Guyana Times - Wednesday, February 18 2026

“Tomorrow’s future will and must be built today” –Pres Ali charges delegates

Proposals for new airports Pres Ali positions Guyana as Brazil-Caribbean logistics gateway

Charity labourer slapped with cocaine trafficking charge

3 Essequibo Coast men fined $430,000 for traffic offences

Assuria turns sod for new multimillion-dollar tower as company expands in Guyana

42 criminal cases for trial as Essequibo Assizes open

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 18 –05:00h–06:30h, and Thursday, February 19 – 05:20h–06:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Cloudy skies will clear by midday, giving way to afternoon sunshine. Clear skies are expected overnight. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 17:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.79 metres.

Low Tide: 11:04h and 23:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.49 metre and 0.44 metre.

Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026

“Tomorrow’s future will and must be built today” – Pres Ali charges delegates …as Saudi Arabia, UAE signal long-term energy partnership with Guyana

eclaring that “tomorrow’s future will and must be built today”, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday opened the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, urging boldness, partnership and strategic investment as Guyana positions itself for long-term prosperity.

This year’s conference, which is being held under the theme “Building Tomorrow’s Future Today” and runs until Friday, is expected to bring together regional and international leaders, investors and energy executives from all across the world.

“With strong footing, focus, discipline and precision, tomorrow’s future will and must be built today. And this is a journey. This is a time. This is the moment, the moment when we dare. When you imagine. When we become bold,” the President underscored.

He stressed that boldness and risk-taking are essential.

“This is the time. This is the moment. Without being bold, without taking risks and without partnership, we will live in isolation. That is why this energy conference is about partnership. We are not just building in Guyana; we are building a sustainable future,” the President underscored.

The conference’s activities began last Sunday with its annual “5K Energy Walk/Run”, aimed at promoting health and wellness while raising awareness of sustainable energy practices. The popular “Taste of Guyana” section, showcasing local food, arts, crafts and cultural displays, has also returned and has been relocated to the Marriott Hotel to integrate more seamlessly into the overall conference experience.

In his feature address, President Ali outlined what he described as a deliberate strategy to leverage Guyana’s rapidly-expanding oil and gas sector to secure long-term sustainability.

“How do we ensure that today’s prosperity is building tomorrow’s sustainability? It is not achieved by spending;

it is achieved by strategic alliances, integration, partnership, understanding what the sectors are that will lead to long-term sustainability and how you are investing in the infrastructure to create those long-term opportunities,” the President said.

He pointed to major infrastructure projects, including a deep-water port linked to Brazil and the wider region, positioning Guyana as a transport and logistics hub.

“Because of our strategic geographic location, [we will be] the transport and logistics hub for the region. That by itself creates an ecosystem that generates high-paying jobs that lead to industrialisation and manufacturing and accelerate the productive sector,” he noted.

Energy security

On energy security, he reminded that Guyana must not only be energy-rich but also capable of generating energy for export.

“Our national security must lead to regional energy security and allow us to be more structurally integrated into the rest of the region.”

He also highlighted the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, including the 300-megawatt power plant and natural gas liquids facility, and noted that expressions of interest have been issued for a gas bottling plant, which he said Guyanese will have the opportunity to own.

“That is how we build prosperity at the level of families,” he stated.

The President underscored investment in human capital, noting that Guyana has already graduated its first cohort from its local oil and gas training institute and is expanding into agriculture, construction, tourism and hospitality training.

The President challenged participants to think of energy not only in scientific terms but also as a broader force for national development.

“But if energy is a force supplied to make things move, then I want us to think beyond this energy conference. Think about a wider aspect of energy and what energy entails. Momentum, movement. And what, in this context, in the national context, is needed to create movement and momentum in this world? It is people; it is technology; it is capital; it is partnership; but, importantly, it is ideas,” he said.

Referencing a survey conducted by young participants at the conference, President Ali noted that while many felt their personal lives were improving, few believed the world was moving in the right direction, highlighting climate change, food prices and technology deficits among top global concerns.

“All of these challenges require energy. Technology requires energy. Food requires energy. Transformation requires energy,” he said.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Digital wallet & efficiency in Guyana’s financial system

The announcement that digital wallet services will soon be introduced in Guyana symbolises a defining moment in the country’s financial evolution. With two local banks approved by the Bank of Guyana to launch modern electronic payment systems, the foundation is being laid for a more efficient, transparent and competitive economic environment.

The disclosure, made by President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026, gestures a thoughtful shift toward embedding digital infrastructure at the core of national development. A national payment platform, built out at the Central Bank and ready for implementation, represents the type of systemic reform that underpins long-term economic resilience.

Digital wallets and electronic payment systems are now essential components of modern economies. They streamline transactions, reduce dependency on cash, and enhance the speed and reliability of payments across sectors. For businesses, large and small, the ability to send and receive funds instantly and securely reduces administrative burdens, improves cash flow management, and minimises operational friction.

In practical terms, the availability of digital wallets will simplify commercial transactions for retailers, service providers, contractors and suppliers. Payment settlement times can be shortened dramatically, enabling enterprises to operate with greater liquidity and predictability. Digital transfers reduce the risks associated with handling physical currency and lower transaction costs over time. These efficiencies translate into measurable improvements in productivity and competitiveness.

The impact on small and medium-sized enterprises is particularly noteworthy, as many entrepreneurs face challenges related to access, convenience and cost when engaging in traditional banking processes. Electronic payment systems offer an accessible gateway to formal financial services, enabling broader participation in the economy. With digital wallets, even micro-enterprises can integrate into supply chains more seamlessly, accept electronic payments, and maintain digital records that support business growth.

Such systems also enhance transparency and accountability, as digital transactions create clear records that facilitate auditing, compliance and financial planning. This strengthens the integrity of the financial system while promoting confidence among investors and international partners. In an era where regulatory standards and anti-money laundering frameworks are increasingly stringent, the adoption of secure digital payment platforms reinforces Guyana’s commitment to global best practices.

Guyana’s economy continues to expand rapidly, driven by growth in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and services. As commercial activity accelerates, the financial architecture must evolve to support higher transaction volumes and more complex business arrangements. A digital backbone for payments ensures that financial services keep pace with economic dynamism.

Moreover, the introduction of digital wallets aligns with global trends in financial technology. Around the world, economies that embrace digital payments experience gains in efficiency, innovation and inclusion. Electronic systems reduce geographic barriers, allowing transactions to occur seamlessly across regions. For a country with both coastal urban centres and expansive hinterland communities, digital platforms can bridge physical distances and connect citizens and businesses more effectively.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the move strengthens monetary policy transmission and financial oversight. A national payment platform managed under the regulatory framework of the Bank of Guyana enhances oversight capabilities and reduces systemic risk. It provides policymakers with improved data and monitoring tools, contributing to sound financial governance.

For consumers, digital wallets offer convenience and security. Payments for goods and services can be completed quickly, reducing wait times and eliminating the need to carry significant amounts of cash. As trust in electronic systems grows, consumer confidence in financial institutions is likely to deepen.

As the country positions itself as a regional economic leader, the establishment of a comprehensive digital payment ecosystem becomes indispensable. It supports entrepreneurship, facilitates trade, and strengthens integration into global markets. The initiative validates modern governance and an understanding that sustainable growth rests on strong institutions and modern infrastructure.

The introduction of digital wallets, backed by a national payment platform and regulatory oversight, indicates progress grounded in preparation and policy coherence.

Given the toxicity of social media, a moral question now faces all of us: is it still ethical to use it?

By Frances ryan

In a week during which Keir Starmer has been under pressure to resign, cabinet ministers took to X to show their support. “We’ve all been made to tweet,” one Labour figure told a political journalist. The irony is hard to escape: as the prime minister is embroiled in the scandal of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and now his former aide’s links to a sex offender, MPs are defending him on a platform that has in the past month allowed users to create sexualised images of women and girls.

This says something about the unprecedented way in which X has been tied to modern politics since it was still known as Twitter, as well as how widespread the culture of indifference is to the violation of female bodies, both online and off. But it also points to a growing dilemma facing not just politicians but all of us: is it possible to post ethically on social media anymore? And when is it time to log off?

It seems as though every major social-media platform has been contaminated to some degree. Since Elon Musk bought X, on top of deepfakes of sexually explicit images, the site’s algorithm has ramped up its boosting of right-wing content, with Musk himself posting about how the white race was “rapidly dying” and other extreme views on race almost every day of January.

Facebook, long accused of mass data collection and involvement in Russiabacked election interference, dumped fact-checkers weeks before Donald Trump’s second term. Instagram, also owned by Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, was found to knowingly be making teenage girls’ body images worse. And TikTok has been criticised for “exploiting” children, with under-13s exposed to selfharm content alongside dance crazes.

The Guardian’s revelation this week that Substack – the publishing forum some progressives fled to after other sites shifted rightwards – is making money from hosting Nazi newsletters sums up the no-win situation social-media users find themselves in. Substack, which has up to 50 million users worldwide, was found to be platforming writers espousing white supremacy, Holocaust denial and antisemitism, including an activist who described Adolf Hitler as “one of the greatest men of all time”. It’s all very 2026, isn’t it? Or 1936. Still, none of this would be as disturbing if the disgust wasn’t accompanied by a pull to keep posting. There are very real reasons so many of us have failed to delete the apps, and not just because our dopamine-hungry brains have been trained to reach for our phones every five seconds. Over the past 15 years, for good or ill, social media has become a key way of connecting with oth-

ers that – if we’re honest –many of us would struggle to fully break. That’s even more the case for marginalised groups, such as disabled people, who are more likely to rely on online networks for socialising and practical help. Just as it’s simpler to take the moral stand to cancel Prime if you can get to the shops with ease, it’s much easier to “get off socials” if you can walk up the stairs to your friend’s flat, feel safe in an LGBT+ bar or afford a round at the pub.

Social media can also be a literal lifeline for oppressed people, from Palestinians using Bluesky to crowdfund for food and medicine to the lawyer of a protester in Iran notifying the world of their imprisonment. That is the absurdity of social media now: the same platforms that let some users scroll mindlessly to see what colour Stacey Solomon is painting her kitchen to enable others to track and escape Israeli bombing. Often, we are in the surreal state of witnessing both through our screens at once.

There is a deep irony in the fact that the platforms we seek escapism in are increasingly the most glaring demonstrations of the very darkness we wish to avoid. On the rare occasions I check my X account, I am usually greeted within seconds by (in no particular order): racism, pro-Trump posts, anti-benefit/eugenist rhetoric, Islamophobia, AI images and/or naked women. Perhaps as damaging

as the content itself is the (quite false) feeling that this small corner of the internet is somehow representative of the country or humanity at large. There are few more successful ways for bad actors to keep resistance low than exhausting good people into thinking the battle is already lost. There will be those in politics and public bodies who genuinely believe platforms such as X and Facebook help them reach the electorate, not least in an era when many older and disenfranchised people get their news – and plenty of fake news – from social media. There is certainly some truth in that. And yet the Mandelson and Downing Street aide scandals, much like the government using X to defend them, are a reminder of how the very worst behaviour quickly becomes normalised when it is, at minimum, being tacitly condoned by those in power. If Starmer wishes to show his government’s disdain for sexual abuse or the far right, logging off X would be a good start. Public opinion of politicians – and the current Labour party – is in the gutter. It seems unlikely that it will improve by them tweeting from it.

Personally, I’d just like to post a photo of my dog without coming into contact with a Nazi. I’m not sure that’s the snowflake demand Musk and co want us to think it is. ( The Guardian)

(Frances Ryan is a Guardian columnist)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18,

4 Essequibo Coast men face court on drunk driving, other traffic offences

Four men from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam), appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court last week on sever-

al traffic offences under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Zaphnath Williams, 26, a construction worker of Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, was

charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence allegedly occurred on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Anna Regina Public

Charity labourer slapped with cocaine trafficking charge

Remanded: Munesh Samaroo

A30-year-old labourer of Charity Riverdam, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) has been remanded to prison after

being charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Munesh Samaroo was arrested last Monday in front of Xenon Night Club in Charity, Essequibo Coast by Police ranks who were on mobile patrol in the area. At about 21:45h the ranks observed Samaroo standing and acting in a suspicious manner and a search was conducted on his person, during which a transparent plastic

bag containing cocaine was reportedly found. The substance amounted to nine grams. He was subsequently charged under Section 5 (1) (a) (i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, Chapter 10:10. Samaroo appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s

Court on last Thursday and he initially pleaded guilty with explanation. Based on the explanation provided, the Magistrate entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Bail was objected to by the prosecutor, and Samaroo was remanded to prison. The case was adjourned to March 16.

Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was instituted under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 17 of 2022. Williams appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail. The case was adjourned to March 11. In a separate matter, Ganesh Dupan of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, also appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on last Wednesday. Dupan was

charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit, contrary to Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended. The offence occurred on February 6 and Dupan pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000 or, in default, three months’ imprisonment. Meanwhile, Kamraj Gildharie, 44, a security guard of Richmond Coconut Dam, Essequibo Coast, faced multiple charges stemming from an incident on November 15, 2025, at Reliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Gildharie was charged with being an unlicensed driver, refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an uncertified motor vehicle, and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle. The charges were laid under Sections 23(1), 39B (5), 3(1), 15, and 22(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. When the matters were called, Gildharie pleaded guilty to the offences of unlicensed driver, uninsured motor vehicle and unlicensed motor vehicle. He was fined $30,000 for the unlicensed driver offence, with

three months’ imprisonment in default; $40,000 for the uninsured motor vehicle offence, with three months’ imprisonment in default; and $10,000 for the unlicensed motor vehicle offence, with one month’s imprisonment in default. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of refusing to provide a breath specimen and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. He was also granted bail in the sum of $10,000 for the charge of operating an uncertified motor vehicle. The matters were adjourned to March 17.

In another case, Govinash Persaud, 39, a secretary of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on October 5, 2025, at Anna Regina Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was laid under Section 39A(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by Act 17 of 2022. Persaud initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty when the matter was heard before Magistrate Mohabir. He was fined $200,000 or, in default, three months’ imprisonment.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026

00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Nature Programme

09:00 Stop Suffering

10:00 Movie - The Tiger Rising (2022)

12:00 News Break

12:05 Movie - Peter Pan (2003)

14:00 Movie - Newsies (1992)

16:00 Indian Soaps

17:00 The Young & The Restless

18:00 Nature Programme

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Stop Suffering

20:30 TVG Music Break

21:00 Superman and Lois S4 E8

22:00 Good Trouble S5 E16

23:00 The Office S9 E18

23:30 The Office S9 E19

Dividing with remainders

Division with remainders is a division calculation without an exact answer – the answer will have a particular amount left over.

• The first number (the amount being divided) is called the dividend

• The second number (whatever the dividend is being divided by) is called the divisor

The answer is called the quotient.

Example

7 ÷ 2

If you divide 7 by 2, you can make 3 groups of 2, which equals 6. However, there is 1 left over.

Materials

•Led flameless candle tea lights

•A4 felt sheets – red, yellow, green, and white

•Coloured tissue paper

•Bright coloured paper

•White card

•White acrylic paint

•Mini craft punch – flower, circle, heart, etc

•Paintbrushes

•Pencil

•Scissors

•PVA glue

•Craft knife

•A large, wide cardboard tube (like a Pringles container)

Instructions

1. First measure and carefully cut the large cardboard tube into three sections measuring 7cm, 8cm and 9cm tall – an adult may need to use a craft knife for this. Paint the sections white and leave to touch dry before applying a second coat.

2. Next make the grass – cut some 3cm-wide strips of green tissue paper and fold them together in a 5cm-wide bundle. Make different sized triangular cuts along one side of the bundle, and then open out the strips and stick them around the bottom of each white painted tube section.

3. Decorate the grass and sides of the tube with flowers. You could either use small flower

When solving problems with division, you have to decide what to do with the remainder.

This remainder can be expressed as a standard remainder, written as ‘r’ and then the remainder:

7 ÷ 2 = 3 r1

The “r1” shows there is one left over.

You can also express the remainder as a fraction, where the remainder becomes the numerator and the divisor becomes the denominator.

7 ÷ 2 = 3 ½ Practice 1. 17 ÷ 5 2. 23 ÷ 4 3. 29 ÷ 6 4. 35 ÷ 8 5. 41 ÷ 7

embellishments or use heart and circle mini punches to make them out of red, yellow and orange paper.

4. Now draw some arched windows on the side of each section, and carefully cut them open – again, an adult will need to do this bit. Punch and stick some mini hearts to the doors, or use heart embellishments.

5. To make the roofs, first stick the red, yellow, and green pieces of felt to pieces of white card and leave to dry. Then draw around a circular object such as a saucer on each and cut out. Draw and cut a slit from the outside to the centre of each, and then assemble in a wide cone shape. Glue in place, and then decorate with some round white felt spots.

By PETER DAVISON

In the stillness after dawn we two paddled a noiseless boat before wakefall across a bay smooth as a mirror, changeless as its glass. Not a whisper of passage. Hardly a single stir anywhere below horizon except for the rippling wrinkles pushed by our prow and the faraway swoop and flurry of a squadron of terns. The tide at its landward edge ignited a smudge of commotion, skittering sandpipers along the farther shore.

In all the days of our marriage we had never seen so unruffled a morning; never had any event shimmered with so costly a light as we ascended the meandering creek in our sweet boat, surprising no one except a bright-eyed otter. Pushed by mere hints from our paddles, we rode up the thickening tide among heavy wands of ripe marsh-grass that wagged seed-bundles high above our heads. Neither one speaking, we rose to go ashore and lugged away our featherweight kayak to winter quarters, knowing as we stowed it that this would be the last time, that we would never set out to sea together again.

(Source: Poetry [October/November 1987])

Include the words “Do you remember…” in your story.

Pres Ali urges Suriname to join Berbice Gas Project

…envisions regional energy hub by 2030

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday called on neighbouring Suriname to partner with Guyana in combining gas resources in the proposed Berbice Gas Project in order to create a larger, integrated development, reminding them that Berbice is poised to become a regional gas hub. The Head of State made this call as he delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (GECSCE) 2026, which is being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. As the Head of State emphasised that Guyana is looking to partner with “like-minded part-

ners”, the President directly appealed to Suriname to join Guyana in scaling up the second Gas-to-Energy (GtE) initiative planned for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). “If you look at what we are doing, you will see that we are on that path of integration. And on the path of integration for Berbice Gas Project, we want to do this with our friends in Suriname, and we are hoping that our friends in Suriname can take the decision to join us by bringing their gas with our gas so we can move from a medium-sized project to a larger-scale project for both of our countries and for the region,” the President noted. He further noted that the discus-

sions with Suriname are already underway and likened the possible partnership with Suriname to the partnership that the country is currently building out with its other continental neighbour, Brazil. Guyana has ongoing collaborations with Brazil in transport, logistics and food security as part of a regional integration Guyana is pursuing. “We are hoping that very quickly we can have some decisions because our investors are waiting for those decisions, and those decisions are critical for your future and our future. We want this partnership. We want that, just like we are partnering with

“Tomorrow’s future will and...

Tangible benefits

Also making remarks at Tuesday’s opening were Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers and Climate Envoy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sultan Al Jaber.

In his virtual address, Al Jaber said Guyana’s rise as a major energy producer was already delivering tangible benefits.

“Guyana’s emergence as a major energy producer is already delivering the kind of results that matter. Jobs created, capital mobilised, national capabilities built for the long term. Guyana is proof of what progress looks like when energy becomes a platform for development,” he noted.

He emphasised that as energy demand continues to rise, the world needs solutions grounded in reality.

“The world needs energy that is affordable, energy that is secure and energy that delivers lower emissions. In other words, we need practical solutions that are grounded in reality,” he said.

He noted that the UAE, through its inter-

national platforms, works “with countries, not just in them”, focusing on economic growth, jobs and lasting prosperity.

Addressing the gathering in person, Al-Jubeir praised Guyana’s leadership and development path.

“You have embarked on a path to take advantage of your natural resources that God has blessed you with in order to improve the standard of living of your people, and you’ve done it in a very rational, systematic and forward-looking way. A way that connects you with the rest of the world and makes you a responsible member of the international community,” he noted.

He recounted Saudi Arabia’s own transformation since oil was discovered in the 1930s.

“At the end of the day, we all inhabit a very small, beautiful planet, and it is our responsibility to make the planet work. We believe the world is win-win for everybody if we work together and lose-lose if we do not,” he noted.

Drawing comparisons with Saudi Arabia’s own transformation following oil discovery in the 1930s, AlJubeir explained that development must prioritise infrastructure, education and

diversification, lessons he believes align closely with Guyana’s current path.

He made it clear that Saudi Arabia sees Guyana as a long-term partner.

“We come here as friends, and we come here as partners, and we look forward to further developing, broadening and deepening our relationship with you in all areas,” he added.

As the conference continues through Friday, organisers say it remains one of the premier platforms in Guyana for executive networking and B2B marketing, reinforcing the country’s ambition to harness energy as a driver of national and regional transformation.

First hosted in 2022, over the years the Guyana Energy Conference has attracted more than 10,000 participants, 200-plus exhibitors and over 75 speakers from more than 40 countries.

The Energy Conference was first launched to connect local businesses with international partners and introduce Guyana’s burgeoning energy sector to a global audience amid the country’s rapidly-growing oil and gas industry.

our friends in Roraima and Brazil on transport and logistics and the food partnership, we want that partnership,” the President noted.

It was in November last year that President Ali first announced that Guyana would be looking to build a second GtE pipeline, to be routed through Berbice, by 2030. The President had described the undertaking as a national project that would “break ev-

ery single record in the world” in its speed of delivery. The Berbice Gas Project would be Guyana’s second major natural gas infrastructure development that would bring offshore natural gas onshore for industrial and energy uses.

The Wales GtE Project is currently underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The GtE Projects are part of Guyana’s strategy to mone-

tise natural gas from offshore oil and gas fields, diversify the economy beyond crude oil, reduce electricity costs and promote industrialisation. Unlike the existing Wales GtE, the Berbice initiative is being envisioned as a much broader industrial platform. It is intended to support power generation, petrochemicals, heavy manufacturing, data centres and other large-scale economic activity.

Getting with… …the AI program

Over in India, their “AI Impact Summit”, themed “Sarvajana Hitaya”, (meaning “happiness for all”) reflecting a shared commitment to harnessing artificial intelligence for human-centric progress, was kicked off on Monday by their PM Modi and will conclude this coming Friday. Attending are over 100 Government representatives – including more than 20 Heads of State and Government (including Brazil’s Lula and France’s Macron); 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers (including VP Jagdeo) – along with more than 500 global AI leaders comprising CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, and representatives of philanthropic organisations!! It’s the first and largest AI Summit that brings all the stakeholders from within and without on one stage!!

Now whether we like it or not, AI’s here, and we better get with the programme – no pun intended!! We’ve been hearing all sorts of hysterical warnings about how AI’s gonna destroy our lives by pretty much turning us into zombies whose brains have been turned into mush so that it’ll run every aspect of our lives!! Now, your Eyewitness is old enough to remember this was the fear when calculators with logarithmic features were introduced – and we did away with all those books with which we were tortured by having us cram logarithm tables!! This warning was repeated when computers became comm, and again when the Internet kicked off!!

Let’s face it, folks. All AI can do is to analyse literally millions and billions of documents – to which it has access – in seconds to answer our queries on anything under the sun, and then some!! That’s why they’re called “Large Learning Models” (LLMs), and they’re just an extension of what happens when we google a topic –and we analyse what’s thrown up. Just that this time the computer’s AI program, like ChatGPT, etc, will analyse it for us. It can then study patterns in large volumes of data, recognise trends and anticipate what may come next. Now, as in any kind of analysis, there are rules to be followed, and these – dubbed “algorithms” – have been programmed into the app.

All we gotta remember is that we must still use our minds to check whatever answers the AI app gives us –as they warn us constantly that they may err!! As such, we’ll now be able to improve our assessments at all levels of society – from what taste we can expect from that new exotic item on the restaurant’s menu to predicting the weather!! Governments will be able to analyse challenges in supply chains and make adjustments so we’re not blindsided!!

We should just act like we have persons with PhDs in whatever subject at our beck and call to answer our questions. Ain’t it great??

…passings

Yesterday morning two passings crossed your Eyewitness’ feed – that of the actor Robert Duvall and the American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. The first exemplified the reach of American soft power when the Godfather movies transfixed the globe – with him playing the Corleone Mafia family’s consigliere. Your Eyewitness remembers this line, “A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns”!!

Then there was the passing of Jesse Jackson, who was a protégé of Martin Luther King and given a leadership position since he was twenty-five. He never achieved elected office but was the person who popularised that label for “Black Americans” to run for the Democratic candidacy for the presidency. This he did in 1984 and most credibly in 1988!!

Your Eyewitness will never forget his heart-wrenching address when he spoke for all African Americans by riffing off the phrase “I am somebody!!”

“I may be poor, but I am somebody; I may be Black, but I am somebody….”

…insults

Magistrate Judy showed she’s a no-nonsense member of the Bench when she issued an arrest warrant for Sanction Man – after he repeatedly disrespected the courts by showing up late for his extradition hearings!!

Like ‘e think dis a wan joke??

42 criminal cases for trial as Essequibo Assizes open

Forty-two criminal matters, including charges of murder, manslaughter and rape, are set to be heard during the February sessions of the Essequibo Criminal Assizes at the High Court in Suddie, Region Two

tings. Ranks drawn from Regional Police Division No. 2 formed the parade, with music provided by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Corps of Drums. Regional Police Divisional Commander No 2, Senior Superintendent

(Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The indictments before the court also include attempted murder, discharging a loaded firearm and inflicting grievous bodily harm, among other serious offences. The matters are expected to be tried before juries over the course of the session. The assizes were formally opened on Tuesday at the Suddie Police Academy Tarmac in a traditional ceremonial exercise coordinated by the Supreme Court of Judicature. Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln inspected the parade and will preside over the criminal sit-

Khemraj Shivbaran, represented Commissioner of Police Clifton Anthony Hicken. The parade was commanded by Assistant Superintendent R. Ramnarine, while Inspector K. Ganesh served as parade inspector. Regional Chairman Devin Mohan and staff of the Essequibo Sub-Registry of Suddie were also present at the opening ceremony. The ceremonial proceedings marked the commencement of the February criminal assizes in the Essequibo jurisdiction.

Proposals for new airports Pres Ali positions Guyana as Brazil-Caribbean logistics gateway

Hours after the Government of Guyana issued Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the development of new international airports in Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and at Rose Hall in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), President Dr Irfaan Ali has described the projects as key components of a broader strategy to strengthen Guyana’s transport and logistics in-

tegration with Brazil and the wider region. Speaking at the Energy Conference in Georgetown, the Head of State said the proposed airports are part of a deliberate infrastructure push aimed at positioning Guyana as a regional gateway linking South America and the Caribbean.

“That is why we have an expression of interest for a new international airport in Lethem and one at Rose Hall in Region Six,” President

Ali told delegates, signalling the Government’s intention to advance the projects as part of its long-term development plan. The President linked the airport initiatives directly to deeper economic integration with Brazil, noting that Guyana is preparing for expanded cross-border connectivity. “We are gearing up for the interconnectivity with Brazil and the interconnectivity with the rest of the region,” he said, point-

ing to advancing road corridors to Lethem and into northern Brazil, as well as other major infrastructure developments designed to support trade and investment flows.

President Ali framed the airport projects within a wider national strategy to transform Guyana into a transport and logistics hub, leveraging its geographic location between the Caribbean and the South American mainland.

“Ensuring that we position Guyana to be, because of our strategic geographic location, a transport and logistics hub for the region,” he said, emphasising that infrastructure expansion must move in tandem with the country’s rapidly growing energy sector. He underscored that infrastructure remains the foundation of sustained economic progress. “Every great nation, every great development around the world begins with infrastructure,” the President declared. The proposed airports complement other large-scale initiatives, including plans for

a deep-water port, expanded gas infrastructure, and strengthened highway linkages to Brazil, all of which form part of a coordinated effort to integrate Guyana more deeply into regional supply chains. With oil production rising and economic growth continuing at record levels, President Ali indicated that the next phase of development will focus on building the physical platforms necessary to support trade, tourism, manufacturing and industrial expansion, with Lethem and Rose Hall emerging as strategic nodes in that vision. In the EOIs published, the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry is requesting proposals for the design, construction and financing of the two new municipal airports. Under the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures outlined in the Procurement Act 2003, qualified firms are invited to submit proposals for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) of a Code 3C Municipal Airport at Rose Hall, Canje, Berbice, Region Six. The Ministry is seeking proposals for a Code 4E Municipal Airport in Lethem, Region Nine.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Assuria turns sod for new multimilliondollar tower as company expands in Guyana

Assuria is marking another major milestone in Guyana with the sod turning for its new Assuria Tower II building at Lot 78 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, the site of its former head office, a project valued at just under $1 billion, further strengthening its commitment to the local insurance market.

The company will celebrate 14 years of operations in Guyana on April 1.

The new tower is expected to expand the company’s network of locations and enhance accessibility and regional presence by supporting the delivery of innovative and tailored insurance solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. Construction is expected to begin within two weeks and be completed within 12 to 14 months.

Chief Executive Board Member Officer Mario Merhai described the project as a significant investment aimed at contributing to Georgetown’s inner-city appeal while expanding commercial office space and related services.

He said the company is hopeful the project will be completed on time, within budget, and without incident, and expressed anticipation for welcoming stakeholders at the building’s opening.

Reflecting on the company’s 14-year journey in Guyana, Merhai said the organisation has grown into a leading company and brand in the local insurance market, guided by a strong commitment from its inception to contribute to the financial and insurance sectors through innovative services and products tailored to lo-

cal needs. He noted that the company anticipated Guyana’s positive economic and social development and positioned itself to support that growth.

Merhai also highlighted that Guyana’s progress since 2019 has been remarkable, with strong economic and social gains. He said the company is pleased and honoured to have played a role in and benefited from the country’s ongoing development.

He further reaffirmed confidence in Guyana’s future and reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to the local market and economy, noting that the decision to construct a second landmark building follows an earlier major investment in office infrastructure.

The ceremony was officiated by the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind

Ganga, who turned the sod along with Group CEO Mario Merhai and Group Chief Commercial Officer Kistie Parbhudayal to formally signal the start of construction.

Following the sod turning, the governor, Assuria's group CEO and group commercial officer engaged with members of the media, highlighting Assuria's sustained investment in infrastructure, people, and long-term national development.

Assuria is operating in Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Curaçao.

In Guyana, Assuria operates 10 branch offices countrywide. In addition to supporting Assuria's expanding operations, the new development will also provide modern rental spaces, contributing to Georgetown's growing demand for high-quality commercial accommodation.

Former cop dies in Corentyne crash

A34-year-old former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer died on Sunday after sustaining severe injuries in an accident early Sunday morning along the Corentyne Public Road, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Dead is Seon Carolton Hunte of Albert Street, Number 79 Village, Corentyne. Reports are that the accident occurred at about 05:00h. He reported-

ly lost control of his car and crashed.

Details surrounding the accident remain unclear, but according to his reputed wife, Tishana Harrilall, she received a telephone call in the early hours of Sunday morning informing her that Hunte had been taken to hospital following a crash.

“…around after five; that is, Sunday morning, I receive a call that somebody at the hospital. The person told me that they found this phone on the road… and that the owner of the phone ended up in an accident,” Harrilall recalled.

She said she immediately made her way to the Number 75 Regional Hospital, where she encountered friends gathered outside.

“When I go, I see the light on and you just see breathing hard… that was it,” she said, explaining that medical personnel were actively working to save his life.

Harrilall said that she remained at the hospital throughout the day as Hunte’s condition wors-

ened. According to her, doctors eventually informed her that he would be placed on life support.

“They tell me that they gone carry he on the life machine because they can’t do anything else,” she related.

She said she was advised to return home and

come back the following morning. However, shortly after leaving, she received another call informing her that he had died.

“By the time I go out the hospital, he is already dead… that was after seven in the night,” she said.

She said that she was informed that Hunte had sus-

tained extensive injuries, including a fractured skull, fractured trachea, spinal injuries and a fractured foot. He also suffered internal bleeding and a heart attack.

Harrilall, a father of two, described Hunte as a caring individual and devoted father.

“He was a very nice person… he is a caring person. He was never a bad person… to none of my family,” she said.

Hunte worked as a CID rank in Region Six and was known within the law enforcement community. The exact circumstances of the crash remain uncertain.

Harrilall said she was told that her reputed husband was heading towards Corriverton when the crash occurred. The car he was driving sustained extensive damage.

Investigations into the fatal accident are ongoing.

2 dead, 3 injured in Essequibo River boat accident

Police in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are currently investigating an accident that occurred in the Essequibo River on Sunday night at about 21:30h leaving two people dead and three others injured. Dead is George (only name given) along with another person.

The incident reportedly took place at Tuh Tuh Island Point Area and involved a wooden boat bearing the bow markings

“Orvin & Sons”. According to Commander of Region Seven, Deon Moore there were several passengers on board at the time of the accident. Two persons were initially reported missing and their bodies were found on Tuesday morning. Three other passengers sustained injuries and were taken for medical attention, he stated.

Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Using “political persecution” to hide from accountability

Recently in the debate for Budget 2026, Minister Ashni Singh read from an article in a globally-renowned newspaper

a story of Pablo Escobar, and he asked citizens to reflect if the story appears to be playing out almost exactly in Guyana today. There are several examples of criminals in Latin America and the Caribbean that, despite their status as dangerous criminals, smugglers, drug lords and murderers, are often celebrated in their countries and even outside of their countries.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Figures like “El Chapo”, Pablo Escobar, Griselda Blanco, and Christopher “Dudus” Coke have become modern-day folk heroes in Latin America and the Caribbean, blurring the lines between criminality and heroism. They use a small part of their ill-gotten, blood-soaked money to support a few “charitable” activities and then hide their criminality under the umbrella of “political persecution”.

The stories that Minister Ashni Singh urged Guyanese to reflect on come to mind because at this very moment, the allegations of “political persecution” are ringing out loudly and incessantly in Guyana. Many persons are asking if cases such as Pablo Escobar’s might be surfacing in Guyana. One day, hopefully soon, the courts in Guyana and in Miami will tell us if Guyana also has a story that can be archived with “El Chapo”, Pablo Escobar and “Dudus”.

On Monday, Magistrate Judy Latchman in a Georgetown court had to issue an arrest warrant for Azruddin Mohamed, the Leader of the Opposition. It is ironic that the man who proclaims each day very loudly that his platform is fighting against corruption is himself in trouble with the law. His only defence, thus far, has been that he is a victim of political persecution. In his latest confrontation with the law, Azruddin Mohamed continued showing up for his court case late. At 09:00h on Monday with the Magistrate, the prosecution team, and the defence team in court, Azruddin Mohamed was not present. He showed up, at least, more than 30 minutes late, and the Magistrate issued an arrest warrant after reminding the defence that Azruddin Mohamed has made it a habit of showing up late. The warrant was reversed a few hours later.

This is only the latest example of Azruddin Mohamed disrespecting authorities. He continues to behave as if he is above the law. Showing up to court on time is part of the condition for putting a defendant on bail. If this were any other citizen on bail, the arrest warrant would have been immediate, and there would be no reversal. The naysayers who have been standing with Azruddin Mohamed are holding their noses because they know that Azruddin Mohamed’s total disregard for law enforcement is a stench so foul that it suffocates the nation.

Yet Azruddin Mohamed and the anti-Government, anti-PPP naysayers keep incessantly howling that this is the latest example of political persecution. They keep bawling out that his arrest was another example of President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo interfering with law enforcement and the judiciary. Who was responsible for Azruddin Mohamed being late? He is an adult; he is the Leader of the Opposition; reporting to court on time is wholly his responsibility. The first excuse that surfaced was that he was not well. Then later that his car had a flat, and then, even later, that somehow the PPP had people slashing his tyre. This is a man with dozens of vehicles who had previously, on multiple occasions, arrived at Parliament in a Lamborghini, but for court he had no vehicle to bring him to face the Magistrate.

President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo had nothing to do with Azruddin Mohamed being late and raising the ire of Magistrate Judy Latchman. But Azruddin Mohamed played the victim, and the naysayers embraced him as a victim of the Government’s persecution. None of the naysayers will allow himself or herself to reflect and see the absurdity of the claim.

The evidence that the Americans have accumulated for more than a decade now and that they used to sanction, indict and request extradition of Azruddin Mohamed and his father is also presented by the Mohameds as further proof that the Mohameds’ legal troubles with serious criminal charges are the direct result of them being targeted by President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo. Reasonable people can readily decipher the truth. Azruddin Mohamed and his father were engaged in activities that the US Government views as criminal and that the US Government has been monitoring for more than 10 years now. But it is convenient for Azruddin Mohamed to cuddle himself with the blanket of political persecution, rather than defending himself in court.

When the Police raided his business place and accumulated evidence that the Mohameds continued to operate an unlicensed cambio, how could this be political persecution? It was not President Irfaan Ali or VP Bharrat Jagdeo who was running an illegal cambio; it was the Mohameds, as alleged by the Police. Azruddin Mohamed’s defence was that the Police raid on his business and the allegations that he was operating an illegal cambio represent another example of political persecution. He cited evidence that there were people on America Street in Georgetown doing illegal money exchange. As the man who professes himself and who reminds all and sundry that he is the Leader of the Opposition in Guyana, Azruddin Mohamed’s defence is that it should be acceptable for him or anyone else to operate an illegal cambio because there are ordinary citizens in the streets of Georgetown doing money exchange.

For people like “El Chapo”, “Dudus” and Pablo Escobar, they are still seen in their countries as heroes. There are songs that glorify them. In part it has to do with them taking a small part of their criminal-based wealth in building homes and playgrounds and providing charities. Their glorification hid their heinous crimes. Could we have such a story playing out in Guyana?

2020 election fraud case Voir dire held as court reviews admissibility of certain evidence

Akey evidentiary hearing took place on Tuesday in the high-profile case arising from the 2020 General and Regional Elections, with proceedings focusing on whether certain material can be admitted at trial.

The session centred on Enrique Livan, a former information technology officer attached to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Livan is alleged to have been involved in the handling of a flash drive on March 5, 2020, at Ashmin’s Building in Georgetown, an incident prosecutors contend was linked to efforts to interfere with the tabulation process for Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica).

The court conducted a voir dire, a legal process used to determine the admissibility of disputed evidence, and such testimony presented during this stage cannot be publicly reported.

Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty presided over the proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

During the hearing, the prosecution called several members of the Guyana Police Force, including Assistant Superintendent Komal Pitamber, Police Corporal Trevor Moore, and Detective Inspector James. Livan also took the witness stand as part

of the evidentiary review. The substantive trial, which resumed earlier this week after a lengthy adjournment, is being managed under structured case-management guidelines aimed at organising the presentation of evidence.

Livan is one of nine individuals facing charges in connection with the 2020 elections. Among the other accused are former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Minister Volda Lawrence.

TO PAGE 18

UG engineering programmes launched on Essequibo Coast

The University of Guyana (UG) is now offering its civil and mechanical engineering programmes on the Essequibo Coast, operating out of the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

According to the Education Ministry, a landmark orientation was hosted for 20 inaugural students, who completed their first semester at the Turkeyen Campus and will now continue their studies closer to home. The programme is expected to officially commence on February 24.

Tuesday’s orientation was conducted by a team

the Education Ministry’s Advisor on Education Reform.

The expansion is part of an initiative by President Irfaan Ali to decentralise key social services and increase access to higher education across the country.

led by Dr Kofi Dalrymple, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at UG and

In September 2025, the initiative was first outlined as a response to an overflow of applicants following the government’s decision to make tuition at UG free. During a visit to ETI on September 27, 2025, Education Minister Sonia Parag said at least 40 students from Region Two who were unable to secure placement at UG would be accommodated at the institute

under a new arrangement.

Parag had explained that the surge in applications exceeded the univer-

sity’s capacity, leaving a number of students without spaces. Meanwhile, Dr Dalrymple had highlight-

ed longstanding challenges faced by students in Region Two who must travel to attend classes at Turkeyen. He said many students are required to travel by boat and road, often over long distances, which has contributed to some discontinuing their programmes.

He had stated that the President’s initiative aims to reduce those barriers by bringing programmes closer to students’ communities while maintaining academic standards. He emphasised that engineering programmes must continue to meet accreditation requirements and that facilities and staffing at ETI must align with those standards.

Pensioner dies after being pinned by truck at Anna Catherina

Apensioner in his sixties was killed on Tuesday afternoon after he was struck down and pinned by a heavy-duty truck along the Anna Catherina Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD). Dead is Roy Chanka, who was riding his electric motorcycle at the time of the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Eyewitnesses said the collision occurred around midday. According to persons who gathered at the scene, the man appeared to have died instantly after becoming trapped beneath the truck. Family members rushed to the location after receiving news of the tragedy. The driver

of the truck has since been taken into Police custody and is assisting with investigations. Up to press time, Police had not disclosed details about how the accident occurred. The fatal accident comes amid continued concerns by the Government and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) over speeding heavy-duty trucks and the increasing use of electric bikes on public roadways. Traffic officials have repeatedly warned that trucks travelling at excessive speeds pose significant danger, particularly along

busy corridors on the WCD and East Coast Demerara (ECD). At the same time, traffic officials have raised alarm about the growing number of electric bicycles on the roads, noting that many riders operate them without proper safety gear, training, or full awareness of traffic laws.

The Guyana National Road Safety Council has previously indicated that a combination of speeding, driver inattention and vulnerable road users contributes significantly to road fatalities.

3 Essequibo Coast men fined $430,000

Three men of the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have been fined after appearing before the Charity and Anna Magistrates’ Courts on traffic-related offences. Trevon Jupiter, 27, a miner of Dunkel, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence occurred on February 6 at Charity Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was laid under Section 39 (B) (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. The matter was heard on Monday, at the Charity Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. Jupiter plead-

for traffic offences

ed guilty and was fined $30,000, or three-months’ imprisonment in default. Daywan Ramrattie, 39, a driver of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on February 6 at Cotton Field Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was laid under Section 39 (A) (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 17 of 2022. His case was heard on Tuesday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. He pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000, or six-months’ imprisonment

in default. Meanwhile, Ian Fordyce, 29, a taxi driver of Benn Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, was also charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at La-Bella Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was laid under Section 39 (A) (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 17 of 2022. Fordyce appeared on Tuesday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. He pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000, or six-months’ imprisonment in default.

Timehri man caught with ganja hidden in slippers at Lusignan Prison

An attempt to smuggle contraband into the Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) Lusignan Prison was foiled on Saturday morning after prison officers intercepted a visitor carrying cannabis hidden in his footwear. Timothy McGarrell of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was arrested after officers conducting routine searches at the Lusignan facility, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) discovered a quantity of cannabis concealed under the soles of his slippers. According to prison officials, the discovery was made during a checkpoint search upon his arrival at the prison. The narcotics were confiscated, and McGarrell was taken into custody before being handed over to the police. He is expected to be charged for trafficking prohibited items into a correctional facility. Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, commended the ranks on duty for their vigilance, noting that ongoing efforts to strengthen internal security are yielding results. He also issued a stern warning to members of the public against attempting to traffic contraband into prison facilities, emphasising that such actions will be detected and prosecuted. The latest incident comes just days after a similar smuggling attempt was thwarted at the New Amsterdam Prison.

An 18-year-old woman from Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, was arrested after she was found with three parcels of cannabis concealed inside two men’s Gillette deodorant containers wrapped in a black plastic bag in her handbag. The drugs were uncovered during a routine search by prison officers. The matter was addressed during the first 2026 episode of Prisons in Focus, the monthly televised programme of the GPS, where senior officials cautioned the public against facilitating illegal activity within prison walls. Assistant Director of Prisons, Olivia Cox, said the Service has noted significant

public commentary following the recent arrests, particularly from individuals claiming ignorance about the contents of items they were asked to deliver.

“Just like your relatives will tell you when you’re going to the airport — do not hold anything, do not take anything from anyone,” Cox stated during the programme.

She explained that in several cases, individuals claim they were simply assisting friends or relatives by delivering packages, only to discover too late that the items contained prohibited substances. “In their mind, they’re assisting and

so they come, bring it, just go with your ID card, drop it and tell them the prisoner’s name, and so when the items are searched, they’re caught,” she said. Cox warned that persons who knowingly attempt to smuggle contraband risk facing imprisonment themselves. “You’re only going to put yourself behind bars with those persons. You’re no good being behind bars

with them,” she cautioned. Assistant Superintendent of Prisons and Head of Prison Training, Abeid Dikuna, reinforced the warning, urging members of the public not to enable negative behaviours among inmates. “Do not, under any circumstances, empower those negative changes,” Dikuna said, adding that the Service maintains multiple layers of security screening at its facilities.

“We have multiple layers of security that persons who are visiting the prison must pass through. And anything illegal will be found,” he stressed. Prison officials have reiterated their appeal to members of the public to refrain from accepting packages from third parties and to verify the contents of any items before attempting to deliver them to correctional institutions.

Voir dire held as court reviews...

They have been charged with conspiring to falsify Region Four vote tabulations in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition, allegedly depriving the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of its electoral victory. The case remains ongoing before the Magistrates’ Court.

The March 2, 2020, Guyana General and Regional Elections were marred by one of the most protracted and disputed electoral processes in the country’s history.

Region Four, Guyana’s most populous voting district, failed to produce a publicly accepted results declaration for days after Election Day due to irregularities in the verification and tabulation process. Senior GECOM officials, including then-CEO Keith Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, and

Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, came under intense scrutiny for using an unofficial spreadsheet rather than official Statements of Poll (SOPs) to tally votes in that region. The situation escalated when observers reported discrepancies between the spreadsheet numbers and the official SOPs, and when an IT officer, later identified as Enrique Livan, was seen removing a laptop and flash drive from the Commission’s command centre amid the chaos.

GECOM publicly denied any wrongdoing at the time, asserting that allegations against Livan were false and that his conduct was professional. The controversy triggered multiple legal challenges and widespread domestic and international criticism,

leading to a five-month delay in the official declaration of results. The PPP eventually secured victory, and party leader Irfaan Ali was sworn in as president on August 2, 2020.

In response to the disputed election and ensuing public outcry, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was established. In April 2023, it concluded that senior GECOM officials had engaged in efforts to “derail and corrupt” the statutorily prescribed procedures for counting and declaring results, effectively attempting to steal the election.

The ongoing criminal trial now seeks to determine whether those actions constitute a conspiracy to defraud electors by manipulating the results, particularly in Region Four.

OIL NEWS

Oil prices slide 2% to two-week low on talk of progress in US-Iran talks

Oil prices fell about 2 per cent to a two-week low on Tuesday on hopes tensions between the United States and Iran were easing after Iran’s foreign minister said the countries had reached an understanding on the main “guiding principles” of their nuclear talks.

Brent futures fell us$1.23, or 1.8 per cent, to settle at us$67.42 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 56 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to settle at us$62.33.

Those were the lowest closes for Brent since February 3 and for WTI since February 2.

Iran and the United States reached an understanding on the main “guiding principles” in a second round of indirect talks in Geneva over their nuclear dispute on Tuesday, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.

The talks took place amid a US military buildup in the Middle East. Iran’s supreme leader said on Tuesday that any US attempt to depose his government would fail.

Separately, Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz for a few hours on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported, without making clear whether the waterway, one of the world’s most vital oil export routes, had fully reopened.

Oil prices are likely to stay volatile, with sharp twoway swings driven by diplomatic signals rather than pure demand-supply fundamentals, said Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS WealthStreet, a New Delhi-based research firm.

Investors are closely watching US-Iran relations, as any escalation or conflict could lead to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. About a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the area between Oman and Iran, making any disruptions in the area a major risk to global oil supplies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

St Lucian man accused of killing brother captured after year-long search

Nearly a year after a brutal killing in Dennery, a man accused of murdering his brother has been arrested and charged.

Eric Ford of Montego Bay, Oleon, had been wanted in connection with the February 23, 2025, death of Augustus Ford. Police say he was spotted in the Oleon, Dennery area on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Officers attached to the Dennery and Richfond Police Stations responded to the information around 15:30h Eric Ford was later identified by police at

T&T: Teen killed, 2 shot during J’Ouvert revelry

Officers of the Region I Homicide Bureau and the Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were kept busy on Carnival Monday as a 19-year-old was killed and two people were shot in two separate incidents in Woodbrook and Ariapita Avenue, St James.

Police said the incident occurred during J’Ouvert celebrations.

In an official statement yesterday morning, Carnival Gold Commander and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin confirmed that a teen was stabbed to death at the corner of De Verteuil Street and Ariapita Avenue during J’Ouvert celebrations.

Police sources later confirmed that the teen was identified as 19-year-old

Jayden Rouff of Laventille. Sources said the teen was attacked during the crowded celebrations and sustained life-threatening injuries.

Investigators said Rouff was taken to the Port-ofSpain General Hospital, where he was declared dead shortly after arrival.

Police also confirmed that two men were wounded during a shooting at the cor-

ner of Mucurapo Road and Damien Street, St James. They were identified as a 20-year-old and a 24-yearold, both from Laventille. The 20-year-old was shot in the leg, while the 24-yearold was shot in the right foot.

Both men remained hospitalised until late yesterday evening and were said to be in stable condition.

(Trinidad Guardian)

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84

United States civil rights leader Jesse Jackson died aged 84 on Tuesday morning surrounded by relatives, according to a statement released by his family.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honourable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr,” the family said, adding he died “peacefully”.

His cause of death has not been released, but Jackson had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy and was

A&B:

in hospital late last year.

Tributes poured in for the prominent activist who twice ran to be the Democrats’ Presidential nominee, including from the first Black US President, Barack Obama.

In their statement, Jackson’s family said his “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity”.

Jesse Jackson was remembered by politicians and friends as an agent of change and a transformative leader

“A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilising millions to register to vote – leaving an indelible mark on history,” they

added.

Calling Jackson a “true giant”, Obama said in a statement that Jackson’s “two historic runs for President” had “laid the foundation for my own campaign to the highest office of the land”. Obama added that his wife Michelle “got her first glimpse of political organising at the Jacksons’ kitchen table when she was a teenager”. Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their children: Santita, Jesse Jr, Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline and Ashley. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jumby Bay Island, Hermitage Bay, Curtain Bluff ranked among Caribbean’s best by US News & World Report

Three resorts in Antigua and Barbuda (A&B) have been ranked among the best all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean by US News & World Report, standing out in a field of 214 hotels regionwide.

Jumby Bay Island, Hermitage Bay and Curtain

Bluff have been ranked among the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean by US News & World Report.

The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) said the properties stood out among 214 hotels evaluated across the region in the publication’s latest rankings.

Jumby Bay Island was ranked No. 5, Hermitage Bay secured the No. 7 spot, and Curtain Bluff placed No. 12 in the Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts category.

ABHTA said the recognition reflects the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality professionals and the high-quality experiences offered to visitors. Tourism remains a central pillar of the twin-island nation’s economy, with its luxury and all-inclusive properties continuing to earn international acclaim. (Excerpt from Antigua Newsroom)

Ukraine, Russia hold peace talks in Geneva as Trump puts pressure on Kyiv

NDennery Hospital and subsequently apprehended.

Augustus Ford was killed near his home, sustaining multiple chopping wounds to the head as he lay on the ground. The violent incident left relatives and members of the community unsettled for months as the suspect remained at large.

On Monday, February 16, 2026, Eric Ford was formally charged with murder. He has since been remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility. (St Lucia Times)

egotiators from Ukraine and Russia concluded the first of two days of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with United States President Donald Trump pressing Kyiv to act fast to reach a deal to end the four-year conflict.

Ahead of the negotiations in Switzerland, Russia carried out airstrikes overnight across swathes of Ukraine, severely damaging the power network in the southern port city of Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks left tens of thousands without heat and water.

“We are ready to move quickly toward a worthy agreement to end the war,”

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, saying he was waiting for a report from the negotiating team in Geneva. “The question for the Russians is: Just what

do they want?”

Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, the head of the National Security and Defence Council, said in a statement

that the day’s talks had focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions”, without providing details. He said negotiations would resume on Wednesday for a final day. The Geneva meeting follows two rounds of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi that concluded without a major breakthrough, as the two sides remained far apart on key issues such as the control of territory in eastern Ukraine.

Trump is urging Moscow and Kyiv to strike an agreement to end Europe’s biggest war since 1945, though Zelenskyy has complained that his country is facing more pressure to make concessions. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Discipline and ingenuity can turn a mediocre life into something spectacular. Be present and kind. Don’t lose out on an opportunity due to fear.

Look for the good in everything and everyone. How you make others feel will determine the reaction you get. Concentrate on being and doing your best, and inspire others to do the same.

Your discipline and hard work won’t help if you surround yourself with takers, users and abusers. The backup and support you get will determine the outcome.

Competition will be fierce, and how you present yourself will make a difference. Someone you encounter will offer more than you expect. Your charm and intelligence will help seal a deal.

Set high standards and do your best. The impression you make will set the stage for what’s to come. Act like a pro, and others will treat you like one. It’s what you do that counts.

You’ll get a glimpse of what’s possible if you are observant and open to suggestions. A networking event will provide some interesting options that you can tweak to fit your objective.

Unusual people, professions and pastimes will attract your attention and raise your awareness. Once you see how something begins to unfold, you’ll gain insight into how to use what you discover to fit your needs.

Opportunity is within reach; all you must do is use your skills, knowledge and experience to network your way to succeess. Self- and home improvement, along with social interaction, will help structure what’s next.

Be the one to make choices. Refuse to let anyone dictate what’s next. Walk away from emotional mind games and people who cause you grief. Take the path that is most inviting.

A change of pace and space will do wonders for your emotional health. Refuse to let anyone limit or discourage you from striving for what excites you most. Make a wish list and pursue your dreams.

High energy will lead to satisfaction. Distance yourself from people who waste your time or don’t support what’s meaningful to you. It’s time to focus on the areas of life that matter to you.

Compassion and gratitude will pave the way to victory. Open your heart to the people who matter most to you. Honesty will help resolve issues that keep you awake at night.

Samra’s 110 in vain as Phillips, Ravindra put New Zealand in Super 8s

Yuvraj Samra’s record-breaking hundred went in vain as New Zealand beat Canada by eight wickets in Chennai to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Batting first, Canada posted a competitive 173 for 4, thanks to Samra’s 110 off 65 balls, the highest score by an Associate batter against a Full Member in the tournament’s history. At 19 years and 141 days, the lefthand opener also became the youngest to cross 50 in a men’s T20 World Cup match.

Canada’s bowlers and fielders, though, let them down. They did send back Tim Seifert and Finn Allen inside the first four overs, but Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra snatched the game away from them and ran away with it.

Phillips smashed 76 not out off 36 balls and Ravindra 59 not out off of 39. The two added 146 off just 73 balls for the third wicket and took New Zealand home with 4.5 overs to spare.

Samra takes charge

Matt Henry started the proceedings with four dots to Samra, but the opener got going with back-to-back fours off the last two deliveries. Samra faced only five balls in the next four overs but took James Neesham down in the final over of the powerplay. With Neesham operating from around the wicket, he pulled to fine leg, muscled over midwicket, drilled down the ground, and slashed over the covers after coming down the ground. The first three went for fours; the last carried all the way.

Samra kept the score-

board ticking even after the powerplay. He smashed Kyle Jamieson’s slower ball through extra cover before pulling Cole McConchie for a flat six. Soon, he reached his 50 off 36 balls.

No stopping Samra

New Zealand were without Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner. Ferguson has returned home for the birth of his first child, and Santner was ruled out because of a “dodgy burger”. In their absence, New Zealand’s bowling attack looked toothless, and Samra took full

advantage of it. He started the 13th over by smashing McConchie for six, six, four. Dilpreet Bajwa and he added 116 in 14 overs for the first wicket; Bajwa’s contribution was only 36 off 39 balls.

Samra brought up his hundred off 58 balls, getting there with a toe-ended four past short third. He had a reprieve on 103 when Neesham dropped him at long-on off Henry. The ball burst through Neesham’s hands and went for four. Samra was eventually dismissed in the final over, caught at deep backward square leg by Phillips on the

second attempt.

New Zealand’s mixed start Canada’s indiscipline with the ball was evident from the very first over. Jaskaran Singh’s second delivery was down the leg side, which Allen helped to the fine-leg boundary. It was followed by an off-side wide and a frontfoot no-ball. Allen attempted a quick single off the latter. The short midwicket fielder missed with the throw at the bowler’s end, and a sloppy effort from the fielder backing up resulted in four overthrows.

Allen then took apart Dilon Heyliger, hitting his first two balls for a four and a six. Seifert also threw his bat around and got one over the covers. Shivam Sharma, the chasing fielder, was casual in his effort near the boundary line and failed to flick the ball back.

Saad Bin Zafar provided temporary relief by having Seifert caught at mid-off. When Allen was caught in the covers off a Heyliger delivery that stuck in the pitch, New Zealand were 30 for

2 in 3.1 overs. But Canada continued to be profligate in the field. Bajwa started the fifth over with a no-ball and also bowled a wide before Ravindra hit him for two fours in three balls. That allowed New Zealand to finish the power play on 60 for 2.

The Glenn Phillips show Phillips took the lead after the power play. He hit Saad for back-to-back fours before launching Bajwa for a straight six. When Ansh Patel came on to bowl, Phillips treated him with the same disdain, hitting the leftarm wrist spinner for three sixes in eight balls. The last of those sixes brought up Phillips’ fifty off 22 balls. By the end of the 11th over, New Zealand needed only 53 from 54 balls. Phillips, though, was in a hurry. Against Saad, he switched his hands and pulled him for a six over deep extra cover, even though there was a fielder at the boundary line. Ravindra, who had taken the backseat, finished the over with another six. A few minutes later, he pulled Jaskaran through midwicket to bring up the victory. (ESPNcricinfo)

Nepal end 12-year wait as Airee sinks Scotland

Nepal ended a 12-year wait for a third T20 World Cup win, concluding their 2026 campaign with a riotously received victory over Scotland in Mumbai. Sompal Kami, the only man still around from their maiden appearance at the 2014 World T20, provided the inspiration with the ball before Dipendra Singh Airee skewered a valiant Scotland performance with an unbeaten 50 off 23 to seal a high-octane chase.

Not for nothing are Nepal known as the “Cardiac Kids”, and this game – on which nothing was riding other than national pride and bragging rights – swung heart-stoppingly from side to side throughout. Scotland made the early running with an opening stand of 80, with Michael Jones in regal touch, but stumbled through the second half of the innings as Kami’s double-wicket intervention sparked a slow-mo-

tion collapse.

In reply, Nepal’s openers provided a similar platform before they slipped from 74 for 0 to 98 for 3 on the back of Michael Leask’s three-for, to the dismay of another heavily Nepal-supporting crowd at the Wankhede. At the end of the 14th over, they needed 71 from 36 balls.

Enter Airee, the dynamic all-rounder and one of the totems of Nepal’s recent successes. He struck four fours and three sixes alongside plenty of hard running – he only faced two dot balls – as the unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership with Gulsan Jha finally broke Scotland’s resolve. Jha finished unbeaten on 24 from 17 and hit the winning runs, as Nepal

gained a measure of absolution for near-misses against Bangladesh, South Africa and England over the last two World Cups.

Rhinos charge

Despite a stuttering finish with the bat, Scotland’s defence started well, conceding just one boundary – a muscled six over midwicket from Kushal Bhurtel – in the first 23 balls. Brad Currie put down a tough caught-and-bowled chance off Bhurtel, and Brad Wheal thought he had the opener edging behind, only for a review to confirm that the ball had flicked the leg bail (which didn’t move) on its way through.

Aasif Sheikh then hoisted Wheal for the second six of the innings, and that was the trigger for Bhurtel to pile into Mark Watt, as Scotland’s most experienced spinner endured another off night. With Watt trying to fire the ball into the pads, Bhurtel took him for foursix-six – swept, slog-swept

rein in the scoring with two overs that cost just nine, but it was the introduction of Leask, the 35-year-old veteran of five T20 World Cups, that brought Scotland back into the contest. His first ball broke the opening stand, as Bhurtel scuffed a top edge to midwicket, where Tom Bruce took a good running catch.

Leask’s vein-popping roar of celebration was on show again in his second over, as Aasif skied to point, and he then bagged Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, off another top-edged sweep to send doubt rippling through the support in the stands. Leask had figures of 3 for 10 from three overs and seemed to be single-handedly turning the game again. Nepal were 100 for 3, with the asking rate up to almost 12 an over.

Airee arrives

Jha hit the first boundary of the partnership, clubbing Davidson’s final ball over long-on, then Airee took

itable Leask. The first two balls of the 16th over were

ing it three in a row overall – and Airee then found the gap at wide long-on to

make it 20 from

ate Nepali following. Currie was drilled through cover and slashed to third, and then, after Wheal had conceded three runs from the first four balls of the 18th

ment 25 off 14 – Airee went six and four to swing the pendulum once again. When Jha launched the next ball, from Currie, for six over

it was nine from 11, and the crowd officially had licence to go bananas. So they did.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Having inserted Scotland on a patchy, used surface, Paudel would have been hoping for his spinners to finally have an impact. But there was little assistance in the opening exchanges, and while George Munsey was the first to find the boundary, it was Jones who set the tempo at the top for Scotland.

Kami’s cameo turns it around Jones was involved in another sprightly fifty stand alongside Brandon McMullen, who smashed his fifth ball, from Lamichhane, for six as Scotland looked to press home their good start. After 15 overs, they were 131 for 1 with two established batters at the crease. By the end of the 16th, the score was 134 for 3, with both Jones and McMullen back in the hutch.

Kami was the spark Nepal so desperately needed. First he deceived Jones with a perfectly executed knuckleball that dipped and deceived the batter in flight to peg back leg stump; two balls later he had removed McMullen with an outrageous reaction grab in his follow-through, another slower ball inducing a leading edge that he plucked one-handed above his head. A third wicket came in his final over, Bruce flummoxed by a back-of-the-hander. Kami’s Buddha pose in celebration made him the calm amidst the storm of Nepal’s fightback.

With Nandan also finishing well to claim 2 for 34, it meant Scotland had lost 6 for 30 in the space of 27 balls. Watt defiantly smacked the last delivery for six, but they couldn’t compete with Nepal’s surge. (ESPNcricinfo)

A driven four was followed by six launched over long-off in the third over, with Nandan Yadav then picked off for back-toback fours. Two more offside boundaries followed in Kami’s second over, and when Munsey muscled Airee down to the ground, Scotland had raised their 50 from just 32 balls. They were 52 without loss at the end of the powerplay, and the openers pressed on, despite Munsey’s struggle for timing. Sandeep Lamichhane’s difficult tournament continued when Jones cracked his first ball for six, but Paudel finally got the job done himself, tempting Munsey into a toe-ended swipe down to long-off for a much-needed breakthrough.

Scotland (20 ovs maximum) George Munsey c Jora b Paudel 27 Michael Jones b Sompal Kami 71 Brandon McMullen c & b Sompal Kami 25 Richie Berrington (c) c Jora b Bhurteln 10 Tom Bruce b Sompal Kami 5 Matthew Cross †b Yadav 4 Michael Leask c †Aasif Sheikh b Yadav 4 Mark Watt not out 10 Oliver Davidson not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 6, w 3) 13 Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.50) 170/7 Fall of wickets: 1-80 (George Munsey, 9.6 ov), 2-132 (Michael Jones, 15.2 ov), 3-133 (Brandon McMullen,15.4ov), 4-145 (Richie Berrington,16.6 ov), 5-150 (Matthew Cross, 17.3 ov), 6-156 (Tom Bruce, 18.4 ov), 7-162 (Michael Leask, 19.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Dipendra Singh Airee 3-0-23-0 Sompal Kami 4-0-25-3

Captain Matthews focused on winning start at home

With confidence high and spirits lifted, Hayley Matthews has signalled the West Indies Women’s readiness for a competitive home series as they prepare to face the Sri Lanka Women’s national cricket team in the opening One-Day International on February 20.

The first ODI bowls off at 09:30h at the National Cricket Stadium, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely contested encounter between two evenly matched sides.

Speaking on arrival in Grenada, Matthews emphasised the significance of beginning the year against formidable opposition.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to start the year off against some really good opposition in Sri Lanka,” she said. “They’re a team we’ve matched up closely with

in previous games and who always give us a massive challenge to compete against. We’re certainly

looking forward to playing them.”

The West Indies captain noted that morale within the camp is strong, with players eager to translate preparation into performance. Having engaged Sri Lanka in tightly fought contests in recent years, Matthews believes the familiarity between the teams will heighten the intensity of the series.

“We’re two teams that match up really well, and we know once we’re at our best, we’re going to be right there competing to win games and hopefully win this series,” she added.

Beyond the immediate contest, Matthews also highlighted her role in guiding the next generation within the squad. With several young play -

ers included in the lineup, she sees the series as an opportunity for growth and development.

“They’re obviously young and have quite a lot to learn, but the good thing with the youngsters in our team is that they’re very keen, very hungry and want to improve,” Matthews said. “For me, it’s about going out there and doing my thing, but also making sure we nurture them to become the best version of themselves in the future.”

The upcoming series carries added importance for the Caribbean side, which has had limited opportunities to host matches in the region in recent times. Matthews expressed her team’s determination to make home conditions count.

“We haven’t had many series in the Caribbean of late, so this year is going to be a great chance for us to make home ours and really give teams a hard time coming down here,” she stated. “Playing on our soil, in front of our crowd, we want to set the tone for how we approach the rest of the year.”

With anticipation building in Grenada, fans can expect an energetic start to the series as West Indies Women aim to assert themselves early and lay down a marker for the months ahead. The first ball on February 20 will not only signal the start of the ODI contest but also the beginning of what Matthews hopes will be a defining home campaign for her team.

Hackett fires flawless 68 to win NTFGL round

…Persaud holds overall lead

Brian Hackett produced a masterclass in precision golf to capture top honours in the latest round of the Promotech Guyana Incbacked National Top Flight Golf League (NTFGL) at Lusignan Golf Course, but Patanjilee “Pur” Persaud continues to sit atop the overall standings as the title race intensifies.

Hackett was in complete control from tee to green, turning in what many described as his best performance of the season. He did not miss a single fairway over 18 holes and displayed exceptional touch around the greens, repeatedly choosing to chip from a distance with remarkable accuracy.

His disciplined ball-striking and calm put-

ting saw him card a commanding net 68, earning 10 points and securing outright victory on the back nine. The win moves Hackett into second place overall on 12 points, just one point behind the league leader.

The front nine delivered early drama as Ian Gouveia edged Hackett on a tie-breaker. Gouveia applied relentless pressure through the opening stretch and looked poised for a dominant outing. However, increasingly difficult course conditions and mounting competition on the back nine curtailed his momentum.

Persaud, meanwhile, endured one of his most turbulent rounds of the campaign. Multiple lost balls on the front nine, including a

punishing ten on a par four, threatened to derail his title charge. Demonstrating championship composure, the league leader regrouped and battled back to salvage a net 73, finishing third on the day and collecting crucial points to remain at the summit with 13 overall.

Fazil Haniff secured second place on the day with a composed net 71, once again proving the value of steady golf under pressure. Veterans Mike Mangal and Squeaky rounded out the points positions in fourth and fifth, respectively, further tightening an already congested leader-board.

Adding intrigue to the contest was the entry of seasoned campaigner Patrick Prashad, whose presence immediately heightened the competitive atmo-

sphere. Though dangerous, he was kept in check by the leading trio, signalling that the fight for supremacy will demand sustained excellence.

Chet “Smoking Chet” Bowling remains firmly in contention despite being out of jurisdiction and currently occupies third place overall with 10 points.

GCF reshapes executive with London as President

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has appointed Nigel London as its new President during a special meeting held on Sunday, signalling a commitment to restore stability and enhance the organisation’s focus on cycling development.

London steps into the role following Horace Burrowes’ resignation. Originally convened to fill various executive vacancies, the meeting expanded to include discus -

sions about constitutional issues, financial health, and future plans for the federation. In line with the constitution, clubs nominated suitable replacements, ensuring a smooth and transparent transition.

The updated executive committee now includes a blend of seasoned officials and newcomers from affiliated clubs. London’s presidency was confirmed after Burrowes’ exit, with Mark St Claire taking on the role of General Secretary.

William Howard will handle the treasurer position, while Carlos Mendonca

assumes vice President for discipline and Linden Dowridge takes charge of racing as vice President for racing.

A vacancy remains for the Vice President for Finances, with an announcement on a successor anticipated soon. Additionally, Walter Grand-Stuart is the new racing secretary, Maria Leung serves as assistant treasurer, and Melanie Collins is appointed assistant secretary. This restructuring

comes in response to calls from local cycling stakeholders for better gover

nance, financial oversight, and clearer pathways for athlete development. London is expected to unite federation members while promoting grassroots participation and enhancing competitive and international opportunities. The filling of these key roles is seen as a significant move towards stability, with fo

cus now shifting to compe

tition planning and athlete preparation.

Challenging rainy-season conditions added another layer of difficulty at Lusignan. While the greens held firm, heavy fairways and thick rough demanded precision and patience from the field.

Standings After Latest Round: Patanjilee Persaud – 13 points

Brian Hackett – 12 points

Chet Bowling – 10 points With Hackett surging, Persaud absorbing pressure, and Bowling within striking range, the NTFGL is evolving into a compelling battle of endurance, execution and mental toughness as the season progresses.

Kingsmen confirms launch of CPL franchise in Jamaica

Kingsmen Sports Enterprise has officially confirmed its entry into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with the launch of a new franchise based in Jamaica, marking a significant new chapter for cricket on the island and a major commitment to sustainable economic growth, cultural celebration, and elite sporting development.

Backed by a new USbased investment group with a proven record in sports infrastructure, technology, and community development, the Kingsmen franchise has been structured not as a shortterm sporting venture but as a long-term partnership with Jamaica and its people. The ownership group has re-

cently invested in a team in the Pakistan Super League and plans to help build sports tourism, local enterprise par-

ticipation, and year-round economic activity tied to cricket and entertainment in Jamaica.

“Our vision for Jamaica goes far beyond match days,” said Fawad Sarwar, Group President of Kingsmen Sports Enterprise. “This franchise is designed to act as an economic engine – creating employment, supporting local businesses, and positioning Jamaica as a global hub for cricket, culture, and sportainment.”

The new franchise is expected to generate significant direct and indirect economic impact, driven by hotel occupancy, local staffing, vendor partnerships, and expanded tourism during and beyond the CPL season. The team will prioritise Jamaican suppliers, service providers, creatives, and event partners to ensure investment circulates within the local economy.

Central to the Kingsmen approach is a deep respect for Jamaican identity and culture. The franchise will embrace CPL’s reputation as the “Biggest Party in Sport”, integrating music, food, fashion, and community celebration into the matchday experience.

Crucially, Kingsmen has also committed to building a development bridge for Jamaican cricketers, linking grassroots programmes to professional pathways at home and abroad. Investment in academies, coaching, data-driven scouting, and youth engagement will ensure local talent remains central to the franchise’s long-term success.

“This is about creating opportunity,” Sarwar added. “Opportunity for young

Jamaican cricketers, for entrepreneurs, for artists, for hospitality workers, and for communities that see cricket as both heritage and future.”

The launch of the new Jamaica-based franchise aligns with Kingsmen Sports Enterprise’s broader global cricket strategy, combining world-class infrastructure, elite player development, and community-first investment models. In Jamaica, that strategy will be executed with a clear promise: the team will belong to the island, its culture, and its people. Further details on team identity, community initiatives, and launch events will be announced in the coming months ahead of the 2026 Caribbean Premier League season.

Perfecting basics key to Dooley’s preparations with National U20s

Athird National Junior CONCACAF

Qualifying tournament in recent weeks is set to unfold soon, this time with the National Under-20 Men’s team billed for action in Curaçao.

The Junior Jaguars have been drawn in Group D of the competition and will take

on the hosts in their first match next Tuesday. They are grouped alongside Haiti, Curaçao, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Anguilla.

As preparation intensifies ahead of the competition, senior national head coach Thomas Dooley, who has taken on the role for the U20s, has admitted that building a

strong team mentality will be crucial.

“Obviously, we’re the underdogs. We have also four players coming only like two, three days before we go to Curaçao. Then we have only 13-14 players; we still have 1 or 2 injuries. So, it’s kind of not as perfect as it should be, but it is still some time to

ICC T20 World Cup…

Windies to face India, South Africa, Zimbabwe in Super 8s

The West Indies Senior Men’s team continued their impressive start to the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Nepal on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The result marked their third consecutive win, maintaining a perfect record in the tournament, which is being hosted across India and Sri Lanka.

The victory also ensured that the Caribbean side became the first team to secure a place in the Super Eight stage, achieving the milestone with one group match remaining against Italy in Kolkata on Thursday, February 19.

Heading into the tournament, the West Indies were pre-seeded as the sec-

ond-ranked team in their group. As a result, they will retain their seeding for the Super Eight regardless of which team tops their group.

Drawn in Group C for the group phase, the West Indies are scheduled to face India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the Super Eight.

The Caribbean side will begin this stage on February 23 against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium, followed by South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 26, before concluding the Super Eight stage against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1.

The second round of the tournament will feature two groups of four teams, competing in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each

group will then advance to the knockout stage.

Captain Shai Hope emphasised the team’s focus on maintaining momentum while keeping sight of the ultimate goal.

“When we got on the plane to come here, that was the first step, and we all want to lift the trophy, but there is a process to get there by playing our best cricket and peaking at the right time and growing as a strong unit.” Hope said.

The West Indies will take on Italy in their final group game on Thursday at 11:00h local time at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Fans can watch the matches on ESPN Caribbean and Disney+ across the Caribbean region at 01:30h AST/12:30 a.m. in Jamaica.

work on the fourth pillar, the mentality. So, the attitude, fighting, working for each other, building a team where everybody helps each other – this is sometimes more important than all the other pillars,” Dooley expressed.

During his exclusive chat with the Guyana Times Sport, the gaffer went on to identify “perfecting the basics” as one of his key focus areas.

Dooley responded to this publication’s enquiries, “Basics. If you want to play successful football, you need to have the basics almost professional; that’s what you learn when you’re young ‘til 16 - 17 years of age. They’re adults, 17, 18, 19 years old, and they should be in a higher level, obviously. That was a little bit challenging, so I had to go back to starting with basics of understanding the football.”

“Those four pillars – technique, tactics, fitness and mentality – are so important. Without the technique, you cannot play; you can’t pass and receive the ball. Obviously, the ball is gone, and then you have to chase, and I don’t like to chase the ball; I like to play football,” he added.

Citing his team’s performance in recent practice matches, Dooley also emphasised the importance of maintaining a competitive spirit in training and in competition.

“The basics in professional football is missing; in so

short of a time, we have to put that in their mind. You cannot train with always stepping back, and in the fight on the weekend, you do everything that is necessary to win the game. It’s like being a torero, and you go with the big bulls and big horns coming at you, and you fight against them. They need to train for that, and they’re not going to the indoor doing a ballerina training session, and then they’re going out to a bullfight. It’s not going to happen,” the head coach illustrated.

Dooley continued, “You have to fight in training like you fight in a game; if you’re holding back in training, you’re holding back in the game. It’s not like you can switch immediately because there’s no pill you can take and you understand everything. It’s all training because the brain is a muscle you have to train like physical parts.”

“That is something that’s missing, and what I’m trying to implement in every

training session, talk to them about it. Everything you do, it’s about thinking, forward thinking two to three seconds ahead, scanning the field.”

The Junior Jaguars are set to depart for Curaçao on Sunday, February 22, ahead of their Tuesday, February 24 opening clash with Curaçao. The National U20 team will need to finish at the top of their group in order to advance to the CONCACAF U20 championships later this year. With 6 groups in the CONCACAF Qualifiers competition, only the group winners will move on to the 2026 CONCACAF U20 Championships. There, they will meet the six top-ranked nations that are pre-qualified directly to the tournament. The six national teams pre-seeded in the Championship are (in ranking order): the United States (1), Mexico (2), Honduras (3), Panama (4), Cuba (5), and Guatemala (6).