Weekend Mirror 12-13 June, 2021

Coalition called out for only investing in ‘strongholds’ 12-13 June, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 76 / Price: $100

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

PAGE 15

Farmers assured of gov’t support during rebuilding phase PAGE 11

$10B supplementary funding for flood relief – Jagdeo PAGE 9

Election Petition 88 appeal...

PAGE 7

APNU+AFC objects to SOPs, SORs being handed over to court

SEE INSIDE

Walter Rodney to be ‘properly’ honoured, wrongs rectified – Nandlall PAGE 3

ExxonMobil announces discovery at Longtail-3PAGE 8

Teixeira moves motion to remove Patterson as PAC chair PAGE 14

‒ issue to be debated Monday

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

$200M for 50 core homes in Sophia −119 persons to receive $59.5M in home improvement subsidies

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has set aside $200 million for the construction of 50 core homes in Sophia, Georgetown under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

Another 119 persons will receive $59.5 million in home improvement subsidies.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal made this announcement during his address at the signing ceremony of a $51 million contract for a modern recreational facility in Section C, Sophia on Thursday.

Some $2 billion (US $10 million) has been allocated under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme for the construction of 250 core homes and 2000 home improvement subsidies.

“The Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme will improve housing conditions and access to critical infrastructure,

enhance mobility and safety, and strengthen the capacity to operate and maintain urban services. In short, this programme will make your community better,” he told residents.

As the Government move towards consolidating existing schemes, Minister Croal said money has been allocated to finance the Livelihood Restoration Plan to address displacement dues to infrastructural projects in the community.

To this end, he said 20 persons from Sophia have qualified for cash entitlements – three for cash crops and 17 for income allowances.

The Ministry also presented four mobile units to residents whose business operations were dismantled or removed to facilitate infrastructural works under the various projects currently being implemented in Sophia.

Further, 47 bridge replacements were done for persons whose bridges were

similarly dismantled, and three house lots allocated to informal dwellers who had to be relocated from areas where projects are being executed.

Croal said, “For all of these activities, we have consulted over 900 residents from Sophia as we wanted to find alignment with the needs of the community. These consultations have led to 75 residents being employed directly with the project since it started. As we seek to enhance the capacity of communities, we have ensured that 30 per cent of labour required for any project comes from the community itself.”

Sophia has also been identified to benefit from the recently launched Community Based Employment Stimulation Project, which seeks to create jobs within communities through the purchase of concrete blocks from block makers within those communities over the next five years.

The community will

also benefit from the Guyana Strategy for Informal Settlement Prevention and Upgrade Project, which is currently being prepared.

The project will ensure access to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic

services by 2030. It includes considerations for permanent settlements for informal settlers in Sophia.

“We consulted more than 100 stakeholders, including residents from Sophia and very shortly field work will begin. When this is completed, using the findings from the fieldwork and the

consultations, a strategy will be devised that will guide the Government’s approach to informal settlements,” the Minister said.

The initiatives form part of the PPP/C Administration’s plans to re-focus its attention on safeguarding the welfare of citizens by creating sustainable communities.

$14M primary school for Rupertee

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$14 million primary school will soon be established in Rupertee village, Region Nine, in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s commitment to providing access to primary education in hinterland communities.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall made the disclosure to residents during his recent outreach to the Region.

“Rupertee will finally have a primary school and we intend to start the infrastructural works this year.

By this time next year, your children will no longer need to walk far to go to school,”

he said.

In 2019, residents lobbied the former Government for a primary school to address the challenges children face in accessing education. Children currently attend the Annai Primary School some three miles away.

The Minister gave assurances that the school will enable a conducive learning environment for students.

Further, villagers will be employed by the project, to fulfil the Government’s promise to create jobs for citizens.

Senior Councillor, Mr. Suresh Andries thanked the Government for the intervention noting that “the school

will help us a lot, especially the children who have to walk long and far. We had been waiting for this so long and now it is finally here.”

Mr. Andries also requested school crossing signs and other road safety interventions to ensure students remain safe.

The Ministry of Education allocated some $10 million in its 2021 Budget for feasibility studies for the construction of new schools in the hinterland and remote communities. Minister, Priya Manickchand said the move will ensure Guyana achieves universal nursery, primary and secondary education.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Walter Rodney to be ‘properly’ honoured, wrongs rectified – Nandlall T

he PPP/C government has formally announced moves to appropriately honour prominent Guyanese, Dr. Walter Rodney.

In a statement to the National Assembly on Thursday (June 10, 2021), Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, said the move follows a request from Rodney’s family in order to afford them closure. According to him, the efforts by the PPP/C government will include: changing his death certificate from describing him as unemployed to describing Rodney 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.

The Government is expected to move a motion in the National Assembly, which will seek the approval for the Report from the Commission of Inquiry and a resolution that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

The Commission of Inquiry’s 155-page report into concluded Dr. Walter Rodney’s assassination was a “State organised” act that was executed with the knowledge of the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, who had “large and detailed” knowledge of what was being done by the State and its agencies during his tenure.

It also detailed the political, economic and social conditions of the Burnham era – including the move to transform the PNC as the “major national institution” at the expense of the Guyanese people.

Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by an explosion which occurred in his car at John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown. 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.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT: 13th of June, 2021, will mark the 41st death anniversary of Dr. Walter Rodney.

His wife Dr. Patricia Rodney and children, Shaka Rodney, Kanini Rodney-Phillips MD and Asha T. Rodney Esq. have requested the assistance

of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana to formally honor the life, legacy and contribution of Dr. Rodney to Guyana and to finally set the public record straight in relation to certain matters surrounding his tragic death.

Today, the privilege is mine to announce that His Excellency, the President and the Government of Guyana have acceded to this request as part of the historic step of bringing a level of closure to the Rodney family with respect to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney. This is a momentous occasion, for many reasons and it is also a personal privilege for me and indeed, all of us, to be part of a process to right this tragic wrong and to begin the process of the rectification of the historical record.

Walter Anthony Rodney, was only 38 years old, and a leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), when he was killed in a bomb blast on June 13, 1980. As per the Forbes Burnham PNC government, Rodney intended to blow up the Georgetown Prisons but the bomb was accidentally detonated. The Rodney family, and Donald Rodney, Walter Rodney’s brother, who was in the car at the time with Walter when the bomb exploded, have vehemently and consistently opposed this narrative for 41, long years.

The news of Dr. Rodney’s tragic death sent shock tremors to the conscience of Guyanese, West Indians, Americans, Europeans, Africans and indeed people, the world over. To say that Dr. Rodney’s death and ensuing events in relation thereto, were a horrendous miscarriage of justice, would be an appalling understatement.

The self-evident truth is that when wrongs of such magnitude occur, they can never really be righted. The least that can be done in this instance is to attempt to grant the wishes of the loved ones of Dr. Rodney and to work with them in bringing these wishes to fruition, as they attempt to forge their own closure in relation to this horrific tragedy.

On the 8th day of February, 2014, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed by President Donald Ramotar, to inquire into and report on, the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Rodney.

The Report of that Commission of Inquiry was tabled in this House under the APNU/

AFC Government in 2016.

A Motion was tabled in this House shortly thereafter, by the Honorable Gail Teixeira, then Opposition Member of Parliament of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, calling upon the Government to implement the recommendations of that Report. That Motion was voted down by the then Government.

This Government hereby commits to move another Motion in this house shortly, seeking the approval of that Report by this House and a resolution that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

An Inquest was conducted 8 years after Dr. Rodney’s death and the Findings were that Dr. Rodney died by “misadventure”. This inquest was reviewed by the 2014 Commission of Inquiry and found to be incredible, flawed and dubious. Steps will be taken to invalidate or set aside the perverse findings of that inquest.

Although this son of Guyana was known and respected throughout the world for his academic accomplishments, scholarship and activism, his death certificate described him as “unemployed’’, as he was denied a job at his country’s only University after working at Universities across the globe.

This historical wrong will be corrected and that death certificate will be corrected to read ‘’Professor’’ instead of “unemployed.’’

We have already begun and will continue our efforts to secure the record of the 2014 Commission of Inquiry. Those records will be digitized by our National Archives, recently renamed the Walter Rodney National Archives, in collaboration with the Walter Rodney Foundation and the Atlanta University Center - Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta, Georgia, and copies of the same will be housed at that institution as part of the Walter Rodney Papers and Special Collection.

The Rodney Gravesite & Memorial are currently being managed collaboratively between the Rodney Family and the National Trust. Today, I am proud to announce that they will be declared National Monuments and fall under the administration of The National Trust.

One of the greatest tragedies flowing from Dr. Rodney’s death, is the loss of his scholarship to the people of Guyana. His children’s books that celebrate the cul-

tural heritage of Guyanese, Kofi Baadu: Out of Africa and Lakshmi: Out of India, shall be placed on the national syllabus by the Ministry of Education and in the hands of primary and secondary school students across this land. Additionally, his other major works, including, A History of the Guyanese Working People, Guyanese Sugar Plantations in the late Nineteenth Century, and How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, shall be made available to the library of the University of Guyana.

The Walter Rodney Chair at the University of Guyana will be reestablished.

It is common knowledge that Donald Rodney was in the car with Dr. Walter Rodney on that fateful evening, and is also a victim of this tragedy. This included a perverse conviction by a Magistrate Court, the burden of which Donald Rodney carried for the past forty-one (41) years. Fortuitously, only recently, the Court of Appeal of Guyana set aside his conviction.

Every effort will be made to remove and expunge all public records that intimate any level of guilt or wrongdoing by Dr. Walter Rodney in relation to the June 13th 1980 tragedy.

For too long, Dr. Walter Rodney’s death has been the subject of an irreverent mis-description. It was not a misadventure. It was an assassination. A great stain on our Republic. This sadistic misrepresentation on Dr. Rodney’s death certificate, prevented his family from recovering not a blind cent from his life insurance policy, the only financial provision he had made for his family, his wife and three infant children. This desecration must end now. His death

certificate will be amended to delete the words ‘’misadventure’’ as the cause of death and substitute therefor, the word ‘’assassination’’.

In this regard, it is apposite that I refer to the findings of the Commissioners in their Report in the 2014 Commission of Inquiry. They stated: “We have no hesitation in holding that Gregory Smith was responsible for Dr. Walter Rodney’s death on 13 June, 1980, and that in so doing, he was acting as an agent of the State having been aided and abetted so to do, by individuals holding positions of leadership in State agencies and committed to carrying out the wishes of the PNC Administration.”

One of the key findings was stark. “Dr. Walter Rodney was a man of large and significant stature both in

Guyana and beyond, at the time of his death. He could only have been killed in what we find to be a State organized assassination with the knowledge of Prime Minister Burnham in the Guyana of that period.”

In all democratic societies there are fundamental laws by which the civil rights of citizens are acknowledged, recognized and protected. Our Constitution, as it did in 1980, sets out those fundamental rights, freedoms and protection.

They include, the right to life and provisions to secure the protection of law. Dr. Rodney was denied these basic, inalienable but fundamental human rights.

Expectedly, Dr. Rodney’s death has had a lifelong and lasting impact on the Rodney Family, Donald Rodney, and indeed, on Guyana. As such, the Government of Guyana adopt these measures as simply the right thing to do.

As Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and on behalf of the President, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and indeed the Government of Guyana, I join with the people of Guyana in expressing sorrow to his widow Dr. Patricia Rodney, and to their three children, Shaka Rodney, Kanini Rodney-Phillips, M.D., and Asha T. Rodney, Esq., and to his brother, Donald Rodney.

I have personally spoken with them to convey the Government’s position on this matter. (June 10, 2021)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

EDITORIAL

Lessons of the past remain a stark reminder of democracy’s fragility

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his year marks 41 years since the death of Dr. Walter Rodney on June 13, 1980. Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by an explosion which occurred in his car at John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown. 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. He was a part of the Working’s People Alliance (WPA).

The atmosphere of “intolerance and dictatorial rule” were noted by the International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Rodney, which concluded that his killing was organised the State, headed by then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.

At page 100 of the 155-page report, which was leaked over the weekend, the 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.”

The report also addressed the attempt to cover up the incident and noted the role of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

“For our purposes the relevance of the army’s initial denial is that it certainly raises in sharp focus the question as to why the army would have initially denied that he (Gregory Smith) was a serving member. The answer may well lie in an attempt at an international cover up. That coupled with the other evidence which had been examined has led his Commission to that very conclusion,” the document said on page 81. 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.”

Of all the comments in the 155-page report, testimony of those close to Rodney was insightful and instructive.

Quoting the testimony of Karen De Souza, the report noted that when she saw Rodney’s body in the car after an explosion had killed him, he opinion was “he had finally been killed by the Government.” She added that two members of the WPA had been killed before Rodney. De Souza had said: “The fact that I think at one or more than one of the big People’s National Congress rallies, the Prime Minister (Burnham) had been uttering threats about ‘make your wills’ and ‘sharper steel’ and so forth….that the people in the ‘Worst Possible Alternative’ should make their wills and that the Worst Possible Alternative’ is the way the WPA was named by the Government of the day and that the steel of the PNC was sharper than any steel that the WPA might have.”

These words – ‘the steel of the PNC was sharper than any steel that the WPA might have’ – gives an insight into the nature of the beast that was the PNC. And Guyanese are reminded that many of the leaders from that era are at the forefront of the now PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition.

Being reminded of the nature of the PNCR, demonstrated again during the March 2020 Elections debacle, reminds all our people how fragile democracy is. Our nation is reminded how easily we nearly slipped under total political control after the March 2, 2020 polls. We are reminded that democracy is something we have to continuously work to preserve and strengthen. We are reminded that, as a people, we must ensure that democracy never flounders; the will of the people remains protected; and leaders are held accountable at every level.

As a people, we must ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten. The fact remains that we are stronger together and this we must never forget – this is how we ensure that the ‘steel of the people’ is sharpest.

GECOM under no obligation to wait on court before activating lawful powers of dismissal Dear Editor,

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here is in existence a grouping whom former leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Robert Corbin, once famously described as a “bunch of wild men.” Their public views are extremist, sometimes seditious, and often calculated to excite racial hostilities in this land. Frequently, they attempt to varnish their verbiage with a repugnant veneer of warped interpretations of law and the constitution, acquired autodidactically.

During “the five (5) months of madness” which succeeded the 2nd March, 2020 elections, the nation heard them repeatedly calling on President David Granger to “discipline” the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for not accepting Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent declaration of the results of the elections for District No. 4 and Keith Lowenfield’s perverse Report of the final results of the National Recount, as well as advising the President to “ignore” the elections’ results declared by GECOM and to remain in Government “in the best interest of the nation.”

Such verbal idiocies, and the depraved minds from which they emanate, have no place in modern civilisation.

They resonate from an era to which modern Guyana would never revert, but their authors are so delusional that this self-evident truth is lost upon them.

One eminent member of this rogue gang cannot apprehend the possible lawful existence of criminal proceed-

ings in the justice system and departmental disciplinary proceeding being maintained simultaneously against the same individual. As a result, with blissful ignorance, he attacks the Chairperson of GECOM for directing the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer for Region 4, Clairmont Mingo, to show cause why they should not be removed from office consequent upon motions being laid before the Commission seeking their removal. That the Chairperson is affording to these individuals the facility of natural justice completely eludes this obtuse mind.

The truth is that there is sufficient evidence within the personal knowledge of the Commission – including acts of attempted fraud, dishonesty, insubordination, and willful refusal to comply with clear statutory provisions – that ought to render these persons dismissed instantaneously with cause over nine months ago! In this regard, the Commission itself is guilty of dereliction of its constitutional duty to the people of Guyana for not acting decisively and condignly on this matter, but that is a debate for another time and place.

This reckless critic of the GECOM Chairperson’s actions blatantly refuses to recognise that both the Constitution and the Elections Law Amendment Act expressly mandate that GECOM’s employees are to be hired by the Commission, and must remain at all times

subject to the direction and control of the said Commission. During the “5 months of madness”, when the Chief Elections Officer went rogue, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Caribbean Court of Justice pronounced that he is not a “lone ranger”, but is subject to the direction and control of the Commission, citing the very constitutional and statutory provisions to which I have made reference. The Courts further emphasised that the Commission reserves the power to discipline and dismiss officers as it sees fit. There is no obligation known to law which enjoins the Commission to await the determination of any criminal proceedings before it activates its lawful powers of dismissal.

This self-same “wild man” views the activation by the Prime Minister of a constitutionally-provided mechanism, which the Prime Minister is expressly empowered to do in respect of the members of the Police Service Commission, as a violation of the law and of citizens’ rights. Such irrational insipience is unworthy of a response.

In the end, an absurd irony becomes clear: these “wild men” are so accustomed to ignominiously advocate for abrogation of the rule of law that they cannot see compliance with the rule of law, even if it hits them in the face.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, MP, Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister

Optimism for many still jobless Dear Editor,

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ob loss (which is really unemployment) and natural unemployment (like when people just do not want to work) are inextricably linked to crimes of all sorts and drugs (abuse especially). I think no one will argue against this connection, and many papers have been written along this line. So, as expected, to now learn that the “Enmore Sugar Estate will become (the) hub for employment on ECD” is indeed quite refreshing.

The news is that there are some major plans for the Enmore Sugar Estate to be transformed, to serve as an employment hub, for the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Let us remember

that A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) had shut down this Estate, plunging many into despair, and eventual wastefulness of their lives.

If all goes well, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, “…the Government was mulling a large-scale industrial complex at Enmore that would go beyond sugar production….we just had, a couple weeks ago, a discussion on the entire masterplan for five years of turning around sugar. It would involve a number of things including packaging more processed sugar. We’d have to make a determination between Enmore, because Enmore, and other areas are slated for industrial development too. To be honest, I really don't

care where, so long as we can find employment for the many who were so cruelly dislocated when Enmore was shut down. In the mind of the planners, this development is not “necessarily just sugar-related, but to absorb employment that people lost jobs. So, we’re looking to Enmore for a broader scale industrial (complex) that would employ people from the East Coast.

East Coast, parts of Region Five. To shift more employment into the lower areas, Haslington, Golden Grove, all of these areas, Cove and John, Foulis.”

This kind of national mind-set must be commended and welcomed.

Regards Baldeo Mathura

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

The Coalition’s resort to scoring cheap political points Reckless spending introduced by Coalition at I GWI must be corrected

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

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t is beyond embarrassing. I am reading that “In two years, GWI spent $103M on overseas travel and food.” The former boss, Dr. Van-West Charles explains that “… it was for studies and overtime meals.” On one level, this kind of wanton waste speaks of corruption, and to flippantly state that the purpose was for food and studies, is to display a high level of arrogance.

As expected, by August 2020, GWI was on the verge of collapse and one of the reasons for this was the “reckless spending” that characterised GWI during the APNU+AFC tenure.

When I go through the list of spending, it is most immoral in nature: In 2018, $26.8M was spent for overseas travel; in 2019, $26M for overseas travel; in 2019, $50M in meals, and ‘enough is enough.’ I think that the atmosphere at GWI, under Van-West, was one of happy travelling and eating.

Let us remember that GWI’s was essentially cash-strapped to the point where it could

not pay its electricity bill for a year and had owed Guyana Power and Light (GPL) some $7B for the period 2018 to 2020. If on hand we had wanton waste, on the other side, it was a classic example of not knowing how to prioritise.

I really hope that there is a legal way of calling to account those responsible for the financial mess that GWI was left in and is now so hard trying to disentangle itself from.

This GWI fiasco makes me recall what transpired with APNU+AFC supporter Larry London, who was paid $500,000 separately for a Director of Parks position even though the man was out of Guyana. He also was the one who spearheaded the controversial Durban Park project.

I have my doubts if many of these improprieties will ever be fully dealt with. But for now, the GWI is being cleaned up, and when surplus employees are sent home, I hope the supporters of APNU+AFC will not cry foul.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have lost relevance Dear Editor,

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oses Nagamootoo has seemingly retired from the fray, but Ramjattan seems joined at the hip with the destructive coalition cabal in attempts to again lead this country down a destructive path, apparently not seeming to realize he has lost relevance.

Former President, subsequent Leader of the Opposition and current Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, called Ramjattan’s filibustering in Parliament during Budget 2017 debates “bluster”, as indeed it was, because Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan have lost relevance in the coalition government. Their support base in the AFC has eroded to the point of that party becoming obsolete.

Pre-2015 general elections Guyana was at a crossroads – one road that would have added to the gains enjoyed by Guyanese post-elections of 1992, and one road that would lead this nation back into the days of the PNC administration, with the PNC-led cabal once more in charge of this country’s economy.

The PNC tsunami flattened this country and crushed the soul of this nation like a relentless juggernaut until it was rescued by the collective efforts of some brave souls, chief among which was the PPP/C under the leadership of indomitable Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and restored to democratic and progressive trajectory once more in October 1992.

But Dr. Jagan’s PPP has always been betrayed by those it has espoused and empowered, to the detriment of the nation – Burnham being the foremost among all. Leading up to the 2011 elections Guyana was once more held to ransom by the destructive and self-serving opposition collective and their satellite enclaves; but even more so by the

betrayers of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, by such as Ramjattan and Nagamootoo, who, in pursuing their own agendas and vendettas, strove untiringly, ironically using their former affiliation with the PPP to deliver this country and people into the hands of the PNC – to be exact, into the hands of Granger and other PNC dinosaurs, even though they knew full well the consequences of their actions. However, ambition and hatred of Bharrat Jagdeo overcame their reason and subsumed their consciences and morals.

Ramjattan and Nagamootoo had forgotten the fate of late UF leader Peter D’Aguiar, who paid a dear price for trusting the PNC; but the latter was driven by conviction, while the former was propelled by ambition that has made them myopic and blind to the realities of the bottomless abyss of darkness they were once again leading this country into.

History has judged Peter D’Aguiar and will no doubt similarly judge this infamous duo, but it is not too late for this country, because there is still a dynamic PPP/C that is imbued with the spirit of that Party’s iconic founder-leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan to lead another epic, heroic fight to rid this nation of the oppression and suffering that the Guyanese people have endured in the past over the long, relentless, painful years of PNC mismanagement, dictatorship and destructive practices.

Today the people have recognized that the coalition cabal is a destructive, oppressive, corrupt sham and trust the leadership of the current PPP/C administration.

The entire AFC has become obsolete and Nagamootoo and Ramjattan have completely lost relevance in Guyana’s socio-political construct.

Yours very truly, Erin Northe

find it sad that at a time when Guyana is experiencing a natural disaster, several agents of the opposition continue to play on citizens’ emotions in an attempt to peddle misinformation and cause division. The rains and floods have not discriminated against persons based on whom they voted for during the last Regional and General Elections. The people chose and today the PPP/C is in government. This fact needs to be accepted and respected.

His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and all Ministers of Cabinet, along with other PPP/C Members of Parliament have been visiting flood-affected areas across the country, engaging citizens and offering assistance regardless of race or perceived political affiliation.

Contrary to what is reported during their many unsubstantiated social media rants, the opposition has demonstrated that it is incapable of delivering to the citizens of this country.

The President himself has been leading flood-assessment outreaches across the country. Rather than sending officials from the various ministries, the Head of State has been on the ground engaging the people and delivering relief to those affected. These acts must be respected and commended.

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s activities must also be commended. The agricultural sector is one of, if not the most affected by the ongoing flood situation in Guyana. Many farms and pastures are now inundated and he has been on the ground almost every day engaging those who were affected.

The minister has assured residents that

every effort is being made to ensure that floodwaters are drained in addition to the systems being put in place to minimise further flooding.

Although most areas are still severely flooded, it would be unfair to say that the government has not made attempts to remedy the situation, or that the government is only engaging persons in perceived PPP/C strongholds.

Noticeably enough, the NDIA has been mobilising machines and mobile pumps to pump water on a 24-hour basis and clear clogged drains and canals in various communities. The GLDA has also been supplying livestock farmers with feed and treatment for their animals. Efforts were also made to relocate animals after sections of the Cookrite Savannah have become inundated. Other agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture have also commenced flood-assessments in many if not all of the affected farming communities. Minister Mustapha has also openly pledged to assist farmers to return to the land once this period passes.

The CDC has also been working, through the regional bodies, to provide hampers with food items and cleaning supplies to every household. To date, thousands of hampers have been distributed to affected persons across the country.

I am appealing to those persons with political influence to desist from using this very unfortunate occurrence to gain political mileage and promote division. Once again, I stand in solidarity with those who were affected and hope relief comes your way soon.

Yours sincerely, R. Chapman

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Heartened by efforts to address conduct of elections officials Dear Editor,

Strongest penalties must be T imposed to deter subversion of the will of the people Dear Editor,

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lease permit me to observe for your readership the commencement of a long-awaited but necessary intervention, following Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling that the SoPs from March 02, 2020 should be handed to the Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The move seems to have tipped the tolerance scale, informing unison of actions by some commissioners, while others continue to demonstrate tenacious and emboldened support for those condemned and charged, based on their publicly conducted fraudulent actions.

Of note, however, we are faced with a conundrum that highlights a more deep-seated problem, one which justifies the need for immediate electoral reform. On one side, PPP commissioners appointed to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have tabled motions representing the boldest moves yet for the removal of staffers who have publicly violated legal, guiding principles, and accepted norms administered by the organisation. On the other side, we are witnessing opposition commissioners attempting to water down the efforts to disinfect against those who have publicly contributed to heavy loss of confidence in the body.

Specifically, commission members Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick, and Manoj Narayan tabled motions to have Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; his deputy Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, respectively, to be dismissed from the GECOM. These GECOM commissioners have acted in the interest of our country and in support of upholding genuine democracy. In these letter columns, I have long advocated for the immediate removal of all GECOM staff found guilty of fraud, while those disrespectful to our constitution and other supportive legislation must not be allowed to be in public office.

In recently published articles and interviews, Commissioner Gunraj outlined 20 reasons, solid grounds why Lowenfield should be dismissed. Aside from these, it is extremely distasteful that the chairperson of the commission had to defend herself and the decisions of the commission by having legal representation in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal in matters against Mr. Lowenfield, while he acted as a servant under the employ of GECOM. It has been correctly argued by many that given the autonomy and functional responsibility of the commission for the hiring of staff in the institution, the matter should have been overwhelmingly dealt with since the new government was sworn in. Mr. Lowenfeild’s defiance of the chairperson’s instructions in orchestrating his clandestine intent of changing the true result in favour of the APNU+AFC during the process could not have demanded less than immediate sanctions by way of dismissals. These have certainly contributed to a heavy loss of confidence in the body under her watch.

Supporting the above is the total disrespect and arrogance displayed by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Lowenfield, when he breached his functions, duties, responsibilities,

and obligations, as he neglected to ensure adherence to, and compliance with the statutory process outlined in Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act. Mr. Mingo, whose functions fall under the direct supervision of the CEO, bluntly refused to add up the Statement of Polls and he was supported

by Lowenfield, while the latter bluntly refused to give proper guidance to the secretariat. The concoction was crystal clear in the view of all parties.

Editor, one must however acknowledge the clear fault lines in the system which place the heavy burden of procedure and decisions in the lap of the chairperson who must ensure she gets it right every time. This is necessary, given the position that was taken by the three APNU+AFC commissioners who complete the commission. Led by Vincent Alexander, these persons have certainly demonstrated a lack of intent towards constitutional objectivity and have openly supported the wrongdoings of Keith Lowenfield. It has created a situation in alignment with numerous conflicts of interest for persons appointed as GECOM commissioners, while actively leading other conflicting partisan interests.

It is recalled that as a serving GECOM commissioner whose obligation is the conduct of transparent and legal elections with the acceptance of legal results, Vincent Alexander wrote to the five visiting CARICOM Prime Ministers in his capacity as head of the Year of the People of African Descent, requesting them to understand that Guyana’s problems go way beyond the election and that must be their focus.

Further, Mr. Alexander has moved to allegedly ethnicising the chief justice’s decision to release the SOPs to the DPP and police as an attack on Afro-Guyanese. He has been however conveniently silent on the fact that the makeup of GECOM’s administrative staff is over 90 per cent Afro-Guyanese, that the organisation should release these stats, validated by the IFMAS confirmation of the names receiving payments. It is factual that Mr. Alexander’s convenient advocacy has been largely divorced from the real issues which lend to the fact that his previous involvement in electoral reform constructs has largely failed due to stymied and less than objective approaches.

The invalidation process upon which the CEO had embarked was found by the Caribbean Court of Justice to be unlawful and in conflict with the existing electoral laws. From the open and public evidence, it was clear that some members of the GECOM staff were in a rigging mood and made all efforts to derail the elections. Lowenfield openly acted in defiance of orders made by the court and yet, we are witnessing blunt, provocative support from the likes of Mr. Alexander and other APNU+AFC commissioners.

Madam Chairperson, in the interest of justice, therefore, the necessary action to put an end to all riggers must be taken now. The strongest penalties must be imposed to serve as a deterrent to future rigging and subverting of the will of the Guyanese people. The indecent trio in the secretariat must go!

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) welcomes efforts by a section of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to address, at last, the unbecoming conduct of Chief Elections Officer, alas meaningfully, Mr Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Ms Roxanne Myers; and Region #4 Returning Officer Mr Clairmont Mingo during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Federation, on several occasions, had advanced that serious actions should be taken against these three (3) individuals.

The trio were at the centre of the elections controversy which engulfed the nation for five (5) months. We hold that had they and their sponsors succeeded, the gains our nation recorded since the restoration of democracy would have vanished, as Guyana would have been seen as a pariah in the democratic world.

The conduct of GECOM officials represented probably the most naked attack on our democracy and the rights of our people. It is our view that personnel of such character should be nowhere close to the elections machinery ever again.

The three, by their conduct, have, in our view, demonstrated a lack of impartiality. They have shown not only Guyanese, but indeed the world, the depths they would descend to thwart the will of the Guyanese people. Their flagrant disrespect to decisions of the Court and the Commission ought not to be countenanced. As a law-abiding, democratic, and freedom-loving society, such behaviour is simply intolerable, and they must be held responsible for their actions.

We trust that good sense would prevail, and the Commission would act decisively. We hold that it would send a strong message and signal that there is no tolerance for individuals and/or groupings who seek to besmirch our democratic character.

At this time, too, we reiterate our previously expressed sentiments for electoral reform that would promote an accountable, unambiguous, and transparent elections machinery. The FITUG would, at an appropriate time, make its views on these matters known.

Sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo must go Dear Editor,

I

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

And we are almost a year into the PPP’s term in office, and there is one question for which I am dying to know thye answer: Why are Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and the embattled Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo still on the job or employed by GECOM? And why is it “okay” with the powers that be at GECOM to have this state-of-affairs continue into oblivion? These officials cost us many sleepless nights and delayed our elections’ results, and tried to derail our democracy. These individuals preyed on our innocence and the fact that we put our collective trust in GECOM to get the results right the first time and declare them.

Is it a hard task to dismiss or fire them? Is it not wise to point out all the breaches which they

committed and severe ties with them? Help me to understand how these individuals are able to hold our electoral system to ransom and keep us in political gridlock.

Well, GECOM will have to find a way out of the hole that it is in, so that we can hold our Local Government Elections and General Elections too. I don’t think the PPP would go to another election with those persons at the helm, regardless of what GECOM or APNU+AFC says.

I don’t think the people of this country would stand for it!

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

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

Sincerely, Attiya Baksh

Time for action by GECOM is now Dear Editor,

G

ECOM is in gross dereliction of duty for its refusal to discipline staff for good and sufficient cause.

Guyana’s labour laws provide for summary dismissal from employment by the employer for good and sufficient cause relating to an employee’s conduct and performance on the job. Under Section 7 of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, a contract of employment without term limit may, at any time, be terminated: by mutual consent of the parties; by notice to the other party; or, by either party, for good and sufficient cause.

Good and sufficient cause include refusal to carry out lawful instructions in a timely manner; or providing fictitious and fraudulent information and reports to the employing authority; or for misconduct, inefficiency, dilatory tactics, insubordination; or for unprofessional conduct and behaviour in the execution of contractual and statutory duties.

Why is there manifest inaction and paralysis or hesitation by GECOM in relation to the conduct and performance of the senior staff of GECOM and other recalcitrant and complicit staff of the Secretariat in the March 2, 2020 national elections? Why is there no prompt disciplinary action taken by GECOM to replace the obviously recalcitrant public employees,

who are public servants paid by tax payers?

Those GECOM employees who breached the Constitution and any election law in the conduct of their duties must face prompt disciplinary action, including termination and dismissal for good and sufficient cause.

Failure, or delay, or awaiting the outcome of court cases in a gross dereliction of duty by GECOM – the Chairman and Members of the Commission; it is a copout and dereliction of duty.

The population should not stay silent on crucial matters.

Madam Chair, it is an insult to the electorate of our country. Court matters, whether criminal or civil, are separate and apart from employment disciplinary actions. Those who breached the law or commit any offence must be prosecuted in the courts, and bear the full force of the law. This is separate and apart from any employment disciplinary action taken for good and sufficient cause.

Time for action now, GECOM! Madam Chair of GECOM, do not hide behind the outcome of court cases. As an employer, GECOM must take disciplinary action without delay.

Sincerely, J. Singh

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Election Petition 88 appeal...

APNU+AFC objects to SOPs, SORs being handed over to court B

oth election petitions filed by the APNU+AFC Coalition are now before the Court of Appeal.

The Coalition, on June 3, 2020, filed an appeal in the case of Petition 88, arguing that the ruling judge erred in the decision that was handed down.

Last month, Petition 88 was dismissed in the High Court by Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. Delivering her almost two-hour long virtual ruling yesterday morning, she underscored the fact that the petitioners had presented not a single piece of evidence to substantiate purported irregularities they sought to advance.

Petition 88, argued that the Recount Order was illegal and unconstitutional and therefore the declaration of results based on the recount

is illegal and unconstitutional.

Dominican SC Anthony Astaphan, represented the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); Trinidadian, SC Douglas Mendes, represented Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo in his capacity as General Secretary of the PPP/C; and Mr. Nandlall himself, who is representing the State.

Trinidadian SC John Jeremie, led the team of lawyers representing the petitioners.

The petitioners, Ms. Claudette Throne and Mr. Heston Bostwick were asking the Court to declare the election results null and void. In further seeking to do so, the petitioners are challenging the national vote recount process, Section 22 of the Elections Laws Act and Order 60 of 2020, which governed the recount.

SOPS, SORS OBJECTION Further, as part of the appeal in the case of Election Petition 88, the Coalition is complaining that the Acting Chief Justice should not have ordered the Statements of Poll (SOPs) and Statements of Recount (SORs) generated from the Elections to be lodged with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

The Acting Chief Justice on January 18, 2021 had ordered that the SORS and SOPS be lodged with the High Court for “safekeeping”, after she struck out one of the elections petitions – Petition 99 – which sought to overturn the results of the polls.

The request for the documents to be lodged at the court was made by Attorneys-at-law Mendes and Kashir Khan, who brought to the court’s attention that the

Representation of the People Act allows for the Chief Elections Officer to destroy all elections documents after a 12-month period would have elapsed. Accordingly, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield on January 27, 2021 delivered the SOPS and SORS to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

PETITION 99 Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal will commence hearing argument in the appeal filed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, challenging the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s dismissal of one of its elections petition – Petition 99 – on June 14, 2021.

The proceedings are set to commence at 13:30hour.

Petition No.99, which challenged the final elections results, was nullified

by the Acting Chief Justice on the grounds of non-compliance of service on the second named respondent, former President Mr. David Granger.

Petition 99, argued that fraud was committed in the March 2020 Elections and over 115,000 votes were affected, benefiting the PPP/C. So far, Petition 99 has been thrown out and the other will move forward.

Petition 99 of 2020 was filed on September 15, 2020,

by APNU+AFC Coalition agents Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse. Thomas and Nurse named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; David Granger – APNU+AFC Coalition; Horatio Edmonson – Federal United Party; Bharrat Jagdeo – People’s Progressive Party/ Civic; John Flores – Liberty and Justice Party; Asha Kis-

soon – The New Movement; Vishnu Bandhu – United Republican Party; Adebin Kindi Ali – Change Guyana; Patrick Bourne – People’s Republic Party, Jonathan Yearwood – A New and United Guyana; Shazam Ally – The Citizenship Initiative; and Gerald Perreira of Organisation for the Victory of the People as respondents. The Attorney General Chambers also joined the proceedings.

GECOM, on August 2, 2020, finalised results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections process.

Those results showed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won elections with 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes.

The two election petitions are challenging the results on different grounds.

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo charged for conspiracy to defraud

A

n additional charge of conspiracy to defraud has been instituted jointly against Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers, and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who will all make their court appearance later this month.

The charge states that the three, between March 2, 2020and August 2, 2020, conspired with others, including Volda Lawrence, Carol Smith-Joseph, Sherfern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings, Michelle Miller and others, to declare a false account of votes cast.

The GECOM trio were supposed to have made an appearance in court on Wednesday (June 9, 2021).

However, they were all late for court, resulting in Principal Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus adjourning the case to June 29, 2021.

The charge comes a week after Statements of Poll (SOPs) were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the

Guyana Police Force (GPF), as per a court ruling.

The ruling, handed down on May 27, 2021 by acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, followed an application made to the High Court by prevent the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack, SC, and Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie.

The DPP and Acting Police Commissioner had initiated legal proceedings in the High Court, seeking orders to obtain certified copies of the SOPs and SORs from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, which are currently lodged with the Registrar of the High Court.

The decision to move to the High Court came after the Police Commissioner wrote the Registrar of the High Court, Sueanna Lovell, to obtain the certified copies of the documents, but was informed, by way of a letter, this could not be done without an order from the Court.

The Acting Chief Justice on January 18, 2021 had ordered that the SORS and SOPS be lodged with the High Court for “safekeep-

ing”, after she struck out one of the elections petitions – Petition 99 – which sought to overturn the results of the polls. The request for the documents to be lodged at the court was made by Attorneys-at-law Douglas Mendes, S.C., and Kashir Khan, who brought to the court’s attention that the Representation of the People Act allows for the Chief Elections Officer to destroy all elections documents after a 12-month period would have elapsed. Accordingly, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield on January 27, 2021 delivered the SOPS and SORS to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

According to Ali-Hack, the SOPS and SORS are necessary for the fair hearing of the charges as they constitute relevant evidence for the prosecution to prove the commission of the offences related to the March 2020 Election debacle. The DPP, in her application to the court, had said, “If the prosecution does not have these documents, the hearing of the charges instituted will

be inordinately delayed, because hundreds of witnesses will have to testify, in their stead, in the charges instituted, causing the case not to be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time.”

Further, pursuant to the Representation of the People Act, the DPP pointed out that the documents are public records for which there is no restriction such as privacy, privilege, or secrecy. As such, the DPP submitted that: “There is no restriction to the Police obtaining them…by the common law and statute, namely Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, the Commissioner of Police and any member of the Police Force have the lawful right to collect and recover all documents and property which are relevant to the investigation and prosecution of any criminal offence.”

PERSONS CHARGED To date, several persons have been charged in relation to electoral fraud and misconduct in public office.

Earlier this year, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

ruled that the electoral fraud charges against PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC activist, Carol Joseph, and embattled Region 4 Returning Officer will be disposed of summarily.

In effect, this means that the cases will be tried in the Magistrates’ Courts. As a result of the Chief Magistrate’s ruling, Lawrence, Mingo, and Joseph have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trio is represented by Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes, Lawrence was slapped with two charges of conspiracy to commit fraud at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. She was placed on bail.

Joseph is charged jointly with Mingo for forgery.

They, too, have been placed on bail.

Mingo has been charged with several counts of misconduct in public office in relation to their conduct at March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Additionally, in February 2021, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly ruled that a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) will be con-

ducted into the two counts of misconduct in public office against Myers. This was after she upheld submissions

by Hughes for the charges to remain indictable. Myers was not required to plead to the indictable charges which stated that, during the period March 4 and 14, 2020, she willfully misconducted herself in declaring fraudulent results for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. She has been placed on $300,000 bail in relation to both charges.

Meanwhile Lowenfield is already facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. He has been placed on $300,000 bail.

There are also electoral fraud charges against GECOM clerks Denise Bob-Cummings and Michelle Miller, as well as GECOM Elections Officer Shefern February and Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan. They, too, have been released on bail.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has hired a team of lawyers to prosecute these cases on the State’s behalf.

8

ExxonMobil announces discovery at Longtail-3 E

xxonMobil this week announced that it made an oil discovery at Longtail-3 in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Drilling at Longtail-3 encountered 230 feet (70 meters) of net pay, including newly identified, high quality hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs below the original Longtail-1 discovery intervals. The well is located approximately two miles (3.5 kilometers) south of the Longtail-1 well. It was drilled in more than 6,100 feet (1860 meters) of water by the Stena DrillMAX. Senior Vice President of Exploration and New Ventures at ExxonMobil, Mike Cousins, said “Longtail-3, combined with our recent discovery at Uaru-2, has the potential to increase our resource estimate within the Stabroek block, demonstrating further growth of this world-class resource and our high-potential development opportunities offshore Guyana…we will continue to leverage our core competitive advantages in our ongoing exploration campaign, delivering substantial

value to the Guyanese people, our partners and shareholders.”

Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana in a statement said it anticipates that this new development will further increase the potential for more floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO). Additionally, this will increase the estimated recoverable resource given by the operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

“As such, the Ministry and the Petroleum Sector regulatory agencies will continue to work with other operators to expedite their drill programme as we seek to expand the sector,” Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat said.

In March 2021, ExxonMobil secured a sixth drillship, the Noble Sam Croft, for exploration and evaluation drilling activities offshore Guyana.

ExxonMobil anticipates at least six projects online by 2027 and sees potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop its current recoverable resource

balance.

The oil company’s 19 other discoveries include: 1. Liza 2. Payara 3. Snoek 4. Liza deep 5. Turbot 6. Ranger 7. Pacora 8. Longtail 9. Hammerhead 10. Pluma 11. Tilapia 12. Haimara 13. Yellowtail-1 14. The Tripletail 15. Mako-1 16. Urau 17. Yellowtail-2 18. Redtail-1 19. Urau-2 The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

CARICOM could benefit from Guyana’s oil wealth, but barriers to trade must be removed – President

T

he Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, could benefit from Guyana’s oil and gas sector if countries remove their barriers to trade which have historically targeted Guyana.

“We are in this together.

A better Guyana is a better CARICOM. A better CARICOM is a better world,” President Ali said, at a recent event.

Dr. Ali stressed that Guyana always took its regional responsibility seriously. Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves in April dubbed Guyana “the head corner-

stone of CARICOM,” when the country provided aid to his nation in the wake of the La Soufriere volcano eruption.

Guyana is willing to support the rest of the Region, President Ali said, “at the same time, the Region must help us to grow.

Just as enthusiastic as the private sector, for example, in Trinidad, is to invest in Guyana, I want them to be enthusiastic in the same way to remove the barriers in Trinidad for our trade, and our agricultural produce to enter the market.”

He said the Government is the private sector’s partner, but things must be done

in a way that would transform the lives of Guyanese.

Further, the President said if CARICOM had more resources, it would have been able to fully vaccinate the Region much faster.

CARICOM has been lagging in its vaccination because of its dependence on the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative.

In February, CARICOM complained about the inequitable access to vaccines for smaller, developing nations, as richer nations had taken the lion’s share of the supply. In the meantime, Guyana has been securing vaccines through other means.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Ali warns oil companies against excluding Guyanese from business opportunities

I

nternational oil companies and their sub-contractors were warned by President Dr. Irfaan Ali against excluding Guyanese from opportunities in the industry.

He made the comments during an address at the launch of Saipem’s offshore construction facility at Water Street, Georgetown, last weekend. “Don’t second guess. I am telling you openly. It will not go down well; whether you are a subcontractor or not, it will not go down well. You will push us to change our policy,” Dr. Ali said.

The President said for generational wealth to be created, Guyanese must be given business opportunities once they are capable

and competitive. He said investors should embrace that principle as part of their internal corporate value system.

Dr. Ali added that no one should say they need a foreign logistics firm to do brokerage services, hire taxis or undertake rentals because the very foreign firms will come to Guyana, own 20 properties and do the rentals themselves.

He pointed to businessman Robert Badal’s investment in a state-of-the-art corporate office and hotel facilities, saying that investors should utilise services available locally rather than going overseas.

Further, the President related a recent exchange with an investor who noted

that the draft local content legislation looks “tough”.

He said he reminded the investor that neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago has prevented investors from purchasing or owning land.

He said, “Right now, we have an open position, there is no discrimination, but we will have to ensure in this openness Guyanese are owning the facilities to be rented, and Guyanese are owning the opportunities to invest in those facilities.”

Dr. Ali also said local content includes providing jobs and training. On that note, he thanked Saipem for the training it has provided for Guyanese since fabrication is an essential aspect of the development of the oil industry.

To honour Rodney’s life we should all reject PNC's racist politics Dear Editor,

J

une 13, 2021 marks forty one years since the assassination of Walter Rodney. That murder still reverberates in our society.

The Guyanese people always knew that that dastardly act was committed by the PNC regime.

That general feeling was confirmed by the Commission of Inquiry which was set up in 2014 and had done quite a lot of work enough conclude that it was an act by the Burnham led PNC regime.

At the time of his brutal killing Guyana and the Caribbean was witnessing a massive upsurge of the people in the region.

In Jamaica the Michael Manley government was charting an anti-imperialist course and had moved to improve relations with Cuba.

In Dominica the semi-dictatorship of Patrick John was overthrown. In St. Lucia the people’s movement removed the government of John Compton.

The crowning success was undoubtedly the victory of the Maurice Bishop New Jewel Movement in Grenada. In Guyana on the lips of the masses was the chant “Gary gone! Patrick John gone! Who next? Burnham next!”

At that time Guyana was in constant turmoil.

The 1973 elections saw how unpopular the PNC had become. The PNC had to do massive rigging to try to stay in power. The Party had become so unpopular that they were nervous that the rigging was not enough to ensure their “victory”. They restored to naked force. The army was unleashed to seize the ballot boxes and change the people’s votes.

In the process scores of PPP supporters were arrested and two were murdered at No. 64 village on the Corentyne. Cheddi Jagan himself was arrested on the Corentyne. Many of his comrades had to go in hiding. One of whom, Rishi Ram Motie recently passed away.

It was in this atmosphere that Rodney re-

turned to Guyana in 1974. He was already well known in the country long before he arrived.

That was because of his expulsion from Jamaica in 1969 for his activism among the working and oppressed masses there.

The PNC’s efforts to prevent him from returning also gave him great popularity. The regime using their Party’s control of the Board of Governors over turned the decision of the Academic Board to appoint Rodney as Head of the History Department at the University of Guyana.

Shortly after his arrival the sugar workers led by the GAWU had called a strike to enforce its decades long demand to be recognized by the Sugar Producers as the bargaining agents for the workers.

The PNC regime answered by using the army and police to harass workers and actively recruited scabs to break the strike.

That brought the PPP into the strike to support the workers. The strike had now been transformed to one for Industrial democracy.

Walter Rodney and many of his colleagues came out in strong support and assisted in solidarity with the workers. That too, endeared him to the working people.

It also inspired many to see Jagan and the PPP fighting together with Rodney and the WPA. It was realizing a dream of Jagan to unite the working people of the country, going back the spirit of 1953.

The strike was “adjourned” in the words of Cheddi Jagan, and was resumed in the second crop. That led to the recognition of the GAWU. That brought to a conclusion a struggle which began in the 1940s.

There was another very important strike by the sugar workers in 1977 that lasted for one hundred and thirty five days. That strike was called to defend workers conditions. It was to force the Government to adhere to agreements reached (Turn to page 17)

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

$10B supplementary funding for flood relief – Jagdeo T

he PPP/C Government approached the National Assembly on Thursday (June 10, 2021) for $10 billion supplementary funds to aid its ongoing flood-relief efforts.

Dr. Jagdeo made the disclosure prior to the sitting of the House. He explained that the supplementary financing will be used to repair infrastructure, specifically roads and bridges that have been damaged by the nationwide flooding. Support will also be given to farmers, miners and families whose livelihoods were destroyed by the natural disaster.

“We have had unusual

levels of rainfall and extreme high tides, and tomorrow I am told that the next wave of high tides will start. This will further complicate matters…

The forecast is iffy. We hope that the rain will subside so that we can return to economic activities,” the VP said.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has established shelters in Lethem and others areas in Region Nine and Kwakwani, Region 10 for persons forced to abandon their homes. More than 100 persons have moved to the shelter in Kwakwani.

“I can understand the level of frustration and concern,

but I can assure people that the Government will assist,” he said.

Dr. Jagdeo said if it had not been for the Hope Canal, which a previous PPP/C Government established, and

which came under heavy scrutiny, the situation on the East Coast Demerara would have been worse.

To bring further relief to East Coast residents, he noted that the Government

inister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat says the Government intends to resume the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) to help reduce carbon emissions.

The project was launched by the PPP/C Government in 2010 with funding from the European Union (EU) to build up the country’s natural sea defences against the Atlantic Ocean.

Minister Bharrat made the commitment during his address at a tree-planting exercise held on World Environment Day, in collaboration with the Indian High Commission at the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown.

He said, “We can put a mechanism in place where we can have offsets elsewhere. And the mangrove project, if I may say quickly, is a project that was started under our administration before 2015, and this is something that we will continue in the next couple of years.”

Referring to the controversy surrounding the removal of mangroves at Versailles last month, Minister Bharrat reiterated that sacrifices must be made for Guyana’s development.

He noted however, that the Government will not leave the issue unresolved. He said the Government will seek out more areas to plant more mangroves.

In terms of the energy mix, Minister Bharrat noted that works are already underway to replace Guyana’s diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) powered grid with

the much cleaner natural gas, as well as hydro, solar and wind power. He said even with its optimistic oil production goals, the Government will maintain its carbon sink status.

Meanwhile, Vice President, Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said recently that the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) had supported Guyana’s replanting of mangroves.

The Vice President said also that the Government intends to reforest some 6,000 acres of mined out lands. He had said, “In Guyana, there is this old saying that a small axe can cut down a big tree.

We consider ourselves as a very small country, but we have been doing wonders in terms of protecting the environment, in terms of being a carbon sink, in terms of keeping our forests intact, in terms of having sustainable mining, and in terms of our energy mixes…” According to him, Guyana is blessed with 87 per cent forest cover and the best sustainable forest management system in the world.

The EU-funded GCCA+ initiative was executed between 2010 and 2013 and made commendable achievements, including the monitoring and protection of 36.5 kilometres of mangroves by a mangrove ranger unit, the planting of 420,000 black mangrove seedlings with community involvement, and the restoration of 5 kilometres of mangroves along the East Coast of Demerara, West Coast of Berbice and Corentyne Coast.

30,000 hampers to nine regions affected by flooding.

The Commission said on Sunday that since May 18, some 15,960 food and 13,894 cleaning hampers have been distributed.

It’s

Mangrove Restoration Project will offset carbon emissions –Bharrat

M

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Court ruling on release of SOPs, SORs will ensure accountability for election debacle A

cting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, on May 27, 2021, ordered that the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) from the March 2020 Elections, be released within the next 10 days to the prosecution, for trial of the charges laid

against persons accused of fraud connected with those elections.

The Judge also said that the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, cannot be a party to block a request by the Police Commissioner and the Director of Public

ALFRED CRAWFORD said: “The nature of politics in Guyana has been laid bare for a generation, who before the events of the March 2020 Elections, that was mostly indifferent or uninterested.

We grew up being told of the lengths politicians would go to hold on to power but for many it was just stories, most of which seemed quite farfetched if I’m being honest. Those stories however became plain reality for the entire world to see.

“The refusal of the Chief Elections Officer to execute his duty during those tense five months and to seemingly collaborate so willingly in an unconstitutional manner has highlighted significant flaws in our electoral process. More importantly, in addition to the other acts that were seen, it was made clear that accountability is needed.

“After a year in which our democracy and judiciary were truly tested, the move to ensure accountability is welcomed. This will prevent such a disgraceful and distasteful events to ever occur again during our electoral process. We the people must demand transparency.”

JOSH KHANAI said: “The acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire, has always proven to be a Guyanese of strength and integrity.

This was again the case in this latest court matter.

She has ruled that Mr. Lowenfield has no right in blocking the request of the DPP to have the SOPs and these very SOPs should be released within the next 10 days so that those charged with fraud and misconduct in public office can be held accountable.

“There is no better way for this nation to move forward; and move forward we will, when Mr. Lowenfield and company are held accountable.

Our nation has suffered enough but justice will be served and we will continue to progress as one people, one nation, one destiny.”

WAHEEDA SAHEED said: “The Ruling of Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire on May 27, 2021 is a healthy and welcomed judgment for all who fought to ensure that democracy and transparency prevails.

This ruling is a message to remind us, the Guyanese People that no one person should assume that they are above the laws of Guyana.

“GECOM like any other constitutional body has a mandate and it must abide to the laws of Guyana and not to whims and fancy of self-interest person/s.

Every Guyanese deserves justice and to ensure that the debacle attached to 2020 Elections must never happen again!”

Prosecutions (DPP) for the High Court to produce the documents for the purpose of a criminal investigation.

This week, as per the ruling, the SOPs were handed over to the Guyana Police Force.

LEVIS DEO said: “Keith Lowenfield has brought both the high electoral office of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Commission itself into grave disrepute. The last fifteen (15) months of his tenure have been plagued by blatant attempts to undermine democracy and the rule of law.

“The philosopher, George Santayana, had uttered these immortal words: ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’.

Lest we forget, on the 13th June, 2020, Lowenfield submitted, in his report to the Commission, that “… it cannot be ascertained that the results for [the Districts] meet the standard of fair and credible elections…”; on the 23rd June, 2020, Lowenfield submitted another report to the Commission in which he sought to invalidate over 100,000 votes cast at the elections; on the 10th July, 2020, Lowenfield wrote to the Chairperson, seeking “…clarification on request to prepare and submit election report…”; on 11th July, 2020, Lowenfield submitted a report, not based on the recount figures, but based on the ten (10) declarations of the returning officers; and on the 2nd August, 2020, following a press release from the Ministry of the Presidency that an election petition would be pursued, Lowenfield finally, presented his report to the Commission utilizing the recount figures.

“Now, almost a year later, the said Lowenfield makes an application to preclude the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Commissioner of Police (COP) from having the SOPs and SORs produced for prosecutorial and investigative purposes. The prosecution will naturally be required to disclose the evidence it intends to adduce at the trial of Lowenfield et al. Neither statute nor common law prescribes that the criminal proceedings against Lowenfield and others are to be conducted in camera. Therefore, the public and the media would not be prohibited from hearing or seeing the evidence, including the SOPs and SORs, tendered at the behest, and on behalf, of the DPP. The State must never condone that which is unlawful and, worse yet, illegal.

“The law is noble and eventually catches up with whosoever endeavours to defy or evade it.

What commenced as an unlawful act on the part of Lowenfield morphed, brazenly, into several such acts and he deftly and unsurprisingly crossed the Rubicon into criminal liability. The Guyanese people neither deserved nor desired to be the paranoid victims of a protracted attempt to rig the elections.”

The Weekend Mirror sought the views on this development and the consensus was that the court ruling has paved the way for accountability from those involved in the five-month debacle that was the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

BUDHESH CHATTERPAUL said: “In my view, the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire made the correct decision in ordering the release of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) and statements of recount (SORs) from the March 2020 elections. With this ruling, the path is clear for the DPP and Police to proceed with criminal charges against GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield, Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and others who were involved in what is clearly public misconduct.

“In this technological age all of Guyana and the world saw what played out and the efforts to subvert the will of the Guyanese people. Those involved must be held accountable for their actions. Again, the Acting Chief Justice has made the right decision she must be applauded. Majority of Guyanese are happy democracy has won again. What we endured through from March 2nd to August 2nd must never happen again in Guyana. The law must be allowed to take its course.”

TRAVIS BRUCE said: “Whenever I reflect on the March 2020 General and Regional Elections it reminds me of a time in my life that I find difficult to forget. The elections finally took place and was labelled free and fair. After the successful passage of the no confidence motion and the delaying tactics at the time one might have seen this as an attempt by the incumbent to hold on to power. As we remember these elections and all that took place it becomes apparent that many attempts were made to derail democracy and suppress the will of the people.

“The events that unfolded after the close of polls proved that there was collusion between certain GECOM officials and members of the then governing coalition. Throughout the many allegations of electoral fraud, it is important that we remember two of the most crucial details. The first being the fact that the coalition continued to claim victory without authenticating or presenting their versions of the Statements of Poll. And secondly, when the need arose for explanations as to what was taking place GECOM stopped holding press conferences which served as a means of keeping the population informed.

“I welcome the release of the SOPs and SORs, because I feel that this will highlight what appears to be a clear attempt to undermine democracy. All Guyanese deserve to know the truth about the figures and the truth about who was directly involved in these activities which resulted in delaying the official declaration and the swearing in of the duly elected President. The legal bodies must be able to function efficiently as they did during elections. Interferences and further delaying tactics by GECOM officials should not be allowed. We must be aware the role which the CEO of GECOM played in all of this. Furthermore, obstruction of justice must not be tolerated in any democratic society and must be seen as what it is - criminal. For us to fully understand what went wrong and aim to fix it, we must examine all involved and they must be brought to justice.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

CDC advises that countrywide flooding is now a Level 2 Disaster

T

he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has advised that the flood situation across the country is now a Level 2 Disaster, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State made this disclosure as he addressed residents of Chesney New Housing Scheme during the second day of his outreach activities in regions Five and Six. He said, “The CDC advised this morning that the disaster is a Level 2 Disaster so that we can now move the situation to the international community to get international support.”

According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) Regional Response Mechanism, a Level 2 Event is one in which the national capacity to respond is not overwhelmed, but some external assistance is required. The affected State may or may not declare a disaster. In this scenario, the CDEMA Coordinating Unit may provide technical assistance, specialised equipment, support personnel and

information sharing.

In comparison, a Level 3 Event overwhelms the capacity of an affected State to respond.

TEAM ON THE GROUND Accompanying President Ali during the outreach were Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, the Honourable Nigel Dharamlall; Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig; Head of the NDIA, Mr Lionel Wordsworth and Regional Chairman, Mr David Armogan among other representatives.

The President used the opportunity to assure the residents that Government is working assiduously to address their concerns. He said that the Government will propose a supplementary provision for parliament to secure additional resources t0 support the efforts.

“I am here to let you know that the situation is far from over, but we are going

to be here throughout. The same support that you talk about that the Government gave you in the initial phase will continue…I want to assure you that we are going to be with you, we are going to help in the rebuilding process, and we are going to support the rebuilding process.”

WE WANT TO HELP AND WE WILL BE HELPING Prior to his stop in Chesney, the Head of State began the outreach activities in Fyrish, where he reassured residents there that every single community in every region affected by floodwaters, including their community, will be aided.

“I am going to every single community across our country to let people understand and to know we are concerned about the situation and we want to help, and we will be helping …

So I’m here this morning to assure you as President that every single community will be served,” he assured.

The President explained that the immediate needs in many of the flood-affected communities are to ensure that residents have access to food, shelter as well as health care. He added that the worst affected are farmers and those who rear livestock.

Regarding the actions being taken by the various agencies, President Ali noted that the CDC has already initiated a programme to ensure that food is delivered to affected areas and that medical supplies and shelter are provided.

“We will be working hard to get as much water off of the land as possible; as soon as the water recedes we are going to have a full assessment.”

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE The Fyrish residents raised several concerns with the President and his team, which the Head of State addressed head-on.

The President promised them that the relevant

personnel from the various agencies, inclusive of an engineer, a representative from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), among others, will be on the ground to assist.

“Today, they will tell me what they recommend, and we will see what we can do in terms of the immediate drainage, in terms of food supplies… and the feed. GLDA people will be here with you and the CDC, and once we get the report back today, before Thursday afternoon, you will get the stuff coming in.”

He also instructed that a hymac be sent into the community by tomorrow.

During the interactive engagements, officials from the various agencies were able to brief residents in the communities on the progress of interventions in their respective areas.

In his updates to the residents of Fyrish, the Minister of Agriculture said that prior to today’s visit, there were a number of teams in Region Six to verify and to also put

measures in place to deal with the flooding conditions affecting most NDCs. The ongoing interventions include the excavation of outfalls and canals.

He added that the GLDA officials have been working with livestock farmers to ensure that they take care of their animals.

Lieutenant Colonel Craig also addressed the residents and provided critical updates on relief measures.

After Chesney New Housing Scheme, the team made their way to Chesney Old Scheme.

During that stop, the President also updated the residents about the flooding in other areas and promised them support.

“I want you to be assured that the Government will be with you throughout this process.”

The President is expected to travel to several other affected communities in Region Six today. Yesterday he journeyed to a number of riverain communities in Mahaica and Mahaicony.

Farmers assured of gov’t support during Guyana committed to improving access to rebuilding phase HIV treatment, care F G armers were assured by President Dr. Irfaan Ali that Government will support them throughout their rebuilding phase as they continue to deal with the effects of floodwaters.

The Head of State outlined several solutions, which will see relief and assistance in the short-term, medium-term, and long-term.

He promised to provide such for all those who are affected by the destructive floods in Guyana. “I am here today as President to assure you directly that though the situation is daunting now and challenging, you can rest assured that Government is here to support you, not only in the immediate term but also in the medium and long terms,” Ali declared/ There was one common call from farmers at the different locations, and that was the need for support to help them get back on their feet.

“My friend raised the issue with support for the farmers, the bank, and so, yes, I hear you, and definitely

those are the things we will be talking about as we move forward,” the President noted during one of the stops. “We will be engaging the banks and looking at what we can do; we will be looking at how we can help to return you to the lands and to ensure that we can get back to productive capacity. That is why I am here to assure you that we are going to work with you,” he said.

According to the President, it will be difficult to gauge the magnitude of destruction on farmlands and households, until the water recedes.

The Head of State reiterated that the Government’s priority in the initial stage of the disaster is to provide the essentials, including food, drinking water, medical supplies and shelter.

President Ali also told the communities that they need to be selfless in community spirit since they are stronger as a unit.

He said, “Sometimes what is best for the communi-

ty might not be best for you, but that is why we live in a community, we don’t live on an island by ourself, and in times of disaster, we have to make a decision that is in the best interest of our community. We have heard you, I am asking you to sit down as a community, and I want you to come up with the priority that you want. Because when the supplementary is passed, we will take your priority and implement it. I am asking all of you to come together.”

REQUESTS GRANTED Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who was one of two Ministers with the President, also gave an update on the Government’s immediate infrastructural interventions.

He said, “I was here last Monday, and a number of requests were made. I know for a fact that all the requests have been taken care of; we have placed the pump at New Providence. We have brought in the machine; four machines were working in

this area from last Monday.”

He added that since the water is not receding, a pontoon with an excavator has been moved to the mouth of the Mahaicony River for it to be dredged. He added that a pump will also be moved from Pine Ground to Cottage to assist the drainage.

Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, updated the residents on the Commission’s efforts across the country and the region in particular.

Residents expressed their gratitude for the President’s visit and said that while they are still severely affected by the flood, the visit has brought them some “peace of mind” and reassurance.

Along with Minister Mustapha, and Craig, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, the Honourable Nigel Dharamlall; Head of the NDIA, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth; Regional Chairman, Mr Vickchand Ramphal and other representatives, also travelled with the President.

uyana is fully committed to providing universal access to prevent the spread of HIV and provide treatment and care for persons living with the infection. This is according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who made this statement in his address to the United Nations (UN) virtual High-Level Meeting on HIV on Monday (June 7, 2021).

“Guyana’s HIV programme results are among the best in the Caribbean. A total of 95 per cent of those living with HIV have been diagnosed. Seventy-three (73) per cent who are aware of their HIV status are on treatment and, almost nine out of every ten of these were virally suppressed,” the President said.

President Ali said over the past 20 years, the country has worked to reduce new HIV infections by more than half. He said while Guyana, like several other

countries had missed the UN 2020 90-90-90 targets, the country had re-committed to the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy, which aspires to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The Head of State told the high-level meeting that Guyana has taken immediate steps to ensure care and assistance are given to those in need.

“Guyana has already embarked on a comprehensive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis programme, ensuring that anyone, anywhere in Guyana, who is at risk of an HIV infection, can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Another innovative focus of our comprehensive response is increasing self-testing.

We have already integrated testing, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases in our primary health care system,” President Ali said.

Additionally, the Gov(Turn to page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

President, gov’t officials leads teams

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

13

to flood-affected communities

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW

US$112.4M Linden-Mabura Teixeira moves motion to remove issue to be debated Road loan document presented Patterson as PAC chair ‒Monday government Isaacs, was invited into the Chairperson of a Committee to National Assembly Thehas PPP/C moved a motion to meeting to provide guidance does not have the authority

S

enior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Thursday (June 10, 2021) presented the $22.5 billion (US$112,432,000) loan for the construction of the Linden-Mabura Hill Road in National Assembly.

Minister Singh told the House that the loan agreement for the 121-kilometre thoroughfare was signed on February 24, 2021 between the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The road project ranks high on the PPP/C Administration’s development agenda, as it will revolutionise travel between Region Ten and the hinterland, since the existing thoroughfare is difficult to use during the rainy seasons.

Construction is expected to begin during the last quarter of 2021 and completed by the end of 2024. The

upgraded road will improve connectivity between the coast and the hinterland.

Eighteen contractors submitted prequalification documents on April 15.

Additionally, 22 consultants have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) and several of them have been shortlisted. The Administration expects a consultant to be on board for the project

by September this year.

The Ministry of Public Works is conducting the project and has retained Mott McDonald UK in association with SRKN’gineering as supervisory consultant.

Last December, Dr. Singh commended the President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led Government for nurturing a stable political climate that facilitates funding from foreign financial institutions.

“Since the return of democracy to Guyana on 2nd August, as you would have

seen President Irfaan Ali, his Government, has set about in a very, very diligent way to re-engage the international community with a view to restoring the relationships with our major development partners, multilateral and bilateral…

The discussion on this project has been going on for a long time so the conversation on the project in fact predates our demitting of office in 2015,” Minister Singh had said.

At the time, Dr. Singh lauded the spinoff benefits from the project which includes but is not limited to the bolstering of ecotourism through the improved access to tourist hotspots, such as the Iwokrama Rain Forest.

The US$190 million road is being funded jointly by the CDB, the United Kingdom (UK), and Guyana. The UK is providing US$66 million and Guyana, the remaining US$12 million.

remove Coalition Parliamentarian, David Patterson as the Chairperson on the Public Accounts Committee.

The motion, in the name of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, will be debated in the National Assembly on Monday, June 14, 2021.

The motion noted that at the Sixth Meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, on February 1, 2021, following certain exposures during the examination of the 2016 Auditor General’s Report, a motion was moved

by Teixeira calling for Patterson to resign as Chairperson while remaining as a member of the Committee and that another member of the Opposition be elected as the Chairperson. The motion was put in accordance with Standing Orders 26 (Admissibility of Motions) and 30 (h) Exemption from Notice.

Patterson, however, refused to resign.

The motion was then moved and supported by the majority of the members for the removal of the Chairperson. However, Patterson, as the PAC Chair, refused to “put” motion to a vote as required by the Standing Orders. The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock

and advised the Committee that the Regional Group of Clerks in the Caribbean had agreed that any member could move a motion for the Chairperson to step aside and that “no notice was required for a motion to be brought in a committee and the motion should be “put”, and if a division was called, it should be voted on.

Despite the Clerk’s advice, Patterson remained defiant.

Patterson, instead, vacated the chair while remaining in the room and invited other members of the Opposition to take the chair, but they declined; resulting in their being no Chair and the meeting being aborted.

At subsequent meetings, while the motion to vote on Patterson’s removal was on the PAC’s agenda, Patterson refused to allow a vote on the issue.

On May 3, 2021, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, intervened. He wrote the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, copied to all members of the Public Accounts Committee, in which he stated that: i) as Speaker he could intervene in a committee related issue in “ very serious and special circumstances;” (ii) the

to place an asterisk against a Member’s motion, only the mover could; (iii) this action by the Chairperson was a “gross violation of the Standing Orders and tantamount to bullyism,” and, iv) he compelled the Chairperson to “put” the motion. Despite this, Patterson refused to comply.

The motion, which will be debated on Monday, June 14, 2021, stated that: “Mr. David Patterson has consistently and openly violated the Standing Orders and has introduced a level of bullyism unbefitting of a Member of Parliament, and, in doing so, bringing the image of the National Assembly into disrepute.”

As such, the motion, in Teixeira’s name, calls the House to vote on the removal on Patterson as Chairperson on the Public Accounts Committee, given that “Patterson’s conduct as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee with respect to his open violation of the Standing Orders, among other things, in particular since February 1, the majority of the members of the Public Accounts Committee have lost confidence in him” as the PAC Chairperson.

Bill tabled to address ‘designer drugs’

T

he Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment), first published on June 7, 2021, was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Thursday (June 10, 2021).

The purpose of this Bill is to amend Section 2 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10.

The amendment seeks to control the possession and use of new and emerging psychotropic substances, otherwise referred to as "de-

signer drugs", being abused especially by young people.

Further, Clause 2 of the Bill seeks to amend section 2 of the Principal Act by inserting a definition for "controlled substance analogue" and amending the definition of "narcotic" to include controlled substance analogues. By this insertion, all new compounds of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances especially synthetic substances, with a similar chemical and structural makeup and a similar

or greater stimulant, depressant or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system to those substances currently prohibited by the Principal Act will be captured. This will ensure that persons in possession of these substances will be, charged and prosecuted accordingly.

Tabled in the House by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, the Bill is expected to come up for debate at a later sitting of the National Assembly.

15

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW Over 29,000 households Coalition’s shore base affected by recent heavy motion designed to frustrate development – Finance Minister – PM Phillips tells Parliament rainfall – CDC continuing to monitor, provide support T P

rime Minister, Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips had disclosed that over 29, 300 households have been affected by recent heavy rainfall across the country.

The Prime Minister made this statement in his address in the 28th Sitting of the 12th Parliament, being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Lilliendaal, on Thursday (June 10, 2011).

He said based on the latest seasonal reports, it is estimated that the country will continue to experience above-normal rainfall during the period of June to August 2021. Specifically, there will be more days of extreme wet spells which could result in more flooding.

PM Phillips said the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Emergency Response Mechanism will remain in place to help the nation through this disaster.

He said, “Ongoing management of shelter operations at Kwakwani, Mapletown, Rockstone and supporting

the establishment of an additional shelter in Hururu, Karawab, Tabatinga and in other communities as they see fit.

Continued on-the-ground support and assessments in Upper Mazaruni in Regions Seven and Eight.”

The Prime Minister said notwithstanding the challenging terrain of Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) relief items have reached affected communities there.

Phillips said, “Under the stewardship of President [Dr.] Mohamed Irfaan Ali, our Government was swift in our response to flood-affected areas. Cabinet Members and other Government officials have conducted multi-stakeholder outreaches to affected communities throughout our country to make first-hand assessment of the situation, and to lead and to participate in the ongoing relief measures.

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of these devastating conditions, the Civil Defence Com-

mission (CDC) has been exceedingly active in its shelter management, evacuation, and relief distribution efforts across the country.

To date, CDC has distributed 19, 935 food hampers and 17, 529 cleaning hampers to affected persons as a form of emergency relief. A total of 201 persons have also been housed in shelters.”

PM Phillips also disclosed that a bank account has been established at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited to facilitate flood response donations from members of the public.

Additional support is also being provided to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two for the establishment of two shelters in the Pomeroon River.

Further, there has also been continued engagement with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and other regional and international stakeholders for support to Guyana’s national flood response.

Coalition called out for only investing in ‘strongholds’ M inister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson says some 20 sports grounds are slated to be upgraded during this year at a cost of $10 million each.

The Sport Minister was at the time responding to a question posed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Jermaine Figueira on Thursday (June 10, 2021) in the National Assembly.

Minister Ramson said unlike the APNU+AFC Government, the current administration believes in equality.

He said under the previous Government, over $30 million was allocated for two sports grounds in Dartmouth and Queenstown in Region Two. Both communities, he said, are Opposition strongholds. “No allocation for Pomona, Suddie, Anna Region, Derbyshire, no allocations anywhere

else. No monies were allocated to the areas where the people were supportive of the PPP and all the resources were spent,” he said.

Minister Ramson chastised the Opposition for neglecting sports facilities although billions of dollars were budgeted for their upgrade. He said the 2021 budgetary allocations for the enhancement of sports grounds is another demonstration of inclusionary governance.

“Meanwhile, over in areas that were unsupportive of the People’s Progressive Party, I would like the nation to know that we are going to be spending not only monies on the grounds, but equal amounts of monies,” he said.

The sports grounds slated to be upgraded in 2021 include: • Reliance • Queenstown

• Affiance • Cornelia Ida • Tuschen • Met en Meerzorg • Zeelugt • Zeeburg • Goed Fortuin • Success • Buxton • Enterprise • Better Hope • Enmore • Bath Settlement • Blairmont • Bush Lot • Cotton Tree • Port Moraunt • Line Path • Rose Hall/Canje In addition to upgrading the grounds, the Culture Ministry will be constructing mini stadiums in Regions Two, Six and Ten. These will be located at the Anna Regina Community Centre, Albioon Community Ground and the Mackenzie Sports club.

he Opposition motion in the National Assembly, which sought to regulate the placement of shore bases for the oil industry, was rubbished by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Thursday (June 10, 2021).

The motion called for a multi-agency taskforce to decide on a land use policy for the oil sector, and mandates that future shore bases be state-owned, but leased to private operators.

Dr. Singh said the motion was ill-conceived and designed to frustrate the course of national development. He said, “A land use policy sir, will not dictate what area

should be used for what; a land use policy sir, will instead outline the broad principles that will govern the management and use of land … nothing to do with whether to use Berbice River or Demerara River for land.”

A section of the motion calls for future shore bases to be constructed in the counties of Berbice and Essequibo only, to develop parity in the oil and gas industry.

Dr. Singh said linking the land use policy to the location for a shore base operation reflects a fundamental lack of understanding of the aims of such a policy.

He explained that the very formulation of the motion points to the “gross in-

eptitude and incompetence” that characterises the APNU+AFC in government.

The Minister questioned why the coalition did nothing to advance a land use policy during its five-year term if it believed such a document was important. Singh said, “They spent five years engaged in an excursion of frivolity in government and have left absolutely no policy of any significance, no new project, no legacy of which to speak except a legacy of disrepair and disgrace.”

Dr. Singh said the coalition government could have done a lot better to prepare Guyana for oil.

The motion, when put to a vote, was defeated 33 to 31.

Guyana’s elderly leading countrywide COVID-19 vaccination ‒ Dr. Anthony tells National Assembly

O

lder Guyanese have been responding positively to the Government’s countrywide vaccination campaign with almost 73 per cent receiving their COVID-19 vaccines, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Updating the National Assembly on the Government’s vaccination programme Thursday (June 10, 2021), Dr. Anthony said more than 297,490 persons have received their first dose of the vaccine. Of that amount, 81,729 persons have been fully immunised.

The amount represents 10.6 per cent of the total population, or 16.8 per cent of the country’s adult population. He commended the older population for leading by example, both locally and across the globe.

“Seventy-two-point five per cent of persons 60 years and older have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In terms of the elderly population, this represents one of the highest rates of the first dose for the elderly population anywhere in the world. “We are hopeful that soon all these persons would

return for their second dose and, thereby, be fully vaccinated,” Minister Anthony said.

The Minister told the National Assembly that many countries would like to implement a vaccine programme within their territories; however, they are challenged by the unavailability of vaccines.

Anthony said, “There is a global vaccine scarcity. That is, the demand for vaccines has outstripped the supply. According to the WHO, worldwide, as of the 9th June, approximately 2.12 billion doses were given. Of these, 458 million persons are now fully vaccinated, representing 5.9 per cent of the global population. We still have much ground to cover. In the 40 to 59 age group, we are at 41.2 per cent, while for persons 18 to 39 age range we are at 38 per cent. We need to encourage more young people to get vaccinated, especially in the latter age group since we have seen a higher percentage of confirmed cases within this age group, approximately 9,760 persons. We have seen more hospitalization,

and deaths within this age category. I will therefore urge the younger population to get vaccinated.”

Dr Anthony said since Guyana’s first patient was recorded on March 11, 2020, the country has had some 18,088 confirmed cases, with 15,898 persons having recovered to date. Current active cases number, 1770, while 84 persons are hospitalised.

Some 419 persons have lost their lives to the dreaded disease.

“I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. COVID 19 is a serious disease. Our case fatality is at 2.3 per cent, or put another way, for every 100 persons infected with the virus, two would lose their lives…let’s change vaccine hesitancy to vaccine enthusiasm by encouraging every eligible person to take the vaccine,” he said.

Minister Anthony also thanked the country’s healthcare workers for being at the forefront of the pandemic. He also commended their resilience during the recent floods in communities countrywide.

[SEE RELATED COVID-19 REPORTING ON PAGE 23]

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Biden orders review of COVID origins as lab leak theory debated (REUTERS) President Joe Biden ordered aides to find answers to the origin of the virus that causes COVID-19, saying that U.S. intelligence agencies are pursuing rival theories potentially including the possibility of a laboratory accident in China.

Intelligence agencies are considering two likely scenarios but still lack strong confidence in their conclusions and are hotly debating which is more probable, Biden said.

The conclusions were

detailed in a report to Biden, who asked his team in March to detail whether the novel coronavirus "emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident," according to the president's written statement.

Biden's unusual public disclosure about private and inconclusive U.S. intelligence assessments revealed a debate raging within his administration over where the novel coronavirus originated. It also lent credence

to a theory that the virus may have emerged from a Chinese research laboratory instead of in nature.

China's embassy in the United States said that politicizing the issue would hamper investigations into the origins of COVID-19.

China supports “a comprehensive study of all early cases of COVID-19 found worldwide and a thorough investigation into some secretive bases and biological laboratories all over the world,” the embassy said

in remarks attributed to a spokesperson, posted on its website.

The pandemic has killed more than 3 million people worldwide and battered the global economy because of lockdowns and other restrictions to slow its spread.

The origin of the virus remains contested among experts. The first known cases emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

In a report issued in March and written jointly with Chinese scientists, a World Health Organization-led team that spent four weeks in and around Wuhan in January and February said the virus had probably been transmitted from bats to humans through another animal, and that "introduction through a laboratory incident was considered to be an extremely unlikely pathway."

'SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR CHINA' Washington's frustration has mounted in recent weeks over what it sees as insufficient cooperation from China into the international investigation.

"I have now asked the Intelligence Community to

redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days," Biden said.

"As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China."

U.S. agencies have been pursuing COVID-19's origins since the government first recognized the virus as a serious health risk in early 2020.

The U.S. government sources said a still-classified U.S. intelligence report circulated during former President Donald Trump's administration alleged that three researchers at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology became so ill in November 2019 that they sought hospital care.

The source of that early intelligence or how reliable U.S. agencies rate it is not known. It remains unclear whether the afflicted researchers were hospitalized or what their symptoms were, one of the sources said.

Intelligence committees of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are

investigating how U.S. agencies have reported on and gathered information about COVID-19's origin, how it spread and how governments have responded to it.

A report issued by House Intelligence Committee Republicans earlier this month focused particularly on the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The Republican report asserted that "significant circumstantial evidence raises serious concerns that the COVID-19 outbreak may have been a leak" from the institute, suggested the Wuhan lab was involved in biological weapons research, and that Beijing had attempted to "cover up" the virus' origins.

Washington has called for the WHO to open a second phase to its investigation on COVID-19′s origin.

In Geneva, WHO emergency director Mike Ryan said the agency expected to provide an update on its proposed next steps "in the coming weeks."

China’s delegation to the WHO said it was calling on “all parties” to “adopt an open and transparent attitude” to cooperate with the WHO’s attempts to trace the virus’ origin.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

To honour Rodney’s life... (From page 8) COVID-19 vaccination the union and GuySuCo. attacked in two ways, violence and dismissals drive-through at MovieTowne, between In this strike too Walter Rodney joined with from jobs and other loss of livelihood. Some the GAWU and PPP in giving solidarity to the enticements and bribery were also employed. workers and their unions.

The idea of the British, later the Americans and Stadium this weekend Here again the whole state apparatus was the PNC was to try force the African Guyanese

F

ollowing several successful COVID-19 vaccination drive-through exercises, the Ministry of Health will be hosting another event this weekend at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence and MovieTowne, Turkeyen East Coast Demerara.

Minister Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony made this announcement on Thursday (June 10, 2021).

The event at the Stadium will run from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, while the MovieTowne exercise will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Persons desirous of receiving their vaccines can visit either locations on Saturday or Sunday.

“We want to encourage

people who haven’t gotten their vaccines as yet to come out and get your vaccines.

While we say that it’s a drive-through, there are also people who walk through and so if there are persons who want to come and get their vaccines, we’ll be able to give you a vaccine …

Whether you walk or you drive, we will make arrangements for you to get that vaccine,” he said.

Dr. Anthony said the Ministry would be partnering with several businesses to offer incentives to persons who are vaccinated. With this, he said, more persons may be encouraged to get vaccinated. The Minister is hopeful that as had occurred at the previous drivethrough exercises, thousands

of persons would turn out this weekend.

He said, “Hopefully we will get at least from these two drive-throughs a minimum of 4000 people on these two days. So, let’s see, maybe we will break the record, maybe we will get more… Once we unveil some of the incentives that we’ll be giving maybe, more people will come out.”

To date, over 215,000 persons have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 81,761 persons are fully immunised.

During the last vaccination drive through held at the stadium, over 1000 persons received their COVID-19 vaccines. Similar successful exercises were held in Regions Two and Six.

thrown against the workers and the progressive forces in the country. This struggle was taking place at the same time when the PPP was fighting to save one of its members from the hang man’s noose. He was on the trumped up charge of having shot a policeman at the toll gate on the Corentyne. The joint activities continued with the joint boycott of the Referendum in which Burnham was going to impose a Constitution on the Guyanese people.

All of those actions began uniting people and posing a threat to the existence of the PNC in government.

After all it must be recalled that the PNC was created by the Colonial powers to stop independence under the leaderships of the PPP. To accomplish its mission the British facilitated the PNC terroristic activities and its work to divide the working people. Racism was always at the heart of the PNC actions. It is that philosophy that guide its actions even today.

The hatred for Rodney stemmed from the fact that the African Guyanese masses were responding positively to his politics. The PNC’s propaganda had reached a brick wall and the strategies it used previously was not having any impact on Rodney.

Recall the vicious attacks on African Guyanese PPP members and supporters. They were

out of the PPP to push their division strategy.

Those African leaders of the PPP that refused to bow to that pressure were slandered as being “collie strooges”.

That mentality and tactics is still being used by the PNC, now APNU/AFC. That could not be done against Rodney. He was conscious of the PNC tactics. Moreover he had acquired a lot of experience in other political and revolutionary movements. By the time be arrived here he was already known as a strong fighter for racial equality and an end to racial discrimination. He was also known as a Marxist who saw class as very vital. He did not join the PPP specifically to deny the PNC that racist tool of calling him a ‘coolie stooge’.

The PNC regime then turned most of their fire on him and his comrades. The dictatorship murdered many of his close comrades including Oheni Koama. They were desperate to hold on to their racist tool which had served them so well, even up to this day.

In honouring Rodney’s life we should all reject PNC racist politics which is so evident in these times!

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar, Former President

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Decision to close sugar estates ‘callous and unconscionable’ – Dr Singh tells ILO meeting S

enior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh says the Coalition’s decision to close the Wales, East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates in 2016 and 2017 was “ill-considered, callous and unconscionable.”

The decision, he said, has left families, communities and Guyana’s economy still reeling from the economic blow.

Dr. Singh was at the time addressing the commissioning of a study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Thursday (June 10, 2021), on the “Socio-Eco-

nomic Impact of the Closure of GUYSUCO Sugar Estates on Sugar Workers in Guyana.”

The report gives a comprehensive overview of the vast economic impact the estates’ closure have had on workers, sugar producing communities and the economy as a whole.

Dr Singh said the sugar industry has been integral in the village and Guyanese economy. The closure of the four estates resulted in dramatic economic hardships, especially in rural Demerara and Berbice, with ripple effects across Guyana.

“What was striking was

that this decision was taken without the benefit of any prior social and economic analysis and indeed, it conflicted with the report or the findings reported by the Commission of Inquiry which was commissioned by our predecessors in office, which stopped short of recommending the closure of any estates.

It is particularly perplexing that having commissioned an Inquiry into the industry, which did not recommend the closure of any estate, the then Government proceeded with the closure of the estates.”

Some 7,000 Guyanese

were placed on the breadline following the estates’ closures.

Dr. Singh said the Government welcomes the ILO’s study, which he said recounts the turmoil of the sugar workers and the sector beginning in February 2016.

He said the three remaining estates Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt were then starved of investments, resulting in sugar production reaching its lowest level in history.

The Finance Minister said the Government has already begun the restructuring of the industry, which will see the reopening of the estates in an orderly fashion.

The process commenced with the appointment of a new board and management.

The Board has been tasked with developing a master-

plan that will guide the development of each estate, Dr. Singh relayed.

He said the Government expects the plan will restore some socio-economic balance in the sugar belt, including the recapitalisation of the industry, promoting product diversification and value-added production.

Mr Dennis Zulu, Director, of ILO’s Decent Work Team and Office – Caribbean said the study involved many months of hard work between consultants and the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union.

UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka said the study revealed that behind every sugar worker is a family whose life, home and community has been the sugar estate.

“The sugar industry is a

valuable part of the legacy and heritage of Guyana and is also a symbol of resilience of the painstaking labour, intergenerational, dedication, sacrifices encourage overtime.

It is heart-breaking to read the painful consequences of commodity market fluctuations and sugar estate closures that have impacted workers and their families economically, socially and personally,” she said.

Ms. Tanaka also said the study offers many lessons for policy making and implementation and hopes it would inform decisions on the future of the industry. In 2016, the Coalition Government closed the Skeldon and Rose Hall estates in Region Six; Enmore, East Coast Demerara, and Wales on the West Bank of Demerara.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

COM M ENTARY

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Guyana paying steep price for five years of Coalition’s incompetence and corruption

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

G

uyana is paying a steep price for the visionless, corrupt, incompetent period of APNU/AFC governance between 2015 and2020.

Elections matter; who runs a country matter. Regardless who runs the country, there will never be a perfect government, and there will always be missteps and bad judgments. But over-

all between 2015 and 2020 virtually every action of the then government revealed a frightening level of visionless policies and actions, horrendous missteps, unfathomable incompetence and a level of corruption never seen in this country. While the Irfaan Ali-led PPP Government has been working at break-neck speed to put Guyana back on the right road, in the midst of COVID-19 and now the

2021 floods, the disaster of the last five years is truly a mountain that represents an overwhelming challenge.

For example, the new PPP Government took over in August 2020 with a massive shortage of medicines and medical supplies. This was compounded by the presence of tens of thousand tons of expired medicines and supplies, amounting to more than $10B. The ex-

pired, unusable medicines and supplies filled the warehouse in Diamond and filled all the pharmaceutical storage bonds in the ten regions.

In the five years, the APNU/ AFC government spent almost $500M in renting warehouse space to store goods when the main warehouse in Diamond was filled to the brim with expired and unusable goods. This, at the very least, is gross incompetence,

but raises serious concerns about corruption. Did someone created a milieu that forced renting of warehouse space so that contracts could be awarded to friends and donors?

But the warehouse at Diamond and in the Regions were not only filled with expired medicines and supplies, they were filled with items we need, but procured in amounts that would last

between 50 and 300 years.

For example, the APNU/ AFC Government procured umbilical cord clamps which are used in maternal delivery rooms that will last for more than 50 years. Take another example, biohazard red bags were procured in an amount that would last 304 years.

There is no expiry date for these items, but by buying such a large amount, space (Turn to page 22)

20

GOAL applications being reviewed T

he Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) is currently reviewing applications to certify and verify compliance with the respective university’s entry requirements.

Some 4,500 scholarships will be awarded ranging from Certificates to Masters programmes for this year.

The Public Service Ministry will award the scholarships, which will cover students’ tuition fees and other administrative costs charged by the awarding online partner institution.

GOAL’s partners are Indira Gandhi

National Open University, India; the University of the West Indies, Open Campus, Barbados; The University of the Southern Caribbean; International University of Applied Sciences, Germany, the Sherlock Institute of India and JAIN University in India.

The Government’s online scholarships programme is the brainchild of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It is being executed jointly by the Ministries of Education and Public Service, and administered through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Guyana committed to improving... (From page 11) ernment is committed to the elimination of gonorrhoea and syphilis in the maternal population.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Frank Anthony said the meeting was focused on including persons infected with HIV in the decision-making process. “The main thrust here is how do we put people at the centre of the response and the mobilising of resources so that community organisations can really offer the kinds

of services that is currently offered in most countries nationally, we want, community groups, to be involved in offering these services.”

Minister Anthony added that Guyana is leading by example in this field.

Guyana is among countries that have embraced social contracting, where the government provides subventions for non-governmental organisations to work with persons infected and affected by HIV.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Guyana paying steep price for five... had to be created for storage.

At the very least, these examples of incompetence and mismanagement. While there never was enough diabetes medicines in the system between 2015 and 2020, the public health sector accumulated billions of dollars in expired medicines and procured certain items that will be enough to serve the public health sector for more than 300 years. What sense does this make?

Even as we grapple with overcoming the massive medicine and medical supply shortage that the PPP Government inherited in August 2020, even as we are making steady progress in ending the shortages, the May/June rains are here, causing flooding around the country. Among the badly affected areas for the May/ June rain so far has been Black Bush Polder. Drainage for Black Bush Polder normally is through the two main canals, at #43 and Adventure, that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. These major drainage outlets have served Black Bush Polder and the Front lands of Black Bush Polder well through the

years, but for decades now have proven to be insufficient once rainfall exceeded normal amounts. In 2012, the then PPP Government decided that a smaller version of the Hope Canal (East Coast Demerara) was necessary for Black Bush Polder. The original design for Black Bush Polder had included a third major drainage outlet to the sea. This outlet canal was to originate aback of Johanna, the third scheme in Black Bush Polder, between Mibikuri and Yakasari, and culminate at the seashore in front of Bengal. When the scheme was established in the early 1960s, this third drainage outlet was not done.

In 2012, the PPP started to conceptualize the Johanna/ Bengal Drainage outlet. The construction of the canal started in 2014. At the same time, a pump station was established at the seashore area of Bengal. That construction was completed in 2015. The idea was to bring the canal all the way to the seashore in front of Bengal.

It would have necessitated the construction of a bridge across the public road at Bengal, similar to the bridge

at Adventure and #43. The difference in design, however, was that the sluice would not have been built by the public road, as was done for Adventure and #43. Instead a Hope-type sluice would have been built nearer to the sea, allowing flow to spread across the seashore. This design would have limited the silting problem that is experienced at both Adventure and #43.

In 2015, after APNU/ AFC came into office, this project was not pursued any further and was abandoned.

Had we completed this project, the impact of the 2021 May/June floods would have been considerably less. It is now up to the PPP to resume this project, which the Minister of Agriculture has publicly committed to. In the meanwhile, we have lost at least five years because of a visionless and incompetent Granger-led APNU/AFC government. The unfortunate thing about that government is that the abandonment of the Johanna/Bengal project occurred with the full support of two Ministers who grew up in the affected area - the then Prime Minister,

Moses Nagamootoo, and the then Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan who was also the Prime Minister candidate for the 2020 elections.

While we are accustomed to rain-related floods, usually these rain fall floods are limited to one or two regions. In 2021, we have had rain-related floods in all ten regions of Guyana. Weather forecasts for the coming weeks do not contain good news for Guyana, at least for now. Weather forecasts predict heavy rains throughout June and the prediction is that even July and August, normally dry months, will have unusual wet weather. We hope not.

The Government and the people in the meanwhile are working together to ensure families get as much help as possible. The government, led by the President himself, are working overtime to ensure actions are taken to reduce the impact of flooding situations.

People have noticed that the area with the least impact has been the East Coast of Demerara. A number of things happened between 2011 and 2015 under the

(From page 19)

PPP Government. One was the completion of the Hope Canal. In late 2014 we commissioned the Hope Canal.

Since then the Hope Canal has ensured that there is minimum, if any, flooding on the East Coast areas. When the Hope Canal Project was first conceptualized by President Bharat Jagdeo, there were the usual suspects who condemned it as a waste of resources and that it would be a "white elephant". This project has more than earned its cost since it was commissioned in late 2014 by President Donald Ramotar.

As the rain continues to pour, the East Coast has seen an amount of rain which reminds people of 2005, but the East Coast has seen only slight flooding. Without the Hope Canal, the 2021 May/ June rains would have been a complete disaster for the East Coast. Worst, without the Hope Canal, the disaster that we see in Mahaica would have been worst because the East Demerara Water Conservancy would have had to be drained into the Mahaica River.

In addition to the Hope Canal, the PPP Government

began the construction or upgrading of a number of new pump projects, some of which were completed after 2015. The pump stations at Hope, Buxton, Enmore, Lusignan were all PPP projects. In addition to these new pump stations, the pump stations and sluice systems at Golden Grove and Victoria were completed before 2015. These pump stations and upgraded sluice systems represent PPP footprints on the East Coast and, together with the Hope Canal, have prevented major flooding on the East Coast.

Elections matter. When David Granger became President in 2015 and when APNU/AFC became the government, they brought a visionless leadership and an incompetent, clueless government in place.

Today, we are paying the price for five years of ineptitude and corruption. But we have also seen President Irfaan Ali leading the PPP government from the front, addressing the needs of people everywhere. Better days are in front of us because an election brought the right people into leadership.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JUNE, 2021

Guyana receives fourth shipment of Sputnik-V vaccine G

Private sector urges Guyanese to take COVID vaccine

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Thursday (June 10, 2021) appealed to eligible Guyanese to ensure that they are vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19 virus, so as to ensure the health and safety of all.

In a statement, the PSC notes with concern the continuous rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths which continues to endanger the lives and threaten the economic welfare of all citizens of Guyana.

The Commission said, “With more than 210,777 persons administered with the first dose of the vaccine, the PSC takes this opportunity to fully support the Government through the Ministry of Health in its national vaccination programme and encourages every adult citizen to be vaccinated.

“Likewise, the PSC urges the business community to

do their part in actively encouraging their employees to be vaccinated so as to ensure the health and safety of all at work. While vaccination is not mandatory in Guyana, it is a critically important public health measure in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and it is, therefore, imperative for every citizen eighteen years and over to be vaccinated. It is vital that employers continue to educate their employees on the need to be vaccinated. The Ministry of Health is ready to provide full support to employers who may require assistance in providing information to their employees and in arranging for their vaccination.

“The PSC notes instances of deliberate misrepresentation and myths targeted at the vaccination rollout in the form of conspiracy theories and fake stories. With more than 43% of Guyana’s pop-

ulation vaccinated, there has been no adverse effect caused by the injections. Minor side effects such as a fever, chills, pain at the injection site are common side effects of any vaccine.”

The Private Sector Commission committed to working closely with the Government, health authorities, and other stakeholders to assist in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on lives and businesses. In addition, the PSC and its member organizations have all contributed to several outreaches across Guyana.

“We commend the Ministry of Health for its exemplary dedication and aggressive approach towards immunization and the achievement of herd immunity. The Private Sector Commission intends to continue to advocate for the best interest of all stakeholders, businesses and people of our country,” the PSC said.

uyana’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been boosted with another shipment of the Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia. The vaccines arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday (June 7, 2021) Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says the new shipment will enable Government’s efforts to fully immunise the adult population. He said arrangements for the countrywide vaccine distribution are currently underway.

Minister Anthony said the Government is working to increase the number of vaccination sites across the country so that more persons could benefit. The new sites are expected to be up and running as early as this week. He said, “This would complement the vaccination programme that we have, that is ongoing… We will continue to open sites across the regions. We expect that

by Tuesday, Wednesday, that we will have more than 100 sites operating so those persons would like to get their vaccines there more vaccines that are currently available.”

Vaccination sites were established in collaboration with several religious, civic and non-governmental organisations across communities.

Public venues are also being used to allow easy access to persons interested in the vaccine.

Anthony is again appealing to citizens to come forward for the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines, noting that both doses are needed for

the vaccines to be effective.

“You can receive that second dose anytime between four weeks and twelve weeks.

I know that earlier we had put on the card for people to come back after 12 weeks, but the guidance is anytime between four weeks to 12 weeks that you can come for that second dose…similarly, we still have a few persons who would have received the Sinopharm vaccine but they have not come forward to get their second dose…so, come and get that second dose because without the second dose you would not be fully immunised.”

Meanwhile, Anthony says the Government is currently engaging the supplier of the Sputnik V COVID-19

vaccine to ensure the second doses are shipped to Guyana soon. He said, “We have already paid for these second doses, it’s just a matter of getting the supply into Guyana. Hopefully we will get that by the ending of the week or early next week.”

On April 2, Guyana received its first consignment of 25,000 doses of the Sputnik V from Russia. This was followed by an additional 30,000 on April 12, then the largest consignment of 83, 000 on April 19. The vaccines are part of 200,000 doses purchased by the Government of Guyana from the Government of the Russian Federation for approximately $800 million (US$4 million).

Electoral reform must include changes in GECOM’s hiring practice – Nandlall O

ne of the aims of the ongoing move to electoral reform is to ensure that the legal process is ‘tightened’ and deficiencies – many of which were highlighted during the five-month delay in finalizing the March 2020 Election results – are rectified. This is according to

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, who commented on the issue during a programme on Tuesday (June 8, 2021).

He said, “The issues have been identified and the sections of the law that are to be impacted or affected by the reforms have been identified

and the process now has begun where the drafting of the proposed amendments are being done as well as new regulations, where possible, are being made. “…they are all intended to tighten our legal process, to tighten the laws as well as to rectify all the deficiencies

we have seen exploited by the likes of [embattled Returning Officer Clairmont] Mingo and [Chief Elections Officer Keith] Lowenfield at the last elections. So that in future elections, we ought not to have such reoccurrence. So, all the lacunas, all the gaps, all the ambiguities,

all the areas that were cause for concerns and cast doubts in people’s minds, we are going to clarify all of that in the law. So, the law should be very clear.”

That said, however, Nandlall underscored the fact that there must be focus on the human element. He said, “The law is not unclear, Mingo knew [what he had to do]. Mingo has been a Returning Officer for three elections and he knows that he must use the Statements of Poll as the basis for tabulation yet he refused to do that. Lowenfield knows that the report he is to prepare must reflect the votes cast in the ballot boxes and he can’t simply prepare a report of his own. Lowenfield knows that.

Lowenfield was CEO in 2015 and he did the right thing [then]…so, it’s not that they don’t know. They deliberately did the wickedness that we saw them do. So, the point I am making is that we can have the best law in place but if you have bandits and thieves in the system then the best laws will not work.”

On this note, the Attorney General noted that an important component of the reforms must be the hiring process at the Elections Commission. He said, “That must also be the subject of reform – the vetting process by GECOM. How do

you get a job at GECOM? What qualifications one must have? And what is the quality control mechanism that one must have in hiring, and who should be hiring. So, these are all questions that we will have to work out. “…in any other society, in any normal society, a motion or motions ought not to have been required for the dismissal of these three miscreants. The world saw what they did, we saw what they did, courts ruled, condemning what they did and declaring what they did as illegal and unlawful. In those circumstances, they ought to have been dismissed without cause instantaneously upon the declaration of the [elections] results. But Guyana is not a normal place and GECOM is not a normal institution.”

Notably, while efforts are moving apace to advance electoral reform, motions, last week, were filed at GECOM for the removal of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo. The GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, has the trio14 days to respond to the allegations in the respective motions filed against them. A date is likely to be set thereafter for the motions to be heard and debated at the level of the seven-member Elections Commission.

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