Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 15, 2026

“The law should speak with greater clarity”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

APRIL 15, 2026

“The

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 15 –15:05h-16:35h and Thursday, April 16 – 15:50h–17:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers expected during the day with sunshine in the late-afternoon hours. Light rain showers and cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 15:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.66 metres.

Low Tide: 08:56h and 21:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.54 metre.

law should speak with greater clarity” – Pres Ali

…as Justice Damone Younge sworn in as Court of Appeal Judge

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday officially swore in Justice Damone Younge as a Judge of the Court of Appeal, marking the completion of a slate of seven appellate appointments recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The ceremony, held at the Office of the President, brought together senior members of the Judiciary, Executive, and legal fraternity, including acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George; acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh; Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack.

In brief remarks preceding the swearing-in, it was noted that the JSC had, in May 2025, recommended the appointment of seven Judges to the Court of Appeal. This was a historic expansion of the appellate bench. Five of those Judges were sworn in on May 24, 2025, while a sixth took the oath on December 23, 2025. Justice Younge’s appointment completes that process.

The other Judges include Justices Jo-Ann Barlow, Navindra Singh, Nareshwar Harnanan, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Joycelin Kyte-Thomas.

Acting under Article 128(1) of the Constitution and on the advice of the Commission, President Ali formally appointed Justice Younge to “execute the Office of Justice of Appeal” with effect from April 14, 2026.

Following the administration of the oath, President Ali underscored the critical role of the Court of Appeal within Guyana’s legal system, describing it as “a vigilant conscience… the system’s steady hand, its corrective voice, and its enduring memory”.

“It is there within the Appellate Court that the law should speak with greater clarity… where legal errors are examined without fear… and where legal principles are shaped with deliberation and care,” the Head

of State said.

He emphasised that the appellate court serves as the apex of legal interpretation within the local judicial hierarchy, providing authoritative rulings that guide lower courts and ensure consistency in the administration of justice.

“This structure fosters respect for judicial decisions not through coercion but through reasoned authority. It assures the public that the law is not fragmented or contradictory but coherent in principle,” the President stated.

President Ali said Justice Younge’s elevation reflected the confidence placed in her “intellect, integrity, and judicial temperament”, noting that her appointment strengthens the Judiciary at a critical level.

He further charged the newly-sworn-in Appellate Judge to uphold the highest standards of fairness, consistency, and responsive-

ness in the application of the law.

“You now assume a role that demands not only legal acumen but also wisdom, restraint, and a profound sense of responsibility. Your words will carry weight beyond the cases before you. They will shape the contours of the law and influence the lives of countless citizens,” he said.

The President also highlighted the dual expectations of strength and humility required in the role, noting that Appellate Judges must demonstrate firmness in upholding legal principles while remaining conscious of the gravity of judicial authority.

Justice Younge now joins the appellate bench at a time when the court continues to play a pivotal role in refining and harmonising Guyana’s legal framework.

Her appointment, President Ali said, places her within a “noble tradition” of jurists

entrusted with safeguarding justice and advancing the rule of law in Guyana.

“May you contribute to the strengthening of our legal system and to the advancement of the rule of law in our nation,” the Head of State said, as he extended congratulations and best wishes for her tenure on the bench.

Justice Younge has nearly a decade of judicial experience on the High Court bench, having first been appointed a Puisne Judge in July 2017. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served for many years at the Attorney General’s Chambers, where she held key roles including Public Trustee and Official Receiver, gaining extensive experience in civil and administrative legal matters.

Since her elevation to the High Court in 2017, Justice Younge has presided over a wide range of matters, including criminal trials during the Demerara Assizes and family law cases, demonstrating experience across both criminal and civil jurisdictions.

Over the years, she has been part of judicial panels hearing serious criminal matters, including murder and manslaughter cases, further strengthening her experience in high-stakes adjudication. Her work in the Family Court involved handling sensitive matters such as custody, guardianship, maintenance, and divorce proceedings, often emphasising mediation and timely resolution of disputes.

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Fuel panic, falsehoods & fire risk

Public order is not only tested in moments of actual scarcity but also in moments of perceived crisis. The disruption in fuel availability, linked to global supply tensions and logistical constraints, has exposed a deeper and more troubling vulnerability in Guyana – the rapid spread of misinformation and its capacity to trigger unsafe, irrational behaviour. The consequences, as evidenced on Monday, extend far beyond inconvenience at the pump. They create real and immediate threats to life and property.

The advisory issued by the Guyana Fire Service is both timely and necessary as it highlights a critical danger that emerged amid the rush for fuel – improper storage in unapproved containers. The use of bottles, jars, and other unsuitable vessels introduces a severe fire and explosion hazard. Petroleum products are volatile by nature; when stored incorrectly, they become a disaster waiting to happen. Vapours can ignite with minimal exposure to heat or flame, containers can rupture under pressure, and leaks can spread flammable material into confined spaces.

What is particularly concerning is that such hazardous practices were not born out of necessity, but rather out of fear, which was amplified and accelerated by misinformation. Disruptive disinformation is the strategy, and its recent manifestation has been unmistakable. The deliberate and reckless circulation of false claims about prolonged fuel shortages, including assertions of supply gaps lasting weeks, created an artificial sense of urgency. This in turn drove hoarding behaviour, long queues, and, most dangerously, the storage of fuel in homes and vehicles under unsafe conditions.

Criticism directed at the Opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), led by US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, reflects the seriousness of the situation. Political actors carry a responsibility that extends beyond partisan messaging. When statements or online activity contribute to public panic, the line between political engagement and public endangerment is crossed. In this instance, the amplification of unverified claims did not merely misinform; it actively contributed to behaviours that placed citizens at risk.

The issue is a reflection of a growing information disorder in which rumours travel faster than facts, and where verification is often an afterthought. In such an environment, the cost of falsehood is measured in confusion and tangible harm. Households storing fuel in living spaces, near exits, or in proximity to electrical sources are effectively introducing ignition points into their own homes. The presence of children, the absence of proper ventilation, and the lack of fire suppression equipment further compound the danger.

The Fire Service’s guidance is welcome and clear in that fuel must be stored only in approved containers, in limited quantities, and under controlled conditions. These are safeguards developed through international standards and hard lessons learned from past incidents. Non-compliance is a violation that carries legal penalties for good reason.

Government and industry stakeholders have indicated that shipments are arriving and that supply is being stabilised. The documented inflow of gasoline and diesel, alongside scheduled deliveries, underscores that the disruption was temporary. When official assurances are undermined by false narratives, the result is a breakdown in orderly consumption patterns. Demand spikes artificially, supply chains are strained unnecessarily, and essential services face avoidable pressure.

This episode that occurred on Monday should serve as a cautionary lesson as the intersection of misinformation and essential commodities is a volatile one. Fuel, by its very nature, demands careful handling. When combined with panic-driven behaviour, the risks multiply exponentially. The sight of individuals transporting or storing gasoline in drink bottles and other fragile containers is ill-advised and dangerous.

Condemnation of misinformation must, therefore, be unequivocal as it can lead to injury, loss of life, and significant property damage.

All the things they say our children will never do

By Dr raDica Mahase

He will never be able to speak. He will never learn to read properly. He will never be able to play with other children. He won’t be attending school; you need to homeschool him. He will never pass his exams.

Disclaimer: this article will offend some people but it’s alright because somebody needs to say it.

You see, the above statements are some of the things parents and caregivers of autistic children have been told. They have heard these words in clinics, schools and assessment rooms from doctors, nurses, therapists and educators. So, let’s not pretend these are just the ignorant comments of random people who do not understand autism.

These are professionals speaking, people with qualifications who are supposed to guide, support and help. That is what makes it so painful.

When somebody in authority speaks with certainty about all the things a child will never do, families hear it as a sentence being passed on their child’s future.

For many parents, when they first begin to notice signs of autism, or receive a diagnosis, it is a deeply-traumatic time. They are trying to understand what autism means, while worrying about school, speech, behaviour, therapy and the future.

So, when the very people they turn to for guidance start listing all the things their child will never do, it feels like hope is being snatched away before they even have time to catch their breath.

Those kinds of statements can have a massive psychological effect on par-

ents. They can create anxiety, grief, guilt and selfdoubt. Some parents begin to question whether they are expecting too much from their child. Some stop speaking positively because they are afraid of being told they are in denial. A careless sentence spoken in five seconds can remain in a parent’s mind for years, even when their child begins to make progress. That emotional impact is real, and we do not speak enough about it.

This issue is deeply personal for me. I remember being told that my nephew would never be able to speak and that he should learn sign language, even though he already had words. It made me realise how quickly autistic children are underestimated, even by professionals.

Instead of looking at what he could already do and building from there, the focus went straight to what they assumed he would never achieve.

That kind of thinking is dismissive and it places limitation on children, without giving them a chance.

What troubles me deeply is how often autistic children are judged too quickly

and too harshly. Their delays are treated as permanent and they are defined by their challenges. Instead of asking, “How does this child learn?” too many people rush to decide, “This child cyah learn.” Instead of asking, “What kind of support will help this child communicate?” they say, “He will never talk.”

We decide far too early that these children have little to offer, we write them off and then we deny them the very support and opportunity that could help them grow.

And let us be honest, this problem is not only about a few rude comments. It reflects a deeper issue in how our society sees autism. In T&T, we are still too comfortable speaking about autistic people only in terms of what they cannot do.

We are quick to focus on what a child cannot do, but we don’t speak about his/her strengths, growth, intelligence and potential. We still have too many professionals who present autism to families in the bleakest possible terms.

Sometimes I wonder if this is deliberately done so when the child starts to

show progress, parents will feel that the professionals are working miracles. Whatever the reason, we have to admit that too many people see difference and assume failure and that ridiculous attitude needs to change.

Now, don’t get me wrong, autism does come with real challenges. Many autistic children need support with communication, learning, behaviour, sensory issues, and daily life.

And families desperately need guidance, intervention and practical help. But there is a world of difference between being honest about challenges and writing off a child. You can tell a family the truth about their child’s delays without crushing their hopes. We need professionals who can say, “These are the challenges, but these are the ways we/you can help.”

Many autistic children have already proven people wrong. Children who were told they would never speak have found ways to communicate; some have full conversations despite what they were told.

Children who were written off academically have learned to read, write and pass exams. And even where progress is slower or looks different, that does not make a child less valuable. So maybe it is time we stop telling parents all the things their children will never do. Maybe it is time that we stop underestimating autistic people and start helping them to live fulfilling lives.

I know it is certainly time that we stop crushing families with negativity. In this country, the biggest thing standing in an autistic person’s way is not autism at all, but the low expectations of the people around them. (T&T Guardian)

Essequibo Coast driver jailed, others fined $240,000 for traffic offences

Several men appeared before the Anna Magistrate’s Court last week, where they were charged and fined for a series of traffic-related offences committed along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Vishnu Krishna Nauth, a 22-year-old carpenter of Windsor Castle, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on April 6, 2026, along the Hoff-VanAurich Public Road. The charge was brought under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended.

Nauth appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, where he pleaded guilty. He was fined $200,000, with a default sentence of six months’ imprisonment.

In a separate matter, Anil Williams, a 20-yearold labourer of Hibernia, Essequibo Coast, was also

$20,000, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment.

Driver jailed

Meanwhile, Deveshwar Singh, a 49-year-old driver of Somerset and Berks,

charged with driving above the legal breath alcohol limit. The incident occurred on April 6 along Golden Fleece Public Road.

Williams pleaded not guilty when the matter was read to him in court. He was granted $200,000 bail, and the case was adjourned to September 4 for trial.

Mohamed Hassan, a 54-year-old labourer of Pomona, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence took place on April 1 along Onderneeming Public

Road and was brought under Section 39B (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act.

Hassan pleaded guilty and was fined $20,000, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment.

Similarly, Kalesh Naipaul, a 25-year-old mechanic of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen. The offence occurred on March 29, 2026, along La Union Public Road.

Naipaul also pleaded guilty and was fined

GDF celebrates 1st officer to complete Royal Air Force training programme

The Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, along with officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has extended congratulations to Lieutenant Randy Wade following his successful completion of the Modularised Initial Officer Training Course No. 40 (MIOT 40) at

the Royal Air Force Officer Training College in the United Kingdom.

According to a post on the GDF’s social media page, Lieutenant Wade’s graduation marks a milestone for the GDF, as he becomes the first officer from the Force’s Air Corps to complete the modularised programme at the Royal Air Force institution. According to the GDF, the achievement reflects ongoing efforts to expand skills and expertise within the Air Corps through international training opportunities.

The Force stated that the development of officers and ranks remains central to operational effectiveness, contributing to leadership capacity, mission readiness, and the execution of its mandate.

Randy Wade completed MIOT 40, which ran from September 22, 2025 to April

2, 2026. The programme was delivered in four six-week modules and concluded with summative assessments. It is designed to prepare junior officers for leadership, command responsibilities, and operational performance.

Throughout the training, participants were exposed to a range of operational environments and worked alongside international peers. The GDF noted that the structure of the programme supported progressive development of core competencies required for junior officers in dynamic operational settings.

The Guyana Defence Force has described the milestone as an indication of the importance of continuous professional development and international defence partnerships in strengthening a modern and adaptable military force.

The University of Guyana (UG) has opened applications for Degree, diploma and certificate programmes for Semester I of the 2026–2027 academic year. The application process, which commenced on March 30, will close on May 9. Prospective students are being encouraged to submit applications early, particularly for programmes that are expected to be oversubscribed. Information on available courses, admission requirements and application procedures is being shared through the University’s official platforms, including its website, Facebook page, and the Student Records Management System (SRMS). The institution has also indicated that updates will be disseminated through official notices, press statements and media advertisements.

Students preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year are also encouraged to apply. The University noted that applicants should request that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) forward their results directly to the institution to facilitate processing. Some programmes may offer provisional acceptance pending the release of examination results.

The University also highlighted that tuition remains free for all Guyanese students under the Government’s policy, which took effect on January 1, 2025. The policy covers Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes offered by the institution.

Annual open day, job fair

In addition to the application process, the University is preparing to host its Annual Open Day and Job Fair across multiple locations. The main event will take place at the Turkeyen Campus on April 17–18, followed by activities at the Tain Campus in Berbice on April 24. An

Essequibo Coast, was charged with dangerous driving. The charge stemmed from an incident on March 27 along Charity Public Road, involving pedestrian David Ramsingh, a 38-year-old resident of Charity.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Mohabir, where he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.

additional outreach event will be held in collaboration with the Essequibo Technical Institute on May 8. Held under the theme “Innovation. Opportunity. Impact.”, the event will feature an Open Day segment, allowing prospective students to explore more than 180 programmes and gain insight into career pathways. A Job Fair component will also provide information on employment and internship opportunities from a range of local and international organisations. The opening ceremony is scheduled for April 17 at 09:45h and will be streamed live via the University’s

Facebook platform. Several organisations have confirmed participation in the Job Fair, including ExxonMobil, Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Beharry Group of Companies, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), SBM Offshore, G Mining Ventures, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Gafoors Group of Companies, among others. Students from secondary and post-secondary institutions, along with members of the public and professionals from various sectors, are invited to attend the events. Selected segments will also be streamed online.

APRIL

Evening News (RB) 08:00

2026

Page Foundation

NGSA Questions

Step

By Sophie CaBot BlaCk

As for her, the circumstances must be ordinary And so the return. Door unlocked. The path mowed Right to the oiled gate; the pasture Cleared of stone and alder. All untouched Enough to enter. The man or woman Off down the valley or working above

Treeline. No other sound but a few strays Hurrying through the dusk as if the end Will begin, certain and with nothing

More to say. She does not know she does not know. Having come back to find her kind And none being left she took herself up Into a tree unclear what to do next save only Sing the song she wanted sung back to her.

(Source: Poetry [May 2011])

After rescuing an injured kitten, you write a short how-to guide on helping injured animals.

PUC secures $23M for consumers through refunds, adjustments, penalties in 2025

…mobile subscriptions surpass 1 million

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has reported that more than $23 million was awarded to consumers in 2025 through billing adjustments, reimbursements and penalties imposed on service providers.

According to the Commission’s 35th Annual Report, a total of 259 complaints were received during the year, representing a 6.14 percent increase over 2024. Of these, 241 complaints, or approximately 93 per cent, were successfully resolved, with an average resolution time of 63 days.

In the report PUC Chairman, Nanda Gopaul noted “The Commission con-

tinued to uphold its mandate with diligence, transparency and professionalism while navigating a dynamic environment shaped by emerging technologies and an evolving regulatory framework. The year 2025 was marked by significant advancements in our regulatory oversight in ensuring that services remained reliable, sustainable and responsive to the needs of consumers across Guyana.”

The $23.3 million credited to consumers reflects compensation for billing discrepancies, breaches of service standards and undelivered services. Of this amount, $10.2 million was awarded to 71 consumers in 2025, with

additional credits applied to cases carried over from the previous year.

Telecommunications complaints

Telecommunications providers accounted for the largest share of complaints, followed by electricity and water services. For yet another year, One Communications recorded the highest number of complaints of any utility provider with 124 complaints. Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) received 93 and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) 38, Digicel had three and ENet had one.

Apart from consumer affairs, the report highlighted significant developments

DPP advises inquest into death of Adriana Younge

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack has advised that an inquest be conducted into the cause of, and the circumstances surrounding, the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, which occurred between April 23 and 24, 2025, at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The Guyana Police Force has confirmed receipt of the advice and stated that it is taking the necessary steps in keeping with the legal process to facilitate the inquest. The Force also noted its commitment to maintaining public confidence and upholding professionalism, accountability, and integrity in the execution of its duties. Further information is expected as the process advances.

The development comes almost a year after the child’s death sparked widespread national outrage following the discovery of her body in a swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel after a family outing. Adriana had been at the hotel with relatives on April 23, 2025 and was later reported missing, prompting a search of the premises. Her body was subsequently discovered in the hotel pool the following morning.

The case gained further attention after early Police communication suggested that surveillance footage showed the child leaving the hotel in a vehicle. That information was later withdrawn as inaccurate, contributing to public confusion and criticism over the handling of the investigation.

A post-mortem examination conducted on May 3, 2025, by international forensic pathologists Dr Glenn A Rudner and Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, alongside Chief Medical Examiner of the US

State of Delaware, Dr Gary L Collins, who was chosen by the family, initially concluded that Adriana died as a result of drowning. The Guyana Police Force, on May 26, 2025, stated that based on the final autopsy report, there was no evidence of foul play. According to those findings, there was no evidence of sexual assault, with the external genitalia described as unremarkable and the hymen intact. Investigators also reported no traumatic injuries to the soft tissues or skeletal structure.

Additional forensic observations included the presence of foam in the airway, fluid in the lungs and sphenoid sinus, and skin changes consistent with prolonged immersion, all findings typically associated with drowning cases. Toxicology and DNA testing reportedly returned no evidence of external assault, restraint, or struggle.

A second autopsy conducted in the United States on the embalmed body of the child has since reaffirmed the absence of trauma. The examination was carried out by Dr Carol Terry, Chief Medical Examiner of Gwinnett County, Georgia, who described the original post-mortem as “competently and thoroughly” conduct-

ed and stated that no trauma had been overlooked.

Dr Terry explained that her assessment functioned largely as a form of quality control, noting that the most accurate opportunity to determine cause of death would have been during the first autopsy before embalming and decomposition. She said embalming and post-examination changes limited the forensic value of her own review.

While Dr Terry agreed that there was no evidence of trauma or signs of struggle, she did not definitively confirm drowning as the cause of death, stating she would be reluctant to do so without full supporting toxicology and complete primary examination data. She further described drowning as a diagnosis of exclusion, requiring the elimination of all other possible causes of death.

Despite this, she acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and death, as relayed to her, appeared suspicious and warranted a thorough investigation. However, she also indicated that the original autopsy had been properly conducted and that no indications of missed trauma were present.

Separately, retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigator Leonard McCoshan, who was previously engaged in the matter, reported that there was no evidence of foul play involving any named or unnamed individuals based on the scope of the investigation conducted so far.

Despite multiple forensic examinations pointing to drowning and the absence of trauma, the case continues to generate public debate and calls for transparency.

across the utilities sector, particularly in telecommunications, where mobile subscriptions surpassed one million users in 2025. This milestone reflects rapid digital growth, with mobile teledensity exceeding 120 percent and fixed broadband subscriptions rising above 130,000.

The sector was further transformed by the introduction of number portability in February 2025, allowing customers to switch providers while retaining their numbers, and by increased competition following the entry of satellite-based internet provider Starlink. These developments contributed to expanded consumer choice and improved service offerings.

In the electricity sector, GPL recorded a four percent increase in its customer base alongside a six per cent rise in net electricity sales, indicating growing demand

driven by population expansion and economic activity. However, performance challenges persist. The company recorded system losses of 25.43 percent, exceeding its target of 22.43 percent, highlighting ongoing issues such as electricity theft, infrastructure inefficiencies and operational constraints.

Meanwhile, GWI recorded a net loss equivalent to approximately one per cent of revenue in 2025. Total arrears remained high at about $2.89 billion, with roughly half concentrated in Region Four, posing risks to the company’s financial stability.

Non-revenue water remains a concern, the report stated, with losses estimated between 60 and 70 percent, well above acceptable international benchmarks, the Report noted. These losses, driven by aging infrastructure, leaks and unmetered consumption, continue to undermine revenue generation

and operational efficiency.

Despite these challenges, the report noted improvements in service access, with approximately 98 percent of the population having access to potable water, as well as ongoing investments in infrastructure upgrades and treatment facilities.

The PUC said it remains committed to balancing the interests of consumers and service providers, ensuring fair pricing, improved service quality and greater transparency across the electricity, telecommunications and water sectors.

Looking ahead, the Commission plans to intensify oversight, including a review of chemicals used in water treatment to ensure compliance with international health standards, while continuing efforts to strengthen regulatory capacity in a rapidly evolving utilities landscape.

East Ruimveldt explosion

Victim dies after sustaining burns to 88% of body

A56-year-old East Ruimveldt, Georgetown man who was critically injured following an early-morning explosion at his home on Sunday has succumbed to his injuries.

Dead is Troy Alleyne of Pineapple Street and Front Road, East Ruimveldt, who, according to his wife, Melissa Alleyne, died just after 10:00h on Tuesday while receiving treatment in the Burn Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He had sustained severe burns to approximately 88 per cent of his body in the blast. The explosion occurred at about 02:32h on Sunday at the family’s two-storey building, causing extensive structural damage and leaving several persons, including tenants, displaced.

Reports indicate that Alleyne and his family were asleep when his wife awoke and detected the strong scent of gas inside the house. She alerted him, and he reportedly went downstairs to investigate. Moments later, an explosion rocked the building.

The force of the blast caused sections of the eastern side of the house to collapse and destroyed parts of the upper flat, including bedrooms. Debris fell onto the lower level, which was split into two apartments.

At the time of the incident, at least six adults and the couple’s young children, were in the building. Despite the intensity of the explosion, the other occupants managed to escape, with only minor injuries reported.

Alleyne was later found

outside the building with severe burns about his body. Public-spirited citizens assisted in transporting him to the hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.

Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing. While initially a gas-related explosion was suspected, subsequent observations, according to Melissa Alleyne has raised questions. Reports indicate that the gas cylinders found at the scene appeared intact, and there were no signs of fire damage typically associated with such explosions.

The blast has left the family homeless and facing significant financial losses. The property, which also housed small business operations including a car wash and water system, was not insured.

Authorities are continuing their probe, with CCTV footage from the area expected to aid in determining the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

A series of gas cylinder explosions over the past year has resulted in multiple deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage across several communities.

Dead: Troy Alleyne

Several other incidents followed in 2025. In August, Herstelling shop owner Jaiwantie Samaroo suffered third-degree burns after a gas cylinder exploded inside her place of business. Just months later, in November, an explosion at a Better Hope residence belonging to Necolece Alexander resulted in injuries and significant property damage.

Earlier, in September 2025, a woman identified as Harriet Ray lost her life following a suspected cylinder explosion at her C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown home, while another relative was left seriously injured. More recently, in December 2025, another explosion at Little Abary caused extensive damage to the home of Murtland Wills and Oneka Williams, with estimated repair costs exceeding $1.5 million.

Back in January last year, a deadly blast at Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), claimed the lives of 55-yearold Basmattie Ganpat and her partner, Manu “Paul” Sukhu, while completely destroying their two-storey home. Their daughter had indicated that the couple detected the scent of gas prior to the explosion, even though the cylinder had reportedly been turned off. The force of the blast severely distorted the building’s structure, tore away parts of the roof, and left the family facing millions of dollars in losses.

Repeating… …history

One real big brainiac – who studied the matter so thoroughly he’s still quoted two centuries later – said that history always repeats itself: first as tragedy, then as farce!! Well as your Eyewitness tooled around GT and the East Coast of Demerara on Monday into Tuesday mornin’ and saw the long, serpentine lines of vehicles inching to every gas station on his way, all he could think was “This is one heck of a FARCE!!!” Now he’s sure the folks in the vehicles didn’t consider their search for gas funny – but then the original prophet hadn’t used the word “farce” as “ha-ha” funny!!

He used it to mean an event or situation that’s so absurd it makes you throw up your hands and exclaim –“WHAT THE F…!! This being a family newspaper, he leaves the ending of the exclamation to your (wild!) imagination!! Think of what happened. One reporter writes a story that a particular gas station’s out of gas and before you know it – your fellow Guyanese put “two and two together” and arrived at a MILLION!! He’d heard, of course, via his social media feeds that the Yanks were fighting the Iranians so that ships loaded with 20% of all the oil shipped in the world would be blocked in a narrow waterway called the Strait of Hormuz!! This had tightened gas supplies – into which oil is refined – and shortages were being experienced in the States!!

Well, if it’s happening Stateside, we’re NEXT, innit?? Hence the mad rush to the gas stations – not only to fill up their gas tanks – but any receptacle they could lay their hands on!! Your Eyewitness swears he saw one fella hand over a 2-litre empty Coke bottle and had it filled up!! Now let’s pick sense from nonsense, shall we?? Every gas station in existence has an underground tank of a FINITE SIZE – to which its pumps are connected. And trust your Eyewitness, THEY aren’t connected to an infinite reservoir!! So, if there’s a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles – creating mile-long lines demanding “FILL ’ER UP!!” –aren’t those tanks gonna be depleted?? And the resupply tankers we see ever so often on the highways can’t get to EVERY station in the franchise, can they?? So, BINGO!! Stations out of gas!! But the Government insisted there’s enough gas in the country – and scheduled to arrive – to deal with our NORMAL demand!! So, let’s all take a deep breath, shall we??

But what did your Eyewitness mean this had happened before as “tragedy”. Well, in 1963, the PNC and the West wanted to oust the PPP Government – and blocked fuel imports creating long lines.

And it was CUBA that broke that blockade and rescued us!!

…the enemy’s tactics?

As your Eyewitness mentioned above, we’re all aware the Yanks have a number of reasons for taking on (out?) Iran. Referring to Iran, Iraq and North Korea and their quest for “weapons of mass destruction”, George W Bush had declared in 2002, “States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world”!! Since then, Iraq’s gone for channa; N Korea seems to’ve evaded censure for the A-bombs most concede they have – like Israel! It would seem that Iran’s turn has arrived for it to be defenestrated!!

But as your Eyewitness has explained before – like Little Jack Horner of yore – the crafty Iranians have put in a finger – enriched uranium – but pulled out a plum of a weapon – blockading the Strait of Hormuz!! They’ve shown you really don’t need nukes to grab the world – by the shorts!! Blockading’s the thing.

So, no surprise the Yanks have paused their kinetic war – and started blockading Iran!!

…gossip

What’s going on with the Opposition’s defamatory assertion that a PPP official hadn’t been dealt with by the (long) arm of the law – even though she’d been allegedly caught with enough spliffs to make all Guyana high?? No courts??

Fire Service warns against unsafe fuel storage

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has issued a public warning against the use of improper containers to store fuel, as panic buying during a temporary shortage led to unsafe practices across the country. On Tuesday, the GFS cautioned that storing fuel in unsuitable containers such as drink bottles, water jars and glass vessels poses a serious fire and explosion risk. The agency noted that these containers can rupture, leak or ignite, potentially resulting in property damage, injuries or loss of life. The warning comes in the context of increased fuel demand and hoarding by motorists following supply disruptions linked to global developments. Officials had reported that misinformation circulating on social

media contributed to public panic, with some individuals resorting to storing fuel in unapproved containers.

The GFS said in a statement that, in keeping with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, fuel should only be stored in approved metal safety cans with flame arresters, or certified plastic containers specifically designed for petroleum storage. These containers must be clearly labelled, leakproof and securely sealed. The agency also advised that households should not store more than five gallons, or approximately 20 litres, of fuel for domestic use unless written permission is obtained. Persons seeking to store larger quantities are required to apply to the Fire Prevention Department, providing details on the type and quantity of fuel, storage arrangements and identification documents. Inspections will be conducted before approval is granted. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in penalties under the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 22:01.

The Fire Service outlined several safety measures for handling fuel, including storing it in cool, ventilated areas away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and never keeping fuel inside living spaces, vehicles or near exits. It also urged the public to keep fuel containers tightly sealed, out of reach of children, and to ensure fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are in place where necessary. Additionally, the GFS warned against smoking near fuel storage areas and advised immediate cleanup and ventilation in the event of spills. In case of fire, the public is urged to evacuate immediately and contact emergency services.

The advisory follows reports that a surge in demand had led to long lines at service stations and temporary stock shortages. Government have since assured that fuel shipments have begun arriving and that supply is being stabilised.

The GFS reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged citizens to follow approved safety guidelines when handling and storing fuel.

Guyana, Caricom press global action on reparations, equity at UN Forum

…2nd Decade for People of African Descent must deliver measurable progress – Jacobs

Guyana and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have reaffirmed their commitment to reparatory justice, sustainable development and economic equity for people of African descent during the Fifth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Speaking at the forum on Tuesday, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Vanessa Benn, said Guyana remains committed to international frameworks aimed at eliminating racial discrimination, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Benn told delegates that the Government of Guyana continues to condemn human rights violations affecting people of African descent and called for stronger protections against systemic racism, exclusion, and inequality. She also welcomed the United Nations’ (UN) recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity, noting that such acknowledgement was long overdue. The Minister highlighted global challenges, including conflict, supply chain disruptions and climate change, which she said continue to exacerbate poverty and socioeconomic insecurity.

She also raised concerns about the treatment of migrants of African descent, urging greater international support and more responsive action from UN bodies.

At the national level, Benn outlined Guyana’s development approach, which she described as pro-poor and inclusive. She said efforts to expand access to housing and water, along with investments in agriculture, form part of the country’s “One Guyana” initiative aimed at improving living standards across all communities.

According to Benn, 47.1 per cent of beneficiaries of more than 51,000 house lots allocated over the past five years were persons of African descent. She added that Government programmes are also targeting rural and ancestral villages to increase economic opportunities and strengthen community resilience.

Accountability, development

Meanwhile, Minister within the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry, Steven Jacobs, delivered a statement on behalf of Caricom member states. Jacobs said the region’s push for reparatory justice is grounded in the historical impact of slavery and colonialism, which continue to influence present-day economic and social condi-

tions. He referenced the Caricom Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice as a framework for addressing these issues through accountability and development.

He also welcomed growing international momentum on the issue, including initiatives such as the Accra Proclamation and strengthened collaboration between African and Caribbean states. Jacobs noted that the legacy of enslavement remains embedded in global systems, contributing to economic imbalances and limiting development opportunities, particularly for small island developing states. He added that climate change further compounds these challenges.

He called for a coordinated approach that integrates reparatory justice with reforms to the international financial system and equitable climate action. According to Jacobs, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent must deliver measurable progress. Caricom, he said, remains committed to working with the Permanent Forum and international partners to ensure that development outcomes for people of African descent are shaped through inclusive and equitable processes.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt committed to strengthening business side of creative industry – Commerce Minister

With the Origins fashion event set to kick off soon, the business side of the creative industry is coming into sharp focus, as Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues underscored the Government’s commitment to creating greater economic opportunities for creatives across the sector. The 2026 edition of Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival is set to take place from July 3 to July 5, 2026, bringing a fresh focus on style, identity, and expression.

Guided by the theme “A Diamond Legacy: Fashioning 60 Years”, this year’s showcase will highlight the creativity shaping Guyana’s fashion landscape. Speaking during the launch of the event last week, Minister Rodrigues announced that the Government remained committed to strengthening the business side of the creative industry as part of its ongoing support for the sector’s growth and sustainability. She said the Government of Guyana is taking deliberate steps to ensure that Origins evolved beyond a single annual event, noting that President Dr Irfaan Ali has outlined a vision to make it a year-round platform that continuously builds skills, provides exposure and creates opportunities within the creative sector. “The Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival is not only for designers; it is equally criti-

cal for the modelling and makeup industries. These sectors are essential pillars of fashion, and their development is key to building a complete and competitive environment.

That is why we stress that Origins is a platform to learn and to grow, and we are backing that up with action,” the Minister stated. She further stressed that true growth in the industry required sustained investment, mentorship and access to opportunities, noting that creatives must not be limited to one stage, one show, or one moment. Rodrigues said Government was working with them to create real market-access opportunities for designers, ensuring their work was not only showcased but sold, supported and sustained. She added that efforts were underway to connect designers and other creatives to the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) once it is launched, enabling access to financing to expand their operations and transition them from talent to enterprise. In the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister’s view, the industry requires sustainability and she, therefore, stressed the need for creatives to be equipped with the right tools to ensure the sector remains viable.

“Sustainability requires structure, access to capital, and the ability to scale. And we are committed to ensuring that our creatives are equipped with the tools to do just that. This is part

of building a sustainable industry, one where talent is consistently engaged, supported, and empowered to grow beyond the stage,”

she said. “This year we are also placing strong emphasis on structure and opportunity within the festival.” Rodrigues also an-

nounced that five official awards will be introduced this year: Best Fashion Designer, Best Emerging Designer, Outstanding Storyteller or Innovator, Best Female Model, and Best Male Model. Each winner will receive an award and cash prizes, with the Best Fashion Designer receiving $1 million, while each of the other categories will carry prizes valued at $500,000.

For this edition of Origins – which was first introduced last year – it was announced that 30 slots are available for designers, with 10 designers to be selected each night for a premier showcase. While only 30 designers will ultimately be selected for the runway, it was emphasised that all applicants

will benefit from opportunities to grow, as those not selected will still take part in structured designer and model workshops under the programme.

“These sessions are designed to build capacity, strengthen skills, and prepare participants for future opportunities within the industry. At Origins, participation is not limited to the runway. Development is for everyone, and as part of our continued commitment to the growth of this industry, we are delivering on what we promised,” the Minister added.

Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival is a visionary initiative supported by the Government of Guyana, and spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce.

Work, get experience, get paid – Teixeira urges young people as many job vacancies go unfilled

Young people are being urged to take advantage of available opportunities as many job vacancies across the country remain unfilled, with Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira encouraging them to work, gain experience and earn rather than overlook existing openings. Her advice is that there is no basis for persons to claim a lack of job opportunities. In fact, she posited that many individuals fail to apply when vacancies are advertised, yet later complain that there are no jobs available. Speaking during the recent sod-turning ceremony for the Bartica Hospital, Teixeira highlighted that this disconnect continued to be a major issue, stressing that opportunities do exist but are often overlooked.

“When we [the Government] are advertising jobs, people are not applying. And then

they say there is no work –there is [actually] plenty of work [available]. There is too much work in Guyana right now. We don’t have enough people. So I’m asking the younger generation, whether it’s a job you like or a job you think you don’t want to do, work, get experience, get paid, go on to study: you have various programmes – you have the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) programme; you have the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme amongst others.”

She also highlighted that thousands of nurses, teachers, doctors and engineers are being trained across the country. According to her, the opportunities available to young people are greater than ever before, stressing that some individuals who claim they cannot find jobs need to be made aware of the wide range of options

that exist. The Minister pointed out that a level of sacrifice was necessary, recalling that she personally worked in a factory to support herself through university. She highlighted the various jobs she undertook as proof of her commitment.

“I worked in a factory making car filters. In order to

put myself through university, I was a domestic worker. I was a terrible waitress – I got fired for being a waitress because I kept spilling tea and coffee and so on. But I worked. And I’m just using the example that if you want something badly enough, you’re going to sacrifice to get it. And this hospital offers so many opportunities,” Teixeira noted.

She urged young people to take risks and explore different career paths, noting that they may not initially know whether they want to work in construction, plumbing, electrical work, or engineering. She encouraged them to try new opportunities, emphasising that if it did not work out, they could start over again, because they were still young. “Take risks. You didn’t know if you wanted to work in a construction site. You didn’t know if you wanted to be a plumb-

er, electrician, or an engineer. Take a chance. Try it. If it doesn’t work, you start over again. You’re young. A lot of the people are young,” the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister said. Meanwhile, turning her attention to the public service, she noted that there was a need to redefine certain roles, emphasising that outdated job descriptions were no longer effective. “Things we couldn’t imagine five years ago are coming to this country. And so we need an educated workforce. We need people to be educated and educated well, and be able to go on to get their professional training, to be able to function in these new jobs that are being created. In the public service, we have to redefine some of the jobs because the old public service definitions don’t work anymore. And so every piece has to fit together,” Teixeira explained. Meanwhile, the

Minister zoned in on the new hospital and stressed the importance of maintaining public infrastructure, expressing concern that newly-built facilities were often not properly kept after completion. She said it was troubling to see such facilities become unclean or poorly maintained within months or a year of being opened. Only last month, Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith met with representatives of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) in an attempt to empower and uplift women across the country. The engagement focused on raising awareness of the Ministry’s mandates and the wide range of services offered through its various departments, particularly those aimed at supporting workforce development and expanding economic opportunities for women.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Opposition’s quest for relevance – here is a radical idea for them

BCanine distemper cases increase in Guyana – veterinarian

Aefore we get into this week’s column, two things we would like to highlight which have relevance to the kind of Opposition parties in Guyana. First, the President of Venezuela visited a Caricom Member State, Grenada, and wore a lapel map (brooch) prominently featuring a significant portion of Guyana’s territory as part of Venezuela. The Venezuelan President deliberately made a statement, using a Caricom nation, Grenada, to aggressively push Maduro’s narrative that Essequibo is part of Venezuela. The Guyana Government has since issued a letter of protest rejecting Delcy Rodriguez’s blatant illegal action. Ruminations have not heard a single word coming from the Opposition in Guyana denouncing Delcy Rodriguez’s action.

The second item relates to the election in Hungary. After 16 years of domination in Hungary, strongman Victor Orban lost the election and a new Prime Minister came in with a landslide victory. Polls closed at 6 pm in Hungary and by 9 pm, Victor Orban conceded defeat to the new Prime Minister. There were more than six million voters eligible to vote. In Guyana, with less than a million voters on the list and with less than 500,000 who actually vote, we take days, weeks and even months before we can declare a winner and, even after years, the losers refuse to concede defeat. Except for 2015 when the PPP, in spite of its concerns about possible cheating, conceded defeat once GECOM declared the results, the PNC-led Opposition parties have never been able to concede defeat. The present Opposition has not yet conceded defeat in the September 2025 elections. For that matter, the Opposition is yet to concede defeat for the March 2020 elections, even as those elections took five months before the winning party was declared.

In a healthy democracy, Opposition parties must demonstrate the capacity to concede defeat, as the PPP did in Guyana in 2015. The PNC-led Opposition parties and the now new WIN party in Election 2025 continue to not concede their defeat. If a strongman like Victor Orban has the decency to concede in Hungary, why is it that in Guyana, outside of the PPP, Opposition parties cannot accept the will of the people?

Since the September 2025 General and Regional Elections in Guyana, the Opposition parties have been in a desperate quest for relevance. They have shown themselves to be clueless, unable to compete with the Government for ideas, to challenge the Government on its plans and implementation programmes. The lead Opposition party’s (WIN’s) focus has been on its leader and his family. Everything is about Azruddin Mohamed and his family. The PNC/APNU cannot find traction for any of the approaches they have tried. Amanza Desir-Walton is floating. The combined Opposition in Guyana today have ceded their responsibilities as Opposition parties to the now defunct Stabroek News, the Kaieteur News and a set of Opposition-oriented TV and radio stations.

The Government of Guyana ensured that it rejected the Venezuelan President’s blatant disregard for Guyana’s territorial rights. While desperately searching for relevance, would it be such a radical idea for the Opposition to show solidarity with the Government on this issue? While we believe that Guyana is solidly united, as the Rock of Gibraltar, on the fact that Essequibo is ours, it still would be nice for the Opposition to take a minute to join with the Government to make explicit our unconditional unity in rejecting Venezuela’s reckless claim on our Essequibo.

While it should not be a radical idea, the truth is that the present Opposition ignores all opportunity to join with the Government on basic things we should not have a difference over. Take the issue of garbage. We all agree that we need a cleaner Guyana. Since March 2020, President Irfaan Ali has been promoting a cleaner Guyana as part of our transformation. That cleaner Guyana includes transforming Georgetown into the Garden City once again. While periodic cleanup campaigns cannot replace a continuous programme, a periodic campaign serves to highlight our commitment as a nation and serves to make every Guyanese a part of the cleaner Guyana mission.

While this may sound like a radical idea for the opposition, Ruminations urges the Opposition parties to join President Irfaan Ali and his Government in mobilising the nation for a cleaner Guyana. For Guyana’s sake, could the Opposition parties not show up with their leaders and supporters and join the effort?

Thousands of persons across Guyana, from individuals to churches, NGOs, and businesses, came out and joined the President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and other senior Government officials in the clean-up exercise this past weekend. At no point did the President or Minister Deodat Indar, who heads the Committee for a Cleaner Guyana, ever said that these periodic campaigns represent the totality of the efforts. As far as we know, the President and the Government have always promoted these campaigns as a call to the nation for us to do better. The Government has been investing in establishing more garbage sites and in providing more equipment. President Ali and the AG have announced stricter laws to govern littering and garbage disposal. Is it too radical for the Opposition to join with Government on this matter?

The most glaring example of the non-cooperation of the Opposition is seen in Georgetown, one of the dirtiest cities in Caricom. Georgetown is governed by a PNC-led APNU Mayor and City Council. The PNC-led Mayor and City Council have had decades of opportunities to lead from the front. But the Mayor and the City Council appear comfortable as they wallow in the messiness of Georgetown. Their boycott of the Government’s clean-up effort is simply reprehensible.

n alert has been issued over an increase in cases of canine distemper affecting dogs, particularly in Guyana’s coastal regions. Veterinarian Dr Steve Surujbally reported that, based on observed symptoms and some diagnostic testing, there has been a noticeable rise in the incidence of the disease among local dog populations. While the majority of cases are being seen along the coast, the illness is not confined to those areas. Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects multiple systems in dogs, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. It is often fatal, particularly in severe or untreated cases.

According to the advisory, infected dogs may initially present with fever, along

with discharge from the nose and eyes, coughing, vomiting and diarrhoea. As the disease progresses, more severe neurological symptoms may develop, including seizures and paralysis. Some animals may also exhibit thickening of the paw pads in advanced stages. The disease spreads easily be-

tween animals. Transmission can occur through airborne exposure, close contact with infected dogs, or through shared items such as food and water bowls that have been contaminated.

There is currently no cure for canine distemper. Treatment is limited to sup-

portive care aimed at managing symptoms and preventing secondary infections. This may include the use of intravenous fluids, antibiotics and anticonvulsant medications.

Veterinary guidance indicates that the outcome of treatment depends on several factors, including how quickly care is administered, the general health of the animal prior to infection and the specific strain of the virus involved.

The Veterinarian emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention and pet owners are being urged to ensure that their dogs are properly vaccinated and to seek veterinary attention promptly if symptoms consistent with distemper are observed.

Body of Mahaica man found days after he failed to report for work

The body of a 33-yearold labourer of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was pulled from a river on Monday afternoon, days after he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work.

Dead is Terry Elias, popularly known as “Zulu” of Chelsea Park, Mahaica (ECD). Speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, his aunt, Cynthy Hamilton, told this publication that Elias was last seen at around 12:30h on Saturday when he left her home.

At the time, there were no immediate concerns, but by Sunday, his unexplained absence raised alarm after he failed to report to his job at a supermarket where he was employed as a labourer.

“Well, he leave here like around 12.30 Saturday night… it was my birthday, so he came, bought me a juice, and he said he was going to drop back something for me, but he didn’t. On Sunday, we then observed that he was missing… I got a phone call from the person that he’s working with at the supermarket…and his

boss said he didn’t report for work,” Hamilton explained.

The woman said it was unusual for Elias to be absent from work without notice, prompting relatives to begin making checks. Elias, who is not married and has no children, lives at his Chelsea Park residence with a roommate. According to Hamilton, although he had previously lived with her, he had been residing on his own for about 10 years.

A report was made to the police, and relatives continued efforts to locate him, but to no avail. However, Hamilton told Guyana Times that their search came to an end on Monday shortly after 13:00h when her nephew’s body was discovered in a river in the Mahaica area.

“He was found in the river by the Mahaica bridge. While they were searching,

they saw his slippers by the bridge, and they decided to go and look, and then that's where they found his body,” Hamilton related.

She said that a bicycle believed to belong to Elias had also been seen in the area earlier but was not found at the exact location where his body was recovered.

Hamilton said she could not confirm whether Elias had sustained any visible injuries or marks of violence, nor could she say definitively if foul play was suspected.

When asked about his lifestyle, she acknowledged that Elias consumed alcohol but did not indicate whether it was excessive. She also noted that he had not complained of feeling unwell prior to his disappearance and was not known to have any ongoing disputes or issues with others.

Hamilton further con-

firmed that the family has been in contact with the police and is awaiting updates as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Well, you know, we’re trying to cope. It is not easy losing a family member…” she told this publication. A post-mortem examination is expected shortly.

New $185M Anna Regina Police Station commissioned

Residents of Region

Two (PomeroonSupenaam) will now benefit from improved policing services following the commissioning of the reconstructed Anna Regina Police Station. The new facility, built at a cost of more than $185 million, is intended to strengthen public safety, improve working conditions for officers, and provide better support services for members of the public.

Delivering the feature address at the commissioning, Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond said the station is a commitment by the Government to improving policing and public service delivery in the region.

The station is equipped with male, female, juvenile and isolation holding cells. It also includes

specialised spaces such as a Child-Friendly Area and a Domestic Violence Interview and Waiting Room. Key operational areas include Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Traffic, Enquiries, evidence storage and living quarters for ranks. According to the Minister, the facility is designed to meet the needs of a growing region with dispersed communities and expanding economic activity. She noted that the investment will

improve police responsiveness and build public confidence in the justice system. The Minister also highlighted that Regional Division No. Two recorded a 39.2 per cent reduction in crime and a 54.2 per cent clear-up rate in 2025. She said the new station is expected to support further improvements in policing across the region.

Minister Walrond urged officers to maintain professionalism and encouraged residents to view the station as a community resource.

Fire destroys WCB cleaner’s home

A46-year-old cleaner of Lot 159 Number 8 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has been left homeless after a midday fire destroyed her two-storey home while she was at work, wiping out six years of hard work and leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back. Nadine Pluck said she was at work at the Blairmont Estate when she received a call from a neighbour informing her that the upper flat of her home was on fire. Minutes later, she received another call indicating that the blaze had spread to the lower flat, and the entire building was engulfed. By the time she arrived at the scene, two fire tenders, one from the Blairmont Estate and another from the Number 27 area, were already on site, but despite their efforts, nothing could be saved.

“I lost everything that I had… my computer, my fridge, my TV, my washing machine; everything was engulfed in fire,” Pluck said, as she detailed the extent of her losses, which also included livestock she had been rearing.

“At this point in time, I

can’t even estimate my losses, because there were so many things in the house,” she added, noting that she is now staying with a relative as she tries to come to terms with the devastation.

“Next is to get somewhere to lay my head… I have to start life over again from scratch,” she said, explaining that her immediate concern is finding stable accommodation. Pluck said the property was originally her late father’s home and she had been living there for about six years. She explained that her brother occupied the upper flat while she lived in the lower section, which she had extended over time through her own efforts over the years.

“I worked, and I built this place… I extended it and had

my own little things downstairs,” Pluck said.

“I’m traumatised… there’s so much going through my mind right now that I can’t really explain.”

“If anybody wants to help or donate assistance, they can contact me… because right now I really need help,” she appealed, as she seeks public support to rebuild and restart her life following the fire.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and investigations are ongoing as the 46-year-old now faces the difficult task of rebuilding her life after losing nearly everything in a matter of minutes.

She is appealing to the public for assistance and can be contacted at 619-8299.

(G-4)

No bail for driver in Corentyne fatal crash

…uninsured lorry charge added

A27-year-old man accused of causing the death of a Williamsburg Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) motorcyclist was on Tuesday remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. Alexei Anthony De Lima was charged in connection with the fatal crash and also slapped with a second charge for allegedly operating motor lorry number GVV 5043 while it was uninsured, with bail refused on both matters.

It is alleged that De Lima, 27, of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), on April 12, 2026, at Williamsburg Public Road, Corentyne drove motor lorry number GVV 5043 in a manner that resulted in the death of Haresh Gopilall, 31. Police Prosecutor Corporal Leon Jones objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and informing the court that another victim in the matter remains hospitalised. Attorney-at-Law Muhammad Ali, who represented the accused, appealed for bail, telling the

Remanded: Alexei Anthony De Lima

court that De Lima’s mother is a Police Sergeant, who would ensure his attendance, and that his passport had expired several years ago. He further submitted that the case file is not yet ready and may take months before it returns. However, Magistrate Matthias said she took into consideration the seriousness of the offence and the fact that one of the victims is still hospitalised and refused bail. The prosecutor also informed the court that the file is incomplete and will be sent back for further legal advice, noting that it could take approximately two weeks before it is returned. Additionally, De Lima was slapped with a second charge, which alleged that on the same day, time and place, he drove the said motor lorry kno -

Dead: Haresh Gopilall

wing it to be uninsured. He pleaded not guilty to that charge, and bail was also refused.

The matter was adjourned to May 19. The accident occurred on April 12 at about 21:00h along the Williamsburg Public Road, Corentyne and involved motor lorry number GVV 5043 and motorcycle number CR 1603. Police said the lorry was proceeding east along the northern carriageway at a normal rate, while the motorcycle was travelling in the opposite direction at a fast rate. As the motorcycle attempted to pass, the lorry allegedly made a sudden right turn into its path, resulting in a collision. Gopilall died as a result of injuries sustained, while pillion rider Yedesh Singh, 27, remains hospitalised.

Driver theory to be now taught in 5th form

Students will soon be able to graduate from secondary school with their driver’s theory certification through the Guyana Digital School. The initiative, announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali, will update how people access driver’s education and provide students with important life skills before they graduate. Under the new system, driver theory certification will shift from being managed manually by the police to a simple digital format available across the country. Education Minister, Sonia Parag announced that fifth form students will now have access to the driver theory curriculum, allowing them to complete the exam shortly after sitting Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). She described the initiative as a groundbreaking addition to the national curriculum, noting that it fills a longstanding gap in the education system.

“This is new because we do not have it existing in our secondary schools at all in our curriculum,” she explained. “When students exit Grade 11, every child will be exiting with a certification in their driver’s theory” she is quoted as saying in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report. She further highlighted the strategic timing of the programme, which is expected to be rolled out in the period immediately following CSEC examinations. “We are looking to utilise that space after CSEC and before the end of term to ensu-

re students can access and complete this programme,” Minister Parag stated. “It is important that we equip them early with knowledge of road use, responsibility, and safety.” According to the DPI report, the initiative was discussed earlier this year during a strategic meeting involving Minister Parag, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond and Minister of Labour Keoma Griffith. It forms part of a wider plan to deliver key national examinations through the Digital School platform.

Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you don’t want or need. Put your energy into positive change, better money management and loving yourself.

SUDOKU

Broaden your circle of friends, interests and skills. Question information that sounds too good to be true. Gather the facts and costs of whatever you are considering prior to signing up for something.

21-July 22)

23-Aug. 22)

24-Nov. 22)

Make a move before someone else makes it for you. Action, common sense and thoughtful maneuvers will encourage positive results. A personal change will offer a unique perspective regarding your plans.

Focus on finishing what you start without going over budget or losing sight of what’s important. Stick to the rules and regulations and move forward with a minimalist attitude.

Listen, absorb and put all the information you gather to good use. Traveling, networking and engaging in educational pursuits are in your best interest and will encourage you to align yourself with influential people.

Get physical and fit. Join a gym or sign up for an activity that will get you moving. Invest more time and money into what makes you happy. Ask for what you want.

You’ll gain insight into how to take advantage of a situation that offers financial stability. A relationship with someone special will offer long-term benefits.

Engage in events that give you a platform to show your attributes. Stepping out, speaking up and physically taking control of whatever situation you face will pay off.

23-Dec. 21)

Pull in the reins when it comes to spending money on others or on pricey entertainment. Invest your cash in something that has room to grow and will add to your comfort or enhance your skills.

Stop, look, listen and be hesitant to buy into something you know little about. Rely on yourself, not on others, and adjust as you go to further your plans.

Embrace change; put your energy toward meeting new people, changing your surroundings and setting up a routine. Let the journey begin; past lessons and experiences will lead you to a bright future.

Be secretive regarding any changes you want to implement. Put everything in place before you share or demonstrate your plans. A change of scenery will spark your imagination.

scored double of KKR’s 36 in the first six overs, CSK slammed the door with their spinners bowling eight overs for 47 runs and four wickets.

Facing early elimination now, KKR’s bowling improved with the return of Varun Chakravarthy, but their batting continued to be lightweight for the modern T20 game even though they pushed Narine up to open the batting.

Mhatre, Samson continue good form

It was perhaps a blessing in disguise that CSK’s struggling Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad did not hang around for too long, allowing Samson and Mhatre use of the field restrictions. Both of them hit Vaibhav Arora for a hat-trick of fours each to go with Mhatre’s successive sixes off Cameron Green, who opened the bowling and got some shape, but could not stick to the plan. Arora came back to bounce Mhatre out at the end of the power play, but his 16-ball 38 had done the damage already. Both teams practically cancelled each other out on runs outside the power play, but CSK’s 72 to KKR’s 36 in the first six overs proved decisive.

CSK’s middle-overs slowdown

Narine led the middle-overs slowdown as

was the high pace of Kartik Tyagi, who not only bowled Samson just short of his fifty, but also possibly delayed the arrival of Shivam Dube, who could have likely broken up overs of spin. Narine, Varun and Anukul Roy continued to deny batters freedom as just 70 came in nine overs after the power play.

Brevis gets runs, but KKR do well at death Struggling for fluency, Brevis managed to get the better of Arora in the 16th

fifth match, Allen was yet to make it out of the power play as he edged Kamboj to cover point. Narine managed to hit two sixes and two fours, but Khaleel frustrated him with wide lines and the round-the-wicket angle. Khaleel eventuhad him caught at short third, moments after he had been dropped off

Hosein leads the strangle of classical batters Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane are not the most dynamic duo in T20 cricket, and CSK snuck in overs of fingerspin and rookie Gurjapneet Singh while they were in the middle. Two catches went down off Hosein before he finally had Raghuvanshi caught for 27 off 19. Despite hitting two sixes off Gurjapneet, Rahane managed just 28 off 22.

Noor Ahmad puts it past KKR Rahane eventually fell to a wrong’un from Noor Ahmad, who had been held back for the more threatening KKR batters: Rovman

Chennai Super Kings

(20 ovs maximum)

Sanju Samson

†b Kartik Tyagi 48

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)

c Powell b Roy 7

Ayush Mhatre c Ramandeep

Singh b Arora 38

Dewald Brevis c Arora

b Kartik Tyagi 41

Sarfaraz Khan b Narine 23

Shivam Dube not out 13

Jamie Overton not out 7

Extras (lb 4, w 11) 15

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.60) 192/5

Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2.2 ov), 2-72 (Ayush Mhatre, 5.6 ov), 3-111 (Sanju Samson, 11.2 ov), 4-162 (Sarfaraz Khan, 16.1 ov), 5-171 (Dewald Brevis, 17.3 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Vaibhav Arora 4-0-55-1

Cameron Green 2-0-30-0

Anukul Roy 3-0-21-1

Sunil Narine 4-0-21-1

Varun Chakravarthy 3-0-26-0

Kartik Tyagi 4-0-35-2

Kolkata Knight Riders (T: 193 runs from 20 ovs)

Finn Allen c Dube b Kamboj 1

Powell, Green and Rinku Singh. He followed it up by bowling Green for a golden duck with his quick stock ball. Noor went on to add Rinku to his haul as the asking rate went beyond reach. He ended up with 3 for 21 in his four to go with Hosein’s 1 for 26 collected in an unbroken spell of four overs. By the time the two were done, the game was all but over with KKR needing 86 off the last five overs. (ESPNcricinfo)

Sunil Narine c Gurjapneet

Singh b Ahmed 24

Ajinkya Rahane (c)c Gaikwad b Noor Ahmad 28

Angkrish Raghuvanshi †c

Brevis

(lb 2, w 5) 7

Total 20 Ov (RR:

Action restarts Thursday with quarterfinal spots on the line

It will be all to play for when

the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS)/East Bank Inter Village Football Tournament, organised by Sports Extra, resumes on Thursday night at the Eccles EE Ground with the penultimate day of group action.

When play was halted owing to unusual rainfall, of the 12 contesting villages, only Grove and Upper Soesdyke had sealed their places in the final eight, where the knockout format will kick in following round-robin play.

Group B play will get underway on Thursday evening from 19:00h when Swan face off with Lower Soesdyke in a high-stakes clash. Lower Soesdyke are in a mustwin situation having lost their lone match so far to Herstelling, which lost their second and final group match to Swan.

A win for Swan will seal their quarterfinal spot and will also ensure Herstelling’s passage to the knockout round. However, a Lower Soesdyke victory will then see

the goals for and against coming into play to determine the top two teams from the group that will advance.

The feature game is a Group A encounter between the undefeated Kuru Kururu and Mocha, who will have to win in order to have a chance of knocking out Agricola who defeated Mocha, but lost to Kuru Kururu.

Mocha will have to draw on all their experience and hope that the lads from Kuru Kururu on the Linden-

Persaud, Griffith shine as Demerara , Berbice triumph

Demerara and Berbice secured convincing victories in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 InterCounty Super50 tournament on Tuesday, setting up an intriguing third round of matches on Thursday.

At the Lusignan Sports Club Ground, Demerara U19 produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat the GCB Select XI U19 by six wickets.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the Select XI were bundled out for a modest

tions. In reply, Demerara made light work of the target, reaching 85 for 4 in just 17.2 overs. Khush Seegobin topscored with 22, while Parmeshwar Ram added a quickfire 16 at the top of the order. After a brief middle-or der wobble, Shamar Apple (11 not out) and Emmanuel Lewis (14 not out) guided the team home safely.

Persaud’s outstanding five-wicket haul earned him

84 in 24 overs. Only Joshua Budhram, who remained unbeaten on 17, and Yannick Newton with 16, offered any meaningful resistance as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Demerara’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Dhanesh Persaud, who delivered a devastating spell of 5 for 18 from six overs to dismantle the lower order. He was well supported by Parmeshwar Ram (2 for 20) and Vijai Kalpu (1 for 15), as the Select XI struggled to build partnerships on a hard surface under sunny condi-

Soesdyke Highway have a bad night to stand a chance of advancing. Kuru Kururu defied the odds in the competition’s opening game to brush aside Agricola 3-1.

When on the ropes, Agricola battled their way to a 3-1 triumph against Mocha,

Hetmyer, who contributed 31. Essequibo’s Darrius Pearson was the standout bowler despite the defeat, claiming 5 for 33, while Darwin Joseph chipped in with 2 for 30.

Saturday at the same venue. Friendship, who edged Kaneville in their opening clash, will be seeking to maintain that form when they oppose Timehri, who were stunned by Kaneville. This will be another highstakes showdown as a win for Friendship will seal their onward march while securing Kaneville’s.

On the other hand, a victory for Timehri will see goal difference coming into play to decide the top two villages.

The final round-robin match will feature Grove against Upper Soesdyke in a battle to decide which of these two villages will top Group C as they both defeated Circuitville by 7-2 and 1-0 margins, respectively.

In the knockout phase, the winner of Group A will face the runner-up of Group C, winner of Group B will take on the runner-up of Group A, winner of Group C will face off with the runner-up of Group D with the Group D

GFF donation aims to revive football in St Cuthbert’s Mission

Tthe Man-of-the-Match award. Meanwhile, at the Police Sports Club Ground in Georgetown, Berbice U19 turned in a dominant display to defeat Essequibo U19 by 92 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Berbice posted 184 all out in 40.3 overs. Romario Ramdeholl led from the front with a solid 43 off 56 balls, striking four fours and two sixes. He received valuable support from Richard Ramdeholl, who made an aggressive 37 from 31 deliveries, and Adrian

Chasing 185 for victory, Essequibo never recovered from an early setback and were dismissed for 92 in 32.3 overs. Romario Bholo topscored with 28, but lacked sustained support from the rest of the batting lineup.

Berbice’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Gilbert Griffith producing a match-winning spell of 6 for 15 from 7.3 overs. He was ably assisted by Micah Amsterdam, Arif Khan, and Richard Ramdeholl, each of whom claimed a wicket.

The tournament continues on Thursday when Demerara clash with Berbice at the Police Sports Club Ground, while Essequibo will be looking to rebound when they face the Select XI at Lusignan.

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) continued its grassroots outreach over the weekend with a visit to St Cuthbert’s Mission, where equipment was donated in an effort to revive football activity in the community.

GFF Competition

Coordinator Lawrence “Sparrow” Griffith handed over footballs and training bibs to Devon Nothard, a Peace Corps officer attached to the mission who has volunteered to coach young players in the village. Nothard, who previously played at a competitive level in Florida, is aiming to rebuild interest in the sport, which has declined in recent times.

The donation forms part of ongoing efforts to support football development in hinterland communities, where organised activity has slowed significantly.

According to information from the visit, football in St Cuthbert’s Mission has become largely inactive, with limited structured programmes currently in place.

Griffith had also made an earlier contribution to the community on behalf of SQ Apparel, donating cones and footballs to assist with training sessions.

Despite the current lull, the village has existing facilities, including two playing fields, though the lack of lighting has been identified as a challenge for consistent training and matches. The GFF had previously supported the community with the donation of a pair of goal posts, and the area once boasted a strong female team.

The latest initiative is expected to provide a starting point for renewed engagement.

winner matching up against the runner-up of Group B.

Villagers are encouraged to come out in their numbers to cheer on their respective villages. The first prize is set at $1 million, while the prizes for second, third and fourth are $500,000, $250,000 and $150,000 respectively, along with individual accolades for Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goalscorer. The tournament has received support to date from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Housing; National Sports Commission; Fitness Express; Bounty Farm Ltd and Star Rental.

Lahore Qalandars back for 2nd stint at ExxonMobil GSL

hree-time HBL

TPakistan Super League (PSL) champions, Lahore Qalandars, often regarded as one of the most prominent cricket franchises in the world, are set to return to the global stage after confirming their participation in the upcoming ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) T20 tournament.

The global showpiece is scheduled to take centre stage from July 23 to August 1, 2026, at the iconic Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), bringing together leading franchise teams from across the world in a celebration of elite T20 cricket.

This marks a highly-anticipated return for Lahore Qalandars to the GSL, having been part of the tournament’s inaugural edition back in 2024. Their re-entry underscores both the growing stature of the franchise on the global circuit and the increasing importance of cross-league competitions in shaping the future of the sport.

Widely regarded as one of the most-followed and com-

mercially-successful franchises in the world of franchise cricket, Lahore Qalandars have cultivated a vibrant brand built on excellence and a deep-rooted connection with fans.

This sustained commercial strength and global popularity have translated into significant franchise value, with an independent valuation by EY MENA (Ernst & Young) recognising Lahore Qalandars as the most valuable team in the Pakistan Super League. With such repute, their participation in the GSL will add considerable weight and global appeal to this year’s ExxonMobil Global Super

League.

“We are delighted to return to the ExxonMobil Global Super League. The inaugural edition was a fantastic platform for high-quality cricket and meaningful global engagement, and we are proud to once again represent Pakistan on this stage. Lahore Qalandars has always stood for pushing boundaries and this tournament allows us to showcase our talent, our culture, and our ambition to a global audience. I am particularly excited to bring our exciting Player Development Program talent to the GSL this year,” Sameen Rana, Team Owner of Lahore

$10M Nitro Kart Klash…

Free practice sessions offered as venue completed ahead of schedule

In a shot in the arm for lo-

cal competitors, the venue for the highly-anticipated Nitro Kart Klash – where over $10 million in cash and prizes is up for grabs – opened ahead of schedule on Sunday.

Organisers were able to mark out, barricade off, and secure the track layout of the National Stadium Providence parking lot, where the April 18-19 event will take place, and competitors have begun testing.

According to a spokesman, “We were able to work through a few later hours in order to get the track layout down and ready for practice. We, of course, need to thank the team for putting in the work to have the layout down one day before schedule to allow for practice.

“I don’t think people understand the work that went into getting the venue to what it is today. Our team had to first sweep the layout more than once because of a lot of leftover debris from other events there.

“Following that, we had to wash the proposed section we were going to use for the track, mark out where we needed it, and then begin laying tyre barriers. That tyre barrier in itself was a job, because it required organising, painting, and strapping together the barriers before we laid them onto the venue.

“The last thing we had to do before we allowed competitors on was wash the track

properly to ensure any debris we might have missed was washed off.”

Competitors have been drooling for their first taste of on-track action with the new layout, and from 16:00h on Sunday, they were able to have their wish granted.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned up when they heard that we would finish the venue ahead of schedule. It gives us encouragement that with one week to go, we are putting on the biggest karting show in Guyana,” the spokesman said.

What sets the Nitro Kart Klash apart from other events, he stated , is that it offers a clean slate for all drivers and riders.

“Because it is a new layout, all the competitors will have to start from scratch in terms of learning the track, all its corners, and change of directions so as to see the fastest lines on the day.

“There isn’t a case of one person having more experience than the other on the surface. Everyone starts from scratch, so it’s to see who can adapt the best, who can learn and come up with game plans. And it isn’t a case of limited time. Competitors have one week to come to grips with the layout.”

The venue will be open from 15:00h to 20:00h daily to ensure access for competitors and spectators.

The event has the support of Banks DIH; AJM Enterprise; KP Jagdeo General Contractors; J’s Supermarket; SCI (Sawh’s Construction Inc); Precision Service Center and Ramchand’s Auto Body.

Gates open from 13:00h on Saturday, with qualifying and free runs scheduled, and from 08:00h on Sunday, when racing action gets going.

Admission is $3000 for adults, while children under 12 are free.

Qalandars, shared. Global Super League Chairman, Sir Clive Lloyd, said about the development, “We are thrilled to welcome Lahore Qalandars back to the Global Super League. They

are one of the most dynamic and successful T20 franchises in world cricket, with a passionate fan base and a proven track record of excellence. Their participation significantly enhances the quality

and profile of the tournament, and we look forward to seeing them compete at the highest level once again.”

With top-tier talent expected to feature from across cricketing nations, the ExxonMobil GSL continues to establish itself as a premier global franchise competition.

According to the GSL T20 organisation, the Lahore Qalandars squad for the tournament will be announced in due course.

Thus far, defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, Big Bash’s Perth Scorchers, ILT20’s Desert Vipers and now PSL Lahore Qalandars have been confirmed for this year’s ExxonMobil GSL.

Preparations on stream for One Guyana

T10 Blast 2026, registration to open soon

The fourth season of the One Guyana T10 Tapeball is officially in motion as organisers confirmed on Tuesday that preparations are “well underway” for what is expected to be the most exhilarating edition of the tournament to date.

Tournament Director John Ramsingh highlighted that significant “behindthe-scenes” work is currently being finalised ahead of the bowl-off in early August.

Ramsingh has assured teams that cash prizes have increased, and a key priority for the upcoming season is enhancing the spectator experience.

in early August

the spectator experience and creating an atmosphere at matches that mirrors the intensity on the pitch.

According to Ramsingh, the team is “stepping on the gas” to ensure all logistical

Fans in Essequibo will have a double treat in 2026 by hosting their zone final and the national finals

The tournament, which has rapidly evolved from a grassroots pastime into a premier fixture on the national sporting calendar, has received a significant boost with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s reaffirmation of support.

Serving as the tournament’s patron, President Ali recently met with organisers at the State House to greenlight the roadmap for the upcoming season, emphasising the competition’s vital role in national unity and talent identification.

Ramsingh has promised an elevated experience for both players and fans this year, noting that cash prizes have been increased to reflect the growing prestige of the Blast.

The organising committee is focused on enhancing

hurdles are cleared before registration officially opens to the public soon.

To accommodate the surge in interest and the growing number of participating teams, the 2026 tournament will be contested across four primary zones: Berbice, Essequibo, East Bank/West Demerara, and Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara.

This zonal structure is designed to manage the heavy volume of entries while maintaining the tournament’s footprint across all counties.

The standout performers from each region will then advance to the national finals, slated for mid-October.

The impact of the T10 Blast on the professional game remains one of its most compelling narratives.

President Ali highlighted

Quentin Sampson’s success as a prime example of the tournament’s utility. Sampson’s transition from the tapeball circuit to the West Indies regional stage serves as a blueprint for the next generation of Guyanese cricketers.

The President noted that providing “notoriety to the nation’s best” remains a core objective of the initiative. In a landmark shift for the fourth season, the grand finale will move to the Anna Regina National Stadium in Essequibo.

This decision aims to decentralise major sporting events, bringing the tournament’s climax to fans outside the capital.

In 2025, the tournament was a resounding success and received support from: Kares Engineering Inc; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; KFC Guyana; Star Rentals; Banks DIH; ENet; Guyana Lottery Company; Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; Trophy Stall; Impressions; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal; Shawn’s Mini Mart; Giftland Group of Companies; Kris Jagdeo Construction Company; Montra Restaurant & Lounge; Windsor Estates; GuyOil; ANSA McAL; SuperBet Guyana; Digital Technology; Camille’s Academy; Navin and Sons Construction; Demerara Mutual Life Insurance; Continental Transportation and Environmental & Technical Solutions.

Ambris’ century lifts Volcanoes, Guyana set 232 for victory

ter the fourth and final day of their Regional FourDay Championship contest with work left to do after a gripping third day against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Sir Vivian Richards

Resuming the morning on 257 for nine, Guyana added just seven more runs before being bowled out for 264 in 88.3 overs, conceding a slender first-innings lead of 22. Gilon Tyson was the chief destroyer, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 69, while Kenneth Dember provided strong support with

The Volcanoes’ second innings got off to a disastrous start as they slumped

Guyana end CAC Championship campaign with mixed results

Guyana’s senior men concluded their campaign in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championship in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, with mixed results in the men’s singles division as Shemar Britton advanced to the Round of 16 before exiting, while Elishaba Johnson bowed out at the Round of 32 stage. Britton produced a solid performance in his Round of 32 encounter, defeating host nation player Yoel Mendoza 4-0 in straight sets. The Guyanese national champion took control early with an 11-6 win in the opener, but was tested more strongly in the following sets. He edged the second set 11-8 before Mendoza pushed the third into deuce, where Britton held his composure to secure a 1210 result. He then closed out the match with another 11-6 victory to seal progression.

Speaking afterwards, Britton indicated that experience played a key role in what proved to be a challenging contest despite the straight-sets outcome.

His run, however, ended in the Round of 16, where he came up against Puerto Rico’s Angel Naranjo. Britton was defeated 0-4, with scores of 4-11, 10-12, 6-11 and 10-12, bringing his campaign to a close.

In contrast, Johnson was unable to advance beyond the Round of 32. He suffered a 0-4 loss to Dominican Republic player Isaac Vila, going down 6-11, 5-11, 6-11 and 7-11 to exit the competition.

The results marked the end of Guyana’s participation in the men’s singles segment of the tournament, with Britton’s Round of 16 appearance the team’s best showing in that division.

to 19 for 4 under sustained pressure from the Guyanese attack. However, Sunil Ambris and Shadrack Descarte staged a remarkable recovery, combining for a 108-run partnership to shift the momentum.

Descarte made a valuable 39 from 83 balls before he was trapped leg-before-wicket by Gudakesh Motie, who once again proved pivotal. Ambris, undeterred, carried on with authority and composure to register his 10th FirstClass century. His unbeaten 107 from 176 deliveries, decorated with 17 fours, was an innings defined by resilience and class as the Volcanoes were eventually dismissed for 209 in 65 overs.

Motie capped a superb all-round match performance by claiming 4 for 46 in the second innings, completing a 10-wicket haul in the game. He was well supported by Nial

Centurion Sunil Ambris

Smith, Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul, who each picked up two wickets to keep Guyana firmly in the contest.

Set 232 for victory, the Harpy Eagles made a cautious start but lost Kevlon Anderson early for four, dismissed by fast bowler Ryan John. Captain Tevin Imlach responded positively with 27 from 38 balls, while

Matthew Nandu laboured to seven off 42 deliveries as Guyana closed the day on 38 for one from 14 overs. With 194 runs still required and nine wickets in hand, the stage is set for a tense and decisive fourth day as the Harpy Eagles chase victory and the Volcanoes seek the breakthrough that could tilt the contest in their favour.