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The 18th running of the Guyana Cup will be an iconic horse racing event. Rising Sun Turf Club will be transformed into a spectacle on Sunday, August 23, when top horses, jockeys, stables, and trainers assemble to battle for the crown.
With more than GY$66 million in cash and prizes up for grabs, this year’s Guyana Cup will ensure fans witness and remember the Guyana Cup as the most exciting sporting event in the country.
Fans will have more comfort, more visuals, a new and excited entrance, and a lot of giveaways, including a brand new SinoTruk pick-up.
For this year’s Guyana Cup, special emphasis will be placed on community engagements through gift vouchers for kids, and a specially designed kids’ fun zone will also be at the venue.
A new and excited entrance for easy access equipped with product sampling and a redesigned infield to accommodate an all-new VVIP elevated zone.
Screens will be strategically erected around the venue with maximum visibility, bringing instant replays and all information on jockeys and horses.
More than 700 feet of additional covered bleachers will be added to the home stretch so fans can feel the ground shake as their favourite horses reach the finish line.
A specially designed VIP brunch experience will also be at the venue for the first time in Guyana Cup history. Sponsored cabanas will be available, with each being distinct and representing a brand that is beloved.
With the absence of a mega concert, there will be a special choreographed presentation along the homestretch with performances from Guyana’s most talented artists and dancers.
Organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred racing committee, this Guyana Cup is expected to attract all the top horses and jockeys from across the region.
A total of 14 races will be running at this year’s Guyana Cup.
The feature race, which will be the Banks Guyana Cup, will fetch a purse of GY$22 million.
Additionally, one lucky patron will drive away with a brand new SinoTruk pick-up on Guyana Cup race day.
The races for the Guyana Cup 2026 are as follow:
Banks Guyana Cup (One Mile) – Total purse GY$22,500,000
Peter Lewis Guyana Cup Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse GY$7,500,000
Forrester’s Imported Derby (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$7,500,000
Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby (One Mile) – Total purse GY $5,625,000
J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse GY$3,750,000
BM. Soat Locally Bred Dash (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse GY$2,812,500
P.Jagdeo E-Class (One Mile) – Total purse GY$2,812,500
Jagmohan F-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000
ARONCO H-Class (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000
CI H3 NW3 (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000
Avinash Local Maidens (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$2,812,500
Big G’s J-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000
Garen Pro K-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000
Sawh L Class Sprint (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000

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…Identifies preliminary Elite/U23 pool

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has selected four junior cyclists to represent the country at the upcoming Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships while identifying a preliminary pool of elite and under-23 riders for possible national duties.
Alexander Leung, Alex Newton, Kevin Stephen and female cyclist Tandeia Noel have been confirmed as members of the junior national team.
The Federation said the cyclists were selected after the executive monitored their performances and development during the National Championships and other major races staged in the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, the Elite and Under-23 list is only a preliminary pool, from which the final national team will be selected.
The elite riders under consideration are Briton John, Marcus Keiler, Andre Greene, Alex Mendes, Quincy Ridley, Geron Williams, Seagun Hubbard, Christopher Griffith, and Paul DeNobrega.
Ajani Cutting, Sidwell Sandy, Aaron Newton and Mark Lewis are the Under-23 riders included in the pool.
The preliminary selection gives the Federation an opportunity to continue monitoring the cyclists before deciding which riders will represent Guyana at upcoming regional and international events.
The Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships is expected to provide the young riders with an opportunity to compete against the region’s leading junior cyclists and gain further international experience.

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Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber and defending champion Kyle Couchman maintained their perfect records with victories in the fifth round of the National Junior Chess Championship on Wednesday morning at Olympic House, Liliendaal.
Pitamber defeated Aiden Tinnie, while Couchman overcame Jeremy Cole to move to five points from as many matches. Pitamber remains at the top of the standings on a tiebreak, with Couchman in second place.
Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi rebounded from her fourth-round loss to Pitamber by defeating Javier Davenand. The result moved Joshi to four points and kept her in third place, one point behind the joint leaders.
Alexander Zhang also recorded a victory in the fifth round, defeating Matthew Singh to improve to 3.5 points. He remains fourth in the standings.
Kataleya Sam claimed her first victory of the championship by getting past Nicholas Zhang. Sam moved to two points and is fifth on tiebreak, ahead of Cole, who also has two points.
Nicholas and Singh are seventh and eighth, respectively, with 1.5 points each. Davenand is ninth with half of a point, while Tinnie remains without a point after five rounds.

Pitamber entered Wednesday’s play level with Couchman after both players recorded victories in rounds three and four on Tuesday.
Pitamber defeated Sam in the third round before overcoming the previously unbeaten Joshi in the afternoon session. Couchman continued his title defence by defeating Singh and Nicholas during Tuesday’s two rounds.
Joshi had beaten Alexander in the third round before losing to Pitamber, while Alexander recovered by defeating Tinnie in round four.
Cole defeated Tinnie in round three and drew with Singh in the fourth round. Nicholas earned his only victory against Davenand before losing to Couchman, while Sam drew with Davenand after her loss to Pitamber.
The nine-round championship continues at Olympic House, with four rounds remaining.

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A joint operation between the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday intercepted some $71 million in imported cannabis along with the guns and ammunition.
The discovery was made at the Muneshwers Wharf in Georgetown inside of two barrels that originated from the United States of America (USA).
Based on reports, CANU and GRA agents, acting on information received, searched the two incoming barrels, during which they found 71 transparent parcels containing foreign cannabis weighing 37.2 kilograms with a street value of $71 million. Additionally, three pistols and 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition were also found in the barrels.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday morning about the discovery, Director of CANU, James Singh, explained that there has been an increase in marijuana laced with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) coming from North America as well as other countries in the region.

“This is not something new. We would’ve spoken about it before where marijuana with what we call a higher THC, coming from other regions – within South America as well as North America. We’ve seen cases with it being imported through the airport and in barrels. In this instance, we’ve seen it come with several high-powered weapons – rifles and pistols,” he stated.
Already, several persons have been arrested and are assisting with the joint investigation being carried out by CANU and GRA along with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) – the white-collar arm of the Guyana Police Force – and other agencies that are working to prevent the entry of illicit drugs concealed in cargo and other shipments.
According to Singh, CANU has been observing the smuggling of marijuana from North America for some time now.
“It’s been [happening] for a while… In some cases, the marijuana is labelled as medicinal marijuana. So, we’ve seen it come from North America into Guyana – [it] has a higher THC. Some of it is consumed here, and others are transhipped out of Guyana,” the CANU Head noted.
Nevertheless, the law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to strengthening security measures and ensuring that Guyana’s borders remain protected against drug trafficking.

Cocaine seized through Venezuela, requests unanswered
But despite the increase in the smuggling of this specific grade of marijuana from North America into Guyana, the CANU Director pointed out, however, that the majority of the drugs, especially cocaine, that are seized here come from neighbouring Venezuela.
“Most of narcotics we found are persons from Venezuela. The evidence shows that it would have come through Venezuela. Where it would’ve originated from, we have no idea, but the last place before it entered Guyana was Venezuela, and several persons arrested were Venezuelan nationals… I would say 90 per cent of drugs that we have seized – cocaine, has been originated from Venezuela,” he indicated.
According to the CANU Head, his agency has been reaching out to counterparts in Venezuela to curb this illicit trade but to no avail.
“There are persons in Venezuela who we would’ve reached out to for information. Unfortunately, that information has not been forthcoming. So, all we can do in the meantime is work with the local counterparts – the Police, the Guyana Defence Force, and other agencies – to strengthen our current systems,” Singh posited.
In fact, he pointed to Tuesday’s discovery by CANU and GRA agents as an example of these enhanced collaborative efforts working.
“The marijuana discovered at the wharf…was an example of shipment coming into Guyana. So, the fact that we were able to detect it is an indication that law enforcement is doing what they’re supposed to do at the necessary ports of entry,” he stated.
Meanwhile, CANU’s increased successes in drug seizures have put Singh in the limelight, with several threats being made against him by suspected criminal groups from Venezuela. According to James, they continue to work with overseas counterparts to identify the source of these threats.
“We’re still working with our international counterparts because this threat originated outside of Guyana. Based on the information that we got, it’s a Spanish group, we suspect, out of Venezuela, so we’re working with our counterparts. Unfortunately, we don’t have that sort of communication we’d want with Venezuela as we have with other countries, but we’re sharing some information with counterparts here and in the region, and we’re doing our best to at least get to the bottom of it or dissuade them from trying,” Singh told reporters on Wednesday.
Only last week, Caribbean leaders, following the 51st Caricom Head of Governance Conference, had called on the Venezuelan government to arrest and prosecute those individuals in the neighbouring country who have been attacking Guyanese military, as well as civilians, traversing along the Cuyuni River, which borders the two South American nations.
Back in May, at least two GDF officers were shot and injured in separate incidents after coming under hostile fire from the Venezuelan side while performing duties in the waterways.

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The true measure of national progress can be reflected in the strength of communities, the protection of vulnerable citizens and the availability of essential services to every region of the country. Against this backdrop, the launch of the Certificate in Paraprofessional Social Services (CPSS) programme in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), is a significant investment in Guyana’s social development.
For years, hinterland communities have faced challenges associated with limited access to specialised social services, largely due to shortages of trained personnel. The introduction of a structured, accredited training programme aimed at developing social service professionals within these communities is therefore a strategic response to a longstanding national need.
The CPSS programme, launched by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry in partnership with the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers and accredited by the University of Guyana, is a practical approach to addressing service gaps. By bringing training opportunities directly into the hinterland, the initiative removes barriers that often prevent residents from accessing professional development opportunities available in urban centres.
This approach is particularly important for Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, where communities are often geographically isolated and require social services that are responsive to their unique circumstances. Developing a pool of trained paraprofessionals from within these communities ensures that assistance can be delivered by individuals who understand the local environment, cultural dynamics and specific challenges faced by residents.
Social workers’ responsibilities extend far beyond providing assistance during times of crisis. They are essential partners in child protection, family support, mental health initiatives, domestic violence prevention, gender-based violence response and community development. Strengthening this sector is therefore directly linked to building safer, healthier and more resilient communities.
The CPSS programme also highlights the importance of creating meaningful employment pathways through education and skills development. Training residents for careers in social services allows communities to benefit from increased employment opportunities while simultaneously strengthening the national support system. Graduates will have opportunities to contribute to institutions such as the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Social Services Department and the Survivor Advocate Programme, among other areas requiring qualified personnel.
As new opportunities emerge across sectors, social challenges must not be overlooked. Economic growth must be accompanied by strong institutions and a skilled workforce capable of addressing the needs of citizens. The expansion of professional social services is an essential component of ensuring that development benefits all segments of society.
The emphasis placed on ethical conduct, accountability, proper documentation and adherence to professional procedures within the programme is also noteworthy. Social workers frequently operate at the intersection of vulnerable individuals, government services and the justice system. Their decisions and interventions can have lasting consequences for families and communities. Ensuring that those entering the profession are equipped with the necessary knowledge and ethical foundation is critical.
The introduction of the CPSS programme indicates a recognition that social protection requires trained individuals who are present in communities, understand local realities and can provide effective support. Sustainable social development depends on building capacity at the grassroots level.
As Guyana continues its development journey, investments in people must remain at the centre of national planning. Roads, schools and economic projects are important pillars of progress, but so too are the systems that protect and uplift citizens.
Expanding such initiatives across the country will be essential to ensuring that no community is left behind and that every region has access to the professional support required to thrive.

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…as new Magistrates, Commissioners of Title appointed

Prime Minister (PM) Mark Phillips on Wednesday administered the Oath of Office to five Commissioners of Title and six Magistrates appointed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
During the ceremony, which took place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the PM underscored the significance of the appointments, stating that the judiciary has never been better resourced than it has been since the PPP/C administration took office in 2020.
In fact, he underscored the importance of an independent judicial system to any democracy, reaffirming his Government’s commitment to ensuring that Guyana’s judiciary remains fully resourced.
“The executive that I represent here today is largely responsible for providing those resources, and there is no time in the history of independent Guyana that the judiciary of Guyana has been more resourced than the period 2020 to 2026,” the PM remarked.

“In terms of physical infrastructure, more court houses have been built and have been rehabilitated from 2020 to now than in any other period during independent Guyana. In terms of system support, the executive has provided the financial resources for the judiciary to procure the most updated e-litigation system available in the Commonwealth,” he outlined.
With regards to human resources, he noted that the executive has worked with the judiciary over the years to ensure the appointments of key judicial officers.
“For example, in February 2024, nine Magistrates were appointed. In April 2024, three Commissioners of Title were appointed. In June 2024, 10 puisne Judges were appointed. In May 2025, seven Justices of Appeal were appointed. No one can seriously accuse the executive, that is the Government that I represent here today, of not resourcing the judiciary in Guyana,” PM Phillips asserted.
He also emphasised that the Government does not exercise control over the judiciary, emphasising the importance of judicial decisions being made strictly in accordance with the law.
“It is obvious that we do not control the judiciary; we do not determine whom we appoint, we do not determine how they function. The judiciary must remain functionally independent… All the executive asks on behalf of the people of Guyana, whom we are elected to represent, is that the judiciary functions independently, fairly, and makes decisions in accordance with the law. Investors, both local and international, are severely influenced by the state of this crucial arm of Government. After all, the safety of their investments lies with a competent, independent and reliable judiciary,” the PM expressed.

Commissioners of Title
The JSC on Tuesday announced the selection of five legal professionals for appointment as Commissioners of Title to serve in the Land Court. They are Alicia Lowenfield, Annette Singh, Alisha George, Utieka John and Shivani Lalaram. They took their oaths of office before PM Phillips on Wednesday.
Lowenfield previously served as Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Guyana (UG) in 2004 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2006.
She was admitted to the Bar of Guyana in 2006 and later to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. Her legal career began as a State Counsel in the Chambers of the Attorney General (AG) of Guyana. She subsequently worked as a Registered Associate Attorney in The Bahamas and later served as a Judicial Research Counsel in the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago before returning to Guyana in 2016 to assume her current position.
George earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from UG in 2007, followed by a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2009. She also completed a Master’s degree in natural resources management in 2025. Before joining the judiciary, George served as Head of the Regulatory Department at Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) and as a State Counsel in the Chambers of the AG. She was appointed a Magistrate in 2014.
Singh obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from UG in 2006 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2009. She began her legal career as a State Counsel in the Chambers of the AG before being promoted to Senior Legal Adviser.
Lalaram obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2016 and Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding in 2018. She was in private practice before being appointed to serve in the Magistracy in February 2024. where she has presided in courts in Georgetown and Berbice. She played an integral role in the establishment of a Mental Health Court in Guyana and presided in the Drug Treatment Court.
John obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2014 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2016. She obtained a Master of Laws Degree in Corporate and Commercial Law in 2024. She began her legal career at the Chambers of the AG in 2016, where she served as State Counsel until 2019. She was then employed at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, first as legal adviser and then in 2021 as Corporate Secretary/Legal Counsel.

Magistrates
Moreover, the JSC on Tuesday also announced the selection of five persons for appointment to the post of Magistrate. They are Ocelisa Marks, Nikkisha Logan, Jimelle Joseph, Shareefah Parks, Taneisha Saygon and Caressa Henry, who also took their oaths of office before PM Phillips on Wednesday.
Marks obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2017 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2019.
Logan obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2017 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2019. She further earned a Master of Laws Degree in corporate and commercial law in 2023.
Joseph obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2018 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2020.
Parks obtained an Associate Degree in Communications in 2013, a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2018 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2020. She later obtained a postgraduate diploma in criminology and victimology. She is presently pursuing a Master of Laws Degree in Law and Dispute Resolution at the Robert Gordon University, Scotland.
Saygon obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2018 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2020.
Henry obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from UG in 2019 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2021. She also obtained a certificate in anticorruption and asset recovery in 2025.

Chief Magistrate
Meanwhile, the JSC also announced on Tuesday that Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman has been appointed Chief Magistrate, with effect from January 7.
Latchman obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from UG in 2002 and a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School in 2004. She was admitted to the Bar of Guyana in October 2004. Her professional journey commenced as a State Counsel in the Chambers of the DPP in 2004, and she was later promoted to serve as a Senior State Counsel in those Chambers in 2008. Latchman joined the magistracy in 2009 and was later elevated to the post of Principal Magistrate in 2017.

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Hours after Police issued a wanted bulletin for Satrohan Rajkumar, the personal mechanic of United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, for questioning the murder of Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, he turned up at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters.
Rajkumar, also called “Depoo”, was accompanied by his lawyer, Damian Da Silva. This was confirmed by a source close to the investigations.
On Tuesday, Mark Richmond and Udoh Kanu, both former security guards of Mohamed, along with Amarnauth Ramsook, a car dealer, who were in custody and questioned about the murder of Fagundes, were released on $1 million bail each.
Richmond and Kanu were arrested last Thursday, but the Guyana Police Force had applied for an extension to further detain the men for another 72 hours after the detention period had expired.
That application was granted on Saturday and ended on Tuesday. With respect to Ramsook, detectives stated that he had reportedly sold the car used in the execution of the former miner.
He was released after his 72-hour detention period ended. Richmond was also represented by Attorney-at-Law Damien Da Silva.

The latest development marks another significant step in the high-profile probe into the killing of Fagundes, who was gunned down outside a popular night spot on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21, 2021.
Reports indicate that the man was partying with a group of friends when his phone rang, and he exited the nightspot to take the call. However, shortly thereafter, several gunshots were heard.
The now-deceased man’s friends rushed out to enquire but found Fagundes lying motionlessly in a pool of blood near his motor car. The case remained unsolved for more than five years.
Nevertheless, in an effort to solve the murder, the Guyanese Government engaged the Regional Security System (RSS) for assistance.
The RSS, during its investigation, did not find any evidence of corrupt practices or an attempt to cover up the probe into the 2021 murder of Fagundes.
It stated that the bribery allegations made by Sergeant Dion Bascom in several social media posts against Detective Supt Caesar and Inspector Stephens, the RSS found no evidence of such.

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Dear Editor,
I am deeply disappointed by the statement made by Shadow Minister of Human Services and Social Security Natasha Singh regarding my community, St Cuthbert’s Mission.
Please do not come into our community on a single visit and attempt to play politics with our young people. It is unfair to draw sweeping conclusions based on one visit while ignoring the work that has already been done.
The public deserves a complete and accurate account of the progress that has taken place.
Our community has also seen significant development. We recently welcomed a brand-new paved road leading to our village landing, fulfilling a commitment made by the Government.
Residents have benefited from GOAL scholarships, allowing many to pursue studies at CPCE and the University of Guyana. Our primary school is currently under construction. Our playfield has been renovated, providing a safe and improved space where our young athletes play cricket and other sports, with matches taking place regularly on weekends.
New water pipelines have been installed in various sections of the village, and new electricity poles have been erected through efforts led by Deputy Toshao Leroy Gonputh.
Our Village Council continues to work for the benefit of our people. Councillor Luke Simon and Councillor Orinn Dundas are actively involved with community farming, drainage and irrigation and poultry projects through the CSOs. Toshao Simon continues to represent the interests of our village, alongside Councillors Christella, Denise, Miranda, Stallone, Beverley, Debbie Rickford, Neil, Emmanuel and others who dedicate their time and effort to serving this community. These are facts, not opinions.
As for Azruddin Mohamed, who is under federal indictment, I respectfully remind you that if you intend to visit St Cuthbert’s Mission for political purposes, write to the village council first. It was disrespectful that the council was not informed of your visit. I only learned about it through social media. Every Government agency and private organisation follows this process. That process exists for a reason and should be respected by everyone.
Mental health is not a political slogan for me. In the past year, my family has lost three loved ones to suicide, including my cousin, Christiano Simon. Like many families in our village, we live with that pain every day.
That is why I know the claim that nothing has been done is simply false.
Mental health services have already been introduced, including monthly visits by a therapist. Just last week, Dr Timothy Morgan, Dr Mark Constantine, and a Ministry of Health team visited St Cuthbert’s Mission to engage residents and committed to returning with a programme to train teachers, nurses, Village Council members, and other community leaders.
There is still much more to do, and I will continue advocating for expanded services. But do not erase the work that has already been done for the sake of political headlines.
Our community deserves better than that.

Yours sincerely,
Tristan Henry
Councillor
St Cuthbert’s Mission
Village Council

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If irony generated electricity, Berbice wouldn’t need a second gas pipeline. Only months after helping to broker an MoU between our Government under Pressie’s leadership and Cerebras Systems for a proposed 300MW artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Berbice, Ernst & Young (EY) is now organising another data centre initiative – this time in Kamla’s Trinidad and Tobago. Talk about hedging your bets!!
The juxtaposition is difficult to ignore. One moment, Berbice is being boosted as the future home of cutting-edge AI infrastructure for our region. Next, EY is helping position Trinidad to fill the same role!! Now, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong about that; EY’s a global consultancy firm – not Guyana’s economic development agency. Its job is to create business opportunities – and make money for themselves!! – wherever they exist. But Guyana’s policymakers should be asking whether the Guyanese fella heading up EY’s AI forays ain’t playing both sides against the middle!!
Data centres are among the world’s most energy-intensive facilities. They demand abundant, reliable and competitively priced electricity – not to mention water for cooling. That’s precisely why the proposed Cerebras project was strategically important. It offered a potential anchor customer to justify Exxon landing that second gate-to-shore pipeline for industrial-scale power generation in Berbice!! But if Trinidad snags the regional data centre ecosystem instead, we’ll be left in the lurch!! Pipelines follow demand. Investors follow customers. They don’t follow press releases!!
The uncomfortable truth is that an MOU ain’t no investment decision!! It’s just an agreement to explore “possibilities”!! Have we tied down the “possibilities” into “probabilities” since the signing?? Your Eyewitness certainly hopes so!! ‘Cause Berbice needs that jump start that a GTS-initiated industrialisation project would provide!! Meanwhile, Trinidad, under Kamla, desperately trying to regain its mojo, continues to leverage its industrial infrastructure, established utilities and decades of experience servicing multinational energy companies. They may not have our breakneck economic growth, but they’ve got experience with gas-fired power plants!! 750 MW of it – which would soon be fed from the new Dragon Mouth field the Yanks are arranging via Venezuela!! So until construction of the Cerebras project begins, we gotta resist the temptation to confuse ambition with achievement.
Now, there’s a certain poetic symmetry in EY facilitating both “possibilities”. Consultants, after all – especially if Guyanese are involved – don’t owe no loyalty to geography; their loyalty is to make a buck! Even more than countries, consultants got no eternal friends – just eternal interests in making money!! The question is whether we’re creating enough real opportunities to keep Berbice ahead in the race with the electricity demand that was supposed to justify that second gas pipeline.
Because in the digital economy, nobody remembers who signed the first memorandum. They’ll remember who opened the first data centre!!

…sovereignty
Your Eyewitness saw a very disturbing news item about a band of armed Chinese in military gear deployed in Suriname’s interior!! Some were in the country legally and some not!! They were arrested, and hopefully we’ll get some more details as to what they were doing there!! Like us, Suriname has gold deposits, and your Eyewitness suspects these armed Chinese were members of a “Triad” – a Chinese gang – protecting some Chinese operator from the Surinamese version of the Venezuelan Sindicatos extorting blood gold!!
Now this seizure of armed Chinese should be a warning to us. Over here, in addition to Chinese mining our bauxite and manganese, they’ve taken over the supermarket and home improvement market!! Periodically, we read about bandits attacking members of the latter businesses – and we shouldn’t be surprised if Chinese triads start operations here!!
Meanwhile, the Chinese Govt defines the Chinese diaspora as part of its citizenry – and recently passed laws to control their activities.
What say they about the Triads??

…PNC’s credibility
Fried Chicken Man – PNC’s Parliamentary leader – has called for changes in the Integrity Commission’s legal wherewithal to permit the release of details of the assets of stipulated “declarants”.
Shouldn’t he declare his assets as an exemplar of probity??

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