Guyana Times - Tuesday, November 4, 2025

2 killed after motorcycle crashes into car in Linden

Amotorcyclist and his pillion rider were killed on Monday evening after colliding with a motor car at Kara Kara, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara - Upper Berbice).

One of the dead men has only been identified as ‘Isiah’ of Wismar, Linden.

According to information received, the two men were travelling on the motorcycle at a fast rate and in the vicinity of the Kara Kara bus shed, the driver collided with a motor car.

The two men fell onto

the roadway and sustained severe injuries about their bodies and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Up until late Monday evening, the police were still conducting their investigations. Only recently, the Police Commander of Region 10, Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon, echoed his concerns regarding the increase in fatal accidents in his division. He has reported that fatal and serious accidents have seen a 42 per cent increase.

Salvation Army launches Christmas Kettle Drive, promises greater community impact

As the Salvation Army kicked off its annual Christmas Kettle campaign — also known as the Red Kettle, businessman Nicholas Boyer, son of the President of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board noted that this year’s event will do much more than collect donations.

At the launch on Friday at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, Boyer emphasised that the campaign aims to have a greater impact, supporting vulnerable families, uplifting children, and restoring dignity to those facing hardship. Featuring secondary school choirs and

the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Steelband, the launch highlighted the organisation’s commitment to going beyond simple giving, emphasising a deeper, more meaningful impact this holiday season.

Businessman Nicholas Boyer, son of the President of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board, spoke at the launch, highlighting the significance of the familiar red kettles that will appear across Georgetown and beyond this season.

“As we gather here today to launch the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign, we are reminded of the true spirit of the season — a spirit not defined by glitter or gifts, but by compassion and generosity,” Boyer said.

He added that for over a century, the red kettle has stood as a symbol of giving — a simple vessel that transforms coins and dollars into care, and small acts into a lasting impact. Boyer further emphasised that this year’s campaign will do much more than collect monetary funds. “This year, as the kettles appear across Georgetown and beyond, they will do more than collect donations. They will collect stories of persons who need a warm meal, of children who enjoy small gifts, of families who feel dignity in

difficult times. These are not just seasonal gestures — they are lifelines.” He also praised the Salvation Army’s longstanding work in Guyana, noting its quiet but consistent service to the nation.

“The Salvation Army has long been a quiet force in our nation, serving without fanfare, respond-

give. Not just because it’s Christmas, but because we believe in lifting each other up. Because we know that when one of us rises, we all rise.”

In a heartfelt message of gratitude for volunteers, donors, and the Salvation Army team, he stated, “Let this campaign be a reminder that kindness is a pow-

ing without hesitation — whether through disaster relief, rehabilitation, or daily support for the vulnerable. Their work reflects the very best of who we are. But they cannot do it alone.” Boyer encouraged Guyanese to participate in the campaign wherever they encounter a kettle — on Regent Street, at markets, or in malls. “So today I invite every Guyanese… to pause, reflect, and

erful tool, that generosity is contagious, and that together, we can make this season brighter for thousands. To the volunteers, the bell ringers, the donors, and the tireless team of the Salvation Army — thank you. You’re the heartbeat of this movement. May this Christmas Kettle campaign ring loud with love and echo far beyond the holidays. Merry Christmas, and thank you very much.”

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, November 4 –15:00h-16:30h and Wednesday, November 5 – 15:40h-17:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with thundery showers in the early morning. Clear to partly-cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.79 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 15:31h reaching a maximum height of 2.88 metres.

Low Tide: 09:06h and 21:32h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.29 metre.

Mid-Year Report 2025 Guyana’s economy records

7.5% growth in 1st half of 2025

– non-oil economy expanded by 13.8% – 115.7 million barrels of oil produced

uyana’s overall economy is estimated to have grown by 7.5 per cent, and the non-oil economy by an estimated 13.8 per cent in the first half of 2025, representing the fifth successive year of expansion in the non-oil economy at the half-year, following the contraction in 2020. Based on the developments in the first half of the year, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2025 has been revised upward to 15.2 per cent overall from 10.6 per cent, and 13.9 per cent for non-oil real GDP up from 13.8 per cent. The 2025 Mid-Year Report which was presented in the National Assembly on Monday by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh confirms that this Government is committed to sustaining high growth, while maintaining fiscal discipline and safeguarding Guyana’s long-term stability, with aggressive efforts to implement its ambitious policies and programmes.

He reflecting on his 2025 Budget presentation reiterated that it provided “a clear path to ensure that the strong economic growth achieved by the domestic economy in recent years is sustained and made more resilient, and that this unprecedented economic expansion continues to be harnessed to deliver tangible and lasting benefits for all Guyanese today and for generations to come”.

He further stated that Budget 2025 was aimed at ensuring that Guyanese are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to take advantage of the vast opportunities being created by the rapidly transforming economy.

“This, in turn, will realise our objective of translating national prosperity into community, household, and individual prosperity in the long-term. In this regard, our Government continues to emphasise the empower-

ment of Guyanese citizens in multiple ways, including through increased opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, access to free education at all levels, increased opportunities for home ownership, increased disposable incomes, measures to contain the cost of living, and targeted support for children, youth, women, the elderly, and the vulnerable.” The key macroeconomic highlights in the Mid-Year Report for 2025 also stated that the revised full-year forecast for real GDP growth in 2025 is now 15.2 per cent overall and 13.9 per cent for non-oil real GDP.

Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry

In terms of sectoral performance, the report pointed to agriculture, fishing, and forestry which expanded by an estimated 9 per cent. The sugar industry, the report stated expanded by 136.7 per cent when compared with the first half of 2024, with the full-year growth projection maintained at 115.4 per cent.

The rice industry grew by an estimated 13.9 per cent and is now expected to grow by 12.4 per cent for the entire year while other crops subsector is estimated to have grown by 7.4 per cent with a revised growth projection of 11.9 per cent for the entire year. In addition, the livestock industry expanded by an estimated 11.7 per cent which was primarily driven by increased output across all products. The subsector is now expected to grow by 7.2 per cent for the entire year.

Further, the forestry industry is estimated to have grown by 6.2 per cent and growth is expected to remain unchanged at 1.3 per cent for the year.

Extractive industries

In the extractive industries, the mining and quar-

rying sector has expanded by 5.9 per cent and would have been driven by increased output in bauxite, gold, other mining and oil and gas. The petroleum subsector also grew by 5.5 per cent, with 115.7 million barrels of oil produced in the first six months of this year. The industry is now projected to grow by 15.6 per cent for the entire year.

Moreover, the bauxite industry has grown by 133.1 per cent and is projected to grow further accelerate by 65.9 per cent for 2025 while the gold industry growth of 10.9 per with higher declarations from the single large producer and the small- and medium-scale miners. The other mining and quarrying industry - which comprises sand, stone, diamonds and manganese would have grown by 24.2 per cent, driven by the construction sector.

Manufacturing, Services and Construction

The manufacturing sector is estimated to have grown by 26.8 per cent and this was as a result of growth across all subcategories – other manufac-

turing, rice and sugar. The services sector is estimated to have expanded by 6.6 per cent primarily supported by growth in wholesale and retail trade and repairs, administrative and support services, financial and insurance activities, professional, scientific and technical services, and information and communication. The construction sector, on the other hand is estimated to have grown by 29.9 per cent supported by Government’s expanded Public Sector Investment Programme, along with robust private sector investments across several sectors.

Balance of payments

The overall balance of payments recorded a surplus of US$10.3 million with the current account recording a surplus of US$197.9 million. The merchandise trade balance reportedly registered a surplus of US$3,180.2 million. This mainly reflects the fact that, while crude exports grew by 2.6 per cent, less favourable oil prices prevailed. Non-oil export earnings, however, increased by 12.5 per cent to US$919.7 million, mainly supported by gold and bauxite expanding by US$147.5 million and US$31.1 million, respectively. Total import payments stood at US$5,894.6 million and is expected to further grow by 81.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the report added that the growth was primarily driven by an increase in imports of capital goods, which rose to US$3,881.7 million, accounting for 95.8 per cent of the overall increase. A large part of this growth was due to the importation of the One Guyana floating, production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO), valued at US$2,534.1 million.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Redefining child care

Globally, an estimated 132 million children are orphans, with about eight million living in institutional care. These figures highlight the scale of child vulnerability worldwide and the urgent need for stronger family-based care and protection systems.

In Guyana, child care institutions serve as a critical first response for children who cannot remain with their families due to orphanhood or circumstances such as poverty, abuse, neglect, disease, or disability. These facilities act as temporary safety nets while more stable, familyoriented care options are explored.

Reports indicate that approximately 25,000 orphans live in Guyana, with about 7000 having lost their parents to illness. This reality prompted the Government of Guyana, in partnership with UNICEF, to strengthen family and community support systems so that children could grow up in nurturing environments rather than institutions.

The initiative sought to make institutionalisation a last resort, used only when no other suitable care arrangement was available.

The results of these efforts have been encouraging. The Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) reported a 25 percent decline in the number of children in institutional care –a major milestone for child protection. Currently, around 165 children are housed across facilities such as the Sophia Care Centre and Half-way Home, the Mahaica Children’s Home, and the Drop-in Centre, down from roughly 700 in previous years.

This positive trend coincides with the CCPA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection to finalise a national policy on children in institutional care. The policy aims to strengthen family systems, enhance protective services, and set standards for care, monitoring, and reintegration. Its goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of background, is provided with safety, love, and opportunities for growth and education.

Over the years, Guyana has made significant progress in promoting children’s rights and welfare, standing out as a leader in child protection in the Caribbean and Latin America. However, these achievements have not come easily. Building a society that protects and nurtures its youngest citizens has required overcoming major social, economic, and institutional challenges. Beyond financial constraints, deep-rooted issues such as inequality, stigma, and intergenerational poverty continue to threaten children’s well-being.

It is therefore essential that the current Administration continues to build on this foundation. Sustained investment, effective monitoring, and community involvement remain key to protecting vulnerable children and supporting their development. Former Education Minister and Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand noted that vulnerability is shaped not only by economic and geographic factors but also by age – making children, everywhere, the most at risk.

Recognising the importance of child welfare, Guyana’s national budget has steadily increased funding for the CCPA. These resources are used to reunite children with their biological families or, when that is not possible, to place them in foster care or adoptive homes. Family-based care remains far more beneficial to children’s emotional and developmental health than long-term institutional placement.

The care, protection, and development of children – who represent the future of humanity – must remain central to both national and global development agendas. Guyana’s continued commitment reflects its understanding that child protection is not only a moral duty but also vital to sustainable progress.

As Guyana moves forward, education must remain a priority for children in care. Education is a powerful tool for recovery and empowerment.

Children who are orphaned or otherwise vulnerable face greater risks due to economic hardship and limited parental care. For them, education provides hope, confidence, and the means to overcome poverty. Ensuring that every child in care receives consistent access to education is, therefore, crucial to achieving long-term stability and independence.

Looking ahead, the Ministry should also consider gradually reducing reliance on orphanages and transitioning towards care models that replicate family life. Internationally, children’s group homes and children’s villages have proven successful in offering more personalised, emotionally-stable environments than traditional institutions. These approaches could be adapted to Guyana’s context to further improve outcomes for children who cannot return to their families.

By continuing to strengthen family-based care, prioritise education, and modernise child protection systems, Guyana can build on its progress and ensure that every child – regardless of circumstance – has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and loving environment.

Oil prices forecast to drop in 2026

Dear Editor, Oil prices are forecast to drop further in the coming year from a high of $81/bbl in 2024 to $60/bbl in 2026 after a decline this year that saw an average of $68/bbl.

The World Bank’s energy price index forecasts a 10% decline in 2026 (Reference: World Bank Commodity Market Report, October 2025).

This reflects slower global economic growth and an oversupply of oil in the market. Given that OPEC has decided to remove production cuts to oil production and the pending regime change in Venezuela, one can expect Venezuelan oil production to come back online, further increasing global oil supply and resulting in lower crude oil prices.

Although efforts have been made to diversify our economy, the reality is that our dependence on the oil

sector continues to increase and our increased spending has been fueled by a depletion of our Natural Resource Fund (NRF) and debt. Going forward, we must pursue a balanced budget and reduce our debt burden. Rich economies are also faced with a debt burden that could trigger a global debt crisis, and we must prepare for a further reduction in global demand and economic growth. The prudent decision would be to cut spending, increase savings, and strengthen our buying capacity by leveraging the strong gold market via improved currency and gold reserves.

A stronger Guyana dollar will help support increased buying power as first and second world buying power faces risks of being reduced. Our path for future economic development must be strategic, measured, and delib-

erate. We must limit our spending to critical areas in need of improvement and enhance our ability to leverage the booming gold market.

Whether it be via increased taxes or increased royalties, the opportunity to reduce the cost of imports that support critical infrastructure projects and current construction development in the housing sector can be achieved without further reducing our NRF or increasing reliance on debt.

Minister Singh, who is currently managing the nation’s purse, must show the nation that he is capable of astutely guiding our economy toward improved fiscal management and stronger economic performance during the forecasted period of global slowdown.

The opportunity for our nation to excel in establishing a sustainable fiscal policy is before us, and we

must not let this opportunity pass due to overspending and poor investment returns on the funds available. The forecasted weaker oil sector will show us whether the current administration is capable of making the correct economic development decisions. Norway rose to the occasion and performed exceptionally well. They have enriched their citizens for the long term. Guyana must also rise to the occasion and accomplish strong long-term economic growth rooted in a wealth fund that can endure, thrive, and absorb future economic shocks.

Our ability to correctly manage our nation’s development will make the difference in our nation’s transformation. It must be sustainable and for the better.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Consistency in advocacy strengthens credibility, and fairness must never be selective

Dear Editor, I read with interest the recent letter penned by Mr. Carwyn Holland, titled “These cases reflect a disproportionate punitive approach toward AfroGuyanese, “ published in the Stabroek News on November 2, 2025. While Mr. Holland raises important questions about fairness and equality before the law, it would be useful to also hear his views on Magistrate Judy Latchman’s decision

to grant bail in the sum of $150,000 each to businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, who are currently facing extradition to the United States on an 11-count indictment, with each count carrying a maximum prison term of 20 years. In contrast, as Mr. Holland himself alluded to, the same Magistrate remanded music producer “Baby Skello” for a song deemed blasphemous, despite his public

apology and the absence of any criminal harm caused. Such contrasting judicial outcomes raise legitimate questions about the consistency and equity of justice in our system. If we are to truly pursue the principles of fairness, transparency, and justice for all, then these standards must apply equally, regardless of race, wealth, or social status.

I would therefore urge Mr. Holland, as an advocate for justice, to extend

his call for fairness to include the apparent leniency in the Mohamed extradition case. It would be valuable to know whether he perceives racial or class bias in this instance, given the broader concerns he raised about systemic inequity. Consistency in advocacy strengthens credibility, and fairness must never be selective.

Respectfully, Brian Azore

APNU’s selective outrage on the Mohameds signifies internal decay

Dear Editor, If you’re looking for a textbook example of obfuscation, then look no further than APNU’s Friday press release on the Mohameds’ arrest. One would have thought that, in the process of demitting the office of Opposition Leader, Mr. Norton would have seen it fit to take a long-overdue, hardline stance on said issue. Instead, what emanat-

ed was a shoddy compendium of narrative shifts, reeking of compromise.

The (naturally) unsigned press release sought to frame the arrest of Messrs. Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed as “authoritarian” with “blatant disregard for due process.” The release insists that the issue is not of the arrest itself but rather “how it was done.”

The letter proceeds to misrepresent the relatively standard arrest of Azruddin, known for mobilising persons to create standoffs with law enforcement, as a “heavy-handed” spectacle intended to “drive fear.” This curiously echoed Azruddin’s contemporaneous statements outside the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court: claiming that he felt his life was in grave danger

and that he would be shot, painting a scenario akin to a street-level execution.

One must genuinely examine the manner in which APNU is twisting itself to show this misplaced sense of solidarity to its newfound oppositional victor. While, on the surface, it reads as some misplaced lofty call for political maturity, it reveals itself to be woefully prevaricatory upon basic

On with the Amaila Hydro

Dear Editor, Kudos be heaped upon the Government of Guyana for reviving plans to realise the much-needed Amaila Hydro Project, which can potentially generate some 165-MW of power. Simply put, it means that the capacity will be there to power approximately 200,000 households per month, depending on average household electricity consumption and the type of power generation. Overall, this means ‘hurry up’ and get going, even if many ‘complain just for the sake of complaining.’ This long-overdue project, once stymied by the previous APNU/AFC, will be via “The Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model.” BOOT is often used in public-private partnerships, where a private entity finances, builds, owns, and operates a facility for a set period before transferring it to the public sector. This model is typically used for large infrastructure projects like toll roads or water treatment plants and allows the Government to fund projects without upfront capital costs, yet eventually gains exclusive control. It was indeed a big setback when the project was stopped by the A

Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) Opposition parties back in 2014. But in its 2020 election manifesto, the PPP administration noted that the project would be revived, and here it is about to happen. The details concerning the AFHP are that “... the Government of Guyana (GoG) will purchase the electricity from the private developer.

As such, the RFP (Request for Proposal) explained that the Government will select a suitable partner based on (i) the lowest Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) price, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) price, operating cost, and capital amortisation; (ii) timeframes to complete; and (iii) ability to finance the project on a PPA basis. I gather that lots of brainstorming went into all of this, and Guyana is likely to witness another massive transformation project.

It is good to bear in mind that Guyana is not isolated in this kind of power generation, as many countries do so, with China being the largest producer, followed by Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Russia.

Other countries with significant hydropower generation include India, Norway, Turkey, and Vietnam. Some nations, such as Norway and Brazil, derive a very large percentage of their total electricity from hydropower.

Let’s remember too that hydroelectric energy is a clean, renewable, and flexible power source with several advantages, including low-carbon emissions, longterm affordability, and the ability to store water for other uses like irrigation and flood control. Also, once a dam is built, operating costs are low, and the infrastructure can have a very long service life. Its ability to quickly adjust output makes it a valuable tool for grid stability and for meeting peak electricity demands. So, the advantages demand that the project be expedited.

Editor, even when the

Project

APNU+AFC coalition had abandoned the project, saying that it was too costly and the financial model unacceptable, the Norconsult Review: an independent study commissioned by the Norwegian Government in 2016 (the Norconsult report) did conclude that “... while developing hydropower was the only realistic path to an emission-free electricity sector, the specific AFHP plan had significant financial and technical issues, including a high price and potential capacity issues during the dry season.” Now that these issues have been ironed out, I hope that there will be no more ‘silly’ impediments and that Guyana can quickly ‘get going,’ as reliable and affordable power is foundational to any economy.

Yours truly, Hargesh

B Singh

review. The extradition proceedings serve to facilitate the Mohameds’ having their day in the US and answering to an 11-count grand jury indictment. How has APNU actually responded to said indictment? Another nameless, faceless press release urging Mr Mohamed to vindicate himself by presenting evidence to the public.

Nothing about the indictment. Nothing about the fact that the investigation period covered more than three and a half years of the Granger Government.

VP Jagdeo has firmly stated that all culpable actors, under successive administrations, must be held accountable. In contrast: not a word from Norton on this. Why?

And nothing about the damning allegations leveled by Special Prosecutor Terrence Williams, on America’s behalf, accusing the Mohameds of financing domestic terrorism in Guyana and expressing fears of witness tampering. Nothing. Nothing at all has been said. Instead, the nature of the arrest is being decried with little else.

This makes sense when you look at the Mohameds’ defense lawyers: APNU candidates Roysdale Forde and Darren Wade, as well as Nigel Hughes - former AFC leader whose wife served in the Granger Cabinet within the period of said offences. This makes sense when one

revisits Darren Wade’s public statement in October revealing that his legal representation for WIN, notwithstanding the ongoing election period, was instructed, sanctioned, and approved by Congress Place and Norton himself. If nothing else, this speaks to obsequious coordination. And APNU’s Friday release can only be seen as an attempt to distract from that coordination.

A few days ago, Norton claimed that vote bribery took place in Linden, yet he refused to divulge details. Why he waited beyond the 28-day post-declaration period to substantiate said claims in an election petition, quite frankly, speaks for itself. Why he refused to give any iota of information further should also speak for itself. His initial calls for a recount in PPP-won districts instead of strongholds like Linden, literally named after the Kabaka, where they came second to WIN, are telling. These newfound accusations of compromise read as woeful confessions of his own. Norton has totaled the People’s National Congress. If he genuinely wants to save face at this crucial juncture, there is one imperative and one imperative alone: to resign in shame.

Yours faithfully, Nikhil

Sankar

Page Foundation

The customary

1 foot = 12 in

1 yard = 3 ft

1 mile = 1760 yd

You can compare these units to each other.

Example:

How many feet are in a mile?

Step 1: You know that there are 3 feet in a yard, so multiply the number of yards x 3.

Step 2: 1760 x 3 = 5280. There are feet in a mile.

You and your family travel to different places. You walk or ride a bus to school, go shopping with your mom, take vacations to a special place, or simply walk around the block. Each time you go somewhere, you travel or move in a direction, which is the course or path you move.

You might walk down the street and then turn right or left, later turn around and return home. You are moving in different directions throughout the day. In the same way, cars, airplanes, buses, trains, and other vehicles move in different directions too. However, instead of turning to the right or left, or traveling up or down the street, there are special words used to name the

The standard units of measurement that should be used in Guyana are the metric measurements. It is necessary to know customary units of length to convert them to metric units.

Remember: You do not have to add the plural s when you abbreviate units of measurement.

Exercises: Convert

1) 650 feet to inches

2) 23 miles to yards

3) 800 inches to yards

4) 12 inches to feet

5) 90 yards to feet

directions a vehicle or person can travel.

There are four main directions or points called cardinal directions (sometimes cardinal points). The four points are North (N), East (E), South (S), and West (W). The direction words are found on maps, compasses, street signs, and in many other places. The cardinal directions help people travel from place to place.

There are place names around the world that use the cardinal direction words such as North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, South Korea, West Virginia, East

Texas, Middle East, and many others. Using the cardinal directions help people know the location of a place or how to find a place. Each cardinal direction has a special location. The NORTH always points to the north pole of the Earth, sometimes called “the top of the world”. The SOUTH points to the “bottom” of the Earth or the south pole. The EAST always points to the place where the sun rises in the morning, and the WEST always points to the place the sun sets in the evening. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

By Du Fu

I remember the temple, this route I've travelled before, I recall the bridge as I cross it again. It seems the hills and rivers have been waiting,

The flowers and willows all are selfless now.

The field is sleek and vivid, thin mist shines, On soft sand, the sunlight's colour shows it's late. All the traveller's sorrow fades away, What better place to rest than this?

Write a story that includes the line “Did anyone else see that?” or "Who’s there?”

Pres Ali urges ‘robust debate’ as new Parliament convenes

...says PPP/C will be “more aggressive and proactive” in pursuing developmental goals – dismisses claims of political motives in Mohameds' extradition case

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday voiced his hopes that “robust debate that enriches the people in Guyana” will take place in the 13th Parliament, while also passionately dismissing accusations that the timing of Parliament’s opening was politically motivated.

Speaking during a broadcast interview, Dr Ali congratulated all 65 members of 13th Parliament and expressed optimism about the legislative agenda ahead. “The Parliament is an important part of our Government structure. Parliament, for me, plays an integral role in any democratic society-it is where policies are tested and where debate on national development takes place,” he said.

“I wish to see robust debate that is based on facts and that enriches people in Guyana.” Though he did not make the customary President’s speech at the beginning of this Parliament, President Dr Ali noted that he will be addressing the 13th Parliament in the future to outline his Government’s vision for the next five years. “I can assure you that I will be addressing Parliament. I want-

ed Parliament to have its day today to have the MPs (Members of Parliament) sworn in... I definitely will be addressing Parliament in a substantive way, outlining the vision, outlining the strategy, and outlining where we want to position Guyana by 2030,” he noted. The 13th Parliament, which has been formed following the September 1 General and Regional Elections, was officially convened on Monday. The new Parliament sees the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) holding 36 seats, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party securing 16, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with 12, and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) with one. Monday’s sitting marked the swearing-in of all 65 members. However, President Ali said his Government will be “more aggressive and proactive” in pursuing development goals over the next five years, citing major infrastructure expansion, economic diversification, and investment in technology and social programmes as key priorities. “You will see the Government outlining an action plan and framework that will be presented

to Parliament, programmes and policies that will increase disposable income, create jobs, expand housing, improve healthcare and water services, and build prosperity. You will see a Government that is more aggressive and proactive,” Dr Ali said.

Rejects claims of political delay Meanwhile, in addressing criticism that the convening of Parliament was delayed to coincide with the extradition request for WIN’s leader Azruddin Mohamed, Ali dismissed the accusation as “a tactic used to generate sympathy” and “create a victim syndrome for Azruddin Mohamed.”

He reminded that the investigation into allegations of criminal activities by the Mohameds, in fact, predates the PPPC’s assumption of office in 2020. “This issue did not start yesterday. It started even before the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions. When we came into office, there were already reports in local and international media about the Mohameds being involved in gold smuggling, money laundering, and other criminal activities,” President Ali said.

“This investigation started long before 2020. This is not an investigation that originated from here. An investigation that has crossed jurisdiction, an investigation that is international in nature. So, this notion that Parliament was delayed for an extradition is totally disconnected from the truth. It is a notion that is created for a specific intention and specific purpose.” After being sanctioned by the United States’ (US) OFAC in 2024, earlier this month, Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, were indicted by a grand jury in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges ranging from wire fraud, mail

US$3.6B remains in NRF as

of

fraud, and money laundering, primarily connected to the export of gold to the US by Mohamed’s Enterprises. However, even as the US instituted sanctions, Mohamed created WIN and orchestrated a self-funded campaign in the 2025 elections. Having gained the most minority seats, Mohamed is expected to be sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition (LOO). Last week Friday, the pair were arrested in Georgetown following a formal request by the US Government for their extradition in connection with the 11 charges. Ali emphasised that the extradition of Mohamed and his father was handled strictly through legal and administrative procedures in accordance with Guyanese and international law. “Azrudin Mohammed wants to create a victim syndrome around himself,” the President said. “This has nothing to do with political prosecution or the PPPC Government. The investigation is international in nature. Everything is in accordance with law and the administrative mechanism. It has nothing to do with political prosecution and has nothing to do with going after anyone. That is what Azrudin Mohammed wants to create.” The President noted that the timeline for convening Parliament was constitutionally compliant, and that his administration had acted responsibly and transparently throughout the process. “It is a misconception and misinformation to suggest that the opening of Parliament was delayed for the extradition order,” he said. “Constitutionally, I had until this point to reconvene Parliament, and I said from day one that I would act in accordance with the constitution and I will always act in accordance with the constitution, and that led me to this date. So, this has nothing to do with the fact that a clear case of money laundering, gold smuggling, and other criminality has been made out against Mr. Azruddin Mohammed, and that process is ongoing.” President Ali reiterated his Government’s commitment to good governance and collaboration with international partners to uphold the rule of law and pursue accountability. He concluded by wishing the new Parliament “a healthy five years” and reaffirming his administration’s focus on building a “strong, resilient, and sustainable” Guyana by 2030.

end of September 2025 –

as Govt presents NRF Annual Report for fiscal year 2024 to National Assembly

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during his presentation of the Notifications of Receipts to the National Assembly of all petroleum revenues paid into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) during the period April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 and July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025, has reported that the balance at the end September 2025 amounted to US$3.6 billion. One of the key improvements to the NRF Act 2021 is that the subject Minister could face up to 10 years imprisonment if he fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenue received by Government in the Official Gazette within three months of receipt of such monies.

As such, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will continue to manage Guyana’s oil and gas sector with transparency and accountability, ensuring that the resources in the NRF are directed toward investments that deliver lasting benefits for current and future generations. However, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday also presented the NRF Annual Report for the fiscal

year 2024 to the National Assembly, pursuant to Section 32(4) of the NRF Act 2021 and as testament to Government’s strong commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of the oil and gas sector.

Dr Singh, on behalf of the Government and the people of Guyana, acknowledged the work done by the NRF Board, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and

the Investment Committee, for this extremely important national institution –the Natural Resource Fund.

The NRF Act 2021 came into operation on January 1, 2022, and introduced major improvements to the framework for managing oil and gas revenues and essential enhancements to the governance and transparency arrangement of the Fund. These enhancements to the NRF Act 2021 include the establishment of a Board of

Directors which will be responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the Fund and monitoring its performance, thereby separating the management of the Fund from the Minister responsible for Finance. In

addition, The NRF Act 2021 requires the Government to seek Parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the Fund, and also sets out new, simplified calculations needed for ensuring that the Fund achieves its purposes.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to acknowledge the progress made in enhancing the governance of our natural resources and improving fiscal outcomes.

Election fraud trial adjourned to Nov 17

The trial into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections has been adjourned to November 17, 2025, when proceedings are scheduled to resume before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The adjournment follows last week’s session, which saw the presentation of new evidence, the cross-examination of previous witnesses, and the hearing of a voir dire. The case is being conducted under case management guidelines, a structured framework designed to streamline proceedings

and ensure that all parties are fully prepared for each phase of the trial. The elections fraud trials first commenced on July 29, 2024 and was initially being heard by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was expected to run from July 29 to September 13. However, a series of delays and deferrals ensued and the matter was eventually brought before the court of now acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, who continues to preside over the matter. A series of hearings have been held in recent weeks with several state witness-

es taking the stand. Several persons are currently facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit electoral fraud for the events that occurred following the March 2, 2020 General Elections. These include former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Minister Volda Lawrence, APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Joseph, and former Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise BobbCummings. They are facing 28 charges relating to electoral fraud. Among the offences these defendants are accused of committing are: misconduct while holding public office; presenting falsified documentation; and planning to manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total. These charges stem from attempts to rig the 2020 Elections in favour of the then-ruling APNU/AFC.

Linden miner shot dead during social gathering at Issano

– 4 murders recorded over weekend

A22-year-old miner was shot dead during a social gathering at a shop at 14 Miles, Issano Landing, Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) in the early hours of Sunday. The deceased man has been identified as Samuel Marciano of One Mile, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). Based on reports received, the victim was reportedly shot multiple times by two known individuals. At the scene, several spent shells and a live round of ammunition were recovered by detectives who responded to the shooting incident. Police stated that investigators are actively pursuing leads to locate the two suspects, and the Force is appealing to anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact 911 or the nearest police station. This murder makes four that occurred over the weekend. These include the beating death of 56-yearold Imran Kadir during a drunken brawl at Belvidere,

Corentyne, Berbice on Sunday; the stabbing death of 34-year-old Brazilian national Francis Diago Alivera on Saturday at Sandhill Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven; and the stabbing death of 17-year-old Gaurav Bhagwan of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Saturday at Loo Creek, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Back in July, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported that

“crime today is dominated by disorderly murders, property-related offences, excessive alcohol consumption, drug trafficking, particularly at border locations, domestic violence, and cybercrime. These trends guide our priorities. The reality is that most of the crimes are committed by a small minority of the population, and that is why most of our attention is focused on key offences and hotspots. In a

small country like Guyana, incidents feel bigger because they’re close to home.” In addition, Top Cop Clifton Hicken, also back in July, reported that crime is down when compared to 2015. He said the serious crime rate is down 88 per cent, robbery with guns is down 88 per cent, burglaries and larceny have reduced by 93 per cent and murders have reduced by 63 per cent; all within the period 2015 to 2025.

Playing…

…hardball politics

Now that the fight to be President of our fair land is over – PPP’s Irfaan Ali won that hands down and earned a repeat performance!! – seems the next battle for power in our political system is to become the Leader of the Opposition – LOO!! The last election upended the old order that evolved since the fifties where the PPP and PNC – born from the same womb!! – alternated those positions.

The new kid on the block – Sanction Man – who outbid the PNC (literally, according to PNC leader Norton, who said he saw money “pass hands”) ended up with the largest bloc of seats in the Opposition camp and (not unreasonably) felt he’d be the new LOO. But this is politics, innit?? And while there’s all sorta rules of etiquette we inherited from the Brits – like taking a break for “tea” during parliamentary sittings – it certainly ain’t no “tea party”!!

Sanction Man – and his sisters who are his handlers! –don’t seem to appreciate this. First, they kept bitching about the National Assembly not being convened fast enough so he could be “sworn in” as LOO!! Didn’t they brush up on the rules of the game? Firstly, the Constitution gives the President – here Irfaan Ali who Sanction Man had cussed out “good and proppa”! – THREE months after the elections to convene Parliament?? Why should Prezzie hurry?

The second area where Sanction Man and handlers simply hadn’t a clue was this “swearing in” of the LOO! They clearly felt that all Sanction Man had to do was show up where Parliament now meets at the Convention Centre – in his (tax-evaded) Rolls they simpered!! – and he’d be “sworn in”!! Well, hopefully, they’ve now realised that in parliamentary affairs there are rules that play out in the glare of public scrutiny – unlike, say, shipping gold out of the country!! And the rule here is the LOO gotta be ELECTED at a sitting of the National Assembly by a caucus of all Opposition MPs – under the direction of the Speaker. So, this means there first gotta be a Speaker and MPs!! And for this to happen the Clerk of the National Assembly – according to Standing Order 6.5 – must prepare an “Order Paper” that specifies the business for each sitting!! And traditionally, the first order of business that would be spelled out are motions to first elect a speaker – who’d then swear in the MPs indicated by their respective parties!!

So, Sanction Man discovered only the day before the first sitting yesterday that election of the Opposition leader wasn’t on the Order Paper!! Your Eyewitness expects him to now throw another tantrum and a hissy fit!! He still hasn’t realised in Guyana hardball politics is played!!

…by the rules

While we’re on the subject of Parliament and its rules, Sanction Man would’ve discovered he and his newly-swornin MPs were given a book on “Parliamentary Rules”!! He better memorise them fast!! Daddy Sanction Man had boasted about his memorisation feats – albeit on vehicles’ number plates!! What are some pertinent rules??

Well, firstly, he can’t read his speeches – he gotta speak extemporaneously… “from his head”!! Your Eyewitness suggests that his sisters write them out for him – one of them writes very well – and he memorises then, regurgitates them from the floor! He should make sure to learn to pronounce the big words his sister fancies! If he stumbles over them – as he did several times on the campaign trail when he went beyond “I will get back you shortly”!! – that’ll be a giveaway!!

Another point of etiquette is MPs gotta refer to fellow MPs as “Honourable”. But here the problem gonna be whether others will call him that after what he did to the GRA’s coffers!!

…the fool

Sanction Man’s Scrapes are making a big “to do” about who assigned Judge…er...Magistrate Judy to his arraignment hearing for extradition to the US.

Hasn’t their (PNC) lawyers told them that constitutionally, that’s the job of the Chancellor??

Manzoor Nadir re-elected as House Speaker, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo to serve as Deputy –

65 MPs sworn-in amid calls for unity to confront threats to Guyana’s sovereignty

–

Parliamentary Secretaries appointed

The 13th Parliament convened Monday with the first sitting held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. All 65 members – representing the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) as well as the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) took their oaths of office as Members of Parliament (MPs). In the APNU camp, leader Aubrey Norton did not return to Parliament, sending instead businessman Terrence Campbell to lead the party’s Parliamentary group. For the WIN camp, its leader Azruddin Mohamed led his 16-member contingent into the ACCC in grand style.

for a decade in the Cabinet of the then PPP/C Government,

However, Manzoor Nadir who served as Speaker of the National Assembly in the 12th Parliament was re-elected to serve in that capacity for the next five years with Dr Vishwa Mahadeo as his Deputy.

The experienced legislator has had a long and distinguished career in national politics, having served as a Member of Parliament for six terms—first elected in 1992 as leader of The United Force (TUF) political party. An economist by profession,

holding Ministerial portfolios in Tourism and Labour between 2001 and 2011. Delivering his inaugural address to the 13th Parliament, Nadir thanked Members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to carry out his duties with fairness, dignity, and impartiality. He urged all MPs to emulate these principles and to stand together, particularly on issues concerning Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “By

electing me once again, as your speaker of the National Assembly. This is not just a personal honour. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of our beloved Guyana, and the values we hold sacred. Throughout my life, I’ve had the distinct privilege to serve our great nation. Three terms dedicated as an ordinary Member of Parliament, to the service of all people. Two terms, as a Cabinet Minister, and one term as speaker. Today, I accept this honour for the second term. I am reminded that our journey together as a nation is a collective march towards progress and greatness. A shining example of a country evolving and growing that places us in the forefront of development for the 21st century,” Nadir said. Additionally, the Speaker underscored the importance of mutual respect and decorum in parliamentary proceedings, reminding members that the Assembly represents the “beating heart of the people’s agenda for progress.”

TURN TO PAGE 14

US$3.6B remains in...

In 2022, the IMF noted that: “The governance of the NRF was strengthened through the appointment of three critical entities in 2022: the NRF Board of Directors, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, and the Investment Committee. Furthermore, to ensure full transparency and accountability, notifications of receipts of petroleum revenues have been published in the Official Gazette.”

This year, the IMF highlighted that the “NRF and Public Accountability and Oversight Committee 2023 Annual Reports have been presented to the National Assembly, regular notifi-

cations of receipts of petroleum revenues, as mandated by law, are published in the Official Gazette, and the BoG (Bank of Guyana) publishes monthly and quarterly reports of the NRF’s financial performance.”

The Board of Directors of the NRF was re-appointed on August 31 2024, and the members are as follows Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, MSS, Chairperson; Dunstan Barrow, A.A., Director (Nominated by the National Assembly); Ramesh Dookhoo, Director (Representative of the Private Sector); Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Director as Professor Compton Bourne, O.E., as Director.

FROM PAGE 7

At Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the National Assembly also circulated the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee Annual Report for the fiscal year 2024, pursuant to Section 6(6) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021. The Public Accountability and Oversight Committee of the Fund was re-appointed on August 31, 2024. The 9-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee is responsible for providing non-governmental oversight of the operations of the Fund, replacing the cumbersome 22-member committee previously proposed in the NRF Act 2019.

Freak storm rips through Lima Housing Scheme, several homes destroyed

– residents plead for urgent assistance to rebuild

The roofs of several homes were ripped off leaving families uncertain about their next move after violent winds and heavy rains swept through Lima New Housing Scheme along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) on Monday. The storm which stated at about 08:00h has left a trail of destruction with several homes being completely destroyed and personal belonging of the occupants scattered across the community. The traumatised residents are now seeking assistance to rebuild their houses which will be an uphill task. Among those most severely affected is Khamwattie Sukhnandan,

who said the storm struck without warning, giving her no time to save anything. She described that the fierce winds “came in

a circle,” lifting off her roof and destroying her home.

The distraught woman said that in a matter of minutes, her life’s posses-

sions were gone. She lost furniture, appliances, and her grandchildren’s school books, supplies and clothing. “All my electrical appliances and my grandchildren’s books damage...We need help to build back because we don’t have anywhere to stay.” she said, still shaken by the ordeal. Additionally, Indy Samdatt, told the Guyana Times that she received a distressing call informing her that the storm had destroyed their home and left her mother-in-law injured. Rushing back, she was met with what she described as “a heartbreaking sight.”

“When I came home to see what happened I saw the zinc all blown away and all my belongings damaged...My mother-in-law got hit in her head causing her to get a head injury. Everything spoil... my working clothes, bed, stove, everything gone. It’s very

damage and speak with the residents.

The officials assured them that the Region Two Administration will work with the relevant agencies

frustrating because we work hard for what we had.” she said. Samdatt said the loss has been heartbreaking for her family, explaining that they worked tirelessly over the years to build their home, only to see it

utes,” she said. The powerful winds uprooted trees and sent zinc sheets flying across the neighbourhood, with some left hanging dangerously on Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) wires. Debris now covers the area, and several families are staying temporarily with relatives or neighbours as they await assistance to rebuild before the holiday season. After learn-

to provide immediate support.

Residents have since made public appeals for building materials, clothing, food supplies, and household essentials, noting that most of their be-

destroyed within minutes. She expressed that all they need now is a little help to start over. “We just need a little help to start over. We worked hard for years to build our home, and now everything gone in min-

ing about the situation, Regional Chairman Devin Mohan, Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, and Deputy Regional Executive Officer (REO) Omesh Sasenaryan immediately visited the affected area to assess the

longings were destroyed. The families of Lima are now hoping that their calls for help will be answered soon, as they face the daunting task of starting over from scratch. (Raywattie Deonarine)

Mobil Service Station deadly bombing Pres Ali vows to deliver “swift justice” during meeting with families of victims

– Police preparing file for legal advice

President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured the families of the victims of the tragic bombing at the Mobil Service Station on October 26, 2025 that they

dent, that the Government would assist them in every possible way. Meanwhile, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Monday also related that nine suspects

will receive “swift justice” and that the Government will use “every available tool” to help them and those injured return to normalcy. This was the assurance given to the families on Monday during a meeting

remain in custody and that detectives are preparing a file to be sent for legal advice to determine the next course of action. Up to late Monday evening, the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DDP) Chambers confirmed non-re-

“The detectives have retrieved the images, but explosive experts are currently examining them to determine whether or not it was a homemade bomb or another type of explosive,” Blanhum told the Guyana Times on Friday. Prior to that, the CCTV confirmed that the prime suspect and one of his accomplices arrived at the scene in a motorcar that was parked in the vicinity of the ACME building. The accomplice reportedly scouted the area before the bomb was triggered by the prime suspect, who was seen carrying a black garbage bag. It was further reported that the suspect initially attempted to dispose of two black garbage bags in a bin. Nevertheless, he was prevented from doing so by an attendant; instead, he walked toward the western side of the fuel station, shortly after which a loud explosion was heard coming from the section where bottled cooking gas was stored.

with the Head of State at State House, Main Street, Georgetown, where he also informed them that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been interrogating the suspect to determine the motives for the “horrific act.” Further, he made a commitment to the parents of six-year-old Soraya Bourne, who perished in the inci-

ceipt of the file. Late last week, the investigators retrieved images of the explosive device used in the bombing from the prime suspect, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo’s mobile phone. In light of this new evidence, explosive experts were examining the images over the weekend to determine their type.

One day after the police issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect, the clothes suspected to have been worn by him were found at a location in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The GPF soon after announced a reward of $5 million for any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect want-

ed for the crime. It has further been established that Peodomo and another man, both Venezuelans, arrived in Guyana illegally by boat hours before the terror attack. More worrying is that the explosive was transported from Venezuela by the suspect. In a confession statement, Peodomo indicated that he had brought the bomb from Venezuela and would have activated it when he exited the ve-

hicle on Sunday evening. It was also confirmed that the prime suspect is affiliated with a criminal gang in his home country, which goes by the name “R” linked to the Sindicato gang. With investigations currently underway, the GPF will be pursuing the death penalty in accordance with Sections 309A and 309B of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, which address acts of terrorism and

conspiracy to commit terrorism. This was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who emphasised that a young, innocent child was murdered, and had the suspect been successful in placing the bag

in the bin, it could have been more detrimental. She is confident that President Dr Irfaan Ali will sign off on a death penalty for those found culpable of the terror attack.

PPP/C MPs/Parliamentary Secretaries

Secretaries Opposition MPs

“There is no Opposition

yet, there is a process” –

Leader-elect as

Vice President

...says WIN misled supporters on LOO appointment

The country’s Opposition Leader was not sworn-in at the first sitting of the National Assembly on Monday and according to Vice-President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the selection must follow established parliamentary processes. The VP also accused the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and its founder, United States (US)-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed of misleading supporters by claiming the appointment would have taken place when the House reconvened. The 13th Parliament convened on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Although WIN founder Azruddin Mohamed has publicly indicated his intention to assume the role of Opposition Leader, Dr Jagdeo said the appointment remains pending and must be determined in a separate process convened by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the opposition’s MPs.

“There is no Opposition Leader elected as yet, contrary to what WIN is saying,” the VP told reporters on the sidelines of Parliament.

“The tradition has been that on the first day of the convening of parliament, everyone takes the oath of office, and then there is a separate process that is initiated by the Speaker, where he convenes all of the people from the opposition to elect. There is no opposition leader elected as yet, contrary to what WIN is saying. They have to go through a process, through a selection process or a voting process, to determine who will be the next opposition leader,”. “WIN misleadingly told their people that today the opposi-

tion leader would be sworn in, and somehow that it is a conspiracy of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) not to have that done. That’s all garbage. They peddle that a lot, misinformation,” Dr Jagdeo added. Further, Dr Bharrat cited past precedents, noting that in some instances it has taken weeks for the opposition to agree on a leader stating “as you recall, every single time the parliament is convened, for the first time, they then have a separate process to determine the leader of the opposition. With Norton, in

Norton’s case, it took one month because the opposition could not get its act together”. The VP also addressed rumors and criticism that the Government had delayed the convening of Parliament to affect Mohamed’s status. He rejected the claims as “garbage,” framing them as misinformation circulated by the opposition. He emphasised that the timing of Parliament’s first sitting fell within constitutional parameters and that the Government had used the interim period to complete planning and preparations for its legislative agenda.

Extradition, legal troubles

conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and customs-related violations, linked to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

proceedings, and reiterated that any extradition request would proceed through the courts and that due process will apply.

GRA launches new Excise Tax Stamps on alcohol to modernise customs operations

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has launched three new Excise Tax Stamps to supplement and replace the corresponding existing Excise Stamps as it continues to modernise Customs Operations.

The GRA stated that implementation begun on November 1, 2025 in collaboration with the Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN) to facilitate the mandatory use of Excise Stamps on designated alcoholic products.

The new Stamps will be placed on alcoholic products that have paid the correct duties, excise and other applicable taxes, replacing the previously affixed stamps on these classes of products.

The Excise Stamp Tax is an anti-smuggling measure to reduce the illicit trade of alcohol/tobacco products within Guyana. The Revenue Authority first launched the Excise Stamp Tax in November 2017 on all imports of foreign alcoholic beverages and tobacco products

(Except Beer).

The introduction of these new Stamps, along with a corresponding automated Monitoring System, represents a significant step forward in strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficiency in excise tax administration. As such, the GRA is reminding importers, wholesalers, and retailers that all imported packages/units of alcoholic and tobacco products must be affixed with an approved Excise Stamp in accordance with Regulations made under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

It should be noted that un-

der Act, the following are considered summary offences: Importation of any goods on which excise stamps should be affixed without being registered with the CommissionerGeneral under these regulations; Failure to affix an excise stamp on the package of good in such secure manner as the CommissionerGeneral may prescribe; Printing over or defacing an excise stamp affixed on a package and the possession of goods on which the excise stamps have not been affixed and which are not destined for export. In addition, it applies to anyone attempting to acquire or the acquisition of

The VP highlighted a parallel legal matter that may be influencing Mohamed’s urgency to be appointed. He noted that US extradition proceedings have commenced against Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed following an indictment unsealed by a US grand jury in the Southern District of Florida on October 6, 2025. The indictment reportedly charges them with multiple offences, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money-laundering, Turning to external challenges, Nadir called for national unity amid threats to Guyana’s sovereignty. “I urge us all in the performance of our duties. To uphold mutual respect, and to act always with dignity and decorum. Our conduct must reflect the honour of this house. And especially the expectations of our people. This assembly is not merely a chamber for legislation. It is the beating heart of the people’s agenda for progress. In the face of external threats and challenges. Such as the provocations from Maduro. Let us stand united. Resolve in our defence, Guyana’s borders and sovereignty. Our unity is our strength. Together, let us advance the cause of Guyana. forging a legacy of peace, prosperity, pray, and greatness,” he added. On the other hand, unlike Nadir’s appointment, Vishwa Mahadeo’s election as Deputy Speaker was contested. While he was nominated by the PPP/C Government, the Opposition WIN party had also nominated their Prime Ministerial Candidate Tabitha Sarabo- Halley to be the Deputy Speaker.

an excise stamp without the approval of the Comptroller or Commissioner-General; Printing, making or in any way creating an excise stamp without the authority of the Comptroller or Commissioner-General; or The removal or otherwise preparation of any excise stamp with the intent to use or cause the same to be reused after it has already been used. The authority also stated that any goods connected to the offences set out under this regulation may be forfeited to the State in accordance with the applicable provisions under the Act, and may also result in penalties or legal proceedings against the offender. In light of the foregoing, all stakeholders, including importers, distributors and retailers are urged to: Prepare for the transition; Ensure full compliance with the updated stamp requirements; Take advantage of the awareness programmes, training and support being provided by the GRA.

“The indictment came… They were saying it would go away. Well, it didn’t,” the VP said, arguing that Mohamed may be seeking parliamentary status to influence or delay legal processes. He stressed that membership of Parliament — even as Opposition Leader — does not confer immunity that would prevent extradition

WIN currently holds 16 seats and represents the main parliamentary opposition. The VP suggested the party must first complete its internal selection process — convened and overseen by the Speaker — before any individual can be formally recognised as Leader of the Opposition.

Manzoor Nadir re-elected...

However, the ruling party used it’s 36-seat majority to successfully elect Mahadeo to the post. Dr Mahadeo is a MP for PPP/C and a medical doctor by profession.

Parliamentary secretaries

Furthermore, over 30 parliamentary secretaries were elected to serve following recommendations by President Dr Irfaan Ali. The list includes Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney

General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud; Minister within the Office of the PM, Kwame Mc Coy, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill; Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha with Vikash Ramkissoon as his junior; Housing Minister Collin Croal with Vanessa Benn as his junior; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson with Steven Jacobs as his junior; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand with Pauline Sukhai as the Junior Minister; Minister of Education Sonia Parag; Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar.

Some of the new faces that have been introduced to the Cabinet will also serve as parliamentary secretaries, including Minister of Public Service Zulfikar Ally, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah BrowneShadeek, Minister of Labour, Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith, Thandi McAllister and Mischka White Griffith.

Youth, innovation take centre stage at GGI’s Stakeholder’s Forum

The Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) hosted its second annual Stakeholder Forum at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on October 31, bringing together beneficiaries from all 10 administrative regions for a day of reflection, dialogue, and collaboration on Guyana’s sustainable development journey. This year’s forum centred on the theme “Youth in STEM: Transforming Guyana’s Technological Landscape, Building a Solid Future for Tomorrow.” Discussions explored how ongoing investments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are empowering young people and shaping a more innovative, self-reliant nation.

A key feature of the event was a panel discussion featuring ExxonMobil’s Global Manager for SocioEconomic Management, Deedra Moe; Air Emissions Advisor at ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Farah Jairam; Welding Instructor at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) Centre, Carlos Baird; Vice President (VP)

of the University of Guyana (UG) Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Jayda Overton; and Accountable and General Manager (GM) of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School Inc., Nalini Chanderban. The forum also featured a STEM Mingle session, which allowed students from secondary school, TVET institutions, and the UG to en-

gage directly with industry experts in informal tabletop discussions. These sessions encouraged mentorship, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of real-world applications of STEM disciplines. Building on the momentum of youth-driven innovation, the programme seamlessly transitioned to a broader theme, “Rooted in Community, Rising Together: Investing

in Tomorrow’s Possibilities”, Under this theme, stakeholders reflected on their projects, assessed impact, and identified new opportunities for collaboration

Cause of death of Bagotstown man found in car undetermined – autopsy

Days after the body of 34-year-old Imran Khan of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was found in his car at Mon Repo, East Coast Demerara (ECD), an autopsy has failed to determine the cause of death.

Police stated the post mortem performed on the body by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Monday has given his death as undetermined.

As such, samples were taken from the deceased for testing at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory with the aim of determining the man’s cause of death.

On Saturday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Khan whose body was found on Friday inside

his black Nissan Bluebird motor car, bearing registration number PWW 946 at First Street, Mon Repos South, ECD. It was reported that Khan’s body was found in the front passenger seat with the head leaning to the driver’s side. At the

The car in which the body was found

time, no visible marks of violence were observed.

CCTV

the area was reviewed and several persons were questioned in connection with the discovery.

discussions during

across sectors such as education, entrepreneurship, and community health.

Delivering the feature address, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr., underscored the importance of corporate social responsibility, noting that Guyana is undergoing positive transformation, making partnerships like the one shared with the Greater Guyana Initiative essential. From the corporate leadership perspective, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge highlighted Guyana’s journey to prosperity and the role GGI continues to play in accelerating national development.

“It’s about accelerating the benefits, it’s about reaching out to people where they are, to the communities around the country, and listening to them,” he said. “What we are doing with the Greater Guyana Initiative is much more than the individual programmes. We are also building a culture that will be incredibly important for the sustainable prosperity of the country.”

Adding to this, President of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, Lian Jihong emphasised the longterm value of the partnership.

“GGI is an investment in the people, it is an investment in our future. It is building the skills, confidence and opportunities that will last for generations,” he said.

The initiative’s tangible impact was further il-

lustrated by Socio-Economic Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Lorna Carlson who highlighted the recently launched FLOW Project. This initiative aims to provide clean drinking water to an estimated 58,000 students by 2029.

Managing Director of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) and GGI implementing partner, Annette Arjoon-Martins expressed gratitude to GGI for its support to the work the society has undertaken with communities in the BarimaMora Passage through the Sustainability Enablers Project and the Green Enterprise Support Project.

“Our GGI partnerships brought water-harvesting capacity to the Warrau communities there, provided solar lights, and supported our marine research centre located in Imbotero,” she noted.

The GGI is supported by the Stabroek Block co-venturers ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

The initiative supports capacity-building programmes across Guyana over a 10-year period, focusing on education and training, economic development, and community health. Through these investments, GGI aims to strengthen the local workforce, enhance the competitiveness of Guyanese businesses and lay the foundation for sustained economic growth.

50 healthcare professionals honoured for completing advanced training at IHSE

...“Your success represents a vital step in strengthening Guyana’s health workforce” – Min Anthony tells graduates

Some 50 healthcare professionals who completed advanced training programmes under the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE) were honoured on Sunday at the 18th Annual Awards Banquet for Graduating Specialties. This prestigious event celebrated the academic achievements and clinical excellence of graduates who have pursued rigorous postgraduate and fellowship programmes, equipping them to deliver specialised care across Guyana’s health system. The graduates majored in a wide range of disciplines includ-

ing: Fellowship in Regional Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Management; Fellowship in Echocardiography; Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology; Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine; Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine; Master of Medicine in Paediatric Medicine; Master of Medicine in Orthopaedics and Traumatology; Master of Medicine in Psychiatry; Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Master of Medicine in General Surgery; Master of Medicine in Family

Guyana among 15 countries meet to address wildfires through integrated approach

Representatives from 15 countries, including Guyana recently participated in a workshop aimed at reducing wildfire risks and damages, improve land management, protect livelihoods, and support environmental restoration across the region. The event which was held at the Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) also dealt with incorporating Integrated Fire Management (IFM) into public policies, national plans, and sectoral strategies. Delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay gathered to discuss the region’s diverse challenges and progress toward implementing Integrated Fire Management. Each country is at a different stage of development in addressing this issue. Integrated

Fire Management (IFM) is a comprehensive approach that recognises the ecological, cultural, and social roles of fire. It promotes coordinated management actions—including prevention, controlled use, response, recovery, and financing— to reduce the negative impacts of wildfires, protect biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of communities and ecosystems. Currently, Brazil is the only country in the region with an active national IFM policy. Meanwhile, Colombia has advanced its legislative efforts, with a bill recently passing its second reading. Other countries have made notable progress in institutional coordination, while some remain in the early stages of developing technical frameworks and regulations. The meeting took place amid a regional context of increasing wildfires and growing impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security. It provided a valuable technical platform for peer dialogue and knowl-

edge exchange, enabling participants to explore how to institutionalise IFM as a strategy that extends beyond suppression to include prevention, controlled use, recovery, and sustainable financing. The event was organised by FAO, through the FiRe Project, in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) via the CoRAmazonia Project, with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Participants included General Coordinator for Forest Fire Prevention at Brazil’s Institute of the Environment (IBAMA) Flávia Saltini; National Director of the Colombian Fire Department, Captain Lina Marín; General Manager for Fire Management at Mexico’s National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), César Robles and Director General of Forestry at Uruguay’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Gastón Martínez, among other Government representatives. The workshop concluded with the identification of shared challenges and opportunities to enhance regional cooperation, promote best practices, and advance toward more resilient and sustainable fire management across LAC.

Medicine; Master of Medicine in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care; Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care; Bachelor of Science in Emergency Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Anaesthetic Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Nursing. During the ceremony, special awards were presented for outstanding achievements, including Best Research Presentation by a Graduand; Best Research Submission by a Graduand and IHSE Most Outstanding Graduand Award.

Delivering the keynote address, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, commended the graduates for their dedication, discipline, and perseverance throughout their academic journey. He noted that their success represents a vital step in strengthening Guyana’s health workforce and expanding access to specialised medical care nationwide. “We’ve started a process of transforming what health looks like in Guyana, and you’ve gotten a taste of what that transformation appears to be, “Dr Anthony said. “In the years ahead, we will have an addi-

tion of eight new hospitals to be constructed of which we will need some of you to go out and serve people in various parts of our country.”

The Minister further highlighted the Ministry’s continued investment in postgraduate medical education and the importance of creating an enabling environment for specialists to thrive within the public health system. The graduates were encouraged to continue embodying the values of excellence, service and compassion in their professional pursuits.

IICA launches emergency fund to aid agriculture in States hit by Hurricane Melissa

The Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Manuel Otero, has set up an emergency fund to assist the agriculture sectors of the four Caribbean nations worst affected by the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

The Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic have suffered significant human and material damage in recent days as a result of the extreme weather event—have already received the extraordinary funds, intended to support emergency actions, rehabilitation, and rapid recovery in the countries hardest hit by the phenomenon. Otero expressed deep solidarity with the peoples and Governments of the countries affected in separate letters sent to the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz; Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green; Haiti’s

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Joseph Vernet; and the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources of The Bahamas, Jomo Campbell. The Director General explained that the IICA delegation in each country will remain in constant communication with the Ministries in order to determine the most effective mechanisms for disbursing the resources and ensuring they directly help restore the agriculture sector’s productive capacities. “We decided to quickly turn solidarity into action with an emergency fund for the countries hardest hit, which we will be accompanied by technical resources designed to mitigate the effects on farms and farmers and their working tools.” IICA has recognised that the Caribbean requires special attention, as it is a subregion frequently affected by natural disasters, dependent on food imports, and made up of island States whose agriculture is on a smaller scale and less competitive. At the Ministers’ request, the agency has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening resilience to climate events, reducing levels of food insecurity and implementing international cooperation and financing approaches. Furthermore, the constant challenge of securing climate financing faced by developing nations in general, and those in the Caribbean in particular, led to the launch in 2024 of the Hemispheric Fund for Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas (FoHRSA), an IICA initiative to which the organisation contributed an initial investment of US 2 million dollars in seed capital.

Over 300 Police ranks get hospitality training to boost Guyana’s visitor experience

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Susan Rodrigues on Monday opened the tourism and hospitality training for Police Officers at the Officers Training Centre, Eve Leary. Launched under the theme “Professional Presence on Patrol –Service with Authority and Courtesy”, the initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to strengthen the role of law enforcement in enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring a welcoming, safe environment across Guyana.

The programme, conducted by Deborah King of Harobed Training, will train at least 300 new recruits

over a six-day period, focusing on hospitality, communication, and service excellence when interacting with both residents and visitors.

Minister Rodrigues high-

ing how visitors perceive the destination. She commended the officers for their commitment and emphasised the importance of professionalism, courtesy, and cul-

fort builds on the Ministry’s broader agenda to elevate service standards nationwide, ensuring Guyana’s tourism growth is driven by excellence at every lev-

the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Police Force and the tourism sector to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable en-

lighted that as tourism continues to expand, frontline personnel, including the police, play a key part in shap-

tural understanding when interacting with both residents and travellers.

This latest training ef-

el. Meanwhile, also speaking at the event, Senior Superintendent, Dr Nicola Kendall emphasised that

vironment for residents and visitors. She reminded participants that tourism is one of Guyana’s fastest-grow-

ing industries and underscored the important role police officers play in supporting that development.

“Every interaction you have with a tourist, a local visitor, or a hospitality worker reflects the image of our country and the Police Force,” Dr Kendall noted. Deputy Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram, during his address, encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the lessons learned as they execute their duties. He highlighted the Force’s continued commitment to enhancing professionalism across all ranks and spoke about upcoming initiatives being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to further promote Guyana as a safe and attractive destination for visitors.

Fibre One connects 3 in 4 Guyanese homes, driving nation’s digital transformation

One Communications on Monday announced that its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network now passes more than three-quarters of all households in Guyana. This cements the company’s position as the country’s largest and most advanced fibre network. The latest expansion marks a major milestone in Guyana’s digital transformation, ensuring that residents, small businesses, and large enterprises alike have access to world-class internet speed and reliability.

With more than 170,000 homes and business establishments within reach of their fibre service, the continued build-out of One Communications’ network supports the Government of Guyana’s digital transformation agenda, one that prioritises nationwide connectivity, education access, and

information and communication technology (ICT)driven economic growth. One Communications’ Chief Operations Officer (COO),

Eshwar Thakurdin, stated, “Over the last two years, we have been focused on reducing disparities between urban and rural communities. Our priority was to connect more homes from the West Side, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Berbice, and down the East Bank Demerara (EBD) to Linden.”

He added, “This new milestone is a significant increase from the 150,000 homes we reported in June 2023. The rollout of these last 20,000 premises has been challenging, but the team was committed. For example, it took 15 weeks to aerially run 300 km (kilometre) of fibre.”

The company’s fibre expansion, which required an increased investment of USD 10 million over the last two years, has outpaced regional trends, positioning Guyana among the

fastest-rising broadband markets in the Caribbean, signaling a step change in the country’s digital readiness. “We’ve built Guyana’s

digital backbone,” continued Thakurdin. “Our mission is simple: to keep Guyana connected to whatever is next. Whether it facilitates a global investor, a student in a remote classroom, or a modern smart home, we can’t stress enough that fibre is the foundation for a more connected, competitive Guyana.” The latest communities to benefit from One Communications’ ongoing expansion work during August to October 2025 are Look Out, Grove, Hyde Park, Hope, Two Friends, Ann’s Grove, Bee Hive, Clonbrook, Wisberg, Wisroc, Vriesland, Rosignol, Shieldstown, One Mile, Wales, Goed Intent, Goode Ver Vagting, No2, D’Edward, Cotton Tree, Eldorado, Belladrum, Paradise, Golden Fleece, Weldaad, Canal #2, Bell West, No6-9, Blairmant, Balthyock, Zoorg-enHoop, Ithaca, and Bushlot. Speaking about support for the business community, General Manager (GM) of One Communications’ business arm Brava, Hilton Wong highlighted that entrepreneurs and small retailers are now better able to move their businesses online, improving access to customers and digital payment solutions. “Connectivity is the foundation of modern development. We want to lift businesses of all sizes, link teachers and students, and equip the wider society to participate fully in the opportunities of the digital economy. This is about inclusion, empowerment, and national progress.”

One Communications first rolled out fibre in Guyana in 2017, and more rollouts are planned for 2026.

ERC concludes Poverty Reduction & Development seminar in China

Several members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) recently participated in the Poverty Reduction and Development Seminar under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), hosted by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC) in China. The training, held from October 14 to 31, 2025, brought together participants from various countries for a robust exchange of ideas and best practices in social development, inclusion, and poverty alleviation. The ERC delegation, led by Commissioner Neaz Subhan, actively engaged

in discussions, study tours, and lectures in Beijing and Fujian Province, gaining valuable insights into the nation’s strategies for promoting ethnic diversity, rural development, and social harmony. The sessions provided a practical understanding of policies and approaches that have contributed to China’s

success in poverty reduction and inclusive growth. This engagement aligns with the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance its initiatives aimed at promoting equality, understanding, and unity among Guyana’s diverse ethnic groups. The lessons learned from this international exchange will help

inform future ERC programmes designed to foster national harmony and sustainable community development. The ERC extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the IPRCC for their hospitality, partnership, and support in facilitating this enriching experience. As the seminar con-

cludes, the ERC reaffirms its commitment to advancing its constitutional mandate of promoting mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among all ethnic groups in Guyana. The knowledge and experiences gained will significantly contribute to the Commission’s mission of building a more equitable and cohesive society.

Recover Guyana, GTA host Kaieteur Falls expedition for cancer survivors

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Recover Guyana hosted a nature trip to Kaieteur Falls on Sunday, offering 10 cancer survivors an uplifting journey of reflection, resilience, and renewal. This experience reflected Recover Guyana’s ongoing commitment to wellness and community empowerment and was made possible through the continued support of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

Now in its third year, the partnership with the GTA’s adventure tours forms a vital part of Recover Guyana’s eco-tourism and green initiative—creating transformative opportunities for participants to connect, heal, and celebrate survivorship amid the breathtaking beauty of nature. Accompanied by dedicated volunteers, the group witnessed the awe-inspiring majesty of Kaieteur Falls, one of the world’s most powerful single-drop waterfalls. Throughout the day, partic-

ipants engaged in mindfulness exercises and moments of shared gratitude, fostering deep healing and inner peace. Many described the experience as life-affirming, offering renewed hope, strength, and purpose. President and Founder of Recover Guyana, Dr Dave Lalltoo, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the GTA for its ongoing partnership and support. Reflecting on the initiative, he stated, “This journey to Kaieteur Falls was far more than a visit to one of our country’s most treasured landmarks. It was a deeply human experience of strength, survival, and connection. Recover Guyana remains steadfast in creating spaces where healing, hope and nature come together to empower all Guyanese.” The survivors also shared their reflections on the trip, describing it as a powerful moment of healing and empowerment. Sremala Churaman noted, “The tour was simply amazing. The organisers did an outstanding job, and being

surrounded by people who share the same journey was so uplifting. It was a celebration of life, celebrating beating cancer and embracing nature.”

Thirteen-year cancer survivor Trudy Cummings shared, “Kaieteur Falls was always a dream of mine; it was truly surreal.” Hermanetta Andrews added, “I never

planned on visiting Kaieteur Falls, but this opportunity was too special to miss. The group was so bold, so full of life, and it made me feel like anything is possible.” The

Kaieteur Falls Expedition capped a series of meaningful Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities that underscored Recover Guyana’s commitment to health, wellness, and community empowerment. These initiatives honoured the courage and resilience of cancer survivors while promoting awareness, education, prevention, and support. Among the key highlights was the Annual World Food Day Health Outreach, held at Recover Guyana’s headquarters. Community members benefited from free medical check-ups, cancer awareness talks, and wellness education—all emphasising the importance of holistic health and early detection. This year, Recover Guyana also distributed fresh green baskets to community members, marking its third consecutive year of providing nutritious hampers in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition, the organisation joined nationwide initiatives, including tree-wrapping activities and cancer awareness walks, standing in solidarity with communities and organisations across Guyana to spread hope and unity. As a registered non-profit organisation, Recover Guyana remains devoted to empowering communities, protecting the environment, and advancing sustainable development across the nation. Through innovative programmes such as SHOUT, which engages youth in sustainability, and ENGAGE, which promotes green entrepreneurship, the organisation continues to drive meaningful and lasting change with the support of its partners.

OIL NEWS

Oil steady as OPEC+ plans to pause output increases

Oil prices edged higher on Monday as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) plans to end its supply increases, with the market weighed down by fears of an oil supply glut and weak factory data in Asia.

Brent crude futures rose 12 cents, or 0.19 per cent, to close at US$64.89 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained seven cents, or 0.11 per cent, at US$61.05 a barrel.

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise output by a small 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December and to pause increases in the first quarter of next year.

Brent and WTI both fell more than two per cent in October, down for a third straight month and hitting a five-month low on October 20.

ING’s Head of Commodities Research, Warren Patterson, said the OPEC+ decision appeared to be acknowledgment of the large surplus that the market faces, particularly early next year.

“Obviously, (there is) still plenty of uncertainty over the scale of the surplus, which will be dependent on how disruptive US sanctions will be to Russian oil flows,” he added.

RBC Capital’s Head of Commodities Strategy, Helima Croft, noted that Russia remained a key supply wild card after US sanctions on Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil as well as attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure resulting from the war in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian drone attack struck Tuapse on Sunday, one of Russia’s main Black Sea oil ports, causing a fire and damaging at least one ship.

Analysts are keeping their oil price forecasts largely unchanged as rising OPEC+ output and lacklustre demand offset geopolitical risks to supply, a Reuters poll showed. Estimates of oil market surplus ranged from 190,000 to three million bpd.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Friday that US crude oil output rose to a record 13.8 million bpd in August.

Headwinds for Asia’s big manufacturing hubs persisted in October, business surveys showed on Monday. Asia is the world’s biggest oil-consuming region. (Reuters)

US Supreme Court cannot stop all of Trump's tariffs. Deal with it, officials say

US factory equip-

ment maker

OTC Industrial Technologies has long used low-cost countries to supply components – first China and later India – but President Donald Trump's blitz of tariffs on numerous trade partners has upended the supply chain math for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bill Canady.

"We moved things out of China and went to some of those other countries, and now the tariffs on those are as bad or worse," Canady told Reuters. "We just have to hang on and navigate our way through this, so we don't all go broke in the short run."

It is a dilemma that is sinking in with companies, foreign trade ministries,

Trump Administration will tap emergency fund to pay partial food stamp benefits

United States President Donald Trump's Administration has said it will provide reduced food aid to more than 42 million Americans, as the Government shutdown this week heads towards becoming the longest ever with no resolution in sight.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a court filing that Americans who receive food assistance will get half their normal monthly allotment, after the Government dipped into emergency funding.

Judges had given the Trump administration until Monday to provide a plan for how it would pay out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (Snap) benefits, also known as food stamps.

Funding for the programme has been in limbo owing to the more-thanmonth-long shutdown.

While individual US states administer the benefits, the programme relies on money from the Federal

Government, which has been unfunded and shut down since October 1.

States were to get clarity on how they are to distribute the reduced funds by the end of the day on Monday.

Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode

Island ruled that the USDA needs to use US$5.25 billion in emergency funds to make at least partial payments to Americans on Snap.

President Trump previously said he had instructed government lawyers to ask the courts how the Administration could legally fund Snap, adding: "Even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed."

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a CNN interview that the President wanted to hear from the courts about how to legally move money around to fund Snap payments, but they could go out as soon as Wednesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

French vessel delivers humanitarian aid to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa

France has reaffirmed its solidarity with Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa by delivering a shipment of European and international humanitarian aid to the island.

A French naval vessel arrived at the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited on Monday, carrying critical supplies to support communities hardest hit by the hurricane. The aid was dispatched under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and organised by the French Armed Forces in the West Indies,

A

a large area of debris [Reuters]

based in Martinique, an associate member of Caricom. Guadeloupe has also transported a humanitarian ship-

ment with aid from French, European Union, and United Nations partners.

The humanitarian ship-

ment includes essential equipment for water treatment and production, storage tanks, energy-generation units, camping and sleeping gear, and hygiene supplies. These resources are intended to help restore basic living conditions and support ongoing relief efforts in the most affected areas. The operation is a collaborative effort involving the European Union, the United Nations, and the French Red Cross, working closely to ensure effective coordination and delivery of assistance (Jamaica Observer)

Trump: Maduro's days are numbered

Wtrade lawyers and economists as the US Supreme Court considers the legality of Trump's global tariffs, with arguments, set for Wednesday. Under one legal authority or another, Trump's tariffs are expected to stay in place long term.

Lower courts rule against trump

The court, whose 6-3 conservative majority has backed Trump in a series of major decisions this year, is hearing his administration's appeal after lower courts ruled that the Republican President overstepped his authority in imposing sweeping tariffs under a federal law meant for emergencies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ith US military operations ongoing in the Southern Caribbean, particularly against alleged drug-transporting vessels out of Venezuela, US President Donald Trump believes his Venezuelan counterpart's days are numbered.

His statement comes in response to a question by CBS's 60 Minutes host Norah O'Donnell. The interview at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida touched on a wide range of topics, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, nuclear tests and Venezuela.

Citing the build-up of military assets and lethal airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea, O'Donnell began discussions on Venezuela, asking if the US is going to war with the country.

"I doubt it. I don't think so," Trump said, before inserting a caveat.

"But they've been treating us very badly, not only on drugs; they've dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country that we didn't want, people from pris-

ons – they emptied their prisons into our country. They also, if you take a look, they emptied their mental institutions and their insane asylums into the United States of America, 'cause Joe Biden was the worst president in the history of our country."

The US began its military build-up in the region in late August.

Meanwhile, in Trinidad and Tobago, Opposition

People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Amery Browne slammed the United National Congress (UNC) Government for disregard for the concerns and anxieties of the public, which panicked after last Friday’s T&T Defence Force “preparedness” drill

Browne spoke after Defence Minister Wayne Sturge’s explanation that last Friday’s call-out of all TTDF members was, in fact, an as-

sessment exercise to gauge the effectiveness and response time of T&T’s military to a possible threat.

Sturge said because of that, it wasn’t in the public’s interest to reveal it publicly. If it was divulged while ongoing and before completion, he said the exercise’s efficacy would have been compromised. (Excerpts from Trinidad Newsday and Trinidad Guardian)

Russia says its forces advance in ruins of Pokrovsk, Ukraine says defenders hold on

Russia said on Monday its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for over a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its soldiers were destroying what it described as surrounded Ukrainian formations near Pokrovsk's railway station and industri-

al zone, and had entered the city's Prigorodny area and dug in there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters Russia was massing troops by the nearby town of Dobropillia, where Kyiv's forces advanced earlier this year in a successful counteroffensive. Zelenskyy described the situation in Dobropillia as complicated. Russian forces, he said, had lost the initiative in the area, but were bringing

in more troops. He said Pokrovsk remained under severe pressure, though Russian troops had made no gains in the past day. He said up to 300 Russian servicemen were still in the embattled city.

Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said his forces had stepped up pressure on Dobropillia with the aim of forcing Russia to divert its focus away from Pokrovsk. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Stick to basics, be direct and verify information before sharing it. Excess is the enemy, and discipline is your ticket to flourishing. Nurture meaningful relationships.

SUDOKU

Emotions will run high when dealing with personal and business relationships. Clutter and indulgent tendencies require your attention. Let go of dead weight.

Unresolved issues will take a toll on you emotionally. Verify information, confirm facts and address matters directly. Avoid purchasing costly products promising unrealistic things.

Being receptive to new technology or ways of doing things will help you advance. Don't fall behind because you don't like change. Look at what you cannot control as a new adventure.

Socialising more will enhance your curiosity and lead to new friendships and pastimes that bring you a sense of vitality. Don't drown yourself in screen time when physical connection is what you need.

Address financial, medical and legal matters that are weighing you down. You have more options than you realize. Exhaust your resources and put out a call for help.

Aggressive moves will not resolve issues. Consider what's stopping you and adapt rather than try to change what's heavily rooted. Let go of negative partnerships.

It's up to you to promote what you can do. Stick to the truth. If you promise more than you can deliver, it will lead to unnecessary stress. Keep your message strong, honest and reasonable.

Take the initiative and make things happen. Relying on others to do things for you will lead to disappointment. Rise above negativity and walk away from whatever and whoever holds you back.

Let go of toxic or indulgent situations. Ask what you can do that will help you get back on track. Being in a stalemate situation will continue to numb you. Shake things up and learn something new.

A mental reset may help you change course. Make yourself aware of what's adaptable and what isn't. Learn how to manipulate your happiness. Implement something that will bring joy to your routine.

Spontaneity will work against you. Don't feel pressured to make a purchase, a choice or a move. Refuse to let outside influences infiltrate your decision-making.

The Golden Arrowhead soared high in Trinidad and Tobago at the 2025 Caribbean Development Championships (CDC), where Team Guyana delivered an exceptional display of talent, precision, and teamwork amassing an incredible 44 medals across individual, doubles, and mixed team events in the annual archery tournament.

This outstanding performance at the seventh CDC, firmly establishes Guyana as a regional powerhouse in the sport of archery, with Guyanese athletes excelling across multiple divisions, bow types and classes from the beginners to senior categories.

Guyana fielded 31 athletes of the 262 total archers hailing from 11 countries, together with 11 officials including parents and other athlete support personnel.

Individual standouts

Guyana’s archers showed their strong form and delivered quality performances across all bow categories. Shooting the Individual Qualification round on October 24, 2025 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, our archers not only managed to outrank many in their categories, some were able to crush standing records, once again leaving their names etched on the World Archery Americas Tournament as others did before them.

The gold medal champions were:

Ravish Singh – Compound

Beginner Under-15 Men

Brandon Cummings – Barebow

Beginner Under-15 Men

Samiyyah La Cruez – Barebow

Beginner Under-15 Women

Nolan Gray – Barebow Beginner

Senior Men

Suzanne Affonso – Barebow

Beginner Senior Women

Saifullah Gani – Recurve

Developmental Under-18/21 Men

Mehandra Chatargum –Barebow Developmental Senior Men/Women

Jeewanram Persaud – Recurve

Amateur Senior Men

Julie-Ann Williams – Recurve

Amateur Senior Women

Teemahall Lall – Barebow

Amateur Senior Men

Doubles & mixed team success

Guyana also showcased its collaborative strength through multiple podium finishes in doubles and mixed-team events, often pairing successfully with athletes from other Caribbean nations, a true embodiment of regional unity in sport.

Among the team events, Guyanese athletes who won gold medals:

Keziah Archer & Daniel Cox –Recurve Beginners Under-15 Men

Doubles

Suzanne Affonso & Eslyne

Gomes – Barebow Beginners Senior

Adrian Sukhwa scored an even fifty for Albion after getting a start in the first innings

Albion Community Centre took first-innings points from Tucber Park in their drawn semi-final match of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Two-Day First-Division Tournament. In the match played at Albion Community Centre Ground, the home team made 224 all out and 154 for 7. Tucber Park, batting in the first innings, made 162 all out to fall short by 62. Invited to take first strike on a two-paced track, Albion slumped from 208 for 6 to their eventual total in their first innings, with skipper Veerasammy Permaul leading the way with 49. Young opener Damion Cecil supported with 41, Adrian Sukhwa, 36; Kelvin Umroa, 23 and veteran Jonathan Foo, 20. National Under-19 paceman Micah Amsterdam displayed

Women Doubles

Nolan Gray & Trevaughn

Waldron – Barebow Beginners

Senior Men Doubles

Samiyyah La Cruez & Brandon

Cummings – Barebow Beginners Under-15 Mixed Team

Julie-Ann Williams & Jeewanram Persaud – Recurve

Amateur Senior Mixed Team

Saifullah Gani (Guy) & Divya Jiandani (VIN) – Recurve Developmental Under 18/21

Mixed team

The team’s remarkable performance was expertly guided by Team Manager and Head

Coach Ryan McKinnon, a World Archery Level 2 Certified Coach.

His leadership both on and off the field played a pivotal role in maintaining focus, team discipline, fostering unity among the team, and ensuring that every archer was mentally and technically prepared for competition.

Albion into BCB 2-Day final after 1st innings points from Tucber Park

control with the ball for Tucber Park, bagging 5 for 58 and was backed up by skipper Zeynul Ramsammy with 3 for 35 and consistent offspinner Kwesi Mickle with 2 for 39.

The visitors, after closing the opening day on 19 for 1, were dismissed for 162 just before tea on the second day. Some poor shot selection from the Tucber Park senior men resulted in wickets falling at regular intervals.

Damion Vantull made 49, while Gilbert Griffith contributed 21 and Malcom Mickle 20.

Albion opened the bowling with left-arm spin from both ends.

Young left-arm spinner Gouraf Ramesh took 3 for 43 and received excellent support from Permaul with 3 for 68 and off-spinner Leon Cecil with 2 for 45. Having lead on first innings by 62, Albion were 154 for 7 when play ended on the second and final day.

Guyana Rainforest Rangers wicketkeeperbatsman Adrian Sukhwa made an even 50 and openers Ari Afrizal Kadir and Damion Cecil made 48 and 20 respectively. Ramsammy took 3 for 7 for Tucber Park.

Archery Guyana President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed immense pride in the team’s historic results: “This is a monumental moment for Archery Guyana Inc and for our nation. Our athletes have shown remarkable discipline, resilience, and unity, both on and off the field. To see so many Guyanese archers standing on the podium, including our youth, truly reflects the success of

our developmental pathway and the dedication of our coaches and officials.”

She extended heartfelt thanks to the Guyana Olympic Association; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; National Sports Commission; sponsors, including Guyana Beverages Inc, Massy Gas Products Inc; and other partners such as the Guyana Police Force, GRA Customs, and their athlete support personnel,

whose continued support made the team’s participation and success possible.

The CDC, run by Continental Judges of World Archery Americas, is the Region’s premier developmental tournament, bringing together archers from across the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America to foster high-level competition and cultural exchange in this teaching tournament. The tournament was officially handed over to Archery Guyana for the 2026 instalment by the Trinidad and Tobago Archery Federation (TTAF).

TTAF President Hasmat Ali in the handover to Archery Guyana Assistant Secretary Ryan McKinnon wished the Guyana federation all success in hosting the 2026 tournament.

Guyana’s remarkable 44-medal finish in 2025, along with local athletes continuing to shoot several record- breaking scores in Caribbean archery, establishes a strong foothold in the sport in the Region. This reflects the functioning of the country’s investment in youth development, training, coaching, officiating and all-inclusive growth under Archery Guyana’s strategic plan.

Chinelle Henry's thoughts with Jamaica ahead of 1st WBBL season

Inspired by Jamaica's great sprint queens and thinking of her compatriots impacted by Hurricane Melissa, Chinelle Henry has pledged to deliver on her big-hitting reputation as Brisbane Heat's trump Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) draftee.

The 30-year-old hopes to follow West Indies teammates Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin in making waves in Australia, selected by Heat to provide late innings big-hitting and medium pace.

Henry was training in Antigua and then flew to Australia through Miami when catastrophic winds and rain of Hurricane Melissa caused at least 28 deaths and wrecked homes and businesses in Jamaica.

"Every time I pick up my phone .. it's the first thing I see and there's not really much I can do but send support," Henry said on arrival in Brisbane on Monday, ahead of Sunday's season opener.

"It's a really hard time for people in Jamaica who've lost a lot due to this hurricane and now it's about how we regroup as a country."

Henry has played 57 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 65 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for the West Indies, and admits choosing cricket over track and field or soccer was the "correct choice".

But the former sprinter has been influenced by her country's sprint stars as much as its cricketers, with Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce leaving a mark.

"Track and field ... that was my first love," she said. "But dad was always playing and just dragging me along and somewhere along the way it developed. I'm really proud to be here today [representing Jamaica]." This year in all T20s across the Women's Premier League (WPL), internationals and Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Henry has a strike-rate of 155.95, the third-highest of anyone with at least 300 runs.

"That's [power hitting] the reason why I'm here, why the team signed me," she said. "Walking out on the field ... whatever's going to happen, I'll stick to my style."

Henry will team up with Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues, who broke Australian hearts with a match-winning knock in the T20 World Cup

She expects India's title on home soil to supercharge the women's game and has faith West Indian cricket can rise again.

"Every time we have a game or series, that's the first comment," she said when asked to assess the state of the game in her country.

"Our cricket's not what it used to be, [but] every time we put on that maroon we

"It's about trusting and believing in the process to getting back to that team that everyone was so used to

Heat, who finished as runnersup last season, start their season in a rematch of that final with Melbourne Renegades at Allan Border Field on (ESPNcricinfo)

Guyana on course for medals at Senior CAREBACO

Guyana’s women’s national badminton champion, Priyanna Ramdhani will compete in two finals at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) Senior Championships, after a mixed bag of results for Guyana in the semifinal round on Monday.

Ramdhani, taking on Jamaica’s Breanna Bisnott in the women’s singles’ semifinal, won that matchup 218, 21-10 to book a spot in today’s final. Then, in the women’s doubles semi-finals, Ramdhani teamed up with Trinidad and Tobago’s Chequeda De Boulet to defeat the Jamaican pair of Alexandra Beckford and Breanna Bisnott 21-17, 21-6.

However, in the men’s singles, Akili Haynes unfortunately bowed out of the competition, coming up short

GCA First Division…

Everest overpower El Dorado

Over the weekend, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Dave West Indian Inc FirstDivision tournament continued as El Dorado Cricket Club took on Everest Cricket Club in a match reduced to 30 overs per side. El Dorado won the toss and opted to bowl first, giving Everest the opportunity to set a target. Everest put up a competitive total of 176 for 6 in their 30 overs. Rishi Hiralall led the way with a solid 50 from 54 balls, featuring four fours and a six. Stuart

most successful bowler, claiming 2 for 22, while Hakeem McCalmon, Akeem Williams, Aryan Hariprashad, and Danesh Persaud picked up a wicket apiece.

In reply, El Dorado struggled against Everest’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 106 in 27.3 overs. Ntini Permaul top-scored with 31 from 39 deliveries, supported by McCalmon’s 20. Everest’s Chanderpaul ran through the El Dorado line-up, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 10, while Javed Rasheed and Rafael Singh chipped in with

With a dominant performance in both batting and bowl ing, Everest Cricket Club secured a com fortable 70-run victo ry, handing El Dorado

against Vance Juteram of Jamaica 21-12, 21-16. His fortunes were same in the mixed doubles semis, where Haynes and Ramdhani joined forces.

Kenneth Anglin and Breanna Bisnott of Jamaica were the better pair, winning the encounter 18-21, 9-21.

Earlier in the competition over the weekend, Haynes won against Kaveer Ramoutar of Trinidad and Tobago 21-11, 24-26, 21-9 in the round of 64 and advanced to the round of 32, where he defeated Dante Horner 2118,21-17 of Trinidad as well.

Nkosi Beaton fell short against Trinidad 21-9, 1821,18-21 in the round of 64.

Meanwhile in the women’s singles, Ramdhani overcame Cheyenne Bhola of Trinidad and Tobago 21-4, 21-15 in the round of 32.

Mishka Beharry won

out of the competition.

Haynes and Beaton started the men’s doubles well, winning against Ethan Jitmansingh and Liam Persad from Trinidad and Tobago 21-10, 21-13. They advanced to the round of 16, but their campaign later ended.

Haynes and Ramdhani defeated Trinidad’s Triston Sewdass and Arianna Mansook 21-10, 21-8 in the opening stages of the mixed doubles.

Ramdani is expected to face Trinidad and Tobago’s Amara Urquhart in today’s women’s singles final and will team up with De Boulet again to come up against Nekeisha Blake (Trinidad) and Sabrina Scott (Barbados) in the women’s doubles.

Republic Bank League… Hendricks, Pemberton braces hand Chase, South victories

David found the game winner for Dolphin Secondary. Although the game had lots of time left, Dolphin’s defences held to stifle their South Ruimveldt Secondary brought the curtains down on the day’s proceedings with a similar 2-1 victory over Charlestown, who found themselves on the losing end of a game for the first time in the 2025 Charlestown were up first, on account of a Jeremiah David strike in the fourth minute. But, Tyrese Pemberton’s brace in the 31st and 40th minutes gave South the redemption they were desperately searching for

President Ali backs motorsport’s growth in Guyana

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to advancing motorsports and the wider sports industry in Guyana during the Caribbean Clash of Champions 2025 event, held over the weekend at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

The high-energy racing competition attracted participants and spectators from across the Caribbean, highlighting the nation’s growing passion for motorsport.

In his address, President Ali commended organisers and athletes for their dedication and underscored the strong link between sports and tourism — two key sectors driving Guyana’s development.

“We are investing totally in sports — but from a different perspective. Not only for those who are participating, but also from a tourism perspective.

Sport tourism is important for us,” President Ali said. “The Government has invested heavily in infrastructure and

given incentives for sport across the country. Now, we are integrating our sporting infrastructure and events with tourism.”

The President emphasised that motorsport was one of the key events Guyana is targeting for international recognition, noting ongoing discussions with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) about hosting a major international event in 2026.

“We are looking for opportunities — regional,

global, and larger in scale than what we have now,” he added.

“We’ve been discussing the possibility of a major event next year.”

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and National Gymnasium were, over the weekend, buzzing with excitement, boisterous chants and impeccable volleyball action as the Republic Bank One Guyana B Division Volleyball Tournament took centre stage.

When the dust finally settled at the Sports Hall on Sunday night, it was Port Mourant Training Centre’s (PMTC) Men and Classic Ball Blasters’ (CBB) Women who carted off the top prizes.

In the women’s division, the competition boiled down to CBB, PMTC, Central Rupununi and Imbaimadai taking up positions in the final four.

CBB got the better of Imbaimadai in the semi-finals wile Central Rupununi ousted PMTC from the competition, to set up a final showdown between CBB and Central Rupununi.

In the final, Central Rupununi got off to a perfect start, tasting victory in the first set in the best of 5-set. However, CBB’s rebound was flawless, winning three sets on the trot to claim the title with a 3-1 win.

On the other hand, Bartica Warriors, Rollers, Mabaruma Spartans and PMTC were the teams in the male semi-final.

Bartica Warriors downed Mabaruma Spartans while PMTC got past Rollers, securing spots in the final.

PMTC took first strike in the men’s final, but Bartica Warriors

staged a daring comeback, taking the next two sets. With the game at 2-1 in Bartica’s favour after set 3, PMTC upped their game to level the scores.

Going for 15 points in the final set as compared to 25 in the previous sets, PMTC launched a relentless onslaught, reaching

while Bartica’s Devon Elias was named the best male attacker.

PMTC’s Marvin Seywack was the best male defensive player, alongside his teammate Andy Rahaman, who picked up the male MVP accolade.

Hailing a successfullyhosted tournament, Guyana

the desired 15 points first and as such, claimed the B Division title.

For the tournament’s individual prize winners, CBB’s Shania Butters was both the females’ best setter and Most Valuable Player (MVP). The women’s best attacker was determined to be Vandet Harry of Central Rupununi while CBB’s Eureka Dennis picked up the best defensive female prize.

On the male side, PMTC’s Ravi Rampertab received the accolade of the best male setter

Volleyball Federation (GVF)

President John Flores thanked the tournament’s supporters, as he expressed pride in the level of competition displayed.

Flores shared, “I promised when we had the launch that when you come here tonight and see the players, you will leave with a certain impression and I hope that the activity and the energy showed by the players tonight was a good response to your support. I enjoyed the finals and I hope to see you next year, again.”

President Ali also announced significant Government investment — approximately $300 million — to upgrade the South Dakota Circuit, ensuring it meets international standards for hosting major competitions.

“We have already invested hundreds of millions of dollars from both the Private Sector and the Government in upgrading the facility,” he said.

“Now, we must build on what we have; further upgrading the track, improving safety areas, and developing the

which is a major

The President’s commitment reflects his administration’s broader vision to position sport, which includes motorsports as a pillar of Guyana’s tourism and economic development strategy.

The 2025 Brava Guyana Open came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday evening at the Lusignan Golf Club, as two of Guyana’s greatest golfers, Avinash Persaud and Christine Sukhram, etched their names deeper into history by each capturing their 14th Guyana Open title.

The men’s championship ended in dramatic fashion as Persaud battled Suriname’s Ridel Doeko to a tie, both finishing with a gross score of 151 after two days of intense competition. The title was ultimately decided via countback, with Persaud claiming victory thanks to his superior back nine performance, a testament to his skill, resilience, and championship mentality.

Meanwhile, Sukhram once again demonstrated her dominance on the course, carding 90 and 86 for a total of 176, to secure the Ladies’ Overall Best Gross (0-36) title. Her consistency and composure under pressure reaffirmed her standing as the most decorated female

golfer in Guyana’s history.

During the presentation ceremony, Brava Sales Lead Andrea King commended the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) for its continued excellence and contribution to local sport:

“On behalf of Brava, I'd like to congratulate the club for the great work they have done in organising this year's tournament. Events like this thrive because of your dedication and passion, and Brava is proud to stand with the golf community in Guyana. I'm pleased to announce that Brava is

also committed to support Lusignan Golf Club in hosting another edition of the Brava Guyana Open come 2026, so let’s keep the spirit of the game alive and make next year’s tournament even better.”

With both Persaud and Sukhram reinforcing their dynastic dominance, the 2025 Brava Guyana Open will be remembered as a tournament of legacy, passion, and excellence, where Guyana’s finest once again proved that true champions rise above all challenges.

Nandu to captain GHE squad for CG United Super-50

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in a missive on Monday, after successfully concluding the Queensway Super50 Inter-County Cup over the weekend at the Joe Jagmohan Ground, Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast, revealed the 14-member Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) squad for the upcoming regional assignment.

The week-long inter- county tournament featured seven competitive matches that provided selectors with a valuable opportunity to assess performances ahead of the regional CG United Super50 competition.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, the GCB Selection Panel, headed by Chairman Ramnaresh Sarwan, named the GHE squad for the CG United Super50 tournament which featured some surprising inclusions and omissions.

The 14-member squad includes Matthew Nandu (Captain); Raymond Perez; Kevlon Anderson; Mavendra

…teenaged Apple earns maiden call-up

Motie (Vice Captain); Thaddeus Lovell; Sylus Tyndall; Keemo Paul; Junior Sinclair and Shamar Apple.

Apple, who is just 16 years old, has been rewarded for his performances at the regional Under-19 and Under-17 level and the selection panel believes his aggressive nature is something the team can benefit from.

The reserves are Kevin Sinclair, Antony Adams, Isai Thorne, Kevon Boodie, Tomanni Caesar, Romeo Deonarain, and Joshua Jones.

Meanwhile, Niall Smith (injured); Ashmead Nedd; Romario Shepherd; Sherfane Rutherford; Shimron Hetmyer and Quentin Sampson are all unavailable for selection as they are set to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, while Tevin Imlach was not considered as he is expected to represent the West Indies.

According to the GCB, the Queensway Super50 InterCounty Cup once again highlighted the depth of talent in Guyana, as the Board continues its commitment to player development and regional competitiveness.

PMTC males, CBB females reign supreme at RepublicBank B Division