Weekend Mirror 11-12 September, 2021

Efforts moving apace to advance electoral reform – Nandlall 11-12 Septembr, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 89 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

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SEE INSIDE Herbal PAGE 23 PAGE 18 medicine as treatment for COVID-19 not scientifically proven Gov’t President Ali leading two-day Cabinet committed outreach across Region Two PAGE 9 to enhancing skills of PAGE 16 Guyanese for oil and gas sector

Former APNU+AFC Coalition Ministers facing multi-million dollar lawsuits

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Guyana rejects Venezuela’s latest position on Essequibo

Guyana records 23rd oil find PAGE 7

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Efforts moving apace to advance electoral reform – Nandlall E

fforts are continuing to finalise proposed amendments to Guyana’s electoral laws - the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA) –

before they are circulated to members of the public for open consultation, according to Attorney General, Anil Nandlall;

In recent comments on the issue, he said, “I’m only one person. The membership of the party has vast experience in the electoral process

and their input is integral to ensuring that we get it right….

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is expected to run for three months.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at a news conference recently, had said, “The idea is to make more transparent and to define responsibilities in the Act that are unambiguous and… to put in place a set of penalties for people who may try to steal the elections… any right-thinking person will support that. That’s the objective. “...we will look at issues right from registration to declaration of the results, so everything that is not unambiguous, not transparent etcetera. We made it clear that we want SoPs [Statements of Poll] in the public domain before the tabulation starts, that sort of thing. “…this is an open process…every person will have a chance to have an input. So, we are soliciting these views.

Eventually there will be a draft, hopefully by the end of June – a draft bill. Then that draft will be sent to the international community, all the political parties in Guyana, civil society bodies and GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) too, and will be up on the website. Then people would have 3 months in Guyana to give their input. “…everyone will get a chance. So when that is done, APNU will get a chance to give their input there and several civil society organisations. And then when that’s done, a draft bill would be

had, taking into account the input made and it will be presented to the parliament, where the Parliamentary Opposition will once again have an input…. when the debate takes place it will Guyanese who finally decide.”

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS Also, in prior comments, the Vice President had said that the electoral reform process is necessary to ensure Local Government and other elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

He had said, “In that Act, which requires a simple majority to pass, there will be some key reforms, so there is no ambiguity in how things are conducted. So, the areas which we have issues in are recruitment of staff… We have to build into the legislation a clear process for recruitment and placement of staff that is fair, open, transparent, random placement, so it favours none of the parties.”

Jagdeo added this should include substantial penalties, a clear definition of how recounts are to be conducted and publication of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) before tabulation begins. “A lot of changes along these lines will have to take place,” he said.

Guyanese were subject to a five-month wait for the final results from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections because of the actions of several persons involved in the process at GECOM.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Guyana rejects Venezuela’s latest position on Essequibo T

his week’s decision by the Venezuelan Government and its opposition coalition – the Unity Platform of Venezuela – to hold a united position on Venezuela’s territorial claim to Essequibo has been met by staunch rejection by Guyana.

The Dr. Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration made it clear that Guyana “cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice” for Venezuela’s internal political differences.

A report from Reuters on Monday (September 6, 2021) said, “ Venezuelan government and opposition representatives on Monday said they reached partial agreement during talks in Mexico City as part of a roadmap drawn up to tackle the once prosperous country's long-running crisis.

“In a joint statement following negotiations from Sept. 3-6, they said areas of agreement related to social measures, particularly on those affected by COVID-19, and a territorial dispute concerning neighbouring Guyana.”

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon (September 6, 2021) said, “The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana firmly rejects the agreement signed by the Heads of Delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Unity Platform

of Venezuela in Mexico City on September 6, 2021. That agreement is an overt threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.

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

While the Government of Guyana welcomes domestic accord within Venezuela, an agreement defying international law and process is not a basis for mediating harmony.

“The controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and will remain there for peaceful resolution.”

JURISDICTION The ICJ on December 18, 2020 delivered its Judgment in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) – relative to the question of the Court’s jurisdiction.

The court ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case seeking the validation of the 1899 arbitral award establishing the boundary with Venezuela. Venezuela did not take part in the proceedings.

The judgment found that both Guyana and Venezuela had conferred authority on the UN Secretary General under Article 4, paragraph two of the February 17th 1966 Geneva Agreement. That agreement

allowed the Secretary General to choose a means of settlement under Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations which included judicial settlement.

A press statement from the ICJ said, “In its Judgment, which is final, without appeal and binding on the Parties, the Court, by twelve votes to four, finds that it has jurisdiction to entertain the Application filed by the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on 29 March 2018 in so far as it concerns the validity of the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…(the Court) unanimously, Finds that it does not have jurisdiction to entertain the claims of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana arising from events that occurred after the signature of the Geneva Agreement.”

PRIORITY In September 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali made clear that a resolution of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case, which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is a priority of the PPP/C government He reminded that it was the People’s Progressive Par-

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

The Guyanese Head of State contended that there is no policy more sacred than those relating to the country’s border for his Administration.

“As Guyanese, all of us stood with the previous Administration in defence of Guyana’s patrimony. For us, Guyana’s territorial integrity is never a matter for domestic division; it is always a matter for national cohesion,” he said.

Ali added that Guyana must be loyal to the enduring vision of the country being truly “One Nation” and indivisible. “Therefore, the PPP/C gave full support to the former Administration when, as initiated by us, they submitted the Venezuela contention to the International Court of Justice. We shall not descend.

The sovereignty of our State, the integrity of our territory – both land and sea – is a sacred trust. We must defend, and we will do so in collaboration with our partners and allies,” he noted.

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

Venezuela) on June 30, 2020.

The ICJ had postponed the long-anticipated hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute case that was sched-

uled to begin on March 23, 2020, citing the coronavirus pandemic.

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

Guyana took its case to the Court following the decision by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the International Court of Justice.

In taking his decision, the Secretary-General was exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.

Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the Court, that the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Guyana’s lawsuit.

On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings. On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction.

However, under well-established judicial precedent, the Court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s claims, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

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

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

The move to the ICJ was advanced there was no success with a further attempt, using the United Nations’ Good Offices process, to resolve the matter of Venezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo County.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in 2015, charged that the signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement rendered the 1899 Arbitral Award null and void.

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

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

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

EDITORIAL

Guyana can ill afford the Coalition continues to play consequences of politics with the pandemic vaccine hesitancy Dear Editor,

T

he ongoing effort to have Guyanese vaccinated against COVID-19, so that the country can move closer to herd immunity, has morphed into a political football. And those most affected from the ‘games’ played by vaccination detractors – many of whom are themselves vaccinated – are ordinary Guyanese citizens.

The emerging arguments against the COVID-19 vaccine have centered around one point – the issue of breakthrough infections.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday, August 23, 2021, addressed this fact. The CDC has said that: “Breakthrough infections are expected.

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing most infections. However, like most vaccines, they are not 100% effective. Fully vaccinated people with a breakthrough infection are less likely to develop serious illness than those who are unvaccinated and get COVID-19. Even when fully vaccinated people develop symptoms, they tend to be less severe symptoms than in unvaccinated people. This means they are much less likely to be hospitalized or die than people who are not vaccinated.”

It added that, “The bottom line is that COVID-19 vaccines protect people against severe illness, including disease caused

by Delta and other variants.”

The CDC also noted that COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting infected and severely ill, and significantly reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and death. “The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent infection

by Delta or other variants is to get vaccinated. For people who are vaccinated and still get infected (i.e., “breakthrough infections”), there is a risk of transmission to others. That is why, if you are vaccinated or unvaccinated and live or work in an area with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, you – as well as your family and community – will be better protected if you wear a mask when you are in indoor public places,” the CDC said.

What we are clear on is that the Delta variant is more contagious than previous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

What we are also clear on is that the science on COVID-19 has not changed. What has changed is COVID itself – with the mutations presenting challenges for regulators across the world.

That said, perspective on this matter is critical. The fact of the matter that vaccine hesitancy prevents a return to some levels of normal activity – importantly face-to-face learning for thousands of Guyanese children. The fact of the matter is that, despite billions spent and a concerted effort by the Ministry of Education, hundreds of children are dropping out of school. And this is one of the worst costs our society is paying, as a result of the pandemic.

The situation at hand cannot be allowed to worsen.

A point that vaccine detractors must note is that a government has a responsibility and an obligation to all the people of a country. And the big picture is what guides decision making – decision in the best interest of all.

As a matter of perspective, the example of New Zealand is instructive. With a population of almost five million, the country has had just over 3,000 confirmed COVID cases and 26 deaths – owing to strict measures and the administration of at least 2,932,454 doses of COVID vaccines, according to Reuters. In Guyana, with just over 750,000 people, we have recorded over 24,000 cases and 602 deaths as of Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Encouragingly, over 306,000 Guyanese have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, while over 158,000 Guyanese are fully vaccinated. It is hoped that the wisdom of medical experts prevails and more persons are vaccinated.

In the meantime, Guyanese must play their part to stop the spread of deliberate misinformation.

I

am an avid reader and listener of all things which are considered news or public information. Also, I am very politically savvy, if I might say so freely.

Recently, it seemed as though the Government came out swinging with the additional amendment to their vaccination policy. Added to that, there is now a remarkable level of acceptance that the only form of protection that is effective in the prevention of the COVID-19 virus is through vaccination. That message was supported recently by Dr. Karen Cummings, who is a medical doctor and

an Opposition politician.

I also noticed the way the Government handled the wave of protests to the new Vaccination Policy. The PPP Government showed experience and calm in handling the potential threats associated with the protest against the COVID-19 vaccination rules. They did not play into the hands of the politicians which were eagerly awaiting some step or misfortune to occur. Also, the Opposition politicians did not have the opportunity to use some small argument to accuse the Government of racial discrimination.

The APNU+AFC politicians are

still intertwining the politics in the anti-vaccination campaign, but they have been rebuffed both at the level of the Parliament and the people.

People are smarter. They are realising who is really on their side as far as creating a healthy society is concerned. I can tell you they know it is the Government. The APNU/AFC Coalition is losing the battle to get people on their side.

More so, everyone will fall in line with time. So, the Government must keep the same energy all the time.

Yours truly, A. Baksh

Trust the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines Dear Editor,

W

hile the rapid development of vaccines against COVID-19 is an extraordinary achievement, successfully vaccinating Guyana’s population presents many challenges, from a deceitful, selfish, distrustful and self-serving Opposition in Region #10, and most importantly acceptance by political leaders who continue to lead some of their supporters along the wrong path.

It is time that we open our eyes and think for ourselves, that the Opposition don’t care if we live or die, once their selfish political ambitions are met.

We must never forget Harmon’s “shamefully reckless, selfish, move after he had taken both doses of the vaccine against the interest of Guyana and Guyanese, I call on Region #10 residents and hesitant Guyanese to heed the calls of the Ministry of Health and the call of scientists and doctors and get vaccinated.

However, it is true that trust in the vaccines is vital, and is critically dependent on the ability of our Government, community leaders and stakeholders to communicate the benefits of the vaccine and vaccination while delivering the vaccines safely and effectively.

This brief addresses the role of our PPP/C Government’s commitment in promoting confidence in the effectiveness and safety through effective communication, as well as trust in their ability to procure and distribute them efficiently and equitably. Only a small minority of the population holds strong anti-vaccination views, hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccination, which is evident in some regions.

As social media is rife with posts disparaging the vaccine hesitancy, these reactions to a complex and nuanced issue are doing more harm than good.

There should be no doubt about it: COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives.

Consider some recent statistics from

the UK. In a study tracking more than 200,000 people, nearly every single participant had developed antibodies against the virus within two weeks of their second dose. And despite initial worries that the current vaccines may be less effective against the Delta variant, analyses suggest that both the AstraZeneca and the Pfizer-BioNTech jabs reduce hospitalisation rates by 92-96%.

As many health practitioners have repeated, the risks of severe side effects from a vaccine are tiny in comparison to the risk of contracting the disease itself.

Yet, a sizeable number of people in Region 10 are still reluctant to get their shots.

The result is becoming something of a culture war on social media, with many online commentators claiming that the vaccine-hesitant persons are simply ignorant or selfish. But psychologists who specialise in medical decision-making argue these choices are often the result of many complicated factors, which need to be addressed sensitively if we are to have any hope of reaching population-level immunity.

First, some distinctions. While it is tempting to assume that anyone who refuses a vaccine holds the same beliefs, the fears of most vaccine-hesitant people should not be confused with the bizarre theories of staunch anti-vaxxers.

They’re very vocal, and they have a strong presence offline and online. But they’re a very small minority.

However, the vast majority of vaccine-hesitant people do have a political agenda, and are committed to an anti-scientific cause while they are simply undecided about their choice to take the injection.

The good news is that many people who were initially hesitant are changing their minds. But even a delay is considered a threat to health, because viral infections spread very quickly. This would have been problematic if we were still dealing with the older variants of the virus, but the higher transmissibility

of the new Delta variant has increased the urgency to reach as many people as quickly as possible.

It is time for us considers the following psychological factors: • Confidence: the person’s trust in the vaccines’ efficacy and safety.

• Complacency: whether or not the persons in the region consider the disease itself to be a serious risk to their health.

• Collective responsibility: the willingness to protect others from infection through one’s own vaccination Our Government must establish a targeted approach in Region 10. The Opposition leaders will never change.

I would urge my Government to stop thinking they can reach the mass of niches out there with one mass-market vaccine message, and work more creatively with many effective communication partners. This might involve closer collaboration with the influencer role models within each community, who can provide consistent and accurate information about the vaccines’ risks and benefits. However, as we choose to deliver the information, health services need to make it clear that they are engaging in an open dialogue, rather than simply dismissing them out of hand.

We have to listen to people’s concerns, acknowledge them, and give them information so they can make an informed decision. it’s essential to engage in a two-way conversation – and that’s something that we could all learn as we discuss these issues with our friends and families.

Being respectful and recognising other people’s concerns I think could actually be more important than just spitting out the facts or statistics. A lot of the time it’s more about the personal connection than it is about the actual information that you provide.

Recognising that vaccination campaigns of the magnitude needed are unprecedented, our Government’s actions (Turn to page 5)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Getting vaccinated is key step to preventing COVID-19 infection, decreasing transmission Dear Editor,

T

he coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life, and children are feeling these changes deeply. While they return to school, it will be not only welcome, but exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened.

Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially if they have been learning at home for months.

Be honest – for example, you could go through some of the changes they may expect at school, such as needing to wear forms of personal protective equipment.

Children may also find it difficult being physically distanced from friends and teachers while at school. We could encourage them to think about other ways to bond and stay connected.

Reassure children about safety measures in place to help keep students and teachers healthy, and remind children that they can also help prevent germs from spreading by washing their hands with soap and coughing

or sneezing into their elbows.

Remind children about the positives – that they will be able to see their friends and teachers (if they are physically returning to the classroom) and continue learning new things.

However, every teacher who is medically able should be immunised against COVID-19, and the Government should implement mandates to ensure that they are.

Today, immunisation requirements are the rule, not the exception, for our children.

Some educators are arguing that mandatory vaccination is a violation of freedom and bodily integrity. However, as anyone who had a good civics or constitutional law, teacher could tell you, even our most vital rights have limits.

With so much uncertainty, we have no choice but to rely on one part of the pandemic that is certain: the vaccines provide protection against the virus. For us and our children, COVID-19 vaccinations are the least our Government can do to continue the care work to which we’ve committed our lives. Inoculation alone isn’t a guarantee that our children and families would have the safe public education that they deserve,

but, without question, we owe it to them and to one another to try.

The most compelling case for a vaccine requirement for educators is a moral one: What do we owe our children and students?

Like it or not, the work of a teacher is inextricable from caretaking. They are responsible for other people’s children for most of their working hours every day, and they do many things in service of that obligation, which include mandated reporting of suspected child abuse, and even everyday tasks as simple as taking attendance help teachers ensure that students are safe. These are among other reasons why families trust teachers with their children. Widespread vaccination would protect students, particularly those who are too young to be vaccinated, with little risk of serious harm to anyone involved. How, in good conscience, can teachers refuse this opportunity?

It’s human nature to protect our children above all else, and the best way to protect them is to get everyone who is eligible vaccinated, and surround children who are not yet vaccine-eligible with people who are vaccinated to effectively shield them from COVID harm.

I’m a parent; parents’ rights are very important. However, I do believe that they’re not without some reasonable limitation, depending upon safety, reasonableness, and complying with our Government’s health need.

Getting vaccinated is a key step in preventing COVID-19 infection and decreasing transmission. Continuing mitigation measures are also likely to keep any COVID-19 surges at bay, especially as our country struggles to cope with the devastation caused

by COVID-19.

The single most important step a parent can take is to have everyone that’s eligible in the family vaccinated. That’s exactly what I have already done in my family. I have only my 14-year-old son left to be vaccinated, and I strongly support vaccination.

Right now, only people aged 12 and up can get vaccinated. This means there are hundreds of thousands of kids who are not

old enough to get the shots. We can really lower these children’s risk if we surround these children with vaccinated people. Of course, there will still be risks at school, but the Ministry of Health has layers of protection in place that would help.

Additionally, parents, we should not overlook minor symptoms that we might have pre-COVID. So, if our child has a cough or runny nose, don’t assume it’s just a minor cold. Keep that child home, and speak to your pediatrician to rule out COVID. This perception that kids don’t have to worry about the virus is wrong. In fact, COVID-19 is deadly – hundreds of kids have died – and vaccination is the key to fighting the virus. It protects against serious illnesses and death. I know we’re still months away from vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11, but I strongly encourage anyone that is aged 12 and over to get vaccinated as soon as you can.

Personally, we have mixed feelings about returning to school. We know the joy of a busy classroom, and we know that many will benefit from the structure and socialisation that come with learning in a shared space with their peers. At the same time, as cases rise, we sympathise with students and teachers who have experienced devastating losses in the past 20 months, and feel anxious about returning. We have to implement commonsense safety measures, like mask and vaccine mandates, and clear and consistent protocols for dealing with COVID-19 cases in schools to help us ensure that students’ and families’ fears are abated.

As adults, we have to work together and be the examples for our children, who are malleable and impressionable.

We can all agree that our Government has one essential function: to protect us from physical harm. Many students are too young to receive a vaccine. For the Government to protect our children’s right to a public education, we are required to, at times, subjugate our liberty interests to the more important interests of our society.

Sincerely, David Adams

Mr. Figueira please show the evidence that herbal remedies led to people in Guyana recovering from COVID-19 Dear Editor,

O

n Sunday, September 5, 2021, I tuned in to the virtual meeting which was hosted by the APNU+AFC with residents of Region 10.

The meeting was supposed to be a discussion on vaccination which is of concern to many Guyanese. To say that I was disappointed in some of the speakers is an understatement. I thought that as leaders and public figures some of the speakers would have been careful with their utterances, especially since the discussion was on the pandemic and vaccination.

That was not the case. Editor, I write to you to express my displeasure with Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira regarding some of the statements he made.

From the beginning of the discussion, I could tell that the entire meeting was going to be riddled with misinformation. However, what I was taken aback by was the fact that Figueira basically encouraged the use of herbal remedies as an alternative to vaccines in the fight against COVID-19. The coalition and their MPs are always quick to ask for evidence when they are called out for their wrongdoings. So with that in mind, I ask that Figueira provide us with the evidence of scientific research to prove this. In his exact words, “We have a number of Guyanese who have contracted COVID, they used other forms of remedies, local herbal remedies and they’ve

recovered.” He then went on to say that there are testimonies of such that cannot be disputed. I am not aware of any scientific study or research which proves the use of herbal remedies as a better alternative to vaccination in the fight against this pandemic. However, if Figueira has the information, I think we would all like to know who conducted this research and when and what herbal remedies were used. After all, Figueira is supposed to serve the people, so if he knows of an alternative to deal with the spread of the COVID-19 virus which has been proven to work, he should tell the people of Guyana as it would be of great help. In the meantime, I ask that Guyanese continue to ignore this nonsense being spewed by the coalition ever so often to deter people from taking the vaccines.

But Figueira’s utterances and Dr. Karen Cummings’ expression of opposition support for the vaccination effort made on the same day are examples of the sort of deception being employed by the opposition — say one thing publicly and do the complete opposite behind the scene.

Editor, I want to remind everyone reading this that the COVID-19 vaccines have been scientifically proven to be the most effective form of medicine used for combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is for this very reason that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is recommending that everyone

gets vaccinated. If there was indisputable evidence that another alternative to the vaccines is herbs then I am positive that the WHO would have recommended that people use them rather than source vaccines. The truth is that herbal remedies can only strengthen the body but cannot fight the COVID-19 virus on its own as is suggested by Figueira. This just goes to show how barefacedly the entire APNU+AFC

continues to lie and spread misinformation, all for the sake of disrupting the government’s vaccination campaign. I make the call once again to MP Figueira: show us the evidence of your claims that herbal remedies have led to people in Guyana recovering from COVID-19.

Yours sincerely, Thomas Cole

Trust the effectiveness and... to garner trust will be essential to success and to the emergence of a more resilient society after the crisis Our Government needs to give priority to addressing issues of trust – trust both in vaccines, and in the institutions responsible for the vaccination endeavour. We need to promote confidence among the public in the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines, as well as in the capacity of Government to manage the logistical challenges competently.

More broadly, the pandemic has triggered widespread disinformation, which has undermined both understanding and acceptance of science and public policy, and this extends to the issue of vaccine acceptance. Despite widespread recognition that COVID-19 is a critical issue to people all around Guyana, some remain unwilling to be vaccinated.

Overall, the success of vaccination

(From page 4) campaigns will largely be influenced by the extent to which people trust the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines, the competence and reliability of the institutions that deliver them, and the principles that guide our Government’s decisions and actions.

There is no doubt that the PPP/C Government’s priority is to strengthen public trust as the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out in the various regions, and the desire is to provide examples of good practices that others countries have implemented which can enhance people’s confidence in vaccination campaigns and the relevance of our Government’s competence in building trust in vaccines, with the subsequent sections discussing integrity, openness and fairness in this context.

Sincerely, D. Adams

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Gov’t working overtime to honour its commitment to provide affordable housing

Successive PPP/C administrations have T solid track record of support for Amerindians

Dear Editor,

Dear Sir/Madam,

A

merindians of Guyana, our first people, and their communities have been major beneficiaries of the many transformational projects executed by successive PPP/C administrations throughout the country.

Through the aegis of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, dozens of projects costing billions, increasing incrementally with each succeeding Budget, have been executed since PPP/C took office in 1992 and are continuing to be executed for the qualitative improvement of Amerindians and their communities under the current Irfaan Ali-led Government.

These are the Hinterland Development projects programmed to make Amerindian communities self-sufficient, and finally integrating these well-deserving people into the mainstream of national life.

Amerindians and their communities have come a long way from those years of decades of criminal neglect, especially during the regime of the former People’s National Congress government. The improved lives that are currently the daily experience of Amerindians and their hinterland communities are a direct result of a genuine policy on the part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

government to correct the historical wrongs that our Amerindian brethren had suffered for so long.

One of the successes of the hinterland development programmes has been its electrification initiative, beginning in 2005, from which an initial 11,000 solar panels were distributed to over 135 communities, in regions 1,7,8,9, and 10 before the coalition government truncated the programme in 2015.

But Amerindian socio-economic development is a continuous process under every PPP/C government; therefore it should be of no surprise when the government recently restarted distribution of solar panels to augment those already provided to hinterland communities and riverine areas that are “off-grid”.

Unsurprisingly, the political opposition, the “Cummingsburg Two”, had leveled the accusation that these interventions were “vote-buying”.

But successive PPP/C governments’ record on hinterland development is best manifested in the much-improved lives and changes of Amerindians and their communities under their watch.

Yours very truly, Attiya Baksh

Clarification on GOAL awardees participation at UWI’s Open Campus Dear Editor,

T

eaching sessions for vocational programmes offered by the University of the West Indies (Open Campus) through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme commenced on July 26, 2021.

UWI’s Open Campus has an attendance regulation and students are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the policy. Therefore, awardees who were unable to attend classes for four consecutive weeks are no longer considered active Open Campus students.

However, the deregistration policy is in no way an indication that the GOAL scholarship has been withdrawn. Students who are on the ‘deregistration list’ will be given an opportunity to be part of their specific programme when it is offered by UWI during its upcoming semester.

Moreover, awardees experiencing difficulties with their log in credentials are

advised that UWI’s Technical Support team is working assiduously to address the issue to facilitate awardees accessing their students’ accounts.

Regrettably, GOAL does not have a land line, but all queries and clarifications related to UWI Vocational Programmes can be addressed to dionne.suecox@goal. edu.gy, info@goal.edu.gy, via whatsapp on telephone numbers 687-6331/643-7783 or by direct messaging on GOAL’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GuyanaOnlineAcademyofLearning GOAL is committed to online learning and will continue to offer guidance and support to all awardees.

Yours sincerely, Aneka Edwards, Programme Manager,Communications/ IU Programme Manager.

Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL)

he public overwhelmingly believes that the current government has performed better in addressing the demand for, and providing public housing than the predecessor administration when comparing their first year in office. Respondents in the latest poll laud the President, the government, and the Housing Ministry for their performance thus far in housing, as well as in several other areas. This is the view, according to the latest opinion survey poll I conducted for NACTA last month. The poll finds strong support for the government in investing in public housing.

A similar poll conducted in November 2020 revealed that the public felt that the present government showed greater commitment to public housing in its first three months in office, than the previous g ‘Coalition’ government during the corresponding period, with respondents expressing greater faith and confidence in the PPP/C delivering on its promises. The public had high expectation in this government to deliver on housing demand and commitment. Also, polls conducted in January, March, July, and August 2021 showed that people overwhelmingly believe that the present administration (and by extension Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues) has performed better than its predecessor on public housing when compared against the the same period of time in office.

Since during the ‘Coalition’ administration that ended on August 1, 2020, there has been a backlog in house lot allocation. The public feels that the government has responded well to the backlog, saying Ministers Croal and Rodrigues performed far more credibly than Annette Ferguson and other ‘Coalition’ ministers who were in charge of housing. The present ministers were described as being far more active and engaged with the public, and seen more on the ground than their predecessors. They have also delivered more house lots than their predecessors. Even amidst the adverse impact of the coronavirus, the public feels the PPP/C administration has performed better than its predecessor.

The general feeling among poll respondents is that the present administration has delivered a lot more house lots in a year than what the preceding ‘Coalition’ distributed.

Published data reveals that the ‘Coalition’ distributed some 7300 lots and built 500 homes.

The PPP/C administration thru August 2021 in its first year distributed some 7500 lots, and is building some 800 houses that would be ready by year end; some ‘turnkey’ houses were recently distributed. The government is building ‘turnkey’ houses in several communities, including in opposition strongholds.

In polls conducted during the Coalition’s tenure in office, as well as polls conducted since August 2020, supporters of the PPP/C complained that under the ‘Coalition’ government, housing (lots and turnkey) was given almost exclusively to its supporters.

The present administration and the ministry have led an unprecedented campaign for public housing, with fair distribution to all, regardless of political affiliation and racial background. Under its raffle system, everyone has an equal opportunity to gain access to a government home or house lot.

There is a housing shortage in the nation, particularly on the coastland. The strong demand for housing has resulted in housing as well as rental prices going up. Comfortable and safe housing has been in great demand.

Affordable housing is important for people’s security and well-being. And people are interested in home ownership. Insufficient income caused by the pandemic has forced people to make sacrifices in other areas of life in order to acquire a home. In the surveys, the public considers housing a serious issue.

Many complain that they can’t afford rent or mortgage in light of the pandemic that has led to widespread unemployment and loss of income since last year March. Prior to that, over 15,000 lost their jobs during the ‘Coalition’ administration. Thus, affordability of homes or rentals has been a problem in communities all over the country, stirring government into action to prepare land and infrastructure for housing to make it affordable for all.

Overall, the vast majority of the public approves of the performance of the Housing Ministry, its CEO Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, and the two responsible ministers. They note that the ministers, the CEO, and the ministry’s staff are far more active than their predecessors. Most of the public is also of the view that the last government failed to meet expectation, whereas this government is attempting to fulfill its Manifesto commitment to provide affordable housing.

Yours truly, V. Bisram

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Guyana records 23rd oil find E

xxonMobil on Thursday (September 9, 2021) said it made a discovery at Pinktail in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. The Pinktail well encountered 220 feet (67 meters) of net pay in high quality hydrocarbon bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil, Mike Cousins, said, “These discoveries are part of an extensive well program in the Stabroek Block utilizing six drillships to test play extensions and new concepts, evaluate existing discoveries and complete development wells for the Liza Phase 2 and Payara project. Our exploration successes continue to increase the discovered resource and will generate value for both the Guyanese people and our shareholders.”

The Pinktail discovery is located approximately 21.7 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of the Liza Phase 1 project, which began production in December 2019, and 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) southeast of Yellowtail-1.

Pinktail was drilled in 5,938 feet (1,810 meters) of water by the Noble Sam Croft. The

Turbot-2 discovery is located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) to the southeast of the Liza phase one project, and 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the Turbot-1 discovery announced in October 2017.

Turbot-2 was drilled in 5,790 feet (1,765 meters) of water by the Noble Sam Croft.

WELCOMED Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, in a statement noted that the Government of Guyana is confident that these additional discoveries will serve to further catapult Guyana’s monumental transition as a country with world-class discoveries of high-quality hydrocarbon.

He said, “The Government of Guyana remains committed and persistent in engaging all stakeholders towards the beneficial development of these resources for all Guyanese in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Hence, the Government of Guyana has mandated the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Petroleum Sector regulatory agencies to enhance the oversight and management of the exploration

programmes of all operators as we seek to further expand the sector through advancing commercial discoveries. “…the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana welcome these new discoveries offshore Guyana and remains committed to the sustainable exploration and development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources. In this vein, I would like to reassure all Guyanese and stakeholders that this will be undertaken in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency within the petroleum sector and to ensure benefits are derived for all Guyanese.”

DEVELOPMENTS ExxonMobil envisions at least six projects online by 2027 and sees potential for up to 10 projects to develop its current recoverable resource base.

As it relates to the first development, the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel is currently producing about 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

As it relates to the second

development, the startup of Liza Phase 2 remains on target for early 2022. The Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) – Guyana’s second oil ship – has begun its voyage to Guyana, having departed the Keppel shipyard in Singapore. FPSO manufacture SBM Offshore this week.

The PPP/C Government in a statement welcomed the announcement of the FPSO’s voyage to Guyana, which it said will complement the Liza Destiny FPSO, currently producing approximately 120,000 barrels of oil per day, and which will see the production of approximately 330,000 barrels of oil per day in 2022. The FPSO is expected to arrive in Guyana by November. Once it arrives at the Liza field in the Stabroek Block, it will be hooked up to the seabed, after which will be the installation of umbilicals and risers, allowing the next phase of operations to begin.

As it relates to the third

development, the hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel is complete, and topsides construction activities are ongoing in Singapore with a startup target of 2024. The first Payara development well was spudded in June 2021, and the offshore SURF installation will begin in 3Q 2021.

Yellowtail has been identified as the fourth development project in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana with anticipated startup in 2025.

Following necessary government approvals and a final investment decision, this project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located about 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of the Liza developments, and potentially adjacent resources.

The find at Pinktail-1 is ExxonMobil’s 23rd discovery in the Stabroek Block.

The oil company’s 22 other discoveries include: 1. Liza 2. Payara 3. Snoek

4. Liza deep 5. Turbot 6. Ranger 7. Pacora 8. Longtail 9. Hammerhead 10. Pluma 11. Tilapia 12. Haimara 13. Yellowtail-1 14. The Tripletail 15. Mako-1 16. Urau 17. Yellowtail-2 18. Redtail-1 19. Urau-2 20. Longtail-3 21. Whiptail-1 22. Whiptail-2 The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’

Another 281 graduate $13.3M Sari Dam rehabilitation from BIT programme completed S

ome 281 individuals graduated from several programmes being offered by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The graduation ceremony hosted last weekend at Outback Adventures in Canje, Berbice, Region Six saw graduates of all age groups.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, in comments, stressed that persons should be multiskilled and multitalented. He said, “You have to be multitalented and multiskilled, so when a door is closed, you can walk into

another door. So, the point is you have to be multitalented and multiskilled to ensure that you will always remain employable. Therefore, one of the things BIT must do is whilst you give skills to those who don’t have skills you have to ensure that those that already have a skill are accredited and certified because they will be displaced by foreigners. And we can go and cry as much as we want that will not change the situation. What will change the situation is what we are doing here today.”

Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir and Chief Executive Officer of BIT, Richard Maughn, among other officials were also in attendance.

The courses provided by BIT include cake decoration, garment construction, heavy-duty and equipment, welding and fabrication, cosmetology and book building.

The training is opened to all age groups with no educational requirements and is free of cost.

$281M in contracts signed for road rehabilitation in Regions Six, Nine

S

ome $281 million dollars in contracts was signed Tuesday (September 7, 2021) for the rehabilitation of roads in Regions Six and Nine.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, MP, and the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP, facilitated the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Public Works, Fort Street, Kingston.

The three contracts were awarded to three contracting companies from the respective regions.

The first contract was awarded to J.R Ranch Inc. for the rehabilitation of the Lethem to Annai, North Rupununi road in Region Nine. The contract is valued $85,975,155 and should be completed over the next nine months.

The second contract valued at $165,766,650, caters for

the rehabilitation of the Black Bush Polder one kilometre stretch, 6.7-meter-wide main access road at section two Johanna, Region Six. The project was awarded to Kascon Engineering Services and has a duration of seven months.

Contract three was awarded to Sawa Investments Inc. for the rehabilitation of a road in section three, Mibicuri, Region Six. The $29,806,770 project is slated to be completed in three months.

Minister Indar said maintenance of the Annai to Lethem Road under the former Government, left much to be desired. “That was not a sustainable way of doing that particular stretch of road. So, in the new build of material for this particular contract for the Annai to Lethem, in the building material there’s 39,000-meter cube of laterite to be placed in building up

back the sub-surface of this particular road”, Minister Indar said.

Minister Bharrat said he was pleased to have the project at this juncture, since the Annai to Lethem Road remains an important thoroughfare. He said the road links Lethem and Georgetown and Lethem and Brazil. Bharrat said, “That is in keeping with our promise that we intend to link Guyana to Brazil so that it could boost economic activities not only along that corridor but between the two countries…I am particularly pleased too that we are at this point because this stretch or this section of the road has a great impact on the logging and mining sectors.”

Contractors were urged to ensure the projects are completed within the stipulated time frame and employ persons from the region.

Albion/Port Mourant Estate’s operations gets boost with new equipment

T

he Ministry of Agriculture has donated three excavators to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to further aid in the rehabilitation of the Albion\Port Mourant estates.

Subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, commissioned the hydraulic long tail excavators at GuySuCo’s Head office at the La Bonne Intention Estate. He said the donation is in keeping with the Government’s efforts to rehabilitate and reopen the sugar estates.

He said, “I want to recommit the Government’s position that we are working aggressively, working in a phased plan to reopen the closed sugar estates.”

Mustapha noted too GuySuCo has contributed to the development of Guyana since the country gained its Independence, as such the Government will continue to make critical investments in the organisation. He said, “Sugar has made the most contribution in all the wealth we have today, is as a result of sugar, is as a result of GuySuCo. GuySuCo use to be the single, largest employer of persons in our country. Now we are seeing once again, investment in GuySuCo and we have to continue to invest in this critical sector, we have to ensure as I said, improved production, but at the same

time, look at the social benefit that GuySuCo brings to these communities.”

He said many of the initiatives put in place by the Government are to ease the burdens of the ordinary Guyanese. These included the farmers’ flood relief, ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, which saw every child in the public school system benefitting from $19,000; and the COVID-19 $25,000 cash grant.

The last time the Sugar Industry was fortunate to have equipment of this kind was some seven years ago.

The donation is expected to bolster GuySuCo’s capital programme.

R

esidents of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are now enjoying an asphaltic road, following the rehabilitation of Sari Dam. The $13.3 million investment has now eased the troubles of residents who were traversing a muddy dam, particularly when it rained.

The road which was completed by R&B Investment Inc., was commissioned by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, MP, on Wednesday (September 8, 2021).

Minister Edghill, ad-

dressing residents said the rehabilitation of the road is the fulfilment of a promise made. “When leadership is given, people’s pain and suffering could be alleviated.

President Irfaan Ali and his cabinet commit to the people of Guyana that the way we will govern is not as lord and as rulers but the way we will govern is by serving people.

We will be a government that listens, we are a government that responds and we are a government that makes decisions for the benefit of people,” the minister said.

Minister Edghill also inspected ongoing works on the $200 million Cane Grove Main Access Road, East Coast Demerara. The project is being executed by Colin Talbot Contracting Service and is about 50 per cent complete.

The Minister also inspected ongoing works in Bendulla Dam also in Cane Grove which is costing $38 million dollars and is being executed by Associated Construction Services. Those works are about 75 per cent complete.

$1.3B in contracts signed as Agri Ministry pushes ahead with 2021 work programme S

everal agencies under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday signed multiple contracts to the tune of over $1.3 billion dollars, to advance their 2021 work programmes.

Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, MP, said works will begin immediately so that the projects could be completed on time. He said, “We’ll ensure that these projects commence immediately, I’ve already advised our programme heads that they should ensure that when these contracts are signed, they immediately prepare a mobilisation advance and we commence the project, these are very critical projects for the delivery of services to the people of our country.”

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) signed three contracts valuing over $1.2 bil-

lion dollars, for the construction of a pump station at Andrews, Essequibo, the rehabilitation of the pump station at Adventure, Corentyne, Berbice and the construction of a Sluice at Capoey in the Essequibo.

The contract for the construction of the Pump Station at Andrews was awarded to N. Nauth and Sons and will see improvement in drainage for farmers and residents for approximately 3,000 acres of land.

The rehabilitation of the Adventure pump station at Adventure, will benefit approximately 5,000 acres of rice cultivation by preventing flooding in the area. D. SAWH Mechanical Workshop has been awarded the contract.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Sluice at Capoey, Essequibo will be undertaken

by M. Sukhai Contracting Services and will benefit 2,000 acres of rice land by improving drainage within the area.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) also inked four contracts valued over $68 million for the construction of a drying facility at Black Bush Polder, a concrete drying floor at Benab Corentyne and the construction of two drying floors at Cane Grove Region Four and DeeHoop, Region Five.

The Guyana Marketing Cooperation (GMC) inked a contract valued over $22 million for the construction of an agro processing facility at Fort Wellington, Region Five.

All contractors were called on to ensure works are carried out according to specifications and that they stick to the allocated contract time.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’

President Ali leading two-day Cabinet outreach across Region Two T

he two-day Cabinet Outreach, being led by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, continues today.

On Friday (September 10, 2021) the team arrived in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam).

Cabinet members will lead several teams for direct

engagement with residents, women, youths, farmers, private sector representatives and the religious community for two full days across all communities of the region.

Cabinet outreaches have been a hallmark of successive PPP/C administrations in keeping with the ruling

party’s philosophy of people-centred governance that engages directly with citizens in their respective communities.

While delivering goods and services to taxpayers is a natural part of the Governance Continuum, the President and his Cabinet believe

that it is equally important for those with direct responsibility for policies to witness their impact on the everyday lives of citizens, their families and communities.

As such, this activity serves to foster an open and transparent relationship with citizens as stakeholders in

the development process through direct communication and feedback.

It also allows the policymakers to gain a first-hand account of on-the-ground developmental challenges in communities and enables them to craft appropriate interventions for short, medi-

um and long-term solutions that ensure optimal benefits are continuously accrued to citizens.

Residents of Region Two were asked to be prepared to engage the team fully in all matters of governance, particularly those which impact them directly.

10

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Heritage Month 2021 ‘Maintaining our traditional integrity, celebrating our cultural identity'

Virtual activities, engagements for Amerindian Heritage Month ‒ Mini heritage celebrations to be non-contact, alcohol free D

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will be hosting a number of activities and engagements virtually this year, in observance of Amerindian Heritage Month.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, in comments on plans for Amerindian Heritage Month said, “This year we’re still in the pandemic and from my understanding, our country is confirmed as having one of the variants that is referred to as the Delta variant and therefore, we are still in a position where we will not be able to hold the level of celebrations that we are accustomed to.”

The month of activities commenced with a virtual concert on September 1, which featured artistes from the coastal areas. It was broadcast live on HJTV, E- Networks, NCN TV, MTV 65, NTN 69 and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Facebook page.

Another activity was hosted on September 10, 2021 and showcased art and craft in honour of the first Indigenous parliamentarian, Stephen Campbell.

There will also be a series of sampling of Amerindian cuisine at the Ministry’s Thomas Street, Georgetown location, as well as a day of games, cultural display, talent, marathons and Cricket. However, these events will be spectator free and non-contact.

Minister Sukhai said there will also be mini heritage celebrations in several hinterland villages, which will be mainly non-contact and alcohol free. She said, “We are going to ask also the location where the heritage activities are going to take place that it will be alcoholic free and observe all the protocols. We will be providing masks, sanitisers…we will have at each location, medical teams that will encourage anyone who may come to the activity to take a test

or to be vaccinated. These will be spectator free activities, but we may very well have a few onlookers that’s why we will encourage the Ministry of Health to participate in these events too.”

Sukhai added, “We believe that Amerindians should be proud of their background and continue to work to sustain their traditional practices by various means, they should be able to uphold their culture so that they will be able to pass it on to the current and future generation.”

REGIONAL LEADERS During September there will be engagements with the village leaders at the regional level.

As a result of the large number of villages in Region One, there will be two meetings in the Moruca and Mabaruma sub-districts.

The meeting for Region Seven will be

in the Lower Mazaruni, while Region Eight leaders will meet in the Mahdia Sub-District and Region Nine leaders in Lethem.

Leaders of regions two to six and 10, will meet at Mainstay, Region Two. On the second day of the meetings, the Indigenous leaders will meet with Ministers of Government and will elect executive members of the National Toshaos Council.

All COVID-19 protocols will be observed and locations will have the adequate spacing.

Sukhai said, “At the regional leaders meeting we expect to discuss their concerns, of course we cannot not discuss their concerns, their development challenges and of course their priority, with respect to including their developmental priorities in the upcoming budget for next year, 2022 budget.”

The theme for this year’s observance is ‘Maintaining our traditional integrity, celebrating our cultural identity’.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Amerindians will be integrally involved in the national development process – President Ali T

he PPP/C Government will ensure that Amerindians are economically empowered and are integrally involved in the national decision-making process. The declaration was made by Head of State, President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The President made these remarks during his feature address on day two of the Regional Toshaos Meeting, which saw the attendance of leaders from over 50 communities from the region’s five Sub-Districts. He said, “I assure you that you will not be sidelined from the process of national development

but rather, be integral to that process. One of the purposes of the National Toshaos Conference is to allow you to have an insight into national development plans and to contribute to the fashioning of these plans, particularly as they relate to the well-being of Amerindians. My Government is committed to strengthening your inclusion in national decision-making. We will engage with you continuously and do so in a genuine spirit of inclusion.”

The Head of State emphasised that his Government is devoted to the principle

of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as it relates to policies that affect the well-being and rights of indigenous Guyanese. He said, “We will foster Amerindian economic empowerment across all ten of the country’s administrative regions. We will continue to support your rights, including your just entitlement to Amerindian lands.”

The President said that the Government is well aware that land is important for indigenous development, and as a result, provisions were made in the budget to make Amerindian land titling a priority.

He said, “My Administration has already commenced a project to restore and establish a mechanism through which will resolve all outstanding land disputes and expedite the land titling process.”

IMPROVED SERVICES The President said that his Government, by way of Cabinet Ministers and other Government officials will continuously engage the village leaders about enhancing their development.

“I want to assure you that every day we will dedicate our lives, our energies in ser-

vice to you, your families and people of the communities,” he assured.

The Head of State stressed that over the past year, the Government has been proactively promoting indigenous development. He reminded the Toshaos that the National Budget has allocated in excess of $5.4B that will be injected into the development of Amerindian and hinterland communities.

President Ali noted that there will be improvements to social services, health facilities and ICT services to ensure that Amerindian communities can experience the same way of life as those living on the coast.

He said that these improvements will not only enhance their overall development, but will empower hundreds of their youths that are currently enrolled in the GOAL 20,000 online scholarship programme. “We are responding to your appeals for the establishment of a permanent well-staffed, wellequipped and fully-supported Secretariat building,” the President said, while adding that the Government is also examining the prospect of having farmers licensed to own firearms.

The President also highlighted that infrastructural development will be a central focus in order to reduce the time and cost for the movement of goods and services.

He said, “We want to build infrastructure that is linked to economic empowerment and that is the type of discussion we will be having with you soon.”

President Ali also emphasised the importance of equitable development. He said, “There is no green Guyana, my brothers and sisters.

There is no red Guyana, there is no yellow Guyana, there is no orange Guyana—there is one Guyana, one people, one nation with one destiny.”

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The regional community leaders were also reminded that their communities benefitted from Government’s interventions through the Presidential Grants and the Economic Investment Fund, which saw the allocation of $68.3M to support community development in 2020. He added that

the region has also benefited from $456M to finance projects and proposals under the Economic Investment Fund.

“We’ve also been supporting community development projects aimed at improving connectivity and sustainable livelihoods,” Ali said.

HINTERLAND HOUSING PROJECT President Ali also explained that the Government is working on launching the Hinterland Housing Project.

He added that part of the condition in the contracts will ensure that materials and labour are sourced locally, which will add to the development of the region and its communities.

The Head of State also stressed that all development has to be planned in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“We have seen the floods—bigger and more forceful than ever…therefore, our infrastructure and our approach to development has to take climate change and the spinoff of climate change into consideration,” he said.

The President emphasised that the Regional Conference has to address, in a substantive way, the economic, social and environmental concerns of the people of the region and should focus on food security, economic diversification, empowerment and social transformation as it relates to health, housing, education and social welfare.

He said this should be done in order to provide Amerindians with enhanced livelihoods, greater justice, more opportunities, higher levels of education, agricultural expansion, more jobs, greater integration with the Coast, improved health, water, sanitation, housing and infrastructure.

He said, “The final goal is to ensure all of these things are blended in a way that will make you live longer and more prosperous in dignity.”

After the formal part of the meeting, President Ali engaged the community leaders in a question and answer segment where he addressed all of their inquiries and gave them additional information on the Government’s projects and developments that are aimed at improving their lives. Several Cabinet Ministers were also at the two-day meeting.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE $300M in grants to be distributed to 220 Amerindian villages T

he Government of Guyana will be distributing a minimum of $300 million to at least 220 Amerindian communities across the country, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State said that the monies are being made available via the Presidential Grant Fund. He said, “Many communities have started to receive these benefits and grants,” President Ali said.

He reminded the leaders from over 50 communities across the region’s five sub-districts that in 2020, under the same fund, some $280 million was disbursed to 213 Amerindian and hinterland communities. Over the past year, your government has proactively been promoting Amerindian development. The National Budget has allocated in excess of $5.45 billion, which will be injected into the development of Amerindian and hinterland

communities.”

In acknowledging the gap that exists between communities on the coastland and the hinterland, President Ali pledged his government’s intention to ensure that the playing field is levelled, and

that Amerindians are economically empowered and integrally involved in the country’s decision-making process. “I assure you that you will not be side-lined from the process of national development, but rather be integral to

Hinterland communities to benefit equally from oil and gas wealth T

he impending wealth from the oil and gas sector will benefit all Guyanese equally, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State gave this assurance while addressing the Regional Toshaos’ Meeting in Region Nine last weekend. He said, “Let me assure you once again, that you would benefit equally from the resources of oil and gas in your communities, there will be no distinction.

There are those who would want to have distinction, those who want to have a model that separates the class structure, under the PPP/Civic Government there will be no discrimination, all Guyanese will benefit equally.”

Dr. Ali said the region is expected to undergo massive transformational de-

velopment over the next decade and consultations will be held with Amerindian communities. He said, “The region is going to be transformed and it is important that economic and social transformation be done in consultation and consistent with your vision of indigenous and sustainable development. It must be done in consultation with you.”

The Head of State further reiterated that his government remains committed to “strengthening inclusion” in national development. He urged the Indigenous leaders to position their communities for greater development.

Ali said, “I assure you that you will not be sidelined from the process of national development, but rather, integrated to that process…my government is committed to

strengthening our inclusion in national decision making.

We will engage with you continuously, and do so in a genuine spirit of inclusion.

We will listen we have concerns addressed these the best of our abilities.”

The Head of State was accompanied by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud.

that process,” he stressed.

PROJECTS FOR AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES Further, in streamlining projects for Amerindian communities, the Head of State

committed to employing the United Nations’ principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent, which empowers Amerindian communities to either accept or reject any project that is unfavourable to them.

To this end, he said that one of the chief purposes of the National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC) is to ensure that Amerindians have a convenient forum and space to give insight and input into matters relating to national development, “…and to contribute to the fashioning of these plans.” Ali said that even though the larger NTC cannot be hosted, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the existing situation presents a unique opportunity for closer examination of the needs of the Amerindian Peoples by region.

“I want to assure you that every day we will dedicate

our lives; our energies in service to you, your families and people of the communities… we are responding to your appeals for the establishment of a permanent well-staffed, well-equipped and fully-supported Secretariat building,” the President said, while adding that the government is also examining the prospect of having farmers licensed to own firearms.

The President also highlighted that infrastructural development will be a central focus, in order to reduce the time and cost for the movement of goods and services.

“We want to build infrastructure that is linked to economic empowerment, and that is the type of discussion we will be having with you soon...the final goal is to ensure all of these things are blended in a way that will make you live longer, and more prosperous in dignity,” he declared.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE

CSO training continues ‒ 23 complete ICT training

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wenty-three Community Support Officers (CSOs) from several hinterland communities graduated, recently, from a three-week Information and Communications Technology (ICT) course at Global Technology, Georgetown.

The new graduates were selected through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’, Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) to ensure computer literacy in every hinterland community.

Addressing the graduation ceremony at the hinterland scholarship student’s dormitory, Minister, Pauline Sukhai, extended congratulations to the CSO’s. She said, “I want to congratulate you for doing well, and I do hope that as you go back to your villages and your commu-

nities that you will be able to share your knowledge.

So, you are also going to be the agent of change and I am very proud of you.”

This is the second batch of officers graduating since 2015. The Amerindian Affairs Ministry is hoping to train some 200 students in ICT, 220 in solar panel installation and 220 licensed drivers by the end of the year.

Sukhai said, “This investment is an investment in our young people. Our Government has rolled out a number of initiatives that are making positive waves of impact on young people’s lives of our country. And this is a demonstration that the PPP/Civic Government does not only support the training for coastal students, but equally so the hinterland students are all part and

parcel of the agenda.”

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, MP, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, MP, were present at the event.

Minister Parag, in comments, said, “Education has always been something that is important to this Government and there are several initiatives that have been rolled out for the development of not only individuals but the education system. In this particular instance the training is geared towards

you getting a skill set or achieving or attaining a skill set whereby you can give back to your commu-

nity.”

The ICT training included several components; computer funda-

mentals, Microsoft Word Processing, Microsoft Excel 2016 and Internet and Email. Upon completion, graduates received Samsung tablets along with their certificates. Among the 23 graduates, eight attained straight A’s and were presented with trophies.

The Government plans to commission ICT hubs in 200 communities where CSOs will work to ensure computer literacy.

43 Region Nine youths graduate from ICT training S

ome 43 youths of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are the latest beneficiaries of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training programme being offered to hinterland and riverine communities by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

The programme targets participants ages 10 to 18 providing them with computer literacy to prepare them for the country’s modernised development.

In brief remarks, Director of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit, Shahrukh Hussain told the graduates to use the skills and knowledge provided as a stepping stone to advance their capacity in today’s society, where the use of technology has become imperative to conduct daily activities. He said the training is one of many initiatives the Government has embarked on to improve the

country’s ICT infrastructure and bridge the connectivity gap in urban and rural communities. According to Hussain, the unit’s mandate is to “fill the current human resources gap between the coastal areas and the hinterland areas in ICT and are engaged in several training and capacity building interventions, aimed at different target groups and skill levels.”

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, spoke of the use of technology and its role in empowering the youth to achieve their goals. He also encouraged them to share their knowledge with others in their respective communities.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, since taking office, has been pushing the enhancement of access to the internet via the expansion of the fibre-optic network, subsidised internet access to poor households,

and the establishment of ICT hubs among other projects.

This has led to the establishment or refurbishing of ICT hubs in 200 hinterland and riverine communities under the ICT access and eServices for hinterland, poor and remote communities’ project.

Earlier this year, the Government distributed $1.73 billion to Amerindian communities as a one-off COVID-19 relief investment fund geared at creating job opportunities, generating incomes and implementing infrastructural development projects. To this end, it was advised by several government officials that at least $2 million from their respective grants can be utilised to either refurbish or rebuild ICT hubs in communities.

The selected communities are currently being assessed to determine their readiness to benefit from the project.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Africa, CARICOM urged to hold united front on economic recovery, climate mitigation P

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali has called on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Africa to hold a united front on measures to be taken for economic recovery, climate mitigation and adaptation, and food security.

The President made the call during his remarks to the first Africa-CARICOM virtual summit on Tuesday (September 7, 2021). He said, “Africa and the Caribbean are no stranger to each other… The bonds that exist between us are based on blood, history and culture.

These ties are strong and enduring. Our regions represent creative and dynamic forces within the international community. As such, there is no reason why we should not initiate greater socio-economic collaborations.”

The President said the onus is on the regions to forge a path based on shared interests and common objectives. He said it is especially critical for them to craft a common message, as the world prepares for the United Nations General Assembly 2021 next week, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021 in November.

Dr. Ali said the achieve-

ments of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is severely threatened, and Africa and CARICOM must point this out to the global community.

He added that the pandemic has renewed the harsh reality of the differentiating treatment between the developed and developing world. “The pandemic has reawakened our vulnerability to food supply, the fragility of our markets, and sensitivity to price changes. It is therefore essential that issues surrounding food security, supply and availability, form an important part of our actionable agenda,” Ali said.

The Head of State noted too that the two regions suffered immensely from the fallout in the rising cost of commodities and transportation services during the pandemic. He said, “We must have a forceful message on issues relating to rescheduling of loans, debt financing, access to capital in our rebuilding efforts and an evaluation of the global vaccination system along with its failure to respond to the most vulnerable in the world.”

If these matters are not properly addressed, President Ali fears that developing

economies will find it even more difficult to cope and rebuild after the pandemic.

The President said the developing world’s experience with the pandemic emphasises that it is the developing world that suffers most in such circumstances. He held the same view on matters related to climate change.

He said, “We have not been historically responsible but we suffer the greatest and are least equipped to respond.

Our countries are bearing the brunt of increasing and more intense climate related events. We must therefore, collectively advocate for greater financial flows to help us adapt to the impact of the climate emergency, including through the establishment of a global vulnerability fund.”

According to him, the largest polluters have already diversified their economies by transferring natural resources into commercial activities, and have a greater responsibility when it comes to climate change. This, he contrasted with countries like Guyana, which removes more carbon dioxide than it emits. In this regard, the President said Guyana should benefit economically from the service its forests provide

to the global ecosystem. He hopes that discussions on this matter will advance at COP26 in November.

The Head of State said Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) provides a development model to the world, show-

ing how low carbon, lower deforestation, and climate resilient development can be possible and beneficial for forested countries. He said too that Africa and CARICOM must emphasise a compensation system for the blue economy, and the

safeguarding of biodiversity.

The summit was attended by Prime Ministers and Presidents of several Caribbean and African nations, as well as representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat, the African Union, and other organisations.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Physical assets of the Police Force must be better managed C

ommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, recommitted to improving the Guyana Police Force (GPF) while charging its members to do their best in managing the assets allotted to them.

President Ali made the remarks before handing over a fleet of 50 new double-cab pickup trucks to the GPF at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, on Monday (September 6, 2021). He said, “I want to be frank with you. We support the work of the Police Force and will provide it with the resources needed, but the Force needs to take better care of its transportation equipment. The provision of resources must be accompanied by greater responsibility in their use and care.”

The President noted that the public is “appalled at the level of misuse and reckless driving” of many of the GPF’s vehicles. He emphasised that the physical assets of the Force must be better managed. To accomplish this, it was announced that training programmes will be developed. Ali said, “We will have to do an assessment of our capacity to manage these assets and to find a way that is more reliable, efficiently and less costly that would deliver the results in managing these vehicles. The vehicles provided to the Force must not be used for joyrides, no.

The assets being provided to the Force are to boost its capability, its responsiveness and people will judge us by

the way in which we care for and use these assets.”

The Head of State explained that the addition of the 50 new vehicles is expected to enhance the Force’s mobility and response, which he noted has been severely handicapped by the lack of serviceable vehicles.

He pointed out that although the People’s Republic of China handed over a fleet of 140 vehicles in 2017, featuring 56 pickup trucks, five buses, 35 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and 48 motorcycles; when he assumed office, only 39 out of the 140 were working. He said that 101 of the vehicles were down for repairs with most of them being unserviceable.

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM The Head of State said that in order to enhance the Force, it is necessary to address its problems.

He made reference to the Security Sector Reform Study of 2017, which noted the Forces’ deficiencies included “chronic underfunding, shortages of vehicles and the poor state of the vehicular fleet, the lack of adequate communication equipment and poor maintenance of physical assets”.

Recognising those and other deficiencies, the President indicated that his Government’s 2020 manifesto committed to “providing more equipment, facilities and training; improving investigative and forensic capabilities; increasing the use

of modern technology and intelligence in the fight against crime, including cybercrime; expanding intelligence gathering and promoting more intelligence-led policing; providing better remuneration and conditions of service for members of the Force; and enhancing security capabilities in the Hinterland.”

He added that the focus is heavily geared towards proactive policing.

The President emphasised that the Government is committed to proving the Police Force with the resources it needs to keep our citizens safe, including training, provision of modern equipment and adequate vehicles and enhanced capacity for rapid response.

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CRIME-FIGHTING Creating a robust approach to crime-fighting, according to the President, depends on a Force that is nimble, united, focused and professional. Ali said, “The Force must also be capable of withstanding public scrutiny of operating in a transparent and open manner, and doing things within the confines of the laws.”

He said that the success of the GPF depends on several measures, including the right physical assets to combat crime.

Human resource personnel, in quantity and quality, and the right partnership in crime-fighting and strategising are also very important according to the Head of

State. He said, “In all three of these areas, we have been working to provide an enabling environment to make the investment that is critical for us to have a holistic approach to the development of the Force.”

President Ali explained that in addition to the provision of physical assets, many of the men and women of the GPF are enrolled in the GOAL scholarship programme, while other scholarship programmes are also in the pipeline. He said, “Very soon we will be launching a number of programmes in the field of forensic science which will be financed by the Government on a scholarship basis for the Guyana Police Force.”

The President pointed out that his Government is prepared to invest in other important areas including specialised training in transnational crime, strategic management, mentoring and coaching and building of the Force’s in-house capacity to address technological challenges and opportunities. Ali said, “In all of these areas we are committed to ensuring

that we make the necessary investments.”

PERSONAL PROGRESS The President also noted that the Government has a responsibility to the ranks and assured them that his administration is going to continuously work on initiatives that will “not only look at your salary benefits but also look at your personal development, the welfare of your family and importantly, supporting you in achieving essential necessities of life like owning your own home, like ensuring you have access to the highest levels of education and ensuring your children are also taken care of”.

CITIZENS’ CONCERNS President Ali said that he is aware of the existing concerns about incidents of robberies and acts of violence committed against citizens and he is urging the Police to take condign action to bring an early end to those criminal attacks and assaults. “Citizens must be able to walk the streets unmolested and free from fear. Similarly, home invasions must be curbed,” he

charged.

The President added that while the Force has faced some challenges in combatting domestic violence, the recent launch of the COPSQUAD initiative, which will provide training to some 2,000 police ranks in dealing professional and promptly with domestic violence reports, should help in addressing the issue.

He also said that successful policing requires the support of communities. He said this was being stymied by the reduction in Community Policing Groups between 2015 and 2020. As of March this year, the President pointed out that there had been a 20% reduction in Community Policing groups and a 40% reduction in membership.

Also attending today’s handing-over ceremony were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Honourable Anil Nandlall; Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Robeson Benn; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Acting Police Commissioner, Mr Nigel Hoppie and other high-ranking officers of the GPF.

Gov’t committed to enhancing skills of Guyanese for oil and gas sector

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he PPP/C administration committed to training Guyanese in preparation for the opportunities in the lucrative oil and gas sector, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. He said, “In the FPSO for example, that are coming down the road, what are the requirements, what level of training is needed and we are going to ensure that we invest – whether we have to bring in the training facilities – whatever we have to do, we will invest in Guyana’s human resources to meet those needs so that we can create those opportunities here locally.”

In the gas-to-energypipeline project for example, President Ali reminded that the hallmark project will require “hundreds of welders”. This alone provides an opportunity for Guyanese to upskill themselves. “We are getting exactly what is required and we are going to build a training programme to ensure that we train and have all those welders ready to take up the opportunities

here locally,” he said.

The Head of State noted that the training is not only to upskill Guyanese, but to ensure that the people are linked to the oil and gas industry. Ali said, “When that happens, people feel connected, and then is when people feel a part of, and then is when people realise the true benefit and the pass on benefit of the oil and gas sector and its connection to other sectors, whether it be fabrication, service development, machining, warehousing, logistics planning.”

The President already relayed his plans to establish an oil and gas institute in Guyana. During the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA) 25th annual presentation last year.

He said, “We have commenced discussions on having a world-class, world-rated oil and gas institute and training centre right here in Guyana and we will achieve it, we must achieve it.”

The institute, the President noted, will not only train

Guyanese, but also oil and gas workers in the Caribbean. Since taking office, the President has been building local capacity to tap into the oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP, had said the oil and gas institute would satisfy the labour demands of the sector. He said, “It will have to fit into our Local Content Policy because if we are going to argue that we need 50 per cent of the workforce to be Guyanese, then we don’t want the 50 per cent to be cleaners or labourers and maids and cooks. “We want our people to be managers, to be the technical people, to be the petroleum engineers, the reservoir engineers.” Further, Minister Bharrat noted that the Government has already initiated discussions with its international partners to assist in the training institution. However, while plans to move forward have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister said they would soon be realised.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Another Amerindian Village benefits from improved water supply system ‒ Some 1,000 in Moraikobai now have improved access A

pproximately one thousand residents are now beneficiaries of new water service connections and an improved water supply in Moraikobai, Region 5. This was possible through the delivery of a promise made by the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The Moraikobai Water Supply System was commissioned recently following rehabilitation of the existing well, installation of distribution mains and 50 new service connections to extend the water supply to new areas in the community.

The realization of these works, which was funded by the Government of Guyana to the tune of $5M and exe-

cuted by the Guyana Water Incorporated and Moraikobai Village Council.

During the commissioning ceremony, Junior Minister, Susan Rodrigues, stated that government’s investments in the community has realized economic activity amongst the residents. She said that this administration had taken note of the neglect to the community, which resulted in a dysfunctional water system and lack of water access to many homes.

She pointed out that the promises made in their manifesto are being realized in the various sectors within the community and that includes water. The Housing

and Water Minister also explained to the residents that GWI did not have to drill a new well, since the current well has a depth of 700ft and can produce enough water for 2000 people. She noted that while there are 50 new connections, work is ongoing to install even more service connections. Therefore, GWI will continue to work to extend the network to ensure each home is catered for.

Residents were assured that the system will be maintained to ensure a supply of quality water 24/7.

Meanwhile, Moraikobai Toshao Mr. Derrick John expressed satisfaction with the works done and thanked

GWI and Government for their interest in the community.

Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Region 5 Member of Par-

liament, Faizal Jafarally, and Vice Chairman,. Rion Peters.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Former APNU+AFC Coalition Ministers facing multimillion-dollar lawsuits C

ases dealing with issues ranging from defamation to malfeasance in public office have been filed against several former APNU+AFC Coalition government ministers. And the lawsuits filed by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the State and in his personal capacity, run into tens of millions of dollars.

First, former Finance Minister Winston Jordan is being sued by the State for more than $300 million over the sale of lands located at Water or Mudlots 1 and 2; Lot F of Mudlot 3 and Lots A, B and D, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, to BK Marine. Nandlall said that the

sale of the lands is illegal, unlawful, null, void, repugnant, and contrary to public policy as they were sold at a price below the market value. He said, “The property was sold at a gross undervalue and way below market value in relation to comparable and competitive facilities of a similar nature, form, and usage which was sold consistent with the market value….(they) acted recklessly and without obtaining a Certificate of Value for the property in order to ascertain the current market value.” As such, the Attorney General is also seeking to repossess the lands.

Secondly, former Public Infrastructure Minister Da-

vid Patterson, a Jamaican company Nevpro Realisation Limited, and two former officials of the said Ministry are being sued by the State over three weight-in-motion scales valued at $72 million that were paid for under the APNU/AFC Government, but never delivered. Nandlall is asking the High Court to order Nevpro Realisation Limited of Haining Road, Kingston, Jamaica, to pay $50 million for loss and damages resulting from a breach of a contract dated December 6, 2016, for the supply and delivery of three Mettler Toldeo weight-in-motion scales. He is also asking the court to order the company

to return $72,450,000 that had been paid for the items as well as liquidated damages of $7,245,000.

Thirdly, Patterson, former Permanent Secretary at the then Public Infrastructure Ministry Balraj Balram and then Engineer/Manager of the Special Projects Units Lawrence Mentis are being sued for $50 million for loss and damage due to negligence, malfeasance in public office, misuse, misapplication, and improper disposal of monies in violation of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. Fourthly, the Attorney General is also suing former APNU+AFC Coalition Minister Jaipaul Sharma for libel and is seeking more than $25 million in damages over posts made about him via Facebook. Court documents state that on November 17, 2020,

Sharma, a former junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, referred to the PPP/C Government as “hypocritical” for going after coalition officials and others for questionable land deals using the office of the Attorney General.

In the Facebook post, Sharma claimed that Mohabir Nandlall & Associates, a law firm for which Nandlall was the senior and managing partner, was involved in some of these land transactions in which a large plot of land was transferred a few days after David Granger was sworn in as President in 2015. Nandlall’s lawyers had written to Sharma, informing him that his post was not only libellous, but malicious and completely false, and is causing damage to the standing, integrity, and reputation of the law firm and Nandlall’s reputation. The Attorney

General’s counsel had also demanded that Sharma retract the offensive publication and issue an apology immediately to their client and the law firm. Sharma, however, did not issue the apology.

Instead, Nandlall said, Sharma aggravated the libel by publishing another post reciting a conversation he had with him about the source of the information contained in his statement about the land transfer. Nandlall submitted that the ordinary meaning of the publications gives the impression that he is dishonest, unprofessional, engaged in corrupt land deals and criminal activity, and is violent, that the law firm engages in dishonourable and unlawful activities, and that he has taken steps to intimidate and threaten Sharma. As a result of the publications, Nandlall (Turn to page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Guyana received $400M from ExxonMobil for flaring – EPA Head ‒ fees increased from USD$30 to USD$45 E

xecutive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Kemraj Parsram, has disclosed that the agency has received approximately $400 million in flaring fees from US oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The fees form part of an amendment to the Liza phase one environmental permit which saw an installed fee for increased flaring activity at the Liza Destiny operations. The amendment was instituted in May and requires the operator to pay US$30 per ton of carbon emitted.

During a recent interview, Parsram emphasised that the policy of EPA and the Government of Guyana has always been zero routine flaring.

Flaring is the practice of burning the natural gas to ensure safe operations onboard the floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). In the case of Guyana, Exxon was forced to flare above the pilot level due to a defective gas compressor.

“The EPA has been engaged with the operator and we have agreed on a way on

how we can achieve compliance in this regard. It must be noted that the operator has and continues to show effort in addressing the issue and meeting. We have weekly meetings to discuss the status and the progress in meeting this agreed compliance,” the Executive Director explained.

Concerns were raised about Exxon and its consortium of oil companies being able to recover the $400 million in fees as per the accounting procedure in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). Vice President,

Bharrat Jagdeo, however, affirmed that the Government will not be allowing the oil giant to recover these fees.

Due to the damaged compressor, Exxon was compelled to flare natural gas of 15 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) for several months. However, Parsram stated that the operator was able to reduce flaring to six-mmscfd. The EPA said, “We are not at

pilot flare as yet, but based on the information provided to us and the discussions that we have had, the plan is to fix this issue completely by year end. Based on the efforts and the progress what we have seen so far, we find this reasonable.”

Importantly, the EPA Director said subsequent to Exxon reducing its flaring, the agency recently moved to increase the USD$30 fee

to USD$45 per ton of carbon emitted. Notwithstanding this, Parsram emphasised that the EPA is working in partnership with the operator to ensure zero-routine flaring.

On the side of the compromised gas compressor, ExxonMobil has already put in an order for a new compressor from its supplier.

That equipment is set to arrive in Guyana by the end of 2021.

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PNCR’s James Bond released on self-bail for breaching COVID curfew A

ttorney-at-Law and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, James Bond, the proprietor of Cigars and Cognac, a bar and lounge located at Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has been charged with

breaching the nationwide Covid-19 curfew.

It is alleged that Bond and Krishnan Ross operated the bar in breach of the restrictions on social activities on four occasions. Last week, the duo was brought

before Magistrate Marissa Mittlehozer at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Courts where they pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defendants were released on self-bail.

Their trial will commence on December 17.

This is the second time Bond has clashed with law enforcement. In March of this year, ranks of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), visited the Cigars and Cognac bar where they arrested several party-goers for being in breach of the curfew.

Bond is also among several other proprietors who have been charged for breaching COVID protocols.

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Former APNU+AFC Coalition... (From page 18) deposed that he has suffered public humiliation, ridicule, odium, and anguish. In relation to the law firm, he added that it has suffered irreparable financial loss and damage resulting from the damage to his and its reputation.

Fifthly, former Junior Housing and Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson is being sued for $20 million by the Attorney General, who claims that she defamed his character in statements she made about him on March 22, 2020, in the presence of electoral observers, members of the diplomatic corps, and the media. According to

Nandlall, in the statements, Ferguson accused him of distributing identification cards on Election Day – March 2, 2020. In its natural and ordinary meaning, Nandlall said the words uttered by Ferguson mean that he has committed electoral fraud – a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. Further, he argued that her statements infer that he was actively aiding and abetting persons to commit electoral fraud, that he perverted the electoral process, and is unfit to hold public office.

The five cases are all before the High Court.

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

COM M ENTARY

GTU/PNC’S reckless political rascality – children are collateral damage

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

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et us call a spade a spade.

The GTU’s strike demand is an act of political rascality. The Coretta Macdonald-led GTU has abandoned teachers and children and has come out outright as a front for the PNC. The position taken by the Guyana Teachers Union’s (GTU) siding with teachers who refuse to vaccinate against COVID-19 is nothing but reckless. The GTU’s support of those teachers and adults who refuse to vaccinate against COVID-19 is dangerous and jeopardizes the lives of children. The children are collateral damage in a dangerous and callous gamesmanship in which the GTU chooses to play politics while abandoning the welfare of Guyanese children. The call for teachers to strike at this time is plain and simple serving the interest of the GTU’s master, the PNC. Coretta Macdonald, an APNU/AFC MP, is brazen and irresponsible, unequivocally turning her back on teachers in general and on the Guyanese children. She has chosen to work against Guyanese children. With the PNC failing to garner support in their strongholds to mount a polit-

ical uprising against the PPP, Coretta Macdonald is serving as nothing less than a weak surrogate for the PNC. COVID-19 has disrupted schooling and learning for three school years already.

The 2019/2020 school year prematurely ended in March 2020 when COVID-19 began its deadly trail in Guyana.

COVID-19 completed obliterated the 2020/2021 school year and now it has prevented a normal reopening of school for the 2021/2022 school year. This disruption has had an enormous impact on the lives of children and has caused a costly loss of learning during this long disruption of normal schooling. While the Ministry of Education introduced alternative learning initiatives, these alternative measures only served to reduce the learning loss, not prevent it.

In fact, studies in America, Canada, Europe and several developing countries demonstrate COVID-19 increasing learning gaps between socio-economic groups of children. Alarmingly, such learning losses will have lifelong negative impacts on children, mostly those from poor families.

In an American study, the percentage of children

scoring below benchmark on reading increased from 28% to 47% (kindergarten), 26% to 43% (Grade 1), 26% to 34% (Grade 2), 28% to 35% (Grade 3), 23% to 30% (Grade 4) and 28% to 36% (Grade 5) between school years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. The studies also showed that in America, the largest learning losses caused

by COVID-19 disruptions are among Black and Hispanic children, compared to White children.

Similar socio-economic disparity results have been published for other countries.

In Guyana, not all children were able to benefit maximally from online teaching since many children do not have computers and access to WIFI to facilitate internet connectivity. Moreover, the gap between urban and rural learning and the gap between coastland and hinterland learning and between children from poor families and children from well-off families has grown significantly. While these COVID-19 learning losses might be overcome by children whose parents might be able to procure extra teaching, those from disadvantaged circumstances are likely to be impacted for the rest of their lives.

It is for this reason the PPP Government has sought

to reopen schools to resume in-school learning. Not only is in-school learning more effective than at-home learning, but in-school, faceto-face learning levels the playing field and reduce the learning gaps that have been extensively demonstrated between different socio-economic groups of children.

There are clear incentives for reopening schools. Minister Priya Manikchand and the PPP Government are not alone in thinking that reopening schools now is an imperative. The vast majority of teachers agree. But it is incumbent on all that schools be reopened safely.

There is now incredible, overwhelming evidence that the most effective barrier against the COVID-19 virus is the COVID-19 vaccine.

In this regards the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by all the relevant regulatory authorities as safe for use among children 12 to 17 years old.

Guyana is among only a handful of developing countries that have been able to secure enough doses of Pfizer vaccine to vaccinate all children 12 years and older.

Guyana was able to obtain from the US Government more than 146,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine, enough to vaccinate every child 12 years and older. Already

more than 16,000 children have been vaccinated. This means more than 17% of children 12 years and older have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. The government is determined that before the end of this first term in the 2021/2022 school year, all children 12 years and older would have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

With the Delta Variant now dominating around the world, it is imperative for Guyanese children to be vaccinated before the Delta Variant takes hold in Guyana, as it is well on its way to dominate in Guyana, as it is around the world.

But making schools safe is more than vaccinating children. Teachers and other adults that work in schools must also take the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 53% of teachers have already taken their first dose of vaccines. These teachers have chosen to follow the science. Clearly, evidence is indisputable that the sustained and accelerated COVID-19 pandemic in the world is largely a pandemic among the unvaccinated. In Guyana, more than 98% of all infected cases are among unvaccinated people. More than 98% of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated people. More than 99% of all deaths are among unvaccinated persons. Of 660 deaths in Guyana, 658 are unvaccinated. Only two elderly vaccinated patients with serious co-morbidities have died from COVID-19.

Of all people, teachers must know the meaning of such science.

But shockingly some teachers have decided they will not take the COVID-19 vaccines.

Government respects that choice, although the government disagrees with that choice. But the government also has an obligation to protect children and those adults that have taken the vaccine. Those teachers that have ignored scientific evidence and prefer to ride along with the political and conspiratorial ant-vax campaign have argued it is their body and their choice. No doubt. But they cannot also insist that everyone else has lesser fundamental rights.

Every fundamental right has limitation. Everyone has a

right to fly in an airplane to go to another country. But without a passport, no one has an unrestricted right to fly into another country. If that country is a country like the USA, every Guyanese has a right to fly to America, but without an American visa, that right is restricted.

Everyone has a right to a university education, but every university establishes certain entry requirement.

Rights are all conditional.

It is within this context that the government has given the choice to teachers – take the vaccine for free or pay for a PCR test that would establish you are free of COVID-19.

Coretta Macdonald did the right thing when she ensured she is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

But shamelessly, Macdonald is siding with teachers who refuse to take the vaccine and has demanded teachers strike against the government’s effort to make schools safe. Instead of responsible action to urge those recalcitrant teachers to take the vaccine or take the PCR test, Macdonald is demanding teachers strike. Thankfully, the vast majority of teachers have essentially rejected the GTU’s call to strike. More than 89% of teachers are on the job, in schools. The GTU in striking against the government is really striking against Guyanese children.

This is repugnant. In pursuing a political path, the GTU has made children collateral damage. Those teachers who want to show up to school without vaccination and without a negative PCR test are placing the lives of Guyanese children in danger.

The GTU and those small number of striking teachers must not be allowed to hold the nation hostage.

They must pay a price for their recklessness – striking teachers must not be paid.

In the meanwhile, the GTU, Coretta Macdonald and other leaders must learn from the Catholic Bishop and the leadership of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has suspended all in-person worship, shuttering the doors of the churches.

The bishop has urged all Catholics to take the vaccine. The Catholic Bishop is an honorable man of God. Macdonald should take an example from the Catholic Bishop.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Herbal medicine as treatment for COVID-19 not scientifically proven T

Vaccination requirement to ensure safe environment

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inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says the updated COVID-19 vaccination requirements are in place to ensure public safety, especially in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases.

According to him, Section 17 of September’s COVID-19 gazetted measures “is one way to ensure that public environments are safe.”

The Gazette stated that persons who wish to enter any “Public buildings” whether state or privately owned to conduct business, will have to be vaccinated.

However, unvaccinated persons who may want to enter will have an appointment and must produce a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within seven days of the appointment. Public buildings include supermarkets, stores, banks, places of worship, among others.

Anthony said, “If you have vaccinated people, the chances are, we will have a much safer environment when we visit those places and it’s not only for the people who are accessing the service it’s also for the people who are working, because we have to create a safe environment, if we are going to push back against the COVID-19…we have to

be more cautious and most of the people who are in the hospital right now, almost 99 per cent of them are unvaccinated and most of them were in the ICU, are also unvaccinated. So, we really want to

appeal to people to make sure that they get their vaccination and protect themselves.”

Guyana’s first COVID case was recorded in March 2020.

he use of herbal medicine to treat COVID-19 has not been scientifically proven, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony. And he is urging persons to follow the gazetted guidelines set out by the Government, to protect themselves and others from the disease.

Anthony cautioned that the COVID-19 vaccine is currently the best defense against the virus. He said, “Well herbal medicine is what it is, it’s not scientifically proven, it’s just people making a concoction and having faith that it would somehow protect them, that’s not science. So, I urge people if they really want to get protected, they have to take the measures that we’ve been announcing, and of course get vaccinated.”

Earlier this week, APNU+AFC Coalition Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira came under fire for statements he made, suggesting that herbal medicine prevents the spread COVID-19.

His statement was dubbed as reckless and irresponsible.

Anthony charged that Guyana is utilising public health measures including masking, sanitisation, social distancing, the use of vaccines, all based on scientific evidence, and any suggestion of other ways to cure

COVID-19 without evidence is even more reckless.

DELTA VARIANT Meanwhile, addressing the issue of the Delta variant of COVID-19, the health Minister said active COVID-19 cases are on the rise due to the Delta variant which spreads faster than previously detected variants.

He said, “This trend is going to go up if people are not taking precautions because what we are seeing now is a surge as I keep saying over the last couple of weeks.

We were anticipating this because with a new, more contagious variant, we are going to see more cases, especially if people are going to

be complacent, so if people are not wearing their masks properly, they’re not doing the distancing, they’re not sanitising, they’re gathering in groups and being very irresponsible, then we are going to see surges of cases.

So, right now, over the last 24 hours for example we have another 240, new cases. So, that’s going to take our active cases up now to 2,709.”

To date, over 327,000 persons have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while over 171,000 persons are fully vaccinated across the country. Additionally, over 16,000 children 12 to 17 years old have been administered their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Continued references to PPP/C gov’t as ‘installed’, ‘illegitimate’ exacerbate challenge of political dialogue

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he Parliamentary Opposition’s continued refusal to recognise or acknowledge the legitimacy of the PPP/C Administration remains a sticking point when it comes to engagement, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. And he noted that this is affecting the move forward in several areas. The APNU+AFC Coalition’s Joseph Harmon, Ali charged, should recognise the PPP/C Government as duly elected before talks can commence on the appointment of constitutional commissions.

In comments on the issue on Monday (September 6, 2021), the Head of State said, “All the gentleman has to do is to recognise that he would be having consultations with the duly elected government and the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

When asked about appointment of several Commissions, among other efforts that constitutionally require engagement with the Leader of the Opposition, the President said, “Let me be very clear. The appointment of Commissions and fulfilling my responsibility in accordance with the Constitution is something that I take very seriously, and is something that I’m committed to.”

Ali also rubbished the APNU+AFC Coalition’s engagement in semantics, claiming that a condition for engagement with the PPP/C Administration has been set. He made clear that recognition of the incumbent Administration as duly elected is not a condition, but a fact the Coalition must accept. Using a member

of the media corps as an example, he said, “If I want to talk to this gentleman, and I don’t recognise him as someone in the media, then who am I talking to, if I want to talk to him as a media personnel?”

Since August 2, 2020, APNU+AFC Coalition members, including Harmon, have referred to the Ali-led PPP/C Administration as an “installed” and “illegitimate” government.

The Parliamentary Opposition’s refusal to recognise that the Government was duly elected stems from the protracted March 2020 Elections debacle.

The APNU+AFC Coalition itself had said the voting process was free and fair. They embraced this position and on March 3, 2020 – a day after Guyanese went to the polls when they had claimed victory at the 2020 Elections.

On March 5, 2020, former President David Granger, at a rally, went as far as saying. “We are here to serve you for the next five years…I thank you from the bottom of my heart. When the sun rises ... the president is sworn in again."

Granger, March 15, 2020, said, “The General and Regional Elections of 2nd March 2020 were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Guyana.”

The APNU+AFC Coalition’s own dossier, which was circulated to the international community, on page 11, said, “The various comments from the observer missions convey that the voting process in the elections was well managed, peaceful, proceeded largely

without incident and was free, fair and transparent. It is therefore, reasonable to conclude then that the voting process was not fraudulent.”

This position changed when the national recount commenced and it was clear that there was manipulation of the votes in Region Four – for which sacked Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo declared fraudulent results on March 5, 2020 and March 13, 2020.

The recount showed that Mingo, not using the numbers on the Statements of Poll, increased votes for the APNU+AFC and decreased votes for the PPP/C. The March 2020 Elections was observed by the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, the European Union, the CARICOM and the Carter Centre – all of whom concluded that March 2nd Elections Day had been conducted in a free, transparent and fair manner.

Further, it was the Chief of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), Bruce Golding, who, in addressing the Permanent Council of the OAS on May 13, 2020, had said: “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an Election. More than a dozen copies of the Statements of Poll are prepared at each polling station after the ballots are counted on election night. One copy is posted on the wall outside the polling station and each party representative – and there were nine in all – each party representative is entitled to receive a copy.

It takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present documents with fictitious numbers when there is such a sturdy paper trail exists.”

Also, during the five months following these elections, 100 countries – including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European nations and Canada, representatives from the United National, Commonwealth of Nations, Organization of American States, European Union and the CARICOM – supported efforts to ensure the will of the Guyanese people was not thwarted.

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