Weekend Mirror 11-12 June 2022

Guyanese will always find a receptive ear in PPP/C gov’t – Jagdeo 11-12 June, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 26 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 24

Norton ‘confused’ about his role – Nandlall Recruitment of polling day staff commenced by GECOM PAGE 15

PAGE 2

Venezuelan gov’t engaged in effort to ‘delay’ ICJ judgement on merits of border controversy case

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SEE INSIDE IMF notes measures advanced to mitigate Globally PAGE 3 influenced cost of living ‒ Lauds Guyana for lowest public debt in Region

‒ Welcomes ‘good progress’ in strengthening anti-corruption and fiscal transparency frameworks

Over 3,000 PAGE 6 women will be trained under WIIN this year Persons with flu-like PAGE 23 symptoms should get tested for COVID-19

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Recruitment of polling day staff commenced by GECOM T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has begun publication of advertisement of vacancies for polling day staff.

The Commission’s Sec-

retariat released a list of vacancies for “polling day staff for Local Government Elections” and these include Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Poll

Clerks, Ballot Clerks/ Counting Assistants and Information Clerks.

According to the advertisement, all applications should be submitted to the

Chief Election Officer no later than June 30, 2022.

Local Government Elections were constitutionally due at the end of 2021, but GECOM was unprepared,

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being without a Chief Election Officer and other key staffers. GECOM Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, in a letter to the government, said, “The Commission is unable to have those elections held at this point in time. As you are aware the Commission is currently working to conclude the hiring process of the Chief Elections Officer and other senior management staff. Please be assured that

as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, I will communicate with you on the timeline at which Local Government Elections could be held when the Chief Election Officer is hired.”

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE General Flood Update

The National Taskforce on Flood Monitoring, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), is reporting that flood waters are receding in most impacted areas.

Communities along the country’s coastland and those in Region 10 have indicated that water levels are dropping even though rains continue intermittently. Region 9 has stated that waters remain on farmlands but has decreased in some households.

Region 7 has not reported any further impacts.

Nationwide monitoring is ongoing in conjunction with relevant Agencies and Regional Authorities as more precipitation is expected mid-week.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and cautious during this rainy season.

Additionally, one can report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C gov’t wary of PNCR-led Coalition’s ‒ Jagdeo says LCDS 2030 will be finalised ‘negative’ disposition in a matter of weeks T

he expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 will be finalised in a matter of weeks, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who noted that the document will be presented to the National Assembly for debate.

He said, “We’re hoping to finalise, maybe in a matter of weeks, because we have rolled out a consultation strategy across the country, in the Indigenous communities, in the region, etc. We have quite a few comments that we’re processing now, to see how we can improve what we have for the better.

And so, we are taking each suggestion seriously. We anticipate that as soon as we complete this, the Parliament would have a look at it and debate it.

CARBON CREDITS At the international level, since 2009, Guyana has supported a global price on carbon – whether through a global carbon market or a global carbon tax regime.

The government has issued calls on the internation-

al community – working through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant international institutions – to accelerate work on both the methodology and implementation of this pricing regime.

Jagdeo has said that Guyana continues to pursue this.

He said, “Simultaneously, you know we are working to get our forest carbon on the market and to try to maximise the benefits we receive from our forest carbon credits.”

A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a stated tonnage of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from other nations that have low emissions such as Guyana.

Guyana’s 18.4 million hectares of largely pristine forest stores approximately 5.31 gigatons of carbon.

According to him, the developed world has a responsi-

bility to create the incentives for such products from the developing world, as the fate of the world and carbon emission targets hang in the balance. He said, “This is only right and just, given that the world pays nearly $90 per ton for carbon in another part of the world. And they’re unwilling now, to even guarantee a price of $10 for forest carbon. And a ton of carbon from whatever its source, or wherever in the world it’s emitted, has the same impact on global warming.”

“So, our argument is that the developed world has to start creating incentives and markets for products supplied by the developing world. They can’t want to treat developing world mitigation solutions as though it could be solved through philanthropy or good will, as they did in COP26 when there was just a declaration without allocation of resources, to say deforestation must end by 2030.”

Jagdeo noted that deforestation and land use change contribute 16 per cent of total greenhouse gases. As

such, he noted that the world would never achieve net zero if these primary sources of emissions aren’t addressed.

GRIFF Addressing the money remaining from the Guyana REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Investment Fund (GRIF), Jagdeo said a total of US$250 million was to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period by Norway and it is understood that as of January US$54 million remained in the fund.

“I had a meeting with the Norwegian Ambassador and the officials who came here.

We spoke about the model building and the future ways of intermediating these resources in a less bureaucratic manner without harming the transparency in the use of the resources for future.

And we’ve also indicated our intention to utilise the remaining programme sum for adaptation measures. And that is why we’ve launched these consultations across Regions Two, Three, Five and Six, where we’re looking

at structures similar to what we did at the Hope Canal,” he said.

Moving forward, Jagdeo noted that the PPP/C government is wary, considering the disposition of the APNU+AFC Coalition. “We are worried about the mindset of the Opposition. They are very negative on everything.”

LCDS 2030 Since the development of Guyana’s first LCDS in 2009, the country has maintained more than 99.5 per cent of its 18 million hectares of forest. Guyana also boasts one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, having the capacity to store about 19.5 billion tonnes of carbon-monoxide.

In 2009 when the first phase of the LCD was launched, Guyana has been a global model in sustainable management, forest and biodiversity conservation. With 13 years of knowledge and experience, Guyana has attained a greater understanding of the vital contribution the country’s ecosystems give to the health of the

world, as well as its role as one of the world’s most important countries for biodiversity conservation.

It is on this premise that the Government of Guyana relaunched the new and expanded LCDS 2030.

Launched by President Ali in October 2021, the draft Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 can be accessed at the following website: https://lcds.gov.gy/ The draft LCDS 2030 is expected to create a newlow-carbon economy in Guyana by establishing incentives which value the world’s ecosystem services, and promoting these as an essential component of a new model of global development with sustainability at its core. In Guyana’s case, harnessing the value of the country’s ecosystem services can build a long-term, low- carbon diversification opportunity.

National consultations on the draft LCDS 2030 document have been ongoing for the past few months, with the aim on finalising the document.

IMF notes measures advanced to mitigate globally influenced cost of living ‒ Lauds Guyana for lowest public debt in Region ‒ Welcomes ‘good progress’ in strengthening anti-corruption and fiscal transparency frameworks

T

he war in Ukraine exacerbated inflationary pressures in Guyana, during 2022, due primarily to higher fuel and food prices, according to a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued on June 3, 2022. However, the IMF underscored that the PPP/C government implemented measures to mitigate the impact on vulnerable households and the economy.

The IMF added, “In response to the pandemic, the authorities reallocated expenditures towards cash grants and transfers and ‘shovel ready’ public investment projects, primarily improving road networks and providing affordable housing, and eased the tax burden on the most vulnerable.”

It added that Guyana’s public debt remains one of the lowest in the Latin America and Caribbean Region at the end of 2021.

The IMF noted that the oil and gas resources

could help Guyana “build up substantial fiscal and external buffers to absorb shocks,” while addressing infrastructure gaps and human development needs.

“Higher global oil prices and additional gas and oil discoveries could significantly improve Guyana’s long-term economic prospects.” The recent amendments to the 2019 Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act, according to the IMF, “set clear ceilings on withdrawals from the Fund for budgetary spending and promote transparency in the management and use” of oil resources. “Staff praise the authorities’ thorough review of the 2019 NRF Act before making amendments, and the restraint in using any oil revenues before the passage of the amendments,” the report said.

On Guyana’s move to a low carbon economy – developments that are taking place parallel to the development of the oil and gas sector – the IMF said, “Staff

strongly support the authorities’ efforts to reduce electricity costs, improve transport infrastructure, diversify the economy, improve access to and quality of social services, and advance more broadly towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Staff commend the authorities’ efforts outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 to maintain the country’s forest coverage and address climate change challenges by shifting towards renewable energy sources, while entering the international carbon credits market.”

The IMF also commended Guyana on “good progress in strengthening Guyana’s anti-corruption framework and fiscal transparency” and stated its support for further advances.

“Several pillars of the anticorruption framework have been recently strengthened, including the Integrity and Public Procurement Commissions (IC and PPC) and

the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Audit reports of public expenditures, including for COVID, are published, and their recommendations are followed up on. Asset declarations of a large number of public officials are submitted annually, and public procurement tenders are streamed live. The authorities made progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2019 and 2021 EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) reports, notably on the reconciliation with the fiscal regime. Some progress has also been made on information sharing and publication of extractive industries’ financial statements, and the authorities are strengthening capacity to address remaining gaps, including in moving towards electronic disclosure and adequate follow-up,” the IMF said.

As to economic growth in Guyana, the IMF said, “Following the pandem-

ic-induced recession and delayed political transition in 2020, economic growth recovered in 2021, with nonoil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth reaching 4.6 percent.”

Notably, Guyana has been removed from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the European Commission’s Money-Laundering Blacklists. It is further strengthening the AMF/ CFT framework, and it will be mutually evaluated again by end-2023. Similarly, the National Risk Assessment is completed, and the BoG is working on its recommendations with the requested support from the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC).

The Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country.

Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually

annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

A staff team from the IMF led by Ms. Alina Carare (incoming mission head) and Meredith McIntyre (outgoing mission head) held virtual discussions during May 18-June 1st for the 2022 Article IV Consultation.

The team met with Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, Central Bank Governor Gobind Ganga, other senior officials, representatives from the private sector, banks, the opposition party, labour unions, and other stakeholders, including Guyana’s international development partners.

The IMF Executive Board is expected to discuss Guyana’s Article IV consultation on August 31, 2022.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

EDITORIAL

Constructive opposition in PPP/C gov’t job a democracy initiative supports efforts T

he term ‘constructive opposition’ seems likely to remain one that is foreign to the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition.

While there has been magnanimity on the issue of Guyana’s sovereignty, resulting from the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy, the same cannot be said for any other issue in the political arena or in the execution of policies and programmes by the duly elected PPP/C government.

This state of affairs, needless to say, is unfortunate, as it impacts on stability and corporate existence, relative to investor confidence, of Guyana. Thankfully, the policies of the PPP/C government and the populist support for the administration has worked to diminish, and in some cases counter, the negative impacts the asinine actions of the PNCR-led Coalition.

An opposition is not in place to criticise for the sake of criticising because they believe that is what the public expects.

They are meant to sit down, do their own concurrent policy research and at all times present a better alternative to the people. The APNU+AFC Coalition repeatedly fails here.

Instead, what prevails within the Coalition camp is political grandstanding and poorly disguised attempts to score cheap political points.

The opposition, through parliamentary committee system, motions, resolutions, and questions in parliamentary sessions, support improved accountability and transparency. The APNU+AFC Coalition, again, repeatedly fails here. Guyanese recall the December 29, 2021 incident, where in an effort derail the debating and passing of the Natural Resources Fund Bill, the Parliamentary Opposition hijacked the sitting – blowing whistles and chanting – while its MPs, Ferguson and Jordan, attempted to seize this ceremonial symbol. Other Opposition MPs attempted to do the same too, in the presence of the entire National Assembly. Also, Opposition MPs ambushed the control room of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and wildly unplugged the connections in the electrical systems room, which led to an internet disconnection and audio failures. Members of Parliament who had joined processions virtually were even disconnected from the feed as a consequence of this. The Coalition’s Saraboo-Halley was named as responsible for this. Further, a parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, was assaulted. He has since moved to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) with a complaint.

What followed was an attempt to claim that the Bill was not duly passed because the mace was not in the Chambers when the vote was taken. The Coalition Parliamentarians facing sanctions are: Christopher Jones, the Opposition Chief Whip; Ganesh Mahipaul; Sherod Duncan; Natasha Singh- Lewis; Annette Ferguson; Vinceroy Jordan; Tabitha Saraboo-Halley; and Maureen Philadelphia.

An opposition must be mature, confident and secure. The APNU+AFC Coalition fails here as well. Guyanese are, instead, treated to sometimes daily acts of immaturity, duplicity and other bad faith actions that undermine trust between the Parliamentary Opposition and the Government.

It must be stressed that ideologies and values, which are grounded on democracy and democratic systems, are imperative to fostering a constructive exchanges in the political arena. The APNU+AFC Coalition has proved its undemocratic credentials to the world. The March 2020 General and Regional Elections saga bear no repeating.

Guyanese can only now hope for there to be a change in the mindset that prevail in the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition camp. The politics of political tussle, blame game, and victimization that prevailed before must end. At the end of the day we are Stronger Together.

to reduce poverty Dear Editor,

I

applaud Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and the entire PPP-led Government for ensuring that the PPP promise of job creation is made a realisation for Guyana’s youth population.

I believe that there are thousands of strong, and vibrant young people that are looking actively for jobs, and want to be a part of the development of our country.

They are eager to put their creative juices to work. They want to earn a solid and meaningful salary to be economically inclined and start their futures on the right track.

So, this job drive is what Guyana needs and certainly in part what was promised to the electorate.

I read of hundreds of young people already gainfully employed in jobs in

regions around the country, thanks to the Government’s job initiative. For example, the successful applicants are attached to Government Ministries and agencies within the region and will work for 10 days per month, earning about $40,000. The move, I believe, will also see the Government investing approximately $120 million into one of the region’s economies monthly.

This move also can cut poverty and social ills if the initiative continues to attract the masses. Young people will contribute to putting food constantly on their families’ table and the communities will see a decline in the numbers of out-of-school youths involved in crime and criminality.

If this initiative is placed hand-inhand with the Government’s educational drive, Guyana will further develop and grow from strength to strength.

I believe that young people are thankful for the opportunity to work.

For Jagdeo to say that the Government will do whatever it takes to ensure improvement in the livelihood of every citizen means a lot to the poorer classes of people.

I urge all to take advantage of these opportunities regardless of political affiliation, sex, gender, or social standing.

As the Vice President was quoted as saying: “This is not free money; you are working for the Government now I hope that you deployed well so that you can make the maximum effort in the ten days that you work. The income too although it is not too high, it will help to offset some of the cost of living rise”.

With regards, Thomas Cole

Government’s fish cage initiative welcomed Dear Editor,

T

he headline that stated “Govt. to roll out fish cage initiative at Mainstay/ Whyaka” caught my attention in a special way. It is about time that ‘cage culture’ becomes normalised in Guyana. I mean, the thing has huge advantages, even though pessimists can pinpoint a few setbacks, even though these are all basically set off by some form of mismanagement.

By way of informing, many types of water resources can be used, including lakes, reservoirs, ponds, strip pits, streams and rivers which could otherwise not be harvested. Also, a relatively low initial investment is required in any existing body of water, and it is a case of harvesting being simplified, while observation and sampling are easily done. I add that less manpower requirement is a plus, and more can take to this form of earning a living.

Where Guyana is concerned, President Irfaan Ali is confident that the Region Two Village on the Essequibo Coast, Mainstay/Whyaka, can be a trend-setter. He detailed that the project “could have a profitability of $10M per year.” And urgency in this is vital, as there is a shortage of fish and fish products both globally and regionally. “So what we want to do is to start the first pilot phase (fish cage project) in Mainstay,” he said.

Lest we opine that President Ali

is a dreamer, I point out that, in many areas of the world, freshwater cage culture comprises a significant proportion of salmonid production.

In Scotland, for example, 14% of the rainbow trout is reared in marine cages, 42% of the trout production comes from freshwater cages, and the remainder comes from freshwater ponds and tanks.

In Finland, about 85% of farmed rainbow trout comes from brackish-water cages, with the remainder coming from freshwater cages. In general, there has been a recent tendency in many countries to shift trout production from freshwater systems into marine cages. Guyana must hurry up.

A nice thing to take in is that the President is targeting the young people of the village with the project, and he has assured them that it will be owned by them. He explained that the marine cage that the Government is spending millions to set up at Mainstay would be a commercial one, with the aim of producing some 11 metric tons of fish every nine months. This is really big, and the people can expect input from the Government.

In this vein, Mr. Tejnarine Geer, Chief Fisheries Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, and his technical team will be with the villagers, and according to the President, “…they will be working with you in establishing this project. There will be ongoing testing and looking at the best possible

location.”

In fact, word from the Government team is that, “Once we do this right, based on the numbers we have established, the annual probability could be as much as $10M”.

What I like is that the Government went ahead and set aside some $200M for this project in this year’s budget.

And even though many skeptics are still in ‘attack mode’ in terms of marine cage culture, we need to remind ourselves that we cannot sit still and expect to grow. We know that there are large-scale cage cultures going on in China and Thailand, so why not learn from them and make it the norm here? And that is precisely what is happening, as, according to Zulfikar Mustapha, the Minister of Agriculture, Guyana had actually asked China for advice and technical help in setting up the project in Guyana. So, even though “… the fish cage culture has proven to be successful in Asia; (and) it is fairly new in the southern part of the world, where Guyana is located”, only in this part of the world might the technology be new; for us, the Caribbean and South America, but we have to try it before to see how it ‘comes’ (to see if it can make money or not).”

I repeat: Guyana cannot sit and wait. Self-sufficiency is the aim, and overnight success is yet a reality.

Yours truly, H. Singh

5

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Strengthening Guyana’s rising democracy can catapult development, security at home and within the region Dear Editor,

T

wo years onwards from the most flagrant and provocative ‘bright-daylight’ robbery attempts at stealing the right to govern in Guyana, the dawn of a new era emerges! His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo are now supported by a strong ‘One Guyana Team’, providing exemplary leadership in moving the country forward while adrenalising like movements in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Region.

Thanks to the bold and fearless stand international and Caricom regional leaders took as a collective against this APNU/AFC/PNC malignant tumour, the most significant threat to democracy in Guyana, and destabilisation of the region was rejected and repelled. The gouging process exposed and emphasise the need for internal healing through the corrective strengthening of the democratic pillars at the international, national, and internal community levels.

From the Guyana perspective, the replenishment of the latter is tied to, and built on, the timely cycles of Local Government

elections, while the former are orchestrated through the foreign policy framework of forging meaningful partnerships with other states while realising the synergies from trade and other cooperation agreements established.

In addressing the foregoing key components, one must recognise an existing framework in which the many developing countries and countries in transition have, for decades, failed to sufficiently converge on anticipated developmental growth targets of key global and regional agreements. From another perspective, one may argue that many of these agreements, albeit adjustments, are failing their members. Almost all of the regional, international and even global hemispheric countries in the United Nations are losing their sphere of influence and real purpose in sufficiently protecting the most vulnerable.

Consequently, exogenous factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, the World Climate Crisis, and particularly the Russia /Ukraine war have increased volatility and uncertainty, and demand immediate and meaningful interventions by our leaders to arrest the emerging food security crisis, to

ensure our countries, regions and the world become better and safer places to live.

The Guyana-Caricom experience of 2020 confirms the fostering of fair and justified democratic harmony as a key and necessary essential to set the platform for effective cooperation among our sister states. In this regard, the recent Guyana-Barbados partnership and respective Agri-forums exemplify how the region could teamwork to reduce individual investment risks while guaranteeing competitive internal supply and markets.

President Alli’s initiative-driven approach, coupled with incorporation of a timebound implementation schedule, serves to establish a somewhat controlled environment for delivery, chartering a path for the swift removal of burdensome barriers that have long stymied regional progress. It builds on previously advanced opportunities such as the Jagdeo Initiative that our states failed to capitalise on, and the obvious resulting high opportunity costs borne at the individual levels.

The expressions of will and commitment made at the level of Caricom confirm the breath of fresh air and relief induced to catalyse and optimise results from the slowpaced implementation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Notwithstanding other regional leaders, Guyana’s President Ali and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados have boldly and fearlessly led the way.

It cannot be denied that it was the unity of democratic purpose which harmonised the entire Caribbean and the larger world to return peace and democracy to our land.

However, our democracy is certainly pivotal to the further strengthening of Caricom, and today, Caribbean countries are indeed united and working to make this part of the world a better place for our people to live.

With the necessary adjustments, a template for the swift remobilisation of Caricom gains is the new beacon of hope. As this model is operationalised, one must never forget the role of ‘Proletarian Internationalism” and ‘Peaceful Coexistence”. The world desperately needs a New Economic Order, and issues impacting global crises must be confronted peacefully. The region must now

move as a collective in advancing the interests of our states at the relevant international and multilateral fora.

Congratulations to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and all embracing the One Guyana theme.

On the Local Democratic Front, the holding of Local Government Election (LGEs) is the most significant conduit to ensuring local democracy. While the PPP/C Government is certainly doing a great job to develop the country at the national and international levels, it is imperative that the various levels of our democracy also be more inclusive.

Parallel democratic policies and supporting pillars must be used to uphold and sustain the crest on which we preach. Lest we are bound to fall!

GECOM’s recently concluded continuous registration process was highly successful, and this augurs well for the run-off of LGEs. The togetherness and work done by the GECOM staff, with the political party scrutineers as counterchecks, must be complemented. The results confirm that seventy thousand and sixty-one transactions were completed. These include twenty-one thousand one hundred and twenty-nine, (21,129) persons over 18 years old who were registered. Twenty-eight thousand one hundred and fifty (28,150) persons between the ages of 14 and 17 years who were registered. While there were four thousand, six hundred and twenty-nine (4,629) transfers and six thousand five hundred and thirty (6,530) changes/ corrections. There were also seven thousand six hundred and eighty (7,680) replacements of ID Cards, and one thousand, nine hundred and forty-three (1,943) photo retakes.

With the completion of successful continuous registration, GECOM must work out a proper timeline for the holding of LGEs. The local democracy will give our people at the grassroots levels an opportunity to work together, and strengthen development at the lower level. Our local democracy must be more inclusive, and this will bring tremendous development and build unity as a whole!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Norton will not succeed in wresting power through “kith and kin” politics Dear Editor,

as Premier Jagan’s residence as well as the business that supported the budget. At the end of Black Friday 56 business were destroyed, 87 damaged by fire and 66 were looted.”

Almost every PNC leader, down the corridors of Guyana’s history, instead of seeking to be part of the developmental paradigm of a PPP/PPPC Administration, has instigated their supporters into violence and destructive programmes to gain power, converse to PPP’s actions when that party is in opposition – mainly through rigged elections. PPP leaders in Government on the other hand, in attempts to save the country from PNC violence and destruction, have several times acceded to conditions inimical to their own interests: A case in point is the truncation of Mrs Janet Jagan’s presidency.

Every PPP/PPPC President has reached out to PNC leaders to join in collective en-

deavours in nation-building and had either been rebuffed, or good-faith agreements were honoured in the breach.

This latest grandstanding by Norton is a PNC norm. However, even PNC supporters are becoming aware that their traditional leaders are failing them and are embracing educational/empowerment/wealth and job-creational programmes by the Irfaan Ali-led Administration that are intended to truly provide them with tools to attain for themselves “the good life”.

The huffing and puffing Norton will not succeed in wresting power through “kith and kin” politics anymore because, in Guyanese parlance “This time nah lang time” and their supporters have emancipated themselves from mental slavery.

President Ali's cash grant to fisherfolk is commendable

ises to the people. They have already removed the taxes that burdened many sectors. The Value-Added Tax that was placed on fishing materials and agricultural machinery is no more, much to the benefit of Guyanese.

I would like to thank President Dr Ali and the Minister of Agriculture the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha for their thoughtful and timely intervention and for keeping their promises.

A

ubrey Norton’s thinly-veiled threat “If not treated with respect, I’ll deal with Irfaan Ali… and that’s the bottom line”.

This is the recurrent theme underpinning every PNC leadership, beginning from Burnham’s collaboration with the UK and USA to bring down the Jagan Government, using the PNC-crafted X-13 Plan that forced Dr Jagan to accede to restructured electoral systems that he was aware were inimical to his Government and the nation, in a bid to save the nation from rampaging mobs that literally destroyed the city in February 12, 1962, that was precipitated

by Burnham’s speech, in part: “Comrades, the fight starts now. Tomorrow at 2 o’clock in the afternoon there is a demonstration organised by the Trade Union Congress…

No doubt the Riot Squad will be there. Do

Dear Editor,

P

resident Dr Irfaan on Tuesday last announced a $150,000 cash grant to the fisherfolk across the country. This news is commendable.

The PPP/C Government has done good for the Guyanese people. We are thankful.

Accompanying President Ali on Tuesday last,

you still want to go? Comrades, remember that tomorrow Jagan’s army is coming down from Cane Grove and Windsor Forest. Do you still want to go?” (Wynn Parry Commission). This speech eventuated in the burning and looting of several businesses in Georgetown on Black Friday, February 16, 1962.

The Wynn Parry Commission described Burnham thus, “The real motivating force behind Mr Burnham’s assault was a desire to assert him in public life and establish a more important and more rewarding position for him by bringing about Dr Jagan’s downfall.”

Ralph Seeram wrote: “The incitement of the mobs by the opposition leaders, trade union, as well as the business class, culminated on Black Friday, February 16, 1962.

The riotous mobs attacked the Electricity Plant, the Water Works, Parliament as well

was the Minister of Agriculture Mr Zulfikar Mustapha who assured the fishers that our Government is continuously exploring areas to assist all sections of the population. This was welcome news because as a Guyanese, I also stand to benefit from other timely Government initiatives that seek to cushion the effects of the still present COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

This announcement is also a fulfilment of a promise made by President Ali last year during a meeting with the fisherfolk in Berbice. Whilst at that meeting, the Minister of Agriculture stated that the “PPPC Administration will never allow the sector to perish” and assured all those systems will be put in place to ensure fishers can be able to maintain their families.

The PPPC Government has kept its prom-

Yours truly, Erin Northe

Sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

6

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’

Over 3,000 women will be trained under WIIN this year T

he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security intends to train over 3000 women through the Women Innovation, Investment Network (WIIN) programme, over 800 more than those who were trained in 2021.

The WIIN initiative provides women with the tools for financial stability and self-employment. Gender inequality and access to equal job opportunities for women have been issues that the ministry is committed to addressing. The WIIN programme is free of cost, and readily accessible to women across the country.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, during an outreach to Regions Five and Six, explained that the WIIN programme will allow women to create opportunities to establish and develop their own businesses. “We want to teach you to create opportunities, we want to teach you to become entrepreneurs, we want to teach you how to start your own business, how to grow your own business, and how you can sustain your own business,” the minister said.While in the regions, the minister launched phase two of the WIIN programme which is its business clinic to ensure persons have access

to the necessary resources and training to “become their own boss.”

Many persons registered for the business clinic workshop. This saw partners like the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), among others, ensuring that women can have access to the relevant documentation in order to start their businesses.

In addition, after the completion of phase two of the WIIN training programme, the ministry has also put measures in place to ensure women can be assisted with funding to boost or start their business.

Minister Persaud said over 3, 000 women have received $50, 000 cash grants, as a stimulus to start their business, since the launch of the business clinic. Further, the ministry will continue to work towards allocating more money for this significant initiative. “We have to start thinking creatively about how we can utilise the skills we have, to fill the niche that exists in our Region, what are the things that are missing, how can you fill those gaps, how can you provide services and how can you provide it

cost-effectively [and] efficiently,” the minister noted.

Further, she is encouraging women not to stop there, but to access the female business incubator and App which is geared towards advertising women-owned businesses in Guyana.

The minister explained that the incubator will ensure women are “on their feet” and provides assistance where needed. She said since its launch in August, 2021, over 700 women have benefitted.

Meanwhile, during her visit the minister spearheaded a number of teams from the ministry to deal with issues including; gender affairs, child care and protection, pension and public service.

A team from the Gender Affairs Bureau of the ministry held sessions with residents, which focused on forming and expanding men and women’s groups in both regions.

These groups, Dr. Persaud said will be provided with training and services in a number of areas such as, anger management, conflict resolution, domestic violence, among others.

Also, a number of persons living with disabilities were given support.

Rose Hall Estate gets $100M worth in machines to advance cultivation

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he preparation process for cultivating sugar cane at the Rose Hall Estate, East Canje, Berbice, has been advanced with five new tilling machines valued at some $100 million.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, handed over the high-end John Deere equipment, during the commissioning ceremony in front of the factory, on Friday (June 3, 2022).

The minister said the investment is timely, and will spur greater production in the fields, as the administration takes an aggressive approach to ensuring the factory returns to production soonest.

Several persons residing in the West Canje district depend on the lone cane factory for an income, and with the

advancing of the tilling fleet, additional space has been created for more operators.

The move coincides with the government’s plans to rehire the hundreds of workers who were terminated, when the factory was shuttered under the APNU+AFC government.

“All of us could remember that not so long ago when the chimney at the estate stopped working all the communities in Rose Hall were plunged into a state of devastation. People had to give up the basic necessities to make sure they survived,” the minister emphasised.

The significant enhancing of the tillage system there will also ensure less soil erosion.

Special classes will be

scheduled to train those individuals who are identified to operate in the fields.

Minister Mustapha stressed that the philosophy of the PPP/C Government is to introduce measures that will help all Guyanese. “And when you look, the way our country is moving, it is moving with tremendous pace,” he pointed out.

He noted that while other sectors including construction, housing and infrastructure are significant to any country’s development, agriculture is the pillar of the nation’s economy.

The agriculture minister also encouraged persons to apply for the vacancies at the Rose Hall Estate, adding that two tractors will soon be procured for the factory.

Farm to market woes to soon be over for Berbice River farmers

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he difficulties faced by hundreds of farmers along the Berbice River in getting their produce from farm to market will soon be a thing of the past, as government is arranging to have a vessel which services the route to also assist them.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill who has responsibility for the Transport and Harbours Department, made the announcement recently during a visit to New Amsterdam.

He said a new vessel is expected to arrive in Guyana in October to replace the current boat servicing the North-West District. The old vessel will be used for farmers along the Berbice River.

Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has been investing heavily in the agriculture sector through budgetary allocations and emergency interventions.

“Once that vessel arrives in Guyana either the MV Barima or the MV Kimbia

which services that corridor right now, could come to the Berbice River … so, later this year we can very well see a dedicated vessel returning to the Berbice River to provide a service to our farmers,” the minister stated.

With a vessel servicing the Berbice River, farmers will save time and money.

Minister Edghill said talks are underway to find a solution to the hardships faced by farmers. The intention, he said, is to have one of the boats that provide service to school children and old age pensioners from Region Five and Six, transport farmers’ produce in small amounts on weekends.

Meanwhile, government is prepared to spend an estimated $267 million to rehabilitate approximately 25 kilometres of road. This will be executed through the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We are building a road from Ituni to Tacama, so when we are able to complete

that road from Ituni to Tacama, a lot of people would be able to move their produce to Tacama, and then they would be able to come by way of trucks, come out at Ituni, into Linden and you are all the way to your market,” the minister explained.

Government has left no stone unturned in its efforts to make Guyana an agricultural powerhouse. Guyana currently chairs CARICOM’s Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security, and leads CARICOM’s initiative to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Only recently, Guyana hosted its inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo which attracted hundreds of investors from around the world and several CARICOM Heads of State. Dozens of Guyanese in the agricultural sector also attended the recent Agrofest 2022 in Barbados and wowed investors in attendance.

Thousands of Berbicians to benefit from $100M well at Chesney

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housands of residents in Chesney and surrounding communities in the East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) are expected to receive improved water supply with the drilling and construction of a new water distribution system to the tune of over $100 million.

The three-month project has already commenced, and is being conducted by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, visited and inspected ongoing works at the site on Saturday, June 4, following which he engaged the residents at the community ground.

During the meeting, the minister told residents that the current level of water service being provided to the community is as a result of an inoperable well in the region. He thanked them for being patient, and assured that the ministry is working assiduously to provide them with a better quality of service. “We want to guarantee that by the end of August, this community and another 15,000 beneficiaries will directly receive improved water pressure as a result of this new well being drilled right here,” he told the gathering.

The works, Minister Croal noted, speak to the

government’s promise to provide access to equitable services to all Guyanese, regardless of their geographical location.

Minister Croal also highlighted some projects being undertaken by the water company to increase treated water coverage. “Tenders are being advertised for seven new treatment plants and at the same time, there are other activities that will take place at the correct system that will allow us to have improved water,” he said.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Guyana Sugar Corporation for allotting a piece of land to execute the project at Chesney.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’ Home Affairs Ministry, contractors sign $760M in contracts

Over 9,000 Guyanese T applied for GOAL scholarships this year T

he Guyana Online Academy for Learning (GOAL) has received over 9,000 applications for the new academic year, some 3000 more than 2021.

Last year, 6,000 Guyanese undertook distance learning in 187 programmes offered through eight universities.

The GOAL scholarship programme is tasked with equipping Guyanese with skills, knowledge and qualification for economic and self-development.

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, recently expressed delight at the massive reach of the programme. “Of course, we can’t take all 9,000 and something applicants but we are definitely trying to take as much persons or get as much persons on board as

we can to be able to assist in terms of a tertiary education with either a certificate, a degree, a masters or a PhD.” Minister Parag said the selection process will be completed shortly and within the next two weeks, the ministry will publish the list of awardees.

Meanwhile, persons who were unable to acquire a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) qualifications are being targeted to benefit from quality learning through GROW (Get Ready for Opportunities to Work).

This programme is in partnership with the Ministry of Education, offering Guyanese 18 years and older a second chance at self-development.

Whether at the nursery, primary, secondary or tertiary level; the PPP/C Administration has always been keen on ensuring standard knowledge is offered to learners.

The administration believes that the academic upgrades, coupled with the number of other major developments, will promote the living standards of citizens in an already transformed Guyana.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the GROW scholarship before June 13,2022. Interested persons can register on the GOAL website www.goal. edu.gy.

Applicants who are encountering difficulties with the online application form, can contact GOAL 2225394 or 222-5395.

59 more homes slated forWilliamsburg/ Hampshire

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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 Palmyra, 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 turnkey homes is underway with an additional 1,000 low-cost units set to be constructed utilising local wood.

he government on Tuesday (June 7, 2022) reaffirmed its commitment to the delivery of quality service and the protection of all Guyanese, with the signing of contracts valued $760,236,592.

Contracts valued $129,573,450 were signed at the Ministry of Home Affairs’ headquarters, Brickdam to construct four command operation centres for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in Regions Two, Five, Six and Ten. The construction will be undertaken by NK Engineering Services, ACE Construction Service & Investment, Brick & Mortar Construction Service and Ele’s Trading and Hardware.

Two contracts to the tune of $145,033,088 were signed by Singh & Son Construction and Advanced Engineering, to improve the security fences and living quarters of senior officers at the Lusignan prison.

Rooms for the living quarters will cater to pregnant and other officials as they will be constructed in an open style dormitory consisting of self-contained

rooms.

Contracts valued $485,630,054 were awarded to AYN Construction, Comprass Industrial Services and ANGLOCO for the construction of the Wales Fire Station, the procurement of 148 fire hydrants and five firefighting vehicles.

ANGLOCO was awarded the most lucrative contract at the tune of $316,649,700 to procure the five firefighting vehicles.

Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham expressed gratitude for the continued support of the Government as he explained the importance of the contracts to the protection of property and life from destruction by fire.

“The establishment of a fire station in the Wales area- that fire station there will service the shore base facilities. It will also lend support and firefighting to members in the neighbouring community, so that there is indicative of what the fire service wants to do, and us wanting to lend the support to members of the public so that we can ensure that they have safe communities, and they are protected by destruction from fire.”

Further, the fire chief noted that the fire hydrants are important in the expansion process to have housing schemes particularly the new ones protected from fire. The fire hydrants will also provide firefighters with the capabilities to efficiently and effectively do their jobs in the event of a fire.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, said the projects are continued efforts of rebuilding the agencies to better serve and protect citizens.

He urged awardees to deliver the projects in a timely manner. “We want our projects to be delivered on time, on specification and on quality, and we want that our workers or people who are working on these projects to be maintained and supported in a safe manner. We don’t want industrial accidents.”

The minister said, “A safe worker is an efficient worker once he is well trained and supervised,” as he encouraged contractors to safeguard their workers with the necessary safety gear and equipment.

All contracts awarded have a four to six months deadline.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’ Upgrades ongoing on several health facilities in Region Two

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he Government of Guyana is continuing its drive to improve the delivery of health services in various parts of the country with $100 million allocated to upgrade 24 health facilities in Region Two. “We have allocated a hundred million dollars to Region Two, and they have evaluated the health centers that they have … They have identified 24 of these health centers and health posts for upgrading. They have already awarded these contracts to

local contractors,” Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony noted.

He said that the types of work to be undertaken include upgrades to waiting areas, and sanitary facilities that will provide comfort to people who visit these facilities. Anthony added that in most instances the work is almost between 65-85 per cent complete.

There are five of the facilities on which works are now starting, however these are expected to be completed

within the next two months.

Some of the Health Centres scheduled for rehabilitation on the Essequibo Coast are Bethany, Good Hope, Huis’t Dieren, Windsor Castle, Mainstay Lake, Charity, Suddie, Anna Regina, Onderneeming, Queenstown and Mashabo.

Health facilities scheduled for upgrades in the Pomeroon River include Dredge Creek, Kabakaburi, Marlborough, Hackney, Akawini, Friendship, Wakapoa, Yarashima and Mora,

while the roof of the maternity ward and the dialysis centre at Suddie Public Hospital will be rehabilitated.

“I think generally the ministry is satisfied with

the pace of work that we are seeing in Region 2, and in another couple of months, people would have the benefits of these refurbishments across the region,” Dr. An-

thony said.

Residents will also benefit from a modern hospital which will be built at Anna Regina, as was catered for in the 2022 National Budget.

Gov’t supports Karasabai farmers to expand production

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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, provide a silver lining for the agriculturists.

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 CAR-

ICOM’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.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’S FIRST PEOPLE

National Toshao’s Conference returns in July – Min Sukhai T

he annual National Toshao’s Conference (NTC) returns in July this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, made the announcement during a recent visit to Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). “We have made a decision from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and from His Excellency that we will be having a full NTC (National Toshao’s Conference) this year in July.”

The NTC brings together Amerindian Leaders from over 212 hinterland communities from across the country. It is a platform for Amerindian leaders engage government and other stakeholders on issues pertaining to the development of their

communities.

At the upcoming NTC which spans five days, focus will be placed on improving access to government services such as health, education, land titling and demarcation, security and infrastructure, among others.

“It is the second week in July, so I want the leaders to be aware that you have to now start focusing on a few things. You will be exposed to all the sectoral ministries and you will have a chance for engagements with them.

So, make sure that you use that time to make representation on behalf of your people,” Minister Sukhai said.

The PPP/C Government since taking office, has been investing in the development of Amerindian people. The administration has

re-established the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme which has employed 2,000 Amerindians.

Recognising the impact COVID-19 on hinterland communities, some $1.73 B was injected into communities that were neglected under the previous government. Villages received $3 to $15 million in grants based on the size of their population.

In addition, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently announced a $25,000 cash grant for riverine and hinterland communities to cushion the rise in cost of living. In keeping with the ‘One Guyana’ vision, government also distributed 112 tractors to hinterland communities to ensure food security by boosting agriculture production.

$290M road development for Region 8

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ome 15,000 residents from 28 villages in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), will benefit from improved transportation networks, as government inked $290 million in contracts on Friday (June 3, 2022).

Under the agreements, a total of 917 kilometres of road maintenance, including debushing, filling of laterite and repairs to 31 timber bridges will be completed over a six-month period.

In 2021, $100 million was allocated for similar works in 12 villages.

Overlooking the signings in Kato and Mahdia were Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Regional

Chairman and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Works Vladim Persaud.

Minister Edghill reiterated the PPP/C Government’s commitment to support the development of local village economies though the creation of job opportunities.

Under the contracts signed, local contractors and workers from Region 8 are expected to execute all works outlined.

Acknowledging the challenges many hinterland residents experience, Minister Edghill assured Toshaos of government’s commitment to ensure every Guyanese benefit equally. He said, “Our development agenda is not just to develop Georgetown and make it bright

and put-up lights and nice fancy buildings. So, when you come to town you look and say Georgetown looking nice. Our development agenda is that you must be in Kato or in Itabac or in Kanapang or in Tuschenen or wherever, you must be able to look at your community and say my community looking nice as well.”

Residents were also urged to follow the bill of quantities when executing the works.

Contracts were signed by the Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, Paramakatoi and Kato village councils. Red Creek, Karisparu, Taruka, Yawong, Maiwak CDC, Arasawa, along with 19 other villages also signed contracts.

1,300 residents to benefit from water distribution system in Phillipai O 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 on Tuesday 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,” the minister said. He added, “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.”

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.

Hinterland teachers can now access university education with new online programme

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new programme initiated by the Ministry of Education and the University of Guyana (UG) will open opportunities for teachers in hinterland regions to access university education.

The International Center of Excellence in Educator Innovation, Learning and Development (ICEEILA) programme, was launched on June 1, at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus, to ensure hinterland teachers have equal access to higher education.

Opportunities for teachers in farflung communities have been extremely limited due to their remoteness. Many would have to travel to Georgetown to attend the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and UG, leaving behind their families and employment.

With the ICEEILA initiative, teach-

ers from these communities will be allowed to study at their convenience, while still earning an income.

The programme will also eliminate many challenges including time consumption, transportation costs, rent and cost of basic household needs.

The programme will also be available to teachers on the coastland. Further, the delivery of education across all levels will be significantly boosted as the initiative also allows from every teacher to study at the university at the same time.

In April 2021, the education ministry put measures in place for teachers to access online education at the CPCE, following the closure of the institution due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a prolonged election period.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

World leaders must address disparities among countries in climate change fight – President Ali G

lobal leaders have been called on by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to address the disparity and inequalities between developed and developing nations in the battle against climate change.

Dr. Ali said climate issues cannot be solved unless the fundamental needs of humans are addressed. The Head of State joined thousands of Guyanese from various organisations in the ‘green walk’ from the Umana Yana to the National Park on Sunday (June 5, 2022), under the theme: “Celebrating One Earth as One Guyana”, to mark World Environment Day. “We cannot have one world and one planet if we have such great inequality that exists in our world. We cannot have one world and one planet when more than 68 per cent of

our population is projected to live in urban centers, the stress that would put on small land areas would be enormous and just not sustainable but this is the reality of the world we live in today,” President Ali declared in his address to the large crowd.

The President said one in three persons does not have access to safe drinking water because of lack of resources and revenues in developing countries. Another three billion lack basic hand washing facilities, 4.2 billion do not have safe sanitation facilities, while 2.2 billion cannot access water from a safely managed facility.

Some 20% of the global population have no access to adequate housing, one billion live in slums, and

more than half the world population live on less than US $5 per day. “We cannot even speak about climate change, if we have people who are hungry, people who don’t have access to water, people who don’t have access to wages and earnings then they have no other alternative but to seek out every possible way to survive. Regardless of how big a country you are from, or how small a country you are from or how poor a country you are from, this is an issue that confronts us all and unless every single global citizen is willing and ready to make the necessary changes then unfortunately, we will not and cannot have the results that will secure our one planet,” he said.

Dr. Ali said there cannot be “one world and one plan-

et” when more than half the population is without water and food security.

The developed world has been consistently called upon to stay true to the climate finance pledge.

Over 10 years ago, developed countries had promised to ensure $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poor countries address the worst impacts of global warming, and invest in green energy sources. However, most developed countries have failed to meet the target.

“That is why we are pursuing a growth and a development path that is carved under the low carbon development strategy, where we are seeking to strike the balance, where we are seeking to ensure the sustainability is built on economic viability, sustainability is built on

environmental sustainability, sustainability is built on reducing inequality and disparity and bringing balanced growth and equitable growth to the people on one Guyana,” President Ali said.

The President said global inequality has tripled and developing economies are the hardest hit.

Dr. Ali said it is time for less talk and more action from leaders of developed countries. He said, “Let us stop standing in big conference rooms and conference centers, and address the real issues, issues of survival, if we are really to pursue the one planet and ensure that we do so in a sustainable manner.”

Meanwhile, the President called on Guyanese to also “change our style and our culture in the way we

treat the environment.” He said individual responsibility must be taken to treat the environment in a more respectable way, “if we recommit to pursue a path in which we would see littering as a sin and an injury to humanity then we will be able to make an individual change and when we make those individual changes, we will be able to pursue collective action, and it is collective action that will be able to create a national movement that can move the international community.”

The Head of State also planted a Mahogany tree in the National Park which was brought from Barbados before witnessing the unveiling of a mural by the United Nations and visited booths of exhibitors at the World Environment Day event.

Gov’t to launch “aggressive plan” to significantly improve healthcare – Ali says administration working with stakeholders to develop Centre of Excellence for cancer treatment

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he PPP/C Government will be launching a fourpronged aggressive healthcare plan targeting vulnerable persons and providing speciality care, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. This, the President said, will be supported by a number of State investments as well as collaborations with the private sector, which includes the development of a Centre of Excellence for cancer treatment.

Ali made the pronouncement as he delivered the keynote address at the Guyana Cancer Society’s inaugural fundraising dinner at Project Dawn in Liliendaal on Saturday (June 4, 2022).

“I’m launching a campaign in four areas very soon… and we’re going to go hard, we are going to go wide. I intend to shake things up a bit.”

The President said the target areas will be persons with disabilities, mental illnesses, women and children and speciality care.

On Friday, he announced that every child living with a disability would receive a cash grant of $100,000 this year, while he also high-

lighted other measures to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

At the fundraising event, the President noted that there needs to be a more holistic approach to tackling health issues in Guyana.

He said that Guyana has “a serious mental health issue” that must be addressed and that it must be closely linked to primary healthcare.

For women and children, President Ali said that a state-of-the-art maternal and children’s hospital will be built with a capacity of 250 beds.

CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE The President said that the Government will also tackle speciality care. He said that since assuming office, the Government has been analysing different areas of speciality care whether it’s in cardiac services or dialysis and others.

Currently, President Ali said, the Government is working with renowned New York-based Mount Sinai Health System to incorporate the private sector

into developing a “global Centre of Excellence” for cancer treatment.

“That is what we are working with the private sector. And that will be part of this three-year agreement.

You will have here in Guyana, the Centre of Excellence for cancer care, Centre of Excellence for maternal health and children, and then we will build up our support for all the specialised care that is needed, for example, cardiac care,” Ali said.

The President said that while the Government will support the private sector in providing and developing speciality care, they will also need to have some “balancing” as it relates to cost.

REVAMPING THE SYSTEM The Head of State added that the primary healthcare system must be revamped.

He noted that the Government is also working with Mount Sinai to address this.

“I’m saying that we have to fix this primary healthcare system. We have to ensure that we get the new generation of people to understand

what they have to change that we did wrong. To do this, it requires the education system to get involved.

It requires the curriculum in schools to change to reflect the new forms of thinking and the new approach— different approaches that are needed in confronting this challenge,” he said.

The President added that the Government cannot and must not believe it can be the solution for every aspect of healthcare. He said that the administration however has a fundamental responsibility for primary healthcare

and in “ensuring that every single citizen has access to good, affordable, first-class, primary health care and that is the first agenda of the new health care system”.

SHARED APPROACH AND RESPONSIBILITY He also noted that although the Government will do all that it can to advance the country’s healthcare systems, it has to be done through a shared and joint approach where every stakeholder assumes responsibility.

Ali said, “We have to

take shared responsibility, shared risk, and we have to be able to create a multi-stakeholder approach to fixing this problem. The private sector, the doctors, those who are affected, the families of those who are affected and young people”.

At the event, the President also donated money to the organisation and proposed to “create an annual support mechanism”. He said, “I want to thank you on behalf of the people of this country for the work that you were doing and rest assured you have a partner in myself and the Government.”

Labour Minister instructed to present holistic paper on private sector minimum wage

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has said that wide consultations will inform a decision on the national private sector minimum wage, Ali explained Hamilton has been tasked with presenting a holistic paper to Cabinet after consulting with stakeholders. “The Minister of Labour has been consulting on this issue. He has not brought before Cabinet the full paper to be discussed on

this issue. The private sector had views on this issue.

We’ve asked the Minister to have wide consultation, bring together the views of everyone and then present a holistic paper. The Minister still has that responsibility to bring a holistic paper [to Cabinet],” he said.

The private sector’s minimum wage was last increased in 2017, from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the

monthly wage from $35,000 to $44,200. Shortly after taking office in August 2020, Hamilton had announced the increase of the private sector minimum wage to $60,000 from $44,200. In January 2022, the Ministry of Labour’s National Tripartite Committee (NTC) agreed to this.

Notably, the current national public sector minimum wage is $70,000.

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

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Jagdeo-led PPP/C outreaches continues

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ontinued engagement with Guyanese remains a cornerstone of the PPP/C government’s approach to governance, as evidenced with the latest outreach in Region 5. The engagement, led by Vice President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, included meetings to launch the government’s part-time job initiative and the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Programme.

The government’s part-time jobs initiative in Region Five will see some 1,000 persons benefitting in the region and approximately 7,000 across the country to date.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to subsidise household income, in the light of the rising cost of living, as well as its manifesto promise of creating employment for Guyanese across the country. He explained

that pre-COVID, Guyana lost some 35,000 jobs under the previous government, while heavy taxation and the unconscionable shutdown of the sugar industry imposed undue hardships on the citizens. The situation was exacerbated when the pandemic hit and the APNU+AFC shut down the country, resulting in the loss of another 35,000 to 40,000 jobs.

In light of this inherited situation, the VP said the government has put

mechanisms in place to reduce the impacts on Guyanese. Jagdeo said the PPP/C Government has revised its manifesto promise of providing 50,000 jobs, looking at other ways of generating employment. In the short-term, the VP noted that some 100,000 jobs would now have to be created, as the administration works on a comprehensive plan. He called on those in attendance to reject the negative commentary as it relates to

the programme. The Vice President made it clear that the jobs are not temporary, but part-time and would run for more than a year.

In addition to the part-time job initiative, support has been offered in response to Region-specific needs, such as support for farming.

The outreach engagements are expected to continue as the PPP/C government remains engaged with Guyanese across the country.

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REGIONAL OUTREACH INITIATIVES During the ongoing regional outreaches, Vice President Jagdeo, as at June 7, 2022, has advanced several initiatives, in addition to ongoing efforts at both the regional and central government level.

REGION 2

REGION 5

2,000 part-time jobs in the short term, while efforts continue to generate employment.

1,000 part-time jobs in the short term, while efforts continue to generate employment.

200 persons will benefit from small business grants to the tune of $250,000

200 persons will benefit from small business grants to the tune of $250,000

$250M fertiliser support for farmers

$300M fertiliser support for farmers

Over $3B for major agriculture projects

Anticipated US$100 million capital investments to deal with flooding

US$30M hospital

US$30M hospital

REGION 6 3,000 part-time jobs in the short term, while efforts continue to generate employment.

400 persons will benefit from small business grants to the tune of $250,000 $300M fertiliser support for farmers Fisherfolk to receive $150,000 relief grants 35,000 acres of land to be cultivated to support economic activity, create employment for 3,000 Concrete roads, improved drainage for Little India, Little Africa as part of $4B infrastructure budget for Region 6 US$30M hospital

REGION 10 1,000 part-time jobs in the short term, while efforts continue to generate employment.

200 persons will benefit from small business grants to the tune of $250,000 New Wismar/Mackenzie bridge $800M for housing development

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WEEKEND WEEKEND MIRROR MIRROR 11-1211-12 JUNEJUNE, MAY, 2022

Norton called out for ‘lies’ by Ramson

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eader of the PNCR and the Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, has been called out for “lies” about works on the synthetic track projects by Minister of Culture, Youths and Sports, Charles Ramson.

Norton, at a news conference on Tuesday (June 7, 2022) claimed that the current Administration has stopped work on the athletics track in Linden, Region 10. He claimed, “We are seeing the removal of projects that will benefit APNU/

AFC constituency. For instance, the athletics track in Linden, where Lindeners are showing that they are in the forefront of athletic achievement, but you stop it.”

A no-holds barred Ramson rubbished Norton’s claims, making clear that the Region 10 project referred to by Norton is proceeding.

He said, “The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Aubrey Norton has once again proved to Guyana that he has no place in public life in an official capacity…Mr Norton made

yet another attempt to mislead Guyanese. This time, he claimed that the PPP/C Government of Guyana has “stopped” the athletics track project in Linden - this is false and can be added to the long list of falsehoods peddled by Mr Norton. “…the synthetic track material has been purchased and is already in the country. The representative of the German company is expected to be in Guyana in July for the supervision of the laying of the asphal-

tic material—which ought to take approximately 30 days—and, the laying of the track—which ought to take approximately another 30 days. The pavilion, which will be a multi-year project, has already been designed, advertised, and evaluated so its construction is slated to begin in a couple months.

The project for the installation of lights needed to host international matches and meets is also currently being designed.”

Ramson explained that

these details are in the public domain. “This is public information that can be easily accessed most of which is contained in the public budget documents and is available on the Ministry of Finance website. The fact that Mr Norton is incapable of understanding this information contained in the public budget documents is yet another example that Mr Norton is not ready for the big league,” he charged.

The Minister under-

scored the fact that leadership has always been about credibility, a concept that seems foreign to Norton.

“When these projects are completed despite Mr Norton publicly stating that the projects have been stopped, it will be another reason to conclude that Mr Norton has no credibility,” he stressed.

Norton, since taking the leadership of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC Coalition, has been put on blast for leadership blunders and failures.

PM Phillips puts Coalition’s Ubraj Narine on blast for incompetence

A

stern warning was issued to Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, by Prime Minister, Brigadier (R’td), Mark Phillips, who called on him to “bring an immediate end to the nonchalant approach” in managing the drainage and other infrastructure of the city, meant to mitigate flooding during the ongoing rain season.

The Prime Minster has expressed disgust with the mismanagement of key drainage pumps across the city after impromptu checks made on Sunday (June 5, 2022)

evening revealed continuing neglect and dereliction of duty, resulting in undue suffering by residents.

During these checks, the North Ruimveldt pump which drains areas including Alexander Village and North Ruimveldt was turned off, resulting in flooding from heavy rainfall over a 24- hour period.

Meanwhile, pumps at Church, Cowan and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown and Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara were unattended by operators.

Phillips said, “These actions by the M&CC demon-

strate clear dereliction of duty to the citizens of Georgetown, whom they were elected to serve. I strongly believe that this untold suffering thousands of residents are made to face yet again are as a direct result of the M&CC’s laxity with managing the affairs of the city and the unconscionable, unabated political gamesmanship from the mayor, which needs to end now.”

The Prime Minister lambasted the City Council for their lack of maintenance of Georgetown’s infrastructure, coupled with its continued

neglect of the systems which are designed to drain water off the land and cautioned that the PPP/C government will no longer condone such irresponsible and reckless abandonment of duty, since they are counterproductive to the government’s transformative development plan for the nation’s capital.

ATTEMPT TO DEFLECT FROM INCOMPETENCE A response by the Georgetown Mayor also saw the Prime Minister rapping the embattled official. Phillips said, “I’ve noted the rush by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to respond to my statement issued last evening, deploring the suffering of residents across the city, who are once again plagued by flooding caused in no small measure by the mismanagement of the city’s drainage and other infrastructure… no amount of deflection of this troubling issue from the M&CC will absolve them from the responsibility for the plight of residents across the city caused by preventable flooding, while the mayor continues to engage in foolish

posturing and gamesmanship, even as inclement weather persists, and the mismanagement continues stubbornly and unabated.

“I will not entertain the M&CCs deflection tactics embodied in their smokescreen-laced response to my statement that are clearly intended to shift the focus of the extant issue of the preventable suffering of residents, but will instead hasten to refresh the record to ensure that our concerns as the central government are properly contextualised. In so doing, I will highlight a few of the critical steps taken and measures implemented towards the fulfillment of our electoral mandate since the PPP/C returned to office.”

The Prime Minister pointed out that the City Mayor and his cohorts “continue to stubbornly refuse to have the NDIA take over responsibility for the city’s pumps”, to mitigate the impact of their incompetence, which continues to result in catastrophic consequences for residents. “Our technical teams have indicated that the City would have avoided any significant flooding this year as a result of that exercise, were it

not for the persistent incompetence of the City Council in managing the drainage systems and infrastructure designed to efficiently drain off rainfall,” Phillips said.

He added, “Instead of simply deflecting, Mayor Narine would do the City well to quickly pivot his council and the City Administration away from the dereliction-of-duty posture; from the wanton spending on non-priority areas, abandon altogether the illegal attempts to dispose of city lands and other assets and refocus his efforts to mitigate flooding which results in suffering by the city’s residents.”

In recent months, members of the government, diplomatic corps, private sector and citizens were engaged in activities aimed at restoring cleanliness and beautification of the capital city.

PM Phillips wishes to assure citizens of government’s commitment through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to providing intervention and support for the continued development of the city and the improvement and safeguarding of their lives.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Norton ‘confused’ about his role – Nandlall The increasingly embattled Leader of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC Coalition, Aubrey Norton, was called out by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, for being “confused” about his role in the consultative process on key issues.

Nandlall said, “The President will determine whom he wishes to consult in relation to or in relation to what institution he wishes to consult on, not Mr Norton.

“The Chancellor and Chief Justice as important as those two offices are, they simply did not form part nor are part of this consultative process (which addressed constitutional commissions) and Mr. Norton cannot arrogate onto himself the power

to determine that he will introduce into the consultative process, a new and foreign element. That will not be tolerated. That is wrong and disrespectful.”

WILD STATEMENTS Notably, this is not the first time that Norton has made unjustified demands.

Adding his own meaning to the Constitution of Guyana, Leader of the PNCR and the Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, has called for President Dr. Irfaan Ali to proffer justifications to support his nominations of persons to sit on constitutional commissions.

On May 31, 2022 Norton said, “In my opinion, what we should have gotten, apart from the CVS, was a clear

indication But the grounds on which a particular person or persons are chosen, and to the extent, remember, we have to make proper decisions. And therefore, for us to make proper decisions, we have to have the basic the information upon which we will make this decision, then and only then will the consultation be meaningful.”

Notably, the President is not required, in accordance with the Constitution to provide justifications to Norton.

Nandlall, in response charged that Norton is “in over his head” with his attempt to ridicule the appointment process of the various Service Commissions to fit his own agenda.

He said, “We cannot wait (to make these appointments). Judges have to be appointed, teachers have to be promoted, Police [have to be promoted]; important decisions have to be made…we cannot allow Mr Norton to ridicule this process and reduce it to one of the ego-centricities that he seems to be engaged in the public domain…I get the clear impression that Mr Norton has not yet come to grips with the importance of the office…I don’t think he’s gotten accustomed to the environment, and certainly he’s not prepared, from his own actions, to discharge the functions of that high office in the manner contemplated by the Constitution.”

MOVING FORWARD Guyana’s last substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary was Justice Desiree Bernard. She served until 2005 and was in position before the constitution was amended. A substantive appointment, thereafter, was delayed because the PNCR/ APNU/AFC during the period 2005-2015 refused to agree to the appointment of the officials functioning in the posts.

After taking office in 2015, the then David Granger-led APNU+AFC government failed to initiate consultations to address the substantive appointments.

President Ali has made clear that the PPP/C government will address the issue

of a substantive appointment of a Chancellor and Chief Justice. “We have no issue appointing [a Chancellor and Chief Justice]. When the right time comes we will have the consultation on the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice. The [May 13, 2022] consultation was on the Commissions the President asked for consultations on,” he said.

The procedures for the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice are outlined in Articles 127 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. Article 127 (1) states: “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

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Magistrate assigned to Winston Jordan’s public misconduct case E

mbattled former finance minister, Winston Jordan, returned to court on Thursday (June 2, 2022) where Senior Magistrate Leron Daly was assigned to his case by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

The matter is expected to come up before Magistrate Daly on August 29, 2022.

Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, requested that the accused be tried summarily in the Magistrates’ Court.

However, Jordan’s lawyers objected and argued for a trial by jury in the High Court – meaning a Preliminary Inquiry would take place at the Magistrates’ Court and once the magistrate finds that a

case has been made, it would then be referred to the High Court for trial by a judge and jury.

Jordan’s lawyers have not made their submissions in the case, where he is facing charges of misconduct in public office.

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

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

Jordan issued a vesting

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

The vesting order stated that the property is being sold free from encumbrance and

liabilities and no further sum of money is owed by the purchaser.

This was among nine transfers of state lands were signed off by the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Jordan and exposed via the March 28, 2020 edition of the Official Gazette.

Jordan was arrested by ranks of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on December 2, 2021 for alleged misconduct in public office.

INVESTIGATION In October 2021, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, announced that an investigation into the dealings of the former APNU+AFC government is actively being pursued. During a press briefing at the Office of the President on October 14, 2021, Nandlall said, “There were a number of transactions that were done under the previous government that

will be subjected to investigations and charges may flow if those investigations yield those charges based on the advice, of course, of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

That is an ongoing process… many people believe that we may not have been pursuing this with the desired speed.

That is not so. There are so many other things that have happened since that have diverted the attention of the Police Force in other directors.

But we remain committed to that promise to investigate these transactions.”

According to the Attorney General, Jordan has been implicated in a number of nefarious transactions. “The former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, has been implicated in a number of nefarious and questionable transactions, which we intend to send to the Police Force and to other authorities for investigations.”

These include: • Hiding receipt of the US$18 million signing paid

by ExxonMobil for over a year; • The alleged sale of a number of prime pieces of land, many “far below market value” and “without the requisite public procurement process”, after the December 2018 No-Confidence Motion, as well as after the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections; and • The alleged sale of several vehicles from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to close associates of the then administration with observing proper procedures.

Commenting on the investigations, Nandlall had said, “This is what we owe, as a government, to the people of this country. After all, we have a duty, a fiduciary duty, to the people of Guyana (Turn to page 19)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Venezuelan gov’t engaged in effort to ‘delay’ ICJ judgement on merits of border controversy case T

he Registrar of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has advised that the Government of Venezuela has submitted a Preliminary Objections to the admissibility of the case before the Court regarding the Arbitral award of 3 October, 1899 (Guyana v.

Venezuela).

And the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted that the Venezuelan Government is engaged in an effort to delay the Court’s final judgement on the merits of the case.

In a statement on Wednesday (June 8, 2022), the Ministry said, “Venezuela had previously not

recognised the jurisdiction of the Court to consider the case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also notes that, by submitting an objection at this advanced stage of the proceedings before the ICJ, the Venezuelan Government is patently engaging in an effort to delay the Court’s final judgement on the merits of the case.

“Nonetheless, by its action, the Venezuelan government now joins the judicial process which Guyana had always urged it to do, a step that Guyana welcomes, confident of the validity of its position on the merits of

the case.”

The Rules of Procedure of the ICJ allow for such an objection to be lodged and considered by the Court, and that, as a consequence, the proceedings on the merits of the case are suspended until the Court rules on the Preliminary Objections.

“The Guyana Government will submit its observations, with dispatch, as soon as the Court advises of the time by which it expects to receive them. The Ministry emphasises that, at all times, Guyana has steadfastly adhered to the rule of international law, and the rules and procedures of the ICJ, with regard to this

matter, and we will continue to do so,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

JURISDICTION The ICJ on December 18, 2020 delivered its Judgment in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v.

Venezuela) – relative to the question of the Court’s jurisdiction. The court ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case seeking the validation of the 1899 arbitral award establishing the boundary with Venezuela. Venezuela did not take part in the proceedings.

The judgment found that both Guyana and Venezuela had conferred authority on the UN Secretary General under Article 4, paragraph two of the February 17th 1966 Geneva Agreement.

That agreement allowed the Secretary General to choose (Turn to page 18)

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Venezuelan gov’t engaged in effort... (From page 17) a means of settlement under Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations which included judicial settlement.

A press statement from the ICJ said, “In its Judgment, which is final, without appeal and binding on the Parties, the Court, by twelve votes to four, finds that it has jurisdiction to entertain the Application filed by the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on 29 March 2018 in so far as it concerns the validity of the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…(the Court) unanimously, Finds that it does not have jurisdiction to entertain the claims of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana arising from events that occurred after the signature of the Geneva Agreement.”

ICJ CASE The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) held public hearings on the question of the Court’s jurisdiction in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) on June 30, 2020.

The ICJ had postponed the long-anticipated hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute case that was scheduled to begin on March 23, 2020, citing the coronavirus pandemic.

Guyana is seeking to obtain from the Court a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Guyana took its case to the Court following the decision by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the International Court of Justice. In taking his decision, the Secretary-General was exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.

Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the Court, that

the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Guyana’s lawsuit.

On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings. On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction. However, under well-established judicial precedent, the Court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s claims, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

MOVE TO COURT Under the United Nations Charter and the Court’s own rules, its final judgments both on jurisdiction and the merits will be legally binding on Guyana and Venezuela, whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

Efforts over more than half-a-century, including a four-year Mixed Commission (1966-1970), a twelveyear moratorium (19701982), a seven-year process of consultations on a means of settlement (1983-1990), and a twenty-seven-year Good Offices Process under the UN Secretary-General’s authority (1990-2017), all failed to end the border controversy.

The move to the ICJ was advanced there was no success with a further attempt, using the United Nations’ Good Offices process, to resolve the matter of Venezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo County. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in 2015, charged that the signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement rendered the 1899 Arbitral Award null and void.

On 30 January 2018, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, acting under the authority bestowed upon him by the Geneva Agreement, chose adjudication by the Court as the means for resolving the controversy with finality. Guyana commenced proceedings before the Court on 29 March 2018 in accordance with the Secretary-General’s decision.

Guyana’s legal representatives before the Court includes the efforts of Sir Shridath Ramphal.

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Magistrate assigned to...

(From page 16)

to protect public property and public funds – public funds that are owned by the people, public property that are owned by the people. We have a duty to protect them and to call in the State’s investigative apparatus, where the circumstances require investigations to take place.

We have certainly identified certain areas.”

QUESTIONABLE DEALS Further, while in Opposition, the PPP/C had identified several questionable deals and promised to have these investigated – including the alleged sale of vehicles to Jordan’s children for under $300,000.

Jordan’s arrest followed the move to send the file into his conduct in office to authorities for a criminal investigation.

A statement by the Guyana Police Force said, “Officers of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Guyana Police Force, made contact with Mr. Winston

Jordan and invited him to attend the office of the unit at Camp Road, Georgetown for questioning in relation to a series of alleged fraudulent transactions in which he is implicated, involving public funds and state properties, estimated to value billions of Guyana dollars. Today (December 2, 2021), at or about 10:30 hrs, Mr. Jordan, in the company of two Attorneys-at-Law, attended the SOCU office at Camp Road and was interviewed….this is only one of several investigations that implicate former Minister Jordan.”

The embattled former Coalition minister was released on his own recognizance. When charged, he was not required to plead to the charge, was released on $3M bail. Jordan’s lawyers are APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian, Roysdale Forde and Khemraj Ramjattan, as well as Attorneys-at-law, Dawn Cush, Joseph Harmon, and Darren Wade.

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COMMENTARY

The people’s government is working to ensure needs of all Guyanese are met

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

P

resident Irfaan Ali led a strong Guyanese delegation to the Heads of State Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week.

Already, the Guyanese President is one of the most sought- after leaders at the Summit of the Americas.

Television stations, newspapers’ reporters are seeking out the Guyanese President and his delegation.

While President Ali is in Los Angeles for a few days, the Vice President continues his whirlwind outreach program across the country.

In the last two weeks, the Vice President has been in Regions 2, 10, 6, 5 and 3.

The People’s Government is at work, steadfastly working to ensure people’s needs across Guyana are met.

Guyana is in good hands.

Our people’s welfare and economic and social upward mobility are in good hands.

President Irfaan Ali and the PPP Government are together steering Guyana in the right direction, ensuring that Guyana takes its place as the natural leader in CARICOM

and being a lead country in Latin America and the Caribbean and among developing countries around the world.

Our prospects have never been brighter. The World Bank in its latest prospects for 2022 for countries around the world has affirmed that Guyana in 2022 should have a GDP growth rate more than 47%, higher than Budget 2022 forecasted.

Guyana’s GDP for 2022 is predicted to be the highest in the world, with countries like Iraq, India, China which are in the top 10 coming a distant 2nd, 3rd and 4th. In fact, among countries in the Americas, Guyana is way out front, with Panama ranked at #7 coming in way, way, way below Guyana with growth rate of about 6%. In fact, the World Bank predicts that the global economic growth rate is unlikely to reach the 3.4% it had predicted in January and now the World Bank is predicting global GDP would increase by only 2.9%. Guyana, indeed, is in good hands.

Another international organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lauded Guyana’s efforts to transform the country. Guy-

ana was recognized for its expert navigation through the difficult global circumstances that have hobbled many large countries. For example, since early 2020, in many countries default rates for bank loans have risen.

In Guyana’s case, bank loan default rates were increasing even before COVID-19. But in spite of the prevailing COVID-19 and the flooding situations in Guyana throughout the period that the PPP government has been in office since August 2020 and, now, with the Ukraine-Russia war, Guyana has been able to stabilize the economy and reduce defaulting bank loans. At the end of 2020, it had dropped to almost 11% and by the end of 2021, it had dropped to 6%.

This is the lowest bank loan defaulting rate in countries in the Region.

The IMF also mentioned Guyana’s strong policy framework, such as projects to cut electricity charges, improving transport infrastructure, diversifying the economy, improving social services, the LCDS and its strong cash-transfer relief programs. Guyana’s President and his cabinet have been navigating the stormy waters and bringing our country and people to a safe place. Guyana is in good hands.

The naysayers, of course, are out in their meagre numbers, desperately finding faults here, there and everywhere. This is in spite of the fact that the vast majority of Guyanese unabashedly agree that Guyana is moving in the right direction.

Confidence, excitement, the belief that our prospects are on the upward trajectory are sky-high among the Guyanese people. We see it every single day, in every Region of Guyana. President Ali himself is out among our people literally every day.

So too is Vice-President of Guyana. In no country, are there politicians and leaders as popular among their people as Guyana’s President

and Vice-President. These PPP leaders and leaders of our country have become veritable rock stars among their citizens.

There is a myriad of reasons why President Ali and Vice President Bharat Jagdeo are so popular, why the cabinet is perhaps the most popular cabinet ever in the history of the country. The reasons are because they are there providing support and relief to the citizens as they cope with the devastation that COVID-19 has caused, with climate change and with the global impacts of the Ukraine-Russia war. Because of COVID-19, climate change impacts, with inclement weather creating havoc for countries around the world and with the devastating inflation being caused by the Ukraine-Russia war, the cost-of-living and the economies of countries throughout the globe are reeling. Few countries are able to buffer the triple-attack of covid-19, climate change and the war.

Among the countries that are effectively navigating their way through the crisis that not even rich countries like America, Canada, Europe are able to is Guyana. These are the tough times when even those who voted for APNU/ AFC (PNC) are thankful that Guyana is in good hands, the hands of President Irfaan Ali and the PPP government.

When Leader of the PNC and the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, refused to shake the hands of the President, the whole sordid event revealed something significant to the Guyanese people. Their President, Dr. Irfaan Ali is not just a People’s President, he is a humble and gracious young man. The President in his interaction with the invitees that joined the UK High Commissioner to celebrate the Queen’s birthday greeted everyone, no matter what their status in society is. This included opposition MPs like Khemraj Ramjattan and Roysdale Forde. President Ali showed no hostility, no animosity to Aubrey Norton.

He extended his hand as he does to everyone. Norton rejected the graciousness of the President with arrogance, with sourness and total disregard for common etiquette. The President, with his humility, persisted with his effort to show that in his eyes we are ONE GUYANA. Norton now says the President bullied him. If a handshake is enough to bully you, how on earth can you stand up for your country?

Yet, this is the man that the PNC elected as their leader.

In contrast, all Guyanese see that in President Ali, we are in good hands.

Last year, with the whole world reeling from the social and economic impact of COVID-19, on top of the flooding caused by severe rain storms, President Ali and the PPP government implemented one of the most aggressive cash-transfer programs in the Americas to assist people and to buffer the crisis. More than $24B (more than (more than $US120M) were transferred from the Government treasury into the pockets of ordinary citizens. In 2022, so far, almost $10B have already been transferred in cash-transfer programs. This does not include the school grants program. Just last week a number of cash-transfer and other assistance and subsidy programs were announced by both the President and the Vice President.

Last week, the President was among fisherfolks.

About 5,000 fisherfolks supply fish to vendors and exporters for shipping fish products overseas. Altogether, between 30,000 and 40,000 persons depend on the fishing industry for their livelihood. For sometime now, fishermen have had to invest more money and spend more time at sea to maintain the same amount of catch.

This has nothing to do with EXXON. Ministers of Agriculture, from Satyadeo Sawh to myself, had to deal with this challenge, long

before EXXON. Fisherfolks across the world have been dealing with declining catch for a couple of decades now.

Climate change is having its own impact on the fishing industry. Whatever the reasons for diminishing production of ocean fish, fisherfolks are having a horrendous time maintaining their income.

President Ali heard their pleas. The President announced a cash grant for all fisherfolks of $150,000 per person. This is not a solution; it is an assistance for immediate relief. It is another example of a government responding to the people’s needs.

Even as President Ali was announcing help for fisherfolks, he also was announcing this very week, a cash grant assistance program for children with disabilities, $100,000 per child annually, automatic qualification for public assistance, transportation and a modern business center to support businesses for disabled persons. At the same time, Vice President Bharat Jagdeo, was in Region 6 implementing a $325M fertilizer subsidy for farmers in Region 6, part of a $1B fertilizer support program. He also organized a group to implement a program for farmers to get access to 3,000 acres of farm land, launched part time jobs initiative for 3,000 persons, $100M grant for small businesses and the soon-to-start expansion of the Corentyne Highway at a cost of over $4B. Just before going to Region 6, the Vice President engaged miners and subsidies and tax abatement programs amounting to almost $3B were announced. The miners, often persons who usually vote for the PNC, across the board lauded the government.

This is a government of the people, responsive to the people’s needs. No matter how loud the cacophony emanating from the small group of naysayers, Guyanese know we are in good hands.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 11-12 JUNE, 2022

Persons with flu-like symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 P

ersons who are experiencing upper respiratory tract symptoms like sore throat and runny nose, should get tested for COVID-19, as the new sub-variant could be disguising as the common flu, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has advised.

The sub-variant BA.2 of the omicron variant, is likely responsible for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases locally, with the country currently recording over 850 cases,.

Minister Anthony said the BA.2 is very infectious and spreads very easily, especially when persons are not wearing masks. The infectivity of this sub-variant will also increase the number of active cases. “That variant is very, very infectious, so people can get infected if

they are in close proximity to somebody, and especially if you are not wearing masks, then you can get infected easily and we believe that that variant is circulating here and with that circulation we are going to see an increase in cases,” he said.

The symptoms of this sub-variant also resemble those of the common flu. “…so many persons who might be positive, if they don’t come and get tested, we would not know whether or not they are positive, so that’s something for people to bear in mind if they are getting upper respiratory tract infection, then they should go and get tested,” Dr Anthony said.

He noted that if people test positive, then they should isolate themselves to reduce

the chances of infecting others.

Regarding vaccination, currently more than 86 per cent of the population has had a first dose, while more than 66 per cent has a second dose. Vaccination among the 12-17 age group remains stable, while so far 65, 607 persons have taken a booster dose.

“We really want to encourage people to come out and get their booster doses, because we have seen that while people may have gotten their primary doses, after about a six-month period, the immunity starts to drop,” Dr. Anthony said.

Persons who are eligible for a second booster dose are urged to get it. Adolescents could also receive a booster dose.

400 local physicians to begin training on long-COVID detection, treatment

COVID-19 vaccination T for children 5-11 years to begin June 11th G

uyana has received a shipment of 52,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccines for children ages five to eleven years old, preparing the country for the first-time administration of the vaccine to that age cohort.

The vaccines were donated by the Government of Spain and will be administered to 26,400 children in a two-dose schedule. They were officially handed over

by Ambassador to Guyana, H.E, Fernando Nogales Alvarez, to Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony on June 6.

Government has been promoting the vaccination of the under 12 age cohort, which has been recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“There is a myth, that

children don’t get covid, but when you look at our statistics, the 60 something thousand persons that would have been infected over this period about 1/3 of them would have been children,” Dr. Anthony said as he urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. “We are starting on Saturday and then we will collaborate more closely with the ministry of education to roll this out in different schools but we are really dependent on parents to make sure they give us permission so that we can do this vaccination,” he noted.

Dr. Anthony reminded that the vaccine prevents severe illnesses and long COVID. Guyana is one of the first countries in the region to ac-

cess these vaccines, as there is a global shortage. Minister Anthony said the shots will be administered on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

Dr. Anthony noted that based on the uptick among children, efforts will be made to access more vaccines.

Ambassador Nogales Alvarez noted that the donation is part of a worldwide effort

by Spain with unanimous support from parliament and society. “The first phase of the pandemic was truly hard for Spain and out of that feeling of despair of not knowing what was happening there emerged the very intense desire, that whenever a solution could be ready that we have to share it with those who needed it most,” the Ambassador said.

op experts from the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, are in Guyana to provide training to 400 local physicians to help them better detect and treat patients with long-COVID. Generally, between 10 to 20 per cent of persons affected by COVID-19, would have persistent symptoms months after falling ill.

This is referred to as longCOVID syndrome.

While many Guyanese have recovered from the deadly respiratory disease, many are still experiencing symptoms.

“One of the things that we’re trying to do is to educate physicians so that they can recognise these signs and symptoms, and be able to appropriately treat these patients,” Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said.

Notably, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, recently engaged officials of the hospital during a recent visit to Guyana, requesting that they assist local doctors in understanding longCOVID. The first training session

began on Wednesday (June 1, 2022). Discussions include post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, and unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the health minister said the training will allow physicians to be able to provide better treatment options.

“I think this is a very good start -up session, and after the discussions I’m sure that the local physicians would be more aware of long-COVID, what to look for and how to treat

long-COVID,” Minister Anthony said.

Symptoms of LongCOVID range from mild to severe. They include fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, headaches, depression, anxiety and memory loss.

Since the pandemic began in Guyana, the ministry has established a multidisciplinary team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where persons experiencing longCOVID symptoms could be tested and treated.

Guyanese will always find a receptive ear in PPP/C gov’t – Jagdeo T

he PPP/C government will continue to work “diligently” to respond to as many issues raised by Guyanese engaged during the ongoing regional outreaches, according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Our people will always have a receptive ear in the PPP government,” he said.

According to him, the Social

Issues Monitoring Unit is operational and is working to ensure resolutions to issues raised. However, he noted that there may be some issues where resolutions requested may not be possible, but alternatives can be worked out.

“We will work diligently,” he said.

To date, over 3,500 issues are being tracked by the Unit, following outreaches and

meetings in Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10. Other meetings are planned for other locations across the country.

Jagdeo had stressed that engagements are quintessential to ensuring that the PPP/C government remains in touch with the issues affecting Guyanese, so that effective solutions and responses can be proffered. “There have been challenges with

COVID, which we did not anticipate…we did not get to do the work on the ground we wanted. The President has been out, he has been very active on the ground and in the planning process.

A lot of Ministers went out.

But we still had an issue of bringing large numbers of people together because of the pandemic. Now that the restrictions have been lifted

we can hit the ground once again,” he had said.

A key component of the engagements to date, at the grassroots levels, according to him, was ensuring that the Government remains accountable to the Guyanese people. “I thought it important to give people explanations, like we did in 2015…we had to explain to people the challenges we face now in government, a bit of what APNU (the former APNU+AFC Coalition government) left us, a bit about their philosophy – their negative attitude in government and now in Opposition – and a bit about the new challenges, like COVID and what it caused with the cost of living, etc….so we focused heavily on giving information to people.”

Critically important as well, according to him, is ensuring that all Guyanese are fully aware of the opportunities that they can access. Notably, information on housing, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships and other forms of support were a major part of outreaches that have been led by Jagdeo, as well as other government officials.

SOCIAL SECTOR PLEDGES Notably, in a prior interview, Jagdeo noted that the PPP/C administration’s social sector pledges are being, and will continue to be, delivered on. He had said, “We made a lot of social sector pledges, apart from the economic ones that we are working on. And we want to assure people that day after day we have kept these pledges in our minds.

When we go to work, we are working to implement the promises we made to people.

“We did have some setbacks.

For example, we did not expect a COVID environment, but we are trying to address that, which has been costly on the economy, costly on people’s lives and their health and has created some problems because we can’t get the economy to operate at full steam and to get the job creating initiatives going.

But we are going to come out of that.”

Jagdeo noted that in the first year of the PPP/C administration’s term in office efforts were made to deliver on promises made, including increasing old-age pensions by 25 per cent – an increase that adds over $4B annually to the pockets of pensioners across Guyana. “We are working on the social sector pledges. This is why we removed VAT on water, electricity, data, food stuff, etc. as soon as we got back into office or else the cost of living would have been even higher,” he said. Further, on the issue of cost of living, the Vice President made clear that the concern of Guyanese in this regard is recognised by the PPP/C administration.

“None of the items, food items that people use regularly, have VAT on them….the prices have gone up globally, but we anticipate that once you get past COVID, global production will go up and a lot of the prices will come down,” he explained.

The PPP/C in its manifesto assured of support for reduced cost of living, job creation and increased access to health and education, among other areas. “We are busy trying to implement all we have promised,” the Vice President posited.

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