Weekend Mirror 7-8 November, 2020

Engagements with Norway to recommence soon – Jagdeo 7-8 November, 2020 / Vol. 11 No. 47 / Price: $100

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

PAGE 10

$3 billion in vital medicines replenish national supplies PAGE 3

$99M in contracts awarded to 100 small contractors PAGE 15

– 500 jobs created

Gov’t to roll out survivors’ advocate programme PAGE 8

SEE INSIDE

Electoral fraud cases to continue in December PAGE 19

Only two institutions licensed PAGE 22 to conduct PCR tests – Anthony SEE INSIDE

Lessons for Grades 1-3

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

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Police, SOCU asked to investigate Coalition land transactions

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he Attorney General Chambers has sought the assistance of the Guyana Police Force and its Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to investigate transactions involving state lands during the tenure of the APNU+AFC Government.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall this week released letters sent to the agencies. “The Government of Guyana hereby requests a criminal investigation to be conducted into the said transactions and for all consequential legal recourses to be pursued including, the institution of criminal charges, where necessary,” the letters stated.

The Attorney General had said Sunday that the Government will be pursuing legal action against officials of the former administration.

He named former Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan as vesting titles to

land without full payment from individuals. “It will be noted that except in one case, where 10 per cent of the purchase price was paid, a mere fraction of the purchase price was paid but Title was vested by former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.

It will be further noted that each of the Title that was vested was done so after the 2nd March 2020 National and Regional Elections, which the APNU+AFC Government lost and each of the agreement of sale was entered into after the APNU+AFC Government lost a No-Confidence Motion, moved against them in the National Assembly on the 21st December 2018, and therefore, had no power to enter into agreements of sale or vest Titles, in relation thereto,” the release stated.

The AG said the distribution of state lands included prime, commercial and agricultural assets at the Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara;

Ogle, East Coast Demerara and Peter’s Hall on the East Bank Demerara.

In earlier statements, Mr. Nandlall described the massive land transactions as “organised crime” and noted that every effort would be made to recover the lands.

A review by the Auditor General office had found that no legal course of action was followed in the distribution of the state assets. “Certainly, no Expression of Interest published, no advertisement inviting persons to apply. No process whatsoever. What is [astonishing] is how persons were told that land is available for giveaway. You cannot look at any of the records and determine that Expressions of Interest were made,” the AG had said.

Several individuals and companies have already returned lands to the relevant agencies and have indicated they will await a new transparent process.

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Contracts of Courtney Benn and BK Int’l terminated

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he Government on Monday (November 2, 2020) announced the termination of two multimillion-dollar contracts held by BK International and Courtney Benn Contracting Services for the construction of two secondary schools.

In letters sent to the two major companies, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall listed breaches of clauses 40.2 (a) for failing to comply with the schedule of works, and 40.2 (g) … for the inordinate delay in the completion of works, as reasons for the terminations.

Courtney Benn Contracting Services on August 8, 2018, had agreed to build

the St Rose’s High School at a sum of $352, 709, 745.

The project was expected to be completed before the end of April 2020. “Thus far, your company has completed only nine per cent of the schedule of works. As a consequence, your company has committed a fundamental breach of the terms of the contract and therefore, the Government of Guyana hereby exercises its right to terminate the contract with immediate effect,” the letter stated.

Meanwhile, the Government informed BK International that it has only completed five per cent of the scheduled construction of the Yarowkabra Second-

ary School. The company undertook that project on December 31, 2019 at a cost of $826, 757, 737. The completion date for that project was March 12, 2021.

In this regard, the Government said it will be enforcing the provision of the contract regarding the enforcement of 10 per cent of the contract sum as liquidated damages and the surrendering of the performance security as a consequence of the company’s breach of contract.

The letters to the companies said the Government reserves the right to institute legal proceedings for compensation for breach of contract.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

$4.5M road to connect two Amerindian ‒ approximately 2,000 communities residents to benefit N

early 2,000 residents in the riverine village of Wakapau, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) stand to benefit from the construction of a $4.5 million road that will link two communities.

The road is expected to enhance the living standard of residents since there will be improved connectivity between Yarashima and

Mabel Sandy communities, specifically farmers and students.

The previous APNU+AFC Coalition administration had provided little assistance and residents were forced to pool their own resources to rehabilitate the road. However, those efforts were quickly overcome by the erosion caused by a nearby creek.

Funding for the road was included in the 2020 Emergency Budget.

Additionally, members of Wakapau’s Village Council would be moving ahead, with Government’s assistance, to install solar panels on the Yarashima, Wakapau and Mora health posts.

Those panels are expected to boost healthcare delivery for the far-flung communities.

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$3 billion in vital medicines replenish national supplies T

he Ministry of Health has recently purchased about $3 billion worth of vital medications to replenish the national supplies, some of which were expired and others out of stock when the PPP/C Government came into office in August 2020.

The new administration had been forced to discard $742 million in expired drugs and had found low or no stock of some vital supplies.

“We have just bought I think about $3 billion worth of essential medicines, that would last us for maybe another six months. While we

are going to deal with that, we are going to buy now to make sure that we have an annual supply, so that we don’t run out of these things,” the Minister said during an outreach to two Essequibo hospitals today.

Further, issues with HIV pharmaceuticals and kits have also been rectified.

“We have had problems with HIV medicines. Again, not only the medicines but kits were not available. So, we have now gotten back kits, [and] you will get kits if you don’t have them,” he said.

Minister Anthony said during the period of short-

age, the Government had sought assistance from Suriname and Brazil and it would be returning those borrowed supplies. He noted though that some medications to treat tuberculosis are still being sourced. “We are making efforts to get them.

So, we’ve been proactive in trying to fix the medicine problem. I want to assure you that we are working hard at it.”

The Ministry of Health has budgeted $3.2 billion of its overall $14.3 billion allocation to remedy drug shortages in the public healthcare system.

School reopens on Monday for CSEC, CAPE, TVET students – special care packages for teachers, students – infrastructure readiness for students in-line

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Cabinet decision has paved the way for the reopening of schools for classroom learning for students preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and learners at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, after seven months of closure.

Minister of Education, Hon. Priya Manickchand, made this announcement during a press conference over the weekend. “Schools shall reopen for face-to-face engagement for the cohort of students in grades ten, eleven, twelve (that is, formerly known as fourth, fifth and sixth form) and for all practical instruction centres and technical vocational education centres from the ninth day of November, 2020,” the Minister said.

CONSULTATIONS The decision follows numerous multi-stakeholder fora the Ministry held with the Ministry of Health, medical professionals, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Regional Education Officers (REdOs), headteachers, teachers, parents, students and others.

“From teachers, parents and students, we learnt of their deep worry that exam

students were not being engaged adequately, in a way that would allow them to be prepared for examinations they are most likely to sit in 2021. So worried are students that we have received alarming numbers of requests from students to repeat the year they feel they would lose if we continue to stay out of school,” said Minister Manickchand.

LEARNING LOSSES While the Ministry undertook a blended approach to teaching, some students did not have access to the internet, television or radio, media which the Ministry used as means of education delivery.

Further, even though the recent inclusion of print packages provided an additional source of learning for students, the absence of a teacher to explain the content also proved to be challenging.

“Nothing we do will match the effectiveness or the value of a trained teacher in front of the classroom,” the Education Minister said.

NO CLEAR CXC GUIDANCE Minister Manickchand further explained that the decision was imminent since CXC has offered no clear guidance to its regional counterparts on the way forward for the CSEC and

CAPE exams.

“From CXC we learnt that the body had not yet decided what the exam would be and what form it would take. But last week an advertisement was published that invited students to get registered for the May/June sitting of the exams,” she indicated.

Unlike the National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA) which is set and administered by Guyana, the CXC exams are managed by the Council and as such the Ministry has to put measures in place to ensure that Guyanese students are not left behind.

SCHOOL PREPARATION AND CARE PACKAGES Based on discussions with REdOs, the Ministry has made preparations at schools nationwide over the past few months, to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate reopening, including: adequate ventilation, installation of sinks for handwashing, washrooms and running water.

Additional measures are also in place to provide assistance for teachers and students.

“We have procured masks and face shield and sanitising products and vitamin support for our teachers, and for our students who are to return,

care packages. Thermometers will be provided to all schools. Adequate signage and information have also been acquired and will be widely available and conspicuously posted,” Minister Manickchand said.

She added, “from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, we learnt that diligent wearing of masks correctly, practicing hand sanitisation and staying appropriately distanced could result in populations being as safe as if they were in a permanent lockdown.”

In keeping with the health guidelines, students and teachers who may be displaying any of the symptoms or are unwell are advised to get tested.

CURRICULUM DELIVERY As she had in earlier announcements, the Minister reiterated that some schools will have extended school weeks and rotations of students and teachers. Further, headteachers and teachers are at liberty to choose the best methods of learning based on each school’s unique circumstances.

“Each school and institution will have the freedom to set its own timetable to get teaching done effectively and may do what is necessary to effectively deliver the education needed, once they comply with the

gazetted COVID-19 order,” Minister Manickchand said.

The Ministry will provide direct guidance for syllabi completion, where requested or needed, based on observations by technical heads. Text books and digital resources will also be provided and teachers of other grades will also be called out to assist.

TRANSPORTATION While 50 per cent of the buses in the system were found to be inoperable, Minister Manickchand committed to providing transportation for students based on the Ministry’s capacity.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer,Dr. Marcel Hutson said the Ministry has a robust system in place following meetings with the Guyana United Minibus Union, Guyana Police Force and Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Consumer Affairs Department.

Heavy police presence at transportation routes is also in motion to prevent gathering at bus parks by students, touting, and to ensure buses transporting students follow all protocols. Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Department has committed to using its platforms to disseminate information, and the United Minibus Union is providing guidance to students and drivers.

DORMS For students who will be returning to dormitories in the hinterland and coastland, the Ministry is putting measures in place to ensure their safety.

Infrastructure is in place to ensure the required amount of spacing and to ensure all sanitary facilities are up to standard.

Supervisors of students are also being engaged as part of ongoing consultations by the Ministry.

Special measures for teaching mothers For teachers with younger children, the Minister said that schools are allowed to provide spaces to aid teachers during the instruction period.

“Accommodations can be made by the schools for teachers with younger children at home, who will not be returning to school just yet. We know that this is a real concern and believe that schools can create space for those younger children and provide the supervision,” Minister Manickchand added.

OTHER LEARNERS Students at the nursery, primary, and lower secondary levels are to remain engaged through the provisions the Ministry has already put in place, until all measures are set for a for a full-scale reopening of schools.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

EDITORIAL The role of the People's Progressive Party in the history of Guyana (Condensed version of address given by PPP Executive Member Janet Jagan at first session of the 25th Congress of the PPP)

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ur Party was the first stable political party in Guyana.

We introduced politics to the masses, educating them about political life at public meetings and seminars, the first to be held on a wide scale in the country. It was the PPP which began the political education of Guyanese, making them aware of their rights, the need to run their own affairs and to have Guyanese, instead of expatriates, in positions of power.

In its first programme issued in April, 1950, the Party set out as its aims the objectives of winning independence and establishing a just socialist society.

The Party fought to bring full and genuine democracy to Guyana. In doing so, our Party advanced the limited franchise to universal adult suffrage, allowing all adults to vote for the first time in the nation's history.

We began the long struggle to end dual control of schools, which forced Christianity, in a multi-religious society, on teachers and students. Eventually we won the change to a state-controlled school system.

We ended the system of nominated members being appointed to Parliament. We fought against the undemocratic system which allowed, for example, the nomination of the sugar boss, Mr. Seaforth to the Legislative Council when he had lost the seat he contested in elections in 1947.

We fought against, and eventually won, the end of nominated members to the Executive Council of government, bringing in for the 1953 elections, the first cabinet system in Guyana.

Our party fought for, and finally won, the right of union members to choose, by free and fair ballot, the union they wanted for negotiations and representation. For years, sugar workers were forced to join the MPCA, the company union, until they finally won the battle to join the union of their choice, GAWU. The Party fought against the undemocratic system of the British in fiddling and gerrymandering our constitution and the boundaries of constituencies.

In our battle to restore full democracy, we fought against the British-imposed laws of detention without trial.

The PPP fought and won an overwhelming majority of seats and votes in the 1953 elections which ushered in universal adult suffrage, self-government, the cabinet system; these elections brought the unity of the Guyanese people as never before seen.

We saw the suspension of the constitution in 1953, becoming the cold war victims of US and British foreign policies. Constitutional life was ended until 1957, with a fully nominated Parliament taking over. The British colonial government worked tirelessly to divide the people's forces, succeeding in the split in the PPP and the formation, by Mr. Burnham, of another party, which at first he called the PPP, later the PNC. His group lost heavily in the 1957 elections, winning only three of 14 seats.

This technique of dividing the party, mainly on racial lines, was the method used by the British to hold its colonies together. Nelson Mandela in his recent autobiography cites how, when in prison, the authorities gave better food and clothing to Indian and coloured prisoners as against Black prisoners, trying to divide them on racial lines.

Despite the split and the gerrymandering of constituencies for the 1957 election, our Party won. An example of the gerrymandering was that Cheddi Jagan won his Corentyne seat with 23/143 votes, more votes than all of those won by the five parties other than the PPP which won seats in that elections. (The PPP won nine out of fourteen seats).

During the period 1957-61, our Party in government worked with the British Governor and top officials here without problems; we led a successful government within the colonial system and brought greatly increased benefits to the working man and woman. This record was well remembered during the 1992 elections, as voters compared condi(Turn to page 10)

All initiatives for sugar industry’s success must be thoroughly considered Dear Editor,

T

he GAWU noted Mr Tony Vieira’s letter which appeared in the media on November 1, 2020. Mr Vieira contended that the Guyanese sugar industry would be better served by producing ethanol instead of sugar. This is, for us, not a new position coming from Mr Vieira and we have heard it from him on several occasions in the past. Our Union, for its part, remains supportive of initiatives that will allow the sugar industry to not only strive but thrive. And, we are a strong proponent of sugar diversification and believe that the success of the industry is connected with a diversified product base.

On the issue of ethanol, the GAWU is aware that this matter was considered several times in the past. We are aware that those studies had indicated that ethanol was not viable. The most recent work that we are aware of was done by the Sugar CoI. The CoI pointed out whether ethanol was fermented from cane juice or from molasses it was simply not feasible vis-à-vis the cost of fossil fuels. In fact, the CoI noted that ethanol would have only been a worthwhile measure if sugar prices had fallen to US$170 per tonne, currently sugar is being sold at US$320 per tonne.

Moreover, that examination was conducted when the cost of a barrel of oil stood at US$45. At the time of preparing this response, oil prices hovered around US$35 per barrel further eroding the attractiveness of ethanol.

Nonetheless, the GAWU does not wish to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater and maybe it is that Mr Vieira is recognising something that no one else is seeing. Therefore, an updated study may be useful since Mr Vieira’s advocacy for the ethanol business is based on ethanol yields of 22 gallons per tonne cane. While we cannot confirm or dispute this quoted yield, there is no evidence to confirm that one tonne of GuySuCo’s cane will yield 22 gallons of ethanol. We, therefore, urge that the industry’s demonstration ethanol plant at Albion be used to study ethanol yields from GuySuCo’s cane to provide first-hand data and associated cost/benefit.

In further support for his position on ethanol, Mr Vieira argues that ethanol production requires less power which will result in bagasse being available for other purposes. At first glance, this comes over as very convincing, however, Mr Vieira deliberately omits the fact that a number of processes identical to sugar manufacture are required to make cane juice available for ethanol production. These

prerequisite processes are major energy users and have to be employed in ethanol or sugar production. Therefore, there is no major reduction in energy demand since the big energy users are still required. We urge Mr Vieira to provide an energy balance for sugar versus ethanol from juice to support the energy reduction claim.

In considering ethanol, we must consider our nascent oil sector which is expected to grow from strength to strength in the coming years. This could be the cause of even further declines in fuel prices locally and GuySuCo ought to take this into account. We did see that Mr Vieira did not confine himself to Guyana and argued a ready market was available in the US for instance. Again these and other factors have to be taken into account in deciding the way forward.

Mr Vieira also urges that GuySuCo and/or the Government pursue ventures into aquaculture. This again is something the gentleman has been urging for some time. We recall that Mr Vieira advocated that the Corporation pursue this venture at Wales following the sudden decision to close the estate at the end of 2016. We are aware too that the Corporation did commission a study and Mr Vieira himself, in a different dispensation, was involved in seeking to get the venture off the ground. Of course, we are not aware of the reason/s for the failure to launch given the seeming attractiveness of the proposal.

It seems that aquaculture is an idea that Mr Vieira is deeply committed to and from his letter very passionate about. We should not forget though that the Corporation did experiment with aquaculture in the past with miserable results. Certainly, these are paining the Corporation can ill-afford at this time.

It, therefore, may be prudent for Mr Vieira, given his strong beliefs, to approach the Agriculture Ministry to pursue a trial of his idea at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station for instance.

The lessons learnt may be useful for the expansion of the initiative. Nevertheless, we believe, we have sufficient land for both the sugar industry and the aquaculture industry to coexist.

Mr Vieira’s letter came in response to letter written by former President Donald Ramotar which we also considered as well. Indeed, much of what was written by the former President aligns with the GAWU’s views and we agree with him that there are several worthwhile possibilities. In his letter, Comrade Donald also spoke about the Union’s unwillingness to become involved in the management of the

industry. While we are unsure of what he really means, the GAWU, however, has never shied away from expressing its willingness to work collaboratively with the management towards the success of the industry. We hold the view that it is through the collective efforts of all stakeholders – the Government, the management and the workers/ Union – that the industry will succeed.

Also, the former President, apparently, expressed a dim view of the Union seeking pay rises for workers.

We hope that is not really the case.

But our Union has no qualms in seeking workers benefit from a rise in pay.

Comrade Donald, who emerged from the GAWU, is very much aware of our Union’s proud stance in standing with and advocating for the sugar workers and all Union members for that matter.

But, the former President also knows of the treatment sugar workers received over the last five (5) years. He certainly would be aware that the workers got not a single cent in pay increase. He knows too that many of their benefits were simply taken away by an uncaring and unkind cabal who hadn’t a sliver of sympathy for sugar workers and their families. And, he is knowledgeable of the sustained struggles by the workers to be treated fairly and justly. Certainly, the workers have not abandoned their just struggles and the Union will not abandon them. Comrade Donald is aware of the GAWU’s commitment to its members and we want to assure him that our Union has not departed from its principles it upheld when he was a senior leader of the Union.

The letters of Mr Vieira and former President Ramotar we see are yet another part of the continued active interest paid to the sugar industry and the several opportunities for viability.

The GAWU also believes that a successful future awaits the industry and we are heartened by the commitment of Government and the level of support that the industry is receiving. We sincerely hold that the industry can turn around and play an even more meaningful role in Guyana. These are views also shared by Messrs Vieira and Ramotar albeit from different perspectives. What is most reassuring is that we have a political administration that undertook to bring the industry out of the doldrums and restore it to its rightful place. We of the GAWU are ready to play our part and stand with the workers who will also play a critical role.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine, GAWU General Secretary

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Agriculture sector poised to remain bedrock of local economy Dear Editor,

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s a developing country, agriculture has played, and will play, a pivotal role in our economic development. The industry has succored us for decades, and has also proven to be a success story if managed in

the proper way. Even at this critical juncture of our history, wherein we are blessed with vast oil wealth, we still cannot lay aside the sector that has kept us going for all these years.

The economic forecasters have concluded that oil can change the economic outlook

of Guyana overnight, but one has to take into consideration that it is an exhaustible resource; unlike agriculture, which, if engaged in a sustainable manner, can remain viable for years to come.

The long-term economic benefits of this sector cannot be over-emphasised, but should be honed only for the successful development of our country. The economic planners of our nation have come to the realisation of this fact and have thus put forward a comprehensive plan to revive the sector, while expanding in other areas.

This is sound economic principle. On these pillars our country must fast forward in an upward development trajectory.

We cannot all be employed in the oil sector, that’s a surety, so agriculture shall remain a bedrock for us. In this regard, we must turn our attention to that which exists on the agricultural front. We have sugar and rice being the main crops for many years; these have to be modernised and expanded.

We must make the industry viable; that is:

we must pay strict attention to its intensification and reduce the cost of production into sustainable and profitable levels.

Other areas that must be tapped into immediately include the large-scale production of corn, soya bean, cocoa, coffee, coconut and avocado pear. The last two crops mentioned are in worldwide demand right now, both the fruit and its associated by-products.

We have the land area and the manpower to make these crops a success story, it is only left to the scientific technology and the political wherewithal to propel production forward.

I have great faith in my Agriculture Minister and Government to bring success and development to this sector of our economy.

You would have noticed that I haven’t touched on the subject of animal husbandry.

I shall tap into in this area in a subsequent article.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Full investigation of SPU’s dealings needed Dear Editor,

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he headlines recently read ‘Government relieves SPU/NICIL Head of duties’ because of ‘a series of illegalities and failures’, and it made me elated that the legal process to prosecute those who raped our treasury has been initiated.

Can you imagine that, since 2015, sugar workers were not paid a dime in increase, whilst billions went unaccounted for and were simply just siphoned off? It has long been the firm belief that the SPU was formed specifically to siphon off money from an already ailing industry under the pretext of resuscitating it.

It is anyone’s guess where these billions went. The aim was to kill GuySuCo, and Heath-London knew that. Colvin may not be called 007, but he sure packed a lot of ‘heath’.

The SPU supposedly was responsible for the privatisation and divestment of identified assets of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, none of which materialised. Instead, the unit went on a ‘yard sale’ of assets to cronies for mere peanuts. It was no divestment, since the aim was not to raise cash or reduce debts; the aim was not restructuring to bring the entity to

solvency, it was just plain old ‘thiefing’ in a more glorified form.

The sums garnered from the sale of assets were never used to improve the health of GuySuCo. The privatisation was just a con game to destroy the estates and to use it as an excuse to raise the $30 billion bond to provide more funds for stealing. Until now, the monies spent from the bond (not James Bond) are still unaccounted for.

The SPU expended millions to hire PricewaterhouseCoopers to do an evaluation of the assets of the closed estates, in addition to providing advisory and financial services. After the valuation, PWC developed an investment prospectus and distributed it to all interested parties. This was done, but the SPU never kept the estates operational, as they were supposed to be. It was clear that the prospected investors were faced with the risk-filled decision to purchase an entity which was not a ‘going concern’ any longer.

After this, the Coalition and the SPU remained mum on the issue.

As it is today, it is evident that Wales has been destroyed beyond redemption, and it will take billions to bring back the other three closed estates to the position they were

in before. This state of affairs must be placed squarely on the shoulders of the SPU head. He not only failed to make the closed estates saleable, but he must be made to account for the billions he was responsible to safeguard and to divest profitably, but sold for very little.

Imagine, the Coalition has the gall to speak about Pradoville 2, even Bond’s $US 1 million would make this pale into insignificance. If it was the case where assets could just be sold off willy-nilly, then there was no need for a special unit to do so, to whom they had to pay astronomical wages. The Coalition should have engaged the services of a petty thief, who I am inclined to believe would have done a better job.

The former SPU Head must also be made responsible for the physical deterioration of the remaining buildings, infrastructure, machinery and equipment, vehicles and motor cycles; and, most of all, the vast cane cultivation which has to be destroyed and replanted. If these are not criminal acts, then I beg to differ.

Mr London was given a job to do, and he did exactly the opposite. Dereliction of duty and misconduct are too mild terms to describe what he had done. It is now evident

that the SPU Head operated with the same modus operandi as the Coalition. There was no public tender, valuations, Board approval, and no review and approval by NICIL’s counsel. Apart from failing to collect all the monies from the sales, he failed to present his accounts to the Auditor General for auditing from 2014 to 2019, and the answer is again obvious.

Like the Granger administration, he breached applicable laws and violated policies established by the Government and NICIL. It is clear that his actions also amount to a breach of the fiduciary duties and duty of care owed to NICIL imposed by the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1991, and generally warranting his immediate termination, as the Government statement stated.

Heath never thought the Coalition would lose the 2020 Elections, and had thought that his misdeeds would have remained buried.

It is clear that Colvin Heath-London was operating SPU and NICIL as his personal business, and was not subjected to any laws and regulations.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Forensic probe needed at GECOM before any new elections are held Dear Editor,

T

he nation is no longer surprised by the expressions arising from the recent PNCR press statement: that the party is not interested in reforms at the Guyana Elections Commission. The revelation establishes full confirmation of the intent of that party: to hold on to a fraudulent system, and the absolute acceptance by their leaders that only a cheating mechanism would sustain their cause.

With all that was said, and what the publicly revealed before and since the passing of the No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018, the discredit of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) performance and the organization’s public failures could not have been more widely criticised. The Guyanese people must indeed be thankful for the strong stand taken by the global community, international diplomats, as well as the combined contesting parties at the elections.

The situation reeked of indecency, dishon-

esty, and every intent of fraudulent GECOM officials’ attempt to capitalise on the most blatant and non-transparent approaches to derail the true results of the peacefully conducted elections. Since the 1970s, there has never been a more biased and publicly underhand attempt to catapult the PNC operatives into power.

Recently, we witnessed Mr. Granger and other senior administrative officers of the PNC demonstrating the most outrageous support for the contaminated GECOM officials.

This, no doubt, cements their unquestionable corroboration with the thieving motives of CEO Keith Lowenfield et al. While due process is expected, there is sufficient, and overwhelming evidence at minimum, to have the CEO and his cohorts suspended and removed pending the outcome of the current election matters in the courts.

Editor, the investigations must be comprehensive, and not limited to the elections results matters. It is imperative to have a full

probe into all the serious suspected financial malpractices and the clear indicators of fraud raised through the Auditor General’s observations concerning the 2015-2016 period.

Of note, the Kaieteur News dated November 05, 2017 reported that following “a year of denial of wrongdoings at GECOM is not standing up to the test as state auditors have confirmed serious procurement breaches at the entity.”

It may be recalled that, on more than one occasion, I have advocated for the detailed follow up on the observations raised by the AG at GECOM. Indeed, it is difficult for one with a rational mind to fathom that the body charged with the responsibility of overseeing general and local elections in Guyana would act above board when there are definitive questions about its operations regarding accountability and transparency.

Although the indicators were bright and shiny, however, it was felt by many that the counter-checks in place would be sufficient

for acceptable results.

As March 02, 2020, showed, such chances must never be taken again! President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s caution and decision not to proceed with any further elections unless GECOM is fixed must be wholeheartedly supported.

We, as citizens, must also ask ourselves why would the PNC representatives not want to fix a broken system? Our citizens would recall the blatancy of Mr. Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chairman, together with the widespread biasness he exercised. Notably, he rejected the proposal of the United Nations to assist in system accountability improvements.

According to the recent statement of PNC Executive Mr Aubrey Norton, a similar trend is being adopted following Canada’s offer through the Canadian High Commissioner to render assistance in this regard. It must be recognised that GECOM is considered critical to the holding of free and fair elections in Guyana (Turn to page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Electoral reforms needed as we move

G

uyana’s March 2020 General and Regional Elections – particularly their results management – were widely criticized, with a final result being finally declared five months after voters went to the polls. The debacle has given rise to the need for electoral reforms,

TRACY SHAMSUDEEN said: “The 2020 General and Regional elections clearly indicated that the current electoral regime in place has failed as a result of political infiltration. The apparent deliberate acts to delay the publication of the results, the unwillingness of GECOM to publicize statement of polls, the willingness of GECOM Secretariat officials to divert from the standard procedures are key indicators that the current electoral regime is in dire need of reform.

“Guyanese have suffered an injustice in the sense that Guyanese were made to wait in excess of five months for the declaration of a free and fair result.

“Any attempts at reforming the system should include more accountability, transparency and less complexity or unequivocal legal language to guide the process. The perception of integrity in the process has been erased in the minds of Guyanese.

“Only electoral reforms would restore the trust of Guyanese that the process would one day be free and fair again. Moreover, the team of individuals intending to lead the reforms must be guided by the electoral regimes of other states who time and time again conduct fair elections.

“The electoral process in Guyana can someday reflect international standards and best practices if reforms are supported and accepted by the political leaders.

Our election periods are known for being contentious and for constantly threatening social stability. Therefore, our leaders ought to see it as a duty bestowed upon them to engage in a reform process thereby restoring the trust of the Guyanese population in the electoral process.”

more so with Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled to take place in 2021.

This week, the Mirror Newspaper sought views on how critical electoral reforms are moving forward.

LEVI DEO said: “Electoral reform is indeed necessary; however, I find holding people responsible for their actions or deliberate omissions more pressing.

“The criminal law needs to be amended to deter and sufficiently punish persons who conspire, attempt to commit or actually commit crimes which undermine the democratic process. I have learnt that criminal proceedings for the offences of Misconduct in Public Office, Conspiracy to defraud and Forgery were instituted against several persons, who had some role to play in the attempt to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“I have also learnt that an application is being made for these offences to be disposed of summarily in the magistracy. Magistrates, being creatures of statute, are bound to impose a sentence of not more than five (5) years imprisonment for each offence charged, should the defendant be found guilty. The predicament is that incarceration for five years is too short a period for anyone who attempts to undermine democracy.

“Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution of Guyana prescribe thus: (1) Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana…(9) Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.”

“These are not ordinary constitutional provisions, but deeply entrenched ones which provide for a democratic State. Any attempt to undermine Guyana’s democracy would, therefore, violently derogate from these deeply entrenched provisions of our supreme law. Such derogation should constitute treason. However, the inclusion of an attempt to undermine the democratic process in the parameters of the offence as specified under Title 20 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, may be laying upon the logical and semantic resources of the English Language a heavier burden than they can reasonably be expected to bear. Therefore, Parliament should amend the offence of Treason to include persons who undermine or attempt to undermine democracy.”

NALINIE SINGH said: “Elections determine the people’s will; electoral reform is improving the system that expresses the people’s desires during an election. Given Guyana’s experience of a delayed process the need for electoral reform is clear.

This is necessary, not only to reconstitute the election machinery, that is GECOM, but also strengthening our systems solidifying our democracy. GECOM, more so the Secretariat, as it is currently constituted has failed to inspire public confidence. I personally have no faith in the secretariat to impartially carry out an election.

“Our democracy is young. In 2018 we saw our first successful no-confidence motion, which the law itself was clear on: elections in three months. The APNU+AFC Coalition acted in ignorance – or willful defiance – and used to judiciary to buy more time in office. After the elections they used the same tactic.

“Therefore we need to strengthen our system as to not allow such an abuse. Maybe even pass laws that would more severely punish parties that does such. Currently it is only public shaming that those who held our democracy at ransom are facing.

“I’m pleased to see the President engaging international partners to strengthen the system before we head to the polls again for local government. We as a population need some amount of trust to be restored to this system.”

SATESH RAJPAT said: “Electoral Reforms is an issue that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later taking into full consideration every event that happened starting from the passing of the No Confidence Motion on December 21, 2020 right up to August 02, 2020.

“While bulletproofing the Electoral system to prevent any attempt of malfeasance, emphasis must be placed on the officers that operates within the System such as the CEO, RO's and Deputies. Tough laws with strict Guidelines and penalties must be applied to officers in the Electoral system in order to ensure the correct procedures are followed and instructions and directions by the Commission is carried out.

“Other issues that needs to be looked at in the process of reforms are the Hiring of E-Day staff by the GECOM Secretariat and the Preparation of a Clean Voters lista.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

forward to strengthen our democracy SALEESHA GAFOOR said: “The need for electoral reform cannot be overemphasized given the protracted March 2020 electoral process that was marred by litigations and acts of fraud.

“This is the first time in post-independent history that Guyanese have had to wait five long months before a winner for an election was declared and a new government sworn in. Coming out of that process, one cannot ignore the fact that there are clear gaps and loopholes within the local election machinery.

“Given what took place, those who hold major responsibilities for overseeing the election process, should be held accountable and led to operate within certain strict guidelines. Guyanese should never be led down that road again. We truly deserve better!”

MICHAEL YOUNGE said: “I am extremely glad that no less of a person than the President Dr. Irfaan Ali acknowledged the need for these reforms at the Guyana Elections Commission.

“Reform is necessary and now needed more than ever. We just cannot go to another election and hope that things, which both parties complained about are addressed or doesn't happen.

We need to minimize the discrepancies so it will be much easier to votes and security enhanced to guard against rigging and vote stealing.

“Every vote matters as we are seeing from our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere.

OUR VOTE MATTERS.”

JUAN EDGHILL JR. said: “Electoral reform is extremely critical. We should not, we cannot have a repeat what transpired at our March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Electoral reform is needed in all aspects: scrutiny of the voting process, functions of GECOM and its officials, strong penalties for electoral misconduct etc.

“The actions by GECOM officials, in collusion with APNU+AFC Coalition agents, caused Guyana severe international embarrassment and shame.

The move towards electoral reforms would accompany this new Government’s commitment to the true value and foundations of democracy.

“Further, the electoral reforms are crucial because our Guyanese people need to feel and be reassured that the fiasco will not repeat itself. It is important that every voter knows that their ballot means something, it is their voice and must be respected and upheld. The impact of elections on other aspects of democracy is also not often enough discussed. However, it should be since it affects citizen participation in projects and reliable feedback on government performance. Citizens who feel confident in their electoral systems are more likely to be active in state’s affairs, according to John B. Holbein. Other studies show that countries who cannot establish strong electoral laws often fail to maintain economic growth and human development.

“It is inspiring to have read that this new PPP/C government will engage Canada and other stakeholders on reforming our electoral laws. It is a step in the right direction and shows ALL Guyanese that there is a strong commitment to keep their most sacred rights and liberties protected and intact.

JOSH KHANHAI said: “Electoral reform is necessary to address, among other things, legislative changes, which would help to close the multiple loopholes that exacerbated the situation that followed the March 2020 Elections. If those loopholes were covered with electoral reform then the multiple court issues concerning the majority of our Parliament, house to house registration, holding parliament post a successful NCM, etc.

“The five-month debacle taught us all about the workings of GECOM and multiple, educated opinions and suggestions were formulated on how to fix the issue at hand with Electoral Reform. I do believe that the H.E. President Dr. Ali heard them and he is commended for his approach to our current position.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

IDB Pivot Movement Tourism sector will rebound participants called on to from pandemic spread ‘moonshot mindset’ G T he participants of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Pivot Programme were called on

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to share not only their plans for the future, but also their moonshot mindset.

He gave this charge virtually during the IDB’s unveiling of the moonshot ideas, which are radical solutions to huge problems. “I'm very thankful for the invitation in today’s unveiling of our moonshots, the first step of many to creating a more vibrant and resilient Caribbean…I'm proud to be part of such a movement, such a shift in direction that will only do well for us in the future.”

The Head of State noted that the moonshots developed at the pivotal event represent deliberate and cooperative actions that we as Caribbean nations can use to make the future better for this generation and those that follow.

President Ali also urged participants to learn from best practices and to harness the opportunities available in these trying times. He alluded to the common threads

which continue to bind Caribbean nations together even in the wake of our distinctive differences. “In making these moonshots for the Caribbean, when one idea succeeds, we all succeed. When we embrace our visionaries and innovators and encourage them to dream big we can make the impossible possible…This is our moment to make moonshots. This is a moment to harness the collective energy of all Caribbean people. This is our moment to change the world. This is our time to shine.”

The President recalled one of the greatest feats in Caribbean history which he associates with the idea of moonshot, when the West Indies cricket team defeated England for the first time at Lord's on June 29, 1950. “I use this cricket example to demonstrate to you how through sport men came together, players came together, went to Lord’s and won a cricket series that none expected them to win. That inspired not only Caribbean people, but inspired people all across the world. It in-

spired the South Africans.

It inspired Africa, and it placed the West Indies cricket team and the Caribbean people in a different light.”

He noted too that while the greatest move towards technological advancement and innovation is the development of an idea, ideas remain just dreams unless we act on them and move in a conscious way to implement programmes and plans that would realise those dreams.

On this note, he said leaders of governments and industries are therefore obligated to create environments in which persons have the freedom to generate new ideas and build on them.

He said too that a thriving workforce was critically important for Guyana moving forward.

“Here in Guyana, as our economy transforms and we welcome more foreign investment, we will use some of these new resources to foster local innovation, creativity, and research, but policy is nothing without the people to drive it…This is our moment to make moonshots.”

uyana’s tourism sector will emerge “stronger and more resilient” from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State addressed the nation over the weekend, on the launch of Tourism Awareness Month.

“We will beat this pandemic. Our tourism sector will emerge stronger and more resilient; jobs will be restored and Guyana will continue to entice the world with its astounding tourism product,” Dr Ali said.

The President cited data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, which shows an estimated 65 per cent decline in world tourism in the first half of 2020. This has resulted in the loss of more than 850 million jobs and some US$ 1.2 trillion in earnings.

Similarly, Guyana’s tourism sector has suffered

an estimated decline of 46 per cent of its revenues for the first half of the year, with 30 per cent of the sector’s employees losing their jobs and an additional 36 per cent being placed on unpaid leave.

“I am supremely confident that while our market may have been affected, our tourism product remains unblemished by the pandemic, and that with the right support, the local tourism sector will recover,” President Ali said in his statement.

He said his Government is employing measures to stimulate the revival of the industry. “In this year’s Budget, we announced, for example, the removal of the value-added tax on hinterland travel and the provision of special tax incentives for new hotels and tourism-related businesses. We have already signaled our intention to nurture the recovery

and revitalisation of the sector.”

In the meantime, the Head of State said a collective effort is needed to safeguard the country’s diverse tourism product, even as he urged citizens to play their part “as we navigate this very challenging period.”

“I encourage our people to continue to demonstrate that warmth and welcoming disposition which is so characteristic of the traditional Guyanese hospitality; to preserve and protect our natural environment and keep it free from pollution; and to ensure that we comply with the COVID-19 guidelines which are in place to keep our country, its people and our visitors safe.” This year’s tourism month is being celebrated under the theme: “Destination Guyana, Recover and Rebuild – Getting ready to bounce back!”

Gov’t to roll out survivors’ advocate programme

A

survivors’ advocate programme for women and girls who experienced domestic violence will soon be rolled out. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made this announcement in his feature address at the virtual launch of the Spotlight Initiative Programme to end violence against women and girls on Saturday (October 31, 2020).

“Before the end of 2020, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will roll out a survivors advocate programme to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The programme will be piloted in regions that account for some of the highest reported cases of violence against women,” the President said.

The European Union-United Nations Spotlight Initiative Programme responds to the urgent need to address violence against women and girls with a spe-

cific focus on gender-based violence and family violence.

The EU will be contributing €4.5M or $1B towards Guyana’s efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Over a three-year period, the money will be invested in strategic and catalytic interventions to address the root causes and holistically address gender-based violence and family violence.

President Ali said the programme “offers a platform for creating greater awareness, mobilizing financial resources and technical assistance and for the sharing of experiences related to gender-based violence.”

The programme, he said, indicates that all states have a duty to ensure a safe environment for women and girls from all forms of violence.

The Government, President Ali said, is committed to gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women.

However, he noted that there are challenges detecting

and responding to violence against women and girls because it often takes place within homes and by people they trust.

Nevertheless, President Ali said Guyana’s approach to gender-based violence is deeply embedded in ensuring compliance with the country’s domestic laws and fulfilling international obligations. He pointed out that the gender-based violence taskforce has been resuscitated and that the implementation of a National Plan of Action against gender-based violence remains a priority for the Government. Guyana is one of six Caribbean countries to be a part of the programme.

The others are Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Belize.

The programme is also aimed at helping countries achieve goals three, five and 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Region Three set for massive infrastructural transformation

– Thousands of acres earmarked for expansion in housing, agriculture and tourism

U

nprecedented transformation is expected to come to Region 3, with the construction of a fourlane highway from the new Demerara Harbour

Bridge proposed location to Parika, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State made this announcement on Saturday (October 31,

2020) during a site visit to the possible alignment of the road. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, a high-lev-

el team from the Ministry of Public Works including GIS Specialists, the Army and representatives from the Private Sector.

The team made stops at

several locations from Canal No.1 Polder to De Kindren, West Coast Demerara.

The site allocated for the new road would be

graded within a month and a special team is expected to work on the plans for the project, which should be completed by the end of April 2021.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Engagements with Norway to recommence soon – Jagdeo T

he Government of Guyana has written to the Kingdom of Norway on re-opening engagements and a response has been received, according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during a news conference on Friday (November 6, 2020).

The move in in line with the effort to resuscitate the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was scrapped under the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

Jagdeo disclosed that virtual engagements, given the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to commence soon.

In October 2020, the Vice President explained that the LCDS will be expanded to cover the sale of biodiversity services, biodiversity management and management of water resources, given that these are areas where the Strategy can tap into new frontiers to earn resources for Guyana.

He had underscored the fact that there was no project implemented under the former government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS). “We have started to engage Norway to move forward again,” he said.

RESUSCITATION During the Budget 2020 debates, in September 2020, it was revealed that the LCDS will be resuscitated as part of Guyana’s national developmental agenda, one in a number of measures that cater to the country’s plan to work towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, of which there are 17, are a number of goals intended to end global poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone by 2030.

Among plans for the reinstated LCDS are the strengthening of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Act, as well as improved measures for the National Protected Areas System (NPAS). The visionary strategy, championed by Jagdeo during his tenure as President of Guyana, was able to earn over US$200 million for the preservation of its forests. It was discontinued by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government.

Launched in 2009, the LCDS was intended to place Guyana’s economy on a low-carbon, sustainable de-

velopment trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change. The integrated strategy examined how Guyana could deploy its forests in mitigating climate change, while also gaining financial and other support for doing so. To that effect, Guyana, in the said 2009, signed a multiyear Forest Protection Agreement with Norway, which saw the Norwegian government committing to providing Guyana with up to US$250M by 2015 for avoiding deforestation, once certain performance indicators were met.

GRIFF In signing a Memorandum of Understanding

Work ongoing for Guyana to be ready for COP 2021

G

uyana is working aggressively, with a team of dedicated professionals, to rebuild the country’s image on the global stage, in the area of climate change response. And, at the same time, work to build a coalition that will be ready for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) in 2021 to made interventions that will have tangible deliverables for countries.

This is according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who was responding to questions about pledges made by Guyana in 2016, as part of the Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2016.

The Paris Agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate

change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Former President David Granger had pledged to: • Allocate two million more hectares of land and waterways for conservation.

• Increase acreage under conservation so that the planned Emissions Reduction Programme (ERP) will also see the encouraging of more efficient mining and logging activities to aid in the fight against global warming.

• Improve timber monitoring and maintain a high level of timber legality and increase value-added activities in the forestry sector so as to augment carbon storage in long-use wood products.

• Implementation of Reduced Impact Logging (RIL).

• Investment in solar power, wind power and hydropower to transition more rapidly to renewable sources of energy and reduce the country’s

dependence on fossil fuels.

• Implementation of initiatives in the forest and renewable energy sectors, including through the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Plus programme • Intensification of sustainable management of the indigenous communities, which own and manage 14% of the national territory.

These assurances given

by Granger were not delivered on.

Asked about sanctions for not delivering on pledges made, Jagdeo explained that there are none. “Unfortunately, this is one of the weaknesses of the Paris Agreement….there are no penalties for not meeting pledges…this is one of the points I raised during the G77 meeting,” he said.

Guyana, with the world’s second highest percentage of rainforest cover -85% – commands important carbon stocks.

(MoU) with the Government of Guyana on November 9, 2009, the Government of Norway had committed to providing financial support of up to US$250 million for results achieved by Guyana in limiting emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

As part of the agreement, the two countries had agreed to establish the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) as the financial intermediary mechanism for the performance-based payments from contributors to Guyana.

The GRIF represented an effort to create an innovative climate finance mechanism which balances national sovereignty over investment priorities, while ensuring that REDD+ funds adhere to the Partner Entities financial, environmental and social safeguards.

Norway in December had announced the release of $393.4 million Norwegian Kroner or G$9.1 billion, its final disbursement to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund. The fund, administered by the World Bank, is used to finance developmental projects here in Guyana.

MONEY ON HOLD In response to the volatile political situation in Guyana following the presidential election March 2, Norway had blocked NOK 393 million in climate aid.

“No further decisions will be made on … planning or spending” of this money until a legitimate government is in place, the Climate Ministry in Oslo said.

Earlier this year, with the David Granger-led APNU+AFC Coalition boasting that Norway would release all final payments – a total of US$50M – the country’s Director of the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), Per Fredrik Pharo, had made clear that the monies will remain off limits until General and Regional Elections are held.

The Norwegian official had explained that the monies were being paid into the GRIF, for which the World Bank is a trustee. Of the payments by Norway, around US$80 million was set aside last year for renewable energy projects. It had originally been earmarked for an equity stake for Guy-

ana in the proposed Amaila Falls Hydropower Project but this was not proceeded with by the APNU+AFC government.

On continued engagement Pharo had said, “The Government of Norway is still fully committed to Guyana’s green development.

How that plays out in future remains to be seen… but as long as the essential meeting of minds on keeping deforestation to a minimum and working towards green, low carbon development, we have a good basis for our partnership.”

The US$50M represented the final tranche to be paid as a result of a forest protection accord that the two countries signed in 2009.

According to the Vice President, Guyana was able to benefit because it is a carbon sink– any reservoir, natural or otherwise, that absorbs more carbon than it releases– and thereby lowers the concentration of CO 2 from the atmosphere. “Guyana is a carbon sink and we have to leverage assets to bring money into this country to support economic development,” Jagdeo stressed.

The role of the People's Progressive Party in the... (From page 4) tions of the two periods.

It was our third success at winning elections, in 1%1, that the cold war climate began seriously affecting our Party in government.

The USA greatly feared the influence of Cuba and charged that Guyana was going to be a second Cuba in this hemisphere. The US greatly influenced British colonial policy in Guyana.

We then entered the period of activities by the CIA and British MI5 to destabilise our government. The opposition parties, the PNC and United Force, plus the TUC, worked closely with the CIA to undermine our Party and government, attempting to blow up Freedom House and fostering racial differences which led to the loss of lives and property.

The PNC, along with the UF, were catapulted into office in a coalition after the 1964 elections, brought one year beforehand and introducing proportional representation, which was aimed at removing our Party from

government. Even though our Party won the largest number of votes of any party, the forced marriage of the PNC and UF kept us out of office.

Thus began 28 years of misrule and electoral fraud.

Our members were harassed, imprisoned, searched, tortured, persecuted and suffered discrimination at all levels, bringing on the great exodus from Guyana. We experienced an economic downturn which created greater poverty, a severe drop in social services, the wrecking of the country's infrastructure and the demoralisation of the nation's citizens.

The assault on democracy highlighted this period with the gross rigging of elections.

The long battle to restore democracy began, first with the PPP's exposure of the electoral fraud of the 1%8 elections. Little or no support was given to the PPP's struggle then, or even in the violent and heavily rigged

elections of 1973. The Party boycotted the National Assembly for three years, protesting the electoral fraud.

The Party eventually decided to return to Parliament, adopting a policy of "critical support" after extensive consultations with Party's rank and file.

The Party continued its exposure of electoral fraud, gradually bringing wider support for the restoration of democracy and the formation of the PCD after the 1985 elections.

Our General Secretary was successful in widening international support for our struggle to end electoral fraud, bringing in the Carter Centre, which gave such substantial help in changing the rules of the electoral process and in bringing free andfair elections to Guyana on October 5, 1992.

Our Party's role in the history of Guyana is uncontested, we helped form all the important changes in our country during the past 45 years.

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

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PPP/C government lauded for successes since August 2nd

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PPP/C government lauded for

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

13

successes since August 2nd

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

PPP/C Gov’t committed to boosting research in rice sector

T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will invest in research and development in the rice sector, as keeping up to date with advances in science is vital to increasing productivity, according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The Minister made these statements in his address

to stakeholders at the official release of the GRDB 16 rice variety for cultivation on Saturday (October 31, 2020). “For us to survive in this world we have to keep up to date with science and technology and our administration will continue to spend in this area so that we can have them work to develop new varieties. Research plays

a pivotal role in the development of any industry,” Minister Mustapha said.

Investments will be made in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s manifesto commitment to increase productivity through the development of new varieties and by boosting pest control.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)

Research Station, the Minister said, is on a continuous quest for new technologies to boost productivity, which will increase the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness. “Guyana has made tremendous progress in research. The GRDB has released 15 varieties from 1997 to 2018, [which] has led to a significant increase

to national productivity over the years,” Minister Mustapha said.

He added, “In many instances, we operate in less than ideal conditions; however, we will continue to develop, drought, flood and salt-tolerant varieties, and provide the necessary technical support to ensure our farmers are prepared to meet

the challenge.”

The GRDB spends approximately $200 million per year to advance its breeding programme, while an estimated cost of more than $300 million is invested in developing one rice variety. Significant investments will continue to be made in the sector over the next five years.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

$99M in contracts awarded Orealla, Siparuta to 100 small contractors residents receive ‒ 500 jobs created COVID-19 cash grant T

R

esidents of Orealla and Siparuta, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), have benefited from the Government’s $25,000 COVID-19 relief cash grant.

The distribution exercise to every household in the two riverine villages started on Monday (November 2,

2020).

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharrat were present to oversee the distribution.

The $25,000 per household cash grant is among several measures His Excel-

lency, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali announced to cushion the effects of COVID-19.

Households across the country have already benefited from the ongoing exercise.

Meanwhile, the Ministers also distributed a quantity of equipment and gear to boost sport in Orealla.

he Ministry of Public Works this week awarded $99 million in contracts to 100 small contractors for weeding and cleaning services.

The contracts are expected to create 500 jobs across the country.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar handed out the contracts along with Permanent Secretary, Vladim Persaud, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The Minister said when the Government took office, unemployment plagued the

country and small businesses took a beating. With a promise to create 50,000 jobs, he said the Government, through the Emergency Budget, made allocations targeting small businesses. “We made sure it was not designed for big businesses because what this was designed for is for the small man. Each person should employ about five persons to do the weeding because of the size of the lots you have been awarded…

So, this simple gesture this simple move, this simple strategy, will put 500 persons back to work. What we are doing is creating employment for people,” Minister Indar

explained.

The Minister also highlighted that 75 per cent of the contracts were awarded to new contractors. With that, he urged them to take pride in their work and to do it at a high standard.

Meanw hile, Pers aud echoed these sentiments.

He reminded the contractors that service delivery is critical and a mandate of the Ministry.

The sum of $70 million was awarded for weeding and the cleaning of road shoulders and $29 million for river and sea defences. The works will be conducted along the coast and in the hinterland.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

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WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

MONDAY NOVEMBER 09 - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2020 Time

8:00am - 9:00am

9: 00am- 10:00am

10:00am-11:00am

Monday, November 9, 2020

NURSERY

NURSERY

NURSERY

My Sense (Touching)

Types of Family (Nuclear)

The Number 13

Types of Family (Single Parent)

My Sense (Tasting)

Types of Family (Extended Family) GRADE 1

Literacy The letter 'P' GRADE 1

Mathematics Days of the Week

Science Plants - main parts of the plant

Mathematics Science Days of the Week (Writing the Plants - (identifying and names for the days of the week) naming parts of a plant)

Grammar Past Tense

Social Studies Children go to school Activities children do in school.

Grammar Present Tense

Social Studies Grammar Children go to school Past & Present Tense Things children learn at school

GRADE 2

GRADE 2

GRADE 2

GRADE 2

Mathematics Geometry & Measurement Measuring time and money

Science Mathematics Plants - Growth and Changes Geometry & Measurement in Plants.

Measuring time and money

Types of Family (Sibling Family) GRADE 1

The Number 13 Write/Color/Count GRADE 1

The Letter 'P' Storyline.

GRADE 1 Mathematics Day of the week Ordering days correctly

GRADE 2

Science Mathematics Plants - Growth and Changes Geometry & Measurement in Plants.

Measuring time and money

Grammar Pronoun (he, she, it, we)

Social Studies

Grammar Pronoun - identifying Social Studies pronoun/completing sentences by inserting the correct Pronoun.

GRADE 3

GRADE 3

GRADE 3

GRADE 3

Science Mathematics Science Features of Animals Multiplication of 2 digit numbers Features of Animals (Feeding) classifying animals as prey by 10. and predator.

Grammar Pronoun - identifying pronoun/completing sentences by inserting the correct Pronoun.

GRADE 3 Mathematics Multiplication of 2 digit numbers by 10.

English The Comma

Social Studies

English Predicting (Making predictions)

Social Studies English Politeness (Showing Respect) Story Sequence

GRADE 4

GRADE 4

GRADE 4

GRADE 4

Mathematics Operations, Relations and Properties (Multiplying 2-3 digit numbers by multiples of 10.

Mathematics Science Operations, Relations and Foodweb Properties (Multiplying up to 4 Define and use terms such as digit numbers by 2 digit producers and consumers. numbers)

English Pronouns GRADE 5

Science Foodweb

Social Studies GRADE 5

English Parts of a friendly letter.

GRADE 5

GRADE 4

GRADE 5

English Pronouns GRADE 5

Science Functions of the leaves (Transpiration)

Mathematics Multiplication of 4 numbers by 1 and 2 digit numbers

Social Studies

Science Functions of the leaves (Transpiration)

Mathematics Multiplication - Tables 6 - 10

English Collective Nouns

Social Studies

English Homophones

Social Studies

English Parts of Speech - Gender Masculine, Feminine, Common, Neuter.

GRADE 6

GRADE 6

GRADE 6

GRADE 6

GRADE 6

Mathematics Fractions: Equivalent Fractions

Science Pollination (Wind Pollinated flowers)

Mathematics Fractions: Reducing Fractions

Science Fertilization

Mathematics Fractions: Comparing Fractions

English Personification

Social Studies

English Comparison of adjectives

Social Studies

English Word Functions

GRADE 7

GRADE 7

GRADE 7

GRADE 7

GRADE 7

Science

Mathematics

Science

Mathematics

English

English

Social Studies

English

Mathematics

GRADE 8

GRADE 8

GRADE 8

GRADE 8

GRADE 8

Science

Mathematics

Science

Mathematics

English

English

Social Studies

English

Mathematics

CSEC

CSEC

CSEC

CSEC

CSEC

Physics Centre of Gravity

Mathematics Solid Shapes Pt. 1

Physics Density

Mathematics Area & Perimeter of complex compound shapes

Physics Forces

Mathematics Multiplication - Tables 2 to 5

3:00pm- 4:00pm Mathematics 4:00pm- 5:00pm Mathematics

5:00pm- 6:00pm

Friday, November 13, 2020

NURSERY

Mathematics Operations, Relations and 12:00pm-1:00pm Properties (Multiplying whole numbers by multiples of 10.

2:00pm-3:00pm

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Thursday, November 12, 2020

NURSERY

Mathematics Multiplication of 2 digit 11:00am-12:00pm numbers by 1 digit number.

1:00pm- 2:00pm

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

19

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Electoral fraud cases to continue in December

T

he electoral fraud case involving five persons was, on October 28, 2020 adjourned until December 21, 2020.

Accused are: 1. People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson, Volda Lawrence; 2. PNCR activist, Carol Joseph, 3. Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; 4. Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers; and 5. Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

They first appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on October 21, 2020 before Principal Magistrate,

Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and were each released on bail.

The case was transferred to the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. When the case was called before the Chief Magistrate on October 28, 2020 the special prosecutors presented the fiat to the court, which was granted last week by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, to prosecute the matter on behalf of the State. The magistrate adjourned the case for December 21, 2020 for reports.

LAWRENCE Lawrence was slapped with two conspiracy to defraud charges and was released on $50,000 bail on

each charge. Those charges came one day after she was arrested, detained, and released on $100,000 station bail.

MINGO Mingo and Lawrence were charged jointly. It is alleged that on March 5, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document, that is to say, a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2 General and Regional Elections, knowing same to be forged. They were each released on $30,000 bail.

Mingo is still facing several fraud charges, including (Turn to page 20)

From left: PNCR activist, Carol Joseph; PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence; and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo

20

Forensic probe needed... and preserving the pride of our democracy.

All Guyanese must stand together in rejecting the whims and fancies of the clandestine PNC crew.

Importantly, we cannot have such an important autonomous agency as GECOM spending over fifteen billion dollars in an unaccountable manner. The blatant financial fraud at GECOM must be exposed.

Further, the more blatant electoral fraud that took place during the 2020 National and Regional Elections must be fully ventilated, and all those senior GECOM officials found culpable must face the courts. Chairman Madam Claudette Singh is therefore called upon to immediately address the outlandishly tarnished image of GECOM by ensuring audits and financial prudence within the institution.

Critically, it is appreciated that Local Government Elections are due next year, but Guyanese cannot and must not accept the present untrustworthy staff at GECOM to prevail at any elections. As such, remedial actions must be taken swiftly, given the high justifications for the organization to be forensically investigated and overhauled before

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020 (From page 5)

any new elections. The disgusting call by Joseph Harmon for Guyana to have Local Government Elections in 2021 is interesting, but lacks foundation. This is particularly relevant since Guyanese must not go to elections with officials that are before the courts charged for misconduct in public office, for fraud, and for forgery in overseeing the process.

Further, GECOM must come clean, providing answers to all the previous non-consultative gerrymandering of constituency boundaries and adding new divisions. The roles of many officers and presiding officers were highly questionable, coupled with the unacceptable behaviour of some information officers at some polling stations, who laughed at voters as they sent them around to various polling stations to frustrate them.

These profoundly serious issues were deliberately encouraged by GECOM staff, and the presiding officer at Peters Hall who deliberately switched the PPP/C votes and gave them to the APNU/PNC will not be forgotten. A total cleansing is required.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Electoral fraud cases... uttering a forged document with intent to defraud the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. He was granted $600,000 bail on those charges and the case was adjourned to November 16, 2020 to allow the prosecution time to complete the filing of statements.

JOSEPH Further, Mingo and Joseph were also jointly charged. It is alleged that on March 13, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the elections, knowing same to be forged. They were both released on $30,000 bail.

Additionally, Joseph was slapped with two other

charges which alleged that, on March 13, at High and Hadfield Street, Georgetown, she conspired with Mingo and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for District Four in the March 2 elections. She was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

MYERS Myers was slapped with two counts of misconduct in public office charges regarding the March 2020 General and Regional Election. She was granted $150,000 bail on each charge. She was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 for both charges.

Myers was arrested last on October 6, 2020 after she surrendered to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters moments before

(From page 19)

the Police Force issued a Wanted Bulletin for her arrest. The Police had said ranks have been trying for over a month to question the DCEO in relation to its ongoing probe of electoral fraud following the March 2020 polls.

LOWENFIELD Lowenfield now has six charges remaining against him; those charges were filed by the police following a “comprehensive” investigation into the elections and its aftermath. He is on over $300,000 bail. The charges include three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery.

He is also facing private criminal charges.

Several other GECOM officials have also been charged.

INVITATION BIDS (IFB) INVITATION BIDS (IFB) Miscellaneous Roads 2020

Rehabilitation of Public and Main Access Roads

The Ministry of Public Works invites sealed bids for the: Rehabilitation of Vive-La-Force to Free & Easy Access Road, Vive-La-Force/ Free & Easy, West Bank Demerara, Region 3 Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedure specified in the Procurement Act 2003.

1. Interested bidders may obtain further information from, inspect the bidding document, and purchase a complete set of bidding documents at the Ministry of Public Works (address (1) below) from November 4, 2020. Bids can be purchased from 09:00hrs to 16:30hrs, Mondays to Thursdays and on Fridays from 09:00 to 15:00 hours.

2. A complete set of the bidding documents, in English, may be purchased by interested bidders at address (1) below upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Three Thousand Guyana Dollars (GY$3,000.00). The method of payment will be cash, or by cheque payable to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works, Guyana. Electronic submission of bids will not be permitted.

3. Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders’ representatives and anyone who chooses to attend at the address (2) below on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 09:00hrs. Late bids or incorrectly labelled bids will be rejected and returned to bidders unopened.

4. A Bid Security of One Million Guyana Dollars (G$1,000,000), in the form of a Bank Guarantee or Bond from a Recognized Insurance Company, is required.

5. The pre-bid meeting for Rehabilitation of Vive-La-Force to Free & Easy Access Road, Vive-La-Force/ Free & Easy, West Bank Demerara, Region 3 project is scheduled for 10:00hrs on November 18, 2020 at the Work Services Group (WSG) Boardroom (MOPW, Kingston).

Address (1) - Purchase and Inspection of Document: The Coordinator, Works Services Group – Ministry of Public Works Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel: (592) 223 1847 / (592) 223 6070 E-mail: procurementwsg@gmail.com

Address (2) - Submission and Opening of Bids: The Chairman, National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, Main & Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, Guyana.

The Ministry of Public Works invites sealed bids for the: NO.

NAME OF PROJECT

1

Lot 26: Rehabilitation of Saw Pit Street, Goed Intent, Region 3

2

Lot 27: Rehabilitation of Unity Road, La Grange , Region 3

3

Lot 28: Rehabilitation of Rustem Dam, Canal No.2, Region 3

Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedure specified in the Procurement Act 2003.

1. Interested bidders may obtain further information from, inspect the bidding document, and purchase a complete set of bidding documents at the Ministry of Public Works (address (1) below) between Monday to Thursday (09:00 to 16:30 hours), and on Friday (09:00 to 15:00 hours), from Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

2. A complete set of the bidding documents, in English, may be purchased by interested bidders at address (1) below upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Three Thousand Guyana Dollars (GY$3,000.00) each. The method of payment will be cash, or by cheque payable to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works, Guyana. Electronic submission of bids will not be permitted.

3. Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders’ representatives and anyone who choose to attend at the address (2) below on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 09:00hrs. Late bids will be rejected and returned to bidders unopened Address (1) - Purchase and Inspection of Document: The Coordinator Works Services Group – Ministry of Public Works Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel: (592) 223 1847 / (592) 223 6070 E-mail: procurementwsg@gmail.com

Address (2) - Submission and Opening of Bids: The Chairman, National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, Main & Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, Guyana.

21

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Dr Ashni Singh sworn in Sash Sawh aquaculture station as Senior Minister with to be developed into model farm responsibility for finance R A

Senior Minister with responsibility for finance within the Office of the President in the person of Dr. Ashni Singh was sworn in

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday (November 5, 2020).

Dr Singh took his oath in the presence of Cabinet Ministers and other Government officials at a ceremony at the Office of the President.

President Ali explained that while the Office of the President will retain its oversight role, Dr Singh would be responsible for finance. “Dr Singh will have the responsibility for finance and will ensure that we have the full complement of skills that will advance the agenda of the Government.”

The Head of State added that Dr Singh would be part of the team to oversee the transformative agenda of

Government which includes: projects, programmes and policies to stimulate growth, expand the country’s economic base and strengthen existing sectors. He said, “We are on a road of transformation and that transformation requires a multifaceted team. I believe in every aspect of Government, at the level of Cabinet and Permanent Secretaries we have been able to match youth, experience and dynamism in a very special way to ensure that we build capacity that is needed to manage the fortunes of the future and create an environment in which all of our people will be successful.”

Dr Singh previously served as Minister of Finance, Director of Budget in the Auditor General’s Office and also held international portfolios.

President Ali noted too that Dr Singh will bring with him those values, attributes and experiences to add to the Government’s already dynamic team.

In his remarks, Dr Singh thanked President Ali, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips for making the appointment possible. “I have spent almost all of my life in public service in Guyana. And it's something that I consider a great honour. So having been invited by the President to join his Cabinet is a tremendous honour. I consider myself greatly honoured, greatly privileged. And perhaps most importantly, deeply humbled by the fact that he [President Ali] considered me for this appointment and extended the invitation to me.”

Ministry buys 100,000 treated nets to combat malaria – distribution to start soon

T

he Ministry of Health has purchased 100,000 insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), to distribute in regions with high infestation of mosquitoes, as Guyana enters the mid-November to January rainy season.

Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony said distribution will start soon. “We’ve gone out and purchased a lot of the insecticide-treated bed nets, which is an essential prevention tool because if people

use them then a mosquito would not be able to bite them. In fact, that mosquito comes close to these nets, come in contact with insecticide, then they are killed,” he assured.

ITNs are a form of personal protection which have been shown to reduce malaria illness, severe disease, and death due to malaria in regions where there is a high prevalence.

“In a short while, we will roll out that distribution. We

are working with the Ministry of Local Government, and together we will be able to get these bed nets out to the communities that need them.”

According to a UNICEF report compiled in 2014, only 7.40 per cent of insecticide-treated bed nets are used in Guyana. Insecticide-treated nets, properly used and maintained, are one of the most important malaria-preventative strategies to limit human-mosquito contact.

esources will be provided to develop the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station into a model farm that will meet the needs of the industry, according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

On Thursday (November 5, 2020), the Minister was given a guided tour of the Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara facility, which was developed to provide fingerlings and extension services to farmers. The station also conducts training and research.

Mustapha said resources will be made available to develop the station into a modern farm that can serve the aquaculture industry “because many aquaculture farmers need guidance and extension services and also need these small fingerlings and give them guidance to grow them.”

The Minister said he wants the industry to contribute to Guyana’s agriculture output and he is hoping that

the support and the farming of particular species of fish, will encourage aquaculture.

“Aquaculture farming has the potential to bring in a lot of revenue and many Caribbean countries and even North America and other places needs these kinds of fishes,” he said.

He says he plans to develop a database of all the aquaculture farmers in Guyana and meet with them to discuss the policies that the Ministry plans to implement for the industry.

Meanwhile, Fisheries Officer, Ms. Nakita Dookie, who conducted the tour, said the station also conducts visits to farms or potential farms to provide guidance on site selection, pond management and construction and species selection.

Further, it is currently researching inland species which can potentially be farmed as aquaculture species. Feed formulation and development is also being researched.

Ms. Dookie believes that if the cost of feed is reduced, farmers can increase their profitability. “Presently we have on the farm, arapaima, we have patwa that we are looking at as one of those potential species, the red and Nile tilapia and the tambaqui,” she said.

While the arapaima is currently endangered in Guyana, Ms. Dookie believes that farming the species can have a positive impact. “Moving it from an endangered and protected species to one that can be a farmed species will actually relieve the pressure in the wild. So, persons will not have the inclination to go out there and harvest the wild arapaima when it is being farmed and readily available for purchase.

I’m hoping that’s the result of that. It’s an opportunity for us to repopulate the wild with the fingerlings,” she added.

Persons who are interested in aquaculture can visit or call the station at Mon Repos on telephone number: 220 1508.

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Care packages for 21,000 Only two institutions licensed to Public must take conduct PCR tests – Anthony students returning he Ministry of Health ples,” he explained, adding precautions during T has said the Polymerase that these are all specific he Ministry of EdChain Reaction (PCR) test is laboratory processes which T ucation has said rainy season the gold standard for detect- must be observed.

21, 000 students across

T

he Guyanese public has been urged by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, to take extra precautions to safeguard themselves against diseases as the November to January seasonal rains have started.

“With regards to the water that you consume, it should be boiled to ensure it is germ-free. We also do not want anyone playing in stagnant pools of water because there again they can come into contact with various bacteria,” he said.

Minister Anthony also urges persons to be wary of vermin and insects seeking higher ground during inundation.

Additionally, the Minister is encouraging persons to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 preventative

measures. “We have been tweaking the message depending on the feedback we have been getting. I think, by and large, people know that they need to wear a mask, they need to sanitise and keep safe distancing.”

The Minister says it is particularly important for the public to observe these measures during the rainy season.

the country will benefit from care packages, which were dispatched countrywide yesterday in time for Monday’s reopening.

The distribution to schools will be done in time for Monday (November 9, 2020). The packages consist of masks, shields, sanitising products, vitamins and thermometers.

Cleaners and dormitory parents in Barima-Waini (Region One) schools will also receive packages.

In October, Minister, Hon. Priya Manickchand had announced that care packages would be provided as schools would reopen for classroom instruction for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, Carib-

bean Advanced Proficiency Examination, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students.

Additionally, the printing of school uniform voucher allowance is in progress. On September 7, 2020, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had announced that the school uniform voucher allowance would be increased from $2,000 to $4,000 per student.

ing COVID-19.

There are two institutions licensed to offer the active PCR test locally; the National Public Health Reference Laboratory and the Eureka Medical Laboratory.

The Ministry is urging the public to visit only licensed facilities.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, has said there are several criteria which must be met before an institution can be authorised to perform the test. “There are various stages of setting up this service. What is required is that the Ministry would have to send in a team to the facility to check exactly what you have, whether you have the PCR machine, if it’s working properly and whether you have the biohazard cabinets so that you can do the extraction of sam-

Another important component is ensuring that there are trained personnel to conduct the tests. “Again, this is a very specialised process, and therefore, you have to get the staff who understand how to do PCR testing,” the Health Minister said.

The Ministry has trained 30 people in this regard. It is also willing to work with any facility which has invested in equipment and is interested in offering this service.

“You can have people who are a little bit over-exuberant, and they are advertising falsely. So, people have to be aware of that.” Currently, the National Public Health Reference Laboratory can conduct 450 to 600 tests per day. Minister Anthony is hopeful that this increases to 1,200 by the end of the month.

COMMENTARY

Dishonesty of Coalition officials exposed once again

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

T

wo former Ministers in the previous APNU+AFC Coalition government, one from the PNC and one from the AFC, decided it is time again to reveal their stupidity and their dishonesty. Not surprisingly, they got properly rebuked.

In one case, the rebuke came from the lady who introduced the concept of a feral blast to most of the Guyanese people. Annette Ferguson, the same one that went to a cemetery to ask the dead to vote for David Granger and APNU+AFC during the 2020 election campaign, criticized the Minister of Education and the PPP/C Government for opening up schools and insisted the PPP/C Government should have provided children with laptops and tablets, permitting online learning.

Not to be outdone, David Patterson implied the floods during this week's massive rainfall never occurred under the PNC. These statements reflect resounding lies and desperate efforts to hide the

truth from the Guyanese people.

Annette Ferguson was quickly reminded through a feral blast from Minister Priya Manickchand that there is a good reason why exclusive online learning option is not feasible. It was the David Granger government that she was a significant part of that terminated the laptop program for children and teachers that the PPP government introduced. Had that program continued after 2015, every child would have been able to access online learning when COVID-19 forced school closure in March 2020. In any case, school closure occurred during the APNU+AFC time in Government. They closed the schools and put nothing in place to continue learning for the children. Ferguson also dishonestly ignored the fact that even if children have access to computers, the WiFi capacity in the country would not have been able to support wide-scale online learning. The poor connectivity rate in Guyana is directly related to the fact that the Guyana Government

had five years in which to liberalize the communication sector. In spite of the enabling laws in place since 2016, APNU+AFC decided to allow the GTT monopoly to continue. Within weeks of the new PPP/C Government, the liberalization occurred and within weeks since the liberalization internet connectivity is already expanding in the country.

There is another salient factor that Annette Ferguson neglected to inform the Guyanese people about the global market place is presently unable to supply needed equipment and other supplies, not only in the health sector, but also in the education sector. Laptops and tablets are not easily accessible in the global market because of the excessive demand since March 2020 when the WHO declared a COVID-19 Pandemic. Many countries have unsuccessfully tried to introduce online learning as a substitute for in-person learning. Ferguson mentioned Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Both countries are starting in-school learning, mainly

because many children are unable to access laptops and tablets. In the country with the worst COVID-19 outbreak, the USA, online learning has proven to be an inequitable option. Schools in America are reopening for in-person learning, one reason being that the lack of equipment is expanding inequity in learning experience. This does not mean that online learning has no place in overall education system and particularly in circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning is here to stay and in one form or another every educational system will have components of online learning across the learning experience from nursery to university-level education. Guyana is already part of this revolution, but online learning can and must only be a part of the learning experience. Guyana has made a bold step to reopen schools safely. But in doing so, the government has provided an option for children to stay home and benefit from online learning, where it is feasible for the family.

It was not a decision taken hastily. It was well-thought out. The new government has from the start made clear - it is not willing to surrender to COVID-19, it will not lockdown the country, it will lockdown the virus.

For David Patterson, he showed that his dishonesty knows no bounds. Flooding is not new to Guyana.

Flooding has not been absent from Guyana for the last five years. Every year, on more than one occasion, each year under APNU+AFC, flooding occurred. As recently as last May/June rainfall, there were flooding and Patterson was the Minister of Infrastructure. With over three inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, there will be floods in Guyana, a country whose coast is below sea-level. This does not mean that the floods in the city are acceptable. The Mayor and City Council for decades have been under the control of the PNC. The Mayor and City Council and Central Government must do something more to alleviate the severity of these floods.

While heavy rainfalls

above two-inches in a 24hour period will cause flooding, the quick receding of water is also possible. But the present system has to be changed or Guyana's capital city will continue to suffer from floods without any abatement. Central Government has no option at this time but to take full control of the drainage system in Georgetown. A special department in the NDIA has to be established to manage the drainage system in Georgetown.

This is not a revolutionary idea. I supported this idea when I was Minister of Health and also when I was Minister of Agriculture. The time has come for this idea to germinate. It was an idea that arose several times during the PPP's term in office between 1992 and 2015. It was an idea that was around even before 1992. Cheddi Jagan spoke of this when he was an Opposition Leader prior to 1992. In a walkabout in Meadowbrook around 2006, former President Bharat Jagdeo spoke about this.

It is time we do it, for the country's sake.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 7-8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases Caribbean, Latin America drastically affected by COVID-19 - Todd at 4,457 ‒ Deaths up to 134 T

he Ministry of Public Health disclosed that Guyana now has 4,457 con¬firmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), of which 2,342 are men and 2,115 are women.

The country’s record of deaths stands at 134. The first COVID-19 death was recoded on March 11, 2020.

To date, a total of 21,372 tests have been adminis¬tered. Additionally, there have been 3,467 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 – 757 • Region 2 – 87 • Region 3 – 346 • Region 4 – 2,114 • Region 5 – 32 • Region 6 – 78 • Region 7 – 378 • Region 8 – 139 • Region 9 – 376

• Region 10 - 150 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 cardio-

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

The incubation period for COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, but can be as long as 14 days.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well in¬formed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.

Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

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

Remdesivir approved to treat COVID

W

ith US regulators giving full approval for antiviral drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said steps have been taken to update local guidelines.

Dr. Anthony said local clinicians would examine the re-evaluated treatment protocols and upgrade the local system. “The updated version of the guidelines will reflect the latest scientific thinking. Very shortly, in the New England Journal of Medicine, when this is published, we will get the information to work with.

The US FDA, which is the regulatory body in the United States, initially granted an emergency use for remdesivir in the US, and that is how the drug began being used.”

The New England Journal of Medicine is a weekly medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is among the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals and oldest continuously published journal as well.

Previously, the Government had given approval for the use of remdesivir to treat critically ill patients after early clinical trials indicated

a quicker recovery period of COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, convalescent plasma, where the blood from someone who has recovered from an illness is used to help others recover, has not been as beneficial as studies have shown. However, Dr. Anthony explained those studies were imprecise because not everyone who recovered from COVID-19 would have had a high titer (presence) of antibodies in their blood.

The Minister said he was thankful for the studies as new information would help modify practices.

T

he Caribbean and Latin America need global support and should not be overlooked due to the devastating effect of COVID-19, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd.

The Foreign Minister was at the time delivering his virtual address to the 38th Session of Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday.

As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc, the Caribbean and Latin America are hit hardest, he said. The effects include increased poverty, inequalities and vulnerability in all forms.

Minister Todd said the issue requires prudent, but robust polices adding that it is time leaders rethink their approaches and strategies.

“The countries of the Region, including the Caribbean are in need of the flexibility necessary to accelerate finan-

cial and technical support in order to contain the spread of the disease, sustain economic activity, protect jobs and alleviate liquidity constraints. In the context of the pandemic, policies and agreements must serve as a compass to ensure that recovery strategies are in line with medium- and longterm development,” Minister Todd underscored.

The Minister pointed out that the “High-Level Event (HLE) on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and beyond” implemented earlier this year needs to be revamped. He noted that it prevents deserving countries from accessing needed assistance to overcome their vulnerabilities.

While the Region is seeking ways to address the short- and long-term effect of COVID-19, the Minister stressed that a multisectoral approach is needed to meet immediate health and emer-

gency care. A social safety net is also needed to support people whose incomes have been drastically reduced to protect the most vulnerable citizens.

“This multi-faceted approach will necessitate mitigating shock and support recovery efforts, from a crisis that may further exacerbate and expose the Region’s weaknesses, resulting in loss of the gains, of past years, in our quest towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the Minister stated.

Minister Todd reiterated the need for attention to be paid to the increased challenges faced by the Caribbean and Latin America.

Additionally, he asked that the international community, developed and developing countries, work in solidarity to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

Guyana receives US$4.3M COVID-19 mobile testing restarted third royalty payment − to boost access in vulnerable

G

uyana has received its third payment of oil and gas royalties of US$4,304,275. Confirmation of this was given by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill on Wednesday (November 4, 2020).

This sum was deposited into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) on October 20, 2002. It represents payment for Guyana’s gross oil production for the months of July

through September, taking the total so far to US$12.9 million.

The payment also adds to the over US $140 million already in the NRF. Article 15.6 of the Petroleum Agreement says royalties are estimated every month and must be transferred to the Government 30 days after each quarter.

Guyana is entitled to some five million barrels of

oil cargo this year, as part of its profit share from production at the Liza Phase 1 Development. Guyana’s first three lifts were sold to Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited.

The country is also entitled to five crude cargos for this year as part of its profit share with ExxonMobil and its joint-venture (JV) partners.

In May 2020, Guyana received its first royalty pay-

ment of US$4.9 million. This was followed by its second payment in July of some US$3,698,152.

Under the Production Sharing Agreement, Guyana receives two per cent royalty and 50 per cent profit oil, which is what remains after the producer recovers their production cost. The country is also on schedule to receive its fourth million-barrel crude lift early next month.

communities

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he Ministry of Health has restarted its COVID-19 mobile testing initiative for communities, making access for the procedure, and to health officials, much easier for citizens.

At the weekend, the mobile unit was stationed at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, where the Ministry had observed a recent spike in positive cases in Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four).

“We sent that unit into Diamond and surrounding communities. We thought it important to get a better picture of what is happening with the epidemic in these communities, and the way to know is to do more

testing in those communities,” Minister Anthony said this week.

A schedule has been drawn up for communities who need it most, and will be published once it has been finalised.

“We have also worked out a schedule where on a periodic and, ad hoc basis; we’ll be sending these units into other regions and other communities to get a sense of what is going on in these areas. So that would be an ongoing process from now on.”

Minister Anthony is encouraging Guyanese who feel they have been exposed to the disease to take full advantage of the opportunity and get tested.

More airlines eyeing Guyana route

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uyana could see an influx of new international airlines, in the near future, according to Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill.

His comments came at the installation of the new Board of Directors of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Government has started discussions with British airline, Virgin Atlantic, which had first expressed interest in the Guyana route in 2019. Minister Edghill said the ongoing talks could see the airline beginning operations soon.

Discussions are also underway between the Government and Canada-based airline West Jet; Turks and Caicos Islands’ interCaribbean Airways and Suriname-based, Fly Allways.

Major American airline JetBlue is licensed and will begin its five times weekly flights to Guyana on December 11.

“By no means, that should be a full stop. We want the world visiting Guyana and Guyana visiting the world. We want an airlink and air transportation that is

robust, accessible, predictable, reliable and affordable,” Minister Edghill told the new board of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

Minister Edghill said in three short months, since the new Government took office, much interest has been shown in Guyana by regional and international players.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Minister said the Government recently received Expressions of Interest for the building of hotels here. “The intent is that we should have at least 2,000 first class rooms so that Guyana can become a convention destination,” the Minister said.

The Ministry of Public Works has received two proposals, which were submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, expressing interest in building hotels near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri.

“I must tell you that I like what I see in those proposals,” Minister Edghill said.

He believes the new ventures augur well for the country.

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