Good morning. I have read the papers carefully, as I always do, and I am pleased to report that this country continues to move in the right direction, albeit not without the occasional structural setback that requires prompt and professional attention.

CANU’S IMPRESSIVE FIRST QUARTER

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit has reported seizures exceeding $190 million in the first quarter of 2026. This is a remarkable result and a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our law enforcement agencies. A well-funded and operationally sound CANU is exactly what a country managing Guyana’s level of growth and regional exposure requires. We commend the leadership.

THE REFINERY QUESTION, ANSWERED BY EVENTS

Events in the Middle East have done what strategic planning sometimes cannot: they have concentrated minds. President Ali’s pursuit of Gulf state investment in local storage facilities, and his ongoing discussions with the Dominican Republic on energy resilience, reflect exactly the kind of forward-looking governance that positions Guyana not merely as an oil producer but as a regional energy anchor. The conversation about a local refinery was never about if. It was always about when. When appears to be arriving.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE COST OF AVIATION FUEL

The Aviation Operators’ Association’s warning about rising domestic airfares is regrettable but understandable. Global fuel prices, driven by geopolitical instability beyond our shores, have created cost pressures across every transport sector. The government’s investment in road infrastructure — including the $604 million East Coast corridor expansion — is part of a longer strategy to reduce Guyana’s transport vulnerability. These things take time to fully materialise, but the direction is sound.

ON CARICOM AND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s comments about CARICOM’s leadership, and Ambassador Sanders’ suggestion regarding the Secretary General, deserve thoughtful consideration rather than reflexive dismissal. Regional institutions must demonstrate that they add value, particularly in moments of external economic shock. That said, institutional reform is best pursued through the established mechanisms, with the kind of constructive engagement that produces durable outcomes rather than headlines. The Caribbean deserves functioning regional architecture. The conversation about how to achieve that is worth having.

MINING SECTOR CONTINUES TO PERFORM

Omai Gold Mines’ 400,000-ounce increase in its mineral resource estimate within seven months is a significant development for Guyana’s non-oil extractive sector. Diversification of the resource base — and of the investors engaged in it — strengthens Guyana’s overall economic resilience. This is precisely the kind of news that tends to get lost beneath the daily noise but matters enormously for the medium-term picture.

WATER AND SCHOOLS

The $46 million rehabilitation of the Amelia’s Ward Treatment Plant addresses a longstanding service gap in Region 10. The announcement of a new primary school for Parakeese Village in Region One demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches the country’s most remote communities. These investments are not glamorous. They are essential.

CONDOLENCES

The loss of life in this week’s road accidents and the discovery of the deceased at Victoria Koker are reminders that behind the statistics of growth and investment are communities experiencing real grief. We extend our condolences to all affected families.

Considered. Measured. Always government-adjacent.