Weekend Mirror 24-25 October, 2020

Guyana calls for upholding of democracy amidst COVID-19 fight 24-25 October, 2020 / Vol. 11 No. 45 / Price: $100

Internet: http: //www.mirrornewsgy.com / e-mail: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

‒ at OAS General Assembly

National Oil Spill Emergency Plan on stream PAGE 15

Gov’t to launch Wales Development Authority soon Transparency and accountability key for economic development, nothing to be done in secrecy PAGE 7

PAGE 6

PAGE 14

SEE INSIDE Fifth developer returns lands given away

by APNU+AFC Coalition PAGE 3 Frontline workers first to get COVID-19 vaccine − other at-risk groups will be prioritised PAGE 23

SEE INSIDE

Lessons for Grades 1-3

Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) Worksheets Follow the Radio and Keep Learning [PAGE 16-17]

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

2021 Budget to cater APNU+AFC had no coherent for five-year medical agriculture policy – Mustapha doctor programmes T – Min. Hamilton

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he PPP/C Government’s 2021 Budget will cater for five-year scholarship programmes to train doctors to ensure hospitals are better staffed.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton made this announcement during a meeting on Friday with the junior and senior doctors at the Linden Hospital Complex to address the shortage of doctors in the region.

Minister Hamilton explained that the practical solution would be to train more young persons to be-

come doctors. “We have 900 people doing the job of 1,200. I can say to you pellucidly that the practicalities in the 2021 Budget, will put mechanisms in place to ensure five-year scholarship programmes can start,” he said.

The Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten) has seen a decrease in the staff complement of doctors over the past three years. This is due mainly to some being restationed in the hinterland regions and in Georgetown.

Minister Hamilton said

Amerindian Affairs Ministry to engage Toshaos regionally

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he National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference will not be held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Sharon Hicks.

PS Hicks said a team headed by the Minister, Pauline Sukhai, will instead, visit the different regions and meet the leaders there. “The Ministerial team will go out to the regional sub districts and have consultations with the Toshaos so we will be engaging them this year, but it is impossible to have them in Georgetown this year,” she said.

The NTC Conference is an annual feature on the Ministry’s calendar. It gives the Indigenous village leaders from across the country an opportunity to meet different sector heads in Georgetown and have their issues addressed. It is also an opportunity to create linkages in line with the development agenda.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the National Toshaos’ Council, Mr. Russian Dorrick, said they are ready to work with the new Government and

adapt to its plans for Amerindian development.

Mr. Dorrick opined that meeting the village leaders in their regions was a good way to have their issues addressed promptly and to get a firsthand look at the reality on the ground.

He noted that more than 200 village leaders usually gather in Georgetown for the Conference and not a lot of time is available for one-onone engagements.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the NTC Secretary noted that there are still several issues that needs to be addressed across sectors like housing, mining, land, forestry, environmental issues and security.

Mr. Dorrick added that the NTC is looking forward to visiting the various regions with the Ministerial team and meeting the community leaders in its continued efforts to support their development.

The meetings are expected to begin in November.

The National Toshaos Council was established under the Amerindian Act of 2006 and comprises all Toshaos in Guyana, and is governed by a 20-member executive committee.

in 2015, Region Ten had the most doctors, which could adequately meet the needs of its population. “We ensured that every single person from Region Ten [who] was trained, we sent them back to their region to work …

And now we have a problem, because when doctors were leaving, the previous Government was not training,” he said.

Minister Hamilton also said consideration would be given to sourcing doctors from overseas to serve in the region.

he Agriculture Ministry had no coherent policy under the APNU+AFC Coalition, and this was obvious from the mismanagement and low performance of the sector, according to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The Ministry now has a considerable task to reform all of its departments, a challenge the Minister says he is prepared to tackle. “What I found is that they were just policy to put more burden on the farmers and other stakeholders within the sector,” Minister Mustapha told DPI in a recent interview.

As it is now, the Ministry has to start afresh. “Every one of the officers who are working at the Ministry was doing things thinking that it

is correct. But there was no guidance nor leadership at the Ministry,” the Minister added.

He said the infrastructure for farmers had deteriorated and major canals had not been cleaned for years. Even at the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), while land rental was increased from $1000 to $15,000 per acres, no extensive work was done. The PPP/C Government expended some $92 million for emergency works at the location. Additional sums were also spent to assist farmers in transporting their produce from the backlands.

The Ministry is now working to re-establish its

partnership with farmers.

“The trust is not there because they are saying that the previous Government was only making commitment and promises, and they were not delivering. When I visited and spoke to farmers about our new measures, they believe these may not come through because of their previous experience,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Since assuming office nearly three months ago, Minister Mustapha has reached out to most agriculture regions to engage farmers. He has also put effort into remedying challenges plaguing the farming society.

Some $18.4 billion was allocated in Emergency Budget 2020 to revitalise the agriculture sector.

Brigadier Gary Beaton to head new Sea and River Defence Board

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he Sea and River Defence Board has been constituted and gazetted for a period of one year, with Brigadier Gary Beaton at the helm as Chairman.

The other directors include Captain Stephen Thomas, Mr. Kevin Samad, Mr. Jermaine Braithwaite,

Mr. Tom Singh, Mr. Rawle Aaron, Ms. Heide Gillette, Mr. Arnold Adams, Mr. Ayube Ishaan, Mr. Desmond Morian, Mr. Rion Peters, Mr. David Armogan, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, Mr. Lionel Woodsworth and Mr. Michael Hudson.

A representative each from the Private Sector

and Civil Defence Commissions will also sit on the Board.

Additionally, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will nominate a representative for the Board.

The new board members have been gazetted at a critical juncture of

Guyana’s development where the Government is focusing on strengthening the country’s sea defence.

The Board will work under the purview of the Guyana Sea Defence Department following its installation by Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill.

Labour Ministry to offer training to retirees, PWDs

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he Ministry of Labour in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) will be implementing programmes aimed at retraining retirees and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in various fields.

Minister, Hon. Joseph Hamilton, made this an-

nouncement in his address to Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Linden Town Council of Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten) on Friday.

The Minister has authorised the BIT to create programmes targeting retirees

interested in returning to the workforce. Training will also be offered to persons with disabilities to tap into their skills and talents.

“We cannot talk about development and not pay attention to [persons with disabilities]. We want to do training programmes

beyond what we are used to,” Minister Hamilton said.

He called on the RDC to assist the Ministry by recommending persons for the training. The training is part of the Government’s overall efforts to ensure that there is a skilled workforce in every region.

Guyana, Suriname to launch ‘strategic dialogue and cooperation platform’ in

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uyana and Suriname will be launching a Strategic Dialogue and Co-operation Platform in November, which is aimed at strengthening relations between the neighbours in tangible ways.

This was disclosed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, has he welcomed Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Albert Ramdin and his delegation to Guyana.

Minister Todd said the meeting with Ramdin was focused “on reviewing the

various initiatives under the cooperation programmes and proposals for the implementation of these and other initiatives under the new strategic dialog and cooperation platform which we will launch in Suriname next month.”

He highlighted that Guyana is pleased there is already significant movements on the placement of the bridge across the Corentyne River.

With the landing sites for the bridge already located, Minister Todd said Presidents Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Chandrikapersad Santokhi will sign the agreement soon. “I hope we can

sustain momentum not only on this project but on all other agreed areas of cooperation…a new chapter has developed between Guyana and Suriname and I am eager to work with you to advance the goal which we both share to develop greater synergies in the relationship and to strengthen the cooperation of a lasting friendship,” Todd said.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramdin said the sentiments are long overdue for working together as there is no other option in fostering a peaceful relationship between neighbouring countries. He added that the government of

Suriname was “committed to strengthening the ties and seek for common goals to pursue mutually in the regional and global forum and I believe there is much to be done in that scope.”

During the Surinamese President’s August visit, President Ali had said they discussed co-operation on the management of the natural resources sector, local content policy in the oil and gas sector, the sharing of information on issues of security, use of technology, and joint radar surveillance of the border shared by the two countries and other matters.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

PPP/C gov’t allocating Nothing to show for monies spent on SARA – Nandlall millions for unpaid municipality salaries A – municipalities to be audited

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he Central Government will allocate $2 million to each municipality to ensure that town council staff, who have not been paid for months, receive wages and salaries.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall made this disclosure during a recent interview. According to him, the Government recognises that municipalities have not been able to generate revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic and sought to assist. “The Government has made a decision to release funds in support of the expenditure incurred by municipalities to pay staff in this specific case, with each municipality set to receive $2 million,” Minister Dha-

ramlall said.

The Ministry of Finance has advised the Minister that the funds will be released to each municipality by tomorrow.

In keeping with the Government’s mandate, the Local Government Ministry would be collaborating with the Local Democratic Organs to address the deficiencies in each municipality.

Last week, several council workers at the Anna Regina Town Council, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) peacefully protested for their outstanding salaries.

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall stated that the Government will be moving to have audits done across the municipalities to address irregular finances.

During 2015 – 2019, Georgetown revenue totalled $10.7 billion; Linden, $1.2 billion; New Amsterdam, $645 million, while Corriverton, Anna Regina and Rose Hall garnered $425 million, $272 million, $216 million respectively.

The Minister said the municipalities have managed their resources poorly.

“I believe with an audit or at least 10 audits … in these local democratic organs, we will be able to get a good idea of what are the gaps and where are the inefficiencies so we can work with the administration of these municipalities to manage their resources better,” Minister Dharamlall said.

He added that they will have to sit and design the Terms of Reference for the audits.

lmost $1 billion was spent by a “politically toxic” State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) with nothing to show for the expenditures, according to Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

In recent comments he said, ““The only thing they (SARA) have done is to file legal proceedings; and all are defective…all would have been lost or will be lost when they are ruled upon…. not even a lead pencil or pen was recovered….SARA was plundering the treasury and becoming a parasite on the backs of the Guyanese people…. that was a politically toxic organisation, and it began only to hunt politicians.”

Nandlall reminded that former President David Granger himself was forced to admit publicly that they

could not find any evidence of State assets being stolen to prosecute anyone. “Why should the Government keep an organisation like that?” he questioned.

Last week, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government closed down the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and dispatched termination letters to its employees – a commitment the Administration made very early on assuming Office. This is according to Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

Explaining the reason to disband the organisation, the Attorney General had said that the precursor to SARA was the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) – a unit established by politicians under the former APNU+AFC Co-

alition and operated out of the Office of the President.

He said that the Unit was staffed by politicians such as Clive Thomas and Tacuma Ogunseye, two of the leaders of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) – a constituent of the APNU+AFC Coalition – and Eric Phillips, a political advisor to former President David Granger.

SARU was funded from the budget of the then Ministry of the Presidency and operated under the command of politicians.

The State Assets Recovery Act was only assented to by former president David Granger on May 4, 2018 – over one year after it was passed in the National Assembly by a government majority, despite objections voiced by the PPP/C.

National consultation on decriminalization of small amounts of Fifth developer returns marijuana soon AG lands given away by APNU+AFC Coalition

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nder the former APNU+AFC Coalition government prime lands were given away. The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) had transferred some 130 acres of prime lands to private investors – majority of these not even being paid for.

And this week, a fifth recipient – Supergraphics Enterprise – of just over five acres returned it to the State.

The land return were part of 10 transfers to private companies in June 2020. Orders 64 to 73 were all signed on June 11, 2020 by the de facto Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. As per those Orders, over 116 acres were signed away by the APNU+AFC Coalition to: 1. Order 64 – Supergraphics Enterprise (5.058 acres) 2. Order 65 – GuyOil (1.500 acres) 3. Order 66 – Caribbe-

an Marketing Enterprise (21.096 acres) 4. Order 67 – Trinuyana Investments Inc. (19.678 acres) 5. Order 68 – The Residence at Earl’s Court Inc. (10.281 acres) 6. Order 69 – Cardiology Services Inc. (8.000 acres) 7. Order 70 – Premier Sales Inc. (5.015 acres) 8. Order 71 –Navigant Builders Inc. (30.000 acres) 9. Order 72 – American Marine and Services Inc. (20.000 acres) 10. Order 73 – Bosai Mineral Group (Guyana) These Orders are for transfers of lands cover parts of: Plantation Surapana (right bank of Demerara River), Goedverwagting, Sparendaam, Ogle, Plantation Brothers, Montrose and Plantation Chateau Margot.

In addition to Supergraphics Enterprise, Amer-

ican Marine Incorporated, Navigant Builders under Winsor Estates; Cardiology Services Incorporated; and Corum Group Incorporated have rescinded the lands vested to them under the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Notably, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, last month, disclosed that nine of the 10 deals involved vesting orders, but only two were paid for in full. He disclosed that the total acreage and value of the nine that were vested is 130.556 acres and valued at G$3.3B, while the total sum collected in respect of the nine vested is GY$614M. Following the successful and valid passage of the no-confidence motion in December 2018, on an almost weekly basis, Transfer of Property Orders were signed off by the Coalition.

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he issue of decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana in Guyana will soon be the subject of countrywide consultations, according to Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

In recent comments on the issue, he said, “The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) made a campaign promise to hold wide consultations on the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana. The President has requested that I begin the process shortly and I will.”

As recent as May 2018, current Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that promises made to the Guyanese people ought to be kept – this was in response to comments from Government quarters that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is only now addressing the issue of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. He pointed out that the issue of reviewing possession of quantities of marijuana that attract mandatory minimum jail sentence was included in the PPP/C 2015 manifesto. “This did not happen yesterday…we believe that when we put promises in our manifesto they must be kept…check to

see how many promises they have kept,” he said. Jagdeo had also made it clear that the PPP/C is not in favour of legalizing marijuana – that there is no support to legalise production and sale of marijuana. “We are opposed to this,” he said. He reiterated that decriminalization will only address removing the minimum, mandatory, jail sentence of three years for possession of small amounts of marijuana. “When they are caught, instead of three years in jail, there should be alternative sentencing,” he said.

Notably, Former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, with the help of Attorney Mark Waldron, had compiled a draft Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015, which seeks to soften the penalties for marijuana possession. In December 2015, AFC Parliamentarian, Michael Carrington, tabled a motion, which calls for the Bill to be read the first time. To date this has not been done and the motion remains on the National Assembly’s agenda. The actual draft bill has not been made public. Notably, soon after Carrington’s motion was

tabled, Coalition leader, David Granger stated that the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana is not a priority of his Administration. “This is not something that is a preoccupation of the Administration at the present time… I would not counsel the use of marijuana by young people or anybody,” he said in a broadcast of ‘The Public Interest’. Granger’s comments, back then, ran contrary to a position of the AFC faction of the Coalition.

Recalling this move, the Attorney General said, “In December 2015, Mr. Michael Carrington from the AFC had tabled a Bill in the National Assembly, which sought to decriminalise marijuana in small quantities. At the time, our General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that he personally supports the decriminalisation of small amounts of marijuana and that members of the PPP/C would be allowed to vote according to their conscience if it is ever put to the Assembly.”

Currently possession of small amounts of marijuana attracts a minimum, mandatory, jail sentence of three years.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

EDITORIAL [This week the Mirror re-publishes an article penned by former President, Janet Jagan, in January 2008 on the advances made by the PPP/C administration/]

An Achievement We Can be Proud of

By Janet Jagan n Australia, the death rate among Aboriginal children is IAustralian nearly three times higher than the non-indigenous infants. figures also show that 70% of the Aboriginal

population, who number about 500,000, die before the age of 65 compared with 20% of other Australians. The average life expectancy for Aboriginal men is 59 compared with 77 for non-indigenous males. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures) The report also says that poor nutrition, obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse are the main causes of death.

Overcrowded housing, unsafe drinking water and poor sanitary conditions are also contributing factors.

This is a brief picture of one country which has a serious problem with its indigenous population. Australia is considered one of the several countries of the world with a high standard of living, a growing economy and a highly rated democracy. Yet it has not brought those standards to its indigenous population so that they, too, could live a better life.

Take a look at our own area — the Western Hemisphere — which was at one time populated by the indigenous people, several of whom had developed high level societies, like the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas had maintained high levels of culture and science. For example, their irrigation systems still astound modern engineers.

Yet the remains of most of these indigenous peoples are treated poorly, many live at the lowest levels of poverty and little is done to bring their living, educational, health, etc. standards to the level of those who now occupy their lands.

The three giants of the hemisphere — the USA, Canada and Brazil — have failed miserably to bring their indigenous populations to the same levels as their own people.

In Guyana, those who cannot stand the fact that the People's Progressive Party is still in office, and has the unusual standing of having won, in all, seven elections (eight if we count 1964 when the PPP received the highest number of votes, but was denied government when the UK/USA alliance forced Burnham and D'Aguiar to form a coalition), find every single thing that the government does as wrong. Their vile propaganda fouls the air of the country.

Yet, Guyana has much to be proud of.

It is my belief that Guyana, of all the countries with indigenous people, has performed the best for their interests and welfare. The PPP created a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs with a Cabinet Minister so that there would be a specific and constant focus on the problems of Guyanese Amerindians. So much has been achieved. One of the noteworthy developments is in the area of health, which has seen a marked reduction in infant and maternal mortality and actually, an increase in the Amerindian population.

In most parts of the world, it is the opposite. Our health records are phenomenal. Over 90% of Guyana's children have been immunized, a positive ingredient for longer life.

Education is no longer limited to children of the coastal and riverain areas. It is now on an equal basis in the interior areas where the majority of Amerindian people reside. The introduction of Amerindian Month has helped focus and encourage attention their history and culture.

Throughout Guyana, access to secondary education has increased from 35% in 1992 to more than 80% last year.

In the Amerindian areas, new secondary schools have been and are being built and staffed with teachers now being trained at centres within the regions. The new secondary school include three in Region 9, three in Region 1, one in Region 8, one in Upper Mazaruni plus two now in construction. New teachers training centres were opened, for example, in Regions One and Nine.

Several Amerindians are Chairmen of Regional Democratic Councils, and many take part in administration of their areas. The demarcation of lands and the issuance of land titles to Amerindian communities now covers more than 13.5% of Guyana's land area, as compared to 6.5% in 1992.

The new Amerindian Act was passed on February 16, 2006, empowering Amerindians socially, economically and politically, bringing their status to the level of all Guyanese — quite a change from the demeaning third class citizenship of earlier days.

There are many things Guyanese can be proud of that have taken place since the 1992 PPP victory. And one of them is that our indigenous people are, at last, an integral part of the Guyanese community and a people on the 'go'!

Industrial Hemp is knocking at Guyana’s door Dear Editor,

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he announcement on Monday, October 19, 2020 by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon Anil Nandlall, that the government will consider the viability of industrial hemp cultivation (IHC), was greeted with exuberance by Hemp advocates in Guyana.

Industrial Hemp has been touted as one of the quick fixes to the ailing Guyanese economy. Supporters claim that if implemented, the economic benefits of IHC could be staggering, including the employment of 50,000 people.

According to one expert, Dennis Ramdahin, “on average 4-5 jobs will be created and sustained per every hectare in the total value chain enterprise operations and management (i.e., production, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, marketing, banking, insurance, retailing, and other sector development).”

The ideal size of a farm to start out with is 10 hectares. This size could be expanded in five years’ time, according to Dennis, who also favours scalability of operations.

It has been estimated by VSS-TCI (Vihara Sustainable Solutions LLC (VSS) and Textiles and Composite Industries Pvt Ltd) that IHC of 100,000 hectares could create 40,000-50,000 sustainable jobs. The value chain of Industrial Hemp includes but is not limited to carbon credits, natural fertilizer, fabric, and textile production, hempcrete

building materials, rope manufacturing, oils and biofuel production, food and grains, and high composite materials for automobile components and panels.

Denis estimates that 1 hectare of IHC could produce fibre worth of US$6,000, hurd (a type of fibre) worth US$5,600, and seed worth US$3,000. In his calculation, one hectare of well-grown hemp could therefore produce US$14,,600 of revenue. For 10 hectares the figure is US$146,000. The cost of planting 10 hectares is US$15,000. Using the VSSTCI’s demonstration project figures, the net profit works out at US$131,000 (US$146,000-US$15,000) per family.

How does these figures compare with agricultural crops like rice cultivation?

These figures, based on assumptions, hold so much promise that a serious investigation into their viability must be conducted. Feasibility or demonstration projects should first be done. Until these are completed, as tantalizing the expected returns might seem, the country should tread cautiously on this new venture.

Would IHC tend to de-emphasize the government’s focus on reviving the sugar industry? Would IHC be viewed as an alternative to sugar/rice or a competitor?

What would be the impact of IHC on food security? Answers to these questions are needed to forestall any anxiety that Guyana’s food security might become a casualty of industrial hemp cultivation. These questions emerge because

of the apparent compelling attraction of IHC that would lure farmers away from sugar and rice cultivation onto industrial hemp cultivation.

If after the conduct of feasibility studies, including demonstration projects and national conversation, that Guyana decides to embrace this new crop, it should identify designated areas for its cultivation. The government might want to consider VSS-TCI’s suggestion that initially 500 families be each allocated 10 hectares of land for IHC. Dennis says: “The combined 5,000 hectares of well-grown hemp could produce 50,000 tonnes of hemp stalk; converted into 15,000 tonnes of fibre and 35,000 tonnes of ‘hurd.’” He continues; “the 5000 hectares IHC production would require working capital of around US$10 million to cultivate industrial hemp that would lead to profits of US$5 million per crop for the 500 families, after repayment in full of the US$10 million.”

Advocates state that the special variety of Industrial Hemp has a lower THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol ) level (<0.3%) than marijuana and that should not therefore not unduly worry people about the possibility of addiction. Notwithstanding, this aspect needs to be explored in greater detail. Industrial Hemp is knocking at Guyana’s door. Would the door be opened or remain closed?

Yours faithfully, Dr Tara Singh

Government of Guyana Statement…

Attack at CJ’s residence condemned

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government expresses deep concern at reports in the Press, which indicate that the residence of the Honourable Chief Justice Roxane George was the subject of an attempted attack by alleged armed men. The Government condemns the said attempted attack in the strongest possible terms and views this as the latest assault on democracy in our country of which the Judiciary forms one of its cornerstones. Such actions can only emanate from those who are fearful of the Constitution, the rule of law and sound rulings from the Judiciary.

The Police have already commenced their investigations.

The Government has already advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to ensure that the Chief Justice is provided with all the necessary secu-

rity for the protection of her person, family and property.

It is as tragic as it is unsurprising that the Opposition APNU+AFC would use such a grave matter as an attack on the Chief Justice of our country as a platform to play their petty and devious politics by implicating the PPP/C in such a dastardly design without a scintilla or shred of evidence. It is only a demented mind that can produce such depraved thinking.

It shows the level of desperation and low depths to which the APNU+AFC is prepared to descend. But then again, the world saw their vulgarity showcased for 5 long months from 2nd March 2020, to 2nd August 2020, as they attempted to disgracefully steal the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

Perhaps it is opportune that the world be reminded that violence has

long been a permanent weapon in the political repertoire of the PNC from its birth. It may also be apposite to remind that the PPP/C filed a Petition in 2015, which was never heard and determined without a single allegation of a sinister type ever surfacing in the public domain.

The PPP/C has a long record of respecting the Constitution and resorting to litigation, as well as obeying Orders and Judgements emanating therefrom. The record of the APNU+AFC on this latter issue is notoriously well-known.

For the record, the PPP/C Government has nothing to fear from either of the two Election Petitions filed and we have already stated that they are frivolous, vexatious and as without merit as every other legal proceedings APNU+AFC have filed in recent times. (October 21, 2020)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

Guyanese must denounce the PNC’s GECOM must be efforts at destabilization transparent and accountable I Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

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fter a period defined by the most volcanic threats to the foundation of our revered democratic principles, a deserving President Dr Irfaan Ali’s PPPC Government has correctly been installed for the next five years.

Although the new Government is well on course in addressing urgent national needs, a new priority is the rebalancing of our perilously fractured footings and the exposed decay of our election system that was so violently abused along the way.

The nation understands that, were it not for the almost global rejections and the harmonized, principled positions by the local Opposition parties, Guyana would have become a doomed pariah state.

Contextually, one easily recognises that the embarrassing roles of key employees and obvious infiltration at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) now demand a forensic analysis before the core issues can be addressed with appropriate constitutional reform.

As a precursor, or perhaps parallel approach, however, the situation necessitates the fully scrutinised examination and absolute cleansing of that institution. No doubt, this would likely be the most prudent approach towards revamping it into a transparent, accountable organisation that would hold free and fair elections.

Our nation can no longer afford the filthy contaminants of the nature of Lowenfield and Mingo, whose self-serving interests have influenced actions contrary to the organisation’s constitutional mandate, based on evidence publicly witnessed.

Given the unapologetic sacrificial mindset of the main Opposition PNC, the Government must not hesitate to have a thorough look at the Representation of the People Act (RPA) along with other pieces of legislation for revision. Certainly, mechanisms must be put in place to cover all the loopholes that were exploited by the thieves at GECOM, who held our country to ransom for months.

The reform mechanisms must, however, not be limited to merely covering the loops, but addressing overwhelming improvements to realise efficiency, efficacy, and consistently satisfactory results that have the confidence of the citizenry.

Further, the staff at GECOM must be people with a high degree of integrity, and there must be strong deterring penalties that are intended to condition the behaviour by staff against participation in electoral fraud.

Notably, the statements of poll verified at the places of polls are almost sacred and much revered documents which, importantly, must be used to strengthen and give legitimacy to the election results. The fact that corrupt GECOM officials, together with the PNC, have to date refused to reveal the originals of these statements for the March 02, 2020 polls is most abominable.

Consequently, consideration must be given to complementing the process with supportive technologically astute mechanisms such as electronic fingerprinting at polling stations.

Further, GECOM must have oversight mechanisms to scrutinise the performance of all Returning Officers (RO), and employment procedures must be put in place to ensure that the best persons are employed.

There must be no more discrimination of the nature of what happened to Mr. Vishnu Persaud. Clear criteria-driven benchmarks should be put in place to inform a fairness and equity employment policy by the Organisation. Further, it is imperative that GECOM publish the names of the permanent staff and the “permanent” temporary staff that are employed, and this should be used to make reconciliations with the employment payment records in IFMAS system at the Ministry of Finance. The revelations regarding the numerous “phantom” workers will be brought to light, and possibly eradicated.

These investigations must expose any GECOM staff involved with electoral offences or wrongdoings during the elections. Some staff blatantly blundered, as the world stood by and witnessed the numerous attempts to steal a Government.

As for the lack of proper financial accountability, GECOM must be thoroughly audited, and the world will have another look at more serious levels of corruption, and possibly, many more may be dragged to the courts to face charges.

The APNU/PNC must stop fooling their supporters with talks which suggest that the election petition will be over soon. It is factual that the world saw the blatant attempt to thief a Government, and their blunt refusal to produce their statements of poll. The Statements of Recount they now want to rely on evidence a clear case to be thrown out.

Notwithstanding, it is the view of many that the PPPC’s 2015 Petition must first be heard in the courts.

Attempts by GECOM staff at all levels must never be to delay and frustrate any winning list of candidates at the elections, and all involved in the rigging attempt must be dealt with condignly.

Editor, it took a special brand of grounded foundation, concern for citizen wellbeing, maturity and ethos in a party to overcome the conspirators in and out of GECOM at the last elections. Much of these qualities were inspired in the PPPC by the works of our endeared Mother of the Nation, Former President Mrs. Janet Jagan, whose work at moulding the Party was absolutely imbued in the reactions. Please permit me to recognise that this missive coincides with what would have been the centenary of her involvement, which lives on within the Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

t is as clear as the noonday sun that the PNC are not going to allow the PPP/C Government to rule in peace. They know fully well that the PPP/C will deliver on their mandate to implement projects that would redound to the benefit of this country, and, in this regard, they have placed themselves in the position of a stumbling block, to frustrate the Government in every illegal way.

It is a demonic plan which is as evil as the diabolical PNC themselves. They are prepared to exploit every available opportunity to get their message across, so we are in for another few months of the workings of this evil plan.

At the present moment, they have adopted a three-pronged attack. The nurses and their agitation for allowances, protective gear and better working conditions. As frontline workers, the nurses are in a very delicate position, where they have to deal with a deadly and debilitating pandemic. Cases are rising; and as the number of positive cases keep going up, the death rate climbs.

Now, the Government has budgeted for this sector by putting aside some $150M for those workers. However, when you look at some things they are clamouring for on the picket lines, it tells you that there is more to this protest than meets the eye; there is that underlying seething cauldron of politics marked all over it.

Reading from one placard, it states, “We need duty-free concessions on imported vehicles.” You cannot convince anyone, even those with half a brain, that this has any bearing on better working conditions; this is purely a case of the nurses being used as pawns in a political scheme.

And to add to this is the asinine remark by GPSU President Patrick Yarde, who openly said that Government should take the monies earmarked for the Sugar Industry and give it to the nurses. Well, I’d be damned that only the nurses are considered workers, and they and only they are important and worthy of a handsome remuneration. What is he saying?

Aren’t sugar workers people? Aren’t they part of Guyana? what is he really telling us?

What about the thousands of other persons – many with families to take care of – who are struggling on a daily basis to eke out a living?

What about them?

The second attack comes by way of the squatters. These are now on the frontline, carrying out a volatile attack on the Government with their “homeless mantra call”.

What are these squatters telling us? How, all of a sudden, have all of these souls become homeless? Who and what made them

homeless? Where did they come from? Did they suddenly appear out of the earth, or did they come from a celestial country and landed here right on GuySuCo land? Which is it? The point is clear: these people, having knowledge that a change of Government was imminent, began taking up position on the corporation’s land, knowing fully well this was an illegal act. Helped by the Opposition, the squatters are in a strong-arm stance, ready and able to bully this Government into accepting them on their illegal terms.

Well, if the Government allows this, every Tom, Dick and Harry would simply say, “I can break the law with impunity, and the Government is obliged to accept it”.

This also means that every major developmental work on land earmarked for that purpose must be halted, while the squatters have their way.

I urge those in authority not to be sidetracked by the Opposition.

The third, and final, approach is using the Henry boys’ death as a launching pad for violent behaviour. I have never, in my short stay on God’s green earth, seen such horrific exploitation of a sad situation. It is a situation wherein these murders are exploited for political gains. The PNC have feasted on these morbid occurrences with vulturous appeal.

They have used these boys’ demise to the maximum, and it has even led to other reprisal acts of death and destruction.

This brings us to the question: Are the PNC interested in solving these deaths and bringing the perpetrators to justice? What the PNC are doing is trying to derail the investigations while the thugs hit the streets with their violent confrontation.

If they were really interested in getting to the bottom of this crime, they would let the investigators carry out their investigations unfettered and unhindered.

The PNC party will stop at nothing in their quest to have any relevance in society.

They have lost the election, and find this hard to accept. Guyana has moved on without them, and in their henpecked state, they are running any which way, making trouble to gain some recognition in society. The PNC have been an eyesore and a burden on this country, which is a very disgraceful place to be. It is high time for us to unshackle ourselves from this burdensome millstone around our necks.

As Government and as Guyanese in this developmental mindset, we must denounce the PNC’s efforts at destabilization, and move on to the progressive path.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

6

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Transparency and accountability key for economic development, nothing to be done in secrecy G overnment‘s commitment to strengthening institutions with the aim of managing all sectors of the economy with transparency and accountability was reiterated by President Dr Irfaan Ali. President Ali made this assertion following his keynote address to the Forecast on Latin America and the Caribbean Conference, hosted by the Association of American Chambers of Commerce and Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA), last week.

“My Government is focused heavily on transparency and accountability. As you know, we have demonstrated this after the negotiations of the license for the Payara.

Not only did we make the agreement public, but we

also made the environmental permit public, so nothing is done in secrecy. I've said before, there'll be an arm's length relationship with the politicians. We had international experts, leading those negotiations and discussions.”

The President was at the time fielding questions on the measures taken by the administration to fortify institutions, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), and on the role of the private sector in the process. He explained, “We have the technical people who we are training to manage the resources from the oil and gas sector. You know, we already spoke about the establishment of the Petroleum Commission, which will be managed by highly

Region Two Amerindian villages to benefit from ‘solar system per household’

S

everal Amerindian villages in Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) will soon benefit from the Government’s ‘solar system per household’ programme.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made this announcement during a meeting on Sunday (October 11, 2020) with residents at the Suddie Early Development Childhood Centre.

The villages to benefit are Bethany, Mashabo, Capoey, Tapakuma, Mainstay, Wakapau, Kabakaburi, St. Monica Mission, Karawab and Akawini.

President Ali said the aim is ensure that students in Amerindian villages have access to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have you on an immediate programme to benefit from the solar system per household. We have restructured the expenditure to ensure you are on the programme,” the President said.

He pledged that by January the Government will be able to deliver the solar panels to the various communities.

The Government has made tremendous strides to date, to ensure learning takes places through the Guyana

Learning Channel and via the internet, the President said.

However, he stressed that the gaps in Amerindian villages need to be filled since they do not have as much access to alternative solutions as persons living on the coast.

To this end, through another initiative, information and communications technology (ICT) hubs will be equipped solar systems to facilitate learning.

“We have about 700 of those systems that will be placed all across our country to ensure our children have access to technology that would help them in education. These are the critical things in a modern society, these are the things that will make life differences, these are the things that would enhance the issue of equality of access, these are the things that are essential to improve livelihood and living conditions,” President Ali said.

These programmes will complement the other initiatives the Government has embarked on, through the Ministry of Education to ensure that children have access to learning during COVID-19.

trained technical personnel.

And of course the Sovereign Wealth Fund is important, in terms of not only the securing and safeguarding the funds but also establishing the conditions and the circumstances, through legislation, on which resources will be used.”

President Ali continues to emphasise that monies will remain untouched in Guyana’s Sovereign Wealth Fund until a series of reforms are enacted to strengthen the Government’s regulatory infrastructure for the oil and gas sector.

The President noted too that as an important partner in development, the Private Sector has an equal stake and responsibility in how the economy is managed.

“Well, the private sector plays an important part in every aspect of the economy … They are an important stakeholder, and they too

have to conduct themselves within the rules, within the guidelines and the laws.

From that standpoint, the private sector has equal responsibility as government in terms of enhancing transparency and ensuring that things are done in an accountable manner.”

The President also committed to ensuring “openness and frankness” in dealing with governance issues.

“I think very important on the issue of accountability and transparency is openness and frankness. I have made it very clear that my government is not going to shy away from dealing with issues. We are very open and transparent we are going to provide answers, we are going to speak to the media.

These are things that we are committed to,” the President affirmed.

Guyana is emerging as an oil and gas nation. This preparation requires the

building of human and institutional capacity, crafting and agreeing to some critical policies and legal measures and pursuing strong support and coordination amongst a number of governmental and non-governmental agencies.

In keeping with its manifesto commitments, the Government has pledged to implement a number of mea-

sures to ensure accountable and transparent management of the country’s natural resources including, establishing an arm’s length Sovereign Wealth Fund insulated from political interference and upholding the Santiago Principles of transparency and accountability, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Oil funds will remain untouched until reforms enacted

M

onies garnered from Guyana’s oil and gas sector will remain untouched in the sovereign wealth fund until a series of reforms is enacted to strengthen the Government’s regulatory infrastructure for the sector, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The President made this disclosure following his keynote address to the Forecast on Latin America and the Caribbean Conference, hosted by the Association of American Chambers of Commerce and Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA) recently.

He said, “My Government is focused heavily on transparency and accountability. As you know, we have demonstrated this after the negotiations of the licence for the Payara. Not only did we make the agreement pub-

lic, but we also made the environmental permit public, so nothing is done in secrecy.

“I’ve said before, there’ll be an arm’s length relationship with the politicians. We had international experts leading those negotiations and discussions. We have the technical people who we are training to manage the resources from the oil and gas sector. You know, we already spoke about the establishment of the Petroleum Commission, which will be managed by highly-trained technical personnel. And, of course, the sovereign wealth fund is important, in terms of not only the securing and safeguarding [of] the funds but also establishing the conditions and the circumstances, through legislation, on which resources will be used.”

The President noted too

that as an important partner in development, the Private Sector has an equal stake and responsibility in how the economy is managed.

According to the Office of the President, Dr Ali also committed to ensuring “openness and frankness” in dealing with governance issues.

Guyana is emerging as an oil-and-gas-producing nation.

This requires the building of human and institutional capacity; crafting and agreeing to some critical policies and legal measures; and pursuing strong support and coordination among a number of governmental and non-governmental agencies.

In keeping with its manifesto commitments, the Government has pledged to implement a number of measures to ensure accountable and transparent management

of the country’s natural resources including establishing an arm’s length sovereign wealth fund insulated from political interference and upholding the Santiago Principles of transparency and accountability, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

It was reported that a total of US$150 million is in Guyana’s sovereign wealth fund being held in a United States Bank of America account.

In June 2020, a total of US$94,921,803 representing both royalty and oil sales was deposited into the account while an additional US$3,698,152 was further deposited.

Further in August, a total of US$46,046,937 was deposited which represent sales and royalties for another one million barrels of oil.

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Janet Jagan hailed as torchbearer for freedom and democracy

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday (October 20, 2020) joined Government Officials and representatives of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for the unveiling of the Commemorative Centenary Stamp on the 100th Birth Anniversary of Former President Janet Jagan, OE, during a ceremony held at State House.

Reflecting on the life and works of the late president, the Head of State noted that her legacy is still a driving force today. He said, “Janet Jagan was a torch bearer for freedom and democracy…

Janet Jagan imbued her party with her fighting spirit. It was her example of resilience and resistance that her party turned to during the period from March to August of this year when there was a criminal conspiracy to steal our elections. Inspired by her tenacious spirit, her party resisted the attempts to deny the democratic will of the people.”

President Ali pointed to her lifelong dedication towards ensuring that the rights of others were respected and protected. In so doing, he highlighted her role as a pioneer of women’s rights, her struggles while championing the cause of the working class as well as her advocacy for press freedom. He said, “Janet Jagan’s entire life was one devoted to the rights of others…Janet Jagan fought for a fairer and more equal society. She used the political

offices held at various times to work particularly for the improvements of workers.”

The President also called on those gathered to remember the former President’s role as a “trailblazer” on the path to Guyana’s liberty, first from the stronghold of colonial rule and later from the vice-like grip of dictatorship when she joined her husband, former President Cheddi Jagan, on the political frontlines. “We remember her at this time for her strong will, her indisputable political organisational skills and for her dedication to the ordinary man and woman…

We remember her at this time because she would have been proud that democracy was protected and preserved,” the Head of State said.

The President said that Mrs. Jagan’s fighting spirit was complimented by her warm and kind heart. He added that the former president often gave away her earnings to people, often time strangers, who needed help. The former president also had a special affinity for children and published a number of children’s books as she looked to give back in every way possible. Ali said, “Janet Jagan was warm and motherly….She remains one of the most modest and humble persons you could have ever met. “I have had the great fortune of knowing her and benefiting from her wise counsel. I consider it a humbling experience to

assume the seat of the Presidency which this political giantess once filled.”

The Head of State lauded the late President’s achievements as monumental and immeasurable and called on those present to not only pay homage to her legacy of freedom and democracy, but to work tirelessly towards the unification of the people of Guyana. He said, “The time has come for us in this coun-

try to reflect with honourable intentions, to reflect with a passion, and a commitment to achieve what those who struggled selflessly, wanted to achieve. And that is the unification of our people. It is the most pressing issue for us as a people. We talk a lot these days about economic bonanza that will come about, the great wealth that will come, about lifting our people from poverty. But to-

day I say to you, the greatest of tasks and challenge for all of us, is unification of our people.”

President Ali said that it is the country’s leaders who will have to take up the responsibility and lead the charge towards achieving unification. He said, “This does not rest on the people out there. This rests entirely on the shoulders of leaders. We cannot lead without dignity. We cannot lead in a way that is disrespectful to the laws of our country. I assure you, every single day of this government’s life will be spent dedicated to this task, it will be achieved. It must be achieved. We have to break down those invisible walls and bring our people together, we owe this to the legacy of those who worked tirelessly, and selflessly, we owe this to our future generation, and we have to fix it now and fix it in this generation, and to not leave this burden upon

those who will come after us. So today, as you reflect, I ask us to reignite in ourselves that spirit which saw us victorious so many times in our country. We are at our best when we're united.”

Also paying tribute to the former President were the Hon. Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, great-nephew to Janet Jagan Mr Ian Jagan and Mr Hydar Ally, the Director of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC).

Former President Janet Jagan was one of the founders of the PPP and served in various capacities in the party. She was sworn in as Guyana's first woman Prime Minister and First Vice-President and was later sworn in as the first woman President of the Republic of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. She was also a founder of the Women's Progressive Organisation (WPO), she held the post of head of this premier women's association until her death.

Gov’t to launch Wales Development Authority soon President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said the Government is moving ahead with one of its flagship projects which will see the creation of a Wales Development Authority (WDA).

The President made this announcement in his feature address at the ‘Dream

Realised’ housing initiative held at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday (October 16, 2020). “The Wales Development Authority will be a new area of development that will benefit from special incentives, that will benefit from a special tax regime to motivate investors

in manufacturing, industrial development, warehousing, connectivity [and] wharf development,” President Ali disclosed.

The Head of State said the project is expected to foster two main outcomes.

“These types of activities will drive a new economic

revolution will create sustainable housing and sustainable jobs. That is linked to a massive housing development that we are going to do on the West Bank side of the river,” he explained.

To this this end, there will be a rezoning of activities in Wales which will be

done in an environmentally friendly manner.

Wales is regarded as a depressed community following the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate by the former administration, which put hundreds of persons on the breadline. While the Government has taken

steps to revive the sugar industry and are reopening other estates, sugar production will not resume at Wales. The lengthy downtime at the estate, corrosion of equipment and the selling off of the estate’s assets have made restarting impractical.

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

COMMENTARY

Janet Jagan - 'Rebel' with a cause [October 2020 marks the centenary anniversary of former President and co-founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Janet Jagan. This publication is part of several to mark the anniversary]

By Hydar Ally

O

ctober 20 Marks 100th Birth anniversary of Mrs. Janet Jagan. This is indeed a significant milestone in our political history. Mrs. Jagan was the first female President of Guyana in addition to her several other “firsts”.

Jagan Jagan stands tall among the great women of history. The prestigious and widely circulated TIME Magazine named her as one of history’s most ‘rebellious’ women.

It is important to put in perspective the term 'rebellious’ which did not in any way convey negative connotation but was meant to recognize the role played by these women in challenging the then prevailing status quo which was in the main oppressive and anti-people.

The other salient point to note is that the recognition

by TIME is not limited to this decade or century. It went back to time immemorial which makes the citation all

the more historically significant.

The PPP and the entire country for that matter have been given a lift by such recognition and not just Mrs. Jagan. It is unfortunate that she did not live long enough to experience how the world felt about her and her role in the liberation of Guyana from poverty and undemocratic rule. Mrs. Jagan ranks among great women of history including the celebrated Joan of Arc, a 15th century French peasant girl who fought against the British and played a key role in the lifting of the siege of Orleans.

She was eventually burnt at the stake by the British for

heresy and witchcraft.

Other popular names mentioned in the TIME citation included Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who spent 15 years under house arrest until recently when she was set free by the military junta and Jiang Quing, wife of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. These are ‘rebels’ with a cause most of whom championed the cause of the poor and the downtrodden at tremendous odds as in the case of Phoolam Devi who became famous for taking up the cause of India’s ‘untouchables' and earned in the process the nickname of “Bandit Queen”.

In the case of Mrs. Jagan the citation read as follows: “For Chicago born Janet Jagan, the vibrant labour struggles in the mid-20th century of her own country was not enough. After falling in love with Cheddi Jagan, a Guyanese dentistry student at Northwestern, Jagan followed her future husband, with Lenin’s writings in hand, to his homeland

in 1943. Setting up a shop as a dental assistant, she set on a path that would lead to her becoming Guyana’s first woman president.

In 1946, she and her husband formed the People’s Progressive Party which sought to promote Marxist ideals as well as decolonization from the United Kingdom. Strikes in what was then referred to as “ British Guiana” by domestic workers in the late 1940’s had been inspired by the Jagan’s and the movement arrtacted the ire of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who put the Jagans in jail. But Jagan proved to be a political survivor, remaining in the game

despite various attempts to politically purge her from leadership posts.

An impolitic public relations campaign singing the praises of the Cuban revolution attracted the attention of John Kennedy in the 1960’s who in turn targeted the country’s labour movement. Relegated to the sidelines, after a leftist government flopped in the 1960’s Jagan took to the pages of the Mirror newspaper and became its editor. By the time she was elected the country’s president in 1997, the country achieved the complete independence from Britain that she had sought and nationalized much of its economy.

This citation by the TIME Magazine provides a panoramic view of the epic struggles waged by Mrs. Jagan and her husband Cheddi Jagan for the liberation of Guyana from the yoke of colonialism and neo-colonialism and for a free and democratic Guyana.

This is why the PPP of which they are founding members remain wedded to the ideas and ideals that they passionately embraced and defended throughout their political life which together surpassed a hundred years, quite a remarkable contribution by any political couple.

The fact that Janet Jagan was identified as one of the outstanding women of history by an international magazine with a readership that run into millions is, in my view, a fitting tribute to someone who had dedicated her entire life along with that of her husband Dr. Cheddi Jagan for the cause of humanity. For a small developing country with a population of less than a million people, Mrs. Jagan’s contribution had to be extraordinary and outstanding to have gained the notice

of the directorate of the Time Magazine.

Despite her undoubted bravery and extraordinary courage, there is also that human side of Mrs. Jagan that is not often given the prominence it deserved. She was a people's person who

She served as Editor for both the Mirror and the Thunder, theoretical organ of the Party and ensured that the publications come out on a timely and regular basis, an indication of her disciplined approach to work.

It speaks to her creativity and ingenuity that she managed to effectively multi-task and combine her several roles of mother, wife, politician, journalist and writer into a seemingly integrated whole.

As far as I can recall she never missed an assignment be it an article for the Mirror or the Thunder or any other task assigned to her. She was never late for meetings and was intolerant of mediocrity or indiscipline.

Apart from her numerous articles in the Mirror

would commend me for my articles in the Thunder or the Mirror. She was at the same time not shy of pointing out areas of perceived deficiencies, all of which when taken together helped to improve my writing skills. She even took it upon herself to put together a selected number of my articles in the Thunder and Mirror in a booklet titled ' Insightful Views on Guyana' in which she was kind enough to write the Foreword.

Like all mortals, age in the end had taken its toll and slowed her down. She resigned from the presidency before the end of her tenure due to failing health but she remained committed right to the very end to the thing she loved doing most, writing for and editing the Mirror and the Thunder. During that period, I had the opportunity of interacting with her on a regular basis during which she shared with me lots of stories and experiences some of which will remain confidential.

To say that Mrs. Jagan has made her contribution to Guyana would be an understatement. She helped to shape the political and social landscape of Guyana in a fundamental way and in the process transformed the lives of countless Guyanese in pos-

very often would go out of her way to help persons in need. The list is long of people who have been touched by her outpouring of love and compassion. It is not uncommon for people to take advantage of her generosity by narrating all manner of sad stories but it was never her business to probe into individual circumstances and gave what she could afford.

Those of us who had the honour and privilege of knowing her at a personal level can attest to her generosity, integrity and high moral and ethical standards.

I had the honour of sharing the centre-spread of the Mirror Newspaper for several years and I cannot recall her missing any column. What I found very useful as a columnist was the encouragement and support she would give to me from time to time which served to enhance my confidence as a columnist.

and Thunder, she also wrote several books including children's stories. These are all stories about the virtues of good over evil, honesty and kindness to others which in fundamental ways reflected her own personality and character.

I remain indebted to her for encouraging me to keep on writing. She would from time to time send me handwritten notes in which she

itive ways. She can truly be considered a role-model for all Guyanese and for women in particular. As mentioned earlier, she faced a number of challenges but she took them all in strides without malice or ill will.

A Guyanese, indeed world icon had departed the world stage but her vision of a better and more humane society continue to live on and inspire future generations.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

Nursery to secondary Former President Janet Jagan students nationwide a true visionary and pillar of greatness – PM Phillips to get print packages F

S

tudents from the nursery to secondary levels will receive print packages within the next two weeks, according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Originally, print packages were to cater for hinterland students many of whom do not have access to the internet and television, which hampered their abilities to participate in online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, parents and

guardians of students on the coastland have since asked the Minister to provide the same alternative learning measures.

“We heard you when you said that you wanted us to give your children worksheets here on the coast too and we believe it is a useful way of engaging children and a more comprehensive and sure way of engaging students,” Minister Manickchand said.

The print materials will

come in the form of worksheets for students in the varying subject areas.

Schools in Guyana have been closed to face-to-face interactions since the country recorded its first COVID-19 case in March. Students and teachers are working remotely to mitigate learning losses.

Some $300 million was allocated in the 2020 Budget to boost education delivery through blended techniques such as television, radio, online and print learning.

ormer President Mrs. Janet Jagan, OE, was hailed as a true visionary, whose legacy stands as a pillar of greatness and as a sterling example of women’s empowerment in Guyana,

by Prime Minister Mark Phillips.

The PM was at the time delivering remarks in the Baridi Benab at State House, during the launching ceremony of the Commemorative Centenary Stamp for the 100th birth anniversary of the former leader on Tuesday (October 20, 2020).

“This launch eternalises the work of a true visionary, a woman of extraordinary political significance to Guyana. Mrs. Jagan stands as a

pillar of historical greatness, having served as the first female President of Guyana and as a well-known champion of women’s rights.”

The Prime Minister said the stamps will serve as an addition to her legacy and political contribution to the country.

There are four stamps valued at $80, $130, $150 and $160 respectively. They depict memorable occasions in Mrs. Jagan’s life: her visit to London in 1964, her address at the United Nations General Assembly as President of Guyana in 1998, a light moment during her presidency between December 1997 and August 1999 and her address at a May

Day rally in the 1970s.

The stamps were produced as a result of a collaboration between the Guyana Post Office Cooperation (GPOC), and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and will be available at all 62 post offices nationwide from October 21, for as long as stocks last.

The stamps were officially unveiled by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Also present during the event were former Presidents Mr Donald Ramotar and Mr Samuel Hinds, relatives of Mrs Janet Jagan, several Ministers of Government and leaders of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.

Improved livelihood for rural farmers – Mustapha Stop giving money to child

T

he Ministry of Agriculture is seeking to improve the livelihood of farmers in rural communities and will continue to work with the public, private and international organisations to implement programmes that will increase agriculture productivity and income for farmers.

Subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said one key component to strengthen the rural sustainable development is to invest in agriculture mechanisation, innovation, infrastructure and technical assistance.

These assertions were made during a virtual presentation at the second sitting of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 36th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“We must work together to ensuring that they are sustainable Agriculture policies and measures that contribute to the poverty reduction in our rural communities.

Therefore, improving farmers livelihood in rural areas and diversifying rural economies through the enhanced competitiveness of the Agriculture sector is a priority of the Ministry of Agriculture.”

The Minister said Government welcomes increased investment through enhanced international cooperation, specifically the FAO. “Some of the measures we have begun are the creating an enabling business environment for the private sector by reducing burdensome taxes and other budgetary support. Additionally, we are strengthening our alliances with the private sector and have started internally to have open dialogue. With the FAO’s support, we intend to widen this to the Caribbean and Latin American countries to supply exportable products to your countries,” Minister Mustapha disclosed.

Though Guyana will benefit tremendously from the emerging oil sector, “the availability of this revenue

presents a challenge to the traditional agriculture sector, as it is likely to influence Guyana’s labour supply, wages and exchange rate, which could impact the competitiveness of the tradeable sectors such as rice and sugar in Guyana’s overall economy,” Minister Mustapha explained.

As a result, he said, Government will be developing better functioning institutions, training the labour force, and diversifying the agriculture-based economy.

The Minister also said the PPP/C Government is committed to reducing poverty in Guyana. One such way, he stated, is the reopening of the sugar industry, returning jobs to the 7,000 Guyanese who were affected when the former APNU+AFC Government stopped operating the mills.

The seminar ended on Wednesday (October 21, 2020), where Guyana’s delegation will present again.

beggars – CPA’s Ann Greene

D

irector of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ms. Ann Greene is calling on the public to stop giving money to children who are begging at stop lights around Georgetown.

The Director raised this issue, and other troubling matters, on a recent television programme. “These children are at risk and members of the public must not give these children ‘small change’ because when they do, they become a part of the problem and not the solution,” Ms. Greene said.

The CPA has received reports that children are soliciting money at various stop light junctions, in exchange

for cleaning the windscreens of random cars. “We cannot arrest random persons who hand out money to these children on the streets, but we are pleading with them to be our eyes. The Childcare and Protection Agency cannot do the job alone; wherever there are children wandering report them to the Agency, so we can get them off the streets.

Do not feed into the issue,” Greene said.

Recently, the CPA team conducted an exercise in which several were removed from the streets. Through this intervention, a single mother of nine, who is a security guard, was called into the Agency after one of

her children was taken into care. Ms. Greene said after listening to the woman’s plight the Agency took a decision to list the names and last known addresses of absentee fathers in the daily newspapers, asking them to report to the Agency.

“Through this system, once the information is published and the father/s reach out to us, we don’t throw them in the lockups. Instead, we work with them, whether through counselling or the court system, to ensure these children who are on the streets are taken care of rather than neglected and exposed to danger,” the Director said.

10

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

Volda Lawrence, Carol Joseph charged for forgery, conspiracy to defraud T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) activist, Carol Joseph, along with Chairperson Volda Lawrence have been slapped with forgery and conspiracy to defraud, respectively.

The duo was asked, on Tuesday (October 20, 2020) to visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters to be questioned in relation to their role in the attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Following the meeting, they were charged and will be arraigned today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Last week, Lawrence was slapped with two conspiracy to defraud charges and was

released on $50,000 bail on each charge. Those charges came one day after she was arrested, detained, and released on $100,000 station bail. Further, private criminal charges were also filed against her by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr for alleged conspiracy to forge documents in the favour of her party; and she was arraigned in August and placed on $100,000 bail.

The matter is still pending in court.

MARCH 5TH In the matter of Lawrence, Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmonth Mingo had signed off on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 from the March 2,

Carol Joseph’s signature on the fraudulent Region 4 declaration of election results on March 13th that Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo tried to push through

2020 Elections, that was vitiated by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire, who said it was illegal.

The document was cosigned by Lawrence. Questions about the appearance of Lawrence’s signature on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 raised several questions that remain unanswered.

Notably, on all the Form 24 declarations, for nine Regions, there is only one signature, that of the Returning Officers.

MARCH 13TH In what was condemned as fraudulent process the verification of election results in Region 4 was completed on Friday, March 13, 2020,

using suspect numbers and blurred Statements of Poll that were posted on screen.

In what was a clear case of fraud, provision was made for the signatures of 'witnesses' on the Region 4 declaration of results in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in comments on the issue had said, “Interestingly, the only 'witness' who signed was the embattled APNU+AFC Coalition's Carol Joseph. This is a clear attempt to obfuscaste the conspiracy between the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition and complicit GECOM officials – a conspiracy to perpetrate electoral fraud – which led to signature of

Volda Lawrence appearing on last week’s fraudulent declaration for Region 4.

The fact remains that in ALL nine other Regions, only the stamp and signature of the Returning Officer was on the official declarations of election results in those areas.”

According to the Party, this move will not absolve those implicated in the private criminal charges that have been filed with the court.

RECOUNT The completed recount of votes from Region 4, which were cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, exposed the fact that the Returning Officer, did, in fact, manipulate the results he presented on March

13, 2020.

Mingo manipulated over 22,000 votes in Region 4 – inflating the APNU+AFC Coalition voted by over 19,000 and decreasing the PPP/C votes by over 3,000.

In 145 examples, where comparisons were made of Statements of Poll, Statements of Recount and the declarations made by Mingo, it showed that the votes for APNU+AFC was inflated by 7,644 votes. On the other hand, the votes for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were reduced by 753.

The 4,495 and 753 numbers were arrived at comparing Mingo’s numbers and the Statements of Recount.

Volda Lawrence’s signature on the Region 4 declaration of March 5th. The signature is the same as one used on an official Ministry of Health document while she held the portfolio

Intruders with toy gun target Chief Justice’s home

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ne day before the first hearing – case management conference –of the election petitions filed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, a man armed with what was later identified as a toy gun on Wednesday (October 21, 2020) entered the residence of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George and confronted the ranks guarding her home.

The incident occurred at

some time around 14:00h. It is unclear whether the Chief Justice or any other family member was at home at the time.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force said, “Police are investigating incident which occurred on 2020.10.21 about 14:00hrs at Justice George residence involving two police ranks attached to the said

residence.

“Enquiries disclosed that on the date and time mentioned the two ranks were on duty when one left the hut and went into the washroom when she was confronted by a male of African Descent who is about 5 feet 4 inches in height, dark in complexion, slim built wearing a black short pants and a white jersey tied around his face

and armed with what a appeared to be a black handgun.

“The said male approached the rank and pointed the object at her and fired a punch at her but missed her, she then called out for the other rank who was in the garage of the building and armed with a .38 revolver. The rank having heard the call went out to see who it was when the said

male pointed the object at him causing the rank to take cover.

“However, the person then dropped the object and ran in a northern direction and jumped over a fence and made good his escape.”

Notably, no shots were fired and no one was injured. Further, the object was picked up and is suspected to be toy gun.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has filed two election petitions, both challenging the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and the National Recount that followed.

However, notably absent from the petitions are the Coalition’s Statements of Poll (SoPs).

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Multidimensional housing programme P

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday (October 16, 2020) reiterated that the Government’s housing programme is designed to bring direct benefits to the lives of all Guyanese.

As such, he assured that Government will continue to embrace a programme with the private sector, to create an enabling environment with the right set of incentives to ensure affordability.

“That is the area of focus, affordability, and all of this leads to national dignity, when people have a strong belief in themselves. There is nothing more empowering than owning our own home.

When you are very young, you always dream of turning your own keys.”

The Head of State was at the time addressing scores of beneficiaries during the Ministry of Housing and Water’s title distribution exercise at the National Stadium, where he pointed to the importance of partnerships with the Private Sector in realising the government’s overall vision for the housing programme.

“In achieving this we have to create partnerships. The Minister spoke about this extensively, but our partners must also come into the programme; understanding that they have a social responsibility. So the partnership cannot be driven exclusively on profit margin; and I'm happy the partners are here,” President Ali said.

CONNECTIVITY He also outlined plans for critical linkages between housing areas, which would bridge commute time. He said, “We want to create a network of infrastructure that leads us to main growth areas, not more than 25 minutes. So you will see all the transformation infrastructure that I'm talking about linked to this overarching plan. In

achieving this we have to create partnerships.”

The President also spoke of other critical projects, which will open up new opportunities and new lands to create growth and prosperity; these projects include the new Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Corentyne River Bridge.

Both projects, the Head of State outlined, will present extraordinary opportunities for farmers to expand production and enter into a new market. It will also provide opportunities for commercial activity and for the services sector, but more importantly, according to the Head of State, they will con-

to stay on the East Bank or East Coast, or I want to stay next to my parents, or I want to live next to my brother or all five of my cousins. You will have the connectivity to get to your parents quickly, the infrastructure will be there, do not lose your opportunity.”

He reminded the audience of the successes of the previous housing programmes under the PPP/C government, including the Young Professional Housing Scheme, which improved the lives of thousands of Guyanese. Ali said, “When we started the young professionals scheme, we sold those homes for $13M… today, the value of those homes are now $35M-$40M. When we started the 1000 Home Project, I remember a political commentator at that time saying that we are taking the lower income people to the back, little did that political commentator know in the long-term vision that was the front because that is where the four-lane road will go. And what we did for those low income earners is to give them an asset value that they can go to the bank and get five times the value for the infrastructure investment there. That is

tribute to the development of new settlements that will be linked to job creation and economic expansion.

President Ali encouraged those gathered to embrace the many opportunities that will be created through the establishment of new housing developments. He said, “One of the great difficulties we have is that when you offer somebody Parfaite Harmonie, they say no, I want

visionary, that is transformative, that is empowering, that is what breaks the cycle of poverty.”

ENGAGING THE DIASPORA President Ali also pointed to the importance of engaging the diaspora in the development of the country’s housing sector, particularly through the provision of financial resources. He said, “We have examined ways in which our diaspora can be associated with housing development through home ownership as re-migrants and also through providing financial resources.

There is great potential in creating a diaspora fund that can be utilised in a sector like the housing sector, and this is also under consideration at the moment.”

He said too that the Government will also be addressing the housing needs of re-migrants coming from Venezuela, which is another important target group.

HINTERLAND HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT With regards to address-

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to uplift all Guyanese ‒ President Ali

ing the housing needs in hinterland areas, President Ali pointed to the importance of providing subsidised housing which in turn, will have far reaching impacts on community development.

“For the hinterland, our focus has to be on subsidised housing. This is not only about creating homes, but it has to be linked to job creation, better services in terms of power and water, and community life,” he said.

The President then announced that by January next year, the Government will be moving to start the installation of 1000 solar units in hinterland communities, as part of their drive to improve service levels.

ACCESS TO CAPITAL The Head of State noted too that while there are plans to expand the housing programme to even greater heights, access to private capital is integral to the process.

“In achieving all of this, one may ask you a very important question. Where is the capital coming from?

I've already identified one source, but we have recently launched an ad in the newspaper to raise US$250 mil-

lion for the housing sector.

And we invited individuals or agencies to submit term sheets. I must tell you the response has been nothing but overwhelming. We have already engaged at the bilateral, multilateral and regional level, many agencies, every single Head of State I spoke to so far, I’ve outlined housing as a top priority and asked that financing of the housing programme be taken into consideration of their development fund. In my most recent conversation with the Emir of Qatar, I requested of him to look at housing from the Qatari De-

velopment Fund,” he said.

ALL GUYANESE TO BENEFIT President Ali assured that all Guyanese stand to benefit from his government’s housing programme and encouraged citizens to embrace the bright future ahead with confidence.

He said that among the target groups are young professionals, nurses, the joint services, clerical workers, teachers and religious stakeholders.

MY DREAM FOR GUYANA Under the President Ali administration, affordable housing would be realised in keeping with its manifesto commitments.

“These are the initiatives that we believe will not only rekindle hope, but will bring our country together. My greatest passion, my greatest vision is to see us all live united, for us to see each other as Guyanese, for us to love each other as Guyanese, for us to protect each other as Guyanese that is my greatest dream for Guyana,” he said.

He also announced that the Ministry has plans to “break ground” for the first 5,000 homes shortly.

Close to 350 titles will be distributed over the next two days during the Ministry of Housing and Water’s distribution exercise.

Both the Minister of Housing and Water, the Hon. Colin Croal and the Minister within the Ministry, the Hon. Susan Rodrigues also addressed the beneficiaries and outlined their plans for the sector.

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Guyana calls for Campbelltown residents sign petition to oust upholding of Toshao, Village Council democracy amidst R COVID-19 fight ‒ at OAS General Assembly

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uyana has called on all independent states of the Americas to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd made the call today, during his virtual address to the 50th Session of the Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly.

Minister Todd said Guyana is “very concerned” about the increasing challenges to democracy in the hemisphere and around the world, many of which were worsened by the onset COVID-19.

“As a consequence of the pandemic, more than 67 countries and territories have had elections postponed and more than 80 countries have declared a state of emergency, with a consequent deterioration in the quality of democracy and respect for human rights in most of those countries,” Minister Todd told the virtual confab.

The Minister said collective vigilance and mutual support, along with political will and citizen participation will see democracy prevailing.

“We must therefore,

monitor ourselves daily for any regression from upholding the principles of democracy and human rights and we must be careful, moreover, not to allow the fragilities and vulnerabilities of

refusal to step down.

Minister Todd said Guyana is committed to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

“It is in this regard, that I extend, on behalf of the Government and People of Guyana, to Secretary-General

“We must therefore, monitor ourselves daily for any regression from upholding the principles of democracy and human rights and we must be careful, moreover, not to allow the fragilities and vulnerabilities of our countries, particularly of small developing countries, to be completely undermined by this pandemic.”

– Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd our countries, particularly of small developing countries, to be completely undermined by this pandemic,” he told the 35 independent states of the Americas.

Guyana went to the polls on March 2, days before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The months following the elections saw intense legal battles between the PPP/C and the then APNU+AFC Government over the true winner of the polls; although the results showed the PPP/C had won the elections.

The OAS which had dispatched an observer mission here, had continuously criticised the former APNU+AFC Government for its

Luis Almagro and officials of the General Secretariat, in particular the Department of Electoral Co-operation and Observation, as well as the member states of the Organization, sincere gratitude for the support provided during our recent electoral crisis, which culminated in the will of the Guyanese people being respected and democracy and the rule of law triumphing, after five tense long months.”

Meanwhile, Minister Todd said Guyana will continue to play its part, as a responsible member of the hemispheric community, to advance a coherent hemispheric agenda, based on the OAS’s main pillars of democracy, human rights, security, and development.

esidents of Campbelltown/Princeville, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) have handed over a petition to Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai to have their Toshao, the Deputy Toshao and the Village Councillors removed.

Villagers have accused Toshao, Ms. Marabel Thomas of several wrongdoings.

They have also petitioned for her deputy, Ms. Samantha John to be relieved of duty.

Villagers voiced their concerns to Minister Sukhai during her recent visit to the community. After that meeting, several attempts were

made to contact Toshao Thomas, all to no avail.

However, the villagers forged ahead and signed the petition to have her removed from office. The petition was signed by 135 of 183 residents who attended the meeting.

Minister Sukhai said the Toshao started serving in April 2018 after the village elections, which were reportedly “marred by irregularities”.

The villagers had even sought an intervention from the then Minister; however, the matter persisted.

“The council was not properly installed. In fact,

the elected Councillors were set aside by the Toshao and the then REO, who was the returning officer, and the Toshao was allowed to hand pick friends to form the council,” Minister Sukhai said.

The Ministry possesses correspondence documenting complaints about the Toshao spanning two years.

Minister Sukhai will now proceed in accordance with the Amerindian Act, to write the Toshao and give her the opportunity to respond to the allegations against her.

The matter is expected to be resolved by the first week in November.

Some of the villagers meeting with Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai

20,000 COVID-19 antigen tests for the hinterland ‒ produces results within minutes

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inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says the rapid antigen tests ordered for selective hinterland regions will increase the testing capacity in those areas.

The Minister explained that although the testing capacity at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory in Region Four increased with Government’s acquisition of a $7.2 million automated extractor, regional testing in remote areas still

takes time.

However, the Ministry is taking steps to remedy this.

“We have placed an order for 20,000 [antigen] tests and hopefully by November, we will be able to get those tests and deploy to interior areas.”

Minister Anthony said because this test is faster, it may be more practical for use in remote hinterland areas. “This is not the RTPCR tests that we take samples of and bring them to the

lab. This antigen test is one where right at the site where you’re seeing the patient if you suspect them to have COVID, you can run the test there and within 45 minutes get back the results.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has applauded the efforts of test developers who have developed the rapid and easyto-use devices to facilitate testing outside of laboratory settings. The WHO has described the development as innovate, as it responds to the needs of people.

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Gov’t asks FAO for guidance on using technology to boost agriculture T

he Government has appealed to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to assist farmers in the use technology to boost production.

Director General in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Madanlall Ramraj made the appeal in his address at the 36th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean on Wednesday (October 21, 2020).

“Guyana requests that the FAO expand their programmes in the region in these areas. There is a need

Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj

for specialised staff at the level of the Ministry, in the identified agro-technological areas that will be able to train farmers. Also, there is a need for consideration of incentives for farmers to access digital tools,” Ramraj stated.

The Director General said for local farmers to become more competitive they require accurate local weather forecasts, advice on agricultural practices, input use, including the use of agricultural tools with digital technologies embedded in

them, and real-time information about prices and market logistics.

This requires training of agricultural technology specialists in these technologies and promoting their availability through a joint effort with the private sector. He also noted that Guyana’s liberalising of its telecommunications sector, which will provide faster internet, that is more efficient, less costly and with better bandwidth, would support these efforts.

Making use of soil testing kits, digital planting,

and harvesting equipment, the Director General stated would be vital in assisting farmers to get the information they need in making farm management decisions and promoting transformative agricultural development.

“We, therefore, request greater assistance from the FAO and other development partners to strengthen our technical capacities to develop innovative and digital policy agendas, increase usage of digital and innovative agriculture practices for

access to extension services, farmers and agro-processors, improving the marketing of outputs, and facilitating logistics,” the Director General stated.

Additionally, Ramraj said that a review of Guyana’s Agriculture Disaster Risk Management strategy is necessary to ensure that updated ICTs are being promoted. This, he highlighted, will ensure there is timely access to all relevant information which could minimise the effects of disasters on the sector.

National Oil Spill Emergency Plan on stream

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uyana has taken a robust approach to protect its people and valuable resources from all threats of oil pollution, through the establishment of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

The country’s new oil and gas industry has opened doors to vast economic transformation. While the Government looks forward to the economic boom and positive changes from oil production, it is equally concerned about the safety of its people and natural resources.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) recently completed the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which gives immediate operational response to any event of spillage of oil and petroleum products into the environment.

The emergency plan satisfies requirements under domestic legislation and policies, as well as international conventions.

In the event of an oil spill in Guyana, all relevant Government agencies, oil and shipping companies and other relevant parties will be

required to follow the procedures established in the plan.

The 132-page document provides an appropriate system for the monitoring, detecting, and reporting of oil and petroleum spills on land and maritime environment, co-ordinates scientific support and analyses to determine priority/sensitivity ratings of impacted or threatened areas and protects public health, welfare and natural resources in order to minimise environmental and economic impact.

It has also established a reporting procedure which will provide information to all relevant national and international stakeholders, and has outlined procedures and implementation mechanisms for immediate response to obtain regional and/or international support.

In his policy statement, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, said the Government is aware of the need to preserve and protect the environment from all chemicals that pose a danger to the health of humans and other lives.

“The Government of Guyana sees the importance of developing measures that can aid in the prevention, and if unavoidable, prompt and effective action to minimise the damage which may result from a major oil spill incident. The Government sees the need for the inclusion of every stakeholder, including the oil and shipping industries, in preparatory efforts and actions for these contingencies.”

The plan accounts for oil and petroleum products entering Guyana’s territorial waters from spills which occur in neighbouring states.

It comes at a time when Guyana has recognised a potential threat from an oil spill from the FSO Nabarima listing with 173,000 tons of oil cargo off the coasts of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago in the Gulf of Paria.

The CDC said Tuesday (October 20, 2020) that there were no probable threats from the spill. “The prognosis does not show any direct impact on Guyana’s shores or marine ecosystem from any releases happening. Indi-

rectly, it may affect fisherfolk who are licensed to operate in surrounding waters off the coast of Venezuela and

Trinidad and Tobago,” the release stated.

While there are no reports of any spills, CDC said it is

concerned that should the contents be discharged, it could become a major disaster to Caribbean countries.

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‘Stop using squatters for political mileage’ ‒ Nandlall to Opposition

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he APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition has been called on by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, to stop using the plight of the Success squatters for political mileage.

The Attorney General said Tuesday (October 20, 2020) that the Opposition has been playing “politics with this issue.” “Squatting is illegal. It is wrong, and politicians who care about people have to stop using people as political pawns and using their plight as a political platform and that is what is taking place at Success,” he said on a recent programme.

The Government, through the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), has been trying to remove families who are illegally occupying the land.

The Attorney General said the Government wants to do what is in the best interest of those residents and the wider country. “Squatting stymies development, creates housing areas without proper planning, leads to sickness and violence,” the AG said.

While reiterating that “everything has to have a process,” the Attorney General said there are more than 60,000 applications backlogged in the system. He said the administration has an accelerated housing programme that will cater for everyone; however, it takes time.

Last Friday, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali pleaded with residents of the Success squatting area to utilise the legal path to land ownership. “It is not that we want you to be dislodged in the area. We want you to own

your home too, that is why we sent the Housing teams so many times to see you, but there is a right way in doing things and the wrong way.

In Guyana, we have to get accustomed to doing things the right way,” President Ali said at the “Dream Realised” housing initiative at the Guyana National Stadium. The President proffered that there would be no value if taxpayer funds were to be invested in squatting settlements.

Earlier this week, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) prepared the Graham’s Hall Primary School as a shelter for squatters who were displaced from the flooding of the area.

Prime Minister, Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips had met with the squatters on Saturday and offered to provide shelter to those who had been affected.

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Leaders called on to unify the country

Preliminary assessment completed on infectious diseases hospital

ational leaders were called on to foster unity among the people by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who added that discord is the greatest challenge to our development.

The President made this appeal at a ceremony to unveil a collection of commemorative centenary stamps on the 100th birth anniversary of former President Janet Jagan, OE. The ceremony was held at State House on Tuesday (October 20, 2020).

The Head of State said unity rests entirely on the shoulders of leaders. “We cannot lead without dignity.

We cannot lead in a way that is disrespectful to the laws of our country. Today I ask all

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of Guyana, especially within our political landscape, to assume individually and collectively the role of achieving the unification of our people,” President Ali said.

The disharmony among the populace cannot be ignored as Guyana embarks on transformational development. “It is the most pressing issue for us as a people. We talk a lot these days about the economic bonanza that will come, about the great wealth that will come, about lifting our people from poverty, but today I say to you the greatest of task and challenge for all of us is the unification of our people,” President Ali said.

The President reiterated that his Administration will

continue to work towards unifying the country. “It will be achieved. It must be achieved. We have to break down the invisible walls of disunity and bring our people together. We owe this to the legacy of those who work tirelessly and selflessly. We owe this to our future generations. We have to fix it now and fix it in this generation and do not leave this burden upon those who will come after us,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

Since his inauguration, President Ali has said the people are at the core of his administration’s plans and policies and that everyone will benefit under his leadership.

‒ orders already placed for equipment he team tasked with conducting a preliminary assessment on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention at Liliendaal has completed the commission, paving the way for the facility to be outfitted with the relevant medical equipment.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said the Government is hoping to get the facility up and running as soon as possible. However, most of the equipment needed would have to be imported. “We are working with the supplier to be able to bring that into Guyana,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Minister said the order has already gone out.

“We want to equip [it] to make sure it functions like a hospital and we have ordered all the equipment to ensure

we have diagnostic facilities … that we will be able to set up an ICU. We are looking at 29 ICU beds there. We have a theatre there that we want to equip as well so that if there is any need for us to operate on anybody, we’ll have the conditions there to do that,” Dr. Anthony said.

Additionally, the installation of medical gas supply lines which is needed for the ICU, would begin soon.

Apart from this, Dr. Anthony said approximately 21 ventilators should arrive in Guyana by next week. These machines are specifically for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) – Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit and other regional health facilities.

“We had placed an order to bring in ventilators be-

cause one of the big challenges with COVID-19 patients is that they would need ventilation and therefore ventilators become one of the necessities. We will be adding some more to GPHC and sending the rest to different regional hospitals. The [Indian Government] had given us US$ 1 million and we used part of the money to buy 21 ventilators,” Dr. Anthony explained.

The first five ventilators which arrived in Guyana early last month were installed at the GPHC. The Government was also awaiting the arrival of personnel from Canada to certify its biohazard cabinets. These cabinets are the primary containment barriers used when working with infectious agents.

Once the cabinets are certified the hospital’s testing capacity, especially for COVID-19 will increase tremendously, the Minister said.

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Guyana to access COVID-19 vaccine through COVAX T

he Government has already set in motion plans to access a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony says Guyana is among the 92 countries eligible for coverage under CO-

VAX, a body of organisations, including the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and GAVI -The Vaccine Alliance. GAVI’s mission is to ensure equal access to vaccines.

“They have come to-

gether and pooled their resources and created this platform and allow people to access vaccines, and they intend to procure two billion doses of vaccines,” Minister Anthony said in a recent interview.

Guyana submitted its application for vaccines

more than a month ago, the cost of which will be covered by COVAX, with a substantial sum covered

by GAVI. Therefore, Guyana will not benefit from the European Union down payment for one million doses of vaccines and it is not

among the 12 Caribbean countries set to receive through that effort.

Guyana has held discussions with the Government of India, which is working on producing at least one billion doses of vaccines for early next year. Talks were also held with Russia

and Argentina, with the latter committing 250 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to countries in South America, once successful testing has been completed.

Dr. Anthony is assuring the public that no vaccine will be used unless it passes through all clinical trials.

Gov’t COVID-19 support to Amerindians cuts across sectors – US$200,000 French donation complements efforts

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n its assumption to office in August, the PPP/C Government embarked on a robust campaign to support Amerindian communities countrywide as the nation grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July and August 2020, three regions with a majority Indigenous population were said to be severely affected by the pandemic.

Due to the remoteness of most villages, and travel and certain job restrictions imposed to reduce transmission, the Government provided food hampers to help sustain households.

On August 10, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and a team

from the Civil Defence Commission distributed 600 relief hampers to households in Kurukubaru, Itabac and Kanapang, North Pakaraima, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).

In September, over 8,000 Barima-Waini (Region One) residents and 195 residents in Nappi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) were among the first to receive the $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief cash grant announced by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The grant was among several relief measures announced in the Emergency Budget 2020.

The Education Ministry has also distributed printed learning material to students who may not have internet access, as part of a compre-

hensive programme to minimise learning losses during the pandemic. Students in Mabaruma, Yarakita and Moruca, Region One were among the first to benefit.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry is also collaborating with the Health Ministry to ensure adequate medical supplies are available in villages. Agricultural tools will also be provided to farmers to boost food security as several farming communities had lost produce due to flooding.

Additionally, $800 million was allocated to the Amerindian Development Fund for the sustainable development of Indigenous communities.

These measures will be complemented by a US$200,000 donation from

France to the Amazon Emergency Fund, in response to a request for emergency aid to support indigenous peoples in the Amazon.

A press release from the French Embassy in Suriname and Guyana said on Thursday US$ 2 million (1.8 million euros) was donated to the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin (COICA). COICA divided the amount among eight states

covered by the Amazonian Forest, including Guyana.

COICA focuses its efforts on the promotion, protection and security of indigenous peoples and territories through the defence of their ways of life, principles, social, spiritual and cultural values.

When COVID-19 hit Guyana, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) raised concerns about indigenous communities that were iso-

lated and experience limited access to health care services, the Embassy said.

COICA selected the APA to coordinate and implement the French financial assistance which is intended to benefit 88 indigenous communities in Guyana. The immediate objectives are to provide humanitarian support, food relief, medication, sanitisation supplies and to reinforce awareness on preventing the spread of the virus.

Collective societal approach needed to combat COVID-19 – Dr. Anthony

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inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony is inviting volunteers to assist in Government’s nationwide COVID-19 education programme Operation COVICURB. During Monday’s COVID-19 update, Minister Anthony said Operation COVI-CURB, which began approximately two weeks ago, has been received well, but now it needs to be taken a step further. “We need volunteers. The COVID-19 Secretariat will work with them, give them basic education on how COVID-19 is transmitted and what can be done to prevent the transmission.

We are willing to work with them and we will provide materials; T-shirts and hats for educators and face masks for distribution,” Minister Anthony said.

The Minister said he is concerned that many people are still not observing the COVID-19 guidelines as he hoped, evidence of which he found during a walkabout at the Plaisance Municipal Market on Sunday. As a result, the COVID-19 Secretariat has decided to solicit and train volunteers to take the knowledge back to their neighbourhoods to foster greater community responsibility.

Over the weekend, the Health Ministry collaborated with several other ministries and agencies to further educate the public on the dangers of COVID-19. “It’s a whole governmental approach, but we want to move from this to a more society approach where everybody is involved,” Minister Anthony explained.

Government hopes that through Operation COVICURB transmission of the disease will decrease as more persons adhere to the precautions. The education exercises have been held in Regions Two, Four, Six and Ten to date.

COVID-19 testing now completed in 45 minutes

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OVID-19 testing at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory can now be completed within 45 minutes, a drastic reduction from the previous eight-to-nine-hour-long process.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said more

samples are being processed in a shorter time since the Government started using the $7.2 million automated extractor donated by the People’s Republic of China. “I can tell you that we are now able to extract 96 samples within 45 minutes. Our processing

time has gone up tremendously so we will be able to do more samples in the timeframe that we used to,” he said during today’s COVID-19 update.

The Minister said another automated extractor, purchased by the Ministry, is being shipped to Guyana.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 OCTOBER, 2020

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases Region Three villages get at 3,877 ‒ deaths up to 117 COVID-19 hampers

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he Ministry of Public Health disclosed that Guyana now has 3,877 con¬firmed cases of coronavi-rus (COVID-19), of which 2,042 are men and 1,835 are women.

The country’s record of deaths stands at 117. The first COVID-19 death was recoded on March 11, 2020.

To date, a total of 17,625 tests have been adminis¬tered. Additionally, there have been 2,853 recoveries to date. Guyana’s cases have shown that persons between the ages of 20 to 29 are mostly affected, unlike the trend in other countries.

Cases have been report¬ed in all of Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions, with the following cases recorded: • Region 1 – 626 • Region 2 – 64 • Region 3 – 297 • Region 4 – 1,819 • Region 5 – 25 • Region 6 – 61 • Region 7 – 352 • Region 8 – 127 • Region 9 – 375 • Region 10 - 131

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers 231 1166, 226 7480 or 180/181 for assis¬tance.

Further, a study done released on April 1, 2020, by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health indicated that Guy¬ana could see over 20,000 cases of the coronavirus.

To date, the virus has hit over 210 countries globally and over 38 million people having been confirmed as victims of COVID-19, while there have been over one million deaths.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new¬ly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moder¬ate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with un¬derlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes,

chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The incubation period for COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, but can be as long as 14 days. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well in¬formed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19, although trials are being conducted.

Frontline workers first to get COVID-19 vaccine − other at-risk groups will be prioritised

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he PPP/C Government will ensure its frontline workers are first to benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, according to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

Currently, the Ministry is in discussion with several countries who are actively pursuing a vaccine. “We have had initial discussions with the Government of India. Through those discussions we know that India will be working to produce at least one billion doses of vaccines for some time early next year. Once the trial goes through to the phase three trial, that shows it is working, then they [India] will produce one billion doses of vaccines,” Minister Anthony said during Thursday’s COVID-19 update.

Discussions were also held with Argentina. That country is working on producing 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, some of which will be made available to countries in South America. In early September, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed

Irfaan Ali and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez had discussed regional collaboration and support in the fight against COVID-19.

Since then, Minister Anthony has held follow-up meetings with both the Argentine Health Minister and that country’s Ambassador to Guyana.

Anthony said, “We will see how those discussions progress. We have also had discussions with the Ambassador here from Russia and as you know, they have one vaccine that right now is in clinical trials in Russia.

So, we will see what comes out of the clinical trials and whether we can be able to utilise such vaccines here.”

Additionally, Minister Anthony said Guyana can utilise the COVAX Facility for payment. The Facility is a global initiative that brings together governments and manufacturers to ensure eventual COVID-19 vaccines reach those in greatest need.

“They realise that many countries around the world might not be able to

pay for these vaccines, so they have created a financial mechanism where they will work with researchers trying to discover these vaccines, take it through the phase three trial and then work with manufacturers. We have been assured that whatever the cost of the vaccines, through COVAX, that GAVI will cover a substantial portion of those cost for Guyana,” the Minister said.

GAVI is a global vaccine alliance which brings together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries. GAVI’s support usually goes to the world’s poorest countries, based on national income.

In 2011, Guyana was among four countries in the Americas which began the process of graduating out of GAVI when its gross national income surpassed US$1,500 per capita, the threshold for GAVI eligibility. However, support for immunisation programmes continued as the country remained eligible for GAVI support.

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arly 250 COVID-19 relief food hampers were distributed to vulnerable households across Region Three by Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar.

The exercise was a partnership with the private sector which responded to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s call for assistance.

“We are sharing out some hampers to some of the residents as part of the COVID-19 relief. I want

to thank the private sector who has willingly given to this programme,” Minister Indar stated.

Residents in Harmony, Free and Easy, Vriesland, Patentia (East and West), Sisters, Good Intent, Belle Vue and Stanleytown villages, among others benefitted from the humanitarian exercise.

Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Omesh Satyanand said the activity was not isolated since hampers are often distributed in commu-

nities significantly affected by the former administration’s downsizing of the sugar industry.

Mr. Satyanand explained, “We have been doing this for the last four and a half years and we will continue to do this to help the residents of these nearby communities that were affected due to the closure of Wales [Sugar Estate].”

Res idents w ere als o advised to follow the COVID-19 preventative measures.

New ICUs to follow standardised COVID-19 guidelines – Anthony

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he standardised COVID-19 guidelines for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have been crafted and are being reviewed frequently by a clinical committee.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says as Government seeks to develop and upgrade ICUs at hospitals countrywide, the guidelines are being simplified for clearer understanding and execution.

“They [clinical committee] are updating the treatment guidelines for COVID-19 in Guyana. For example, when to put a patient on the ventilator, what are the measures that you’ll be using to put that patient on the ventilator. This must be for every patient across the country,” Dr. Anthony told DPI. He stressed that the

guidelines include specific instructions for the new ventilators the Government acquired.

“Everybody who would be treating COVID-19 patients would be trained on these guidelines. Basically, there are instructions on how to utilise the ventilators, the clinical instructions, what to follow, how to examine the patient, what to look for et cetera. With this, the capacity at regional levels would improve.”

Minister Anthony said the ultimate aim is to improve the capacity of ICUs to deal with COVID-19 patients, while ensuring that the usual services provided at hospitals were not disrupted.

Further, in August 2020, the minister noted the importance of training for support staff to the ICUs including

nurses and other key healthcare personnel as well. He had said Community Health Workers are also being trained in Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control.

“This is extremely important because if we are trying to prevent the spread of the infection within our institutions and also to protect our health care workers from getting infected, these are going to be continuous and ongoing training [programmes].”

The training models utilised to improve Guyana’s response to COVID-19 at the healthcare level was designed and approved by the World Health Organisation; however, the Ministry of Health has extracted key components of the training, adopting it to fit the Guyana context which will render it more relatable and effective.

Guyana’s prospects have never been brighter - President Ali P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has proclaimed that Guyana is set to become the region’s most exciting investment destination, despite the economic problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Head of State delivered the keynote address via zoom to the Forecast on Latin America and the Carib-

“Guyana’s impending economic transformation will see a rapid increase in the rate of growth and aggregate national output.

It will also set in train the modernisation of the country’s infrastructure and foster increased technological transfers and promote innovation. New poles of economic growth will emerge to balance and diversify the economy, including in manufacturing and services.” – President Dr. Irfaan Ali

bean Conference, hosted by the Association of American Chambers of Commerce and Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA) earlier today, regarding the current state of the economy, the impact of the pandemic in Guyana and the outlook of the U.S.-Guyana bilateral economic relationship.

The ‘Forecast’ conference is an outstanding platform from which to advance our shared goals for promoting economic growth, the rule of law, and closer cooperation throughout the hemisphere.

In his address, the Head of State pointed to a plethora of comparative advantages which support Guyana’s economic take-off, including oil production, access to markets and the country’s fiscal investment framework which creates an investment-friendly environment. “Guyana is about to become the investment colossus of the Caribbean.

It will become the region’s most exciting investment destination. Now, therefore, is the right time to be doing business in Guyana. Despite the economic problems caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, our country’s prospects have never been brighter or more promising.”

The President emphasised that despite the growth in the oil sector, the country will not “hitch all of its wagons on oil”, but rather use the resources derived from the sector to revive the traditional economic sectors, thereby ensuring a more diversified and resilient economy. “Guyana’s impending economic transformation will see a rapid increase in the rate of growth and aggregate national output. It will also set in train the modernisation of the country’s infrastructure and foster increased

technological transfers and promote innovation. New poles of economic growth will emerge to balance and diversify the economy, including in manufacturing and services.”

This rapid economic growth is expected to spawn significant investment opportunities in oil and gas, infrastructural development, energy, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, services, information communications technology and tourism.

On this note, the President pointed to the importance of not only public investment but foreign direct investment (FDI) towards driving growth and accelerating Guyana’s transformative agenda. “We welcome foreign investment. We are eager to do business with the rest of the world, including with the United States. We are enthusiastic about attracting investment, including through public-private partnerships and through the partnerships between foreign and local companies,” President Ali added.

He also points to his government’s efforts in pursuing policies and plans, contained in the recently passed 2020 Budget, which lays the groundwork for enhancing investment promotion.

Several key budget measures include tax concessions on agro-processing, cold storage and packaging; the removal of VAT on exports and allowing exporters, including those in the fishing, rice and timber industries, to reclaim input VAT. Measures to reduce investment and production costs include the removal of VAT on building and construction materials, electricity and water, the removal of VAT on fertilisers, agro-chemicals, pesticides and key inputs into the poultry sector and the zero-rating of the poultry industry.

“Guyana is on the move.

We are accelerating development… My message to you today, therefore, is that Guyana is ready to do business. Guyana will become the investment capital of the region. We assure you that when you come here, you will not want to leave.

I invite all of you therefore to explore the business opportunities which abound in Guyana,” the President declared.

PUBLISHED BY NEW GUYANA Co. Ltd., Freedom House, Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: [592] 226-2042 / 227-2095 / 627-7432 / 655-0459