Weekend Mirror 17-18 July, 2021

Coalition’s spending of millions under scrutiny at PAC 17-18 July, 2021 / Vol. 11 ‒ No. 81 / Price: $100

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

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Charges recommended for Ferguson PPP/C gov’t to resume Amerindian language revival project Private Sector stakeholders engaged by top gov’t officials PAGE 3

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SEE INSIDE

Delivering for Guyanese: Job Creation….

More CEWs to be employed in Mocha/ Arcadia PAGE 22

Trio remanded for arson at GECOM’s PAGE 21 Linden office ‒ alleged mastermind also arrested

Guyana secures Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine PAGE 23

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

COM M ENTARY

No place for political gamesmanship

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

T

he popular ‘We Care’ cash grant for children in public schools, from nursery to high school, is back.

The PPP/C had promised that once it gets back into government, it will resume the ‘We Care’ cash grant programme. Before 2015, the ‘We Care’ cash grant was $10,000 per child in public schools. After the PPP/C left office, David Granger and APNU+AFC Coalition terminated the programme, so that the 2014 cash grant for children was last given out in 2014. The termination of the programme was a betrayal of Guyanese families with children in school. It was a disgraceful betrayal of APNU+AFC Coalition’s own supporters who were told repeatedly during the 2015 election campaign that APNU+AFC would not only continue the programme, they will make the cash payout bigger. Instead, once they took control of government, they immediately abandoned the programme.

During the 2020 campaign, the PPP/C promised to bring it back, bigger and better than they one another PPP/C government intro-

duced before 2015. David Granger and APNU+AFC Coalition recognizing how popular the ‘We Care’ programme was among the Guyanese people declared they would reintroduce the programme, with oil revenues.

The PPP/C is back in control of Government. President Irfaan Ali has kept his promise to the people of Guyana that the ‘We Care; cash grant programme will be reintroduced immediately.

The PPP/C Government never placed a pre-condition for the reintroduction of the programme, such as APNU+AFC Coalition’s precondition that the cash grant will only become reality with oil revenues. The fact is that oil money or not, the PPP had promised the reintroduction and it is presently being rolled out across Guyana, for every child in a public school.

There is no precondition.

There is no preference for which party families voted for. The parents of every child attending public school in Guyana are eligible. One mother has collected cash grant for six children, meaning this mother collected $114,000 as a cash grant from the government, $90,000 being the ‘We Care’ $15,000

cash grant and $24,000 for the school uniform and supplies grant of $4,000 for each child.

The PPP/C had promised during the election campaign that the cash grant for each child will be gradually increased until it become $50,000 per child by the end of President Irfaan Ali's first term.

The PPP/C has kept its promise, has shown that its legacy of keeping its elections promises is still intact.

It is a fundamental difference between the parties. The PPP/C makes and takes its promises seriously. Its elections and manifesto promises are the PPP/C's North Star - the promises guide the PPP in its governance.

The Minister of Finance is obligated to demonstrate to the Cabinet how each national budget is designed around manifesto promises.

The manifesto and the election campaign are not empty rhetoric to be forgotten.

This is another fundamental difference between the two political parties - the PPP/C strive to keep its promises, treat promises as contracts with people.

The PNC (APNU/AFC), on the other hand, forgets

about the promises because they were merely election rhetoric. After the 2015 election when Granger and APNU/AFC took control of Government, they immediately forgot every single promise they made to the Guyanese people. One of those promises was that they would continue the cash grant programme. They, instead, terminated it, but made it another promise in the 2020 election campaign.

Now that the PPP/C is back in Government and has reintroduced the programme, 50% bigger than it was in 2014, without using one cent of the oil revenues, the APNU+AFC Coalition is desperately running around, trying to discredit the programme. They are not in government, but the cash grant is one of their election promises. There should be no political divide on the cash grant.

But the Opposition is in a tizzy, not being excited by the fact that some 200,000 children will benefit, but upset that the PPP/C is winning hearts and soul among the Coalition’s supporters.

APNU+AFC is running around asking parents not to take the cash grant and their

own supporters look at them with total disdain, as they gather in huge numbers to receive their cash grants.

APNU+AFC, recognizing that every one of their supporters with children are going out enthusiastically to receive the cash grant, has turned to their agents, such as the Guyana Teachers Union, which APNU+AFC hijacked, to see what they could do to frustrate the rolling out of the programme. The GTU, headed by Coretta Macdonald, has called on teachers to not participate in the handing out of the checks to families. Like the parents, teachers have largely ignored APNU+AFC and the GTU. Coretta Macdonald has shown that she does not deserve to be the head of the GTU. When she asked the teachers to work against the interest of children, she showed that she has no place at the head of the GTU. When others in APNU+AFC Coalition "diss" the cash grant programme, they are working against ordinary families in our country.

For those who question the amount and want more, I do not have a problem with their concerns; it is a legitimate point for debate.

Citizens should always be wanting more. But 50 per cent increase in the reintroduction of a programme that the Opposition ended in Guyana five years ago is an impressive start. Re-starting the programme without oil revenues, as APNU+AFC Coalition had promised, shows that the PPP/C government is committed to the welfare of families in our country.

Importantly who are the ones demanding that the cash grant be bigger? They are the very ones who terminated the programme. How could $15,000 per child not be a good thing when it was the very people who ended it that gave people nothing, zero, nada? These are the same people who insisted that Guyana can only afford such as programme if Oil Money is available. Some of their misguided supporters have taken to social media to insist that the money can only buy bora for one meal.

Ok, my challenge to these people is that they should tell the government to keep the money and give them bora for five meals.

Not only did the PPP/C

reintroduce the programme with a 50% increase, the PPP also increased the uniform voucher to $4,000, an increase of almost 100%. It did so while cutting taxes for the Guyanese people, including removing VAT from text books, food and medicines and other vital items.

The fact is that APNU+AFC knows deep down in their hearts that the PPP/C Government, the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, Minister Priya Manickhand and Minister Ashni Singh have not merely kept a PPP/C manifesto promise, among the many they have already kept, but have also won the hearts of many people who voted against them.

The cash grant programme for children in schools should not be a victim of political gamesmanship. We should be ensuring that all qualified parents are in receipt of their cash grant.

Political parties should be working together to implement this very popular programme that puts more than $3B into hands of families in Guyana. In fact, it is more than $3B being pumped into the local economy within a matter of weeks. These families will go to the corner stores, to the local seamstresses and tailors. David Granger once spoke of his party wanting to develop village economies. These programmes are critical to village economies. But one would never know from the reaction of APNU+AFC. The APNU+AFC Coalition is in a tizzy, confused and desperate, because they have no answer or no reasonable way to counter the programme. They know that the PPP/C has earned the respect and admiration of more people today than they had in March 2020.

The PPP continues to show that the PPP Government, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, is a government acting on behalf of all Guyanese.

It is the reason why senior functionaries of APNU+AFC Coalition around the country, as well as their local leaders/ reps, are coming forward to receive their cash grants.

While they must spew the wild assertions of their party, they know full well that the PPP/C is doing something for families – it is supporting all families in Guyana.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Charges recommended for Ferguson T

he Guyana Police Force has been advised to bring charges against APNU+AFC Coalition’s Annette Ferguson.

The Force had sent the file to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice after Ferguson was arrested on June 30, 2021in connection with a cybercrime investigation.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement disclosed that Ferguson was arrested by ranks at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown pursuant to a report received against her in relation to a Cyber Crime allegation. “The report was

made by a senior member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) against Ms. Ferguson in relation to a Facebook social media post which falsely alleged that the said senior GDF rank will be in charge of a killing squad,” the Force said.

Ferguson, in her social media post, accused the PPP/C Government of “setting up of Death Squad and Black Clothes groups.”

Notably, the Joint Services Coordinating Council (JSCC) denounced the harmful misinformation coming from the APNU+AFC Coalition camp. According to them, such commentary could have a damaging ef-

fect on society. The JSC said, “The Council has noted a circulating document which services to implicate members of the Joint Services in illegal activities and wishes to make it clear that operational troops remain under the command and administration of the Joint Services.” They also noted that claims that a senior officer in the GDF would head this squad were outrageous.

The Council urged persons to be responsible and avoid creating public mischief.

Further, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, dubbed the comments as “malicious and deluded” and

not founded in facts. She had said, “This is totally untrue. It is malicious both on the part of the MP (Member of Parliament) and the news agency that published it. On Monday (June 14, 2021), the Parliament looked at two financial papers. The second financial paper dealt with a number of agencies. One of those agencies was the Guyana Defence Force… the majority items had to do with the Regional Joint Support teams. This is a decision of the Defence Board and the implementation commenced in April 2021.

The Regional Joint Support teams are made up of the Guyana Defence Force and

the Guyana Police Force.

This is an operational issue to enhance our capabilities to fight crime, all types of crime…this has nothing to do with any Black Clothes Group. This is not a resuscitation of anything. This is a new initiative by the Government through the Guyana Defence Board to be able to reduce the level of crime, to be able to have better access to information and intelligence sharing between agencies in order to make our society safer and to be able to make our people live in a safer environment.”

The approved supplementary provision for the GDF included $394,391,923

for current and $318,662,251 for capital expenditures.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said neither the line of questioning from the Opposition’s side on the supplementary provision for the GDF, nor the response by the Government side, made mention of ‘black clothes’ or ‘death squad.’

“This fiction that is being created by Annette Ferguson…this is an attempt to drive fear amongst people…

Ms. Ferguson is deliberately misinforming the people of our country and this is unacceptable,” she charged.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, also condemned Ferguson’s post.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

EDITORIAL

Irresponsible behaviours must Vaccination is the only way to not be allowed return to some sense of normalcy to stand

O

ver the past few weeks, representatives of the APNU+AFC Coalition have seemingly moved into highgear via actions that are less than responsible.

Most recently, there has been an effort to stymie the successful rollout of the We Care cash distribution programme by the Ministry of Education. Allegations that the Coalition’s Coretta MacDonald, working through the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), has been urging teachers to not participate in the distribution programme raise concerns. The same can be said for the Coalition’s Annette Ferguson, this week, on a programme broadcast across social media, questioning “… which schools in which country, you see government out money, calling it because we care…” Why would any member of the Coalition want to deny Guyanese children in public schools financial support - $15,000 cash grant under the ‘We Care’ programme and $4,000 for school uniform assistance?

Why derail the We Care programme? For the sake of cheap political points, which are not being highly scored in any event? Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, in response, said: “It is bizarre to me that any person, or political party or any of their affiliates would object to Guyana’s families being assisted with $19,000 per child. But then, it was bizarre, too, that Guyana was forced to wait five months after our election to have a legitimate government.”

Prior to this, wild accusations by the Coalition’s Sherod Duncan targeted the Head of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Duncan, in his attack, dubbed the Regional Leaders “gangsters and hustlers” – a response to CARICOM’s statement on the July 7, 2021 assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse. A crude Duncan charged: “The whole flipping Heads of Government for the region are hypocrites…all of the Caribbean leaders, y’all are hypocrites and y’all are wasting our time and taxpayers’ monies funding CARICOM.” The Guyanese public still unclear on the rationale for Duncan’s attack. It must be noted that CARICOM leaders condemned the assassination as “abhorrent and reprehensible”, and called for the perpetrators to be apprehended and brought to justice, and for law and order to prevail.

These are just two of the inexplicable actions Guyanese have witnessed from the Coalition camp in the space of a single week.

In the past year, the untruthfulness of the Parliamentary Opposition was also extended to major developmental projects, currently underway. Unable to talk about comparative track records when it comes to development, the Parliamentary Opposition clearly took to untruths in an effort to try to diminish the development being advanced under the PPP/C government. It would seem that this trend continues, given the attempts to derail the We Care programme.

What Guyanese are clear on, however, is that a country’s Parliamentary Opposition is expected to work in the best interest of the people and has a role to play in the advance of our country as a democratic and progressive nation.

That said, irresponsible behaviour must not be allowed to stand, at any cost. Every Guyanese has a role to play in holding our leaders accountable.

Guyanese must demand and hold political leaders accountable wherever trust is broken. Guyanese must recognise the patterns on unconstrained resorts to untruthfulness by some in the political arena. Guyanese must demand better if we are to move forward as a progressive and prosperous nation.

Politicians have an obligation to engender and maintain trust if their ambition is to lead.

Dear Editor,

A

fter months of progress in the fight against COVID-19, in Region 10, cases are rising again as the highly contagious variant spreads across Region 10 and other regions of Guyana.

The gap in progress between highly vaccinated regions and those lagging in vaccinations keeps growing, Some communities in Region 10 and Kwakwani are starting to see surges, despite the intervention by RHO Dr Harris and his medical team in the region.

Region 10 is getting hit particularly hard, with the high numbers of all new cases being reported in the region in general.

It is evident now that people will continue to die until we vaccinate everybody in Region 10 and Guyana, for those young people who don’t think they need to get vaccinated, hospitals across Guyana have seen plenty of young adults suffering from COVID-19 or complications of long COVID months after infection.

What I would say to the young people is that COVID-19 doesn’t have to kill you to wreck your life, but it will certainly kill your loved ones and the unvaccinated people you know.

We have learnt of new the strain that is now attacking the world, this variant of COVID is highly transmissible — the most transmissible we’ve seen to date said the US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy recently.

This is, again, a serious threat and we are seeing it spread among unvaccinated people, The virus carries a cluster

of mutations, including one known as L452R, that helps it infect human cells more easily.

The Director General of the World Health Organisation has also said “Delta” the new strain of COVID is the most transmissible of the variants identified so far. The current vaccines protect well against all the variants so far, but that could change at any moment. That’s why doctors and public health officials want more people to get vaccinated.

The more we allow the virus to spread, the more opportunity the virus has to change,” the World Health Organisation advised. All 10 regions have reported cases of the highly contagious COVID-19.

In areas with high COVID-19 transmission and low vaccination rates, even vaccinated people may want to wear masks, It is best now when you are in areas where there’s a considerable degree of viral circulation, persons might want to go the extra mile to be cautious enough to make sure that I get the extra added level of protection — even though the vaccines themselves are highly effective and the many doctors said the vaccines provide strong enough protection that those who are inoculated shouldn’t need to wear masks, except for those with extenuating circumstances like compromised immune systems.

Vaccination is “the ticket to get our life back”.

Our PPP/C Government, and the efforts of our President, Vice President and Minister of Health is now to get those who haven’t been vaccinated, to

get the shot.

It is clear, almost assuredly, given enough time, and given enough opportunities, this COVID-19 can mutate into something that is resistant to our vaccines and to the natural immunity we get from having the disease when it does that it’s like pressing the reset button; you’ve got to start all over.

This virus, it’s hitting people who are unvaccinated, and it’s hospitalising 30 to 55-year-old persons now in addition to our elderly and killing them.

Let me say thank you to our health leaders as they continue educating people who are unvaccinated.

Our Government will examine the holes that still have to be filled, and they are going to fill them, but I know the PPP/C Government has done a pretty darn good job, it’s just sort of public opinion can be hard to sway when one takes into consideration our Government doing such an exceptional job handling two catastrophes at the same time – COVID-19 and the regional flooding.

RHO Dr Harris said recently they will be having meetings in the next few days about how they can ramp up their efforts to reach those that are unvaccinated.

He urged unvaccinated persons to get the COVID-19 shots as the region faces a dramatic rise in the “hyper transmissible” variant of the coronavirus.

His plea included reassurances about the strength of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the Guyana.

Sincerely, David Adams

Hopeful signs for sugar Dear Editor,

T

here has been a litany of conflicting and inconsistent positions on the sugar industry. A common perception is that the sugar industry is linked primarily to Indians. Of the 5,160 dismissed sugar workers, 26.8% were Africans, while 63.4% were Indians.

The average experience of workers was 26 years, but their skills-set would have been specific to that industry which made labour mobility difficult. And the ranking members of the APNU+AFC coalition, for example, stated during their 2015 election campaign, “sugar is too big to fail,” and that they would give sugar workers a pay hike. The coalition recanted on that position and denied the critical importance of sugar and its vital role in Guyana’s economy and history.

Upon taking up office in 2015, the PNCR coalition government exclaimed that sugar had become a heavy drain on the country’s treasury and that they could not continue to grant subsidies (amounting to an average of $(G) 7 billion annually during the 2016-2019 pe-

riod). The sugar industry began to incur huge losses since 2006 when the EU’s (European Union) preferential treatment ended with the price of sugar falling immediately by 34%. The EU neutralized the impact by granting Guyana $(G)32 billion over the period 2007 to 2013. (I have not been able to determine how much of that money was invested in sugar). Combined with a production decline, the economic impact on the industry was harsh: in 2011 sugar earnings were $(US) 123 million, in 2017 it was $(US) 49 million, and it plummeted to $27.7 million in 2019. Another measure of sugar’s rapid decline was that in 1996 sugar’s contribution to GDP was 14.7% but that slumped to 2.8% in 2014.

Certain strategic industries like sugar and bauxite are “community-centred” industries that are inextricably bound up with workers’ history, social relations, and culture. The recent ILO study points to “the sheer dominance of the sugar estate in the economy of the communities that surrounded each estate.” Government’s policy therefore must be based not only on financial consideration (cost

benefit analysis) but also on an interplay among financial, social, historical, and strategic factors. To this end, the PPP/C Government has invested about $(G)10.5 billion since August 2020 in the sugar industry. The bulk (75%) of the investment is for re-capitalization.

With a current labour force of 7, 414, GUYSUCO is working to reverse the decline in production and productivity.

They have moved production from 50 MT per hectare during 2015-2019 to 61 MT per hectare in 2021. Their goal is to reach 70-80 MT per hectare. Improvements are expected to be gradual but continuous. This approach has allowed GUYSUCO to double its revenues from the sale of sugar by focusing on packaging rather than on bulk marketing. Bulk sugar is being sold on the world market between $(US) 320 – $(US) 350 per MT, compared now with $(US) 700 MT for packaged sugar. GUYSUCO’s CEO Sase Singh believes that a proper sales mix combined with other measures will restore economic viability to the industry within the next 4 years.

(Turn to page 5)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Guyanese must never forget Dear Editor,

O

n July 16th, Guyana remembered our two exemplary Comrades Bholanauth Parmanand and Jagan Ramessar. These two young men were ruthlessly and brutally gunned down as they were among their villagers who were struggling for free and fair elections in Guyana.

On that fatal day, 48 years ago, Bholanauth Parmanand and Jagan Ramessar were shot and killed by a Guyana Defence Force Officer.

Investigations by the Justice Dhanessar Jhappan Commission of Inquiry revealed the high likelihood of a PPP victory if the Elections were run in a free and fair manner. The Commission cited the massive public meetings held by the People’s Progressive Party and the overwhelming public display of support for Dr. Cheddi Jagan as evidence of this.

Guyanese were fully aware of the People’s National Congress’ wicked approach to National Elections, specifically, their heinous intentions to rig the elections. True to form, the PNC, in order to ensure their victory by any

means necessary, deployed the security forces, both army and police, to all parts of the country.

In addition to the regular strength at the Police Stations in Berbice, a battalion was deployed from the Guyana Defence Force under Captain Johnson.

Captain Johnson had his headquarters in the Compound of the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam. Captain Johnson’s men were further broken up into smaller groups and a platoon under the command of Lieutenant Henry was sent to the Upper Corentyne on the 7th June, 1973. The section consisted of two Sergeants, three Corporals, five Lance Corporals and nine Privates, that is 20 men in all, including Lieutenant Henry. The platoon pitched camp at No. 51 Backdam and remained there until the 19th June, 1973. From there they went to Plantation Skeldon, remaining there until the 27th June, 1973 when they moved on to No. 63 and bivouacked on the beach. On the 14th June, 1973, they left No. 63 Beach and set up camp in the compound of the No. 51 Police Station. They had with them self-loading rifles,

Hopeful signs...

Other than the sales mix, there are additional positive signs pointing in this direction.

For example, although there was a shortfall of production by 12,959 MT during the first ½ of 2021, the company has still been able to earn $(G)5.9 billion, thus exceeding its sales target by $(G)734 million. It paid $(G)700 million to its creditors (including GAWU, NIS, trade creditors) over the past 9 months.

What should not be ignored is the “multiplier” effect of these sugar subsidies which lead to economic activities several times the amount of subsidies. GAWU estimates that the loss of wages totaling $(G) 11.94 billion to sugar workers because of estates’ closure, has created collateral loss of $(G)10.15 billion to “shop keepers, market vendors, fisher

(From page 4)

folk, transportation providers, etc.” Additionally, GAWU argues by, “using the income multiplier formula, a further $(G) 70 billion have been removed from the economy.”

Sugar has not lost its sweetness. Some critics have lost their taste for sugar. GUYSUCO could tap further into the huge CARICOM market of 400,000 MT per annum (200,000 brown and 200,000 white). Better methods of cane cultivation, including better varieties of cane, diversification, re-imagining, co-generation, ethanol production, value-added like white sugar, and innovative marketing strategies would lead to success.

Yours faithfully, Dr Tara Singh

submachine guns, tear smoke grenades and steel helmets.

I worked on that polling day in Pouderoyen, and as we were coming out at 5:30AM. I recalled seeing GDF soldiers crawling on the roadside with their guns. A physical manifestation of the PNC’s heinous intention to terrorize the population was unleashed in the form of thugs, police and the Army.

Parmanand and Ramessar were shot by armed agents of the PNC dictatorship at No. 63 Village, Corentyne during the 1973 Elections while peacefully protesting the illegal removal of the ballot boxes from the place of poll at the end of voting.

On the 16th of July 1973, with Corporal Collins, Privates Mc Kenzie, Layne and London (Blackie) of the Guyana Defence Force Sergeant Ross and Police Constable Seecharran of the Police Force, Lieutenant Henry took along with him tear smoke grenades, respirators, steel helmets, two submachine guns, rifles and bayonets.

He himself was armed with one of the submachine guns. Corporal Collins had the other. The PNC thugs with all their armed might descended on the Corentyne with the clear intention to take full control of the ballot boxes and remove the representatives of other three political parties from around the ballot boxes.

Bholanauth Parmanand was killed and his dear wife and four children had to endure the death of the breadwinner of their home as their loving husband and father was ripped from them in the most brutal manner possible. Parmanand’s immediate family and his comrades, forty-eight years later, still vividly recall the unbelievably brutal and monstrous debacle that was the 1973 elections.

Young Jagan Ramessar was shot and killed and the Army threw him in their vehicle and drove him around as he was kicked and stamped upon. He was paraded to send a message to the people in Berbice. Approximately five hours later, after his corpse was unspeakably desecrated, he was taken to New

Amsterdam Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Jagan Ramessar, only eighteen-years-old, was brutally murdered and his parents and other relatives are today still crying.

My comrade Rishi Ram Motie and his friends tearfully recounted for me what they witnessed on that fatal day. Motie suffered a broken nose. His body was black and blue as he was cuffed and kicked. Scores of persons were badly beaten and threatened. During the campaign before July 16th it was clear that the People’s Progressive Party meetings attracted massive support while the PNC had a sprinkling of people. Motie, as he sobbed, told me that when the election results were announced and the PNC was the winning Party, nobody accepted the results. The PNC terrorists continued to terrorize the Berbicians as hundreds of people fled their homes and went across to Suriname, while others went into hiding for weeks and months. Families were humiliated and separated. As a result, thousands of Berbicians and other Guyanese were forced to leave Guyana.

Guyanese must never forget that many eminent persons such as Dr. Walter Rodney were assassinated and murdered during the dark days of the PNC rule.

Today, we must draw strength, unite and work together for the maintenance and further development of the democracy we now enjoy.

We must ensure that the memories of Bholanauth Parmanand and Jagan Ramessar live on in us and let their sacrifice inspire us to rally with the People’s Progressive Party.

We must never forget that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was fully under Burnham PNC control. It was the then Chairman of GECOM who allowed the staff to Rig the Elections. Guyanese must never allow anymore ‘Rigging of Elections’ in Guyana.

All said, the struggle for electoral reforms must continue.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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PPP/C commits to the development of Guyana in a non-discriminatory people-centred manner Dear Editor,

I

stumbled on a social media post purportedly by the Opposition Chief Whip, Mr Christopher Jones, alleging “Full Foolishness on Mandela Road Project”.

For the record, the PPP/C Government inherited a failed, mismanaged, non-implementing project when it came to office in

August 2020. We re-revived, reenergised and remobilised the contractor, and it’s obvious for all to see the inconveniences that motorists are currently experiencing that work is moving at a pace. I thank Mr Jones for highlighting progress and admiring the successes of the PPP/C in getting this project delivered to the Guyanese people.

A four-lane road must have medians.

A median is intended to provide a uniform barrier to the unsafe openings and is non-discriminatory in nature. All properties, businesses, religious and recreational facilities are treated in the same manner with the installation of the median. They are no exceptions, given that safety to all road users is our number one (1) priority. The online video alleges that there is some intent to kill the business of Mr James’ Rubis Gas Station.

Mr James wrote the Ministry requesting a review of an opening to facilitate his business and users of the Post Office. He was engaged by the Ministry of Public Works; a site visit was conducted and he was satisfied with the outcomes. For the record, had the APNU/ AFC remained in Office, the design of the median and the safe opening with traffic lights would have been exactly what is taking place since the were no changes to the design since the PPP/C took office. For Mr Jones to cry foolishness, he is clearly highlighting his displeasure with the mismanagement of the APNU/AFC while they were in office.

Public consultations on the project design and road changes were made, including the main consultation at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School. The entire project was drawn and posted on the auditorium walls.

Both Ministry officials and consultants were present to address any concerns or comments from stakeholders, but this was 2013, a period when the PPP/C governed and engaged in stakeholder consultation rather than pan-

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021 dering to the elite and privileged few, as we see with the several changes made during the APNU/AFC tenure to accommodate special interests.

In every part of the world, medians are desirable and are used on highways carrying four or more lanes and safe openings regulated by traffic lights to facilitate the flow of traffic. In Guyana, it is no different. Check all the highways that we built, four-lanes, and they all have medians. The APNU/AFC’s spokesman is looking to steal headlines and acquire some amount of relevance.

This silliness and attempt to agitate the residents of South Georgetown must be seen for what it is, shameless and vulgar.

The four-lane coming from Diamond connecting at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School turn will be accommodated by a roundabout, providing residents of South Georgetown with better access, more connections, and safer use of our roadways.

When there is development, there are always changes.

The PPP/C commits to the development of Guyana in a non-discriminatory people-centred, and engaging manner.

Is this entire episode based on self-interest? Is Mr Jones not a resident in the Tucville area?

Sincerely, Bishop Juan A Edghill Minister of Public Works

GECOM’s legal authority to dismiss any member of the Secretariat staff cannot be rationally disputed Dear Editor,

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is created by Article 161 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. I have often reiterated that logic and common sense follow the law. It inheres in both logic and common sense that in whom is vested the power to hire, concomitantly, enjoys the power to fire.

This reasoned and logical idiom manifests itself in Article 161 A of the Constitution. The relevant portion reads: 161 (A) (1) “the Elections Commission shall be responsible for the efficient functioning of the Secretariat of the Commission, which shall comprise the Officers and Employees of the Commission and for the appointment of all the staff to the offices thereof… and shall have the power to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over such staff.”

It must be elementary knowledge, even to lay men, that “disciplinary control” necessarily includes a power of dismissal.

In the premises, no rational mind can therefore dispute GECOM’s legal power and authority to dismiss any member of the Secretariat staff. It is common knowledge that the Chief Elections Officer, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer and a Returning Officer are all members of staff of the GECOM Secretariat.

Like every other commission created by the constitution, GECOM “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”

This functional autonomy is ensconced in Article 226 (1) of the Constitution. In the autonomous discharge of its powers and functional responsibilities, GECOM is empowered to make rules, to regulate the procedure of the Commission and until such rules are made, the Commission shall regulate its own procedure.

This characteristic of independence is guaranteed by Article 226 (2) of the Constitution in language expressed in such clarity that it brokers no ambiguity. GECOM has never made any rules to regulate its procedure in the manner contemplated by the constitution. The Commission, therefore, remains free to regulate its own procedure.

Like every other Commission or indeed, entity, whose constituent members represent different and competing interests, decisions are made by votes. GECOM is no different. Article 226 (4) of the Constitution decrees that any question for decision by the Commission shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members of the Commission present and voting at a meeting of the Commission; and if on any question, the votes are equally divided, the Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her original vote.

Anyone, who has even a mere fleeting familiarity with how the business of an entity, whose decisions are made by votes, functions, would know that the decision-making process is initiated by the proffering of a motion.

This motion is normally seconded and then debated. Upon the conclusion of that debate, a vote is taken, and the decision emanating therefrom is usually expressed in a resolution.

It is a fact of public notoriety that in the exercise of its freedom to regulate its own procedure enshrined in Article 232 (4) (above), GECOM has resolved to use this universally utilised process in treating with the issue of the removal of three of its employees.

In this procedural matrix, the contention that the movers and supporters of these motions cannot participate in the debate or vote on these motions borders on such absurdity reminiscent of the proposition that 33 is not a majority of 65!

To invoke the sacrosanct jurisprudential concept of natural justice in such a procedural prototype is simply to denigrate these hallowed principles.

To further illustrate the ludicrosity of this type of legal reasoning, I will render just one example: applying this curious logic to two No Confidence Motions presented to the Clerk of the National Assembly against two Ministers of the Government in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, neither the Leader of the Opposition nor any Member of the Opposition can speak or vote on these two motions by virtue of the principle of “natural justice”.

Yours truly, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC Attorney-General

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Meeting to debate dismissal of GECOM trio deferred T

he anticipated weekly statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission, initially set for Tuesday, July 13th, was postponed to next week.

The meeting was supposed to address a debate on motions calling for the dismissal of GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers; and Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, in comments on the delay, explained that Commissioners were supposed to be in possession of the contracts of employment for Lowenfield and Myers, but this did not happen. He said, “At the last meeting contracts of employment for the CEO and DCEO were requested.

Up to this point those contracts have not been provided and it was felt that no proper debate could ensue before commis-

sioners had had a chance to study those contracts.”

MOTIONS The trio is currently on annual leave pending the decision of the Commission. All three are currently before the courts facing charges related to misconduct in public office.

The motions were supported by government-nominated GECOM Commissioners, Gunraj, Bibi Shaddick and Manoj Narayan.

The motion to dismiss Lowenfield was tabled by Gunraj and Shadick and listed 20 grounds on which he should be dismissed. The Commissioners said that Lowenfield breached his functions, duties, responsibilities and obligations when he neglected to ensure due adherence and compliance with the statutory process outlined in Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), Chapter 1:03 by Mingo, who

was under his direct supervision. Mingo, according to the Commissioners, failed to follow the stipulated process of adding up the Statements of Poll (SoPs) for his District and Lowenfield aided in his noncompliance. Lowenfield is accused of also breaching his functions when he neglected to provide proper and lawful directions, instructions and guidance to the officers and employees of the Secretariat in the performance of their statutory duties during the process of the adding up of the votes recorded in the SoPs for Electoral District Four.

Myers is accused of aiding and abetting Lowenfield’s actions. In her case, the motion was submitted in the names of Shadick and Narayan. They argued that she also went out of her way to facilitate a meeting in a GECOM facility by then Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings where she threatened to revoke the

accreditation of international observers. Myers’ order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political party representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the SOPs is also listed as one of the reasons she should be dismissed from her substantive post as DCEO. Meanwhile, Mingo is accused of discarding his oath of office and failing to act fairly and impartially or legally in the discharge of his duties. The grounds for Mingo’s dismissal surround his tabulation of the SOPs in which he clearly manufactured numbers to reflect a win by the APNU+AFC Coalition. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the

outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SOPs. The three were informed of the motions by GECOM Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, and were given until June 15, 2021 to respond to the allegations.

MOVE TO COURT Meanwhile, Lowenfield has since moved to the High Court to block Gunraj and his colleague GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, from voting on the motion seeking his dismissal.

The embattled Chief Elections Officer is represented by Nigel Hughes and through his Fixed Date Application he argued that:”…the participation of the complainants Gunraj and Shadick in the hearing

of their own complaint is in breach of the rules of natural justice [and] infected the deliberations of the Commission with bias.”

Lowenfield is also contending that his contract does now provide for his dismissal via a motion. According to him, he can be terminated either via a three-month notice or without notice for gross misconduct, providing that written notice is given to identify the reason for his termination.

The Chief Election Officer is seeking several orders from the court, including that once GECOM votes on the motion, GECOM is still bound to ensure that he is protected by natural justice.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow is expected to hear the case on August 4, 2021.

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW

Legal advice being sought on No Confidence Motions submitted

H

ouse Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, has sought legal advice in the matter of the No Confidence Motions brought against PPP/C Ministers Dr. Frank Anthony and Robeson Benn, as well as against Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon.

This is according to the

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, who also disclosed that based on the advice from the AG Chambers, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir will make a decision.

The no confidence motions against Anthony and Benn were signed by Opposi-

tion Leader, Joseph Harmon, and submitted to the National Assembly on July 6, 2021.

The motion against Anthony is being seconded by the Coalition’s Dr Karen Cummings, while the motion against Benn is being seconded by Geeta Chandan-Edmonds.

Both Dr. Anthony and

Minister Benn have signaled their intention to rigorously defend their performance within their respective sectors.

The Health Minister in comments on the matter said, “We welcome this opportunity to remind Mr. Harmon and the APNU+AFC of the

many shortcomings that they have had for the five years that they were in government….what we have done in [the] last several months is far more than they have accomplished in the last five years that they were in government.”

Anthony referred to the many scandals in the health sector, under the Coalition’s tenure, including the initial management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the expenditure of over a billion dollars on a COVID facility that was not even furnished.

“For those first few months when they were there, we had difficulty having a PCR test done… throughout their tenure they would have done about 21 tests per day,” he said, adding that there were widespread shortages of personal protective equipment, ventilators and a plan for the treatment of COVID-19.

Anthony added, “It’s going to be fun when this thing comes up for debate, because we can clearly contrast what they have been doing with what we are doing and how that differs.”

Meanwhile, Minister Benn said, “We have a lot of things to talk about and I am happy that Harmon has provided me with that opportunity so that the people of this country would have a fairer idea of where we are coming from, what we have done, and what more there is to be done, because we are not done here yet…it speaks to deeper issues relating to the desperation of the APNU+AFC in the light of them being continuously exposed in respect of their failings both in Government and also against the efforts which we are making in just 11 months, even with the COVID and severe flooding.”

GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL Meanwhile, grounds for the removal of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Joseph Harmon as Opposition Leader have been cited by Prime Minister, Mark Phillip, who

is advancing a no confidence motion against him.

The motion cites Harmon’s “crucial and integral” part of the process of undermining democracy, following the March 2, 2020 polls. The motion noted that Harmon also continues to “consistently and repeatedly” misinform the public and the National Assembly with claim of a Coalition victory at the March 2020 Elections.

Phillips also noted that the Opposition “recklessly” misinformed the public and the National Assembly on the issue of the COVID-19 vaccine, relative to its efficacy and acquisition. This, the Prime Minister said, endangered the lives of Guyanese and has increased vaccine hesitancy among some of the most vulnerable in Guyana.

The Prime Minister, thirdly, called attention to Harmon’s opportunistic use of the horrific murder of the Henry boys from West Coast Berbice, as a means to incite ethnic disharmony.

The Opposition Leader’s consistent denigration of the representative of the joinder parties and Deputy Speaker, Lennox Shuman, as a legitimate member of the Parliamentary Opposition was also included in the motion.

It was noted that Harmon has gone as far as denying a member of the Parliamentary Opposition an opposition seat on any parliamentary committee.

Considering these facts, the no confidence motion calls an expression of a lack of confidence in the Leader of the Opposition and for Harmon’s immediate resignation.

The configuration of the National Assembly sees the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) with the parliamentary majority of 33 out of 65 seats. The APNU+AFC Coalition, the main Opposition party, has 31 seats, while the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), in collaboration with two other parties (the joinder parties), holds one seat in the House.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW Coalition’s spending of millions under scrutiny at PAC

A

whopping $19M was spent by the APNU+AFC Coalition from the Contingency Fund for Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) camera systems. However, over five years later, the cameras have not been delivered and the money not recovered since the company filed for bankruptcy.

This was disclosed during Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Wednesday (July 14, 2021).

Permanent Secretary, Abena Moore, when asked, explained that attempts to address the matter with former Attorney General Basil Williams went nowhere. As such, the current Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is being engaged. Moore said, “I wrote to the Attorney General’s Office at that time and I subsequently followed up and kept following up. I have not followed up as of last year.

But this is a matter that was entered into, and the CCTV systems have never arrived.

According to the research we did, the company filed for bankruptcy…the last thing I heard from the Attorney General Chambers, they were trying to see if there was a sister company in the US, if they could have tracked it down. But the last information I received, they were not successful at that time.

I’m going to raise it with the current Attorney General to see if we can have some movement on this matter.”

The CCTV cameras were purchased in December 2015 from a company called Moonblink Communication Incorporated. The matter has been before the PAC since 2017. Under questioning, Moore provided the name of the company and its principals. Moore said, “(The contract was awarded on) the 14th of December, 2015.

Moonblink Communication Incorporated. The names of the persons (principals of company) are Shaun Birkett and Sean Nolan.”

The PAC advised Moore to ensure that every effort is made to recover the money before any consideration is

given to writing it off as unrecoverable.

Notably, the 2018 Auditor General’s Report, stated that the CCTV system cost $19.108M. The report noted that the CCTV system was purchased for the National Intelligence Center. The report said, “The Audit Office recommends that the Head of Budget Agency follow-up this matter with a view to have the items delivered or the money refunded. The Audit Office recommends that the Head of Budget Agency ensure adherence to the requirements of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003, especially as it related to Section 43.”

Use of monies from the Contingency Fund is regulated strictly by law.

According to Section 220 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, “Parliament may make provision for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund and for authorising the Minister responsible for finance to make advances from that Fund if he is satisfied that there is an urgent need for expenditure for which no other provision exists.”

Section 220 (2) goes on to say that “Where any advance is made from the Contingencies Fund, a supplementary estimate shall, as soon as practicable, be laid before the National Assembly by Prime Minister or any other Minister designated by the President for the purpose of authorising the replacement of the amount so advanced”.

In addition, Section 41 (3) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act states, “The Minister, when satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure has arisen – (a) for which no monies have been appropriated or for which the sum appropriated is insufficient; (b) for which monies cannot be reallocated as provided for under this Act; or (c) which cannot be deferred without injury to the public interest, may approve a Contingencies Fund advance as an expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund

by the issuance of a drawing right.”

The Auditor General also noted in a prior report that

millions from the Contingency Fund were used by the for-

mer APNU+AFC Coalition government.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Inf r as t r uct ur e: Building f or t he Fut ur e

Gov’t investing billions to develop Region 10 road network R

esidents of Region Ten will soon benefit from billions of dollars in infrastructural works that will vastly develop the region’s road network.

The PPP/C’s Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill MP said before the end of the year, the region will see a massive facelift with new and rehabilitated roads.

According to him, the PPP/C Government is making strides in fulfilling a commitment to construct an all-weather road from Linden to Lethem. He said the first 125 kilometres of the road will be undertaken from Linden to Mabura Hill.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) are funding the project.

“This year, in the last

quarter we will be signing the contract for that road, it will cost about $US190 million ($38 billion) … That contract is at the final procurement stage. Pre-qualification, price proposals and award. We have already had the pre-qualifications that were advertised, a number of companies have been shortlisted and as soon as the Caribbean Development Bank gives approval of those shortlisted companies, price proposals and final evaluation and that is for 2021,” Minister Edghill said.

Further, $150 million will be expended for the upgrade of the Linden / Soesdyke Highway. Minister Edghill said the contract for that project has already been awarded and works will commence soon.

He said the rehabilita-

tion of the road will “ensure residents of Region Ten as well as businesses and others travelling through to Region nine, seven and eight, that traverse through this township could get to Linden and onto their final destination in a safe manner.”

Government will also be collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources to construct a road from Orealla to Kwakwani. Minister Edghill said he, along with Natural Resources Minister Hon. Vickram Bharrat will soon make an assessment of the alignment to ensure the road is properly built.

“With that road, aggregates, the quarrying industry, trucks will be able to bring aggregates from the quarry for construction and for infrastructural development into Region Ten and

other areas and ultimately getting into the market for our entire road construction,” Minister Edghill said.

Residents will also benefit from the rehabilitation of a number of urban and miscellaneous roads. For urban roads, $20 million will be spent on rehabilitation and construction of Third Corner East, Amelia’s Ward, Linden; $17 million for rehabilitation of Top Knock Street, Half Mile, Linden; and $12 million for rehabilitation of Main Road to One Mile Primary School.

As it relates to miscellaneous roads, $11.5 million has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the Kwakwani road network, $13.5 million for the road to Hururu Village, $34 million to rehabilitate the road network to West Watooka, $23 million to rehabilitate

Edghill commissions $52M road in Linden

D

elivering on the promise of better infrastructure, PPP/C’s Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill MP, on Tuesday (July 13, 2021) commissioned the once dilapidated New Washer Pond Road in Linden, Region 10. The $52 million road is outfitted with concrete drains and the requisite safety markings.

The work was executed by engineers from the Ministry’s Special Projects

Unit.

Minister Edghill said to avoid erosion, heavy duty vehicles cannot be accommodated on the road at this time. He said, “That is at least one month to keep the big heavy trucks, 35 to 40 tonnes and sometimes 50 tonnes, way about what the axels can carry off these roads until we can get what the ordinary layman might call curing period. To build a road and not have ade-

quate drainage is like putting money in fire, it will just disappear after a while, so we had to address the issue of drainage.”

Head of the Special Projects Unit Colin Gittens said the Ministry was able to address the issue that was causing the road to deteriorate.

“One of the major challenges is there was a spring in the area, I do not know if it an artesian spring or

because of the specific location of the area because we are in a valley, it could be there was water seeping out from the ponds above, but we have been able to harness the area, contain the water and allow it to free flow into the drains,” he said.

Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, has said the people of Linden appreciate the works executed by the Ministry, as the road was in a derelict state for many years. “Linden is grateful for this, this has been one of the major issues we have been facing over a couple of years as it relates to roads in Linden and we are grateful more so, that the problem that has been plaguing us has been identified,” she said.

The Mayor assured that the Town Council will make every effort to maintain the road. Regional Chairman Deron Adams echoed these sentiments.

The rehabilitation of the road is just one of many projects to be executed by the Government this year in the region.

Phase Three Amelia’s Ward roads, $28 million to rehabilitate the road network in Block 22, $30 million to rehabilitate the road from Old England to Coomacka Mines and $22 million for the rehabilitation of roads in Andy’s Ville and Pros Ville in Wismar.

“The residents of Region Ten can be fully informed and duly notified that not every single thing that they desire to be done is being done which is the same situation that exist in any region and in any village, significant allocations have been budgeted and will be expended for the development of works in Region Ten under both the urban road project and miscellaneous road project, about $300 million in works in 2021,” Minister Edghill stated.

The Public Works Min-

ister also noted that he will soon visit with a team from the Sea and River Defence Board to make an assessment to determine the best possible location for the $30 million waterfront development project. He said, “Some people have a view that we should do it at the Wismar shore, some have a view that we should do it on the Mackenzie shore but we want to be able that wherever we spend this year’s allocation it must have the greatest impact… be assured that every cent of the $30 million will be spent this year to bring improvement to the waterfront development but at a manner that would give maximum benefit to the people.”

The Minister said the Government’s approach to development is non-discriminatory.

Over $29M to rehabilitate Parika Market

S

ome $29.2 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of the Parika market, bringing a new wave of development to the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three).

PPP/C’s Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, facilitated the signing of the contract between VAL’S Construction and his Ministry on Tuesday (July 13, 2021). He said, “This is part of our budgetary support approved by the Government to enhance the infrastructure of the Parika Market. This work we expect will be done in the very near future, in a few months, so that those vendors who are terribly affected at Parika that they are going to be able to get back into the market, under better conditions of work.”

The project will see the construction of 1000 square feet of roof with translucent sheets, to allow natural light to illuminate the market. A 300-foot concrete and steel fencing will also be erected, along with a four-chamber

sanitary facility.

Major works will also be done on the electrical distribution system.

Minister Dharamlall said with the PPP/C Government’s development vision, the issues facing vendors and consumers would be alleviated. “We are aware that many store owners are on the roadside towards the Stelling and as soon as this market is completed, this phase of rehabilitation, that many of those who are encumbering on the road, they will find space within the market and we will have a much better business environment in Parika. So, we look forward to the contractor, beginning work very soon.”

The project is part of the $130 million set aside by the Local Government Ministry to upgrade the Parika, Charity and Mon Repos markets.

The project will improve the aesthetics of the communities and will bring order to the markets, eliminating itinerant vending, while providing shoppers with a safer and peaceful space to conduct business.

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Because we care

$4,000 sh grant

Uniform ca

$15,000

sh grant

e care ca

w Because

YOUR KIDS DESERVE THE BEST FOR THEIR EDUCATION

11

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Because We Care Cash Grant Schedule 2021

PLEASE SEE NEXT PAGE This schedule addresses the first two weeks of distribution. Another schedule that caters to the remaining schools will be published soon.

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE THE BEST FOR THEIR EDUCATION

13

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Because We Care Cash Grant Schedule 2021

This schedule addresses the first two weeks of distribution. Another schedule that caters to the remaining schools will be published soon.

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE THE BEST FOR THEIR EDUCATION

Delivering for Guyanese: Quality Education for All….

Manickchand says ‘every child will be served’ ‒ Cash Grant distribution commences

U

nder the PPP/C government, every student will be served by the Ministry of Education. This is according to Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, whose comments came as the Ministry commenced the distribution of the “Because We Care” Cash Grant in Region Two. “I will never serve you in a partisan way. Your children will get the same type of service that the next child will get. You must remember that about us. We will serve you and we will serve you equitably,” she said.

The programme commenced at the Cotton Field

Secondary School where 492 students are registered.

Over $224M is scheduled to be distributed in Region Two this week to over 11,000 students.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall were also present for the launch of the cash grant program in Region Two today. They both visited several schools across the Region to spearhead the distribution exercise.

Other schools served on Wednesday included the

Fisher Primary School where 814 grants were distributed to children attending the Abrams Zuil Secondary, Fisher Nursery, Fisher Primary and Abrams Zuil Nursery School were distributed to parents at the venue representing a collective value of over $15M. The Because We Care cash grant will increase from $15,000 incrementally each year until it reaches $50,000 within the Government’s first five years in office.

This year, in addition to the $15,000 children received $4000 from the School Uniform and Supplies cash grant

which was formerly done as a voucher. Combined, each child in the public school system will receive $19,000 this year.

Further, the Education Minister advised that to ensure that learning continued while schools remained closed, the Guyana Learning Channel was refashioned so that students from any grade could be taught through the channel using the timetabled airing of lessons on the topics that they should have been doing if they were physically in school.

The $19,000 can be used to purchase any item or to complete any project that will serve the best interest of children.

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Private Sector stakeholders engaged by top gov’t officials

P

resident Ali was the main speaker at the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Business Forum on

Wednesday (July 14, 2021).

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Senior Minister in the

Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, also took part in the forum.

Guyana committed to strengthening ties with South American nations

P

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali, during a meeting last week, reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the South American trade block MERCOSUR. During the Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR (officially translated to mean Southern Common Market), a virtual meeting, He explained that Guyana is committed to the pursuit of regional economic integration and to strengthen the political, social and economic ties with its South American neighbours. According to him, the aim is to ensure that there is a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all citizens of the continent.

The meeting saw Heads of States and Representatives from founding members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and from associated states Guyana, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Suriname.

The President pointed out that Guyana strongly shares the values that define the MERCOSUR project, including democracy, the rule of law, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. He also pointed to the respect for international law, for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the peaceful settlement of disputes. “These are all fundamental to ensuring that our region remains a zone of peace and development where the aspirations of our

peoples can be realised in full freedom,” he assured.

The Head of State told the auspicious gathering that since Guyana became an associate member of MERCOSUR in 2013, the country has had the privilege of strengthening its engagement with the group as well as its continental counterparts.

Ali said, “We have benefitted from the wealth of knowledge and experiences exchanged with our regional neighbours.”

President Ali stressed that the group has demonstrated the effectiveness of regional integration, which has now become imperative in a more technologically connected world. He added that as South American nations, it is imperative to strive for closer ties and build an economic block that is dynamic and self-sustaining.

He pointed to cooperation on infrastructural projects between Guyana and Brazil and Guyana and Suriname, which include the Guyana to Brazil road link that is set to start construction next year, the installation of a fibre optic link between Georgetown and Boa Vista, the conclusion of an agreement to link Suriname and Guyana with a bridge across the Corentyne River, and the prospect of an energy corridor linking the three neighbouring countries.

The Head of State also noted that there is a need for the fortification of national health systems and the strengthening of international

cooperation and multilateral action on health. The President said that this deficit was revealed through the pandemic. He said, “We are grateful for the support received from continental partners in this regard. We must all learn from our experiences and strengthen systems to prevent, contain and manage the spread of COVID-19 and any other infections that may arise in the future.”

The President also stressed that Guyana is prepared to explore regional cooperation initiatives that will help to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters, and to build a safe, more resilient and sustainable South America. He noted that if not adequately addressed, climate change has the potential to destabilise “our recovering economies and hinder our development agendas.”

He also stressed that Guyana will continue to seek the support of the international community and MERCOSUR in its quest to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity. “We take this opportunity to reiterate our strong adherence to the principles of respect for treaties and international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, rejecting entirely the threat or use of force, and mutual cooperation for peaceful coexistence among states,” Ali posited.

Mercosur was established by the Treaty of Asuncion in 1991.

The event, which was held under the theme 'The Private Sector in an Emerging Guyana' at the Pegasus

Hotel, attracted PSC members and representatives from various chambers across the country.

Call made for greater private sector support during meeting with new CDB head P resident Dr Irfaan Ali last week lobbied for greater support for private sector development, while outlining the country’s development agenda to the visiting President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon and his team.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh were also a part of the meeting, which was held at the Office of the President.

The Head of State said he outlined with “great clarity” the vision for Guyana and the Government’s macro plans, as well as “what it is we believe the bank can do to meet the challenges that face not only Guyana, but the region”.

The President said that he shared disaggregated information relating to the Government’s vision on various sectors and for future projects that are necessary to move the country forward. He said, “An important part of that is the inclusion of the private sector and greater support for private sector development.”

Calls were also made for more information to be made available to the private sector to help them understand the bank’s existing opportunities, and for “a reform within the bank itself” to cater to the developmental needs of the region.

The Guyanese team of Government officials emphasised that the Bank has an important role to play in sup-

porting private sector development not just in Guyana, but throughout the region.

The President has been adamant that the Government would support private sector initiatives, especially when it comes to developmental projects.

This viewpoint was expounded upon by Dr Singh, who noted that the private sector is earmarked to play key roles in Guyana’s future.

He said, “…We have been speaking about things like public-private partnerships for some time. We are hoping to be able to see private financing play a bigger role including in infrastructure projects. And then of course the role of the private sector in investing in the productive economy.”

According to the senior Minister, today’s discussion can be viewed against the backdrop of Guyana’s role not only as a borrower and a beneficiary of the Bank, but as a shareholder in the bank.

He explained that a brief history of the Bank’s engagement in Guyana, including support for a number of developmental projects, especially through the Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund facilities were also discussed.

Conversations also focused on issues surrounding climate change, the environment, the energy sector and the national development priorities of Guyana and other Caribbean nations.

Dr Singh said that overall

the exchanges were “very forward-looking,” not only the articulation of Guyana’s development agenda, but through shared ideas on the Bank’s future in the region. “…It was a very forward-looking conversation about the future direction with the bank and potential opportunities for the Bank.

We shared some thoughts on the bank’s continued important role in the region’s landscape.”

Giving an insight into the meeting from the CDB’s perspective, Dr Leon said that the discussions were “very constructive” and underscored how the Bank and Guyana would sustain their great relationship. The CDB President said, “We touched on a number of topics that are of common concern now in the region in terms of its development and how the Bank can hopefully assist in that particular direction.” Dr Leon, who is on a two-day visit, plans to next meet with the CDB’s key interlocker in Guyana— the Ministry of Finance—as well as other Government agencies. He also intends to visit some projects that the CDB would have facilitated over the years and possibly engage, informally, with the private sector. The visit to Guyana by the CDB President is the first stop on his trip around the Caribbean since taking the reins of the regional multilateral institution in May.

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

15

16

Another publicity stunt Dear Editor,

I

have taken note of the APNU/AFC’s criticisms of the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government’s management of the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They have taken a step further by bringing forth a No-Confidence Motion to support the same narrative. Guyanese are smart people and just as how they have seen through every APNU/AFC untruth ranging from 33 not being the majority of 65 to them being fraudulently removed from office, they will see through this latest charade.

We are all aware that the APNU/AFC continues to put forward its erroneous claim that the Minister of Health has been doing a poor job in terms of managing the pandemic in Guyana. They support this by saying that when they were in Government

the COVID-19 numbers were significantly lower. But those numbers were clearly influenced by the deliberate policy of low testing that they employed, which was rigidly enforced by Volda Lawrence on whose desks the test results had to go before even the persons tested were made aware of their status. This isn’t the case now as the PPP/C Government when it took office in August significantly increased the amount of testing being done and with that reality obviously would come more detection of positive cases.

Further, I put forth this question to the coalition: if their management of the pandemic was so good and the numbers were so low as they claim then why was there a need for them to spend $1.6 billion on a COVID-19 hospital? What about the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021 Organisation’s (PAHO/WHO) projection in early April 2020 that cases in Guyana could reach as much as 20,000 by May 5 of that same year?

The answer is very simple. Despite which Government came into office, the COVID-19 numbers would have been far more than what it was at the beginning of 2020. Even if the APNU/AFC were successful in defying the will of the electorate in 2020, COVID-19 would have affected Guyanese far worse given their dismal record in dealing with the pandemic in its initial stages.

I am positive that many other right-thinking Guyanese would agree with me when I

say that the PPP/C Government has demonstrated far better management of Guyana’s fight against COVID-19. In fact, it was this Government who procured PPEs, provided incentives to those in the frontline of the fight as well as relief to the ordinary Guyanese. They have also undertaken a robust vaccination campaign, the success of which the APNU/AFC is trying to stymie. As such, I find the APNU/AFC’s stance and its latest publicity stunt in the form of a No-Confidence Motion to be ridiculous.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

GHRA has no credibility left Dear Editor,

N

o amount of front-page coverage or editorials will resurrect Mike McCormack’s Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) from the dead. The GHRA has long lost its relevance and whatever credibility it had.

They say you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead but this undemocratic outfit which has had McCormack as its head for over 40 years is viewed by a large part of the population as

an APNU/AFC mouthpiece. That it was in an apparent comatose state during the blatant attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 General Elections and has suddenly awoken from its sleep, echoing positions taken by the APNU/ AFC, gives credence to this view.

McCormack’s fulminations have been largely ignored by the many mainstream media houses for good reasons.

Yours truly, Erin Northe

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Over 600 Amerindian youths to receive ICT, other training S

ome 620 Amerindian youths living in hinterland and riverine communities are set to benefit from training in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), solar panel installation and driving.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, had disclosed that three persons from each Amerindian village will receive skills training to aid in their community’s development. “For

this year, we expect to train a maximum of three CSOs [Community Support Officers] in a skill that will be useful for the community or can put them on a competitive level with other individuals, wherever the opportunity may arise,” Minister Sukhai said during a recent outreach to Region Eight.

The Government has been on a progressive campaign to fulfil all promises made to citizens. To this

end, more than 50 Amerindians have already received training in ICT, while some 170 more will receive similar training the end of the year.

Sukhai said, “We have targeted 220 ICT students, 200 drivers and 200 solar panel technicians. We’ve already trained 50 ICT students and next month we will start training both the drivers and the solar panel installation and maintenance technicians.”

The Government is working through the re-established Community Support Officer programme which was launched in 2014 and replaced with the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) initiative by the former APNU/ AFC administration. Some $820 million has been earmarked for the training and empowerment of Amerindian youths from Budget 2021.

PPP/C gov’t to resume Amerindian language revival project

M

inister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, says the Government will be re-establishing the language revival programme for Amerindians.

This move she said will ensure that the Akawaio, Arawak, Arecuna, Carib, Macushi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishana, and Warrau languages do not become extinct.

“Many of them speak

their languages but we have had some of the nations that have not maintained and have lost the ability to converse and even to share their language, at the village level or with the younger generation,” Minister Sukhai said.

The programme first started in 2013 under the then PPP/C Government and saw the reviving of the (Turn to page 18)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

PPP/C gov’t to resume Amerindian...

(From page 17)

Arawak language in Wakapau, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The success of that project had widened the policy to cater for all Amerindian languages. Minister Sukhai said Government has prioritised the programme, as it cares for the well-being of Amerindians.

The PPP/C Minister said, “We will be supporting villages that need to revive the languages first and

foremost and we will also be supporting villages to have the language to ensure that the younger generation continues to be interested and use the language.”

With the PPP/C back in Government, Minister Sukhai said funds will be budgeted next year to restart this project. The programme is part of a slew of initiatives for Amerindians. The Administration has already re-employed Community

Service Officers (CSOs), creating employment in the hinterland. Further, some $630 million has also been budgeted to expedite the land titling process in Amerindian villages-a project that was almost neglected under the past administration.

Amerindians have already begun benefitting from improved water and electricity services, with numerous roads earmarked for upgrade.

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Delivering for Guyanese: Affordable Housing….

400 house lots for Lindeners ‒ CH&PA takes ‘Dream Realised’ to Reg. 10

S

ome 400 residents of Linden, Region Ten are set to receive house lots in Amelia’s Ward, as the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA)

took its ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive to the region.

The two-day event, held at the Amelia’s Ward Primary School, also saw 144 persons receiving titles and transports for their lands.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said the PPP/C Government understands the importance of providing adequate housing to Guyanese and the role it plays in self and community

development.

The Amelia’s Ward community will have a nursery school, health centre, market, bus and taxi terminals, playground and recreational facility. Lots will also be allocated to applicants who are members of the Disciplined Services.

“This house lot allocation in Amelia’s Ward is not being done in isolation. In fact, between now and 2022, our government is expected to expend at least $2.9 billion for infrastructure in Region Ten under the Housing Sector,” the Minister said.

In January, President

Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali visited the region and announced the construction of 1,000 homes for young professionals in Amelia’s Ward. Subsequently, $288 million was set aside for the construction of elevated housing units. Another $6 (Turn to page 21)

WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Trio remanded for arson at GECOM’s Linden office

‒ alleged mastermind also arrested

T

hree men were jointly charged for setting fire to a building that housed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office at Wismar, Linden.

The trio – Teon February, 23, a labourer of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden; Marlon Hunter, 21, of Fourth Street, Silver Town, Wismar, Linden; and Byron Kendall called ‘Murgie’, 48, of Kara Kara, Linden - appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

February and Hunter reportedly told the police that Kendall promised them the sum of $150,000 once the act was completed. Further, February claimed that Kendall reportedly told him that the reason for the act was because GECOM was taking too long to swear in former President David Granger.

They were charged and remanded to prison. They were not required to plead to the charge.

The charge stated that on July 14, 2020, at Lot 2 Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden, they unlawfully and maliciously set fire to the building which housed the GECOM office.

The matter was adjourned until July 30, 2021.

A fourth man, William Marshall, was named as the

The alleged mastermind behind the fire, William Marshall

alleged mastermind of the crime, was also arrested.

The 51-year-old, of Independence Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden, is the driver of Regional Chairman Deron Adams.

He was released on Monday (July 12, 2021) on $100,000 bail, after the maximum 72 hold time, without charge, expired.

However, Marshall was required to return to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) during the week, as the investigation continues.

At the time of the fire, a security guard raised an alarm. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading, but nothing at the GECOM office was saved.

From left: Teon February, 23; Marlon Hunter, 21; and Bryon Kendall, 48

400 house lots... million was spent on the clearing and levelling of land for housing development in the Amelia’s Ward new housing area and $100 million for 6 kilometres of asphaltic concrete roads, reinforced concrete curbs and walkways. Another $1.

6 billion has been proposed for 2022, for additional infrastructural works including reinforced concrete roads, drains and culverts and pipe network in Ame-

(From page 20)

lia’s Ward.

The CH&PA has more than 4,000 applications pending from Region Ten from as far back as 2010.

Notably, between May to December 2015, one house lot was distributed in Linden; January to December 2016, 36; January to December 2017, 201; January to December 2018, 121; January to December 2019, zero; and between January to August 2020, one.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Delivering for Guyanese: Job Creation….

More CEWs to be employed in Mocha /Arcadia

A

n additional seven persons from Mocha/ Arcadia will be employed as Community Enhancement Workers (CEWs), according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

His comments came during a meeting with residents, farmers and the Mocha/ Arcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), where he explained that the move is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to create jobs

and boost village economies.

Residents also raised concerns about the state of some roads and flooding caused by poor drainage, among others. In response, the Minister said, “We will be doing some trench

cleaning and the engineer will be here tomorrow at 8 and do an assessment of all of the drainage points. We will be doing a conditional survey of all of the roads in the community.”

Residents were urged to work together with the relevant authorities to assist in the development of their community. Dharamlall said, “The Government is committed to working together with you to develop this community because

only through this kind of approach can the Mocha Arcadia community be able to grow for benefit of our future generation.”

Minister Dharamlall also handed over a brush cutter to the NDC to conduct much-needed enhancement works.

Some $1.1 billion was set aside in the 2021 National Budget for the CEW programme, for the preservation and enhancement of communities. CEWs

fall under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) which started in 2014, and was modified in 2015, to decentralise resources to the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs).

The CIIP also enables the NDCs to provide services to the communities and to encourage citizens to pay their rates and taxes to facilitate the maintenance of critical structures and other development works.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 17-18 JULY, 2021

Government secures $360M COVID grant from Global Fund ‒ COVID ICUs to be upgraded

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Guyana secures Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine M inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has disclosed that Guyana is expecting another consignment of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility and the CARICOM/ African Union agreement, later this month.

He said, “As you know, the Government has bought vaccines…we are going to continue to receive the vaccines that we’ve bought from the UAE [United Arab Emirates]. We have also been working with COVAX to get vaccines. Guyana is one of those AMC countries, and COVAX has promised us that they will be sending additional vaccines to Guyana, sometime between now, in July and September.

So, anytime between July and September, we are expecting another shipment of COVAX vaccines.

“We have also paid for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. And this is an arrangement that we have had with the African Union. So, we were required to pay for these vaccines which we did. And the latest infor-

mation that we have is that they’ll be able to ship those vaccines to us in August.”

The Minister said the arrival dates would be made public once they are confirmed.

In January, Guyana received 24,000 COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX.

In May, another consignment of 38,400 vaccines arrived through the same arrangement.

Government then purchased the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, followed by the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine, as well as the AstraZeneca vaccine.

uyana has secured some $360 million (US$1.8 million) from the Global Fund to aid the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, in making the disclosure added that the international financing and partnership organisation which supports the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria had invited countries to apply for COVID grants.

He said, “As you would know, the Global Fund has been one of our traditional partners now in health, so, we have been able, late last year to receive a small grant from the Global Fund for purposes of responding to COVID-19. And as of this year, the Global Fund opened a special window where countries can apply for a specific COVID-19 grant. We started that application about a month ago, and we put it in, and as of two days ago, Guyana has been very successful.”

The Health Minister said the fund will be used to upgrade Intensive Care Units (ICUs), across the country to better serve patients, particularly those affected by COVID-19. “These funds would assist us in adding ICU types of beds, it would also assist us in procuring monitors and ventilators and create a space in each one of the regional hospitals, so that we can manage severe patients with severe COVID,” he said.

Government expects to receive the money over the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, the Government has increased the capacity of the ICU at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal. Initially built and outfitted with 25 beds, the ICU now has 35 beds for COVID patients. Anthony said, “We have seen at times when you can have surges of patients, and perhaps you need to make sure that you have extra capacity in case you have those surges. So, we have added that capacity to our ICU, at the COVID Hospital. And so, we’ve expanded it to about 35 beds. So, we have that extra capacity. I’m hopeful that we don’t have to use it. But if we need to put persons on ventilators and so forth, we now have that extra capacity.”

Guyana has received loans and grants for COVID-19 from a number of institutions including the World Bank.

UPGRADE OF COVID-19 ICUs Further, Anthony has disclosed that the COVID-19 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at regional hospitals across the country will soon be upgraded with the addition of new equipment. He explained that Government will be utilising the $350 million COVID grant from the Global Fund, for these upgrades.

Anthony said, “At a min-

imum each region will get an additional three ventilators, three ICU type of bed and three monitors. So, this will complement the existing capacity they have and therefore, from this particular grant, we are hoping to add another 30 beds in ICU capacity.”

Currently, the ICU at each regional hospital is outfitted with two beds and the accompanying equipment to manage COVID-19 patients.

The hospitals in the hinterland regions are also equipped with oxygen concentrators. The monies to be expended from the Global Fund grant will add to the existing infrastructure at the hospitals.

While Government is building the infrastructure, it is also executing a robust COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with 48.9 per cent of the adult population already vaccinated with the first dose of a Covid vaccine.

“For persons receiving their second dose, we’re at 118,126 persons. This amounts to about 24.3 per cent of our adult population.

So, now with 24.3 per cent of our adult population being fully immunised. I think we’re making the step in the right direction. However, we still have a far way to go,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony confirmed that the three children diagnosed with COVID-19 are still at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal. One remains in the ICU while the others are in the regular ward.

Coalition’s designation of gov’t as illegitimate presents practical obstacles to talks – Ali T

he PPP/C Administration’s commitment to inclusive governance has been restated by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. In recent comments on the issue, the Head of State said, “I also affirm the promise to institute a system of inclusionary governance.

Over the past 10 months we’ve been implementing that system. My Government will strengthen inclusion at three levels. At the level of

the National Assembly, the political level and the level of Government. “...the adversarial character of the National Assembly does not preclude compromise or consensus.

The two sides of our National Assembly may not always agree, but can seek a common understanding including through the utilisation of parliamentary mechanisms such as the select committees.”

According to him, civil

society has also been engaged, particularly at it relates to skills that can support national development.

“We have already begun to involve in the management of our country, persons who we feel have the expertise required and who are committed to the national interest. I’ve also met with social and religious organisations, trade unions and the Private Sector. I will continue to meet with them, to benefit

from their insights and learn more from their concerns,” Ali said.

Addressing ramblings from the APNU+AFC Coalition camp about non-engagement, Ali made clear that any fruitful engagement is undermined by the Coalition’s designation of his government. He said, “At the political level I’ve held meetings with other political parties, including non-parliamentary parties. I’m not averse to

meeting the main parliamentary Opposition. However, its designation of my Government as illegitimate presents practical obstacles to any such engagement…. the parliamentary Opposition must understand, they have to respect and honour the will of the people. And in respecting and honouring the will of the people, they have to respect the Government of the day that was elected by the people of the country.”

Notably, the APNU+AFC has been complaining about the lack of dialogue with the PPP Government on key areas of interest, but at the same time have been labelling the Ali-led Administration as an “installed” regime.

Ali, prior to taking office, had committed to ensuring that an open-door policy will be the order of the day.

“When I'm elected and the People's Progressive Party is returned to government after March, we have already said publicly that we're open to engaging all stakeholders… it includes civil society,” he had said.

Further, while the fact that there have been no formal talks between the Government and the APNU+AFC Coalition has been addressed

by Vice President Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. According to him, the PPP/C Administration still is unable to find an “honest interlocutor” in the Parliamentary Opposition. In a prior interview, he

had siad, “We still have to, notwithstanding the fact that all efforts made have failed, we still have to reach out to have that done. The problem now is that we do not have an honest interlocutor on the other side.” To have an “honest interlocutor”, according to him, means having someone across the table who will agree to go through “bumpy times with you,” but would still give a commitment and keep that promise. “So, the question remains. Who do we speak with on the other side? At this point in time, I cannot see a single individual who can stand up and say I speak for the collective and we are going to make some commitments here about working together and that person has the ability to defend, and have the party defend those commitments,” he said.

Additionally, the issue of inclusive governance has been a continuous area of focus of successive PPP/C governments, between 1992 and 2015. A Paper titled ‘Towards greater inclusive governance in Guyana – Building Trust To Achieve Genuine Political Cooperation’, was made public in 2003 and the measures detailed in the Paper were cited as “vital” for political development and the “emergence of a new political culture” characterized by greater trust, civility and commitment to the national interest.

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