Weekend Mirror 15-16 January, 2022

PPP General Secretary moves to CCJ to challenge decision on election petition case 15-16 January, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 5 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 3

COVID Task Force raps APNU+AFC for misleading statements PAGE 7

Lowenfield’s former assistant fired for deleting files, tampering with computer PAGE 11

Coalition’s Sherod Duncan arrested for cybercrime offence PAGE 3

SEE INSIDE Health Minister PAGE 23 warns that Omicron variant resembles flu

‒ Urges persons to get vaccinated

President Ali targets youths in flagship agri project PAGE 14

CSO programme reintegrated over 2000 Amerindian youths into the workforce PAGE 10

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 JANUARY, 2022

COM M ENTARY

The new Guyana is about to defy imagination

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

P

ut on your seatbelts, Guyana is about to take

off with hypersonic speed.

There are reasons foreign investors are beating down the doors in Guyana. There is a

reason why the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago that ignored Guyana forever now wants to challenge the

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world leaders want to come to Guyana. There is a reason why the President of Brazil is on his way to Guyana.

Look out for an aggressive Guyana-Brazil development trajectory. I predict that after the Brazilian’s President trip to Guyana, our country will be even more occupying the pages of the World Bank and the IMF and UNCTAD positive projections for economic and social transformation.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan led a PPP government between 1992 and 1997 that addressed the basic needs of people, focused on reducing mind-numbing poverty.

Bharat Jagdeo led a PPP/C government that focused on reducing Guyana’s debt and expanding and modernizing Guyana’s infrastructure between 1999 and 2011.

Between the two great leaders, they moved Guyana out of the HIPC category and into a middle-income country. Now, President Dr. Irfaan Ali is leading a PPP/C government that is set to transforming Guyana economically and socially and transforming Guyana’s infrastructure to match our high-middle-income status.

The aggressive development agenda established by the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government is about to change Guyana’s landscape. For those who like to take the nostalgia journey, this is the time to go and take your pictures because Guyana’s landscape is changing at a dizzying pace. In a few short years, Guyana will not be recognizable to those who miss a few years coming to Guyana. There will be thousands of new homes, new highways and bridges, new hotels, schools, hospitals, office buildings. Guyana will look like a developed country. This is not just hyperbole, but the trajectory this country is on right now. You can see and feel the transformation. For Guyanese who have traveled and wished that Guyana looked like one of those foreign countries we have traveled, the dream is about to become reality.

The International Monetary Fund has projected Guyana’s GDP will grow by more than 49% in 2022.

For 2022, the IMF projects Guyana will grow faster than any other country in the world. In 2023, the IMF is predicting that Guyana will grow at a rate of more

than 32%, also the fasting growing economy in 2023.

In 2021, Guyana’s GDP grew by about 18%. What it means is that Guyana’s economy and its GDP in 2024 will be doubled what it was in 2020. It has occurred with such speed that it would seem like we have all been on a time-traveling machine into the future. I know the critics would dismiss this as a silly dream.

While the new Oil and Gas Industry has played a major role in the hypersonic growth being seen in Guyana, there are other factors driving the growth. It was clear in 2014 that a new Oil and Gas industry was about to sprout its wings in Guyana. By 2015, there was no longer any doubt that Guyana had emerged as a major new player in the global Oil and Gas industry. But outside the oil conglomerates, no one else was beating down our doors to invest.

It was because the APNU/ AFC Government failed to generate any confidence that Guyana could meaningfully transform its fortunes on the wings of Oil and Gas. David Granger and APNU/AFC squandered a major opportunity to bring in investors.

But once the No-Confidence motion in Parliament passed in December 2018, with elections in the air, and the possibility of a new PPP government became real, the investors began to cautiously knock at the doors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a critical component of economic growth in any country. No country has prospered without FDI. No developing country ever escaped moribund, weak growth without significant FDI. With the PNC in government between 1964 and 1992, FDI essentially dried up. For extensive stretches between 1964 and 1992, under a PNC government, there was zero FDI. In 1970, FDI was $US10M. Between 1971 and 1991, before the giveaway of the telephone company, the Demerara Woods Factory etc., FDI was either zero or just above zero.

But between 1993 and 2015, FDI varied between $US60M and $US280M annually as investors’ confidence was increased under a PPP government. In 2012, the $US280 FDI was (Turn to page 22)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 1 15-16 5-16 JANUARY, january, 2022 2022

Coalition’s Sherod Duncan arrested for cybercrime offence A

n alleged offence committed under Guyana’s Cybercrime law – a law brought into force by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government in 2018 – resulted in the Coalition’s Sherod Duncan being arrested on Thursday (January 13, 2022).

Duncan was taken into custody at around 11:00 hours and questioned.

The arrest was made after a report to the Guyana Police Force by staffer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Aneal Giddings, who contended that Duncan, on January 11, 2022, referred to him by derogatory and disrespectful names, including “jagabat” and a “trench crappo” on his nightly programme ‘In the Ring’, which is broadcast on

the social media platform, Facebook. Giddings told police that the incident has caused him emotional stress and humiliation.

Video recording was identified and downloaded from the Facebook page under the name ‘Sherod Avery Duncan’ by the Force’s Inspector Blair.

The investigation is ongoing.

PPP General Secretary moves to CCJ to challenge decision on election petition case

T

he General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has filed a notice of motion seeking leave from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to appeal a ruling from the Guyana Court of Appeal on Election Petition 99.

Jagdeo notes that his approach to the CCJ is based on the fact that the matter to be resolved is one of public interest/importance dealing with national elections, which need a final determination.

The Appeal Court on December 21, 2022, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Elections Petition 99, which was dismissed by the High Court. While the matter was at the Appeal Court, Jagdeo’s lawyers argued that there can only be an appeal after a determination is made in manner and this was not done in the case of Election Petition 99.

Both of the Coalition’s election petitions, Petition 88 and Petition 99, were taken to the Appeal Court.

The two election petitions are challenging the results on different grounds.

PETITION 99 The appeal was filed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, challenging the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s dismissal of Petition 99 on June 14, 2021.

Petition No.99, which challenged the final election results, was nullified by the Acting Chief Justice on the

grounds of non-compliance of service on the second named respondent, former President Mr. David Granger.

Petition 99, argued that fraud was committed in the March 2020 Elections and over 115,000 votes were affected, benefiting the PPP/C. So far, Petition 99 has been thrown out and the other will move forward.

Petition 99 of 2020 was filed on September 15, 2020,

by APNU+AFC Coalition agents Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse. Thomas and Nurse named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; David Granger – APNU+AFC Coalition; Horatio Edmonson – Federal United Party; Bharrat Jagdeo – People’s Progressive Party/ Civic; John Flores – Liberty and Justice Party; Asha Kissoon – The New Movement; Vishnu Bandhu – United Republican Party; Adebin Kindi Ali – Change Guyana; Patrick Bourne – People’s Republic Party, Jonathan Yearwood – A New and United Guyana; Shazam Ally – The Citizenship Initiative; and Gerald Perreira of Organisation for the Victory of the People as respondents. The Attorney General Chambers also joined the proceedings.

PETITION 88 Meanwhile, Petition 88 is still before the Appeal Court.

The Coalition, on June 3, 2020, filed an appeal in the case of Petition 88, arguing

that the ruling judge erred in the decision that was handed down.

Petition 88 was dismissed in the High Court by Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. Delivering her almost two-hour long virtual ruling yesterday morning, she underscored the fact that the petitioners had presented not a single piece of evidence to substantiate purported irregularities they sought to advance.

Petition 88, argued that the Recount Order was illegal and unconstitutional and therefore the declaration of results based on the recount is illegal and unconstitutional.

The petitioners, Ms. Claudette Throne and Mr. Heston Bostwick were asking the Court to declare the election results null and void. In further seeking to do so, the petitioners are challenging the national vote recount process, Section 22 of the Elections Laws Act and Order 60 of 2020, which governed the recount.

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, in a separate notice of motion, is also seeking permission to appeal the matter at the CCJ. GECOM, on August 2, 2020, finalised results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections process.

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.

PAC meeting on Public Procurement Commission cancelled over alleged fallout among APNU, AFC members

M

onday’s (January 10, 2022) meeting of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was cancelled, delaying the finalisation of the proposed candidates for the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

Out of 25 names, the Government and the Parliamentary Opposition had agreed on the five suitable candidates to constitute the Public Procurement Commission. The PPP/C government’s nominees were: Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase; Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin; and Rajnarine Singh. The APNU+AFC Coalition’s nominees were: economist Rawle Lucas; and Berkeley Wickham, former Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The PAC had formed a

sub-committee to expedite the process to finalise the members of the commission.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, acted on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali, and Chairman Figueira, acted on behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition.

In comments on the cancellation, Teixeira, disclosed that the notice of cancellation came at 9:30hours, half an hour before the scheduled 10:00hours start. According to her, the information relayed was that the cancellation was to accommodate an “emergency meeting” of the APNU and AFC partners in the Coalition.

Expressing disappointment with the cancellation, she said, “We thought that having met on Wednesday at the sub-committee, and having what we thought was a conclusion with the two

sides presenting their names, that today would have been a slam-dunk, but it appears as if they have other issues going on internally…I guess we’ll meet next Monday; I assume.”

Chair of the PAC, the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Jermaine Figueira’s only comment on the matter was that: “Members of the Opposition had an emergency.”

Meanwhile, sources close the issue have disclosed that the ‘emergency’ relates to a fallout between the APNU and AFC Coalition partners on the nominees for the Public Procurement Commission.

The current selection formula for the Public Procurement Commission is in keeping with the standard as set out in 2016, when the first PPC was sworn in by former President David Granger.

Norton, Harmon wrestling over Opposition Leader position

N

ewly elected leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, is pushing to replace incumbent Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, as the holder of the post. And a meeting to settle the issue on Monday (January 10, 2022) ended without resolution as the wrestling for the position continues.

Under Norton’s leadership, a statement was issued by the PNCR’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) last week, which said the Committee holds the position that Norton should be the new Opposition Leader.

Notably, Harmon, as Op-

position Leader, represents the APNU+AFC Coalition, meaning the position was filled based on an APNU+AFC List of Candidates.

Currently, former president David Granger is head of the List and AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan is Deputy Head of the List.

Already, Ramjattan has rubbished the notion that Norton can be installed as Opposition Leader. He said, “Joe has not indicated that he is resigning…the Leader of the Opposition is appointed at the first meeting of the Parliament by a process that the Constitution of Guyana provides for…not the constitution of

the PNC…certain procedures have to be followed before a new Leader of the PNC can become the Opposition Leader. The expression by its National Executive, I respect they would like to see Norton and fine, that is their expressed position on the matter. But it does not follow that once that announcement is made that it necessarily has to be that he becomes Leader of the Opposition, there is a procedure “… assuming the PNC were to have another election in 2024 – every three years they have their National Congress – and there is a new (Turn to page 11)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 JANUARY, 2022

EDITORIAL

Guyanese Strengthening ‘ROPA’ is to urged to be strengthen our democracy vaccinated against COVID-19 Dear Editor,

O

n Thursday (January 13, 2022), Guyana’s recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 infections in a single day – a total of 1,186, bringing the number of active cases to well over 7,500.

The new variant, Omicron, had an unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, according to health experts.

Globally, over 5.5 million, with over 2.4 million of the deaths being recorded in the Americas. Further, over 315 million have been infected globally since the start of the pandemic.

In Guyana, over 48,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded and there have been 1,075 deaths as of January 13, 2022.

Vaccination, now more than ever is important.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can lower your risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

Vaccines can also help prevent serious illness and death. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response without you having to experience sickness.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that letting COVID-19 spread through populations, of any age or health status will lead to unnecessary infections, suffering and death. The WHO said: “Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines work by training and preparing the body’s natural defences – the immune system – to recognize and fight off the viruses and bacteria they target. After vaccination, if the body is later exposed to those disease-causing germs, the body is immediately ready to destroy them, preventing illness. “…vaccines train our immune systems to create proteins that fight disease, known as ‘antibodies’, just as would happen when we are exposed to a disease but – crucially – vaccines work without making us sick. Vaccinated people are protected from getting the disease in question and passing on the pathogen, breaking any chains of transmission. “…there are several safe and effective vaccines that prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. This is one part of managing COVID-19, in addition to the main preventive measures of staying at least 1 metre away from others, covering a cough or sneeze in your elbow, frequently cleaning your hands, wearing a mask and avoiding poorly ventilated rooms or opening a window.”

The Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C government must be congratulated for having the foresight to engage India, China and Russia for vaccine supplies, instead of relying only on the COVAX mechanism. COVAX, or the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated, is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the WHO. Had Guyana depended only on COVAX, the national COVID vaccination programme would have been stalled. One can reason that if this was the case that the numbers of those infected or dead could have been higher. Thankfully, over 100,000 have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Guyanese are encouraged to get vaccinated.

P

lease permit me to respond to some rather callous, shallow, and hasty generalizations recently reported in the public media, at the hands of the Electoral Reform Group (ERG) whose representatives say that ‘splitting up Region 4 is unjustified, provocative.’

Nothing is further from the truths! The architect of this wicked piece must have missed the framework of abundant justifications or rather, selectively uses an opportunity to self-aggrandize their own hidden agenda.

The ERG’s assertion that the splitting of Region #4 is unjustified, provocative, and pure rubbish! Allow me to enlighten our readers and the ERG that there is a long-established precedent normally utilized by GECOM in the conduct of General and Regional Elections. The Secretariat under the control of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and responsibility of the Commission, has consistently employed four (4) Coordinators with designated functions related to the Coordination of activities within the East Bank, East Coast, North Georgetown, and South Georgetown to facilitate the smooth running of Elections.

Of note, the role of these officials is not specifically mentioned in the RoPA, and their consistent use over the years is premised on the general tacit acceptance that a fair and unbiased CEO will use notified transparent measures to simplify and execute electoral processes. These Coordinators are normally Liaison officers to the Deputy Register Officers and the RO of Region #4. The GECOM Secretariat and the Commissioners saw the intervention as fit, proper, and necessary for the smooth and effective running of the electoral process in Region #4.

Further, it is public knowledge that GECOM usually utilized these Coordinator/ Liaison Officers to work alongside and facilitate clarifications from Counting Agents and the other appropriate Officials of Political Parties, in simplifying the process. One must, therefore, address the related reasons before spewing out criticisms without basis.

Importantly, Region #4 has the highest concentration of approximately

300,000 residents and by extension, almost 50 percent of the Voters are on the Official List of Electors (OLE). Consideration of the continued expanding population in this region alone lends to the contemplation of the necessary adjustments of effective transparency and monitoring control. Given the public evidence supporting charges of electoral Officials in control of elections machinery for electoral fraud, the need to make strengthening amendments to the RoPA is necessary, as the roles of these officials while essential, cannot be left to chance and discretion of corrupted Officials.

It is very important to include the amendments outside of a comprehensive Electoral process that can take years, given the displayed level of unreasonableness by officials representing the PNC and some of their Coalition partners. It is factual that the previously appointed committee with responsibility for electoral reform made no significant progress for almost two decades.

Further, it is essential to note that with the proposed amendments the Region #4 Returning Officer (RO) will still retain regional responsibility, but now have structured and legally supported officials while clearly binding responsibilities. Critically, These amendments will remove the convenience of abuse of process as is evidenced by the situation when Melanie Marshall and others refused to use a designed tally sheet for reporting East Bank Votes under one RO and had no objections to another.

Her reason in the former case was that the sheet was not supported by law!

The ERG and other interesting Civil Groups who have not contested elections or faced the level of deliberate frustrations that are at times rolled out by biased elections personnel on the GECOM structure, cannot appreciate this need for legal regularization. They must, however, be fully cognizant of the fact that the strengthening of the RoPA will legitimize many of the subjectivity in the Electoral approaches and process in Region#4. Consequently, it must also be recognized that the People’s Progressive Party and the other consulted Civic Groups also provided suggestions in support of changes to improve the effective running of Region # 4 by reducing

the current approach that is highly susceptible to abuse.

Related also is the indiscretionate gerrymandering of electoral boundaries secretly that took place during the 2018 Local Government Elections. When made public, it had party officials scrabbling at the last moment to achieve the signatory support for contesting candidates that were affected by the sinister switches. These were not publicized in the official gazette and were never formally discussed at GECOM’s Commission Meetings. There are no minutes to show any discussion or approval at the Commission level, in respect to changing the Constituency boundaries across the country. As for the cost to which the ERG refers, readers and the general public must demand the reasons why the last seven years of GECOM expenditures were not audited. GECOM financial records must be audited and the findings made public so that the ERG can be appraised of the findings.

It must be also noted that while Region #4 as a consequence of the amendments will have the four identified areas to legally improve monitoring control for electoral purposes, the Regional seat allocation will remain the same. The total votes for the General Elections will still be used en-bloc for the calculation of the forty top-up seats and the form of the usual calculation of Seats will not vary.

It is critical that the GECOM Secretariat and the staff, in particular, be appropriately tooled to enable the organization to produce Free and Fair Elections. The staffing selections and employment approach at GECOM must be imbued by purposeful criteria to select men and women with integrity. It is unacceptable for GECOM to short-list persons who were dismissed for various unacceptable behavior to be interviewed for employment again.

Editor, as the nation anticipates the prudent introspection in realizing the necessary transparent changes at GECOM, the provocative approach of the ECG and other unresearched partners must be seen in the context of their parsimonious framework and intent.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Take steps to protect yourself against the COVID-19 variants Dear Editor,

T

he Covid-19 pandemic is decimating lives by the millions worldwide: It is practically impossible that anyone can be found who has not lost

a loved one or associate to the dreaded virus.

Despite this reality, it boggles the mind why persons continue to ignore Covid protocols, refuse to take the requisite vaccines and consequently en-

danger their own and the lives of family members, friends, associates, and even innocent persons who are forced to expose themselves to infected persons because of their jobs; persons like taxi (Turn to page 5)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 january, 2022

Take steps to protect yourself against the...

(From page 4)

and bus drivers, salespersons, employees in goods and services sectors, private and public sectors and various work environments, like construction, vendors, shopkeepers, etcetera.

There are posts on social media, especially during festive occasions or commemorative celebrations, where absolute irresponsibility and lack of respect for their own and the lives of others are on full display by celebrants. They ignore the fact that the virus is not discriminatory and affects everyone, including health personnel.

At a press conference recently, featuring HE President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Health Minister Frank Anthony and senior health sector personnel, persons were urged to take the

necessary precautions, follow rules and observe protocols, not only to avoid infection and/or spread of the disease, but in a national cooperative effort to eliminate the virus in entirety countrywide and restore life in Guyana to normalcy.

While the president asserted that the government has the requisite capacity to effectively manage the current situation, he warned that the dynamics can change day to day if hordes of people continue to flout the rules and refuse to adhere to covid-19 protocols. While the government is quick on the uptake – being first to acquire vaccines, first to obtain booster shots and children’s vaccines and making every possible effort to curtail the spread of the disease, with the

critical oxygenation needs being enough, there is continual preparation to treat emerging variants.

The team urged that persons heed the fact that the virus is easily transmissible and deadly, especially the Delta variant, although the omicron is more infectious. Each person – President Ali, Dr. Anthony and the other health personnel stipulated the imperative of wearing masks properly, covering the face from nose to chin, and to always follow covid-19 guidelines, especially social distancing and sanitizing.

Infected persons can be asymptomatic, which means they can be carriers and can unknowingly infect innocent persons with whom they come in contact, especially vulnerable, susceptible family members, such

as children and elderly and/or sick relatives.

The emerging mutations and diverse variants, such as omicron and a flu-like mutation, with Omicron projected to be more dominant are changing the dynamics into fluidity that may very well prove more deadly than the first wave of the pandemic. I wonder how many persons are grieving today that their irresponsible, selfish actions in pursuit of enjoyment of the moment – gyrating to loud music and getting close and personal to partners without masks on a dance floor; or simply removing masks in a close grouping for photo shoots may have ensued in the suffering, or even demise of a loved one.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 JANUARY, 2022

1000 homes being built for low to moderate income earners, young professionals C

lose to 1000 housing units are being constructed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) targeting low to moderate income earners, as well as young professionals.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s manifesto promise to improve the living standards of Guyanese through the provision of affordable housing for families at all income levels.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal revealed that approximately 590 low and moderate homes are being constructed.

These include, 350 twobedroom elevated units in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown; 100 two-bedroom flat units in Prospect, East Bank Demerara; 100 two- bedroom flat units in Williamsburg, Region Six; and 40 two-bedroom elevated units in Amelia’a Ward, Linden, Region Ten. Minister Croal said a number of these homes have been completed, particularly in Cummings Lodge, and allottees have begun to occupy them.

Additionally, 350 young professional units are being constructed. Of that amount, are 200 two- storey and flat units being constructed at Providence, East Bank Demerara and another 150 under construction in Prospect.

So far, 100 units have been completed in Providence.

Further, under the Core Home Support Initiative, 25 new housing units are being built in Sophia, Georgetown

and Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara at subsidised cost, targeting low income and vulnerable families. The project falls under the Adequate Housing & Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP) funded by the IDB. Minister Croal said the homes are in high demand particularly, by young professionals and other working – class citizens. “Because persons are working in the various disciplines to go through the hassle of having to deal with contractors and getting time off to buy materials… The demand is great and that is why in our 2022 programme we are targeting to build many more houses,” he said.

The project to construct houses 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. “Our President has given a charge to aim for 25,000 homes over the fiveyear period, and so, while we will allocate 50,000 house lots, simultaneously, we will be constructing houses,” he said.

In keeping with its manifesto, the PPP/C Government is committed to delivering 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within its first term in office. In 2021, the government surpassed its target of distributing 10,000 house lots to Guyanese through its signature ‘Dream Realise’ house lot distribution exercise.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 january, 2022

COVID Task Force raps APNU+AFC for misleading statements

C

omments from member of the APNU+AFC Coalition, which suggested that the political opposition is somehow excluded from the National COVID-19 Task Force, saw the Opposition being rapped for engaging in the peddling of false information.

In a statement, the National COVID-19 Task Force, said, “These patently

false statements could only be construed as an attempt to score cheap political points out of a global health crisis.

“The NCTF comprises members of the government, opposition, security forces, regulatory agencies, religious bodies and private sector. Specifically, the Regional Chairpersons of all ten administrative Regions, including Regions

Four, Seven and Ten, which are controlled by the APNU+AFC, are members of the Task Force.

“Additionally, the NCTF is supported by the Regional Task Forces which are chaired by the Regional Chairmen of the respective regions and include RDC councilors from both Government and Opposition. No group, agency or

stakeholder has ever been denied the opportunity to participate or have their issues addressed by the Task Force. The NCTF remains open to contribution from any interest group. As a matter of fact, other concerned groups inclusive of the Tourism Sector, Health Sector and the Trade Unions have been engaged by the Task Force which statutori-

ly meets weekly under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. “…The NCTF, therefore, condemns these baseless and mischievous statements by the opposition. We urge all stakeholders to assume a more positive, responsible and mature role in support of the national efforts to tackle this global pandemic.

This health crisis should not

be used for political grandstanding.”

The Task Force made it that it stands committed to working with all stakeholders as it continues to promote public education and immunization, while enforcing the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols towards the reduction and elimination of the virus in Guyana.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 JANUARY, 2022

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WEEKEND MIRROR 1 15-16 5-16 JANUARY, january, 2022 2022

In Focus : Adv ances in t he Agr icult ur e Sect or

D r iv in g r e g io n a l a g r i-f o o d s y s t e m s a g e n d a in a g lo b a l p a n d e m ic

D

uring the thirty-second Inter-sessional Meeting held last February, the Conference of Heads of Government approved the establishment of a Special Ministerial Taskforce (MTF), subsequently charging it with guiding the CARICOM’s position on shaping a significantly more resilient, A flooded house in Kwakwani wealth-generating, and food secure agri-food system.

The MTF, which is Chaired by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has been working closely with regional private sector organizations to guarantee integration and meaningful collaborations when developing its Action Plan and to follow up on and monitor the implementation of a regional agri-food system strategy.

Since its establishment, the MTF has convened five meetings and has made significant inroads in several major areas of its work programme.

Minister Mustapha, while providing an update on the MTF’s achievements since its establishment in 2021, noted that the Taskforce was able to engage and collaborate with the Caribbean Private Sector Organization to advance the regional corn and soya programme.

“The MTF has and continues to play a leading role along with the Caribbean Private Sector Organization in the identification and development of a programme of support for the regional corn and soya priority commodity programme. The Caribbean Development Bank has since expressed interest in supporting the production of corn and soya beans used as intermediate inputs for feed production as possible commodities for input displacement. Initial discussions are currently ongoing with the CDB on the nature of the proposed support.

This project, as you know, has positive implications for Guyana positioning itself as the supplier of inputs for the poultry industry. This will result, in one stroke, to help to alleviate the concern of food and nutrition security because Guyana will be able to provide its protein for poultry, which is widely consumed across the region. Further, it will also reduce the food import bill because, annually, we spend an enormous amount of money to import corn and soya beans for the poultry industry. There are also implications for things like cross-border investments,” Minister Mustapha said.

With the annual imports for proteins for the poultry sector being close to $25 million, the government sought to incentivize the cultivation of corn and soya beans in 2021.

In 2021, $500 million infrastructural investment to rehabilitate 18km of the road starting from the junction of the Linden- Ituni road and heading east towards the Berbice River. Additional investment will be done for, drying facilities and storage silos.

This year, the massive corn and soya bean trial farm at the Dubulay Ranch at Ebini along the Berbice River has shown remarkable results.

The trial project saw the successful cultivation of 111 acres of soya bean, and 5 acres of corn being cultivated, which yielded approximately 2.3 tons per hectare.

The initial aim is to cultivate 56,000 acres or 22,400 hectares to be able to satisfy the local demand, after which, cultivation for export to markets in the region will be targeted.

AGRICULTURE INSURANCE

With Guyana and other CARICOM member states’ agriculture sectors being susceptible to the impacts of climate change, the MTF has been playing a leading role in advocating for the development of appropriate products aimed at de-risking the agriculture sector such as agriculture insurance.

“The MTF has played a leading role in advocating for the development of

appropriate products aimed at the de-Risking of the Agricultural Sector. To this end, the MTF has received a presentation from a regional Insurance Company that has expressed its willingness to proceed with exploring the development of an agricultural insurance product for CARICOM Member states. The Company is in the process of preparing country-specific proposals for consideration by Guyana and the other Member States. The second quarter of 2022 is being targeted for the delivery outline for the proposed insurance product for CARICOM Member States. Guyana is now at the forefront of the effects of climate change.

Now more than ever, we see the need to have some sort of risk transfer mechanism in place whereby when our farmers are faced with these perils, they can receive some compensation thus minimizing or eliminating, altogether, the need for governments to take monies from the coffers to give relief because farmers would be paying a premium. That in itself would be a game-changer for Guyana’s agriculture sector,” the minister added.

As it relates to advances with implementing a dispute resolution mechanism which includes policies regarding the removal of trade barriers for CARICOM States, Minister Alex Mendez explaining the process of Mustapha said that the cultivating the corn.

MTF has made significant progress in this regard and that it will be further discussed during the upcoming COTED meeting which is scheduled for some time this year.

RESUSCITATION OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

An enduring constraint to intra-regional agricultural trade is the existence of an Inadequate Regional Transportation system. While Guyana has the productive capacity to produce a significant amount of the food that is imported into the region, moving its produce to ports across the region in an efficient manner at a competitive cost, remains a significant constraint.

Recognizing this constraint to regional trade, regional officials noted in particular that there was a need to address transportation and logistics considerations in the context of efforts to advance the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda. The decision was therefore taken to give priority attention to proposals to incentivize private sector partnership in addressing transport and logistics requirements for implementation of the agri-food systems agenda.

To this end, the regional focus has been on the resuscitation of the Regional Transportation Commission (RTRC) targeting both air and maritime transportation.

At the level of the MTF, significant progress has been made to have this commission resuscitated with heavy policy emphasis being placed essentially on the delivery of adequate, fair, competitive, efficient transportation services at affordable costs and the sustainability of these services.

Additionally, the commission will also focus on creating an interconnected, multi-modal, accessible transportation network that actively contributes to the strengthening of the economic development of the Community through trade and the movement of people, as well as, strengthening and enhancing the regulatory organizations and institutions of the transportation sector of the Community.

Flooded areas in Canal Number Two Polder

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Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE CSO programme reintegrated 40 sewing units set up in 2021 to boost over 2000 Amerindian youths hinterland women’s development total of sewing units or uniforms made for sale in Minister Sukhai further into the workforce A were established in the villages especially in the stated that monies have 2021, according to Minister remote communities,” the been allocated for addi-

T

he PPP/C Government, in just one year, has trained over 2,000 Amerindian youths through its Community Service Officers’ (CSO) programme in keeping with a manifesto promise.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, has disclosed that this programme allows for individuals to be trained and meaningfully contribute to the development of their communities. “In 2021 we had our full complement of 2000, in fact 2000 plus youths were back on roll with respect to working in their communities meaningfully and being trained and supporting their communities’ development while receiving of course a stipend as an incentive,” Minister Sukhai said.

The Minister said this

billion-dollar initiative not only improves the skills of the Amerindian people but also allows for money to circulate in their communities.

She further noted that 600 youths were trained in other areas like solar installation, servicing and operating tractors, as well as in information communication technology (ICT). “We have trained 200 young men and women with respect to solar installation maintenance.

We’ve trained another 200 in driving and operating a tractor, as well as servicing the tractor and we have completed training also of 200 young men and women in ICT, in preparation for the major connectivity programme.” According to her, the Amerindian people must be prepared for con-

nectivity, a major project being administered by the Industry and Innovation Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister. This initiative entails several ICT training sessions for young people to bridge the digital divide in the country. “We have jump-started the Amerindian youths in being prepared for connectivity so that they will be able to, not only manage, but they will be able to train their peers, farmers, youths, and school children. They will also be able to provide support to teachers and nurses who may very well have to use the computer,” she said.

Meanwhile, the government has also synchronised training for medical health practitioners in various fields so that they can better deliver healthcare services in these hinterland regions.

of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai. The intention is that the women in the hinterland would be able to generate an income and provide garments for school children and others, especially in remote areas.

She said women will soon be trained in garment construction so that they can better their lives and have their own businesses.

“We have embarked on 40 sewing units for women to take care of the school uniform allowance now which is provided in cash, so women of the hinterland will be trained in garment construction so that they can speedily get into the business of having garments

minister said.

Further, Minister Sukhai noted that agricultural development is a major project of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, as this sector saw billions of dollars in machinery and equipment being invested to boost production and transportation of goods and services.

Meanwhile, some $1.73 billion was distributed to Amerindian communities in order to support economic activities and projects undertaken by the government and village councils.

This was complemented by capital items which were delivered to communities to boost transportation for school children.

tional programmes intended to support Amerindian people’s culture, way of live and their communities.

“We are also supporting with $150 million additional programmes for women, youths and tourism…so, we are on track with what our manifesto promises to address with respect to economic activities, welfare of the people, including the development and training of youths and opportunities for youths.”

Minister Sukhai said the government’s commitment to support farmers, small businesses and young people is necessary as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 200 Amerindian villages benefit $2.1 billion spent on hinterland from presidential grant

roads over past 12 months

T

he Ministry of Public Works, through its hinterland roads programme, expended $2.1 billion on the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Regions, One, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten in 2021, according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.

In Region One, Minister Indar said the ministry will concentrate on the construction of concrete roads and move away from the laterite throughfares in communities such as Mabaruma, and Kumaka to Kwebanna.

“Although we have the laterite roads and we did maintenance of those, we are pushing a kilometer of road every year to ensure the entire stretch is concrete, so, in Region One, we started that process there,” he explained.

A number of laterite roads in Region Seven, were also rehabilitated and maintained. These included the Kaburi and Puruni roads which were damaged due to

heavy rainfall.

The ministry also executed works on some rigid pavements from Five Mile to the airstrip, as well as 1.5 kilometers of roads in the Bartica township itself.

For Region Eight, Minister Indar reported that $100 million was invested in community engagements projects for which a number of roads were done in Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi and Chiung Mouth.

He added that major works were done on the Denham Suspension Bridge and a number of culverts in the area.

Additionally, in Region Nine, works were done on a number of roads from Lethem to Aishalton. Works were also done on two kilometers of asphaltic roads between Lethem to St Ignatius, along with two kilometers of sidewalks in Lethem itself.

Further, major rehabilitation works were done on the Annai to Lethem Road which

was severely destroyed by floods. In the South Pakaraimas, works were also done on sections of the road from Karasabai to Yurong Paru.

Works also continued on the Mabura corridor, Region Ten last year while attention was also placed on roads in Kwakwani, Rockstone, Muritaro and Malali. “Heavy rainfall continues to be a serious impediment, as well as heavy-laden trucks that continue to use the road when there is a downpour and cause damage to the roads,” Minister Indar related.

Nevertheless, Indar said government is committed to ensuring resources are made available to ensure key roads in the hinterland are maintained and new roadways constructed to facilitate better interconnectivity and facilitate easier movement of goods and services.

In 2021, the Public Works Ministry received the sum of $44.6 billion to execute its mandate.

G

uyana’s 220 Amerindian villages and communities across the country received $300 million in presidential grants.

The grants were used to boost village economies and enhance the lives of Amerindians through a variety of projects.

These include developing agricultural enterprises such as cattle and poultry

rearing, cash crop farming, tourism ventures, village offices, and roads.

The Presidential grants were a major boost to the development of the Amerindian people as some communities receive up to $5 million.

The programme was first started in 2007 by the then PPP/C Government.

Apart from the grants,

the government has implemented several other initiatives to boost the economies of Amerindian villages and by extension, the peoples’ lives.

Last year, the government procured 112 tractors along with ploughs and harrows at a total cost of $446 million, to boost agriculture production and ensure food security for Amerindian.

$2.5B ferry to ply Georgetown/North West route to arrive by year-end

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he $2.5 billion ferry that will ply the Barima-Waini (Region One) to Georgetown, route is expected to be in Guyana at the end of the year. The vessel, which is being funded by the Government of India, is being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited.

“We are happy to report to you that work is ahead of schedule on this project. A team from Guyana visited India in November and the report is that we should

have this ferry in Guyana, ready for operation within the last quarter of this year,” Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill said.

The current set up of the stellings will not suit the design for the new ferry, hence, Minister Edghill said, the facilities are being re-designed to accommodate it.

The Minister added, “Both the Georgetown Transport and Harbours facility, the facility at Kumaka, Morawhanna, as well

as Port Kaituma will be reconfigured and work is advancing on that to facilitate the new ferry from India.”

Funding for the ferry was sourced through a $3.6 billion line of grant and credit from the Government of India. When the contract was signed in January 2021, Minister Edghill had disclosed that the funds were available since 2015, but no contract was awarded.

Construction of the new vessel will replace the aged M.V. Kimbia.

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Lowenfield’s former assistant fired for deleting files, tampering with computer T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has terminated the services of Duarte Hetsberger after he was found to have allegedly tampered with a computer belonging to the Commission, wiping the system and deleting files.

Hetsberger had served as personal assistant to former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield,

who was also fired from GECOM for his role in attempting to derail the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick confirmed Hetsberger’s termination and explained that the act was discovered by the Election Commission Secretariat’s Information Technology (IT) officers.

A report on the matter was submitted to the Commission and the matter was addressed at its Tuesday (January 11, 2022) statutory meeting. The decision was made to Hetsberger’s employment effective January 1, 2022.

Notably, Hetsberger was arrested in 2020 during the police probe into electoral fraud. A year

later it was discovered that one of Lowenfield’s final acts, prior to being sacked, was to renew Hetsberger’s contract for three years in a process that did not follow the Commission’s protocols. While, Hetsberger’s contract was supposed to end on December 8, 2021, Lowenfield renewed Hetsberger’s contract in June 2021 – months in advance.

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Norton, Harmon wrestling over... (From page 3) leader and a new leadership in the Executive, does that mean then that Norton (if he succeeds in becoming Opposition Leader) would have to fall out?…no, the Parliament prohibits that and that is what we have to understand… you have to look at all those future moves that you will have to make and that is what I’m warning, that in making these future moves, there can be tremendous differences in the PNC that could lead to its implosion.”

Harmon’s comments on the matter have also leaned toward arguing procedure.

According to him, the PNCR

is part of APNU and it must follow the procedures set out.

“The APNU Partnership has an established structure and if the executive of a party in the partnership has a position and they wish to express that position; they should follow the established procedures,” the increasingly embattled Harmon said. He also said, “The Office of the Leader of the Opposition is a constitutional office and is consequently governed by the Constitution.”

While Norton and Harmon are expected to continue talks, it is unclear how soon or if this will be addressed soon.

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Guyana willing to share experience and c P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is willing to share the experience and capacity it has gained and built over the years in renewable energy with the Caribbean to help advance the energy plans of CARICOM member states.

He said that Guyana is a member of the International Solar Alliance, and for the past ten years, the country has worked closely with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to support

the smart development of renewable and efficient use of energy in key sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, which are the backbone of Guyana’s economy.

“This is something we are willing to share with the rest of the region. We are willing to share this capacity that we have built,” Ali said.

The Head of State made these remarks today at the handing over ceremony of the Solar Photovoltaic Power

Generation Plant at CARICOM Secretariat at Liliendaal.

These efforts, the President said, have focused on technology deployment and the strengthening of the country’s institutional and human capacity.

He said that Guyana, with the support of organisations such as TERI, can offer the region energy performance studies to identify options for energy conservation measures. The Head of

State said, “We are prepared to work with the region on renewable energy opportunities to ensure we as a region are coordinated in our effort to support each other and to play our part collectively in the fight against climate change by tackling mitigation opportunities.”

REGION’S COMMITMENT The Head of State emphasised that the completion of the project is a demonstra-

tion of the region’s commitment to alternative energy sources and his country’s pledge to transition to cleaner and more renewable energy.

He pointed out that utilising the bountiful resources of sun and sand is pivotal to the region’s future. Ali said, “Here in the region, we know we are small. We’re small in population, we are small in size, but we are not small in thinking, we are not small in policymaking, and

we’re not small in playing our part, and a major aspect of that is innovative thinking; innovative projects and programmes that will deliver the type of results we want.”

President Ali also heaped praises on Caribbean nations for their sustainable energy policy. He pointed out that Barbados’ National Energy Policy 2019 to 2030 identifies a “bold 11-year implementation horizon” where they have a vision of becoming 100% fossil fuel

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capacity on renewable energy with region free by 2030.

He also mentioned that Jamaica is pursuing a renewable energy project. Overall, he said that every Caribbean island is playing its part in pursuing a pathway to alternative energy as well as including measurable indicators within that pathway.

AGGRESSIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES President Ali used the opportunity to call out the

global community to stay true to their commitments.

“We are Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

We are small countries. We have global commitment; importantly, however, we are not only heavily affected by climate change, we are the worst affected by climate change, and in all development aid and development programmes, we have to see this region as a region that has really faced the brunt of climate change, and we are

the most exposed to climate change and climate events,” Ali said.

He also called for more aggressive deployments of resources to help SIDS advance their technologies and help in their mitigation and adaptation measures. Ali said, “We are showing and demonstrating with the little resources that we have, that we are capable of making big decisions. We’re capable of providing leadership, and we’re capable of doing

what is right and playing our part in the fight against climate change, but we need support.”

The President said that while commitments are made globally, “we’re seeing no real attempt in translating those commitments to projects on the ground, to support on the ground, to support in-country like this project has demonstrated.”

He added that he believes the commitments made are credible, but there needs to

be urgent action in demonstrating that commitment by not “adding conditions to countries, but by supporting the existing pipeline of projects to meet the targets that we have outlined individually and collectively as a region”.

NET-ZERO The 400-kilowatt solar generation project was undertaken through a US$17.8M grant agreement between the governments of

Guyana and Japan. Of the lot, US$7M was earmarked for its establishment.

The 1500 solar panels, servers and batteries will allow the secretariat to have a net-zero energy balance.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips; CARICOM’s Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett and non-resident Ambassador of Japan to Guyana and CARICOM H.E Tatsuo Hirayama also spoke at the event.

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POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

President Ali targets youths in flagship agri project T

he Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, a flagship initiative geared to stimulate and promote significant economic growth in the lives of young agriculturists, was launched on Tuesday (January 11, 2022) by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The massive project, the Head of State explained, will see the construction of 25 shade houses being established for the cultivation of three high value crops; carrot, broccoli and cauliflower.

The plan targets former and current students of the University of Guyana (UG), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), and other budding agriculture entrepreneurs.

“You are part of the future. What we are creating here is people who will be a part of the transformative agenda, the future of the country and we are going to support this,” Dr. Ali said during the ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

In the first phase of the initiative, a company named “One Guyana” will be established and managed by the young agriculturists.

Government plans to provide all the materials to begin construction of the shade houses.

Additionally, investments will be given through the private sector, while support will be provided by the Guyana Defence Force,

the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service, among other stakeholders.

Ali said, “We are putting every single person to productive use. So, all of them would help us in terms of the labour and establishing the shade house and infrastructure.”

The visionary Guyanese Leader pointed out that the project is not an experiment, since the crops are already growing in Guyana’s soil.

He said the consumption pattern of Guyanese shows that the three products are necessary. Also based on assessment, with the tourism boost and influx of visitors, there is economic indication that the type of foods is on demand. “We are also going

to link into the regional food security system. The regional food security system is even more important. We are the agriculture seat of the region and we have to lead by example. Whilst we are working on one hand to expand local production in the local market, we are already eliminating the barriers to the regional markets so that we are going to expand this progressively, until we are able to reach into the regional market,” the Head of State added.

In 2018, the import value for carrot, broccoli and cauliflower was $1.583 billion, while in 2019 and 2021 the import value stood at $ 1.962 billion and $2.626 billion, respectively.

President Ali said the large sum of money could be spent right here. “You are talking here about a business that could generate in a net sense using these three

crops, about $60 million to $70 million annually. That’s for the 25 shade houses that we want to do and this is just phase one, we are going to expand this,” Dr. Ali said.

The Head of State has, on may occasions, stressed his willingness and commitment to work with the nation’s young minds, rallying with them along the journey to prosperity and creating opportunities to ensure they inherit a better Guyana. “Young people must feel empowered. You see the resources from oil and gas give us this opportunity, to open up opportunities in these areas and this is where the real benefit will be, this is where Guyanese will benefit the most, these opportunities, creating it and giving you the ownership,” the President added.

He said young people are the custodians of Guyana’s tomorrow and their spirit of

inclusiveness and selflessness are pivotal in taking the country forward. These attitudes, the PPP/C Administration will embrace, the President emphasised.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P, told the young people that he is adamant that the initiative will transform their future.

Also present at the launch were Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, M.P; Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, M.P; Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, M.P; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, M.P; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, M.P; and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, M.P.

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The new Guyana is about to...

Guyana’s highest ever. But with the ascension of a new PNC Government in 2015, FDI failed to meaningfully increase after 2014 and between 2014 and 2018 because the APNU/AFC government frightened people.

This all changed in 2018 when the possibility of a new PPP/C government exponentially increased. Private FDI is now more than a billion US dollars annually.

This is a far cry from the days in the 1980s when private FDI was zero, when in the 90s, under a PPP government, foreign direct investment started to climb and reached more than $200M annually by 2015. Now FDI is routinely more than a billion US dollars per year. In 2018, FDI was $US1.2B. In 2019, it was $US1.7B and in 2020 it exceeded $US1.9B.

According to UNCTAD (the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment), this was the highest FDI in CARICOM and the second highest in the hemisphere. Imagine, Guyana which stood dead last in 1990 is now the highest in CARICOM and second in the whole hemisphere. A significant part of this FDI is being invested in non-oil enterprises.

Already, many local businesses are benefiting from growth. These businesses see that outside of the direct benefits that Guyana gains from its royalty and profits, Oil and Gas is allowing local enterprises to grow. While local entrepreneurs will benefit, the country also benefit from an increase in its income.

For example, warehouses,

office buildings, hundreds of homes and apartments, taxi and transport companies owned by Guyanese are benefiting. Guyana’s private schools and private health sector are benefiting from an increase in business that flows to them. These are real benefits that the critics have not included in their myopic interpretation of what Guyana gets from Oil and Gas. When I was Minister of Health between 2001 and 2011, that period saw the most aggressive period of infrastructure improvement in existing hospitals and other health facilities. When we spent about $US12 to construct a new Linden Hospital and a new in-patient building at the GPHC and a new New Amsterdam Hospital, the investment was less than $US15M (about $G3B). For

WEEKEND MIRROR 15-16 JANUARY, 2022 (From page 2)

that period, this was a huge investment, given Guyana’s economy at the time. But what is about to take place in the public health sector infrastructure in Guyana will totally change the look of the country’s health infrastructure. It is not only that the existing health infrastructure will look very different than it looks right now, but that the hospital infrastructure will transform by the addition of, at least, six new hospitals in communities that do not even have health centers right now. When the Minister of Finance reads Budget 2022 soon in Parliament and when the Minister of Health begins his debate presentation, the Guyanese people will be amazed with the new development in health.

In 2022, contracts will be

signed and construction of two important bridges will add to the transformation of the country’s landscape. The modern, new high-rise fourlane Demerara River Bridge will be completed or close to be completed by 2025.

The new Demerara Bridge will almost single-handedly bring a transformation in how Guyana looks. But, clear across the East, the new Corentyne River Bridge that will physically link Guyana and Suriname will arise out of the waters of the mighty Corentyne River.

That will add to the transformation of our country.

While these bridges will bring a transformed appearance to Guyana, the new asphalt highway linking Linden and Mabura will begin the important link with Brazil.

Soon the construction of

the Amaila Hydroelectric plant will become a reality.

The economic stimulus that these significant development projects will bring to Guyana is just simply unimaginable.

But even as these projects are coming into reality, new roadways and highways are already being completed.

The new Eccles to Mandella Road, the new highway from Ogle to Providence will not just ease the traffic jams, but will bring new housing, new businesses, new hotels. Guyana will look very different.

A new country is sprouting up and our eyes are having difficulty in believing that we are living in a real world.

A brave new Guyana is President Ali’s legacy. When the PPP and President Irfaan Ali go to the 2025 elections, they will offer Guyana a brand new country.

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Health Minister warns that Omicron variant ‒ urges persons to get resembles flu vaccinated

T

he symptoms of the Omicron Covid-19 are similar to the flu virus, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said, as he again called on persons to ensure they are vaccinated against the disease.

Some of the common symptoms, he outlined, are stuffy and runny nose, sore throat, as well as headache, all similar to the flu.

“Here in Guyana, we haven’t seen many cases of persons having flu and at the same time coronavirus. What

Unvaccinated teachers urged to get inoculated – to keep school environment safe

A

number of teachers in the public school system have still not yet been immunised against COVID-19, and Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony is making a plea for them to take the shots.

By taking both doses of the vaccine, as well as booster shots, teachers will help to keep the school environment safe, Dr. Anthony noted. “I think there is still a number of teachers who are unvaccinated, so, if we want to have a very safe school environment, then I think we should encourage those teachers to get vaccinated, because without being vaccinated, they are putting themselves, obviously at risk for infection and not just in school, but generally in the community,” he said.

He said the health ministry has not asked that any school be closed, as it is the mandate of the Ministry of Education to ensure children attending sessions are in a safe environment.

Meanwhile, the ministry is still seeking to increase the vaccination rate among persons within the 12-17 age category. Vaccination among adolescents currently stands at 42.6 percent.

“For these children we need them to get not just a first dose, but second dose and there is also that possibility of some of them also

getting a booster dose, so there is a lot of work to be done with this age group to make sure that they are fully vaccinated,” Anthony noted.

He said parents and teachers need to encourage children to get vaccinated. He said, “We are willing as a ministry, if we have special requests from schools, to be able to go to that school and conduct such vaccination exercise and also if we are going to do that, the teachers and the school’s administration would have to help us to make sure that we get parental consent.”

The Health Minister said further that the Delta and Omicron variants of the Covid-19 disease are not the same. With the Delta variant, persons get a more severe form of the disease which may cause death or require hospitalisation due to the effects on the lungs and subsequent multiorgan disfunction. The Omicron, he said, is different.

“Generally, we see persons who are infected would have the disease more in the nose, in their throat, so it behaves more like an upper respiratory tract infection, however there are some people who would have comorbidities, who certainly would become hospitalised because of its contagiousness, it is certain-

ly, by our numbers affecting more people, and since more people are affected, you would have, relative to that, hospitalisation. So far, our numbers are pretty ok, because when you look at, say almost 6,000 infections over the last couple of days, correspondingly of these 6,000 persons, very few of them required hospitalisation, Dr. Anthony said.

The health minister noted that the Covid-19 facility at Ocean View has 51 persons, which is a low ratio compared to those infected.

Meanwhile, health authorities are still trying to source the special vials manufactured by Pfizer for children 5-11 years. He said, “The team here, we actually believe that we can dilute it appropriately but Pfizer has made a special vial with the same vaccine but in different proportions, so we are now trying to source that, that generally is only available in the United States and there is some difficulty trying to get it for other countries but, nevertheless we are working to see if we can do that.”

Notably, according to him, an arrangement is being pursued with CARICOM to see whether the vials could be acquired in bulk so Guyana could easily benefit.

The difficulty has arisen because of the demand by other countries.

we have seen with the current surge with the omicron variant, is that the disease resembles more like a flu, the symptoms are similar. And that is why it’s important to distinguish between the two and the doctors that we have in the system, I’m sure they know how to do that differentiation,” Dr Anthony said.

The health minister is also urging persons to have a balanced diet, which he said will provide adequate nutrition to protect the immune system.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony said employers need to put strict policies in place to prevent the spread of infection in the workplace. These include sanitising, masking, ensuring social distancing, and encouraging employees to be fully vaccinated.

He has also urged persons to isolate and wait a few days if they have been exposed, before getting tested. This he noted, will give more accurate results.

Guyana, to date, has over 7,500 active cases.

Guyana now offering booster shots five months after second dose M inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines reduces six months after taking the second dose, and based on this finding, he said the ministry will now be administering booster shots five months after the second dose.

“Booster shots are now widely recommended because what we noticed is that six months after the first two doses, the immunity of the person starts to wane, meaning that the anti-bodies that they’ve manufactured would start getting lower and by six months it is so low that it’s not very effective. However, what they have found is that, if between five to six months you’re given a third dose which is the booster shot, then the immunity remains quite high. “We are offering that booster shot now at five months so that before the immunity starts dropping that we’re able to give people the booster dose at that appropriate time so that immunity remains fairly constant, and fairly high,” Minister Anthony said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony said some persons would develop diabetes after an infection. This, he said, is due

to the toll the disease takes on the endocrine system. He said, “One of the things that we knew with COVID is that even if you were pre-disposed to diabetes, you had risk factors for diabetes then in some instances after an infection, people actually then present with diabetes because again COVID can affect many systems in your body and in this case the en-

docrine system.”

According to him, further said these illnesses developed after an infection are mainly cause by the Delta variant as it is the more severe form of the disease.

The Ministry of Health has warned that Omicron variant predominantly affects the upper respiratory tract, resulting in less hospitalisation.

Economic growth of 49.7 per cent projected for 2022 – World Bank T

he World Bank in its Global Economic Prospects released on Tuesday (January 11, 2022), projected that Guyana’s economy would grow by some 49.7 percent in 2022.

According to the report “in the Caribbean, growth is projected to be 7.3 percent this year and 5.9 percent in 2023, though the aggregate reflects a

large contribution from Guyana, where offshore oil production recently began.

Growth in the Caribbean excluding Guyana, most of which is highly reliant on tourism, is projected to be substantially weaker, at 4.6 percent in 2022 and 4.2 percent in 2023.

Responding to this latest projection, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh

noted that this is a result of the work that government has put into creating an investor friendly environment. “We are pleased to see the positive revision in the World Bank’s outlook for Guyana. This is good news, but we are not surprised. This is in fact to be expected given our government’s strong policy stance as it relates to economic

growth, to investment, to job creation and income generation for the benefit of all Guyanese,” Dr. Singh said.

According to him, the projection also reflects the “continuous optimism in the Guyanese economy, not just by those of us who are here in Guyana, but in fact by all those who are following economic

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developments in Guyana, including the international investment community and international agencies involved in the task of monitoring economic developments.”

He recalled that when the administration took office in August 2020, a lot of work had to be done to bring back investor confidence. This was done, firstly, by keeping the population safe while containing the adverse consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on economic activity, and which was combined with the political situation at the time. Singh noted that several interventions aimed at stimulating economic activity, including injecting liquidity in the economy through the Covid-19 cash grant, reduction of taxes, and increased public expenditure in critical infrastructure projects were undertaken. “What we are seeing now is the result of measures and interventions such as this. Its significant also that this outlook is being issued at a time when we are still grappling with the tail end of the effects of the severe and devastating floods that we had in 2021,” he noted.

Like interventions during the Covid pandemic, the government was swift to provide support to those affected by the severe countrywide flood last year, which is also expected to affect agricultural production in 2022.

Singh said, “Economic growth is all about confidence and during the 2015-2020 period, the then APNU+AFC Government had adopted an extremely hostile posture towards the private sector and towards private investment and so during that five-year period we saw economic confidence, investor confidence at an all-time low…from the time the APNU +AFC refused to respect the results of the ‘no confidence’ motion in December 2018, and then refuse to respect the results of the election in March 2020, what you had was a complete dissipation of investor confidence in Guyana, to a historic low.”

However, the government took steps to correct this image of Guyana. The Finance Minister added, “Guyana under the current

dispensation is an environment that is welcoming to private investment, in particular international investors, as well as domestic private investors, that this government led by President Irfaan Ali welcomes investment and encourages investment and will facilitate inward investment by international investors, as well as investment by domestic private investors.

So, we sent those signals and we had to adopt a policy stance, in all that we did, that is conducive and supportive of private investment.”

He also noted the interventions in the emergency budget of 2020 and the 2021 national budget which reduced land rental fees, taxes on construction materials, and removed corporate taxes on the health and education sectors, among others.

Government also promoted the non-oil economy, with the recent enactment of a local content legislation, which is aimed at promoting a non-oil economy, benefitting from what’s happening in the oil and gas sector. “The private sector is responding. They are seeing as we came into government, we moved swiftly to articulate a local content policy, and then we move swiftly to enact local content legislation, that itself is an intention that unavoidably will stimulate confidence and investor optimism,” he said.

Bureaucracy was also a major issue that needed to be addressed as “many companies couldn’t move because they had applications for permits and licences and so were stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire and so we moved immediately to unlock those,” Dr. Singh said. He explained, “The growth that you are seeing thus far since we assumed office, the return to growth in the economy and the anticipated very strong outlook going forward are really reflective of President Ali’ s government, our government’s strong commitment to ensuring that our economy achieve strong growth and very importantly, strong growth that is translated into business opportunities and job creation and income for Guyanese people.”

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