Weekend Mirror 20-21 November, 2021

7% salary increase for all public servants, ‘special pay out’ for health workers 20-21 November, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 99 / Price: $100

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PAGE 16

Granger effectively booted from post ‒ fails to attract a single nomination to return as PNCR leader

VP Jagdeo says oil audits will be completed PAGE 10

Shortlists for post of Chief Elections Officer, Deputy CEO submitted PAGE 2

SEE INSIDE PPP/C gov’t will continue to pursue measures to improve cost of living PAGE 14 ‒ Ali warns about profiteering with Gov’t subsidies

Hundreds receive medical attention at Chinoweng PAGE 8

First on-grid solar farm for Berbice by 2023 PAGE 6

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Shortlists for post of Chief Elections Officer, Deputy CEO submitted C

ommissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have advanced work to fill the post of Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and Deputy Chief

Elections Officer (DCEO).

POST OF CEO Six persons have been shortlisted for the post of Chief Elections Officer -

Vishnu Persaud, Deodat Persaud, Aneal Giddings, and three others.

GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, in comments on finalizing the critical appoint-

ments said, “I would hope soon, but I have little faith of it moving as quickly as I want it to move. The process seems to be moving a little slower than it should. But I’m

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hoping that we’ll gather some pace soon.”

Meanwhile, the APNU+AFC Coalition-nominated GECOM Commissioners are pushing for only the three foreign nationals, who applied for the CEO position, to be considered.

In addition to 17 locals who applied for the post of Chief Elections Officer, the three foreign nationals who applied are: Leslie Oliver Harrow of Jamaica; Dr. Kurt Clarke of Texas; and Eugene Godfrey Petty of St. Kitts.

POST OF DCEO Further, four persons have been shortlisted for the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer – Deodat Persaud, Neil Bacchus, Melanie Marshall and Mohammed Arjoon.

Names for five other critical posts are being considered.

GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, in comments on the matter, explained that the Government-nominated Commissioners and the Opposition-nominated Commissioners have submitted separate shortlists. According to her, the Government-nominated Commissioners have shortlisted applicants for seven critical posts, while the Opposition-nominated Commissioners only addressed shortlists for the posts of CEO, Deputy CEO and Assistant Chief Elections Officer (ACEO).

She said, “I submitted a shortlist to which my fellow government Commissioners have subscribed. So there is a shortlist from the government Commissioners but the

shortlist that we submitted is shortlisting for all seven positions that were advertised. The Opposition, the three commissioners together, submitted a shortlist for the CEO, DCEO and ACEO positions so far. I also saw reports that our lists have a leader but I want to say that I know nothing of one person leading the lists…those lists are with the Chairman. It is my understanding that the Chairman (ret’d Justice Claudette Singh) also has some list because she went through the things (list of applicants) too. My understanding is that she will put the list together and come up with one list.”

DELAY TACTICS Shadick decried the fact that the Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners are delaying the process. “All they are doing is delaying the process…right now they have a bee in their bonnet about the instrument for the interview. What to give marks for – that kind of thing and they want to tie people into some instrument…all I am seeing is a delaying tactic because as far as I am concerned is that we use the instrument we have been using all the time,” she explained.

Shadick added that GECOM already has an instrument, which was used for all the other interviews.

Further deliberations are supposed to begin next week.

The GECOM Chairpersons, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, is expected to hold the deciding vote in the matter.

GECOM has been without a CEO and DCEO since August 2021.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

7% salary increase for all public servants, ‘special pay out’ for health workers P

ublic Servants, across the board, will received a seven per cent salary increase, retroactive from January 2021, before the end of December 2021.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Thursday (November 18, 2021), who also explained that the salary increase is applicable to public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners Further, a sum of $400M has been set aside for a “special payout” to front line workers who, according to Singh, have “continued to face extenuating circumstances” in the daily discharge of their duties. “Payout will be made to eligible employees before the end of December 2021,” Singh said.

Additionally, the Finance Minister explained that the PPP/C government has recognised the existence of a number of anomalies and disparities across positions within the public service salary scales and will take action to regularize this in 2022.

Singh said, “For example, a new graduate with a degree in environmental science might be earning $120,000 in one

agency while a new graduate with an identical degree in environmental science might be earning $190,000 in another agency. Government will be taking steps next year to reduce these inconsistencies, by making suitable adjustments to salaries in order to improve the parity and consistency with which persons with comparable qualifications are paid. Provision will be made for this in Budget 2022.”

The Dr. Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration has taken a number of measures to support Guyanese battling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the hardship taxes that were imposed by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government.

SEE THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW: Announcement of Salary Increase for Government Employees My Fellow Guyanese, you would be aware that, since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government assumed office on 2 August 2020, our Government – your Government – led by His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has been working assiduously

to improve the lives and circumstances of all Guyanese people.

In addition to the immediate steps we took to improve the economic and social conditions and the quality of social services, restore the business climate so that job creation can resume, and restructure the budget to reorient public spending to the programmes that have the greatest positive impact, your Government has also implemented the following measures aimed at directly improving household disposable income: 1. A COVID-19 cash grant of $25,000 per household, resulting in over $7.5 billion distributed to families across all ten Regions.

2. Year-end bonuses totalling $1 billion paid in December 2020 to frontline workers in the health sector and the disciplined services.

3. A one-off payment of $25,000 made to all public sector employees in December 2020, placing $2 billion in the hands of almost 60,000 employees.

4. An increase in the monthly old-age pension from $20,500 to $25,000, providing a total benefit of $4 billion annually to our senior citizens.

5. An increase in public assistance from $9,000 to $12,000 monthly, providing an additional $500 million in annual income support to the beneficiaries of this programme.

6. Special measures announced in August 2021 to provide a one-off grant of

$25,000 to all old age pensioners, public assistance recipients, and persons living with disabilities, benefiting some 90,000 persons to the tune of $2.2 billion, along with $200 million of electricity credits provided to the most vulnerable households.

7. Restoration of the Because We Care cash grants to the parents of school age children, increasing the amount provided for each child to $19,000 and extending the programme to children attending private schools. In (Turn to page 19)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

EDITORIAL

Coalition’s focus remains on power not people T

he very public infighting among those vying for leadership positions within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), to the extent of tearing each other down and discrediting their own members who are Parliamentarians, solidifies the widely held view that the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition’s focus remains on power, not the Guyanese people.

Looking back, this misplaced focus on power has been a trend with the PNCR from its inception.

Firstly, recently released documents from the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) have exposed how the former PNCR leader, the late Forbes Burnham manipulated so called partnerships – including a coalition government with The United Force (TUF) – to advance the consolidation of power.

This cooperation that Burnham used to consolidate absolute power and to construct a nefarious dictatorship in Guyana. The cooperation was not focused on all Guyanese people; rather it was focused on positioning persons to hold power. At the height of the Cold War, according to FRUS documents, the “303 Committee” was established. The declassified documents stated that money was channeled to Burnham by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A declassified Memo, dated May 23, 1969, titled ‘Proposal for Support to the People’s National Congress Party of Guyana’, read: “Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana, who has previously received covert assistance from CIA, requested that the Agency provide $10,000 a month for two years to support his efforts to build his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), into an effective, permanently organized political party.” Notably, this came after previous spending, since it was also disclosed that a total of US$2.08M was spent in Guyana on covert operations between 1962 and 1968.

Secondly, the lengths to which the PNCR went to rig national elections have been documented and is now public information.

A Memo dated November 20, 1965, noted detailed Burnham’s plans for changing the Constitution to allow for “absentee voting” in Guyana. The intermediary between the US and Burnham, then US Ambassador Delmar Carlson, detailed that during a meeting on September 16, 1966, Burnham “outlined his plans to issue identification cards to all Guyanese above the age of 10, and to identify and register all Guyanese of African ancestry in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States in order to get their absentee votes in the next election” and that “Burnham acknowledged with a smile, East Indians living abroad may have trouble getting registered and, if registered, getting ballots”. Burnham’s plan was to have 50,000 persons living abroad to be registered so that engage in absentee voting and give him an advantage at the polls. Then US Ambassador Delmar Carlson in correspondence dated June 1967 stated that Burnham made clear that the “overseas vote figures could be manipulated pretty much as he wished.” However, when efforts to have actual Guyanese registered failed, Burnham created fake voters.

The inflation of overseas votes and faking of internal voted

by Burnham was captured in a documentary by the British Group ‘World In Action’. The entity was banned by Burnham from entering Guyana after the documentary ‘Making of A Prime Minister’ was televised (Video accessible via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaKCy-pWcXo) In addition to constitutional change, Burnham, according to a December 10, 1965 Memo, detailed plans to launch an “economic development plan so that he will be able to induce large numbers of West Indians of African descent to settle in Guyana prior to the December 1968 elections.” This plan – to accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 migrants – was contemplated at a time that unemployment in the country was high and as a result of the high potential for push back it was not actioned. Burnham, during the same period, also considered the “disenfranchisement of “illiterate” voters” in Guyana, according to a US Consulate General who served in that period. To date, three leaders of the PNCR, all former presidents – Burnham, Desmond Hoyte and David Granger at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections – have the ignoble distinction of being involved in attempting to rig

Jordan’s contractions are catching up to him Dear Editor,

I

sometimes look at this programme ‘Plain Talk’, a programme that is at times very insightful as it discusses political and topical issues. It is hosted by Christopher Ram. I have noticed that recently the host has been speaking to a number of members of the past Government (APNU/AFC) and what is quite amusing is that some of them who are speaking now have been failures at their jobs yet think that we the members of the public have somehow forgotten and therefore will listen to their supposed ‘advice’ now.

Anyhow, I watched some of the episodes as they provoked much laughter and irony. I decided to watch as YouTube led me to an older episode of August 16, after watching recent ones and I couldn’t help but roll up with laughter.

Appearing as a guest was former Finance Minister, Mr. Winston Jordan.

At first the conversation was quite interesting as the former Minister explained how he was an ‘independent’ person in Government and was never even a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) nor held a party card but became the Finance Minister nevertheless.

Listening to this, I felt a sense of hope for us young people as I had no idea before that Mr. Jordan was just a regular professional who became a Minister. He went on to relate how

democracy should be and how the two main parties have long had a history of the head being in full control and Cabinet members or committee members usually having to go by all the ideas of the leader and even sometimes not say anything. He sounded like a person who despised such a style as he even noted how the style of democracy is only shown close to election time and that he enjoyed his independent status in the party being able to express himself to former President Granger (not labelled as AFC nor APNU) and share ideas and advice. All was going well to a regular young listener like myself in the year 2021 until the Host asked Mr. Jordan about his thoughts on the No-Confidence Motion and the 2020 elections.

Shockingly, and in stark contrast to what he said earlier, Mr. Jordan then switched gears to describe how Charandass Persaud’s No Confidence Vote damaged race relations as he said and I quote, “after the No Confidence Motion, you lost that innocence so to speak you know and if I were an East Indian in the party I would have felt bad because seeing that it is an East Indian who did it, I would assume that everybody would be looking to every one of them you know and I would begin to question my role there.”

I could not believe my ears as no mention was made of the downward spiraling of race relations since his government took office. He seemed to have

Elections in Guyana and subverting the will of the Guyanese people.

Thirdly, having advanced machinations to take the reins of power, the concerns of Guyanese people were ignored – not a vastly different situation than what was experienced by our people during the May 2015- August 2020 period.

By 1966, according to July 15, 1966 Memo, which detailed the contents of a telegram from a USA Ambassador in Guyana, Delmar Carlson, to the US State Department, it was clear that the obsession with power had taken hold.

The telegram stated clearly that “Burnham had confessed to colleagues that he intends to remain in power indefinitely – if at all possible by constitutional means. However, if necessary, he is prepared to employ unorthodox methods to achieve his aims.” The ‘unorthodox’ means Burnham intended to employ was clear by 1980 with the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney. Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by an explosion which occurred in his car at John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, on June 13, 1980.

Dr. Rodney was, at the time of his death, an eminent political leader engaged in democracy and social justice in a struggle against authoritarian rule. After his assassination, Rodney received several honours. In 1993, the Government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan conferred on him the country’s highest National Award, the Order of Excellence (OE); and the Walter Rodney Chair in History was created at the University of Guyana.

The Commission of Inquiry into Dr. Rodney and its report was telling. Page 100 of the 155-page report stated that Rodney’s death was an act of violence for “political purposes” – purposes relative to the Burnham era. “Getting him off the political scene was definitely an objective of the government of the

linked this all to the time of the No Confidence Motion.

I started to wonder what in the world I was listening to in a land of six people and in the year 2021.

I suggest to Mr. Jordan that he seriously re-listen to what he said on that programme and realize how racist it sounds. A man who had only earlier gleefully described how he exercised his democratic right (democratic principles and being able to speak out as the ‘Jordanite’ the former President called him, for which he said he enjoyed and what the country should really move toward practicing-more Independence) was soon afterward, describing another Guyanese who exercised the same right simply by his race. Mr. Jordan, if he is reading this letter, surely knows very well how obnoxious and racist such a statement was. The No-Confidence Motion was simply a matter of a man exercising his democratic right the same way he enjoyed his to say whatever he felt like as Minister if he is even being truthful. He (Charandass) could have been of any race and no, no right-thinking Guyanese would have felt bad (I dare say except a racist person not thinking about the well-being of his/ her country) but felt good that someone was brave and independent enough to do what he did and who represented a constituent and decided to represent it with all of his heart because at the end of the day, just like Jordan now enjoys (Turn to page 5)

day. His death clearly set back and weakened the opposition forces,” the report said at page 101. After Rodney’s death, Burnham, according to the report, on page 26, said, “Sad as I am at his inglorious end, I know that somewhere therein there is bound to be a lesson for the misguided others.” On page 142, the report stated too that, “Given all the relevant facts and circumstances set out in the report, we unhesitatingly conclude that Gregory Smith was not acting alone, but had the active and full support, participation and encouragement of, and/ or was aided and abetted by the GPF (Guyana Police Force), the GDF (Guyana Defence Force), agencies of the State and the political directorate in the killing of Dr. Walter Rodney.”

The Commission of Inquiry’s Report concluded that Burnham, had such an “absolute” grip and control over the society that he “dehumanised and belittled many Guyanese.” The result was that opposition elements were constantly harassed, threatened or assaulted and some murdered. “The period under review was one of extreme hardships and difficulties in the life of Guyanese people. The rule of law was systematically subverted on a daily basis. It was replaced by the rule of man in the person of Burnham and the PNC,” the report said on page 59.

Finally, it is clear that the contenders battling to lead the PNCR currently are not different. Several of the contenders are from the old guard and the new faces were integrally involved in the attempt to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The facts of our history, including contemporary history, must be what guides us forward. We must make no mistake – the Coalition, led by the PNCR – regardless of who wins the leadership – remains a grouping more concerned with power, not the Guyanese people.

5

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

PPP/C approach to energy mix will create more jobs, generate income, stimulate economic growth Dear Editor,

T

he Government of Guyana is implementing a plan for a gas-to-energy project which will deliver 250 megawatts (MW) of power from a Wales gas-fired plant to the grid, to save on costs and emissions associated with power generation. However, its natural gas programme extends beyond the Wales operation, as it is preparing more power plants to be fuelled by natural gas.

“Guyana Power and Light Inc, (GPL) plans to convert 106MW of their existing [heavy fuel oil] HFO capacity to dual-fuel engines (HFO/NG) by 2026,” states the low carbon development strategy (LCDS) 2030

draft.

However, The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government intends for Guyana’s energy mix to be 67 per cent renewable by 2035, according to the recently launched draft expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The first largescale energy project is the 250-megawatt (MW) gas-to-energy project, which is fossil fuel, but the Government does not intend for gas to dominate Guyana’s energy mix for a very long time. It will only act as a transition fuel while Guyana gathers renewable energy projects. When gas comes to shore in 2024, it will make up 94 per cent of the energy mix, according to LCDS projections.

“While natural gas provides a short to medium-term solution, over the medium and long-term, the most sustainable and resilient energy mix in Guyana would be formed by solar, wind, hydro and biomass power plants,” the draft document states.

The Government sees hydro power as important to provide firm capacity and short-term energy storage to make up for daily and weekly fluctuations from solar and wind sources.

It also expects hydro to provide a cheaper solution in the long-term than any other technology, due to its lifespan, while the Government and the Private Sector will explore options for solar power, hydropower, wind power and biomass technologies.

Most recently, it was announced that Cabinet had granted its no objection for China Railway Group Limited to construct the hydro project. The project will be built under the BOOT model (Build Own Operate Transfer), which will see the Guyana Power and Light buying power from the company at no more than US7.7 cents per kilowatt.

The revival of the 165-megawatt Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its manifesto. The project was initiated under the previous PPP/C Administration, but was scrapped by the coalition Administration. The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable, and

was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs, while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

Guyana has an opportunity to create hybrid-designed facilities to generate electricity by both solar panels and dam turbines, the hybrid facility can prolong the continual period of power generation, and reduce fluctuation and uncertainty that are typical for renewable energy, relying on weather conditions.

By integrating solar power with hydropower, and creating a hydro-floating solar hybrid power generation plant where power comes from solar cells in the daytime and from hydropower at night or in peak periods, leading to a higher efficiency and marking a major step in Guyana’s planned reduction of its carbon footprint.

Combining these two renewable energy floating solar farms and an existing hydropower plant would also create an opportunity for a tourist attraction, opening it to visitors, a move which will create more jobs, generate income for local residents, and stimulate the local economic growth.

The emergence of renewable energy has revolutionised world markets, and renewables-driven change continues with unprecedented speed. Even several years ago, few would have guessed the scope of the new technologies that have been developed to help countries like Guyana continue the process of decarbonising their economies.

Sincerely, David Adams

Forde cannot seriously expect Guyanese to take his concocted figures on audit savings seriously?

Dear Editor,

I

found it very difficult to make sense out of an article I read in the November 7th edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper. The article was headlined “Failing to audit Exxon’s US$10B spending is ‘dereliction of duty’- MP Forde”.

In a nutshell, Roysdale Forde is claiming that the fact that the Government has not yet done an audit into the US$9.5B in spending undertaken for the Liza I and II developments in the Stabroek Block is “a massive financial failure”. In fact, the article quoted Forde as calling for “an independent investigation into this colossal act of incompetence”. I find it quite bemusing that such a statement could be made by Forde of all people when

he has demonstrated incompetence that is unmatched.

In its November 10th, 2021 edition Kaieteur News carried another article headlined “Savings from audit of Exxon’s US$9.5B bill could have paid every citizen’s income tax for 56 yrs – Forde”. In the article, it was revealed that Forde did some “calculations” which showed that Guyana could have recouped approximately US$1.1B (GYD235.2B) had the audit into Exxon’s oil concession been carried out. However, I believe it is very important for people to question this so-called “calculation” which Forde did to arrive at the figures. It is a known fact that Forde and his party, the APNU+AFC, did not conduct the audit themselves. As such, I am very curious

as to where the US$1.1B figure came from, especially since we all know that Math is not their strongest area. If Forde and his colleagues could not determine for months that 33 is the majority of 65, how is it that they can deal with figures like US$9.5B and US$1.1B and present accurate findings? Something isn’t adding up.

Nevertheless, giving them the benefit of the doubt that they improved on their Math skills, it is even more perplexing that Forde chastises the PPP/C government for failing to meet the 2-year audit deadline which he claims resulted in Guyana having to pay “US$9.5B for the Liza I and II projects”. I understand fully well that the APNU+AFC Coalition is built on falsehoods and they

Jordan’s contractions are... time at home speaking to his neighbours on the ground and being ordinary, the other man had an ordinary life and people to answer to as well.

What Jordan said therefore was shameless. If he nor his party did not understand nor even saw the No Confidence Motion coming, then it highlights how much they didn’t care and were in their own haughty and dictatorship world. They failed to see the suffering of the people on the ground, the suffering of the thousands of sugar workers his Government dismissed, the cases of suicide, the joblessness and helplessness and the anguish Charandass felt having to sit there knowing that people were suffering as Jordan sat and even helped to craft and implement more tax increases on the public as Finance Minister.

And that is another thing. Jordan said in his interview that he wishes the Constitution was scrapped as it made no sense and gives much immunity to a President with a President having to pay no taxes for the rest of his life and the young people paying taxes

once they earn $65,000 or more describing how ridiculous it is and how we are a poor country and can’t afford it nor afford to treat Presidents in that manner. Yet, it was Jordan and his Government who increased the tax burden on all citizens by adding more taxes as well as helping to largely and proudly increase his own colleagues’ salaries without a care in the world for Guyana being a poor country and its citizens not being able to afford it. The interview was laughable and full of contradictions. Where was this independent voice you had in the former Government Mr. Jordan? How come you did not suggest that the ‘poor’ citizens should not be burdened further? Oh wait! Is it because you do not really admire democracy? Is it because you only want it for yourself but not for others? The impression given when one listens to that entire interview was that your real admiration is for Dictatorship especially with the description of how a No Confidence Motion would have never happened under someone like Burnham. Yes, the same Mr.

pride themselves on revealing little bits of information at their convenience to distract people from reality. However, it is public knowledge that it was the APNU+AFC Coalition that negotiated the contract with Exxon when they took office and allowed the two years limit for an audit to be done, to remain unchanged. In fact, building on this, it meant that it was Forde’s own party which should have ensured that the audit was done within the two-year timeframe from 2015-2018.

Why was this not done and why is there a change in the narrative now?

Yours Truly, A. Hamilton

(From page 4)

Jordan then said that the No Confidence Motion would never have occurred, 65 members would not have even been in the Parliament that day and that the Speaker could never have passed such a Motion. What would have happened to them, Mr. Jordan? Would they have been annihilated? Disappeared?

Car-bombed like what occurred with Walter Rodney? What would have happened to the Speaker?

But young intelligent Guyanese can actually explain to Jordan what happened the day of the NCM and why he never imagined a No Confidence Motion being successful, even after his own party Coalition had called for the same in 2014. He was living in his ‘Burnham’ dream of dictatorship, forgot that the country was never going back to that period, that they only had a slim majority of one seat and so never imagined that others were living in a democracy so he would have never seen nor imagined what was coming, nor was he listening to the cries of the people suffering.

Jordan did not care then. The same 33 being

the majority of 65 that he felt was not the right figure as stated in the interview, was what was used all along as his Government passed Bills in the National Assembly, so it worked quite fine then.

And as to the last part of Jordan’s ramblings -his huge lie that he thought the Exxon Bonus was a gift while trying to hide it from the public while in government and now switching gears that he ‘did not get a signing bonus’ and that it was the Exxon Negotiator who misled… this is all documented in history for all to see how quickly he contradicts himself and his lies. Mr. Jordan is as dishonest a politician as they come.

Hopefully he continues to enjoy his freedom and independence as an ordinary citizen because someone with his failed record and thought-capacity should never be in charge in this country again. He is spineless and shameless.

Yours Truly, Alvin Hamilton

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 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 ’

First on-grid solar farm for Berbice by 2023 G

uyana is targeting 2023 as the commissioning year for its very first on-grid solar farm.

According to the recently launched and expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the farm will have a total capacity of 10 megawatts-peak (MWp).

“This solar PV [photovoltaic] farm will generate one percent of the total energy demand in [Demerara Berbice Interconnected System] DBIS,” LCDS 2030 states.

This farm will be financed by the Guyana-Norway partnership. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that the fund stands at currently US$84 million.

Advertisements were already done by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. for consulting services, for topographic surveys, flood

risk assessments and geotechnical investigations of the site earmarked for this farm, and seven others.

These farms will be built under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL).

The PPP/C Government’s solar agenda is wide-reaching and comprehensive, as part of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s plan to deliver 500 MW of new power by the end of 2025.

In addition to the farms to be funded through Guyana’s forest preservation funds, the Government also intends to power the homes of 30,000 hinterland families using solar PV units.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh made that announcement on September

29 when he signed a US$7.2 million line of credit from the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

Further, solar farms will be built at Bartica and Lethem, using some of the proceeds of a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Energy Matrix Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy Project. The executing agency, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has already sought bidders to supply and install transmission lines to accommodate them.

The solar farms, in addition to the other energy sources which will be implemented, will result in a cleaner energy mix that will reduce emissions and provide cheaper energy for businesses and families.

$1B for infrastructural development in Region Two

− under housing ministry’s 2022 work programme

T

he Ministry of Housing’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), will be expending $1 billion on infrastructural development in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in 2022.

This was announced by CH&PA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherwyn Greaves, who recently led an outreach to Charity, Anna Regina and Suddie on the Essequibo Coast, to address housing related matters.

The CEO said that the sum is part of the ministry’s 2022 work programme and will see a number of areas benefitting from road works, streetlights and the acquisition of lands for house lot allocations. Areas to benefit included Lima Sands, Henrietta, Charity and Onderneeming.

Recently, the ministry

signed a $100 million contract to commence preparatory infrastructural works in the Charity and Onderneeming housing schemes.

The projects, Greaves noted, are testament to the government’s commitment to the development of the housing sector, by ensuring citizens are not only provided with a plot of land, but that all the necessary amenities are in place to create sustainable communities.

The ministry is also working to address age-old land issues that have been hindering housing development on the Essequibo Coast.

Greaves said, “We recognise the importance of homeownership and the importance of having a document that says this is your land. We have a commitment to this region and while

we are working to address the many land issues, we are also working to ensure the necessary infrastructure are in place.”

Further, $10 million has been set aside to rehabilitate and furnish a building identified for the regional housing office in Anna Regina.

Technical officers of the CH&PA were on site to address a number of issues pertaining to allocations, land dispute and squatting.

A number of residents also benefitted from on-the-spot housing allocations based on individual needs.

Over 700 persons have thus far received house lots in Charity and Onderneeming in 2021, as part of the government’s target to deliver 50,000 house lots to Guyanese- 10,000 annually, by the end of its first term in office.

Jawalla to receive first time Improved, first time water access for Soesdyke communities water access by December G

C

entral Jawalla, situated just off the Kamarang River in the Upper Mazaruni, Region 7 is scheduled to access potable water for the first time in December, 2021.

This was revealed by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal who visited the well drilling site on Wednesday, November 17.

Minister Croal pointed out that the contract sum is GYD$40M and it caters for the initial phase of the project, which would see Central Jawalla benefitting, while the remainder of the village would benefit in the next phase. “You would recognize that there is a challenge in the hinterland. Sometimes it’s not always a possibilty to run pipe networks to every single household because of the geographic location where some persons live”, the Minister stated.

In this regard, the Housing and Water Minister noted that approximately 80 service connections will be installed, which include the school, Village Council and the Health Center.

Unlike Kamarang where numerous failed attempts at drilling were made in the past due to uncertainty and rock formation, Minister said this is the first attempt

Minister Croal, GWI’s Hinterland Team, the Contractor & Toshao on site assessing preparatory works to commence drilling

in Jawalla. He is confident it will be a success, since requisite preparatory works were carried out.

Prior to the mobilization of the drilling rig, a resistivity logging exercise was conducted to find the best suited location for the well.

Managing Director of R. Kissoon Contracting Service, Mr. Rudranauth Roopdeo disclosed that transporting the drilling rig to the community is the biggest challenge. He explained that for communities such as Jawalla, the rig is disassembled and flown into the Region, after which it traverses the river on a barge. He posited however that the well and the distribution network would

be completed by December, as indicated by the Minister.

Community members will be employed for the laying of distribution pipelines, which will be done simultaneously with the drilling of the well.

The project also caters for the erection of a trestle with storage tanks and the installation of a photovoltaic system.

Toshao of Jawalla, Ms. Verron Henry said villagers are anxiously awaiting the completion of the project.

She explained that as it is, people walk long distances to fetch water from the Kamarang River, which has become polluted over the years due to hold mining activities.

uyana Water Incorporated (GWI) through funding from the Government of Guyana to the tune of approximately $6M has provided improved and first time access to potable water for some 225 residents of Gooharoo and Grant Sand Road, Soesdyke.

This is as a result of the extension of the distribution network by a total of over 1000 meters. These works were executed by Amit General Supplies and Construction services.

Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh on Wednesday led a team to the area where they met with

residents who have not yet been connected to the extended distribution network.

He explained that they will need to produce the relevant documentation to apply for individual service connections in order to benefit from access to potable water for the first time.

In this regard, the company’s East Bank team will be collaborating with the Soesdyke/Coverden Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to take this service to the residents on Friday, November 12. This is in a bid to ensure the residents have water access within the soonest possible time.

Baksh stressed that GWI is committed to providing access to potable water for all Guyanese since this is a basic human right which will greatly improve their quality of life.

The residents expressed gratitude for this timely intervention by GWI to provide this much needed resource.

There remain approximately 50 households aback Grant Sand road without access to potable water and GWI will be conducting the necessary assessments in order to provide these residents with access to potable water.

Another 40 persons receive house lots during Essequibo outreach

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ome forty (40) residents of Charity, Anna Regina and Suddie, Region Two, received on the spot house lots during an outreach conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Water on last Friday (November 12, 2021).

The activity, which was led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves, was aimed at addressing long standing

housing issues on the Essequibo Coast.

A number of other issues were also addressed during the outreach, as CH&PA continues to work to address a number of land matters hampering housing development on the Essequibo Coast.

Thus far for 2021, over 700 persons received house lots in Charity and Onderneeming as part of the government’s target to de-

liver 50,000 house lots to Guyanese- 10,000 annually by the end of its first term in office.

The Ministry also plans to invest $1 Billion in infrastructural development within several new and existing housing schemes in the region. Works to be done includes the constructions of roads and bridges, instillation of street lights and the acquisition of lands for house lots allocation.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 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 ’

US National Bar Association engaged on national advances benefiting all Guyanese T

he President of the National Bar Association of the United States of America, Carlos Moore Esq, and a delegation from that organisation were engaged by Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Wednesday (November 17, 2021).

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, informed the delegation of his Government’s inclusive approach to development and commitment to the rule of law, including strengthening the country’s democratic systems. He said, “Since we took office, we have been implementing our manifesto in an inclu-

sive manner”.

The senior government official noted that his Government’s focus is also on strengthening the judicial systems and a range of socio-economic initiatives, including a robust housing programme, job creation and infrastructural development, which will ultimately lead to a better quality of life for all Guyanese.

Meanwhile, Minister Teixeira added that the country has made several progressive strides with regard to laws relating to sections of the society, such as women, children and the LGBTQ community. She pointed out specifically that in August, laws against cross-dressing

were removed as an offence against the state.

Judge Moore, who was named the first African-American Municipal Judge Pro Tem for the City of Grenada, Mississippi last year, said that his organisation was impressed by the meeting and looks forward to future collaborations with the Government of Guyana. “I’m excited to take back to my members the things that are going on here in Guyana… the areas of housing, energy, infrastructure we would like to invest in that… but I’m also excited about working with the Guyanese Bar Association and the Judiciary to strengthen the rule of law and the demonstration

of justice”.

Moore was joined by Chief Foreign Policy Advisor Johanna Leblanc J.D, LLM; Executive Director Maurice Foster Esq and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Rosalyn Hender-

son-Myers, for the meeting.

The visiting officials are also scheduled to meet with several other members of the Government, members of the Judiciary and the Guyana Bar Association this week.

The National Bar Asso-

ciation is the US’s oldest and largest national network of African-American attorneys and judges. It was founded in 1925 and represents the interests of approximately 65,000 lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students.

235 fire hydrants More development for Guyana: Contracts to be repaired in awarded for fourth oil ship S Georgetown G

overnment has contracted Brass Aluminum & Cast-Iron Foundry Limited (BACIF) to rehabilitate a number of non-functional fire hydrants in Georgetown.

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, said a recent inspection found that 121 hydrants are functioning.

Another 235 are inoperable, with 53 in need of major repairs, while 182 require minor works. He said the decision to rehabilitate the hydrants follows a direct instruction from President Dr. Irfaan Ali. A committee was also set up for this purpose.

“We are working assiduously everyday to ensure that hydrants are being checked and be operationalised in the shortest possible time. I can assure you that this committee, (is) being led by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh and he is on top of this entire project,” the minister stated.

The minister, along with Fire Chief, Kalamodeen Edoo, inspected several hydrants around the city on Wednesday. He said the aim is to ensure that all 600 fire hydrants between Industry, East Coast Demerara and

Agricola, are functional. The inspection will continue until all fire hydrants are assessed.

The fire chief said plans are in place to install additional fire hydrants in areas prone to fire, and called on the business community to desist from blocking the devices. He said, “During our inspection campaign we have noticed business people take their items and block fire hydrants. For example, we visit a few businesses place where we saw they block it with suitcases, washing machines. We also observe that persons doing construction (are) blocking these hydrants with debris in terms of sand, stone and cement and we are calling on the public to desist from blocking these fire hydrants because it is there for a purpose.”

With the massive development slated for the country, government is investing heavily in safety.

The relocation of the Central Fire Station to Homestretch Avenue is one such investment with a $648 million estimated cost. Construction of the project is expected to commence by the end of 2021 and be completed by the end of 2022.

BM Offshore has announced that it has been awarded contracts for the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Yellowtail development project.

This is the fourth development project between the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGPL). The FEED contract award triggers the initial release of funds to EEPGL to begin FEED activities and secure a Fast4Ward hull.

Following FEED and subject to government approvals of the development plan, project sanction including final investment decision by ExxonMobil, and EEPGL’s release of the second phase

of work, SBM Offshore will construct, install and then lease the FPSO and operate it for a period of up to two years. First oil for Yellowtail is expected in 2025.

SBM Offshore will design and construct the FPSO using its industry leading Fast4Ward programme allocating the company’s sixth new build, Multi-Purpose Hull combined with several standardised topsides modules.

The FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. It will be moored in water depth of about 1,800 meters and will be able to store around two million barrels of crude oil.

In order to strengthen its execution model given the

current challenging market environment, SBM Offshore established a special purpose company (SPC) with McDermott, an engineering company, for the execution of the turnkey phase of the project.

The SPC will benefit from the combined engineering and fabrication capacity as well as the experience of both companies in delivering EPC solutions to the energy industry. SBM Offshore will hold 70 per cent and McDermott will hold 30 per cent equity ownership in the SPC. The FPSO will be full- owned by SBM Offshore.

The government has already commenced the review of the Yellowtail development project. This review is slated to come to an end in December.

Its initial production phase is scheduled to commence

in 2025 and will continue for 20 years. The proposed development, according to joint public hearings into the project between EEPGL and the Environmental Protection Agency, could provide 1,300 jobs across its four phases.

ExxonMobil has already received approval for three development projects in the Stabroek block, where it has made discoveries totalling 10 billion oil equivalent barrels.

Of those projects, production began on December 1, 2019 with the FPSO vessel at the Liza Phase One site.

Production is scheduled to begin at the Liza Phase Two operation in early 2022, with the Liza Unity having arrived in the block recently. The Prosperity FPSO is currently being outfitted in Singapore for the Payara project, scheduled for first oil in 2024.

Modernisation of Guyana’s healthcare discussed with Mount Sinai Health System

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n executive team from the renowned New York base Mount Sinai Health System was engaged on Monday (November 15, 2021) by top PPP/C government officials at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali was joined by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony.

Discussions centred on the modernisation of Guyana’s

healthcare system.

The visiting delegation included Mount Sinai international President Szabolcs Dorotovics; Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs Richard Amiraian; Executive Vice President Arthur A. Klein, and Manager Amar Dhanraj.

After the meeting, Dr Klein said that healthcare would be key as Guyana continues to develop. “One of the most sophisticated invest-

ments the country needs to make in its people is healthcare and we are here to work with the president in defining a plan in development of more sophisticated healthcare, also healthcare access improvement. What we can do not only in Georgetown but in the rest of the country.”

The Executive VP noted that both parties were enthusiastic about the collaboration.

“I think we all walked away

with the President’s enthusiasm with working with us. I think he walked away with our enthusiasm with working with him and we both walked away with the sense that there is a lot of work to do.”

In NY, the hospital network is structured around eight hospital campuses and included more than 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians and 13 ambulatory surgical centres.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Gov’t’s interventions in Moraikobai create avenue for development, opportunities T

hrough the government’s input and intervention in various projects started by villagers of Moraikobai in Region Five (Mahaica Berbice), a new path has been created for development and opportunities especially for the younger population in the village.

Toshao, Mr. Derrick John said the village was able to complete many projects with positive responses from the PPP/C government. These projects have enhanced the way of life for villagers, and have boosted the economy of Moraikobai which is heavily involved in logging.

One major project is the introduction of tourism. Mr. John said the decision was made to go into eco-tourism, which he believes has great potential for the community. “We start looking at alternative livelihood and we realised that we cannot depend too much upon the forest, cutting down the forest, so therefore one of the things the community decided is that we wanted to go into ecotourism which I think has great potential for the community…we were able to have the support of the government to build an ecolodge, we have two structures there. One is the

main building which has two self-contained bedrooms and we also have an office building with established internet there.”

The Toshao added that tourism will bring many benefits as farmers will be able to sell local organic produce to the ecolodge. There will be also be opportunities for young tour guides and jobs for transporting tourists.

Another important project that was completed in the community is the supply of 24-hours of electricity.

Prior to that, electricity was supplied for four hours each day. However, as the community developed, there

Over $100M in flood-relief grants given to Region One communities S

ome $127 million in flood-relief grants were distributed to farmers from several villages in Region One (Barima-Waini) who were affected by flooding earlier in the year.

Ministers of Agriculture, Local Government and Regional Development and Housing and Water, Zulfikar Mustapha; Nigel Dharamlall, and Collin Croal, respectively, were on a two-day visit to the Region to wrap up distribution in the remaining villages that were affected by flooding during the extended May-June rainy season.

It is expected that close to 1,500 farmers from Yarakita, Kamwata, White Water, Hobodeia, Hotoquai, Wanakai, Arauau, Sacred Heart, St. Dominics, Three Brothers, Imbotero, Morawhanna, Smith Creek, Barima, Koriabo, Black Water Savannah, Red Hill, Barascina, Waikarebi, Kinchee Creek, Hosororo Hill, Kumaka, Koberimo, Wanaina, Bumbry,

Aruka Mouth, Lower Koriabo, Arukamai, Mabaruma Central, Wauna, Tobago, St. Anslems, Lower Kaituma River, Powaikuru, Barima Blackwater, and Unity Square will benefit from the distribution exercise over the weekend.

Minister Mustapha, who spearheaded distribution in the villages of Yarakita, Kamwatta, and White Water urged farmers to use the monies to go back to the land as soon as possible. He said, “We are here today to deliver on a promise made

by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. During the flood, the President and other members of his Cabinet visited all of the flooded areas and saw firsthand the devastation that was taking place. The agriculture sector was one of the most affected sectors.

The President made a commitment that, after the flood, the government would give some form of assistance to

those who were affected.

When we make commitments, we work tirelessly to deliver on those commitments.”

Farmers from Arakaka, Matthew’s Ridge, and Baramita have already benefited from the ongoing exercise when distribution commenced in the region earlier this month.

At the end of the exercise livestock and cash-crop farmers will each benefit from at least $50,000 in relief grants as the government moves ahead with the exercise.

Farmers who benefited from the exercise expressed heartfelt thanks to the government for the relief and committed to using the monies to return to the land.

To date, farmers and other persons from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten who suffered losses as a result of the flood have benefited from relief from the government.

was a need for 24 hours of electricity and as such with the PPP/C government’s assistance in 2021, the project was completed.

“This Government responded and they were able to come and do the finalities and that was a big boost for the community because we were able to set up a battery bank there and now, we’re having 24-hour current,” Mr. John said.

Another successful project has been the supply of potable water to every household in the community. Mr. John said that with the increase in the population, there was a demand for

water supply to go directly to the homes and to supply farm lands.

This issue was taken to the Government and was promptly addressed by the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The Toshao also mentioned that a smart classroom was set up to assist students as schools were closed due to the pandemic.

The smart classroom was one of the reasons for gaining a high pass rate from students who sat the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year. “We know the challenge that this world is being faced

with COVID, and a lot of the schools had to close and therefore, we had to look at new methods of teaching and one of the things that we thought would be best to help the school is setting up a smart classroom… and today we’re proud to say due to that we were able to have 100 percent pass rate at the recent National Grade Six Exams,” the Moraikobai Toshao stated.

The village also benefitted from the Government’s flood relief grant and distribution of food hampers for those affected by the country-wide flooding in May-June.

Hundreds receive medical attention at Chinoweng, Region Seven

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ith the demand for healthcare services rising, and the need for increased medical personnel in hinterland communities, the Ministry of Health, last week, hosted a two-day medical outreach at Chinoweng, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The outreach sought to reach the medical needs of more than 300 villagers, as well as assess the health situation in the hinterland.

Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, led the medical team of dentists and ophthalmologists, among others, to the community. He said the visit sought to also meet the mandate set out by His Excellency President., Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “It is a continuation of an initiative that we started since last

year, to fulfil the request of His Excellency to take health care to the people, to take health care in higher forms other than just having a CHW working here,” Mahadeo said.

During its evaluations, the team noted some issues and has committed to addressing them as soon as possible. “We have brought with us the VIA to look for cervical lesions and that is an area that we need to focus a little bit more on and that recommendation will be made to the Regional Health Officer, so that he could make the necessary adjustments and put systems in place that that service could be more readily available to all the residents who want to access it,” Dr. Mahadeo detailed.

General Medical Officer in the Upper Mazaruni Re-

gion, Dr Daniel Robertson, lauded the efforts of the senior health officials and their respective teams for their commitment to the improvement of health services to residents of hinterland communities. “I’m very grateful to RHS department, Dr Mahadeo and Mr. Gouveia for organising this outreach. I’m glad that they were able to be here on the ground to see the communities, to actually meet with the people, to be able to identify what it is the community needs on a firsthand experience,” Robertson said.

The health ministry will continue the outreach programmes to hinterland regions, as it pushes government’s agenda of providing equitable healthcare services to all.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

In Focus : Adv ances in t he Agr icult ur e Sect or PPP/C GOV’T COMMITTED TO SUPPORT, DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH FARMERS R e g io n T w o f a r m e r s c o n c e r n s a b o u t h ig h f e r t iliz e r c o s t s a d d r e s s e d

F ir s t b o o k le t o f f r u it s , v e g e t a b le s t o a id f a r m e r s

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday (November 17, 2021), hosted a meeting with rice farmers from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), to address concerns over the high price of fertilizer in the region.

The farmers complained that due to the cost of the fertilizers, they were finding it hard to move forward with their cultivation. They called on the government to intervene in the matter.

After listening to their concerns, Minister Mustapha told farmers that after learning of the high cost of fertilizer, he contacted one of the main suppliers in the region and was able to influence him to lower the cost by 10% and 18%.

He said, “When I heard about the cost of the fertilizer immediately, I engaged the supplier. With our intervention, the supplier agreed to bring down the cost of the fertilizer.

The urea was reduced from $9,500 to $8,500 per bag and the TSP from $10,000 to $8,200 per bag, and we are going beyond that. Last week the President announced that we are in discussion with our bilateral partners to see how we can collaborate to address these cost increases.

This may be burdensome but this is a global issue and we need farmers to recognize that.

Further, Minister Mustapha explained that due to a global shortage of natural gas, many industries were

affected which has resulted in increases in many commodities across the world. He said, “We have to look at the reasons for the increase in prices. We are seeing an increase in the cost of natural gas, which is a critical component when producing fertilizers. Globally, the cost of fertilizers has increased tremendously.

In some parts of the US, the costs have doubled and tripled. Even in China, a powerhouse producer, many industries were closed because of the pandemic which resulted in a shortage of natural gas. That is why it is important for us to build that pipeline so that we can be in a position to produce our own natural gas.”

Notably, during a media briefing last week, His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali noted that at the international level, his government does not intend to sit down and wait for the situation to correct itself. Referencing the rising cost of fertilizers, the President said that over the last four weeks, discussions were held with many bilateral partners. The Head of State also said that the increase in the cost of production and logistics have driven prices up across the world.

After receiving insight into the root of the increases, farmers expressed their satisfaction with the government’s efforts to bring down the cost of fertilizers so far and said that they look forward to more interventions that could result in further reductions.

he National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has launched the first edition of Guyana’s fruits and vegetables booklet, which captures the pre-harvest and post-harvest practices, safe handling and processing of the two commodities.

The booklet also provides stakeholders with useful forward-looking information, with details intended to be used by farmers, vendors, food handlers, food processors and exporters.

During the launch at NAREI’s head office, Mon Repos, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, MP said he was pleased with the

direction NAREI is heading and reiterated his support in future ventures. “This shows that we are moving, and we are moving in the right direction. It shows that we have a ministry that is promoting food security and agricultural activity in the country and region.”

Minister Mustapha commended the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for their support in partnering with NAREI to successfully complete the booklet. He said for years Guyana needed a hardcover document to promote and guide farming practices.

S c h o la r s h ip s , s h a d e h o u s e s f o r W h it e W a t e r v illa g e

– agro-processing facility in Mabaruma on schedule for year-end completion

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lans to improve the White Water Village’s human resource capacity, including by offering two scholarships to eligible persons to study at the Guyana School of Agriculture, are moving apace.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, had committed to improving the Ministry’s services to the community.

In addition to the scholarships, Minister Mustapha also told farmers that, through his ministry, two shadehouses will be built to assist farmers with their production. He had said, “The ministry will also give this village two shadehouses. We’ll build the shadehouses for the community so that the farmers can benefit. We’ll work along with the village toshao to get those shadehouses build as soon as possible.”

While highlighting some of the long-term development plans for the region, Minister Mustapha told farmers that the ministry will be providing a range of services to farmers starting with the construction of an agro-processing facility. He had said, “We are investing $10 million to build an agro-processing facility in Mabaruma.

The farmers in this community, rather than going directly to the market, when that facility is completed, can take their produce there. Our staff will help you to properly package your produce, and

also assist you with finding markets.

Before the end of the year, that facility will come into being. The government is also putting systems in place to improve the transport services to and from the region. With the ferry service that is currently in place, farmers will be able to send their produce to other regions. Farmers can also look forward to similar services being offered as time progresses. The ministry, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, will help secure markets for your produce.”

Minister Mustapha said since taking office, the Ministry resumed the distribution of inputs such as seeds and Acoushi ant bait. “We are now working with farmers to make their crop more value-added. Over the years, most farmers have been doing subsistence farming. Farmers’ crops are dying, Acoushi ants have been damaging their crops, you are not getting the kinds of chemicals you need or ants’ bait to save your crops. Since the PPP/C government took office, we’ve resumed our seed and Acoushi ants’ bait distribution exercise. Farmers are now receiving these things free of cost,” Minister Mustapha explained.

He also told farmers that similar projects are being explored for the village come 2022.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

VP Jagdeo says oil audits will be completed T

he government will complete the audits of costs claimed by ExxonMobil for its operations, and assured that Guyana’s interests will be protected, according to Vice President, Bharrat Jag-

deo.

His comment was made in response to concerns that the accounting provisions in ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block contract stipulate a two-year deadline, and would

prevent the government from recovering inflated or unreasonable costs.

The Vice President also dismissed criticisms from the political opposition on this matter as self-serving, given

that government has been transparent about why it has not yet contracted an auditor.

“We have made it clear what our intention is, to have local people involved,” he said.

The government is seeking to assemble a group of Guyanese in the sector who demonstrate strong auditing capabilities in this area, and would be able to collaborate with a reputable international firm for the audit of ExxonMobil’s post-2017 costs.

Government has noted that it is important for a local firm to participate in this audit, in its public calls for expressions of interest.

The government recognises that strong local content

achievement is important to the Guyanese people, and its efforts to gather capable local auditors would give effect to that in a practical way. It will also allow them access to considerable revenues from audit fees.

When the PPP/C Government assumed office in 2020, it took over the shepherding of an audit of ExxonMobil’s pre-contract and other pre-2017 costs.

The audit was being conducted by the UK firm, IHS Markit, which was hired by the previous administration four years after oil was first discovered offshore.

The Vice President reminded that cost recovery au-

dits were left outstanding for years. He expressed disappointment that Guyana, under the previous administration, did not develop its capacity to conduct cost recovery audits, nor did it make haste to contract a firm to conduct those audits.

In addition to setting the stage for local audit firms to benefit from involvement in cost recovery audits, the government will also build the capacity of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to conduct its own cost audits for the oil sector.

Jagdeo intends to address the issue more comprehensively in a future engagement.

Jagdeo engages BEA reps

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epresentatives from the Black Entrepreneurs Association (BEA) were engaged by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday (November 17, 2021), and a range of pertinent issues were addressed.

The engagement follows a meeting between BEA repesentatives and President Dr. Irfaan Ali, as well as several members of his Cabinet,

in August 2021. The visiting BEA delegates had included the Honourable Senator (Georgia State District 33) Dr Michael Rhett; the Honourable State Representative (Alabama State) Laura Hall; the Honourable State Representative (South Carolina) Annie McDaniel; the Honourable State Representative (South Carolina) John King; former Democratic member

of the Georgia House of Representatives Dee Dawkins Haigler; Human Rights Activist Dr Richard Freeman; Human Rights Activist Marcus Coleman; Keith Grandberry, Keyford Langley, Quinetha Fraiser, Letron Pryce, Stacey Mollison and Melissa Varswyk. President Ali told the gathering that his Government has been (Turn to page 21)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

INFRASTRUCTURE BOOM: Building for the Future

Work advancing on proposed Corentyne River Bridge T

he Ministry of Public Works on Monday, November 15, 2021 hosted a site visit in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works of Suriname to the proposed site of the Corentyne River Bridge. The purpose of the site visit was for the eight (8) shortlisted Consultancy Firms to gain an appreciation of the proposed site for the new bridge and have an opportunity to ask related questions.

The meeting commenced at 10:00hrs in the boardroom of the Guyana/Suriname Ferry Service Terminal in Moleson Creek, East Berbice-Corentyne. Ten (10) representatives from the following four (4) firms/ joint ventures were in attendance: WSP Caribbean Limited; EXP Services Inc., in association with Pedelta, Arcadia,

CEMCO; TYPSA, Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner GmbH and Firm Engineering NV; and Politecnica and Rina JV and sub-consultants ILACO and SRKN’gineering & Associates.

The Ministry of Public Works was represented by its Permanent Secretary – Mr. Vladim Persaud, Chief Transport Planning Officer – Mr. Patrick Thompson and three (3) other members of staff from the Central Transport Planning Unit. Suriname was represented by Mr. Kees Boender – Technical Assistant for Capital Infrastructure Projects and his colleague, Ms. Firazia Ataoellah.

The consultancy representatives were given a tour of the proposed bridge landing sites in Moleson Creek, Guyana and South Drain, Suriname as well as a river

tour around Lange Island to which the proposed bridge will be connected.

The construction of a bridge linking the Guyana and Suriname is a priority project for the governments of both countries as has been reiterated on several occasions by their Excellencies, President Irfaan Ali and President Chan Santokhi. The Governments of Guyana and Suriname have jointly agreed to realize the construction the Corentyne River Bridge using the Public Private Partnership method of procurement with a DBFOM (Design – Build – Finance – Operate – Maintain) model contract.

The deadline for submission of proposals by the shortlisted Consultancy Firms has been set to December 21, 2021.

Gov’t sees massive interests from contractors for Eccles to Diamond Road

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s works on the Mandela Avenue to Eccles Road continues, several local construction companies have tendered bids to secure the contract to construct the Eccles to Great Diamond Roadone of the highly anticipated roads that will significantly offset traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara.

During the tender opening at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), government received bids from companies including RK Concrete Guyana Incorporated; BK International Incorporated; Toolsie Persaud Quarries Incorporated; K&P Project Management; Samaroo’s Investment; JS Guyana Incorporated; Collin Talbot Construction and Eron Lall Civil Engineering; and Puran Brothers Disposal among others.

The bidding document stated that the second set of works on this four-lane highway will be separated into 12 lots. Construction on each lot

is set to last for 15 months.

In keeping with the PPP/ C’s manifesto, the Eccles to Great Diamond Road is one aspect of the massive transformation of Guyana’s infrastructure. Furthermore, the road is among a number of other road projects on stream, including the Ogle to Diamond bypass road, which is also expected to further reduce the traffic congestion on the East Bank public road.

Guyanese can also expect infrastructural transformation and huge spin-off benefits from the construction of a four-lane highway in Region Three which will link the new and upgraded Demerara Habour Bridge at La Grange to Parika.

Notably, the remodelled East Bank corridor is a direct link to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of ‘Silica City’.

“We have initiated discussions on having a new area – a secondary city – developed. We are exploring this opportunity along the new four-lane highway because

we are already seeing the pressure on the city itself,” President Ali had said last December. He had also noted that as development and expansion continue, there will be more occupation on the outskirts of Georgetown, and the country must be prepared for it. As a result, government will be putting plans in place to ensure that such growth and development are facilitated. President Ali had noted that the idea is not new, but was in the pipeline since he was Minister of Housing and Water years ago, when the concept of Silica City was introduced at a Building Expo. He had said, “Now we have to think about the future, think about the floodplain, think about a natural expansion of the city, the industrialisation that will take place.”

Government is looking at an area on the Linden- Soesdyke Highway to connect the new four-lane road, which will act as a catalyst for development.

Road link from Orealla, Siparuta to Kwakwani to open up opportunities

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The proposed alignment of the Corentyne River Bridge and approach roads

esidents of Orealla and Siparuta in Region Six are in high anticipation of the road that would link their communities to Kwakwani in Region 10.

The construction of the road is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Public Works and Natural Resources.

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat and a technical team had visited the two communities to interact with residents and make an assessment of works needed to be undertaken on the road.

Minister Edghill addressing residents, said one of the main issues the road will address is accessibility. He said the road is about 80 kilometres and will be undertaken in a phased manner. The minister described the road as an important link that will foster greater economic activity. He said, “We have to be able, while we work with the Natural Resources

sector, to develop your capacity for logging, sawmilling and other value -added coming out of the forestry sector, your products must be able to get to the market with ease in a cost-effective manner. Your government by just the intervention of the partnership between the partnership between the Geology and Mines and Ministry of Public Works in getting the road, pushed through from Orealla to Kwakwani is ensuring economic activity in your community is sustained, expanded and diversified to other things that you can do. So, it is an important thing.”

However, Minister Edghill noted that a critical element to the construction of the road is the involvement of the community. He said, “What I appeal today for is a healthy partnership, government and people for the development of community and the development of country… wherever people are, government and community seeing a

vision for development and working through, and navigating difficult path to ensure that communities are developed which would mean ultimately, the country is developing.”

Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat called on residents to look at the long-term benefits of the road network. He said while it will create a link to Region 10, government is also working on upgrading the road network link from Region 10 to Region Nine, which would ultimately create a link to Brazil. “Those are all the possibilities that exist because Minister Edghill is working on a massive project and we have already secured the loan to build a highway from Linden to Mabura. That is halfway going to Brazil… it is not about going to Brazil but it is the opportunities that it will open up especially in terms of trade,” he noted.

The first phase of the road link will be undertaken by Romel Jagroop General Construction Services.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 13-14 NOVEMBER, 2021

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 13-14 NOVEMBER, 2021

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Stats-based crime-fighting strategy moving forward P

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday (November 12, 2021) outlined the government’s statistics-based crime-fighting strategy during a live Facebook statement.

Just out of meeting with his Cabinet, the President said of the issue concerning many Guyanese, that though statistics show crime has decreased from last year, the government is devoting a comprehensive effort to tackle it.

“One crime is too much.

Whether it’s petty, whether it’s major, one crime is too much,” Dr. Ali said.

Speaking on the situation the PPP/C Government inherited in August 2020, the President said more than 90 per cent of the vehicular assets of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were out of order. He said nevertheless, that the government

invested in replenishing the force’s transportation resources, and acquiring technologies to support crime-fighting efforts.

Moving forward, the government’s targeted strategy will include interventions in regions (hotspots) with high crime rates. For instance, the President said that while crime decreased 19.4 per cent nationally, Region One recorded a 132.4 per cent increase in crime.

He noted that there is an increased migrant population in the region, which is leading to social and economic issues for which the resultant factor is crime.

Ali said, “So, we are now targeting some specific policies and programmes to deal with Region One because if we are to reduce crime by 50 per cent in Region 10, then the national crime rate will be further reduced by more

than 25 per cent.”

On the other hand, he noted that Region Five recorded a decrease of 52.1 per cent and Region 4 A recorded a decrease of 43.4 per cent from the previous period, an area with which the Force had tremendous difficulties in the past.

The President said government is also considering implementing incentives for members of the force. He said, “Where there is good performance, there must be differentiated treatment.

You must be recognised for good performance… incentive-based crime fighting.”

The President noted that statistics show that better results are being recorded in areas populated by cameras from the Smart City programme – Regions 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, and Five. The government hopes to replicate this effect across the coun-

try. He said, “We’re going to have the entire country connected onto CCTV cameras, so that all of the country will be on the watch by the relevant authorities so that we can be proactive in crime-fighting.”

The government, the President said, will also be investing significantly in intelligence gathering. He said, “More crimes were caught even before they were committed, or were cracked before they were committed because of the proactive work and the intelligence gathering.”

The President committed the government’s efforts to paying more attention to sexual crimes. Ali said, “If you look at rape, we had a 55 per cent increase, and this is an issue we have to get tough on. This is one of the areas that we have to see tremendous improvement.”

He said the government saw marked decreases of 32.4 per cent and 44.7 per cent decreases in robberies, under arms and with aggravation, respectively, but an increase in rape.

Though robberies under arms saw a national reduction, the government intends to target Regions Six, Seven and Nine in their efforts to reduce these types of crimes.

Generally, the government will also look to impose stiffer penalties for illegal gun ownership. He said, “I’ve asked the AG to look at the laws and to apply the highest penalty – to propose an amendment to apply the highest penalty to persons found with illegal weapons because that is a major contributory factor…”

Persons illegally in possessions of firearms, will be given a period of time to

give them up.

The President also invited persons associated with criminal activity to approach the government, as it will launch a programme to help rehabilitate persons who want to change their lives, including assisting them to find jobs.

In-keeping with the government’s transparency agenda, President Ali provided a statistical breakdown of the crime situation.

He said there is nothing to hide; that he promised a transparent government.

He said, “You do not have a President who will hide from any issue. I am going to be upfront in dealing with every issue that challenges the people of this country.”

The Commander in Chief assured that he is committed to working every single day to making his people’s lives better.

PPP/C gov’t will continue to pursue measures to improve cost of living ‒ Warns about profiteering with Gov’t subsidies P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday (November 12, 2021) reminded Guyanese about the menu of measures his Government has already put in place to offset the impact of the global supply chain issues while promising to do more to improve the cost of living.

The Head of State, who recently returned from the UN Climate Summit, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland, said that efforts have also been ongoing in the form of bilateral meetings to offset additional expenses for local producers.

In a live address to the nation, President Ali spoke of the difficulties at the global level and explained that the issue would continue to be a problem “at least in the short term”.

He said that the increase in the cost of production and logistics have driven prices up across the world. Additionally, it has resulted in shortages and price increases from building materials to food.

FOOD REPLACEMENT “That is why at CARICOM, we are pushing on an agenda to do what we call food replacement; that is to have a reduction on our food import bill by 25% and having the local production fill

that void.”

At home, the President noted that it is necessary to have more “local consumption”.

He said that his Government will continue to give incentives to those investing in agriculture, given the nature of the global situation and the fact that Guyanese are also feeling the effects of the price increases.

Along with supporting farmers and cushioning the net effect of the increased cost of freights, the President said that the range of tax benefits that his Government has instituted since returning to office, has helped offset the full brunt of the problem.

He reminded of the removal of VAT on electricity and water, the 5% reduction—across the board—on water tariff, the zero-rated status on essential items and household items, the removal of VAT on data, the reduction of the excise tax rate on fuel (first in February and then in October) and the reduction of licence fee.

Additionally, he made mention of the many non-tax measures that directly impacted Guyanese, including the one-off $25,000 relief grant, the re-introduction of educational grants (benefited both public and private school students), a one-off 25,000

cash grant for pensioners and a range of other incentives.

“All of these measures were to remove more tax burden from the population and give them an opportunity to have those resources as disposable income. And the measures that we have implemented are praised by many international agencies and organisations. They are actually used as good practices in combatting the challenges we are facing globally.”

The President noted that his Government would continue to help alleviate the pressure of the cost of living on the general population and committed to transparency.

“We recognised that this is a continuous problem and that the Government has to be proactive in addressing these issues. I want you to know, just as we have done over the year plus; we will continue to pursue measures that minimise the effect on the people of our country, that minimise the effect on your pockets— you can rest assured.”

The President said that at the international level, his Government does not intend to sit down and wait for the situation to correct itself.

He used the rising cost of fertilisers as an example and said that over the last four weeks, discussions were held with many bilateral partners

to remedy this.

“We are doing this so that the farmers, the sugar industry, the rice producers—they can all benefit. Because if we don’t bring down the cost, we know too that the cost of rice will increase.”

MORAL RESPONSIBILITY Guyanese, especially those who are benefitting the most from the Government programmes and incentives, need to have a moral respon-

sibility, according to the Head of State, in ensuring that the benefits reach the ordinary man.

“In all of this that the Government is doing, the measures that we are implementing to help the importers, to help the farmers, to help the producers, we expect them to act in a way that befits their moral responsibility to the consumer, to minimise the impact of the consumers.”

The President spoke highly of the poultry sector and

said that his Government expects all other sectors to play their part.

“This is a global challenge that requires us to act collectively, that requires us to support each other. You have a greater responsibility to society, and you should not look at profiteering—we are in this together. You Government would confront these challenges with strong, workable measures, but we also need the support of all the stakeholders.”

Qatar Investment Authority engaged on opportunities for cooperation

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high-level government team, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and several private sector heads, met with two executives from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) -Mr Abdulhadi F A Al-Hajri and Mr Dany Farah Nakhoul recently at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

President Ali told the gathering that the meeting was critical and can open up many opportunities for cooperation between the government, the local private sector and QIA. He highlighted his gov-

ernment’s desire to make Guyana the hub for agriculture and food security within the region and further afield, while pointing to the numerous opportunities in other sectors that will promote the overall growth and development of Guyana.

The high-level government team featured Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Agriculture, Zukfikar Mustapha; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge

Walrond; and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.

President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, Mr Rafeek Khan; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Timothy Tucker; President of the Private Sector Commission, Mr. Paul Cheong; President of the Aircraft Owners Association, Mr. Gerald Gouveia and President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, Mr. Manniram Prashad were the private sector representatives.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Op-Ed: Jordan’s inability to undertake real policy analysis and comprehend elementary economics exposed

By Deodat Indar, M.P, FCCA, CPA, MBA Minister within the Ministry of Public Works

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he former Finance Minister Mr. Winston Jordan emerged once again with his usual mediocre analysis about the country’s economic performance and economic policies.

Jordan is contending that the economy did not grow this year despite the midyear report for 2021 revealing that the economy grew for the first half of the year by an estimated 14.5% while the non-oil economy grew by an estimated 4.8%.

Jordan went on to justify his argument by stating that in 2020 there were many problems which were compounded by the covid-19 pandemic and that “if you notice carefully the non-oil GDP of 4.8 at half-year, is same as the non-oil GDP in 2019.” Hence, according to Jordan, there was zero growth. This is a deliberate falsehood intended to mislead the nation.

He also posited that the accounting system for the balance of payment transactions is flawed and therefore, the GDP growth rates are skewed. One should not have to remind Mr. Jordan that he presided at the Ministry of Finance and used the same GDP metric he now condemns to pomp up his performance, which was marred by high taxes and mismanagement of the economy.

The former minister said that the GDP growth is also

zero because inflation for the period was 5.6%, greater than the non-oil GDP growth. However, the inflation rate is owing to the effects of rising shipping costs and the global supply chain disruption, which we do not have any control over domestically. Further, the GDP growth rate reported is the real GDP versus nominal GDP. Jordan did not explain, which he ought to know as an economist that real GDP is adjusted for inflation – so the statement he made about inflation resulting in zero GDP is disingenuous of him and another attempt to mislead people.

Now, let’s dissect the midyear performance from another dimension to test Jordan’s argument where he said that from the viewpoint positions 2019 to 2021, because of the contraction in 2020, there was no growth of the non-oil economy in 2021.

In so doing, let’s look at the growth of the money supply for these periods.

The reason why we are looking at the money supply growth is that the GDP metric essentially measures increased spending in the economy which includes, government expenditure, consumption or household expenditure, private and foreign investments, and the country’s net export po-

sition.

Increased spending is therefore measured by an increase in the country’s total money supply. As such, this will indicate if the statement Jordan made is indeed true.

From looking at the data illustrated in the table above, total money supply grew by 9.51% for the half-year period in 2019 compared to the half-year period in 2018, while total money supply for the 2021 half-year period grew by 13.23% or by 3.79 percentage points higher, relative to the corresponding period in 2020. Notably, the growth in the total money supply for the 2021 halfyear period grew by 32.56% when compared to the 2019 half-year position.

Net credit to the private sector grew by 5.75% in the 2019 half-year period relative to 2018, while net private sector credit grew by 4.86% in 2021 HY relative to 2020. However, when comparing the change in growth obtained in the 2021 half-year relative to the 2019 half-year position, net credit to the private sector grew 12.39% or by 6.64 percentage points. This is almost more than double the growth from 2019 during Jordan’s tenure. Put differently, if Jordan’s argument was true that there was zero growth from 2019 to 2021, then the

growth in the money supply from the 2019 period to 2021 would have been less than 5% or remained unchanged.

But this was not the case.

Henceforth, with these findings, it has been proven that Jordan’s argument is grossly false and misleading and should be put to rest.

Let’s examine the performance of the non-oil sectors as of June 2020, versus June 2021: The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industries contracted by 2.4%, compared with a decline of 4.1% during the same period last year. This contraction was attributed to lower output from the other crops, sugar, forestry, and fishing sectors.

Let’s recall we have a flood in Guyana as never seen before that affected agricultural output and created significant damages to farmers and property.

On the other hand, the rice and livestock sub-sectors grew by an estimated 7.8%, and 10.6% respectively.

The Mining and Quarry-

ing industries are estimated to have grown by 23.1%.

This outturn was largely the result of higher output from petroleum and other mining activities, even though unexpected contraction was recorded for gold and bauxite.

The Manufacturing sector is estimated to have grown by 13.1% when compared to the corresponding (half-year) period.

The Services and Construction industries are estimated to have grown by 9.4% when compared to the corresponding period in 2020. This outturn was driven by increased output in wholesale and trade, administrative and support services, transport and storage, and financial and insurance activities. These sub-sectors grew by 34.3%, 9.1%, 16.2% and 7.3%, respectively. The construction sector also grew substantially by 25.5% when compared to the corresponding period in 2020. This was attributed to strong performance in both the public and private sectors Explanation of the selected indicators illustrated in the above table: ● The total stock of public debt for the period under review represents 53% of GDP. ● Total exports for the mid-year 2021 period rep-

resent 36% of GDP which increased by 63% in comparison to the corresponding period in 2020. ● Total imports represent 22% of GDP and increased by 4% in comparison to the corresponding period in 2020. ● The trade balance surplus for the period ended June 2021 represents 14% of GDP and increased by 1156% in comparison to the corresponding period in 2020. This is largely due to increased sales of the country’s share of crude oil. ● The International Foreign Reserves at the Bank of Guyana stood at US$613 million at the end of June 2021, representing 11% of GDP and increased by 7% when compared to the corresponding period. ● The net foreign assets in the banking system stood at US$1.01 billion which represents 20% of GDP and increased by 14% relative to the corresponding period in 2020. ● Bank of Guyana’s total assets stood at US$2.0 billion at the end of June 2021 which represents 40% of GDP and increased by 100% relative to the corresponding period. ● Commercial banks’ total (Turn to page 21)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Granger effectively In racially divisive comments… booted Jordan insinuates that Afro-Guyanese interests were ‒ fails to attract a single nomination to return as PNCR leader

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ncumbent leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), David Granger, has essentially been booted from his post – having received not a single nomination to return to the post.

Granger, in August 2021, announced that he has taken a leave of absence from the Party effective September 1, 2020.

However, he did not indicate for how long.

While Joseph Harmon, Aubrey Norton, Richard Van-West Charles had indicated that they will be challenging Granger for the post of PNCR leader, nominations for them as well as Basil Williams, Carl Greenidge, Volda Lawrence and Sharma Solomon have also been advanced.

For the position of Par-

ty Chairman, nominations were made for incumbent PNCR Chair, Volda Lawrence, as well as Gary Best, Shurwayne Holder, Amanza Walton-Desir, Roysdale Ford, Annette Ferguson, Aubrey Norton, Sharma Solomon, Ronald Bulkan, Christopher Jones, Richard Van-West Charles, Simona Broomes, Geeta Chandan, Dawn Hastings, Joseph Harmon, and Mervyn Williams.

The PNCR’s last biennial congress was in 2018.

The latest update is that the overdue 22nd Biennial Congress is set for December 11, 2021. PNCR Chairperson and acting Party Leader, Volda Lawrence, had previously said that the congress would be held by the end of November 2021, but no later than December 13, 2021.

betrayed by no-confidence motion ‘yes’ vote

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he resounding “yes” vote by former APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, during the debate on the no-confidence motion in December 2018 – a vote that topped the former Coalition government has resurfaced in political discussions.

And in apparent racially divisive comments, former Finance Minister, under the APNU+AFC Coalition, Winston Jordan, insinuated that Afro-Guyanese interests were betrayed by the East Indian Parliamentarian, Persaud, since he voted yes to the no-confidence motion.

During a recent broadcast of ‘Plain Talk’, presented by Christopher Ram, Jordan said, “If I were an East Indian in the Party, I would have felt bad because seeing as it

is an East Indian who did it, I would have assumed that everybody would be looking to every one of them. And if I were an East Indian in the Party itself, I would have begun to question my role there.”

Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, in comments on the issue, said, “It is most despicable that that someone in Winston Jordan, who served as a senior Minister, would stop to such low depths to deliberately resort to race by identifying someone in that capacity simply for exercising their constitutional rights.

“The Constitution safeguards the rights of each and every Guyanese and despite disagreements with the impact when such rights are exercised, the right to do so is protected. It begs the question; why would someone like Jordan, who professes to be a responsible person, hurl racial abuse at another citizen who acts within the confines of the Constitution?

“That can be answered by the fact that Mr. Jordan and his party have demonstrated wanton disrespect for the Constitution and raped throughout their tenure in office. That blatant disrespect is not confined to the Con-

stitution, but to law abiding citizens of the country.”

Mustapha charged that Jordan’s comment make it clear that anyone who disagrees with the Coalition’s positon would be attacked.

“What cannot be concealed, is the glaring hypocrisy by Jordan and his party, who have touted national unity and established the Ministry of Social Cohesion, is now launching racial attacks on a citizen,” he said.

Notably, the APNU+AFC Coalition, as well as members of the former Coalition government, has been put on blast repeatedly for its persistent play of the race card.

APNU+AFC sidelined border affairs experts in assembling ICJ team

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leaked email from Carl Greenidge, where he made several demands, among other disclosures, was responded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

And the response, which addressed several issues, noted too that the former APNU+AFC Coalition government had sidelined experts and professionals when the team, which was

tasked to work on Guyana’s case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was assembled.

The missive said, “The Ministry wishes to state that the Hon. Minister Hugh Todd recognised that the local team previously assembled under the APNU+AFC administration did not include some key persons who have years of professional

knowledge on the Guyana/ Venezuela controversy.”

SEE THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has carefully (Turn to page 17)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

APNU+AFC sidelined border affairs... reviewed some items that have appeared in sections of the electronic media, extensively quoting from a letter penned by Mr. Carl Greenidge to His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Ministry wishes to state that the portfolio of Agent in litigation of inter-State disputes before international courts and tribunal are normally held by the serving minister responsible for foreign affairs.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had made it clear in its Manifesto that should it be elected to office, it will ensure full inclusivity in the case that the Co-operative Republic of Guyana took to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The portfolio of Agent requires no special expertise in law, since the advocates and counsels contracted are responsible for the preparation of the written and oral pleadings of Guyana. The Agent’s role is to ensure that there are administrative linkages between Guyana, its international lawyers, and the International Court of Justice, and to be the liaison between the Government and the international legal team on the policy and substantive issues being addressed by that team.

The Agent does not act independently of the Min-

ister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, or the other members of the local team.

He reports to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and is supported by two Co-Agents representing Guyana. They are Sir Shridath Ramphal, and Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The Ministry wishes to state that the Hon. Minister Hugh Todd recognised that the local team previously assembled under the APNU+AFC administration did not include some key persons who have years of professional knowledge on the Guyana/Venezuela controversy. His Excellency, Ambassador Keith George, who served as Head of the Frontiers Department for 12 years prior to being appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, and who spent the past 21 years on matters related to Guyana’s land and maritime boundaries, was excluded. Ambassador George is well recognised for the integral role he played in the years leading up to, and ending with the arbitration that delimited the maritime boundary with the Republic of Suriname.

Ms. Donnette Streete, who has 14 years of experience in the Frontiers Department of the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and is the Department’s current Director was not fully involved in the matter. Ms. Trishala Persaud, who served as Head of the Legal and Treaties Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation before being posted to Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, was also not fully involved in the matter. Several other persons with great knowledge of the boundaries of Guyana, because of their background in the security services of Guyana, were not invited to provide their inputs.

The singular objective of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is to ensure that all available local expertise, specialist and technical support and assistance are made available to Guyana’s international legal team in order for them to access, with ease, the best possible sources of information, experience and ideas on the matter before the International Court of Justice.

None of those persons joined the local team at their own bidding. They were each identified and invited by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to lend their support to this preeminent national effort, and their involvement has the full support of His Excellency,

(From page 16)

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Ministry wishes to make it clear that the discussions referred to in the letter quoted in the electronic media were not about the case before the International Court of Justice. There was, therefore, never any reason to question the competence of the international team of lawyers who are not only held in extremely high esteem, but also are regarded as the best that can be put together to represent Guyana’s interests.

The Ministry wishes to further state that the

timing of the publication of the letter, purportedly penned by Mr. Greenidge, is peculiar, since the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation convened a meeting today (Tuesday 16 November) with Mr. Greenidge, at

which Mr. Ralph Ramkarran and Mr. Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry, were also present. That meeting was quite cordial, and focused on the issues being addressed before the International Court of Justice.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Yellowtail development public review ends on December 15

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he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wishes to refute an inaccuracy contained in a Kaieteur News article dated November 16, 2021, under the headline “US$900M Gas-to- shore, oil projects will significantly impact marine resources”.

A section of the article states that: “Over the last two weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has held several meetings with stakeholders to explain the workings of the project.

These discussions were started after the nation had a mere 10 days to digest over 7000 pages of technical data on

the project. Today is the last day for persons to submit any commentary on the project to the EPA.” This is categorically untrue. The EPA takes its obligations seriously under the Environmental Protection Act, which states at Section 11(10) that; “The developer and the person carrying out the environmental impact assessment shall submit the environmental impact assessment together with an environmental impact statement to the Agency for evaluation and recommendations and publish a notice in at least one daily newspaper confirming

that the environmental impact assessment and the environmental impact statement have been submitted to the Agency and members of the public shall have sixty days from the date of publication of such notice to make such submissions to the Agency as they consider appropriate.”

The developer (EEPGL) and its team of consultants (ERM) submitted the EIA and EIS to the EPA on October 15, 2021. A Public Notice was published by the developer on October 16, 2021, giving the public 60 days to peruse the EIA and EIS and make recom-

mendations/comments to the Agency. The EPA has gone above and beyond its legal requirement by hosting public disclosure meetings across the coastal regions, allowing the public to have face to face interactions with members of all teams concerned with the project. This is testimony to our commitment to public engagement in environmental decision making. We use this opportunity as a reminder that the period for public comments on the Yellowtail Development Project ends on December 15, 2021. Written comments must be addressed to the Executive Director,

Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown or email epa@epaguyana.org.

Section 11(11) of the EP Act states: “The environmental impact assessment and the environmental impact statement shall be public documents and the developer and the Agency shall have such documents available for the duration of the project and five years thereafter for inspection, subject to the deletion therefrom of such information as may disclose intellectual property rights, during normal working hours at their respective offices

and shall supply on request and on payment of cost of photocopying copies of such documents.”

Copies of the EIA and EIS are available for public scrutiny on the EPA’s website https://www.epaguyana.org/epa/eepgl/category/16-eepgl, at its offices in Georgetown; LEN Building, MacKenzie – Linden and Whim – Berbice; at the National Library in Georgetown, and all offices of the Regional Democratic Councils. A copy of the Non-Technical Summary of the EIA is also posted on the EPA’s website.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

7% salary increase for all public servants... total, this provided $3.6 billion of direct cash transfers to the parents of 192,000 school children.

Needless to say, all these measures accompanied the many other steps taken by our Government to remove the punitive taxes that had been imposed by the APNU/AFC on electricity, water, medical and educational supplies, basic household necessities, and basic construction materials.

Fellow Guyanese: You would also recall that His Excellency the President and the Vice-President have both confirmed on a number of occasions recently our Government’s commitment to grant an increase in the wages and salaries earned

by Government employees during the 2021 fiscal year.

This commitment was made in recognition of the hard work that Government em-

ployees continue to do every day in ensuring the delivery of government services to the People of Guyana throughout the length and breadth of our country.

In this regard, I now wish to make the following announcement on behalf of His Excellency the President and his Cabinet: 1. First, your Government has recognised the existence of a number of anomalies and disparities across positions within the public service salary scales, as a result of which there are marked inconsistencies across the pay received by persons holding similar qualifications but occupying different posts depending on the agency in which they work, the post to which they are appointed, and the salary scale in which their post is

classified. For example, a new graduate with a degree in environmental science might be earning $120,000 in one agency while a new graduate with an identical degree in environmental science might be earning $190,000 in another agency.

Government will be taking steps next year to reduce these inconsistencies, by making suitable adjustments to salaries in order to improve the parity and consistency with which persons with comparable qualifications are paid. Provision will be made for this in Budget 2022.

2. Second, your Government has set aside an amount of $400 million for a special 2021 pay-out to be made to frontline workers in the health sector who have continued to face extenuating circumstances in the daily

(From page 3)

discharge of their duties, as our country and the world continue to battle the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The details of this pay-out will be announced shortly, and the pay-out will be made to eligible employees before the end of December 2021.

3. Third, I am pleased to announce now that your Government will be paying an across-the-board increase of seven (7) percent to public

servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners. This increase will be granted retroactively to 1 January 2021, and work will start immediately to ensure that it is processed and paid to eligible employees together with their December salary and in time for the festive Christmas season.

Instructions have already been issued for the work to

commence immediately to implement these measures we have just announced.

At the same time, your Government is also currently hard at work on preparations for Budget 2022, which will continue the steps we have already started taking to place our One Guyana irreversibly on the path to national prosperity for the benefit of All Guyanese.

Thank you very much.

(November 18, 2021)

20

Steady progress under new leadership in the Agri Sector Dear Editor

I

refer to an article captioned, ‘Guyana begins to import fish, shrimp’ and skilfully connects this with EXXON’s operations. The article made a comparison with the first six months of 2019, 2020 and 2021 and concluded that for the past

two years fish and shrimp production has been declining.

The Bank of Guyana Mid-Year Report 2021 states as follows: ‘The fishing industry recorded mixed output performance, resulting in a smaller contraction of 6.6 per cent compared to the 12.1 per cent record-

ed in June 2020. Prawns production increased significantly by 42.4 per cent, which resulted from greater efficiency in the operation of prawn vessel operators.

However, there was a decline in catches of fish and shrimp by 22.1 per cent and 11.8 per cent, respectively, due to a reduction

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021 in the operation of fishing vessels.’ It is clear that the contraction of the fishing industry in 2021 is smaller than in 2020, indicating an improvement.

But the article failed to mention this. In addition, the report specifically stated that ‘the decline in catches of fish and shrimp was due to the reduction in the operation of fishing vessels’. This was completely ignored in the article.

The BoG reports have clearly indicated that the sector was grossly mismanaged by the Coalition. The Agriculture Sector is now under the most competent Agriculture Minister ever and the improved progress in the sector will undoubtedly continue. Let’s await the Year-End Report.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

PPP/C gov’t wants broad-based approval of Natural Resource Fund Act Dear Editor,

S

lumbering Winston Jordan awoke to write an informative piece on the APNU+AFC’s thinking behind Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund legislation and I must extend appreciation for the effort. Jordan correctly notes that there have been no amendments to the NRF Act (2019) to date and the power to spend from oil revenues still resides with the politicians. The Irfaan Ali administration views the structure of the NRFA which places the use of oil money solely in the hands of politicians as greatly flawed and has not spent a cent of the oil revenues to date and will not until the NRFA is amended to include input and oversight that is representative of all sectors of Guyanese.

I believe this insistence on broad-based approval before expenditure is exactly why the PPP is in government and APNU+AFC is in hibernation; it is a stark contrast in thinking that divides the two political giants of Guyana’s political landscape; PPP’s frugality and the APNU’s profligacy.

The APNU+AFC mindset is also exposed to scrutiny when Jordan describes PPP campaign manifesto promises as “implausible”.

Given the failure of the Granger administration to deliver on its 100-day plan during the five years in office, I can only assume Jordan is of the view that

promises made on a campaign trail are not binding; the Irfaan Ali administration does, and despite urging from myself to deliver the promised 50K School grant utilizing oil revenues, President Ali has stood his ground and refused to touch the resource fund until safeguards and full transparency are in place; had Jordan set up the NRF to be used genuinely for the benefit of all the people of the nation, our schoolchildren would have benefited from the full amount promised already.

It is to the credit of the Ali administration that so much has been done for so many without the use of our oil resource fund.

I am not minded to give much credence to Jordan’s pronouncements on macroeconomic issues given his kindergarten view that ExxonMobil gave an 18 Million USD “gift” for signing the 2016 production sharing agreement, nor am I willing to concede that a loan of 1.5 Billion USD for infrastructure is beyond Guyana’s payback capability (with or without oil revenue). Jordan’s perspective stems from his work with the Granger administration, for that, I commiserate; but I suggest Winston Jordan should wake up, smell the coffee and look at all the progress the Ali administration has made in fifteen short months.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

21

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

Op-Ed: Jordan’s inability to undertake real policy... loans and advances stood at US$823 million, representing 15% of GDP and increased by 5% relative to the corresponding period in 2020. ● The liquid asset position in the banking sector stood at US$1.12 billion, representing 20% of GDP and which increased by 45% relative to the corresponding period in 2020. ● Central Government total expenditure at the end of June 2021 stood at US$552 million, representing 10% of GDP and increased by 16.2% relative to the corresponding period in 2020. ● Central Government revenue stood at US$647 million at the end of June 2021, representing 12% of GDP and which increased by 22% relative to the corresponding period in 2020. ● The fiscal balance for the period ended June 2021 stood at a surplus position of US$95 million, representing 2% of GDP and increased by 67% relative to the corresponding period in 2020.

For the 2021-year, expenditure in the agriculture sector increased to $22.6 billion from $18.4 billion in 2020. This went into supporting the growth of the industries, modernized facilities, drainage, irrigation, infrastructure, planting materials, production, equipment’s, to combat the damages done by the unprecedented rainfall and flooding that would have affected these industries along with those who are involved in the agricultural production.

Some $350 million was allocated to support the ail-

ing Forestry Commission, which was in financial ruin when the PPPC took office in August 2020, this institution is climbing out of its problems under our government intervention.

The 2021 half-year growth in the service sector was largely driven by increases in wholesale and retail trade, administrative and support services, transport and storage, and financial and insurance activities, which was a result of the relaxation of the COVID-19 measure that was put in place, such as the gradual reopening of the economy along with $535 million in support of the small business development, infrastructure, procurement and the cash grant initiative. In the manufacturing sector, the removal of VAT on machinery and equipment, exports and the amendment of the export policy has contributed to the growth. $53.5 billion was provisioned for the health sector to boost the capabilities, services, drugs, medical supplies and infrastructure to better serve the people. This included; supporting the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines, critical medical equipment, remodeling, upgrading and operationalization of SMART hospital and strengthening emergency services. Which has saved the lives of many whom contracted the virus.

The infrastructural development in new housing and existing housing schemes, low-income earners and young professionals were allocated house lots and homes across the country, underpinning the growth in

Jagdeo engages... (From page 10) pursuing an agenda to improve the welfare and prosperity of all Guyanese. “We have rolled out a number of programmes that seek to improve the living conditions, creating opportunities for every segment of the Guyanese population to advance and achieve their dreams and aspirations.” He also pointed to Government’s programmes to ensure that the vulnerable sections of

society are not left out in the country’s development agenda.

The BEA currently has 300 registered members in Guyana and 300 in the UK chapter. The association highlighted that it is committed to creating a blueprint for black-owned businesses, which creates generational wealth while transforming the business economy and community.

the construction sector.

CONCLUSION Overall, the positive double-digit growth in GDP for 2020 and 2021 as well as non-oil GDP which contracted in the corresponding period, can be attributed to the fiscal and monetary measures in the National Budgets of 2020 and 2021 that were designed to help rebuild the traditional sectors

and the economy at large, as well as to drive and stimulate new investment opportunities.

From a macro-prudential standpoint, the selected indicators as illustrated in the foregoing analysis demonstrate a relatively sound and healthy economy. To this end, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio is well below the universal benchmark, thus, indicating that Guyana has sufficient

(From page 15)

fiscal space to advance the country’s development agenda. The banking sector is also healthy from the indicators above and the international reserve position of the Bank of Guyana which is equivalent of three months import cover is also well within the minimum requirement from a macroprudential perspective. These outturns, altogether, are therefore suggestive that the monetary and fiscal policies and public

investment programs administered through the respective national budgets have yielded positive results in achieving a relatively healthy and stable economy.

Finally, the former Finance Minister’s assertions on the mid-year performance are as usual indicative of his inability to comprehend elementary economics much less to venture into any real policy analysis.

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

COM M ENTARY

Helping young girls secure their health, promoting their dignity

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

D

id you know that more than 500M women and girls around the world lack access to menstrual hygiene supplies? Did you know that there are about 25,000 young girls in Guyana that do not have any or do not have adequate access to menstrual hygiene supplies? When First Lady Arya Ali launched the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Initiative, it was a world-class public health initiative. We have been talking about such an initiative for more than twenty years and were unable to implement it in any meaningful way.

But the world also has been talking about it for decades.

The WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank and other powerful global organizations have been talking about it for decades. But none of them have been able to make a dent in the global shame that 500M young women and girls live without the necessity of sanitary napkins, the imperative of menstrual hygiene.

We have succeeded in going to the moon. Recently, rich billionaires have taken trips into space at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, but cannot ensure that

every girl who needs sanitary napkins can have access. But a young Arya Ali, after less than a year as First Lady of Guyana, is solving that century old problem in Guyana.

Her Menstrual Health and Hygiene Initiative is one of the most important health initiatives to secure better health for young girls in Guyana.

It is by any measure a gold medal initiative. It is why this first lady is standing out among first ladies and first spouses in the world.

The APNU/AFC MP who condemned a government minister for distributing sanitary napkins to young girls in a public rolling out of the menstruation health and hygiene resource initiative should resign her parliamentary seat. There ought to be no “ands, ifs or buts”. The MP was out of place and put forward a notion that is repugnant. The Leader of the Opposition ought to ask her to immediately resign. The women MPs from the Opposition are so far, several days after the obnoxious statement, silent. Their silence speaks volumes – by their silence they endorse the absurd position that men should never be engaged in helping women and girls in practicing good menstrual health and hygiene.

Every single day that passes without these opposition women MP speaking out is an indictment. Every single day that passes with their silence bring total shame to the Opposition women MPs. But other senior women from the opposition parties ought to be similarly ashamed of themselves. Where are Volda Lawrence and Karen Cummings, former ministers of health?

Where are former ministers Amna Ally, Nicolette Henry, Cathy Hughes, Dawn Hastings, Broomes, Sarabo, etc.?

For the women from the government, the Women and Gender Equality Commission who have spoken out and condemned the APNU/AFC for her absurd statement, they have done the right thing. Ignoring stupidity is one thing.

But ignoring recklessness and backwardness is not cute and is irresponsible. For Ministers Manikchand, Vindiya Persaud and Gail Teixiera and others who rejected the notion that a male must never be involved in procuring or providing sanitary napkins, this column commends you.

The Opposition MPs really appear to be living in some ancient century.

The First Lady, Arya Ali, this year initiated a menstrual health and hygiene care

package program for school girls. There are many young girls who cannot afford any or can only afford some of their menstrual care needs.

The menstrual care package program initiated by the First Lady is the first large scale menstrual care package program in Guyana. It ensures that young girls who cannot afford to procure their own menstrual care supplies are able to do so at no cost. The menstrual care package includes sanitary napkins and other care supplies to last one year. Make no mistake this is a pure public health program. The First Lady must be commended for this very much-needed initiative. When I was Minister of Health, we included menstrual care supplies as part of the national essential medicine and medical supplies list, but the Ministry of health was not able to procure reliable supplies to ensure that all young girls were able to obtain supplies from health centers. That Guyana today has a program that seeks to meet one of the premiere reproductive health needs is something for Guyanese to celebrate.

Notwithstanding this commendable initiative, an MP from APNU/AFC in a Facebook posting sought

to disparage Minister Hugh Todd, the foreign affairs minister, for joining in a distribution of the menstrual care package outreach in Region 10. Minister Todd was there to join in the launch of the Region 10 program. Since the First Lady’s menstrual care package program was launched earlier in the year, several cabinet members have joined her in rolling out the initiative. This include both male and female cabinet members. Other public figures from both political and civic society groupings have joined the first lady. Prominent male and female private sector individuals have joined the First Lady. It is encouraging to see men coming out to be an active part of the menstrual care package initiative.

But the APNU/AFC MP, Natasha Singh Lewis, felt that Minister Todd has no business distributing menstrual care package to young girls. Not only is this position dotish and foolish, it is outright reckless. In short, her commentary condemning Minister Todd, and by extension, any male for distributing or in any way engaged in procuring sanitary napkins implies that males should not be involved in healthy reproductive care practices.

Put another way, MP Lewis wants reproductive health to be left exclusively to women and girls. This is simply backward. We all have a responsibility to ensure that every girl has the right to health and this means the right to a healthy menstrual period. For too long, too many Guyanese girls have had to live with the risk of no or insufficient supplies of menstruation sanitary napkins. Too many girls around the world live with the risk and inconvenience of inadequate menstruation care.

Governments and every citizen must work together that never again must a Guyanese girl live without menstruation sanitary napkins.

The menstrual care package initiative is being rolled out across Guyana. Thus far, the First Lady has been able to mobilize supplies via donations from various groups and has not depended on government procurement.

Hopefully, the Ministry of Health will begin to procure,

at least, some of the supplies to sustain the program in the future. Like other reproductive health supplies, such as contraceptives, and like medicines, sanitary napkins for menstrual care must be considered as important health care supplies for the public health sector.

First Lady Arya is leading from the front when it comes to women and girls’ health.

This commentary does not need to sell the First Lady.

Every single day in Guyana, the First Lady is earning respect and admiration from the Guyanese people. Every day she is seen as a champion for not just vulnerable people, but for this country. Whether it is the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Program or the City Beautification program or other initiatives, she is hard at work for a better country.

Menstruating girls and women face enormous challenges rooted in social norms and beliefs. In certain communities, social norms exclude menstruating women from participating in normal activities because they are considered impure. Because of the lack of access to supplies, young women and girls find attendance to schools or jobs difficult. The absurd position of MP Lewis and the silence of her colleagues reflect the taboos and stigmas attached to menstruation. It is a dangerous notion and can lead to poor health, high morbidity and even high mortality of young girls.

The First Lady’s initiative is not just helping young girls secure their health, it is promoting their dignity.

It is an important gender equality initiative. Lack of access to menstruation hygiene supplies lead to absence from schools in many countries. The scientific evidence abounds showing girls in certain grades (Grade 6 to grade 12) have higher absence because of poor menstrual hygiene. First Lady Arya is simply trying to end menstrual inequality and poverty.

Let us all join the First Lady. Every male must stand with the First Lady. I for one will go around Guyana to ensure every girl has access to menstruation hygiene care.

It is high time.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 20-21 NOVEMBER, 2021

More than 50 per cent adult population fully vaccinated ‒ Dr. Anthony G uyana has surpassed a major milestone in its vaccination campaign, fully inoculating more than half of the adult population, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

According to him, some 51 per cent of the adult population has been fully vaccinated against the deadly virus. He said, “So, this is not the entire Guyanese population. Of the adult population we have achieved the 51 per cent.”

He said while the milestone can be applauded, some regions are still lagging in their vaccination. He said the 51 per cent overall was reached because of the high

vaccination rate in Region Four. “So we are 43.2 per cent in Region One; Region Two, 41.6 per cent, for Region Three, 48.9 per cent; Region Four, 58.5 per cent; Region Five, 51.9 per cent; Region Six 49.8 per cent; Region Seven, 46.9 per cent; Region Eight, 34.8 per cent; Region Nine at 53.4 per cent, and Region Ten at 22.3 per cent. So, these are persons 18 years and over who would have received both doses of the vaccines,” Anthony said.

The Ministry of Health has recorded over 391, 000 adults, 18 years and older taking the first dose of a COVID vaccine, representing 76.3 per cent of that popu-

lation. Also, over 261,000 adults, or 51 per cent of that population have already returned for the second dose of the vaccine. For persons 12 to 17 years, over 28,000 or 38.9 per cent were vaccinated with the first dose, while 19, 536 or 26.8 per cent received the second shot.

Meanwhile, despite vaccination numbers progressively increasing, persons are still flouting the COVID-19 guidelines, adding to the number of positive cases, Dr. Anthony stated.

Minister Anthony is urging the population both adults and adolescents, to come forward and be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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Budget 2022 preparations progressing – Finance Minster

W

ork continues on preparations for Budget 2022, according to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh.

“Your Government is also currently hard at work on preparations for Budget 2022, which will continue the steps we have already started taking to place our One Guyana irreversibly on the path to national prosperity for the benefit of All Guyanese,” Singh said on Thursday (November 18, 2021).

In further comments to the Mirror, Singh stated that Budget 2022 will continue the work started the PPP/C took office in August 2020.

He said, “It will continue the work we have started to

expand our country’s infrastructure, improve the social services offered to Guyanese and more – all with the aim of improving the lives of our people.”

This will be the third budget crafted and presented by the PPP/C government.

Budget 2020, an emergency budget, given that most of the year had already passed, due to the protracted delay in finalizing the result of the March 2020 Elections, was presented on September 9, 2021 by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill. The reversed onerous taxes and fees implemented during the past five years. The size of the Budget

2020 is $329.5 billion. It was presented under the theme ‘ ‘Our Plan for Prosperity: Protecting our People in a COVID-19 Environment; Strengthening Democracy and the Rule of Law; Incentivising Economic Growth and Job Creation; and, Enhancing Welfare.’

Singh had presented the Guyana 2021 National Budget on 12 February 2021. The $383.1 billion national budget was delivered under the theme ‘A path to recovery: Economic dynamism and resilience’.

The presentation date for Budget 2022 is expected to be named as preparations are finalised.

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