Weekend Mirror 25-26 September, 2021

Electoral reform, support for territorial integrity key focus of Guyana-OAS engagement 25-26 Septembr, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 91 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

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PPP/C delivers on promise to upskill Guyanese PAGE 9

‒ Offers over a dozen post-graduate scholarship programmes for oil, energy sectors

Gov’t leaders represent Guyana’s cause during multiple engagements PAGE 12

SEE INSIDE

Non-adherence to COVID-19 measures could result in prosecution – Anthony PAGE 23

Renewed global effort needed to fight climate change PAGE 14 ‒ ‘Big Emitters’ called on to commit to larger cuts in emission at AOSIS Leaders’ Summit

PPP/C government’s Housing Units in Prospect for December completion PAGE 10

President Dr Irfaan Ali, engaged in bilateral talks with the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and his delegation at the Permanent Mission of Guyana in New York. Dr Ahmad Al-Othaimeen was joined by OIC’s Ambassador Yousef Al Dobeay; Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ambassador Tarig Bakhit; Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev and the Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations, Mr Bahareldeen Gamareldeen. President Ali was joined by Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; and others. This was one of several bilateral engagements that took place this week.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

COM M ENTARY

APNU+AFC Coalition must be held to account

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

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wo pieces of current international news take us to two brazen, disgraceful acts by APNU+AFC Coalition, which have left a stain on Guyana and for which they will forever carry like an albatross.

The first piece of news is out of the USA. In the US, at the border between the US and Mexico, in Texas, are thousands of Haitians. Our brothers and sisters from Haiti are camped out under a bridge just inside the US in Texas. Every day we watch the news of these Haitian sisters and brothers enduring dehumanizing conditions, we must continue to ask ourselves how these people got there. In part, Guyana might have played a role because it is conceivable that some of those Haitians under that Texas bridge might have come through Guyana.

The second piece of international news is out of Canada. This past Monday, Canada held an election.

People voted all day until 9.30 in the night. By mid-

night that same Monday, after millions voted, Canada and the whole world knew who won the elections.

Many of us in Guyana was reminded that during March and August 2020, with just about 400,000 voters, it took five whole months before an election result could have been declared, during which there was a brazen attempt to thief the election.

Let us examine the first piece of international news.

It is estimated that there are 20,000 Haitians at the US border right now. Hundreds have been flown back to Haiti already. But more people are on the march through South America and Central America, through Mexico to the US border. These people are not looking to steal anything, not looking to break any laws, they simply want a chance to make a decent living. Every day watching the news, one or more American commentators, like many ordinary Guyanese citizens, ask the question over and over. These people did not come to the US border with planes. Nor did they come

to the US border with boats.

These people walked for hundreds and thousands of miles to get to this destination. In their search for better lives, they have been victims of charlatans and greed-filled vagabonds. In their plight, these Haitians have been fleeced by these criminals. The Haitians gave everything they ever owned and borrowed money to get to their promised land.

They might not get a chance to stay there, as America seems determined to send them back to Haiti. While the Haitians might not make it to the promised land, those who scammed them are enjoying their wretched earnings.

It is possible, actually, very likely, that some of the Haitians made their way to the US border, after first landing in Guyana. Between 2015 and 2020, thousands of Haitians arrived in Guyana, having travelled to Panama and then to Guyana. During that period, almost every day a packed plane landed at the CJIA from Panama, almost exclusively with passengers

from Haiti.

What brought them to Guyana? We know that virtually all of the Haitians that arrived in Guyana never officially left via any legal port of entry/exit. They entered through the CJIA, but they never left via the CJIA. They did not leave via Molson Creek, nor did they leave officially via any other exit port. They also are not in Guyana. So, again, the question begs itself, where are they? We can beat our chest all we want, but we must call a spade a spade.

The Haitian appearance in Guyana is a clear case of human trafficking. We know the Haitians were and are the victims of this heinous crime of human trafficking.

But who are the traffickers?

For several years between 2015 and 2020, speculation was rife that government officials were facilitating the entry into Guyana.

There is every indication that persons in Guyana who could facilitate entry into the country were aiding and abetting the Haitians to come to Guyana. There

are stories that buses with official designation picked up Haitians from the airport and took them to specific processing locations and that eventually these Haitians were facilitated to enter other countries, like Brazil. The stories continue to be told of how these Haitians join the human train through South America, through Central America and eventually now in large numbers appearing at the US borders. How many of these people actually made their way to the American border after coming to Guyana? The US and Guyana must collaborate to mount a forensic scrutiny of this brazen human trafficking crime. Those who might have been involved must be held accountable.

The second piece of international news is the Canadian elections which were held on September 20.

Imagine that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new elections for Canada on August 20 to be held on September 20. It was a surprise announcement.

Yet Canada was able to conduct smooth elections.

On election day, people voted and the results were known to Canadians the same night. This news item reminded Guyana of the shame and disgrace our citizens had to endure as APNU+AFC COALITION with collaborators within GECOM desperately tried to thief an election. They failed, but the thieving saga lasted for five full months.

The attempted rigging of the election results occurred in plain sight and was even live streamed for the world to see. In an unprecedented move, several present Prime Ministers and former Prime Ministers from CARICOM had to speak out. Every one of the ABCE countries spoke out, through their brave ambassadors and through their foreign affairs ministries. America took away visas from the conspirators.

While we still do not

know all of the intellectual authors of the electoral heist crime, we know some of them. In fact, a couple of them are before the courts.

While we do not know exactly everyone who was engaged in the actual changing of the SOPs and the actual numbers from these SOPs, we know some of them.

These persons are also in front of the courts. There were also those who aided and abetted the crime and none of these persons have so far been held accountable.

An international commission of inquiry must eventually, sooner than later, be established to document the truth and to hold accountable those who tried to thief an election. They must be held accountable so that never again must our country be subjected to the agony we had to endure between March and August 2020.

These two pieces of international news are timely reminders that APNU+AFC Coalition left a shameful legacy that stains Guyana.

Guyana will be irresponsible if we allow the electoral heist saga to be forgotten.

We will be even more irresponsible if we do not investigate possible human trafficking as a crime committed during the period 2015 to 2020. While Guyanese were victims of the electoral heist saga, Haitians were victims of the human trafficking story.

Thus, two separate investigations are needed. The first has to be an international commission of inquiry into the attempted electoral theft saga. The government has announced the formation of such an international commission. The second has to be a joint commission between the US and Guyana to investigate possible human trafficking that brought Haitians to Guyana, many of whom are today possibly among those under the bridge in the US near the America/Mexico border.

The APNU+AFC Coalition must be held to account.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Electoral reform, support for territorial integrity key focus of Guyana-OAS engagement T

he strengthening of democracy in Guyana through electoral reform and support for Guyana’s position on the border controversy with Venezuela, among other matters, were raised by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Mr Luis Almagro.

The meeting was held at the Office of the Permanent Mission to Guyana in New York. President Ali was joined by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; and Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mrs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, among others.

BORDER CONTROVERSY On the settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences, President Ali reaffirmed that while his government welcomes efforts to bring about domestic harmony within Venezuela, agreements that defy international law and processes can form no basis for mediating such harmony. He underscored the fact that Guyana does not promote the use of violence or threats to settle disputes, but will look towards the court and the rule of law.

A report from Reuters on September 6, 2021, detailed Venezuela’s latest controversial act in the matter. The report said, “ Venezuelan government and opposition representatives on Monday said they reached partial agreement during talks in Mexico City as part of a roadmap drawn up to tackle the once prosperous country's long-running crisis. In a joint statement following negotiations from Sept. 3-6,

they said areas of agreement related to social measures, particularly on those affected

by COVID-19, and a territorial dispute concerning neighbouring Guyana.”

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon (September 6, 2021) said, “The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana firmly rejects the agreement signed by the Heads of Delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Unity Platform of Venezuela in Mexico City on September 6, 2021. That agreement is an overt threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences.

While the Government of Guyana welcomes domestic accord within Venezuela, an agreement defying international law and process is not a basis for mediating harmony. The controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and will remain there for peaceful resolution.”

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

The move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was advanced there was no success with a further attempt, using the United Nations’ Good Offices process, to resolve the matter of

Venezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo County. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in 2015, charged that the signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement rendered the 1899 Arbitral Award null and void.

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

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

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

ELECTORAL REFORM Notably, the OAS was one of several international Election Observer Missions (EOMs) represented in Guyana, during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections debacle.

The seriousness of the matter had resulted in the convening of a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council on May 13, 2020, where a preliminary report on the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections was also presented. At that meeting, the Chief of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), Bruce Golding, was no holds barred, when he addressed the Permanent Council. He stressed that the declaration of election results for Region Four was based on fictitious documents. “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an Election. More than a dozen copies of the Statements of Poll are prepared at each polling station after the ballots are counted on election

night. One copy is posted on the wall outside the polling station and each party representative – and there were nine in all – each party representative is entitled to receive a copy. It takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present documents with fictitious numbers when there is such a sturdy paper trail exists. And this is being illustrated now as the recount proceeds,” he said.

Golding referred to the fact that the Statements of Recounts, generated from the recount of the ballot boxes, reflect numbers that are vastly different from those used by the Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, to make his March 13, 2020 declaration of results.

The matter of electoral reform has not only been raised with the OAS. Guyana has engaged other partners to support its efforts in this regard.

One of these efforts includes the Attorney General’s Chambers being supported by the US State Depart-

ment on an 18-month project to strengthen the capacity of both the Chambers and GECOM as it relates to the electoral processes. It also aims at encouraging civil society organizations to advocate for electoral reform in accordance with regional and international standards. Through this project, GECOM, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and Guyanese civil society organizations will collaboratively consolidate and improve local electoral and constitutional law knowledge, establish an internal timeline to address electoral reform, improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritize electoral and constitutional law issues while promoting reform through citizen engagement. The project will be implemented by the International Republican Institute.

Notably, President Ali and the Secretary-General also discussed technical support to advance the country’s development agenda.

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EDITORIAL Danger in Coalition’s obsession with the illogical and nonsensical should not be discounted

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he APNU+AFC Coalition remains hard-pressed to proffer any constructive criticism to the current PPP/C Administration. In fact, the Coalition seems hard-pressed to mount any kind of intellectually sound alternative to the policies and programmes being pursued by the PPP/C, which is what responsible Parliamentary Oppositions do.

Instead, the Coalition appears obsessed with the illogical and nonsensical. And this obsession appears to be a comfortable one – a space where vile attacks are advanced and negativity is spewed. And the dangers in this approach should not be discounted by Guyanese.

Daily, Guyanese are made to endure attacks against female leaders in the PPP/C Administration. The attacks on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, are the two latest such incidents. In the forefront of these attacks are the Coalition’s Sherod Duncan, Christopher Jones and Ganesh Mahipaul.

Daily, Guyanese are made to endure misinformation from the Coalition camp.

Daily, Guyanese are forced to watch the grief of families turned into political footballs by those in the APNU+AFC Coalition who are looking for anything to use as a tool in the political arena.

The danger with such rhetoric from the APNU+AFC Coalition is that it stirs up sentiments that Guyana as a developing nation must be able to move past.

Criticizing women for their clothes feeds into the misogyny that women are working to break past. Spreading misinformation, for example with the COVID-19 vaccines, endangers lives of Guyanese. Hijacking the grief of families stirs divisions in communities.

Why would the Coalition persist with these actions if the outcome is damaging to our nation and our people? The answer seems simple. The Coalition has proven itself as being interested in political power for the sake of power.

The Coalition has proved itself as not committed to all our people. Their years in government define, more clearly for Guyanese, the track record of the Coalition. It was: A track record of self-interest, not delivering for Guyanese; A track record of excessive spending on things that did not create value for our people or country, but was wasteful; and A track record of being prepared to undermine the institutions that maintain our country’s standing as a democratic nation. That being said, the ‘madness’ seems grounded in a ‘method’ – a method of making Guyana ‘ungovernable’.

Guyanese can recall the shameless display from David Hinds, while he was addressing a small group of protestors at Victoria, East Coast Demerara in August 2021. David Hinds, during that action, said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C) government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

We, as a people, cannot discount this. Recognizing what is taking place, the obvious trend seen when actions of the Coalition are viewed together, is the first step to resist their anti-national actions.

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

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

COVID-19 has reinforced need for resilient national occupational safety and health systems Dear Editor,

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oing to work in a controlled and safe environment is not an unreasonable expectation for any worker. In many occupations, a level of danger is expected because it is inherent to the job, but this is only more reason for companies to take employee safety seriously. The best organisations are those that understand that a safe workplace is not only the right thing to do for their employees, but also the right thing for their bottom line.

In recent decades, power plants and the power industry as a whole have made great strides in improving their employee safety records.

This positive trend can be attributed partially to increased oversight and government regulation, but what is required to be in compliance with regulators and oversight committees is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is necessary to be an industry leader in safety.

The top performers in the power industry realise that implementing a safety programme that becomes imbedded in the culture of the organisation would not only benefit their workers, but also would help them become more competitive in the marketplace. These organisations realise that the monetary cost associated with implementing an effective safety programme is far less than the indirect

costs associated with a high frequency of injuries. The industry leaders in safety have identified the most common hazards, developed safety programmes, successfully assessed these programmes, and understand the correlation between employee safety and profitability.

In any occupation, a level of risk can always be expected while on the job. Some occupations are obviously more dangerous than others, and, for many years, the power industry had a reputation of being one of the most hazardous workplace environments.

The industry has worked hard to eliminate this reputation, and today it is a much safer work environment than in the past.

However, there has been a consistent downward trend in the number of annual fatalities and recordable injuries.

Power companies typically have two sets of safety exposures: those that exist in the plant, and those that exist in the field. Field workers are widely recognised as having the more hazardous occupation, but plant employees also sometimes work under dangerous conditions. Three hazards account for a large majority of the injuries: direct contact with electricity, fires and explosions of hot equipment, and contact with hazardous chemicals.

COVID-19 has reinforced the need for resilient national occupational

safety and health systems to be in place. Organisational focus on employee safety can provide for higher morale and productivity in the workplace. This is due to the perception that the company truly cares about the health and well-being of its employees, thus creating a sense of pride for the companies and organisations.

Increased productivity as it correlates to safety and morale is a difficult metric to measure, but forward-thinking organisations must realise that it does exist, and can therefore justify the costs of their safety programmes as compared to the productivity benefits that they provide.

Companies and organisations should start by updating their risk assessment to manage the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) in their businesses.

This would help them to understand what you should do to work safely, and protect your employees.

Talk to workers and provide information.

Consult and involve employees in the steps management is taking to manage the risk of coronavirus in the workplace, explaining the changes that you’re planning to work safely with, make sure changes would work, and hear their ideas as managers continue to operate businesses safely.

Sincerely, D. Adams

APNU+AFC must stop using grief of Guyanese as political football Dear Editor,

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here is no doubt that the death of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston sent shockwaves throughout the region. Statements being issued about his death by various parties seem to contradict each other; and as concerned citizens, families and friends, we deserve clarity on what really happened.

At this time, the circumstances surrounding the killing of Mr. Boston by Police ranks are not entirely known. As such, I am calling on the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police to ensure there is a speedy and impartial investigation into the matter. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, it is important that those found culpable face the full brunt of the law.

I cannot even begin to imagine what Mr. Boston’s family is going through at this time. I personally want to express my sincere condolences to everyone who was a part of Mr. Boston’s life, especially his family. Death is never something easy, and it has a lasting impact. I pray that God gives everyone the strength to go on, and to keep Mr Boston’s memory alive.

I would also like to urge the family to steer clear of those individuals who may want to use Mr. Boston’s death to push their own agendas. It is very clear that there are Opposition politicians who are actively trying to hijack and misuse the family’s loss and suffering at this time to perpetuate racism and score political points. Such actions should be condemned not only

by Mr. Boston’s family, but by everyone affected by his death.

It is distasteful, to say the least, that at such a sad time, Opposition politicians would desperately try to shift attention to further their own political agendas. It just shows how low they are willing to stoop.

In closing, I just want to reiterate my call for there to be a speedy investigation into Mr. Boston’s death.

I trust that the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police would prioritise this, so that in the event there was any wrongdoing on the behalf of the Police ranks, they are held accountable for their actions.

Once again, I express my sincerest condolences to Mr. Boston’s family and friends, and hope that we can all get closure soon.

Respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

PPP/C gov’t demonstrates commitment to all Guyanese children Dear Editor,

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am very relieved that private schools have been added to the “Because We Care” cash grant roll out, meaning that in terms of bringing a measure of relief to students right across the country’s schools, no one can feel disenfranchised. I mean, whether in a private or Government school, these students all belong to the nation, and in all likelihood, will be serving the nation in a few years to come.

As it stands, under the “Because We Care” programme, cash grants totalling $19,000 are given to the parents of each child attending school, to provide support

to parents in procuring school supplies. Indeed, as seen in the press, “The programme enjoys widespread popularity, but was discontinued by the APNU/AFC while they were in office. It has since been reinstated by the PPP/C upon their return to office, and the amount of the grant (has been) increased to a total of $19,000 per student.”

I hope with this kind of input, a concerted effort will be made by all involved, parents and teachers, to keep our students afloat, both educationally and medically, as the COVID 19 pandemic is being fought.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Coalition’s ‘new low’ expose nature of bullyism, sexism, misogyny Dear Editor,

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hat a shame it is that A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) continue their resort to vile personal attacks against female leaders within the PPP/C administration. In so doing, the revelation is quite clear, that is, the protest against vaccination is not about well-being of any sort, but is wholly anti-Government.

The press and social media highlighted that antagonism reached new heights (maybe lows) during recent protests sponsored by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), descending to a song titled “Priya is a Wild Hog.” This was picked up and transmitted by APNU/ AFC Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan, on his social media page almost instantly.

As expected, support for Ms Manickchand was fraught from many quarters, and I am happy to add my name in tandem to those of Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minster of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira. The PM noted his disappointment, stating that “…some sections of society may find it entertaining to target the Minister of Education with such distasteful messages, and that most disturbing is that a sitting

member of the National Assembly, Mr Sherod Duncan, has shared this revolting song on his social media platform.” Madam Gail Teixeira, in like manner slammed those who condone the depraved attacks on the Minister and the creation of the song, which uses lyrics that featured in chants by teachers who took part in a recent GTU-sponsored protest outside the Ministry of Education. According to her, “The latest video/song, posted on Sherod Duncan’s Facebook “Priya is a Wild Hog,” is another act that illustrates the depths of depravity that permeate the PNC/APNU/ AFC and Guyana Teachers Union circles.” I mean who says that teachers are noble? Not those on the GTU band wagon for sure.

In the last week, attacks against other female leaders have been witnessed.

When disagreement is used as an excuse to perpetrate “incidents of bullyism, sexism and misogyny on social media and in street protests” that goes back to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, they must be condemned and exposed for what they are.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Vaccinations will get us past the pandemic Dear Editor,

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small country like ours with a small population mostly spread out along the coast was in an ideal position to have already achieved herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus and allowed us all to return to a great degree of normalcy. However, the efforts by the Guyana Government which is mandated to act for the greater good of the community is under what is mainly a partisan politicised attack.

Had the Government ignored the worldwide threat and placed us all at risk of dying it would have been in serious breach of its mandate and out of step with the rest of the world in the ongoing efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 disease.

The irony of many protesting with loud voices and healthy lungs is that they are alive and kicking because their parents ensured that they were vaccinated as babies or children against diseases such as measles, mumps, polio and small pox. Most of these diseases are now eradicated worldwide because of rigorous vaccination programmes and the younger generation probably know little about them or why they are all safe from such threats.

Vaccinations are nothing new. They have saved millions of lives.

The rubbish about the COVID-19 vaccines making the rounds, mainly on social

media, and being fuelled by politics, ignorance, and/or a distrust of authority puts us all at risk.

The person who refuses to wear a hard hat against all international safety regulations on a construction site puts only himself at risk of being killed by falling debris. Those who are refusing to get vaccinated against this deadly virus puts not only themselves at risk but everyone around them. It is unconscionable that we live among people who are so irresponsible and uncaring.

There are news programmes that show the poor and uneducated in various countries refusing the vaccine and saying that God will save them without quite grasping the fact that God has given humans the intelligence to create cures for what ails us and puts lives at risk.

Medicine has made numerous advances aimed at prevention, cures and saving lives and many of those refusing the vaccine expect doctors to provide them with relief when they are ill. Look at getting the jab as both a prevention and cure since most of those dying from the virus are the unvaccinated.

By getting vaccinated you help save lives.

Do we not all possess such basic care and compassion for our fellow human beings?

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

Guyanese suffering needlessly from COVID Dear Editor,

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espite overwhelming evidence showing the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, some Guyanese are still hesitant to get it.

The campaign is emblematic of messaging around vaccination for COVID-19, both for and against. Often the disease itself is a bit player in a conversation built around other issues such as patriotism, freedom, winning or standing athwart government overreach. Vaccination, or lack thereof, even one’s position on the vaccine has become, to some people, an indication of loyalty to one’s political party.

The problem here is, almost from the getgo, we have not made this a health conversation. We have made this a political debate.

With the recent increase in COVID-19 infections, the vaccination drumbeat is getting louder, as is criticism of those seen as vaccine skeptics.

The PPP/C administration must do more to address vaccine hesitancy, which is more prevalent in the APNU-AFC support base, our leaders must educate these skeptics about the benefits of the vaccine, not hector or preach. This information must come from respected and trusted figures in the various hesitant communities, regardless of how vaccine messaging is presented, there is a growing sense among many health officials that it’s time for a new strategy if Guyana want to improve vaccination rates.

I think we’ve hit a point where we’re almost beyond messaging and need to start to move to mandates. The political gridlock has made the nation vulnerable and we need to look to private businesses, to the private sector, to get us through this pandemic.

In addition to the Government, some large employer’s such as Exxon should require their employees to be vaccinated.

The problem will persist as long as people are still seeing the pandemic as a political issue to debate.

Guyana’s health system isn’t one side of the aisle or the other. It’s the dirt on which those very aisles are built, and if we don’t realize this, if we don’t come together and realize that health is a nonpartisan issue, then our nation remains vulnerable to death and disease.

After all, the campaign against the Minis-

try of Health’s measures by conservative politician’s media figures like our GTU leaders is having a direct negative impact on Guyana Teacher’s Union. Why would political figures choose to threaten the health and even the lives of their own supporters?

In parts of Region 10 and Linden, where vaccination rates are significantly lower than the national average, the fact is the opposition political leaders are not encouraging people to get vaccinated.

In many small communities in Region 10, people rely on local leaders to help them with certain decisions and make them aware of their options, and we have not done a good job, our leaders must get into these smaller neighbourhoods and give small communities the confidence to make a decision. That’s why it’s critical to find individuals like personal health care providers, local nurses, doctors, pastors and educated community leaders to relay that message. Instead, what we have seen are the anti-vaxxers been busy demonstrating around Region 10.

One person was observed carrying a placard that read: “My body, my choice, includes vaccines too.” That person should be thankful their parents, without giving them a choice, had them vaccinated against various diseases.

Another placard stated, “COVID-19 is a scam.” With that line of reasoning, smallpox, polio, measles, rubella, chicken pox and other diseases are also scams.

I have only one reaction to those who say they have the “right” not to vaccinate or wear masks.

What gives you the “right” potentially to kill your children or grandchildren, or those of other people, by spreading the virus?

“Enough is enough”. People who refuse vaccination are a risk to all of us.

It’s time to criminalize refusal. If you’re not masked despite a requirement to do so, you should be arrested. A vaccine refuser who infects others should be charged with assault.

We should take the same approach as Texas in the USA with its new abortion law and allow any citizen to sue an anti-vaxxer for $10,000 plus legal fees.

The country is needlessly suffering, and it’s got to stop now. No one has the freedom to harm or kill someone else.

Sincerely, David Adams

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Teachers’ call for cessation of automatic deduction of union dues understood Dear Editor,

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s someone with a lot of friends in the teaching fraternity, I feel compelled to echo some of the concerns raised by teachers with whom I am close. Many of these very teachers are afraid to speak out themselves because they fear being targeted by some in the GTU leadership.

It is for this reason I feel compelled to bring these matters to the attention of the public and those in authority, so that they can be addressed.

During the course of the week, I met up with about ten of my friends in the teach-

ing profession, and we had conversations about the ongoing issues with the GTU. One of the things that they all related was that they want the automatic deduction of union dues from their salaries to be stopped.

However, they expressed concerns over the fact that if they were to make this known to the GTU, their names might end up “In The Ring”, and they might suffer attacks similar to those meted out to the Minister of Education.

My friends in the teaching profession are of the view that the GTU in its current configuration is not working in the interest of teachers, and this is in spite of that Union

collecting millions of dollars in union dues which are deducted from their salaries.

They related the absence of support from the Union on issues related to their welfare and their ability to cope with the economic and other challenges brought on by the pandemic. They contrasted this against the support received from the Government, and said there is a great disparity between the two, even though the Union collects millions of dollars in dues.

Many of the views expressed I agree with, as I believe the GTU has become political, and is operating as an extension of the APNU+AFC. I can clearly see where many teachers are coming from when they say they want the automatic deduction of union dues to be stopped.

Sincerely, Thomas Cole

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE 51 Moruca residents graduate from first BIT training T

he Board of Industrial Training (BIT) held its first graduation exercise in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini), for 51 students who successfully completed

training in several courses.

Thirty graduates acquired skills in catering and cake decoration, 11 in shade house gardening and 10 in solar installation and repairs.

The training which commenced in 2020, saw trainees receiving monthly stipends of $6,000 to cover travel expenses throughout the six-week course.

The Ministry of Labour has set aside $365 million to provide training for almost 3,000 persons.

According to Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, more programmes are expected to be implemented soon. He said, “I would say to Region One and to Moruca, this is your first graduation exercise and I can assure you it would not be the last. I took the opportunity t0 reach with the Regional Administration and the Toshaos of different villages to seek their response to forward programmes to us for technical training in their communities. One of the programmes requested is small engine repairs, primarily people being trained to repair ATVs, that is a useful tool in this part of the region and the country. We are grateful that we can be

afforded this opportunity to bring the necessary skills training to people of these communities, and we will continue to do that,” the minister said at the graduation ceremony held at the Moruca Extension Centre.

Minister Hamilton reassured graduates that hinterland communities will continue to benefit from services of his ministry. He said, “In Moruca, we have several co-ops at least five.

We need to shepherd them so that they can become vehicles of development in the Moruca Sub- District.

And therefore, the CCDO will stay and engage with these groups to ensure that they get the necessary training and be able to function effectively and efficiently.

So, we will continue to give the necessary support to the region like we have set out

to do with all regions so that we can continue to bring the necessary facilities and the necessary opportunities to far found regions.”

Meanwhile, the labour ministry on Tuesday (September 21, 2021( appointed its first technical officer for Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini). The ministry is also seeking to acquire a permanent labour office in the region. This is in keeping with its wider plan to decentralise it services in remote areas.

Present also at the graduation ceremony was BIT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Richard Maughn; Regional Vice Chairperson, Ms. Annansha Peters; BIT Technical Officer, Region Two, Mr. Mohammed Shaheed and BIT Technical Officer, Region One, Mr. Trevi Leung.

Region Nine road works to be closely monitored M inister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has assured village representatives of Region Nine that road works being undertaken by the government will be strictly monitored to ensure quality.

At a recent engagement with village leaders, some expressed concern about the quality of work previously executed on roads in the region.

The minister explained that the works were below par. He said, “The contract that they had was a grade and shape contract, so all they’re doing is grading and shaping, so you keep grading and shaping, you keep taking off the top, what happens after that you’re left with nothing, that is what the previous government did.”

A contract was recently signed between the Ministry

and Jr. Ranch Inc. for works on the same stretch of road.

Minister Indar said a better quality of work is expected this time around. Indar said, “We put in that 39,000 metres cube of laterite to be placed, so they have to put laterite and other materials and then grade and shape, so you build up back the road.”

A committee was recently formed in the region to closely monitor all road projects. The unit is chaired by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh, and includes representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, the town council, and the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In response to a suggestion that road works be given to Brazilian contractors, the minister noted that this would not be fair to locals. “In Region Nine, the business community and the contractors that pay

taxes in Guyana would take umbrage to that because they have been doing the work, the only thing we have to ensure is that we up our monitoring capabilities. I believe the problem can be remedied that way, rather than outsource it to a foreign company, simple things that we can do in Guyana,” the Minister said.

A contract was also signed for upgrades to the St. Ignatius Road.

The Toshaos took the opportunity to raise several issues pertaining to village roads, bridges, culverts, airstrips and other works in the region.

The concerns were noted and the minister promised to do follow ups. An engineer will visit several areas to make assessments of the works needed, after which representation will be made for it to be included in the 2022 budget.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

PPP/C delivers on promise to upskill Guyanese ‒ Offers over a dozen post-graduate scholarship programmes for oil, energy sectors

T

he Government has promised to mandate quotas for Guyanese in the oil industry, to ensure they have strong avenues to build generational wealth. The government has also recognised the importance of ensuring citizens are suitably qualified to take up those positions, and provide world class products and services.

In keeping with a promise by the PPP/C Administration to upskill Guyanese for the quickly growing petroleum industry, the Ministry of Public Service is offering post-graduate level scholarships in oil and gas related fields. The government is also offering post-graduate level scholarships in fields related to sustainability and renewable energy, consistent with its mandate to ground Guyana’s development in its Low Carbon Development Strategy.

The awards being offered would allow scholars to commence online study in the year 2021/2022 with the Scottish Robert Gordon University based in Aberdeen.

Robert Gordon University ranks among the top 100 universities in the UK according to the Guardian, Complete University Guide, and The Times & The Sunday Times. The latter publication named Robert Gordon the Scottish University of the Year in 2020.

The scholarships being offered are for the following certifications: • Master of Science in Solar Energy Systems • Master of Science in Subsea Engineering • Master of Science in Oil and Gas Engineering • Master of Science in Drilling and Well Engineering • Master of Science in Asset Integrity Management • Master of Science in Petroleum Production Engineering • Master of Science in Quality Management • Master of Science in Project Management • Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management • Master of Science in Human Resource Manage-

Block-making training workshop begins for vulnerable groups

T

welve (12) visually impaired persons are benefitting from training in block making and money management, under the Community-Based Employment Stimulated Project (CBESP), a programme initiated by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali in May 2021.

The programme was launched to provide vulnerable communities with economic opportunities, and would later extend to upskill vulnerable persons with disabilities.

On Wednesday (September 22, 2021), the certified training programme was launched through a collaboration between the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Guyana National Bureau of Standards, at the Guyana Society for the Blind Headquarters.

Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond, who attended the ceremony said the trainees can develop skills to meet market demands. She said, “This particular event starting today, clearly demonstrates that physical challenges do not have to be barriers to a successful life, it also demonstrates the commitment of our administration to the concept of a warm Guyana with a better quality of life for all Guyanese. We believe that no Guyanese should be disadvantaged regardless of race, creed, social status or indeed as we see today, physical abilities.”

Further, Minister of Hous-

ing and Water, Collin Croal, reassured attendees that the government will continue its campaign to support and provide further opportunities for persons with disabilities.

He said, “Your participation in this activity will allow those who are willing to make the commitment to become exposed to the world of work, of course in a more structured manner to become entrepreneurs yourselves, better provide for your families and ultimately have an improved quality of life. I want to remind you that your government is fully committed to the improvement of the living conditions for persons with special needs through better facilities, services and job opportunities.”

The project which is tailored to the needs of persons in vulnerable communities will create employment for approximately 400 persons. Through the CH&PA, participants will also gain employment to provide blocks for some 1,000 houses. Additionally, CH&PA donated a work shed valued at $900,000 to facilitate trainees.

CH&PA is expected to train another batch of 19 persons with various disabilities, tailored to their needs, in the new month.

Blocks made through the programme will be tested by GNBS to ensure they meet standard specifications and quality.

ment • Master of Science in Health, Safety and Risk Management • Master of Science in Energy Management • Master of business Administration in Oil and Gas Management

• Master of Business Administration in Sustainability and Energy Transitions Many of the certifications are being offered at an opportune time, when ExxonMobil is heeding government’s call to offer more jobs and contracts to Guyanese and local

firms. ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge said the company will be moving most of its supply work from Trinidad and Tobago, to Guyana in 2022.

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be below the age of 35, and must be the holder of a valid Guyanese passport. Applicants are also required to

have a Bachelor’s Degree.

The specific field of study required is different for each programme, though some of the scholarships will accept Bachelor’s degrees from any discipline. To apply or seek more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Public Service. Closing date for submissions is October 1, 2021.

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10

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Guyana National Stadium PPP/C government’s Housing Units in Prospect for December completion being converted to multipurpose sport facility T T he Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara is currently being converted to a multipurpose facility, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. During a recent interview, Ramson said the project has been in the works for a few months since the ministry disclosed its plans for the stadium. The new facility, he said, will facilitate international standard sport facilities that the Ministry has slated to be constructed in regions two, six and ten. He said, “The football field is being built on the northern side. Right now, they are clearing the field so that the football field could be built there

and the volleyball field will be built adjacent to the tarmac. We are going to put in a tennis court near to the tarmac as well, we will even put in a basketball court.”

Currently, sport equipment are being procured, following several fruitful engagements between the Ministry and the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association and Federation.

This development will then allow for the construction of the cricket academy there, slated to commence in 2022, which the sport minister has assured will be given full attention.

“The function of this is to be able to play cricket anytime whether you have good or bad weather and so we are working on the

details now. We are pretty confident that we would be able to finalise those details coming out of the next budget that would be completed in the next few months so that we can get that started,” Ramsaon explained.

Last month, the minister committed to the provision of a cricket coach to the Tuschen Community Ground due to the club’s outstanding performance.

Some $1.5 billion will be used for sport development. From this sum, $915.5 million will be used for the improvement of community grounds countrywide and $618 million is earmarked to help assist in tournaments, maintain sport facilities and support selected sports associations.

Laluni main access road to be repaired soon – Min Edghill R esidents of the agricultural community of Laluni, located aback Kuru Kururu on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, will soon have improved access to transportation, as the community’s main access road is set for rehabilitation.

The commitment was made by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, during a meeting with residents on Wednesday (September 22, 2021).

Residents had noted the difficulty in getting their produce to the market. Immediately, Minister Edghill asked that a committee be formed

and made a commitment to fix the road.

However, he made it clear that they would not be able to get an all-weather asphaltic road since funds will not be available for such a project until the next budget. Edghill said, “I want you to name three people who the engineers will come and go to the road with, so we could do some sectional maintenance, and we could agree on what are the bad spots, so we could get an immediate relief. I would want that by next week Monday afternoon, we could agree, that your

committee and my engineers and what we will do for immediate interventions, and we will be able to look at the cost and then I will have the headache to find the money with the support with what you are doing to get done what needs to be done,” he further added.

Minister Edghill told residents that while everything could not be done instantly; government’s intention is to bring relief to the people of Laluni in the “shortest possible time.”

Meanwhile, residents welcomed the swift intervention to better their lives.

$28M excavator handed over to Region Three RDC to enhance agricultural development

T

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC), in Region Three on Wednesday (September 22, 2021) received a $28 million excavator from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to enhance the region’s expanding agriculture sector.

Region Three’s Chairman, Sheik Ayube on behalf of ministry, handed over the machine to the RDC. He said, “In Region number Three, agriculture is expanding…This excavator will be

used in such a manner, to impact the lives of all communities…our government believes in delivering services to each resident of this region.”

He noted that with the recent changes in the climate and the rainfall, it is important that the region be equipped with the necessary machinery to alleviate flooding.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Jagnarine Somwar said the excavator was procured through funds from the Region Three

2021 budget. “We are hoping regional chairman, that this machine will be put to the type of use that is envisaged in this region…and the more we can do for our people in this region, the more we can do for our farmers. It will enhance not only the lives of everyone in this region but also promote the Government’s policy and vision for a better Guyana,” he said.

The simple handing over ceremony took place at Crane, West Coast Demerara, in the RDC compound.

he Ministry of Housing and Water has commenced the construction of low-income and young professional homes in Prospect, East Bank Demerara, as part of the PPP/C Government’s plan to provide sustainable, affordable housing to all Guyanese.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, recently, inspected the ongoing works on the 100 low-income and 200 young professional flat and elevated units.

Fifty of the 100 low-income units are currently under construction. The 600 square feet 2-bedroom homes cost some $5.5 million each, with the land valued at $300,000.

Minister Croal said work on the first 50 homes commenced two months ago and is expected to be competed in December. Mobilisation on the remaining 50 low-income units is expected to com-

mence shortly. “Sometimes people think all we do have to do with allocation but this is also part of our fast-track mechanism for a person to own their own home through the mechanism we have at the ministry,” he said.

Once the houses are completed, pre-qualified persons will be able to access the homes, Minister Croal explained. “The beneficiaries for this are persons who have been pre-qualified, they come from within the system they have indicated their interest in terms of the housing programme and we submit that information to the bank, the bank does their due diligence and once they are pre-qualified, they become part of the list for the beneficiaries for the houses,” Minister Croal stated.

Under that project, an estimated five persons are employed per each unit. This

translates to about 250 persons being employed under the first phase of the project Meanwhile, the foundations are currently being laid for the construction of the 200 young professional homes. A total of 11 contractors were awarded contracts for that project.

The units will consist of three bedrooms including one self-contained room, valued $13.9 million inclusive of the land for $1 million.

Croal said, “We are also happy with the progress they have just started so you can see they are working on the foundation but the timeline we are looking for them to complete is January of the new year.”

To date, approximately $1 billion has been spent for first phase infrastructure which includes, drainage, water and electrical network in the Prospect area.

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Massive developments for 4,000 residents from cluster Region One’s agri sector communities to benefit from new Lusignan well B S arima -Waini (Region One) is set to undergo a number of developments in the agriculture sector.

Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, made the announcement during a visit to Kumaka, Wauna, Kamwatta and White Water villages on Tuesday (September 21, 2021) Among developments, is the establishment of an agro- processing facility in Mabaruma. He said it is a great investment as it would add value to farmers’ produce. “What we’ll be doing now across the country, we are now building agro- processing facilities. Right here in Mabaruma we’ll be building a new agro-processing facility for you here. Your crops, we’ll make it more value -added instead of taking the crops from the farm and go straight to the market, you’ll take your crops to the agro- processing facility,” the minister said.

He added that the region will also receive two tractors and an excavator to help in the maintenance of roads, farms and other agricultural works in the area. Mustapha said, “Comrades we have to change… if we’re farming on the swamps, we have to move out of the swamp area, if we are farming on the low land area, we’ll have to empolder those areas. And

because of that I’ve promised the chairman that within one month from now I’ll be sending a new machine here to Mabaruma so that you can have the empolderment done and that machine will remain in your community to do works right across the region.

What we will be doing also, too before the year is out, in Region One, through our ministry, we’ll be receiving two large tractors with implements. The two tractors will have grass planters, harrows, ploughs and that will be based in the region and that will be used to help people,” Minister Mustapha stated.

The minister said the ministry will establish an agriculture office in the region which will see officers from various fields catering to the region’s agricultural needs.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha committed to offering two scholarships for youths in the White Water community to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture. He said it is important, as it would allow for residents to be trained in the sector and return to their communities to overlook and assist farmers in various ways.

While in that community, the minister also committed two shade houses to villagers. He said farming can no longer be done the tradition-

al way, as climate change has taken a toll on weather patterns.

He noted that the farmers who suffered losses due to the recent floods will shortly receive flood relief grants from the government, to assist them in getting back to their lands. Mustapha said, “Each and every person who would have suffered losses because of the floods, whose farms were destroyed, whose garden was destroyed, we will try as much as possible to reach out to them to give them some form of flood relief and the flood relief will take the form of monetary relief from the government.

So, every farmer that suffer losses will have not less than $50,000.”

Residents of Kamwatta raised concerns about markets for their produce and requested the minister’s intervention. The Minister committed to informing the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) of the situation and to resolve the issue.

He noted that government will continue to make the necessary investments in the agriculture sector, which remains one of the most important sectors to Guyana.

Seeds, planting materials, tools, and pumps were also donated to the villagers of each community.

Over 100 Sophia residents to get Home Improvement Subsidy, 50 to benefit from core homes

O

ne hundred and eighteen (118) residents of Sophia, Georgetown will receive the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Home Improvement Subsidy valued $59 million under the Ministry’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

Another 50 residents will benefit from core homes valued at $200 million.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, explained that the programme which targets low-income households, forms part of the government’s aggressive housing drive aimed at providing adequate housing for all citizens. “Before the week is finished, we will be having a contract signing for a number of beneficiaries for our subsidy programme and we also have the core homes,”

he said.

Under the home improvement subsidy programme, residents will receive $500,000 in the form of building materials for repairs to walls and floors, and for electrical works and sanitation improvement, among others.

All beneficiaries are individuals in vulnerable households, living in structures considered to be inhabitable.

These include single- parent households.

The programme previously encompassed communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara and Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht-Door-Zee, Lust en Rust, and La Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the West Bank of Demerara.

The ministry recently ex-

panded the project to include 19 communities on the East Coast of Demerara, stretching the boundary to Victoria. Similar works will commence in these areas, as the programme continues.

The $US28 million Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme seeks to improve housing conditions and access to basic infrastructure for low-income communities. A total of 250 Core Houses will be constructed and 2,000 Home Improvement Subsidies will be disbursed through this Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme. Last month, over 140 low-income residents of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara signed contracts that will see them benefitting from core homes and home improvement subsidies.

ome 4,000 residents on the East Coast of Demerara will benefit from a new $152 million water well being drilled at Lusignan.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Tuesday (September 21, 2021) visited the site where the well is being drilled at 960 feet. He was accompanied

by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh.

He noted that the new well will see an improved level of services to residents in Lusignan and surrounding areas including Annandale and Good Hope. “There have been complaints over the last few months about the level of service here on the East Coast. The old well has caved in and so a new well is being dug…I am happy about this because the cluster communities will be benefitting from improved service when this is finished,” he said.

According to him, the

well at Lusignan is one of the many projects being undertaken in Region Four to improve access to potable water on the coast. Six additional wells will be drilled at Providence, East Bank Demerara and in communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. “Because of the development and expansion of our housing programme, obviously additional wells will be required to service these areas,” he noted.

Meanwhile, CEO Baksh said despite some delays in accessing materials, the work is progressing smoothly and on schedule. He said he was pleased with the work done thus far and commended the contractor for working expeditiously to complete the work in a timely manner.

He said, “The contractor has moved very expeditiously I must say, and within under a month has already gone 960 feet down and is ready now, perhaps tomorrow to put in

the casing and the screens later.”

The old Lusignan well collapsed earlier this year and numerous attempts were made to conduct repairs but to no avail. A decision was then made to drill a new well in the area.

Since then alternative arrangements were implemented to provide services to affected residents. The water company has been sourcing water from wells in Enmore, Coldingen, and the Friendship treatment plant on a rotation system.

The project is being executed by S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. Representative of the construction company, Mr. Suresh Jagmohan is optimistic that the company will meet the three-month contract period.

Over $200 million is currently being invested to increase water service along the East Coast of Demerara.

Edghill orders immediate repairs to roads in Onderneeming/ Sand Pit, Essequibo

M

inister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill has instructed the immediate rehabilitation of a road in Onderneeming/Sand Pit, on the Essequibo Coast.

Minister Edghill met with residents of the community on Sunday (September 19, 2021), to address several matters.

Residents of the sand and loam mining community, said heavy-laden trucks are responsible for the deplorable state of the road. They said the road has been bad for some time, becoming almost impassable during the rainy season.

Addressing residents, Minister Edghill said the government is keen on addressing all concerns of citizens. “Once people bring things to our attention, we address it. The principle of engagement is that you engage the authority that is supposed to take care of your interest, and if they don’t, you report higher, that’s the rules of engagement,” Min-

ister Edghill told residents.

He assured that immediate steps will now be taken to solve the issue. “We need to get this community back to normal and we need to get things moving again for tomorrow, so I expect the blockage to be removed this afternoon, tomorrow morning the machines must be able to come in, the trucks must be able to go in. We will do an immediate maintenance, to allow for residents

as well for commercial activity to continue, the region will have to monitor what is happening with the road and occasional maintenance to ensure that it is passable, until we could get mobilisation and a contract and the rest of it awarded to get things moving on the road, that’s the only solution that we have going forward,” the Minister said.

Residents welcomed the move.

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Gov ’ t leader s r epr es ent Guy ana’ s caus e dur ing mult iple engagement s

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, participated in a forum on the ‘Economic Recovery and Restructuring in Emerging Economies and the Integral Role of Energy and Infrastructure Development’, where he elaborated on the impacts of COVID-19 and his Government’s plans for recovery.

The event, which took the form of a panel discussion, was hosted by the Global Business Leadership Forum, Goldman Sachs, and O’Melveny In New York.

President Ali was joined by Prime Minister of St Maarten, the Honourable Silveria Jacobs; Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erika Mouynes; Director-General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Dr Didacus Jules and a number of other distinguished individuals.

A high-level government delegation met with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President, Mr Mauricio Claver-Carone at the office of the Permanent Mission to Guyana in New York.

The IDB Head was updated on Guyana’s development plans and the importance of the IDB as a development partner.

The Guyana delegation was led by President Dr Irfaan Ali and it included Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, among others.

Government officials and a group of pastors from the Brooklyn community at the Permanent Mission of Guyana in New York.

Guyana and Colombia have committed to improving bilateral ties during a meeting.

The Head of State held discussions with the Colombian President, Iván Duque Márquez on the sideline of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. At the productive meeting, the presidents discussed matters relating to climate change and the environment, the strengthening of strategic cooperation in the area of defence and security, and COVID-19 vaccines.

At the meeting, it was also decided that President Marquez will make an official visit to Guyana sometime in the near future.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, held bilateral discussions with President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

The meeting, which took place at the office of the Permanent Mission to Guyana in New York, was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Head of State was joined by Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and others.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, held a bilateral meeting with the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. The meeting took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City following the opening of the General Debate.

President Dr Irfaan Ali engaged with Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

13

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Addr es s by His Ex cellency Dr . Mohamed Ir f aan Ali Pr es ident of t he Cooper at iv e Republic of Guy ana at t he 76t h Ses s ion of t he Gener al As s embly of t he Unit ed Nat ions

M

r. President, I congratulate you on your election as President of the 76th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Your election is a special honour for the Maldives and for all small-island developing and low-lying coastal States.

I wish to record Guyana’s appreciation to the outgoing President Volkan Bozkir who was tasked with navigating the Assembly during one of the most challenging years in modern history.

Mr. President, our world is a troubled place.

The peoples of our planet are living under a cloud of uncertainty.

COVID-19 has stomped across the globe, taking lives, wrecking livelihoods, and paralyzing economies.

And looming large behind is Climate Change, growing every day in its capacity to inflict even greater destruction and rumination than the coronavirus.

Our citizens look to us, the representatives of Nations, who gather here, to create conditions that will ease fear, erase doubt, and give hope.

Yet, what they see are not nations united; they see nations divided.

Secretary-General, António Guterres, described our situation well when he said: “The pandemic has demonstrated our collective failure to come together and make joint decisions for the common good, even in the face of an immediate, life-threatening global emergency.”

The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of our international system.

It has revealed that the system continues to be undergirded by nationalism which remains the prevailing force.

After all these 76 years, since the founding of the United Nations, it is not the collective well-being of our one planet and our one humanity which motivates us; it is selfish national interests that drive us.

And, in pursuit of that selfish nationalism, we overlook the truth of our shared cohabitation on one planet, one Earth, and we ignore the reality that what affects one, affects all.

If nothing in the generations of civilization has taught us that nation states are not an island onto themselves but are each part of the main, then the experience of the last two years should be a salutary lesson.

The world will not progress without greed, without war, and without freedom unless we, the leaders of nations – big and small – recall with commitment, the values set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and resolve to be faithful to them.

Mr. President, the pandemic has wrecked Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development that the members of this Organization adopted in 2015.

Development gains have been reversed, poverty has expanded, and inequality has widened.

Widening fiscal deficits, mounting debt, reduced fiscal space and external financial flows have imperiled the capacity of developing countries to attain the sustainable development goals.

Within developing countries, the pandemic has upended growth, increased unemployment, and weakened health and education systems.

Education regression is now inevitable given the long period our children have been forced out of the formal classroom and the challenges which many developing countries face in delivering virtual education.

Given these problems, economic recovery is essential to returning developing countries to the path of attaining the SDGs. But such recovery will be painfully elongated and slow unless there is international support in the form of debt rescheduling, debt service moratoriums, provision of soft resources to reboot economies.

My government restates its call for increased resources to be made available to States on the basis of their vulnerabilities and not only based on the misleading measure of per capita income.

If these essential measures are not implemented, growth in developing countries will not be restored nor will economic and social policies be realigned along the path set out in Agenda 2030.

The repercussions will be felt by the rich nations because developing countries are markets for the goods and services of the industrialized nations and the source of their raw materials.

Poor countries cannot buy unless they have the means, and they cannot produce unless they have the

capacity.

Our world will become a damaged place, reversed to an age of avarice, conflict and plunder.

Surely, such a world – that now looms on the horizon – is one that all leaders should work to avert, and, instead, focus their attention on advancing the progress of our one humanity in cooperation and mutual benefit.

Surely, that is the world we all want.

Mr. President, while poor and vulnerable countries will suffer longer, and more intensely from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, rich countries have not been spared.

Those, who at the advent of the pandemic concentrated on making themselves secure, now understand they will not be safe until we are all safe, because the virus knows not – and cares not – about ethnicity, age or geography.

It will not heed borders or be stopped by walls.

Belatedly, the rich have come to the realization that on our one Earth, they need the cooperation of the poor to save themselves.

Mr President, we must all welcome that realization if it finally mobilizes the global cooperation and unified action that our world needs to survive.

In this regard, my government welcomes the Summit on COVID-19 that was hosted by President Joe Biden.

We are pleased that it resulted, not only in commitments for joint global action, but also in the allocation of resources to achieve necessary and agreed objectives.

Similarly, we welcome the fact that, earlier this month, the Heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization met with the CEOs of leading vaccine manufacturing companies to discuss strategies to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines, in low and lower middle-income countries and in Africa.

My government is pleased that the Heads of the International Organizations and the CEOs of the major pharmaceutical companies have formed a technical working group to exchange and coordinate information on vaccine production and deliveries.

These are positive developments which are welcome, even though they have come after millions have died and many more millions still live under the threat of death.

The access to vaccines saw the world polarized. I know, I speak on behalf of many leaders when I say that we must not now hurt our efforts at ending this polarization of access to vaccines by implementing measures that divide us and curtail our movement based on the type of vaccines our people took. Indeed, our efforts must be focused on full vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Millions took the vaccines which were available at a time of much uncertainty, and they are the unsung heroes. They must not now be the subject of restrictions based on the vaccines they took.

Mr President, we hold out similar hope that the world’s worst emitters of greenhouse gases that are threatening the welfare of all mankind, will also come to the realization that in the end it will profit them little to emerge king over a world of dust.

The promises of COP 15 in Paris have not been

delivered.

If emissions follow the trajectory set by current national commitments, there is a less than 5 per cent chance of keeping temperatures well below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels, and less than 1 per cent chance of reaching the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target.

Large polluters have simply not kept their word and mistrust now pervades the air.

That, Mr. President, is failure. It is also deception.

Recent authoritative research by the Royal Institute of International Affairs paints a grim picture of the future.

It forecasts that cascading climate impacts can be expected to kill far more people than COVID-19, from hunger, intense heat, flooding, and more pandemics caused by the rise of pests and diseases.

It concluded that, combined with heatwaves and drought, these impacts will likely drive unprecedented crop failure, food insecurity and migration.

All this would drive political instability and greater national insecurity, and fuel regional and international conflict.

Small island states and continental countries with low-lying coastlines, such as Guyana, would be the first to feel the full brunt of the impending disaster.

Yet, our countries are among the lowest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing the least to the harmful and destructive effects of Climate Change.

This is not only unfair; it is unjust.

Mr President, the burden of reducing emissions is not carried equitably. Small island developing and low-lying coastal states are punching above their weight in response to the global climate threats.

My country, Guyana, is a net carbon sink.

Our forests absorb far more carbon than is produced from human activity.

But we have not folded our hands and sat back in satisfaction that we have done enough.

We are continuing to contribute meaningfully to reducing global emissions and to the decarbonisation of the world’s economy, even though our country is now an oil and gas producer.

Apart from containing the CO2 emissions connected to the industry, we continue to pursue a path of developing energy from sustainable sources.

In these circumstances, we feel we have the right to insist on a fair system of burden-sharing.

Mr. President Innovative and creative ways have to be devised by which the world must act to avert the catastrophe that Climate Change so plainly portends.

COP26 in Glasgow in a few weeks’ time is the right and timely place to start.

The worst emitters must make binding commitments in Glasgow to stop their profligacy.

And they must scale up their contributions to help small and vulnerable economies to build up resilience to the prolonged effects of damage that has already been done.

Failure to do so will shatter even more any confidence that the people of the world may still have that polluting nations will do the right thing.

COP26 not COP15 would become the defining moment at which mankind’s future or fate is sealed.

The peoples of the world will be watching.

Mr President, Guyana looks towards a post-pandemic era that will reset international relations by curbing territorial avarice and embracing peaceful cooperation.

In this regard, we draw attention to the continued overt threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Just recently, an agreement was issued in Mexico City by which the contending internal factions in Venezuela renewed a baseless claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

We have responded in clear terms. And I repeat our response now in these hallowed halls in which nations of the world meet in peace and cooperation.

Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for the settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences.

While my government welcomes efforts to bring about domestic harmony within Venezuela, agreements that defy international law and processes can be no basis for mediating such harmony.

Guyana does not promote the use of violence or threats to settle disputes.

In a 1966 Agreement signed in Geneva, Venezuela consented to allow the UN Secretary-General to de(Turn to page 18)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Renewed global effort needed to fight climate change ‒ ‘Big Emitters’ called on to commit to larger cuts in emission at AOSIS Leaders’ Summit P

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday (September 22, 2021) called for a renewed global effort in the fight against climate change to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement.

The Head of State also told the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Summit during the margins of the High-Level Segment of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that Guyana supports the declaration that was adopted by the meeting.

President Ali stressed that Guyana would continue to constructively support the efforts of the AOSIS in promoting solutions ahead of the Conference of Parties (COP) 26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will be held late next month and urge that “the world must work together

to scale-up efforts to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius”.

The President also said that the world must continue to call on “big emitters” to commit deeper cuts in their emissions than what exists in their current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

He added that an urgent response must be made to provide financing for mitigation and adaptation and to align financial flows with low greenhouse gas emissions pathways, climate-resilient development and efforts to decarbonise economies. “We believe that a coordinated and nuanced approach at the international level is necessary in considering forms of financing such as grants, based on a country’s vulner-

abilities,” Ali said.

The President also said that there is a need for developed countries to honour their pledge of US$100B annually under the Paris Agreement and to commit to unlocking simplified and direct access to concessional finance for climate-vulnerable economies through the use of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI).

He also urged that COP26 initiate a road map for a new collective global finance goal using US$100B as a baseline, and enact comprehensive strategies to increase financial resources for disaster risk reduction while making necessary investments to reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disasters.

DECLARATION SUPPOR The Guyanese President implored the high-level meeting to work together to ensure

that AOSIS continues to offer advocacy and solutions to many of the challenges that are faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States.

“In this regard, my delegation supports the Declaration being adopted at this meeting. This document establishes clear directions for the continuity in the work of the ‘Alliance’. Let us strengthen our advocacy on traditional as well as emerging areas of interest, including accelerating the implementation of international frameworks and instruments, targeted to our specific needs and vulnerabilities.”

SMALL ISLAND STATES CHALLENGES President Ali reminded that SIDS and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States remain the most vulnerable

groups due to their smallness, limited resources, exposure to external economic shocks, ecological fragility and susceptibility to natural hazards.

Notwithstanding some progress, the President said that the affected nations continue to face challenges in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework, among other frameworks.

He explained that insufficient attention is being paid to the inherent vulnerabilities of these affected nations. “The Alliance of Small Island States is familiar with the limitations of the use of GDP per capita to govern development financing decisions, especially in relation to SIDS, which

are now classified as upper-middle-income countries, even though they have not yet developed levels of resilience that would negate their vulnerabilities,” Ali said.

The Guyanese President also used the opportunity to thank the Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Gaston Browne for convening the Leaders’ Summit “at this pivotal moment in the Decade of Action” to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as COP26 approaches. He said, “We applaud your steadfast leadership in promoting the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in the COVID- 19 pandemic response and in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.”

Guyana committed to gaining ‘reparations for the crime of African enslavement’ G uyana’s commitment to gaining international reparations for the crime of African enslavement was reaffirmed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, whose position is also that those reparations must go beyond an apology.

The Guyanese President made the reaffirmation at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that was held under the theme “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent”.

The Head of State told the meeting that “Guyana is committed to gaining international reparations for the crime of African enslavement. Reparative justice must not only include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/ or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement, but must go beyond apology.”

The President said that

it is in this regard that Guyana will continue to support efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.

DURBAN DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION The Head of State also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and said that the country was pleased to join in adopting the Declaration.

President Ali said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a comprehensive, action-oriented, document that proposes concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. He also

emphasised that equality and non-discrimination are not only fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian laws but are at the root of political, social and economic development.

He said that as the global leaders collectively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they must be conscious that the overarching objectives of poverty eradication, protect-

ing our planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms of inequality. Ali said, “Despite advances made over decades of struggle, racism and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in all regions of the world. I am proud to belong to a country that honours and celebrates its ethnic diversity.

Our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious

and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we can be a wonderful example to the world.”

However, President Ali noted that too often in the political arena ethnic insecurities, real or perceived, and race are used opportunistically to manipulate issues in a manner that promotes tension and racial feelings. He said, “Social media, whilst a powerful tool to inform people, has also been much

misused. The Government of Guyana will continue to work assiduously to eradicate all forms of racism and racial discrimination and to ensure inclusive development with equal access and sharing in Guyana’s wealth.”

President Ali underscored that the abolition of slavery in Guyana was a defining moment in the country’s history. He explained that every Emancipation Day on August 1, Guyanese recall the heroic courage and sacrifices of Guyana’s African ancestors in their struggle for freedom and human dignity. He said, “Freedom, however, was not accompanied by recompense for the atrocities committed against those enslaved.”

President Ali was joined

by Vice President, the Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd and Permanent Resident and Ambassador to the United Nations, Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

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POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Guyana commits to providing strong leadership on climate change and food security T

he VI (Sixth) Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was assured by President Dr. Irfaan Ali that Guyana is committed to providing strong leadership on issues such as climate change and food security.

The Head of State also emphasised that the two regions must collaborate closely to address the pandemic and improved access to COVID-19 vaccines. He said, “Guyana commits to

the provision of strong leadership, especially on issues of climate change and food security. We will continue to pursue the development of our resources and people through an expanded version of the Low Carbon Development Strategy. We further commit to support every effort that seeks to promote peace, democracy, respect for the rule of law and deepening of regional integration. Our strength must be grounded in principles and value- not circumstances and events.”

The Head of State high-

lighted that this year’s gathering of the Summit takes place as the continuous battle against the COVID-19 pandemic wages on and that both Latin America and the Caribbean have been victims of vaccine hesitancy and vaccine nationalism.

He stressed that Guyana will continue to call for governments and multilateral organisations to accelerate research, development, production and global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments based on the (Turn to page 16)

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Guyana commits to providing... principle of international solidarity. “The struggle for equitable access to vaccines must continue on all fronts with the paramount aim of preserving life and the right to health above all,” Ali said.

REDUCE DEPENDENCE The President stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean “must never again become victims of vaccine nationalism”. He said, “We must combine our scientific resources – intellectual and material – so as to reduce our dependence on the developed world in the event of future health crises, and to chart a common strategy to exit this pandemic and bolster economic recovery.”

The Head of State added that an integrated institutional mechanism must be developed to better respond

to and coordinate resources to combat future pandemics.

He said, “We must invest in the capacity within the region to self-sustain our efforts. So far, this pandemic has taught us how insulated the world can become. Secondly, we must lead efforts for a fairer global system not only in resource allocations but in regulation and approval. We must think about this carefully.”

The President also noted that the socio-economic impact of the pandemic will have lasting and lingering effects. This, he said, was reinforced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) which warned that the health crisis has worsened the structural problems of low investment, unemployment, inequality and

poverty—issues that must be addressed by the Summit.

CLIMATE CHANGE President Ali explained that the Regional bloc’s problems extend beyond structural issues and also include the existential threat of climate change. He said that the regions will be given an opportunity to speak with a collective voice and to stress the urgency of increased and readily available financing for mitigation, adaptation and resilient infrastructure at the 26th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

At COP26, a systemic approach in dealing with issues of the environment and climate change should be agreed on. “This approach

(From page 15)

must speak to issues of access to resources, to address adaption and mitigation, establishment of a climate vulnerability fund, and fulfilment of pledges made by the developed world,” Ali said.

VOLUNTARY FUND The President also said that Guyana supports the establishment of a voluntary fund to facilitate regional disaster response since some priority issues for Caribbean Small Island Development States are centred around climate change and disaster risk management, access to concessional financing, high levels of indebtedness, natural disaster funds and graduation and transition, among others.

With the combined effect of the pandemic and climate change severely hampering the developing world’s prog-

ress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, President Ali urged that the regions “must therefore champion the call to address this through debt rescheduling and access to soft financing.”

FOOD SECURITY The Head of State emphasised that food security is vital to post-pandemic recovery.

As a result, Guyana strongly supports regional cooperation in ensuring a more food secure Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this regard, the President said, he hopes that the several recommendations presented by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in the CELAC Food Security, Nutrition and Hunger Eradication Plan of 2025 can

be translated into necessary actions that will advance “this crucial agenda”.

PEACE AND SECURITY The Guyanese President also told the Summit that peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean must be founded on political systems in which democracy, the rule of law and human rights are upheld, and in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the sanctity of treaties are respected.

He noted that focus should be on strengthening efforts in development capacity, improving governance, reducing poverty and removing barriers for trade and economic integration.

CELAC is a regional bloc of 33 Latin American and Caribbean states.

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Addr es s by His Ex cellency Dr . Mohamed Ir f aan Ali. . . cide on the means of settlement of this controversy.

The Secretary-General decided on the International Court of Justice.

Both Parties are therefore bound by the Court’s jurisdiction and ultimate decision.

Mr. President, we remain concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Guyana restates its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their desire for a dignified existence in their homeland in accordance with a two-state solution.

The international community must act to meet the legitimate concerns of the Palestinians who have suffered for far too long.

Mr. President, the strained relations between the United States and Cuba are also a matter of deep concern to our region.

We are convinced that normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States would have a beneficial impact on peace in the hemisphere and greater

prosperity for all.

Mr. President, I turn now to my own country – Guyana – a land of many ethnicities, drawn from its Amerindian people, people transported from Africa in the genocidal slave trade, people from India who were indentured to labour in a new land, people from Europe who migrated at a time of want and persecution, and people from China who were also brought to work on the plantations.

They came with different religions; different cultures; and different perspectives.

In the collective of their diversity, the people of Guyana are representative of the peoples of the world.

Whilst politically driven conflicts arise occasionally, and differences have been exploited for narrow political purposes, my government is convinced that the richness of our people’s diversity is a gift to our nation.

We continue to build a nation that

(From page 13)

draws on all aspects of its cultural roots to establish citizens who enjoy equal opportunity in all aspects of our society; a nation that is secure in itself and strong in its outlook.

Our intention is to make Guyana an example for the world, utilising the strength of our diversity for a single tapestry of One Nation, which is indivisible, strong, secure and prosperous.

My government has set its foot firmly on the ladder to climb to that pinnacle of success.

We are confident that as we foster peace and prosperity within our country, respect human rights, uphold democracy and the rule of law, and abide with our Constitution, we will achieve these noble goals.

Mr. President, it is against this background of ambition for my country that my government embraces the vision set out in the Secretary-General’s report entitled,

“Our Common Agenda”.

We embrace his view that our nations must be driven by solidarity that he has so eloquently described as “the principle of working together, recognizing that we are bound to each other and that no community or country, however powerful, can solve its challenges alone”.

Mr. President, “Our Common Agenda” provides the framework for the emergence of a post-COVID-19 era, which addresses the world’s fragilities, injustices, inequalities, conflicts, the eradication of poverty, banishment of racism and gender discrimination, and to realize ecological justice.

Guyana looks forward to a revitalised United Nations spearheading the thrust towards a new era in international relations, in which the world emerges as a better, fairer, and stronger place for all mankind.

I thank you.

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Guyana’s commitment to net zero emissions demonstrated by national energy plan ‒ Minister Bharrat G uyana’s energy mix of natural gas, hydropower, solar and wind is a clear demonstration of the South American country’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 – an ambitious but critical pledge of the Paris Agreement.

Conveying this point was Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), being hosted in New York, on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number seven. The goal, which is one of 17, aims to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’.

“We are also fully supporting the commitment of net zero emissions by 2050. Guyana’s commitment to these objectives is demonstrated by the actions we are taking to transform our energy sector; the energy sector is being re-engineered as an engine of economic growth by improving energy security, realising universal energy access, diversifying the energy mix, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through various sustainable energy projects,” the minister articulated in his virtual address on Wednesday (September 22, 2021) Minister Bharrat stated that Guyana’s National Energy Plan

is in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LSDS), which will allow the country to continue being a net carbon sink. This programme, he added, will generate forestry climate services, while keeping its economy in place on a low carbon trajectory, ensuring the protection of its biodiversity and marine resources are protected, as well as the prudent management of the country’s abundant water resources.

He said, “Government intends to provide affordable stable and reliable energy to benefit both households and businesses…universal access to electricity is expected to be

achieved by 2030, primarily through the development and upgrade of solar systems for the off-grid areas, and the development of micro grids, and the community public buildings for the larger hinterland settlements.”

He added that Guyana maintains that sovereign states develop their energy resources and define appropriate policies for the production and use of those resources. Notwithstanding this, he reaffirmed the country’s environmental obligations to which it has committed and undertakes to pursue its developmental activities in a balanced manner.

Furthermore, he noted that Guyana is open to fostering an establishment of partnerships for knowledge and experience in the energy sector. This must be conducted in keeping with the implementation and realisation of SDG seven.

Notably, President Dr. Irfaan Ali is confident that by 2024 an additional 500 megawatts (MW) of energy will be added to the electricity grid. As part of this system, President Ali had pointed to the highly-anticipated gas-to-shore project terminating at the Wales Development Authority, will see 250 MW of new power generation constructed.

The US$900 million project will utilise natural gas from the Liza One and Liza Two development projects offshore Guyana. The project is being developed in partnership with ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block. It is expected to come on stream by 2024 and with a lifetime of 25 years. Importantly, it will slash electricity costs by half before 2024.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is slated to deliver another 160 MW of new power with intent to start construction in 2022 and completion in 2025.

Solar generating capacity will also be installed to deliver at least 30 MW of power.

WEEKEND MIRROR 25-26 SEPTEMBER, 2021

VP Jagdeo to lead Guyana’s delegation to West African nation in October P resident Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Ghanaian counterpart, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today held fruitful discussions and agreed to work closer together.

High on the agenda is a visit by a Guyanese delegation led by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, to the West African nation in the first week of October to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The bilateral meeting between the two leaders took

place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City following the opening of the General Debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The presidents spoke about several matters of mutual interests, including oil and gas, climate change and the environment, capacity building, and training.

Both leaders agreed that today’s meeting would enhance greater collaboration in addressing matters of common

interests at the global level.

President Ali was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mrs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

The Guyanese Head of State met with several other world leaders and high-ranking members of international organisations while in New York for the UNGA this week.

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Health care system being ‘reprioritised’ as COVID-19 hospitalisation increases A cross the country efforts are being made to reprioritise the health care system to facilitate the rising number of hospitalisations for COVID-19.

Health minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, had said with the increase in hospitalisation, non-essential services may be closed so that health workers could be deployed to assist in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

He said, “Well obvious-

ly, we’ll have to reprioritise, because the more people we get sick with COVID and the more people that are coming down with the more severe form of the disease, we’ll have to reprioritise and maybe non-essential kinds of services we’ll have to close those and re-deploy staff and resources to treat with the severe cases, so we have a number of contingencies in place and we’ll activate them as is necessary,” Minister Anthony noted.

Meanwhile, so far, Guyana has seen some 3,441 active cases, with the majority recorded in Region Four with 1, 964 and Region Three with approximately 854 cases. “We are seeing cases and with an increase in cases we expect that we will get more people being hospitalized,” Anthony said.

Guyanese are being urged to get vaccinated and practice all precautions to protect themselves and others.

Non-adherence to COVID-19 measures could result in prosecution – Anthony

M

Infectious Diseases Hospital being outfitted to accommodate over 200 patients − field hospital to provide additional capacity

T

he second floor of the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, has been outfitted with pipe oxygen to provide additional support in the event of further COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalisation.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, MP, made the revelation during the daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday (September 22, 2021).

He said, “Right now, we have 151 cases in hospital, and of that 151 we have 97 at Ocean View.

I think 36 persons (are) in ICU. Our capacity at Ocean View is 204 patients. So, we haven’t gotten to full capacity as yet, we’re hoping that we don’t have to be there.

But nevertheless, we have been making some additional preparations if we have to go to that full capacity…at the second floor of the ocean view hospital, we have just put in pipe oxygen. Before on that floor, we used to do from these 1000-pound cylinder oxygen, so, we’re changing that…that work is going to be completed this week…we’re

preparing for if we have a surge in more cases or more people needing hospitalisation that we can probably have the full capacity of 204 persons there.”

The health minister also stated that the donated field hospital from the Government and people of Qatar earlier this year, will also be set up if the need arises. The field hospital was donated to aid Guyana’s fight against COVID-19. He said, “We have started those preparations to put the field hospital in place, with that, we would have an additional capacity of about 60 persons…while we have been treating Covid patients at each of these regional hospitals, we have been looking at how we are going to expand the capacity at each of these facilities and the teams that would be managing patients in each of these facilities. We have done an inspection at West Demerara Hospital and we know that we can increase from its current state to manage close to 40 patients over there.”

Minister Anthony said

the same is being done at the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two; the Lethem Regional Hospital in Region Nine, where an Intensive Care component was recently added; and at the Mahaicony and Mabaruma hospitals.

Minister Anthony said at Port Kaituma, there is also an isolation facility and an inpatient facility where over 20 patients are currently housed, some needing hospitalisation, and others resting as part of their isolation.

“So, we have been adding capacity, building our capacity, hopefully we wouldn’t need all of it. But we are preparing nevertheless,” he noted.

To date, over 350,000 or 68.3 per cent of the country’s adult population have received the first dose of a COVID vaccine, while over 180,000 persons or 35.3 per cent of the country’s adult population have been fully immunised. Further, in the 12 to 17 age category, over 21,000 or 29.2 per cent of that age group have received either the first or a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, is reminding members of the public that they could face prosecution if they are caught breaching any of the COVID-19 protective measures.

According to him, persons who should be in home isolation after testing positive for the Coronavirus, but are still out in public could be charged. “For you to come out of home isolation, you need to be cleared by one of the doctors in your region. So generally, once you’ve tested positive, we wait for about 10 days, after those 10 days, once you

don’t have signs or symptoms over the last two, then you can be discharged. Some people observe it in a very strict manner, others don’t do that,” Minister Anthony said.

He said with such nonadherence to the COVID guidelines, cases will continue to increase in the country.

“If they’re not observing it [home isolating], then we can easily have more spreads. If people are irresponsible, and don’t abide by the rules, then we’ll have an increase in spread. Under the orders, we have specified that if you are not obeying these rules, then you can be

prosecuted.” Anthony said.

Section 16 of the Official Gazette published on September 4, states that any person who tests positive for Coronavirus and is identified for quarantine shall; (a) comply with all applicable directions given and requirements imposed by the Health Emergency Operations Centre, including home isolation or quarantine or placement in an isolation or quarantine facility; and (C) not knowingly expose themselves, without proper or necessary precautions against spreading the Coronavirus in any public place or to any person.

APNU+AFC Coalition continues to demonstrate lack of political leadership – Teixeira C

onstitutional reform within the five-year term of the Dr. Irfaan Aliled PPP/C Administration remains on the agenda, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during a recently broadcasted programme.

When asked about the issue, she said, “It is time.

Every 10, 20, years we do

that. No Constitution is meant to stand like granite and be untouchable. But we must know what we want to change…the 1980 Constitution was heavily amended in 1999 into 2001 and the fundamental civil rights, human rights, which were not enforceable except by an act of Parliament, were made enforceable….Guyanese can go to the courts if any right

is violated.

“We created Article 13, which is the definition of inclusive and participatory parliamentary democracy.

We also reduced the powers of the President….the changes ensured that the Parliamentary Opposition had a share in decision-making in our country. “…there were a whole range of others issues that

were addressed…at the time – and I still think so now – that we have the most progressive Constitution in the entire CARICOM (Caribbean Community). There is no Governor General or a Prime Minister has receded powers to appoint the bodies like the Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.

That is done here. There is no Governor General or a Prime Minister who has receded their power, to share with the Leader of the Opposition, space to agree to appointments of the Chief Justice, for example, or the Commission of Police.”

CONSTITUTION UPHELD ITSELF According to her, the distinction must be made between areas where legislative changes and reform can strengthen governance systems and democratic institutions, areas where human action caused Guyanese society much anxiety.

She said, “With GECOM, for example, it is not GECOM the Constitution that did us wrong in the elections. It wasn’t the formula to do with the appointment of the Commission that did us wrong in the March 2020 Elections. It was officials, GECOM staff, in the Secretariat that tried to steal our elections, in collaboration with the APNU+AFC leadership. Now no law or Constitution can write that in – that we must now write in law that the Chief Elections Officer must never try to steal the elections. Do we have to write that into law to make it an offence? Because the laws already make it an offence…so yes we have to examine out laws.”

Teixeira explained that the during the five months that followed March 2, 2020, the Constitution “upheld itself” and was upheld by the local Courts of Law, as well as the Caribbean Court of Justice. “What let us down was not our constitution, it was the human factor,” she pointed out, adding that reforms to intensify the seriousness of penalties for anyone attempting to repeat the “wickedness” of the March 2020 Elections is what is needed in this area.

FRAGILITY On the references and the use of the word ‘fragile’ the Minister explained that the “fragility” has more to do with the politics of Guyana, than the Constitution.

She said, “We are fragile yes; fragile not so much because of our Constitution, but more because of the politics of our country.

More because of the political atmosphere and the lack of political leadership on the part, I regret to say, of the APNU+AFC. “The behaviour of many of the members in the APNU+AFC, particularly those

who are now in Parliament, borders anarchism. These are not persons who want to sit and talk and engage…. the behaviour now is one of anarchy, threatening and trying to destabilize.”

INCLUSIVE AND NATIONAL Looking forward, the Minister stressed too that any process of enacting change must be carefully considered and agreed on.

She said, “Whatever we do with the Constitution, as a people, the important issue is the process. What process do we develop and define as a people that allows participation of all? In the 19992001 experience, we went to all 10 Regions, had bottom house meetings, there was a presidentially appointed Parliamentary Constitutional Reform Commission that was headed Ralph Ramkarran and which had equal numbers from political parties…the civil society groups were the largest number. “…I am pretty sure that is a similar model that we will go to when we are ready to start, but we made it very clear that it will be a national consultative process. It will involve people and people have to be knowledgeable about what they want to change. There may be issues of laws and rights we want to add that aren’t there right now, which affect marginalized groups or groups that feel disenfranchised by prejudice and other things.

So we need to review.”

Teixeira charged that there needs to be more education and information on the Constitution, an undertaking where the media, education sector, etc. have a role.

Constitutional reform is one of the main issues outlined in the PPP/C elections manifesto. The Party has promised that it would advance constitutional reform with the input of the citizens themselves. In its manifesto, it was noted that it was important that the people participate in something as critical as revising the supreme law.

The PPP/C 2020-2025 manifesto clearly states that the Party is “aware that issues concerning constitutional reform, particularly in relation to a national, inclusive governance model” have been raised and discussed in the public domain and is “committed” to a national participatory process to addressing a new governance model.

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