Weekend Mirror 27-28 February, 2021

Coalition put on blast for ‘radicalising and racialising’ budget debates 27-28 February, 2021 / Vol. 11 No. 61 / Price: $100

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Gov’t investing in hinterland healthcare services ‒ aims to bring quality, PAGE 17 services on par with coastland

Coalition persists with baseless claims – AG Nandlall PAGE 3

Another AFC Member resigns, says party has ‘lost its way’ PAGE 20

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Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine gets local PAGE 23 emergency use authorisation Fuel price PAGE 2 reduction leaves more money in people’s pockets – Finance Minister

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Lessons for Grades 1-3 a. Interactive Radio b. Instruction (IRI) Worksheets c. Follow the Radio and Keep Learning [PAGE 18-19]

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Fuel price reduction leaves Government hands over $161.1M to North Pakaraima communities more money in people’s ‒ Funds to be used for capital projects and to prepare communities for ICT hubs pockets – Finance Minister A T he recent reduction in fuel prices means more money will be in the pockets of the ordinary man. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said this is the main reason for the decision to slash fuel prices.

Government, last week, reduced excise tax on fuel from 50 per cent to 35 per cent, which Minister Singh said will have an impact at both the micro and macro levels.

“The relief on the fuel prices will enable consumers, they no longer have to pay that much for fuel so they have a few extra dollars they can do something else with. For businesses they no longer have to pay that much for fuel so they have a few extra dollars they can invest in something else or do whatever it is they will do with their additional cash flow to generate more economic activity,” the Minister said.

Dr. Singh noted that the

PPP/C administration has always paid keen attention to what happens on the world market. He said the price for fuel on the world market increased from US$35 in October to over US$60 as of Wednesday. Minister Singh said monitoring the world market price for fuel led to Government’s timely intervention which relieves the financial burden on citizens.

“We are firmly committed to ensure that any possible shocks to cost of living are contained to make sure that consumers do not feel too sharp an impact as a result of world market price developments. So that is the backdrop to which the intervention was made. So basically, we implemented a cut on the excise tax rate, which then feeds into the price of the pump, so the price of the pump is reduced as well,” the Finance Minister stated.

Minister Singh said Government in its campaign manifesto committed to reducing burdensome taxes. A number

of taxes were removed or reversed in Budget 2020.

Budget 2021 which was read on February 12, 2021, also saw the removal of many taxes with no new taxes introduced. Annually, the measures in both budgets would see over $50 billion of disposable income pumped back into the economy, Minister Singh said.

“Those are all interventions that are designed to reduce the cost of living borne

by Guyanese households, regular Guyanese households. Everybody pays for water; everybody pays for telephone and for data on their telephone and so we committed in our manifesto to ease this burden on people and we have already gone a long way in delivering what we promised,” he said.

Government’s decision to slash excise tax on fuel will see the price for gasoline reduced from $184 to $170 per litre and from $170 to $160 per litre for diesel.

Progress on delayed land titles for 53 Enterprise families – GRA waives outstanding taxes

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ithin a couple of months, 53 Enterprise, East Coast Demerara families will obtain the Certificate of Title for lands they bought over 20 years ago. This was the assurance given by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC at a community meeting on Saturday.

The meeting was the follow-up to an outreach held the previous Saturday with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Attorney General, where residents raised their concerns.

The AG explained that several issues hampered residents from having total ownership of their lands. He said the families had bought the lands through the Sugar Welfare Fund. However, GuySuCo could not transfer the lands to the Sugar Welfare Fund due to taxes owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the local Neighbourhood Democratic Council. This hindered GuySuCo from getting its compliance.

The AG said to date, taxes from the GRA have been waived and a limited certificate of compliance has been

issued. He added that he is working to get the NDC to follow suit.

“Once the families get their Certificate of Title, they own the land, they own the property, they already have been living there, they have houses on it. They cannot go to the bank for a mortgage, they cannot pass the property on to their children, they cannot deal with the property because there is no title. So, the families are very happy this ordeal has finally come to an end and hopefully, within the next two to three months, they would be issued with their Certificates of Title,” he said.

The Attorney General said the interventions made by the Government since taking office have revealed that Government came to a halt in the last five years. The AG said there is a backlog of issues in every sector that has been ignored over the APNU+AFC time in office.

“Yet you see in certain areas, you see a flurry of activities with a few persons benefitting. So, I have been revealing the irregularities that took place at Lands and Surveys where lands were issued not to the ordinary people, but to friends and cronies. Carry out a survey

and find out how many house lots were distributed over the past five years and look at over the past five years look at how many commercial lands were issued at Ogle, all the river fronts and sea defences areas and see who got them and see the acreage and to whom. Not the ordinary people, but selected friends and cronies,” he said.

Enterprise residents were elated by the swift intervention by the Government. Mr. Lokendra Persaud said he is happy with the way the issue is progressing. “This has been a long issue. The residents went to several persons to have it addressed, but it was never addressed including former Prime Minister Nagamootoo… I am happy today that a timeline has been placed for the delivery of the titles and I am very happy that the AG has done great work,” he said.

During the exercise, AG Nandlall was accompanied by representatives from GuySuCo, the Sugar Welfare Fund, the Deeds Registry and Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

The exercise is another example of Government engaging residents, listening to their issues and addressing them speedily.

whopping $161.1M was distributed to communities in North Pakaraima by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai.

The funds will be used for capital projects in the mountainous communities and to begin the groundwork to ensure that they are prepared to benefit from fully equipped ICT hubs.

The two senior Government officials and their team journeyed to several communities last week to personally hand over the funds and to outline Government’s impending development programmes.

Of the total, $152M went towards the Investment Fund (COVID-19 Relief Grant) and $9.1M to Capital Grants and Assets.

The team visited Monkey Mountain before stops at Paramakatoi and Kato on Wednesday. On Thursday, they stopped at Kopinang and Kurukubaru. The areas were used as central locations to deliver the funds to over a dozen communities.

Approximately $1M to $2M of the Investment Fund, will be allotted to either construct a new building for the ICT hub or towards the renovation of an existing structure in each community.

The reminding monies will

be used to fund a project of the community’s choice or to assist with critical transportation needs.

The projects will be governed by consensus and will be transparent with the guidance of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.

During the distribution exercise, Prime Minister Phillips assured that there were several projects earmarked for Guyana’s Amerindian communities as Government aims to bridge the developmental gap between the coast and the Hinterland.

He said that there is also a development plan in place that would benefit all Guyanese.

“It is a development plan that says to the people of Guyana that notwithstanding COVID-19 and its negative effects on our population, we still have to develop as a country, we still have to support our people in their community wherever they live and ensure that they also benefit from development in Guyana.”

The Prime Minister noted that the Hinterland would not be left out of the equation and that several projects are forthcoming.

DISTRIBUTION Of the Investment Fund, $10M was given to Monkey Mountain, $7M to Tuseneng

Village and $5M to Taruka Village.

On the second stop, the Prime Minister and Amerindian Affairs Minister distributed $15M to Paramakatoi, $10M to Mountain Foot/ Bashvale and $10M to Bamboo Creek Village.

Another $10M was handed over to Kato, $3M to Red Creek and $5M to Chuing Mouth Village.

Further, Kopinang Village received $10M and Maiwak CDC $3M. During the final stop at Kurukubaru, $10M was given to the village, while $3M was given to Arsawa. Kaibarupai collected $10M, Itabac Village $5M, Waipa Village $10M, Sand Hill $5M, Katch-Cow $3M, Kanapang $10M, Pennak $3M and Kamana $5M. In terms of capital projects, two ATVs valued at $2M each were distributed to Pennak and Kurukubaru.

Additionally, Sand Hill received $1.4M for the construction of a village benab (2020 Presidential Grant); Itabac collected $1.5M for the construction of a pavilion (Capital Project), Kanapang Village received $1M for the construction of an ICT hub (Benefitted from previous grant) and Pennak was given a cheque valued at $1.2M for the construction of a village office.

Gov’t pushing large-scale livestock farming with $806M allocation

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he Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is embarking on large-scale rearing of livestock this year and intends to partner with the private sector to enhance the quantity and quality of meat and meat products for the domestic and international markets.

The GLDA benefited from several interventions soon after the Administration took office in August 2020, in keeping with the Government’s overall goal to expand and revitalise the agriculture sector. That will continue with this year’s $806 million budgetary allocation.

Investments at the GLDA have been aimed at ensuring that it has high-quality livestock to increase farmers’ access to better breeding stock for improved production and productivity.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has pointed out the importance of improving the sector, and has made good on his commitments to ensure that financial aid and other incentives are provided to improve farmers’ capabilities.

The Minister recently handed over a herd of breeding bulls to farmers to advance this goal. Two all-terrain vehicles and seven motorcycles were also presented to representatives of various regions to enhance extension services.

The Government also plans to support investors by developing its livestock traceability capacity to improve the accuracy and reliability of data, which is fundamental to meeting food safety standards and farm certification. It will also help

to promote exports.

The $806 million allocation in Budget 2021 is meant to accelerate the GLDA’s efforts to accomplish its mandate.

Plans for this year also include a modular abattoir at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, which will serve to fill the existing local market gap for processed pork and pork products, while creating more income-generating opportunities.

There are also plans to construct a modern abattoir at Onverwagt, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) for beef and beef products to transform the cattle industry.

Minister Mustapha has said the Ministry will do its best to modernise the livestock industry so that local farmers can tap into foreign markets.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Coalition persists with baseless PM Phillips signs exemption order for small claims – AG Nandlall internet service providers A

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he Government of Guyana has signed an exemption order to expedite the licensing process for small internet providers, in keeping with its efforts to expand the telecommunications sector.

Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips made this disclosure during a recent interview.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips engaged in a virtual consultation “Today I have signed an exemption order that is linked towards 50-odd local small internet service providers. This will prevent them from having to go through a long process to be granted a licence. They just have to register and pay the necessary fees associated with the service.

These are the small providers who will buy and sell services and are going the extra mile, especially in the areas where the big companies may not necessarily want to go.”

This would provide access to internet services to

more persons in communities across the country who were not able to connect previously, from a range of operators.

Zoning in on hinterland telecommunications connectivity, Prime Minister Phillips said the Government is aiming to connect 200 hinterland communities in 2021.

He said a significant sum of money was allocated to make this a reality.

“I will tell you that money was available before we came into office, but nothing was done. We are now utilising that money to ensure that we roll out the ICT services to all the communities.”

The Prime Minister noted that while a lot of prior work was done in some communities, the complaints of inadequate service and ICT hubs not functioning remain the same.

“Almost every day … got a letter from some community that is requesting assistance to have their ICT hub repaired or otherwise installed. So, the NDMA [National Data Management

Authority] will be very busy in 2021, ensuring that ICT connectivity becomes a reality,” he said.

Just two months after taking office, the Government liberalised the telecommunications sector and issued licenses to three big service operators: GTT, Digicel and E-Networks. Since then, there have been requests for the amendment of licence.

Prime Minister Phillips said to accommodate the industry’s expansion, these requests have been facilitated.

“These agencies have identified the amendments that are necessary for them to expand their services and we’ve gone through the process of assuring that those amendments are granted for their expansion.”

The Prime Minister said the Government has an opendoor policy for international companies wanting to enter the local telecommunications market. He said to date, they have received Expressions of Interest from three companies.

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC has rejected claims by the Coalition that the PPP/C administration does not hold consultations with the people.

The Attorney General said to date, no government in Guyana’s history has been more inclusive than the President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali Administration.

He said, “I want to reject out of hand, this baseless allegation that the Irfaan Ali administration is not consulting. Everyday there is some form of consultation taking place in our Government; compare it with APNU/AFC over the past five years and it is chalk to cheese. I see Basil Williams talking foolishness about consultations. He held consultations in relation to the SARA Act where he consulted widely with civil society, he received 100 recommendations and never incorporated one in the Bill.”

AG Nandlall also noted that every day Ministers are in the fields consulting with the people who elected them.

Just last weekend, President Ali was on the East Coast

meeting with the people on community projects and fostering unity.

“The Ministers of Housing recently had a big … consultation in relation to the Mandela Avenue to Eccles road, that is currently in the newspaper. I accompanied the Minister of Agriculture to Corentyne, Berbice where we consulted with the farmers about the construction of two roads, one at 58 Village and one at 52 Village. The President consulted with the people on West Coast Demerara for the construction of a new highway from the bridge to Parika,” the AG said.

The Attorney General also noted that the Government consulted with several Opposition parties in preparation for Budget 2021. Added to that, he said, after only six months in Government, the Administration sent two Bills to the Select Committee, the Hire Purchase Bill 2020 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Bill 2021.

He said, “Why you think we are sending it to the Select Committee? So that the Government will sit with the

Opposition, civil society and stakeholders and go through the Bills clause by clause, hear from them.”

Pointing to the recently amended Law Reform Commission Act Attorney General said prior to the amendments, it provided for no form of consultation and allowed the Minister and President to elect the entire Law Reform Commission. The amended Act now calls for consultation with the private sector, the labour movement, the Rights Commissions, religious organisations, consumer representatives, and the National Toshaos Council before the Commission is appointed. Further, since taking office, President Ali has extended several invitations to the Coalition to have discussions on the way forward for Guyana’s development, all of which were rejected.

This includes the meeting with former Presidents, which former President Mr. David Granger declined, consultations on the preparation of Budget 2021 and the recent consultation on the Local Content Policy.

Gov’t not accepting “bluff and Irresponsible to suggest Budget 2021 fluff” work – Minister Edghill doesn’t cater for salary increases ‒ irresponsible to suggest otherwise says Dr. Singh M S inister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill has stressed that the Government is taking all necessary measures to ensure greater accountability and financial management of public contracts.

To this end, his Ministry has employed a “boots on the ground” approach to ensure that work being executed by contractors, meet all requirements and Guyanese receive value for their money.

In a recent interview, he further explained that, “Of course, you can see both myself and my Minister within the Ministry out there ensuring that we are not receiving bluff and fluff in papers and reports and emails and WhatsApp messages, but we are seeing for ourselves what is on the ground. It is us taking a boots-on-the-ground approach whether its roads, sea defences, or supply of contracts.”

The Minister had earlier ordered that the contract for the Leguan Stelling be terminated. The $413 million work agreement, was two years overdue, although it was expected to last for just six months when signed in September 2018, under the former Government.

Minister Edghill said the work was rife with maladministration, corruption and mismanagement.

“This is for contractors across the workboard. Any contractor who is not performing, we will terminate the contract. We have to terminate the contract at Speightland where the people are suffering. We have tried over the years to get the work completed although its already bad. I have another contract for the St. Cuthbert Mission road, which is ripe for termination. These are contracts that were signed on the 31st of December 2018, just after the passage of the no confidence mo-

tion,” he stated.

Minister Edghill said he will be notifying the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board of the poor performance of contactors, so that their bid for work in other Ministries will not be considered.

“They must not be allowed to get work, because the Board must know that these people come in with their nice fluff and write up for contracts, but they can’t deliver,” he said.

He said he has also put the engineers at his Ministry on notice, that should they sign off on payments for works unsatisfactorily done, they will be dismissed.

“You are put there to protect the public purse, not facilitate mischief and allow contractors to rape the country,” Minister Edghill said of the engineers. He said the Government wants contractors to be partners in the infrastructural development of Guyana.

enior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh says it is a well-established fact that Budget 2021 caters for the revision of wages and salaries, and it is irresponsible for anyone to suggest otherwise.

The Finance Minister made this point during a recent interview, where he added that the Ministry of Finance in its budget, caters for the possibility of new recruitment, one-off payments, extraordinary payments and adjustments to salaries.

“In the 2021 Budget, anybody who is vaguely familiar with the budget estimates knows and can quite easily find in the budget estimates, there is an allocation of $10 billion to meet the cost of revision of wages and salaries. That is a fact. It is there in the estimates. So, I

can say definitively Budget 2021 includes an allocation to cover what we describe as other employment cost… which includes a provision for potential revision in salaries to employees in the central Government,” he said.

Aside from the allocation for salary increases, Dr. Singh said central Government employees would also benefit from all the measures outlined in Budget 2021.

This includes the increase in the ceiling for housing loans at the New Building Society from $12 million to $15 million, the removal of value-added tax on data for residential and individual use, and the five per cent reduction in water tariffs.

Added to that, the budget also proposes zero-rated status to various basic foodstuff and household items.

Further, over 13,000 persons will benefit from the

increase in public assistance from $9,000 to $12,000 per month.

“It is an indisputable fact that every, single Guyanese will benefit in one way or another from Budget 2021,” he said.

Minister Singh last Friday, presented a $383.1 billion budget under the theme “A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience.” The Budget presented no new taxes, but introduced several measures to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese.

The 2021 fiscal plan complements the provisions in Budget 2020, which saw the removal and reversal, of many burdensome taxes.

Minister Singh said annually, the measures in both budgets would see over $50 billion of disposable income pumped back into the economy.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

EDITORIAL Rhetoric, untruths, half-truths, unfounded claims, race baiting underscore APNU+AFC Budget 2021 arguments

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he debates on Budget 2021 were headline grabbing this week, but for all the wrong reasons. From the outset the APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians, in their contributions, stuck to a few themes: rhetoric, outright untruths, attempts to criticize while refusing to acknowledge their own actions and the playing of the worn race card.

Government Parliamentarian, Joseph Hamilton, called out the Opposition on the fact that they came to the National Assembly “primed” to engage in race baiting and challenged the Coalition’ Parliamentarians to defend their ‘record’ of work for people in communities like Den Amstel, Linden, Ann’s Grove and others. On this there was silence.

The attempts to criticize, while refusing to acknowledge their own actions, was seen when the Coalition attempted to say that the PPP/C administration exposed Guyana to international embarrassment over the snafu involving the opening of a Taiwan office in Guyana. Less than a year ago, the country grappled with a totally unprecedented situation of an illegal attempt to grab power by the APNU+AFC Coalition, aided by compromised elements with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – a turn of events that became increasingly damaging o Guyana’s image on the global stage with time. Not a word was said about the five-month long election debacle where the actions of the Coalition risked Guyana being ostracized as a pariah state from the global fold of democratic nations. On this there was silence.

Outright untruths, including that the PPP/C dubbed the COVID-19 pandemic a hoax, when it first hit Guyana were also peddled; when in fact it was the PPP/C that kicked off public support, which included the distribution of thousands of masks. The PPP/C-led National COVID-19 Multi-Stakeholders’ Response Forum kicked into operation on March 28, 2020 – days after Guyana’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed. Within less than 24 hours of being set up, the Forum’s Health Sub-Committee launched the Doctorsonline24hours on COVID-19 Facebook page, which allows members of the public to seek answers and get advice from medical doctors. In addition, several social media groups were set up which allow Guyanese health professionals to interact with colleagues in other parts of the world. On March 31, 2020, a statement from the Forum said: “COVID-19 is here in Guyana; we must not be complacent because the numbers are small so far. We believe that Guyana should have treated, and should be treating this pandemic as if all are infected or vulnerable to be infected as a way to ensure that there was and is an urgent and comprehensive response by government. The PPP/C decided that it could not rely on the government to take such an urgent national comprehensive approach in order to protect the population, reduce transmission, save lives, protect health workers and offer relief to the poor and vulnerable, working people and self-employed, and the business community from COVID-19….the Forum is also exploring ways of obtaining scarce resources for the health sector.” In the face of facts, the Coalition remained silent.

The parroting of rhetoric was, for the most part, ironic.

The Coalition attempted to criticize the PPP/C for the theme of Budget 2021 – A Path to Recovery: Economic Dynamism and Resilience – saying the theme did not reflect the reality of the ground. This was ironic given that every national budget advanced by the Coalition touted to the good life and up to the time the Coalition was booted from Office, Guyanese were still looking for this so called ‘good life’.

When rhetoric was met by facts, there was silence.

And the silence reflects the truth of the Coalition’s character. The APNU+AFC Coalition, in an out of office, offers nothing – no arguments with depth; no arguments that reflect understanding; and, most importantly, no proposals to bolster progress. The Coalition offers nothing of substance.

Additionally, the descent to personal attacks expose other character traits – more worryingly so when the situation at hand is that a colleague Parliamentarian is dealing with the

Presentations from Opposition MPs centered on whimsical fantasies not truth and facts Dear Editor,

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s a Guyanese, I am very disappointed, but not surprised, by the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change Coalition’s presentation in Parliament during the National Budget debate.

The debate contributions made by APNU/AFC Parliamentarians lacked any real and true focus, apart from cussing the Government out; and they didn’t even do a good job at that.

The debate continued with loud and racist remarks made by the Opposition during their presentations in the National Assembly. There was little or no reference to facts, and no due-diligence shown on projects they were talking about. This was an excursion at finding facts and searching for projects to criticise, because the Opposition did no real in-depth analysis of the framework or content of the budgetary allocations, or even the speech delivered by the Senior Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

It was the presentation by Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan that took home the prize for “Most Inspiring Piece of Fiction”. He should be ashamed of his delivery, because he did not say anything that was different or helpful to the Parliament of the mindset or Guyanese in relation to development.

He mentioned, during the debates, that persons are still waiting on the “pink slip-promises” of the PPP/C Administration, but there is deceit when it comes to what he is “trying” to say.

It is a known fact that thousands of Guyanese will get their $25,000 cash

grant from Government as soon as the budget is passed.

More so, that is not a promise, because the money is there, and will be given to the people. This Government has given the cash grants to more than 200,000 families in the time-frame of six months. This is more than the Opposition did for the lives of the Guyanese people during the start of the pandemic, or at any time during their five-year term in office.

Secondly, Mr Duncan knows – like all of Guyana – that he can’t speak about promises not fulfilled by any Government, because of the APNU+AFC coalition’s record in office.

Maybe Mr Duncan can tell us what happened to the more than 8,000 house lots which were promised by the APNU+AFC during a year?

Or the Constitutional Reform Process which was promised by his colleagues when they were in office?

Maybe he could shine light on what happened with the debacle and theft of monies at the Chronicle? Or what happened with the Community Policing body, and why it died, or was neglected during his chairmanship of the body?

What was the Government doing with the people’s business? Were they just running to the High Court and the CCJ trying to overturn a case which the world had no doubt would prevail?

I can ask more questions of Mr Duncan, but space and time would not allow me to do so. So, Mr Duncan’s statement about “pink-slip” just defeats the purpose for which he aims to use it. And also, his use of the term “green slip” in reference to the things that

were influenced by former President David Granger’s accomplishments while in office, that are in the 2021 budget, should provide much needed satire and jokes for Guyanese who are in the know.

But let me say the budget did not strike me as being a rip-off of whatever APNU+AFC policies he struggled to mention. There is a continuity of programmes that worked, and the new ones that this Government plans to implement for all to benefit.

If Mr Duncan was hoping that the plans would be to just start afresh and produce an entirely new budget, he is wrong, though I can’t say it’s the first thing that he was wrong about in the delivery of his speech.

Even after this tirade of attacks and ill-fitted policy positions by the Opposition, the budget is a balanced set of policies and plans to be rolled out by the People’s Progressive Party while in office.

Consequently, I hope that the Opposition would improve the quality of their presentation in the National Assembly. There must be a strong focus on facts and the truth, not one’s own whimsical fantasies. There should be elevated thought about the things they are going to champion in the budget.

Similarly, there should be things said about how you can improve what is in the budget, or what could be put into the budget estimates to improve the lives of every group of Guyanese across the spectrum.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

Coalition continues to approach this budget as something to bash, not focused on the well-being of Guyanese Dear Editor,

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fter observing the second day’s budget debate, it is unfortunate that I have to write this letter in an attempt to share my thoughts on some of the disturbing comments I heard from Tabitha Sarabo-Halley during her presentation.

To begin, it should be noted that the very “rancid rhetoric” which she was referring to in the introductory part of her speech does not even concern the

PPP/C’s government but rather the APNU+AFC Coalition. It was the opposition that continues every single day to waste time on making racist statements which offer absolutely no context to their speeches that are supposed to be on the budget and the policies therein.

It is rather unfortunate that amidst the Covid-19 pandemic which should be one of the main focus of every single Government official, that Sarabo-Halley came to parliament, UNPREPARED, and delivered a speech

loss of a family member. It was disclosed, during proceedings, that Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, lost her father. About to make an interjection during Monday’s (February 22, 2021) debate, Minister Teixeira was subject to crass and unacceptable behaviour.

The Coalition’s Ganesh Mahipaul shouted to her: “Why you don’t sit down and mourn yuh father!” This is the kind of

riddled with inaccuracies. She noted that the PPP has absolutely no plan but to wait for a Covid-19 vaccine for its citizens. She even went further to say that the budget does not even cater for these vaccines. The fact that she even said this brings me to ask, did she even read the budget? If so, did she overlook Paragraph 4.113 which states that $750 million has been allocated to support the rolling out of Covid-19 vaccines?

Additionally, Tabitha Sarbo-Hal(Turn to page 5)

representation the Coalition offers in the National Assembly.

The failures in office have followed the Coalition into the Opposition. And rather than deal with reality, there is a clear preference for playing on the emotions of the Guyanese people.

Guyanese deserve better – not the Coalition’s rhetoric, untruths, half-truths, unfounded claims or race baiting.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Amaila Falls project will become a reality Dear Editor,

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he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will push for development of the 165-MW Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, which was shelved by the APNU/AFC administration.

During his 2021 budget speech to Parliament, Dr Singh said Amaila “will become a reality” under President Irfaan Ali, who took office in August. The hydro plant has been targeted by the Government to help incorporate sustainable and cheaper electricity into the grid, and as part of a low-carbon development strategy.

The previous administration shelved the project due to legislative opposition around the high price tag (US$860 million to US$1 billion, according to some estimates) “The single biggest impediment to accelerated economic and social development is the absence of adequate, affordable, and reliable energy. Key challenges include dependence on aged, fossil fuel-based generation capability; inadequate generating capacity, resulting in supply shortfalls; a porous transmission and distribution network, resulting in high technical losses; along with high levels of commercial losses,” said Singh.

The Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Plant will be a 165 MW (installed capacity) hydropower generation facility, that will be located in west-central Guyana, approximately 250km southwest of Georgetown.

The project involves (i) a hydropower plant at the confluence of the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers; (ii) an electrical interconnection facility consisting of about 270km of high-voltage redundant transmission line and sub-stations.

Guyana currently relies on imported fuel oil and diesel for its electricity generation, which is both expensive and carbon-intensive. The Amaila Falls Hydroelectric plant is expected to shift Guyana’s reliance from

thermal generation to renewable energy, eliminate over 90 percent of our country’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, and provide energy production for approximately 90% of Guyana’s population.

In addition, improve Guyana’s balance of payments’ position by significantly reducing the importation of fuel, significantly reducing end-user costs for electricity, and improving reliability of energy supply and generation of clean energy; which will help to encourage economic growth and development by improving regional competitiveness, private sector investment, and foreign direct investment.

The Minister also pointed to the more immediate prospect of landing natural gas onshore via a 210-km-long pipeline to supply a power plant of up to 250MW, and tapping non-conventional renewable sources of energy. In addition, Gy$700 million (US$3.35 million) has been budgeted to install 10 minigrids and four off-grid systems this year for a combined 1.472 MW. Other projects that would receive funding are mini-hydros at Kumu and at Moco-Moco, which will be tendered in 2021; and completion of the Kato hydro would be advanced.

A combined Gy$840 million (US$4 million) has been earmarked for these projects.

Hydropower has four major advantages: it is renewable, it produces negligible amounts of greenhouse gases, it is the least costly way of storing large amounts of energy, and it can easily adjust the amount of electrical energy produced to the amount demanded by consumers.

To stimulate business enterprises in the future, our Government must reduce the cost of energy by 50% through a mix of hydro, gas, solar and wind, in an effort to provide reliable, renewable and cheap electricity.

Sincerely, David Adams

Coalition continues to approach this budget as something to... (From page 4) ley mentioned in her speech that Guyanese continue to witness the annihilation of the public service and public agencies. My question to this is HOW? In case she is to be reminded, it was the APNU+AFC who compromised the framework of the entire public service when they entered office in 2015. For example, the establishment of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service served little to no purpose but affected the Public Service framework. Graduates of the college were placed in public agencies as Accounts Clerk IIIs. They received higher salaries than those of Accounts Clerk IIs. However, as they entered these agencies, they simply could not perform as expected.

It is a fact that these Clerk IIIs had to be trained by the very Clerk IIs that are below them. With that being the reality, I ask the question, what the purpose of the training college was if it could not even train these

students properly so that they can function effectively as they entered the public service. This is a clear example of a visionless approach by the APNU+AFC which compromised the Public Service and the public agencies.

I end by saying that Tabitha Sarabo-Halley’s speech yesterday was disturbing to listen to as a right-minded Guyanese. It does not go unnoticed that the APNU+AFC Coalition continues to approach this budget as a political gimmick and something to bash simply because it was not their brainchild.

This shows that they are not focused on the well-being of all Guyanese but rather on painting the budget in a negative light as much as they can. Tabitha Sarbo-Halley’s speech was a clear indication of such.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Guyanese must say ‘no’ to participation of ‘riggers’ in any upcoming electoral processes Dear Editor,

T

he PPP/C led Government under the auspices of President Dr Irfaan Ali, its General Secretary, and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has enhanced the foundation for the fortification of our democracy.

Of course, this position resonates with the generous allocation of funds for the holding of Local Government Elections due this year, for which the government must be commended. Those in the leadership of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), need to step up and stop the ‘pussy-footing’ around their expected obligations; because our citizens will no longer tolerate their suboptimal inefficacies.

It is without any doubt that GECOM must demonstrate intent towards correcting the anomalies which served to inform the almost absolute lost confidence and diminished credentials of the institution. No doubt, there has to be a remedial approach that seeks to influence the immediate preparation for the holding of free and fair Local Government Elections (LGEs). The Commission must put on its next Meeting Agenda, a definitive position regarding the LGEs. It is one that demands the Chairperson to be assertive and decisive on the way forward.

Given the recent national and almost global condemnation of the organization, the framework of the foregoing assertions does not require any further or specific justifications. There exists much public evidence of the sinister role played by some GECOM Secretariat staff at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. These behaviors leave much to be desired and they have resulted out of necessity, a need for scrutiny and cleansing that would realize the appointment of suitable persons whom the Organization must hold to providing transparent and professional performances.

It is without contradiction that those at GECOM understand that the future of our nation is not only hinged on actual seamless transparency of the Elections body, but the created perceptions formed by the voting public and stakeholders involved and impacted. Infiltration of the institution at various levels has contributed to still existing threats of these ideals, which have resulted in a global embarrassment. The way forward, therefore, demands a swift and objective approach to realizing this end while ensuring its role in servicing the nation is upheld.

The gruesome treasonous abhorrence of the likes of CEO Keith Lowenfield and others who are before the Courts for ‘fraud and other charges, must result in their immediate divorce from all spaces of Administrative control related to Elections matters. After all, the fact that GECOM Chairwoman Madam Claudette Singh had to write Mr. Lowenfield to go back and produce the correct results in keeping with the publicly witnessed recounts, confirm among others, reasons why she or any other should have jailed him for his fraudulent and deceitful actions if acting as a Judge in the Guyana Courts of law. Why the apparent delays now the apparent delays to cleaning up the institution?

It is important to point out and remind the GECOM Chairwoman that the Commission of GECOM has the sole authority to hire certain staff for the execution of elections work and supervise specific functions. In this respect, Section 18 and 19 of the Elections (Amendment) Act 15 of 2000, respectively, states: “(18) The chief Elections Officer

and the Commissioner of Registration shall notwithstanding anything in any written law be subject to the direction and control of the commission. (19) For the purpose of removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power of the Commission to supervise the functioning of any elections Officer and the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall include the power to issue directions to any such Officer or the Commissioner or Deputy Commission in respect of the employment of any person by them in relation to the registration of electors or the conduct of Election.”

Meaningfully, therefore, the Commission under the hands of Chairwoman Madam Claudette Singh has the legal authority to cleanse itself of the improprieties related to the dirty acts conducted by contaminated or inefficient staff.

Aside from the staffing issues which must be addressed, it is expected that the Commission would request and consider a plan and budget toward the realization of the LGEs for this year. Several activities likely to inform preparation for the LGEs should include beginning the updating of the Voters List with a period of Continuous Registration, followed by the statutory Claims and Objections period.

The changing of Constituency boundaries must be reviewed given that Lowenfield had previously made sudden changes unknown to these boundaries without engaging the PPPC and other Opposition Paries at the time in any form of consultation. The well-publicized gerrymandering approaches were called out but never responded to by the Secretariat since they were designed to frustrate voters in suspected PPPC strongholds.

Further, GECOM must put a proper system in place to employ and sustain a pool of trained staff, both permanent and temporary.

The Organization must not and cannot have staff members working as temporary staff for years. Men and women of integrity who wrote and passed GECOM exams with distinction, must not be overlooked for employment unless there are established criteria that are not biasedly applied.

The Chairwoman and the Commission must objectively assert themselves and not be overwhelmed by the PNC hawks in the Secretariat. I challenged GECOM to explain why is it at the last Elections the Boundaries and the Staff were changed and hired without the Commissioners participation. Keith Lowenfield and his Cabals had their field days in GECOM employing ‘Phantom personnel’ as they pleased while giving out contracts in city hotel rooms. Besides, training worth hundreds of Millions was conducted in a very ad-hoc and unaccountable manner.

Madam Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh is now in charge of ensuring our LGEs are on stream. She now has another opportunity to show the world and nation a delivery that breathes confidence and Honour. I believe that Justice Claudette Singh must be given our unflinching support to hold free and fair elections.

As a caveat, let me say that there is no way we must accept the likes of Clairmont Mingo living in Region Five and being the returning officer for Region four, Further, he is a permanent staff at GECOM who was ‘singled out’ by the PNC to come to region Four to Rigged the Elections in 2020.

We must say down and out to all riggers.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

6

Christopher Jones owes an apology to sugar workers Dear Editor,

T

he GAWU’s attention was drawn to the contribution of Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones to the 2021 Budget Debate. Jones, during his address to the National Assembly, launched, in our view, a jaundiced and, we daresay, vitriol attack on the sugar industry and by extension the

thousands of Guyanese whose lives and livelihoods are supported by the industry.

In his remarks, the Opposition Chief Whip labelled the sugar industry as the bloodsuckers that live on the backs of the Guyanese taxpayers. From all appearances, Jones’ sordid view extends to Guyanese in the sugar belt. Our Union finds the remarks by such a senior member of the politi-

cal opposition as disturbing and equally disconcerting. It, in our view, is a vivid demonstration of the level of contempt that Jones holds for sugar workers and whose contribution he clearly undervalues and seemingly despises. It seems the Opposition’s Chief Whip is either unaware or chooses to ignore that the sugar industry for its travails continues to make several tangible contributions to the nation. He seems to forget, conveniently, that the sugar workers themselves are taxpayers and do not get any ‘free rides’ as he apparently seeks to promote in his message which took on, from our point of a view, a clearly divisive and partisan character. The utterances of Jones, we hold, are a continuation of the mercilessness the sugar industry was shown during the Coalition’s term in office.

But Jones’ tirade, as it were, did not stop there. He went on later in his contribution to proclaim that the sugar industry should be buried. Whether this was a deliberate or inadvertent slip of the tongue is unknown but his remarks sent a clear message that should clear the minds of any of those who held any doubt. That is had the Coalition succeeded in a second term, the sugar industry, in the words of Jones, would have been buried. The Opposition’s Chief Whip outburst is not surprising but yet again confirms the contemptuous view that the wider Opposition holds for the sugar industry despite utterances to the contrary. This has

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021 been pointed out in the past and we are sure we will see such derisive talk in the future as well.

We recognise the denunciation of the sugar industry was seemingly intended to stir up feelings of disenchantment among a certain section of the Opposition support base though completely ignoring Opposition supporters in the sugar industry. So while Jones was playing for the obvious gallery by his remarks, in our view, he has undermined his credentials as a national leader. In fact, if you ask us, he has demonstrated that he is not a leader for all but just some. It goes on to question his place in the nation’s highest forum which imbues all to inspire national not prejudiced interests.

In as much as we understand that the Opposition may express disagreement, we believe, Jones’ attack, as we see it, crossed the proverbial line. He has insulted and embarrassed a significant contingent of Guyanese who have committed no wrong to deserve such a verbal lynching. Indeed, we believe Jones should do what is honourable and offer an apology.

At the same time, we will not hold our breath to expect any modicum of responsibility and decency from the Opposition Chief Whip.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

COMMENTARY

7

Sugar workers are not ‘bloodsuckers’, Coalition thinking exposed

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

B

udget 2021 provides for a government subsidy of $2B for GUYSUCO. This subsidy is intended for capital improvement of the estates.

It includes the installation of a punt dumper at Albion Estate.

Three days of debate have already elapsed. The APNU+AFC MPs have spent an enormous amount of time opposing the Government's support of SUGAR, of GUYSUCO. In particular, they totally opposed the support the PPP provides for sugar workers.

During the second day of debate on Wednesday, news broke that Antigua and Barbuda has resumed buying GUYSUCO's sugar. GUYSUCO has also announced increased production of packaged sugar. The Enmore Sugar Packaging Plant has resumed operation. GUYSUCO still has difficult times to overcome. It is a time for Guyanese to come together in solidarity to support sugar workers.

Instead, APNU+AFC portrays sugar workers as "bloodsuckers". It is unconscionable. It is shameless.

I had hoped that Khem-

raj Ramjattan would have found an ounce of decency and seek redemption when he spoke in Parliament on Wednesday during BUDGET 2021 debate. He once, like Moses Nagamootoo, called himself a "champion for sugar workers". Given that his colleague, APNU/AFC'S Chief Whip in Parliament, Christopher Jones, called GUYSUCO a bloodsucker and, therefore, deeming sugar workers bloodsuckers, during Monday's debate, I had hoped that Ramjattan would have used his time to defend the sugar workers and apologize to them. Instead, Ramjat-

tan further betrayed sugar workers, twisting the knife even deeper into the backs of sugar workers. He insisted again that the closure of four sugar estates and the firing of 7,000 sugar workers were justifiable and that the clo-

sure was a recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry that the David Granger-led APNU+AFC government appointed.

It was a total lie, an absolutely shameless fabrication.

The COI never even remotely

suggested a closure of any estate. Ramjattan simply, plainly, brazenly lied once again. This is what the COI stated in its report: "The COI does not recommend the closure of any estate at this (Turn to page 8)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

COMMENTARY

Sugar workers are not ‘bloodsuckers’... time". This is plain, unequivocal language. There is no room for any other interpretation. Ramjattan can read and write. Ramjattan is a lawyer.

Ramjattan lied without any shame. He still owes sugar workers an apology.

By now every sugar worker accepts that Ramjattan, like Moses Nagamootoo, betrayed them. With his performance in Parliament on Wednesday, he proved that he is remorseless. He proved he was along a charlatan.

In fact, it is not just Ramjattan, the whole APNU+AFC owes an apology

to the Guyanese people, particularly to their supporters, but particularly the sugar workers. They did nothing to develop this country between 2015 and 2020, they caused more than 37,000 people, including 7,000 sugar workers, to lose their jobs, the majority of the community recreation grounds were unkept, the country's financial resources were squandered, the housing, health and education sectors were neglected. Corruption abounded.

Now in Opposition, they continue to neglect their duties to the people of this

country. The scrutiny of the national budget is a major responsibility of the Opposition. APNU+AFC failed in government, now they are rapidly earning the title as the worst opposition in Guyana's history and in CARICOM. They must apologize to the Guyanese people, especially their supporters.

BUDGET 2021 debate is in full swing. Among the most remarkable moments during the first day was an APNU/AFC MP calling sugar workers "bloodsuckers".

On the second day of debate, Ramjattan had a golden

chance to redeem himself and to redeem APNU+AFC. The sugar workers are hardworking Guyanese workers.

For many decades under the PNC, from the 1960s through to the 1990s, sugar workers kept the country from bankruptcy. These same sugar workers had their wages frozen in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

But while their wages were frozen, the PNC siphoned away GUYSUCO money, neglecting maintenance and investment in capital improvement in the sugar industry, to support central government. Public servants

(From page 7)

and other employees in State Corporations were able to receive wages and salaries, in part, from the sugar levy and the profits from sugar.

In the 1980s alone, more than $100B in today's money value were extracted from the sugar workers, as loans that were never paid back, to keep the country afloat.

In smaller ways, the rice farmers, through the rice levy, contributed. No doubt, sugar is having a difficult time right now. But make no mistake - SUGAR is not having a handout from the present government. Nor did SUGAR receive a handout from APNU+AFC. The initial subsidies coming from Government after 2011 were from the monies Guyana earned from the EU as a result of the EU providing compensation after their arbitrary withdrawal from our SUGAR Agreement. After 2015, not only was the subsidy partly from the EU money, it was also from a $30B loan APNU+AFC took in the name of those sugar workers, an amount of money that APNU+AFC cannot still account for. Absolutely, sugar workers are not "bloodsuckers".

But the sugar workers can point their fingers in specific direction to the real "bloodsuckers". Can we guess in which direction those fingers are likely to point?

The sugar workers still want to know where the $30B went? APNU+AFC has a legal and moral and political responsibility, obligation to stand in Parliament and give an account.

It is reckless to call the sugar workers "bloodsuckers" when it was your government that closed four sugar estates, which froze the wages of sugar workers for five years, between 2015 and 2020, that took away jobs from 7,000 people. It is sheer audacity and shamelessness that you would want to show up in a budget debate and the only thing you have to contribute is to say that sugar workers are "bloodsuckers".

Moses Nagamootoo is in hiding since August 2, 2020.

He once deemed himself the "champion of sugar workers". This is his opportunity to gain some redemption.

Moses must come out from hiding and condemn his sisters and brothers in the PNC for their continued assault

on sugar workers. He should especially condemn his comrade Ramjattan for continuing this vicious assault on sugar workers. Ramjattan had a golden opportunity in Parliament on Wednesday. He too claimed before 2015 he was a "champion for sugar workers". But he too betrayed the sugar workers.

BUDGET 2021 debate on Wednesday was an opportunity for redemption by standing up in Parliament and denouncing his fellow MP for shamelessly denigrating sugar workers. I could not be in Parliament to speak on behalf of the heroes and heroines in the sugar industry, but I thank my comrade, the Minister of Agriculture, for standing up for the sugar workers.

The parliamentary Opposition had eleven days since BUDGET 2021 was read by Minister Ashni Singh two Fridays ago to prepare for the debate. In those eleven days, sugar production started at Albion Sugar Estates.

But while the sugar workers are working hard to restore the glory days of SUGAR in Guyana, APNU+AFC was preparing to launch another vicious attack on sugar workers. While the Leader of the PNC or APNU/AFC, David Granger, is hibernating somewhere, while the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joe Harmon, was busy fiddling his thumbs, the sugar workers were already busy breaking their backs in the sugar cane fields to bring economic progress to our country. During all this time, APNU+AFC MPs were planning to paint the sugar workers as "bloodsuckers.

I suspect the sugar workers no longer care what APNU+AFC think of them.

I suspect they especially do not care what Ramjattan think of them. What they know is that their wage freeze is over, that they can look forward for a successful year of production, for wage increases, for annual production bonuses. They know that those who promised them 20% annual increases, but then froze their wages are no longer in charge of the destiny of SUGAR. The sugar workers know that, in the PPP, they have a government that cares for workers.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Coalition put on blast for ‘radicalising and racialising’ budget debates sentiments were not hidden Mr. Speaker. They were openly and bluntly expressed and, in some cases, unrelenting in their frequency,” the Minister said.

T

he APNU+AFC Coalition was called out by Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Hon. Oneidge Walrond for “radicalising and racialising” the budget debates which are supposed to be about policy.

A no-holds barred Walrond said the PPP/C administration is about inclusive governance regardless of race.

Citing herself as an example, the Minister noted that her family’s connection to the People’s National Congress was no secret. Growing up, the Minister said, it was the only philosophy she knew.

“Yet the leaders of the PPP/C when considering what their government will look like and who should have a say in defining and implementing its policies chose me despite the political connections of my family and despite the fact that I had never before even dreamed of being involved in politics. This, Mr. Speaker, speaks to the core and the DNA of a President, a party and a philosophy that cannot credibly be held out to be racist and non-inclusive,” the Minister stated during her presentation in support of Budget 2021.

Minister Walrond said her appointment is not just “window dressing,” and slammed the Opposition for describing Afro-Guyanese under the Government as tokens. The Prime Minister along with the Ministers of Labour, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation are testament to the PPP/C administration inclusiveness. She said, “Mr. Speaker people can examine for themselves

how portfolios were assigned under the APNU-AFC government. I don’t have to delve into their record, it is there and speaks for itself.

Suffice it to say Mr. Speaker, as a person new to politics, my own responsibilities are far in excess of those that the previous administration sought to confer even on their Prime Minister.”

Members of the Opposition were also cautioned with their use of the term “ethnic cleansing” which she said was being wielded with reckless disregard for social cohesion. The Minister said the term was coined to describe the thousands who were killed and forcibly removed from their homeland during the brutal Balkan Wars. She said the opposition was trivialising the term to gain political advantage.

The opposition has employed the loaded term in reference to workers who were let go or departed the public service after the PPP/C assumed office last August.

But Minister Walrond noted that those let go were individuals who openly indicated they were opposed to working with the PPP/C administration under any circumstance.

“Some of these Public Servants were captured on camera praying and referring to anyone outside of their “chosen political circle” as “devils”. Some said that the PPP/C were rigging the election. Others said that any PPP/C administration would be illegitimate under any circumstances. Some said they had no intention nor inclination to work with a PPP/C government. These

Minister Walrond pointed out that many of the persons who were politically affiliated with the Coalition, were not content to do the job. Instead, they were determined

to be obstructionist to stymie the work of the Government.

The Minister questioned how such persons could be relied upon to implement the agenda of the Government.

The move forward, according to her, can only be successful if it done with true commitment to progress of Guyana and the Guyanese people.

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10

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Republic Day celebrations held under theme ‘One Guyana: Celebrating Mash 51 through Unity and Diversity’

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali was present on Monday evening (February 22, 2021) as the country ushered in its 51st Republic Anniversary celebration at Parliament Buildings.

The Commander-in-Chief was accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips,

former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Samuel Hinds and current Ministers of Government and other officials were also in attendance.

The invitees and the rest of the country, via broadcast, were serenaded by melodious Guyanese music and a series of vibrant dance medleys during the cultural programme.

A number of Guyanese artistes showcased their talents in grand style. Daniela Arujo did a Spoken Word titled Together as One; National Dance Company had several dances including ‘Creole Jump-Up’; Poonam Singh sung one of her popular songs; Katusha Fraser and Adezze Lumumba joined vocal and violin to

produce 'Oh Beautiful Guyana'; Jackie Jaxx and Roy Stewart teamed up with a vocal and saxophone duet; Bunty Singh performed one of his songs, while there were dances from the St Cuthbert’s Dance Group and the Berbice Delights Dance Troupe, before all the performers joined renowned Guyanese gospel artiste

Samuel Medas on stage for the grand finale.

After the rousing cultural presentation, spectators and guests were regaled by the Marching on of the Guard of Honour, followed by prayers before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted.

Guyana’s National Pledge, Song of the Republic and National Anthem echoed

through the night to bring a close to the evening’s festivities as the nation prepared for its Republic celebrations under the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s Republic Anniversary celebrations is being celebrated under the theme ‘One Guyana-Celebrating Mash 51 through Unity and Diversity’.

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Inclusive approach necessary to realise the ambitions we set ourselves [Message from President Dr. Irfaan Ali on the occasion of Guyana's 51st Republic Anniversary]

F

our years after attaining its political Independence, our country declared itself as a Republic and assumed the title of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. These two historical milestones – Independence and Republic status – form an unbroken continuum of our people’s struggles to lift themselves out of the state of want and deprivation, to exist as free men and women in an indivisible state and by working for the development of all.

Our country’s national motto, “One people, One nation, One destiny”, is the tripod upon which our independent and republican

statehood rests. The elements of our national motto commit us to the pursuit of unity; it affirms our sovereignty and shapes our ambitions.

‘One people’ acknowledges the different strands which constitute our country’s ethnic diversity. It celebrates our rich and vibrant multiculturalism while promoting our common citizenship.

‘One nation’ signals the indivisibility of our state. It commits us to defend vigorously our God-given patrimony, to zealously guard our sovereignty and prudently manage our resources for the benefit of all.

‘One destiny’ asserts our

shared aspiration to live in a society in which our children are provided with opportunities; where the exertions of our workmen and women are fairly remunerated; where our elderly can enjoy their golden years in comfort and good health and where our vulnerable are provided with protection and support.

The ‘One Guyana’ project, which I recently launched, celebrates our oneness as enunciated in our national motto. It is aimed at excising the vices of ethnic rancour, hatred and divisiveness; breaking down barriers of mistrust, suspicion, and stereotypes; and fostering greater tolerance and under-

standing. The One Guyana Project will encourage respect for the immeasurable worth of every citizen regardless of his or her race, religious belief or class.

The establishment of a One Guyana Commission attests to the inclusive approach which is necessary to realise the ambitions which we set ourselves both at Independence and upon becoming a Republic.

As I alluded in my address to the National Assembly, the One Guyana Commission will be given legislative effect. It will harness the goodwill which exists in our society and to take the practical steps which

are necessary and desirable to cement our society while “respecting the diversity from which our oneness springs.”

The purpose of the Commission would be to try to do just that in relation to the practical steps we can take to cement our one society, encompassing and respecting the diversity from which our “oneness” springs. The Commission will foster the free contention of our people’s voices, honour our ancestral heritage while celebrating our multiculturalism.

The festival of Mashramani is a celebration of our multiethnic identity. Unfortunately, this year’s obser-

vances, including today’s flag-raising ceremony, have had to be moderated because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We rest assured that the pall of this pandemic will disappear, and with it will come the return to the radiance, colour and liveliness of our Republic celebrations.

In the meantime, let us continue to celebrate our Republican anniversary in the best possible way – by working and living together in peace and harmony.

May God bless our Republic! May God bless each of our citizens and our efforts at fashioning a One Guyana!

I thank you.

(February 23, 2021)

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Budget measures reflect PPP/C gov’t

A

nnually, the measures in Budgets 2020 and 2021 would see over $50 billion of disposable income pumped back into the economy and into the pockets of Guyanese.

A number of taxes were removed or reversed in Budget

2020. Budget 2021, which was presented to the National Assembly on February 12, 2021, also saw the removal of many taxes with no new taxes introduced.

Some of the budget measures includes the removal of Value-Added Tax on water and electricity, the increase

in public assistance and old age pension, the removal of VAT from a range of food and household items and the increase of school grants to $15,000.

This week, the Weekend Mirror sought views on how these measures would impact the daily lives of Guyanese.

GERAN COLLYMORE said: “Budgets 2020 and 2021 demonstrate thoughtful investment in the Guyanese economy, and much needed relief for households across the country.

Our economy is rapidly changing, and all Guyanese want and deserve to be part of Guyana’s growth. As such, while there are welcome provisions for direct investment in the country’s most vulnerable groups.

“It is also encouraging that Budgets 2020 and 2021 offer measures for financial reprieve so citizens can invest in themselves.

Proposed tax relief, along with investment in education and local business augurs well for Guyanese who recognize this as an opportunity and are able to capitalize on it. To be clear, this is also a budget that will help alleviate the anxieties of many Guyanese who are simply trying to survive, especially amid the unprecedented challenges created by COVID-19. These groups will be happy to note the proposed increased cash grants, increased social support, and improved measures for socio-economic mobility in Guyana-including a significant allocation for education, and greater access to funding for home-ownership. Overall, I am pleased to note there is growth and a healthy rebound projected for the economy, and I hope to see sustained investment in Guyanese.”

AZAM ALLY said: “Although there was no reduction in income tax for private and public sector workers, the removal and reduction of VAT and taxes on many products and services is a welcome change. I was particularly happy to see taxes on water, internet/ data services being removed as these are necessities and will put money back into the pockets of the masses.

“In addition, the removal of taxes from certain building materials is a huge move by the government and will ease costs for many persons looking to secure and build homes and investors building infrastructure in the coming years. Overall, I believe this is a good first step for us citizens and hope in the coming years the government can continue to reduce reliance on taxes for revenue by increased activity in the oil and gas, mining and agricultural sectors.”

DONCILLA TONEY said: “I tried to follow some of the works that this PPP/C government is doing and what I see is that progress within Guyana is so rapid.I simply cannot find much to criticize. Team PPP/C is very strong and progressive.

“We are on the right track and the Government of Guyana is certainly doing the right thing and making the right moves. I would say to this Government ‘Don't stop’ because the people are feeling the changes. The lives of the Guyanese are being transformed. We are breathing a sigh of relief and it has been just a couple of months.

We know there are challenges, things that we need to solve, and we are encouraged by the efforts being made.

“Never before have we seen in such a short period of time, so much progress. That is what we need; a Government that is caring enough to be on the ground, listening to the people, doing what the people need, and then still take the macroeconomic things in hand. I am looking out for betterment for all Guyanese across the country.”

ARVINDA RAMCHARAN said: “I believe $50 billion of disposable income being pumped back into the economy is an extremely viable move towards cushioning the economy from the rippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What this will do is increase the level of consumption and savings for the people of our country and this will have a positive effect of their purchasing power, this would drive economic growth during this recovery period of our economy. This is a clear indication that the measures in budget 2020 and 2021 is devoted towards better serving the people of our country.”

LOVERN SINGH said: “Life under the PPP/C led government so far has changed for the better. This government is one focused on making every Guyanese, across the nation top priority and hinterland areas have not been left out.

“Budget 2020 and 2021 is one with a vision of prosperity and inclusion of all sectors. Focus has been placed into providing financial assistance to the people during this pandemic. Amerindian villages have seen monies been pumped into infrastructure and income generating projects.

Villagers benefited from the COVID-19 relief, in the sum of 25,000 per household; school children received the $4,000 uniform grant; and also millions were given to the villages in the form of COVID-19 support.

“Across the nation, we are seeing development in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure and improved access in the education system. A government that listens to the people and responds to their needs is what we need right now – it is what will take us forward to progress as a nation.”

JOSHUA SINGH said: “The 2021 budget while being the largest budget to date in Guyana speaks volumes to the number of economic activities we can expect within the year. Much of the budgeted allocations are expected to trickle down the working class and at the same time will help to boost private sector activities.

“We can expect major infrastructural development compounded with development in the extractive and services industries. While some of these spending might not have a trickledown effect; they will undoubtedly make the lives of Guyanese easier.”

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responsiveness to needs of Guyanese ANNALISA BEHARRY said: “The budget measures represent a good way to stimulate the economy, facilitating growth and sustaining it. Disposable income is one of the economic indicators used to analyze the state of the economy.

Disposable income is one of the most important determinants of demand. Each one of us is a consumer; every time we make a purchase, it creates a demand and correlated supply, which adds to businesses being profitable and therefore, sustainable.

This will have many ripple effects, such as, businesses retaining their employees and even recruiting new employees due to expansion, etc. It boosts spending power resulting in each dollar spent by the citizen to have a tenfold effect – that is the value of that dollar increases as it is passed from consumer to consumer, which brings positivity into the economy and into the minds of citizens.

“Especially due to the novel COVID-19 resulting in a pandemic, so many persons lost income, employment, plans diminished/ abandoned, world trade seized/decreased, etc. So, for example, the COVID-19 relief package was a beaming initiative by the GOG, as it rescued many from financial turmoil. With money pumped back into the economy and the lives of citizens, it will definitely have a cascade effect, improving the general standard of living of citizens and consumer confidence.”

MAHENDRA RAM said: “As a young professional working in the private sector and as the sole breadwinner for my family this is a very big deal.

The country has had its fair share of negative impacts, including the increase in taxes that affected all Guyanese.

“What is clear is that Budgets 2020 and 2021 represent more than words on paper. It has substance and will benefit thousands.”

WAHEEDA SAHEED said: “Annually, the measures in Budgets 2021 and 2021 would see over $50 billion of disposable income pumped back into the economy and into the pockets of Guyanese.

“The $329.5 billion budget, introduced in Parliament for 2020 would have managed to reverse some of the tax measures previously implemented by the APNU+AFC, thereby creating a relief for the citizenry.

These were in the form of $25,000 COVID-19 relief grant to the vulnerable households, the $15,000 cash grant per child, approximately $5,000 incremental increase for the senior populace. Other initiatives included cutbacks through the removal of Value-Added Tax (VAT) or services now free to our pensioners and removal of VAT on several items such as machinery and equipment used in mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing sectors which will enhance savings and the purchasing power of the people.

“As for 2021, the Budget speaks to additional relief in tax measures such as: The 5% reduction in the water tariffs for consumers, increase of old age pensions from GYD20,500 to GYD25,000, increase in the public assistance payment from GYD9,000 to GYD12,000 monthly and zero rating of VAT on basic food and household items. These measures will seek to empower the households by providing support to the citizens living amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

WILLIAM GOPIE said: “The current budget measures reverse the painful policies of the previous government.

It is encouraging to see government is playing its role in developing Guyana's economy, since there is need to build on the budget for policy focus around the development and diversification of the core industries: sugar, rice, bauxite, gold and diamond, forestry and agriculture.

It is encouraging to see accommodation for this industry in the budget but broader attention in the area of policy planning and strategy, otherwise future budgets will reflect future declines in this industry.

“There are big wins such as the reduction of VAT across various goods across the economy, reduction of license fees, increased focus and spending on developmental agendas. This will surely trickle down to every Guyanese in a positive way. I am impressed to see Guyana's foreign policy spending and overall increased agenda in improving bilateral relations between Guyana and international partners.”

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Co-op societies not Tenders for construction serving the people of Eccles to Mandela four-lane opened to be struck off ‒ based on findings of integrity audit

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inister of Labour, Hon. Joseph Hamilton has disclosed that his Ministry intends to terminate co-operative societies in several communities if the findings of an integrity audit currently being conducted, indicate they are not fulfilling their mandate.

According to him, whie the Ministry can account for the existence of 512 Co-ops, only half of those entities can be considered to be operating in the interest of their respective communities.

As such, the offending entities would be struck off to ensure the people are

served, in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s overall goal to foster sustainable social, and infrastructural development.

“Once you strike out all …the assets properly come under the supervision of the Department of Co-ops. So, so we can utilise this asset that people are utilising privately to help to develop the co-ops to give training to people because a lot of these co-ops fail not because they don’t have money it is their management,” the Labour Minister said.

Those societies are responsible for a massive asset

base which Minister Hamilton believes could be used to develop initiatives that improve people’s lives.

“I believe Co-ops should be doing scholarship programmes for people in their communities or bursaries and that is where we have to go because Co-ops have a lot of latitudes to do things.

But we have to retool these entities… We will help them to fashion and strengthen themselves,” he said.

Reflecting on a similar approach taken to strengthen the Public Service Credit Union, the Minister said it is time these entities demonstrate accountability and transparency.

Bids invited to advance projects for Amerindians T he Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is making good on its promise to enhance the quality of life of the nation’s First Peoples through the Invitation for Bids (IFB) to procure much-needed equipment.

The machines would be financed through Budget 2021 under the Community Development and Empowerment Programme (CDEP).

Invitations were published for 25 new outboard engines, 14 all-terrain vehicles and four new minibuses, which are expected to make travelling in and around hinterland villages much easier.

Bids were also invited for 113 ploughs and clippers for tractors as the Government continues to make investments

aimed at fostering agricultural development in hinterland areas, in keeping with its overall plan to revitalise village economies.

Additionally, attention would be given to broadening communication in parts of the hinterland where gaps may exist, through the purchase and delivery of 15 radio sets.

Citizens in these areas who are involved in the logging sector or in joinery are also set to benefit from 20 chain saws, procured through the bids.

Further, the CDEP would also provide the necessary tools to ensure that women’s groups can function, with the acquisition of 40 new sewing machines.

The PPP/C Administration has maintained its focus on ensuring Amerindian communities are not left out of the Government’s development agenda.

Amerindians have benefited from the distribution of the $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief cash grants to primary households, and the one-off COVID-19 investment fund for villages.

The $1.73 billion fund was created to facilitate infrastructural development projects as well as income-generating/ economic projects to cushion Amerindian villages from the fallout of the pandemic.

Some $825 million was approved for the CDEP in the 2020 budget.

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has achieved another key milestone for the construction of the Eccles, East Bank Demerara to Mandela, Georgetown highway, as more than 20 companies have submitted bids for the execution of the project.

The bids were opened this week at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Street, Georgetown.

On site were Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, CEO of NPTAB, Mr. Arvind Parag and Director, Mr. Mark Conway, while the bidders joined virtually.

The CEO stated that the coming highway is one of many initiatives by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, geared at infrastructure development, as well as, improving and modernizing the lives of Guyanese.

“Persons traversing the East Bank corridor will be able to do so with much greater ease and comfort.

This new four lane highway will open lands for commer-

cial and residential purposes, and will turn this throughway into a vibrant and bustling zone,” CEO Greaves said.

He further noted that CH&PA is pleased to be the executing agency of the multi-million-dollar project and staff will be ensuring the project is completed in keeping with the set criteria.

“We can assure everyone that we will ensure this project is completed successfully, with all the required quality standards in place and all timelines strictly kept. We will hold the contractors accountable as we will accept nothing less than what they have signed up for. Quality will not be sacrificed, over expediency. Our President has made a promise, we will ensure it is kept,” the CEO affirmed.

On Wednesday last, CH&PA hosted a pre-bid meeting geared at sensitizing bidders on key requirements, environmental impacts, the procurement process, and all other necessary elements in the preparation and execution of this transformational project.

Further, the agency held

an Inter-agency Coordination Committee (ICC) meeting on Friday, to discuss the construction of the highway.

The ICC meeting featured a number of stakeholders from Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the Bureau of Standards among others, who were given the platform to raise concerns and make recommendations on the way forward.

Once completed, the four lane road will run a length of 2.8 kilometer and width of 3.5 meters. It will also feature twelve reinforced concrete bridges with single walkways.

As advertised, works will be divided into six lots: Lot 1- Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Lot 2- Agricola, Lot 3 – Rome, Lot – 4 Huston South, Lot 5 Huston North, and Lot 6- South Ruimveldt. The highway is slated for completion in November 2021. Some $1 billion is being allotted in Budget 2021 to advance the project.

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$150M farm-to-market road to Forestry Inventory Programme open 30,000 acres of land in to boost management of the sector Berbice ‒ Minister Mustapha - Minister Bharrat

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undreds of farmers in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) are set to benefit from almost 30,000 acres of new farming lands that would become available with the establishment of an estimated $150 million farm-to-market road at No. 52 Village this year.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said the road, which would span from the Public Road to Canje Creek, is among several projects streamlined for implementation at strategic farming villages across Guyana.

“In Region Six, you will see between 20,000 to 30,000 acres of new lands being made available with the construction of all-weather road on the Corentyne Coast, which will satisfy the needs of hundreds of farmers there,” he said in a recent interview.

A few days after being assigned to head the Minis-

try, Minister Mustapha travelled to the Ancient County to meet farmers who had been affected by overtopping.

During that meeting, they implored him to upgrade the road to transport crops from farmlands.

Minister Mustapha said the PPP/C Government is keen to ensure that the necessary structures are in place to enhance farmers’ livelihoods.

He said too that he would continue to make representation at all levels for the men and women labouring in the fields.

The Ministry is also advancing its plan to expand the sector over the next five years, which would see the construction of several farmto-market roads across the regions. This includes a projected $175 million road on the right bank of the Mahaicony Creek in Region Five, an estimated $150 million road on the left bank of the

Mahaica Creek in Region Four and an estimated $100 million road at Salem, Region Three.

Early last month, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Minister Mustapha officially turned the sod for the construction of a $327 million farm-to-market road at Onverwagt, Region Five.

While these projects are now in the tendering phase, Minister Mustapha said the process would be accelerated to meet farmers’ needs.

Minister Mustapha said these 2021 interventions are all part of the PPP/C Government’s transformational agenda for Guyana. He said in just seven short months in office, the Government has had massive accomplishments in the sector and it remains committed to delivering to the Guyanese people.

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he $250 million budgeted for the National Forestry Inventory Programme would allow the Ministry of Natural Resources to better manage the forestry sector.

Minister Vickram Bharrat made this statement during a recent interview, where he added that the Programme would help the Government plan better when allocating concessions.

It would also lessen the likelihood of persons receiving non-profitable concessions.

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) legislation and the National Forest Policy require the GFC to effect forest management strategy to effectively plan for the sustainable and optimal utilisation of Guyana’s forests. Inventories are essential for management planning, concession allocation and utilisation of the forests.

“It will help us when we’re allocating concessions

to the people, or the companies, so that we don’t allocate a concession which is a savannah…. What it intends to do is to map out each area so we will actually know in this particular area as in how many trees of certain diameters there is, and what the species are because we have probably over 1,000 different species in the Guyana, but only use a few,” he said.

Some of the benefits of the Inventory programme include identifying areas for conservation and protection, integrating forest inventories with GIS/Remote Sensing technology, using empirical national forest data to design specific technologies for the monitoring of Guyana’s forests and providing a reference dataset on forest resources for long-term monitoring and decision-making.

Minister Bharrat added that it would help the Government to determine the

production level to expect from one concession. He said, ‘This will give us a good idea. As to our stock in the forests, which is very important.”

The Minister also said the Government would continue to encourage the exportation of lesser-known and used timber in 2021, which the Inventory Programme would be employed to track.

The last National Forest Inventory was executed some 50 years ago. The GFC rolled out the National Forestry Inventory Programme in 2019 as a multi-year project to collect field data from all administrative regions except for Regions Four and Five. While some work was completed in Region Ten in 2019, work will resume this year to complete the region before the teams move to Regions Two, Three, Six and Nine.

of the Ministerial Advisory Gov’t invites bids for sea, river Meeting Committee on Guyana - Venezuela defence maintenance T

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he PPP/C Administration has put maintenance of the nation’s sea and river defences on the front burner and has recently advertised Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the upkeep of numerous structures in Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six. In Region Three, Invitations were published for works on the boulder face protection river defence at Maryville and Retrieve on Leguan Island in the Essequibo River.

Maintenance works on the earthen embankment have also been slated for Waterloo on Leguan. On the mainland of the region, works have been planned for the river defence at Parika and Mora.

In Region Four, work is also slated for Fort Groyne at Kingston and the concrete structure between Buxton and Enterprise.

Additionally, works would also be done on the earthen embankment in Region Five along the Mahaicony and Abary River dams and at D’Edward Village.

The Government has also planned upkeep of the embankment between Gongo Creek to Friends and Ma

Retraite to Plegt Anker in Region Six. The river defence along Sheet Anchor in that Region has also been tabled for maintenance in addition to both the earthen embankment and rock slope at Bush Lot/Maida in the Corentyne.

These works will be done through a $5.1 billion allocation in Budget 2021.

During the presentation of the $383.1 billion budget, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh said the investment will also target other priority areas.

“Earmarked for this year are the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of sea and river defence infrastructure in areas including Dantzig, Prospect, Content, Fairfield, Zealand, Cane Garden, Uitvlugt, Anna Catherina, No. 63 Beach, Manila, and Bygeval,” he said.

Further, the Government would continue to monitor the sea and river defences.

These efforts would enable the Administration to be adequately prepared should there be any breaches of the structures.

On Friday last, Minister of Public Works, Bishop

Juan Edghill, noted that having an early warning system in place would mitigate damage and loss should a breach occur. “You cannot wait until the seawall or river dam defence break away before you act. The rangers must be able to get out there on a daily basis because it is so susceptible that one day everything is fine, but some tide does some damage. So, the people from the villages with the experience, who know about the changes in patterns, will be able to patrol these sea defences and give early warning so that interventions are made before something happens,” he had said.

The 2021 Budget would complement the progress made through the 2020 Emergency Budget to bolster sea defences in Regions Two, Four, Five and Six. Those works provided for the construction of nine lots of riprap sea defence works at Suddie, Region Two, Wakenaam and Leguan Islands, and Anna Catherina in Region Three; and Mosquito Hall, Region Five.

For Region Six, major sea defence works were also planned for No. 61 Village, Region Six.

he Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday (February 19, 2021) convened a meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy.

Present at the meeting were Chairman of the Committee, Hugh Todd; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Coopera-

tion, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia; former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Advisor to the Minister on Border Issues, the Honourable Carl B. Greenidge; Ambassador Audrey Waddell, Co-Agent; Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Border Issues, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran; Director of Frontiers Department, Ms. Donnette Streete; Former Minister of

Guyana has taken studied... respect for the rule of law.”

Further, the Minister expressed Guyana’s appreciation to the Human Rights Council for the capacity building support received under the LDC/SIDS Trust Fund. “Guyana has pledged to fulfillment of these recommendations given the importance in providing opportunities for the advancement of our people,” she assured.

The Minister stressed too that UNHRC Member States must craft and implement policies that would advance the obligations that have been subscribed to, under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments.

“We must stand in solidarity and build partnerships for the benefit of our peoples and not feed the culture where

human rights violations are committed with impunity, but must promote accountability at all levels; moreover to ensure that the human rights violations are uprooted…the advancements of our people and their equitable sharing in our nation’s wealth cannot be truly realized unless there is respect for democracy, respect for the fundamental rights and the freedom of our citizens, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana, and the respect for the rule of law,” she declared.

Teixeira informed the UNHRC of Guyana’s efforts to build ‘One Guyana’ with the words of President Ali in his address to the Parliament: “The credo of the Guyana Government is nation building. The key word of my Government is oneness. The

Foreign Affairs, Rashleigh Jackson; Major General R’td Joseph Singh; Dr. Barton Scotland; Ambassador Cedric Joseph; Professor Duke Pollard; Ambassador Rudy Collins; Dr. Barton Scotland; Consultant on Public Relations, Kit Nacimiento and virtually Ambassador Keith George.

The committee discussed recent developments related to the subject matter, among other related issues.

(From back page) essential character of my Government’s vision is inclusion.”

Guyana’s challenges in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change were detailed to the UNHRC, as well as the efforts that have been made to date in response.

Further, the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister thanked the United Nations, its various agencies and international partners, for its solidarity against the unlawful claim by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to a portion of Guyana’s sovereign territory. “We remain hopeful that we will continue to enjoy this support, as we continue to prosecute our just case at the International Court of Justice,” Teixeira opined.

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GWI increasing water access in far-flung communities

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he community of Kaikan in Region 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), which borders neighbouring Venezuela, will soon move from having 20 percent to 100 percent access to potable water, with the drilling of a new well and upgrading of the existing water supply system there.

This joint effort among Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the community, is in keeping with a commitment made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during his visit to the community in December, 2020.

The Ministers of Housing and Water also continue to be instrumental in ensuring that unserved communities across the country are provided with

access to potable water.

GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shaik Baksh, Director of Hinterland Services, Mr. Ramchand Jailal and GDF Reserve Captain and GWI’s Customer Services Director, Mr. Marlon Daniels recently visited the community and met with residents to discuss the project to provide water supply improvement.

The existing system, which serves 20 percent of the community, consists of the pumping of water from a nearby river, which is then stored using storage tanks on a trestle. The residents then access this water from stand pipes at strategic locations.

A team from GWI visited the community to conduct resistivity logging in order

to determine a viable location to drill a new well later this year.

Other works which will be conducted include pipe laying, upgrading of the storage facility, installation of a photovoltaic system and the installation of individual service connections.

This project is one of many which is geared towards achieving 100% access to potable water countrywide by 2025, as outlined in GWI’s five year Strategic plan. Baseline data from 2019 shows that 96 percent of the population has access to potable water.

Other areas in the pipeline to benefit include Edinburgh in Region 3 and Kato and Taruka in Region 8.

Gov’t investing in hinterland healthcare services

‒ aims to bring quality, services on par with coastland

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ember of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo says all efforts are being made to bring healthcare in the hinterland regions and riverine communities up to par with the services available on the coast.

During his contribution to the 2021 National Budget this week, Dr. Mahadeo said steps are already being taken to realise this commitment President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made to residents in far-flung communities.

“I am happy to say that Regional Health Officers (RHOs) with hinterland responsibility have all welcomed the new direction of taking health care to the people. They are working to ensure that over the next few years, all pregnant mothers, in the course of the pregnancy, must be offered the services to have their bloodwork done, to be seen by a doctor at least once, to have a dental check at least once, to have at least one ultrasound, to know her status with a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) counsellor among other necessary and relevant tests,” Dr. Mahadeo told the National Assembly.

Dr. Mahadeo, who is the

Director-General at the Ministry of Health, said facilities would be built and staff trained to ensure residents are provided with quality healthcare.

“For the first time, there is a rehab therapist attached to Bartica Hospital and Mabaruma Hospital in Region One, we have a therapist identified as well. We would, for the first time, have at least one therapist in every region,” he said.

The Government also plans to create a database to register all persons in the hinterland who have had an amputation, suffered a stroke or spinal cord injury and children with disabilities to address the gaps in their care and enhance their quality of life.

There are also plans for an operating theatre at the Moruka Hospital, complete with ICU, X-ray and laboratory services, while the Mabaruma Hospital will increase its surgical capacity, ICU and other services, along with 12 additional doctors.

“For the first time, doctors will be placed at Whitewater, Arakaka, Barama River, Chinese Landing, two physicians at Baramita

plus more nursing staff. We will provide ATV ambulances to areas with need for such vehicles and increase the number of Community Health Workers by having training done in the Region,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

The Director-General said similar plans are being made to improve health services in other parts of the country.

In the health infrastructure disbursement, $860 million of the budgeted $2.8 billion has been set aside for upgrading and infrastructural development of SMART Hospitals. This includes hospitals in Mabaruma, Lethem and Paramakatoi, while another $100 million has been allocated for surgical interventions, maternal and child health at the Aishalton and Kumaka District Hospitals.

Additionally, $140 million has been budgeted for upgrades to maternal waiting homes and facilities in specific regions including Moruca and Kato.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, presented Government’s $383.1 billion 2021 budget in the National Assembly last week.

Funding in place to boost Guyana’s cultural sector

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uyana’s culture is its ‘national treasure’ and this year’s budgetary allocation for the sector would be used to preserve and promote a greater appreciation for it countrywide, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. The Minister made this statement on Saturday during a recent interview, where he explained that Guyana’s culture could be brought to the forefront, it has been somewhat downplayed. However, his Ministry intends to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for national culture.

“What I found was that our national treasure is our culture. However, the richness of our culture is not being exploited in an optimum way because it’s not shared very well. So, while we want to share it with ourselves, but we want to share it with the world,” he said.

The Ministry plans to ensure that there is a mixture

of cultural activities at every national event, particularly religious events. Minister Ramson said while this may be challenging, the Ministry is up to the task. “A lot of eyes are on the country right now because of our oil, and the potential for prosperity.

There are also some eyes that are watching to see if we’re going to mess this up too.

We have to understand that if we get this right, it will be because of what we have done and the decisions that we’ve made and the actions that we’ve taken along the way,” he added.

To this end, the Minister is urging all stakeholders to come together to achieve the Government’s goal to enable togetherness and harmony.

In Budget presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh said over $120 million will go towards infrastructural development for the progress and preservation of culture and arts.

An additional $36 million caters for the upgrade of heritage sites at Fort Nassau, the Dutch Heritage Museum and the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra to improve facilities to promote the country’s rich and diverse history.

The Government also intends to create a National Cultural and Creative Industries Policy to guide the sector’s development as well as the reinstitution of the Advisory Boards for the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives.

This includes the National Trust updating its legislation to align with the current trends in heritage preservation to expand its mandate.

Dr. Singh also said $30 million has been allocated for grants to the cultural and creative industries, which will focus on original cultural and creative projects. This would eventually be used to inform a credible plan for commercialisation and sustainability.

Technical, vocational training for 3,500 Guyanese this year - Hamilton

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ver 3,500 Guyanese across the country are set to benefit from technical and vocational training from this year, through the Ministry of Labour – Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Minister Joseph Hamilton, made this statement during his contribution to the Budget Debate this week, where he added that the Ministry has already appointed BIT officers to every region, who would be working with residents to craft training programmes, based on the needs of their respective communities.

“The Board of Industrial Training was not utilised the way the law said it was to be utilised. It was more designed to service Region Four and Georgetown. Today, the BIT and its programmes will be expanded

to every Region throughout the length and breadth of Guyana never before this has happened,” he said.

Minister Hamilton said engagements were held with the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security and Culture, Youth and Sport, to ensure these training programmes reach the most vulnerable groups, as well as youth.

Concerning employment, he reminded the House of the role of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), which is tasked with examining and contributing to the nation’s social development, as well as providing effective and efficient employment services to job seekers and employers.

The Labour Minister said efforts are being made to

revive the CRMA, and this year, the focus is on improving the academic qualification and skills of job seekers.

While endorsing Budget 2021, Minister Hamilton said Labour and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) matters are at the forefront of the PPP/C Administration’s ‘Plan for Prosperity’.

“We recognise the importance of the safety of our people,” he said.

Already, the number of Labour Officers has been increased from 16 to 26, while OSH officers have been increased from nine to 30. The Ministry is also reviewing the OSH guidelines to cater for the petroleum sector.

The Labour and OSH Officers will also be trained in Mandarin and Portuguese to ensure effective engagements with the workforce.

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Hinterland will also benefit from developmental plans – Prime Minister R esidents of North Pakaraima were assured

by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips that they will benefit from the infrastructural changes that will take place during his Government’s tenure.

He said that the current administration is driven to positively improve the lives of all Guyanese.

“Since we formed the Government on August 2, 2020, our President Irfaan Ali and his cabinet have pledged to the people of Guyana that we will plan and deliver developmental projects throughout Guyana.

“For us, we believe in what we call One Guyana. It does not matter what race you are or who you voted for. We formed the Government and we will govern in the inter-

est of all Guyanese and we commit ourselves to bring development to every corner of Guyana,” he said.

The Prime Minister assured the residents that there will be no disparities in development. He said, “Development must not be on the coastline alone, development must also occur in the hinterland, in the Amerindian villages, as far as our Government is concern—that is our policy.”

The Prime Minister and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai were at the time distributing $161.1M to almost two dozen communities in North Pakaraima.

The funds will be used for capital projects, to help prepare the communities for Information and Communi-

cations Technology (ICT) hubs and transportation needs.

In the 2021 budget, a substantial portion of the finances was allocated to Amerindians and hinterland development.

This included $1.75B for the hinterland roads interconnectivity programme; the employment of 2000 Community Service Officers; $196.6M for boats, engines and equipment to empower communities and improve the livelihood of residents and some $630M to expedite the granting of titles to Amerindian villages. Additionally, 196 scholarships are also expected to be awarded to students from the hinterland to bridge the educational disparities between the hinterland and the coast.

Medicine shortage being remedied − suppliers fast-tracking orders, delivery

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irector-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, charged that the Government has ordered and shipped vital medications to alleviate shortages in the health system.

He explained that is in addition to purchasing all medicines available locally to address the massive drug shortage the administration encountered upon taking office last year.

In a recent interview, Dr. Mahadeo said even as the situation improves, there are several options available within the sector to ensure the public is served. “What are we doing right now to deal with these issues? One, the regional tender boards, they have monies in their budget to purchase drugs and medical supplies as a backup emergency supplies for the shortages that they may have. It will go through the tender board process, and they are going to receive their supplies. So, although we had initially an emergency

purchase for medicines, all the stocks that we had here in Guyana, we bought it out and the companies now have to bring it back again. We are also still awaiting delivery on some of those items,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

He said the pharmaceutical companies are not to be blamed for the delays as despite the lead time of six months, companies have been very accommodating and have fast-tracked deliveries. “There are shortages of medicines across the world.

However, like I said, we are working on this. We expect another shipment of medicines from the supplier to be here on Monday. The following Monday, we expect another shipment and they should be large shipments.

As soon as we get supplies, however small or large, that comes to the Materials Management Unit, we immediately ship it out, send it to the regions,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

Meanwhile, the Government has made provisions in

Budget 2021 to replace broken equipment at hospitals with more advanced digital machines. He said, “The sad thing in the healthcare system is that when you don’t take care of the medical equipment hundreds of thousands of people suffer, and that has been happening.

Let’s take the case of Region Five, there is a very old, antiquated X-ray machine, and machines can have a lifespan, so you have to budget for it, you have to replace it.”

Some $322 million from the health sector’s $53.5 billion allocation will be used to purchase equipment for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Another $2.8 billion has been allocated for the modernisation and expansion of the physical health infrastructure and $35 million to strengthen emergency medical services.

The health sector received some $51.7 billion in the 2020 Emergency Budget, of which $14.3 million was used to procure drugs and medical supplies that were in short supply.

Another AFC Member resigns, says party has ‘lost its way’

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he Alliance For Change, for the second time in two weeks, lost another member. Joel Edmond resigned as an AFC member over the weekend with immediate effect.

In public comments, he

said the AFC has “lost its way” and recommendations from membership have gone unheeded. “This has been brewing for some time, even after the 2015 election…the AFC has somehow lost their focus, and it worsened after

the [2020] elections…everyone is basically scattered, and I thought that the loss of the elections would have been an eye-opener for them.”

Edmond joins a long list of years-long members who have left the AFC.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Government restores multi-agency Coordinating Committee to address influx of Venezuelan migrants T

he Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee for Addressing the Influx of Venezuelan Migrants into Guyana, co-chaired by Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, met on Saturday (February 20, 2021) to give attention to the migrant situation through a coordinated effort between the Government and international partners.

Representatives from Government Ministries, Agencies, and United Nations agencies lauded the resuscitation of the committee. Together, they examined means of strengthening its capacity through coherent policies to prevent uncoordinated and duplicated activities. Discussions also focused on irregular border crossings and the registration of migrants. Equally import-

ant, attendees outlined initiatives and ongoing projects to assist migrants.

Among those attending the meeting were Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Director of the Bilateral Unit, Ambassador Michael Brotherson; and Director of the Legal Division, Kezia Campbell-Erskine.

They were joined by International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Coordinator and Chief of Mission Robert Natiello; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Liaison Officer Cecilie Saenz Guerrero; United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Representative Nicolas Pron; UNICEF Deputy Representative Irfan Akhtar; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Liason Officer Alder Bynoe; Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Consultant

From left: Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elisabeth Harper

Trading can resume with reopening of Guyana-Surname ferry service – Edghill

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ocal businesses, involved in trade and other services with Suriname, have been urged by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, to capitalise on the resumption of the Guyana-Suriname ferry service.

Minister Edghill made this call following an inspection of the facilities and new COVID-19 measures in place at the Moleson Creek Crossing on Sunday.

“The business community who have been affected by the absence of cross-border trading for almost a year, you will get

your trucks, Canters, goods, your supplies across the River. You can get your businesses going. You can get your transactions moving,” he said.

The Minister also appealed to citizens to desist from using illegal means of travelling to Suriname, as this practice is risky and can have fatal consequences.

The MB Sandaka completed its journey to and from Suriname on Sunday, while the MV Canawaima is in dry dock for maintenance. Passengers said they were happy to be able to travel.

on Disaster Preparedness Tamica Noel, and representatives from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Min-

istry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of

Human Services and Social Security, Ministry of Housing and Water, the Guyana Police Force, Regional

Health Services, the Civil Defence Commission, and the Child Care and Protection Agency.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Region Eight is a centrepiece for national development – President Ali ‒ Urges sworn-in officials to integrate themselves into national development framework

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has said that Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) will see tremendous investments and improvements in health care, education and social services.

The Head of State made these remarks at the Office of the President as he administered the oath of office to Mr Headley Pio and Ms Claris Francisco as the elected Chair

and Vice-Chair of the Regional Democratic Council in the region.

He said, “I wish to congratulate the new Chair and Vice Chair of the Potaro/Siparuni Region, in taking their oath of office today. I wish them well in their service to the people of Region Eight.

Of course, they come from a region which has the smallest

population in our country, but a region that is extremely rich in natural resource, a region that plays a key part in our ecosystem, our biodiversity system and of course, an important part of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).”

President Ali noted that Region Eight will continue to play a pivotal role in the

advancement of the LCDS, while functioning as a core component of national development.

“This region therefore plays an integral part; it's a centrepiece in our national development. As you're aware of already, we announced that our development trajectory will be based on an expanded Low Carbon

Development Strategy,” he said.

The President noted that while the region will see tremendous investments and improvements to the lives of residents; Government will also be working closely to ensure that it builds viable communities through sustainable livelihood programmes and sustainable employment opportunities.

Towards this end, the President said that Central Government will engage the region in the diversification of its localised economy with particular attention to food security and agriculture.

REDUCING THE COST OF TRAVEL President Ali pointed to the high cost of travel to the region which he said is an “inhibitive” factor in terms of regional development. He also committed to ensuring that the region attracts the necessary investments to remedy the situation.

He said, “As you know, access to many of the communities within this region is very expensive, it requires air travel… So we're also working on greater investment to bring ease in the transportation network, and ultimately to reduce the cost of transport within the region itself.”

In closing, the Head of State encouraged the newly sworn-in regional representatives to fully integrate themselves into the national development framework while serving the people of the region.

“We hope that you will continue to represent the people, represent their interests well as we work towards building a strong partnership and taking our country forward, congratulations,” Ali stressed.

The Regional Chair and Vice-Chair for the other nine Administrative Regions were administered their oaths of office on January 15.

COVID vaccine response ‘tremendously good’ – Anthony

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he response from health workers towards the COVID-19 immunisation programme has been hailed as “tremendously good” by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

In mid-February, healthcare workers from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention at Liliendaal, received their first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, COVISHIELD. To date, more than 500 workers have been vaccinated.

Anthony said, “A lot of people came forward who wanted the vaccine… I’m extremely pleased that a lot of the senior doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital actually took the vaccine.”

Those who took the vaccine included GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis, Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffery, Head of Cardiology, Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Head of Paediatrics, Surgery and Medicine, Dr. Marisa Seep-

ersaud, Head of the Institute of Health Science Education, Dr. Alexandra Harvey and Head of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tracey Bovell.

Minister Anthony said Guyana is expected to receive thousands of additional doses of vaccines to ensure all healthcare professionals are vaccinated before rolling out the immunisation campaign to the wider population.

The decision was taken to inoculate all healthcare workers first as they are frequently exposed to the disease.

While mild side effects after receiving vaccines are normal, Minister Anthony says there are no reports of adverse effects from those persons who have been inoculated. He explained that after receiving the vaccine, a person may experience some discomfort at the site of the injection with possible irritation. Some persons may also experience headaches and fatigue. Symptoms will differ, but will generally go away within 24 hours. “All (Turn to page 23)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2021

Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine gets local emergency use authorisation − discussions being finalised for doses

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inister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony says the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), has granted emergency use authorisation of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in Guyana.

“We have been in discussion with the Russian manufacturer for quite some weeks now and I have indicated this before because when we reviewed, the data from the vaccines, we saw that the vaccines is about 90.6 per cent efficacious. Of vaccines so far, this one has very high efficacy, and so we have started discussion with them in order to get some of these vaccines to Guyana. Those discussions have advanced and we have, through our Food and Drug Administration here, issued an emergen-

cy use authorisation for these vaccines,” Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said in a recent interview.

An emergency use authorisation in this case, is an approval granted by the country’s Food and Drug Department. Locally, this body falls within the purview of the Ministry of Health.

Minister Anthony said to grant emergency use authorisation to Russia’s Sputnik V, the Government looked at authorisation given by stringent regulatory authorities.

“We looked at three main ways in which we can do that, the first is if the vaccine has been approved by what is called a stringent regulatory authority. So, when we talk about stringent regulatory authorities we’re talking about the FDA in the United States, Canada, in the UK,

Australia, and in Europe, they have a similar body but it’s named differently, not FDA. So, once it has been approved by these authorities, then we would use the principle of reciprocity to be able to approve it in Guyana.

Another way of approving these vaccines is if they’ve been approved by the World Health Organisation,” he said.

Minister Anthony says GA-FDD has also issued emergency use authorisation in Guyana for the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. The Chinese Government is donating 20,000 of its vaccines to Guyana.

Guyana is also set to receive 104,000 vaccines free of cost through the COVAX mechanism, and another 149,000 doses through a purchase agreement under the CARICOM-African Union arrangement.

PCR/antigen test still required after vaccination for overseas travel

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COVID vaccine response... (From page 22) of these are expected as it shows that your body is reacting to the vaccine, which means that your immune system is working and starting to produce the antibodies that are necessary to fight off COVID, so that’s great,” he said.

Minister Anthony stated that there are rare cases where persons experience an anaphylactic reaction, meaning that the person develops an allergy to something in the vaccine. “These types of reactions generally would occur within 15 to 20 minutes after the vaccine would have been administered. That is why when we are finished, we keep the person for at least 15 to 20 minutes under medical observation. Once everything is okay, we allow

them to go,” he said.

A national committee has also been set up to conduct pharmacovigilance. This means the committee will be monitoring for any adverse effects that might occur in people who take the vaccine.

VACCINE EDUCATION Prior to the roll out of the immunisation campaign, the Ministry started an education drive on the vaccine.

Minister Anthony said that a lot of time has been spent explaining the types of vaccines available and how they work.

The Health Minister said, “The team that is working to do the immunisation, they are well schooled in all the different things relating to the vaccine. As part of the immunisation process, there

is a very strong education component, so anyone who comes to get their vaccine will first have to go through several minutes of getting the right information pertaining to the vaccine.”

Brochures with additional information are also provided. These outline possible side effects, the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety along with the criteria for eligibility for taking the vaccine.

Once a person is deemed eligible for the vaccine, the health personnel administering the vaccine will again remind the candidate about the side effects.

Persons are also reminded to return for their second dose between eight and twelve weeks after they have received their first shot.

he public has been advised that an RT-PCR or antigen test is still required for overseas travel, even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, in comments on the issue, said, “Even if you’re immunised, you still would be required to do a PCR test. The reason is that as you would know, when we talk about the efficacy of the vaccine, none of the vaccines are a 100 per cent efficacious, which means that it doesn’t prevent 100 per cent of the infection. Therefore, with that small percentage that is there, people can get infected.”

The Minister explained further that the disease, even in its mildest form, is still transmissible, so persons still need to take precautions. He said studies are also still ongoing with regards to transmission after vaccination.

He said, “So, as more people around the world now get vaccines, the scientists are now observing to see whether people who have received vaccines, how much they can transmit the infection, if they can transmit this infection to others and if it’s going to spread and so forth, so that’s something that is still under investigation.”

Minister Anthony said the fact is even if a person has received the full dose (two shots) of COVID-19

vaccine, the PCR would still be required for travelling overseas. He said, “Those countries would require that and therefore, if you travel, you have to produce that PCR or in the case of the US, antigen test. This is something that we have raised at the level of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), because I know a lot of people would be asking this question. The WHO has so far advised that we continue to ask for the PCR tests.”

Guyana began COVID-19 vaccination with frontline workers on February 11, 2021, after receiving a gift of 3,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from the Government of Barbados.

The country is currently awaiting 20,000 Sinopharm vaccines, a gift from the People’s Republic of China, 104,000 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism and 149,000 through a purchase agreement under a CARICOM-African Union pact.

Partnership quintessential to good governance – President Ali T

he watchword for the governance of our country must be partnership, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. In his recent address to Parliament, he said, “I propose to have regular high-level consultations with the representatives of the private sector, the trade unions, religious bodies and other civil society groups to

address key issues that confront our nation.

“I intend also to directly engage communities and community leaders across every village in building trust and deepening relationships to the benefit of the people of those communities With these representatives, it is my desire that consensus will be found on how to tackle these issues

effectively.

“I have encouraged my Ministers to establish similar consultative machinery so that, in making decisions, government can be advised by the best brains and talent in every area of our national endeavour.”

Ali assured too that “the hand of partnership” will also be extended to the Guy-

anese diaspora.

“It is my intention to enhance the oversight of ‘diaspora’ affairs so that we can maintain meaningful links to the diaspora and for convening meetings with their organisations.

In this connection, we are in the process of establishing a Diaspora Council to engage the government in a structured and regular

manner. Our diaspora is a source of investment, of talent and of knowledge – all of which can benefit our nation.

They can also be an important influential body in the countries where they have made their second homes, for promoting the interests of Guyana,” he said.

According to him, Guyana’s growth and development can be successful once all involved work together.

Prior to taking office, he had said, “Inclusive governance it is how we come up with in national agenda.

How do we ensure that every all stakeholders buy into that

national agenda? How do we ensure that that national agenda is reflective of the views of all Guyanese? How do we ensure that national agenda fulfill the dreams and aspirations of all Guyanese?

Those are the critical questions and those are the inclusive things that are necessary to take our country forward – as well as building greater trusts in the political system and advancing the welfare of all Guyanese.”

The Head of State’s constant position has been that that his government functions are guided by an opendoor policy.

Guyana has taken studied decision to improve compliance with human rights reporting obligations ‒ Minister Teixeira tells 46th Session of UNHRC

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inister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Hon. Gail Teixeira, in her address to the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), on Tuesday (February 23, 2020) made clear that the Government of Guyana has taken a studied decision to improve its compliance with its human rights reporting obligations.

Representing President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C government at the forum, the Minister said, “We view this as critical not only for compliance, but also for the value of systematic reporting in helping us assess where we are and what further steps need to be taken….the Government of Guyana has a strong track record of collaboration with human rights stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels. As a reliable human partner, the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to support Guyana’s efforts to ensure the preservation of human rights of all Guyanese. This is particularly important at this critical junction of our development when Guyana is poise for exponential economic growth.”

The Minister assured the 46th Session that “On the assumption of office just six months ago, our Government is committed to making “good faith” efforts to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, transparency and

accountability in Government, and the advancement of the human rights of our people.”

In drawing the connection between human rights and development of all people, Teixeira stated that: “The Government of Guyana has taken a studied decision to improve its compliance with its human rights reporting obligations…the Guyana Government is keen on ensuring that there is equitable distribution of the people’s wealth and equitable access to goods and services by addressing disparities between the different regions in the country to ensure all have equal opportunities. My Government is engaged in several national undertakings designed to assure our progress as a modern, progressive, cohesive and prosperous state. These include our participation in the Spotlight Initiative, the promotion of our Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the advancement of the Indigenous Land Titling project, and the establishment of ICT hubs in the interior indigenous communities, among other initiatives.”

Teixeira stressed that the “advancement of our people and their equitable sharing in our nation’s wealth cannot be truly realized unless there is respect for democracy, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana and (Turn to page 16)

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