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Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday that people who previously did not make sufficient contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in order to get a pension will start receiving cheques within two months.

“They will get a cheque in two months,” Dr Jagdeo stated.

The 2025 National Budget allocated $10 billion to the NIS for this initiative.

For years, individuals who did not meet the minimum requirement of 750 contributions to the NIS were unable to receive the NIS pension.

In Guyana, an NIS pension is payable to insured individuals who have reached 60 years of age. To qualify, an NIS-insured person must have paid or been credited with a total of not fewer than 750 contributions.

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Backed by Raj Jewellery, the Paruags aim to make an impact in their rookie season.

As the 2025 GMRSC Circuit Championship kicks off on April 27 at the South Dakota Circuit, a new team is set to make its competitive debut- PARU Racing Team, a dynamic father-and-son duo comprising Phillip Paruag and his 16-year-old son Nathan Paruag.

Driving a pair of Toyota EP82 Starlets, the Paruags are entering the motorsport arena with ambition and excitement.

Phillip, a long-time racing enthusiast, shared that being on track is something he has always dreamed of.

“This has been long overdue,” he said. “Racing has always been in my blood- now I finally get to live it.”

Despite being the youngest competitor in the field, Nathan is confidently approaching the season.

“I’ve been doing competitive practice times and feel good about our chances. A podium finish is the goal,” he said, showcasing maturity well beyond his years.

Nathan Paruag (left) receives the sponsorship from Raj Persaud, CEO of Raj Jewellery

The PARU Racing Team is proudly sponsored by Raj Jewellery, one of Guyana’s most trusted names in luxury gold and diamond pieces.

CEO Mr. Raj Persaud expressed pride in supporting the team and contributing to motorsport development in Guyana.

“I may not see myself behind the wheel,” Mr. Persaud joked, “but I’m just as competitive when cheering from the sidelines. Supporting this sport is a privilege, and it’s exciting to be part of the journey of a father and son stepping onto the grid together.”

Mr. Persaud also commended the recent upgrades at the South Dakota Circuit, acknowledging the hard work of GMR&SC President Mahendra Boodhoo, the club’s members and stakeholders.

“The improvements to the facility are commendable and a great step toward ensuring the longevity and growth of motorsport in Guyana.”

With over two decades in the industry, Raj Jewellery is known for its exquisite custom-designed pieces, with flagship stores at Giftland Mall and Movietowne Mall.

Their partnership with PARU Racing marks another chapter in their commitment to local talent and sporting excellence.

As the season opener draws near, all eyes will be on the Paruags- a rookie team with big dreams and the drive to make them a reality. (GMR&SC)

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Lucknow Super Giants secured an impressive and comprehensive five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad to earn their first win in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Lucknow did well to limit Sunrisers’ destructive batting line-up to 190-9 and then cruised to their target with 3.5 overs to spare.

Nicholas Pooran crashed 70 from 26 balls and Mitchell Marsh hit a typically powerful 52 from 31.

Sunrisers piled up 286-6 against Rajasthan in their opening match but, with some predicting a score in excess of 300 on another flat pitch, were checked by the loss of regular wickets.

Seamer Shardul Thakur dismissed Abhishek Sharma for six and Ishan Kishan a duck in consecutive balls, while Travis Head threatened in hitting five fours and three sixes.

But Head was bowled by seamer Prince Yadav for 47 and contributions of 32 from Nitish Kumar Reddy, 26 from Heinrich Klaasen and 36 by Aniket Verma were not enough.

Shardul finished with 4-34 and is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker after eight matches, despite being unsold in the auction and being signed as a late injury replacement. (BBC)

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Ameer Mohamed Ali, a 36-year-old resident of Bath Settlement, West Berbice, was sentenced to three years in prison for trafficking narcotics.

He appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The court was informed that on Tuesday, March 25, Ali was found in possession of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to the charge. Magistrate Wilson made it clear to Ali the severity of his offense, to which Ali expressed remorse and requested mercy from the court.

However, Magistrate Wilson firmly sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed a fine of $100,000.

On the day of the incident, a team of officers from the Mahaicony Police Station, acting on credible information, conducted a stop-and-search operation on the Park Public Road in Mahaicony. A blue and black mini bus, which approached from the west, was stopped, and the driver complied with the officers’ instructions.

During the search of the bus, the officers initially found nothing on the passengers. However, they discovered a black and yellow haversack hidden under the back seat of the bus, which no one claimed ownership of.

Upon opening the bag in the presence of the passengers, they uncovered a red shirt wrapped around three black plastic bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The officers seized the bag and brought the passengers to the Mahaicony Police Station for further investigation.

A subsequent search of the haversack revealed a Ministry of Health voucher in the front pocket, clearly bearing Ali’s name. He later admitted ownership of both the bag and the narcotics, was advised of his rights, and formally arrested.

The seized narcotics weighed a total of 650 grams, leading to his eventual charge.

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A resident of New Amsterdam was on Tuesday sentenced to 12 years in prison following a fatal altercation that resulted in the death of an ex-convict in 2022.

Dexroy Ogleton, 42 years of age and a farmer residing at Lot 22 Alexander Street, New Amsterdam, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter last month after being indicted for murder.

State Prosecutor Cicelia Corbin accepted Ogleton’s plea to the lesser charge on behalf of the prosecution. The case involved the unlawful killing of Jermaine Elias, who resided at Lot 44 Stanleytown, also located within the New Amsterdam township.

After the plea was entered, Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus requested the preparation of a probation report concerning Ogleton. This report was subsequently submitted to the court by Senior Probation and Welfare Officer Maisie Sheppard.

Prior to the sentencing, Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan, who represented Ogleton, presented a written submission urging the court to consider the contents of the probation report as well as Ogleton’s intention to expedite proceedings by pleading guilty.

Conversely, the State Prosecutor emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting the loss of life and advocating for a sentence that would serve as a deterrent for similar offenses.

In delivering the sentence, Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus acknowledged that the probation report had favorable elements regarding Ogleton. Notably, the judge considered video evidence of the incident, highlighting that Ogleton initiated the attack. Although the altercation was momentarily interrupted, it resumed when the deceased retrieved a mop stick, leading Ogleton to draw a knife from his bag.

The trial judge established an initial sentence of 18 years but subsequently reduced this by one-third due to the guilty plea. Ogleton was ultimately sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment, with an instruction that the prison deduct the time served while on remand.

The incident in question occurred on October 16, 2022, at the intersection of Main and Kent Streets in New Amsterdam, in proximity to the Super Bet outlet.

Initial reports indicated that Ogleton and Elias had engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated into physical violence, resulting in Elias being left motionless on the roadway. The altercation involved the use of a mop stick and a grass knife.

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In a recent announcement, the president revealed plans to make all tolls on bridges in the country free of charge, including the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge in Linden. This decision has received strong support from Linden’s Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira, who described it as a step in the right direction for the welfare of citizens.

“I strongly endorse and support this decision,” said Figueira, reflecting on his earlier call during the 2025 budget presentation in January, where he had advocated for the toll removals long before the completion of the new four-lane bridge under construction.

“I see the president’s decision as magnanimous and mature, accepting positions that will bring greater relief to the people, even if from an opposition member,” he added.

The MP emphasized that such actions demonstrate a commitment to public welfare over short-term fiscal concerns. “More such decisions should be taken with several other opposition proposals,” he stated.

One of the primary reasons for Figueira’s support is the longstanding issue of double tolls in Linden, where two tolls are charged within a mile radius of each other. This policy, which has been in place for years, has created significant economic strain on residents, particularly those on the Wismar shore and in the interior communities. The imposition of two tolls has driven up the prices of goods and services and, in some cases, led businesses to avoid serving certain areas due to the high costs of tolls.

“The double toll situation, which has existed for several years in Linden, has had the unfortunate negative effect of increased prices on goods and services, especially for residents on the Wismar shore and the interior communities,” Figueira explained. “Some impacted products and services are involuntarily denied to residents on the western shore and beyond, because of some businesses not wanting to, or unable to, pay twice, especially the Council’s Kara Kara toll which is pegged at several thousands of dollars per truck added to additional bridge toll costs.”

With the tolls now abolished, the policy is expected to reduce the financial burdens on citizens and stimulate regional development. Figueira believes that the removal of tolls will help foster growth in commerce, trade, tourism, manufacturing, and other economic sectors, benefiting not only Linden but the wider region.

“Toll removal is a progressive economic strategy that directly benefits low- and middle-income households,” he said. “Tolls function as regressive taxes, disproportionately affecting those for whom daily bridge crossings are essential for employment, education, healthcare, and commerce.”

Research has backed this argument, with a 2021 World Bank study on transportation equity revealing that tolls consume up to 10% of monthly income for low-wage workers in developing economies, exacerbating poverty. By eliminating these fees, the policy aims to redistribute disposable income to households, allowing for greater participation in local economies and benefiting small businesses, especially those in logistics, transport, retail, and agriculture.

Figueira singled out Linden as one of the communities that stands to benefit the most from this toll-free decision, given the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge’s role as a critical lifeline for residents. “In the case of Linden, therefore, where the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge serves as a lifeline, residents are bound to feel tangible relief from this decision,” he affirmed.

However, the MP also acknowledged the concerns regarding potential revenue losses for municipalities. To address this, Figueira has called for proactive fiscal reforms to ensure continued economic growth for Linden and other municipalities. He has suggested that the government approve proposals by the Linden Municipal Council for the establishment of new commercial and economic zones, particularly in communities like Amelia’s Ward, which lacks a designated market or space for commercial activities.

“Amelia’s Ward, for example, is the largest community in Linden and arguably in the region, yet it doesn’t have a market nor an officially designated space for commercial engagements,” he pointed out. Additionally, he recommended the creation of an industrial and manufacturing zone along the Linden to Lethem corridor to further boost economic growth.

Figueira also suggested that the government consider expanding the tax jurisdictions of municipalities to help offset the loss of toll revenue. “If the government holds firm on not allowing for increases of taxes through property revaluation, then they should allow for reforms to be introduced that allow for exponential reach of municipal tax jurisdictions within the ever-expanding municipalities,” he said.

By incorporating previously exempt areas, such as those in Block 22, Phase B Wisroc, and other communities, into the municipal tax base, Figueira believes Linden’s revenue base can be significantly boosted without imposing additional financial burdens on residents. These areas are also in need of essential municipal services like garbage collection, which the local council could provide at a lower cost than private operators, further contributing to the revenue stream.

Figueira praised the president’s decision as a victory for the people and emphasized the importance of infrastructure as a means to improve living standards. “The President’s decision reaffirms a timeless truth: that infrastructure exists not as a revenue stream but as a conduit for human dignity and collective advancement,” he concluded.

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Guyana’s journey towards the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland has been laid out.

In Group A of the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship, a challenging draw pits them against powerhouse USA, hosts Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

The official draw, conducted by Concacaf, has set the stage for a thrilling tournament, scheduled to take place from May 29th to June 8th at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Eight Concacaf nations will battle it out for a coveted spot in the World Cup.

The full group breakdown is as follows:

• Group A: USA, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Guyana
• Group B: Mexico, Canada, Panama, Nicaragua

Guyana’s campaign will kick off with a daunting clash against the United States on May 30th.

They will then face the host nation, Costa Rica, on June 1st, before concluding their group stage matches against Puerto Rico.

All of Guyana’s matches are scheduled to kick off at 16:00h Eastern Caribbean Time.

Guyana’s path to this stage began with a successful run in the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Qualifiers, where they emerged as one of the six group winners, alongside Puerto Rico, Panama, Nicaragua, Canada, and Costa Rica. These six nations have now joined the top-ranked sides in the region, the United States and Mexico, in the Championship.

The Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship will feature a group stage, with two groups of four teams each.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, securing their qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026.

The semi-final winners will then face off in the final, where the Concacaf champion will be crowned.

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Claims of bias and falsehoods regarding evidence given in the trial into the March 2020 elections — specifically regarding the targeting of PPP agents — were proven to be untrue following clarification from the prosecution and a replay of the court proceedings.

The matter, which had sparked outrage on social media on Tuesday, was raised when the trial resumed on Wednesday afternoon. Defence attorney Ronald Daniels from the Chambers of Nigel Hughes had previously expressed his concerns over the issue.

During cross-examination, defence attorney Darren Wade requested clarification on a statement made by Local Observer Rosalinda Rasul during Tuesday’s hearing. This prompted Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty to intervene and provide clarity.

Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat subsequently referred to her notes, confirming that Rasul had indeed told the court that police were summoned when chaos erupted at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmins Building during the elections. When questioned by Daniels about whether it was the PPP agents who were targeted, Rasul responded: “Yes, it did appear so.”

Despite this clarification, the defence remained unsatisfied, prompting the magistrate to order that the recording of that particular section of evidence be replayed in court.

Upon replay, it was confirmed that Rasul had stated only PPP agents were targeted, even though other party agents, observers, and diplomats were vocal and contributed to the chaos that occurred during the tabulation of votes in Region Four.

The News Room had reported on Tuesday that Rasul testified that the police only intervened against representatives of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

The report also noted that, during cross-examination by Daniels, heavily armed police prevented some observers, including Rasul herself, from entering the building. Despite the involvement of other political party agents—particularly from APNU+AFC—no similar police intervention occurred against them.

Following the Tuesday hearing, Daniels took to social media to express his opinion on the article, which he described as a “clearly deliberate, misleading” report. In his post, he went on to detail what he claimed were “admissions” by Rasul under cross-examination.

The post sparked interactions, including one from Roxanne Myers, one of the defendants in the case.

However, when the clarification was provided in court, Daniels, who joined virtually on Wednesday, could not defend his previous claims.

Nine individuals are currently before the court, charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC and denying victory to the PPP. Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the results for five months, until PPP candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as president in August 2020. Rasul’s testimony continues when the trial resumes on Wednesday, 26 March.

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The roar of engines at the first Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club Circuit Race for 2025 on April 27 will carry a special resonance as motorsport legend Ray Rahaman makes a highly anticipated return to the track in the inaugural Vitz Cup Championship.

A name etched in Guyanese motorsport history, Rahaman’s comeback is more than just a fleeting appearance; it’s a powerful and emotional rekindling of a legacy.

Known for his fearless driving and years of dominance across various racing categories, Rahaman’s return promises to bridge the gap between generations of racing enthusiasts.

Last year’s emotional tribute, when GMRSC President Mahendra Boodhoo renamed the iconic “Goose Neck” turn at the South Dakota Circuit “The Ray Rahaman Entry,” brought the legend to tears, a testament to his profound impact on the sport.

Now, that same corner, bearing his name, will echo with the sound of his engine as he races through it again.

The excitement surrounding Rahaman’s return is amplified by the prospect of an expanded Rahaman presence on the track.

More members of the Rahaman family are expected to join the championship in the 2025 season, signaling a continuation of a rich motorsport tradition and a deep-rooted commitment to the sport.

Ray Rahaman’s return transcends a mere comeback; it’s a celebration of endurance, legacy, and an unwavering passion for racing.

As fans flock to South Dakota, anticipating the thunderous symphony of engines, one thing is certain: the legend has returned, and a new chapter in Guyanese motorsport history is about to be written.

The “Ray Rahaman Entry” will not just be a corner on the track, but a symbolic gateway to a renewed era of racing, driven by the return of a true icon. (GMR&SC) 

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Quinton de Kock was in fine form against the Rajasthan Royals, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to their first win of the IPL season.

Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 helped Kolkata Knight Riders pick up their first win of the Indian Premier League season, with an eight-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals.

After restricting their opponents to 151-9, De Kock led the charge with the bat, sealing an impressive triumph with a huge six from Jofra Archer’s delivery.

Chasing 152, De Kock batted throughout, timing the ball well on a slow pitch to hit eight fours and six sixes in his 61 balls, helping the reigning champions respond to their seven-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Kolkata started strongly as Sanju Samson (13) fell in the third over to Vaibhav Arora (2-33), but Riyan Parag’s 25 steadied the ship.

However, when Parag was dismissed soon after, the wickets began to tumble as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (29), Wanindu Hasaranga (four) and Nitish Rana (eight) were bowled out in three consecutive overs to put Kolkata in control.

Dhruv Jurel (33) halted the collapse somewhat before falling to Harshit Rana (2-36), with the Royals unable to add significant runs to their total as they aimed to do the damage with the ball in hand.

Moeen Ali, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arora and Rana all took two wickets each for Kolkata, showcasing their class without the unwell Sunil Narine.

And De Kock showed he meant business after crashing a boundary in the second over, before easing his way through the gears to attack the Rajasthan bowlers.

Quinton de Kock started the chase in a hurry•Mar 26, 2025•BCCI

The Royals got their breakthrough in the sixth over when Ali (five) was run out by Maheesh Theekshana, but with De Kock at the crease, the victory never looked in doubt.

Ajinkya Rahane’s 18 helped Kolkata edge closer to victory, but it was De Kock who stole the show, batting his team to victory, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi chipped in with 22 runs.

Kolkata were dealt a blow ahead of the match with 2024 MVP Narine missing through illness.

He was three wickets away from surpassing Dwayne Bravo (183) to become the third-leading wicket-taker in the IPL, but KKR’s spinners showcased their class in his absence.

Although, their triumph was led by De Kock, whose unbeaten 97 was his 26th score of 50 runs or more and his third-highest individual score in the IPL.

He has also now scored 468 runs against the Royals in the competition, more than he has managed against any other opponent. (SportsMax) 

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