Good morning. Pour yourself something strong. Sunday’s news does not slow down.
GDF WITHIN VISUAL RANGE OF CRASH SITE — PILOT STILL UNACCOUNTED
More than 24 hours after the ASL Cessna went down in the Region Eight jungle, the GDF’s 31 Special Forces Squadron has reached a position within visual proximity of the wreckage. Getting there required climbing steep escarpments through dense mountain forest — the kind of terrain that reduces experienced special forces to fighting for every metre. A Bell 429 helicopter with a hoist is circling above; a Skyvan is supporting operations. Captain Ryder Castello, the Nicaraguan pilot, has not yet been confirmed alive or dead. The Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana says private operators are giving full assistance. Everyone is praying. Everyone is watching. The clock has been running for over a day.
KAIETEUR BLOWS THE WALES GTE CONTRACT WIDE OPEN
Kaieteur News published a string of damning reports Saturday on the Wales Gas-to-Energy project and its contractor, Lindsayca-CH4. Among the revelations: Guyana is already repaying ExxonMobil for the pipeline through cost recovery — while publicly telling citizens the gas is free. A secret Gas Sales Agreement commits Guyana to purchasing 375 billion cubic feet of gas from Exxon over 20 years regardless of whether Lindsayca ever finishes the plants. The contractor has already extracted US$82 million through a Dispute Adjudication Board ruling, and is now positioning to demand another US$250 million in additional costs — of which only US$170 million is apparently needed, leaving an unexplained US$80 million gap. Meanwhile, Lindsayca executives fly cargo into Guyana on private jets, billed to the project. The government has not responded. The silence is its own story.
BARTICA GETS A NEW HOSPITAL
The Ministry of Health turned the sod Saturday for a new state-of-the-art regional hospital in Bartica, Region Seven. The facility is expected to be completed within 24 months. Minister Frank Anthony called it a “memorable and long-anticipated moment.” Since 2020, the government has built or begun construction on nearly 25 health centres nationwide. Critics will note that several hospitals promised for 2025 remain incomplete. Bartica residents, who have historically had to travel hours for specialist care, are not particularly interested in the critics.
OPPOSITION LEADER FIRES CHIEF SCRUTINEER, NORTON SAYS DON’T IMPORT CRIME
Two opposition stories running in parallel. First: Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed terminated the appointment of PNCR member Carol Smith-Joseph as Chief Scrutineer with immediate effect. No detailed reason was given publicly, but the move signals continued friction between WIN and the PNCR within the opposition benches. Second: APNU/PNCR chairman Aubrey Norton publicly stated that Guyana must not “import crime” — a reference, unmistakably, to concerns about crime patterns and foreign nationals. The week ahead in Parliament should be lively.
NATIONAL ENHANCEMENT EXERCISE HELD COUNTRYWIDE
The National Enhancement Committee conducted a nationwide cleanup exercise Saturday, with participation from citizens, organisations, and the Joint Services across all regions. Georgetown got some shine. Whether it lasts past Tuesday is a separate question.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL GOES TO COURT OVER CONSTABULARY COMPLEX
The Mayor and City Council has filed for an injunction against the Government of Guyana over the City Constabulary Training Complex on Water Street. The government wants the site. The city wants the government to stop wanting the site. This one will run for a while.
HARPY EAGLES OPEN REGIONAL FOUR-DAY CAMPAIGN TODAY
The defending champion Guyana Harpy Eagles face the Windward Islands Volcanoes today at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. GCB President Bissoondyal Singh’s pre-departure message to the squad: Consistency, Unity, Discipline. The three words are on a banner. Whether they’re in the batters’ heads is another matter. Under the new format, the top three teams advance to playoffs beginning May 10.
SWADISH FOOD FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND
The Swadish International Food Festival returns to Georgetown this weekend — international cuisines, local favourites, and the kind of crowd that pretends not to be excited about the pholourie but goes back four times. Worth the trip.
The Guyana Daily Brief is satirical news commentary. For real news, try Kaieteur, Demerara Waves, Guyana Times, or Guyana Chronicle.