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2 GPL’s 46.5-megawatt power generation plant set for mid-August finish

‒ PM says gov’t will not sacrifice efficiency for expediency

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, this week conducted an on-site inspection of the 46.5-megawatt power generation plant being constructed by Wärtsilä, at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Garden of Eden Power Station.

It is expected that the plant will begin its testing phase in early June 2021 and will become fully operational a few months after.

The Prime Minister said that although there was extensive work done since his last visit in October 2020, the Government understands that the project’s original date of completion would not be met. He pointed out that the main objective is to give Guyanese a quality product and indicated that efficiency will not be sacrificed for expediency.

He said, “We have to work with the contractor to ensure that what is delivered here to the people of Guyana is in keeping with the same high standard, quality and reputation that Wärtsilä has internationally… A lot of work has been done, but the work has been affected negatively by COVID-19 and the weather conditions”.

As a result, the project which was scheduled to be completed by the end of June, will now be finished in August 2021.

The Prime Minister had said that the project was a part of the Government’s plan for reliable electricity and will greatly enhance the consistency of electric power in the Demerara – Berbice Interconnected System.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Honourable Deodat Indar, who accompanied the Prime Minister, said that the new power generation facility is the biggest project in terms of single location generating capacity.

He said, “There are two parts of the project which will cause the extra delay, which are the transformers and the fuel tank, we have an alternative arrangement for fuel, because we have an existing facility here, but the plant itself will be testing during June and July… we want to make sure that when the project comes fully on stream there will be no issues, because it’s the biggest project in terms of single location generating capacity”.

Also present was Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Bharat Dindyal.

East Ruimveldt residents benefit from promised COVID support

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Tuesday (May 25, 2021) delivered some 400 hampers to the East Ruimveldt community, honouring a commitment he made to the residents to help cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister met the residents late last week, along with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, on the proposed works for the enhancement of the community. The works are intended to enhance the community ahead of Guyana’s 55th Independence Anniversary.

The Minister and his team distributed the hampers using a ticket system implemented before the distribution, and under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Speaking on the sidelines of the activity, the Minister said, “I made a commitment that I will help them with hampers. We distributed 400 tickets and this afternoon we’re on the ground to distribute 400 hampers to the 400 households that received tickets.”

From the onset of the pandemic, the PPP/C has been partnering with various stakeholders to distribute relief hampers to households nationwide. Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton has said his Ministry was able to recover over $19.2 million for employees who suffered after their employers had breached the labour laws.

Minister Hamilton made this disclosure Tuesday (May 25, 2021) during a press conference held at the Ministry’s boardroom. He said the Ministry has received about 729 complaints since the PPP/C Administration took office up to May this year. Of that number, 477 complaints were filed in 2021. These range from leave without pay, overtime, status of employment, deductions from wages and other infractions.

He said, “Complaints were investigated with a view of arriving at amicable settlement and so far, we have closed 640 of these matters and a total six charges were filed against delinquent employers for breach of the various labour legislation, and a total of six cases closed. We have been able thus far since we have arrived here, to ensure that $19.2 million gets to the pocket of workers because of the recalcitration of employers.”

Minister Hamilton urged employers to observe Guyana’s Labour Act and its Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) regulations. He said, “If you don’t want to obey the law then believe me that it will become a thing recurring because our position is that everyone must obey the law, and the law says if you have a building constructing then there are things that you must do.”

He said legal action will be taken against business owners who fail to adhere to recommendations of the Ministry’s OSH Department.

Minister Hamilton said while the Government is pro-business and encourages investments and job creation, these must be done in a manner that will ensure workers rights are protected and the country’s laws are upheld. He said, “We don’t want to shut down any site as the Government’s position is that we are open for business, and that we support all developmental programmes in this country as well as the private sector. But it must be done within the law and anytime it is not being done within the law, we will engage and hopefully, people follow the law. Once you follow, we will have less problems.”

The Ministry of Labour was re-established as a separate entity when the PPP/C returned to office in August 2020.

Education Ministry launches QuizMe Platform

‒ to prep students for upcoming NGSA examination

The Ministry of Education has launched its online QuizMe platform to provide an additional education resource for children preparing for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Minister, Priya Manickchand, introduced the platform at a ceremony held in the Smart Room of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) on Tuesday (May 25, 2021).

She said the platform is another tool the Ministry has provided to help students, in the wake of the pandemic. QuizMe provides exam quality multiple choice questions that students can practice as they prepare for the NGSA.

“This year on the NGSA particularly, is the year that Guyana has found it hardest in many respects and definitely in education. [This] is the year Guyana will, with political and the supporting financial resources, give to her students the most than any other student has ever had in the history of this country,” the Minister said.

In addition to the online programme, students are also benefitting from a consolidated curriculum through the NGSA booster programme and other resources, to ensure their success. She said, “NGSA students this year, in 2021, are receiving all the text books, all the past papers, all the worksheets, all the resources, notes, things they never got before in any other year.”

The Education Ministry has also collaborated with the two main internet service providers to ensure that students are able to access the websites.

Meanwhile, Head of the Ministry’s Information System, Mr. Phil Mingo said the team decided to re-assess the usefulness of the quiz platform which was developed back in 2014, to determine whether it could respond to the challenges faced by students, teachers and parents during COVID. He said the programme can work on any device and is also designed t0 help students who are visually impaired.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson said he is pleased that the Ministry has been able to provide another means to help NGSA students succeed. He said, “I am indeed happy that our students have been given different avenues to do well at the NGSA. They’ve been given different avenues so what we’ve seen here today is just another method as to how we can improve their performance in terms of the results that we will see.”

The facility is expected to be enhanced with the necessary resources to reach the needs of students at all levels in the school system.

The link can be accessed here: https://education.gov.gy/

quizme/

– President on Guyana’s territorial integrity

Guyana’s strength as a united nation was hailed by President Dr Irfaan Ali as being quintessential to the defense of our nation’s territorial integrity.

In his address to the nation on Tuesday (May 25, 2021) to march the occasion of Guyana’s 55th Independence anniversary, he said, “We hold out not a fist of war but a hand of friendship, based on respect for our borders and theirs. But we will not be cowered, nor will we be bullied. My Fellow Guyanese, it is not only in relation to protecting our territorial integrity that we must stand as one nation.

“…we cannot recall the moment of Guyana’s Independence without also remembering the efforts of Venezuela to prevent it. As we released ourselves from the colonial cord of Britain, the Venezuelan government sought to stifle our birth by falsely laying claim to twothirds of our country. They have spent the last fifty-five years of the Independence of all of Guyana pursuing this claim—but international law is not silent.”

Ali noted that the International Court of Justice is the forum where the voice of international law will be heard, and justice will be determined. He said, As one people, with one united voice, and a spirit that will not be broken, we will advance the validity of the 122-year-old award that fixed our boundaries. In our continuing struggle, we are not without friends. We deeply appreciate all those who have stood by our side - from the Caribbean, from the Commonwealth, from the Americas and beyond.”

The Head of State stressed that Guyana’s desire in to live peacefully and in cooperation with its neighbours. “The Venezuelans must understand that we sought no quarrel with them, and we do not do so now. Our only wish is to live in harmony and cooperation with all our neighbours,” he said.

PRIORITY

In September 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali made clear that a resolution of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case, which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is a priority of the PPP/C government

He reminded that it was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government in 2014 that had put an end to the interminable ‘good offices’ dialogue with Venezuela, after “it had become, for them, a strategy of prolonging contention rather than of seeking solution.”

The Guyanese Head of State contended that there is no policy more sacred than those relating to the country’s border for his Administration. “As Guyanese, all of us stood with the previous Administration in defence of Guyana’s patrimony. For us, Guyana’s territorial integrity is never a matter for domestic division; it is always a matter for national cohesion,” he said.

Ali added that Guyana must be loyal to the enduring vision of the country being truly “One Nation” and indivisible. “Therefore, the PPP/C gave full support to the former Administration when, as initiated by us, they submitted the Venezuela contention to the International Court of Justice. We shall not descend. The sovereignty of our State, the integrity of our territory – both land and sea – is a sacred trust. We must defend, and we will do so in collaboration with our partners and allies,” he noted.

ICJ CASE

The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) held public hearings on the question of the Court’s jurisdiction in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) on June 30, 2020.

The ICJ has fixed a time limit of March 8, 2022, for the submission of Guyana’s Memorial on the merits of the case and March 8, 2023, for the submission by Venezuela of its Counter-Memorial.

Guyana is seeking to obtain from the Court a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Guyana took its case to the Court following the decision by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the International Court of Justice. In taking his decision, the Secretary-General was exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.

Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the Court, that the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Guyana’s lawsuit. On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings. On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction. However, under well-established judicial precedent, the Court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s claims, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

MOVE TO COURT

Under the United Nations Charter and the Court’s own rules, its final judgments both on jurisdiction and the merits will be legally binding on Guyana and Venezuela, whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

Efforts over more than half-a-century, including a four-year Mixed Commission (1966-1970), a twelve-year moratorium (1970-1982), a seven-year process of consultations on a means of settlement (1983-1990), and a twenty-seven-year Good Offices Process under the UN Secretary-General’s authority (1990-2017), all failed to end the border controversy.

The move to the ICJ was advanced there was no success with a further attempt, using the United Nations’ Good Offices process, to resolve the matter of Venezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo County. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in 2015, charged that the signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement rendered the 1899 Arbitral Award null and void.

On 30 January 2018, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, acting under the authority bestowed upon him by the Geneva Agreement, chose adjudication by the Court as the means for resolving the controversy with finality. Guyana commenced proceedings before the Court on 29 March 2018 in accordance with the Secretary-General’s decision.

Guyana’s legal representatives before the Court includes the efforts of Sir Shridath Ramphal.

$25M well at Oronoque to improve potable water supply

Residents of Oronoque community, Matarkai sub-district (Barima-Waini Region) would soon benefit from improved water services following the completion of a new well and pipeline connections valued about $25 million.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal made this announcement during a two-day outreach in the sub-Region recently. He was accompanied by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall and regional officials.

The Minister told residents this intervention would expand the water system and allow 200 more households to receive potable water. He said, “Right now, you are receiving what we call rationing water hence the intention is; we are attempting to have this done properly within a month so that we will be interconnecting Two Miles, Oronoque system because the reason for the drilling of that well at Two Miles is to expand the water network from One to Four Miles.”

Earlier this year, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) began to drill a new well in the Two Miles community following the installation of about six kilometres of pipelines to provide potable water to those residents. Minister Croal said this plan, had been delayed due to a power surge that damaged one of the motors.

Croal said, “We had the motor replaced, but we are putting some additional current system to protect the system when there are surges like this at Two Miles to prevent similar incidences.”

The Ministry’s 2021 work programme for water will also see the establishment of wells in Baramita and Arakaka which the Minister said will be completed within a short time via the deployment of a rig.

“This rig is owned by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and so when that comes, we will be drilling another well for Citrus Grove and Port Kaituma to completely remove you from accessing water from the river here,” the Minister said.

The drilling of those wells will start this year. Accordingly, Minister Croal said by the first quarter of 2022, these works would allow the system to be connected to the electrical system as opposed to the motor system. This will reduce the Region’s dependence on the Port Kaituma River as a source of water.

Croal said, “Within a few months, from Four Miles to Citrus Grove should receive increased water pressure and of course, it will be connected to your generating system that is Port Kaituma Power and Light Incorporated (PKPL) which will mean that guarantees that you (Citrus Grove) will have 23 -hours of pumping water.”

At Eclipse Falls village, Minister Croal committed to providing pipes within the next three weeks through GWI for the water distribution network. These works, he said, can start with the assistance of the residents, who have agreed to provide labour.

Meanwhile, both Ministers encouraged the residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help Guyana achieve herd immunity. About 2, 392 persons from the Matarkai sub-Region have vaccinated to date. Earlier this month, both Ministers visited the Moruca sub-district, where they called on residents to take the vaccine to protect themselves.

EDITORIAL We are stronger together

The face of colonialism was division – division of the people in countries under the control of colonial masters.

If Guyana is to move forward as a progressive nation, together, then the advance forward must be made with the recognition that Guyana is stronger that the things that divide the Guyanese people.

Independence and the reflection around independence must take account of the struggles of all those who fought for it. This includes the progressive policies that the 1950 group (the PPP and its leaders) started to enact – because they wanted to change the lives of the Guyanese people for the better.

Undoubtedly, the scars of colonialism are still visible in Guyanese society and doing better over the next decades years will depend on recognizing this fact and taking steps to address it.

In brief, Janet Jagan on her writings about Independence, had explained that Guyana's history shows that the very beginning of the recognition of the need to be independent of Britain began with the formation of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950. The concept of a struggle to free British Guiana of colonialism probably had its origin in Cheddi Jagan's studies, while a student in the USA, of the writings of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. At that time, India was on a course aimed at complete independence from British rule. The struggle inspired many in the British, Dutch, French, Belgium and other colonies in all parts of the world to follow suit.

As early as 1945 Cheddi Jagan, in .an article wrote that: “It therefore behooves the working class people to get control of government through their Constitutional ballots in our forthcoming election, with a view towards complete independence."

In November 1946, the Political Affairs Committee was established, a landmark decision, as its goal was the establishment of a political party that could unite all forces in the anti-colonial struggle. The four founder members, Cheddi Jagan, Ashton Chase, H. J. M. Hubbard and myself were all in the trade union movement and realised the need to have a larger, vision of how the problems of the working class could be solved. The larger issue of exploitation- the whole colonial system - had to be dealt with if the task of uplifting the living standards of workers was to be achieved.

And after the PPP was founded, in its first Manifesto, the Party declared: "The People's Progressive Party recognising that the final abolition of exploitation and oppression, of economic crises and unemployinent and wars will only be achieved by the socialist reorganisation of society, pledges itself to the task of winning a free and independent Guiana... a society in which security, plenty, peace and freedom shall be the heritage of all."

Thus began the struggle in, the then British Guiana for independence.

Shortly after the formation of the People's Progressive Party in January 1950, the Party launched a campaign calling for constitutional changes to bring the country to self-determination, as set out in the Atlantic Charter, in favour of the rights of the Guyanese people to form their own constitution by the election of a constituent assembly. It called for universal adult suffrage, a fully elected single chamber parliament and a ministerial system with the Governor as a titular head of state with no veto powers. The PPP agitated for this countrywide, laying before the Governor thousands of signatures on petitions, to be sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

As a people we must learn from the lessons of history as we move forward. We must examine our economic history, our political history, and our institutional history to be better positioned for greater prosperity. This is quintessential if we are going to make progress in the future, as a cohesive nation.

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, on this matter had said: “We believe that, as Guyanese, we have more in common than those things that divide us – regardless of the robust debates that we have, regardless of the numerous encounters that we have….we are all children of the soil. We all share this history and our history, regardless of our race, did not start when we came to this land – it is the entire history of Guyana….that common history binds us. The pride we share when we travel abroad to talk of our country, regardless of who is in power, is common to all of us. We believe that this blood tie that binds us is stronger that the heated political divisions we have that may find very robust expressions.”

As we mark our 55th anniversary as an independent nation, all our people must be mindful of the fact that we are stronger than the things that divide us; we are stronger together.

GECOM must act decisively on Lowenfield et al

Dear Editor,

Iam a son of this soil and a tax paying Guyanese who keeps abreast with the political, economic and social developments in this country.

And we are almost a year into the PPP's term in office and there is one question that I am dying to know.

Why is the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and the embattled Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo still on the job or employed by GECOM? And why is it “okay” with the powers that be at GECOM to have this stateof-affairs continue into oblivion? These officials cost us many sleepless nights and delayed our Elections results and tried to derail our democracy. These individuals preyed on our innocence and the fact that we put our collective trust in GECOM to get the results right the first time and declare them.

Is it a hard task to dismiss or fire them? Is it not wise to point out all the breaches which they committed and severe ties with them? Help me to understand how these individuals are able to hold our electoral system at ransom and keep us in political Gridlock.

Well, GECOM will have to find a way out of the hole that it is in so that we can hold our local government Elections and general elections too. I don’t think the PPP would go to another election with those persons at the helm regardless of what GECOM or APNU+AFC says. I don’t think the people of this country would stand for it!

I want to urge the commission and the Secretariat to part ways with these individuals who caused the people to think ‘Guyana is not a real place or country” because of how it is handling these crimes.

Do it for the good of our democracy. Do it for Guyana’s independence.

Sincerely, Attiya Baksh

Appropriate changes must be operationalised at GECOM

Dear Editor,

The constitutional mandate of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) engenders that the institution must, at all times, be fully prepared to hold free and fair elections. Local Government Elections (LGEs) is due this year. The lack of a definitive position from GECOM on the LGEs certainly threatens our national development thrust, and further undermines the revered democratic principles on which we stand for national, regional and global recognition.

The evolved circumstance, whereby our citizens are required to petition this call, informs troubling concerns regarding GECOM’s commitment and delivery of its constitutional role. This is given the negative impact that GECOM’s failure to uphold this essential democratic pillar obtains. Indeed, the LGEs serve to sustain a key countercheck mechanism on community development at the municipal, community, and village levels. Similar to those elected to determine national policies in leading our country for defined periods, it is paramount that leaders at these levels also be brought to a decisive review point, held accountable by the citizens they serve for delivery of essential services, and in ensuring parallel development in partnership with the national plans.

It is of significant note that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic team has regained the confidence of the Guyanese people, with the astute leadership of His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali, General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Brigadier (retd) Mark Phillips at the helm. Their exceptionally hard-working cadre of cabinet members has quickly demonstrated collective policy approaches that have poised Guyana for swift development at the national level. No agency or political system must be allowed to suppress these positive developments for biased individual, sentimental, secular, or otherwise power-driven aggrandisement.

We must therefore ensure a harmonised approach for the optimised delivery to citizens at the various levels, in which no community must be left behind in receiving the optimised resultant benefits as our economy thrives. Essential to this ideal is the key purpose of the LGEs, and one that GECOM is expected to recognise, support, and demonstrate in its expected timely assertion over the execution of this central role.

Editor, our nation’s greatest asset is our children, and they are now setting the pace in this part of the world. Amid the threatening COVID-19 pandemic, their development prioritisation to become our future leaders at every level is recognized, and now strongly supported by our new PPPC Government. In this respect, the revolutionised approach of the Government’s education delivery support is much admired, given the roll-out of the non-discriminatory scholarship programmes available to every child from every community or background. As for the PPP/C Government scholarship programme, mere words cannot adequately describe the success. So let us pause to congratulate our children/ students who are a revelation in education, what this Government maintains is not a privilege, but a must.

Notwithstanding the positive success stories of the Government at the national level, it is imperative for the Local Government mechanism in the urban/rural communities via the municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic, and Village Councils to become bigger success stories as they work in partnership to advance essential community agenda. Stronger communities would naturally lead to better leadership at the grass roots levels, and this movement must not be suppressed by moves to deter the mechanism for its necessary review and advancement. Hence, we must have regular LGEs so that we will have more disciplined and trained persons at the local levels. In this framework, Electoral Reform is a necessity for development at all levels.

Given the lethargy now evident in GECOM, the PPP/C and civil society must work towards the swift advancement of all the necessary electoral reforms. Resistance to the necessary interventions in this regard is heavily justified at the national and international levels. In particular, the revamping of GECOM. GECOM cannot continue with the overwhelming evidence of thievery related to election fraud by key staff in the Secretariat. All those that are before the Courts for fraud must be sent home immediately.

Of note is the resistance being put up by oppositionist PNC elements and their surrogates, who have sought to ethnicise their rejections to improvements in transparency and fair practices targeted in these reforms. In context, the recent launch of the “Labour for Electoral Reform” committee, led by GLU General Secretary Carvil Duncan and its Secretary, the GAWU General Secretary Aslim Singh, is indeed admirable, given their representation of a wide conglomeration of workers’ support for these necessary reforms. The stifling of our democracy must never be supported. Kudos to Labour for Electoral Reform!

(Turn to page 5)

Sound management of Guyana’s natural resources demonstrated by PPP/C gov’t

Dear Editor,

Recently, Guyanese citizens filed the first constitutional climate case in the Caribbean to challenge fossil fuel production on the grounds that it exacerbates global warming and threatens human rights. The case, before Guyana’s constitutional court, claims that Guyana’s approval of a massive, ExxonMobil-led oil and gas buildout off the country’s coast violates the Government’s legal duty to protect the rights to a healthy environment, sustainable development, and the rights of future generations, claiming the case reflects a growing concern within Guyana regarding the risks oil extraction poses on a national, regional, and international level. However, it is ironic that some Guyanese citizens will go this far to prevent development in their own country.

What bothers me is Guyana passed an Environmental Protection Act in June 1996. The Government of Guyana now uses this as the regulatory instrument to implement environmental policy and to promote environmental management which is integral to sustainable development. This Act establishes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the institution with the mandate for coordinating environmental management and provides for the management, conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, the prevention or control of pollution and the assessment of the impacts of economic development activities on the environment.

Aiming to advance sustainable economic growth in Guyana while preserving the country’s vast natural capital, UN Environment, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, had presented the Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 to Guyana in May 2019.

The objective of this comprehensive policy was to reorient and diversify the Caribbean nation’s economy, reducing its reliance on resource-intensive sectors. It was also aiming to open new sustainable income and investment opportunities in green sectors with higher added value, while promoting equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities to all Guyanese citizens.

The Strategy was the platform from which Guyana can start its transition to a diversified and inclusive economy, transforming itself into a ‘green state’ and serve as an inspiration to other countries in the region and worldwide.

The world has come to realise that climate change is a grim, relentless reality. There is no avoidance. Hardly a day passes that we do not see the adverse impact of climate change. It was great for us to be ahead of the game, we have challenges with our coastal zone management, El Nino, droughts and floods.

And we have industries which are now starting to have an impact on air quality and water quality. The Development Strategy sets out multiple strategic actions to strengthen fiscal and monetary policy; sustainably manage land resources; increase economic competitiveness and resilience; build resilient infrastructure; move towards renewable energy; improve trade, investment and international cooperation; and foster a healthy, educated and socially cohesive population.

The national development policy reflected then, outlined guiding vision and principles of the ‘green agenda’ – an inclusive and prosperous Guyana that provides a good quality life for all its citizens based on sound education and social protection, low-carbon and resilient development, providing new economic opportunities, justice and political empowerment. It is evident now that PPP/C Government has a sound management of Guyana’s natural resources, which is essential to the country’s global leadership in relation to climate change and sustainable development. The country has significant potential in the conservation of forests, which cover 87 per cent of its territory.

The Government of Guyana uses the knowledge the UN Environment as the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment has worked with governments, the private sector, civil society and with other UN entities and international organisations across the world. With that being said, with reference to decision making, strategies, policies and plans.

The EPA created various mechanisms for action with respect to environmental management. The environmental monitoring capability of the EPA has been enhanced through the establishment of a laboratory facility to undertake monitoring of various chemical parameters and to determine their environmental effects.

This was established through a private sector donation. Guyana has recognised that environmental management is a multi-disciplinary task. In this regard, the EPA carries out its task through linkages with sectoral natural resource agencies and the involvement of stakeholders and other interest groups, with several projects aiming to strengthen the technical and organisational capability of the agency that had also assisted in the legal and regulatory framework in environment and natural resources management. Under these projects, the PPP/C Government had strengthened the environmental management capacity of selected sectoral agencies, Ministries and Local Governments with significant environmental management responsibilities.

In this regard, initial work had begun with the mining and forestry sectors with a Memoranda of Understanding already being signed.

It is widely established that sustainable development cannot be achieved without an integrated approach which involves the public and private sectors and other groups.

No one is about the law

Dear Editor,

Iread in the daily news that Police Service Commission Chairman Paul Slowe and others will face the music for their part in defrauding the State of millions of dollars.

I, as a member of the public, feel this is a step in the right direction, and the authorities should prosecute them to their full power, if they are indeed guilty.

These men ought to have known that the PPP was keeping a close eye on the Government because stories were told (some factual and credible) about their roles in questionable dealings in the Force even though they retired some years ago, especially during the days when Guyana was under the siege of the APNU+AFC dictatorship right up until this present administration. No one is above the law.

I am watching. The public is watching.

Regards, Baldeo Mathura

Appropriate changes...

(From page 4)

Critically, the Commission at GECOM must be cognisant of its leading role and functions within the limitations of its granted autonomy to be prepared to hold LGEs this year. Our Nation must not be held to ransom by fraudsters. We understand that there must be consultations and thorough discussions on the way forward. In addition, the rational parameters point to a need for international oversight and guidance of optional considerations in the process.

GECOM’s immediate agenda must be the purging of all the thieves and the preparation of the Register of all registrants. Adequate and appropriate changes must be operationalised to ensure that a smooth process takes place in the elections. None of the naysayers must be allowed to dictate the rigging process.

Guyana is on the rise, and our people must understand the world is looking at us, and we must transparently do things. Come on, Madam Chairwoman, do not permit the suppression of our children and emerging young leaders. Objectivity demands that you ensure the holding of LGEs this year is on the agenda.

Sincerely, David Adams

Building economically-strong, powerful nation

Dear Editor,

On the 55th Anniversary of our Independence, I honour and respect the theme, “Building an economically strong and powerful nation”. IT is a fit and proper way to herald our Independence, as it ushers in a sense of pride and purpose for us all as a nation, that we can now stand on the path of a great and new tomorrow. As an independent people, we boldly pursue our goal of economic freedom and development.

Now our Government have set the tone for development, in that they have taken the lead in that process with sound visionary leadership. We have our goal in sight, it is now left to us as a people to get on board to make that dream a reality. There is no doubt that we are in good hands as we forge ahead together. Team PPP/C, together with the people of this great fledgling nation, we can, we must, we will reach for success as the emerging Third World powerhouse.

The call is also made for unity as we move forward together. A land of six peoples with the greatest possibilities for social cohesion to showcase to the region and the wider world on a whole a nation of peoples working together in peaceful harmony and progressive unity. Together we can make it happen.

Finally, as we continuously move forward, we must not forget those who sought to divide us, those who stood up against our hard-fought democracy, and are still belligerent about it. We will not forget those few who set up a diabolical plot to steal our democracy and our ability to choose who governs us. We will not forget those who stood in the path of freedom, peace and progress. We remember those five long months of nerve-wracking agony, waiting to finally see the dawn of a new day. We welcome this new-found freedom with open arms.

Therefore, as responsible citizens, we call for justice to be served. We would like those so stained in the putrid mire of electoral fraud to be rooted out of mainstream society, never to raise the ugly head again.

We are calling on the justice system to ensure that justice is served swiftly and condignly, as we separate ourselves from such demonic forces. Long live an independent Guyana!

Online learning a catalyst for tertiary education equity and opportunities in Guyana (Part 1)

Dear Editor,

Major world events are often an inflection point for rapid innovation and social changes. Just reflect on a few events, such as for example, the change from agrarian economy forged by the industrial revolution; the post-911 world-wide travel restrictions and bans; and the rise of e-commerce post-200203 SARS outbreak and the picture should become clear. Now the COVID-19 outbreak sees similar transformations taking place due to its impacts on individuals, communities and nations. One transformation in this prolonged COVID-19 applies to education with the sudden, but necessary, shift towards, and increasing growth of online or e-learning. One thing that has been clear through this pandemic thus far, is the importance of disseminating information and knowledge across all levels of society, institutions, companies, and borders. To such ends, online learning technology has begun to play a vital role, and many institutions and governments are exploring ways of cashing-in on its full potential.

The COVID-19 pandemic has, in reality, closed many sectors of the global economy. Isolation and social distance precaution meant that schools and other educational institutions have had to shut down entirely while contemplating and designing or adapting new forms of imparting knowledge. The education sectors and related institutions have since adapted, refocused and recast educational opportunities afforded the masses. To such ends, many governments and institutions have begun adopting and or strengthening online/distance mode of delivering classes.

The primary objective of distance education is to create educational opportunities for the under-represented and for those without access to a traditional educational institution. Online learning, as part of distance education, like other forms of education, should equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to transform them into innovative and efficient individuals, with the capacity for a sustainable future.

Distance education is simply a teaching-learning experience where the student and teacher are physically separated. It utilizes any of or a combination of technologies, including correspondence, audio, video, computer, and the Internet. Today’s version of distance education is online education or e-learning, which uses computers and the Internet as the delivery mechanism. Online learning can potentially be the catalyst to create a new, more effective method of educating students. The informed view holds that e-learning will become part of the ‘new normal’ as learners experience the benefits first-hand.

It is ‘flexible learning’ with environments for learning that have the following characteristics: convergence of open and distance learning methods, media and classroom strategies; learner-centered philosophy; recognition of diversity in learning styles and learners’ needs; recognition of the importance of equity in curriculum and pedagogy; use of a variety of learning resources and media; and recognition of diversity in learning styles and learners’ needs that foster lifelong learning habits and skills in learners. Flexible learning provides learners with increased choice, convenience, and personalization, ie, choices about where, when, and how learning occurs. Not many people have the opportunity to take time off from work to commit to a full-time university program, and others often travel for work. For those who still need to juggle working and going back to school, the flexibility of an online program provides them with the opportunity to learn while still working and growing professionally. That flexibility allows for more easily balance work, life, and school.

Distance learning, which traditionally had focused on nontraditional students, such as full-time workers, military personnel, and nonresidents or individuals in remote regions who are unable to attend classroom lectures, has broadened in scope to include traditional students and academic disciplines. While a precise figure for the international enrollment in distance learning is unavailable, the enrollment at two of the largest public universities that heavily utilize distance learning methods gives some indication. For eg, in the early 21st century the Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi, had an enrollment in excess of 1.5 million students, while the China Central Radio and TV University in Beijing, had more than 500,000 students. In 2018, there were over 6.9 million students enrolled in distance education at degree granting institutions in the U.S. This number reflected an increase from more than 5.6 million university students in the Autumn of 2009, and up from 1.6 million in 2002.

Globally, enrollments in higher education have been growing faster than any other level of education. The drivers behind the fast growth of online learning are varied and include increased barriers, such as, familial obligations, financial, geographic, to attending a traditional university, increasing accessibility, advances in communication technologies, increasing student demand for online flexible learning, institutional need to maintain a competitive offering of diverse learning platforms, and positive financial gains to institutions and students. Further, from 1995 to 2014, enrollments have grown in primary education by 9.5 percent, in secondary education by 34.3 percent, and in higher education by a whopping 60.9 percent. Such increases also reflected the millennium education goals which focused on increasing enrollments in primary education and gender equality. Meanwhile, the boundaries between conventional higher education and distance education appear to be blurring. This reflects a common theme across many countries, i.e, the strong student-demand for more flexibility because an increasing number of students want more convenient and accessible education offerings.

Despite centuries between the first correspondence/distance learning course and today’s flexible online/e-learning format, and the numerous changes and innovations that have occurred, three characteristic qualities of distance education remain to this day: first, distance education is just as good, valid, and high-quality as in person./traditional learning; second, earning potential increases for anyone who takes a course/program of study; and third, distance education is scalable to give access to students everywhere.

THE ROLE OF GOAL IN THE EDUCATION VALUE ADDED CHAIN

In this rapidly changing world, governments and higher education institutions have an obligation to respond to social needs of the economy. Experience has shown that tertiary institutions which are committed continuous improvement in the quality of their services provide the best services to the community. The objective of creating educational opportunities for the under-represented and for those without access to a traditional higher educational institution gave birth to the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). To such ends, it aims to provide services which would add to the higher education value chain. However, unlike what has been occurring in Guyana and elsewhere in the world in recent months, GOAL was established not as a reaction to the shutting down of the education system, but in fact, resulted from and reflected the transformative vision and leadership of the President and his government in fulfilling the promise of creating and expanding educational opportunities for all Guyanese across the length and breadth of Guyana by providing 20,000 online scholarships. Establishing a national online education institution is not only a bold initiative, but may also be the first such undertaking by a government, today. This initiative ushers a new era of higher education in Guyana, or what I consider to be a higher education revolution that promises to transform the teaching-learning landscape from a classroom-based event to an online-flexible-distance mode of imparting knowledge.

However, GOAL is not set up as a tertiary institution to offer courses and programs of study; it functions as an intermediary, broker or clearing house with student support services. While GOAL may evolve into a full-fledged academic institution in the future, its current mandate under the auspices of the Ministry of Education is to research educational institutions worldwide that provide internationally recognized and accredited programs and courses relevant to both, the actual and perceived needs of the Guyanese economy; to negotiate price deals with these institutions; and to facilitate and connect Guyanese interested in pursuing the identified courses and programs. It is also geared-up to offer advice and support on matters pertaining to student and academic affairs with the objective of guiding students on the path to successful completion of their courses/ programs. Put differently, the activities of GOAL will contribute to the education value chain in delivering an educational service to self-directed learners.

It is estimated that about 20 percent, or roughly 170,000 Guyanese live in hinterland regions and remote parts of Guyana. About 90,000 are Indigenous peoples. These indigenous peoples today, comprise nine distinct cultural groups, each predominating in particular geographical areas, particularly, Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9 with small numbers in the other regions. Until the 1970s, travelling to even the least remote communities was slow and hazardous.

There are more than 250 indigenous villages, each with its own peculiarities and issues, generally located in remote dense rain-forested mountains, and hills, or in savannah regions, and serviced by many rivers. The social and economic conditions of the indigenous peoples are characterized by poverty, marginalization and inequality. For eg while there are variances across and within regions world-wide, indigenous women are generally among the poorest of the poor, and they are also more likely to be illiterate. These people have also been affected by traditional social protection systems due to various challenges, such as for eg, increasing levels of pover-

7 Prime Minister, Agri Minister pledge gov’t support to flooded Black Bush farmers

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips has made clear that the Government is committed to assisting farmers in Yakusari, Johanna, Mibicuri and Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, whose livelihoods have been severely affected by flooding.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, braved the rains on Wednesday (May 26, 2021) to visit farmers in the East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) communities.

“The Government, myself, Minister Mustapha and all the other Ministers, we are committed to working to ease the suffering of the people during this time. This is a difficult time for all of us, so we have to work together. We hear that it will take a while for the water to come off the land, and we also heard that more rain is coming. We have to work together on this issue, this too shall pass, it will take a while, people will suffer, but it will pass,” the Prime Minister said.

The rice, cash-crop and livestock farmers have experienced tremendous losses.

However, the Prime Minister said their plight is not isolated, as other parts of the country are also experiencing similar challenges, and are receiving support. He said, “This is an unusual rainy season that all of us are experiencing, not only in this area, but throughout Guyana – Region Ten, Region Nine. I was in Region Nine only Saturday and they are flooded too. Mahaicony, Region One, all the areas, Region Two, Pomeroon, all the areas have been experiencing severe flooding at this time.”

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha assured farmers that steps have already been taken to ensure a quick as possible runoff of the accumulated water. He said, ‘The last time I came I said the machine should be here to do all the back ways. So, if the back way was done, I think that will help a little. The machine left here yesterday to take out a pump on the road and will be back here later on today, so that machine will remain in the area. We understand also that water is coming from the back and we told them to close all the intakes. I ask the Regional Chairman, to take out the wire rope and the regulators, so water would not come in the housing area. What we have is the pump working, so as soon as the sluice closes, the pump will [work].”

The Minister said the high intensity rainfall over the last 24 hours measured approximately 2 ½ inches. He said the rain, along with the drainage system could see the water taking longer than usual to subside. Minister Mustapha assured residents, however, that everything will be done to ease their hardships. “We are here to do that, we brought up two more pumps from Georgetown to boost the system in the area also. So, we are putting all these mechanisms in place to drain,” he said.

The Minister also noted the Government will continue to provide food and sanitation hampers to persons affected by the floods.

Along with Region Six, communities in Regions One, Two, Three, Seven, Nine and Ten have been under water due to heavy rainfall. The Civil Defence Commission, under the direction of the Office of the Prime Minister, has been assessing floods across the country and rendering assistance.

CDC provides hampers for Region 10 communities affected by flooding

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) handed over a quantity of cleaning hampers to the Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10) regional authority for communities affected by flooding.

After conducting assessments, hampers were given to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for Silvertown/Silver City, and to the Community Development Councils of Three Friends, and Coomacka.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has dug several drains to help alleviate flooding in that community. Additionally, a large tube has been installed under the roadway to help with water recession. Older tubes that have incurred damage are currently being repaired.

Assessments will subsequently be done in Malali, Muritaro, Watooka and Nottinghampshire.

The CDC will continue to monitor those areas and provide relief hampers where needed, while working in tandem with the Regional and community authorities.

Region Nine welcomes CDC assistance

as more floods loom ‒ over 300 households affected

Over 300 households and hundreds of acres of farmlands have been affected by the recent seasonal flooding in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Lieutenant Colonel, Kester Craig, who led a team to the Region to provide emergency aid, advised residents to avoid the floodwaters.

The CDC delivered 4,300 hampers; 2000 sanitation hampers and 2,300 food hampers to the Region, in addition to organising emergency shelters for residents, who were forced to abandon their homes.

Lt. Col. Craig noted that the flash flood was caused by heavy rainfall and the overtopping of the Rupununi River. Flood waters are currently receding in Central and South Rupununi, but in the South Pakaraima, Toshao of Karasabai, Mr. Marlon Edwards is fearful of a possible flood. “What happens during… is that Karasabai becomes an island. We would be surrounded by very high water and it is very difficult for us to traverse, for us to go to Lethem, for us to go to Georgetown. So, we would be stuck here for the meanwhile,” he said.

Lt. Col. Craig said another flood is likely and advised there must be a collaborative effort to examine ways to mitigate its impact. “I think it is unsustainable to continue to be responding every time to incidents. So, I think we need to talk about

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how we reduce the risk. We would have worked with this entire Region to develop a risk profile that outlined some of the high-risk areas and I will share that risk profile document with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority,” he said.

Meanwhile, four buildings have collapsed in Sand Creek, Awarewaunau, Shea and Aishalton.

At Sand Creek, 114 households were affected and there have been cases of persons suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.

Toshao of Shea, Mr. Jason Kaikan said the building that came crashing down was used as a garage for the village’s tractor. The structure collapsed killing several sheep. “Seven sheep have been killed; four belong to the school and two belong to the villagers and one also belong to one of them teachers. Twelve sheep were rescued and they are safe now.”

Many villages depend heavily on subsistence farming, planting mostly cassava, papaya and plantains.

Toshao of Aishalton, Mr. Michael Thomas said the flood has caused many cassava tubers to rot, forcing villagers to harvest prematurely. “We are working closely with the Region also to address these issues but it would be grateful if you can intervene immediately in supporting our farmers with the farine pans and the barrels for faster processing of their cassava,” Mr. Thomas said.

Meanwhile, the CDC has established a men’s and women’s shelters in Lethem, which have been equipped with cots and personal hygiene hampers for 36 persons.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has also converted the Culvert City Nursery, Arapaima Primary and Tabatinga Sports Complex into shelters. Five persons are currently housed at the Tabatinga Sports Complex.

The regional authorities will be assisting with meals, while the CDC has equipped the facility with the necessary amenities.

Lt. Col. Craig said the shelters would be observing the gazetted COVID-19 safety measures. ty, weakening commitments to social obligations, increasing inequality, as well as climate change and technology. For most indigenous peoples, poverty does not only reflect lack of monetary resources, it involves access to land, culture, medicine, food, education and safety. Given these multiple negative circumstances, it should come as no surprise that Indigenous adolescents who aspire to study at tertiary institutions would like to live in Georgetown or in another country. In essence, young indigenous peoples see no end to their plight and therefore would prefer to abandon their villages, and to some extent, families, in search of a life that meets their aspirations and expectations.

It would not be too farfetched to envisage the same kind of thinking among other young Guyanese populations living in remote or riverain areas, such as for example, those along the banks of Bonasika Creek, Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers, the upper reaches of the Pomeroon River, remote parts of Hogg Island, other nearby islands and other places that lack modern amenities.

Meanwhile, there have been shifts in populations from the Coastal Belt of Guyana to the hinterland regions. Large-scale logging and mining operations, whether through employment opportunities or the lure of gold, have encouraged mixed-population villages in and around these sites. This shift has increased the number of people in remote parts of Guyana who may lack opportunities for higher education.

Mitigating the challenges facing indigenous peoples and other ethnic groups that scratch their living in remote and riverain areas requires new approaches and concomitant investment in essential skills-development and capacity building, complemented by gap-bridging measures, such as for eg, specialized business education and vocational programs and include awareness-raising information dissemination.

In light of the challenges posed by distance, remoteness and access to many villages in hinterland Guyana, and the villagers’ lack of, or inability to access to higher education, the online-distance education scholarships promise to redress some of these structural inequality and other barriers and deliver equitable education opportunities to people in these remote villages, and indeed all across Guyana. However, while the scholarship funds would remove the financial barrier to tertiary education, at least over the next five years, other barriers. such as, the lack of internet and related communication technologies, may still be cause for concern. As a way out, GOAL is gearing up to piggy-back on available or existing internet and communication technologies platforms/infrastructures across the country. In the absence of such facilities, it plans to establish or collaborate, or both, with the private and public sector entities to put platforms/infrastructures in place to facilitate online learners. This is part of the wider objective of establishing study centers in each of the 10 administrative regions to facilitate and support online learners. These study centers, equipped with internet and its related technologies, would allow learners to download their reading/study materials, and subsequently upload their assignments as required/ dictated by the respective academic institutions. This first year, 2021, 4,500 Guyanese learners are expected to pursue vocational and academic courses and programs across the spectrum from certificate to master’s degree levels. Some doctoral programs are expected to be offered in subsequent years.

Sincerely, Ronald Singh [LLM, MS, Deputy Director (Student Affairs), Guyana Online Academy of Learning]

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Honourable Prime Minister, Madam Chancellor of the Judiciary, Former Presidents, Ministers of Government, Heads of Service, Members of the Diplomatic Community, Members of Parliament, Distinguished Men and Women in Uniform, Members of the Media.

It gives me great honour and privilege, and indeed, it is a humbling time for me, to stand before you, to stand before the people of this beautiful country, Guyana, and address you on the occasion of our 55th Independence Anniversary. Perhaps it is fitting before I move forward to observe the environment in which we are—an environment that straddles time. We have the Appeal Court, an important symbol of democracy and the rule of law, we have our great Amerindian Heritage, we have our commitment to conservation, we have the old Pegasus and as you look beyond that you will see a feature of what the new and modern Guyana would be like with the new construction. And just in front of where I stand is the Marriot Hotel. Fifty five years captured around our very surrounding. My brothers and sisters of Guyana, just a few hours from now is the 55th anniversary of our people’s collective struggle for Independence.

We hold this annual celebration to remind ourselves that our one nation has a joint history of oppression, of subjugation and of exploitation.

We celebrate because a great victory was achieved by our foreparents, acting together to end colonialism, to fashion our own future, and to shape our own destiny.

No one race of our people achieved that victory.

People of all races did it collectively, as Guyanese born in this land and of this land, each the equal of the other, and each devoted to the common purpose of making of Guyana, a homeland in which all Guyanese could thrive and prosper.

Now, it falls to us to keep faith with them and all the great Guyanese of the past.

To do so, we must recall the spirit of common purpose that motivated them.

And in recalling that spirit, with pride and respect, we must commit to continue the journey they began, realising our hopes and aspirations for the future of our much-loved Guyana.

My brothers and sisters, we cannot recall the moment of Guyana’s Independence without also remembering the efforts of Venezuela to prevent it.

As we released ourselves from the colonial cord of Britain, the Venezuelan government sought to stifle our birth by falsely laying claim to two-thirds of our country.

They have spent the last fifty-five years of the Independence of all of Guyana pursuing this claim—but international law is not silent.

The International Court of Justice is the forum where the voice of international law will be heard, and justice will be determined.

As one people, with one united voice, and a spirit that will not be broken, we will advance the validity of the 122-year-old award that fixed our boundaries.

In our continuing struggle, we are not without friends. We deeply appreciate all those who have stood by our side - from the Caribbean, from the Commonwealth, from the Americas and beyond.

The Venezuelans must understand that we sought no quarrel with them, and we do not do so now.

Our only wish is to live in harmony and cooperation with all our neighbours.

We hold out not a fist of war but a hand of friendship, based on respect for our borders and theirs.

But we will not be cowered, nor will we be bullied.

My Fellow Guyanese, it is not only in relation to protecting our territorial integrity that we must stand as one nation.

Like every other country in the world, we are fighting an unseen, but ever-present enemy in the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 16000 of our people have been infected with the dreadful coronavirus and, sadly, more than 360 of them have died.

We mourn those deaths and sympathise with the families who have lost loved ones.

I plead with all to help stop these deaths; stop the tears of anguish; stop the grief.

Your government has instituted measures to try to protect every person in Guyana, particularly our elderly and the vulnerable.

However, the active participation of all is required to deploy the protective measures of masks, physical distancing, hand-washing and using sanitisers.

Already, 20 percent of our people have been vaccinated.

This is a significant accomplishment in a world where less than one percent of people in the developing countries have access to vaccines, and where recent World Health Organisation studies suggest that more than six million people have died globally.

We have already purchased thousands of vaccines, and we are sparing no expense in ensuring that we have enough vaccines to cover our full population 18 and above.

Our objective is to ensure that we can inoculate everyone from this dreadful virus.

The length of this battle depends on how soon each of us is fully vaccinated, liberating ourselves to return to a high level of normal life, and protecting others from infection.

In the past, we have immunised generations of our people from measles, mumps, typhoid, polio, yellow fever, meningitis, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases, proving that vaccination saves lives— vaccination saves lives. My brothers and sisters please let us get vaccinated, let us take each other and get vaccination, so that we can return to normalcy as fast as possible.

I urge that we all recognise the value to our own lives, to the lives of our family and friends, to our livelihoods and to the betterment of our country by vaccinating to defeat the coronavirus, as we have defeated so many others in the past.

My brothers and sisters, while much of our health resources have been devoted to fighting the harmful effects of COVID-19, I assure you that our intention is to deliver the highest international standard of health care for every citizen of our country.

There is already considerable private sector enthusiasm for investing in modern hospitals, fully equipped with the latest technology.

Your government will partner with these private sector initiatives, to give to all Guyanese the high-quality medical care that each of you deserve.

What we are putting in place in medical care, we are also doing in education.

Guyana and Guyanese must be assured of educational facilities that will allow everyone to attain the highest standard of achievement.

Since your Government came to office nine months ago, we have commenced the programme to award 20,000 scholarships to young men and women, to further their education.

We did not make an empty promise; we kept it.

As we intend to keep all our promises to the people of Guyana.

Free University education will be delivered, and schools’ infrastructure will be improved to provide a conducive environment for learning.

Guyana must become a knowledge-based society, capable of competing with the best in the world.

My fellow Guyanese, our manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors have been affected in the past by the high price of energy.

Our private sector partners have rightly pointed to the adverse effects of this high price to the cost of doing business and to their capacity to market their goods abroad competitively, earning revenues in foreign exchange for the benefit of the country.

Your government will respond to this situation.

We cannot be a nation that produces oil and gas, earning considerable sums from it without passing on the benefits to all sectors of our society.

The cost of electricity must be reduced for both business and household consumption.

Therefore, Government is carefully considering mechanisms by which the cost of energy can be reduced across our society by utilising an appropriate percentage of our national earnings from oil and gas to do so.

These mechanisms will be presented to the nation, through the appropriate bodies, for endorsement.

At the bottom line, domestic consumers must be given relief and businesses should be rendered more competitive.

Our financial resources must be utilised to improve the quality of life for all our communities.

We fought for Independence to give our people the quality of life of which they had been deprived.

If Independence is to have any real meaning, it is to uplift our people from the ravages and limitations of the past, and to give them a better life with better opportunities under better circumstances.

My brothers and sisters, everyone should be aware of the considerable work upon which the Government has already embarked in relation to building infrastructure throughout our country.

Our objective is to build connectivity to all parts of Guyana, by roads, bridges, telecommunications, air and river transportation.

Every part of our vast country should be accessible to all Guyanese so that we can all enjoy the marvels of its attractions in waterfalls, lakes, forests, and its flora and fauna.

We also need to build new communities further inland from our coastal belt to spread our population, reduce prices for land and housing, and cease traffic congestion.

In other words, we must use the land space with which we have been blessed as Guyanese to create new and improved living conditions. New area of growth and development and new population centres.

That is why, apart from the infrastructure build-out upon which we are embarked, we will also establish a new city.

Government will incentivise the private sector and persons wishing to own their own homes to locate in the new city where government will also provide major facilities.

My fellow Guyanese, I have said it before, and I repeat it now.

This is an exciting time, with exciting prospects.

Every person in our society now has real economic opportunities to grow and develop, and to contribute to the enlargement of our national wealth.

I urge each of you to dream big.

Your government will support those dreams and help make them reality.

We are on the cusp of being an economically strong Guyana, with opportunities for growth and development of all Guyanese.

This is a cause to which I am personally and deeply committed.

It is why I have been travelling this country from the start of my presidency, listening to individuals, to communities, to groups of all kinds, and acting on what I see and what I hear.

We want not only an economically strong Guyana, we also want a powerful Guyanese nation in which there is no distinction of race, no determination by colour, no differentiation by creed.

Let there be no doubt about it – just as we were divided and ruled in our colonial past, there are those who would divide us for their own purpose in the future.

That must not happen. We must never allow that to happen.

Earlier this month was “Arrival Day”; ahead of us is “Emancipation Day”.

We all celebrate these occasions together as integral parts of the rich tapestry that makes us uniquely Guyanese.

We are all proud of our ancestral heritage – as we should be.

Our ancestors suffered greatly so that we could inherit this land in freedom.

Let us make them proud that their children belong to this new country built on their blood, sweat and tears, and on their creativity, their ingenuity and their recogni-

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Address by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of Guyana’s 55th Independence Anniversary

Diaspora support key in building a new Guyana

Dr Irfaan Ali assured overseas-based Guyanese, over the weekend, that his Government remains committed to Diaspora engagements and is vigorously pursuing policies and plans to ensure that they are integrally involved in the process.

The Head of State made this assertion during his address to the inaugural Virtual Diaspora Conference which was held under the theme ‘A New Era of Engagement for the Guyanese Diaspora’.

More than 500 overseas-based Guyanese participated in the three-hour-long discussion.

The President told the gathering that it is essential to have a two-way communication process to ensure the viability and longevity of the proposed plans and opportunities available in the country. He said, “We would like feedback on how we can ensure that not only the Diaspora Unit but the entire strategy is developed in a way that makes it sustainable, workable; ensuring that the plan and outputs can be realised. And this is critical for me because we have to get this right from the start.”

In emphasising the importance of the Diaspora in helping to build a better Guyana, the President referred to their pro-democratic stance in the 2020 elections and remittance support over the years. “Your role in securing our democratic values, your role in securing the rule of law cannot go understated. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you sincerely for your interest, your time, your dedication, and your commitment. Indeed, during very difficult times, it is remittances and the contribution of the Diaspora that saw many Guyanese breaking the barriers of extreme poverty. It is the remittances of Guyanese in the Diaspora that contributed significantly to the eradication of many social problems. It is your commitment over the years that have helped us during many difficult times,” the President stated.

He charged the Diaspora to use their influence, finances and expertise to help develop the country and the lives of their fellow Guyanese. Ali said, “As we navigate into the future, we would like the hands of the Diaspora to be a key element in the new Guyana that will bring with it great opportunities, great prosperity…. The unification and coming together of the Guyanese people is paramount to the prosperity we will achieve.”

PILLARS AND PRINCIPLES OF DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT

The President pointed to five important pillars of the Diaspora: influence, investment, information, identity, and integration. He said that “in each of these pillars, we have seen how important the Diaspora can be.”

He added that the forum and the Diaspora Unit provide a platform to integrate the Diaspora and link the ‘powerful asset’ that they represent with the development pathway of the country. It also provided the platform to separate the real information from the misinformation.

The Head of State noted that the Diaspora Unit and the way it supports development and integration must further be founded on the principles of coordination, participation and facilitation.

He pointed to the response of the Diaspora following the eruption of the volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines as a perfect example of how the output of the three principles led to a positive outcome.

Ali said, “And at its very early stage, we are seeing the impact of the unit in facilitating, coordinating and participating with St Vincent and the Grenadines in dealing with the aftermath of the volcano. Guyana indeed has a Diaspora in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Diaspora Unit from a very early stage…was able to engage and connect with the Guyanese community and the leadership of that country.” tance of democratic values— which he said will be guarded vigorously. As important, will be the rule of law and the active involvement and participation of Guyanese.

He said, “What we want to achieve is not only prosperity for the people in an economic and monetary way, but for us to leave lasting prosperity. We have to have social development and advancement, political development and advancement and indeed, economic advancement and development.”

In this regard, he acknowledged that key areas need to and will be addressed, including access to healthcare, education, security, infrastructure, and access to affordable and reliable energy.

He said, “We’re talking about world-class education and health systems for all Guyanese, and included in that too are plans and a strategy for investment that would see healthcare services for members of the Diaspora too…”

The Head of State revealed that work has already commenced on a comprehensive strategy to address security, as this is an important factor in the Diaspora’s decision-making process.

MORE THAN OIL AND GAS

President Ali urged those present to move away from the misguided notion and “narrow narrative” of where Guyana is heading and realise that the excitement is not only about oil and gas. He elaborated on several innovative and transformative plans ahead in key areas, including agriculture, the environment and eco-tourism.

He said, “Yes, oil and gas will give us a massive push, but we are planning, much, much bigger than oil and gas. We are planning to be the leader, regionally, in food sustainability and agricultural production. And we have an entire strategy. We have recently assumed once again the leadership on agriculture in the region.”

He pointed to the Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture. The goal, he explained, is for Guyana to become not only a full supplier of our own food but a net exporter regionally. President Ali said that he is confident that the Government will provide the incentives to support this drive.

Environmental leadership is another important aspect of the Government’s agenda moving forward and, the President disclosed that the Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is already engaging not only Norway, but many other multilateral development partners in pursuit of this goal.

Additionally, the President stressed the importance of making informed decisions that match the country’s development agenda. An example of such is the idea of moving the support services for oil and gas to Guyana and not wanting to open up the necessary lands along the Demerara River to create opportunities for those investments.

PURSUING DEVELOPMENT GOALS

He guaranteed that his PPP/C Government will pursue the creation of 50,000 jobs, as it committed to in its manifesto, the provision of 50,000 house lots, the facilitation of foreign direct investment, the provision of 20,000 scholarships and having a competitive oil and gas support infrastructure in Guyana to provide employment.

“We are in pursuit of these goals. And they’re not fly-by-night objectives of the Government. We campaigned on these. We asked the Guyanese people to support us on this, on these projects and this vision, and we have a responsibility to execute,” he said.

He pointed to the importance of the Diaspora in also taking advantage of the opportunities ahead and encouraged them to participate in the process as the future of Guyana depends on their skills, experience and their investment.

Ali said, “Importantly, these attributes must be driven by a vision and ideas, and today gives us an opportunity to engage in that vision and those ideas that will fuel the future of Guyana.”

After the keynote address, President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo fielded questions from the participants in several areas, including access to education, agriculture, the natural resources sector and women’s empowerment.

ACCESS TO EDUCATION

When asked about the systems that will be put in place to address the unemployment of youths and school drop-outs, President Ali explained that the Government is developing a system to harness the best potential of each individual. This system, he said, will focus on the expansion of technical and vocational education that will be integrated into the secondary school system.

“What we are doing now is developing community learning facilities. And these community facilities are linked to the programmes of Government. So in the housing programme now we have many of these young persons who are trained in block making, not only trained but also given seed capital to start up the operations from a community level,” he said.

Vice President Jagdeo added that the Government is opening up several service-type opportunities. In addition, it is co-sponsoring the training of young people and has introduced apprenticeship programmes through the heavily-invested Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The Vice President pointed out that as it relates to the Diaspora getting involved in the education sector, the Government has already incentivised investments into the private education system by removing corporate tax on education at every level—this it achieved within the first 30 days of assuming office.

POLITICS AND PROFESSIONALISM

In answering a question about job security for skilled members of the Diaspora, who are interested in taking up positions in the Government, President Ali emphasised that professionals and public servants have nothing to worry about or fear.

“Professionals and true public servants, you have nothing to fear; but there is a line between professional and political, and I have made it very clear we have to make choices. If you are a politician, don’t hide it under being a public servant. If you are a politician and you pursue that route, then you must understand that you are pursuing a political career,” he said.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

In addressing women’s empowerment, President Ali stressed that the Government takes responsibility for the removal of barriers in society that inhibits the participation of women and girls very seriously. He said, “We started to change legislatively, the role of women and girls in policymaking, in decision making and in Government. We have seen over the years greater and greater participation at every level, at the level of policy or level of management in the private sector itself, and now the universities.”

One of the participants also raised the issue of the availability of lands to members of the Diaspora who meet the criteria. He stressed that the allocation and sale of lands will be market-driven. “The land will be available, but it is not going to be free land in those areas. It will be closer to market price because we use resources from the sale of those lands to cross-subsidise low-income housing, middle-income housing, and so on,” President Ali said.

The President made clear that the prosperity of Guyana remains his government’s priority. He said, “Giving Guyana that opportunity to become competitive, giving the people of Guyana the opportunity to get world-class services, giving Guyana the opportunity to get world-class infrastructure. That is the stage that we’re concentrating on at this moment.”