Weekend Mirror 14-15 August, 2021

‘Be assured we are ready’ 14-15 August, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 85 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

Ali on Local Government Elections…

PAGE 3

PAGE 8

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo terminated Coalition MPs argue ‘Christian values’ to block PPP/C effort to address discrimination PAGE 11

Guyanese must not allow PNC/APNU/AFC to influence another missed opportunity – Teixeira

‒ House Majority vote clears way for PAGE 12-13 strengthening of democratic institutions, more

SEE INSIDE

US$436M in Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund PAGE 21

Gov’t reduces freight charges to further cushion effects of COVID PAGE 14 Joint PAGE 23 Committee examining way to keep children save from COVID

2

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Delivery for Guyanese: Quality Education for All…

Ali on Local Government Elections…

GOAL announces 6,000 scholarship awards T

he award of scholarships handed out by government through the Guyana Online Academy for Learning (GOAL) were announced this week, via detailed publications in the local daily newspapers.

Of the 6,000 awardees 69% are females, while 31% are males.

These awardees will be able to pursue academic studies in 110 disciplines at five international universities, namely: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India; JAIN “deemed to be” University, India; University of West

Indies (Open Campus); University of Southern Caribbean (Trinidad) and International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Germany.

The 20,000 GOAL scholarship programme was conceptualized by President Dr. Irfaan Ali as part of his commitment to invest in human development through academic advancement.

The list of awardees can be found on the GOAL’s Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/GuyanaOnlineAcademyofLearning Of the 6,000 scholarships awarded this year,

1,645 students will be enrolled at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India; 2,909 students will study at JAIN “Deemed-to-be’ University, India; 217 scholarships to students desirous of pursuing programmes at the University of Southern Caribbean (USC) Trinidad; 176 applicants were qualified to study at the International University of Applied Sciences (IU) in Germany, while 173 students were awarded academic scholarships at the University of the West Indies Open Campus in Barbados and 880 stu-

NOTICE

Tw o-w eek ex t ens ion f or compliance w it h COVID or der

A

s a result of representations made by various stakeholders to my office on sections of the COVID- 19 Emergency Measures (No. 20) issued on the 29th July 2021, the stakeholders represented to me that healthcare workers, public transport operators, and conductors require additional time to comply with the Order.

I have examined the request and wish to announce that healthcare workers, public transport operators and conductors will be given two weeks to comply with the Order.

I wish to reiterate that the Government of Guyana has secured enough

vaccines for the adult population. Guyanese have a choice of first and second dose AstraZeneca or SinoPharm and first dose Sputnik V. Additionally, the Pfizer vaccine for our children will soon be available.

I wish to reiterate that the vaccines are safe, effective and if you are fully vaccinated, it will reduce your chances of infection, hospitalization and death.

Please protect yourself, your family and your community. Please get vaccinated.

Frank C.S. Anthony, MD, MPH. Minister of Health

‘Be assured we are ready’ T

dents will study vocational programmes at UWI as well.

Meanwhile, 1,436 applicants, who only have Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects were awarded sixmonth scholarships at JAIN “deemed-to-be” University.

Upon successful completion of this programme, these applicants will be qualified for admissions into bachelor’s degree programmes in Business and Commerce.

The most sought-after programmes in which scholarships were awarded included the following: Certificate in Food and Nutrition (570), Certificate

3

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

and Motorcycle Service and Repair (134), Bachelor’s degrees in Special Education (179), Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership and Management for Head Teachers (152) and Master’s degrees in: Psychology (205), Public Policy & Administration (205), Logistics and Chain Supply Management (93), Engineering Management (75) and Health Management (118).

The Ministers of Education (MoE) and Public Service (MoPS) have overall responsibility for the GOAL initiative and the Ministers credited the significant and overwhelming application responses to countrywide outreaches to promote the GOAL online programme.

GOAL team could not have processed 48% of the applications due to applicants’ failure to fill out mandatory information and submit copies of their qualifications as directed on the Application Forms.

As a result, only 7,619 of the 14,699 applications were vetted during the verification process – a key phase that determines the candidates’ eligibility to the universities of their choice.

Out of the 7,619 – 1,617 did not have the relevant qualifications required for the three options they applied for.

A review of the guyanaonline.org portal that facilitated online submissions revealed that 5,946

applicants registered but did not submit their forms, while approximately 900 applications received were duplicates.

Of the 7,619 applications received, an estimated 2,000 did not include the applicants’ Regions of residence, while approximately 1,100 did not include any email address, and another 700 did not provide any telephone contact information.

However, the GOAL team was able to assist many applicants with creating email addresses, thus enabling a notable number of incomplete applications to be processed.

Currently, the GOAL team is engaging with the awardees to facilitate a seamless registration process with their respective Universities. Classes for the vocational, professional, and educational (CPE) programmes offered by the University of the West Indies (Open Campus) have commenced. The start dates for the other institutions’ semesters will be announced shortly.

“We have Programme Managers assigned to each University that will provide ongoing support to the awardees as they navigate their way through the ODL,” stated Professor Jacob Opadeyi, GOAL’s Director.

The rollout application process for 2022 will be announced shortly.

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration will be depending on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to advise on its readiness for Local Government Elections, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Addressing the matter at a news conference on August 2, 2021, he said, “Let me be very clear that the PPP/Civic government welcomes local government election; we have made the necessary budgetary provisions in the budget to facilitate local government elections. However, it is the role of the Guyana Elections Commission to be in a position to run these elections.

It is the Guyana Elections Commission that must advise on its readiness. “…be assured we are ready. We are supportive of local government election with a transparent election machinery with professionals in place to conduct those elections so that we don't experience what we did just a year ago.”

In 2020, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the Government would host the LGE once GECOM can operate in an impartial manner in which the population can have confidence. “I will not override anyone’s right to vote…I am not getting into Local Government Elections now. What we have to do is to fix what is there first and we have to ensure that we have a system that is working, and a system that people trust, and a professional system, and a system that operates in an unbiased manner so that the people of our country can have confidence,” Ali had said.

Further, Vice President Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had also expressed the Government’s readiness to host the LGE once the “criminal elements” attached to GECOM were removed.

Notably, the controversial trio at GECOM – Keith Lowenfield, Roxanne Myers and Clairmont Mingo – were on Thursday (August 12, 2021) dismissed. The posts of Chief Elections Officer, Deputy Chief Elec-

tions Officer and Returning Officer for Region 4 are now vacant and are expected to be filled.

‘IMMINENTLY POSSIBLE’ Meanwhile, GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, when asked on Thursday (August 12, 2021) about Local Government Elections, said, “As I have always maintained, the holding of Local Government Elec-

out of their schedules to go and vote on Elections Day, who take time out of their schedules to ensure that their names are on a list, who take time out of their schedules to ensure that their destiny is determined by casting their vote and participating in the electoral process.”

He added, “…it is my hope that that my colleagues, as well, on the Commission will see the

“Let me be very clear that the PPP/Civic government welcomes local government election; we have made the necessary budgetary provisions in the budget to facilitate local government elections…. be assured we are ready.”

– President, Dr. Irfaan Ali tions within the statutorily defined timeline is imminently possible. I still maintain that there are still a few months to go….I believe that if the Guyana Elections Commission is serious about holding Local Government Elections as contemplated, we can put our shoulders to the wheel to ensure that these vacancies are filled in a timely manner and the necessary preparations for the holding of Elections are done. “…we are reminded that that stakeholders in this process are not only the political parties; the stakeholders are all those people who participate – who take time

urgent need to have this done for us to be compliant with the laws, to carry out our mandates as specified in the Constitution and get the work done…unfortunately, we have seen, sometimes, the tardiness that characterizes the operation of GECOM. I hope in this instances we see the need to get this done and get it done quickly.”

A total of $1.1B has been set aside for Local Government Elections 2021.

2018 LGE The last LGE was last held on November 12, 2018.

At those Elections, the results showed the Peo-

ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has almost doubled the margin of votes it and APNU and AFC combined – moving from about 24,000 at the 2016 Local Government Elections to over 45,000 at the 2018 Local Government Elections.

The difference of votes between the PPP/C and the AFC was a whopping 113,000 votes, while, between the PPP/C and the APNU, the difference of votes was over 50,000.

Results also show that the PPP/C won in 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) and tied five others at the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE).

The wins were secured in the face of gerrymandering efforts by the Coalition Government, via the creation of new LAAs, as well as reduction and merger of several constituencies in areas previously won by

the PPP/C – making it more advantageous for APNU to contest in these areas.

Notwithstanding this, the PPP/C increased its win from 48 LAAs in 2016 to 52 LAAs in 2018 Local Government Elections.

In the 10 towns the PPP/C, secured big wins in five of Guyana’s 10 towns: winning all the seats in Anna Regina, Rose Hall (12 of 16 seats), Corriverton (14 of the 16 seats), Lethem (6 of the 10 seats) and Mabaruma (eight of the 12 seats).

The Party was successful in taking control of the Town Councils in Lethem and Mabaruma from the APNU+AFC Coalition, despite the use of state resources (monies spent on chartered flights, distribution of sports gears, bicycles, etc.) by the Government to campaign in these areas in an effort to maintain control of the Town Councils.

In Georgetown, the PPP/C made significant inroads, securing a total of seven seats on the Town Council – up from two seats.

At the 2016 LGE, the Party secured two seats based on the PR votes. This year, the Party, not only doubled its PR votes, coping four seats, but also won three of the 15 Constituencies in Georgetown – bringing the total to seven.

In Bartica, the PPP/C increased its votes by over 60 per cent, when compared to 2016 numbers.

At the 2016 LGE the vote totals showed: PPP – 699; APNU+AFC – 1,954. This year, the vote totals show: PPP/C – 1,144; APNU – 1,443; and AFC – 470. The Party was successful in moving its vote totals closer to the numbers secured by APNU. In Linden and New Amsterdam the Party secured more seats than it did at the 2016 Local Government Elections.

In Mahdia, the newly created town, the Party secured over 20 per cent of the PR votes cast on Monday (November 12, 2018) and secured one seat on the Town Council.

In the 70 NDCs, the Party was successful in not only holding on to its support base, but also saw an increase in votes in areas that were seen as the traditional support bases of parties like the APNU.

4

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

EDITORIAL

Resist Coalition’s anti-development campaign

Get vaccinated today!

T

I

he APNU+AFC Coalition has embarked on an anti-national campaign, even as it persists in its narrative that the PPP/C Administration is an ‘installed’ and ‘illegitimate’ government – despite the clear win at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

And this campaign is evidenced by the actions and comments by the Coalition’s surrogates at most every level.

In the National Assembly what is taking place has been described by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, as filibustering – where the Coalition works to delay, as much as possible, the completion of the PPP/C’s legislative agenda. This was seen as recent as this week. A sitting of the House that commenced at 10:00hours on Monday, August 9th, ended on Tuesday, August 10th, at 4:00hours. And still there were four bills that were on the agenda for debate and passage, but were not completed.

In the Health Sector, Guyanese also saw the hypocrisy from APNU+AFC Coalition when one of its Parliamentarians and Head of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald, engaged in a rant to dissuade Guyanese from being vaccinated against COVID-19. This rant continues to be peddled by other Coalition reps. Notably, Health Care workers from the Maternal & Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH), on March 17, 2021, administered COVID-19 vaccines to Members of Parliament, according to a National Assembly press statement.

In the Education Sector, in July 2021, McDonald posted on her Facebook page that: “Head teachers, you were trained as an EDUCATOR not an Accounts Clerk! Distribution of cash to students/ pupils is not your responsibility!” This was in light of the fact that teachers are being asked to assist with, among other things, identifying parents of students from their schools if the need arises and general logistic operations.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, rapped McDonald for her comment. She had said: “It is bizarre to me that any person or political party or any of their affiliates would object to Guyana’s families being assisted with $19,000 per child,” Manickchand stated on her Facebook page. But then it was bizarre too that Guyana was forced to wait 5 months after our election to have a legitimate Govt. The APNU/AFC just doesn’t do anything sensible, logical or lawful.”

These are three major areas – the legislature and the health and education sectors – of government work and delivery of good and services to the Guyanese people. So why adopt an anti-national position?

Further, in the past week also, Guyanese saw a shameless display from David Hinds, while he was addressing a small group of protestors at Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

David Hinds, during that action, said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C) government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

Evident in all these actions is the race card – described as the “only tool” left to play by the APNU+AFC Coalition camp. The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which is the majority partner in the Coalition, has played on ethnic insecurities of our people since the 1960s. The race card has always been the ‘ace in the pocket’, which PNC/ APNU/AFC has flashed to keep their supporters in line.

This is how they sustained the elite cabal for five years and sustained the illusion of uplifting the wellbeing and welfare of Afro-Guyanese.

Recognizing what is taking place, the obvious trend seen when actions of the Coalition are viewed together, is the first step to resist their anti-national actions.

Guyanese deserve better and, now, for the first time after five years real change is being delivered to all our people, across the length and breadth of this country. And this is what a government is elected to do – deliver on its manifesto promises and advance the progress and prosperity of a nation and its people.

Dear Editor, n 2020, I wrote, “any rational examination will lead to the conclusion that we cannot avoid COVID-19 infections and deaths and those most vulnerable should take as many precautions as affordable” (published on 20.5.20).

Today, all Guyanese have access to COVID-19 vaccines, made available by the Government at no cost to the recipient. This is as affordable as it gets, and yet many are hesitating or are outright refusing to get inoculated.

The hesitant and intransigent are now feeling pressured because of new Government regulations requiring proof of vaccination for entry into Government buildings, recreation and dining facilities, etc. The country has become a battlefield between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, and the politicians have entered the fray to add to the already confusing landscape.

There must be a better way to assist the undecided, the uninformed, and even the intransigent than to force the vaccine down their throats. We can begin with understanding their hesitancy, and providing helpful information to overcome it.

In Guyana, we have Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinopharm readily available. A small quantity of Moderna was donated and utilised also.

The Russian COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, uses a weakened virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response.

The Oxford AstraZeneca is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to contain genetic material shared by the coronavirus – although it can’t cause the illness. Once injected, it teaches the body’s immune system how to fight the real virus. Sinopharm is an inactivated virus vaccine. This means it’s made from viral particles produced in a lab, which are then inactivated so they can’t infect you with COVID-19. The vaccine is mixed with an adjuvant, which is a substance added to vaccines to stimulate a stronger immune response. The Sinopharm vaccine contains many proteins the immune system can respond to, stimulating the production of antibodies to fight COVID-19. Many other vaccines use similar platforms, including injectable polio, Hepatitis A, and flu vaccines.

Editor, above is the technical information, but there are other reasons for persons to inoculate against the virus. A refusal to vaccinate puts your own life at risk, which is a choice that a person should enjoy in a free society. However, refusal also puts the lives of others at risk. Our children are experiencing truncated childhoods, unable to attend school for over a year, valuable periods of socialisation lost forever; soon they will return to classrooms, and the onus is upon responsible adults to ensure that we minimise the risk they encounter.

Teachers who refuse to inoculate are not part of the solution, but are creating a problem where none should

exist. It is a teacher’s right to refuse vaccination, but it is the responsibility of the authorities to put the welfare of our children first. Other professions exist for teachers who refuse to inoculate, and the same applies to all professions.

Coretta McDonald of the Guyana Teacher’s Union is organising a protest against the possible mandatory vaccination of teachers, and in her voice note to members, she ended with the following words: “Remember, wear your masks. Wear them correctly every time you have to go out there.

Wear them, and if you have to be in large crowds, ensure that you sanitize, you wash your hands, you wash when you get home, you take every single necessary precaution when you get home from these events”, this is the advice of a fully vaccinated person to unvaccinated teachers; it is vile advice from a heartless place.

I have survived COVID-19 (without fuss) being inoculated with Sputnik V (both doses). I look forward to returning to normalcy, real freedom from masks, endless bouts of sanitizers, and meaningless temperature checks and curfews. All of these curtails to our life can cease to exist when Guyana gets to a higher percentage of inoculation.

Get vaccinated today! Let’s get our lives back on track and our children back into schools safely.

Sincerely, Robin Singh, COVID-19 survivor

If you care about protecting our children, you will get vaccinated Dear Editor,

N

ow is the time for ‘lovers of children’ to prove that concerns for the young ones are not just a talking matter, it is about acting on their behalf. So, this insensitive and immature move from the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) must be condemned for stating that the body “… will neither advise against nor enforce the inoculation of teachers…”

This is not about whether or not the Guyana President has the right to call on teachers to get vaccinated versus free choice in the taking of the vaccine; it is about moral rectitude and ethics. The overriding issue at hand is the well-being of the nation’s children. Their lives have already been set back, and teachers of all people must lead the way in their ‘going back to school.’

No one would dispute that children need to recover their lives, and the COVID-19 vaccine is a key step towards that recovery. I recall that UNICEF was

behind the Royal Thai Government’s decision to vaccinate 600,000 teachers nationwide before schools reopen. The reason is simple, as “…it is a critical and timely step, allowing them to teach in person, keep schools open and ensure learning continuity.”

I mean, it is simple logic at work here. If health workers and high-risk groups were prioritised for vaccination worldwide, so that more safety was extended to all, including teachers and social workers, then we are to continue in this mode and ensure the safety and well-being of children and their families.

At the medical level, it makes even more sense that teachers be vaccinated. According to President Irfaan Ali, and he is right on track, “…vaccines inoculate everyone against this dreaded deadly virus, all of us should be troubled by those who refuse to be vaccinated.

The unvaccinated are now as deadly as the virus itself, for they are not only susceptible to infection, they will carry it…

the Government has a responsibility to defend the health of all. It would be almost fatal and quite a shame if students were to have live, face-to-face sessions with their teachers. Indeed, “We cannot expose children to unvaccinated teachers,” the President intoned.

True, vaccination for teachers might remain open to debate, but teachers, by nature and training, know better than to place personal issues, political agenda and selfishness above children’s welfare.

Maybe in Guyana here we made a mistake in not prioritising teachers as frontline workers, as indeed they are.

Chile pre-empted confusion and hesitancy, as in its programmes of vaccination, teachers, in order to prepare for the return to classes, were inoculated.

We cannot keep postponing school resumption. I call on our teachers to lead the way.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

5

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Accountability to the people must be the order of the day Dear Editor,

T

he PPP/C Government under the astute leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali brought back life, with a vision and genuine unity as progress continues nationwide. The first Anniversary did not bring pomp and celebration. However, it cannot be denied that the PPP/C Ministers and Members of Parliament along with grassroots supports on the ground - that is the Regional and Neighborhood

Democrats Councilors – are very visible in the communities. The PPP/C under the dynamic leadership of General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is certainly strengthening themselves among the masses, as they are delivering and providing for our people of all walks of life.

The PPP/C leaders are on the ground and even the COVID- 19 effects and the flood cannot prevent our leaders from walking the walk with our people.

In contrast, the PNCR’s legacy is one of

Opportunity to transform our electricity sector must be capitalised on Dear Editor,

I

write in regard to the Amalia Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) which the Government of Guyana is looking to revive. Over the years I have paid close attention to the project and with its revival on the way, I write with much enthusiasm.

I strongly believe that the AFHP is the way to go and I commend the Government for looking in its direction once again.

With the advent of climate change, we can all agree that it is time for countries to do more so as to mitigate the effects which it may have on the earth. One of the things that were taught to us in school is that countries should try to implement strategies that would help them to become carbon neutral to save the environment. However, we see many countries lacking in this regard. Nevertheless, Guyana is presented with a great opportunity where it can transform its electricity sector into becoming much closer to an emission free status. This opportunity is through the AFHP. If memory serves me right, it was in 2016 when the Government of Guyana and

the Government of Norway commissioned a study by Norconsult AS to carry out an initial analysis on the project. The study was objective and based solely on facts and the results reflected same. One of the things that the study concluded was the fact that the electricity sector in Guyana could be significantly changed for the better if its hydropower potential is developed. The fastest way for that potential to be developed was noted as the AFHP which would see Guyanese benefitting in the long run.

With this in mind, I believe that with Guyana being projected to grow significantly in the coming years due to its oil reserves, the AFHP would see even greater economic growth for the country. This would obviously propel Guyana further on the world stage which would in turn allow for drawbacks including more foreign direct investments and economic development.

Our leaders appear to be focusing in the right direction by putting the much needed emphasis on the hydropower project.

Coming back to the study by Norconsult, the findings also showed that the project would not have much negative

not accounting to this nation is their track record. Ten years and no Auditor General report and two years without any budget and a wasteful spending spree.

The PPP/C success over the first year in Office is commendable. The PPP/C has ensured that it worked to deliver and remained accountable to the Guyanese people for the promises that were made.

The Health Ministry thorough approach to the coronavirus pandemic has been most comprehensive. The Infectious Diseases Hospital is now fully operational, while the Regional Hospitals and the Health Centers are offering quality services to our people. The PPP/C caring Government is in the process to provide the necessary COVID-10 vaccines to all our people. While the Government is in the worldwide immunization process, the Ministry of Health is also planning carefully to provide a better health care for our people.

The PPP/C ability to put out two Budgets within twelve months in Government is indeed awesome and most admirable. The emergency budget in 2020 and the carefully planned budget for 2021 is a revelation. The removal of all those taxes that were imposed by the APNU+AFC Coalition on basic items brought immediate relief to our people. The Agricultural sector saw immediate improvement as Rice production is on the rise. The removal of VAT on fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides, along with the removal of the taxes on Agricultural machinery quickly stimulated tremendous interest among the farmers. The poultry sector, mining, forestry, fishing and other non-traditional sectors are all now productive. The economic sector is now attractive and more competitive as we are seeing more employment for our people.

Guyanese are proud to know that the PPP/C kept its Manifesto promise and reopen the Sugar Estates. Investors’ interest is now more

positive we can see people in the communities at Skeldon, Rose Hall and Wales spirit is high and a bright and prosperous future is a must.

This caring and responsible PPP/C put life in the economy when they did not hesitate to put $ 5 billion COVID -19 relief grant to our people. The Government went on to provide G$150M as risk allowances to our frontline Health workers. This caring PPP/C Government also in recognition of our children as our country greatest assets re- introduce the subsistence to our students. The ‘Because We Care “cash grant which was taken away by the notorious APNU+AFC Coalition returned with an increase from $10,000 to $15,000 to each public school student. This Government investment in the Health and Education Sectors is a guarantee to our country future. The heavy rain and the floods is being carefully taken care of by the Government. However, the citizens of Region# 4 will forever be thankful to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo for the vision and construction of the New Hope Canal, which is the reason that the flooding in Region # 4 was very little. As for the development in the Housing Industry and the all-round development to improve the life of our people is indeed most commendable.

This is being done while efforts continue to strengthen and fortify our democracy.

While the notorious trio – the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Election Officer Roxanne Myers and Region #4 Returning Officer Claremont Mingo – are faced with being held accountable for their actions, Guyanese are witness to the PNCR’s resort to the Judiciary to delay the inevitable.

Despite this, Guyanese must ensure that the call for accountability remains a persistent one.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

JOB OPPORTUNITY Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill vacant posts within the Guyana Revenue Authority.

1. Administrative Assistant Job Purpose: Work in collaboration with the Staff of the respective Department to provide efficient and effective technical, secretarial and administrative support to the Functional Head/Senior Manager in the execution of his/her duties Details on the Job responsibilities and specifications can be found on the GRA’s website via the link https://www.gra.gov.gy/career/administrative-assistant/ Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted applicants will be subject to a background check for confirmation.

Applications with detailed CV should be submitted no later than August 12, 2021 @ 16:30 hrs to: Head Human Resource Management Department Guyana Revenue Authority 200-201 Camp Street Georgetown All applications should be submitted via email to humanresources@gra.gov.gy

227-6060 227-8222 Ext. 4608

GRA Headquarters, gravat@gra.gov.gy 200-201 Camp Street, grapublicrelations@gmail.com Georgetown.

Follow us

on SocialMedia

6

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Opportunity to transform our... (From page 5)

All is being revealed Dear Editor,

P

ilferage of the treasury and other State funds by the APNU+AFC Coalition government is being revealed moment by moment – sector by sector; ministry by ministry, and it is apparent that ‘the good life’ that the coalition parties promised the electorate pre-2011 and pre-2015 elections did fructify – for their Cabinet members, family members, cronies, financiers, et al APNU+AFC coalition government obviously (mal) administered Guyana with no defined economic plan or social development programme based on coherent studies of the dynamics that would eventuate into their promised “good life for all”.

According to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at one of his weekly press conferences, “… the (coalition) government has been sponging off the billions” left in the National Treasury by the former Administration, as well as the achievements of the PPP/C in almost every area of social and economic life.

From the inception of its governance, the APNU+AFC government embarked on a nation-wide witch-hunt of those whom they perceived were PPP/C leaders and supporters, even technocrats who served under the PPP/C administration.

One of their first acts after assuming office was to fire 2000 young people from Amerindian communities, while simultaneously awarding to themselves hefty salary increases. Their racial

and political discrimination, their blatant corrupt actions, their victimization and witch-hunting of former government officials and PPP/C supporters amounted to economic genocide and assumed proportions of a gargantuan persecution pogrom.

Post-election gerrymandering and posturing, with the clear intention of rigging the elections, even as the nation was assailed by a deadly pandemic that left the Guyanese people from every community vulnerable to the point of starvations, created a vacuum in the existential dynamics of most working-class Guyanese that should have been filled by any caring government. Instead they were appropriating hundreds of millions of state funds to encourage their supporters to engage in mass protests in the midst of a lockdown and curfew.

But, in or out of government, the PPP was/is historically a people-caring party and President-elect Dr. Irfaan Ali stepped up to the plate. He dispersed teams countrywide to share masks to protect people from infection from the Covid-19 virus and share food packages to save the poor people from starvation.

His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali has already demonstrated that he will not merely promise, but he will deliver to all Guyanese “the good life,” where every man, woman and child will reap the harvest of Guyana’s bounties.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

environmental and social impacts. In fact, no resettlement will be required and there will be limited human activity in the area directly affected by the project. In addition to this, the live storage volume will be small compared to the annual water flow and the plant will be operated mainly as a run-of-river plant with little impact on the downstream river hydrology for the most part. This would mean that the AFHP would not interfere with communities and citizens residing in and around the area.

Once the project is completed, there would not be any negatives as every Guyanese will benefit in some way from cheaper electricity.

It is time for Guyanese to embrace projects such as the AFHP and lend support in whatever way possible. I say this because we all want development and we all want

to live in a society where we are able to continually better our lives. The AFHP will give us that reality. In addition, the project will give way for other generating sources to be added in parallel like sun, wind and thermal production for renewable energy.

From the way I see it, the AFHP has more advantages than disadvantages and I am sure the few disadvantages which exist can and will be dealt with by the Government before work commences. As such, I reiterate my call for Guyanese to lend support towards this project as the 2016 Norconsult study paints a very promising future for Guyana should we capitalize on the opportunity to transform our electricity sector.

Respectfully, Anson A Paul

PPP/C demonstrates clear commitment to delivering ‘Plan for Prosperity’ Dear Editor,

O

n August 2, 2021, Dr Irfaan Ali became Guyana’s 9th Executive President, but inherited a dire state of affairs left behind by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government.

Guyanese before long recognised that theirs was a Government that would serve all the people of Guyana; a Government and Cabinet that have worked with feverish intensity to deliver benefits for all citizens over the last year; a President and Government that remained committed to the health workers, teachers, and members of the joint services for their heroic efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and for the additional risks which they have so willingly shouldered.

This is a Government and cabinet who have buckled into the driving seats of their various Ministries from day one, as they

steer their teams to deliver our Government’s vision.

Guyanese, our patience and understanding during these difficult times is commendable.

The PPP/C has always maintained that they are guided by their Manifesto, which constituted their relationship with the people of Guyana. It is underscored by a long-term vision. The tasks which have been set after widespread consultations commit our Government to work day-in, day-out to ensure opportunities, engineer equality, and entrench national unity across all Guyana.

The PPP/C has always risen to the occasion. And, true to form, they have commenced the task of remedying the lamentable state of affairs which they inherited.

Guyanese must be extremely pleased with the performance of our Government during its first year in office. All our Ministers have

been proactive. They have been going out to meet and address the people’s concerns.

Over the past year, our Government has responded responsibly to every crisis it was faced with in the past year. It has rebooted the economy, relieving citizens’ burdens, restoring hope, rebuilding confidence, and re-engineering development.

Our Government’s foremost priority, response to the coronavirus pandemic, has been comprehensive and multifaceted. Testing capacity has been increased to the point where the Health Minister can administer as many as 1000 tests and more per day, and they have also acquired adequate supplies of personal protective gear and allocated millions in the emergency budget 2020 and 2021 budget for frontline workers. Ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and other equipment necessary for treating patients the Government has provided. The Infectious Diseases Hospital has been retrofitted, making it suitable for offering meaningful patient care, and the capacity of regional hospitals has been enhanced to treat coronavirus patients.

Much needed drugs have been acquired, and are being used to improve patients’ recovery.

It is under the PPP/C Government that every Guyanese has been allowed to be part of the worldwide immunisation process, allowing every Guyanese to be vaccinated against the

COVID-19 virus.

We have all borne witness to the horrendous murders of three teenagers in West Berbice, and the brutality meted out to villagers, friends and neighbours due to political manipulation. These deaths were not a matter which should be manipulated to divide our people; every life matters.

Another immediate priority of the PPP/C was the rebooting of our economy while ensuring that the people and society were protected, not forgetting that the PPP/C Government came into office without a Budget.

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

The measures they instituted to improve competitiveness include providing tax concessions on mining, agro-processing, cold storage and packaging; the removal of VAT on exports, and allowing exporters, including those in the fishing, rice and timber industries, to reclaim input VAT. We have also removed the VAT on fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides, and key inputs into the poultry sector.

They reignited the engines of commerce and industry, allowing people to go back to work.

(Turn to page 17)

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo terminated Lowenfield withdraws

case on day ruling was set to be handed down

A

rescheduled meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday (August 12, 2021) saw, finally, saw a vote on three motions to dismiss Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer, Roxanne Myers; and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

The decision was made by a vote of four in favour and three abstentions during a 30-minute meeting. The three abstentions were the APNU+AFC Coalition-nominated GECOM Commissioners, Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman.

The meeting reconvened on Thursday (August 12, 2021), since the regularly scheduled weekly meeting

O

APNU+AFC nominated GECOM Commissioners: Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman

was adjourned. Tuesday’s (August 10, 2021) meeting of GECOM was scuttled by a walkout of Alexander and Trotman. At the meeting, a vote was expected on the motion to dismiss the GECOM trio.

In comment, GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, said, “It has taken too long but nothing happens before its time. Thankfully we can behind process to restoring some integrity and stakeholder confidence in the operations of GECOM. According to him, GECOM will not take steps to fill the now vacant posts of Chief Elections Officer, Deputy Chief Elections Officer and Returning Officer for Region 4. “The posts will be advertised, persons will be invited to apply, they will be interviewed and hopefully recruited to fill those vacancies,” Gunraj said.

RATIONALE Further, in a statement from GECOM, it was noted that the GECOM Chair, Justice (rtd) Claudette Singh posited: “1. that although they hold public / statutory office, they are not public but rather contractual officers. They have no security of tenure and their respective contracts stipulate the terms by which they are bound; “2. That these officers exercise the right to enter their respective contract willingly and voluntarily and were therefore aware of the method of termination provided by the respective contracts; “3. That it is trite law that not even a court of law can enforce a contract for personal services against an employer terminating the contract of an employee since the proper relief for a breach in an employment contract for personal ser-

vices lies in damages; “4. That in relation to the CEO, clause 9 of his contract stipulate that his services can be terminated by giving him three months’ notice or payment in lieu of; “5. That in relation to the DCEO and the RO their contracts stipulate that the Commission may at anytime terminate their employment by giving three months’ notice or payment in lieu of.”

Accordingly, the officers will be paid three months’ salary in lieu inclusive of all allowances under their respective contract as well as payment for remaining days of vacation leave (if any) MOTIONS Notably, the motions that were voted on by the Commission were first tabled since June 1, 2021.

The motions were supported by government-nominated GECOM Commissioners, Gunraj, Bibi Shaddick and Manoj Narayan.

The motion to dismiss Lowenfield was tabled by Gunraj and Shadick and listed 20 grounds on which he should be dismissed. The Commissioners said that Lowenfield breached his functions, duties, responsibilities and obligations when he neglected to ensure due adherence and compliance with the statutory process outlined in Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), Chapter 1:03

by Mingo, who was under his direct supervision. Mingo, according to the Commissioners, failed to follow the stipulated process of adding up the Statements of Poll (SoPs) for his District and Lowenfield aided in his noncompliance. Lowenfield is accused of also breaching his functions when he neglected to provide proper and lawful directions, instructions and guidance to

the officers and employees of the Secretariat in the performance of their statutory duties during the process of the adding up of the votes recorded in the SoPs for Electoral District Four.

Myers is accused of aiding and abetting Lowenfield’s actions. In her case, the motion was submitted in the names of Shadick and Narayan. They argued that she also went out of her way to facilitate a meeting in a GECOM facility by then Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings where she threatened to revoke the accreditation of international observers. Myers’ order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political party representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the SOPs is also listed as one of the reasons she should be dismissed from her substantive post as DCEO. Meanwhile, Mingo is accused of discarding his oath of office and failing to act fairly and impartially or legally in the discharge of his duties. The grounds for Mingo’s dismissal surround his tabulation of the SOPs in which he clearly manufactured numbers to reflect a win by the APNU+AFC Coalition. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SOPs. All three are currently before the courts facing charges related to misconduct in public office. Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo were sent on annual leave pending the decision of the Commission.

Notably, following a disagreement, the motion were amended to allow for termination of contracts in lieu of dismissal.

n the day the High Court was expected to hand down a ruling in his case, Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, discontinued his legal challenge.

A ruling by Justice JoAnn Barlow, from the High Court in a case filed by Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, is expected on Monday (August 9, 2021).

Lowenfield had moved to the High Court seeking an order preventing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)- nominated GECOM Commissioners,

Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick from participating as adjudicators in the hearing of the motion for his dismissal.

Last month, Lowenfield, through his attorney, Nigel Hughes, had filed a fixed-date application against GECOM, seeking, among other things, a declaration that Gunraj and Shadick, in their motion for his dismissal, cannot properly participate, hear and determine their own complaint against him.

Justice Barlow had granted an interim injunction restraining GECOM from

proceeding with the hearing of the notice of motion for dismissal based on the complaint by Gunraj and Shadick.

When the case was called, Lowenfield’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes, informed the court of the discontinuation of the case and stated that “circumstances have overtaken” it.

Hughes also informed the court that the injunction that Lowenfield was also seeking against the Commission was also no longer being pursued.

As such, Justice Barlow declared the matter ended.

Discussion begins on possibility of electronic COVID-19 vaccine card T

he Ministry of Health, COVID-19 Task Force and other key stakeholders have begun discussions on the possibility of an electronic COVID-19 vaccination card for easier access to information. However, this will not be done overnight.

This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who said, “We have been discussing it and we’ll see how, if that’s possible because it would entail a number of things: one, the persons who already have received the cards, how do we then get this new card to them and a whole host of other logistical issues would come up. But it’s something that we’re thinking about to make the cards more portable.”

The Minister said India’s COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN)

vaccination tracking software will assist with this, but this programme is also not yet ready. “They [India] have consented to give us a customised version of that software for our use.

So, we are continuing those discussions and hopefully as soon as we finalise it, we will then be able to move our database into that software, and it has a lot of ease of functions that will allow quick search if necessary and a whole host of other features,” he said.

Meanwhile, with the current vaccination cards, Minister Anthony is urging vaccinated persons to keep those safe as the recent COVID-19 Measures stipulate persons must produce their COVID-19 immunisation cards to transact business at Government Ministries and Agencies.

Those persons who operate public transport must also produce theirs if asked by a police officer or by anyone working on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The Minister said “The key to the card is really to identify that’s the person and also to verify that person would have received the vaccination.”

Minister Anthony advised against laminating the card and reducing its size. He said, “How the card is made up because it is folded, I think it’s going to be difficult to laminate it to show all the pertinent information. So, my advice would be that they walk with their card, they find ways and means of protecting it.”

The COVID-19 vaccination card is also required when travelling overseas.

9

10

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying – IPCC (GENEVA) Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC) Report, released on Monday (August 9, 2021).

Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the

changes already set in motion—such as continued sea level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

However, strong and sustained reductions in emis-

sions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change. While benefits for air quality would come quickly, it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures

It’s

UR TRY O

IOUS

Time!

DELIC

Y P S I CR NCHY CRU N

KE C I H C

We do Chicken Better STABROEK

CAMP ST

SHERIFF ST

Another great option on our menu!

PICKUP AND DELIVERY ALSO AVAILABLE! Opening Hours: 7:00hrs - 21:00hrs

MAIN ST

226-3935 227-7070 223-5236 225-4387

NEW AMSTERDAM

333-3477

stabilize, according to the IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, approved on Friday by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that was held over two weeks starting on July 26.

The Working Group I report is the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed in 2022.

“This report reflects extraordinary efforts under exceptional circumstances,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. “The innovations in this report, and advances in climate science that it reflects, provide an invaluable input into climate negotiations and decision-making.”

FASTER WARMING The report provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.

The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming. This assessment is based on improved observational datasets to assess historical warming, as well progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

Many characteristics of climate change directly depend on the level of global warming, but what people experience is often very different to the global average.

For example, warming over land is larger than the global average, and it is more than twice as high in the Arctic.

“Climate change is already affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways.

The changes we experience will increase with additional warming,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai. The report projects that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions. For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons.

At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health, the report shows. But it is not just about temperature. Climate change is bringing multiple different changes in different regions – which will all increase with further warming.

These include changes to wetness and dryness, to winds, snow and ice, coastal areas and oceans. For example: • Climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions.

• Climate change is affecting rainfall patterns. In high latitudes, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. Changes to monsoon precipitation are expected, which will vary by region.

• Coastal areas will see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion. Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century.

• Further warming will amplify permafrost thawing, and the loss of seasonal snow cover, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and loss of summer Arctic sea ice.

• Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels have been clearly linked to human influence. These changes affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century.

• For cities, some aspects of climate change may be amplified, including heat (since urban areas are usually warmer than their surroundings), flooding from heavy precipitation events and sea level rise in coastal cities.

For the first time, the Sixth Assessment Report provides a more detailed regional assessment of climate change, including a focus on useful information that can inform risk assessment, adaptation, and other (Turn to page 16)

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW...

The PPP/C’s legislative agenda, more Coalition MPs argue ‘Christian Petroleum Exploration and Production values’ to block PPP/C effort to (Amendment) Bill passed T address discrimination

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) used its majority in the National Assembly to pass the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2021, after the APNU+AFC Coalition cited their ‘Christian’ values, among their objections to the law.

The Bill decriminalizes cross-dressing, in keeping with a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which was handed down in November 2018. The amendment removes Section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act to comply with the CCJ Order, in the case of Quincy McEwan and others versus the Attorney General of Guyana [2018] CCJ 30 (AJ). The section removed stated that it was an offence for any person to appear in the attire of the opposite gender, in a public way or public place, for any improper purpose.

With the exception of the Coalition’s Khemraj Ramjattan, there was vociferous opposition to Bill during an hours-long debate by the entire APNU+AFC Coalition side.

Arguments of homosexuality and sodomy made its way into the arguments by

the Coalition Parliamentarians.

Coalition Parliamentarian, Richard Sinclair, argued that the amendment was nothing short of a “sinful distortion of God’s gifts” and insisted that God had created males and females to each “dress appropriately.”

Another Coalition Parliamentarian, Dineshwar Jaiprashad, charged that there are social ills connected to the Bill and there would be a greater need for education among the population.

APNU+AFC’s Annette Ferguson said that the amendment offended her Christian beliefs. Ferguson told the Parliament that “God’s laws are supreme” and “cross-dressing crosses the line of gender expression” and “sexual expression” was defined by “God”. According to her, the amendment creates an environment that is “ripe for anarchy and lawlessness” to thrive since it allows for “a higher level of deception and disorder” in society.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, charged that personal religious beliefs had no place in the National Assembly. She dismissed the Coalition’s ‘Bible lectures’

and said, “We are not bringing the Bible into law… we are dealing with a bill that brings us into compliance with the CCJ’s ruling on a rights issue.” She stressed the fact that Guyana is a secular state where all “religious beliefs have space” and its Constitution speaks against discrimination – which is what the Bill addresses.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who tabled the Bill, made clear that the PPP/C government is committing to fulfilling the human rights of all Guyanese. He said, “That is an obligation that we have.

It is a duty that devolves upon this House, having regard to the pronouncements made by our highest Court,” Nandlall said, while adding “and that is all that we are seeking to do here. We are doing nothing extraordinary. We are doing nothing controversial.

We are doing nothing wrong, In fact, we are complying with our constitutional role.”

The Bill was passed despite the Opposition’s objections. The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2021, was introduced by the Attorney General and read by the Parliament for the first time on June 10, 2021.

he National Assembly passed the Petroleum Exploration and Production (Amendment) Bill during the 31st Sitting of the 12th Parliament on Monday (August 9, 2021).

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, noted that the Bill will pave the way for the Government’s gas-to-shore energy project. This, he said, is one of the most important projects for development, and will ensure that every Guyanese benefit from the oil and gas sector.

The Minister said the project is expected to see the cost of energy reduced by 50 per cent, as the current costs of energy generation is prohibitive. He said, “Mr. Speaker, besides reduction in energy cost and in our light bills as we would commonly say, the gas-to-energy project will reduce the power outages that we have been experiencing over a number of years.”

Bharat added too that the reduction in energy costs will put money back into people’s pockets. “It is no secret that with the reduction of power, cost of living in Guyana would reduce significantly, and this is something we have been grappling with for years

and more so during a global pandemic,” he said.

The Bill amended Section 52 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, Chapter 65:04.

This section deals with restrictions on rights of licensees and surface rights. It also makes amendments which speak to work done by a petroleum licensee, in aid of its operations on State land, Government land, or land otherwise controlled or under the management of the Government of Guyana. It allows the Minister to grant permission to the licensee to land, install or operate any pipelines or submarine,

Parliament goes into recess

a marathon session that started on Civil Law Amendments Bill passed After Monday (August 9, 2021) at 10:00hours and ended on Tuesday (August 10, 2021) at

P

ersons in common law unions are now more secure after the National Assembly passed the Civil Law Amendments Bill.

It amends Section 5(1)(b) and provides that a widow or widower may inherit the assets of the deceased if there are no children, and all debts have been fulfilled. The Bill recognises that once a single man and woman have been sharing a common law union for a stipulated time period, the law recognises that they are entitled to legal benefits.

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP, said the passage of the Civil Law Amendments Bill is a revolutionary step.

During his presentation in the Assembly, he pointed out that the law was inherited from the United Kingdom, which has since changed their laws. “This amendment seeks to remove any type of discrimination, unshackle that spouse who is left in a union after the death of the other spouse, but has to share the matrimonial property acquired during that period with persons outside of that union. “We feel that to keep that in our law books, not only perpetuates injustice, but it continues a culture of discrimination which offends against the rule of law, and offends against our Constitution,” he said.

Minister Nandlall said

persons who want to ensure their assets are passed to particular individuals, are free to make a will. However, if a person dies without a will, the amendment makes provisions for that. He said, “In the event that you do not make a will, we believe that equity and justice would favour a spouse who has been living with you for the duration of that cohabitation should benefit.”

He explained that while the Bill may not appear significant, it would impact the lives of many ordinary Guyanese.

The Bill was passed early on Tuesday morning (August 10, 2021) during the 31st Sitting of the 12th Parliament.

fibre optic cable or terrestrial cables or similar infrastructure.

The Natural Resources Minister also said the Bill would allow for the laying of the fibre optic cable, another important project.

The fibre optic cable would provide connectivity, which would allow the Government to monitor offshore operations.

Several members of Government voiced their support for the Bill which was debated for over four hours in the National Assembly before being read for the third time and passed.

4:30hours, the National Assembly went into recess.

After the last sitting of the House, Leader

of the House, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, moved an adjournment for the next sitting to a date to be set in October 2021.

The National Assembly, annually, takes a two-month recess between August and October.

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

13

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW...

T h e P P P /C ’ s l e g i s l a t i v e a g e n d a , m o r e Guyanese must not allow PNC/APNU/AFC to influence another missed opportunity – Teixeira ‒ House Majority vote clears way for strengthening of democratic institutions, more

G

uyana has had few opportunities where Guyanese were united and where efforts to bridge racial divisions and bolster our nascent democracy could have succeeded, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

Such an opportunity, she noted, has again come around. According to her, it was seen in the coming together of Guyanese to reject the attempts of the APNU+AFC Coalition to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections and subvert the will of the people.

Teixeira said, “The third awakening is now – the emergence in 2019 and 2020 of a mass movement of people who want democracy and free and fair elections. “…there is an awakening in our country and the PNC/APNU/AFC – just like in 1950, just like in 1980, just like in 1992 – are on the wrong end of the stick. You are in the wrong path, as usual. You’re always getting lost in your own fictions. You refuse to see our people as they are – as complex, as sophisticated, as deserving of the best…your forget that.”

The Minister stressed that every effort must be made to take hold of the opportunity in this decade and she highlighted that it can be done by actioning the calls made via a motion tabled in the National Assembly in July 2021. The motion was debated in on Monday (August 9, 2021) – a debate that ran until the wee hours of Tuesday (August 10, 2021) morning around 00:34hours.

The motion: called for the adoption of the report from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney and its findings; calls for the Government to take measures to implement the recommendations therein in order to preserve and strengthen the democratic architecture of the state; and calls for Government to take measures to cause the complete report emanating from the Commission of Inquiry be made public and publicly available electronically.

PUSHBACK Teixeira underscored the fact that the push back against the “awakening” continues to come from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) led APNU+AFC Coalition.

She said, “In the midst of all this, we hear a false narrative. And what is it based on? Race, race and more race…every time this country takes little baby steps in building unity, along comes the PNC/APNU/AFC screaming race, discrimination...a falsified narrative that they peddle to divide our people….we have to be careful in our country of manufacturing untruths, to the point where people believe them.”

The same, she pointed out, was done in the past, prior to 1992, under the former PNC regime.

Teixeira pointed out that in the period of the 70’s and 80’s there was a tangible unity among Guyanese, regardless of race or any other differentiating factor. She said, “We saw Cheddi Jagan and the Rodney speaking at the same rally…this unity that was emerging, in 78 and 79, were it to have been allowed to grow and get stronger, the PNC would have been thrown out of government by elections and you probably wouldn’t be here in this room, because the mass movement of Guyanese and the end to racial divisions would have taken place at that time….that opportunity was scuttled and it has taken us years to rebuild, heals wounds and scars and to make the kaleidoscope of our country bigger.”

NO CAUSE FOR ANGST In understanding this, according to her, none of the recommendations from the Rodney CoI Report should cause any “angst” if the interest of all elected representatives is to build a democratic and more progressive society.

The recommendations from the Rodney CoI report, among others, include: • No party in government should be permitted to tamper easily or at all with the electoral system such as to secure an unfair advantage.

The electoral system should be entrenched in the Constitution and should only be amendable by a two-thirds majority. Besides, the Chairman of the Elections Commission should be a person of the highest integrity and non-political and his/her appointment which should meet with the approval of opposition groups and Sectoral interests. If felt necessary, the Chairman may be sourced from a CARICOM country. The political opposition and other interests should be adequately represented on

the Commission. Serious changes should not be undertaken except after a thorough and meaningful public education programme and after consultation, too, with the opposition party/parties and pursuant to a two-thirds majority vote in parliament.

• Every effort should be made to have a welltrained and highly professional Police Force with a thorough appreciation of its duty to serve impartiality regardless of ethnicity or party affiliation and loyal to the best interests of the country and to the constabulary.

• The army, too, must be professional. Nothing is worse than an army in a country striving to be an ideal functioning democracy being partial to any political party whether in government or otherwise. An army by definition has a near monopoly of the legitimate instruments of violence and must be trained at act responsibly at all times.

• That the ethnic divide in the Guyanese society constitutes a fragile fault line. General elections produce an environment that puts that fault line under stress. Many of the recommendations made herein assume the existence and maintenance of a sense of ethnic harmony.

But it has to be worked at. Every government has a continuing responsibility to work in

close consultation with national associations and diverse interest groups to design and implement a programme intended to strengthen ethnic harmony and a sense of national unity.

“Looking back at 2020, what was written in 2016 was certainly wise and certainly one that showed that they had some foresight into the risk we were facing as a country even at that time, 30 odd years after Rodney’s death and what we thought was the end of the Burn-

ham era…who amongst us doesn’t want to strengthen the democratic architecture of the state?,” Teixeira said.

RIGHT A WRONG It is time to come to terms with the era in Guyana, during which Rodney was assassinated, according to her. “We must have the magnanimity as a people to recognise that this was wrong…we as the generation of 2021 must right this wrong,” she charged.

She explained that in this way Guyana will achieve a goal that is decades old – healing a nation that was divided along the lines for race for partisan political purposes. “A man was assassinated in cold blood, only because of his political belief and his passion for unity and democracy. He did no wrong in our society,” the Minister said.

The PNCR is the majority partner of the APNU+AFC Coalition. And it was the PNC, led by Forbes Burnham, which held power at the time of Rodney’s death.

Page 100 of the 155-page report stated that Rodney’s death was an act of violence for “political purposes” – purposes relative to the Burnham era. “Getting him off the political scene was definitely an objective of the government of the day. His death clearly set back and weakened the opposition forces,” the report said at page 101. After Rodney’s death,

Burnham, according to the report, on page 26, said, “Sad as I am at his inglorious end, I know that somewhere therein there is bound to be a lesson for the misguided others.” On page 142, the report stated too that, “Given all the relevant facts and circumstances set out in the report, we unhesitatingly conclude that Gregory Smith was not acting alone, but had the active and full support, participation

and encouragement of, and/or was aided and abetted by the GPF (Guyana Police Force), the GDF (Guyana Defence Force), agencies of the State and the political directorate in the killing of Dr. Walter Rodney.”

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance noted that acting on the report is the best way to ensure the youths of today never have to live through an era akin to the Burnham era. Teixeira said, “We have to learn lessons from the past…we must do what is right…we have come through a period of elections that showed the resilience of our people….Rodney fundamentally believed in the democratic right of a people to choose its government in a free and fair manner.”

DEFENCE OF THE PNC Meanwhile, the APNU+AFC Coalition’s

debate to oppose a motion brought by Teixeira morphed into, primarily, a defense of the People’s National Congress Reform. This was the trend in most all the contributions proffered by the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Standout among the APNU+AFC Coalition speakers were Ganesh Mahipaul and Annette Ferguson.

The Coalition’s Annette Ferguson, who opened her contribution to the debate by stating her intent to protect the image of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

“I am a proud member of the PNCR,” she declared. She also injected arguments that the PPP/C did not have a successful first year in office. Ferguson then declared, “The CoI into Rodney’s death lacks any credibility… the PNCR had nothing to do with Walter Rodney’s death…the late Forbes Burnham, who they crucified, had nothing to do with Walter Rodney’s death.” Ferguson also sought to disparage the members of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Rodney by questioning the cost of the CoI. The Coalition’s Mahipaul continued the same trend as his colleagues and addressed his comments to the work of the PPP/C gov-

ernment over the last year. “This installed government is bad for Guyana,” he declared.

Mahipaul then moved to defend the PNCR in the matter of Rodney’s death. “The PNCR was always interested in the real truth…the PNC wants the truth surrounding the death of Dr. Walter Rodney,” Mahipaul said, insinuating that the PPP was responsible for Rodney’s death. Mahipaul also argued that the CoI did not meet a courtroom’s standard for evidence.

As such, he rejected the finding that Burnham was involved in Rodney’s killing and sought to disparage the work of the Commission.

SANCTIMONIOUS ARGUMENTS While Teixeira dubbed the collection of arguments as “sanctimonious” nothings that test the patience of right-thinking Guyanese, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, was no holds barred in his responses.

Taking Mahipaul to task, the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, said, “You are not qualified to challenge the integrity of those who constituted this Commission of Inquiry…permit me to also inform you that in a Commission of Inquiry the rules of evidence are different…is Mr. Mahipaul saying Mr.

Harmon and Mr. Williams are so incompetent that they stayed to the end of something that was wrong?…this report is already part of the record of the world. You think anyone will bother with your utterances, as distinguished as you think you may be?”

The Attorney General also stressed that the motion was intended to complete a process started by the PPP/C administration, set in motion by a request that was made by the family of Dr. Rodney to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. “I am pleased to report that the government has accomplished much in response to the request of Dr. Rodney’s family…this is how and why we are here,” he charged.

According to him, the adventures of the Coalition’s Parliamentarians has no direct bearing on purpose of the motion. “The intent is not to do over a CoI. The world knows who killed Dr. Rodney….we know how Rodney died. We didn’t even need the CoI to know that…you want to kill Rodney another time?” he questioned, pointing out that in 1980, WPA leaders including Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and others led a march from Buxton where the chant was ‘Who killed Rodney, Burnham killed Rodney’.

Nandlall added, “The PNC, who was in the Opposition then, participated in the Commission of Inquiry. Mr. (Joseph) Harmon was a lawyer in the Commission of Inquiry. Mr. Basil Williams was a layer in the Commission of Inquiry….they participated from the beginning to the end. They cross examined everyone they wanted to cross examine…yet you come here to desecrate the Commission of Inquiry…. what are you coming here to do? Play politics with people’s mourning and feelings.”

According to him, the Coalition continues to insult the intelligence of Guyanese.

At the end of the debate, the motion was passed by a majority vote.

PRIOR DEBATE Notably, this was not the first time the issue of Rodney’s death was debated in the National Assembly – the last time being in

2016.

The PPP/C in August 2016 had called for the National Assembly to adopt the international CoI report on Rodney’s death and its findings and for the Government to take measures to implement the 11 recommendations in order to ensure that the democratic architecture of the state is preserved and strengthened.

The calls made by the PPP/C were not supported by Coalition MPs during the debate on the matter at that time.

In an amendment moved by then Attorney General, Basil Williams, the Coalition’s position is that it will not adopt the findings of the report; rather it will acknowledge the report. The second part of the amendment stated that APNU+AFC Coalition is not prepared to take measures to implement the recommendations therein in order to ensure that the democratic architecture of the state is preserved and strengthened; rather it will take measures to examine – not act on – the findings and recommendations in order to ascertain whether, if any, and if so which, are acceptable and implementable.

COMMITMENT MADE During the debate, the House was also reminded of a commitment that was made to the family of Dr. Rodney.

The PPP/C government in June 2021 formally announced moves to appropriately honour prominent Guyanese, Dr. Walter Rodney.

In a statement to the National Assembly on June 10, 2021, Nandlall had explained that in an effort afford the Rodney family closure, the PPP/C acquiesced to several requests that were made.

According to him, the efforts by the PPP/C government will include: changing Rodney’s death certificate from describing him as unemployed to describing his as a Professor; reestablishing the Walter Rodney Chair at the University of Guyana; naming the Rodney Gravesite & Memorial as a national monument; and securing the records of the 2014 Commission of Inquiry, by digitizing them to be kept at by the National Archives, recently renamed the Walter Rodney National Archives.

Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by an explosion which occurred in his car at John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, on June 13, 1980. Dr. Rodney was, at the time of his death, an eminent political leader engaged in democracy and social justice in a struggle against authoritarian rule. After his assassination, Rodney received several honours. In 1993, the Government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan conferred on him the country’s highest National Award, the Order of Excellence (OE); and the Walter Rodney Chair in History was created at the University of Guyana.

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Law Reform Commission vital to Government’s systematic approach to legal reform ‒ New Commissioners told that reforms must enhance human rights, freedoms

T

he newly sworn-in Law Reform Commissioners were told by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday (August 11, 2021), that their work will be critical towards ensuring that the country remains updated with new and evolving legislative trends to enhance human rights and freedoms of its citizens.

The Head of State made these remarks at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive after the oaths of office were administered to the members of the Commission.

The group is being chaired by Retired Justice of Appeal Beasraj Singh Roy and also includes Teni Eric Housty, Clarissa Riehl, Dr Brian O’Toole, Emily Dodson, Roopnarine Satram and Deenawati Panday.

The members will serve for three years.

The President said that since society is dynamic

and ever-changing, the law, as a central pillar of civilised society, must be regularly updated in order to keep abreast with societal changes. He added that reforms are equally important to fill gaps in the country’s legislative architecture, harmonise its laws with international obligations while being responsive to the demands of modern justice. “The work of the Commission is vital to ensuring that Government develops a systematic approach to legal reforms including prioritising and establishing a programme

of such reforms. The work of the Commission is also critical to ensuring that Guyana keeps abreast with emerging and evolving legislative trends in the world,” he said.

President Ali said that it is the duty of all societies to continuously perfect and modernise their laws since no law can remain “totally relevant” over decades or centuries.

He added that not every piece of legislation drafted in society can be easily transplanted, remain effective, or produce the desired results in another

society, and it is therefore imperative that law reform adapts to the circumstances of the country.

He also stressed that given that the country’s economy is changing, the laws have to reflect the changes. He pointed to the current pandemic where there is a global debate on various aspects, including public health laws and what should be mandatory.

He said that the country cannot be left behind or excluded from these discussions and that the Commission will be serving at a very important time, not

only in Guyana’s context but in the global context.

This he noted, calls for “forward-thinking and also a wider understanding and appreciation to the environment in which Guyana is operating in, from a social, economic, political and international point of view”.

The President also stressed that legal reforms must enhance and not inhibit human rights and freedoms. He said, “Legal reforms, must, of necessity, empower citizens and protect them from arbitrariness. It must foster and facilitate, not frustrate development. Legal reforms must help build greater trust between our citizens and our justice system. These, I believe, represent the litmus test of the effectiveness of legal reforms.”

The Head of State also emphasised that legal reform is a priority of his Administration. This, he said, is evident by the

Government’s expeditious undertaking to amend the Law Reform Commission Act, having the amendment passed in the National Assembly, and agreeing to the order to bring the Commission into being. He said, “There is much work ahead. My Government will offer its full support to the Commission, and will welcome and treat with the utmost seriousness its recommendations.”

The President pointed out that the Commission was established through a consultative process whereby its members were selected through discussions with diverse stakeholders including organisations representing the legal profession, the private sector, the trade union movement, consumers affairs entities, the religious community, the Rights Commission and the National Toshaos’ Council as was required by the Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2021.

Gov’t reduces freight CARICOM’s outgoing SG lauded for charges to further cushion his contributions effects of COVID O P resident Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday (August 9, 2021) announced that the Guyana Government continues to monitor the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on household income, the private sector and the economy on the whole. And, as such, has taken measures to support Guyanese.

He said, “We have recognized the marked increase in shipping costs from some countries which has moved from an average of 2,500 to as much as 15,000 US dollars per 20-foot container and from 3,500 to over 20,000 USD for a 40 foot container. Duties, Excise tax and Input VAT are calculated utilising the Cost, insurance and freight of imports, thereby allowing for the increased cost of freight to be passed on to the consumer by the importer.”

Consequently, having carefully assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the economy to-date, and on prices

passed on to the consumer due to the increased shipping costs of imports, President Ali has instructed that further reliefs be granted by reducing the freight charges to pre-pandemic levels (March 31, 2020), in the calculation of Customs Duties, Excise Taxes, and Input Vat on goods imported.

The relevant aspects of the Customs and Value Added Tax Acts will be amended to reflect this concession.

This measure will allow for a saving of $4.8 Billion to the consumer and business community over the six month period, thereby reducing revenue collections by the similar amount of $4.8 billion.

Government Agencies will be tasked to ensure that such savings are passed on to the consumer and not pocketed by unscrupulous importers. This concession is effective on all invoices dated August 1, 2021 and continues in effect until January 31, 2022.

utgoing CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque was engaged by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday (August 9, 2021), who noted that the region is stronger due to his stewardship.

The Dominican, who has served two five-year terms, made a farewell courtesy visit to State House to meet with President Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

In parting, the Head of State presented an exquisite piece of woodwork from renowned Guyanese sculptor Winslow Craig as a gift of appreciation on behalf of the people of Guyana for the decade-long leadership that Mr LaRocque provided at the helm of CARICOM. The assorted wooden sculpture of Silverballi and Saman, which represents Guyana and the other 14 member states in the regional body, was specifically crafted for the Secretary-General. “This piece is entitled Strength and Wisdom. It is my pleasure on behalf of the people of Guyana to hand over this piece

to you. This is recognition, first of all, for your regional commitment, your leadership, strength of character, your wisdom and the prolific way you led …. Indeed, the region is stronger and better because of your service,” the President told Ambassador LaRocque.

Ali added that Guyana is honoured to have benefitted from the outgoing Secretary-General’s “stewardship” and expressed the confidence that many persons, as well as communities with whom he interacted, would have also benefitted from his wisdom, love, and his commitment to humanity. I am sure you and your family will have fond memories of Guyana.

But we want you to know that the people of Guyana welcome you and see you as a Guyanese; after all, we are one CARICOM people.”

Ambassador LaRocque thanked the President for his kind words and the gesture extended to him.

Dr Carla Natalie Barnett, a native of Belize and the first-ever female CARICOM

Secretary-General, is expected to assume office next week. She was unanimously selected by the CARICOM Heads of Government in May. Dr Barnett will be the eighth Secretary-General of CARICOM. The others were Mr Fred Cozier of Barbados (1968, CARIFTA, precursor

to CARICOM), Mr William Demas of Trinidad and Tobago (1970-1974), Sir Alister McIntyre of Grenada (19741977), Dr Kurleigh King of Barbados (1979-1983), Mr Roderick Rainford of Jamaica, (1983-1992), Sir Edwin Carrington of Trinidad and Tobago, (1992-2011) and Ambassador LaRocque.

15

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Oil wealth legislation to be laid in Parliament before 2022 L

egislation for Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) would be laid in Parliament before the end of this year.

This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who addressed the issued during a recent press conference, where he also stressed that the country’s oil fund is critical to safeguarding future generations of Guyanese.

The President also said transparency and account-

ability would be the hallmarks of how the fund is utilised. He said, “We are also moving apace with setting with the legislative framework to govern these funds, and I am aware that whilst we would have liked to have this before the recess, I am aware that there are will technical suggestions being transmitted to the Attorney General to finalise the legislation to be taken to the National Assembly. I am confident that that

legislation would be laid in the National Assembly before the end of the year.”

Further, President Ali said once the legislation for the oil wealth fund has been improved, expenditure must be approved by the National Assembly. He said, “As you are aware, there are immediate needs that have to be financed. We committed that during the campaign that there will be no secrecy in revenues received by the

country from our natural, especially oil and gas, and we have stuck to that commitment.”

The Head of State also said the Government would soon be creating a balance sheet, which the public can view online and be kept in-

formed of the revenues and expenditures.

Notably, as the Opposition Leader, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had committed to improving the legislation of the oil fund, which he believed was not insulated from political manoeuvring.

In keeping with this, and the PPP/C Government’s commitment to accountability, the administration has not withdrawn any sums from the United States federal bank, where the fund is kept. That account currently holds approximately US$344 million.

16

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Over 400 CSOs to benefit from training Monkey Mountain benefits D from $7M truck S

tudents in Monkey Mountain and surrounding communities in Region Eight would now be transported to school in a $7 million truck, which was recently purchased for the community.

The procurement of the truck was made possible through the $10 million oneoff COVID-19 relief grant to the community.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai MP, said the Government remains committed to providing children with access to education. As such, when the need was brought to her attention by the village councillors,

there was no hesitancy. She said, “I had spoken to the Toshao and village councillor about the need for transportation for the children and they told me that they have about 100 children that leave from this point. I think they may have included Taruka and Tuseneng children and so our advice is that we were going to provide a truck for the area because of the terrain and so the truck in this period when school opens, is to transport the children at least part of the way.”

The truck will be managed and maintained by the Village Council.

elivering on the promise to revise the Community Support Officers (CSO) programme in hinterland communities, the PPP/C government is moving to expand access to training programmes.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see some 440 Community Support Officers from hinterland communities receiving skills training.

Minister Hamilton urged CSOs to help develop the country. He said the training will be beneficial for agriculture development and food security in the hinterland. He said, “The Board of Industrial Training

mandates, an instruction from me, was that whatever opportunities and whatever facilities exists on the coast, it must also reach the hinterland…because we believe that Guyanese people must be trained and they have access equally.” The Minister emphasised the need for gender equality in the hinterland communities, and encouraged young women to “take the leap and recognise and make use of the opportunities that are available” to them. “We have no gender specific programme…and I say to young women as I travel through this country, don’t let the society restrict you to what you can learn,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai stressed the re-establishment of the CSO

programme is yet another commitment being fulfilled.

She said, “We have to make special effort to ensure that we have both genders accessing the level and types of training that our ministry is offering and by extension, the PPP/Civic Government to young people across this Country and to the Amerindian and hinterland youth,” Minister Sukhai said. The Minister said the training is important not only to the CSOs, but for the development and improvement of people’s lives.

The CSOs will receive the training through the

Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

A few months in office, the former APNU+AFC Coalition government fired almost 2,000 Amerindian CSOs in the hinterland – removing over $600M per annum from the village economies. The CSO programme was reinstated when the Government took office in August 2020.

The CSO engagement is part of the PPP/C Government’s commitment to youth development and advancement, and investment in the Amerindian Peoples’ lives.

PPP/C gov’t to resume Amerindian language revival project

M

inister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, says the Government will be re-establishing the language revival programme for Amerindians.

This move she said will ensure that the Akawaio, Arawak, Arecuna, Carib, Macushi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishana, and Warrau languages do not become extinct.

“Many of them speak their languages but we have had some of the nations that have not maintained and have lost the ability to converse and even to

share their language, at the village level or with the younger generation,” Minister Sukhai said.

The programme first started in 2013 under the then PPP/C Government and saw the reviving of the Arawak language in Wakapau, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The success of that project had widened the policy to cater for all Amerindian languages. Minister Sukhai said Government has prioritised the programme, as it cares for the well-being of Amerindians.

Climate change... decision-making, and a new framework that helps translate physical changes in the climate – heat, cold, rain, drought, snow, wind, coastal flooding and more – into what they mean for society and ecosystems.

This regional information can be explored in detail in the newly developed Interactive Atlas interactive-atlas. ipcc.ch as well as regional fact sheets, the technical summary, and underlying report.

HUMAN INFLUENCE ON THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE “It has been clear for decades that the Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed,” said Masson-Delmotte.

Yet the new report also reflects major advances in

(From page 10)

the science of attribution – understanding the role of climate change in intensifying specific weather and climate events such as extreme heat waves and heavy rainfall events.

The report also shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate. The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.

“Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and reaching net zero CO2 emissions. Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate,” said Zhai.

17

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

PPP/C demonstrates clear commitment...

(From page 7)

Small businesses regained ground with the co-operation of financial institutions and financial initiatives of the PPP/C Government. Investors’ interest is high today.

Our economy has been robust again in a positive development trajectory. The support for our traditional sectors is integral to aligning Guyana along a positive development trajectory. Our Government has begun the process of reopening the Skeldon and Canje estates, and has established the Wales Development Authority, aimed at implementing new and innovative opportunities for the Wales community.

In Kwakwani bauxite sector, RUSAL has expressed an interest in restarting its operations; however, the Government has requested the company to submit a proposal which must be consistent with Guyana’s labour laws and the protection of workers’ development.

Other investors have also expressed an interest in mining bauxite ore located at Tarakuli, in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region.

Efforts are being made to revitalise our forestry sector, which had fallen into ruins during the period 20152020 under the previous APNU+AFC Coalition regime.

However, under this present Administration, Guyana is rising again. As part of the efforts at ensuring a growing, diversified and modernized economy, the PPP/C Government has liberalised the telecommunication sector.

This is a tipping point in our country’s development.

Guyanese have been waiting for 30 years for this to happen. The liberalisation of the sector will stimulate greater investment and competition, and spawn the expansion of the sector and the range of ICT services available.

Guyanese consumers are now benefiting from reduced costs for overseas calls and improved capacity of internet services.

The construction sector has been key to driving growth in our non-oil sectors.

Construction activity is being propelled throughout our

economy, while the PPP/C Government has been relieving the burdens which had been placed on the backs of the people as our people were left stranded without much relief during the pandemic, the PPP/C launched a $5 billion COVID-19 relief grant which saw every household receiving G$25,000, while G$150M had been set aside for risk allowances for our frontline health workers. We know that this cannot compensate fully for their efforts, but our Government has done what is within its means at this time, given the state of the economy. However, our Government will continue to do more as resources permit for our health care workers.

Throughout all of this, our Government has not forgotten our men and women in uniform, who have helped maintain order and peace in difficult times. The members of our Joint Services have benefited from a two-week tax-free payout for 2020, which they were denied by the previous APNU+AFC Coalition regime.

One must not forget also Guyanese had to shoulder burdensome increases and additional taxes and fees over the five years of the APNU+AFC Coalition regime. These taxes and fees deprived us of much needed disposable income. It stifled business activity within the productive sectors. The PPP/C Government lifted those burdens and removed the unconscionable Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, restoring free water for pensioners, while the oppressive corporation tax on private education and VAT on medical supplies were carved out. Our farmers were saddled with increased fees for leases and drainage and irrigation services. Many of them could not afford to pay these unconscionable increases imposed by the former Government. The PPP/C Government step up to the plate and reduced these fees and slashed in half the increases in license fees.

Our Government has restored hope by providing relief aid aimed at reducing

Guyanese burdens, while making life better for many Guyanese families. Our Government has reintroduced and launched the “Because We Care” cash grant which was callously snatched away from parents. But not only has the Government restored it, but it has been increased to G$15,000. In addition, the uniform allowance has been increased. These measures have made it easier for parents to outfit their children for school. Let’s not forgotten the elderly. Old age pensions have been increased from G$20,500 to G$25,000 per month.

Guyanese all across the country have seen and experienced progress over the past year. All of Guyana’s Government Ministries have been involved in delivering improvements in the lives of every Guyanese citizen.

The achievements are so numerous that it would take us an inordinate amount of time to enumerate the wonders this Government has done in one year.

Sincerely, David Adams

18

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Transition to renewable energy will be bridged by natural gas – Jagdeo

I

nvestments in renewable energy sources around the world are not enough to meet the global demand for energy, hence natural gas is being used as a transitional fuel, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Vice President made this point recently during an interview, which aired on Sunday (August 8, 2021), with journalist, Neil Marks on News Room’s Insider.

He said, “Globally, although gas is still a polluting energy,

they see it as a transitional energy.”

According to him, the global demand for fossil fuel will remain or even increase because enough is not being done to meet demand. He said when the pandemic began, as oil prices began to plummet, it was thought that the world had already reached peak fossil fuel demand. However, he pointed out that demand is climbing again, and if demand outstrips investment, as is the case, fossil fuel has

to play a part.

The Vice President was responding to statements published by private media houses, which criticise the Government’s decision to operationalise the US$900 million gas-to-energy project, as opposed to renewable energy projects alone.

Additionally, he referred to the fact that former President, David Granger, had made a promise that his administration would work towards 100 per cent renew-

able energy sources by 2025.

However, Jagdeo pointed out that the previous administration had no plan to achieve this. In contract, he noted that the PPP/C Government cannot be unrealistic, as the previous government. He said, “We cannot get to 100 per cent renewable by 2025. It was unrealistic, totally unrealistic. They had no project to do such a thing.” Under the PPP/C Government, the Vice President said, efforts have been made to ensure that a

plan is “laid out” and projects are actioned from that base.

Jagdeo added that the PPP/C Administration promised to institute a diverse energy mix of natural gas and renewable energy sources by 2025, which will vastly reduce Guyana’s emissions, and efforts are moving apace in this regard. Notably, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said earlier this month that the Government will implement a series of projects, meant to supply 500

megawatts (MW) of new power by 2025. This includes the 250 MW gas-to-energy project, the 160 MW Amaila Falls Hydropower project, at least 30 MW of solar power, and other standalone projects.

These projects are intended to reduce the cost of electricity to consumers, by at least 50 per cent. A resultant benefit is that the ease of doing business in Guyana will vastly improve, as the cost of electricity has been criticised as prohibitive.

19

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

US gov’t donates 5.5 Million Pfizer vaccines to CARICOM T

he Government of the United States of America has gifted the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with 5.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines. CARICOM, via a written request, had asked US President Joseph Biden of the United States to support the Region with a supply of vaccines.

President Biden subse-

quently announced that the US was donating a supply of vaccines to the Region as part of its world-wide distribution of 80 million doses.

All 15 CARICOM Member States will receive the much-anticipated Pfizer vaccines, with 1.5 million doses being allocated to Haiti and the other 4 million doses for distribution among 14

CARICOM countries. The donation from the White House also includes 3 million ancillary kits containing needles, syringes, diluent and other supplies which have already been received.

This donation follows months of discussions between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Pfizer, the Caribbean Public

Health Agency (CARPHA) and the CARICOM Secretariat. At the beginning of those discussions, the total number of persons vaccinated in CARICOM countries stood at a meagre 515,000, which emphasizes the importance of the donation by the US Government.

CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin

LaRocque expressed his appreciation to President Biden for his generosity and to his team at the White House for their commitment to delivering the vaccines. “This end result is due to the hard work put in by the White House staff, the staff of CARPHA , the staff of the Secretariat and the team at Pfizer,” the Secretary-General said.

“These vaccines would contribute significantly to the Region’s ability to control this pandemic and place the Caribbean on a path to economic recovery. Importantly it would also allow for schools to be re-opened given that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for emergency use for children 12 years and over,” LaRocque added.

20

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

PNCR’s Van West-Charles charged over false invoice submitted to GEA

E

xecutive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and a director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., Dr Richard Van WestCharles, on Monday (August 9, 2021) was charged with furnishing a false or misleading invoice to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Van West-Charles, 72, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in a Georgetown

court, where he denied the charge. He was released on $100,000 bail.

The particulars of the charge state that on November 13, 2020, AFI submitted invoice #100 to the GEA regarding a shipment of diesel, claimed to have been purchased from Global Oil NV, knowing same to be false or misleading. After being granted bail, Van West-Charles was told to

return to court on August 16.

Van West-Charles was represented by attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon.

Atlantic Fuels Inc. is battling a similar matter with the Guyana Revenue Authority, where the fuel company was probed for under-invoicing and falsifying invoices. As a result, GRA went after the fuel company for taxes for that year.

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

US$436M in Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund

A

payment of over US$79 million was received into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) account for Guyana’s seventh oil lift. The Ministry of Natural Resources announced that on July 3, 2021, a total of 1,047,820 barrels of oil, with a value of US$79,617,561.87, was lifted from Liza Destiny FPSO offshore Guyana.

The disclosure was made

by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, during Monday’s (August 9, 2021) sitting of the National Assembly. He said, “Before the elections in 2015, Guyana struck oil. Guyana became a country that will soon be an oil producing nation. In June of 2016, the Production Sharing Agreement was signed by the then Government with EEPGL to begin production. Production actually started in December of 2019. To date, we would have completed seven lifts, which is equivalent to seven million barrels of oil, equating to over US$400 million, which now sits in our Natural Resource Fund.

To be precise, US$436 million,” Minister Bharrat said in the National Assembly. “… since taking office just over a year ago, the PPP administration has not spent a single dime from the Natural Resource Fund. We have not embarked on a squandermania of the oil revenues.

We have not misused the oil

revenue. We still have every single dollar from the direct proceeds of the oil and gas sector in the natural resource fund, which will be spent to ensure that every Guyanese benefits.”

Recently, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, addressed the issue of the funds from oil and gas. He noted that the systems are being put in place by the Government, including the Petroleum Commission and, importantly, the legislation for the Natural Resource Fund. He had said: “The money that is there, we decided that we will come up with a programme. That programme for spending will have to go through a parliamentary process. So, right now, we’ve accumulated the money.

Anytime we utilise funds from that pool of resources, they will have to go through a transparent process. That includes publicly identifying the project, saying how much will be utilised, ensuring that the Auditor General is also aware of the processes involved. It would require parliamentary approval.”

Guyana commenced producing oil in 2019.

To date, a total of 7,056,262 barrels of oil have earned US$388,777,840.1.

When added to royalties and interest, Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund, an account at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, had accumulated over US$436 million.

21

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 14-15 AUGUST, 2021

Jagdeo urges Guyanese to be vaccinated against COVID-19

T

he PPP/C continues, assiduously, with its efforts to ensure that Guyanese lives are saved by securing COVID-19 vaccines and advancing an aggressive vaccination campaign across the country.

And, according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, it is “absolutely abhorrent” that while every effort is being made to save lives, “politically aligned elements” are instigating protests.

He noted that the instigated protestors were quiet when former President David Granger, in March 2020, signed a questionable Order.

Jagdeo said, “Where were the protest actions after former President David Granger, on March 16, 2020, signed

an Order, whose preamble sought to justify depriving Guyanese of “personal liberty” and “freedom of movement?”

Granger’s Order authorized his Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, to, among other things: Destroy the personal effects, goods and buildings of Guyanese ‘exposed’ to infection from COVID-19; Conduct house to house visitation; Restrain, segregate and isolate persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19; and Prohibit or restrict the movement of persons, as well as public of private conveyances within and to and from areas deemed infected.”

He charged that the naysayers protesting the push for increased vaccination against

COVID – “ironically clad in mask and face shields” – remained silent in the face of Granger’s draconian order.

Jagdeo said, “It is a fact that the global pandemic will continue to take the lives of our people unless we, collectively, act responsibly.”

The Vice President underscored the fact that already, to date over 260,000 persons have received their first dose, while over 143,000 are fully vaccinated. “I appeal to all our people to ensure that they are vaccinated so that our country can move faster to achieving herd immunity and to ensure that we reduce the number of lives being lost as a result of this global pandemic,” Jagdeo urged.

COVID-19 vaccination campaign not affected by countries giving ‘booster shots’ – Anthony

G

Joint Committee examining way to keep children save from COVID E

ven as discussions are ongoing with Education officials on the reopening of schools, the Government plans to utilise an existing immunisation law to inoculate children against COVID-19, according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Minister said a joint committee, which comprises representatives from both Ministries, have been examining how to keep children safe in school. “We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Education and its top leadership and one of the things that was discussed at the last meeting, pertaining

to when we get vaccines, how we are going to roll that out within the school system, so those discussions are still ongoing,” he said.

Dr. Anthony noted that there is currently an existing law which applies to the vaccination of children.

This is the Public Health (School Children) Immunisation Act 1974, which provides for the immunisation of persons seeking entry into schools and day care centres against certain communicable diseases.

“We will be giving those vaccines in accordance with that particular law,” Dr. Anthony said.

Minister Anthony said recently there have been reports of some countries using Sinopharm to vaccinate their younger population.

However, the Guyana Government is awaiting more data on this. Anthony said, “The Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine and so far, they are being used for persons between 12 and18 and we are actively trying to get those vaccines into Guyana so we can administer it to our children.”

Globally, two vaccines have been approved for children between the ages of 12 and 18, which the Government of Guyana is pursuing.

uyana’s vaccination campaign to prevent transmission of COVID-19 will not be affected by other countries giving their population booster shots (a third vaccine), according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Minister said the World Health Organization (WHO) has already addressed the matter, urging countries to abide by the rules and to allow other countries still awaiting their first dose to access vaccines. Anthony said, “Most of the world still has not received at least one dose of the vaccine yet… They have been some discussions about the third dose because some of the studies have shown that after the second dose of Pfizer, that six months after that second dose, the antibody levels tend to drop…so that’s one of the reasons why there have been a discussion on possibly doing a third dose.

But most of the countries that have been thinking about this are considering it for some special circumstances… What we should think about if we want to exit the pandemic, we need to make sure that everyone, every adult would be able to get at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and better yet to get both doses, if it’s a two-dose vaccine.”

The Health Minister added that with both masks and vaccination, persons will be better protected and that is why it is important for the public to continue observing the basic COVID-19 Emer-

gency Measures. He said, “Vaccination obviously works and it will protect people from getting infected; it will protect people from getting the more severe form of the disease, protects people from dying from COVID. We in Guyana, we did not discard our masking policy….we have insisted that people continue

to wear masks and so, we want to insist that even if you are vaccinated, that you continue to wear your mask The PPP/C official noted too that according to the WHO moratorium, countries which are considering the booster shots can only administer same to persons with compromised immune systems.

APNU+AFC Coalition’s only ‘flag’ is ‘race’ – Teixeira

T

he efforts by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration in its response to the worst ever countrywide flooding in recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as effort

to advance a development trajectory continues to be dragged down by the Coalition for partisan political purposes.

The comments were made

by Minister of Parliamentary

Affairs and Government, Gail Teixeira, who took aim at the APNU+AFC Coalition, recently.

She said, “At a time when we are taking the trajectory of our country forward; when

we are seeing transformation; when the government has given COVID relief; help in the hampers; flood relief; the removal of taxes; the purchase of vaccines for our people; the PPEs (Personal

Protective Equipment)… drugs that were not there; the opening up of housing; and the fixing of roads and bridges. All of this is taking place and all you can do is drag it down to race. That is the only flag you have. The only flag you wave is race. “…you have stuck loyally to your history from 1954 and onwards - of divide and rule in Guyana. That is unfortunate. I don’t accept that the youth don’t know about these things. They are not obtuse…whether the PNC/ RIG/ APNU/ AFC comes to term with past and steps on the road to national unity, you will be found, if you don’t join, left alone….you have a choice.”

Teixeira charged that the PPP/C will push forward with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s announced One Guyana initiative, despite the naysayers in the Coalition camp. She said, “The attempt to weaken any embryonic efforts at building a One Guyana will not succeed…efforts at building a ‘One Guyana’- a ‘One Guyana’ for all of us as a people where we will work towards equitable distribution of goods and services; where we will work for the development of the regions of our country…that is our goal and if you don’t agree with it, I’m sorry. You’re lost.”

In February 2021, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the establishment of a ‘One Guyana Commission’, which will be spearheaded by Prime Minister, (rtd) Brigadier,

Mark Phillips.

Ali had said, ““An essential part of my Government is inclusion. Stop being defined by race; stop being defined by politics. Start being defined by our one nationality and by our common love for our one country, let us lift it up together and by doing so, let us lift each other and ourselves, one people, one nation, one destiny…I propose to give meaning to my call for one Guyana by requesting the leader of Government business in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Brigadier, Hon. Mark Phillips to introduce the adoption of an Act of Parliament establishing a One Guyana Commission which he will head….we must move our nation building from abstraction to action and lose not one more moment in doing it. Let us stand up for our one nation, our one Guyana, let us stand up for what we know in our hearts and in our minds to be right. Let us stand up for one identity, the Guyanese identity.”

President Ali said the work of the Commission will be undertaken countrywide to encapsulate the free expressions of all voices, respecting the diversity “from which our oneness springs.”

The Commission will also address education concerning Guyana’s history, religion, ensuring equal opportunity, employment and entrepreneurship and institutional strengthening of the Ethnic Relations Commission.

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