Weekend Mirror 14-15 November, 2020

Guyana’s prospects have never been more promising – Ali 14-15 November, 2020 / Vol. 11 No. 48 / Price: $100

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

PAGE 9

Holistic approach being taken to address issues of environment, climate change – Jagdeo PAGE 2

Contracts approved to supply hinterland with renewable energy PAGE 3

SEE INSIDE Guyanese urged to use Diwali to PAGE 7 reflect on inner light

Commentary: PPP/C government earned an A+ for first 100 days in office PAGE 15

SEE INSIDE

Police PAGE 8 Lessons for 1-3 investigating Grades a. Interactive Radio b. Instruction (IRI) 2016 contract Worksheets for new harbour c. Follow the Radio and Keep Learning bridge study [PAGES 16, 17, 19]

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

Holistic approach being taken to address issues of environment, climate change – Jagdeo

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he Government is merging the Department of Environment and the Office of Climate Change to ensure a focused approach to tackle climate change. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a recent news conference, explained that the new entity would be the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

He said there had been a great deal of overlap between the two existing departments. “A lot of people working on projects in a very isolated way, almost in silos without any order or regard as to outcome. So, there has not been a clearly defined goal of what we want to achieve.”

The VP added that the Green State Development Strategy formulated by the previous administration was loosely defined and without a project for it to be effective. He said many people were clueless about how their work fitted into the

strategy based on the feedback he received.

EXPANDED NATIONAL STRATEGY Dr. Jagdeo related that President Mohamed Irfaan Ali made it clear that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will be the main document guiding the country’s climate actions domestically.

The LCDS sets out Guyana's approach to transition to a green economy. Its stated aim is to combat climate change while simultaneously promoting economic growth and development.

It sets out how Guyana’s economy can be realigned along a low carbon development path, by investing payments received for avoided deforestation into strategic low carbon sectors. These payments will catalyse Guyana’s efforts to diversify its economy and provide new economic opportunities, employment

and more efficient use of resources, while maintaining a valuable forest ecosystem.

The LCDS, Jagdeo said, will be expanded in the areas of biodiversity, water management and other sectors. Dr. Jagdeo added that the government is creating a coordinated and efficient mechanism to deal with all climate and environment-related issues.

The Vice President explained that through the LCDS, Guyana was able to secure funding from Norway through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) during the previous PPP/C stint in office. The government, he said, is working to revitalize that partnership.

GRIF The Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) is a fund for the financing of activities identified under the Government of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Under GRIF, Jagdeo stated that projects identified had included grants to small businesses, a centre for biodiversity studies, ICT for vulnerable communities and Amerindian Land Titling.

“We have spent the last few months reviewing them because they are stalled. Even though we had US$17M assigned to the telecommunications project, US$4 million has been spent, but a lot of the equipment is just sitting in

a bond. So, we now have to swiftly get these 200 hubs created in the hinterland areas,” the Vice President said.

Jagdeo pointed out that the previous administration misused money received through the Fund. “Money that we earned from Norway was spent on hosting conventions… a lot of trips for the staff at Lands and Surveys to travel the world without focusing on the things that really matter… I am telling you this because we stood still for five years and we have just had a few short months to re-engage in this area,” he said.

NORWAY ENGAGEMENT Further, in moving forward, Jagdeo noted that Guyana is pushing ahead to re-engage the Kingdom of Norway.

He said, “We have written to Norway; we got a reply, so we are looking

to re-engage with Norway soon on the engagements that we have and a review of the last programme. We are looking to negotiate a new programme that will bring additional funding for the country and for initiatives.”

On November 9, 2009, the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and simultaneously published a Joint Concept Note (JCN), which set out how the two countries will “work together to provide” on a model that “align the development objectives of forest countries with the world’s need to combat climate change.” Norway had committed to providing financial support of up to US$250 million until 2015 for results achieved

by Guyana in limiting emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which was indented to support the implementation of Guyana’s LCDS.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

Contracts approved to NDCs’ subventions could increase supply hinterland with Tif funds available – Min. Persaud renewable energy S

everal contracts have recently been approved to supply some hinterland regions with renewable energy. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo made this disclosure during a recent press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Jagdeo said these initiatives are in keeping with Guyana’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to become 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy by 2025.

He announced that within the last three weeks contracts have been approved to provide hydro power in Kumu Village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

“There were some reviews done there so we had to look back at what was planned before and that is 1.5 megawatts at Kumu and to rehabilitate Moco Moco, which would be another 0.7 megawatts which gives you 2.2 megawatts of power,” the Vice President said.

This will be in addition

to a 1-megawatt solar farm, which was approved for construction last week in the region. “Considering the peak demand of Lethem is about 1.1 megawatt, we would have almost double the capacity of what they have all coming from renewable energy, whic h would allow a massive growth in the industrial estates and industrial plan for that area,” he said.

It was further highlighted that in Bartica, CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), a 1.5-megawatt solar farm project was approved last week for construction.

Funding, the VP noted, is available for the construction of a solar farm in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).

A similar project will be undertaken in Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) for 0.5 megawatts of power. Dr. Jagdeo said the Government is also exploring funding for a similar size solar farm for Leguan Island in the same region.

“These are smaller units

that would help significantly to bring down the cost of the supply. They do not have batteries so they run during the day. You will run the fossil fuel in the evening and it would extend the hours of service people have in these communities particularly during the day, until we put in units with batteries that can store power,” the Vice President explained.

Jagdeo pointed out that the $450 million hydropower plant for Kato village is under review due to serious breaches by the contractor. The previous administration, in early 2019, awarded the contract to B & J Civil Works for design, supply and installation of the 150k Hydropower.

Additionally, he said the hydropower project at the Amaila Falls which was abandoned, is also being reviewed to be realised.

Given Guyana’s abundant water resources, the VP said, hydro-power can be crucial to the country’s energy mix in the future.

Response to chronic diseases not overshadowed by COVID-19 fight

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ven as the PPP/C government is focused on curbing the spread of COVID-19, it has not neglected providing care for other chronic diseases, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Minister Anthony said resources are available to manage the health sector effectively. “We do have resources for everything

that the Ministry is doing.

This Ministry received one of the largest budgets, about $52 billion, to do our work, despite the challenges of COVID.” Further, the Minister said, the Government has not compromised care in any area to offset provisions made to tackle COVID-19.

“We’ve gotten more resources so that all these other crit-

ical areas can be adequately taken care of, our work in malaria continue, our work in chronic disease continue.”

While there were some challenges at the start of the pandemic, with regards to the operations of health centres and clinics, these have been addressed and very soon these facilities should be reopened fully and services back to normal.

he Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s promise to increase subventions to the 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) could be fulfilled through the 2021 National Budget, according to Minister Anand Persaud.

He said each NDC had received $5 million to complete their 2020 programmes, which would allow the Ministry to make representation for the increases.

“We need and we have to improve on all of the communities throughout this

country, for five years they were left unattended,” the Minister said. He added that the Ministry of Finance’s Budget Committee would, however, have the final say on the increases, subject to the availability of funds.

He stressed that this approach taken by the Ministry was in keeping with President Mohammed Irfaan Ali’s vision to promote greater empowerment by local organs to manage their respective areas properly.

It was noted that support would be provided to Local

Government bodies to manage their resources better and assume greater responsibility for the infrastructure of their communities.

Additionally, the Minister said the government had adopted a networking approach to involve every Ministry as it relates to residents’ concerns about agriculture, education or health. This approach, he explained, will enhance the operations of the NDCs through the various programmes to be implemented.

Nearly 50 global companies submit EoIs for new harbour bridge ‒ submission open until December 4

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pproximately 50 international companies have responded to Government’s invitation for submissions of Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the design-build of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill made this statement at the installation of the Board of Directors for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation on last week. “There will be some technical meetings and companies are coming into the country to do inspections and to do their own studies and to examine and help to

facilitate their proposals,” he said.

The Minister said companies were said to have complied with filing the necessary documentation. Other interested companies have until December 4 to submit their EOI. “I would want to continue to invite and ask the world and some of the greatest bridge builders of the world, to participate in Guyana’s development by expressing their interests.

We want the best. Guyana deserves the best,” he said.

The realisation of the new, four-lane, high-span, fixed bridge from Nandy

Park, East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara, is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s Manifesto promise.

During the 11th Parliament, the PPP/C had sought to hold the Coalition Government accountable for sole-sourcing the contractor for the bridge feasibility study, rather that following the procurement laws.

The Guyana Police Force has since launched an investigation into the award of the 2016 contract.

Government invited EOI for the new bridge back in September. The current bridge began operations in 1978.

Region Ten receives ventilator, ‒ to boost oxygen concentrator COVID-19 care

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inister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony handed over a ventilator and an oxygen concentrator to the Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten) health department to enhance its COVID-19 treatment.

The Minister presented the items during a meeting at the Regional Health Department.

Health management teams have been dispatched to facilities across the regions to check on their specific COVID-19 treatment needs.

“We’re trying to ensure all of our regional hospitals have ventilators. In addition to that, we want to ensure that all hospitals have treatments, so that if there are critical patients that come,

we are able to provide that level of care,” Dr. Anthony said He advised the Regions with needs to contact the Ministry.

“We are buying. You can ask the Ministry so that you’re able to get some of these things. They are there for every single region. In addition to that, we have been working to make sure that we can have the medications that can be used for COVID-19,” the Minister said.

Dr. Anthony complimented the Region on the overall management of its health services, while stating he wanted to find solutions challenges hampering care.

“We are all here to serve and I think health is one of

those areas where we all need to combine our efforts to make sure that the general public receive those services.”

Permanent Secretary Mr. Malcolm Watkins; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Narine Singh, Regional Health Officer Mr. Gregory Harris, Regional Chairman Mr. Deron Adams, Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Dwight John and other regional officials also attended today’s meeting.

Ventilators and other vital equipment and medications were recently provided to hospitals in Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) as part of the effort to boost regional health systems.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

EDITORIAL

Managing the economic, human impacts of COVID-19

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ver the past few months, with little done by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government, the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has had to advance responses governments to limit the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the human impact.

The balance is the response has had to be, undoubtedly, a delicate one to walk.

Guyana reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 11, 2020. The government has announced containment and mitigation measures (including imposing staying home order, bans on public gatherings, except for essential services, mandatory social and physical distancing for essential services, curfews, domestic and international travel restrictions, closure of schools and borders, mandatory quarantine for those infected or exposed to the disease, providing tests to suspected infection cases, and additional supplies to medical professions, and raising public awareness).

The new government announced the establishment of a new COVID-19 response unit to replace the previous National COVID-19 Task Force, including G$4.5 billion (US$21.6 million) for the COVID-19 response effort, and started making efforts to mobilize US$60 million from international financial institutions. More recently, the government received US$2 million from India, and announced G$25,000 per household cash transfer grant for COVID-19 relief assistance in addition to up to G$19,000 in allowances for each essential frontline worker’s child under seven years of age attending school.

The new government also worked on a plan to reopen the Guyana-Suriname border to facilitate trade and travel (18 land ports of entry, out of 53, opened on October 1). Although all the lockdown regulations specified above remain in place, on October 30 the Government issued its COVID-19 emergency measures for November, adjusting the curfew hours to run from 10:30 PM to 4 AM in comparison to the October curfew hours from 9 PM to 4 AM. Guyana’s key policy responses – fiscal, monetary and macro-financial – have been wide-ranging: • On September 10, the new government presented its G$330 billion emergency budget, which includes funds for combating COVID-19, and revitalizing productive and infrastructure sectors. Most importantly, the allocations for each of the health and education sectors account for approximately fifteen percent of GDP each. Most recently, the Ministry of Health has budgeted G$3.2 billion of its overall G$14.3 billion allocation to medicine and supply shortages in the healthcare system.

• The Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Revenue Authority have implemented waivers of VAT and duties on COVID-19 medical supplies and lab testing kits, as well as tax deductions for all donations made by local businesses to staff and health institutions for the treatment of the virus.

• The authorities have also implemented the removal of VAT on water and electricity effective from April 01, 2020 to September 30, 2020; domestic air travel effective from April 08, 2020 to September 30, 2020; and the extension of the April 30th deadline for the filing of tax returns to September 30, 2020.

• The authorities have also expedited the processing of VAT refunds for businesses and pay as you earn refunds to employees. All affected businesses will now be allowed to pay advance taxes on the current year basis for the Year of Assessment 2021 (Year of Income 2020).

• The Ministry of Business has started providing relief grants to small businesses experiencing challenges to sustain operations and retain employees and for training and development.

• Most recently, the Ministries of Business and Agriculture

Clear link between infrastructure boom and jobs Dear Editor,

P

resident Irfaan Ali and Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill’s infrastructural development proposal for Guyana would benefit workers directly and allow for jobs that lead to sustainable careers.

It also seems likely that the programme would create new opportunities and challenges for the nation’s education and training system, especially the career and technical education system in our high schools and in sub-baccalaureate post-secondary education.

The inherently temporary nature of an infrastructure boom also raises a longer-term set of opportunities and challenges for creating sustainable career pathways for infrastructure workers, especially for workers at the high school and sub-baccalaureate level.

There is no doubt that the infrastructure boom would result in up-skilling for the workers involved. While a majority of the jobs would go to workers with only high school and short-term training, their limited formal preparation would give them access to highly valuable work experience and state-of-theart technology as well as the formal and informal training available on the job.

As a general rule, we must encourage employer-based learning system which is roughly equivalent in scale to the entire post-secondary education system that has positive impacts on career sustainability. After all, many of us learn job-related skills in secondary

and post-secondary schools for months or years but we learn on the job for decades.

The longer-term challenge will be whether those skills learned on and off the job are transferable to careers available when the infrastructure boom is over. The high school educated workers left behind in the shift from a manufacturing to a service-based economy were not highly educated, but they were highly skilled as a result of years of learning on the job and technological change.

Ultimately, technology eliminated their jobs, and their skills, although considerable, were not transferable to the new high-tech service economy.

Infrastructure jobs would likely boom and then decline, except for a growth in the share of workers necessary to maintain, repair, and update infrastructure. Our historical experience, especially in manufacturing, suggests that many of the skills obtained in the boom were not transferable to the modern high-tech service dominated economy.

As in our manufacturing past, future dislocation and wage losses after an infrastructure boom would be concentrated in the male workforce, given the dominance of males in infrastructure occupations. If we are to look at the historical evidence this will suggests further caution. Male high school graduates have always been more likely to for-go post-secondary education or training to get jobs with good entry-level wages, oftentimes in occupations without strong long-term career pathways.

began working to assist farmers affected by the pandemic with stimulus grants.

• The Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business has collaborated with the Guyana Tourism Authority, and other bureaus to establish the Tourism Recovery Action Committee (TRAC).

• The Bank of Guyana (BoG) has extended the moratorium to allow banks to deter repayments and to classify affected accounts as non-performing, and the waiver on the regulatory treatment or condition for renegotiating loans under the supervisory guidelines to December 2020.

• The Bank of Guyana reduced reserve requirements from 12 percent to 10 percent; lowered liquid asset requirements for demand deposits from 25 percent to 20 percent, and savings and time deposits from 20 percent to 15 percent.

• The commercial banks will provide short term financing for working capital at concessional rates of 5-6 percent, and reduce interest rates on consumer loans below G$10 million by 1-2 percent until December 2020.

• Other measures proposed to banks by the BoG include; the deferment of loan payments to assist customers in good standing, companies with liquidity requirements; and waiving or

The long-term problem is not necessarily a lack of jobs for experienced infrastructure workers but a mismatch between the skills of dislocated infrastructure workers and the jobs available, especially at the sub-baccalaureate level.

Over the next five years, there will be lots of good jobs that require less than a baccalaureate degree but will require some education or training beyond high school. Many of these jobs are unlikely to be in blue-collar infrastructure occupations. Most of these good sub-baccalaureate jobs are in occupations like white-collar office jobs, accounting and finance, healthcare, and information technology. Through 2025, the economy will create more than 50,000 middle-skill job openings, including 10,000 openings from newly-created jobs and thousands of job openings from baby boomer retirements.

In conclusion, it seems reasonably clear that infrastructure jobs are good jobs for those who get them and bring long-term economic and social gains for the rest of the country. But we do not want this infrastructure boom to be a false dawn for Guyanese workers.

The challenge we face is building an effective education and training system to prepare workers for them and an effective retraining system to provide for successful labour market transitions when the boom in infrastructure jobs is over.

Sincerely, David Adams

reducing fees and penalties for transactions with ATMs, POS, EFT, debit cards, loan processing, late payments on loans and special treatment on interest accrued during the moratorium period on outstanding balances below G$10 million.

These moves were recently noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). And only last week, PPP General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, stressed that the PPP/C government has been effectively handling the reopening of the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

He had said, “Capability has grown exponentially. Still not perfect because nobody has a cure, but we have now, more materials from the drugs, the frontline drugs. Testing has gone up enormously and then we are expanding the emergency rooms and beds to ensure we can deal with larger number of cases…in the last three months, the key issues have been [about] dealing with trying to reopen the economy. We talked to people everywhere not just businesses, but ordinary people who said they needed to go back to work.

People who ran out of money and do not have a safety net and need to get back to work.”

The Government continues to make investments in the fight against COVID-19.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

PPP/C has taken a responsible position on LGE 2021 Dear Editor,

Harmon should know that US Presidents are not “briefed” T by foreign politicians Dear Editor,

T

he irony of Joseph Harmon’s hurried congratulatory letter to American President-elect Joe Biden cannot be lost on all with knowledge of Guyana’s recent electoral travails; for it would seem that President Trump would be replicating claims and legal manoeuvres made by the Granger/Harmon group.

So, what exactly is Harmon hoping to achieve, given that Biden would certainly have no empathy with riggers and election thieves. America is built on democratic principles, and those do not vary on party lines.

Fraud is fraud, and is viewed as such by the American establishment, be it Republican or Democrat.

In his haste to position himself and others who lost their US visas because of their attempt to gain elected office by fraudulent methods, Harmon committed a faux pas by saying “The APNU+AFC Coalition also looks forward to briefing you and Vice President-elect Harris”.

American Presidents are not “briefed” by foreign politicians. Maybe Comrade Harmon has forgotten about his relinquishment of American citizenship.

Harmon also insults the American nation when attempting to curry favour by saying that Biden has “the unenviable task of restoring the United States’ status and reputation globally”, for America remains the leading nation in the world, and is the undisputed economic and democratic superpower.

Harmon may, in the future, want to seek advice before putting pen to paper in such

reckless fashion. The nation of Guyana is still reeling from the effect on her reputation caused by the train-wreck known as the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Who can forget Karen Cummings at the Ashmins Building? And for those who forgot about Guyana, a recent article in the Washington Post reminds all too graphically “Then-President David E. Granger, on the cusp of losing, baselessly blamed votes by dead people and noncitizens in the March elections” then states that democracy was achieved. “After a laborious recount and a feud in the courts, Granger ultimately backed down after a five-month standoff, allowing opposition candidate Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as president in August. That happened in no small part due to US pressure.

“The Granger government must respect the results of democratic elections and step aside,” Pompeo said in July, as he announced new visa restrictions on “individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana”.

Given the likelihood of similar claims and legal challenges by the incumbent Trump against President-elect Biden, it is unlikely that Harmon and his ilk can/will find favour within the Democratic camp. It would have been more helpful for Harmon if he had shared democratic principles with the president-elect, instead of only the same first name.

It is too soon to ask for that visa back Joe…way too soon.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

PNCR-led APNU faces leadership dilemma Dear Editor,

T

he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) are in a quandary with respect to the leadership of the party.

I make that bold statement based on information gleaned from some party faithful themselves. There is a leadership squabble going on deep within the hierarchy of the party as it pertains to who is best suited, or in their pet adage, who is “fit and proper” to lead.

This has been the situation ever since Granger lost power and did not take up his position as Opposition Leader in Parliament.

But as time goes by, that rift is getting wider and the discontent growing greater in intensity.

Party faithful, the likes of Aubrey Norton, did not take kindly to the idea of Granger installing a handpicked puppet in Harmon.

His assessment of Harmon is one who is inexperienced, vacillating and weak and one who is not strong enough to lead.

The point I am making is this, Norton’s view of strong leadership is that you have to be a bully, one that goes around and throws his weight like a juggernaut, and may I add, this is the highly conservative view of most PNC members.

It is an age-old tactic invented by Burnham and one which served the party well these years, however, whether that will work

in a new and enlightened era; I would be the first to readily give you a resounding no for an answer!

Some members are even throwing in the name of Nigel Hughes as a genuine successor.

The last-named person is not a member of the party’s hierarchy, however, as was explained, laws can easily be manipulated and Hughes takes his rightful place in the party.

But that creates another problem where an even greater hurdle is in the making, which is, skipping over Harmon. Both Norton and Hughes are not members of the National Assembly and as such cannot wield that significant an influence to get rid of him.

These gentlemen would have to do so from a parliamentary standpoint. Now, those who are formulating the plan could again attest to the fact that this will soon be rectified, maybe as soon as after the outcome of the next LGE. However difficult the task may appear, the would-be appointees are doing the groundwork needed to oust the Opposition Leader.

So, whether it is the Henry Boys’ matter, The LGE pressure brought to bear on the Government, or even Ms Waldron’s renunciation of her American citizenship, Harmon must appear as this towering, strong and unshakable leader of his party. In that regard, he is desperately trying to win support within and outside the party. I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

here is a saying "you can't have cat watching the milk". The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) GECOM staffers presently in front of the courts cannot be the ones managing local government elections.

While the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition would naturally want their rigging cabal in charge of the preparations and the conduct of Local Government Elections (LGE), the vast majority of the country have no confidence that the management crew in charge at GECOM can conduct free and fair elections. The world watched in total shock as a small group in GECOM, under the control of elements within the PNC, tried stealing the March 2020 elections. Who, therefore, would want these same people to be in charge of another election in Guyana? The Guyanese people would be the stupidest people in the world to want these same people to run the elections machinery again.

It is wholly untenable to hold any election under the present GECOM management structure.

Our collective fear, prior to the holding of the March 2020 elections, that the management structure led by Keith Lowenfield was compromised, was realized during the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Not only did the GECOM management exposed their obscene plan to rig the elections, they did so in front of the whole world, including in front of several former Prime Ministers from CARICOM. Their overt attempts were live-streamed for the world to watch in absolute horror. They were brazen and barefaced in their effort to thief the elections. Now

most of the senior management, including both the Chief and Deputy Chief Elections Officers and the senior Returning Officer, have been charged with fraud and are before the courts. These are not ordinary charges. In some countries, these offenses are considered treason. How then could these same officers be in charge of another election?

The Local Government Elections are due in 2021. But for these elections to be held GECOM must act with haste to change the management. If GECOM will wait for the outcome of the trials before they decide on management changes, then GECOM must ask for the postponement of these elections.

The better option is to move forward with a new management team. GECOM has a constitutional duty and should not be sitting around waiting.

While the Vice-President and the General Secretary of the PPP have unequivocally stated the PPP's preferred position - that the LGE be held on time in 2021 - the Governing PPP and the President have said they will not support LGE being held under the present GECOM management. It is a responsible position.

The Opposition, not surprisingly, is insisting the LGE must be held even with the present GECOM management. One can sympathize with the governing PPP, the party which was victimized by the efforts to thief the elections. President Irfaan Ali had to wait five months before he was sworn in because of the attempt to thief the elections.

Who can blame the PPP for being wary and suspicious of these same persons who the world watched with amazement as they tried (Turn to page 6)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

Time for a national conversation on crime Dear Editor,

R

eflecting the major concerns of Guyanese both at home and abroad, I make an urgent call on the Government to convene a ‘National Conference on Crime and the Penal System.’ This forum would allow stakeholders: law enforcement officials, Government officials, social workers, and scholars/researchers, to pool their resources, analyze the crime problem, and integrate their findings into a coherent policy framework.

Guyanese harbour in common an objective fear for their personal security (crime), even though each one tends to express it in different ways. They are very worried about the spate of physical violence (crime) that has been unleashed upon victims, sometimes with naked brutality. The murders of the Henry boys, Haresh Singh, and more recently the 86-year-old pensioner of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, among other predatory crimes, have evoked not only anger, but exasperation at the crime problem in Guyana.

The gravity of the crime problem can be simply stated as follows: “We can get all the best jobs, accumulate all the wealth, enjoy all the social welfare benefits, live in the best homes, have up-to-date models of vehicles; but, as soon as we go onto the street, we are cut down by a hail of bullets. Or even in our homes, we can become victimised (robbed and/or killed).” So, what is the point of having all these material comforts when we are deprived of adequate public security?

The continual uncovering of many corrupt activities (white collar crime) adds to the predatory list of crimes (murder, rape, wounding, domestic violence, armed robbery, drug trafficking, etc.) and presents a picture of a breakdown of law and order. When Guyanese are afraid to leave their homes or walk on the streets, how else could anyone describe this situation, other than as a living nightmare?

We know of the devastating impact of crime on families (the trauma, the pain, and the financial and human losses), on businesses (physical damage and economic loss), and on public entities (in the form of graft and corruption that saps the life blood of development). Apart from crime driving fear into citizens, it also clogs up social intercourse; it scares away investment; and it hurts tourism.

Here is how a sample of Guyanese view the crime (personal security) problem. “Without proper security, the people perish, and people in the diaspora will refuse to visit.”

(PJ). “Guyana need to pay their Police more and have a strict code of conduct.” (HJ). “Balance the racial make-up of the security forces,

higher level of education to enter…higher salaries and rewards/ promotions for performance…and harsh penalties for criminals.”

(RC). “The security problem is restraining potential investors (from coming) to invest in Guyana, especially the Guyanese Diaspora, many of whom left Guyana in the first place because of the feelings of insecurity.” (PK).

“Why it is always the Government’s fault? People should take some responsibility, too. Why don’t you propose private security?” (IRS). “The concerns of crime and other social ills (are) paramount for a country on the brink of a huge windfall from oil. With oil, other worrying social evils can increase. (AJR). “This Government believes that the niceties they are offering will cause us to forget our fears and overlook their limp attitude towards attacking this cancer in our society…Why is the PPPC afraid to attack crime?” (BR).

What is interesting is that whenever there is a discussion on crime, Guyanese often refer to predatory and not necessarily to white collar crime! White collar crime is committed by people in powerful positions of trust and high status in the course of their occupation, and who develop an elaborate technique of neutralisation to minimise their guilt.

I have not been able to gather crime statistics from official records, and have depended heavily on anecdotal evidence from newspaper articles and from victims and their families. Statistical data would have allowed for the depiction of trends and the identification of groups that are at risk.

Nevertheless, the available evidence is enough to highlight the need for swift action on the matter of “public security.” I am now reaching out to the current Government, and hope they would respond positively to this request for a national conference on crime and the penal system.

Everyone knows that crime is not only the Government’s responsibility, but it is also everybody’s business. It is for this reason that I urge the Government (Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, and the Attorney General) to get all the stakeholders involved in a national conference on crime and the penal system.

Of course, this conference would be just the beginning of a continual dialogue on crime and its control. Other measures, like setting up a permanent task force on crime and drug trafficking, as well as law reform, could be integral to this process.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Guyana should continue along path of cooperation with US officials Dear Editor,

I

f there is one country that Guyanese know better than any other it’s the United States of America. The reasons are many. But it would be mainly because of our connectivity to mainstream US news networks and family connections.

The recent support from the Donald Trump administration for free and fair elections in Guyana brought home to the Guyanese people the importance Americans attach to democracy and the right of a people to elect a government of their choice just as they did at their recent elections.

To those in Guyana, in particular those who followed the on-going electoral process in the US, they would now have a much better idea about what is meant by ‘All politics is local,’ not only in the context of the various states and counties of America but also in Guyana.

At 12:25 pm on Saturday, November 7, news broke that the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Joe Biden was elected the 46th President of the United States of America with Kamala Harris as his Vice President.

Soon after the announcement, people mainly young people, in Washington, New York, Philadelphia and other cities and towns in America took to the streets in large numbers and in jubilation welcoming Biden’s victory.

During the recent elections campaign, Biden was described disparagingly in some political circles as the ‘White Old Man,’ ‘Sleepy Joe’ and an ‘Old Guard’.

I’m reminded of Janet Jagan being described in 1997 as the ‘Old White Woman’ and the ‘White American Jew.’But Biden was more approvingly described as the ‘Son of Scranton’ his hometown, while Harris was described as the ‘Daughter of an Immigrant.’

While Biden fought a battle he described as ‘For the Soul of the Nation’ his competitor stuck to the 2016 slogan ‘Make America Great Again!’Biden’s campaign slogan focused on values such as character, decency and honesty.

Biden declared himself a ‘Transitional Candidate’ which some interpreted as the embodiment of transitioning from one administration to another as well the movement from one generation to the next.Biden won the presidency after making his third run for the presidency.

Harris will be the first woman of colour to be the Vice President of America.

Biden restored the so-called ‘Blue Wall.’

He won tons of votes in the so-called ‘Battle Ground States’ for his party winning over 74million out of the 15O million valid votes cast, the highest amount of votes won

PPP/C has taken a responsible position... to rig the elections? Who among us are not flummoxed that the Opposition would want the rigging machinery to be in charge of the LGE elections?

One Opposition GECOM commissioner, Vincent Alexander, asserted that GECOM is not perfect and that GECOM was never perfect, but that did not stop them from conducting elections before. We agree that GECOM is not a perfect organization and that it was never perfect. We agree that elections were held before under a GECOM that we all, on both sides, had reservations about.

But when David Granger and APNU+AFC acted arbitrarily in appointing James Patterson as GECOM's Chair in 2018, they turned

an already imperfect institution into a wholly compromised organization. At that moment, GECOM was not just another imperfect organization, it began its transformation into a rigging machinery. When Patterson led the assault in removing the then Deputy Chief Elections Officer and replaced him with a partisan person, he ensured that GECOM's management had become an arm of a political party. Those of us who cautioned the nation about this lived to painfully see the plan being carried out during the 2020 elections. Thankfully, the Guyanese people with international support defended Guyana's democracy.

It would be irresponsible and a dereliction of duty for anyone to simply ignore that the

by any presidential candidate in the history of the US. Notwithstanding allegations of elections rigging, voter fraud, restrictions to party representatives to observe the count, problem with counting procedures, the status of mail-in ballots, being branded a socialist and a slew of court actions, Biden was able to overcome.

In the midst of a pandemic with approximately 237,000 deaths and over nine million persons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans nevertheless came out in huge numbers to vote in favour of both Biden and Trump.

We are told that voter turnout for both candidates was unprecedented.

In a deeply divided society, and an economy ravaged by the global pandemic, Biden will be challenged by a Republican-dominated Senate over which they probably may not be in control.

Biden faces tremendous challenges in respect to health care issues, lowering the political temperature and healing a deeply divided nation.

Here in Guyana, we are no strangers to similar socio-political phenomena.

Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have been favourably disposed to assisting the democratic process in Guyana.

In 1989 Republican President Bush fired the first salvo calling for free and fair elections in Guyana.Later, prior to the 1992 elections eight Congressmen and six Senators (Republican and Democrats) wrote separate letters to the US State Department requesting US aid be tied to free and fair elections in Guyana.

President Clinton and Madeline Albright, his Secretary of State worked hard to bring economic prosperity to CARICOM countries. At the UN and OAS, Albright supported the Janet Jagan administration’s fight back against the PNC’s attempt to destabilize her government.

President Obama’s administration supported Guyana’s fight against illegal trafficking in narcotics.

He followed up with President Clinton’s efforts in supporting CARICOM’s push for Small Island Developing Sates and Low Lying Coastal States. President Trump’s and Mike Pompeo’s his Foreign Secretary’s and the State Department’s Officials’ contribution to the Guyanese people’s struggle for free and fair elections will remain etched in our country’s electoral history.

Guyana has worked with both Republican and Democratic administrations in the US. We must continue along that path.

Your faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

(From page 5)

main management persons are charged with serious crimes for compromising the 2020 elections and allowing them to lead preparations and conduct of LGE in 2021. But the vast majority of Guyanese want the LGE to be conducted in 2021. The new PPP has vowed to allocate the financial resources GECOM needs for the LGE in 2021. This would only be possible if GECOM acts responsibly and move to change the management structure now. It would be unfair that the LGE is held at a time when most Guyanese have no confidence in the persons who are presently in charge.

The GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, must act now, convene a meeting of

GECOM and begin the reconstitution of the management staff in a way that generates confidence among all stakeholders. The strength of Guyana's democracy is only as strong or weak as the management staff of GECOM. Keith Lowenfield and Roxanne Myers and the other staff charged with improper conduct during the 2020 elections cannot be the persons to lead the preparation for the LGE in 2021.

While the courts deal with them, GECOM must move on with an entirely new arrangement.

Sincerely, L. Ramsammy

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

US President-elect Joe Biden congratulated O

ver the weekend, President Dr. Irfaan Ali extended congratulations to the United States of America (USA) President-elect, Joe Biden, on his electoral victory.

BELOW IS ALI’S FULL MESSAGE: On behalf of the Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and on my own behalf, I extend to you our warmest congratulations on your election as the 46th President of the United States

of America.

I look forward to working closely with you to confront critical strategic matters of interest to the International Community including the COVID 19 pandemic. Further, Guyana looks forward to consolidating and strengthening our bilateral ties with the United States of America in the ensuinq years.

As you prepare to assume the Presidency please accept my best wishes for a successful term in office and for your continued good health and well-being. (November 7, 2020)

Guyanese urged to use Diwali to reflect on inner light

G

uyanese were urged by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to use Diwali to introspect on their lives to find their inner light—which can promote harmony, selflessness and lead to a sense of consciousness.

The Head of State made this call during the Sixth Annual National Diya Light-Up at Rahaman's Park, which was organised by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service-HSS). ''My brothers and sisters as a country, and as a people, we must contemplate on this inner light. Each one of us must contemplate individually on that inner light and ask ourselves some very searching questions. Is my inner light contributing positively to the people of society, to the people of my community?

Is my inner light selfish or selfless? Is my inner light in the cause of my country or in the cause of something individualistic?''

President Ali pointed to the importance of reflecting on the best pathway for personal development, community development and the

development of Guyana. Towards this end, he said that the first step is in acknowledging that our actions may be harmful to our society and our nation. He said, ''Unless you bring yourself to the position of acknowledging that you did something that caused harm to society and country then you cannot go on this road to reconciliation because that light within you is kept in darkness.''

The President assured that his Government is willing to embrace all Guyanese and push forward with the achievement of a singular vision where all are connected and united.

He emphasised too that leading a country and being part of a country requires all to collectively manoeuvre beyond obstacles in order to achieve true potential. ''I believe that we have it in us to take this country to the next level in a dignified manner where respect for laws, respect for rules and respect for democracy becomes unquestionable in the eyes of the world. It is only then that the light of Guyana can shine as brightly

as we want it to shine. It is only then that the light of Guyana can create a path for others to follow. It is only then that the light of Guyana can brighten those who will come after us. Tonight it is not just about lighting this National Diya, tonight is a night of reflection and I ask all Guyanese to reflect,” the President said.

In his remarks, the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr K.J Srinivasa noted that the lighting of the Diya serves as a reminder that light will always prevail.

President of the HSS, Sri Ravindra Dev regaled the gathering with the story of the National Diya.

President Ali was joined by the First Lady, Arya Ali, Senior Minister within the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the HSS for the lighting of the ceremonial Diya following the official programme.

This year’s lighting up ceremony was held under the theme: ‘Fighting COVID-19 under the light of knowledge’.

Veterans hailed for service during Remembrance Day activity

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali, this week, paid homage to the men and women who died in service to the Commonwealth during World Wars I and II, while praising the resolve of the Remembrance Day veterans.

The Head of State was joined by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, other government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Guyana Veterans Legion (GVL) among others at the wreath-laying ceremony, which was held at the Georgetown Cenotaph (War Memorial).

In a brief address, President Ali noted that the examples set by the veterans serve to strengthen our resolve for a world at peace with justice and freedom. He said, “We

are forever indebted to them [the veterans] for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom. We also recall with gratitude those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression wherever these exist.”

The President urged citizens to use the solemn occasion to rededicate themselves to the search for peace everywhere and renew their commitment to the development of our beloved country.

The Remembrance Day ceremony is held each year to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers from the two World Wars (1914-1918 and 19391945).

Guyana’s oldest World

War II veteran is Benjamin Durant, who will celebrate his 102nd birthday in the coming week; there are currently nine surviving veterans.

President Ali led the charge in laying the wreath at the War Memorial, followed by Prime Minister Phillips and members of the Diplomatic Corps, including British High Commissioner- Greg Quinn, Canadian High Commissioner- Lilian Chatterjee, U.S AmbassadorSarah-Ann Lynch and Indian High Commissioner Dr K.J Srinivasa.

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Godfrey Bess, Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie and a representative of the Guyana Veterans Legion also laid wreaths.

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

Police investigating 2016 contract for new harbour bridge study T

he Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the award of the 2016 contract to LievenseCSO to conduct a feasibility study and design of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill made the disclosure during Friday’s (November 6, 2020) installation of the Board of Directors for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC).

“There is an active police investigation as it relates to spending and actions as it relates to the last proposed bridge that was to be built, and the contract that was issued to that company, where there were concerns that due process was not followed,” Minister Edghill announced.

The Minister said he was recently informed of the investigation and that it follows a formal complaint to law enforcement. “Some members of staff and previous directors have been asked to co-operate with the police and to give statements,” he continued.

Minister Edghill’s disclosure comes nearly three years after the life of the last Board expired.

The last audit for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) was done in 2014 and since the APNU+AFC Coalition took office there have been no completed audits.

The leaked 2018 Auditor General’s Report made clear this represents a breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

It said, “The Audit Office recommends that the Head of Budget Agency comply with the requirements of the FMA Act, especially as it related to Sections 80 (3) (c).”

Section 80 (3) (c) requires that statutory bodies “…as soon as is practicable and in all events not later than four months after the end of the fiscal year established for that statutory body…submit an annual report to the concerned Minister… which shall include…a report prepared by the Auditor General on the financial statements of the statutory body.”

Notably, the Agency was presented with this issue responded by saying only that the observations made by the Audit Office were correct.

SPECIAL AUDIT In addition to the routine audits, the Audit Office of Guyana, according to the 2018 Auditor General’s Report, is conducting a special investigation into the Award of contract for feasibility study for the new Demerara River Bridge.

The move by the Audit Office follows the completion of an investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in 2018, following a request for an investigation by the PPP/C in 2017.

The PPC report made clear that there were clear breaches of Guyana’s financial laws in the procurement of Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study and Design of the New Demerara River Bridge It noted that several companies bid for the project – to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge – and 12 companies were shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals. As such the bidding process was annulled.

It added that on November

12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered.

The project was not re-tendered. Instead, a Dutch Company, LivenseCSO, was engaged by Patterson’s Ministry.

The report, on page 7, noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited” and added that Patterson then took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged.

The report said, “The PPC noted that the Minster of Public Infrastructure, by memorandum dated November 18 2016, made a request to the Cabinet for Government seeking consideration and approval to use funds from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to fund the feasibility study and to commence a contractual engagement with LievenseCSO as of the 1 Jan 2017. The PPC noted that this request to Cabinet was not forwarded through the NPTA but

submitted directly by the Minister of Public Infrastructure.”

The report, on page 7, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts). Notably, the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, according to the PPC report, disclosed that the Board of the Corporation was not involved in the decision to spend its monies. The report said, “He (Mr. Adams) stated that he had not signed the contract on behalf of the DHBC, but only because he was requested to do so by the Minister of Public Infrastructure.

NEW FINDINGS In the meantime, several gross breaches and open violations were cited by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive, Gail Teixeira, in June 2019. These were in relation to new findings relative to the use of taxpayers’ monies on a consultancy services for the feasibility study and

design for the new Demerara River bridge.

According to her, in addition to the $161,514,420 approved by Cabinet in November 2016, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Account) actually paid $215,371,182 in 2017 for the cost for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge and $74, 068,000 in two payments of $14,728,000 in January 2018 and another of $59,340,000 in February 2018 for the New Bridge feasibility studies.

Teixeira noted that the new findings show that the Feasibility Study cost the taxpayers $293,439,182 or approx. US$1.4M – a whopping $131.92M more than what was revealed as the initial cost.

The PPP/C Government has since moved to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the design and construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. That bridge will have a lifespan of at least 50 years and will be a fourlane, high-span, fixed bridge from Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

'Great day for humanity': Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine over 90% effective (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc PFE.N said on Monday (November 9, 2020) that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective, a major victory in the fight against a pandemic that has killed more than a million people, battered the world's economy and upended daily life.

Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE BNTX.O are the first drugmakers to release successful data from a large-scale clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine. The companies said they have so far found no serious safety concerns and expect to seek U.S. authorization this month for emergency use of the vaccine.

Health experts said Pfizer’s results were positive for all COVID-19 vaccines currently in development since they show the shots are going after the right target and are a proof of concept that the disease can be halted with vaccination.

“Today is a great day for science and humanity,” Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairman and chief executive, said.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at

a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen.”

If Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized, the number of doses will initially be limited and many questions remain, including how long the vaccine will provide protection.

BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin told Reuters he was optimistic the immunisation effect of the vaccine would last for a year although that was not certain yet.

“This news made me smile from ear to ear. It is a relief to see such positive results on this vaccine and bodes well for COVID-19 vaccines in general,” said Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University of Oxford.

MARKETS SURGE The prospect of a vaccine electrified world markets with S&P 500 futures hitting a record high and tourism and travel shares surging. Shares of companies that have benefited from pandemic-related lockdowns dropped including conferencing platform Zoom Video Communications

ZM.O which was down 12% in premarket trading.

Pfizer shares were indicated 14.2% higher in pre-market trading in New York, while BioNTech’s stock was up nearly 23% in Frankfurt.

“Light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s just hope the vaccine deniers won’t get in the way, but 2021 just got a lot brighter,” said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com Shares of other vaccine developers in the final stage of testing also rose with Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N up 4% in pre-market trading and Moderna MRNA.O 7.4% stronger. Britain's AstraZeneca AZN.L was down 0.5%.

“The efficacy data are really impressive. This is better than most of us anticipated,” said William Schaffner, infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. “The study isn’t completed yet, but nonetheless the data look very solid.”

President-elect Joe Biden said the news was excellent but did not change the fact that face masks, social distancing and other health measures would be needed

well into next year.

1.3 BILLION DOSES Pfizer expects to seek broad U.S. authorization for emergency use of the vaccine for people aged 16 to 85.

To do so, it will need two months of safety data from about half the study’s 44,000 participants, which is expected late this month.

“I’m near ecstatic,” Bill Gruber, one of Pfizer’s top vaccine scientists, said in an interview. “This is a great day for public health and for the potential to get us all out of the circumstances we’re now in.”

Pfizer and BioNTech have a $1.95 billion contract with the U.S. government to deliver 100 million vaccine doses beginning this year. They have also reached supply agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.

To save time, the companies began manufacturing the vaccine before they knew whether it would be effective.

They now expect to produce up to 50 million doses, or enough to protect 25 million people this year.

Pfizer said it expects to produce up to 1.3 billion

doses of the vaccine in 2021.

The U.S. pharmaceutical giant said the interim analysis was conducted after 94 participants in the trial developed COVID-19, examining how many of them had received the vaccine versus a placebo.

The company did not break down exactly how many of those who fell ill received the vaccine. Still, over 90% effectiveness implies that no more than 8 of the 94 people who caught COVID-19 had been given the vaccine, which was administered in two shots about three weeks apart.

The efficacy rate is well above the 50% effectiveness required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a coronavirus vaccine.

MORE DATA NEEDED To confirm the efficacy rate, Pfizer said it would continue the trial until there are 164 COVID-19 cases among participants. Bourla told CNBC on Monday that based on rising infection rates, the trial could be completed before the end of November.

The data have yet to be peer-reviewed or published

in a medical journal. Pfizer said it would do so once it has results from the entire trial.

“These are interesting first signals, but again they are only communicated in press releases,” said Marylyn Addo, head of tropical medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany.

“Primary data are not yet available and a peer-reviewed publication is still pending. We still have to wait for the exact data before we can make a final assessment.”

The global race for a vaccine has seen wealthier countries forge multibillion-dollar supply deals with drugmakers like Pfizer, AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson, raising questions over when middle income and poorer nations will get access to inoculations.

The U.S. quest for a vaccine has been the Trump administration’s central response to the pandemic. The United States has the world’s highest known number of COVID-19 cases and deaths with more than 10 million infections and over 237,000 fatalities.

(Turn to page 15)

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

Statement by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on the occasion of his Government’s First 100 Days in Office

Guyana’s prospects have never been more promising – Ali My fellow Brothers and Sisters,

T

oday marks 100 calendar days since I took the oath of Office to become Guyana’s 9th Executive President but it can hardly be counted as same given the dire state of affairs and the two year absence of a budget.

When I assumed this Office, I promised a Government that would serve all the people of Guyana. I noted that there was much work to be done. This work, I announced, would commence immediately. Indeed, the pace of the past 100 days has been frenetic. We have worked with feverish intensity to deliver benefits for all. But we did not do it alone.

I wish to thank all of our frontline health workers, teachers and members of the joint services for their heroic efforts during the pandemic and for the additional risks which they have so willingly shouldered. I wish to thank my cabinet colleagues who have buckled into the driving seats of their sectors from day one as they steer their teams to deliver our vision. I wish to thank you the people of Guyana for your patience and understanding during these difficult times.

My Government did not need to formulate a 100 Day Plan. For us development is not a sideshow but a sustainable process. Our Manifesto constituted our pact with the people. It is underscored by a long-term vision. The tasks, which we have set after widespread consultations, commit us to work day-in, day-out to ensure opportunities, engineer equality and entrench national unity.

We anticipated that there would be challenges along the way. But we did not cater for a five-month interregnum as a consequence of the sinister conspiracy which was hatched to hijack this year’s elections and subvert the will of the people.

Democracy triumphed.

We must not forget the post-election anguish and embarrassment. We will not allow the agents of discord to escape culpability. Yet, we are moving forward

together as one people in unity and love.

We inherited a grim state of affairs. The economy was in a state of neglectful distress. During the five-month post-election period, our people not only patiently awaited the election results but they were forced to confront the effects of the pandemic alone, while the caretaker government shamelessly engaged in corruption, squander mania, unauthorized forays in the public purse and the unlawful disposal of public resources.

These and other iniquities occurred whilst our people were being subject to extreme hardships.

The coronavirus pandemic triggered a downturn in production, a slowdown of business and the loss of jobs and incomes. Many families struggled to put food on their tables; many small businesses found themselves in a financially perilous state. Schools had to be closed; examinations adjusted and our health care system was left to rot with no basic medical supplies procured in the last two years.

Instead of a comprehensive, coherent and coordinated response to address the pandemic, the former government’s reaction was illusory, incoherent and inept. Testing was abysmally low. Many regional hospitals were ill-equipped to treat severe cases of the virus. When we assumed office, we found insufficient quantities of testing kits, testing equipment, protective gear for frontline workers, ventilators and oxygen concentrators. The much-vaunted Infectious Diseases Hospital turned out to be an inoperable, bareboned facility.

The social sectors were also hobbled. Our people’s struggles were real. They were provided with little or no relief. Despite the diligent efforts of teachers, the majority of our school-aged children were left without access to, engagement and opportunities for learning.

The housing sector was in disarray with unacceptably low levels of house lots and housing units being allocated or completed. Poverty levels grew when many

workers in the sugar, bauxite and gold mining sectors were unapologetically terminated and families placed on the breadline because of the previous administration’s visionless actions, political vindictiveness, incompetence, and the poor industrial climate.

Workers have traditionally been the backbone of our country’s economy.

Yet, we had no labour ministry. The Labour Department lacked the capacity to effectively undertake the protection of workers’ rights.

Public administration was anemic. Assessments, which we conducted in Ministries, government agencies and departments and in public corporations, found appalling levels of incompetence, maladministration, gaps in the delivery of public services and poor or absent policy directives.

PPPC administrations, however, have never been daunted by challenges.

When the nation’s interest so demands, the PPP/C has always risen to the occasion. And, true to form, we have commenced the task of remedying the lamentable state of affairs which we inherited. We have over the past 100 days delivered.

I am extremely pleased with the performance of my Government during the past 100 days. Ministers have been proactive. They have been going out to meet and address the people’s concerns. Over the past 100 days, my administration has responded responsibly to the health crisis; it is rebooting the economy, relieving citizens’ burdens, restoring hope, rebuilding confidence and re-engineering development.

Responding to health crisis and immediate challenges Our foremost priority upon assuming office was to craft a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our response has been comprehensive and multifaceted.

We assembled a taskforce that included medical personnel and our regional/ international partners. We increased testing capacity to the point where we can administer as many as 600 tests per day and we are working to increase this to

more than 1,000 by the end of this month. We have also acquired adequate supplies of personal protective gear and allocated $150M in the emergency budget for frontline workers. Ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other equipment necessary for treating patients have been received and are being operationalised. We have retrofitted the Infectious Diseases Hospital making it suitable for offering meaningful patient care and we have enhanced the capacity of regional hospitals to treat coronavirus patients. We have acquired much needed drugs which are being used to improve patients’ recovery. When a vaccine comes, Guyana will be part of the worldwide immunization process.

We have signed on to the facility being provided by the Vaccine Alliance which will provide us with access to the vaccine. Our healthcare actions have not only been focused on covid-19 as we have also procured medical supplies that have been lacking in the system for over two years.

The first 100 days of my Presidency bore witness to the horrendous murders of three teenagers in West Berbice and the brutality meted out to villagers, friends and neighbours due to political manipulations. I have already promised that we will leave no stone unturned to apprehend those responsible for these heinous crimes. It was my government who invited a specialist team from the Regional Security System to examine and assist with the investigation. The team has expressed confidence in the capabilities of our local crime investigators. My government will persevere in its efforts to ensure that justice is served.

I am confident that we will be able to bring the guilty to justice. Our investigators, however, must be given the latitude, time and cooperation to bring the guilty to justice. These deaths are not a matter which should be manipulated to divide our people. Every life matters.

Rebooting the economy: Another of our immediate priorities was the rebooting of our economy while ensuring that our people and society were pro-

tected. We came into government without a Budget.

In record time, we crafted an Emergency Budget which included measures aimed at nursing our economy to good health, stimulating our economic sectors, attracting new investments, creating employment and improving the economy’s competitiveness.

In this year’s Emergency Budget, we have instituted measures to improve competitiveness including providing tax concessions on mining, 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. We have also removed the VAT on fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides, and key inputs into the poultry sector. And we have zero-rated the poultry industry.

We are reigniting the engines of commerce and industry. Our people are being put back to work.

Small businesses are regaining ground with the co-operation of financial institutions and financial initiatives of my Government. Investment interest is high. Our economy will be made robust again in a positive development trajectory.

Support for our traditional sectors is integral to aligning Guyana along a positive development trajectory. We have begun the process of reopening the Skeldon and Canje estates.

We will be establishing the Wales Development Authority aimed at implementing new and innovative opportunities for the Wales community. Land preparation, servicing of equipment and the recruitment of staff are moving full steam ahead. In the bauxite sector, RUSAL has expressed an interest in restarting its operations here.

We have asked the company to submit a proposal which we will insist must be consistent with our labour laws and the protection of workers’ rights. Investors have also expressed an interest in mining bauxite ore located at Tarakuli, in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region.

Efforts are being made to revitalize our forestry sector

which has fallen into ruins in the last four years. Guyana is rising again.

As part of the efforts to ensuring a growing, diversified and modernized economy, my government liberalized the telecommunication sector within the first 100 days of being in office. This is a tipping point in our country’s development. Guyanese have been waiting for 30 years for this to happen. The liberalization of the sector will stimulate greater investment and competition, and spawn the expansion of the sector and the range of ICT services available. Consumers are already benefitting from reduced costs for overseas calls and improved capacity of internet services.

We are eager to ensure that tourism emerges as a major growth pole in the future. In our first 100 days, we launched an Expression of Interest for the development of new hotels which has proven that there are tremendous interests in this sector. In addition, we have engaged in discussions with a number of airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, West Jet and Inter-Caribbean Airways with a view to having them service the Guyana route.

The construction sector will be key to driving growth in our non-oil sectors. Construction activity is being propelled throughout our economy. The availability of stone is a vital input into the sector but supply constraints are affecting production. This past week, I instructed that taxes on imported stone be waived so as to allow for the availability of adequate supplies.

Relieving burdens My Brothers and Sisters, Over the past 100 days, your government has been relieving the burdens which had been placed on your backs. Mindful that our people were left stranded without much relief during the pandemic, we launched an almost 5 Billion dollar COVID-19 relief grant which will see every household receiving G$25,000.

As of today, the hinterland communities have already benefitted from this grant and our distribution is now on the coast.

(Turn to page 18)

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100 days of successes under the PPP/C gov’t

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100 days of successes under the PPP/C gov’t

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COMMENTARY

PPP/C government earned an A+ for first 100 days in office

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

T

he first 100 days of the new PPP/C/C Government is now in the books. The PPP/C/C, without equivocation, has earned an A+ for its performance in the first 100 days.

On November 10, President Dr Irfaan Ali would have served his 100th day in office since his swearing in on August 2, 2020. Later this week, his government would have observed its 100th day in office. The Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government immediately put the five-month long struggles of defending the people's votes, of defending Guyana's freedom and democracy, behind them. They tightened their belt, they went to work on behalf of Guyana and on behalf of the Guyanese people. Their focus has been moving Guyana forward, not looking backwards. With guidance from the Vice-President and the General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharat Jagdeo, and with the manifesto which constitutes a contract with the Guyanese people, the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government has established a blistering pace of development.

Even the most erstwhile opponents have conceded that the PPP/C Government has performed beyond expectation in its first 100 days.

While there will be critics who disagree, the PPP/C has earned an A+ for its first 100 days in government. Irfaan Ali has justified his selection by the PPP/C as the PPP/C's Presidential Candidate; he has performed with grace, dignity and with a calm demeanor and determination to earn accolade and respect by the Guyanese people, whether they voted for him or not. The Opposition has shown no inclination to cooperate with President Irfaan Ali, COVID-19 has continued to be a crisis in Guyana and around the world, the weather has been most unfriendly and the country had no budget for the first 50 days or so to allow the Government to begin spending money on behalf of the Guyanese people. It is remarkable, therefore, that Guyana has moved forward so quickly, that the government has been able to put together a fast-moving development platform and that the Guyanese people have already began to feel the positive impacts of development.

The mood in the country has totally transformed. In spite of the Opposition's penchant for finding ways to stir unrest, the general attitude

across the country, in every community, is one of great expectations and hope. The talk before August 2020, the talk that existed for several years, among small and large businesses, was "things bad". The economy had grounded to a standstill.

People had lost confidence in their government and not even the prospect of OIL-wealth was enough to stir hopes. The PPP/C's first 100 days in government has totally transformed the malaise. Now across the country, businesses have a hopeful, positive talk – ‘things have picked up, things moving, business good’.

The most hopeful and encouraging aspect of the PPP/C's 100 days office is that they showed that the manifesto, the campaign promises that were made during the several political rallies and during the hundreds of public meetings were not just empty promises and rhetoric. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C leaders promised sugar workers that the sugar estates that were closed would be reopened.

The Opposition and other critics insisted that the promise of reopening sugar estates would never be kept, that it was impossible. Even those who believed the intent was genuine, conceded it would take many years before initial moves toward reopening. But even before the 100th day in office the PPP/C has seriously started the process of reopening the closed sugar estates.

This not only brighten the hopes of the almost 10,000 families that lost their livelihoods because of estate closures by the last government, but all the communities that depended on those estates have become a hive of excitement and hope.

The small grocery shops, community markets, local seamstresses and tailors, barber shops and salons, small stores, pastry and food vendors, etc. in those communities and adjoining ones which were forced to close or which were on the verge of closing have began to pick up again.

The domino effect of hope arising are glaring as the North Star.

The overriding theme has been a government determined to keep its promises. The PPP/C Government had promised to increase and double the old-age pensions, reintroduce and increase the school cash grant and school supplies vouchers, reverse the almost 200 burdensome taxes and VAT on water and electricity that were introduced by the previous government, immediately begin the development and distribution of

'Great day for humanity': Pfizer says...

Trump repeatedly assured the public that his administration would likely identify a successful vaccine in time for the presidential election, held last Tuesday. On Saturday, Democratic rival Biden was declared the winner.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS Vaccines are seen as essential tools to help end the health crisis that has shuttered businesses and left millions out of work. Millions of children whose schools were closed in March remain in remote learning programs.

Dozens of drugmakers and research groups around the globe have been racing

to develop vaccines against COVID-19, which on Sunday exceeded 50 million infections since the new coronavirus first emerged late last year in China.

The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine uses messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which relies on synthetic genes that can be generated and manufactured in weeks, and produced at scale more rapidly than conventional vaccines.

Moderna Inc, whose vaccine candidate employs similar technology, is expected to report results from its largescale trial later this month.

The mRNA technology is designed to trigger an im-

mune response without using pathogens, such as actual virus particles.

Pfizer alone will not have the capacity to immediately provide enough vaccines for the United States. The Trump administration has said it will have enough supply for all of the 330 million U.S. residents who wish to be vaccinated by the middle of 2021.

The U.S. government has said the vaccines will be provided free to Americans, including the insured, uninsured and those in government health programs such as Medicare. [SEE RELATED COVID-19 REPORTING ON PAGE 23]

houselots, re-establish a reliable supply of medicines and medical supplies, increase COVID-19 testing, provide family relief for COVID-19 etc. In less than 100 days it is keeping all these promises. More than 2,500 houselots are to be distributed before end of 2020. The old age pension has been increased. The cash grant has been reintroduced and increased from $10,000 to $15,000. School supply vouchers have been doubled. Taxes have been reversed to pre-2015 levels. VAT on water, electricity, food items, data and internet have been eliminated. A cash-grant of $25,000 have been distributed to families across Guyana. Increased land rent and lease charges for farmers have been reversed.

These and many other things to help families have already been done. It has proven to be a government that is keeping promises.

At the same time, the PPP/C Government is re-energizing the economy. Infrastructure development has been a priority. The stalled Sheriff Street and Ogle By-Pass Road projects, vital road development projects, have been aggressively pursued. More have been accomplished in less than 100 days than were done in five years before. Work has already started to get the Demerara River Bridge back on stream.

A new highway linking this bridge to Parika has been initiated. Preliminary discussions have taken place to upgrade the Linden Highway and to initiate the Linden-Lethem Highway.

The collaborative construction of the Corentyne River bridge with Suriname has taken off.

Three hospitals - Bartica, West Demerara and Suddie - have been fast-tracked with the Indian Government and construction will begin soon in 2021. Amaila and gas pipelines are on track.

New sea defense and pump stations, new community roads, new schools etc. are already on the budgetary pipelines. And its only 100 days. It is a dizzying pace.

In the meanwhile, the government has already announced its intention to support constitutional changes, LGE elections and to create employment for all Guyanese. Investment opportunities are being promoted and international interests in Guyana have began to blossom. Not only is China bullish on Guyana, but America and the West, including Europe, are competing for a part of Guyana's development. The Asians and Middle East countries have shown interest.

It has been an exciting time for the Guyanese people. Our government has shown us in its first 100 days what the possibilities are.

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Guyana’s prospects have never been...

We have set aside G$150M for risk allowances for our frontline health workers. We know that this cannot compensate fully for their efforts. But we have done what was within our means at this time given the state of the economy. We will do more as resources permit. You have my solemn word on that.

We have not forgotten our men and women in uniform who have helped maintain order and peace in difficult times. The members of our Joint Services have benefitted from a two weeks tax-free payout for 2020 -which they were denied for the last five years.

Our people also had to shoulder burdensome increases and additional taxes and fees over the past five years. These taxes and fees deprived them of much needed disposable income.

It stifled business activity within the productive sectors.

Within the first 100 days we have lifted those burdens. We have removed the unconscionable Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity. We have restored free water for pensioners. We have carved-off the oppressive corporation tax on private education and VAT on medical supplies.

Our farmers were saddled with increased fees for leases and drainage and irrigation services. Many of them could not afford to pay these unconscionable increases imposed by the former government. We have reduced these fees.

We have also slashed by half the increases in license fees which were instituted after 2014.

Restoring hope: We have provided relief aimed at reducing your burdens, while we aim to restore hope. Over the past 100 days we have introduced measures aimed at making life better for you the people.

We have reintroduced the education cash grant which was callously snatched away from parents. But not only have we restored it, but we have increased it to G$15,000.

In addition, we have increased the uniform allowance. These measures will make it easier for parents to outfit their children for school.

Housing is a basic need which we intend to satisfy.

We have begun to prepare the groundwork to deliver on our promise of 50,000 house lots over the next

five years. Our housing programme will create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction and home improvement sectors.

We want to ensure affordable housing for all.

The cost of housing construction is expected to be lowered with the removal of VAT on building materials.

Homeowners are also being provided with interest relief. They will now be able to reclaim, from their taxes, the interest on mortgages up to a ceiling of G$30M. Persons will now be able to borrow an additional $2M (up from G$8M to G$10M) at low interest rates.

We have not forgotten the elderly. Old age pensions have been increased from G$20,500 to G$25,000 per month.

Our people – all across the country – have seen and experienced progress over the past 100 days.

All of our Ministries have been involved in delivering improvements in the lives of citizens. The achievements are so numerous that it would take me an inordinate amount of time to enumerate. Let me, however, highlight some snapshots of our work over the past 100 days: A Road rehabilitation and streetlight installation programme has been launched. The Sheriff Street-Mandela Road Project has recommenced.

• We renegotiated the Payara License as well as constituted a Local Content Panel that is expected to produce its report shortly with recommendations and actions to be taken for Guyana’s Local Content Policy.

• Additional power is being added to the national grid.

The Guyana Power and Light has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Giftland for the acquisition of 5 Mw of electricity. Another agreement has been inked which will allow GPL to obtain another 10 MW in time for peak demand during the Christmas Season. A number of unserved areas have either been provided with electricity for the first time or are in the process of being connected to the national grid.

• The cost of hinterland transportation is expected to be reduced as a consequence of removal of VAT on such travel. Also a new ferry will be sourced for the Parika to North West route.

In addition, the Government is concluding an agreement with the Government of India for the supply of 30,000 solar panels to provide ener-

gy for hinterland residents.

• 108 Community Councils have been established to boost local development. A further 347 are expected to be revived or established.

Community enhancement projects are being undertaken. A total of 951 Community Enhancement Workers have been employed to undertake works in their communities. The Ministry of Local Government has commenced rehabilitation works at the La Penitence, East Ruimveldt and Mon Repos Markets.

• Work has resumed on completing the rehabilitation and new build of a number of police stations and quarters. The government is seeking to acquire 50 new patrol vehicles for the Guyana Police Force to reduce the acute shortage of vehicles occasioned by aged fleets, poor operational and maintenance culture and practices and technical failures. Other vehicles are being sourced locally to assist the police to become more agile.

• In conjunction with the judiciary, a number of virtual courtrooms have been established at Camp Street and Lusignan to allow for trials during the pandemic. In an effort to reduce overcrowding at our penal institutions, Phase 1 of the extension of Mazuruni is expected to be ready by the end of January 2021.

Works on the new Mahdia Fire Station were restarted while the rehabilitation of the Leonora, La Grange and Mahaica Stations have resumed.

• The Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme is being revived in order to generate greater hinterland employment opportunities. Forty six (46) villages have been engaged in the programme since 1st October 2020. Despite the pandemic, Ministerial outreaches were made to Fairview, Mahdia, Tumatumari, Micobie, Kurukabaru, St. Cuthbert’s Mission; • We are supporting the small business sector. Onehundred (100) small contracts have been issued to small contractors for the maintenance of road shoulders and sea defence verges.

• In the area of education, we have combined with COURSERA and the Commonwealth of Learning platform to offer 4,000 free online courses. The response has been enthusiastic. There have been more than 50,000 registrations, thus far. The Learning Channel has been expanded

and is offering increased educational content to students. The Channel is now accessible in Berbice, Bartica, Lower East Bank, Lower East Coast, West Bank Demerara, and Georgetown.

We are rolling it out to other areas, including the hinterland and this should be completed by April 2021.

Face-t0-face classes will resume for Grades 10, 11 and 12 this week, under strict COVID-19 protocols and we have already been sanitizing and retrofitting schools in preparation for this reopening.

• The Ministry of Housing and Water is accessing 6,356 acres of land, between Golden Grove and Peter’s Hall on the East Bank of Demerara and between Ogle to Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara, for the development of additional housing schemes. In addition, land clearing works have commenced for new housing schemes at Mon Repos and Cummings Lodge. The ‘Dream Realized’ housing drive has provided legal title to hundreds of Guyanese. Unserved areas such as at Lust-En-Rust are now receiving water supplies for the first time. Also water supply has been restored to residents of Red Village and Onderneeming. A new well has also been installed at Kurutuku, in Region 7; • The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has restored the Cricket Administration Act, commenced the preparations for the creation of three multi-purpose sports complexes in Regions 2, 6 and 10, distributed sports gears to communities and is developing new models to modernize sports organization.

Restoring Guyana’s Confidence We are restoring international confidence in our nation. Over the past 100 days, I and my Ministers have been involved in a number of international engagements which attest to the international recognition and interest in our country.

I have, inter alia, addressed: - The 75th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on behalf of Guyana and also on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; - The Virtual Island Summit 2020; - The Forecast on Latin America and the Caribbean Conference 2020, organized by the United States Department of Commerce and the Association of

American Chambers of Commerce; - The 75th Commemorative Meeting of the United Nations, on behalf of Guyana and also the Group of 77 and China; - The United Nations Summit on Biodiversity, on behalf of Guyana and also the Group of 77 and China; - The Meeting of Heads of Government on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond; - A Flagship Event on the occasion of Guyana’s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China; - Meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community; and - The Closing Ceremony of the Pivot Event, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank.

I have held meetings with a number of investors, heads of institutions and world leaders, all of whom have expressed a willingness to support Guyana’s development. The World Bank and the US International Development Finance Corporation have offered their assistance. I have engaged the Emir of Qatar on possible areas of economic cooperation between our two states which will see the contribution of three fully functioning field hospitals.

The Republic of Guyana had the distinct privilege of welcoming to Guyana the United States’ Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, the highest US official ever to visit Guyana. We hosted the newly elected President of Suriname, Mr. Santokhie immediately after assuming office.

Guyana’s international standing has never been as highly regarded as it is today, a mere 100 days since we assumed office.

We will need much of the goodwill which flows from this recognition if we are to advance our country’s transformative agenda over the next five years.

Re-engineering development: We have begun to lay the foundation for the implementation of a transformative infrastructural development programme.

The PPPC administration has in the past created a wave of impressive infrastructural projects which had transformed our country’s landscape. These projects have included the construction of the Arthur

(From page 9) Chung Convention Center, the National Stadium at Providence, the National Aquatic Centre, the Marriott Hotel, the Berbice River Bridge, the extension of the country’s main road networks, and the creation of a new airport at Ogle.

The second wave of modern infrastructural transformation is unfolding. Over the past 100 days, my government has begun to lay the groundwork for transformational infrastructural change: - We have finalized the location for and advertised invitations for Expressions of Interest for the new Demerara River Crossing; - We have been in discussions, with the Republic of Suriname, about a bridge link between Guyana and Suriname; - We have begun to reformulate plans for the construction of a fourlane road from Ogle to Haag Bosch; - We are in the planning stages for a road link between the new Demerara Bridge Crossing and Parika; - We expect, next year, to begin work on a 250 MW gas- shore project.

We have commenced plans for a mix of energy-generation projects, including hydro and solar power.

Fellow Guyanese, Never before has so much been achieved in the first 100 days of an administration. Your government has been busy rebooting the economy, bringing relief to citizens, restoring hope, restoring confidence in our country and reengineering transformation.

And we have only just begun! There is much more in store for you as we realize the promises and commitments in our Manifesto.

Guyana’s prospects have never been more promising. We will translate that promise into prosperity. Guyanese can look forward to a better life under the PPPC administration. Despite the monumental challenges which we faced, we have defied expectations and delivered progress.

We must continue to progress as a united people. We must join hands and hearts in a common pact to ensure that the next five years and beyond realize the best of our people and best for our country.

“We are at our best when we are united.”

I thank you.

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US$2.5M in additional energy for Christmas season – Jagdeo S

ome US$2.5 million in energy has been outsourced to reduce the incidence of blackouts, according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He made the disclosure at a recent press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

He said, “In the last couple of months, the Government has had to buy from Giftland about five megawatts of power that is coming into the system now for an emergency basis so we do not have blackouts between now and the time the baseload station comes on stream. “…had to purchase another 10 megawatts of power through MACORP which will be here by the end of November for the Christmas season. That is for about US$2.5 million. That is to ensure we have emergency power as we approach Christmas and into the new year, depending on the establishment of the major baseload

capacity.”

Jagdeo explained that those units will be used once the baseload comes and can be deployed countrywide.

The VP stressed that energy is critical to growth and to people’s welfare and that the previous Government failed to invest in major baseload capacity.

Unknowing to the public, he said, the previous administration paid Wartsila Operations Guyana Incorporated to build a power plant that would generate 46-mega-

watts of energy.

This was done without having the requisite infrastructure in place to house the engine.

Jagdeo noted that over the past three months, the Government has been working to get the necessary works completed.

“Right now, the 46 megawatts engine is here in the country but it will have to sit and wait for several months while the civil works are being done to accommodate the foundation works for the engine. There was no planning,” the VP stated.

Aside from that, he noted that it was later revealed that there was not enough power in the system to meet the demands. However, he said, the Government is working aggressively to get the gas to energy project on stream in the next three years. Dr. Jagdeo added that the parameters for the initiative has been outlined after discussions with ExxonMobil.

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CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS Notice is hereby given that under the applicable provisions of articles 102, 103, 106, 107 of the Constitution and all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President – (a) With effect from the August 5th, 2020 appointed the following members of Cabinet(i) Brigadier Mark Phillips, M.P, to be Prime Minister; (ii) Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P.,; (iii) Mr. Mohabir Anil Nanlall, M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; (iv) Ms. Gail Teixeira, M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance; (v) Mr. Hugh Hilton Todd, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; (vi) Mr. Juan Anthony Edghill, M.P., Minister of Public Works, (vii) Dr. Frank Christopher Stanislaus Anthony, M.P., Minister of Health: (viii) Mrs. Priya Manickchand, M.P., Minister of Education; (ix) Mr. Brindley Horatio Robeson Benn, M.P., Minister

of Home Affairs; Youth and Sport; (x) Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture; (xix) Ms. Sonia Parag, M.P., Minister of the Public Service; (xi) Mrs. Pauline Campbell-Sukhai, M.P., Minister of (xx) Mr. Kwame Warren McCoy, M.P., Minister in the Amerindian Affairs; Office of the Prime Minister; (xii) Mr. Joseph Fitzclarence Hamilton, M.P., Minister of (xxi) Mr. Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Labour: Public Works: (xiii) Mr. Vickram Bharrat, M.P., Minister of Natural (xxii) Mr. Anand Persaud, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Resources; Local Government and Regional Development; (xiv) Mrs. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry (xxiii) Ms. Susan Rodrigues, M.P., Minister in the Ministry and Commerce; of Housing and Water. (xv) Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, M.P., Minister of Local Gov- (b) has directed with effect from the dates of their appointernment and Regional Development; ments, the appointment and styles of the Ministers and (xvi) Mr. Collin Croal, M.P., Minister of Housing and assignments or responsibilities among them, shall be as in Water; the Schedule attached; and SCHEDULE (xvii) Dr. Vindhya Persaud, M.P., Minister of Human Ser- (c) is always charged with all responsibilities not assigned vices and Social Security; to any Minister which include, on the date of this notice, SCHEDULE MINISTERS ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES MINISTERS (xviii) Mr. Charles Ramson, M.P. Minister of AND Culture, responsibility for the followingAMONG -

RESPONSIBILITIES OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT MATTERS AND GROUP OF MATTERS

MINISTRY/DEPARTMENT Office of the President

Cabinet Matters

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Name

Name

Brigadier Mark Mr. Mohabir Phillips, M.P., Anil Nandlall, M.P.,

Appointment

Appointment

Prime Minister Minister and and Member Member of of Cabinet Cabinet

Style

Style

Office of the Attorney Prime Minister General and

Minister of Legal Affairs

Cabinet Office, Office of the President Office of the First Lady

Matters and Groups of

Matters Matters and Groups of Matters

Legal Advisor to the President and Government of Guyana Leader of Government

Business in the Advise and represent National Assembly Government on all legal matters (save where the law exclusively assign Energy such function to another authority)

Defence and Territorial Integrity of Guyana

Guyana Defence Board Guyana Defence Force

Advising on/Drafting of Power Generation all Bills, Regulations and other subsidiary legislation

National Security

National Intelligence Centre Joint Intelligence Coordinating Centre Central Intelligence Committee Regional Intelligence Committees

Executive responsibility Electrification over the administration of justice, both civil and criminal

Hinterland

Hydropower Development

Citizenship Environmental Protection and Protected Areas (Policy)

Environmental Protection Agency

Land Titling

The Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development Wildlife Authority Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Land Registry

Investment and Export Promotion

National Competitiveness Council Go-Invest

Climate Change

Office of Climate Change

Sustainable Development Science and Technology

Advisory Body Science and Technology Institute of Applied Science and Technology

Regulation of Gambling

Ministry/Department

Office of the Prime Ministry of Legal Minister Affairs Attorney General’s Chambers

*Guyana Energy Authority State Solicitor *Guyana Power and Light Co *Hinterland Electrification Administration of Company Inc.( HECI) Justice

Lethem Power Company Kwakwani Utilities

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Inc.,

Protected Areas Commission National Parks Commission

Wildlife Trade, Management and Scientific Authorities ( Policy)

SCHEDULE

Ministry/Department

Gaming Authority Guyana National Printers Ltd

Citizen Complaints

Police Complaints Authority

Access to Information

Office of the Commissioner of Information

Name

Appointment

Style

Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P.,

Matters and Groups of Matters

Ministry/Department

Matters and Groups of Matters

Ministry/Department

Vice President and Office of the Vice The Office of the Office of the Vice Member of Cabinet President, Office Vice President lends President of the President support to the President in the execution of his functions with specific oversight responsibilities for SCHEDULE finance, natural resources and the MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS environment

Name

Appointment

Style

Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Legal Advisor to the President and Government of Guyana Advise and represent Government on all legal matters (save where the law exclusively assign such function to another authority)

Ministry of Legal Affairs

Attorney General’s Chambers State Solicitor

Advising on/Drafting of all Bills, Regulations and other subsidiary legislation Executive responsibility over the administration of justice, both civil and criminal

Administration of Justice

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WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Name

Appointment

Style

Ms. Gail Teixeira, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance

Matters and Groups of Matters Government Legislative agenda

Ministry/Department

Name

Appointment

Style

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance

Ms. Priya Manickchand, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Education

Mr. Zulfikar Minister and Mustapha, M.P., Member of Cabinet

Constitutional Reform

President’s College

Electoral Reform

Queen’s College

National Stakeholders Forum

Carnegie School of Home Economics

Agricultural Economics and Planning

Reporting on Guyana’s treaty obligation

Ministry/Department

Appointment

Style

Mrs. Pauline CampbellSukhai, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Amerindian Affairs

Sugar Industry

GUYSUCO

Administration of the Amerindian Act

Guyana Industrial Name

Appointment

Style

Mr. Hugh Hilton Todd, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs

Style

Mr. Charles Ramson, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Public Diplomacy Dept.

SCHEDULE

Protocol and Consular Affairs

The United Nations

Multilateral Dept.

Organization of American States

Legal and Treaties Department

The Commonwealth

Department of the Americas

CARICOM ACTO

Department of

CARICOM MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS The Rio Group

Name

Appointment

Style

Dr. Frank Christopher Stanislaus Anthony, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Health

Matters and Groups of Matters

Public Health Services

Delivery of Health Services Regional Health Services

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Health

Regional Health Authorities

Amerindian Land Titling

Amerindian Land Titling Unit

Primary Health care

District and Regional Hospitals

Amerindian Community Development

Community Development Plans and Programmes

Secondary, Regional and Tertiary Care Health Facilities

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Training and Entrepreneurship MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Programmes Appointment

Ministry/Department

Multilateral Relations

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE

Name

Matters and Groups of Matters

Diplomatic Relations

Agricultural Planning Unit

GRDB MARDS

Amerindian Affairs

Government Technical

Institute MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Department of Food Security Department of Crops Department of Livestock Department of Animal and Plant Health

Rice Industry

Matters and Groups of Matters

SCHEDULE

Ministry of Agriculture

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Private Cane Farmers Name

Department of Education All government funded schools

National Food Security Strategy

SCHEDULE

Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Technical

Governance Unit

Matters and Groups of Matters

Minister of Agriculture

Ministry of Education

Governance matters

International Conventions on Human Rights and MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Corruption Style

Education

National Assembly

SCHEDULE

Appointment

Ministry/Department

Management of Government Business in the National Assembly

Human Rights

Name

Matters and Groups of Matters

Matters and Groups of Matters

Culture

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Ministry/Department

Name

Appointment

Style

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

Mr. Brindley Horatio Robeson Benn, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Home Affairs

Department of Culture National School of Dance

Matters and Groups of Matters

Maintenance of Public Safety and Order

National Art Gallery National Trust Guyana Museum Museums Promotion and Preservation of heritage

Museum of African Art And Heritage Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology and

Ministry of Home Affairs Department of Security Services Reform Guyana Police Force

National Cultural Centre Burrowes School of Art

Ministry/Department

Special Constabulary Immigration Issuance of Passports Anti-money laundering National AntiNarcotic Administration

Serious Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) NANCOM Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit ( CANU)

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Name

Appointment

Style

Mr. Collin Croal, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Housing and Water

Matters and Groups of Matters

National Housing Programme

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Ministry/Department

Name

Appointment

Style

Ministry of Housing and Water

Mr. Vickram Bharrat, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Natural Resources

Central Housing and Planning Authority

Matters and Groups of Matters

Natural Resources ( Administration) Mining

Town and Country Planning

Regularization of Squatter Settlements MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Style

Dr. Vindhya Persaud, M.P.,

Minister and Member of cabinet

Minister of Human Services and Social Security

Matters and Groups of Matters

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Human Services and Security

Precious Metal (Non- Ferrous) Trade

Guyana Gold Board

Forestry (Administration)

Guyana Forestry Commission

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Name

Appointment

Ms.Sonia Parag, Minister and M.P., Member of Cabinet

Style

Minister of Public Service

Matters and Groups of Matters

Administrative Organization of the Public Service

Human Services and Social Security Children’s Services

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

Petroleum SCHEDULE Management

SCHEDULE

Appointment

Ministry of Natural Resources

Bauxite Industry

Acquisition of nonbeneficially occupied lands in the City of Georgetown, the Town of New Amsterdam and other towns

Name

Ministry/Department

Public Service Personnel Management

Child Care Protection Agency

Public Service Training

Drop in Centre

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Public Service

Personnel Division Training Division Bertram Collins College of the Public Service

School Welfare Unit Sophia Care Centre Mahaica Children’s Home

SCHEDULE

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONGNational MINISTERS Commission on the Family Name

Appointment

Style

Mr, Joseph Fitzclarence Hamilton, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Labour

Matters and Groups of Matters

Ministry/Department

Name

Appointment

Style

Ministry of Labour

Mr. Juan Edghill, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Public Works

Decent Wage Agreement Industrial Relations Industrial Training

Board of Industrial Training

Recruitment and Training

Placement/Recruitment Division

Occupational and Health Health and Safety Safety Unit MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS Appointment

Style

Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development

Matters and Groups of Matters

Administrative Regional Councils

Bridges Government Buildings

SCHEDULE

Style

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Ms. Oneidge Walrond, M.P.,

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Municipalities And Neighbourhood Democratic Councils

Community Development Councils

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Public Works Works and Construction Department Public Works/ Work Services Group Berbice Bridge Company Ltd Buildings Division Government Accommodation

Electrical Electrical Inspectorate MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES InspectionAMONG MINISTERS Guyana Civil Aviation Appointment

Local Government Commission Other Local Authorities

River and Sea Defence

Name

10 Regional Democratic Councils

Public Physical Infrastructure

Planning Design, Maintenance and Construction

Ministry/Department

Regional Economic Regional Development Affairs and Planning Local Government Administration and Development

Matters and Groups of Matters

Trade Union Recognition Board

SCHEDULE Occupational

Name

Administrative matters other than those for which the Public Service SCHEDULE Commission is responsible MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Matters and Groups of Matters

Ministry/Department

Investment Promotion

GOINVEST

Export Promotion

GICC/ Sophia Exhibition Centre

Sustainable Development

Department of Industrial Development

Consumer Protection

Department of Consumer Protection

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 NOVEMBER, 2020

CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS T

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases at 4,662 ‒ Deaths up to 138

SCHEDULE

MINISTERS AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG MINISTERS

Name

Appointment

Style

Dr. Ashni Singh

Minister and Member of Cabinet

Ministry of Finance Under the Office of the President

Matters and Groups of Matters

Fiscal Policy, Budget, Economic Planning and Development Public Financial Management including Government Accounting and Financial Control

Relationships with International Financial Institutions and Domestic Financial Institutions

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Finance

National Procurement and Tender Administration

Financial Intelligence Unit

he Ministry of Public Health disclosed that Guyana now has 4,662 con¬firmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), of which 2,449 are men and 2,213 are women.

The country’s record of deaths stands at 138. The first COVID-19 death was recoded on March 11, 2020.

To date, a total of 23,552 tests have been adminis¬tered. Additionally, there have been 3,616 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 – 781 • Region 2 – 92 • Region 3 – 357 • Region 4 – 2,244 • Region 5 – 35 • Region 6 – 83 • Region 7 – 390 • Region 8 – 144 • Region 9 – 376 • Region 10 - 160 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 48 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).

Pfizer Inc PFE.N said on November 9, 2020 said its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective, a major victory in the fight against a pandemic that has killed more than a million people, battered the world's economy and upended daily life.

PPP/C is enthusiastic about Local Government Elections next year –Jagdeo ‒ Believes PPP/C Government will do extremely well ‒ Says resources will be provided in 2021 budget

T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, according to PPP General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is keen on holding Local Government Elections (LGE) and plans to make the necessary budgetary allocations to do so in 2021.

He dismissed the notion that the ruling party was unenthusiastic about the LGE, and even pointed out that he predicts a favourable outcome. He said, “Let me just say clearly that the People’s Progressive Party wants Local Government Elections next year. We believe that

we can do extremely well in Local Government Elections and we are going to be working really hard, COVID or not, to ensure that we improve the lives of people in their communities right across the country.”

The Vice President was adamant that the Elections

Commission needs to function in a trustworthy manner before the process was possible. He pointed to the depravity and corruption that engulfed the 2020 General Elections, which tarnished the integrity of the Commission.

According to him, the

Government is expecting the Commission to rid itself of the criminal elements within GECOM who traumatised Guyanese for several months with fraudulent results.

Jagdeo said, “There has to be changes… That is what we want [and] somehow that is being interpreted as the PPP doesn’t want Local Government Elections….We are going

to provide the resources to prepare for Local Government Elections.”

The last Local Government Elections was held on November 12, 2018, where the PPP/C was able to walk away with 61 per cent of the votes, with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) garnering a mere 34 per cent and Alliance for Change four per cent of votes.

Over $1B awarded for major housing projects

T

he Ministry of Housing and Water on Monday (November 9, 2020) signed 40 contracts valued $1.1 billion to ensure adequate infrastructure is in place for more sustainable housing solutions. These projects are under the 2020 Capital Works Programme.

“When we provide and make available house lots, we want to ensure that the infrastructure is in place so that you can speak directly about home ownership,” said subject Minister, Collin Croal.

The Minister made the statements during the signing ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Twenty-two contractors were given the contracts, for housing projects in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. “Over $675 million of that work being identified represents road upgrades and bridges, as well as, access roads within Regions Three and Four […] $426 million will be going to road works on the East Bank corridor, while another $100 million will be going toward road works on the East Coast,” the Minister outlined.

To complement these works, Minister Croal said residents could also look forward to seeing improved electrical, water and waste management services to

ensure that housing areas are equipped with all of the necessary utilities for an enhanced quality of life.

He also indicated that works will continue in some areas where house lots were awarded, but have no infrastructure in place to help the allottees to access their lands.

The Minster also cautioned the contractors that under his leadership slothful and sloppy work will not be tolerated. He said, “Timely execution of works must be the forefront of the project execution unit. Contractors are required to give value for money, we will not be accepting substandard work.

We hold you, contactors accountable and when [you] do not delivered the necessary procedures will be followed.”

The Central Housing and Planning Authority, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Water is also mandated to focus on monitoring and evaluating the projects awarded.

The contracts will lead to the realisation of the PPP/ C’s Manifesto promises to provide sustainable housing and jobs for the nation.

With the removal of VAT on construction material, the housing sector is on track for major expansion and transformation as the Government works towards its goal of delivering 50,000 house lots.

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