Guyana_Chronicle_Quarterly_Oct_2022

Linden on the rise

shocks,

could help

Linden on the rise

THE Mining Town of Lin den, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), has been advancing rapidly over the past two years, through increased public and private investments that are creating significant opportunities for residents and, by extension, trans forming the town’s eco nomic landscape.

In the public sector, the government’s part-time job

initiative has created waves in Linden, as more than 1,000 persons have gained employment.

Specifically, more than half-a-billion dollars has been invested in the econo my of Region 10, through the provision of 1,000 part-time jobs and 200 small-business grants to residents there.

Through the part-time jobs initiative, some $480 million will be invested in

the region annually, and another $50 million through the small business grants, which seek to get persons into business, and those al ready in business to expand their operations.

Residents of Linden have also been accessing direct job opportunities through the major infrastructural projects in the region.

The Ministry of Public Works is undertaking bil lions of dollars worth of road works and other infrastruc tural projects in the region.

Work on the LindenMabura Mabura Hill road construction project has been

one such project that has not only created direct employ ment for residents, but has also created spinoff opportu nities for suppliers and other key stakeholders.

It was reported that more than 100 Guyanese have found employment through the US$190 million Linden to Mabura Hill road con struction project, which is being undertaken by a Bra zilian company, Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A.

Additionally, job oppor tunities have been made available in the housing and telecommunications sectors, as over 150 persons have gained employment under the Housing and Water Min istry’s home-construction drive in the Mining Town.

Outside of construction, the rebranded Kara Kara Call Centre at Linden has also empowered 150 residents by offering them employment

The Midas BPO (Kara Kara Call Centre) has al ready employed 150 persons from this town. Importantly, the call centre holds poten tial to hire as many as 1,000 persons.

Progress in Linden is also evidenced by the Che tram Borthers’ $400 million investment in two new busi nesses.

President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victor Fernandes, during an interview with the Chronicle, had said that the

most recent investment is one of the most significant private initiatives that has been undertaken in recent times in township.

The Chetram Brothers Group of Companies com missioned two new compa nies, bringing the total in vestments by the company in Region 10 to approximately $400 million. Through this initiative, the company has also created approximately 200 jobs in Linden.

Fernandes said that Lin den has been a community with high rates of unem ployment and such a venture is timely and would sig nificantly lower this rate and stimulate growth in the local economy.

SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS

“We’re talking about bringing significant benefits to the economy and the wellbeing of Linden,” he said, adding that those types of investments into the region are necessary.

As a chamber, Fernandes said they have recognised that there is great potential for development in the re gion.

The chamber president said there are various av enues for development that investors could explore. And the chamber will continue to encourage entrepreneurs, es pecially local entrepreneurs to invest within the region.

more

for

greater access to housing solutions

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, engages residents of Region 10

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, join investors in the commissioning of the Linden Oxygen Company, one of two major investments made by the Chetram brothers in Region 10 (Delano Williams photo)

Linden on the...

FROM

2

Meanwhile, Fernandes also referenced the Fis cal Enactment Act of 2008 which was intended to stim ulate investments in spe cific areas like Region 10 by providing incentives for investments.

The chamber president said that the organisation has had sensitisation sessions with the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) on some of the incentives that would be granted for in vestments in specific areas outlined in the act.

Through those sessions, the chamber was able to gather and share knowledge with members of the busi ness community in Linden in an attempt to stimulate investments.

Meanwhile, Fernandes told the Guyana Chronicle

that the Linden Chamber of Commerce and Industry is currently in the process of launching a business forum in the coming months to at tract investors.

“We’re looking to woo investors. We will have speakers from the vari ous areas, tourism, small, micro, and large business addressing those areas so that our members can be sensitised on the benefits and potentials of investing in Region 10,” he said.

Fernandes added that they hope to host this busi ness forum in the latter part of October and further facilitate the formation of more businesses in the town and region at large.

HOUSING

SOLUTIONS

Not only are efforts un derway to financially equip

residents of Region 10, there has also been work in the area of housing, to ensure that persons have access to adequate accom modation.

In Region 10, in addi tion to the construction of 1,000 houses, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had said that 50 houses will be constructed in Amelia’s Ward for young professionals.

Only in May this year, the first 18 young profes sionals and other public servants of the Mining Town received the keys to their new houses.

Additionally, the Hous ing Ministry signed three contracts totalling $364 million, for the develop ment of over 400 lots that were allocated to persons within Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Work progressing well on the Linden-Mabura Hill road construction project (DPI photo)

A team leader overseeing operations at the Midas BPO (DPI photo)

Big relief for thousands of fisherfolk

with roll out of $150,000 one-off grant

OVER 6,000 fisher folk are set to receive the $150,000 one-off cash grant that was an nounced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali in June of this year.

This grant has so far been distributed to hundreds of fishermen across the coast of Guy ana, since the roll out of the programme in Sep tember

The grant is intended to bring much-needed relief to fisherfolk who have been feeling the squeeze occasioned by the increase in cost of liv ing caused by COVID-19 and the ongoing RussiaUkraine war.

At the Port Mourant Community Ground, Sunil Jaimangal, a fa ther of three from Sheet Anchor Village, Canjie, was among hundreds who turned up to collect their grant. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the grant was a big help to him and his family. Recently, he said his fishing pen was destroyed by a big boat and the money collected will be used to rebuild the structure which he depends on for his liveli hood.

A fisherman for close to 20 years, Jaimangal said the industry had ex perienced ups and downs

but he was optimistic that it will make a full re covery with the help and support from the govern ment.

Over at the Skel don Community Centre Ground where another few hundreds gathered to uplift their grant, San jay Chattergoon, seated comfortably in a chair, a short distance from the distribution point, waited patiently for his name to be called.

Chattergoon of Num ber 62 Village, Coren tyne, told this newspaper that he had been out of work for the past three weeks after losing a toe while at sea.

“I’m happy, it means a lot to me, I have been out of work. Look, see here, I lost my toe while at sea. I’m diabetic. I noticed a numbness and then swell ing and when I visited the doctor, it was in a bad state so they had to cut it off. So, right now, I’m re covering and this money is a big help for me,” said Chattergoon, who is still grieving the loss of his wife who died last year.

Further, having dropped out of school at

on the table” and make a life for his family and himself.

Having grown accus

the age of nine, 54-yearold Enoch Singh has spent most of his life as a fisherman, toiling for hours at sea to “put bread

tomed to rewards that are only achieved through many hours of hard work, Singh was overwhelmed with emotion when his fortunes changed recent ly, when he easily up lifted his $150,000 grant from the Government

Singh, accompanied by his wife, Rohani, was among 1,305 fisherfolk who were scheduled to receive their cash grant at the Ministry of Agri culture.

That distribution exercise, led by VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, cov ered fisherfolk operat ing in the Bagotsown to Farm area on the East Bank Demerara, as well as in Gopie, Grove, Her stelling, Meadow Bank, New Hope, Nobel House, Peter’s Hall, PSI, Riv erview, Stabroek and Timehri.

Singh and his wife, after uplifting their grant, said that they used to own one boat each, but his (Singh’s) had to be sold. He is the captain of the boat and there were two workmen. All four benefitted from the cash grant.

ing business, particularly after they were recently the victims of piracy and had one of their engines stolen.

Rohani related that she was glad to see the support being given to fisherfolk, so that persons could feel encouraged. She had been in the pro fession for over 30 years, and, with a broad smile, she said that she does not see herself leaving any time soon.

NEW BUSINESS

VENTURE

Another fisherfolk, 60-year-old Albert Gomes of Albouystown, said that the $150,000 had opened a way for him to be able to invest some money in a new business venture.

I am not working right now,” Gomes said.

He related that in the same way the industry has grown over the years, so, too, had the number of persons involved in the business, and as such it had become all the more competitive to survive.

“It getting really hard and tough for the fisher man, but I thankful for this money a great lot. I going and do some in vestment, because I’m not working right now,” Gomes said.

of Guyana, as part of the fisherfolk initiative intended to offer relief amidst rising cost of liv ing.

The couple had told the Guyana Chronicle that they will be using the money they received to invest in their fish

“This $150,000, I thankful very much for it; it could put a little rice and some other things in my pot, and right now I’m studying to use $100,000 from it and buy some coconut and go and sell on the road, because the fishing ground close off for a l’il while, and

The government’s in tervention in the fishing industry does not stop at the grant, as Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, in August, had said that some $300 million will go towards the rehabilitation of a number of landing sites where fisherfolk dock their boats and offload their catch.

“We have 72 landing sites in the country and many of those landing sites need a lot of work to be done for example

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha address the concerns of fisherfolk at the MMA-ADA (Delano Williams photo)

Couple, Roshani and Enoch Singh both benefitted from the fisherfolk cash grant initiative

Increased O&G activities could help Guyana absorb shocks, drive development

IMF says

INCREASED activities in the oil and gas sector could enhance Guyana’s ability to stave off eco nomic shocks and advance development across the country, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

In a report documenting the conclusions of its Article IV Consultation with local authorities, the IMF said: “Directors highlighted that increasing oil production could help transform the economy, address devel opment needs, and build substantial buffers to absorb shocks.”

Oil production is expect ed to increase significantly with the coming on stream of two large oilfields during 2023–2026.

ExxonMobil, the pri mary company leading the operations offshore Guyana, has four sanctioned projects.

Of those, Liza Phase One is producing approxi mately 130,000 barrels per day, using the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) ves sel, while the Liza Phase Two, which started produc tion in February, is steadily ramping up to its capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, using the Liza Unity FPSO vessel.

The third project, Pa yara, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day; construction of its produc tion vessel, the Prosperity FPSO, is running approxi mately five months ahead of schedule, with start-up likely before year-end 2023. The fourth project, Yellow tail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the One Guyana FPSO comes on stream in 2025.

ExxonMobil is also moving ahead with plans for its fifth development project in the Stabroek Block, Uaru,

which is expected to pro duce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

Meanwhile, another company operating in Guy ana’s waters, CGX, less than two months after encoun tering hydrocarbons at the Kawa-1 well in the Coren tyne Block, announced that its drilling campaign had produced greater results.

The company, in a press statement, announced that the Kawa-1 well encoun tered approximately 177 feet (54 metres) of hydrocarbonbearing reservoirs within Maastrichtian, Campanian and Santonian horizons based on initial evaluation of Logging While Drilling (LWD) data.

Those intervals are simi lar in age and could be cor related using regional seis mic data to recent successes in Block 58 in Suriname and the lucrative Stabroek Block

offshore Guyana.

Owing to the results of the Kawa-1 exploration, CGX Energy Inc. related that it will continue to inte grate its findings from the Kawa-1 well into prepara tions for its second explora tion well called Wei-1, to be spud in the third quarter of 2022.

The Wei-1 exploration well will be located ap proximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa-1 ex ploration well in the Coren tyne Block, approximately 200 kilometres offshore from Georgetown, Guyana.

As it is now, Guyana’s commercially recoverable petroleum reserves are the third largest in Latin Amer ica and the Caribbean, and one of the highest levels of oil reserves per capita in the world.

Further progress in the oil and gas sector could help Guyana build up substantial fiscal and external buffers to absorb shocks while ad dressing infrastructure gaps

and human development needs. However, increased dependence on oil revenues will expose the economy to volatility in global oil prices.

“A slowing global econ omy and the repercussions from the war in Ukraine could also adversely af fect non-oil exports. On the other hand, higher global oil prices and additional gas and oil discoveries could significantly improve Guy ana’s long-term economic prospects,” the IMF said.

It was reported that re turns from the sector are expected to catapult Guyana to the ranks of wealthiest countries in the Western Hemisphere, thereby in creasing the government’s fiscal space to invest in ini tiatives geared at expanding the economy, and improv ing the overall welfare of citizens.

In order to solidify the foundation of Guyana’s economy and enhance the overall well-being and wel fare of every Guyanese,

the government is crafting a framework for develop ment that will be sustained through prudent and effec tive investment of oil funds into education, health, in frastructure and the non-oil sectors.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that the intention of the incum bent is to craft a framework for the future which will see more proceeds from the

petroleum industry going toward Guyanese.

“… we have to spend the money to build the future, that is why we have made it clear in our manifesto, when we cam paigned between 2015 and 2020, that money will be spent on education, health care, infrastructure and assistance to non-oil indus tries,” the Vice-President said.

Liberalisation fuels growth in telecommunications sector

PRIME Minister, Briga dier (Ret’d) Mark Phil lips, has credited the liberalisation of the tel ecommunications sec tor for the innovation, growth and advancement in services offered by various providers to the Guyanese consum ers.

During a press con ference held at GTT’s new Ocean View Execu tive Conference Area in the Pegasus Suites and

Conference Centre, the Prime Minister Phillips said that it was this drive that helped GTT’s Fibre Service achieve a mile stone.

“Government is happy to receive the announce ment of the extensive fibre-roll out efforts con ducted by GTT to en sure the reliable connec tivity of Guyanese, all while strengthening the communities they serve and fostering innovation

within the telecommunica tions sector of Guyana,” he said.

The Prime Minister, who also holds the min isterial portfolio for tel ecommunications, high lighted the expansion across the sector.

“Today, we see a shining example of that through the initiative by GTT in its fibre roll-out campaign, which saw the recent connectivity of 2,800 homes, bringing

He also emphasised the importance of ICT, as he announced that the gov ernment is developing an

ICT master plan that will significantly enhance the efficiency and productiv ity of Guyana’s public and private sectors.

The Prime Minister, however, spoke of the need for further collabora tion among government, stakeholders and inves tors.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips their total to over 100,000 homes connected with their service. This show of initiative and genu ine consideration for the needs of our people aligns perfectly with our govern ment’s commitment to modernising Guyana’s in frastructure, including its utility services, to support a flourishing economy,” Phillips said.

“What is evident is the need for continued partnerships to ensure the development of the ICT sector of Guyana and our government stands ready

to support initiatives such as we see here today,” he related.

Chief Operations Of ficer (COO) of Home Solutions and Fixed Net works, Eshwar Thakur din, said that the com pany is honouring its commitment to improv ing internet quality in order to reliably con nect its customers and provide the right ICT climate to support the government’s develop ment agenda. (DPI)

Big relief for thousands of...

FROM

proper lights, wharfage and other infrastructure. So, what we will be do ing at all the 72 landing sites around the coun try we will be install ing lights. We will be installing proper walkways, we will be install ing better condition so our fisherfolk can have easier access to when they come out there, they can take out their catch. This money here will rehabilitate and improve these landing sites around the country,” the minister said.

In June of this year, President Ali, during a

public meeting at Wind sor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara, an nounced that fisherfolk will be the beneficiar ies of a one-off grant of $150,000.

“We are announcing an initiative for every single person identified; we are going to help you with a one-off grant of $150,000. This is an im mediate step that we are taking to assist you, in addition to all that we’re doing to expand the in dustry,” President Ali said.

The President noted that the grant for the fish erfolk ties in with the

government’s commit ment to increase sup

port for the agriculture community, as Guyana

and the rest of the Carib bean strive to increase

the production of food commodities, in keeping with the ‘Vision 25 by 25’ target.

“Our goal is to cre ate the system in which we can increase productivity; we’re work ing to make Guyana an important part of the food supply to help the whole Caribbean. To do this, we have to invest in every sector and every segment, in developing our productive capac ity; that is why we are addressing, today, our fishing industry spe cifically,” the President had said.

Albert Gomes of Albouystown hopes to use some of the money from his fisherfolk cash grant to open a coconut business

Effective policies lead to significant increase in school population

MORE primary school pupils are being retained by the secondary educa tion system as a result of effective policies being implemented by the Peo ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said in a recent post on her official Facebook page.

This outcome, though positive, presents a chal lenge to the physical capac ity of educational facilities across Guyana, especially because of the former A Part nership for National Unity + Alliance For Change’s (APNU+AFC)’s shortcom ings in the construction and expansion of schools during its time in office.

“Space at Secondary schools have become a real issue. This is a good thing as it speaks to policies that result in retention of more students. [But] the fact that the Good Hope Secondary, Yarrowkabra Secondary and St Rose’s High, were never finished for five long years, that no other second ary schools were built and that St George’s High, North Ruimveldt and North West Secondary were burnt to the ground have not been help ful,” Minister Manickchand said.

To address the inherited challenges and further ad vance the education sec tor, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Govern ment, in just over two years, invested billions of Guyana

dollars into various projects and programmes.

For this year alone, over $32.2 billion has already been spent on initiatives to advance development in the sector. The government in its 2022 budget, allocated some $74.4 billion to further en hance the education system.

One of the many projects that had a significant impact on the education system is the education cash grant initiative.

The “Because We Care” project which started in 2014 under the then PPP/C Gov ernment, saw parents receiv ing cash grants of $10,000

per child in the public school system.

However, when the APNU+AFC assumed office in 2015, the party discon tinued the grant. When the PPP/C returned to govern ment in 2020, they upheld their promise to restore the grant and increased it.

As it is now, the grant stands at $30,000 and is available to learners in both the public and private school systems.

“… the Because We Care cash grant has resulted in far more children turning out to school and taking the primary exit NGSA thereby

needing places at a second ary school. This year 2,000 more children sat that exam than last year. And 2,000 more children need seats in secondary school than last year. A happy consequence,” Minister Manickchand said.

Addressing some of the direct steps being taken to curb the situation, the min ister said: “We are in the process of rebuilding those schools burnt, extending existing schools such as East Ruimveldt and St Winifred’s and building at least two brand new secondary schools in Georgetown, two in Re gion Three, one in Region

Seven and one at Karasabai.

“Additionally, Queen’s College and The Bishop’s High are being extended currently and St. Stanislaus and St. Joseph’s are slated for expansion next year, mak ing it possible to take in the most children ever in the history of our country at the National “top” Schools. We have begun to offer CAPE in regions which never enjoyed this privilege before such as Regions Two and Three.”

In the immediate term, to accommodate additional learners, the government had to explore the options of opening more primary tops, establishing annexes of sec ondary schools and engaging in rotations/double sessions.

“The government reject ed, out of hand, the estab lishment of any new primary top – which is a primary school accommodating sec ondary students. Where there was space, the PTA [ParentTeacher Association] at each school, in organised consul tation meetings, was given an option of rotation or tents with air conditioning units installed,” Minister Manick chand said.

Commenting on the gov ernment’s decision to erect air-conditioned tents at two schools, the Opposition said that there was no reason why buildings could not have been rented and utilised.

Minister Manickchand, though not responding di rectly to those remarks, said: “Where you see tents, that was the choice of said PTA. Where there was no space

for the erection of tents, we had no choice but to do rota tions. In some cases, we have rented buildings.”

In a more recent post on Facebook page, she went on to say: “Parents at two… yes two- not some. Not several. Not many. Two …. schools chose air-conditioned tents instead of rotation and shift systems. And APNU+AFC fully well knows that. But they plan to lie to you. Here’s the thing: people lie to others who they believe are stupid and will believe the lies. Have you ever given them reason to think you will be lieve their lies? Stay woke friends.”

Accepting the unavoid able challenges and gaps in the system, Minister Manick chand said: “By next year, at this time, we will be in a far better position to fulfil our promise of universal second ary education. I’m eagerly looking forward to that time in our country’s life. Join us as we journey there!”

Schools across Guyana reopened fully for face-toface learning on April 25, 2022, for the first time since COVID-19 was detected lo cally in March 2020.

To deal with the de livery of education and promote recovery from the significant time lost ow ing to the pandemic as the systems return to normal, the ministry implemented several systems that catered to the needs of the students which included education packages and even consoli dated curricula.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (right) and Region Three Regional Educational Officer, Devindra Persaud, inspecting the new Westminster Secondary School (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, with pupils of the McKenzie Primary School and teachers during the recent launch of the National Breakfast Programme in Region 10

CPL/Cricket Carnival a resounding success

GUYANA did not win the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022 cup, but the country certainly won overall by hosting the playoffs, finals and the inaugural Cricket Carnival.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali: “I think every single government must come on board. We have to give as much support to this tournament as possible, because this tournament has much more than the event and the game of cricket in it for us.

“This tournament has the ability to bring our people in this region together, cementing us, and fusing our culture. Giving us an opportunity to meet each other, to network and these are things you cannot attach a value to.”

Former West Indies Cricketer, Daren Ganga: “Guyana has won overall just by hosting the playoffs and the finals, which is a testimony to the Government and the people of Guyana investing in a product that’s going to bring plenty of value from an economic standpoint, a social standpoint, and a psychological standpoint since cricket is a part of our psyche as a Caribbean people.

“I’ve actually seen with my own eyes the unity and coming together of the Guyanese people under the One-Guyana tagline to host such a mag nificent event, and I was also impressed to see that the Guyanese people went out and supported the CPL finals in large numbers regardless of the Amazon Warriors (the home team) not being a part of it. That shows how well invested the people are in the CPL.”

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond: “Our commitment to securing the rights to the CPL finals was part of our strategy for inclusive develop ment. We had our sights set, not only on the primary rev enue streams associated with the cricket itself, but also on capturing wider benefits that such an event could bring to a broad cross-section of ordinary people in many sectors. Indeed, this was the primary motivation for the twinning of cricket with carnival.

“Looking forward, we know that even with the planned expansion of our hotel room stock we will have similar de mand next year and likely into the third year of the contract. And it should be evident that the benefits of this programme have the potential to readily extend beyond the CPL.”

As the local streets lit up with an explosion of celebrations and events, several Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B) providers across the country smiled with satisfaction after seeing increased bookings. Those providers also had the perfect opportunity to offer patrons exceptional accommodation and hospitality services to unwind and refuel, so they could have immersed themselves in the cultural extravaganza.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh: “Giv en the great reception that we had from this initial Cricket Carnival 2022 event, it will go beyond the period and it is great because it allows individu als to gain meaningful incomes from the Bed and Breakfast programme.

“We will continue to encourage homeowners, apartment owners and so forth to let their rooms out. There was a great impact on income being derived for micro-businesses and small businesses [and] we will continue to provide the support to build out on the bed and breakfast for other major expos and events.”

Scenes from CPL/Cricket Carnival events

Photos courtesy of: Guyana Chronicle, Office of the President and CPL