Weekend Mirror 7-8 January 2023

The Guyanese Head of State has stated that the most important attribute of any state, is its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

And he charged that later this year, those who supported the fight for democracy following the March 2020 General and Regional Elec-

tions will be awarded later in the year.

Ali, on Tuesday (January 3, 2022), said, “As a country, later this year, we will be recognising many other regional contributors and national contributors who in a very truthful and honest way, independently stood up for democracy, the

rule of law and freedom for Guyana.”

In March 2021, one year after the protracted elections, President Ali announced that a new ‘Order of Democracy’ award would be established “in recognition of the contributions of those individuals and organisations who defied the riggers and defended our

democracy.”

Ali said, “All leaders and people of influence who participate in a process to upkeep and uphold democracy, must and should be recognised.”

Meanwhile, while noting that many persons may argue that it does not take much to stand up for democracy

and freedom, President Ali affirmed that, “it takes a lot because it takes a person of character, a person of integrity, a person who is selfless to stand up, sometimes against odds and to call a wrong, when a wrong should be called.”

The completed recount of votes from Region 4, which were cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, exposed the fact that the now sacked Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, did, in fact, manipulate the results he presented on March 13, 2020. Mingo manipulated over 22,000 votes in Region 4 – inflating the APNU+AFC Coalition voted by over 19,000 and decreasing the PPP/C votes by over 3,000.

In the meantime, PNCR Chair, Volda Lawrence, remains silent on her publicly exposed role in attempting to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. In October 2020, she was slapped charges and had to visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters to respond to questions about her role in the attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Lawrence faces two conspiracy to defraud charges and was released on $50,000 bail on each charge. Those charges came one day after she was arrested, detained, and released on $100,000 station bail. Further, private criminal charges were also filed against her by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr for alleged conspiracy to forge documents in the favour of her party; and she was arraigned in August and placed on $100,000 bail. The matter is still pending in court. Mingo had signed off on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 from the March 2, 2020 Elections, that was vitiated by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire, who said it was illegal. The document was co-signed by Lawrence. Questions about the appearance of Lawrence’s signature on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 raised several questions that remain unanswered. Notably, on all the Form 24 declarations, for

nine Regions, there is only one signature, that of the Returning Officers.

The PNCR Leader, himself, Aubrey Norton, was also actively at the forefront of that campaign. Norton appeared on various platforms, not only in Guyana, but in the Caribbean, including on national television in Trinidad and Tobago, staunchly defending the former APNU+AFC Coalition’s efforts to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. On July 21, 2020, Norton, appearing on television in Trinidad and Tobago, went as far as saying: “I do not see the government (the APNU+AFC Coalition government) as illegitimate,” when questioned about the no-confidence motion and the Coalition’s caretaker mode at that time. Further, failing to acknowledge the democratic will of the Guyanese people, evidenced by the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, as well as the results of the national recount, Norton had said, “I believe we must stay focused on ensuring the People’s Progressive Party doesn’t come to power.”

Further, Norton has exposed himself as not being one to shy away from peddling misinformation to the Guyanese public. In May 2020, Norton made wild claims that at a polling station in Bush Lot, Region 5, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) secured 199 votes and the Coalition secured four votes – but there were only 199 registered voters for that polling station. He had said: “I want to point out that in Box number 5083 at Bush Lot, Region Five, the official list of electors had 199 persons.” The polling station in reference was at the Bush Lot Nursery School [Division 52213C (ii)]and the number of registered voters whose ballots would have been placed in Ballot Box number 5083 is 257 – not the 199 that Norton claimed.

Several other major revelations on the PNCR-led Coalition’s role in the effort to undermine the will of the Guyanese people in March 2020 have been revealed during the ongoing international Elections Commission of Inquiry.

Public hearings by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2020 Elections recommenced this week.

And on Thursday (January 5, 2023), the anticipated appearance of the PNCR’s Volda Lawrence, Carol Smith-Joseph, and Dr. Karen Cummings, proved unproductive, as the trio exercised their right to remain silent.

The trio were served notices compelling them to appear before the Commission of Inquiry.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Questions about the signatures of Lawrence, as well as the party’s Chief Scrutineer, Smith-Joseph, on the fraudulent declarations made on March 5, 2020 and March 13, 2020, respectively, by former Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, remain unanswered.

Lawrence signed off on the March 5, 2022 declaration by the now sacked Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Mingo also signed off the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 from the March 2, 2020 Elections, which was vitiated by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire, who said it was illegal.

Also, the signature Coalition activist, Carol Joseph, was on manipulated declarations for Region 4, issued on March 13, 2020 and prepared by Mingo.

In both cases, the manipulated declarations increased votes for the APNU+AFC

and decreased the votes for the PPP/C. By the end of the recount for Region 4, the declarations were exposed as having been manipulated.

On all the Form 24 declarations, for nine Regions, there is only one signature, that of the Returning Officers.

No political party is required to sign on to the declaration made by the Returning Officers in the 10 Regions.

OBSERVERS THREATENED

Meanwhile, Cummings was involved in issuing threats to members of the international Election Observer Missions. The international and local observers reacted angrily when the Cummings that she was told to revoke their accreditation. Cummings had met with the international and local observers in a room at the Command Centre of the Region 4 Returning Officer’s office, on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

A recording of the meeting was made public. In the recording, one male observer

was heard saying: “It comes across as intimidation, as you are trying to intimidate the observers when you speak about taking away accreditation.” Cummings interrupted the male observer and said, “I am happy that you’re here….let’s leave in good spirits…just keep on doing your work…so the last word you’re hearing from me is continue doing your good job.” The make observer responded, “It doesn’t take away from the fact that you made a threat to take away accreditation.” Cummings returned, “I told you I wasn’t in agreement with doing that.” To that statement a second male observer then said, “Minister, why was that proffered then?” Cummings said, “Maybe I should take it back.”

By this time a clearly annoyed, Owen Arthur, head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, said, “I speak for the Commonwealth and I am not going to have, not me, the Commonwealth disrespected with a threat to take away accreditation of the commonwealth. I will

be speaking with the Commonwealth Secretary General shortly…I have a duty to her, to report accurately….I will not take it.”

Arthur was interrupted after Cummings took a phone call. The Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers, was seen entering the room and handing Cummings a mobile phone for her to speak with someone after which she left the room.

Cummings then left the room where she was meeting the international and local observers abruptly.

LINK EXPOSED

Only recently, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, charged that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the March 2020 Elections will hopefully form the basis for holding individuals accountable for the events which occurred during the March 2020 elections, including GECOM officials. He noted that the testimonies given to Commission so far expose a “crucial link” between operatives of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition and staff, including sacked Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers.

The Vice President had questioned Myers’ role, given that she was the “key

chaperone” when Mingo’s fraudulent declarations were made and when Cummings, threatened members of the International Election Observer Missions.

He had also said, “I hope that the two of them would appear before the Commission and explain how their signatures ended up on Mingo’s fraudulent declarations…the signatures ties the GECOM officials to the political masters and the intellectual authors of this.”

Jagdeo stressed that in addition to the CoI being a basis for holding individuals accountable for the events which occurred during the March 2020 elections, including GECOM officials, it is hoped that GECOM itself would take administrative steps to address the actions of persons who have been exposed as being involved in the effort to undermine the will of Guyanese.

The PNCR’s Volda Lawrence, Dr. Karen Cummings, Carol Smith-Joseph at the Elections CoI

EDITORIAL

Cooperation for our collective national good

Moving into 2023, our people must demand a true change – a move forward in the name of national unity and cooperation for our collective national good.

It must be underscored that the divisive, race-baiting rhetoric from the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition, as well as their calls to undermine the duly elected PPP/C Government, has implications that are irresponsibly ignored by the Coalition.

Since August 2020, Guyanese have been subject to the destructive rhetoric premised on misinformation to fuel a self-serving agenda of a small elitist grouping uninterested in cooperation to serve the national good; rather are far more concerned with gipping about their loss of privilege.

A few examples include the comments from:

• WPA’s David Hind, who in August 2021, said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C) government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

• David Hinds, who on November 22, 2021, said: “I think the time has come to defend ourselves…it is time for action…I am also repeating my call to undermine the government. I said that in August and I am saying it again. A leader does not have to tell you how to undermine the government. There are many ways…undermine the government and continue to do so.” At the same forum, Hinds went further to call for Indian-owned businesses to be boycotted. He said, “They were enablers and they are enablers….it is your money that is spending on Regent Street that they does take and give to the PPP as contributions for elections so they can get into government…undermine the economic partners of the PPP.”

• WPA Executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye, who in September 2022, called for a confrontation with the PPP/C government when he said: “The time for talk is over. The PPP only understands pressure. The PPP will only crack when we beat sense into their head…anything short of will not give us the kind of results that we want.”

These wild comments have been premised on irresponsible and factually incorrect claims, such as the comments from: • Coalition Parliamentarian, Christopher Jones, who claimed that: “Black youngsters go to a commercial bank for a loan and they are denied. An East Indian person, the same age, got the same thing like the young black man, go to the same commercial bank, but he getting the loan….that is the reality of this country….you go to predominantly East Indian villages in this country and you would see rapid development, nice roads, nice street lights…but you go predominantly the African villages – bad roads, poor drainage, no street lights, no recreational facilities for them… that is the reality of this country.”

• Leader of the PNCR and the Coalition, Aubrey Norton, who, on June 4, 2022, made irresponsible allegations, when he said: “I wouldn’t rule out that they (the PPP/C) gave the instruction to kill this young man so they get something to distract people with.”

The PNCR-led Coalition’s talk of “civil unrest” and notions that Guyana is “on the brink” have not gone unnoticed by the PPP. Mr. Norton as recent as December 14, 2022, saw it fit to issue a ‘warning’ that “the people of Guyana to the brink” – a statement that is the further thing from reality. The fact of the matter is that the PNCR-led Coalition is reeling from the fact that Guyanese are increasingly recognizing and embracing a united Guyana and taking advantage of the transformational development being advanced, even as the shun a political group that seems intent on taking Guyana down a path that will only undermine the development of our country and our people.

It cannot be stressed enough that political debates must be grounded in fact and in reality, not construed around imagined notions that fit a political agenda – otherwise the consequence is a divided society and impeded development.

The PPP/C government has demonstrated that it is committed to working with all stakeholders, including the Parliamentary Opposition, to advance our collective prosperity, but any step on this direction must be grounded on the principles of democracy and rule of law.

PPP has been able to win a larger share of cross-over votes

Dear Editor,

January 1, 2023 marked the 73rd anniversary since the founding of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). This makes the PPP the oldest and largest multi-racial party with significant support from all ethnicities and religious persuasions.

Because of our changing demographics, no political party can win an election based only on ethnic support. This is why it is so important for political parties to seek to win cross-over votes in order to obtain executive power.

An examination of voting trends will show that the PPP, more than any other political party, has been able to win a larger share of cross-over votes and hence being successful in forming the government. For example, the PPP has been in power cumulatively for more than thirty-two years and thirty-five years on completion of its current term in office. The PNC in comparison, has cumulatively been

in power for thirty-three years out of which twenty-four years were obtained on the basis of fraudulent elections. It is public knowledge that all elections from 1968 to 1992 were blatantly rigged by the PNC to perpetuate its rule until October 1992 when the then President Desmond Hoyte buckled under local and international pressure and agreed, albeit reluctantly, to the holding of free and fair elections.

It is to the credit of the leadership and membership of the PPP that it has been able to win democratic elections for such a sustained period despite the several attempts to divide the party along ethnic and ideological lines. The PPP was split in 1955 after Forbes Burnham unsuccessfully attempted to take over the leadership of the party. This regrettably has left a deep scar on the body-politic. In all of this, the PPP continues to enjoy significant multi-ethnic support both at the grassroots and at the leadership level. Indeed the PPP is today the largest multi-racial

party in Guyana.

The fact is that from the time of its formation the PPP has always embraced a people-oriented approach to development which transcended the narrow confines of race, religion or creed. In other words, the party’s appeal has been generally universalistic and has always embraced a governance paradigm that is participatory and inclusive.

Times have changed and the dialectics of our time require a politics of accommodation and inclusion of all individuals and groups that are willing to contribute to national development. There is no better time than now when the country is on the cusp of exciting and monumental transformation. Even though the PPP can win and had in the past won elections on its own, the Party had opted to become part of a civic alliance which has now become an integral part of the governance process.

Yours faithfully, Hydar Ally

Dear Editor,

Minister Kwame McCoy’s Dec 08, 2022 letter, “APNU+AFC placed a target on Afro-Guyanese professionals in public service”, is a timely reminder that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is all about destroying racism in Guyana. The Minister desires “…that Guyanese confront the dirty washed-up wolf (APNU+AFC), seeking to disguise (itself) as a sheep, which is seeking to uproot our democracy through race-baiting campaigns to divide our country.”

Well, in many ways these attempts are happening, and sometimes in such a natural way that it takes a Kwame-like letter to bring alertness to reality. So, in like manner, I add my voice to this issue: that is, the PPP/C is all bent on uniting Guyana.

Editor, before coming to the commendations of Dr. Marcel Hutson (alluded to by Minister Kwame), who richly heaped praise on President Dr. Irfaan Ali (while at the same time lavished opprobrious comments on APNU+AFC), I am forced to revisit (just one) earlier incident, the August 2022 ‘Cuffy 250’ forum with its theme, “Resisting the emerging apartheid state”. In this ugly recall, I invoke the outrage of Floyd Haynes, who distanced himself from that acrimonious forum that never really had a chance to take off.

Haynes, an upright and exemplary Afro-Guyanese, described the theme as ludicrous and vexatious at its best. Haynes in fact wrote the Chairman of the Committee, Norman Ng-A-Qui, “… protesting his (assumed) inclusion in the line-up of speakers at the forum that was scheduled for August 21st, calling for the

immediate removal of his name.” Haynes at the time detailed that he “…completely rejected the phrase ‘resisting the emerging apartheid state’ to describe conditions in Guyana.” He emphasised that “In my view, this statement is a disservice to all Guyanese, as such, (and hence) I wish to categorically disassociate myself from it. More importantly, I am a firm supporter of His Excellency, the President of Guyana, and I am absolutely convinced that it is not part of the President’s agenda to create any disparity based on race.”

This is exactly the sentiments of Dr. Marcel Hutson. He stated that “After August 2020, still shaken by what the coalition did, (my) flagging spirits were revived by a call from President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Out of sheer compassion, I heard President Ali say: ‘You cannot finish like this. Go to Priya.’ I did, and she welcomed me with open arms. The President and I had no prior relationship, yet he reached out to me. Others (APNU+AFC) tried to bury me, but did not know I was a seed.” I need not say anymore. Dr. Hutson, like Floyd Haynes, has summarised it well.

Editor, as I am on the subject of education, I recall when the PPP/C took office in August 2020, there was the resounding policy of ‘No Discrimination’ in the distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant. This sentiment was expressed by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, as she vowed that each child in the public school system must benefit from this yearly and ever-increasing rollout.

She declared then that “Whether you’re African, Chinese, Indo-Guyanese, Amerindian, Portuguese, Mixed, you will

leave here with your cash grant because we’re not asking about your ethnicity… whether you are Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Rastafarian, nothing or Baháí, once your children are in school, you will receive the cash grant.” She went on to state that “We are here to give every single nursery, primary, secondary-age child who’s in a public school, or applied to come to a public school, this grant.”

In contrast, let us recall what took place in November 2018. That was when the former Minister of Public Health and Chairwoman of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Volda Lawrence, sounded the warning that “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC; and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese, and ah want one that is PNC.” Lawrence later apologized, but that apology did not erase her and her party’s duplicity and discrimination, reflective of their hidden apartheid.

So I am with Mr. McCoy, as indeed “The truth has slapped the detractors in the APNU+AFC in the face. No longer can they keep up the shenanigans and pretense about caring for the advancement of Afro-Guyanese, when in fact they have worked silently, and in some cases openly, to destroy Afro-Guyanese professionals in the public service and elsewhere.” It’s a fact that “The scars of the failed APNU+AFC regime are still fresh, and haunt many Afro-Guyanese professionals who lost their jobs to PNC members. But now Dr. Irfan and company are healing these wounds.

Fact-based response to Coalition exposes discrimination narrative as farcical

PPP/C’s commitment to enhancing the lives of every Guyanese in every community is clear

Dear Editor,

The new highly-upgraded and modernized hospital recently commissioned by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali at Mabaruma is one more attestation that the PPP/C is committed to enhancing the lives of every Guyanese in every community in keeping with the President’s one Guyana Initiative.

In staggered sequences, Hinterland residents will soon benefit from enhanced health services over the next three years with projects estimated to cost approximately $125 billion into the enhancement of the healthcare systems in Lethem, Kato, Kamarang, Mabaruma, Moruca, Bartica and Port Kaituma.

Underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring no citizen is excluded from the national Development Agenda, the Head of State said “More than $125 billion will be invested in upgrading these facilities, giving you the best working conditions. That is important; giving the population the best possible access to healthcare services; that is what transforms societies.”

Since Dr. Cheddi Jagan declared September to be Amerindian Heritage Month in 1995 there has been projected into the national and psychological psyche that Amerindians are no longer going to be a marginalized people subsisting on the crumbs of developmental initiatives within the national construct, but will be fully integrated into the holistic national programme for development by the PPP/C Administration, and one of the basic components of this new paradigm is the Amerindian Act.

The Amerindian Act, 2005 provides for, inter alia:

1) Grants to communal land. Unlike the old Act, the new Act includes a process for the granting of land. For instance, a community can apply for land once they can prove that they have been living there for at least 25 years and the Minister must commence an investigation and make a decision within 6 months.

2) Leases: The Minister is not required to approve the leasing of titled Amerindian land, as opposed to the 1st Act where the Minister is required to approve it. In the new Act, the communities are only required to seek the advice of the Minister.

3) Intellectual Property Rights: With respect to the use of scientific research, the Researcher will, among other things, have to submit to the Village Council a copy of any publication containing material derived from the research.

4) Environmental Protection: The Amerindian Act supports the need for the communities to use their natural resources in a way that lends support to the concept of sustainability: Impact Assessments will have to be completed in accordance with the

Environmental Protection Act.

5) Mining and Forestry: Amerindians will have a legal right to traditional mining with the consent of the Village Council and they must comply with the relevant legislation. With regard to forestry, the Village Council plays an integral role in determining who is allowed to use their land and on what terms.

6) Governance: The Village Council is empowered to establish rules for their communities and set fines within the legal confines of the law. Notably, the money received due to the non- adherence to the rules goes into the Village Council's account, not the Government's.

7) Consultations: More than half of the recommendations are reflected in the Act. These inclusions were as a result of recommendations from the communities and other stakeholders. The process lasted two years and is an unprecedented one in this part of the hemisphere.

The Amerindians of Guyana are given equal status within the landscape of Guyanese citizenhood by every PPP/PPPC government, while yet being encouraged to sustain their cultural and traditional norms; which far surpasses the treatment meted out to indigenous peoples of even first-world countries. The revised Amerindian Act is merely one component of the holistic approach successive PPP/C governments have taken to enhance economic growth and social development in Amerindian communities.

Reflected in recent media cycles are the notable efforts by anti-development voices to forward a narrative that the indigenous are being ostracized here in Guyana. These opinions are primarily from the same voices that are keen on attacking the President’s One Guyana initiative by use of race-baiting and fear-mongering tactics. The evidence of the government’s commitment to the development of all Guyanese is clear and present and therefore all right-minded Guyanese must resist the efforts of these anti-Nationalists and their divisive messages

It must be noted that the government proved its mettle via its early struggles to get into office following the 2020 regional and General Elections. Their fight to protect Guyana’s democracy and preserve the will of the electorate was not lost on many Guyanese both locally and in the diaspora.

Guyana is now the fastest-growing economy in the world, owing primarily to our booming oil and gas sector.

It is therefore critical that as a citizenry we reject the politics of division being pedalled by some sections of society and join with our President and our government to ensure that we as a people enjoy the bounties of the future as a strong united people.

Sincerely, Erin Northe

Guyanese must be wary of the Coalition’s race-baiting

Dear Editor,

As a concerned Guyanese, I wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the crass, illegal and wicked behaviour of the combined political Opposition, the APNU+AFC and their agents, for trying to incite and excite racial disharmony, racial division, racial hate, and ethnic hostility among Guyanese.

All Guyanese should join me as I call on the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Guyana Private Sector Commission, the various workers’ unions, Civil Society, and international organizations and NGOs in condemning the Opposition’s posturings and warnings of looming political violence.

The Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, is infamous for leading, and then running away at the first sign of danger or resistance. He is known for his cowardice and race-baiting.

Guyanese should throw Norton’s “alternative facts” on racial harmony and divisiveness in the gutter, where it belongs. It is a shame and a disgrace that Norton cannot keep to the facts and truth about events that took place and are taking place in Mocha, Mon Repos, Georgetown, and other villages across this country.

Norton’s statements are untrue, vacuous, and without merit.

The President’s “One Guyana” Initiative is having the desired effect, and is making inroads in the way Guyanese see their development. They are witnessing the love, togetherness and unity that President Irfaan Ali preaches every day, so no amount of political bullyism and treachery would succeed in causing public and ethnic disharmony.

Sincerely, Arnold Sanasie

Guyanese

Dear Editor,

This Government has delivered to the Guyanese people, and it has delivered beyond anyone’s expectations, even those highly critical of the PPP/C will have to zealously admit that fact.

There is a new wind of progressive change blowing all across Guyana. In every nook and cranny in every community, the socio-economic transformation is unbelievably taking place with great alacrity. This Government has already delivered on more that its 2020 campaign promises. In every media, there are daily reports of progress being made in all the sectors; there seems to be a great competition among the Ministries to outdo each other. The President and all his Ministers are all over the country, addressing issues and providing resolutions, in some cases instantaneously. Can you imagine that, even on Christmas Day, the President and his Team were delivering homes to the homeless?

This Government – the President and Vice-President, as well as the Prime Minister and Ministers – has vowed to listen to the people, and govern on behalf of all Guyanese, and that has been manifested in the most tangible manner. This is not the empty rhetoric spewed by the Coalition, who delivered the ‘good life’ only for themselves, friends and families. It is by listening to the cries of the people that this Government has been able to drastically transform the lives of all Guyanese.

This is a Government which never sleeps. The “ONE GUYANA” mission is no hoax, and the President’s Men On Mission programme have targeted some major social issues which have been neglected for a long time. Both men and women have been empowered to make their lives better. The sceptics and the pessimists alike are convinced.

We are blessed with a President who understands, empathises, and walks with the people, with not an iota of pretensions, but humbly seeks out the issues which affect their daily lives. He speaks the language of the people, and embraces everyone. He had vowed this at his inauguration, and he has kept that vow; this is seldom done in the political arena. He is not a man of words alone, but a man of deeds. President Irfaan Ali has proven his worth.

Guyanese all over the world are proud of their President, and a new era of progress and prosperity has dawned in Guyana.

No doubt, the year 2023 and those ahead will see many more transformational projects being delivered as the standard of living of Guyanese continues to progressively climb, and the country becomes a wonder to behold. This Government is a defender of freedom and democracy, and Guyanese will do well to never forget this.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

PPP/C Gov’t has proven its commitment to delivering for all

Clear agreement on approach to Carbon markets and equitable benefits sharing for Indigenous Peoples under Forest Carbon Credit Programme

Dear Editor,

As Amerindian Leaders, it is important to speak up, when our voices as Indigenous peoples who live in our forests, are taken over by those who profess to speak for us.

I read the comments of recent letter writer who clearly has a main motive, to stop Indigenous Communities from benefiting from the forest that they have protected for centuries. Amerindian communities are hopeful of what the vision outlined in the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 can bring for Amerindian people across Guyana, to transform lives and livelihoods at the vil-

lage level.

At the recently concluded consultations on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, the main recommendation on benefits sharing that came back from stakeholders was that a national level engagement (the marketing of all carbon assets by Government) should be used in the carbon market rather than a sub national or project level.

This is the only way that meaningful financing at scale would flow to forest villages and communities in Guyana. Amerindian communities have long asked for Government to provide the support for expanding the value of forests to villages. The LCDS 2030

has done this. Another main area which was supported by villages is for a dedicated total of 15 percent of all revenues earned from the sale of forest carbon, a level even greater than the forest, which are titled to villages, to go to Amerindian villages for resourcing of Village Plan which contain activities that villages identify. Needless to say, this is widely supported by Amerindians villages.

The results of the seven-month nationwide consultation and as expressed in the Summary of Consultation Report on the LCDS Website Summary of Feedback –LCDS, show broad consensus – this consensus involves that Government bears all cost for entry into the programme, and benefits flow to Amerindian community, even exceeding the extent of forest titled to Amerindian Communities.

At the meeting of all village leaders in July 2022 (the National Toshaos’ Council Conference), this support for jurisdictional scale engagement on carbon markets and benefits sharing mechanism of 15% of all revenues, with no deduction of costs, to go the Amerindian communities, was unanimously agreed to. A resolution was passed by this national representative body of Amerindian Leaders, the National Toshaos’ Council to express this agreement. The recent contract signed by the Government for the sale of

carbon credits represents to villages, this promise becoming a reality.

Indigenous Leaders have resolved, at their meeting in July 2022 that the approach of national scale engagement in the carbon market is the agreed approach. Indigenous leaders further support the proposed benefits sharing mechanism which was consulted on for over 7 months as part of the LCDS 2030 stakeholder process, and endorsed by Indigenous Leaders at this national meeting in July 2022.

The claim that there is no legal basis when there is expressed agreement by Amerindian villages is disingenuous and aims at preventing opportunities available to indigenous peoples to be taken advantage of. It is clear that such attempts seek to prevent Amerindian villages from accessing the resources that is available, by creating a false perception on what Indigenous leaders have actually themselves spoken up on, support to the vision and approach of the LCDS 2030 and support to receiving resources for development.

We the members of the National Toshaos Council hereby state our satisfaction with the consultation process and fully support the carbon sales agreement the first of its kind in the world.

Regards, Derrick John, NTC Chairman

January 16th set as date for ruling in case of suspended Coalition MPs

High Court Judge, Damone Younge, is expected to hand down her ruling on whether or not she has the jurisdiction to hear the case filed by eight APNU+AFC Coalition Members of Parliament (MPs), who are challenging their suspension from the National Assembly, on January 16, 2023.

Initially, the ruling was set for December 8, 2022 but the judge later decided to push back the date to January 16, 2023, due to “recent events of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Justice Younge, had previously heard arguments from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., and APNU lawyer, Roysdale Forde, S.C., on the preliminary issue of jurisdiction.

In addition to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, were named as defendants in the case.

NO ORDER

The Coalition Parliamentarians facing sanctions are: Christopher Jones, the Opposition Chief Whip; Ganesh Mahipaul; Sherod Duncan; Natasha Singh- Lewis; Annette Ferguson; Vinceroy Jordan; Tabitha Saraboo-Halley; and Maureen Philadelphia.

Efforts by the eight Coalition MPs to have their suspension from the Nation-

al Assembly lifted, until a decision in their case, which is currently before the High Court, failed.

The Full Court on October 14, 2022 denied an application by the Coalition’s Roysdale Forde, which challenged the High Court’s refusal to grant an interim conservatory order to allow eight Opposition Members of Parliament who have been suspended, to attend sittings of the National Assembly, and to receive their salaries.

As per the decision, the suspension from the House, as well as the consequent non-payment of salaries, stand until the determination of the matter before Justice Damone Younge in the High Court.

REPORT

On July 21, 2022, during the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly, the House officially approved the report of the Committee of Privileges, which recommended that the eight parliamentarians be suspended for their involvement in desecrating the Speaker’s Mace on December 29, 2021.

The 78-page report of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee found that eight APNU+AFC Coalition’s Members of Parliament “were in violation of the Standing Orders, established Customs and Practices regarding acceptable behaviour” of Members in the

Assembly. “The Committee determined that an appropriate sanction available that the National Assembly can apply would be suspension from service in the House,” the report said page five.

The committee recommended the suspension of Ferguson and Jordan, Saraboo-Halley, Philadelphia for six consecutive sittings. It also recommended the suspension of Jones, Mahipaul, Duncan and Singh-Lewis for four consecutive sittings.

Notably, each Member, according to the report, was written to and asked to "show cause" why sanctions should not be meted out to them. Their responses were received and considered by the Committee. Each of the eight embattled officials claimed that they were “unaware” that their behaviour in the National Assembly was different from other MPs and therefore should not amount to grounds for disciplinary action.

The Committee's findings were based on video recordings, statements by staff of the Parliament Office and the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, eyewitness accounts by other Members of the House, media reporters and the public, both locally and internationally.

The Committee met five times, on: Friday, 18th February, 2022; Tuesday, 1st March, 2022; Tuesday, 8th

March, 2022; Friday, 3rd June, 2022; and Thursday, 9th June, 2022.

The Parliamentary Sessional Select Committee of Privileges is one of four Sessional Select Committees that the National Assembly establishes at the commencement of each Session of the National Assembly. Standing Order 88 expressly provides for the establishment of this Committee and all of the Sessional Select Committees. Standing Order 91 states ''There shall be referred to this Committee any matter which appears to affect the powers and privileges of the Assembly. It shall be the duty of the Committee to consider any matter so referred, and to report thereon to the Assembly." The Committee, in keeping with its mandate, met to consider the following: “(i) Whether the named Members committed to the Committee of Privileges, have violated any of the Standing Orders, Customs, Practices, and or Conventions of the National Assembly,· and (ii) To determine the sanctions available that the National Assembly of Guyana can apply and make recommendations on the application thereof.”

position hijacked the sitting – blowing whistles and chanting – while its MPs, Ferguson and Jordan, attempted to seize this ceremonial symbol. Other Opposition MPs attempted to do the same too, in the presence of the entire National Assembly.

Also, Opposition MPs ambushed the control room of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and wildly unplugged the connections in the electrical systems room, which led to an internet disconnection and audio failures.

Members of Parliament who had joined processions virtually were even disconnected from the feed as a consequence of this. The Coalition’s Saraboo-Halley was named as responsible for this.

was throw me over the rails because I know when I’m going over the rail, I am going with the mace,” he said. “They throw me on the ground, they kicked me, they dragged me outside and then Ms. Philidelphia, Member of Parliament start to abuse me with a series of words like ‘House Salve’, but the one that caught me and I don’t know how I become a ‘House Negro’. So, I prepared a letter and I dropped it upstairs and I showed my concern about how I was treated,” McPherson added. In addition to Philadelphia, the Coalition’s Singh-Lewis was also named as being responsible.

INCIDENT

ON DECEMBER 29, 2021

In an effort derail the debating and passing of the Natural Resources Fund Bill, the Parliamentary Op -

Further, a parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, was assaulted. He has since moved to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) with a complaint. McPherson, in prior interview, explained that in his attempts to protect the mace, not only was he verbally abused by members of the Opposition, but he was also physically assaulted. “I held on to the mace and it was fling to the floor… and I overheard people screaming. “Kick he! Lash He! Drag He! Let’s Throw he over the rail. All I said,

High Court ruling on validity of NRF Act set

The final day of trials for the case challenging the legality of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act in the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh was on December 30, 2022 and the ruling is set for March 17, 2023.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, said an application was made by the parties to put submissions in writing before the court. Moreover, by February 10, these submissions should be lodged, and the parties should respond to each other by February 20, 2023.

He expressed that the rule of law will prevail and that the opposition’s efforts to garner vindication for their unlawful acts cannot be supported by law. “I have every confidence that justice will

prevail and that the rule of law will win another battle because this case should never have been filed in the first place. The law will never countenance a party taking advantage of its own wrongdoing. The law is not structured that way.”

The Parliamentary Mace case stems from the opposition’s challenge to the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act on the grounds that there was no consultation for the formulation of the Act and that the parliamentary mace must be in place for any law to be validly passed in the National Assembly.

To this end, the Attorney General reiterated that the opposition had forfeited its right to consultations on the act with its unlawful conduct. “The world saw their conduct, the world saw that

they broke the mace, the world saw, or heard that they disrupted the microphone system, and by their conduct, they disqualified themselves from speaking. And, lo and behold they are moving the court now to essentially take advantage of their own wrongdoing, of their own misbehavior, of their own misconduct.”

lished Customs and Practices regarding acceptable behaviour” of Members in the Assembly. The Coalition Parliamentarians sanctioned are: Christopher Jones, the Opposition Chief Whip; Ganesh Mahipaul; Sherod Duncan; Natasha Singh- Lewis; Annette Ferguson; Vinceroy Jordan; Tabitha Saraboo-Halley; and Maureen Philadelphia.

wildly unplugged the connections in the electrical systems room, which led to an internet disconnection and audio failures. Members of Parliament who had joined processions virtually were even disconnected from the feed as a consequence of this. The Coalition’s Saraboo-Halley was named as responsible for this.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, on January 24, 2022, had moved the motion in the House, which also called for the Privileges Committee to act with “alacrity” on the matter and report to the House within one month. Minister Teixeira’s in her motion had made clear that the actions represented “gross disorderly conduct” and “contempt and breaches of privilege” by Opposition Parliamentarians, and such abhorrent actions cannot be condoned.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has consistently been cited for disruptions and behaviour that is not constructive.

INCIDENT

ON DECEMBER 29, 2021

In an effort derail the debating and passing of the Natural Resources Fund Bill, the Parliamentary Opposition hijacked the sitting.

Following the incident the Parliamentary Privileges Committee found that eight APNU+AFC Coalition’s Members of Parliament “were in violation of the Standing Orders, estab-

The incident saw members of the Coalition blowing whistles and chanting – while its MPs, Ferguson and Jordan, attempted to seize this ceremonial symbol. Other Opposition MPs attempted to do the same too, in the presence of the entire National Assembly.

Also, Opposition MPs ambushed the control room of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and

Further, a parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, was assaulted. He has since moved to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) with a complaint. McPherson, in prior interview, explained that in his attempts to protect the mace, not only was he verbally abused by members of the Opposition, but he was also physically assaulted. “I held on to the mace and it was fling to the floor… and I overheard people screaming. “Kick he! Lash He! Drag

He! Let’s Throw he over the rail. All I said, was throw me over the rails because I know when I’m going over the rail, I am going with the mace,” he said. “They throw me on the ground, they kicked me, they dragged me outside and then Ms. Philidelphia, Member of Parliament start to abuse me with a series of words like ‘House Salve’, but the one that caught me and I don’t know how I become a ‘House Negro’. So, I prepared a letter and I dropped it upstairs and I showed my concern about how I was treated,” McPherson added. In addition to Philadelphia, the Coalition’s Singh-Lewis was also named as being responsible.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has consistently been cited for disruptions and behaviour that is not constructive.

Coalition dismantled on paper, group intact as collective in Parliament

The Cummingsburg Accord, which tied the APNU and the AFC together, expired at the end of 2022 and the latter has confirmed that, on paper, the two political groups are not tied to each other.

In public comments, AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan said, “We did a withdrawal as part of the [Cummingsburg] Accord…in June, we made a decision, it was not a talk, it was a decision at the [National] Conference in accordance with the Accord that on December 31 we are going to withdraw out of the Accord and independently do things, just like prior to the Accord being signed and we were two independent

parties.”

The leader of the PNCR and APNU, Aubrey Norton, was engaged by Ramjattan on December 28, 2022, where the split was confirmed.

Speaking about the meeting, Ramjattan said, “It is nothing that he can’t accept. If by a contract you say, it could be terminated within an expiry of time and the time has expired and we said well fine, we’ll go, it is not for him to consent to it. He doesn’t have a privilege to say the consent of his is necessary. Anyone of us could say we are withdrawing and that is what we wrote into the Accord.”

The move ends a seven-year partnership between

the PNCR-led APNU and AFC.

PARTNERS IN PARLIAMENT

Notably, the AFC Leader was unable to distinguish the so called ‘divorce’ since APNU and AFC remained tied as a collective in the National Assembly.

Ramjattan in public comments said, “We will consult and collaborate at the parliamentary level. We are a partnership that’s called APNU-AFC and we certainly would want to collaborate.”

Last year, when asked about the AFC retaining its parliamentary seats, the Party Leader said, “Nothing will happen to our nine seats…

Norton faces allegations of financial misconduct, discrimination, racial hostility

With the PNCR, led by Aubrey Norton, rocked by resignations and allegations of senior long-standing members being side-lined, the Party is now facing allegations of racial hostility and discrimination from within its own ranks.

After weeks of speculation and non-committal comments from Norton, it was confirmed on December 14, 2022, that Geeta ChandanEdmond officially tendered her resignation as General Secretary PNCR. Chandan-Edmond, reportedly sent Norton her resignation letter after being on leave for several months. This decision was made after clashes over several issues, including the direction the party was headed under Norton’s leadership.

Soon after, PNCR national treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline, announced that he’ll be stepping down from the position. In a short post on his Facebook page, Mursaline said, “Comrades all, after one year of serving on team Norton’s leadership, on the 23rd December 2022, I will discharge my last and final duties as National treasurer of the P.N.C.R.” He said a

formal letter will be prepared and sent to the party leader’s office.

Mursaline has since, in a letter to the PNCR Central Executive Committee, charged that the party “is in a bad state when comes to leadership “ and accused Norton of running a “oneman” show.

The former PNCR national treasurer, said, “As a businessman, I couldn’t continue. I am willing to stay with the PNC but not with the current leader…Norton is like an aloof leader.”

Mursaline also raised concerns about the PNCR’s financial practices. He said, “I am the treasurer and I was elected but all I was used for is to sign cheques and that was merely my duties there with Norton’s leadership… from the time I took office as the elected treasurer of this great party, I was signing blank cheques with no supporting documents. I am always called to sign cheques and whenever I share an opinion of dislike towards this, I am met with hostility. In the month of November it got worst…in that month I signed about 20 blank cheques…I do not

know what are the amounts of money written on any of those cheques and I don’t know for what reasons the money, if any were spent on.

“…I requested of the Leader for us to do a financial audit of the finances of Congress Place for our own benefit and for us to ensure proper accountability and transparency. I even suggested that because Cde. Volda Lawrence has the skills in that area we use her to be our guidance. The intention was solely to do what is right for our party and to build trust among our membership. The Leader told me that is a conflict of interest and that he will take care of it. To date nothing has been done.”

On the issues of discrimination and racial hostility, the former PNCR Executive said, “I am fed up of the discrimination and racial hostility.”

Mursaline, who has been affiliated with the PNCR for close to a decade, was elected Treasurer of the party in December of 2021.

Norton has remained silent in the face of allegations and this week cancelled his usual Tuesday news conference.

nobody could knock us out once duly elected.”

INFIGHTING

Further, the APNU and AFC have been at loggerheads about the sharing of seats and picking of key appointments in their majority RDCs since 2020 when the APNU members of the Region Four failed to support an AFC candidate for the Vice-Chairman post of that region.

Norton, on August 23, 2022, had made it clear that his party will not allow the AFC to “dictate” the picking of the candidate for the Vice-Chairmanship of Region 10. “The issue was not whether it’s an AFC

Vice-Chairman. As far as I know the APNU has been disposed to an AFC ViceChair but it must not be somebody who is dictated by the AFC who doesn’t have the confidence of the APNU,” Norton said.

His comments were in direct contradiction to comments by AFC’s Cathy Hughes, who said, “The AFC is an independent political party. We have our own systems. We have our own mechanisms for arriving at representatives that serve in our parliamentary system and serve as councillors that serve in the RDCs and NDCs. We went through our process and selected Coretta Braithwaite to hold that position…the

AFC absolutely has always respected APNU’s right to select the persons they see fit to represent them in any position any official position. Similarly, we expect that the same right lies with our party and therefore only the AFC can select who it considers the best candidate to serve in a position that is deemed to be filled by a member or a representative from the Alliance For Change…they’re [APNU] not part of that decision-making process. Similarly, we have not been part of any kind of choosing on the part of APNU of any of their representatives.”

The AFC lost to the APNU on almost all the issues it clashed.

Questions surface about Coalition’s giveaway of discounted house lot to Georgetown Mayor

After the no-confidence motion in December 2018, when the former APNU+AFC Coalition government was in caretaker mode, and after the March 2, 2022 polls, the Coalition was still engaged in giveaways of state assets.

Included in the giveaways were high-income house lots. Questions surfaced on Thursday (January 5, 2022) about Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, receiving a Prospect, East Bank Demerara, property valued at $1.7M on April 20, 2020 – after the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. The Mayor was later given a discount of $450,000. The discount, as well, was processed after the March 2020 elections.

Further, questions are being asked on the Mayor’s eligibility to benefit from the house lot allocation programme, since subsidized house lots are allocated by the government under the condition that the recipients are not the owners of land.

ASSETS GIVEN AWAY

In September 2022, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, disclosed that the PPP/C government is still addressing the massive land giveaways under the former APNU+AFC Coalition government, including transactions that took place after the passage of the 2018 no confidence motion, during which period the Coalition was a ‘caretaker’ government.“You recall the land policy. Up to now we can’t figure (out) how much land they sold, to whom, we’re trying to recover this. After the elections, (they) put

out a gazette signed order to transfer (land) to over 100 persons, plots of land in Linden, to cronies…now, those people are going to get 1000 houses being built, because the President promised that in Linden. And they just got another 400 lots at Amelia’s ward. But you check. In five years, (a lot of the) persons who got plots of land were all political connected,” he had said.

Weeks after the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, a 180-page document - extraordinary edition of the Official Gazette on March 23, 2020 – showed that the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Jermaine Figueira, alone, secured two plots of land in Linden, Region 10, which totals over two acres. Also while the gazette was dated March 21, 2020, all the land transfer orders were signed by the Coalition’s Winston Jordan on February 28, 2020 – raising concerns that the documents may have been backdated.

There was also a rush in the giveaways after the December 2018 No Confidence motion. Dozens of land transfers were signed off on.

In addition to these transactions, handled by National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Comission (GLSC), lands were also given away in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) scheme. Then Chairman, Kelvin Saul, had received over 10,000 acres of land located aback the Mahaica River. Thousands of acres

were also given out to others.

EFFORT TO RECOVER LANDS

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, has said that the PPP/C Government has not wavered from its commitment to investigate suspicious land giveaways by the former APNU+AFC Coalition. In October 2021, Nandlall said, “We would have spoken, at length, about land giveaways. Some of them we have settled already. Others are still to be handed over to the Guyana Police Force and the other investigative agencies.”

Notably, in March 2021, in the National Assembly, Nandlall underscored that the lands under review are those which were gifted away to the Coalition’s ‘friends and cronies’ without any known public process. “Where possible we will take the requisite steps to restore those lands to the ownership of the people of this country,” the Attorney General said. He had cited instances where thousands of acres of prime State lands in Georgetown and in other areas, including ocean front and river front parcels of land, were illegally given to the friends and cronies of the Coalition. He had said, “The Honourable members gifted BK Marine a wharf valued $40 billion for only $20 million, passing Title to him which expressly says that it is free from all liabilities, meaning that he does not have to pay a cent more and passing this Title after they lost the March 2nd 2020 elections. Point to any Afro-Guyanese or better yet

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

2023 investments will lay foundation for Guyana 2030 and beyond – President Ali

G uyanese can expect tremendous investments from the government in 2023 which will lay the foundation for sustainable development way beyond 2030.

The administration wants to establish a post 2030 state that will be the energy and industrial capital of the Caribbean, a prime tourism destination, a regional food security, and transport hub, and a competitive knowledge-based and low-carbon economy.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in his new year’s message, said while lots of success stories can be reeled out for 2022, the PPP/C Government intends to accelerate its people-centred

and inclusive national agenda.

Dr Ali said 2023 will see greater thrust towards community development, providing more assistance to improve roads, drainage, street lights, recreational facilities, and safety and security. “Healthcare will be boosted in the New Year.

Major upgrades will be undertaken to regional and district hospitals and improvements undertaken at health clinics and centers. Works on the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Bath Settlement, De Kindren, Little Diamond, Enmore, No.75 Village; and a new pediatric and maternity hospital at Ogle will

proceed this year,” the President added.

The Head of State emphasised that every regional and district hospital will soon be able to offer a suite of diagnostic services such as computerised tomography (CT) scans, echocardiograms, ultrasound scans, and X-rays. “The demand for more medical personnel will be met through expanded training, including quadrupling the number of nurses trained each year. We want the best education with which our citizens can benefit from,” he noted.

The government will advance its efforts by providing more resources to ensure the nation’s children receive

world-class education.

This year will also see teacher training intensified to ensure that by the end of 2025, educators in the public education system are trained. All students will be entitled to universal secondary education.

Major road transport works will accelerate including the Linden to Mabura Road, completing the Eccles to Diamond Road link; advancing plans for the fourlane highway between Crane and Schoonord, the new bridge across the Demerara River, and the Ogle to Eccles Road link.

“This year too we will sustain our plans for the empowerment of our women

and youth. We will provide enhanced social protections to the vulnerable in our society, including the disabled and elderly, and we will work to create a more caring society in which communities attend to and support the less fortunate,” the President stated.

Dr. Ali outlined plans to intensify the digital transformation of Guyana, including coding, telemedicine, smart classrooms, virtual education for the hinterland; electronic health records management, and establishing a single window for business and building permits.

Among the interventions, the president said shrimp production will be expanded,

increasing the use of shade houses in the agricultural sector, and promoting large-scale cultivation of high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower, and large-scale dairy production.

“All the wealth in the world will not bring us development unless we cultivate the right values: including service, self-sacrifice, social responsibility, and solicitude. My wish on this New Year is that as we pursue our own goals that we be mindful of our responsibilities, as citizens, to work for the good of all,” Ali stressed.

President Ali stated that 2023 will also witness intensified efforts at arresting criminal activities.

US, Canada signal interest in Amaila Falls Hydro Project

Guyana is currently in bilateral talks with the United States and Canada –on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. He said, “When I was in the US, I had a meeting with the Energy Secretary [Jennifer Granholm] and her entire staff, and I mentioned this project and the importance of the project, and opening it up to the US and investors – just as it is opened up to for any other investor. The Canadians have [also] expressed some interest.”

According to him, assessments are currently being done in order to ascertain the best way forward. “We are doing assessments now… There’s a lot of bilateral talks that are going on, and then we have to make a structured decision on how we go forward,” he said.

Notably, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, in November 2022, had disclosed that if the effort to have direct proposals comes up short, the government will move to retender the project in 2023.

He stressed that the PPP/C government has not shifted from its position that the engagement on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project must follow a BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) Model, not an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model.

The Government was in negotiations with China Rail-

way Group Limited for the completion of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant based on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to develop the AFHP, either on the basis of a 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) concession or on a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) basis were invited in 2021. However, the China Railway Group Limited indicated that the BOOT model was not feasible, so negotiations ended, with the company advocating for a different financing model – an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model.

In May, Jagdeo had said, “The last six months we have been struggling to reach an agreement. We will have to give a deadline and cancel if they can’t proceed with the original model…The tender was about Build, Own, Operate, Transfer, not a EPC Plus finance model…so we may have a setback on that.”

According to him, the hydropower project is an important part of Guyana’s energy mix, which was crafted to ensure a reduction of carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030. “We hope to get it and it is still on the cards but currently not moving,” he said.

In November 2021, Jagdeo had said, “Amaila still remains the best option for meeting baseload renewable energy for Guyana. That is

the only way you can decarbonise, so the only way to achieve renewable energy is through the construction of the hydropower.”

A total of four companies had submitted proposals. China Railway Group Limited was identified as the most ‘capable partner’ by the Evaluation Committee after a rigorous evaluation process, following which the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) submitted the relevant recommendation to Cabinet for ‘no-objection.’ Under the BOOT model the company will supply electricity to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. at a cost averaging US$0.07737 per KWH over the 20 year BOOT period.

The revival of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its manifesto. The project was initiated under the previous PPP/C Administration but was scrapped by the coalition Administration which had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable, and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy

needs while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

Additionally, the best option to move Guyana to renewable sources of energy was adjudged in 2016 to be the Amaila Falls hydropower project, according to a study commissioned by the Government of Norway.

It was the David Granger led administration that agreed to this objective and facts-based assessment of AFHP. The report, compiled by Norconsult, on behalf of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), identified AFHP as critical for Guyana’s ener-

gy transition.

“The only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential. The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oilfired generation,” Norconsult stated in its report, Review of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in Guyana.

This guidance, though unequivocal, was not heeded by the previous administration. Up to now, most of Guyana’s electricity generation is from the severely polluting heavy fuel oil (HFO).

The AFHP was first identified in 1976 by the Canadian company “Monenco” during an extensive survey of hydroelectric power potential in Guyana. Various studies have since justified and strongly supported the construction of the AFHP.

AFHP, projected to deliver 165 MW of new power to the grid by 2027, will supply a significant share of power needed for Guyana’s economic expansion in the decade up to 2030, building on emissions reduction gains from the 250 MW gas-to-energy project, expected by 2024.

Oil wealth to fund investments in sustainable energy – President Ali

Among the transformation that will come with the accumulation of Guyana’s oil wealth, the solar and sustainable energy sector is expected to see phenomenal growth.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, disclosed this during a recent interview with global news outlet, Al Jazeera.

During the conversation, Dr Ali outlined the government’s intention to replace carbon-based fuels in Guyana with renewable energy, with the goal of cutting power cost by half. This will be made possible by investing the money Guyana earns from the sale of crude oil. “We have a very old grid system. Our power is driven by fossil fuel. The demand for power

has grown exponentially. So, we’re investing in solar, hydro, wind, and natural gas as part of our energy mix,” he explained.

In 2022, the government made investments of over $1.4 billion towards the construction of solar farms at Lethem in Region Nine, Bartica in Region Seven, and Mahdia in Region Eight. The three farms, when combined, produce some 3.1 megawatts of electricity.

Prior to the operationalisation of the farms, the Amerindian villages now benefitting, utilised expensive diesel generators, with some areas receiving no power. In the village of Kato, an hour and a half’s flight from Georgetown and the coastal power grid, so-

lar energy now powers the school’s new computer lab, lights and air conditioning system.

Further, it was explained to Al Jazeera that Guyana is pursuing a programme to provide some 30,000 solar home systems to communities that are distant and far removed from the National Grid.”

The government has expended major revenue thus far towards sustainable energy development, including the solar farms project, hydropower projects, and continue to explore further avenues to ensure a sustainable power system that outlasts the use of fossil fuels.

All this will be achieved in the government’s plan for Guyana: 2030 and beyond.

– President says ‘bilateral talks” underway

FOCUS ON GUYANA’S FIRST PEOPLE

Gov’t to reintroduce Amerindian language lessons in 2023

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry will reintroduce the Amerindians’ language revival programme this year to students being housed at the hinterland scholarship dormitory at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The language revival project is intended to preserve the nine Amerindian languages which are spoken by the various tribes; Arawak, Akawaio, Arekuna, Carib, Macushi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishana and Warraus.

Senior Social Worker at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Christopher Sookdeo

It was first initiated in

2013 under then President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. “We would like to share some of our plans for the new year academic year which include the reintroduction of indigenous language lessons for our dorm students, internship fairs for students, career guidance and internship programmes throughout the country, ”Sookdeo said.

The students will also benefit from music programmes, additional recreational facilities, and mental health and developmental programmes.

Subject minister, Pauline Sukhai revealed that the ministry will fund culture groups in several vil -

lages as part of the cultural preservation efforts in 2023. “We want to ensure that according to the Amerindian Act, we also support the cultural development of the people […] Our language and our culture make us who we are. It identifies us. And, so we will be supporting a few groups next year when the budget passes,” Minister Sukhai emphasised.

The language revival project saw the revival of the Arawak language in Wakapau village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Due to the success of the programme, it was expanded to include other languages.

Region One farmers benefit from much-needed inputs to push production

Farmers from various farmers’ groups from Moruca, Region One (Barima – Waini) benefitted from a number of inputs to boost their productive capacity.

Agriculture Minister, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, along with other officials from the ministry visited the region to distribute the items.

Prior to the visit, Minister Mustapha had visited several villages in the region to meet with farmers. During that engagement, farmers requested assistance with scaling up their production.

While engaging the farmers, Minister Mustapha said that the government was determined to ensure farmers in remote areas of the country benefit from the same resources and services offered to farmers on the Coast. “I am here to deliver on a promise made to you,

$59M Water Supply System Commissioned at Isseneru, Region 7

Residents in the village of Isseneru, Region Seven are enjoying first-time access to potable water, with the commissioning of a $59 million water supply system.

The system was commissioned on recently by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal. Also present were Director of Hinterland Services, Mr. Ramchand Jailal; Toshao, Mr. Dhaness Larson, residents and other officials.

Minister Croal in his address stated that the development of water and other services in hinterland communities is paramount to the Government. “We intend to provide you with the same type of development available on the coastland […] not until we are able to bridge the gap, will our work feel satisfied,” the Minister said.

Previously, there was no functioning water supply system in Isseneru, which has a population of 500 persons. Residents would therefore use water from the Mazaruni River and practice rainwater harvesting. The

new system provides water to all residents in the central area and public buildings such as schools and the health centre.

The Minister in his address also lauded the work of the contractor, Adamantium Holdings for the delivery of the project despite a number of challenges with the location and terrain.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jailal urged the community to ensure that the system is utilised correctly. He also noted that two Community Service Officers (CSOs) were trained in water operation and maintenance to assist with the management of the system.

The scope of works for the water supply system included: the drilling of a new potable water well to a depth of 390 feet; the installation of 3000 meters of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes & 1000 meters of 19mm (3/4”) pipes with 90 service connections; construction of a 20 feet elevated metal trestle with storage and 6 No. 600 gallon storage tanks; installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump,

controller, solar panels and accessories; and construction of galvanized chainlink fence around well and photovoltaic system. The water has also been tested to ensure its quality conforms to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Residents of the community also welcomed the project. Community Health Worker, Mr. Ronald Gayral stated “it would be very beneficial to the village, our main water supply would be from the creek, but when it’s dry season it would be very hard on the villagers.” He also added that the new well would provide safer drinking water, which is expected to reduce the number of illnesses caused by the contaminated water from the river.

Mr. Cedric Wilkie, who is a teacher at the primary school remarked that the well will improve the quality of the school and community by extension. “We should benefit within the community and school and other areas as well, so I think it’s a good initiative,” Mr. Wilkie said.

Overall, when the Dr.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali Government took Office in 2020 access to potable water supply in Region Seven was approximately 34%. However, after the completion of three water supply systems in 2021 at Kurutuku, Kamarang and Jawalla, access was increased to 47%. Moreover, the Government is undertaking six water supply projects in 2022 – including the Isseneru system – which are expected to further push access of water in Region Seven to 65% by the end of the year. Through GWI’s 2020-2025 strategic plan, the Government is looking to increase water coverage to 95%-100% by 2025.

During the meeting, the Minister also highlighted several interventions to benefit the residents in education, health, agricultural and infrastructure development and handed over a number of sports gears to the community. Residents were also given the opportunity to raise a number of issues affecting the community, which will be addressed at the Cabinet level.

the farmers. When I was here a few months ago, many of you made requests for farming inputs to take your production to another level.

As a government, we want to ensure our farmers have the necessary resources to produce. We want farmers in rural areas to benefit from the same services offered to farmers on the Coast. That is why we continue to make budgetary allocations to develop the sector. This government has been delivering on all of its promises and we will continue to do so because we want to improve the welfare of every citizen in this country,” the minister noted.

During Minister Mustapha’s last visit, farmers made requests for assistance with farming tools, shadehouse material, Acoushi Ants bait, seeds, and seedlings.

Minister Mustapha also

said, in addition to the inputs, farmers will benefit from Black Giant chicks to boost their productive capacity.

“We have a programme that we rolled out in hinterland communities where every household will receive Black Giant chicks to help you increase your production. The programme has already started. We already distributed 587 birds and today we’ll distribute another 2,000. This programme will continue until every household benefits. There were also some swine organizations that said they needed assistance with boosting their production. We distributed those piglets a few weeks ago,” he added.

The donation comprised a fogging machine, cutlasses, files, spades, water cans, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, grass cutters, spray cans, and shadehouse materials.

200 part-time jobs for Region 8 youths

Aspart of the government’s drive to create employment opportunities across Guyana, 200 youths from the Mahdia township in Region Eight are set to be gainfully employed under the part-time jobs initiative.

The initiative was conceptualised by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo to provide economic relief to citizens.

The programme was launched in the coastal regions and has expanded to hinterland communities.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai during a recent interview on Radio Mahdia said, “I would want to make an appeal to the young people, to the unemployed, that this would be an opportunity that would be open to you. We have on the ground, been encouraging those unemployed residents to consider taking up the opportunity.”

Minister Sukhai disclosed that application forms can

be uplifted at the Mahdia Community Service Officers’ office. “When we have a full complement, I believe we will be having a launch of it,” the minister related.

Successful applicants will be attached to government agencies within the region and will work for 10 days per month with a salary of $40,000.

Apart from the part-time jobs initiative, 2,500 hinterland youths and residents are benefitting fromthe Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) which was discontinued by the APNU+AFC administration.

Upon assumption to office in August, the government reinstated the programme providing an avenue for employment of residents and youths in the hinterland region.

It is in keeping with government’s manifesto of providing 50,000 jobs in the first five years in government.

DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’

$900M Revolving Fund to boost Forestry sector in place

Following up on President Irfaan Ali’s announcement in October of a $900M Revolving Fund to boost Guyana’s forestry sector, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, on behalf of Government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Demerara Bank Limited during a simple signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance.

Ali had indicated during his announcement that Government’s intention is to increase its focus on small, medium and community loggers and had noted that Government and Demerara Bank Limited will collaborate to make available the $900M revolving fund to increase production in the forestry sector. The signing was witnessed by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, forestry sector stakeholders including representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

The establishment of the

Fund is expected to address some of the challenges faced in the forestry sector in terms of the availability of easily accessible, low cost financing, especially for small scale operators. Meanwhile, the $900M Revolving Fund comprises a commitment of $300 Million by the Government of Guyana and a further $600 Million commitment by Demerara Bank Limited to address the challenges. It is expected to be utilized by individuals or companies operating within the forestry sector for the purpose of increasing production and value-added products in the sector.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Singh reiterated that despite Guyana’s economy growing due to the oil and gas sector, Government remains committed to ensuring that the country’s economy is also diversified and resilient and not dependent solely on the oil sector and as such is continuing to work towards the country building a ‘vibrant, competitive

Gov’t to expand hearing aid programme this year – Anthony

The Ministry of Health will continue to expand and roll out the hearing aid programme next year.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony made this disclosure recently. The minister said persons had to expend $65,000 for this service before the launch of the free hearing aid programme.

Some 500 persons with hearing impairments have benefitted from this initiative thus far, particularly Region One.

Meanwhile, as the government continues to make significant steps in providing eyecare services to Guyanese, the government procured some 4,500 spectacles through the ‘snap on’ spectacles programme “Many times, if you go to the villages, they don’t have access to this type of care…In this region [One], we have already started that programme where we are going into the villages, we are testing people’s eyes right there and if

they need a spectacle within five minutes of testing their eyes. They will get a pair of spectacles,” the minister added. A team is deployed to the communities to conduct eye examinations and spectacles are provided to those who require them.

The health minister noted that government will continue to bridge the gap in the provision of health care services in hinterland communities through the ‘snap on’ spectacles and hearing aid initiatives. “Hundreds of people would have benefitted from these programmes. When we talk about expanding health care and getting to the most vulnerable, these are some of the ways that we are doing that,” Dr Anthony related.

Some 597 spectacles were distributed through the snap on spectacles initiative. Also, some 23 spectacles were distributed in Region Ten, 124 in Region Seven, and 450 in Region Eight.

and rapidly growing non-oil economy’. “Naturally oil and gas will be driving a lot of the incredibly exciting economic growth that we’re seeing in Guyana, in 2022 we’ll see out economy grow in excess of 50 percent of real terms and in 2023 we are going to see our economy continuing to grow by an astronomical 25 percent or thereabouts and this is expected to continue into the medium term based on current proven reserves comprised of 11 billion barrels of oil but of course exploration is still ongoing…,” he added.

Dr. Singh pointed out as well that in keeping with Guyana’s historical and pioneering Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which has resulted in Guyana being the first country to gain the first sale transaction of certified carbon credits under which Guyana has already earned US$75 Million as a first transaction of an ongoing series of transactions, that the realization of the forestry sector’s growth will be achieved

in the context of continued responsible management of Guyana’s forestry resources and continued strong emphasis on value-added production.

Noting that access to finance has been a bottleneck for small loggers in Regions 1 and 10 in particular who are in need of same to capitalize or to recapitalize their operations as well as the need for available concessions to produce, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat who witnessed the signing today, noted that the Forestry sector is in a better position than it was when Government returned to office in 2020 and that to date the GFC has allocated over 100 concessions to local small Guyanese loggers with the second issue being access to financing being addressed currently. “So it is indeed pleasing for me as Minister of Natural Resources that we have reached this stage where we bargained (ofcourse with the intervention of His Ex-

cellency President Ali) with Demerara Bank Limited that we can now access finance for our small loggers, our sawmillers and to ensure that the forestry sector is being restored and returned to its former glory days,” Minister Bharrat added. Minister Bharrat reminded that Government also has a housing project initiative with Barbados and St. Vincent and the boost to the forestry sector for further production through the MOU initiative signed today would assist in ensuring that there will be a further increase from that in 2022 and more production in the years beyond.

Signing on behalf of Demerara Bank Limited was General Manager Dowlat Parbhu who said that the Bank was pleased to partner with Government in the monumental initiative that will help to boost the sector. He recalled that the Bank has been supporting a number of sectors including agriculture alluding to the Bank’s launch

of the Farmers’ Credit Line which provides loans to farmers for up to $1.5 Million at a very concessional rate. He noted that almost 300 farmers have been loaned financing from the last crop and this has helped many to return to the fields which in turn helps the sectors in Guyana which depend on rice especially.

President Ali, in October had highlighted that financing through the Fund would be provided at an affordable interest rate of 4 percent and that Government would work in conjunction with the bank to prequalify persons based on recommendations from the GFC following which a system would be put in place to provide access to financing so that there would be an increase in cash flow for production. He had also emphasized that his Government is committed to supporting small, medium and community-based loggers but that there must be “clarity, good governance, transparency, accountability and a system that works”.

Modernised domestic violence law, preparatory works for local law school this year - Nandlall

The year 2023 will see major adjustments to Guyana’s current family violence laws to introduce a criminal element, where the current legislation lacks penal sanctions.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC., made the disclosure, adding that the amendments are long overdue, as the country’s current legislation has been in existence for over 20 years. “Domestic violence is as prevalent as it ever was in this country, and we have to modernise it. It will be a merger of civil and criminal law, and it’s an improvement

on the deficiencies of the Domestic Violence Act,” he said.

The minister noted that a feasibility study is in the works in preparation for the establishment of a law school in Guyana. Following the feasibility study, which is expected to be completed early next year, a report will be submitted to the Council of Legal Education (CLE). “I have made it abundantly clear that the Government of Guyana will work in tandem with the council of legal education and this law school that will be accommodated in Guyana will be a law school of the Council of Legal Ed-

ucation. It will be a regional institution within the framework of the council of legal education legislation that is in all the territories.”

The school will also accommodate students from across the Caribbean.

He noted several pieces of legislation in the pipeline for 2023, such as the Arbitration Bill, which is expected to pave the way to convert Guyana into a modern arbitration institution, ensuring that it becomes self-sufficient and the arbitration hub of the Caribbean.

The advancements and improvements in the healthcare system are also part of

the docket for 2023 legislation with the Patient Personal Information Bill, which will prioritise the organisation and utilisation of patient data. “An important component of this modernisation is to have the legislative infrastructure to accumulate, store and use patients’ medical data,” the AG pointed out.

Other pieces of legislation slated for 2023 include the Single Window System Bill, Food Security Bill, Modern Waste Management Bill, Anti-Dumping Bill, Amendments to the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act, and Amendments to the Sexual Offences Act.

Gov’t to move application, payment for vehicle tint permits online in 2023

The Ministry of Home Affairs through the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is considering transitioning the application and payment for vehicle tint permits to an online portal in the new year.

This effort follows the ministry’s recent collaboration with GTT’s Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) for payment facilities at the General Registers Office (GRO) and immigration services.

Minister, Robeson Benn, in an invited comment, in an

interview explained that the GPF should be commended for taking the lead in implementing the services since, “tinting is a tedious job now, in the way it is being administered”. He said the new process, which the ministry hopes can become a reality in the new year, will reduce the inconvenience police officers face when dealing with drivers, who either have too much tint or have tinted vehicles without permits. “This inconsistency creates

unwanted confrontation that is not needed and we want to take away all of that” the home affairs minister noted.

He said the MMG payment portal will reduce the burden sometimes caused by the application process. “What we are going to establish with MMG and our people [home affairs ministry], is to establish a way for people to put in their application online, verifying that application, having the payment being made for the applica-

tion, and with a reduction in paper and [with the] verification of payment, and the approval, which will then be forwarded to the police and the applicant, this [process] will also identify the period for which the tint permit is valid for [when approved]”, the minister said.

He added that, “The verification process tends to cause unnecessary delays because applicants fail to submit all the relevant infor-

Vice President hints…

Free UG education closer to realisation

Vice President, Dr Bharrat

Jagdeo has made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration will ensure education is free at the University of Guyana (UG) before the administration’s first term in office ends.

The vice president said the move to remove fees at the nation’s tertiary institution is in keeping with the government’s manifesto promise.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing a large gathering at the launch of government’s part-time jobs Initiative at the Diamond Secondary School recently. “We promised free education in our manifesto, free university education in the five years. So… before the end of the five years, UG will become free,” he said.

The government has already distributed some 14,000 online scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). The 20,000 on -

line scholarships programme is also the fulfilment of a pledge made to provide opportunities for educational development nationwide.

Within the first year of its launch over 8,000 citizens applied for the free-online programme.

The Vice President said the administration had intended to make 20,000 of the online scholarships available.

However, the accommodation mark was revised due to the overwhelming interest shown by citizens.

The government through GOAL, partnered with new institutions to meet the challenges and demands of various sectors in Guyana. This includes the oil and gas sector, engineering and construction and information security.

GOAL is set to offer 187 programmes that can be accessed from 15 reputable academic institutions across the world, including India, Africa, the United Kingdom and

Germany. The programmes, which are being financed by the government, range from certificate-level to PhDs.

The sum of $1.3 billion was approved for GOAL in Budget 2022.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo highlighted a number of major projects for the Diamond community, including a new 60,000 square feet hospital that will be outfitted with a state of the art CT scan and other amenities.

That project, he stated, will commence next year and is expected to be completed within two years.

The move to establish such a high class health facility in the area is part of the government’s overarching strategy to modernise the health sector, ensuring that it matches international standard. Dr Jagdeo also spoke about several infrastructural projects along the East Bank Corridor that will be implemented to ease travelling time and traffic congestion.

Sod turned for Aquatic Therapy Pool

– to benefit 200 learners living with special needs, disabilities

I n keeping with efforts to improve the quality of life for learners living with special needs and disabilities across Guyana, the Education Ministry hosted a sod turning ceremony for the Aquatic Therapy Pool for these learners.

The pool will be constructed at the Regional Special Education Needs/ Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.

The event was hosted at the facility at the Cyril Potter’s College of Education’s Turkeyen Campus on Tuesday.

Some 200 persons are expected to benefit from this initiative. The pool will benefit learners with sensory coordination and muscle strength issues and seeks to provide them with social interaction opportunities. It will enhance and improve balance and posture for blind and visually impaired persons. The beneficiaries of this initiative include persons from the Unit for the Blind and Visually Impaired, David Rose special school, Beterverwagting/Quamina Special Unit, Diamond

and No. 8 Village special needs schools, and all of the learners who access the services at CPCE for early stimulation.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, in her remarks, reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the quality of life of persons with special education needs. The minister underlined that government remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure all learners have equal access to educational opportunities across the region. While more needs to be done, Minister Manickchand emphasised that learners with special needs will benefit tremendously from this initiative, since this move will have positive outcomes for those who will access the services. “While this is a really pleasurable activity, we believe that there is a lot of work that we can do and that remains to be done. I want to say to parents of special needs children, we have not forgotten you… And that is our effort. We ask you to partner with us as we do this,” she urged.

Meanwhile, Assistant

Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Special Education Needs (SEN), Keon Cheong stated that aquatic therapy will enhance and reshape Guyana as it seeks to improve the quality of life for persons living with special needs and disabilities, particularly school-aged learners. Cheong stated this initiative positively adds to the concept of related services. Related services are those needed to make an individual more functional in every day life. He noted that, “this initiative of an aquatic centre is beyond our wildest imagination. It takes Guyana on another level, higher. It also widens our scope. It brings and turns eyes and heads to us with the strides that we are making here as a country.”

The project is being financed by Trinidadian proprietor of Caribbean Educational Publishers, Teddy Mohammed.

Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Senior Education Officer (SEN) Ms Nikoya Alleyne and Mr Mohammed also attended the ceremony.

Financing agreement finalised for progression of the New Demerara River Crossing

The financing agreement for the progression of the New Demerara River Crossing was finalised, according to Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The minister made the announcement on the sidelines of a small staff gathering on Friday at the Harbour Bridge. “In the wee hours this morning we concluded the financing agreement so very soon Guyanese will see work moving apace. You will be seeing this happening, modernisation taking place and all the rest of it. We got to continue to bring development and progress to Guyana”, he said.

The Public Works Ministry on May 25th signed a $52 billion (US$260 mil -

lion) contract for the construction of the long-awaited new Demerara River Bridge.

The move falls into the government’s plans to expand and modernise Guyana’s transport infrastructure and significantly reduce the incessant traffic woes on the East Bank of Demerara.

The project, which has been long in the making by the PPP/C Administration, was awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation Limited. It is expected to commence immediately and be completed within two years.

The hybrid-designed bridge will feature a modern four-lane structure (two carriageways), a cycle lane, with a 2.65 kilometres

length, a driving surface of about 23.6 metres or 77.8 feet, with a lifespan of some 100 years.

The new crossing will replace the current bridge, which has already outlived its span by some 40-plus years. With its mechanical and other issues, the current structure causes hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs each year.

The new bridge will provide better connectivity to the East Bank Demerara (EBD) road, the Diamond-to-Ogle bypass road on the eastern side of the river, as well as the West Bank Demerara Road including the Parika-to-Schoonord road on the western side of the river.

residents received first-time access to potable water in 2022 – GWI reports

As part of the government’s strategy to improve water access across the country, 7,000 households received first-time access to potable water in 2022.

This was announced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, during a press briefing at the GWI Vlissingen Road boardroom on Tuesday (January 3, 2022). “We have been able to improve access to water, which now stands at 97 per cent and importantly, we have been able to extend water supply to unserved areas across the coastal belt,” he said.

This was made possible with the commissioning of a number of wells across the country, including a number of wells on the coast to increase access to potable water.

Of these, a $141 million

well was commissioned at Lusignan, one at Providence to the tune of $130 million, one at Wakenaam at a cost of $50 million and another at New Chesney, Berbice.

Residents of the hinterland also received first-time access with the commissioning of 20 water treatment systems at Aranaputa, Rupertee, Wowetta, Rupununi, Jawalla, Shulinab and Annai, among others.

“We have moved to 75 per cent access to water in the hinterland. And gradually, we will move up because our mission, our goal is to achieve 100 per cent access to water in hinterland communities and we are moving in that direction,” Baksh noted.

Also, 30 additional wells will be constructed across the hinterland in 2023, to remove the gaps that exist in accessing wa -

ter.

Baksh also announced that 13 new water treatment plants will be constructed throughout this year, to the tune of some $32 billion.

Two plants at Maria’s Delight and Onderneeming are expected to provide 100 per cent water coverage for the Essequibo Coast.

New plants in Leguan in Region Two, Parika; Parfaite Harmonie and Wales in Region Three; Caledonia to Timehri, Cummings Lodge, Bachelor’s Adventure and Hope in Region Four; Bath in Region Five; and Adventure, and Tain to Number 50 Village in Region Six, will help to improve water access in other areas of the country.

Seven of those contracts, valued at a combined cost of $14.6 billion, have been signed, while the other six will go out to tender in February.

Gov’t to move application, payment...

mation and, in many cases, submit incorrect information.”

The Motor Vehicle Traffic Act allows the permitting of 35 per cent light penetration into the vehicle, which can be measured by a tintometer. This permissible percentage of tint is compliant with the law, which

requires that a person looking from outside, must be able to recognise all individuals in the vehicle without difficulty.

If a vehicle fails the required level or the light penetration, the certifying officer can revoke the tint permit which could lead to the prosecution of the driver.

The Road Traffic Offence

(From page 16)

Act, Regulation 103 (A) 2, also allows for two demerit points to be added to a person’s driver’s licence for the use of prohibited tint. Where the demerit points accumulated by a person amount to 10 or more, but less than 16, the period of disqualification, from holding or obtaining a driver’s license is six months.

7,000

Fire Service gets $81.8M in vehicles to boost capacity

As the PPP/C Administration advances its development agenda, the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) must be improved to better serve the country, as such the Ministry of Home Affairs purchased several vehicles at a total cost of $81.8 million.

Minister, Robeson Benn on Wednesday (January 4, 2023) handed over the fleet of vehicles to Chief Fire Officer (Ag) Gregory Wickham at the Guyana Fire and Emergency headquarters in Water Street, Georgetown.

The vehicles include a $14 million excavator and a $32.7 million excavator (wheeled) trailer, an $11.7 million SUV, three pickups valued at $22.7 million, a

$495,000 motorcycle and five bicycles totaling $125,000.

The motorcycle will be deployed to Region Nine to transport junior ranks, equipment, and other items to the fire station and fire scene. The bicycles will be placed in Regions Two, Four, and Six for the same purpose.

The three pickups will also be placed in Regions Two, Four and Six.

Minister Benn told media operatives that the government procured the excavators since the fire service had to utilise private-owned excavators when clearing debris after a huge fire occurred. It will also be used in the installation and repairs of fire hydrants across the country. “The first place where

we could make the asset available, of course is in the central areas, Region Four and along the banks and coast …. eventually we’ll get to the other places,” Minister Benn explained.

Meanwhile, Mr Wickham thanked the government for its continued support of the service and noted it will be used efficiently. “These pieces of equipment will be used to enhance our firefighting in various areas. The excavators would be used to do clearing of debris when there are fires, also it would be used in the exercise that we go about planting hydrants around the country and so it becomes very vital for us to have that equipment within our arsenal,” he noted.

Another 62 from Region 9 complete CSO training

Some 62 residents of Annai, Region Nine, are now certified Community Service Officers (CSOs) following a graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said the programme aims to extend opportunities to young people so that they are able to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

The CSO programme is a representation of the government’s commitment to creating employment in hinterland communities.

“There are many opportunities that abound in our country, both skilled and academic but there is still

a portion of our population that needs support to experience that kind of exposure. So, under the CSO programme, we are making it possible,” the minister said.

She noted the government’s drive to ensure that these opportunities are accessible in remote areas. Sukhai said, “It is an experience, we want to provide for the young people who are vulnerable in various villages in the hinterland regions.”

Minister Sukhai said the programme also serves as the gateway to entrepreneurship. She said, “You’re young, and you need the support and access to making life better for yourselves, and you have to start somewhere,

so the CSO programme is the stepping stone.”

Moreover, she stressed the importance of residents working along with the government to bring development to their communities.

The CSO programme falls under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, which was reinstated by the government in 2020. It allows for youth to receive training in various disciplines, following which, they are able to make valuable contributions in their respective communities.

The programme is indicative of the government’s unwavering support for youths in the Hinterland and remote communities.

149 new community policing groups formed in the hinterland last year

In an effort to build strong community relations, the government through the Home Affairs Ministry (MOHA)invested some $99 million in the 2022 National Budget to support the National Community Policing (NCP)of Guyana.

and Mabaruma in Region One, Orealla and Siparuta in Region Eight, and Lethem in Region Nine were beneficiaries of new policing groups that will serve in their best interest.

gions One, Six, Seven, and Nine received outboard engines and boats, while ATVs were distributed in Mahdia, Lethem, Mabaruma, and Linden to facilitate patrols in their communities.

Guyana’s agriculture sector will move leaps and bounds in 2023, as the PPP/C Government will be taking an aggressive approach towards accomplishing its overarching food agenda.

The administration aims to sustainably meet the nutritional needs of every Guyanese, as well as make the nation self-sufficient and a regional food hub.

With a host of agriculture interventions set for 2023, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that his ministry is prepared to aggressively advance the sector.

He said several persons have already signalled their interest to invest in new agriculture technology like hydroponics, among others.

For context, hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture that involves growing plants, usually crops or medicinal plants, without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions.

The agriculture minister said his ministry plans to ramp up the artificial insemination (AI) programme. “We have already signed a contract with a Brazilian firm to start the transfer of embryos. Over 300 animals were already identified. And that process in less than a month,” he said.

Minister Mustapha explained that the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep project will also see significant expansion this year.

Following a discussion with his Barbados counterpart, the minister noted that the remaining tranche of the Barbados blackbelly sheep is expected to arrive before the end of the first quarter of 2023.

“We have already started the process of building the pens and preparing the pastures and getting things in order… by June the programme will be in full swing,” he noted.

The fisheries sector is also in for a major turnaround, Minister Mustapha

underscored, noting that more resources will be made available to ensure the industry is sustained. “We have started the cage culture that the president spoke about. We already have eight cages and those cages are stuck with Tambaqui. And over the next few months, you will see that will ramp up, too, in the various hinterland areas,” Minister Mustapha added.

With Guyana currently importing approximately 52 million eggs annually at a cost of some $350 million, efforts are being advanced to establish a sustainable hatching egg industry to support the local poultry sector.

Additionally, shrimp production will be expanded, while there will be increased use of shade houses in the agricultural sector, promoting large-scale cultivation of high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower, and large-scale dairy production.

The government allocated some $38 billion to advance the nation’s agriculture sector in 2022. That represents an almost 100 per cent increase from the 2020 allocation.

Year-end statistics provided by Ministry revealed that the NCP expanded its capacity by forming 149 new groups in several regions across Guyana.

This is critical since policing groups play an essential part in crime prevention in remote and rural communities.

Communities in Moruca

With the formation of the new groups, the total number of community policing groups has moved to 353, with a total membership of 7,425.

Not only were new groups formed, but the government provided necessary tools to the various groups to help them effectively serve their various communities.

Policing groups in Re -

In addition, 20 motorcycles were assigned to CPG liaison officers in different communities, and eight brush cutters were distributed to liaison officers in Mabaruma, Bartica, Lethem, Linden, C2, and A2 Divisions.

Also, 13 women groups were formed with 250 members and 41 youth groups with 1, 090 members in communities across Guyana.

Works to commence on Silica City this year

The development of Guyana’s first smart urban centre ‘Silica City’ in the vicinity of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway will get underway this year in keeping with the government’s transformative agenda to create a sustainable and climate-smart housing area.

The idea was based on the need for Guyana to develop an urban centre to complement the city of Georgetown.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, said, “We will see the commencement of construction on Silica City in 2023 and I know a lot of people are also excited about that. We have a lot of migrants who are excited about returning home and being able to own a plot of land in Silica City.”

The government is focused on further transforming Guyana, through the application of globally established principles of sustainable development.

Some 3,800 acres of land have been identified for the immediate development of the new Silica City in the Soesdyke-Timehri area.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal highlighted the ministry’s aggressive housing programme and plans for 2023 which include the development of the new Silica City.

“Inclusive of that…for what we have advertised is that we have added the Silica City because we have to commence work, occupancy, and activities at the Silica City. This is something that we have been speaking about for the new city,” Minister Croal explained.

The Silica City development project is a brainchild of His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali who had proposed the city’s establishment while serving as housing minister in 2013.

The project seeks to address the problems of non-coastal urban settlement development and the effects of sea level rise and climate change.

It will be a vibrant, sustainable, resilient, and modern city, in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The projected population for this new city over the next 20 years, will be approximately 50,000 or 12,500 households. It is expected that the city will be developed within the first five years to accommodate at least 3,125 families, or around 625 units annually.

Gov’t working aggressively towards making Guyana regional food hub

– aims to meet nutritional needs of all Guyanese – investing in new agri technology

‘No Afro-Guyanese contractors left out’ – Edghill rubbishes claim

Claims that Afro-Guyanese contractors are not equally benefitting from projects awarded by the government were rubbished by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The minister was as the time responding to a misleading article circulating online, claiming corruption by central government and regional executive officers in the awarding of contracts “to family, friends, and favourites of the PPP/C Government.”

“The first way I would respond to that is by letting the people of Guyana be the judge and jury on this matter. When you have more than 1,000 contracts only in roads that are being executed simultaneously…We are proud to announce that since we came to the office, there are dozens of new contractors who have been engaged and I can dare say every established contractor that has tendered for work and has engaged in the procurement process have been engaged once they met the criteria,” he said in a recent interview.

The minister related that works are being accelerated due to the PPP/C Administration’s progressive development agenda that is being dubbed “family and friends” to blindside the people of Guyana.

The minister noted that no contractor can invalidate the government’s effort to contract Guyanese from various ethnic groups or backgrounds. Edghill said, “Afro-Guyanese contractors are having their fair share of work. As a matter of fact, I don’t think there is an Afro-Guyanese contractor that could come forward and say I have been left out, I have been neglected and not getting work, I don’t believe that that is the reality.”

To ensure Afro-Guyanese contractors were gain-

fully employed, the minister said the government deployed representatives from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to help register and process their compliances.

This was done in the community of Buxton following an outreach led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips in September 2022. Through a similar initiative government awarded ten contracts to the tune of $84 million for infrastructural development in Victory Valley, Linden. Some 76 persons from the community were employed.

However, the minister reported that a member of parliament, who represents the people of Linden urged residents not to execute the works. Edghill said, “These projects are completed but a member of parliament told the people not to do the work you know why? Because then they can’t go back and tell the people that the PPP/C did nothing for them because the roads will be right in front of their eyes.”

Minister Edghill reiterated that all Guyanese are ‘family and friends.’ “So yes, the people in Buxton are now our friends and family, the people in Mocha are now our friends and family. The people in Linden are now our friends and family, and the people in South Georgetown are our friends and family. The people in Leopold Street are our friends and family and the people in Tiger Bay are our friends and family. The people in Albouystown are part of our friends and family. So, the PNC is admitting that people who used to be their supporters are now friends and family of the PPP/C, and that’s the way I will respond to this,” the minister added.

Political opportunism, irresponsibility continue to characterize Coalition’s actions

T

he Aubrey Norton-led APNU+AFC Coalition was engaged in a shameful display of irresponsibility as they manipulated a straight-forward situation and seven Guyanese families in a politically opportunistic play.

This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who responded to the Coalition’s actions at Caneview, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, where seven persons squatting on state lands refused to relocate, despite government’s offer of housing, farm lands and support, in one case, to complete construction of a home. Notably, a total of 28 families were relocated with new homes built, though a government compensation programme.

The seven illegally constructed structures were demolished on Thursday (January 5, 2023). Norton and Coalition Parliamentarians were on the ground with commentary that exacerbated tensions. At one point, the excavator doing the demolition was set on

fire.

Ali, in response, on Thursday afternoon (January 5, 2023), said, “Leadership is about responsibility.

Leadership is about understanding that you have to play a role in society that is positive…not one that is opportunistic in nature and one that seeks only to divide, and use every opportunity where you believe you can extract a divisive message.

“…aren’t they thinking about the value that will come to every house in Mocha now with this new highway; the net value of every home will increase…we are building an infrastructure network in Mocha, a community they (the former APNU+AFC Coalition government) neglected.

“…in a politically opportunistic manner they find themselves in Mocha, in their numbers, as if they have any care or concern.”

Ali noted that his government’s dealings, to ensure a smooth transition to remove the illegal squatters

The excavator set on fire as it was in the process of demolishing the last illegally constructed structure

and facilitate the construction of a much-needed road, have been transparent. The latest demonstration of this was the publication of a full-page advertisement in all the local daily newspapers that detailed the valuation of the seven properties and comments on the demands that were being made – demands that included $100M, as well as farmlands.

In an appeal, the Guyanese Head of State said, “To the seven families, this government stands ready to welcome you and take you

into your new homes...to give you a better life…do not be used opportunistically for political messaging…I urge these seven families not be used as political tools and pawn of a few who are only angry at the development of our country….when will some of these so called leaders come to understand what it will take to move this country forward?”

There is no place in Guyana, according to Ali, for the divisions that the PNCR-led Coalition would encourage in society.

The publication of a full-page advertisement in all the local daily newspapers that detailed the valuation of the seven properties and comments on the demands that were being made

Guyana still ranks fifth fastest growing economy without oil – Ali

Guyana is still the fifth fastest growing economy in the world without taking the impact of the oil and gas economy into consideration, as the country’s nonoil sectors have seen robust growth over the past year.

This was disclosed by His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, who added that, “Without oil, our economic growth would still run fifth in the world as a fastest growing economy in the world in 2020,” President Ali said during a live update on his Facebook page.

With a projected growth of 58.7 per cent by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Guyana is ranked number one in the world and Fiji is second with a projected economic growth of 12.5 per cent.

Moreover, Guyana’s nonoil economy is projected to grow by 9.5 per cent this year, according to the Finance Ministry‘s half-year report.

“Guyana’s economic performance in 2022 was not

only remarkable, but it is one that is worth a study,” President Ali noted.

The head of state said this is as a direct result of the PPP/C Government’s programmes and policies, and investments in the nonoil sectors over the past two years.

Agriculture and other crops are projected to grow at 17.9 per cent, while quarrying and mining are projected to grow at 11 per cent.

The construction sector is projected to see a 19 per cent growth while wholesale and retail trade, a 12.5 per cent growth rate. Similarly, transport and storage are projected to grow by 13 per cent and accommodation and food services will grow by 18 per cent.

These, he stated, are as a direct result of the confidence in the economy where more medium and small-sized enterprises invest in a diversified portfolio.

“This is also important when you look at what people

call Dutch disease…The diversification of our economic portfolio is holding strong,” President Ali pointed out.

He added that “while oil is bringing in the most needed revenue, the measures by the government targeted the expansion of other economic sectors.”

While the country was able to achieve all of this, Dr Ali pointed out that Guyana has also managed to keep its inflation in single digits.

Guyana’s inflation is projected to be around 7 per cent, which is below the global inflation rate according to the IMF.

“So, from a macroeconomic perspective, looking at our macroeconomic fundamentals in 2022, notwithstanding the complex international environment, we’re operating in… we’ve seen the true result of the policies and measures adopted by the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government,” he noted.

The President said the past two years were spent

rebuilding the framework that supports the upliftment and development of the nonoil sectors which suffered neglect under the previous administration.

“In the coming years you will see in a greater sense the impact of invest-

ment being made now,” he asserted.

As it relates to commodity prices, at the end of the first half of this year, consumer prices were 4.9 per cent higher than the levels recorded at the end of 2021.

President Ali reminded

of the host of measures implemented to ease the burden on the population.

Meanwhile, in the oil and gas sector, there are to be 13 lifts of profit oil this year with over US$1 billion in revenue and US$150 million in royalty.

Questions surface about Coalition’s...

any Afro-Guyanese village that the Honourable members have spent $40 billion in over the last five years.”

The Attorney General had said that audits would be conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, following which the Guyana Police Force and the Special Organised Crime Unit would be invited to investigate.

CHARGED

Already, former finance Minister, Winston Jordan, has been charged for public misconduct in office and is currently before the court.

The case to which the charge is related is the sale and vesting of the state’s largest wharf facilities located at Kingston, Georgetown. The charge stated that the

property, Mudlots 1 & 2, F of Mudlot 3, A, B & D, situated at North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was valued at billions, but was sold at an undervalued sum.

Jordan issued a vesting order, which passes Title to the purchaser, for prime waterfront properties in Kingston to BK Marine Inc. without full payment. The company is owned by Brian Tiwari. The property is reportedly worth a whopping $8B. The purchase price, however, was set at $400M. In a strange turn of events, Tiwari only paid $20M – not the full price for the land. The Transport was subsequently issued for this property. Notably, the agreement of sale stated that Title must only pass upon

full payment of purchase price. The vesting order stated that the property is being sold free from encumbrance and liabilities and no further sum of money is owed by the purchaser.

Jordan was arrested by ranks of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on December 2, 2021 for alleged misconduct in public office. The embattled former Coalition minister was released on his own recognizance. When charged, he was not required to plead to the charge, was released on $3M bail. Jordan’s lawyers are APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian, Roysdale Forde and Khemraj Ramjattan, as well as Attorneys-at-law, Dawn Cush, Joseph Harmon, and Darren Wade.

New Year Address to the Nation by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Fellow Guyanese,

Iextend New Year’s greetings to our entire nation. Wherever the dawn of 2023 finds you: be it at home, attending Church, engaged in spirited revelry, or at work, I offer wishes for good health, happiness and success in 2023.

The birth of a New Year is a time to take stock and to reflect on the achievements of the past year.

REVIEW OF 2022

In 2022, our economy continued on its high-growth path. Guyana is projected to be declared the world’s fastest growing economy. Despite significant challenges from global supply chain shocks and price increases triggered by the war in Ukraine, Guyana’s economic performance was stellar. Amidst these threats, Guyana’s economy proved resilient; growth was sustained, inflation contained to single digits, and exchange and interest rates stabilized.

We have kept our promise to resuscitate the traditional sectors. As a consequence, the non-oil economy is expected to register a growth of almost 10% for 2022.

The buoyancy of the local economy supported a fast-paced, energetic, but careful rollout of our national transformative agenda. Progress was made in advancing major infrastructural initiatives, including the gas-to-shore project, the Corentyne River Bridge project and the proposed new Demerara River Bridge.

Transformation is also taking place at the community level. A massive programme of improving community roads is being rolled out across the country; recreational facilities are being enhanced and drainage improved.

Over the past year, our people continued to benefit from better social services. For thousands of Guyanese,

the New Year will find them either in their own homes or on their way to becoming new homeowners.

In 2022, we increased access to potable water to more than 15,000 persons, and plans are advanced to ensure that some 100,000 more persons benefit from treated water and through improvements to our water supply system. Our aged electricity network is being upgraded to provide a more stable supply of electricity even as plans are in train for increasing generation.

In education, our students continue to excel at regional examinations, a tribute to the quality of the local education system. This outcome would not have been possible without the interventions which we made in improving teachers’ training, expanding the schools’ feeding programme, and enhancing the support provided to parents.

The modernization of our health sector is moving apace with emphasis on increasing healthcare access, improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing incentives for health sector workers, and expanded training of health care personnel.

Our elderly and vulnerable population was supported through increased pensions, social assistance, cash grants and the payment of annual disability grants.

The investments made in public security have led to a decline in serious crime by 19%, the lowest reported rate for such crimes in a decade.

The past year saw the government engaging with and involving citizens in the strengthening of community development.

In 2022, public sector workers benefited from enhanced remuneration. Thousands are now benefitting from the part-time jobs being created by the government. The national minimum wage was increased and measures implemented to address the rise in the cost of living, a problem which continues to

plague citizens around the world.

Guyana led from the front in its relations with the Caribbean and the rest of the world, particularly in the area of food security and climate change. The signing of the historic agreement for the sale of carbon credits attests to our commitment to protect the environment while ensuring revenues for national development. Indeed, on all fronts, the past year has afforded Guyanese the opportunity for a better life.

PLANS FOR 2023

But the best is yet to come. In this New Year, we intend to step on the accelerator in propelling our people-centered and inclusive national agenda.

Economic growth will be sustained in 2023. This will generate increased opportunities for citizens and business, spurring further development.

But mere growth is not enough. In 2023, we shall roll out policies, programmes, and projects to ensure that the fruits of this growth are more equitably shared amongst our population. Our primary goal is shared prosperity, one which is characterized by reduced inequality. In this regard,

no region, community, or village will be left behind in our quest to create a One Guyana.

The New Year will therefore see a greater thrust towards community development. Your government will engage communities to assist them in improving roads, drainage, street lights, recreational facilities, and in improving safety and security.

Among our plans for 2023 are:

Proceeding with major road transport works including the Linden to Mabura Road, completing the Eccles to Diamond road link; advancing plans for the fourlane highway between Crane and Schoonord, the new bridge across the Demerara River, and the Ogle to Eccles road link.

Intensifying the digital transformation of Guyana, including plans relating to coding, telemedicine, smart classrooms, virtual education for the hinterland; electronic health records management, and establishing a single window for business and building permits.

Commencing work on a National Hospitality Institute; and

Expanding shrimp production, increasing the use of shade houses in the agricul-

tural sector, and promoting large-scale cultivation of high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower, and large-scale dairy production.

These are only some of the massive transformative plans we have for every single region.

The New Year will also witness intensified efforts at arresting criminal activities.

Healthcare will be boosted in the New Year. Major upgrades will be undertaken to regional and district hospitals and improvements undertaken at health clinics and centers. Works on the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Bath Settlement, De Kindren, Little Diamond, Enmore, No.75 Village; and a new pediatric and maternity hospital at Ogle will proceed this year. In addition, every regional and district hospital will soon be able to offer a suite of diagnostic services such as (CT) scans, echocardiograms, ultrasound scans, and X-rays. The demand for more medical personnel will be met through expanded training, including quadrupling the number of nurses trained each year. We want the best education with which our citizens can benefit from.

We are going to provide the resources that can provide our children with worldclass education. As such, this year we will intensify teacher training to ensure that by the end of 2025, all teachers in our public education system are trained. All students will be entitled to universal secondary education. The school feeding programme will be expanded. This year we will also begin consultations on plans to ensure that every child receives a rounded education. Every student exiting school should have exposure to at least one sport, one musical instrument, one foreign language one technical and vocational skill as well as be imbued with a sense of volunteerism and social responsibility.

This year too we will sustain our plans for the empowerment of our women and youth. We will provide enhanced social protections to the vulnerable in our society, including the disabled and elderly, and we will work to create a more caring society in which communities attend to and support the less fortunate.

Our plans for this year, 2023, will lay the foundation for the establishment of the post 2o30 State. We envision a country, which at the turn of the next decade will be the energy and industrial capital of the Caribbean, a prime tourism destination, a regional food security, and transport hub, and a competitive knowledge-based, and low-carbon economy. The post 2030 Guyana will be inclusive and wedded to sustainable development.

We will ensure all our citizens have access to world-class education and healthcare services, and provide opportunities for all to be the best version of themselves.

Fellow Guyanese, All the wealth in the world will not bring us development unless we cultivate the right values: including service, self-sacrifice, social responsibility, and solicitude. My wish on this New Year is that as we pursue our own goals that we be mindful of our responsibilities, as citizens, to work for the good of all.

As we begin this New Year, I pray that the blessings of the Creator be upon all of us and guide us over the next twelve months. Let us never be too preoccupied to give praise and thanks to the Master of the Universe!

To all Guyanese, I wish you all a happy and successful 2023. And may good cheer and blessings be with you all year long!

Happy New Year Guyana!

May God bless you, and your families. I thank you

ELECTION WATCH: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

GECOM unlikely to hold elections by March 13th – Nandlall

Calling attention to the delay tactics employed by the Parliamentary Opposition, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, charged that Local Government Elections, scheduled for March 13, 2023, are unlikely.

On Tuesday (January 3, 2022), he said, “Unfortunately, based upon the way events are unfolding at that agency, we have had constant delays. Though the Minister has appointed a day for elections to be held, from all indications it appears that GECOM will not be in a position to hold those elections. That is highly regrettable and unfortunate.”

“…I want to make it absolutely clear that the blame for this cannot be put at the Government’s feet. We have budgeted the money and have done everything possible, including fixing the date for the elections…it is the Opposition members of the Commission, who have been raising

one objection after another to delay this election. We have been compromising on every occasion they raise these objections. And every time we compromise, they shift the goalpost and raise another objection.”

Chief Scrutineer of the APNU+AFC Coalition, Carol Smith-Joseph, has move to the court in an effort to block the planned holding of Local Government Elections, schedule for March 13, 2023. Joseph’s Fixed Date Application was filed in the High Court.

LGE is constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and was last held in 2018.

Notably, more than $750 million has been set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparations to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE this year. This money is part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM’s in Budget 2022 and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consideration of the 2022

Budget Estimates. Included in the $783 million for LGE is a more-than-$300 million increase in “other goods and services purchased”, which jumped from $250.8 million in 2021 to $575.9 million in the 2022 budget.

Local Government Elections were deferred, among other challenges, because of the absence of key senior GECOM staffers, including a Chief Elections Officer, given that the former CEO, Keith Lowenfield, was fired and placed before the courts on changes related to public misconduct and electoral fraud.

LGE, which are usually due every two years, was last held in 2018. At the last LGE in November 2018, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

Continuous Registration exercise ongoing

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commenced a continuous registration exercise on January 3, 2023, for eligible persons, at all of its permanent Registration Offices in the ten Administrative Regions.

During this registration exercise, any person who will be 14 years and older by the 30th June, 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalization, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, can apply for registration, providing he/she was never registered.

Existing registrants who are desirous of updating their records such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, occupation and update their

addresses are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

Persons desirous of conducting any registration transaction whether new registration or changes/ corrections to their particulars are required to visit the GECOM Registration Office responsible for their area of residence with the relevant source documents which are:

• Original Birth Certificate, valid Passport, Adoption Certificate, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Registration, and Deed Poll along with original Birth Certificate (if applicable) in the case of making applications for new registration.

• Original Marriage Certificate, Marriage Certificate with Decree Absolute for divorced women, Deed Poll

with Birth Certificate, or a new original Birth Certificate reflecting the new name in the case of an application for change/correction of name and other particulars.

Registration transactions can be done during the official working hours outlined below:

• Mondays to Thursdays 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs and 13:00hrs – 16:30hrs

• Fridays 08:00hrs –12:00hrs and 13:00hrs –15:30hrs

For further information, persons are advised to visit GECOM’s website at www. gecom.org.gy follow us on Facebook at Guyana Elections Commission, or call 225-0277-9, 223-9653, or 223-1300.

The registration exercise will conclude on May 31, 2023.

COMMENTARY

PPP has achieved and continues to work toward the 1950 objectives and mission

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

O

n January 1, 1950, British Guiana was under the shackles of British colonialism and imperialistic domination. Together with the Americans, Britain had under-developed Guyana, as they did in other developing countries. Our people were no longer officially slaves and indentured laborers, but living standards were indecent and ugly and our people were still regarded as chattels. The desire for and the clamoring for freedom from colonialism and imperialism, for human dignity, were thunderous. By the middle 1940s, a group of young Guyanese, led by Cheddi Jagan, was forging national unity around the demand for freedom and independence. That group of young Guyanese, driven by the desire for an independent Guyana, formed a political party to achieve independence and sovereignty for the country which was known as British Guiana.

On January 1, 2023, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) celebrated its 73rd anniversary. Led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, a group of young Guyanese, including Janet Jagan, officially launched the PPP, after several years of preparation, with its antecedent being the Political Action Committee (PAC). Ashton Chase was one of the young Guyanese who was a member of the party; he is still alive today.

What is clear is that after 73 years, with only one of the founding members still alive, the party has kept its faith with the original mission. Few political parties globally would have achieved as much as the PPP, while remaining loyal to the original mission. What is especially interesting, and gratifying, is that the party has been able to adapt to new circumstances, new

realities, while maintaining its original principles and values. For example, the party is friendlier and more accommodating of private sector development, while remaining a working-class party.

By January 1, 1950, the British Empire was facing impatient populations throughout its vast empire of developing countries. India had, in fact, gained its independence in 1947. Agitation for independence was growing throughout the Caribbean and Africa. The clamour for freedom and independence throughout the colonial empires governed by European countries largely was driven by the poor living standards of the people in the empires.

Life expectancy at birth in Guyana in 1950 was 47 years, and this was better than the life expectancies in many countries in Africa. By 1964, life expectancy, largely due to the PPP’s policies in government, had reached 60 in Guyana. This was achieved within fourteen years after the party was launched. Policies such as ensuring potable water reached more people, childhood vaccination program and access to hospitals and health centers across the country played a major role in increasing life expectancy in Guyana. The PPP of 2023 is now working to lift life expectancy to 78 and ensuring Guyanese have a life expectancy, at least, at the top of CARICOM. Interestingly, by 1992, when the PPP returned to government after 28 years of rule by the People’s National Congress, life expectancy was in jeopardy of falling below 60 again. Today life expectancy is 73 for women and 69 for men, overall being more than 70 years. Life expectancy is a pivotal measure of the standard of living of a people. Clearly, the PPP kept

its promise when its was launched that the living standards of people will improve. To this day, the party continues to work on improving the living standard of the people. We see it in its health, education, housing, water and sanitation programs.

When the PPP was launched in 1950, malaria was a major cause of death. Infectious diseases, in fact, was responsible for more than 80% of all deaths in Guyana. Today, infectious diseases, leaving out COVID-19, is not a significant cause of death. It is also a good time to recall that Guyana had no university, our children did not have access to universal primary and secondary education and that unless a person was a Christian, he or she could not be a teacher. Potable water reached only a small percentage of the population, mainly in the capital city. Even in Georgetown pit-latrines dominated. Housing was limited and constituted mainly of shacks. Our workers were at the mercy of employers and, today, workers are protected and empowered.

Shamefully, the PNC wasted the first 26 years of our independence because all the colonial maladies largely remained in place by 1992.

The PPP was formed in 1950 to address these and other maladies of under-development. First and foremost, one of the original objectives was to agitate for and win independence for Guyana, freedom from the shackles of colonialism, freedom from the British colonial masters. To improve the living standards of the people, the first thing that was necessary was gaining independence, having the ability to charter our own destiny. This became the clarion call for the party and Cheddi Jagan’s life-long

ambition.

The working class, led by sugar workers, long before the founding fathers of the PPP started the first organized drive for independence, were already struggling against the colonial system. A number of rebellions in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, culminating with the Enmore Massacre, had already created an uncomfortable situation for the colonial masters. It was not shocking, therefore, that the working class became the backbone of the party and a priority focus for its agitation. Guyana won its freedom from British colonialism in 1966, a mere sixteen years after the formation of the party. Although the PPP was not in power when Guyana won its independence, no one in his or her right mind can deny the significant and indispensable role the PPP played in Guyana winning its independence. In fact, Guyana should have gained its independence before 1962, had the British kept their promise and had Guyana not been victimized by the obstructionist policies of Forbes Burnham’s People’s National Congress (PNC).

There is no more to Forbes Burnham, but his obstructionist polies live on in the PNC. More than 56 years after Guyana’s Independence from the British, the PNC continues to stifle Guyana through its obstructionist policies and actions. Not only did the PNC delayed independence for Guyana, with the aid of the imperialists, they stole the first 26 years of our independence by substituting dictatorship for British colonialism. But as we welcome 2023, Guyana is positioned to defeat once-and-for-all the PNC’s obstructionism.

Independence was a major objective, but the PPP also had other objectives

that are worth recalling as the party celebrates 73 years. One of the critical objectives was universal education. By 1964, when the British conspired with the Americans and with Burnham’s PNC to overthrow Cheddi Jagan and remove the PPP from government, Guyana was already one of only a handful of developing countries that had achieved universal access to primary school education. For the first time also, by 1964, Guyana had established a network of public high schools across Guyana, moving from a few % of students gaining entry in secondary schools to more than 30% of students gaining access. Poor people’s children for the first time had begun to gain entry in government high schools. By 2010, Guyana, under a PPP government, had achieved the goal of universal access to secondary education in Guyana. By 1964 also, Guyana had started its own university, a university that today we are all so proud of, but which Burnham used to refer to as “Jagan’s Night School”. Today, Guyana’s doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, agriculture and forestry experts, among others, come from the University of Guyana.

By 2025, as promised in the PPP manifesto for the 2020 general and regional elections, UG will offer free education. This week, Bharat Jagdeo, Guyana’s former President and presently Guyana’s Vice-President, and a loyal disciple of Cheddi Jagan, announced that no Guyanese should think that the PPP will not keep its promise of free university education.

Even as the PPP prepared for introducing free university education, it has already in the past thirty-months provided more than 14,000 scholarships from vocational studies to PhDs. The party has remained committed to

ensuring every Guyanese child and young person is provided with the education and training they need to empower themselves and their families. President Irfaan Ali in a recent visit to Berbice announced that more than 100,000 Guyanese will access training in Coding and also announced a Hospitality and technical Training Institute for Port Mourant, at a cost of more than $US120M. The institute will be the premiere technical institute in CARICOM, providing training for the OIL and GAS industry and other manufacturing sectors.

Limited space for this column does not permit a detailed analysis to show how the PPP has kept its faith in the working-class people, kept its promises to the people of Guyana and has, seventy-three years after its launching, remained faithful to its original mission. It has nurtured and incubated leaders for over seven decades. At the same time, it has changed and adapted to new circumstances.

In 1950 when the party was launched, and the party leaders spoke of a country where people have decent jobs, owning their own homes, with universal access to education from nursery to university, with life expectancy not different from the global average, a country that was a middle-income country, their vision was dubbed “UTOPIAN”. When the party leaders spoke of Guyana as the “bread basket” of the Caribbean, they were dismissed as “wild and reckless dreamers”.

As the party leads Guyana in the upcoming years, at least, it has an opportunity to achieve the destiny of Guyana being CARICOM’s “bread-basket” for real by 2030 and move Guyana to a developed country status before it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Gov’t focused on improving disposable income in every household, access to basic facilities – President Ali

TheDr Mohamed Irfaan

Ali-led PPP/C Administration will continue to work assiduously and make the necessary investments to ensure the lives of all Guyanese are transformed.

This reassurance was given by President Ali during his recent interview with international news agency, Al Jazeera.

“One of the important things that we must do is to improve disposable income in every household, to give people access to basic facilities. We understand what it takes to manage the country without resources. So, we more than understand the responsibility that comes with managing a country with resources, with this opportunity to transform the lives of every single person,” President Ali noted as he highlighted how his government intends to address the poverty level.

The administration is aggressively pushing to provide 50,000 jobs over a five-year period, as was promised in its manifesto. It has invested a significant number of resources to strategically enhance the lives of citizens, since taking office in August 2020.

When it came into office, the government removed

many burdensome taxes which were imposed by the previous administration. This resulted in some $40 billion in taxes being placed back into taxpayers’ pockets.

Further, to increase disposable income the part-time jobs initiative was launched last year, from which some 13,000 persons are benefitting. This programme will cost the government some $10 billion annually.

The job opportunities allow for persons to work for 10 days and earn up to $40,000 monthly. Jobs are being offered in specific areas within government ministries and agencies and caters for one person per household.

President Ali said his administration also intends to make a dent in the poverty statistics.

The Head of State further outlined that, “We are moving in a direction in which more people will move to a position in which not only the basic poverty level is addressed, but the issue of empowerment−disposable income− is addressed to the extent that more persons will be graduating to the middleclass.”

The President said government will utilise the country’s oil resources to

diversify the economy and bring benefits to all citizens. The head of state said the mixture of government and private sector investments are pushing the country’s development.

He pointed out that government expenditure, for the expansion various sectors, is part of its agenda to bring prosperity to every home, positioning Guyana as a leader in food production, energy, and infrastructure, to name a few. “We’re also seeing a lot of private investments in these sectors, and that is because people are seeing the direction in which the country is going and the vision in which we are positioning Guyana,” he posited.

Dr Ali also made reference to the substantive improvement in Guyana’s equality statistics, as revealed in the 2022 Gender Gap report.

He noted that this level of development is set to increase two-fold in this regard and will also add to efforts to reduce the poverty level.

Moreover, President Ali emphasised the importance of ramping up public education, as well as the involvement of local stakeholders, which are essential to the country’s development.