Weekend Mirror 18-19 June 2022 by Weekend Mirror

International CoI into March 2020 Elections to be set up 18-19 June, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 27 / Price: $100

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PAGE 3

‒ President says Commission to be in place by June 21st

PPP/C gov’t working assiduously on planning, implementation of development agenda PAGE 12

Ali blasts Norton-led Coalition for ‘myopic thinking’ PAGE 10

Teixeira rubbishes Coalition’s attempt to distract from the ‘real issue’ PAGE 16

‒ Says Bid Review Committee maintaining transparency

SEE INSIDE

Close to 300 apply for home construction assistance PAGE 6 – Minister Croal

OAS members must have “frank and fact-based” conversations to fix systemic issues PAGE 10 – President Ali

Fight for democracy must be conscious, courageous effort PAGE 15

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

GECOM’s revised numbers put continuous registration cycle transactions at almost 70,000 U

pdated numbers from the Continuous Registration cycle conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM),

which ended on May 29, 2022, indicate that a total of 69,781 transactions were processed. These transactions

range from new registrations, replacement identification cards, changes and corrections and transfers.

GECOM has indicated that at the end of the process: • 20,926 persons, who are 18 years and older and

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are therefore eligible to vote, have been registered; • 28,101 persons between the ages of 14 and 17 years have been registered and will be issued national identification cards; • 4,601 persons have applied for transfers to new addresses; • 6,530 persons made changes and/or corrections to their particulars;

• 7,681 persons sought to have replacements for their national identification cards; and • 1,943 persons sought to have their photographs retaken. Some $4.1 billion has been approved for GECOM this year, to carry out its work programme. From this amount, over $700 million has been earmarked to host this year’s LGE.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

International CoI into March 2020 Elections to be set up ‒ President says Commission to be in place by June 21st

Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2020 Elections debacle was announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday (June 16, 2022). “In honour of these martyrs and in honour of all Guyanese who fought for democracy, who fought relentless to ensure our democracy…in honour of your sacrifices, I committed that we will have an international COI, not a review… we promised an international CoI, so I say to all those who struggle and scarified, all those who worked to protect the democracy we have, before dawn on Tuesday (June 21, 2022), your President will name the members of that international CoI….And those who subverted democracy, and those who cannot present their SOPs and those who struggled against the will of the people, the CoI will make the truth free,” he said, during an address at an Enmore Martyrs memorial event at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. According to him, the contribution and sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs cannot be narrowly confined to the sugar industry, but must be viewed in the context of democracy and national development. “It is their struggles that we build on,” Ali stressed. In October 2020, Ali disclosed that the Government of Guyana was in talks with the international community regarding a Commission of Inquiry into the events of the March 2020 Elections, which saw a five-month delay in the declaration of final election results. He had said, “We’ve already started conversation with various international stakeholders on the subject matter and the international community is also very much interested…the international

community was a key part in ensuring that democracy was protected…so the international community is going to play a key part in this and they are very keen and they are very interested…in relation to a timeframe in having the CoI, I would say that it is in the, not the medium-term, but the immediate-term plan for the Government as we proceed towards the end of the year.” Prior to that the President had stated that the panel for the CoI could be drawn from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and The Commonwealth. “Between the OAS, Commonwealth and CARICOM, I think we will have a great opportunity to determine a good panel to look at the CoI,” he had said. The first mention of an investigation into the elections was made by Ali, during his inauguration speech on August 8, 2020. “All of us have an obligation to the nation and to ourselves to ensure that, never again, should any generation of our people be subjected to such unlawful behaviour. Therefore, a review of events related to the electoral process over the last five months will begin shortly to determine forensically exactly what transpired and to hold accountable any person who sought to pervert and corrupt the system.” The Head of State had said too that all necessary reforms will be pursued to make democracy stronger, and the electoral process more transparent. GECOM CANNOT CONDUCT REVIEW Further, GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, this week, handed down a decision, after the matter came up at the Commission, making clear that any re-

view focused on investigating actual occurrences during the 2020 elections by the electoral body would be outside the scope of GECOM’s power. In her decision, the GECOM Chair said that it was important that a distinction be made between a review of GECOM’s processes in effectively conducting an election and an investigation into what actually transpired during a particular election. She said Article 163 (1) of the Constitution, the Supreme Law of Guyana, stipulates that the High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine questions relating to the validity of an election. GECOM is not a court of law and, therefore, has no authority to determine whether an election was lawfully conducted, and no such power was conferred on it under Article 162 (1) (b). “A perusal of Articles 162 and 163 shows that the Constitution clearly and sharply separates the functions of GECOM and the High Court respectively in matters of electoral laws. The Commission does not have, and cannot clothe itself with, the powers of a Court of Law to examine and re-examine witnesses or to procure official documents to determine the truth of the allegations contained therein. Any such question can only be determined by way of an election petition filed in the High Court,” the GECOM Chair said. Also, she explained that in being asked to investigate the March 2020 Elections, GECOM is being asked to answer two questions: one, whether persons who could not have voted, voted in the elections; and two, what documents were required to be present in the ballot boxes at the close of counting on election day.

“The most that GECOM can do in this regard is to examine its processes to see whether there are gaps or weaknesses in its processes that make it possible for votes to be counted for persons who could not have voted. This requires no more than an examination of the processes currently employed in light of the claims made, and a determination of whether there is poten-

tial for such to have occurred. If there is, then the Commission can consider what adjustments can be made to improve the system…GECOM can examine and strengthen its processes if necessary, and place greater emphasis in the future on ensuring that they are fully complied with by all of its staff, so that such things cannot happen in a future election….should the intention of a

proposed review be to consider if there are, in fact, potential weaknesses in the processes employed by GECOM for the conduct of elections, and to propose improved methods or processes for future elections, then this can and should be undertaken,” the GECOM Chair declared. CONVOLUTED NOTION (Turn to page 17)

EDITORIAL Coalition derailing development, undermining democracy with misinformation

he laws of Guyana and the policies and programmes of the PPP/C government are clear – there is transparency in all these areas. However, these intervening factors and the reality and truth they proffer are worlds apart from the actions and comments coming from the Parliamentary Opposition, the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition. The leader of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC Coalition continues to act as if he is intent on overwhelming the law and overwhelming the clarity on the incumbent Administration’s policies and programmes with misinformation. This effort has been likened to an attempt to frustrate development in Guyana. This week, Guyanese saw the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, calling for oil production not to be “ramped” up – an asinine comment given global developments. Guyana’s opportunity to benefit from oil and gas is now, before 2030, when the world is targeting a transition to net zero. And Guyana’s utilisation of oil and gas does not endanger the shift to a low carbon economy, given the fact that the PPP/C government is working on dual tracks – developing the oil and gas sector, so revenues can come in to help develop our country and people, while progressing along a low carbon pathway, as detailed in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. Importantly, a country needs resources to fund the shift to a low carbon economy and the oil revenues represent those resources. How else will our country fund our developmental needs and fund the infrastructure needed for a sustainable low carbon economy? By Norton’s logic, Guyana should remain locked in a cycle where income is low and emissions that contribute to climate change are also low. Even if this logic was to be accepted, Norton misses one fundamental point, even with oil production, Guyana is a net carbon sink because of our pristine forests. What is clear is that Norton, without an understanding of the Guyana’s situational nuance – an ignorance that is either feigned or real – is peddling misinformation. The PNCR/APNU/AFC has proven itself committed to misinformation, platitudes, not the Guyanese people. This was seen in every area, not only development, but also in the efforts to undermine our democracy. 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 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.” Also, 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. Needless to say this was just one of several wild claims made by Norton. Try as they might, the PNCR/APNU/AFC will continue to be exposed and called out for its attempt to derail our development and undermine our democracy.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

Electoral integrity must be the root of our democracy Dear Editor, Foremost, it must be acknowledged that there is much work to be done to improve and strengthen Guyana’s democratic framework. This is given the significant abuse and damage resulting from the March 2020 elections fiasco and its related undercurrents. While the recently released Electoral Integrity Global Report 2019-2021 influences perceptive reactions, its limitations include a lack of pronouncements on causal factors and assumptions made by the evaluators in their consideration of circumstances requiring clear delineation. Notably, the Guyana process received a low comparative global measure in the Report, but its implications for many relevant stakeholders determine why the absoluteness of the measurement demands and necessitates the need for further internal interrogation. In particular, the score focuses on evaluations over the last three years, and does not reflect the work done by the current PPPC Administration since returning to Government. Certainly, it is appropriate that dependability of the findings for current reference also considers the improvement undertaken since August 2020. Notwithstanding, it is obvious that the low score was influenced by, and recorded under, the desperate effort by the PNC/APNU/AFC Coalition Government to rig the 2020 National and Regional Elections. The flagrant self-sacrificial role played by key employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) justified damning global condemnations and jurisdictional electoral charges. But one must not pretend, however, that the problem was not incentivised by other internal accommodations of central players in the then Coalition Government. A revamped GECOM must improve its image, supported by rational and practical, legally-enforceable changes to improve its transparent delivery of free and fair elections. There is no doubt that elections are indeed central to our democracy. Free and fair elections must, at all times, realise the peaceful transition of power to that political party the majority of voting citizens support.

Today, it is recognised that even many die-hards of the opposing PNCR regime are in acceptance of the plain truth, evidenced by the recount results. Consequently, more civic participation in the struggle for free and fair elections is being experienced. Although the circumstance demands an almost imbued cultural factional change, those who portray a behaviour of immunity to rigging must get civilised, and work in harmony for the betterment of our people and country. Critically, voter intimidation can lead to low voter turnout, thereby increasing barriers to transparent voting responses. These have been the hallmark of the PNC’s behaviour for decades. Many of their leading activists have engaged, and continue to engage, in issuing widespread threats of violence, including the burning of the capital city. Certainly, these undercurrents must be halted, and the threat of post-election violence must be made a thing of the past. Our electoral procedures must be objectively reviewed where appropriate, and carefully establish policies for compliance encouraged to aid GECOM’s execution of its mandate in the delivery of acceptable, integrity-driven, free and fair elections’ results. Editor, the presence of continued lawlessness and irrationality evidence the period from the successful passing of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion to the almost forcible ejection of the APNU/AFC cabal, some of whom continue a persistence of internal self-conviction. There must be stronger consequential actions to strengthen the enforcement of our electoral laws. Further, ensuring clear electoral procedures, accurate district boundaries, improving voter education and registration clarity; political party registration; encouraging wide media coverage; defining the limitations of campaign financing, the voting process, and the vote count approach will serve to ensure the early release of results. Therefore, the GECOM electoral authority must be clear as regards the role and delivery expected of the Secretariat staff, as well as from the GECOM Commissioners. The recent GECOM advertisement of vacancies for polling day staff is most welcome. Presiding officers, assistant

presiding officers, poll clerks, ballot clerks/ counting assistants, and information clerks must be fully trained. Notwithstanding this, carefully-thought-out criteria must be used to guide the selection and retaining of these responding persons for employment. Those employed must be men and women with integrity. The forward movement of GECOM in this respect must be applauded. It is a clear signal that the overdue Local Government Elections (LGEs) are likely to be called, and this MUST be realised as early as possible. It is crucial that GECOM purposefully develop a cadre of efficient and tooled staff who will be ready to professionally execute its mandate. Those who are calling for GECOM’s flexibility now were among those who were dumb deflectors, who contributed to the riggers keeping their knees on our people’s necks for five long months. They must be disregarded, but action must not stop here, as the organisation ought to sustain a continuous improvement approach that would prevent the causal factors related to the 2020 debacle from ever raising their ugly head again. In a phased way, the Guyana electoral system will be improved and strengthened, but future successful improvements will always have challenges linked to the Opposition’s behaviour. Our country has had enough rigging and procrastination in the preparation for elections, an approach that is often conveniently promoted by Opposition elements. Therefore, here in Guyana, ensuring integrity is seen as a purposeful objective is crucial. In addition, improving the legislative framework to enforce and deter certain clandestine patterns must also be undertaken, and would be central to some of the remedial actions required for improved national and global perceptions, and encourage global democratic acceptance. In the case of these delayed LGEs, GECOM must now hold a short period of Claims and Objections, and produce a voters list! There must be no more delays. Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Opposition Leader’s hypocrisy on display, yet again Dear Editor,

s carried in the local media, there is a claim by Mr Aubrey Norton that he was bullied into a handshake by the President. Now, I am not sure if the media is correct, but I think they meant to say that he was startled by the fact that the President of this country could have thrown out the olive branch and shaken

his hand, and not the bullying nonsense that the Opposition Leader is suggesting. In either scenario, Norton comes across as the most ludicrous Opposition Leader ever. Let’s face it, here we have a grown man in his sixties making such a foolish and nonsensical remark; it is way beyond me. I am therefore inclined to ask the question: Why couldn’t the Opposition have chosen a better leader?

Did they carry out a proper search? Are they aware of the sure qualities of a person vying for leadership of the Opposition? I am talking about someone who has the soundness of character, and one who can set forth visionary leadership. Aren’t there, in the Opposition, other available personalities who are worthy, who could have been considered? These (Turn to page 5)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C gov’t continues to deliver on commitments made to Guyanese Dear Editor,

Guyana is once again developing I at an unprecedented rate Dear Editor,

he PPP/C, in its Manifesto in 2020, made a commitment to provide 50,000 jobs for Guyanese by 2025, and has since embarked on many mega and small business initiatives which would not only ensure that this bears fruit, but would launch the country on an unparalleled development course. Many thousands more jobs would be created when many of these mega projects come fully on stream; the groundwork is already laid. This is in stark contrast to what the Coalition did from 2015 to 2025, when thousands of Guyanese, some 35,000, were thrown under the bus, and had to endure severe deprivations, including hunger, while those in the Coalition enjoyed not only humongous salary increases, but buttered this with massive corruption, rape of the Treasury, and the selling out of our oil patrimony. We must not lose sight of this ever. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Guyana is once again developing at an unprecedented rate, and the recent announcement by Vice President Dr Jagdeo is just another of the visionary initiatives which will bring immediate relief to 10,000 unemployed persons across the country. Thousands are already employed. The Vice President made it clear that these are not temporary jobs but parttime ones which would go on indefinitely. This initiative alone would cost the Government nearly $5 billion annually, but this Government has never flinched when it comes to improving the lives of Guyanese. It never attaches a cost to this determination. Let those who criticise this Government calculate the multiplier effect this one project would have on the economy. The spending would not only further improve the lives of

Guyanese, but would create additional jobs. Many such economic projects are already affected, and dividends are seen. But apart from the economic benefits, this project would improve the quality of Government’s service delivery being offered across the country. These jobs would play a significant role in this regard. Therefore, it is not only about creating employment, but it is about improving the lives of all Guyanese in terms of service delivery. Many times, people complain about the poor quality of service delivery at some of our Government agencies, and this initiative indeed would go a long way in bringing immediate relief. Despite these benefits, the Opposition Leader attempted to malign this initiative when he questioned the qualification of those who would be employed. Mr. Norton should try to be a responsible Opposition Leader, but he has so far displayed ignorance of his role, and is bent on sowing mischief and discord. Dr Jagdeo gave him a fitting reply when he told Berbicians that, “The qualification is that they are Guyanese, they do not have any other qualifications to get the jobs.” Is this Norton’s patriotism? It boggles the mind that the Coalition destroyed thousands of jobs and is still embarking on a mission to willfully obstruct the employment of Guyanese. The PNC and the AFC were the architects in destroying Guyana’s economy. The Coalition is adept at taking away bread and butter from the people. Guyanese, beware of the Coalition, it’s an ill wind that brings no good. Yours sincerely, H. Yusuf

Opposition Leader’s hypocrisy... are searching questions one might be tempted to ask when one considers the crazy antics exhibited by Norton. He is very base, to say the least, where leadership material is concerned. To choose someone like Aubrey Norton tells us that the Opposition is bereft of leadership material for that position. The guy embarrasses himself at every turn, and the entire Opposition goes down with him. Even when he speaks anything of substance, one finds it difficult to decipher the logic of his missive. For starters, his latest spurof-the-moment, enthusiastic affirmation of the statutory appointments of the Chief Justice and Chancellor leaves one to wonder. Weren’t the substantive appointments of these two ladies denied due to the direct diabolical work of the PNC? And the answer is yes, the obstruction of these ladies being confirmed to their posts was as a direct result of the PNC’s shenanigans. The PNC were more interested in feeling out the justice’s political leanings, rather than making them substantive in their positions, something that is illegal when considering constitutional appointments. They were too busy sorting out us and the theory. This is an age-old PNC strategy when considering persons for constitutional positions. They are of the opinion that those positions should be made available to yes men and women, or persons who may make decisions based on “political correctness”,

(From page 4)

rather than decisions based on law. According to the PNC, constitutional appointments must be based on the PNC’s party control of the judiciary, and whatever the decisions emanating therefrom must be according to party dictates, and not on law. This is a pretty embarrassing and demeaning position to place the judiciary, where the integrity of judges would be put on the line all because a political party colours their decisions. There was no independence of the judiciary during those days. And this comes as nothing new, because the founder leader of that party, Burnham, did the very same thing when the party’s flag was flown above the courts, showing clearly who controlled decisions there. Since 2016, those appointments should have been made substantive. Why this wasn’t done is anybody’s guess; it was all due to the PNC’s backward views when it comes to these appointments. But those days are long gone, as we look forward to the new dispensation of fairness and transparency in the judiciary. So, for this Opposition Leader to come out saying that he is in full support of the two judges is almost hypocritical, to say the least. Norton has to do better than this, educated and enlightened individuals are watching. Respectfully, Neil Adams

recall quite vividly that President, Dr Irfaan Ali in his maiden address to the National Assembly, did make a commitment to publish the particulars of all revenues and expenditures of Guyana’s oil sector in the Official Gazette. And true to this commitment, this was done. In perusing the news, I noted that the government published all the data on earnings from the oil- and-gas sector, and this must be commended, as too many have already become accusers and judges of the current administration, and this with nothing to go on. In terms of a breakdown of all oil revenues deposited into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) to date, the government made public its first notification of receipts from proceeds as per the Natural Resource Fund Act, which came into effect last December. So, “Pursuant to Section 33(2) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, notification (was) given of the receipts of all petroleum revenues paid into the Natural Resource Fund, during the period from 01-Jan-2022 to 31-Mar-2022…” This means that the public can now read the notice from the 25th April, 2022 Official Gazette that was laid in the National Assembly. As I see it, it is that “As at the end of March 2022, the Bank of Guyana had the total amount in the NRF pegged at US$719,525,975.50.” At the time of this maiden address, the President did expound that: “The revenues from the sector, like all other sectors, are the peoples’ money; they are entitled to know how much money is earned, how much is spent and on what it is spent,” and this official declaration, accessible to all, proves that there is nothing untoward happening within

this sector. Yet many are preaching, without evidence, that ‘all is not fair and transparent.’ Let’s recall that this kind of act is in keeping with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its management of the country’s oil-and-gas resources. How different is all of this when contrasted with what the APNU+AFC did at the very onset of happenings within this all-important oil-and-gas sector. I speak here in terms of the US$18M signing bonus from ExxonMobil for close to two years. We all remember the acts of subterfuge of former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who after a few years of pressure had to ‘save face’ and so he “… doubled down on his previously [initial] expressed public position, that the US$18M had from ExxonMobil Guyana in 2016, when his administration inked a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), was a gift and not a signing bonus, and that the administration was in fact misled by the negotiator.” Yet he could not name this negotiator. He further embarrassed himself by his attempt at extenuation, when he detailed that “… US$15M of that money was earmarked for the border case between Guyana and Venezuela ….” Transparency and accountability are the utmost fundamental principles on which a government must operate. “We are the custodians of the people’s assets,” the President said in that first address, “and we will account to them for all that we do.” So far so good, and this kind of behaviour really augurs well for the nation. Yours truly, Erin Northe

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

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

$144.5 million in machinery to improve drainage in the Pomeroon F

armers from communities along the Pomeroon River, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) are once again singing praises to the government, as yet another promise has been fulfilled that will see improved drainage in the various farming communities. Upon assuming office, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, visited several farming communities in the region and met with farmers who made requests for equipment to assist with developing the necessary infrastructure to improve drainage in the areas. Farmers also made requests for a pontoon to operate along the river to assist with carrying out works along the river. Minister Mustapha along with other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two commissioned two long-reach excavators and a pontoon valued at $144 million. The equipment forms part of NDIA’s capital programme

for 2021. The contract for the construction of the pontoon was awarded to VR Construction for $84.5 million while the excavators were supplied by Guytrac to the tune of $60 million. Minister Mustapha said for five years prior to August 2020, there was a noticeable decline in the agriculture sector. He noted that since assuming office, the government has been working to put the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure farmers are able to produce. He said, “We’ve made commitments. We’ve made a number of promises and, today we are delivering on one of the promises we made to the people in the Pomeroon. As a government, we have to put in the necessary infrastructure so that our farmers can produce. Prior to this August 2020, there was a decline in the sector because of the burdens placed on farmers. If our country is going to develop, if our agriculture sector is going to develop, farmers have to make a big

contribution. These pieces of equipment are only the beginning. We will continue to make the necessary investments to improve farming in the Pomeroon. I want to urge you when these pieces of equipment go into operation, please use them with care and for the benefit of the community,” the minister said. He told farmers that a work programme will be developed after which a management committee comprising farmers and other officials will be established to guide and monitor the operations of the machines. As part of the government’s overall drainage improvement efforts for the region, Minister Mustapha also said that the ministry, through the NDIA, will be constructing pump stations at Charity and Andrews, a sluice at Capoey, as well as carrying out rehabilitation works at the pump station at Cozier. Meanwhile, Chairman of the NDIA Board, Lionel Wordsworth said the newly

acquired machinery will enable the NDIA to carry out additional river defense works along the Pomeroon River. He said, “Currently, we have contracts awarded to do 22 miles of embankment and channels in the lower Pomeroon and 25 miles in the upper Pomeroon. With these pieces of equipment, we

will be able to do an additional 38 to 40 miles minimum annually along the Pomeroon River. This will add to the overall work programme that we have ongoing in the Pomeroon.” Wordsworth further disclosed that as it relates to the dredging of the Pomeroon River mouth, a contract has been awarded

and the necessary surveys to determine the exact alignment for the dredging operations were almost completed. Farmers who were present while thanking the government for the timely investment echoed the minister’s call for the effective management of the new equipment.

Close to 300 apply for home construction assistance – Minister Croal

lose to 300 persons have already registered for the government’s Home Construction Assistance Programme which provides assistance to Guyanese to access finances to construct their homes. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said that of the 300 persons who registered since applications opened on May 30, some 100 persons were pre-approved by the banks for financing to build their homes. “It means that they [registered persons] will eventually move to the pre-approval stage. For some of them, they may be short of a particular document to show to the bank. Some instantaneously got their approval on the spot,” Minister Croal explained. The minister said that the programme extends to persons own lands acquired

through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) or privately. He clarified that, “It is not for structures that are in progress, it is for persons who have their lands, and have difficulties getting that startup to build.” Minister Croal further explained that is important that the applicant shows ownership of the land, since it will be used as the equity to the bank. “What they do, is for example if five percent works out to $500,000, then that amount goes towards the overall cost for the mortgage…In essence you can have zero and get the financing to build your home.” Under the Home Construction Assistance Programme, applicants can select one of three categories of units available. These are, two-bedroom flat units costing $7 mil-

lion, three-bedroom flat units for $9 million and the three-bedroom elevated units at $12 million. The programme is the brainchild of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It seeks to accelerate the government’s housing drive, while also addressing challenges faced by Guyanese families who have acquired government or private lands, but are unable to build their homes, due to inaccessibility to financing and issues with contractors. Applications for the programme officially opened on May 30 at the Ministry’s Head Office on Brickdam, Georgetown and a number of persons have capitalised on the opportunity. It was then taken to Linden, Region Ten last week and over 60 persons were registered. It is expected to be launched in Region Six on June 14.

59 more homes slated for Williamsburg/ Hampshire, Region 6

he Ministry of Housing and Water- Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has redesigned the Williamsburg/ Hampshire housing development, and identified lands for the construction of 59 additional homes. This will add to 100 low-income homes currently under construction in the areas at a total cost of $750 million. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said that this will meet the great housing demand in Region Six. “That will take off somewhere by the last quarter of this year, but we will push from before because we have to do the preparation for the infrastructure,” he said. The minister was at the time delivering remarks at an allocation exercise at the

Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) on June 4, at Rose Hall, Corentyne. Twenty-eight (28) families were allocated housing units during that exercise. He said that the programme will not only help to address the 6,000 backlogged applications within the CHPA system, but it will also stimulate economic growth within the region. “Work is ongoing to ensure that we find more lands quickly, because we want to respond to those applications because we want to deliver on that before two years, for Berbice. These units we are constructing will also help to clear in this regard,” Minister Croal explained. Earlier this year, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that government will be constructing 100 housing units in Pal-

myra, an area identified for massive development. A national stadium, international hotels, shopping malls, and private hospital, among other major infrastructure will also be developed there. These initiatives form part of the government’s national housing programme which aims to provide 50,000 house lots by 2025 through land allocations, and the construction of homes for low, middle-and moderate-income families, as well as young professionals. Over 10,000 house lots have been distributed over the last year, with an additional 14,000 earmarked for this year. Further, construction on close to 1,000 turn key homes is underway with an additional 1,000 low-cost units set to be constructed utilising local wood.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

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

Hinterland students at 30 more young Berbicians benefit CPCE to complete their from low-income homes first year of studies T

fter two years of being closed, dormitories at the Cyril Potter College of Education have been reopened to accommodate students to complete their first year of studies and prepare for their second year which starts in September. On Sunday (June 12, 2022), twenty-seven yearone students from Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine arrived at the Turkeyen Campus with more expected to come before the end of

the week. Vice Principal with responsibility for Curriculum and Instruction, Ms Kevaun Sears explained that the 92 students would have experienced severe internet challenges in their respective regions. “The students being back will allow for us to fill gaps, so courses they would have missed in the first semester, those areas where they would have had challenges with in-person instruction, we now have

the opportunity to work with them to ensure that by August, they have fully completed their training for the first year.” Ms Sears stated that the students will undergo intense instruction over the coming weeks where they will be exposed to face-to-face interaction as well as utilizing the online platform. The students are pleased to be on campus to complete the first year of their studies.

Gov’t building community contractors’ capacity – Minister Indar

ommunity contractors are being targeted to conduct infrastructural works, as government aims to have residents more proactive in the execution of developmental projects within their communities. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) said community involvement is key, and the current infrastructural projects being rolled out in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) are geared towards building contractors’ capacity to undertake road works there. He said, “This is something that we [government] are encouraging, and we are actually fostering the development of the contractor.” The minister was at the

time inspecting ongoing works in the region. He urged contractors to honour the contractual obligations. “I spoke to some of the contractors, the quality of the roads that they are delivering is also of concern, so we got to make sure we deliver proper roads. If it is concrete, it must be relatively smooth for concrete roads, and if it is asphaltic concrete, you know the layers must be uniformed throughout the spread of the road. So, things like that we are looking at, and we will pay some more emphasis on that, as well,” the minister said. Meanwhile, works are being executed under the ministry’s Special Projects Unit in several communities such as Crabwood Creek,

Little India, and Little Africa. The first phase of road works in those areas highlighted will see the rehabilitation of 44 roads and footpaths by contractors of the various communities. The second phase is set to commence shortly, and will see the rehabilitation of 100 roads in the communities of Fort Ordnance, Chesney, Whim and Belvedere, and the continuation of road works in Little India, Crabwood Creek and others. This major infrastructural project is the result of a commitment recently made by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo following community engagements in the region. The government is aiming to rehabilitate roads in every community across the region.

hirty (30) young persons of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were on Tuesday, allocated low-income homes at Ordnance/ Fortlands, as the government accelerates its national housing programme. The allocation exercise was done during an outreach conducted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound in New Amsterdam. It is the first set of 100 two-bedroom flat homes currently under construction at Ordnance/ Fortlands. Each unit measures 20 feet by 30 feet (600 square feet) and costs $5.5 million inclu-

sive of the cost for the land. In brief remarks, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said the initiative forms part of the government’s national housing programme that aims to provide the opportunities for Guyanese to own a home. It also fulfills the government’s mandate of providing 50,000 house lots by 2025. “We have a mandate to deliver housing opportunities to the Guyanese people, and we will deliver… region is no exception, we have a lot in store for this area,” he told the recipients. The construction of homes project was conceptualised by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan who had initiated the ‘turn-key’ homes initiative when he

served as housing minister prior to 2015. When the PPP/C Government took office in 2020, it initiated an aggressive housing programme. To date, 1,200 homes are underway for lower to moderate income families, as well as young professionals across Regions Three, Four, Six and 10. Some 300 homes were completed and handed over to families to date. Further, more than 11,000 house lots were allocated to citizens through CHPA’s signature ‘Dream Realise’ house lot distribution exercise. In excess of 3,500 transport and titles were also distributed thus far.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

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

Energy security, climate crisis for new US/CARICOM PACC 2030 initiative

aribbean nations have been offered the scope to access funding for their energy infrastructural projects through the Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030)-a mechanism initiated by the United States of America to address energy security and climate crisis within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Through the partnership, the US will support Caribbean countries’ energy infrastructure and climate resilient projects from beginning to end.

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali is led a delegation, which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, Ambassador, George Talbot, and others to the fiveday international meet. US Vice President, Kamala Harris made the announcement on June 9, 2022, when she met with regional leaders on the sidelines of the Ninth Summit of the Americas underway in Los Angeles California. The US Vice President said the climate issue remains an ex-

istential crisis for the entire planet, stressing that “the Caribbean is on the frontline of the crisis.” She said the US will work with Caribbean countries to identify new clean energy projects and will provide technical assistance to ensure the projects are viable and appealing to investors. “We will bring them (investors) on road shows to showcase and we will improve access to development financing which will make these projects a reality. We will engage with the private sector at every

stage of this work because their involvement is essential to making this productive and meaningful,” Harris assured the Caribbean leaders. The US leader said when the transition to clean energy is accelerated, economic opportunities for the entire region would be unlocked. “When we work together to address this urgent threat, it benefits the people of the United States and the people of the Caribbean and all of us of course benefit by reducing emission.” The US-Caribbean relation remains a priority, according to her, and she said while the climate crisis is one of the US’ highest priorities, there are still other issues that are important and must

addressed together. Meanwhile, CARICOM’s Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett relayed that energy security in the Caribbean is a critical matter as countries seek to transition their energy systems to more modern, clean and reliable supplies of renewable energy. She said member states are heavily dependent on fossil fuel for energy needs, and are predominantly net energy importers. “Our position is to optimise our indigenous sources as we make that judicious transition to renewable resources. We are therefore pleased to have this conversation. We are aware that our own public sector’s fiscal constraints

limit the extent to which our governments can finance a transition to renewable resource and therefore the undertaking to provide sources of financing that our private sector can access is very important.” Dr. Barnett said the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, has also impacted the Caribbean’s energy and resilience and the already fledgling climate crisis. President Ali has also called on his regional counterparts to contribute to the global solution. Guyana has been at the forefront of calls for a more hands-on approach by developed nations in the handling of the climate crisis, particularly since it has damning effects on developing countries.

Shade house initiative continues to thrive with youth involvement

hile agriculture is a major source of employment in Guyana, traditionally, older citizens take on the responsibility of farming whether it’s small or large-scale farming. However, as the country rapidly progresses, it is becoming important for the younger generation to venture into the agriculture sector. The government over the past two years has invested

billions into the sector, reviving and expanding, as well as establishing new initiatives to get more youths involved in agricultural cultivation. One such project is the President’s shade house initiative which was launched in January, and is specifically targeting the younger population. The project which falls under the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship

Programme (AEIP) caters for constructing 275 shade houses across the country. The youths involved in the shade house initiative at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The young farmers are growing a number of high-value crops such as cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

Gov’t equips riverine students in Region 5 with school items

undreds of students attending schools along the Mahaicony River are now better equipped to learn with the supply of exercise books, pencils and other school items, which were handed over on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. Interacting with students at the Mortice, Gordon Table, and Kamarata Primary schools, Minister Dharamlall stressed the importance of education. He shared with the parents, government’s interest in the overall development of the next

generation. “Today, I feel very honoured that I am along the Mahaicony River speaking to school children because you are probably the most important people in our lives,” the minister expressed. Several parents had raised concerns about a lack of school supplies, and through the collaboration of the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the school supplies were made available almost immediately. Minister Dharamlall said that government will not provide excuses for schools

to be left in a deplorable state, as monies have already been allocated for schools to be upkept. “One of my responsibilities is that all the schools are in good condition, and that teachers have the supplies they need to teach. “Not because the schools are way up the river it means that it must be left unattended, our President wants all our schools to have the same opportunities,” Minister Dharamlall assured. The minister also disclosed to those gathered that the government has budgeted more than $100 million to upgrade the Mahaicony Branch Road.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE

1,300 residents to benefit Gov’t supports Karasabai farmers to from water distribution system in Phillipai expand production F

orty-five families in Karasabai, Region Nine are planning to increase their agriculture production after receiving assistance from government. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has delivered on a promise, to provide barbed wires to the community, to protect the farms from animal intrusion. Prior to obtaining the wires to fence the farms, the Nabiuti Farming Group lost acres of crops every year, as animals would ravage them. But now the items delivered by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, MP, provide a silver lining for the agriculturists. Raymond Carlos, who has been farming for over 50 years is immensely pleased with the governmental intervention. He said, “It will help me to stop them animals from going in the farm. It got cows right there, pigs and sheep right there, it can stop them with that wire.” Among the farming group, there were nothing short of smiles, especially for Cyril Johnny, a 62-year-

old farmer. He said cultivation will now be extended, and the community will be looking to supply Lethem with the increased produce. He said, “Our promise has been fulfilled with this barbed wire. I’m so thankful for it, we are thankful as farmers. We will use it on a sustainable way to produce, and to have a progressive and productive marketing. “We will do much better now that we receive this barbed wire to do more further production.” The farmers in Karasabai traditionally plant peas, corn, cassava, plantain, bananas and eddo, but will be expanding to include citrus fruits. The intervention of government exemplifies its rhetoric of rebranding Guyana as an agriculture powerhouse, and the breadbasket of CARICOM. It also contributes to the plethora of major initiatives Government implemented from August 2020, such as the Shade House Programme, where high-value crops are being grown; corn and soya bean cultivation at Ebini,

black belly sheep project in Region Five, hatching eggs initiative, marine cage fishing project and the brackish water shrimp programme, just to name a few. These programmes solidify Guyana’s position as a key player to reduce CARICOM’S hefty food important bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025; a goal set by member States. Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai congratulated the farmers for remaining resilient, in the face of various challenges, including the unpredictable weather pattern. She said, “When the rainy season comes, there are some places that will always be flooded. It is hard but what can we do, it is an act of nature. Please make use of it in the best interest of the farms.” Minister Sukhai also distributed a brush cutter to the Community Support Officers, to help maintain the aesthetics of the village. The minister also addressed some governance issues affecting the community.

Improved accessibility, lower cost of living for Regions 9, 10

ravel time between Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be significantly reduced. Tenders are out for a contract in excess of $100 million for works on 26 kilometres of the road that links the two regions. Works will be executed from Yurong Paru to Monkey Mountain. Improved accessibility also means that the cost of living will be reduced for the over 20,000 residents between the two regions. Works to improve the road network were announced by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill during a recent visit to Kato, Region Eight. “Those of you that want to get to Region Nine and get to Brazil, you must be able to get that connectivity. When we have that road completed, and trucks can come through Karasabai, and get down all the way to Monkey Mountain, the cost of supplies, building ma-

terials, food, everything will go down because you don’t have to fly it in, it will be able to come through by way of trucks,” he added. In Potaro-Siparuni, gold and diamond mining and forestry are mainly what the people depend on for their livelihoods. While in Region Nine farming is largely done with a heavy focus on chickens and cattle rearing. The link between the two regions means increased economic activities for those people. Minister Edghill also highlighted that when government awarded the contract to construct the Kato Secondary School, the contractor had complained of losing machines using the route in order to construct the school. With the road works are ongoing, wear and tear on vehicles are expected to be significantly reduced. “I want to assure you, we are not just talking the talk, we are walking the walk. Last year we executed some work

and currently for 2022, we are continuing that phase because we want to be able to connect Regions Nine and Eight,” he said. Last year, government invested $150 million to repair several bridges and 37 Kilometres of road from Tipiru to Yurong Paru. The total length of the road link from Monkey Mountain, Region eight to Lethem, Region Nine is approximately 150 kilometres. Only recently, government signed contracts worth $290 million with 28 communities in Region Eight to improve connectivity between villages. Additionally, Government also signed a US$190 million contract to construct 121 kilometres of road from Linden to Mabura Hill, Region 10, and a contract to the tune of $3.1 billion to construct 32 concrete bridges along the Kurupukari-Lethem corridor to facilitate the asphaltic road that will eventually lead from Linden to Lethem.

ver 1,300 residents of Phillipai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will benefit from potable water for the first time as a $53.683 million well will be drilled in the community by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). The project, which is expected to commence next week and to be completed by the end of September, falls under GWI’s Water Supply Improvement Project. Once completed it will see 90 per cent of the population having access to potable water for the first time. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal visited the village recently and made this announcement during a community engagement at the Phillipai Primary School. Currently, the community has no functioning water supply system, since the old facility became dilapidated and has been out of operation for the past few years. As such, residents have been fetching water from the spring, river and practicing rainwater harvesting for consumption. However, Minister Croal said that once completed, the new water supply system will have a lifespan of over 20 years. He added that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure proper management and maintenance of the system.

He emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring that all villages in the hinterland have access to potable water. “As a Guyanese, it doesn’t matter if you are at the bottom of the map or the top of the map, we will deliver water to you. We have a mandate, and we were elected to serve the people of Guyana including Phillipai. When we design and develop programmes for the hinterland it is geared towards bridging the gap between the coastland and the hinterland,” he said. The scope of works of the project includes; drilling of a new potable water well, installation of 200 service connections, construction of 20 feet high elevated metal water trestle with storage and the installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories. Minister Croal reminded residents that Guyana has signed on to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal- 2030 and the government is committed to fulfilling its obligations. He said, “We are putting the water system here so that you can access water to your home. If some of you prefer to use the water from the river you are free to do so, but we, as a government,

have a duty to ensure all of the citizens have access to proper water and sanitation in keeping with the SDG- Six.” When the PPP/C Government took office in August 2020, it found that only 34 percent of the Region Seven population had access to potable water. With the interventions undertaken since then, Minister Croal said the population with access to water increased to over 47 per cent, and by the end of 2022, it is expected to move up to 61 per cent coverage. In 2021, the villages of Kamarang and Jawalla benefitted from new water supply systems at a cost of $42.8 million and $38.8 million respectively, while the system at Kurutuku was completed at a cost of $15 million. This year, in addition to Phillipai, new water supply systems will be installed at Waramadong, Tassarene and Isseneru for a total contract sum of $222 million. Kaikan village will also receive a new system to the tune of $40 million. Minister Croal said that by 2025, similar projects will be extended in communities including, Quebanang, Wax Creek, Batavia, Daag Point, Arau, Kangaruma, Karrau, Imbamadai, Itaballi, Westerbeck, Kartabo, Amakokopai and Warawatta.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal handing over the contract of the project to the Phillipai Village Council

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Ali blasts Norton-led Coalition for ‘myopic thinking’ P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has defended his decision to allocate several acres of Guyana’s land to be utilised by Barbadian farmers as the two countries seek to push the regional food security agenda. Whilst in Barbados in May for the Agro Fest Expo, the Guyanese Head of State announced that the Black Belly Sheep Initiative between the two Caribbean nations will be expanded so that Bajan youths would have access to lands in Guyana to boost production. He had said, “We are setting aside 50 acres of land to be owned by

young people as part of the Black Belly Sheep Project in Guyana, 50 acres to be owned by persons with disability, 50 acres to be owned by single parents, women and importantly, 50 acres that will be owned by your young people here in Barbados.” Ali added that the farms will be working together in an integrated way to supply the Barbados market. In further expanding on his vision, President Ali had explained that “we are working on training your butchers here so that they can do the best cuts, and Barbados can work on creating that lo-

gistics hub of moving these products on along the market chain. These are the types of initiatives that will create a long-term sustainable relationship to what we are advancing and the path we are taking.” Following Ali’s announcements, leader of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC Coalition, Aubrey Norton, attempted to criticise the effort. On May 31, 2022, he had said, “You are not giving your people the land. But you've gone outside of Guyana with projects to give away our land…it is absolute stupidity…we are not using

the lands etc. to put our people in agriculture.” President Ali has since responded to those naysayers during a recent interactive session with members of the Guyanese diaspora in Los Angeles, California, USA. He said, “When I went to Barbados, what I saw, I saw an entire parish where the farmers were Guyanese, where the farmers were given land by Barbados to farm… where the Government of Barbados is investing in infrastructure to help them.” According to President Ali, “myopic thinking will not take us anywhere”. He

also warned that Guyana “cannot go forward as a loner”. He explained that his vision is to create a movement where “the people of this region, wherever you are, must be proud to be part of …the people of this region must see themselves connected to each other.” Ali added, “We must not race to see who is better than each other. The Head of State stressed that regional leaders must work to create “winwin” situations for all of its people. “We don’t spend so much time together, Prime Minister Mottley and I be-

cause we like to lime, 90 per cent of the time we spend with each other is to strategise on what to do next… we have to see ourselves as a singular collective, a singular partner working together for one common goal and vision, that is, to give the best possible opportunity to the people of our country, to bring prosperity to the people of our country, to put food on the tables of our people in this region at a less cost – at a sustainable cost and in a much healthier fashion,” President Ali had said.

OAS members must have “frank and fact-based” conversations to fix systemic issues – President Ali I n order to fix the systemic issues of North, South, Central America, and the Caribbean, there must be “frank and fact-based” conversations among member states, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. To engender this, the President explained that this week’s IX OAS Summit must define a pathway for integration of member countries’ infrastructure, people and economies—which is time-bound and collectively progressive. The Head of State made the assertions during the Second Plenary of the Summit earlier today. The Summit is being held under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future’. He said that in addressing the theme of the conference, member states of the

organisation must examine important pillars such as democracy, equity, good governance, fairness, justice, race relations, security and partnership, among others, to have a realistic understanding of the state of affairs of the Americas. The President listed statistics highlighting inequality and hindrances to multilateral growth, which, he explained, has stagnated overall development. He said that while member states are living among various challenges to the aforementioned pillars, collectively, they have the potential to bring prosperity to every home. President Ali listed the potential of energy security—using abundant natural resources, land and access to water to ensure there is food security while noting that

there is enough rainforest cover and technology to decelerate the impact of climate change. Additionally, he asserted that having enough access to finances will bridge inequality and support sustainable development for all citizens of the Americas. Ali said, “The question is, why have we not achieved this? It points to systemic issues—and we must be able to have a frank conversation on resolving these systemic problems, not a political and ideological conversation, but a fact-based conversation aimed at uplifting the people of this region to a position of prosperity.” The President was adamant that necessary adjustments would catapult overall development and growth. He said, “We have the potential and we must use every avail-

able tool, all the assets that are available to us to reach that potential, and we can do it if we commit ourselves.”

LEADERSHIP READY The Head of State also noted that after a meeting with US President, Joseph Biden and Vice President, Kamala Harris, he is convinced that the leadership is ready for this “frank, factbased” conversation and was encouraged by the immediate action to set up joint committees to address important issues such as food security, climate change, energy security and financing. President Ali said, “This should be expanded to the Americas in finding solutions based on a time frame. Let us say to the people of this region that as political leaders, we are ready to tie ourselves

to time-bound initiatives in delivering to them the prosperity we all speak of. We need, as a region, to have these tough conversations that are necessary to make the best possible decisions for the people of this region.” GUYANA TO CONTRIBUTE President Ali noted that although Guyana’s economy is projected to double in two years and the country is expected to become one of the fastest-growing economies, it understands the need for regional and global collaborations. He said, “We understand that we are not alone in this world and this region, and the prosperity that we seek to achieve cannot be done alone. We belong to the family of humanity and we are ready to make our

contribution to that family of humanity.” The President highlighted Guyana’s bountiful forest, which stores 19.5 gigatons of carbon and noted that the country would not be reckless and irresponsible in managing these resources in the interest of the region and the world. He also spoke about the potential of several CARICOM member states and listed its collective drive and capability in energy and food security. “Let us forge ahead to unite the Americas, strengthen our relationship forged in respect and good governance so that when we reach again, we do so as a singular whole and create a winning formula and culture for all,” Ali stressed.

GuySuCo managers engaged to discuss strategic direction – Called on to targets improvement in communication, management and efficiency

resident Dr Irfaan Ali invited the leadership of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to discuss its strategic direction with the intention of improving the corporation’s efficiency and effectiveness. The meeting was attended by approximately 180 senior officials and managers of the

sugar corporation at State House in Georgetown. The President instituted on-the-spot solutions aimed at improving communication, management and direction. He said, “We are not investing all of these resources in GuySuCo for failure. The restructuring and strengthening of GuySuCo is not a

joke. When we said we want to make this industry viable, it is not a mystery.” The President underscored that the corporation does not belong to any individual or group, but to the country. He said, “Success does not start with money, success starts with the right attitude, success starts with

teams, success starts with people and if we can’t get this fundamentally right, then we have no hope of being successful—absolutely no hope of being successful.” President Ali also emphasised that it cannot be “business as usual anymore” and there must be sweeping changes.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY The President was informed that there is a high turnover rate for field workers—which hinders efficiency. Though this is a challenge, he noted that it is also an opportunity to look towards mechanisation. Both estate managers of Albion and Blairmont indi-

cated plans to improve their mechanisation to 60% by 2026, through the increased usage of specialised tractors. President Ali, however, noted that the time span for the completion of their target can be reduced by two years and can be achieved by 2024. To this end, he tasked the Board of Directors and senior managers of the corporation to organise a sub-committee (Turn to page 20)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C gov’t continues grassroots engagements

PPP REMEMBERS ENMORE MARTYRS

A wreath laying ceremony was hosted on Thursday (June 16, 2022) to mark the 74th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs. Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry, referred to as the Enmore Martyrs, lost their lives at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara on June 16, 1948, while fighting for better wages, working and living conditions. This tragedy resulted from a confrontation with the then British Guiana police after the sugar workers refused to continue the ‘cut and load’ harvesting system which was introduced to in 1945.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

POSITIONS FROM VICE PRESIDENT

BHARRAT JAGDEO [Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo addressed several issues during a recent news conference]

Vice President rubbishes Norton’s attempt to diminish gov’t efforts…

PPP/C gov’t working assiduously on planning, implementation of development agenda T

he PPP/C government will not be distracted by the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition, according to Vice President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, who stressed that the Administration take planning and implementation of it master plan for development seriously. “It seems as though from the opposition side, that all we're engaged in, is giving handouts, handouts to various groups of people across the country,” he noted at his news conference on Wednesday (June 15, 2022). According to him, the primary task of the incumbent Administration, after taking office, was responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “First of all, addressing the pandemic in the last 18 months or so, in office was a primary task of the government. And you have seen us approach this with a zeal that is unbelievable and even throw the pandemic when many countries were shut down

and public officials refused the gold. We saw the President and ministers, many public officials putting themselves at personal risks still going to the communities. Contrast that with the five months period, the lockdown, while not five months, maybe about four months period, that we had on under APNU and look at the result of or management of the COVID pandemic, compared to countries that are better resource than Guyana. We have come out of the pandemic with our economy intact and growing. And not just the oil and gas economy, but the non-oil and gas economy still growing. “Many countries have gone into recession, or teetering on the verge of recession. Some countries in the region have shut down totally all economic activities, we did not do so we kept our country open. We've managed to get about 80% of our adult population vaccinated, we have a functional COVID hospital with over

150 beds now and an ICU section that can accommodate fairly large numbers of people. We can do 5000 tests per day, upwards from 40 tests per day when we got into office. In 18 months, we have been hard at work doing just that. So the opposition would like you to believe that somehow this government has not been doing anything. In fact, they left an entire a mess, a mess from the COVID Hospital, which is a corrupt hospital. We don't even know how the contracts were secured for over for the land and for everything else with But that's another issue that will come up when the audits are examined in the parliament.” DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS Additionally, the Vice President noted that after five years under the former APNU+AFC government, the “project pipeline was empty” and there were no plans for future develop-

Coalition’s ‘cake shop’ economics rubbished R

amblings from the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition have been likened to “cake shop economics” by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. “I saw that the Opposition wants to give subsidies to bring down the price of gas could someone asked

him to explain how that will be done. So the government will have to buy this gas cheaper? He can't explain how.” At a news conference hosted by Coalition leader, Aubrey Norton, on Tuesday (June 14, 2022), his colleague PNCR member, Elson

Lowe, admitted that the government has already slashed the excise tax on fuel to zero, but mouthed his unsupported call. Low said, “We are calling on the Government to bring the price of gasoline down now and insulate Guyanese from any further price (Turn to page 22)

Jagdeo dispels Opposition lies about part-time jobs, other gov’t initiatives ‒ outlines track record over 18 months

ice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo dispelled claims that the parttime workers are benefitting more financially than the public servants. “That is not true when you look at the magnitude

of what Public servants get, that the part-time employees do not get, for example, paid leave, vacation allowance etc.,” he said on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) during a news conference. The part-time jobs ini-

tiative, which the Vice President has launched across the country is currently benefitting some 9,000 persons, many of whom have praised the programme. It aims to supplement household income of fami(Turn to page 22)

ment. He said, “There are several projects that we had to start because the project pipeline had practically empties. We had left a lot of the roads…those were implemented by afternoon but nothing new of a major consequence started or planned for. They had started some work with the British on, because when we got that grant from the British, the Linden to Mabura Road, nothing else. “Since then, in 18 months, we have had to put together a plan that now saw the road from Eccles to Georgetown, a four lane road implemented, not just planned, but constructed and they will contract awarded to go to Diamond and that will be completed by next year. “The bridge which will transform the lives of people on the other side of the river. And would allow us to open up that entire Region Three for housing because people will be able to travel every, any hour of the day or night

on a fixed bridge four lanes wide that wouldn't have not have to open. It will change the way we approach development in Region Three; that has been awarded and we went through a process we went through a public tender…we put together a team of people to negotiate that we got the best arrangement that’s awarded. “…by September again, I'm reminding people by September, our loan to the Islamic Development Bank, to pave the Linden/ Soesdyke highway will we'll go to the board for approval. Before the end of the year we'll tender the bridge across Wismar, across the river. Already the Mabura to Lethem road has been approved. “We are doing same thing in Region Six. We're now out to tender for the widening of that road from New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek. These are just a few of the projects." Plans for the social sector, including the building

of six hospitals are also on the cards. “We just awarded a contract to an Austrian firm to build the Children and Maternal hospital… we're working on the six other hospitals to be tended well not to be tender, but to be awarded now that we've already selected the sites…. these will transform healthcare and many of the coastal regions,” he said. Similar plans are being worked out for the hinterland, according to him. “I just don't want this country and people like Mr. Norton to pigeonhole us as though we are just a government running around giving handouts to people. We're serious government that takes planning seriously, and implementation of a master plan seriously,” Jagdeo declared. The PPP/C Government has fulfilled 90 percent of its manifesto promises in less than two years in office, and is currently working to ensure the modernisation of the country to the benefit of all Guyanese, he added.

Gov’t exploring other relief measures amid rising costs

he Government will be meeting with various interest groups, as it continues to examine numerous options at providing support to citizens amid the rise in cost of living. This assurance was given on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo in response to a question raised during his press conference. “We are going to probably spend another 5 or 6 billion dollars for employing people. So that is another 5, 6 billion dollars that will go in people pockets. Now that’s 15,000 persons, 10 to 15,000 ultimately by next year we are looking at to target,” he said. Jagdeo disclosed too that the $5 billion set aside for relief measures is not yet exhausted. In the agriculture sector, he disclosed that with the additional cost on equipment, the government is working

on acquiring bulldozers and excavators to conduct works on farm to market roads and canals. However, due to the disruption in the supply chain those equipment will be available until next year. “It is a tough period, there is very little that you can do. Look at the US, with their might and they’re having a rough time tackling supply responses. So we’re gonna keep working through this to see how we can help vulnerable groups as we go along and one way of doing this too, this is outside of the $5 billion dollars… We’re gonna probably spend another $5 or $6 billion for employing people,” he said. He said the administration, in recognition of the rising cost in basic food and other items, is looking at supplementing income at the household level. “We will consult and so as we consult with different in-

terest groups, we’re trying to do stuff, so we met with the fishermen. We met with people from the hinterland, met with the farmers. So we keep going, we’re meeting with older folks, the President met with people with disabilities, so as we meet with different groups, we try to extend the help through consultations,” Jagdeo emphasised. The administration in response to the increase in prices across sectors, continues to provide support through the reduction and, in some cases, removal of taxes. Recent interventions include $150,000 cash grants for fisherfolk, $25,000 cash grants for households in hinterland and riverain communities, $1 billion in fertiliser support for farmers and $100,000 cash grants and other support for children with disabilities.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

WEEKEND WEEKEND MIRROR MIRROR 18-1918-19 JUNEJUNE, MAY, 2022

500 homes among major development plans for Bartica F

ive hundred (500) residents including teachers, nurses and other young professionals of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will benefit from homes under the government’s turnkey initiative. President, Dr. Irfaan Ali made this announcement during an outreach held at the Bartica Community Centre Ground on Wednesday (June 15, 2022), where a large crowd gathered to raise their issues and concerns. The 500 homes, the President said, will be constructed on 120 acres of land which was identified for housing development in the township. He noted that teachers and nurses will particularly benefit, since they raised housing concerns during a

prior engagement. “We are going to work with the people in Region Seven, the skilled men and women, the small contractors in Region Seven, because we want to use that 120 acres of land to build at least 500 homes here, using the labour and contractors from here,” President Ali said. In addition to the home construction programme which will result in major economic development, President Ali revealed that the government is also working on an infrastructural transformation plan that will see major road improvement in Bartica, and surrounding communities. “We are already talking about new hinterland connections, roadways to open new opportu-

nities for the people. … We understand the need for reliable road infrastructure for miners, and we will address that…This is the vision we are pursuing,” he said. President Ali also outlined plans to transform Bartica into a major logistics hub, since it is a gateway for the mining sector. “We need to create a service hub for Region Seven,” the president said, while noting that the region must be able to produce its own food, and make critical social and other services available to citizens. In the area of education, President Ali said that the sector will benefit from major improvement and expansion to ensure the students have access to quality education as those on the Coast.

Among the announcements the President made following a brief visit to several schools on his way to the meeting, are a new walkway and drainage structure for Precious Gem Nursery school, and furniture and chalkboards for St. John the Baptist. Future Builders Nursery will also benefit from an expansion of the school’s kitchen, while Two Mile Secondary will benefit from a similar intervention. Additionally, a full -fledged training institution will be established in the township where persons can have access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). “This region must be a focal point for technical ed-

ucation… we will engage the miners to support the establishment of the training centre,” Ali related. Further, an assessment will be done by the Ministry of Agriculture to expand the shade house programme in schools within Bartica. Meanwhile, the health facilities will be upgraded with the Bartica Regional Hospital slated for major upgrades. Training opportunities will also be provided for healthcare workers, President Ali said. He emphasised, “We are investing to ensure that all of our children must have access to quality education. Our children in this region must have access to quality education and quality healthcare. Those are two fundamental pillars on which the

transformation of our country will be built on.” Further, he mentioned the need to transform the Bartica airstrip at Five Miles into a municipal airport to boost tourism and other sectors. The Head of State told the residents that the government will deliver on every single promise it made in its manifesto in the context of ‘One Guyana. The president was accompanied by a team of cabinet members including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton. Technical officers from the various ministries and agencies were also on the ground addressing issues.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

REMEMBERING DR. WALTER RODNEY

Fight for democracy must be conscious, courageous effort [Monday, June 13th, marked the 42nd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney. The Weekend Mirror republishes this week, the speech made by recently deceased, novelist, George Lamming, which was made at Dr. Walter Rodney’s funeral in Guyana]

o many Guyanese were born or have come of age after the decades of Walter Rodney’s struggle and ultimate sacrifice – an itinerary that takes us from Guyana to Jamaica, Jamaica to London, London to Tanzania, Tanzania to Jamaica to Tanzania and finally back to Guyana. Too many of us believe that our hopes for this country’s future died with him. But that would be to profoundly miss Rodney’s unshakeable belief in the self-emancipation of working peoples, his rejection of big-man and big-woman, yes-man and yes-woman politics, his in-

sistence that “It is only direct action on the part of the people, your own perception of what is possible, that can produce fundamental change.” He fought against the tyranny of those who claim they have been elected to lead us, against widening economic inequalities, against state repression, against denial to people of the right to vote in national and local government elections. And he fought against the race divide that festers like an open wound, imprisoning us in our fear and deep suspicion of each other, blinding us to the everyday exchanges that

bind us to each other, and resulting in a coastal conflict that cannot but fail to render the struggles of Amerindian women, men and children invisible or secondary. In the mid-1970s, at a speech made at D’urban and Louisa Row in Georgetown in defence of Arnold Rampersaud (Rampersaud was a PPP activist who had been arrested and charged with the murder of a police constable in 1974. Amidst much local and international mobilization and attention, he was finally acquitted in 1977), Walter Rodney would remind Guyanese people of the costs

of the mutual suspicion, of whose interests it ultimately served: “…we have had too much of this foolishness of race. I’m not going to attempt to allocate the blame one way or another… I think external intervention was important in bringing the races against each other from the fifties and particularly in the early 1960s. But I am concerned with the present. If we made

that mistake once, we cannot afford to be misled on that score today. No ordinary Afro-Guyanese, no ordinary Indo-Guyanese can today afford to be misled by the myth of race. Time and time again it has been our undoing. Does it have anything to do with race that the cost of living far outstrips the increase in wages? Does it have anything to do with race that there are

no goods in the shops? Does it have anything to do with race when the original lack of democracy as exemplified in the national election is reproduced at the level of local government elections?… It is clear that we must get beyond that red herring and recognize that it is intended to divide…Those who manipulated in the 1960s were not (Turn to page 18)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

Teixeira rubbishes Coalition’s attempt to distract from the ‘real issue’ ‒ Says Bid Review Committee maintaining transparency

he Procurement Act provides for a Bid Review Committee to address issues of contractors who are dissatisfied with a particular tender process, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira. Explaining the function of the Bid Review Committee,

the Minister said that contractors who are dissatisfied with a particular bid in keeping with the Procurement Act may bring their complaints to the NPTAB who must set up a Bid Review Committee to hear the claims by the contractor within a specified period and decide on the claim.

In the interim, the award of the contract is put on hold pending the completion of the process by the Bid Review Committee. “The review committee is set up in accordance with the law, to review that particular complaint by the particular contractor…the Procurement

Act provides for the National Procurement and Tender Administration, and it provides for a Bid Review Committee for contractors who are unhappy with the results of an award or contract,” the minister explained. This was in response to Chair of the PAC, Mr. Jermaine Figueira’s comments in the PAC on June 13th 2022 and MP Ganesh Mahipaul, who claimed that the government is not doing enough to ensure legality and transpar-

ency by appointing the PPC. Mahipaul had further claimed that in the absence of the PPC the companies / contractors who were dissatisfied could not have their complaints addressed. He further went on to rubbish the Bid Review Committee provided for in the Procurement Act. The Minister rubbished the claim by Mahipaul that the members of the Bid Review Committee do not enjoy the confidence of the various

contractors. She said, “This is laughable as this committee is established when there is a complaint and the individuals on the committee may not be the same as in the case of a permanent committee. “This has never been brought to light publicly, [maybe] it was the imagination of Mahipaul, [but] that has never been said publicly by anybody or reported in the press by anybody, that people have no confidence win the Bid (Turn to page 20)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

International CoI into March 2020... OF A REVIEW Meanwhile, Vice President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has rubbished the attempt by the APNU+AFC Coalition to link the PPP/C government’s efforts to advance electoral reform to a convoluted notion of a review. At his news conference on Wednesday (June 15, 2022), he said, “Clearly, they don't want the Representation of People’s Act to be amended, even having gone through a public process. And everybody recognizes now that we have to put in place arrangements in Representation of the People Act – that is publishing statements of poll before they start counting; and getting a manual for the elections months before and publishing it so that every Guyanese would know what's going on; and then, determin-

ing polling places, not the night before the elections, so people know this before weeks before the elections where they should vote. All of these things, they use the like to keep within the CEO making these decisions. “…it’s transparent….it's transparent what they are trying to do…they just want to kill any opportunity to improve the framework for holding elections.” Amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), both the substantive act and the regulations, have been in public circulation since November 2021, after being released by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance. Public consultations been ongoing. CHARGES

(From page 3)

In the aftermath of the controversial five-month-long March 2020 Election fiasco, a number of high-ranking Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials have been investigated by the Police and charged for misconduct in public office and forgery. They include: sacked Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; sacked Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers; sacked Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; the PNCR’s Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC activist, Carol Smith-Joseph; GECOM Registration Clerk, Shefern February; GECOM Registration Clerk, Michelle Miller; GECOM Registration Clerk, Denise Babb– Cummings; and GECOM Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan.

The Chief Elections Officer is facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. Myers has been charges for misconduct in public office. Mingo has been charged with several counts of misconduct in public office in relation to their conduct at March 2020 General and Regional Elections. Mingo and Joseph are charged jointly for forgery. The signature of Joseph, was on manipulated declarations for Region 4, issued on March 13, 2020 and prepared by Mingo. Lawrence was slapped with two charges of conspiracy to commit fraud at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Lawrence signed off on the March 5, 2022 declaration

by 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. On all the Form 24 declarations, for nine Regions, there is only one signature, that of the Returning Officers. In both cases – on the fraudulent March 5th and March 13th declarations – the record of votes were manipulated in that they were increased 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. The Director of Public Prosecutions has hired a team of lawyers to prosecute these

cases on the State’s behalf. The Statements of Poll (SOPs) and Statements of Recount (SORs) for Region 4, Guyana’s largest voting district, were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) May 31, 2021 to aid in the prosecution. GECOM, on August 2, 2020, finalised results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections process, after a five-month long fight by the PPP/C and civil society against the former APNU+AFC Coalition’s attempt to undermine the will of the Guyanese people. Those results showed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won the Election with 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

Fight for democracy must... (From page 15)

the sufferers. They were not the losers. The losers were those who participated, who shared blows and got blows. And they are the losers today. It is time that we understand that those in power are still attempting to maintain us in that mentality – maintain us captive in that mentality where we are afraid to act or we act injudiciously because we believe that our racial interests are at stake.” Walter Rodney’s legacy is a living example, one that is needed today, more than ever. After 34 years, there is finally a Commission of Inquiry into June 13th 1980. It is an opportunity to ask ourselves why younger generations know little if anything of who Walter Rodney was and what he stood for. Why copies of his children’s books, Kofi Baadu Out of Africa and Lakshmi Out of India (there were others planned or in progress) are not available in libraries and schools. Whether the things that Rodney fought for have really been achieved today, and what our responsibilities in the face of this are. Why race continues to be an easy bogeyman to trot out. Why it is important to remind ourselves that the Commission of Inquiry is not just about finding out what happened. We must also ask ourselves what it means to ask these questions from the vantage point of our present, and we must strongly resist those who would attempt to attach themselves to his legacy in order to reap narrow political dividends in the present, dividends that have nothing to do with healing, reconciliation and social and economic transformation, dividends that Rodney ultimately gave his life to oppose. Citizens of Guyana, and the islands of the Caribbean, Comrades and friends from beyond the region, I speak to you as one who has loved this country, as one who ever since his first visit 25 years ago had always applauded the Guyanese as perhaps the kindest and most hospitable people in this Caribbean region. As one, who in the year of your independence amidst some controversy was even given the assurance by the then and present Prime Minister that he had earned the right to speak freely in this land on matters of common concern to the region. There have been great changes in fortune and method in your country, including the ungracious curtailment of my stay among you to a brief 48 hours, and yet I experience no change in the quality of

my affections for this place. Sometimes it may take a death and a special kind of dying to quicken the truth that is not urgently alive in our own consciousness. Today, we meet in a dangerous land, and at the most dangerous of times. The danger may be that supreme authority, the supervising conscience of the nation, has ceased to be answerable to any moral law, has ceased to recognize or respect any minimum requirement of ordinary human decency. Walter Rodney’s death like the manner of his dying, has quickened this truth and provoked within and beyond Guyana a rage and grief which official authority could never have anticipated. To turn murder into a mockery of the dead is the ultimate blasphemy against all forms of living. But this is not new, although history may record that at this time Guyana has made its own contributions to a long, long tradition of nightmare and terror which has always been at the heart of the history of these Americas. For democracy has never, never, been an organic part of our experience, from conquest through slavery and colonization to the present arrangements we endure. The need for democracy is often a conscious and courageous effort to exorcise those twin demons of the tyrant which have pursued us from the past. What did Rodney represent that was so special? And what is it about his loss to us that has caused such sorrow? His closest colleagues will have their answers. I speak as a man of the Caribbean who knew him through conversations over the years, through correspondence and through his work as a historian, a teacher and an intellectual worker among those who had been deprived of his advantages. He was, first of all, a serious man; and that, in our territories, does not always make for comfort. He was not ‘smart.’ He was not ‘bright.’ He did not seek to score points for the sake of argument. But he had a rare gift of intellect to which he felt a special duty. It was a tool, a reservoir of power which could only justify itself if it were put into service, and on behalf of social need. He was an intellectual in the sense that all men and women are intellectuals. For to be alive is to have a concept, a view of life, to be engaged in or be condemned to making choices about your actions. (Turn to page 19)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

Fight for democracy must... (From page 15)

But Rodney impressed us by a constant struggle to live his view, to bring to his work, as a historian and teacher and political comrade, a certain integrity of commitment. It is as though he wanted to live each day as though it were his last. This gift of seriousness, this struggle for personal decency, and this courage, left their impression on all who came within his influence from Africa to the Americas, to Europe and back to the heartland of Guyana which he loved. I came in this morning from Barbados which is known to be a country of excessive stability, and I am really struck by the deep respect and affection which he has generated among the most conservative elements in that country. And I was hearing a story this morning on the plane as we cane in of a simple woman hearing Rodney on the radio, and her only comment was “He must be a Christian.’ To his wife, Pat, and their children, to his mother and immediate family, I take this liberty of saying that all his comrades embrace you. We thank you for the contribution you made in the shaping and creation of so fine a human being. And we walk with you now and into the future. A few weeks ago I received a letter from Walter telling me of the completion of the first part of his History of the Guyanese Working People. It ends with this sentence: There is still much work to be done here, but I expect that we will meet at the rendezvous of victory. I think we shall meet; since the struggle for human-

ity in this region will always be identified with his name; and any just victory will have been influenced by the powerful contribution of his intellect and the gentleness of his caring. And so I close with the poem which Martin Carter gave me this morning: For Walter Rodney (Martin Carter) Assassins of conversation They bury the voice They assassinate, in the beloved Grave of the voice, never to be silent. I sit in the sky’s wild noise Of the feet of some who Not only, but also, kill The origin of rain, the ankle Of the whore, as fastidious as the great fight, the wife of water. Risker, risk. I intend to turn a sky of tears, for you. (The PPP/C government in 2021 used its majority in the National Assembly to pass a motion in the House that: : called for the adoption of the report from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney and its findings; calls for the Government to take measures to implement the recommendations therein in order to preserve and strengthen the democratic architecture of the state; and calls for Government to take measures to cause the complete report emanating from the Commission of Inquiry be made public and publicly available electronically. That motion was debated on Monday, August 9, 2021 – a debate that ran until the wee hours of Tuesday, August 10, 2021, around 12:34AM. The motion faced strong opposition from the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition.)

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

GuySuCo managers engaged... (From page 10)

to do an analysis with the objective of implementation as soon as possible. “I know the problem, I understand the problem and that is why we have to accelerate this mechanisation,” Ali said. COLLECTIVE THINKING AND ACTION President Ali also tasked the senior officials to have a weekly management meeting to improve communication and management. He noted that the Corporation will not advance if persons have different visions. He said, “People depend on us, and I depend on you. At the end of the day, the buck stops at my Office. The same exercise conducted this morning at the senior level I want to be

conducted at the estate level and junior staff level.” The President also implored the senior officials to visit all of the estates and speak to all of the employees. He said, “I want all personality issues in this organisation to be stripped today.” He also challenged the managers to be humble in the execution of their duties. An organisation requires collective thinking and action.” Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd and Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Mrs Marcia Nadir-Sharma, were also at the meeting.

Teixeira rubbishes Coalition’s attempt to... (From page 16) Review Committee.” The Bid review process allows for the award to be paused while the matter is examined. If as Mahipaul claims that the PPC has to do this, the PPC can only do so after the award has been made. This same issue was discussed in depth at the PAC last Monday, June 6th 2022 “It was pointed out at the [Public Accounts Committee] last week that when a complaint is made, and it is before the bid review committee, no contract can be awarded… the committee has to answer within two weeks when the claims by the contractor are valid. If the contractors go to the PPC, it is most likely that the award has already been signed,” Minister Teixeira detailed. Minister Teixeira said, “This is a blatant attempt by Mahipaul and other members of the Opposition to misinform and detract from what is unfolding at every PAC meeting and that is the instances of gross corruption found in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Annual Audit Reports of the Auditor General under the APNUAFC Coalition Government. One has to only remember that two former Ministers under the APNUAFC Coalition government have been charged for breach of procurement laws including sale of national assets; the new Demerara Harbour Bridge contract without going through the tender pro-

cess which the PPC found unlawful; the Durban/Jubilee Park fiasco costing over $1.5 Billion, more than 60% unaccounted for : the Sussex Street Bond costing over $300M to taxpayers for a house rented to a party financier; the purchase of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of drugs without going through the procurement process; the Georgetown MMC using almost $500 M which cannot be accounted for despite the investigation by the Audit Office… and the saga of abuse and corruption goes on and on. With this track record, one would expect that this trend of breaches and violations of the Procurement Act would be found to continue in 2019 and 2020. This is the real issue which Mahipaul and APNUAFC would like the public to forget about.”. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and confirmed that the PPC will be appointed. With a flurry of activities overlapping each other, such as the Agri Forum and Expo and the recently concluded Summit of the Americas, and the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been able to place Guyana back into focus at the international and regional arena and to garner new friends and allies, as well as financial support and investors to Guyana.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

COM M ENTARY

Guyana’s development trajectory seems to be upsetting Norton-led Opposition By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

eople in Guyana and abroad, international development banks and diplomats in Guyana are excited about the development occurring in our country. The British High Commissioner in Guyana expressed her own excitement about the rapid development taking place in this country. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the IDB and the CDB have put into writing their own assessments that Guyana is a fast-developing country. Every single CARICOM Head of State today is looking at Guyana. President Ali and Guyana have now moved into leadership in CARICOM. There is a good reason why this is so. Every single day in Guyana, new, concrete examples of development are seen. These development projects occur across the country, in every region. As one opens the newspapers on any morning, as one looks at the TV newscasts each and every day, one sees reports of big projects. One more day, one more achievement for the Government and people of Guyana. A 228 feet-long ferry boat is about to leave India for Guyana, as part of a partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Government

of India. The deal was signed on January 2021 and less than eighteen months later, the ferry boat is on its way to Guyana. The boat was constructed by an Indian company named Garden Reach Shipbuilders at a cost of $US12.7M. The ferry will operate between Georgetown and Mabaruma in Region 1. In addition, at a cost of more than $700M, the GOG is building three new wharves to accommodate the new roll-onroll-off ferry at Port Kaituma, Kumaka and Morawhanna. The new ferry, with a size more than two times the largest ferry that operate in Guyana at present, will be able to accommodate 274 passengers, 10 cars, 4 trucks, 10 (10 feet) size containers and travel at a speed of 14 knots an hour, more than two times the fastest ferry in Guyana, cutting the travel time to Region 1 by half. It is development projects like these that excite persons such as the British High Commissioner to Guyana to exclaim that Guyana is on a fast-forward movement to prosperity. Every citizen in our country is benefitting and every citizen in every region will benefit as Guyana further develops. While the Guyanese people and the diplomats and the international development

banks know this, the Leader of the Opposition, in his latest media conference labelled the development projects as racial, benefitting only one ethnic group, discriminating against his supporters. He claimed that nothing is happening in strongholds of the PNC. He claimed that people in communities that support his party are being left out of benefits that are being extended to only PPP supporters. As is now Norton’s custom, as is now his modus operandi, the leader of the opposition offers no evidence. His media conferences continue to be pathetic and basically “rum shop” talk. The ferry boat to serve the people of Region 1 will make a big difference in the lives of people in Region 1. But it is a significant project for the whole Guyana, for all the people of Guyana. The ferry boat project addresses a lifetime problem for Guyanese, especially our sisters and brothers in Region1. Where in this project is the discrimination that Norton speaks of? This is a project that the PPP had planned since 2012. Every project that President Ali and the PPP government is today implementing has been planned and is part of the vision articulated in the party’s manifesto. Some of these projects were already listed among development projects prepared by the PPP. Others have been listed in Budgets 2021 and 2022. Norton shamelessly now takes credit for the projects the PPP are rolling out. At the same time, he insists these projects are examples of racially discriminated projects. It is just plain stupid and exposes the PNC’s total lack of vision. The truth is that while in Government, they never developed a single development project. When the PPP took office, the only projects on the book were those which had started during the PPP’s term in office before 2015. They could not even finish one of the projects started under the PPP before 2015. Worse, they had no project on the book which originated during the 2015-2020 period of APNU/AFC governance. Yet, in less than two years, the PPP has developed so many new projects that even the PNC has complained that the pace is too

dizzying for them. Off course, it is understandable that the development pace is causing dizziness for Norton and his colleagues. Afterall, between 2015 and 2020, for each year during the PNC’s (APNU/ AFC’s) term of office, the capital budget was less than the capital budget of 2014 which was the last year of the Donald Ramotar’s presidency. More than $4B is being expended on the improvement and widening of the highway from New Amsterdam to Molson Creek, with the tendering process set to begin soon. Construction has already started for the road from Lethem to Mabura, as phase 1 of the road to Lethem, at a cost of more than $25B. The construction of the Demerara River Bridge, at a cost of more than $50B, is soon to start, the contract having been signed. Soon tenders will be out for a new Wismar Bridge. It is expected shortly, also, that the tenders will be out for the new Corentyne River Bridge which will connect Guyana and Suriname. The new Ogle to Eccles Road is also moving ahead. A new $30B children and maternity hospital will start construction in Ogle soon. The extension of the Mandela to Eccles Road between Eccles and Diamond is on-going. Billions are being spent in every community to construct roads. A new home construction assistance facility program to enable people to take mortgages without down payments has been introduced through Republic Bank.

These are just a few examples of the development projects that are on the books already and are moving ahead. These projects are taking place in every region of our country. While the leader of the opposition deemed the PPP government’s projects as examples of President Ali’s government’s discriminatory policies, he failed to show how these projects are discriminatory to any citizen. How could anyone say that the Demerara Bridge, the Linden to Mabura Road, the New Amsterdam to Molson Creek Road, the extension of the road between Eccles to Mandela to Diamond and to Ogle, the Corentyne River Bridge to Suriname, the Parfaite Harmony to Parika Road etc. are discriminatory to any Guyanese citizen? Norton has just blindly stated these projects discriminate against his supporters. But these projects are projects that citizens of all races, of all religion, of all political affiliations benefit. President Irfaan Ali cannot help that these projects affect the PNC because their supporters see that they are better off under the PPP. If there is discrimination, it is that the development pace in Guyana has decreased the support base of the PNC. In the meanwhile, the President this week has travelled to Region 7 where he was treated to a rock star welcome. During this past week, the government has been registering children

with disabilities because they become eligible for a cash grant of $100,000 per child. This is expected to be a sustained program with annual cash grants. Very soon the cash grant of $25,000 per child will be rolled out and the Minister of Education has hinted that the promise to increase the cash grant to school children could increase beyond the promised $50,000 by 2025. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Agriculture is registering fishermen who will be eligible for a cash grant of $150,000. None of these cash transfers are restricting which child, which disabled child, which fisherman etc. is eligible to get these benefits. How then can Norton claim that these are examples of discrimination? Is he really saying that only PPP supporters are fishermen? Is he saying that every child in school come from a PPP family? Is he saying that there is no supporter of the PNC with a disabled child? The truth is that Norton and his colleagues are living in a desperate world. The PNC is losing its support base daily. When President Ali and Vice President Bharat Jagdeo visit a community, whether it is one that voted for them or not, they are treated as rock stars because people have come to know that under the PPP, they are better off. That is the truth that Norton is living with and it is driving him crazy, while President Ali walks the country as a rock star.

Coalition’s ‘cake shop’... (From page 12) increases. This can be done through a continuation of the existing excise tax policy. This means implementing a negative excise tax….the Government should ensure gas prices do not increase above a determined level by compensating suppliers for any price increases where the excise tax reductions have already been exhausted.”

In response, Jagdeo said, “It is this sort of almost cake shop kind of approach to economics that will harm us… people just say things ‘Oh, the government should have gotten more from the deal’, etc. But can say how.” Over the past few months, oil prices have risen steadily on the world market. In order to minimise the

impact on domestic consumers, particularly the travelling public as well as those productive sectors for whom fuel is an important input, the Government will be lowered the excise tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 50 percent to 35 percent with immediate effect. Further reductions brought the excise tax down to zero per cent.

Jagdeo dispels Opposition lies... lies and cushion the impact of the rising cost of living. The Government, when it assumed office in August 2020, inherited significant job loss. Dr. Jagdeo had

said over 70,000 jobs were lost under the APNU+AFC prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was shut down.

(From page 12)

This was exacerbated by inimical economic policies, which included heavy taxation, which this government has reversed, bringing ease to citizens.

WEEKEND MIRROR 18-19 JUNE, 2022

COVID-19: New insights into the processes of recovery after severe disease (DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases) Recovery from severe COVID-19 is characterized by a reduction of certain white blood cells and changes in the molecular regulation of the immune system. This is the conclusion of an international research team coordinated by DZNE, which reports on this in the journal Cell Reports Medicine. The scientists examined the blood of 139 patients who had received intensive care. Using a novel method of data analysis, they identified -despite individual differences in the time course of the disease -- mechanisms of shared relevance that characterized the recovery process from an immunological perspective. These findings demonstrate a novel approach for assessing disease status, which could contribute to more targeted and thus more effective treatment. The current study is the result of an international effort in which DZNE collaborated with Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technion Institute in Israel and Radbourg University in the Netherlands. The challenge faced by the researchers was to identify commonalities in the data from different patients. This is because in COVID-19, as in many other diseases, the recovery process can vary greatly from person to person, as evidenced, for example, by how symptoms develop over time and how long hospitalization lasts. "This makes it difficult to identify generalizable cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. However, such insights are relevant for understanding the nature of the disease and the body's response -- and thus for deciding on the optimal treatment," says bioinformatician and genome researcher Dr. Amit Frishberg, first author of the current publication. "Therefore, to analyze the data, we used a novel method that we recently developed. Our computational approach is designed to discover common patterns in the variety of findings from different patients that may not be obvious." BLOOD ANALYSES COVID-19 can affect multiple organs. However, the disease is known to be significantly shaped by the immune response. "This response is reflected in the blood because that is where the white blood cells circulate," Frishberg says. "These cells are essential components of the immune system. Therefore, our study focused on the blood of patients." In total, the researchers studied blood samples from 139 adults, their ages ranged from 21 to 86 years, and most were male. The data came from three different cohorts. All patients had received treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) including ventilation: 105 recovered to the point that were eventually discharged from the ICU, while 34 died.

From most of the individuals studied here, there were multiple blood samples, usually collected during a period of approximately three weeks after admission to the ICU. Also, self-reported health status three months after ICU admission (and subsequent discharge) was available for some patients. A COMMON THREAD The analysis revealed that the recovery process is associated with a gradual reduction in the number of socalled neutrophils. They are the most common white blood cells and within the arsenal of the immune system, they act as one of the first defense lines against pathogens. "We found that patients with severe COVID-19 have a high number of mature, that is, fully developed neutrophils in their blood, whose counts decrease during the recovery process. The readings of other white blood cells also change as they return to normal levels, with some of them falling while others rise. However, these changes are less pronounced than in neutrophils," Frishberg says. "Also, we see that in ICU patients, an increase in mature neutrophils over a prolonged period of time is very likely to result in a fatal outcome. This is possibly because the steady increase is associated with an overshooting and therefore harmful immune response. The number of these cells in the blood could therefore serve as a biomarker and be more significant for predictions of disease development than other biomarkers currently being discussed." The researchers detected further changes in the course of recovery that affect molecular signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. "What is remarkable about our findings is that recovery followed the same biological pattern in all patients, despite individual differences in the time course of the disease. There is, so to speak, a common thread. In our data, we have found no evidence that the recovery process after severe COVID-19 may follow different trajectories," Frishberg says. ALIGNING TRANSCRIPTOMES For their analysis, the scientists relied primarily on blood transcriptomes. These data sets reflect gene activity of all blood cells at a given time. Typically, more than 10,000 different genes are registered. "Blood transcriptomes provide a very detailed picture of what's happing immunologically," says Prof. Joachim Schultze, Director of Systems Medicine at DZNE and a professor at the University of Bonn, who was also involved in the current study. "The analysis of this very complex data requires computational techniques. This is where our new

approach came in." The method applied by the researchers relies on a computational algorithm that arranges all transcriptomes from different patients in a shared sequence. "This is based on similarities and on the assumption that all recovered patients ultimately follow the same recovery trajectory. The idea is that each transcriptome is a snapshot of the disease state that evolves into to the next snapshot. Similar to how many individual frames ultimately make up a movie," Schultze says. From this ranking of individual, experimentally acquired transcriptomes, a model is computed that reflects the continuous course of the recovery process. In this, the biological dynamics over time are characterized by a parameter calculated by the algorithm. "Since the recovery process can vary individually, the same immunological situation may occur at different times in different patients, for example, with respect to symptoms onset. Chronological time is therefore not an appropriate measure to capture the development of the recovery process on a biological scale," Schultze explains. "Thus, our approach is based on computing a parameter, which is called pseudotime and which is assigned to each patient sample. In this, low pseudotime represents a severe disease state or an initial state of recovery, while high pseudotime indicates an advanced state of recovery." AN APPROACH FOR BETTER TREATMENT From this model, the researchers were able to derive their findings on the decrease in neutrophils and changes in regulatory mechanisms, all of which were not evident from the raw data. In addition, having access to data from different cohorts allowed them to validate their findings and check whether the assumptions their model was based on, were in fact consistent with the experimental findings. "Our study shows how to extract insights from complex data by using algorithms and modelling. We believe that it is a powerful approach with a potential for broad applications. Many diseases are characterized by heterogeneous and patient-specific recovery trajectories. In light of this, our analysis method may also be useful for research on diseases other than COVID-19," Schultze notes. "The bottom line is that our study presents a novel approach to assess disease recovery status in ICU patients based on blood transcriptomes. In practice, this may contribute to more targeted and thus more effective treatment of COVID-19. Considering this, it might be worthwhile to evaluate to what extent such examinations can be implemented in clinical routine."

Jagdeo says Guyana cannot be locked into cycle of ‘low income and low emissions’

‒ Norton argues for no ‘ramping’ up of production

n a move that deviates from the actions of his own Coalition, when it was in Office, Leader of the PNCR and the Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, has called for Guyana to slow down oil production. According to him, there should be no ramping up of production. Notably, the PPP/C government has made clear the rationale behind ensuring that the Guyanese people are able to benefit from the oil and gas resources. Vice President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that Guyana will develop its oil and gas sector in a manner that is environmentally safe and not remain locked into a cycle of “low income and low emissions” – a cycle that ignores the fact that Guyana is a net carbon sink, among other facts. Jagdeo has explained that that countries, like Guyana, which are net carbon sinks, cannot be expected to halt the development. Jagdeo charged that the oil and gas sector will be developed to bring propensity to Guyanese. He said, “We have been called to leave our oil in the ground…we believe it’s totally unfair…we’ll develop our oil industry putting in place regulations for safe, low carbon operations.” “…many have been saying that to get to a de-carbonized future to get to a net zero by 2050 there should be no further investment in oil and gas assets….we believe that is totally unfair…the people who are calling for us to not develop the industry in a small country like Guyana have to understand that we cannot remain locked into a cycle of low emission and low income…our people have a legitimate expectation of prosperity. We have a legitimate expectation to grow the per capita income. “….if we freeze all new investments…there is still a four trillion oil and gas industry that is producing for global demand. What those activists are doing is advocating that this investment be locked in for the incumbent. Why should we not want to displace some of the highest

cost producers? We want a share in that market too…. if there is no investment in countries like Guyana where the prospects are cleaner because it is light sweet crude and production costs are less then you are lobbying for a monopoly for the existing producers. So we believe that we can develop the industry in our country… we can do so by continuing to invest in a de-carbonized future consistent with the LCDS.” The Vice President acknowledged that the International Energy Agency, a group of oil-consuming nations, has said that if governments wanted to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, there would be no need for new fossil fuel developments. And he made clear that Guyana will develop its oil industry with regulations for safe, low-carbon operations. Jagdeo said, said, “Because there is this Climate Change imperative to de-carbonize, our policy is to get as much oil out of the ground as quickly as possible. It sounds a bit harsh for those who think you should be environmentally sound but that is the reality of it. We have to maximize the benefit from the industry and use those benefits to change our people’s lives…we don’t know how swiftly we’ll get to a de-carbonized world but we have to make use of this period when there is still demand to get as much as possible out of the ground and that is why we support the rapid pace of the industry but it must be done safely. “…we will continue to

advocate for a de-carbonized world, we will continue to pursue the LCDS and we will put in place the regulations to allow industry to develop in a safe manner and introduce cutting edge low-carbon technology that would also bring benefits to our people. “…we still have US$300-US$400 million a year now. It’s not a lot of money and many people will think that the wealth will come tomorrow or that it’s here today and suddenly we have to start splurging… [but] we have to live within our means for quite a while into the future…the resources must help us to do two things, to keep the economy diversified – the non-oil economy, so that the wealth created in this short period could continue to grow… and used to ensure we create enough opportunities in other sectors of the economy; agriculture, ICT, tourism, etc that can continue to generate wealth for the future for our people.” To date, ExxonMobil has made several finds in the Stabroek Block. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest. Guyana’s oil resources is estimated at more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

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