President, not on a Facebook feed.

By constantly “advertising” his presence and his

personal philosophies, the High Commissioner risks compromising his own diplomatic autonomy. To be an effective interlocutor, an envoy must remain a neutral bridge. When an envoy becomes a local “influencer” or a celebrity commentator on the functioning of our Parliament, they lose the gravitas required for the “hard miles” of bilateral negotiation.

Canada’s commitment to Guyana is unquestioned and appreciated. But that commitment is best served by an approach that respects the quiet dignity of

Guyanese institutions without the need for a play-byplay public commentary.

Dear Editor, GHK Lall’s response to Minister Susan Rodrigues’ recent letter is notable not for what it clarifies, but for what it carefully avoids.

While Mr Lall confirmed that he is indeed a shareholder in News Talk Radio, the company that operates Demerara Waves Online News, he was conspicuously evasive on two fundamental matters: how much he paid to acquire those shares and the source of the funds used to do so. In an environment where transparency is routinely demanded of public officials, such omissions are neither trivial nor acceptable, particularly from someone who positions himself as a relentless advocate of accountability.

In her letter, Minister Rodrigues did not ask for favours or special treat-

Plato warned that once this transition occurs, followers become incapable of separating themselves from the leader, regardless of what he does. His failures are reinterpreted as virtues. His abuses become necessary evils. Opposition is no longer disagreement but betrayal.

Why the Crowd Clings

This is the most uncomfortable part of Plato’s argument: societies fail not simply because of bad leaders, but because citizens lose the internal discipline required for self-government. An electorate can be “uneducated”, not in the formal sense, but in the deeper sense of being unwilling to think, question, and restrain its own desires.

ment. She simply called for the same standard of scrutiny to be applied evenly. Mr Lall’s reply, however, sidestepped several longstanding and serious allegations that continue to follow him.

These include unresolved questions arising from his tenure at the Guyana Gold Board, a period clouded by allegations of corruption and questionable practices. When confronted with concerns surrounding the granting of a gold export licence under dubious circumstances to a company considered suspect, one in which Travis Chase was a director at the time, Mr Lall merely asserted that “all legal procedures were followed”, without offering any substantive detail to reassure a sceptical public.

Equally troubling is

Leaders who promise instant solutions flourish precisely because they absolve followers of responsibility.

When people surrender judgement, they also surrender agency. At that stage, abandoning the leader would require confronting their own role in the chaos – a step many find psychologically unbearable. It becomes easier to cling than to reflect.

An Ancient Warning for a Digital Age

Social media, algorithmic amplification, and celebrity politics have not created this problem, but they have accelerated it. Emotional propaganda travels faster than reason. Popularity is measurable, instant, and mone-

his response to questions about his professional credentials. It has been publicly established that Mr Lall represented himself to GECOM officials as an attorney-at-law while registering for a national identification card. His assertion that “the GECOM records have been addressed” does not explain why such a false claim was made in the first place, nor does it answer the basic questions Minister Rodrigues posed: when did he graduate from law school, and when was he admitted to the Bar?

Questions about the veracity of his claim of being a “Wall Street Analyst” were met with a directive to go search somewhere and no specific details.

Mr Lall’s refusal to debunk allegations of sexual misconduct that have circu-

tised. Plato could not have imagined platforms or algorithms, but he understood human psychology well enough to predict the outcome: a politics optimised for desire rather than truth.

What truly holds a free society together, Plato believed, is not unlimited freedom but self-restraint

lated for some time should also be noted. One cannot credibly claim the moral high ground while declining to address accusations of such gravity.

GHK Lall is free to criticise Government officials; that is his right. But credibility is earned through openness, not selective disclosure. You cannot demand transparency from others while offering deflection, half-answers, and omissions when legitimate questions are asked of you.

If Demerara Waves and its principal commentator truly stand for fairness, truth, and accountability, then those principles must apply universally, not only when it is politically convenient.

Yours truly,

Quincy Anderson

– within individuals as much as within institutions. When that restraint erodes, democracy does not collapse in a dramatic coup. It dissolves quietly, willingly, and from within.

Plato’s warning feels uncomfortably modern because it is not about systems alone but about us. SATURDAY,

As I noted weeks ago, democracy belongs to the Guyanese people. So, too, does the right to manage our institutions without the constant, televised “endorsement” or “engagement” of foreign representatives who seem more focused on their digital footprint than their diplomatic footprint.

Yours sincerely, Dr Walter H Persaud

Is such a scenario possible?

Dear Editor, I ask readers to carefully envision the following scenario and reflect on what its implications could mean for Guyana’s democracy and political stability.

Imagine a meeting of opposition Parliamentarians convened by the Speaker of the National Assembly. At that meeting, APNU nominates one of its members to serve as Leader of the Opposition. That nominee then secures the support of the three WIN MPs, alongside APNU’s twelve, and is duly elected to the post.

Now consider this: what if the Speaker subsequently refuses to accede to WIN’s request to recall and replace those three MPs? What if the dispute then has to be taken to the courts, and the mat-

ter drags on for years – five years, perhaps – by which time Azruddin Mohamed may already have been extradited to the United States?

Is such a scenario possible? This is not an idle question. History has shown that backroom manoeuvring and Machiavellian scheming, aided or facilitated by external Western forces, are not unheard of in this part of the world.

While this may sound far-fetched to some, it would be unwise to dismiss it outright. For now, all that remains is to watch closely, remain vigilant, and wait to see how events unfold.

Yours sincerely, Sharon McDonald A Worried Guyanese

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026

00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Cartoons

08:30 KTLT 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Movie - The Karate Kid (1984) 12:00 Movie - The Karate Kid Part II (1986)

14:00 Movie - The Karate Kid Part III (1989) 16:00 Movie - The Next Karate Kid (1994) 18:00 Evangelistic Hour 18:30 Hephzibah Ministries 19:00 Movie - The Karate Kid (2010) 21:20 Movie - Karate Kid: Legends (2025)

Page Foundation

Proportion

Proportion is a type of relationship between two variables linked by a constant.

There are two types of proportion, direct proportion and inverse proportion. They can also be referred to as direct variation and inverse variation.

When solving problems involving proportion it is important to know which type of proportion that you are dealing with, direct proportion or inverse proportion.

Direct proportion is a type of proportionality relationship. For direct proportion, as one value increases, so does the other value and conversely, as one value decreases, so does the other value.

The symbol ∝ represents a proportional relationship.

If y is directly proportional to x, we can write this relationship as:

Direct proportion is useful in numerous real life situations such as exchange rates, conversion between units, and fuel prices.

The direct proportion formula allows us to express the relationship between two variables, using an equivalence relationship; the formula contains an equals symbol (=) instead of the proportionality symbol

When y is directly proportional to x, the value of y ÷ x is a constant value. This is known as the constant of proportionality and we use the letter k to denote this number.

Given that k = y ÷ x, we can rearrange this formula to make y the subject, and hence obtain the standard format of the direct proportion formula:

y = kx

Proportional relationships can also be represented by graphs.

The following is a type of direct proportion graph.

Materials

•Water

•Sugar

•Clothespin

•Pot

•Wooden sticks

•Food colour dye

•Flavour enhancers

Instructions

1. Bring two cups of water to a boil in a large pot on the stove.

2. Stir in four cups of sugar. Boil and continue stirring until sugar appears dissolved. This is also the time to add in any flavour enhancements, such as vanilla or peppermint and so on. Allow the solution to cool for 15-20 minutes.

3. While waiting for the solution to cool, wet the wooden sticks and roll them around in granulated sugar and let dry. You’ll need one stick per jar.

4. Once the sugar solution is cool, add in food colouring to create rock candy of your preferred colour. Leave this step out for clearcoloured crystals.

5. Pour the cooled

It is a straight line graph going through the origin. It has the equation y = kx.

Direct proportion formulas can involve powers and roots. If the variables were x and y, and y is directly proportional to x2, we can write the relationship using the proportionality symbol.

We can also write this as a formula:

y = kx2

In order to recognise a direct proportion formula:

Step 1: Look for an equation in the form y = kxⁿ.

Step 2: Check there are no other terms in the equation.

solution into a glass jar (or jars) and insert the sugarcovered wooden stick into the centre of the glass. Make sure that the stick is not touching any part of the jar.

6. Once in place, secure the stick in place using a clothespin. Cover the top of the glass with a paper towel. You may have to poke a hole in the paper towel for the wooden stick to poke through.

7. Place the glass in a cool and quiet place. Loud noises and a lot of movement can disturb the crystal-making process. They will reach their maximum growth potential by two weeks.

8. When you have a good amount of rock candy crystals, remove the stick and place it on a sheet of wax paper to dry before eating!

BY ROBERT GRAVES

The great sun sinks behind the town Through a red mist of Volnay wine . . . . But what’s the use of setting down That glorious blaze behind the town? You’ll only skip the page, you’ll look For newer pictures in this book; You’ve read of sunsets rich as mine.

A fresh wind fills the evening air With horrid crying of night birds . . . . But what reads new or curious there When cold winds fly across the air? You’ll only frown; you’ll turn the page, But find no glimpse of your ‘New Age Of Poetry’ in my worn-out words.

Must winds that cut like blades of steel And sunsets swimming in Volnay, The holiest, cruellest pains I feel, Die stillborn, because old men squeal For something new: ‘Write something new: We’ve read this poem – that one too, And twelve more like ’em yesterday’?

No, no! my chicken, I shall scrawl Just what I fancy as I strike it, Fairies and Fusiliers, and all. Old broken knock-kneed thought will crawl Across my verse in the classic way. And, sir, be careful what you say; There are old-fashioned folk still like it.

(Poems 1929)

Set your story on a remote island, a distant planet, or somewhere faraway and forgotten.

WORD SEARCH

Govt toughens stance on streetlight theft ahead of new installations

…culprits will face full force of the law – Edghill warns

As the Guyana Government continues to install street lights in communities and on major highways to enhance safety and security, there have been several reports of these lights being stolen.

To this end, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has announced that the Government will be marking these lights, and unauthorised persons caught

with them will be penalised. This was after the Ministry had installed 10 new lights at the roundabout on Heroes Highway to improve visibility for road users, but three of them have since been stolen. “I want to make it very clear: anybody who’s caught with stolen Government of Guyana lights will face the full force of the law. As a matter of fact, part of what we are going to be doing now

as a result of that is that every light…from today will have a special laser mark,” Edghill noted in a video posted by his Ministry on Friday.

The exercise to affix that laser mark is being carried out at the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) location where the lights are being stored. According to Eghill, the Government has invested millions in pro-

US$8.14M Charity Solar Farm...

FROM PAGE 3

Nandlall noted that the farm is expected to generate about 4600 MWh of renewable energy annually, reducing fossil fuel costs by GY$267 million and cutting nearly 3500 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. He pointed out that the project complements the 5MWp Onderneeming Solar Farm, together contributing 8MWp of solar capacity and 12 MWh of battery storage to the region, covering over 20 per cent of its projected 2026 energy demand.

Beyond energy generation, the CEO emphasised the farm’s inclusive impact, explaining that the project has trained and employed 31 women, including nine from Region Two, and provided hands-on experience to 20 young professionals, including persons with disabilities. These efforts, he

said, ensure that local communities directly benefit from the renewable energy initiative.

Nandlall also placed the project within the context of the nation’s broader energy strategy, noting that alongside solar expansion, the Government is advancing a 300 MW Gas-toEnergy project at Wales. He described the Charity Solar Farm as a model of what can be achieved when vision, investment, and partnership converge, delivering both economic and environmental benefits.

The Charity Solar Farm is part of the Government’s Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GuySol), administered by the Inter-American Development Bank. Under the programme, Guyana has invested in solar projects

across Regions Two, Five, Six and 10, with a total commitment of US$83.8 million from the Guyana-Norway Partnership for forest services. The initiative has already reduced dependence on fossil fuels, lowered generation costs, and offset nearly 3500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

The project has empowered 31 women, including nine from Region Two, and 20 apprentices who gained hands-on experience in renewable energy engineering, procurement, finance, and environmental management.

Also attending the commissioning were Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and Regional Chairman Devin Mohan, among other regional officials.

curing these lights in order to improve the lives of every citizen. “Security in this country is everybody’s business…people will go to the top of a pole to steal a light – that’s unimaginable. 10 [installed] at the roundabout, three already stolen. The pole wasn’t knocked down; the lights just disappeared… But this has been happening around the country, where the 18,000 has been laid out. Persons have called us and indicated to us [that] the lights have gone up. They have enjoyed it for two or three days, and when they come out on the veranda the third night, the light is not there. It’s gone.”

“So, we are improving on our marking, because in order for us to prosecute people who are found with these lights, we need to ensure that we have a secure marking. So, all of the suppliers, along with the [Ministry’s] team, will be in this compound for the next several days, ramping up that exercise [to mark the lights],” the Minister noted. While he indicated that they are working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to retrieve footage from nearby cameras at the roundabout, where the lights were stolen, in order to capture the culprits, Edghill is calling on persons to report any instances of such theft.

“I also want to use this opportunity today to…appeal to citizens who see and have information about people stealing or removing these unauthorised lights. The Ministry has its hotline;

we’ll put that back up on the page. You can call and send images, as well as give information. And we promise you, your information provided will be treated with the utmost confidence, and the security forces will have to do their job,” he assured. As part of the programme to improve citizens’ security and community security, the Guyana Government has announced that $100,000 worth of streetlights will be installed in communities and on roadways across the country. To date, close to 18,000 of these lights have already been installed in various communities, with new shipments received recently from the suppliers to ramp up the installation exercise. “We have dozens of contractors who have the capacity with their bucket trucks to help to install, and this is being done on a fixed-rate basis. And so, we have a number of contractors who will be doing that,” he noted. Edghill went on to

remind that this programme is in keeping with a promise made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to improve security across the country.

“President Ali and the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) Government made a commitment that we’re going to improve citizen security and community security. And apart from the other initiatives through the police force and the other law enforcement agencies to improve community security and citizen security, one of the initiatives was the installation of streetlights to ensure that in communities where people traverse and on our main roads where people have to move, it’s properly illuminated and that we reduce the risk and the incidence of theft, harassment or any criminal activity whatsoever. We are glad, happy that this is yet another promise that was made that we are fulfilling,” he expressed.

Firearms, ammo, drugs seized in Police raids on ECD

Aseries of intelligence-led operations conducted on Thursday across several communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) resulted in the seizure of two firearms, quantities of ammunition and cannabis, with four persons now in Police custody as investigations continue. Reports are that at about 19:30h, an intelligence-led operation was carried out at a supermarket at Plaisance, ECD.

Ranks who were on motorcycle patrol went to the

location, where they observed a security guard on duty with what appeared to be a firearm tucked into the front waistband of his pants. The man was approached and questioned by the ranks, during which a 9mm pistol, along with a magazine containing three live 9mm rounds of ammunition, was found in his possession. Upon enquiry, the individual stated that he was not the holder of a firearm licence or permit.

The suspect was identified as a 37-year-old male

security guard of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were processed and lodged pending investigations. He remains in Police custody. In another intelligence-led operation conducted around the same time, also at about 19:30h, ranks on mobile patrol went to a supermarket at Good Hope, ECD. During the operation, ranks made contact with a security guard who was observed in possession

Fisherman denies homestretch

…as

the court

AWest Ruimveldt, Georgetown, fisherman on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to three charges of breaking and larceny when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Glen Cameron is alleged to have committed the offences between November 8 and November 10, 2025, at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, while acting in the company of others. Prosecutors allege that during that period, Cameron broke and entered the National Communications Network (NCN) Department of Public Information (DPI) section and stole one laptop, one pair of white AirPods and one cologne, the property of Shania Persaud and Ray Carrington.

The 33-year-old is also charged in relation to a separate incident on November 26, 2025, when he allegedly broke into and entered a building under construction for the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) at Homestretch Avenue. It is alleged that two propane gas cylinders and one welding hose valued at $290,000, the property of Peter Ramchandar, were stolen

of a shotgun.

The individual was questioned, and a 12-gauge shotgun along with five live 12-gauge cartridges was found in his possession. Further enquiries revealed that he was not in possession of a firearm licence or a precept. The suspect, a 24-year-old male of Lusignan, ECD, was arrested and escorted to the Vigilance Police Station. The firearm and ammunition were subsequently processed and lodged as investigations continue. Later that evening, at about 20:00h, another intelligence-led operation was carried out at a residence at Unity, Mahaica, ECD.

During a search of the premises, ranks discovered a black plastic bag concealed in the kitchen area. The bag contained several small zip-lock plastic bags with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. A 26-year-old male fisherman and a 63-year-old female, both occupants of the residence, were arrested and escorted to the Cove and John Police Station along with the suspected narcotics. The cannabis was weighed in the presence of the suspects and amounted to 82.11 grams before being processed and lodged. All four suspects remain in custody as investigations into the separate incidents continue.

break-ins

hears of a prior escape from custody

during that incident.

Two other persons have also been charged in connection with that break-in.

Cameron, who is currently serving a prison sentence for escaping lawful custody, was remanded to custody. The matters were adjourned to February 11. The court was reminded that this was not Cameron’s first appearance in relation to the same matters.

In December 2025, he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to escaping lawful custody. He was also charged at that time for breaking and entering with larceny and possession of ammunition without a licence.

One of the charges alleged that on November 28, 2025, at Lot 309 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Cameron was found in possession of one 12-gauge cartridge without being the holder of a firearm licence.

He was not required to plead to the breaking and entering charges at that hearing.

The prosecution further told the court that Cameron escaped from lawful custody on November 28, 2025, while being held at the East La Penitence Police Station on Mandela Avenue for criminal offences. Cameron pleaded guilty to that charge. In mitigation, Cameron claimed that he left the police station after receiving a telephone call from his sister and believed the matter had been “finished” after one of the stolen gas cylinders was returned.

He also told the court that he was experiencing stomach pains at the time. However, the prosecution stated that Cameron admitted to police that after completing the telephone call, he jumped through a window at the station to make his escape. Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty sentenced Cameron to six months’ imprisonment for escaping lawful custody and denied bail on the remaining charges, noting that the alleged larceny offences were committed while Cameron was on bail. Cameron remains in custody as the matters continue.

Forging ahead… …or forging?

Your Eyewitness had cause yesterday to take a trip up to CJIA to pick up a visiting relative from foreign. He’s not usually given to acting as chauffeur, but the fella had been a friend as well as a relative – and your Eyewitness wanted to check out the new connectivity he’d been reading so much about recently. Right off the bat he was quite chuffed that he could use the Heroes Highway to join the East Bank Road all the way to Diamond near the DDL plant!! He didn’t have to fight his way through the parking lot that the stretch between Banks and DDL invariably became – evidently for the sole purpose of driving him to drink!! And no…it had nothing to do with moving between the two largest producers of spirituous drinks!!

The refurbishing and widening of the East Bank Road had been going on since the beginning of the millennium, innit? It used to have so many potholes that gynaecologists were known to have women facing difficult deliveries be driven over for just a mile – any mile – and a bouncing baby was guaranteed!! Your Eyewitness remembers some Trini company – Seeram Bros? – executing the millennial contract! They’d guaranteed eliminating our perilous airport trips – what with new drains off the parapet and all! Advanced engineering!! Sadly, all of that was soon gone for channa, as increasing numbers of sand trucks combined with encroaching buildings in some sections and water percolating under the road’s foundation from the adjoining Demerara River in others to make all the best-laid plans of men and engineers all go awry!!

But here it was; he’d zipped from town to Diamond in less than half an hour!! He felt like he was Verstappen on a straight stretch in an F1 outing in Monaco!! Sadly, it wasn’t long before his high spirits were dashed… and Pressie pointing out that the absentee rate of our workers on these projects came to mind! What else could explain the tedious construction obstacles just a few miles from Diamond extending all the way to CJIA? OK… Some bridges were being built… or maybe a roundabout at the Soesdyke junction with the Linden Highway, etc. Your Eyewitness had even recently read of some new approach to resolving the percolating Demerara River water undermining the foundations – but still!! From the confusion your Eyewitness saw – even with Police stationed to prevent 3rd line undertakings and the usual other Guyanese drivers’ outrageous behaviour – he could see us entering 2027 and still not having a completed East Bank Road to the airport!

Now Pressie had also mentioned that Heroes Highway was gonna connect up to the Buzz Bee Highway, which would take us up to Craig… and then some new ones all the way to CJIA!! It’s quite possible that these may be completed before the EBR – not just because of tardy workers but because unless we have a revetment for the water of the Demerara River… we might just repeat the Trini Company’s tilting at Watermills!! But all was not bleak. The fella was going to the West Side, and your Eyewitness had the (extreme) pleasure of crossing the spectacular BJ Demerara River Bridge!! It reminded your Eyewitness that we’d tinkered with the old floating bridge for over 40 years, but it was still a challenge to maintain. A completed new approach worked!!

The new inland highways might just solve the EBD challenge!!

…on

MAGA

One thing about Donald Trump is that he don’t beat AROUND the bush!! If he sees a bush – or Bush! – he doesn’t like, he’ll beat the heck out of the bush!! At this time one of the bushes in his sight is to “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), and what’s interesting is Trump’s vision of a “great” America! Not the America of that “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” inscribed on the Statue of Liberty but one that is purged of all those who want to keep on huddling in a welfare state!!

He also believes that anybody who doesn’t admire the “American Way” – rough and ready as it is – can lump it and leave!! Towards this end he’s given a whole new take on the American classic “The Iceman Cometh”! In this modern iteration, members of ICE – the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement unit – have been charged with the mission of cleaning up America!! By whatever means necessary!

…on peace

Venezuelan charismatic opposition firebrand Maria Machado passed on her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump when they met. She knows that real peace can only come with respect… which Trump has earned.

New housing projects, faster land titles, easier mortgages for Region 2 as housing drive expands

Residents of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were assured of expanded housing opportunities, improved infrastructure and accelerated land ownership processes as the Housing Ministry rolled out a comprehensive update during a community engagement on Friday at the Housing Compound in Anna Regina. Addressing residents, Housing Minister Collin Croal acknowledged that some communities in Essequibo had not benefitted fully under the Ministry’s aggressive housing drive in recent years but said this gap is now being corrected through targeted interventions led by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

He announced that new housing construction initiatives will commence at Onderneeming Phase Four, where three-bedroom moderate-income homes will be built. At the same time, low-income housing construction is already underway in the Hoff Van Arich

area, including newly developed sections, and streams and supporting infrastructure are being established.

According to the Minister, these initiatives will ensure that residents of Essequibo and surrounding communities can now access the full suite of services offered by the Housing Ministry.

The Minister also highlighted significant progress in improving access to housing finance, noting that increased employment in structured and professional sectors in the region has created new opportunities for home ownership. He explained that longstanding barriers – particularly the requirement for a five per cent deposit – have been eased through initiatives by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, implemented in collaboration with commercial banks. Mortgage lending rates have been reduced, allowing even parttime workers to pre-qualify for low-income mortgages.

“We have already an-

nounced and committed that the income threshold will be increased to $50,000, expanding access even further. This means that persons at different levels of the workforce now have an opportunity for earlier home ownership, something that was unimaginable in the past,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that the Government’s approach extends beyond the allocation of house lots, with the Ministry committed to guiding beneficiaries throughout the process to ensure sustainable ownership for families and fu-

22.934 kg cocaine bust 1 jailed for 4 years, fined $33.9M, 1 granted bail

One man was sentenced to four years in prison, and another was granted bail when they appeared on Friday before Magistrate Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on charges linked to the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) said the matter involved 22.934 kilograms of cocaine. Dyal Simon and Adonayi Hoyte were jointly charged.

Hoyte entered a plea of not guilty to the offence and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. He is expected to return to court at a later date as the matter proceeds.

Simon pleaded guilty to the charge. The court sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of $33,951,000.

Reports are that officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), acting on information received, intercepted a motor vehicle along

the La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara. A subsequent search revealed 20 brick-like parcels containing cocaine.

According to CANU, an estimated GYD $433.9 million in narcotics was removed from circulation in 2025, resulting in 62 charges and 29 convictions. Cocaine and cannabis accounted for the majority of seizures, with 235.9 kilograms of cocaine and 726.3 kilograms of cannabis confiscated. Smaller amounts of ecstasy, methamphetamine, and cannabis products were also seized.

CANU said intelligence-driven interdiction operations last year targeted trafficking routes, organised criminal networks, and highrisk ports and border points, reinforcing Guyana’s shift from a passive transit country to an active regional disruptor. The formal launch of the National Early Warning System in 2025 also strengthened the nation’s ability to detect and respond to emerging drug threats.

ture generations.

Delays linked to drainage, irrigation challenges

As part of efforts to clear long-standing backlogs, the Minister said steel and cement are being distributed, while allocations continue in areas such as Charity and St Joseph. Development has now advanced into Onderneeming Phase Five, while infrastructure works in the newly opened Hoff Van Arich housing area are approximately 35 per cent complete. He assured residents that persons allocated lands there will be able to access their plots and move toward ownership within the 2026 calendar year. Addressing concerns regarding access to lands in St Joseph and Boniface, the Minister clarified that delays were linked to drainage and irrigation challenges rather than housing infrastructure. He disclosed that two projects are currently being implemented through the Drainage

and Irrigation Authority, including the construction of 0.7 kilometres of drainage channels and a discharge structure valued at $44 million, as well as the installation of a 188-cusec mobile pump to address irrigation needs. These interventions are expected to permanently resolve flooding issues by the end of April.

Distribution of 85 certificates

On the issue of land titles, the Minister reported tangible progress, announcing the distribution of 85 certificates of title for Onderneeming Phase Four.

He noted that these were issues raised during previous engagements and have since been resolved through collaboration between the Ministry and the Regional Housing Office. Work is also ongoing with the Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers to regularise ownership in older housing areas. At the national level, the Minister reaffirmed housing as a central pillar of the

PPP/C Government’s development agenda. He revealed that 50,000 house lots have already been allocated countrywide, with over 4000 houses constructed and a commitment now in place to build at least 40,000 homes nationwide. Special programmes will continue to support women, youth, vulnerable groups and hinterland communities, while applications submitted up to the end of 2024 are currently being processed. He assured residents that the Ministry remains solution-orientated and committed to timely action, stressing that housing is fundamentally about long-term security, stability and empowerment for Guyanese families. Also attending the meeting were Regional Chairman Devin Mohan, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Susan Saywack, and a representative for the Housing Ministry, CH&PA, among other regional officials.

IICA leadership handover

President Ali calls for digital, climatesmart revolution in Americas’ agriculture

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday outlined a series of strategic guidelines for the future of agriculture in the Americas, as he addressed the inauguration ceremony marking Dr Mohamed Ibran’s assumption of office as the new Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in San José, Costa Rica.

The President delivered his remarks via a video message from Georgetown during the ceremony, which was attended by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and several high-level regional and international officials. Among them were Mary Munive Angermüller, Vice President of Costa Rica; Arnoldo Tinoco and Alejandro Solano, Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica; Cleber Soares, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil; and government representatives

from more than 30 countries worldwide. Outgoing Director General Manuel Otero formally handed over the reins of the institution to his successor.

In his address, President Ali underscored IICA’s critical role in generating agricultural value-added and supporting sustainable development across the hemisphere. He extended heartfelt and resounding congratulations to his fellow countryman, Dr Ibran, on his inauguration, describing the appointment as a source of national pride for Guyana.

The Head of State said Dr Ibran’s appointment reflects the confidence of member states, the strength of a shared hemispheric vision, and a deep belief that cooperation – not isolation – will define the future of agriculture. He added that Guyana expresses sincere appreciation to all those who supported Dr Ibran’s candidacy.

According to President

Ali, the appointment comes at a decisive moment in history, as climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, food insecurity tests global resilience, and supply chains strain under global shocks. In this context, he posed a critical question: whether these challenges will be allowed to define nations, or whether their collective response will define the future.

Looking ahead, the President said that clear priorities must guide the region’s agricultural transformation. Chief among them, he noted, is the acceleration of digital transformation across the entire agricultural value chain.

“Technology can democratise opportunity, whether through precision agriculture, data-driven decision-making, or digital extension services. It is why Guyana proudly partners with IICA on initiatives such as the Situation Room and the Centre of Excellence,” President Ali said.

He further emphasised the importance of championing regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, noting that soils, biodiversity, and farmers all depend on it. He stressed that the issue is not whether climate impacts will occur, but whether farmers will be adequately prepared to face them.

Ali also highlighted the need to strengthen competitiveness, noting that producers must meet global standards, access new markets, and add value at every stage of production. He said agri-processing, logistics, and innovation ecosystems

are no longer optional.

Additionally, President Ali stressed that agricultural transformation must create wealth where it matters most, within rural communities. He noted that women, youth, and marginalised groups must not be spectators of progress but beneficiaries and leaders of it. He also emphasised that nutrition must remain central to food security, pointing out that food security is not solely about availability.

In this regard, the President highlighted Guyana’s work on biofortified rice, including the com-

mercialisation of Guyaka 17, as a clear demonstration of what science-driven solutions can achieve. He emphasised that agricultural development must prioritise quality, diversity, and health.

Ali also stressed the need to expand both intra- and extra-regional trade, noting that the Americas have both the opportunity and the obligation to lead the world in building sustainable and reliable food systems. He questioned whether the region would seize that responsibility collectively, affirming his belief that it must.

He pointed out that Guyana stands ready to work hand-in-hand with IICA and all member states to advance these shared priorities.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha, who also serves as Chair of the Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), congratulated Dr Ibran on becoming “the first Guyanese to lead this prestigious institution”. He noted that Dr Ibran’s career, both locally and internationally, is a testament to the tremendous potential that exists within the region.

JANUARY 17, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Moral and civic education now being taught in classrooms countrywide

Classrooms across the country have begun teaching moral and civic education to students at the nursery, primary and secondary levels as part of a nationwide effort to shape responsible and engaged citizens.

Education Minister Sonia Parag has emphasised the importance of the initiative, noting that its primary goal is to produce citizens who are respectful, disciplined and aware of their responsibilities within society.

Speaking during an episode of the Starting Point podcast, she explained that this is a standalone subject with different curriculums targeting nursery, primary and secondary school students.

how they play a part in that. How they will grow up to become policymakers and how they will grow up to take the responsibility of being leaders and decision-makers in terms of how the community can develop,” Minister Parag outlined.

She explained that the curriculum was developed in-house, with support from stakeholders in the education sector. She emphasised that the goal is to produce more patriotic and responsible citizens. “What is more important to me for something like moral education is not just placing a paragraph on a blackboard and teach-

ing it to a student…that’s not how it should work, because in reality in an everyday life, you have to live and behave in that manner, and moral education will contribute to your behavioural patterns, so the school system has to also incorporate in their curriculum how a child will develop in terms of their behaviour,” she expressed.

The introduction of this subject to the national school curriculum is in keeping with a promise made by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) on the campaign trail.

“At a nursery level, children need to know patriotism, they need to know their identity, they need to know their nationality, and it is all towards nationhood, building cooperation, building unity, and all of these things. So, at the nursery level, what you will be seeing for civic education, for example, is a child learning what their demeanour must look like and what their posture must look like if the national anthem is being played… you stand at attention with your hands to your sides,” she explained. Additionally, they will be taught national songs.

“We have a lot of adults in Guyana who do not know the national songs. We’re starting it from a young age, and it’s very important that our children from a young

age understand our history, understand their civic duty, and understand their responsibility that has to be taken for law and order to prevail in a society,” the Minister noted. At higher levels, students will be exposed to topics like democracy and community leadership.

“For example, Grades Five and Six going on to Grade Seven and later up in secondary, they will be learning about democracy; they will be learning about how fragile democracy is and how you need to keep it strong and steady and

“Private banking signals new era of sophisticated, inclusive financial growth” – Pres Ali

…says tailored banking services reflect Guyana’s economic maturity …as GBTI launches a new service

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Friday evening launched its private banking service – a new offering which President Dr Irfaan Ali says will meet the demands of a growing and more sophisticated economy.

“The investors of today do not have the time to sometimes go into corporate offices. Private banking allows a direct relationship and coordination of relationships. Private banking is also not only about conducting your banking needs,” the Head of State noted at the launch held at GBTI’s Corporate Headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown, adding that in the private banking environment, “there is investment advice, so the banks are ex-

pected to invest in business development analytics so that your private banking mechanism would be able to advise your customers on opportunities in the economy and how those opportunities can be aligned to your personal financial portfolio.”

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.

According to President Ali, while this service is often viewed as elitist, it in fact provides tailored solutions for complex financial needs.

“Private banking caters for clients with more com-

plex financial needs. But a modern banking system must be capable of serving different clients differently, without apology and without exclusion… A modern banking system must offer both mass market services and tailored solutions, and that is what private banking allows us to do – offer tailored solutions also. Sophistication is not exclusion. Diversity of services is not inequality; it is maturity,” Ali emphasised.

Road to progress

The introduction of private banking by GBTI – the second local commercial bank to do so – is part of the natural and necessary evolution of Guyana’s banking sector, the Guyanese Leader said. He pointed out that it is a reflection of rising incomes, expanding businesses, increasing investment flows and a more complex financial landscape.

“I see the launch of private banking services as a marker on the road of progress. It is a quiet moment, but a moment that sends a signal of confidence that Guyana’s banking sector is moving ahead in a more sophisticated economy, and we have to recognise that private banking is not stratifying the customer base. Private banking is meeting a different demand in a growing and more sophisticated economy,” he stressed.

Against this backdrop, the

Guyanese leader launched GBTI and the other commercial banks for actively taking steps to modernise the local financial sector in the past few months and enhance customer interaction. He specifically mentioned the provisions made by nearly all local banks to allow the opening of bank accounts completely online.

With the Guyana Government pushing to have every citizen with a bank account as part of its financial sector transformation, President Ali has urged GBTI to be more proactive in attracting new clients. In fact, he suggested that the bank target areas such as the minibus parks in Georgetown.

“It is important that banks operate in a multifaceted way. So, as we are in this beautiful lobby, launching this dynamic product, so too should the bank be in the bus parks, launching a direct engagement and education programme with all those who operate minibuses, whether they are drivers or conductors, and getting them engaged in a process of registering in the financial system of the country by owning a bank account. Because that is the first way of building your private balance sheet, in creating wealth and opening up opportunity ahead of you,” the Head of State posited.

According to Ali, the launch of private banking

Carifesta Ave Road upgrade

at GBTI not only highlights the development of the local banking system and the financial sector but also tells something important about where Guyana is going.

Personal and powered by partnership

Meanwhile, Chairman of GBTI, Suresh Beharry, explained that the introduction of this new service comes on the heels of decades of commitment that saw the bank growing alongside families, entrepreneurs, professionals, and institutions, helping them build businesses, educate children, create opportunities, and shape communities.

With private banking, he said GBTI is taking this commitment a step further with a new standard of banking –one that is personal and powered by partnership.

“Private banking is about

personalisation. It is about listening first, then designing solutions that reflect each client’s unique journey. Whether your goals involve your wealth, protecting your assets, planning for your future generations, or making a meaningful social impact, our private banking team is here to walk that path with you every step of the way.”

“This service brings together the very best of our bank, experienced relationship managers, specialist advisors in investment, credit, philanthropy, and estate management, and a seamless blend of global expertise but with local understanding. But beyond products and platforms, what truly defines our private banking promise is relationships. We believe in partnerships built on discretion, integrity, and long-term vision,” the GBTI chairman stated.

Cleanup, stronger safety measures directed to fast-track project

ublic Works Minister

PJuan Edghill has ordered the contractors working on the road expansion project along Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, to tidy up the construction area, put in place better safety measures for road users and get the necessary permission that is needed to advance the works.

The Minister gave these directives on Friday afternoon during a site visit to inspect the progress of the major

road project in Georgetown.

“By the end of the month [or] early February, I expect to see significant improvements. There’ll be lots of international activities that will be held in Guyana, and this carriageway has to look different. We can’t just leave it with construction. Bring it up to the levels that we have to get, and let’s get on with it…day and night,” Edghill stated.

This major infrastructure upgrade will see the transfor-

mation of Carifesta Avenue, between Vlissengen Road and Camp Street, into a four-lane corridor. While the contractors have practically completed the first section that they were required to, the scope of works has been extended to include a holding area for the water into the Kitty Pump Station. Reminding that this is a main carriageway in the capital city, the Public Works Minister noted that he instructed the contractors to clear up the construction area as well as install adequate lighting for road users.

“They have to clear the mud off of the road shoulders to ensure that the lanes remain safe, because with the earthworks, a lot of it is on the carriageway. We have to get that clean… So, I’ve asked that the carriageway be cleaned and that the lighting here be immediately improved, because while driving here at night, it’s difficult. And while we are improving and bringing benefits to our citizens, we must minimise inconvenience and ensure that safety is number one.”

“So, the contractors have to put in better lights from [Friday night]. They’re using the barrels instead of

cones and the jersey barriers, but we need to have flashing lights so people can know they’re in a construction zone. And the Ministry has been instructed to make sure all the lights along the corridor are working so that people are able to see better in the area,” he stressed. According to Edghill, the project had encountered some issues regarding the removal and relocation of utility cables – most of which have been resolved.

The only delay right now, the Minister explained, is permission from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to advance works. “[They have to get] NDIA’s permission to proceed forward with a design that is approved by them to ensure that the water that needs to be drained and get to the pump station is placed in a manner that is adequate to allow for the removal of the water. This has been a process that has been taking too long. And I’ve asked that the head of the programme, as well as the project engineer, engage NDIA. We have to tie this up and get this done fast. We must get out of this area and get this road completed,” he added.

Works to advance in the coming weeks on the

Avenue expansion project

While admitting that there have been delays in the project, Minister Edghill emphasised that this should not continue. “We don’t want to have more delays, so we want to be able to get this done… and I guess all the people who traverse here would appreciate that while the project has been delayed, the contractors have been working day and night, and sometimes even trying to get the water off after rainy periods, and moving the cofferdam to ensure drainage, then re-

storing it and starting pumping has been a challenge. But we want to get out of this as fast as possible,” the public works Minister declared. The expansion and rehabilitation works along Carifesta Avenue were initially slated for completion this month. The project is being executed by Quality Deliverer and Colin Talbot Construction Services and is part of the Guyana Government’s broader effort to improve traffic flow and safety across Georgetown.

MoE to launch anti-bullying app in push against school violence

The Ministry of Education will be launching a mobile app to address social issues such as bullying in schools.

This was disclosed by Education Minister Sonia Parag during an episode of the Starting Point podcast.

“We have an actual app that we created that we are going to formally launch, but it’s there already,” the Minister said, noting that reports made are being managed by a Health and Family Life Unit within the Ministry of Education.

“These officers will take that report. They have to investigate the matter. The welfare officer and the guidance counsellors are all involved. The parents, the child who is the victim, and the alleged aggressor are involved. And so, at the end of that investigation, depending on what the investigation reveals, then we make a determination on what to do on a case-by-case basis,” Minister Parag explained.

She said the ultimate goal is not only to ensure a safe environment for the vic-

tim but also to implement measures designed to reform the bully.

“All we have right now is expelling a student, transferring a student, or suspending a student so that a victim can

be in a safer environment. But then what happens to that student? How do we make them into a constructive individual who can constructively contribute to society and the development of

Wanted bulletin issued for teen attempted murder, robbery suspect

Police are appealing to the public for information leading to the arrest of a teenage suspect allegedly involved in an attempted murder and armed robbery on the East Coast of Demerara.

A wanted bulletin was issued for 19-year-old Kobie Isiah Benjamin, who is wanted in connection with an incident that occurred on January 12 at Triumph, East Coast Demerara. The alleged crimes reportedly involved the use of a firearm and targeted a victim named Shaheen Amanat, also called Ryan.

Police have listed Benjamin’s last known address as Lot 21, Block 15 B, Vigilance, East Coast Demerara and are urging anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward immediately.

The Guyana Police Force has provided multiple con-

Wanted: Kobie Isiah Benjamin

tact numbers for tips, including 225-6940, 225-8196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 2258196, and 227-1149, or residents can contact the nearest Police station.

This bulletin comes with ongoing concerns about the recent hike in youth involve-

ment in serious crimes.

Just two days ago, a 13-year-old boy was shot by a licensed firearm holder after allegedly attempting to rob an 81-year-old man in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, Georgetown.

According to reports, the victim, an 81-year-old pensioner, was accompanied by his 79-year-old brother. They were walking to conduct business when one of the two suspects, armed with a knife, rode up on a bicycle and tried to snatch a haversack from him. Police said the victim raised an alarm, and members of the public who were alerted intervened.

During this, the Police added that a 25-year-old licensed firearm holder, who was in the vicinity, fired at the suspects, striking the teen, who fell to the ground. The second suspect fled in an unknown direction.

Leopold St brawl lands 3 in court

Three residents of Leopold Street, Georgetown, appeared in court on Friday facing cross-charges of assault and property damage following an incident earlier this month.

Damien Elliot, 39; Casia Marks, 27; and Sarita David, 37, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

According to court records, Elliot is accused of assaulting Sarita David on January 6, at Leopold Street, causing actual bodily harm. David, in turn, faces a charge for unlawfully assaulting Casia Marks on the same day. Marks is charged with unlawfully assaulting Sarita David and maliciously damaging her property, including a bike cover, steering wheel, and handle, valued at $48,000.

During proceedings, the prosecutor indicated he had no objections to bail but requested that the defendants be placed on a bond, noting that all three reside on Leopold Street.

Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty ordered the trio to be placed on a bond to keep the peace. Bail was granted to Marks, $40,000; Elliot, $20,000; and David, $10,000.

The case has been adjourned to February 13.

society? So those are aspects that we have to look at,” the education Minister said.

Meanwhile, Minister Parag explained that the anti-bullying campaign forms part of a wider government strategy, which will entail the use of social media among students.

In fact, she disclosed that President Dr Irfaan Ali has already assembled a team of Ministers and other stakeholders to deal with this matter.

“We will go out very shortly, before the end of January, to hold a public consultation or at least advertise the date for the public consultation on the use of social media and what measures we can im-

plement that will safeguard our citizens and what they take in from social media, what they are exposed to and all of that and how damaging some content can be and how people use content to destroy other people’s lives and so on. So, these are things that we will be looking at, but that’s a component of bullying that is obviously cyberbullying. It can destroy lives,” the education Minister noted.

The bottom line, she posited, is that it is not only the Education Ministry that has the responsibility to tackle this issue.

“Will we be able to eliminate it? Probably not, but we will work towards reducing it. And I think that when

we speak to the public, we have to be extremely candid because this doesn’t start in the schools. It starts in the communities; it starts in the homes… And that necessarily means that we have to have everybody involved. Everybody – parents, welfare officers, schools, communities at large, those who are leaders in the community, and the religious communities – all of those,” she posited.

The Ministry of Education in November last year officially launched an anti-bullying campaign. The move followed several reported incidents of bullying and fighting in schools across the country.

Vendor faces 16 charges following court outburst, pleads guilty to 3

An East La Penitence, Georgetown, vendor was on Friday placed on bail after appearing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer 16 charges, following a dramatic courtroom incident earlier in the week.

Fifty-year-old Roberta Murray appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where she pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of damage to property. She also faces multiple charges of assaulting Police Officers, using indecent language, damaging property, behaving disorderly, and fraudulently converting property entrusted to her for sale.

The case drew attention on Wednesday when Murray reportedly stormed the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts during ongoing proceedings. The woman pushed past Police Officers, entered the courtroom carrying a small basin of goods she was selling, and shouted repeatedly, “Madame, Madame,” appealing directly to the Magistrate for help.

Murray told the court that she was seeking assistance regarding her son, whom she claimed was wrongfully arrested, and alleged that she and her family had been subjected to harassment by the Police for years. Rather than having her removed from the courtroom, Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty asked Murray to sit and promised to look into her concerns.

Series of incidents

However, Murray’s court appearance on Friday was to face formal charges arising from a series of incidents dating back to January 5, when she allegedly resisted arrest at her East La Penitence home after seeing armed Police Officers and becoming frightened. She also

faced allegations of assaulting eight Police Officers in the execution of their duties, which occurred on January 5 and January 14 at her home, the East La Penitence Police Station, and the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

She is further accused of fraudulently converting property entrusted to her for sale.

According to the prosecution, in June 2025 at Ruimveldt, Murray was entrusted with sneakers valued at $581,500 belonging to Dion London, which she allegedly used for her own benefit. Murray denied the claim, explaining that she was selling the items as agreed but had allowed some customers to take them on credit, and they later failed to pay.

Additional allegations against Murray include using indecent language in public, damaging a food bin belonging to Sergeant Rampersaud, and behaving disorderly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the court lock-ups, and the East La Penitence Police Station. Murray ad-

mitted that she resisted arrest on more than one occasion, including when she was placed in custody at the court on January 14, during which she alleged that an officer slammed her onto her back.

Speaking in court on Friday, Murray told the Magistrate that she had been mistreated while in Police custody and had not eaten or showered since her Wednesday arrest, relying only on water and juice brought to her by her son. She further claimed that three officers had beaten her at the East La Penitence Police Station while another officer recorded the incident on a mobile phone. Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty noted visible marks on Murray’s face and said she would make a record of them.

After hearing the matter, the Magistrate fined Murray $25,000 for assault, resisting arrest, and damage to property and placed her on $135,000 bail for the remaining charges. The case has been adjourned to February 13.

$2M in funding for youth green businesses as ENGAGE 2.0 rolled out

Some $2 million in grant funding will be disbursed to support youth-led green enterprises in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica), as Recover Guyana on Tuesday launched ENGAGE 2.0, the second phase of its youth empowerment initiative focused on environmental sustainability, green entrepreneurship, and job readiness.

Delivered in partnership with Scotiabank Guyana, ENGAGE 2.0 builds on the success of its pilot programme and aims to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to a greener, more resilient, and prosperous national future.

Launched in 2025, the pilot phase of ENGAGE successfully reached 100 vulnerable youth from Regions Three and Six, achieving its initially set objectives. Participants gained practical skills in managing eco-friendly businesses such as hydroponics, composting, recycling, and renewable energy through a structured programme that combined green skills and financial training, entrepreneurship development,

mentorship, and job-readiness support.

The initiative awarded $2 million in grant funding to participants with innovative green ideas who were able to produce viable and sustainable business plans. All participants reported increased job readiness and confidence in financial and entrepreneurial decision-making, with many securing employment or internships or advancing in their careers within a year, demonstrating the programme’s impact on economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.

Building on this success,

Recover Guyana will expand ENGAGE 2.0 to new communities in Regions Two and Four. The programme will deliver hands-on training in managing businesses that utilise eco-friendly technologies and sustainable agriculture, strengthen marketable skills in green sectors such as hydroponics, composting, recycling, and vertical farming, introduce sustainable environmental practices, and foster community engagement and peer-to-peer support.

ENGAGE 2.0 will be delivered in three phases, starting in January 2026 and culminating with a completion ceremo-

ny in June 2026. The programme will begin with a one-day refresher session for ENGAGE 1.0 participants, followed by a twoday training programme in Region Two and a three-day intensive Green Business Workshop in Region Four, covering the East Bank Demerara, Georgetown, and the East Coast Demerara.

Participants will receive instruction from professionals in green entrepreneurship, business development, and financial literacy, complemented by a structured post-training mentorship programme.

Delivering opening remarks at the launch,

First Vice President of Recover Guyana, Dr Omesh Balmacoon, said ENGAGE 2.0 represents a critical step in advancing the organisation’s vision of a sustainable, prosperous future led by empowered youth.

“Through practical skills development, mentorship, funding support, and community engagement, we are creating measurable impact by equipping young people to turn innovative green ideas into thriving businesses that benefit both their communities and the nation as a whole,” Dr Balmacoon said.

Country Manager of Scotiabank Guyana,

Nafeeza Gaffoor, said the institution is proud to support the initiative.

“We are proud to champion ENGAGE, a programme that transforms potential into progress. Through this initiative, young people gain real-world skills, launch businesses, enhance their employability, and build the confidence to manage their finances and plan for brighter futures,” Gaffoor said. She added that Scotiabank’s partnership with Recover Guyana extends beyond funding, with employees actively sharing financial knowledge, providing mentorship, and guiding participants throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Mohamed Ibrahim, also welcomed the initiative, highlighting its importance for youth development and the green economy.

“This project is a step in the right direction for business development. Guyana’s future will not be shaped by policies alone, but by ideas formed in classrooms and workshops. It will be shaped by people who are ready to lead, innovate, and act with purpose. This is why ENGAGE matters,” Ibrahim said.

Another New Amsterdam crash leaves rider with fractured skull …slow down - commander urges

Another serious traffic accident in New Amsterdam, Berbice has left a motorcyclist with a fractured skull, as police again warn motorists about reckless driving, speeding and alcohol consumption on Region Six roads. The crash occurred late Thursday night on Main Road, New Amsterdam, involving multiple motorcycles, a utility pole and a roadside food stand.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivpersaud Bacchus, who is the Regional Commander, warned that reckless driving, speeding and alcohol consumption continue to endanger lives in Region Six, citing a serious New Amsterdam crash on Thursday night as a stark illustration of the growing problem. The crash occurred on 15 January 2026, when an unregistered motorcycle ridden by 33-yearold Shacke Rowe lost control along Main Road, New Amsterdam, and collided with two stationary motorcycles, a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility pole, a parked car, and a roadside fish-and-chips stand.

Police in a release said Rowe first crashed into a parked motorcycle, then crashed into a GPL utility

pole, causing it to fall onto a parked motor car, before skidding further south and colliding with two other stationary motorcycles.

The out-of-control motorcycle finally struck a fish and chips stand, injuring two vendors.

The rider was picked up unconscious and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where doctors confirmed he sustained a fractured skull and multiple lacerations. His condition is serious but stable. The two vendors were treated and later discharged.

Reckless road use

According to the commander, the incident reflects a wider pattern of reckless road use across the region. “As it relates to traffic, we have had three reports. One is a fatal accident and the other two involve reckless use of the roadways, either through speed or alcohol consumption,” he said. He explained that the New Amsterdam crash occurred despite prior police intervention.

“We just saw last night [Thursday] in New Amsterdam a reckless motorcycle rider, even after being cautioned by the Traffic Department, continued his reckless be-

motorists

haviour and ended up in a three-vehicle accident. He is now in the hospital with a fractured skull,” Bacchus said. According to the police release, the motorcycle involved in the collision was unregistered. All vehicles involved are to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer as part of the ongoing investigation.

Thursday night’s crash comes against the backdrop of a grim opening to the year in Region Six, which recorded three road deaths within the first 11 days of January.

Those fatalities were Winston Hinds, who died after his motorcycle struck a cow along the Republic Road, New Amsterdam; Nicholas Agard, who was

killed following a collision between his bicycle and a motorcycle at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam; and Lakhram Etwwaroo, who lost his life after the motor car in which he was travelling veered out of control and crashed into a GPL utility pole and a parked vehicle at Number 36 Village, Corentyne. While the circumstances differed, Bacchus said each case reflected the same underlying disregard for responsible road use.

Referring specifically to the Number 36 Village accident, he said alcohol consumption had played a decisive role. “They had just departed a bar. And when you go to a bar, it is to consume alcohol. Then they

raced down the roadway. That investigation is still ongoing,” the commander said.

Police cannot be everywhere

He warned that reckless behaviour not only places drivers and riders at risk, but also innocent road users and business operators who often become unintended victims of traffic accidents.

The commander noted that while police patrols and traffic enforcement have been intensified across Region Six, law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem.

“The police cannot be everywhere at all times,” Bacchus said, adding that personal responsibility must play a central role in reducing ac-

cidents. He urged motorists and motorcyclists to respect speed limits, avoid alcohol before driving and comply with instructions from traffic ranks, stressing that warnings are issued to prevent tragedy, not to harass road users. Meanwhile, police said the New Amsterdam crash has further highlighted the vulnerability of roadside vendors, who are often positioned close to traffic corridors with little physical protection. Bacchus said that unless driving habits change, the region risks seeing more families devastated by preventable road tragedies. Investigations into Thursday night’s crash are ongoing.

Haiti Hurricane Melissa’s victims plead for help months later

Nearly three months af-

ter Hurricane Melissa tore through southern Haiti, families in PetitGoâve – a municipality about 42 miles southwest of Portau-Prince, hardest hit by the storm – say they have been largely left to fend for themselves.

Many survivors remain homeless, sheltering with relatives, inside churches or in municipal buildings, as damaged homes sit uncleared and unsafe. Residents say assistance from the Government and humanitarian organisations has been uneven, insufficient or non-existent in some cases.

Following the devastating storm, central Government authorities issued cheques of 250,000 gourdes – about $1900 – to families who lost relatives, covering funeral expenses and a collective burial held November 15. Beyond that, many victims say they received little or no support.

“We’re living in extreme hardship,” said Adérose Poinvilus, 67, a mother of

Adérose Poinvilus, 67, stands with her grandchildren and a neighbour in front of her heavily damaged home

eight whose home was nearly destroyed. “I’ve lost everything. I’m surviving thanks to my loved ones.”

Poinvilus said floodwaters from the La Digue River destroyed part of her house, ripping off doors, collapsing walls and burying rooms in rubble. She also lost the father of four of her children, who was swept away while trying to help her during the flooding.

“Some houses were cleared with tractors, but mine was left like this,” she said. “I spoke on the radio many times, but nothing changed.”

During a visit by The Haitian Times on January 6, debris and garbage still filled several flooded homes, while

others had been reduced to unrecognisable foundations. Although heavy machinery partially cleared the La Digue River and nearby bridge, excavated soil was piled along the riverbanks and on both sides of the roadway.

“They just moved the dirt next to the houses,” said Valière Chéry, whose mother’s home was among those “cleared.”

“It was only for show.”

Victims are now demanding urgent action, including dredging the river, repairing the bridge and installing gabions to stabilise the riverbanks and prevent future disasters. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

T&T PM sides with the US, saying no international laws were breached during

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar says she makes no apologies for siding with the United States, as she defended her Government’s position on joint action against transnational organised crime.

During a lengthy address in Parliament, she insisted no international law was breached during Operation Kinetic Strike in the Caribbean Sea.

“And if you had some good lawyers on your side, and we

have some very good ones here, including the Honourable Attorney General, they will tell you there was no international law that was breached when we were taking out people. People were being taken out in their boats, trafficking, human trafficking, drugs, and children,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“That is what we were doing, transnational crime. That is what we were fighting, and we make no apology today.”

Persad-Bissessar said her administration remains fo-

strikes

cused on combating trafficking and other cross-border criminal activity and defended close cooperation with the US, which she described as T&T’s oldest trading partner.

“My main focus is against trafficking, against transnational organised crime, and today I make no apology for standing side by side with your oldest trading partner, the leader of the free world, in this hemisphere,” she said.

“We make no apology today.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

J’ca: Hurricane relief grant used to fund vacation, Phillips tells PAAC

AManchester wom-

an funded her vacation in the amount of $150,000, using a housing grant she received from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), after claiming her house was damaged by Hurricane Beryl, which impacted Jamaica in July 2024, according to Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Mikael Phillips. Additionally, her household received a second housing grant, an obvious duplication, as her brother was also presented with a cheque for $150,000, Phillips, who represents Manchester North Western, told Wednesday’s meeting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC). He was addressing the acting permanent secretary in the MLSS, Dione

Jennings.

“I know of one woman who said her daughter and son got [benefits] out of one household. They didn’t use the money for what it was intended for. One said that she took a vacation with the $150,000 that she got,” Phillips said.

Addressing Jennings, Phillips said, “We’re generally the first respondent on the ground, ourselves and the councillors, [but] when I asked the Ministry for assistance, we were told that they’re not going through the members of Parliament.”

Phillips said that in such a scenario, MPs would be able to lessen the likelihood of duplication; however, “the response [from the Ministry] is that there’s a Data Protection Act, and I understand that, and that those names cannot be shared with us.”

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado gives her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has given her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, saying it was a recognition of his commitment to her country’s freedom.

“I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans,” she said after meeting Trump in person for the first time, weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him in a drug-trafficking case.

Trump said on social media that the move was “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect”, but the Nobel committee has said the prize itself was not transferable.

The US President has declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, despite her movement claiming victory in 2024’s widely contested elections.

Trump has instead been dealing with the acting head

of state in Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former Vice President.

But he said meeting Machado was a “great honour”, calling her a “wonderful woman who has been through so much”.

After leaving the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered at the gates outside, telling them

in Spanish, according to the Associated Press, “We can count on President Trump.”

“I presented the President of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado later told journalists in English, calling it “a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom.” (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

St Lucia Police: Tyson did not die from poison

After nearly seven months of speculation surrounding the initial “suspicious death” of K9 Officer Tyson, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) yesterday confirmed that the dog did not die as a result of poisoning.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas, toxicology test results showed “absolutely no trace of any kind of poison” in K9 Tyson.

The confirmation follows earlier testing conducted last year, which had already ruled out rat bait poisoning as the cause of death. Despite those findings, the RSLPF decided to carry out additional testing to eliminate any remaining doubt and reach a more conclusive outcome.

While pointing out that he sees himself as part of the Government, the Opposition MP said, “We have to find a way, that in an emergency like this, there has to be some suspension of the Data Protection Act.” He also asked whether it was the policy of the labour Ministry not to include MPs and councillors in the distribution of care packages after a disaster.

Pointing out that she was involved in the development of the Disaster Risk Management Act, Jennings noted that MPs are part of the parish disaster committees (PDCs). “That’s the base, and they are supposed to be active in their parish disaster committees,” she said. However, Phillips responded that “it doesn’t work that way; it doesn’t work”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

A preliminary assessment carried out by a pathologist in 2025 had concluded that Tyson died from internal bleeding, with four possible causes identified at the time: rat bait poisoning, a severe blood clotting disorder, a low platelet count, or a serious bacterial infection. With poisoning now completely ruled out, Defreitas said, “It means, therefore, we need to return to the table with the pathologists and other professionals to determine a cause of death.” (Excerpt from St Lucia Times)

SVG Government to boost surveillance, monitoring of La Soufriere volcano

The St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Government says it will boost the surveillance and monitoring of the La Soufriere volcano, which will include new appointments and the installation of eight new mountain stations and upgrading existing sites.

The La Soufrière volcano last erupted explosively in April 2021, following increased activity that started in December 2020, causing widespread ashfall, evacuations of over 20,000 persons, and significant disruption.

The eruption transitioned from an effusive phase to explosive events, with the last major explosive activity re-

corded around April 22, 2021, after about four months of heightened volcanic activity.

Disaster Management Minister St Clair Leacock, speaking during the handover ceremony of the renovated and retrofitted Volcano Observatory, said the Government will fill the posts of geoscientist and seismic technician this year and that the observatory will support advanced research, including volcanic monitoring, community-based early warning systems, and international university-led studies.

“My Government will continue to ensure that the La Soufriere Monitoring

Unit of NEMO continues to receive the support to ensure that the La Soufriere volcano is constantly monitored and that it behaves itself,” Leacock said, urging persons not to damage or remove volcano monitoring equipment. The observatory project was executed at a cost of EC$4.6 million (one EC dollar = US$0.37) through a concessional loan from the World Bank. The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) received a one million grant for seismic stations and monitoring equipment to further strengthen volcano surveillance. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil prices settle up as US begins holiday weekend

Oil prices settled higher on Friday as some investors covered short positions ahead of the three-day Martin Luther King holiday weekend in the US and lingering worries about a possible US military strike against Iran.

Brent crude settled at US$64.13 a barrel up 37 cents or 0.58 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate finished at US$59.44 a barrel, up 25 cents, or 0.42 per cent.

Most of Friday’s gains seemed to be due to buying supply ahead of the long weekend, said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital LLC.

“With that carrier strike group making the move to the (Persian) Gulf, it doesn’t seem likely anything will happen soon,” Flynn said.

The US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS. Abraham Lincoln was expected to arrive in the Persian Gulf next week after operating in the South China Sea.

Weighing against those fears are potential supply increases from Venezuela, said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

“The supply from Venezuela has not become the tidal wave that was expected,” Flynn said. “Buying today seems to be people not wanting to be caught short over the long weekend.”

Both benchmarks hit multi-month highs this week after protests flared up in Iran and US President Donald Trump signalled the potential for military strikes but lost over 4 per cent on Thursday as Trump said Tehran’s crackdown on the protesters was easing, allaying concerns of possible military action that could disrupt oil supplies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Palestinian child shot dead by Israeli troops in occupied West Bank

Israeli troops have shot and killed a Palestinian child in the occupied West Bank, as a wave of intensified Israeli military and settler violence across the territory continues.

Mohammed Naasan, 14, was killed on Friday after Israeli forces stormed and opened fire in the village of al-Mughayyir, near Ramallah, assaulting residents.

Naasan was shot in the back and chest, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

The Israeli military said in a statement that troops fatally shot Naasan because he was “running towards them carrying a rock”.

The killing came after Israeli settlers, under the protection of the Israeli army, had earlier on Friday stormed an area south of

al-Mughayyir and fired live rounds, according to Wafa.

“They stormed the village as worshippers were leaving [the mosque] after Friday prayers, firing directly at civilians and throwing tear gas and stun grenades,” said Amin Abu Aliya, head of al-Mughayyir’s council. Palestinians across the West Bank have faced a wave of intensified Israeli military and settler violence in the shadow of Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 71,000 people since October 2023.

Experts say the violence, which is taking place amid a push by far-right Israeli politicians to formally annex the West Bank, aims to force Palestinians out of their homes and communities.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trump threatens new tariffs on countries opposed to Greenland takeover

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland.

Trump said at a White House meeting that he “may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland”, which is a self-governing territory that is controlled by Denmark.

He did not say which countries might be hit with new tariffs or what authority he would invoke to use tariffs in pursuit of his goal.

Trump has said Greenland is vital for US security – and the US would get it “the easy way” or “the hard way” – a reference to ideas to buy the

island or take it by force.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national

security,” Trump said at the White House meeting on rural healthcare. Greenland is sparsely populated but resource-rich,

and its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.

The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base – a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.

But Trump has said the US needs to “own” it to defend it properly against possible Russian or Chinese attacks.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Small Minneapolis businesses hit hard by ICE crackdown, while corporations stay silent

Up and down Lake Street in the heavily Latino area of south Minneapolis, numerous mom-and-pop restaurants have hung up signs that say “No ICE”, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who have been conducting frequent raids in the area. The federal actions have also prompted thousands in the streets to protest after ICE agents killed 37-year-old Renee Good in her vehicle last week.

By contrast, large corporations in Minneapolis have been much less vocal about the effects of immigration enforcement on the city, known as both a bastion of progressive politics in the US

Midwest and a robust corporate employer. Seventeen Fortune 500 companies are based in Minnesota, including Target, UnitedHealth, and General Mills.

Reuters reached out to those companies, as well as Minnesota-based corporations Best Buy, Hormel, Land O’Lakes, agricultural giant Cargill, and industrial con-

glomerate 3M. None would speak on the record on the guidance they have given to employees.

It stands in contrast with how companies responded in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd that spurred nationwide anger; many companies, including UnitedHealth and General Mills, spoke out in support of Floyd or his family after his death.

Many restaurants on Lake Street have reduced hours or closed. At Pineda Tacos, where a “No ICE” sign hangs in the front window and trash cans barricade the rear entrance, employees guard the door in an effort to prevent surprise raids, letting customers in one-by-one.

Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, Tyler Robinson, asks Judge to disqualify prosecutors

The 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is due back in court Friday as his attorneys seek to disqualify prosecutors in the case over an alleged conflict of interest.

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk’s September 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem,

just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse.

Prosecutors with the Utah County Attorney’s Office plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

An 18-year-old child of a deputy county attorney attended the campus event where Kirk was shot. The child, whose name was re-

dacted from court filings, later texted with their father in the Utah County Attorney’s Office to describe the chaotic events around the shooting, the filings from prosecutors and defence lawyers state.

Defence attorneys say that personal relationship is a conflict of interest that “raises serious concerns about past and future prosecutorial decision-making in this case,” according to court documents. They also argue that the “rush” to seek the death penalty against Robinson is evidence of “strong emotional reactions” by the prosecution and merits the disqualification of the entire team. Prosecutors have asked District Judge Tony Graf to deny the disqualification request. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled

The controversial USfunded study on hepatitis B vaccines among newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been halted, according to Yap Boum, a senior official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The study has been cancelled,” Boum told journalists at a press conference on

Thursday morning. The $1.6m study, funded under the purview of Robert F Kennedy Jr, a long-time vaccine sceptic and the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), drew outrage and criticism over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent hepatitis B in a country with a

very high burden of the disease.

“It’s of importance for Africa CDC to have evidence that can be translated into policy, but this has to be done within the norm. So we are glad that at this point the study is being cancelled,” Boum said. The study was halted because it raised critical questions on the ethics

of the trial, he said, adding, “The way the study was designed was a big challenge.” Officials in Guinea-Bissau say the trial will still happen, according to one journalist on the press call. But Africa CDC officials said the trial would only move forward once it has been redesigned to address ethical issues.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Consider every possibility. Research, think matters through from beginning to end, and do as much as you can yourself. Relying on others or expecting something in return will leave you at a loss. If you want something, take control, do your part, and finish what you start. Personal growth is a lesson and a reward.

Invite change into your life. Keep an open mind. Look for opportunities that offer greater freedom. Jobs that provide good benefits and security will give you peace of mind. Home improvements or hosting an event are favored. Take more “Me” time, or pursue romance and adventure; fill your life with a positive attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Focus on health. Spending time working out or making lifestyle changes to improve your health and well-being will make you feel good about yourself. Updating your appearance, attending an event that encourages socializing, or spending time with someone of interest is encouraged. Travel, or joining an interest group conducive to love and romance, looks promising.

Join forces with like-minded individuals and you’ll find a way to bring about positive change. Discipline and hard work will lead to unexpected prospects that can alter your direction and give you hope for a better future. A chance meeting will strike an emotional interest in spending more time with someone special. Love looks inviting.

Participation will lead to opportunities, newfound friends, and the chance to use your skills, knowledge, and experience in unique ways. Listen, engage in bringing about changes, and lend a helping hand to a cause that concerns you. Check out grants, courses, or groups and do your best to have a positive impact on others.

Visit a place you love to frequent or go somewhere you’ve never been before but feel drawn to, and you’ll discover something about yourself that is life-altering or encourages you to learn a new skill, or find the path to personal growth. The time spent doing something fulfilling will lead to greater purpose and meaning.

Patience will be necessary when dealing with domestic issues. Bide your time, consider what’s best for you, and make positive changes within your budget that help you grow stronger mentally and physically, be at peace with yourself and your life choices, and open new opportunities. Personal improvements will lead to higher self-esteem. Romance is favored.

Talk to those you encounter, and see who shares your likes, dislikes, and concerns. An opportunity to explore new places, people, and possibilities will give you a unique perspective on the direction you want to take. If you’re in the mood for a love connection or taking a relationship to the next level, now’s a good time.

If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Move forward carefully, and be mindful of how much personal information you share. Be a good listener and size up situations before you participate. The best place to put your time and energy is on improving your performance and focusing on how you earn and spend your money.

Share your intentions, see who’s on board, and be willing to proceed alone. Talking and doing are not the same. Take the initiative and show everyone what you can do. Set a strict budget and find ways to include what’s most important to you without going into debt. You are overdue for a change of scenery.

An energetic day will pump you up and get you moving in a positive direction. Start by taking care of all your unfinished projects that help to make your personal life and home environment less taxing. A positive change at home that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle will enrich your life. Romance is favored. Don’t second-guess; you’re on target, and if you are willing to put in the time and work, you’ll make headway. Initiate positive change and start a trend that encourages others to follow your lead. What you do will have an impact that changes both your life and the lives of those you hold dear. Take the high road.

Royal Challengers

Bengaluru (RCB) completed a hat-trick of wins thanks to a 105-run stand between Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav, followed by a five-for from Shreyanka Patil and a three-for from Lauren Bell. It means RCB are still the only unbeaten team in WPL 2026 so far.

Ghosh and Radha’s partnership lifted RCB from 43 for 4 to 148 before they finished on 182 for 7. RCB were also aided by Nadine de Klerk’s cameo of 26 from 12 balls at the end. In the chase, many of Gujarat Giants’ (GG) batters got off to starts, but none of them could convert it, which meant there was only one fifty-plus partnership in their innings before they suffered a 32-run loss.

Giants win twosided power play

The first over of the day, bowled by Renuka Singh, went for 23 runs, and the next five had 22 runs and four wickets. Renuka conceded seven runs off three wide balls, while Grace Harris found the boundary four times – all through the leg side. There was an lbw shout given out which was overturned.

Kashvee Gautam was the first to strike with an inswinger, pinning Harris

in front in the sixth over as RCB slipped to 43 for 4.

Radha-Richa show Radha, who was promoted to No. 5, tagged along with Ghosh to first stem the flow of wickets. After two

lbw. In her next over, debutant Shivani Singh plucked a one-handed catch at short fine leg to dismiss Dayalan Hemalatha. Renuka made amends on return by having Smriti Mandhana slice a catch to short third. Devine had Gautami Naik plumb

Radha, Ghosh rescue RCB

the WPL.

Once Ghosh fell, de Klerk produced a boundary barrage. She whacked two fours and two sixes off the 19th over, taking down Gautam for 22 runs. RCB had some luck along the way, as de Klerk was dropped by Ashleigh Gardner, and Radha got a reprieve thanks to DRS in the 11th over.

RCB fight back in even powerplay

Bell wasn’t able to give RCB another strong start as she missed her lines. Beth Mooney flicked the first ball for four. In Bell’s next over, she picked up a six and two fours as Giants raced to 32 for 0.

Arundhati Reddy came on to take a sharp return catch to dismiss Devine. In the next over, Patil used the angle in from around the wicket to trap Mooney lbw.

Patil and Bell have GG stumble

overs of slow going, Radha took on Wareham for a six and a four. Each over from the eighth to the 17th had at least one boundary in it.

All of Radha and Ghosh’s fours came through the off side. They were severe on width and used cuts, and cover and square drives to good effect. Radha brought up her maiden WPL fifty in the 15th over, by which time Ghosh had gotten going. The acceleration brought up only the second century stand between two Indian batters in

The middle overs started with Kanika Ahuja getting off to a decent start before Patil went around the wicket again and beat her defence for another lbw. At 70 for 5, the game looked all but done.

But Bharti Fulmali and Gautam had other ideas. Fulmali dined on anything full and cleared the boundaries with ease. RCB dropped a couple of chances – first Fulmali by Smriti Mandhana off Arundhati Reddy’s bowling in the 13th over, and then Kashvee by Reddy off de Klerk’s bowling in the 15th.

With a partnership growing at pace – more on that later – Patil returned and dismissed Kashvee with a loopy ball that was hit to long-on.

The boundaries didn’t stop as GG’s batters kept going for big shots. But their chances faded quickly when Bell returned to fox Fulmali with a slower ball. Two balls later, she bowled another slower one to dismiss Shivani. Patil finished off the game in the 19th over by striking twice. (ESPNcricinfo)

Smriti Mandhana (c) c Gayakwad b Renuka Singh 5

Dayalan Hemalatha c Shivani Singh b Gautam 4

Gautami Naik lbw b Devine 9

Radha Yadav c Wareham

b Devine 66

Richa Ghosh † c Gardner

b Wareham 44

Nadine de Klerk c Gayakwad b Devine 26

Arundhati Reddy not out 2

Shreyanka Patil not out 0

Extras (b 1, w 8) 9

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.10) 182/7

Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Grace Harris, 1.4 ov), 2-33 (Dayalan Hemalatha, 3.4 ov), 3-39 (Smriti Mandhana, 4.3 ov), 4-43 (Gautami Naik, 5.3 ov), 5-148 (Richa Ghosh, 16.3 ov), 6-179 (Nadine de Klerk, 19.2 ov), 7-180 (Radha Yadav, 19.4 ov)

Kashvee Gautam 4-0-42-2

Ashleigh Gardner 4-0-32-0

Sophie Devine 4-0-31-3

Georgia Wareham 4-0-35-1

Gujarat Giants Women (T: 183 runs from 20 ovs)

Beth Mooney †

BCB Under 16 tournament-2026

Ganpat, Hicks, Reddy & Narine shine

as RHT Farfan &

Mendes

team reaches quarter-finals

The Rose Hall Town (RHT) Farfan and Mendes Under-16 A team has reached the quarter-finals of the Berbice Cricket Board Under-16 tournament after completing their preliminary four matches.

The team, under the captaincy of national youth player Leon Reddy, registered two outright victories against Rose Hall Town B and Albion B, gained first-innings points versus Port Mourant, while they tied on first innings with arch-rivals Albion when time ran out.

The top performers for the team to date have been opening batsman Jonathan Hicks, who has scored a century along with a half-century, and spinners Jayden Ganpat and Dharvish Narine, along with skipper Leon Reddy.

However, Rose Hall Town A defeated their B counterparts by ten wickets. The B team scored 36 batting first, with national leftarm spinner Jayden Ganpat taking seven wickets for six runs from eight overs. Leon Reddy, Kemraj Bharrat, and Azad Ali took a wicket each.

Rose Hall A, in their innings, reached 75 for 4 before declaring, with Jonathan Hicks scoring 25, Leon Reddy 24 not out, and Dharvish Narine 20 being the principal scorers. Jahleel Grant took two wickets for 20 runs for the B team.

Facing a first-innings deficit of 39 runs, the B team reached 45 all out in their second innings, with Jahleel Grant scoring 10 and Joshua Dhanraj 12, reaching double figures, while Dharvish Narine took five wickets for six runs and received support from Ganpat, who took three for fourteen, and off-spinner Dinesh Singh, who took two for thirteen runs.

The A team then scored the required seven wickets without loss.

At the Port Mourant ground on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the home team batted first and scored 114 all out, with Asgar Nabbie top-scoring with an aggressive 47. Ganpat took three for seven runs from nine overs, and Narine took three for five, while Khemraj Bharrat and Dinesh Singh took a wicket apiece.

Jonathan Hicks then scored a responsible 64 and received support from Ganpat (38), Reddy (15), and Disham LaCruz (10) as Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes A reached 172 all out to clinch first-innings points.

In the match versus arch-rivals Albion A at the Area H ground, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in brilliant sunlight. They reached 157 all out as Said Jumratty rode his luck to top-score with a chancy 55, while national under-13 captain Sahid Gajnabi scored 26.

V Goberdhan also supported with 22 as Disham LaCruz, Dharvish Narine, and Leon Reddy took two wickets apiece. In reply, Rose Hall A was 157 for 9 when the umpires lifted the bails at 17:00h.

Skipper Leon Reddy was unbeaten on 70 and received support from Ganpat (32) and Dharvish Narine (20). Bowling for Albion A, Nars Lagidau took 2 for 22, Gajnabi 2 for 30, and Jumratty 2 for 28.

In their final match against Albion B at the Port Mourant ground, the Rose Hall team bowled out the youngsters for 47, with extras contributing a healthy 32 runs. Dharvish Narine took five wickets for nine runs, while the ever-impressive Ganpat took four wickets for three runs.

Jonathan Hicks then continued his rich form with the bat by blasting fourteen delightful boundaries in his maiden century, scoring 103 not out as his team reached 163 for 1 before declaring with a lead of 116 on first innings.

Disham LaCruz supported with 27 before he was run out, while Leon Reddy was unbeaten on 22. Narine then spun a web around the Albion batters to take seven wickets for nine runs from 19 overs as Albion was bowled out for 31 to lose by an innings and 83 runs.

Anthony Budhoo and Khemraj Bharrat took a wicket apiece as their teams advanced to the quarter-finals along with Albion A from Zone C.

CWalsh named Zimbabwe’s bowling consultant for T20 World Cup

women’s team.

ourtney Walsh will be Zimbabwe’s bowling consultant for the upcoming T20 World Cup. A Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) statement said Walsh had already begun working with the squad.

Walsh, the West Indies great who was the first man to take 500 Test wickets, has previously served as specialist bowling coach for Bangladesh men and as head coach with West Indies women. In 2024, he was also a technical consultant with the Zimbabwe

“I think we have a very good chance once we execute well and work together as a team and adapt to the conditions,” Walsh said after his appointment. “The combination of the attack has impressed me from watching and the potential that’s within the team.”

Zimbabwe’s bowling attack in their T20 World Cup squad, under Sikandar Raza’s captaincy, includes Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Tinotenda Maposa as their quicks. Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa are the seam-bowling allrounders. Their spinners, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer and Raza, form an experienced pack.

ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said Walsh’s appointment aimed

at harnessing his “ability to mentor” the bowlers.

“As we prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it was important for us to bring in someone who understands what it takes to succeed on the global stage,” Makoni said. “Courtney’s knowledge, professionalism and ability to mentor players will be invaluable as we sharpen our bowling resources for the challenges ahead.”

Zimbabwe are in Group B at the T20 World Cup, alongside Australia, Ireland, Oman and tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka. All four of Zimbabwe’s group games are in Sri Lanka across three venues, two in Colombo and one in Pallekele. They return to the tournament after failing to qualify for the 2024 edition. (ESPNcricinfo)

Man City agree £20M deal to sign Palace

Captain Guehi

not expected to be an issue. City have already signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in the current transfer window for £62.5m.

The Guehi development emerged as Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires in June.

Glasner said Guehi’s potential move had “zero impact” on his decision to go, “because my decision had already been taken months ago.” The Austrian had wanted Guehi to stay until the end of the season, but City and the Eagles reached a deal for the defender on Thursday night.

Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle to sign Crystal Palace Captain Marc Guehi this month for £20 million.

City started talks with the England centre-back, 25, this month following injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias. Guehi, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, is out of contract this summer and was close to a move to Liverpool last summer.

BBC Sport reported earlier this month that City were exploring a move for Guehi, and talks have accelerated in the past 24 hours. Guehi is now expected to join City on a long-term contract this month.

Personal terms have not been formally agreed but are

Glasner says he told Palace chairman Steve Parish he would not sign a new contract in October. But the Guehi deal is thought to have been the catalyst for him opting to confirm his planned exit on Friday.

City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about the club’s interest in Guehi during his news conference on Friday, but shut down the question with a firm “nothing to say”. Meanwhile, Glasner said, “My understanding is the deal with Marc is in the final stages.”

He added Guehi would not be in the squad to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday. Earlier this month, Glasner said the Eagles would sell Guehi in January if their asking price was met.

Guehi captained Palace to their first major tro-

phy in the FA Cup final against City in May, plus a Community Shield win over Liverpool at the start of this season.

He looked set to join Arne Slot’s side on September 1, but the £35m deal fell through in the final hours of transfer deadline day, with Guehi having already started a medical.

Guehi became an England regular after joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and was a key player in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2024 final.

Croatia international Gvardiol, 23, recently had surgery after breaking his shinbone in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, while Portugal centre-back Dias, 28, is out for about four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

City face derby rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Glasner highlighted Guehi’s professionalism during the months of transfer speculation, but the 51-year-old also conceded once a player wants to move on, “a deal will happen.”

He added, “Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course; it stays between us.

“Marc showed it in the summer transfer window and showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 per cent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.

“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. “He is a fantastic guy.” (BBC Sport)

FFormer GBBFF President Donald Sinclair

dies at 74 – described as an innovative, forward-thinking administrator

gest-serving Presidents of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBF), during which time he played a pivotal role in elevating the sport locally and regionally.

He was instrumental in hosting the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships for the first time in 2004, a landmark moment for the sport in the country.

tion to sport, describing him as an innovative and forward-thinking administrator whose leadership helped position bodybuilding among the top sports in Guyana during his tenure.

“Donald Sinclair was innovative in his approach to the governance of sport and played a critical role in placing bodybuilding at the forefront of Guyana’s sporting landscape,” Ninvalle said.

ormer President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sustainable Tourism Management at the University of Guyana (UG), Donald Sinclair died on Thursday evening following a prolonged period of illness at the age of 74.

Apart from playing an integral role in Guyana’s tourism industry, having served in several capacities, he also left a legacy within the bodybuilding fraternity.

He is remembered as one of the lon-

He was also the owner of Fitness Paradise Gym, which served as a hub for athlete development across multiple disciplines, reflecting his strong advocacy for healthy living and physical fitness.

Further, he was known for his unwavering support of athletes and his consistent push for sports associations to embrace sports tourism as a pathway to growth.

Meanwhile, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle has joined the local sporting fraternity in mourning the passing of Sinclair by paying glowing tribute to Sinclair’s contribu-

According to Ninvalle, Sinclair’s vision, structure and commitment elevated the sport locally and regionally, and his impact will be felt for generations.

Ninvalle further noted that Sinclair’s influence extended well beyond bodybuilding, highlighting his willingness to work closely with other disciplines in a personal capacity to assist with improving both on-field performance and administrative systems.

“He was always ready to share his knowledge and experience,” Ninvalle added.

“Whether it was helping athletes improve their performance or guiding associations on governance and administration, Sinclair gave freely of his time and expertise for the betterment of sport,” the Director of Sport noted.

Sinclair was known for his unwavering support of athletes and his consistent push for sports associations to embrace sports tourism as a pathway to growth. Ninvalle related that Sinclair’s passing represents a significant loss to Guyana’s sporting and tourism communities.

Explosive performances light up Kevin Sinclair Tapeball Tournament despite inclement

weather – finals interrupted due to bad light, persistent rainfall

four sixes.

The Kevin Sinclair

Tapeball Tournament delivered an action-packed day of thrilling cricket last Sunday, with explosive batting, tight bowling, and standout individual performances lighting up the Guyana National Stadium Tarmac.

Though inclement weather forced a shift in the tournament’s venue, it did not subdue the electrifying performances that followed in Sunday’s tournament.

The competition saw Ethan’s XI setting the tone after being sent in to bat. They posted a competitive 58 for 1, powered by quick cameos from Sukwah and Clinton Pestano. Sukwah struck 23 from 17 balls, while Pestano was even more aggressive, smashing 26 from just 12 deliveries.

However, their efforts were eclipsed by a dominant chase from Eccles. Needing 58 for victory, Eccles surged to 62 for 1 in just 4.4 overs. Jonte Thomas led the charge with a blistering 25 from 15 balls, an innings that included four towering sixes, while Maxie supported well with 20 from 13 balls as Eccles showcased their batting depth and firepower.

Team Corruption took first strike in an ensuing encounter but struggled to build momentum, finishing on 52 for 6 in their allotted five overs. Shemroy Barrington provided the highlight of the innings with a sensational 30 off just 11 balls, including one four and

The bowling honours, however, belonged to Malcolm Mickle, whose outstanding spell of three for one dismantled the middle order. Sip and Play made light work of the chase, reaching 53 for 4 in 4.2 overs. Nazeer anchored the innings with 20 from 9 balls, while Jackman thrilled spectators with a rapid 14 from only four deliveries to seal a comfortable victory.

The tournament climaxed with a gripping semi-final, where Team AJM delivered a commanding all-round performance. Batting first, AJM raced to 44 for 1 in just three overs, thanks almost entirely to a breath-taking knock from Quinton Sampson.

His 37 off 12 balls featured one four and five sixes, setting a daunting tone. AJM then backed up their batting with disciplined bowling, restricting Eccles to 33. Junior Sinclair was instrumental with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 15 to guide AJM into the final.

However, due to the persistent inclement weather and fading light, the male final was unable to be contested. Nonetheless, organiser and national cricketer Kevin Sinclair praised the success of the event.

“First, I want to thank all the sponsors who came onboard to make the event a successful one, and I should say it was a success. The Kevin Sinclair Foundation is going to do it bigger and better next time around, espe-

cially trying to get more female teams and even more male teams.

“It’s quite unfortunate that only two female teams showed up, but at least we had some ladies out there

giving their best,” he shared. The all-rounder told this publication, “As the organiser, I’m very happy about the turnout and the support that I was given on the day. I must applaud every-

one that contributed to making it a success. All the effort definitely went back into improving a young cricketer because all the contributions will go towards the cricket gear project.”

Sammy eager to see what Sampson has to offer at int’l level

West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy has spoken highly of Guyanese Quentin Sampson. The power hitter, who was the breakout player of last year’s Caribbean Premier League, earned his maiden call-up to the West Indies team for the Afghanistan T20I series.

With the series set to start on January 19, Sammy said it is important for young players to be integrated into the setup with experienced players.

“It’s a great opportunity for some of the young players here to build for the fu ture. And for those in the World Cup squad, this will be good preparation for those going to the World Cup in similar conditions against a strong Afghanistan team. Hopefully, we can gather some momentum leading into the World Cup,” Sammy said.

Sharing his sentiments on Sampson, Sammy had this to say: “He was one of the bright lights that shone for us. I am looking for ward to Sampson; what he did for Guyana is definitely one for the future. I love to see what he has in store for the international level. Floyd and the team will guide him and integrate him very well into the setup.”

The West Indies have yet to name their T20 World Cup squad, but this series will be important for some senior players to step up and prepare

“The key for us is role execution. Our main objective is to win, but for me and the group, we need to solidify their roles heading into the

“Afghanistan is a team we respect very much. They are very experienced and well-led. It’s an opportunity for us to start integrating the experience with the youth,” Sammy confidently said.

The series is part of the team’s preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 6 in India and Sri

Defending champions Guyana Women suffered their first loss of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) T20 Blaze on Thursday evening, going down by seven runs to the Leeward Islands at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown.

After winning the toss, Guyana elected to field and made an immediate breakthrough when Plaffiana Millington trapped Qiana Joseph lbw for a duck. However, the Leeward Islands recovered through a positive partnership be tween wicketkeeper-batter

Reniece Boyce and Captain Amanda Edwards.

Boyce played the anchor role with an aggressive yet composed innings, top-scor ing with a well-earned 51 from 54 deliveries, strik ing seven fours. Edwards provided excellent support, contributing 31 from 39 balls, an innings highlight ed by two fours and two six es. Despite their efforts, the Leeward Islands struggled to accelerate in the latter stages and finished on 106 for 9 from their 20 overs.

Guyana’s bowlers were led superbly by Ashmini Munisar, who produced a brilliant spell to claim 4 for 15, while Millington offered strong support with figures of 3 for 11.

In reply, Guyana be gan steadily, with Sheneta Grimmond scoring 23 from 40 balls to help lay a foun

Guyana women suffer 1st loss of CWI T20 Blaze title defence

dation. At 51 for 2 in 9.5 overs, following Grimmond’s dismissal lbw to Dominique Maynard, the defending champions appeared well-placed. However, mounting scoreboard pressure triggered a dramatic batting collapse. Guyana lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build meaningful partnerships. Mandy Mangru fought valiantly with 24 from 22 balls, but her efforts were not enough to steer Guyana home. The innings eventually folded for 99 in exactly 20 overs, hand

back and keep their title defence on track in what promises to be another competitive encounter in the CWI T20 Blaze.

In the other matches of the day, Trinidad and Tobago Women secured a 16-run victory over the Windward Islands Women in a low-scoring encounter.

After winning the toss, the Windward Islands elected to field first and made early inroads, but veteran all-rounder Anisa Mohammed held the Trinidad and Tobago innings together with an unbeaten 29. She received valuable support from lower-order batter Lee-Ann Kirby, who struck 28, helping Trinidad and Tobago

and chose to field, but Jamaica produced a solid batting performance led by captain Rashada Williams, who scored 31, and Abigail Bryce, who added 33. The pair shared an impressive 66-run second-wicket partnership, laying a strong foundation as Jamaica finished on 110 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs.

Barbados responded positively, sparked by a blistering cameo from Eboni Brathwaite, who smashed 36 from just 18 balls to give her side a flying start. Captain Aaliyah Alleyne then guided the chase with a composed 19, as Barbados reached 111 for 4 in 17 overs to clinch the victory.

CBO debut Pro/Am showdown

“I have no intention of losing to Amsterdam,” – DeClou as he prepares for main event clash

Kaieteur Attack Racing Club to host annual Guyana to Suriname ride from Jan 22 to 27

The Kaieteur Attack Racing Club is set to host its annual Guyana to Suriname Cycling Group Ride from January 22 to 27, 2026. The event will

Paramaribo and head to the bordering community of Albina. Participants must have a valid passport and proof of a yellow fever vaccine.

ing by vehicle must ensure

age in both

Nickerie, Suriname, followed by the second leg from Nickerie to Coronie, Suriname, and the third leg from Coronie to Paramaribo.

The fourth leg will commence from

Guyana and Suriname. For more information or to register, the organisers can be reached at 666-2500 or 6213249.

Organisers promise an unforgettable journey and encourage cyclists from all categories to join for the experience.

inden boxer Edmond DeClou who suffered a loss last October to Keithland King in Barbados is hoping to redeem himself in a matchup against Desmond Amsterdam in the main event in a light heavyweight bout of the CBO debut Pro/Am showdown set for next Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. DeClou, now training in his hometown of Linden, was seen doing his workout at the “Inspire Fitness by Kevin” gym in Blueberry Hill, Wismar, with coach Orlon “Pocket Rocket” Rogers. He said this main event showdown with Desmond Amsterdam is to prepare him for a return bout against the Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesborn boxer King.

The bauxite mining pugilist, who presently holds the WBC CABOFFE middleweight crown and national middleweight title, is very confident that he will win his fight against Amsterdam in their sixround clash.

The 39-year-old Edmond DeClou looks forward to this bout against Amsterdam as he remarked, “What I have my eyes on – and I would always say – in my career of 19 years being a boxer: If I lose two fights in a stretch, I quit boxing. Which means I have no intention of losing

next week. No matter what, I am not losing next week.”

Amsterdam has been one of Guyana’s best amateur boxers in recent times, and this will be his second professional fight after winning his only fight so far.

With that unfortunate

fight King due to how everything happened; it was a big setback from all angles. I was not mentally or physically prepared.”

An optimistic Rogers said, “He has been working, doing the morning workouts and getting the gym work.”

loss against King, DeClou has 20 wins from 25 fights. He said winning is the only thing on his mind when he faces Amsterdam, “because I want to fight Keithland King on the upcoming Dharry card, and so I am preparing for that. That is the guy who beat me in October, and I want to get a rematch next month, so I’ve got to win this fight.”

According to DeClou, “I was not fully prepared to

According to Rogers, “That fight in Barbados has been a setback because of his weight. If you are a fighter and did not eat lunch and barely had something for breakfast and have to wait from 18:30h to 19:00h to weigh in for a fight at 21:00h, you would not have the energy.” He said that his fighter is stronger now and will be ready for this clash with Amsterdam next Saturday.