Weekend Mirror 2-3 July 2022

Guyana has robust anti-corruption framework 2-3 July, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 29 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 24

‒ Teixeira says ‘everyone’ has a role to improve effectiveness of anti-corruption’ mechanism

President urges patience as independent investigation is completed ‒ 16 men charged with riotous behaviour

PAGE 15

Norton questioned about ‘suspected’ meeting with ExxonMobil reps

PAGE 16

Mingo, Volda Lawrence, others back in Court on July 15th PAGE 2

SEE INSIDE

Increased minimum wage for private-sector workers payable from July 1st PAGE 8

Phase 2 of WINN programme to be launched soon PAGE 6

Mashabo, Bethany residents benefit from specialised medical PAGE 9 outreach

‒ Health Ministry monitoring cases of dengue fever

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Mingo, Volda Lawrence, others back in Court on July 15th T

he case against the seven person charged for electoral fraud continues in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on July 15, 2022.

The seven facing court are: 1. Sacked Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; 2. Chairperson for the People’s National Congress, Volda Lawrence; 3. APNU+AFC activist, Carol Smith-Joseph; 4. GECOM Registration Clerk, Shefern February; 5. GECOM Registration Clerk, Michelle Miller; 6. GECOM Registration Clerk, Denise Babb– Cummings; and 7. GECOM Information Technology Officer, En-

rique Livan.

Mingo, Lawrence and Joseph are facing several electoral fraud charges.

The signatures of Lawrence and Joseph were on manipulated declarations for Region 4– issued on March 5, 2020 and March 13, 2020 – that were prepared by Mingo. In both cases, the manipulated declarations increased votes for the APNU+AFC and decreased the votes for the PPP/C. By the end of the recount for Region 4, the declarations were exposed as having been manipulated.

Mingo and Lawrence are facing a joint charge, which alleges that on March 5, 2020, in Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public,

they uttered a certain forged document, that is to say, a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections, knowing said report to be forged.

Mingo and Joseph are facing a charge alleges that on March 13, 2020, they uttered a forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections, while knowing that the report was forged.

Joseph faces two individual charges, which state that on March 13, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, she conspired with Mingo and others to declare a fraudulent count

of votes for District Four for both the general and regional elections.

Lawrence, Mingo, and Joseph have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. After being charged, Mingo was placed on $60,000 bail for the two charges he faced.

Lawrence was placed on $30,000 bail for the joint charge. Joseph was placed on a total of $90,000 bail for the three charges she faces.

There are also electoral fraud charges against GECOM clerks Bob-Cummings, Miller, February and Livan. They, too, have been released on bail.

Already several boxes containing certified copies of Statements of Polls (SOPs) and Statements of Recount

(SORs) from the March 2020 elections have been handed over to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The documents will be used as evidence against those before the court. The SOPs and SORS were accompanied by statements and video evidence, which included copies of video-recorded interviews the accused had with the Police. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) DPP and Acting Police Commissioner had initiated legal proceedings in the High Court, seeking orders to obtain certified copies of the SOPs and SORs from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, which are currently lodged with the Registrar of the High Court. The decision to

move to the High Court came after the Police Commissioner wrote the Registrar of the High Court, Sueanna Lovell, to obtain the certified copies of the documents, but was informed, by way of a letter, this could not be done without an order from the Court.

Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels, and Konyo Sandiford are representing Mingo, Joseph, and Lawrence; while Senior Counsel John Jeremie, and Attorneys-at-Law Eusi Anderson and Latoya Roberts are appearing for the other four defendants.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has hired a team of lawyers to prosecute these cases on the State’s behalf.

PNCR’s Vincent Alexander ordered to pay $2.5m for defaming former GECOM PRO G

uyana’s Court of Appeal ruled that the PNCR’s Vincent Alexander, a Coalition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, has to pay a High Court judgment of $2.5M, given that he failed to file his application for a stay of the ruling within the required time.

The $2.5M represents damages to be paid for former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission, Vishnu Persaud, whom Alexander defamed.

Persaud in 2018 filed action against Alexander, the Guyana Chronicle and its then Editor-in-Chief Nigel Williams, over a defamatory publication. The action

related to a June 14, 2018 article headlined ‘Poor past …Alexander says Vishnu Persaud’s past performance sank him -Myers emerged the more qualified for the top GECOM post’.

Persaud was represented by attorneys Devindra Kissoon and Natasha Vieira.

The High Court judgement was handed down in August 2020 by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who, in her ruling, said, “These statements were an attack on the Claimant’s professional reputation and amount to defamation.” The Judge ruled that Alexander had to pay damages to Persaud to the tune of $2,500,000;

while the Chronicle and Williams have to pay damages in the sum of $1,500,000 jointly and severally. All three parties were also ordered to pay costs to Persaud in the sum of $150,000 on or before September 30th, 2020.

Alexander was represented by attorney Roysdale Forde SC. ERC REPORT Notably, Alexander’s comments were further exposed as defamatory by a report from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) released in 2019.

The ERC was tasked with probing the hiring prac-

tices of GECOM following a complaint lodged by the three Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners.

The call for an investigation came after the top-ranked candidate applying for the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) – Persaud – was passed over for the post. GECOM hired the second-ranked candidate Roxanne Meyers, after former GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson broke the deadlock and voted in favour of her.

The then Opposition-nominated Commissioners, in a joint complaint letter, called for a full investigation on the hiring prac-

tices at GECOM last year.

The trio charged that the state of affairs is “clearly indicative of a larger issue at the Guyana Elections Commission, which has an adverse effect on ethnic relations and harmony in Guyana.”

The investigation’s main finding was that Persaud was the most qualified person for the job.

According to the report, on Page 29, Persaud was the most “suitable candidate for appointment to the post of DCEO” of GECOM. It adds that, “Nothing has been presented to us which, at least on paper, reveals any attributes in Ms. Myers that

were capable of offsetting the clear paper advantage which Mr, Persaud enjoyed.”

Notably, the ERC committee dealing with the investigation met with Persaud twice – on August 14, 2018 and on August 24, 2018.

The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations.

The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.

Notably, Persaud is now GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Amaila will not be abandoned – President Ali T

he Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will “not be abandoned” by the PPP/C government, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who, on Thursday (June 30, 2022), was addressing the government’s efforts to realise an energy mix that would drastically reduce the cost of power for Guyanese.

“We are not abandoning this project…we know the studies and everything, including the Norway study, have indicated that this project will be good for Guyana,” he assured.

RE-TENDER According to him, the government’s efforts will include efforts to examine re-tendering for the project.

The Government was in negotiations with China Railway Group Limited for the completion of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant based on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to develop the AFHP, either on the basis of a 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) concession or on a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) basis were invited in 2021.

A total of four companies submitted proposals. China Railway Group Limited was identified as the most ‘capable partner’ by the Evaluation Committee after a rigorous evaluation process, following which the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) submitted the relevant recommendation to Cabinet for ‘no-objection.’

Under the BOOT model the company will supply electricity to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. at a cost averaging US$0.07737 per KWH over the 20 year BOOT period.

However, the China Railway Group Limited indicated that the BOOT model was not feasible, so negotiations ended.

The revival of the 165-megawatt Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its manifesto. The project was initiated under the previous PPP/C Administration but was scrapped by the coalition Administration which had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

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

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

It was the David Grang-

er led administration that agreed to this objective and facts-based assessment of AFHP. The report, compiled

by Norconsult, on behalf of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), identified AFHP as critical for Guyana’s energy transition.

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

This guidance, though unequivocal, was not heeded by the previous administration.

Up to now, most of Guyana’s electricity generation is from the severely polluting heavy fuel oil (HFO).

The AFHP was first identified in 1976 by the Cana-

dian company “Monenco” during an extensive survey of hydroelectric power potential in Guyana. Various studies have since justified and strongly supported the construction of the AFHP. AFHP, projected to deliver 165 MW of new power to the grid by 2027, will supply a significant share of power needed for Guyana’s economic expansion in the decade up to 2030, building on emissions reduction gains

from the 250 MW gas-to-energy project, expected by 2024.

While the government’s endgame is an energy mix dominated by renewable energy, and 100 per cent renew-

able sometime down the line, the PPP/C administration has decided that it is necessary to bring natural gas from ExxonMobil’s Liza operation to shore for electricity generation purposes, in the interim.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

EDITORIAL The PNCR-led Coalition engaged in shameless, destructive pursuit of political capital

he rantings of the Leader of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC T Coalition, Aubrey Norton, crossed over into the realm of the unbelievable some time ago. However, his comments at

a news conference on Thursday, 30 June 2022, are baffling beyond anything Guyanese have been subjected to.

In defiance of facts and reality, Norton said: “The PPP is provoking people into protest mode…it clearly is provoking the people of our country so that there is unrest so that they can instigate ethnic tension. Ethnic tension serves the interest of the corrupt, incompetent and divisive Ali/Jagdeo regime.”

Firstly, Norton seems to forget that the PNCR/APNU/AFC cabal is the only political outfit in Guyana that has repeatedly sought to capitalise on tension – tension that it sparked and fuelled, seemingly, intentionally with lies and misinformation.

One of the most repeated lie is that 400 young Afro-Guyanese men having died as a result of extra-judicial killings under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government. In November 2019, the 32-page findings of an investigate report by the independently–run Stabroek News, exposed the falsehoods peddled by the APNU+AFC Coalition about the crime wave and dismantled the notion that young Afro-Guyanese men were killed indiscriminately. While, the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition had claimed that -some 400 young Afro-Guyanese died as a result of extra-judicial killings during the crime wave. However, the Stabroek News investigative report pointed out that some 420 persons were killed between February 2002 and September 2006 – 151 murdered by bandits, 30 security officers were killed and 239 were killed during confrontations with the police and in unexplained circumstances. It added that the drug trade was a major part of the period in question. After the report was published, comments along this line subsidised, but has returned and are now greatly exaggerated with the claim being almost 2,000 young Afro-Guyanese died under the former PPP/C government.

Secondly, Norton’s audacity to claim that the incumbent PPP/C Administration is working to “govern by force” is laughable, more so given that the repeated attempts by the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition to undermine the will of the Guyanese people at the March 2020 Elections is still fresh in the minds of Guyanese.

Finally, it is the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition that has been agitating for actions to stir unrest in Guyanese society.

Guyanese were exposed to the vilest rhetoric to date from embattled United States-based, Rickford Burke who on December 2, 2021, Burke said: “I don’t think we should mince words anymore...I think we must seriously start examining whether we should divide the country….I think, this a time right now for militancy and a revolution in Guyana. We are not going to sit back…it is time black people rise up and fight back…I think we should enter a period of non-cooperation with the PPP – do not cooperate with them. They should be no Service Commission.

I think the members of the Guyana Elections Commission from the Coalition should resign…bring everything to a halt. Grind government to a halt. Create an international incident…bring this government to its knees…they must understand that they are not the only bad people or gangsters in the country. The PPP must understand that. So until somebody get run off the road or something to compensate for the things they have been doing, they gonna keep doing it. And I am not afraid to say, I’m not afraid to say, this is a time we gotta challenge them back.” This came on the heels of comments from David Hinds, who on November 22, 2021, said: “I think the time has come to defend ourselves…it is time for action…I am also repeating my call to undermine the government. I said that in August and I am saying it again. A leader does not have to tell you how to undermine the government. There are many ways…undermine the government and continue to do so.” At the same forum, Hinds went further to call for Indian-owned businesses to be boycotted. He said, “They were enablers and they are enablers….it is your money that is spending on Regent Street that they does take and give to the PPP as contributions for elections so they can get into government… undermine the economic partners of the PPP.” Prior to that, while addressing a small group of protestors at Victoria, East Coast Demerara in August 2021, Hinds said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C) government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

It must be underscored the basis of these comments are not grounded in facts. Irresponsible elements aligned to the APNU+AFC Coalition continue to make claims about an installed PPP/C regime, about discriminatory access to government services, such as house lots, etc. These lies have been debunked repeatedly.

In a fact-based debate Norton’s PNCR/APNU/AFC would flounder – a fact that might explain their predictable resort stirring tensions with misinformation in their shameless and destructive pursuit of political capital.

Elections CoI must fully expose election riggers and their rigging mechanisms Dear Editor,

A

nother significant promise is on track for fulfilment by President Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C. It assures the Government’s facilitation of the conduct of a justified and necessary Electoral Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by an esteemed team of qualified international professionals.

The announced CoI will serve to interrogate the flagrant abuse of authority and the resulting damning events associated with the attempts to rig the results of the March 2020 elections. However, the results must be a revelation of the truth, thereby providing a basis for the successful uniting of our people locally and internationally, whose bold endeavours saved this country.

Electoral malpractices have for decades plagued the democratic fortification of this country, and the bubble finally burst. A first of its kind to be held nationally, this presidential CoI concerning Elections’ misconduct elicits a disquieting atmosphere, and certainly ruffles some who have sought to lay condemnatory critiques to undermine the suspected outcome. But it is not as if the masses at home and overseas are not aware of the blatant, barefaced breaches of almost every rule to steal power. What is most feared is that those involved, who have managed to shield themselves so far, could now be exposed.

It is recalled that, in August 2021, His Excellency reaffirmed his administration’s aim to establish a CoI, and also outlined that it would be an international one to independently investigate what occurred and where the weaknesses in Guyana’s electoral systems exist. At the time, public reaction supported the approach, stipulating that the international approach will remove bias and ensure transparency.

Since the recent announcement by His Excellency President Ali, there have been a few mumbles seeking to reject the mechanism and the provided scope of the CoI. In an article, published by a Coalition outfit, headlined ‘Participating in the CoI would be supporting a charade,’ Jeffrey et al have attempted to apply the proverbial pulling of cloth over the eyes of the unsuspecting observer. Editor, the likes of Jeffrey et al cannot usurp the authority of the President or the Com-

mission in their convenient advocacy.

Please permit me to contextually highlight a few central pillars informing the legal authority and approach of a CoI in Guyana, from which APNU/ AFC representatives, Jeffrey et al try to deflect.

Notwithstanding that these fly-bynight commentators should read the act, Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiries Act Cap.19.03 states: (1) “The President may issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorizing such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the President, be for the public welfare.

(2) Every such Commission shall specify the subject, nature, and extent of the inquiry, and may contain directions in the following matters: a) in what manner the Commission shall be executed; b) if there be more Commissioners than one, which of them shall act as chairman; c) what number of them shall constitute a quorum; d) the place and time where and within which the inquiry shall be made and the report thereof rendered; e) whether or not the inquiry shall be held in public, with reservation nevertheless to the Commissioners to exclude any person or persons if they deem fit for the due conduct of the inquiry, the preservation of order, or for any other reason; f) and generally, for the better giving effect to the purpose of the inquiry.”

Also, Section 10 states: “Commissioners acting under this Act shall have the powers of a judge of the High Court to summon witnesses, to call for the production of books, plans, and documents, and to examine witnesses and parties concerned on oath… All summonses for the attendance of witnesses or other persons, or the production of documents, may be in the form given in the Schedule, and shall be signed by one of the commissioners, and oaths may be administered by one of the commissioners, or by the secretary.”

It is of note that our citizens have endured decades of ‘rigging’, and it was only with the foreign intervention of the Carter Center in 1990, and again the International Observers in 2020, that a sense of democratic normalcy was imbued against the most egregious threats.

The CoI therefore must be com-

prehensive, it must investigate fully pre- and post-electoral dirty and wilful attempts to derail and rig the National and Regional Elections.

The events that unfolded from the passing of the No-Confidence motion, the numerous challenges in the Courts, and all that took place with Granger’s self-imposed Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission, contributed to the PNC completely taking control of the hiring of all staff members at GECOM, and particularly, the GECOM Human Resource Manager was unwilling to give the information of the staffing at GECOM to the Integrity Commission.

The complete control of hiring, firing, purchasing, renting and all the other skullduggery that took place must be fully investigated.

In addition, the performance (circus) that took place at both the GECOM/ Commission and GECOM/Secretariat must be fully examined. The lack of audits at GECOM surely serves as a beacon for improprieties, and such an important agency must be above board. The reviews and the reports of the GECOM Secretariat must be fully prepared, submitted to, and discussed by the Commission, but this variant position has been an indictment for years.

There were no reviews in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, or 2016, and 2018 Local Government Elections. Worse is that the shenanigans that are before the courts and the others who are still in the employ deliberately made a clean sweep of all the records, and GECOM is unable so far to have a review of the 2020 Elections. The Police should and must be called in to investigate the culprits who swept the data from the computers.

President Irfaan Ali’s naming and appointing eminent professions to the International Commission of Inquiry is most welcome, and all of Guyana is supporting and awaiting the full report after the CoI. This CoI must fully expose the riggers, and we must see an end to the rigging of Elections in Guyana. Our people will then be able to appreciate Good Governance, and the country will be united for all to live in progressive peace and harmony.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Majority of Guyanese are not interested in internal ‘private’ review of March 2020 Elections, CoI is the way to go

PPP/C government’s effort to deliver for Guyanese transcend T political grand-standing

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

T

hanks to the current Administration for this most important and much-needed intervention. It is that “Persons with permanent disabilities (are set) to receive lifetime assistance from the Government.” This headline must have really been received, by both the disabled community and Guyanese at large.

Let me quickly mention a few things concerning the place this kind of governmental input rally has in our society.

First, we need to know that disability is part of being human. Let it be appreciated that almost all of us will temporarily or permanently experience disability at some point in our life. In fact, over 1 billion people, that is, about 15 per cent of the global population, are currently experiencing some form of disability. Worse yet is the fact that this number is increasing because of population ageing and an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Thus, Guyana is on the right band wagon.

The news I got from the press is that “Persons living with permanent disabilities, HIV, cancer, or any other lifelong incurable or untreatable disease, will now automatically qualify for public assistance for the rest of their lives”. This timely news, from the Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, was made public at the commissioning of a new wing at the Night Shelter in La Penitence, Georgetown. I like the removal of red tapes and bureaucracy, couched in the explanation of the Minister.

She detailed that “All persons, all living with a permanent disability, will be able to access public assistance without any need to qualify, any needs test; it’s all automatic access to public assistance.” This is not something in the making too, as she added that “… the initiative would take immediate effect across the country, including for those diagnosed with cancer and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The ‘for life’ factor is so vital, as many of those in the ‘Community of the Disabled’ were, and are still victims of ‘little or no income’. Also, as mentioned before, there will be an ease in accessing the provision, as the disabled community will not have to go before the Board of Guardians.

The process is automatic, and all one has to do is to register with the National Commission on Disability (NCD). Then from there, registrants will be added to the Register for Public Assistance.

The second thing to note is that the Government is really manifesting a commitment to make the “One Guyana” motto a reality.

Usually, many think of just the political arena here. And indeed, that is important. But we must remember that many care little for politics and simply want to overcome challenges and have a ‘full and meaningful life’. So, my mind goes back to what happened just a while back. We are still in ‘appreciation mode’ for the one-off cash grant of $100,000 for every child living with a disability. When he announced it, President Irfaan Ali did explain that the Administration was very cognisant of the many hardships parents and guardians of persons with disabilities, especially children, normally face. If we add the COVID-19 pandemic and other global shocks, such as natural disasters and the current Russia-Ukraine war, then we have a really bad situation on hand. For example, as the President explained, “With the increases of gas prices that are bringing tremendous hardship globally, we have been supporting every single group…and today we want to give every single child with a disability, a cash grant of $100,000 this year.” These acts of necessary ‘caretaking’ transcend political grand-standing, and we must heap accolades on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic for doing the right thing.

Let us bear in mind that people’s environment has a huge effect on the experience and extent of disability. Inaccessible environments create barriers that often hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. Progress on improving social participation can be made by addressing these barriers and facilitating persons with disabilities in their day to day lives.

This is exactly what is beginning to unfold in Guyana.

Sincerely, H. Singh

Young Guyanese are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities being created by PPP/C gov’t Dear Editor,

Y

ouths no longer can complain about not having a job.

The PPP/C Government is making it easy for them to find and keep a job either temporarily or permanently.

They are going to every region and declaring that the Government is committed to

creating jobs for young people.

I want to say seize the opportunity to become employed and get valuable experience once it comes your way.

Do not listen to the politicians because most of them are employed or have businesses to fend for their families while many young people are surviving off of the (Turn to page 19)

he Commission of Inquiry into the March 2020 Elections is being made operational and the main Opposition Coalition is in a quandary as to their next move. They are clearly getting awfully nervous at the very thought that (a) The government is serious and will be getting the CoI moving and (b) That every hidden vice would be brought to light.

So, the CoI is not just talking or an idle gaff, rather, it is a very serious business that all of us would like to be a part of.

The PNC Commissioners who are calling for an internal probe at GECOM fail to realize that they are asking for an internal investigation of what took place during the last elections, forgetting that the statements they made were public and need to be cleared up in the public domain, a private, in-camera closed-door probe is not the approach to such a serious matter. The internal review that they are advocating would not address the real issues that are confronting us. We need to get first-hand information as to what actually took place last election.

Secondly, that type of review means that the public is excluded from hearings and much of what would be deliberated there

would be a discussion of hearsay falsehoods that The PNC would like to be branded as truth. We are not interested in that nonsense we want to know, we have every right to know, so everything has to be brought into the public domain.

The PNC Thugs who are shouting that “installed government” narrative would have to rethink their approach because at the end of this CoI every hidden, ghastly and fraudulent deed would be unearthed. It means that everything that was treated as private would now have to be made public and transparent.

The nonsensical talk of why hold a CoI because it would prejudice the court matter involving the fraudulent crew who are before it does not hold much sway because they can by a court order be exempt from the proceedings. However, other officials who were involved in the electoral process can and will have to come forward to testify as to their stewardship. Those who claim to see dead persons voting will now have their day in a CoI Court. Let the CoI begin.

At the end of this CoI, using Burnham’s pet phrase, “All mouths and other oral orifices will have to be closed.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

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

Phase 2 of WINN programme to be launched soon T

he Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme registration numbers continue to soar as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security records some 10,000 applications countrywide.

The number is a significant climb since the beginning of the programme’s registration portal on June 3, 2022.

Human services minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, recently, expressed delight by the response to

the programme which was designed to financially uplift and empower women through skills training.

She said, “The response to WIIN has been overwhelming, thank you for choosing WIIN. the numbers have touched 10,000 and so it means that 10,000 persons…from across all of the regions have ceased this opportunity.”

WIIN is one of the primary flagships of the ministry which was launched in Baramita, Region One, on

May 2021, to highlight the programme’s accessibility in hinterland areas.

Since its launch, 2,170 women have been trained in multiple disciplines specific to the needs of their demographic area. Upon graduating from the programme, women are directed into entrepreneurship, and are provided with funding and other support services.

Women can engage in a number of training programmes such as Graphics Design & Photography,

Child Care, Care for the Elderly, Garment Construction, Home Management and television and video production.

Meanwhile, with the large influx of applications, Minister Persaud has announced that the ministry will be launching a phase two of the WIIN programme. Applicants who were not captured in the first phase will participate in the second phase. A new programme will also be added in the second phase.

Minister Persaud has encouraged more women to apply for the programme.

She highlighted WIIN’s hybrid feature which accommodates both in-person and online learning. She said, “We would like to see so many more of you joining the WIIN family, those in Region Six, those in Region 10, those in the hinterland regions. Remember that we have a hybrid model programme, which allows you to learn with us online or in person. So, we are making

every opportunity available to you, so that you can be trained free of cost. It can change your life, you can become an entrepreneur, your own business owner and of course, we will be very proud of you.”

WIIN offers accredited certificates in multiple disciplines from agencies such as ABMA UK, ROYTECH through the University of the West Indies, and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education of the University of Guyana.

$80M in upgrades for Aubrey Barker Road ─ Ministerial team meets with South Ruimveldt residents

I

n keeping with government’s manifesto commitment of ensuring that no region, community or village is left behind, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill on June 23, 2022, announced that massive upgrades will soon begin on the Aubrey Barker Road in South Ruimveldt, George-

town.

The minister was speaking during an engagement with residents at the South Ruimveldt Secondary school.

Several other ministers were a part of the meeting which was a follow-up to a visit

by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday last.

Minister Edghill dis-

closed that the estimated cost for phase one of the project will be $80 million. He explained that while the road falls under the Georgetown City council, it will now be treated as a main road which be upgraded, and maintained by the government. “We’ve had to make some interventions and treat it as a main

access road. Phase one of the work to be done on Aubrey Barker which would be from Dynasty all the way to the roundabout is already out for tender and works on that would commence in just a matter of weeks,” he said.

In the 2022 budget, monies were allocated to address drainage, and other infrastructural development in South Georgetown.

While a number of works are already ongoing, South Georgetown is prone to heavy flooding due to improper drainage systems, as such the Ministry of Public Works is committed to ensuring that this issue is resolved.

Minister Edghill further said, “We would have already conducted a full assessment of what needs to be done in terms of the drainage for South Georgetown.”

The minister noted that an engineering solution is in its design stage, and once completed it will be implemented. This, he informed the residents, will be a multi-billion-dollar operation. “If we attempt to upgrade roads, and we don’t have drainage we are basi-

cally throwing money in fire because the roads will soon disappear and be destroyed, because the water will undermine the asphalt, and you’ll get all the potholes and everything going again. So, one of the major things that we are working with in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s NDIA is to be able to implement a permanent drainage solution,” the public works minister said.

Additionally, a maintenance contractor will be hired in South Ruimveldt to conduct remedial works on roads in the area, until drainage is properly secured, and other roads constructed.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, in brief remarks noted that there are 13 pumps and a number of sluices working in the area, which are being operated and monitored by the City Council. “And sometimes when we have flood, not because only the drain is blocked, and we are not having the regular flow of water out of the area, but sometimes, many times when our engineers visit these pumps and structures sometimes (they) are inoperable,”

he pointed out.

Through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, 15 persons will be trained by the National Drainage Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to operate the pumps that are being neglected by the City Council.

Further, the agriculture ministry has identified a number of drains and alleyways to be manually desilted.

The minister noted that these works will commence shortly to ensure persons can get relief from the flooding in that area.

Also, during the meeting a number of issues were raised by the residents. They were assured that the government is committed to providing opportunities for better development.

The ministerial team also comprised Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, and Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr.

Swan Village to benefit from new well

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esidents of Swan Village on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway will soon be the beneficiaries of improved water supply, following efforts by the Government of Guyana (GoG) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to drill a new potable water well to serve the community.

The existing water distribution system at Swan is a low- producing one that currently cannot supply the entire village adequately.

As such, a site visit was conducted by GWI one (1)

year ago, where it was determined that the community needed a new well. As such, work towards this end was initiated.

Consultations involving GWI’s CEO Mr. Shaik Baksh, other Company officials and the people of Swan were done by way of a visit to the community. There, the exercise was well- received with residents turning up in large numbers, even as they were promised a better supply of potable water.

Now, GWI’s promise to the people of Swan Vil-

lage will be materialized.

A contractor has already been attached to the project and drilling of the well has already commenced. It is estimated that this will be completed within a month’s time.

Meanwhile, the pipe distribution network to serve the community, will be outfitted with stand pipes at a later date.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be drawn up and signed by the GWI and the Village.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Construction Assistance Programme One month amnesty for Home Launched in Region Three seafarers to get their S licences, books in order B eginning Monday, June 27, seafarers have been given a one-month timeline to renew their licences, free of cost.

The amnesty period was announced by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, MP, as part of ‘Day of the Seafarer’ which was observed on June 25, 2022.

The decision was taken in recognition of the critical role played by seafarers.

Edghill said, “For all those whose licence and books are not in order, that perhaps we can give a onemonth amnesty. That everybody who comes in to get themselves organised, they can do so for free for the next month… that is one way of getting everybody registered,

getting everybody in line so that nobody can make the excuse, they did not have the money or the fees.”

The amnesty period will provide for un-licenced seafarers to acquire their licence and discharge book free of cost. The cost of acquiring a licence range from $12,000 to $30,000 and is valid between three to five years, while the cost for a discharge book is about $8000.

MARAD’s Director General, Stephen Thomas, said there are only about 300 registered seafarers. The director general said operators of all vessels are required to have certification based on the size and trading area of the vessel. He said the amnesty period provides the

opportunity for all those in the sector to be in MARAD’s system. Thomas said, “We would not be able to complete all the exams, but once you come and apply during this time then you would be entitled to the benefits of the amnesty. We hope the seafarers can come, they can feel at home, they can feel comfortable by coming and visit us at MARAD. We waivered the payment of the fees to process the documentation to have them certified and licenced so that we can keep a proper record on them. It is not to spy on them, but it is to support them.”

Seafarers were also assured on continued engagement to address their working conditions, and other issues.

$100M being spent to upgrade Region 2 primary health care facilities

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he government is investing $100 million to upgrade and expand primary health care facilities across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), with the aim of ensuring citizens have access to quality, reliable and efficient healthcare services.

Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo led a team including Deputy Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Veronica Griffith and Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ranjeev Singh, on an inspection of the works carried out on a number of facilities along the Essequibo Coast.

Inspections were also done on the Bethany and Mashabo health posts which also benefited from rehabilitation works valued at $3 million and $4 million respectively. The team visited the Charity Health Centre located in the compound of the Oscar Joseph District Hospital. That facility benefited from major renovation to the tune of some $6 million.

The Windsor Castle Health

Centre was outfitted with a washroom facility, among other works.

Dr. Mahadeo, who also has responsibility for regional health services, said over 90 per cent of the projects on the Essequibo Coast are completed, with two riverine health facilities still undergoing rehabilitation works.

The latter works are scheduled to be completed soon.

“Most of the contractors who would have done the work would have already either received their payments or their payments are in process…we had asked that these projects be completed early because the earlier they finish the earlier the patients will benefit,” the Director General said.

To further boost the health care services in the riverine areas, the health ministry spent $2.8 million to refurbish the ‘Lady Janet’ dental boat which was out of service for six years.

Dr. Mahadeo said the boast provides dental services to residents in the Upper

and Lower Pomeroon areas every Monday. He said, “So, the services are being provided, not on an ad hoc basis, but on a routine basis so people would know when to expect the boast and the staff is there so that they can get help.”

Dr. Mahadeo noted that one of the major challenges in staffing at the health facilities. However, with the launching of the part time jobs by the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, persons will be employed as porters, cleaners, labourers and clerical officers to fill that gap.

He commended the RHO and team for the work they have been doing to ensure facilities across the region are at an acceptable standard, and that adequate drugs are distributed in a timely manner to avoid shortages.

The Region recently benefited from a medical outreach in the riverine where residents benefited from services including dentistry, eye care, general and laboratory testing services.

cores of residents in Region Three turned out at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Friday (June 24, 2022), as the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority launched the Home Construction Assistance Programme in the region.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves; Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor and technical staff were present at the launch.

The initiative is the brainchild of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and is designed to assist Guyanese families, who own government or private lands to access financing and building their homes.

“Our goal as a Government is to ensure that all of our citizens have proper access to hous-

ing. We understand the many difficulties that you encounter and this programme provides an avenue to bridge that gap,” Minister Croal stated.

Through the programme applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models ($7 million, $9 million and $12 million) and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions. Those on board include Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Citizens Bank and the New Building Society. The homes will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for quality control. During the launch several contractors in the region, who expressed interest in building the homes registered with the Ministry’s database. This will boost the regional economy and create employment for residents in the area.

Minister Croal noted

that in addition to the Home Construction Assistance Programme several other projects are in motion that will catapult the region’s housing sector.

Close to $4 billion in infrastructure works are ongoing in several housing schemes. The bidding process is also ongoing for the construction of a new four-lane highway from Schoonord, West Bank Demerara to Crane, West Coast Demerara, which will unlock lands for new housing and commercial developments.

Minister Croal also announced that construction for the first 500 homes in Region Three is expected to commence soon.

During the launching, residents lauded the government’s effort to make homeownership more attainable.

The Home Construction Assistance Programme has also been launched in Region Four, Region Six and Region Ten.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Ithaca youths benefit from upgraded Increased minimum basketball facility wage for private-sector M workers payable from July 1st

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inimum wage for private sector employees has been officially increased by 36 per cent effective July 1, 2022.

This will see them receiving $60,147, an increase from $44,200. The increase has been officially gazetted and was signed by the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, on June 24, 2022.

The move is a fulfilment of a commitment made by the PPP/C Administration in 2020, following the failure of the APNU+ AFC’s stalling of discussions by the tripartite committee on salary increases. The PPP/C Government had established a new committee to immediately continue discussions on the proposed $60,000 increase.

The committee included representatives of the Pri-

vate Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing Service Association, and all Chambers of Commerce.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had announced recently that cabinet was in full agreement with the recommendations made by the tripartite committee to increase the minimum wage.

The wage increase comes at a time when government is working tirelessly to ease the brunt of the rising cost of living on Guyanese. The economic hardships faced the world over, is a direct effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic and most recently, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the official gazette states that in commencement of the order, a worker who is being paid a wage rate that is higher than

that prescribed should continue to receive that amount and not suffer a reduction of rate in account of the order.

It also calls for workers to have a normal work week of 40 hours which should not exceed five days per week.

Any hours of work beyond the normal working hours will result in the employee being paid at minimum rates set out by the hours and holidays act and the labour conditions of employment of certain workers act, or any other law in force where workers are represented by a trade union.

In addition, any employer who breaches the provisions of the order will be liable to conviction of a fine of $50,000 for the first offence.

A second time offender will be fined $100,000 and face imprisonment for one month.

Region Three farmers to have greater market access with wharf to be constructed at Hubu

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here will soon be improved accessibility for farmers along the Essequibo River to get their produce to the mainland in Region Three, as a new wharf is set to be constructed at Hubu, in the Essequibo Island/West Demerara (Region Three).

The wharf is deemed a priority, as it will fit into government’s agricultural plans to ensure food security in Guyana and the Caribbean. It will also contribute to the 25 per cent by 2025 initiative being led by Guyana and supported by other CARICOM nations.

The commitment was made by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, following a meeting with residents in Hubu, Sunday (June 26, 2022) afternoon.

Some of the communities to benefit include Bonasika, Saxacalli, Aliki, Lanaballi, Hog Island and Fort Island, among others.

Community farmers noted that the location of the current wharf is life threatening as it is located near a

three-door koker. The farmers pointed out that when the doors are opened, they are unable to get their produce to the existing wharf.

While the commitment was made by the minister to construct the wharf, a five-member committee of farmers was established to work along with the engineers to determine the best possible location for the wharf to be constructed.

“I am going to ask that from among yourselves, who are going to be the beneficiaries, name five people who are going to work with my engineers and within one month, they have to go through this entire place, review it and come up with the best option and best alternative,” Minister Edghill stated.

He continued explaining that “ultimately what we want is you to benefit.

We want to see agriculture expand. President Ali is leading an initiative in the Caribbean to reduce the CARICOM food import bill

by 25 per cent by 2025. We want you to plant more, we want you to produce more, we want your goods to get to the market but at the same time, we don’t want anybody to lose their lives and we don’t want to waste money.

We want to be able to do what is beneficial to all the people.”

Additionally, Minister Edghill explained that the construction of the Del Conte Road will also provide more accessibility for farmers to get their produce to market. The Del Conte Road begins at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and goes all the way down the East Bank Essequibo area into Goshen.

The alignment for the road he said, had been completed and that government is seeking funding for the project.

Since taking office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has placed heavy emphasis on agriculture and have made significant investment in the sector through budgetary allocations and bilateral relations to boost agriculture.

inister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr, on Sunday (June 27, 2022), assisted with the setting up of basketball backstops and hoops at Ithaca village, West Bank Berbice, fulfilling a commitment he made several months ago to young persons in the village.

Minister Ramson had promised to provide the new equipment to improve the existing facilities there. “The hoops that they had were only going to last a few more mornings, they were broken, the glass was broken, they were leaning, they were low,” Minister Ramson said.

He explained that the procurement process and

shipping issues had caused a delay.

Minister Ramson had visited the community recently, where he made preparations for the hoops to be installed on Sunday.

The new hoops cost more than US$5,000. “It’s tested ready, so the public can be assured that these are best quality basketball hoops that could be had anywhere.

These will last them 10-15 years…it’s regulation size, it’s pro hoops. It means that for folks who really want to take the game to the next level and also be encouraged by having the equipment and the facility, it means that they now have

an opportunity to do that,” he said.

A team from the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, along with persons from the community was on the ground assisting in cleaning the court, and painting and repairing bleachers.

The upgrade to the basketball facility was welcomed by members of the community including, Berbice All Star Player Shannon Wilson.

The PPP/C government has committed to taking the president of the Basket Ball Federation to the community to host a basketball tournament on the regulation sized facility.

Over 200 households in No. 5 village to be regularised

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fter decades of occupying land in No. 5 Village, Region Five, without any documentation to show ownership, over 200 households will soon be regularised commencing July 11, 2022.

The announcement was made on Saturday (June 25, 2022) by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP, during a meeting with residents, during which, he informed them of the process.

Homeownership is something that the President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led government has been advocating for since taking office in August 2020.

When the lands are regularised, residents will be presented with certificates of title, making them legal proprietors.

The AG explained that a survey of the entire area will

be done first followed by individual lots to kick-start the process for persons to receive their certificates of title.

Minister Nandlall enlightened residents that according to the law, they are deemed squatters.

However, he noted that government is determined to make them owners of the land they are occupying. As such, residents were encouraged to fully participate to ensure the process is a success. He said, “This thing cannot happen without your cooperation, and the speed that it takes will depend upon how speedily you are going to be cooperate with the process. Sometimes we are very frustrated because we do not get the cooperation from you, and if one of you do not cooperate, it may affect a whole host of others because sometimes the houses are in one line

and you’re holding up the process, will hold up the process for others.”

The process of regularisation began over a year ago at Cotton Tree Village, and is aimed at capturing all the surrounding communities, including No. 3, 4 and 5 Villages.

The Attorney General said he was instructed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to visit communities countrywide to identify legal issues people have in relation to land. He said once government is able to intervene, it would try to resolve the matter as far as possible.

Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has stressed the importance of homeownership. Only last year, 53 Enterprise families on the East Coast Demerara obtained their certificates of title for land they bought and occupied for over 20 years ago.

Guyana to provide free treatment for persons living with Hepatitis C

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ersons living with Hepatitis C will soon have their treatment fully funded by the Government of Guyana as the Ministry of Health partners with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to ensure treatment is provided.

Speaking at a mini health fair recently, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony acknowledged the challenges experienced by persons living with Hepatitis C, including the cost of treat-

ment. “On average, at one point in time to treat a person with Hep-C was about US$80,000, that came down to about US $20,000, and now it is about US$2,000,” Dr. Anthony said.

The minister further explained that this initiative is part of the Government of Guyana’s strategy to reduce the spread of Hepatitis C which in the long-term can cause non-chronic diseases including cancer. He said, “We are bringing the treat-

ment to Guyana at a high cost because these things are not cheap, but again if we prevent it from happening, then we will be in a better position, but those who are already infected, we are going to start a programme where we are going to treat these diseases. By treating them, we are preventing them from getting hepatic cancers because the natural course of this is that it moves from an acute Hep-C infection to (Turn to page 19)

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE

Households in Karrau Creek R to receive black giant chickens

Mashabo, Bethany residents benefit from specialised medical outreach ─ Health Ministry monitoring cases of dengue fever

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n an effort to expand poultry rearing in the lower Mazaruni district, households within the village of Karrau Creek, Region Seven will receive 25 Black Giant chickens before the end of July.

The large dual-purpose chicken has the ability to produce up to 200 eggs annually and about 4.5 kilogrammes of meat.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, made the announcement, during a follow- up meeting in the village. He also disclosed his ministry’s plan to establish a shade house in the indigenous community.

The minister led a team of technical officers to the village of River’s View, Karrau Creek, Batavia and Kartabo in the lower Mazaruni Region, where he listened to the concerns of farmers, with the aim of resolving them as soon as possible.

The meetings are a follow-up to one held recently

by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, during which several agricultural issues were highlighted.

Minister Mustapha is also looking to conduct an assessment on cassava cultivation in Karrau Creek, and once the production is viable, a cassava milling machine will be delivered to the community.

Additionally, the villages of River’s View, Falmouth and Kartabo will each receive a milling machine to help with the processing of cassava flour. River’s View and Falmouth will each receive a shade house, putting them at a higher advantage to produce healthier crops.

“I promise you that I will be back before the end of July to deliver these things to you myself,” Minister Mustapha assured. He emphasised that the PPP/C Government is not one that tours the country, and makes careless

commitments.

He therefore, charged those gathered to positively assess the performance of the administration since taking office in August 2020, noting that when the PPP/C left office in 2014, it passed some $18.4 billion in the National Assembly to advance the food sector.

Upon returning, Minister Mustapha stated that the allocation for the agriculture sector declined to $11.5 billion.

He said major investments are being made to develop ongoing projects.

Meanwhile, technical officers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will return to the various communities to conduct assessments, and the results will determine the next move towards addressing drainage concerns.

Each of the communities visited will also receive free seedlings and Acoushi ant bait as requested.

esidents of the riverine communities, Mashabo and Bethany, Region Two, recently, benefitted from a specialised medical outreach conducted by the Ministry of Health, as part of the government’s continued efforts to make healthcare accessible to all citizens.

The outreach was led by the Ministry’s Director-General, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, who along with a team of doctors and specialists provided services including dentistry, eye care, and general and laboratory testing.

The first stop was at Bethany, which is located three miles up the Supenaam River and has a population of over 600 persons. There, the residents turned out in their numbers at the community’s health post to benefit from the various specialised services.

The team then moved to Mashabo village, Essequibo Coast, where another large number of residents took

advantage of the dental and laboratory services.

Dr. Mahadeo deemed the outreach a success as a number of residents were able to benefit from the services that they would usually have to travel miles to the Suddie Regional Hospital to access.

However, he said that a number of cases of dengue fever were detected in both communities- six in Mashabo and one in Bethany. These cases were reported immediately to the Ministry of Health and the Region Two administration for further monitoring and evaluation. “Additional actions will have to be taken…dengue is a condition that we need to pay attention to and so far, we have identified seven cases in Bethany and Mashabo. None of them showed any serious signs and symptoms, however we will be following them up,” the director general noted.

In the area of eyecare, Dr. Mahadeo informed that

some 60 persons from the region are in the process of undergoing cataract surgery at the National Ophthalmology Hospital. Those persons identified for the surgery by the optometrist during the outreach, will be added to the list. “The patients are being transported at the cost of the government to the National Ophthalmology Hospital.

They will get their surgeries done, and make sure they are okay and then we transport them back to Region Two.” The medical outreach started in September 2020 based on a directive from His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The intention is to ensure the residents in the outlying areas are receiving equitable and reliable healthcare. “The whole idea is not only that we identify issues, but we deal with it and where necessary, we provide all the necessary actions including transportation, transporting the patients, taking care of the medicines, bringing them back home and following up on them,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

Director-General, Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo along with doctors and specialists at the Bethany Health Centre

Three Mabaruma villages get transportation boost

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Residents of Karrau Creek, Region Seven during the meeting with Minister Mustapha

esidents of Whitewater, Khan’s Hill and Mabaruma Settlement in Mabaruma sub-district, Region One, are the beneficiaries of new vehicles costing a total of $7.3 million, as part of the government’s support to boost the economies of hinterland villages.

The transportation, which were purchased utilising the villages one-off grants under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, will be used to generate income for the communities through a routine transportation service, as well as transporting students to and from school.

The keys to the vehicles

were officially handed over to the respective village leaders by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Saturday (June 25, 2022).

He was accompanied by Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley and Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Shem Cuffy.

Addressing villagers at Whitewater village, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the development of hinterland village economies through financial and other support, based on the needs of the community.

He reminded residents of the many interventions gov-

ernment has made to bring relief to citizens during in the face of the global crisis.

These include the $25,000 per household COVID-19 crash grant, the one-off cash grant for hinterland villages, as well as for the public servants, the elderly and most recently, for hinterland and riverine communities.

Minister Croal said the PPP/C Government has also invested billions of dollars to upgrade and expand the health and education sectors across the country. The intention, he noted, is to ensure citizens, regardless of where they live, have access to (Turn to page 19)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

50 years of cooperation between Regional Energy Strategy being Guyana/China laid foundation considered by CARICOM member states for continued collaboration resident Dr Irfaan Ali the energy crisis and glob- have to give them, the future

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali lauded the “imperishable” nature of Guyana/China relations as he recognised the inseparable ties that have brought the people of the two countries together.

The Head of State made this assertion during the celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China at a ceremony held on Wednesday (June 29, 2022) evening at the Pegasus Hotel.

“Relations between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China are imperishable.

Inseparable ties to China have brought tremendous development gains, has brought our people closer together.”

He added that while cooperation between the two countries straddles almost all areas of national development including agriculture, culture, defence cooperation, education, health, information communications technology, infrastructural development, private investment, security, sport, trade and transportation; interactions between the two countries over the past half of a century have not been limited only to the bilateral level. He said, “As our beliefs and principles and interests converge, our two countries have continued to collaborate in international forums such as the China-Caribbean Consultations, the CELAC-China Forum, the Caribbean-China Economic and Trade Cooperation, the United Nations, the G-77

and China and World Trade Organisation. We both subscribe to the belief that multilateralism is necessary to assist in finding solutions to the present global challenges.”

President Ali noted that 50 years of relations have laid a foundation for 50 more years of sustained friendship. He emphasised too that the relationship must be to enable the world to arrive at better solutions as both countries must play their part in advancing democratic norms and principles, advancing peace and security, advancing transparency and integrity and advancing the welfare and wellbeing of all. He said, “We will continue to partner with you in the many areas we have identified in the discussion with President Xi [Jinping]; human resource training and development, your investment in food security and agriculture, your support to the technological transformation, your support to the infrastructural transformation, your private sector being a part of the advancement and the advancement and development of our countries are all things we’ll continue to work on together.”

The President reiterated his Government’s commitment to a One Guyana initiative, which is aimed primarily at ensuring greater inclusiveness. In this paradigm, he added, his Government seeks to create an environment where all feel comfortable building their lives and relish

being part of a closely knitted Guyana. “My Government desires to show no partiality, and this is why Chinese nationals, like nationals of any other country, are welcomed to our country’s national development and indeed, not only are you welcomed to our country’s national development, but you make up an important part of our cultural heritage and our national makeup. You are part of the national pot of what makes us all Guyanese,” he said.

In her remarks, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan said the occasion marks a “new milestone in China/ Guyana relations”.

The Anniversary ceremony, hosted by the Chinese Embassy, featured a rousing cultural performance and the unveiling of a limited edition commemorative stamp.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; several Government Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives from the business community were also at the event.

Guyana was the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to have opened diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

Since June of 1972, the two countries have supported each other’s positions on key international issues such as south-south cooperation, regional integration, and China-Caribbean cooperation.

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said that discussions are underway with several CARICOM leaders on developing a Regional Energy Strategy to highlight opportunities and to provide a clear direction on the way forward.

The Head of State made this disclosure as he delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit on Monday (June 27, 2022) in Paramaribo. “We are proposing to move rapidly on a Regional Energy Strategy to look at all the potential areas for investment, to bring investors together, bring the markets together and to see how, as quickly and transparently as possible, we can unlock those opportunities.”

This strategy, he added, will allow investors to have a “fair and clear” understanding of the policy and energy needs of the region.

President Ali emphasised that the potential of energy security in the Region is “undoubtedly” enormous.

He said, “Just imagine if we get the capital resources to do the exploration work and move into production; not only the contribution we can make regionally but the position we can take globally—we can reposition this Region globally”.

STRATEGIC APPROACH To achieve this, he noted, requires bold decision making, a common strategic approach and working in union on policy formulation.

Reference was made to

al inequality, which has been exacerbated due to the Covid-19 pandemic, invasion of Ukraine and supply chain issues.

He drew attention to the rising oil prices as well as the 243% increase in natural gas prices and the need for the region to navigate through the challenges. Ali said, “These are the realities that we face together as we confront these challenges, so in the midst of this global crisis, CARICOM members like Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, with the possibility of natural gas, we have to come together to advance a solution not only for the region, but one that incorporates northern Brazil especially.”

NEEDED CHANGES He called for the removal of bureaucratic delays and the need to advance the project with dynamism and to work on unlocking the natural gas potential which can contribute to the rebalancing on the supply side for the Region.

In addition, he explained that CARICOM nations cannot be locked out of the energy conversation as the potential that exists for renewables and for oil and gas is tremendous.

The resources, he reminded, will allow leaders to deliver to the people of their countries and the Region, better education, better health care, and better infrastructure among other benefits. The President said, “We

generation, a better shot at life….That is why oil and gas cannot be looked at in a one-dimensional way. We have to put together a development strategy that shows how the rest of the economy will be built out from the revenues that come from oil and gas. And that is why the Region is advancing a very elaborate and ambitious food strategy. We have to be able to fund this strategy—our climate resilience strategy.”

He pointed to the importance of exploiting the resources from the Oil and Gas Sector in a safe, responsible manner— a manner in which countries can continue to advance their credentials on the environment and in a manner where sustainable, long-lasting development is secured for the people of the region.

Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, in his remarks, said strong strategic alliances combined with the generation of cheap energy will ignite new industries, create regional opportunities and guarantee prosperous lives for those in the region while adding sustainable revenue opportunities.

After the opening ceremony, President Ali took a tour of the exhibits, where he interacted with representatives from a number of companies, including those from Suriname and a few from Guyana. The 2022 Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit is carded from June 27-30.

Rwanda’s vaccine factory can be emulated in Guyana to serve wider Region

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uyana will be seeking to develop the framework and infrastructure to not only build a similar facility like BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine factory in Kigali, but to encourage investors in medical research and development, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State made this pronouncement on Thursday (June 23, 2022) at the launch of COVID-19 vaccine maker BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine factory in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, which will enable the African nation to jump-start its own manufacturing. “Of course, for Guyana, this is the direction we want to head in. We want to be able to develop the framework and infrastructure to be able

not only to build a similar facility in Guyana but to encourage investors in research and development in the medical field as a whole to come to Guyana as a medical hub, in developing vaccines and developing a treatment for malaria, etc.,” he said.

To achieve this, the President noted, will require the “right” regulatory, legislative and institutional framework and the support of countries like Rwanda and Ghana, who have already chartered the way. To this end, bilateral discussions on the way forward are already “on the agenda” with the two African nations.

“We can work with these countries in building our regulatory framework, our institutional framework, and

developing the training facility that will ensure we have highly skilled and capable human resources to transition into this new field and to transition into this new area of developmental opportunity that we want to bring to Guyana.”

President Ali recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic taught the importance of not only having access to vaccines but in ensuring that every region is vaccine secure. It also highlighted the great inequality in not only the manufacturing of vaccines and the pricing but also the distribution.

The President disclosed that Guyana and Barbados will be “aggressively” working together with the innovators, researchers, and

developers in advancing this goal. He said, “Well, Prime Minister Mottley and I had had some discussions already. And one of the things that we’re looking to do is to have the regulators and the Attorney Generals for the countries look at our existing legal framework, look at our existing food and drugs administration, and to see how we can bridge the gap and then to take the model out of Rwanda and Ghana, to incorporate that model in advancing our legislative framework to build a foundation that this industry can be built on.”

IMPORTANCE OF FACILITY Such a facility in Guyana, he emphasised, will

benefit the entire Caribbean Region as well as South America and will provide access to many other vaccines utilising the technology. Ali said, “Well, it’s not only Guyana; we are an important hub. We are part of the Caribbean; we are a part of South America. We have a lot of trade agreements with a number of countries, and it is one to ensure that the region itself, Guyana and the region, has a facility that we can be dependent on in terms of crisis vaccines, to respond to our own needs, the built our capacity, and also, more importantly, to make us vaccine secure.”

The President said too, that the intention is to bring the local players

in the pharmaceutical industry together in a consortium with the regional and international actors to generate the capacity needed.

He reminded that part of Guyana’s development trajectory in diversifying the economy is to invest in the knowledge sector and to invest in health care and education as a great export earner for Guyana.

BioNTech’s mRNA said that the initial vaccine factory in Kigali, made from an assembly kit and housed in shipping containers would, over the next few years become part of a wider supply network spanning several African nations, including Senegal and South Africa.

WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

11

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PRESIDENT ALI COMMITS TO MAJOR DE

Several projects earmarked for communities R

esidents of Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) w e r e a s s u r e d b y P r e s ident Dr. Irfaan Ali that his Government is on a national mission to bring prosperity to all citizens under the ‘One Guyana’ platform.

The Head of State made this pronouncement yesterday as he addressed residents of communities in Kaikan, Phillipai and Kamarang during outreach exercises.

“The only way we can build an equitable society is if we have a society in which the prosperity of the country can be shared with every single family across our country….As a people, we have to have humility and we have to support each other,” he said.

The Region Seven residents were updated on the Government’s progressive agenda, including its aim

to improve the health and education sectors countrywide.

Today’s visit is a continuation of the President’s outreach to the region which started in Bartica on June 15 during which the President conducted a community meeting, visited several schools in the town and met with the local private sector.

EASING THE BURDEN, ENHANCING WELFARE President Ali’s first stop today was in Kaikan, where he reminded of his Government’s interventions, including $7m in Covid cash grant, and numerous other initiatives that aided a cross-section of the community members, including school children. He said, “We have also re-employed every single CSO (Community Service Officers)

that was fired in the last government, every single one of those CSOs was re-employed, bringing back opportunities to those young people and revenue in the villages they are from.”

Regarding new initiatives, President Ali told the residents that they will soon receive a new tractor with agricultural implements that will serve the communities of Arauand Kaikan. These interventions, he reiterated, are to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of the people.

He said, “Whether your community has 420 people or your community has 100,000 people, you’re entitled to the development, and you’re entitled to be part of the prosperity of this country.”

The President lauded the support of the army in the border communi(Turn to page 20)

Major developments on the cards to boost regional tourism

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resident, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said major infrastructural developments in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) will help boost its tourism potential.

Speaking during an outreach to Region 7, President Ali noted that the supporting infrastructure is needed to realise this tourism potential. “To do this we have to upgrade the roads, we have to upgrade the airstrip, we have to look at making this region, and developing

the capacity of this region to at least have a minimum municipal standard airstrip, aerodrome so that we can support the development in the hinterland, those are things that are necessary to prop the types of investment, and types of projects that we want,” President Ali noted.

He added that, “The days and time when you can spend nine hours on a ferry to come to a region for tourism are far gone. If you are to build tourism, whether it’s day

tourism or weekend tourism or long stay, we have to be able to build a product that is connected to a wider product, and we have to build the infrastructure that will allow us to build that product here.”

President Ali noted that persons also need to be trained, for which provisions have already been made. He said, “We are setting aside resources to train 6000 people in the hospitality sector, and we want people from this (Turn to page 20)

More permanent road infrastructure to be addressed

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he government will be investing in more permanent road infrastructure for the hinterland, particularly mining areas, in order to protect the safe movement of goods and services in the country’s most remote communities.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the government has recognised the need for proper road infrastructure in the hinterland and therefore, it is developing a medium and long-term solution to the issue.

The president was at the time responding to concerns raised by miners and other private sector representatives during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Region Seven, recently. He said, “The long-term plan is definitely to improve the infrastructure in the hinterland, and access to infrastructure in a more strategic and longer-lasting type of construction than an annual maintenance type.”

The need for the Del Conte Road, as well as the Timehri- Bartica Road link was highlighted by residents during the meeting. They also stressed the need for urgent repairs to be done to the Bartica to Mahdia, and Bartica to Issano roads.

President Ali explained that the Timehri- Bartica Road is one of the government’s transformational projects. He added that the road alignment is currently being cleared to some extent.

As it relates to the Bartica to Mahdia and Issano roads, the head-of-state noted that some contracts were already awarded for works in those areas, however, due to the inclement weather works were stalled.

“You will see actions very soon…so what we want to do is one round of consultation with the miners also to see some other critical areas that we might need to invest in,” he stated. The president added, “There

are some large-scale developers coming with some proposals to do some of the roads also.”

Mining is a major contributor to the country’s GDP and therefore, President Ali emphasised that is important that the necessary infrastructure, particularly roads, are in place to support the industry. “One of the things that we do as a government is that we make the investments in these roads from the same revenue, so it’s another stream of benefit from mining. So, if there is a bad area, then the stream of mining is low also. So, the government has been filling up some of the gaps,” he asserted.

Region Seven is one of the largest regions in Guyana with over 21 communities which are mostly accessible by air and river transport. President Ali said that the government is developing a plan that will see the region becoming a service hub for the mining sector.

Technical/ Vocational training centre to be established

T

he PPP/C administration is looking to transform the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) into a focal point for vocational training, with the establishment of a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. “I want the Ministry of Education to come here and do an assessment so that we can do a full fledged TVET centre to support Region Seven,” President Ali said while addressing a mammoth crowd, during a recent outreach to the region.

The President explained that the tourism potential of

the region is enormous and it also has a promising future of becoming a major logistic hub for the mining sector.

To this end, Dr. Ali underscored that once additional vocational education and training opportunity is offered to persons residing there, the region’s mining and tourism sectors will develop tremendously.

“We are going to team up with the private sector to get them to work with us. I am going to ask Mr. [Newell] Dennison [Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission] to build a programme that would support the establishment of a

full-fledged TVET centre,” the Head of State further explained.

The push for an education system that delivers a modern, model, and adaptive learning experience, is essential in realising President Ali’s vision to provide world class education for all.

The President believes that improved access and quality education are essential to raising Guyana’s human capital to the levels needed to advance and sustain transformative economic and social development.

Guyana’s rapid development trajectory requires (Turn to page 17)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

EVELOPMENT INITIATIVES IN REGION 7 PPP/C gov’t commits to partnership with miners G

overnment, through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is accelerating plans to ensure the challenges in the mining sector, specifically land management, are addressed as soon as possible.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during an engagement with member of the mining community, at an outreach to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) iterated his administration’s aim to advance the industry and called on land owners and miners to honour their commitments to the GGMC. Ali explained that there are people who are owners of several mining lands and have not paid their dues to the state for a number

of years, “Then when you go to cancel, they turn up to pay for the outstanding years…then they would go and sell the interest in those blocks and then come three years after to pay the fees for the blocks. Those are the challenges and difficulties,” he said.

President Ali expressed his government’s intention to resolving the issue. He said the Ministry of Natural Resources has begun reclaiming lands with outstanding fees and is currently assessing plots from 2017.

However, he noted that while the administration is looking to resolve the matter between the miners as soon as possible, it does not want a total shut down nor disruption of operations in

the fields.

Another major difficulty the government encountered over the past months is the unusual weather pattern, which has caused massive flooding in mining areas, affecting parts of the country’s infrastructure. “Because you know the rain has a heavy toll on the terrains and the roadways in the hinterland, so this has taken a heavy toll on the hinterland,” the President explained.

The price of fuel has also exacerbated the situation, despite Guyana being among the many countries, or the only state that has completely removed taxes on fuel, the worldwide issue of rising fuel cost remains, Dr. Ali pointed out.

(Turn to page 17)

Immediate needs of Bartica schools to be addressed

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he key priority issues in several Bartica schools in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) will be addressed immediately, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The announcement came during the President’s visit to Bartica for several meetings.

Before attending the meetings, the President visited the Three Miles Secondary School, Two Miles Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary School, Bartica Secondary School, and St John the Baptist Primary School and interacted with the students and teachers.

He later said that he has “already given instructions” to make needed changes, which will be completed before the end of this year.

This will be done using additional resources and not what has been already allocated to the region.

Noting some of the immediate interventions, the President indicated that the Precious Gems Nursery asked for a new walkway and enhanced drainage.

“I’ve already told the officers to take this down—that we’re going to have this done for you,” President Ali stated.

The St John the Baptist Primary School asked for a landfilling at the back of the school, furniture and chalkboards. This, the President said, will be completed “long” before the new term begins.

Meanwhile, the Future Builders Nursery requested an extension of its kitchen.

This, the President noted, is an indication that the attendance has increased, and the programme is working.

“We brought the school feeding programme to help children, then we brought

the kitchen to support the school feeding, now we are hearing…we want an extension of the school kitchen.

You know why? Because attendance has increased, and children are going to school because this programme is helping them,” he said.

The extension of the kitchen, President Ali said, “will be done”.

Representatives of the Two Miles Primary requested works on their roof and an expanded kitchen. To fix this, the President noted that he has already spoken to the Regional Executive Officer and the contract to repair the roof has been awarded.

Works on expanding the kitchen will be done.

EXPANDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES President Ali touted the (Turn to page 17)

500 homes among major development plans for Bartica

F

ive hundred (500) residents including teachers, nurses and other young professionals of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will benefit from homes under the government’s turnkey initiative.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali made this announcement during an outreach held at the Bartica Community Centre Ground on Wednesday, where a large crowd gathered to raise their issues and concerns.

The 500 homes, the President said, will be constructed on 120 acres of land which was identified for housing development in the township. He noted that teachers and nurses will particularly benefit, since they raised housing concerns during a prior engagement.

“We are going to work with

the people in Region Seven, the skilled men and women, the small contractors in Region Seven, because we want to use that 120 acres of land to build at least 500 homes here, using the labour and contractors from here,” he said.

In addition to the home construction programme which will result in major economic development, President Ali revealed that the government is also working on an infrastructural transformation plan that will see major road improvement in Bartica, and surrounding communities. “We are already talking about new hinterland connections, roadways to open new opportunities for the people. … We understand the need for reliable road infrastructure for miners, and we will

address that…This is the vision we are pursuing,” he said.

LOGISTICS HUB President Ali also outlined plans to transform Bartica into a major logistics hub, since it is a gateway

for the mining sector. “We need to create a service hub for Region Seven,” the president said, while noting that the region must be able to produce its own food, and make critical social and other services available to citizens.

In the area of education, President Ali said that the sector will benefit from major improvement and expansion to ensure the students have access to quality education as those on the Coast.

Among the announcements the President made

following a brief visit to several schools on his way to the meeting, are a new walkway and drainage structure for Precious Gem Nursery school, and furniture and chalkboards for St. John the Baptist.

Future Builders Nursery will also benefit from an expansion of the school’s kitchen, while Two Mile Secondary will benefit from a similar intervention. “This region must be a focal point for technical education… we will engage the miners to support the establishment of the training centre,” Ali related.

Meanwhile, the health facilities will be upgraded with the Bartica Regional Hospital slated for major upgrades. Training opportunities will also be provided (Turn to page 22)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Scenes from East Coast protest

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

President urges patience as independent ‒ 16 men charged with riotous investigation is completed behaviour P

resident Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali visited Mon Repos and Buxton on Tuesday (June 28, 2022), following protest actions over the death of Quindon Bacchus, which resulted in the destruction of stalls, the burning of vehicles and robberies.

While speaking to residents at Buxton, President Ali called for persons to be patient as the Police Complaints Authority is working to conclude the report on the shooting incident by July 4, 2022. “I called the commissioner and the chairman and they assure me the report will be completed early next week hopefully on Monday,” he said while noting that he cannot intervene in an inde-

pendent investigation. The president however, stated that while justice must be served for Quinton Bacchus, it cannot mean injustice for others.

He said, “Justice has to be served, but justice doesn’t mean you have to burn down people stall and burn their cars and beat them up. I don’t want us fall for this nonsense of having an environment that is not conducive for our children, that is not conducive for women.”

At Mon Repos, the President assured that vendors who were affected by looters will be fully compensated for their losses, and that all those who were involved in the destruction of properties will face the full force of the

law. “What was done is completely wrong and there is absolutely no excuse for it… this nonsense has to stop and I made it clear that those who participated in this must be brought to justice….everyone has a right to let their voice be heard but no one has the right to loot and rob people,” he said. President Ali has called on Guyanese not to be side tracked, and to be mindful of forces who are seeking to destroy what the country is seeking to build, which is a ‘one Guyana.’ He has also committed to engaging the residents subsequently to address the issue of job creation and empowerment, crime prevention and the strengthening of community policing.

“I want to see companies created out of here…I am going to come back within a month time because we are working on a system that will create opportunities all across the areas,” the President said.

CHARGED Meanwhile, on Wednesday (June 29, 2022), 16 men appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and were charged riotous behaviour, according to the Guyana Police Force.

The charges follow assaults, looting and disruptions at Mon Repos and other parts of the East Coast Demerara on Tuesday (June 29, (Turn to page 18)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Norton questioned about ‘suspected’ meeting with ExxonMobil reps E

ven as Leader of the PNCR and the Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, the importance of social contracts with Guyanese and acting with integrity, questions remain unanswered regarding a suspected meeting between himself and representatives of ExxonMobil.

Norton on Thursday (June 30, 2022), when asked directly about the suspected meeting, while he was visited the United States of America, would only say, “No.” Of note is that Norton’s positions on the oil company’s

operations have shifted in a matter a months.

In April 2022, Norton responded harshly to a local media report, which cited him as backing the call for a renegotiation of the contract signed by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government and ExxonMobil. Norton called for a correction to the media report via a letter to the press, which also said, “It is with a deep sense of concern that I write you to remonstrate against your misleading headline in your Friday April 08, 2022 edition of

the Kaieteur News which stated ‘Norton backs calls for renegotiation of oil contract’. Nowhere in the interview did I say that... the headline is both misleading and mischievous. I am therefore requesting a correction on the front page similar to that of the misleading headline.”

However, by June 2022, Norton was agitating for non-approval of new developments by ExxonMobil, saying that oil production should not be ramped up. “I do not think an approach which says just take out the oil, get as much

money as you can, can be the approach,” he had said.

Also questioned has been Norton’s silence on the lopsided deal signed by the former APNU+AFC Coalition, of which he was a part, with ExxonMobil.

Further, Norton remains silent the fact that it was the Coalition’s Raphael Trotman who was legally responsible for the oil and gas sector in 2016, during which period the ExxonMobil agreement was renegotiated – and at that time concerns about the role of his

then partner in the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, were spotlighted in a damning report.

The report released by the non-governmental organization, Global Witness, titled ‘Signed Away’, on page 14 said: “Trotman was legally responsible for assessing and approving or rejecting Guyana’s oil licenses. However, during the 2016 Stabroek negotiations Trotman had a possible conflict of interest. Trotman’s main political partner – Nigel Hughes – had served as one

of Exxon’s lawyers on other matters, and Hughes’ firm periodically represents Exxon as a client.” When the renegotiated ExxonMobil contract was finally released, on page 4, the address of Hughes’ law office is listed as the registered office – 62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown – of the oil company.

Global Witness had called for the relationship between Trotman, Hughes, and Exxon to be investigated to determine the existence or extent of any conflict of interest.

WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Technical/Vocational training PPP/C gov’t commits to... (From page 13) centre... (From page 12) Government had pre- deo at the Arthur Chung returning to the industry. a skilled, qualified and innovative population, that is capable of meeting the needs of the labour market. As such, government has identified human capital development through technical and vocational skills as critical for the nation’s development agenda.

The government is working to tailor those training programmes to be responsive to the country’s labour needs, while providing opportunities for personal growth and development.

Government plans to undertake an analysis of institutions which are offering skills training, with the aim of streamlining them as well as

modernising their curriculum to make them more relevant to contemporary needs.

Importantly, Government will be partnering with the private sector to establish a Guyana Technical Training College with a campus at Port Mourant that will incorporate the renowned GuySuCo Port Mourant Training School, and that will also add new training facilities for oil and gas as well as the hospitality sector.

TVET programmes are also available online. The education ministry commenced the online programme last year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

viously held consultations with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), where a number of strategies were outlined which provided timely assistance, after concerns were highlighted.

At a meeting with Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jag-

Conference Centre, Liliendaal, on May 31, several measures were announced to benefit the mining community. Some $2.4 billion is set aside to upgrade roads in mining areas, final tax has been reduced from 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent, and will see about $1.4 billion

Immediate needs of Bartica... idea of expanding the shade house programme under his Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme in the town. He said, “Imagine we have a school feeding programme in all our schools. Imagine if every school now,

The value added tax (VAT) has been removed on lubricating oils which will benefit almost all of the productive sectors of the country. Also, thousands of workers in the industry are also benefiting significantly from the removal of the 10 percent Tributors Tax.

17 Also present at the meeting with President Ali, were Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; and GGMC’s Commissioner, Newell Dennison.

(From page 13)

we can have single parents who have children in those schools doing one or two shade houses in every school and supplying the school kitchen with the food from those shade houses. That is how you build economic opportunity. That is what

you call the trickle-down effect of investment from the Government. And guess what? You don’t have to imagine it anymore, because I have instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to come here next week and do an assessment to see how we

can expand the school shade house programme here.”

President Ali stated too that Ministry of Education is working on a programme that will introduce computer coding and other similar programmes for the primary level.

18

President urges patience as independent... (From page 15) 2022).

Early on Tuesday (June 28, 2022) morning, the protest, which ensued on the East Coast which stemmed from false information circulating that the police officer accused of using excessive force and killing Quindon Bacchus, has been released as investigations are still ongoing. The President had assured residents that the officers are still in custody.

He added that the Office of

Professional Responsibility (OPR) is conducting its investigation. He further explained that the process has commenced and tremendous progress has been made.

Of the 16 persons, Andrew Sumner, 59, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD) pleaded guilty and was fined $20,000.

The other 15 pleaded not guilty and were placed on $15,000 bail. The cases were adjourned to October 19,

2022.

Those who pleaded not guilty included: 1. Rondolph Murphy, 50-year-old male of Belfield Housing Scheme, ECD. 2. Jawonza Fowler, 18-year-old male of Hackett Street, Golden Grove, ECD. 3. Michael Moore, 23-yearold male of Victoria, ECD. 4. Rawl Griffith, 45-yearold male of Haslington,

ECD. 5. George Tixey, 31-yearold male of Haslington, ECD. 6. Daniel Thomas, 19-yearold male of Haslington, ECD. 7. Lazendi Pompey, 33-year-old male of Haslington, ECD. 8. Seon Austin, 31-yearold male of Golden Grove, ECD. 9. Quice Lawrence, 40-yearold male of Golden Grove, ECD. 10. Winston James, 23-year-old male of Victoria, ECD. 11. Shaphel Caesar, 25-year-old of Melanie, ECD.

WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

12. Rondel Clarke, 21-yearold male of Ann’s Grove, ECD 13. Shamar Payne, 23-yearold male of Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD 14. Kevon Nicholas, 18-year-old male of Haslington, ECD 15. Kester Paul, 24-year-old male of Haslington, ECD THREATS AGAINST PRESIDENT Further, during the course of the protest, a man identified as 35-year-old Marvin Richmond, also known as “Wakie” of Sealey Street, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), made threats against the President.

Richmond said, “We gon kill the [expletive] President too.”

On Tuesday, speaking about the threat made, Ali said, “Today, a man threatened my life. And, the member of Parliament who filmed it did not denounce the statement. I have received an outpouring of love and support.

Today, I will be holding my family and the extended Guyanese family tighter. When I took this job, I knew that it would be difficult. We had to struggle for our democracy and our votes to be counted.

We had to struggle with a pandemic and with the rising cost of living. And, through it (Turn to page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Young Guyanese are encouraged to take... (From page 5) strength of their parents or otherwise.

You must be the change you want to see in this world! It starts with a simple application process with little or no academic qualifications and the possibilities are endless.

I think the Government is doing the right thing with this entrepreneurial and job drive for young people.

This can help Guyana to bolster the economy, therefore stimulating and expanding the economic growth rates.

Any responsible adult

will tell you the same. When it comes to education and supporting programmes to bolster youths and their development, politics have to take a back seat for me because I know the struggle to find meaningful employment before in Guyana.

I know the struggle to have bills to pay and live in Guyana so I implore young people of working age to take this golden opportunity offered by the PPP Government.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Guyana to provide free treatment... (From page 8) chronic Hep-C infection, and over the years it will then become cancerous.”

Dr. Anthony noted that, “the medication that we are using is about 90 something percent effective, so that’s why we have taken a decision that we will be bringing in these meds, we will be starting treatment for those patients that we have on the database, so in a couple months’ time, we will start that process.”

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause liver inflammation (though not always). The virus usually spreads through contaminated blood, and can be sexually transmitted. The virus can begin with an acute phase which can go undetected, but may have symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, or nausea.

In Guyana, Dr. Anthony explained that one of the most common methods of detection is blood screen at the Ministry of Health’s blood transfusion facilities.

He said, “We have been detecting patients through our blood transfusion services, so when we screen somebody who donated blood, we normally screen for a number of diseases including Hep-C and when the blood tests positive for Hep-C, we call those persons in, and we tell them that we have detected Hep -C and counsel them on the precautions to take.”

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 350 million people are living with this disease globally.

According to a statement from the World Hepatitis Summit 2022, “Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to testing and care.

Only 10% and 21% of people know that they live with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C respectively, even fewer receive treatment, and liver cancer related to hepatitis is on an exponential rise, especially in low and middle-income countries.”

Three Mabaruma villages get... (From page 9) quality and equitable healthcare and education services.

In the areas of housing and water, the ministry is currently drilling a number of wells to improve access to water across the region.

One well drilling rig is currently working in Arakaka, Matarkai sub-district, while another is drilling a well at Waramuri, Moruca sub-district. The ministry will also be rolling out its hinterland housing programme targeting vulnerable families within Amerindian communities.

“You are part of the developmental process of our country…we want to encourage you that you also play your part by ensuring that

you develop your villages and we will support you,” Minister Croal emphasised.

Villagers also praised the government for its continued support towards the enhancement of the communities.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal also spearheaded the distribution of government’s $25,000 household cash grant for hinterland and riverain communities, to several residents in the sub-district. Over the next two days, the minister will lead a similar exercise in the Moruca sub-district. Some 9,529 households in Region One are expected to benefit from cash grants totalling $238,225 million.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Major developments on the cards... (From page 12) region to be trained, but importantly we want to have the transformative infrastructure that could bring people to the region.”

The President also spoke of the road link that will enable persons to travel to the opposite side of Bartica.

“These are the transformative infrastructure, that will open up new opportunities, create new opportunities, and this is the vision that we are pursuing, a vision that is aimed at increasing prosperity, and improving opportunities for you.”

He noted that the development path is one which sees a region that is sustainable, food and energy secure, and responsive to climate change with the investments that will be made.

The partnership with

Barbados to market the two countries together, and the Tourism Ministry’s effort to develop the region was also highlighted by the Head of State.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has been working to develop the Essequibo tourism circuit which includes parts of Regions Two, Three and Seven.

Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, on a media tour in late 2021, had indicated that there will be upgrades to the tourist sites in the Essequibo circuit.

Sites along the Essequibo circuit include the Forts, several waterfalls such as the Baracara falls and Marshal falls, and several tourist resorts in the Essequibo River and Bartica.

President urges patience as independent... (From page 18) all, we are surely and steadily transforming Guyana. I will be asking for the Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution decrying political violence and threats of assassination. Because, in order to build one Guyana for all, we must speak with one voice that threats of political violence and assassination will not be tolerated in our democratic society.”

The man who was captured on camera making a threat to end the life of Pres-

ident Dr Irfaan Ali has been arrested, according to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“Investigators have so far confirmed that this individual was treated on several occasions by a psychiatrist,” the GPF explained.

President Ali made clear that the incident of June 29, 2022 is not acceptable. He said, “As a democratic society and country, we must never allow this. Our collective voices must condemn it now.”

Several projects... ty, whose members have worked on several projects over the last year. He announced that they will now work together to build a guest house, with materials from the Government.

Several other projects were identified, including the construction of shade houses and a poultry project, both with an aim of enhancing food production.

In Phillipai and Kamarang, President Ali said that the Ministry of Agriculture will work along with the communities on an agriculture plan to enhance their production. He emphasised that this will align with Guyana and the Caribbean’s plan to reduce its food import bill by 25% by 2025.

For Kamarang specifically, President Ali said that the community could become a central location for the mining and logging industry.

(From page 12)

RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITIZENS The President stressed that all of the initiatives implemented and those to come are “people-centred” and are being formulated through consultations.

He said, “I want to say to you, as a Government, we believe in some very important principles. We believe that we must be responsive to your needs.

But we cannot be responsive to your needs if we don’t listen to you if we don’t come to you, and we don’t engage you, and that is why you’re seeing the Cabinet all over the country.”

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken were also on the outreach.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation (NPR) Many have wrestled with this dilemma at some point during the pandemic, yet it still seems to come up again and again: When can you stop isolating after a COVID-19 infection? The question is especially vexing if you're feeling better, but still testing positive on a rapid test.

Even with the arrival of new sub-variants, the basic ground rules haven't changed since omicron first came onto the scene: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says someone can stop isolating after five days if they're fever-free for 24 hours and are starting to get better — as long as they keep wearing a mask around

others for another five days.

Some researchers have criticized these rules pointing to research that shows some people may remain infectious after day five. And many experts advise waiting until you test negative on an at-home test before venturing out.

But if you feel fine, it can be frustrating to wait, especially if you're in the subset of those who test positive past 10 days.

James Hay, who studies infectious disease dynamics, remembers earlier this year when his sister continued testing positive for two weeks. Their family had plans to get together over the holiday — a gath-

ering that included an older relative who was vulnerable to COVID. "To us, that was just not worth the risk," says Hay, who is a research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Going to the shops with a mask on, that's a different kind of risk consideration."

Testing to get out of isolation is tempting because it promises a straightforward answer. Unfortunately — and perhaps unsurprisingly — the science is not entirely settled. "We don't have anything that says definitely you are contagious or definitely you're not," says Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at UChicago Medicine. "The best thing we have are these rapid antigen tests."

Unlike PCR tests, which search for genetic material from the virus, rapid antigen tests work by looking for the proteins that are packed inside the virus. A positive test generally correlates with the presence of infectious virus. Scientists can determine that by taking samples from someone who's been infected and trying to grow the virus in a lab — what's known as a viral culture.

Generally, most people who get infected are not still testing positive on an antigen test 10 days after symptom onset. "If you have enough virus in your system to be turning one of these tests positive, that means your body probably hasn't yet fully cleared the infection," says Hay. But there is no perfect study that shows how likely

it is that a positive test on a rapid test translates into shedding enough virus that you could actually infect another person, says Dr. Geoffrey Baird, chair of the department of laboratory medicine and pathology at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

"The answer to that is clear as mud," he says.

Indeed, infectious disease experts tend to differ about how much stock to put in a rapid test result when someone knows they're infected and deciding whether it's safe to rejoin the outside world.

After all, Baird points out that these tests were never designed to function as get-out-of-isolation cards.

Relying on the result to tell whether you're truly still infectious is dicey, he says.

"There's actually a lot more discrepancy than anyone would be happy with," he says.

A positive antigen test could essentially be picking up leftover viral "garbage," which can include "dead viruses, mangled viruses ... viruses that are 90% packed together but not really going to work," says Baird.

And the amount can vary depending on each person's immune system, the variants, the stage of the infection, and so on.

This is partly why Baird did not bother to take a rapid test when he had COVID recently and had to decide when it was OK to return to work. After a week, when he was feeling better, he came back to the office, where everyone's required to wear an N95 mask.

Even if it is an imperfect tool, not everyone is down on using a rapid antigen test.

Landon says it's extra information that can give you a sense of how to proceed, especially if people are

banking on the CDC guidance to determine whether to end isolation. That's because some people will still be infectious after five days, she says.

In fact, a study co-authored by Landon followed health care workers at the University of Chicago who had been infected but were feeling mostly better and went to get tested after five days. They found that more than half of them still tested positive on antigen tests after six days.

This tracks with other research. For example, one study analyzing data from a testing site in San Francisco during the January omicron surge suggests that many people were still testing positive after five days. And research done by the CDC shows about half of people were still testing positive on the antigen test between five and nine days after symptom onset or diagnosis.

"You'd be erring on the side of caution if you followed the test and said, 'I'm not going to leave my isolation until after my test is negative,'" she says.

Preliminary data from scientists at Harvard and MIT shows that about 25% of symptomatic people with COVID-19 had virus that could be cultured after eight days after symptom onset or their first test.

But Hay cautions there is considerable variation in the studies because of small sample sizes, differing populations, how the rapid tests are done, the vaccination status of who's being tested and how healthy they are, among other factors. "That explains a lot of the variation across studies, but I think it's still pretty consistent as an overall finding that if you're antigen positive, then you're quite likely to be infectious," he says.

Some research has aligned more closely with the CDC isolation guidance, which assumes most people will no longer be infectious after five days. A preprint study of close to 100 vaccinated college students at Boston University suggests that a majority were no longer infectious after five days.

"Only about 17% of those who we looked at still had what looks like viable COVID out past five days," says Dr. Karen Jacobson, an infectious disease specialist at the Boston University School of Medicine and one of the study's authors. A very small number did have virus that could be cultured eight days after symptom onset.

Her study found that a negative rapid antigen test on day five is a "perfect" indicator of whether the virus could be cultured in a lab.

In other words, anyone who had a negative test on day five or later after their initial diagnosis had no more detectable virus. "The flip side was that if you had a positive rapid [test], about half of the people still had culturable virus and half did not," says Jacobsen. "The way that we've started to frame it, and I think many others have, is that if you're positive, you particularly need to take this very seriously."

At the end the day, if you're still testing positive but you feel fine and are symptom-free, the decision to go out in the world comes down to context. If you're going to spend time with people who are high-risk, think twice, says Landon. "If you are thinking about going to the nursing home to visit your grandmother, this is not the time to do it," she says.

But if there's something essential you need to do, don't feel trapped in your house. Go do it but keep your mask on, she adds.

500 homes among major... for healthcare workers, President Ali said.

He emphasised, “We are investing to ensure that all of our children must have access to quality education. Our children in this region must have access to quality education and quality healthcare. Those are two fundamental pillars on which the transformation of our country will be built

on.”

Further, he mentioned the need to transform the Bartica airstrip at Five Miles into a municipal airport to boost tourism and other sectors.

The Head of State told the residents that the government will deliver on every single promise it made in its manifesto in the context of ‘One Guyana.

(From page 13)

The president was accompanied by a team of cabinet members including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton.

Technical officers from the various ministries and agencies were also on the ground addressing issues.

WEEKEND MIRROR 2-3 JULY, 2022

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Health Ministry to procure COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 4-years-old T

he United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given emergency use authorisation for the immunisation of children six months to four years old, using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines manufactured for this age cohort.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said that the ministry is currently seeking to procure the vaccine for its younger population.

Even as Guyana faces some challenges in acquiring vaccines for children, the ministry continues to collaborate with international partners to ensure citizens access receive the important jabs.

“We have started a process of trying to access the vaccine for the six months to four years age group, and in fact we’re right now trying to determine what quantities we’ll ask for, so this week we will put in that order, and hopefully in the next two

months or so we will be able to get some of these vaccines,” the Minister noted.

On June 21, 2022, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) authorised the roll-out of approximately 10 million doses to children in the United States. Dr. Anthony noted that studies have shown that the vaccine is very effective in boosting the immunity of this young population. Therefore, the ministry is making every effort in procuring the vaccines since “this is another group of people that we would like to get vaccinated,” Dr. Anthony explained.

Meanwhile, the health minister is urging pregnant mothers to get vaccinated, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, as this will enable infants to develop antibodies that can protect them against the deadly virus. “One way of getting them protected is to make sure that the mothers, during

pregnancy, that they take their vaccines and it has been shown that if mothers take their vaccine in the third trimester that their children would have enough antibodies to protect them over the next six months,” he urged.

The Health Ministry has been vaccinating children from five to 11 years old.

To date over 3,000 children have been inoculated with the first dose of the vaccine.

For adolescents, over 47 per cent took the first dose and over 35.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Minister Anthony is appealing to eligible persons to get their booster doses.

He noted that more persons are being hospitalised, even those who were vaccinated with the primary vaccine.

He reiterated that immunity drops approximately six months after vaccination, as such, it is important for persons to get the booster shot.

Updating COVID-19 vaccines necessary for strengthened immunity – Health Minister T

he importance of updating COVID-19 vaccines to target emerging sub-variants of the Coronavirus, particularly the Omicron variant, was underscored by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Currently, this variant has evolved into five sub-variants, which are highly transmissible in comparison to the original strain of the virus.

This has led the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider updating COVID-19 vaccines to target sub-variants BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5, which are predominantly responsible for newer infections across the world.

Minister Anthony said, “One of the things that has happened with these different sub-variants, the spiked protein has changed and this is the protein that was used for the immune system to detect these vaccines and to react to the vaccine.

So, if you have a change to the spike protein then the immune system would not

react effectively, and therefore you have to change that protein to match what is now circulating.”

He further explained that Pfizer and BioNTech have started manufacturing updated vaccines to be used as booster doses.

These vaccines have so far shown a substantially higher immune response than the current COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Anthony is hopeful

that more vaccines will become available to ensure a higher immunity against the disease. “As we understand which variants are circulating, they’ll be able to develop vaccines that are specific to those variants which would be more effective so it’s a good thing,” the minister pointed out.

Guyana is currently using three vaccines namely: Pfizer, Sinopharm and Johnson and Johnson.

Guyana has robust anti-corruption framework ‒ Teixeira says ‘everyone’ has a role to improve effectiveness of anti-corruption’ mechanism

T

he training workshop on Guyana’s Anti-Corruption Framework, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has great significance in highlighting PPP/C government’s commitment to not only the constitutional rule of law, democracy and human rights, but to its commitment to strengthening the mechanisms and measures for greater transparency and accountability, inclusion and participation.

According to her, the training session aimed to ensure that participants understood what exists, in terms of an anti-corruption framework, the role various agencies, the synergies that can be capitalised on and where capacity can be built. The Minister said, “These, what appear to be mundane activities, are critical issues that reflect on our country – whether we are moving forward or not…and to show good effort.”

Teixeira underscored the fact that the Guyana has a robust anti-corruption framework. “We believe that what

we have started to develop and what we have already, in terms of an anti-corruption framework in our country, is a good and robust framework, in comparison to some other countries,” she said.

The Minister added, “Now our focus should be on a systematic approach to ensure that we do not operate in silos.

We have to develop a systematic approach to dealing with anti-corruption in our country – a systematic approach, not a silo approach…when we look at what is our framework and the role of the various agencies, which structure and deal with the elements of the anti-corruption framework, we recognise the need for a more systematic approach.”

FRAMEWORK Minister Teixeira explained that there is a framework that exists, under which Guyana has different reporting obligations.

Guyana ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC) on February 15, 2001. “The IACAC is actually the oldest

and the first and oldest convention dealing with corruption globally, in fact Guyana was one of the first ratifier and has played a role in respecting that Convention and building our capacity. People may not recognize the importance of the Convention to us, in a sense that it has helped us to become more sensitized and build our structures. It’s all about incremental development and not shame and blame,” the Minister said.

Also, Guyana acceded to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on April 16, 2008, and the Convention was entered into force for Guyana on May 16, 2008.

Guyana adopted the Lima Commitment in April 2018.

Guyana committed to the UNGASS Political Declaration on Corruption in June 2021.

Guyana committed to the CELAC Working Group specialized in Preventing and Combating Corruption, established in 2021.

REPORTING

OBLIGATIONS Teixeira explained that in terms of Guyana’s reporting there are two areas under which this is done.

The Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC) under the Organisation of American States (OAS) was the first multilateral anti-corruption treaty instrument negotiated in the world. The Committee of Experts of the Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) of the OAS is the Follow-Up Mechanism for the implementation of the IACAC. The UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on the 31st October 2003. The UNCAC entered into force on the 14th December 2005.The UNCAC is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. There was two reporting cycles since. Cycle 1 (2010 to 2015) addressed chapters 3 and 4 (Criminalization & Law- enforcement and International Cooperation). Cycle 2 (2015 to 2020) addressed chapters 2 and 5 (Preventative Measures and Asset Recovery).

The Minister explained, “As a new Ministry, we needed to find a national mechanism – the National Coordinating Committee on Anti-Corruption – to address our obligations.”

NATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) on Anti-Corruption involved a cross-section of government agencies and works on, not only ensuring that Guyana is

compliant with its reporting obligations, but also on capacity building and maximizing on the synergies that exist among agencies.

The NCC meets on a monthly basis and 16 agencies are currently represented on the Committee.

Teixeira noted that work on the anti-corruption is linked to building trust and confidence, since act of corruption undermine public trust and confidence in government and also had an impact on democracy. “It is important to recognise that this is not the responsibility of one person alone. It is all of our responsibility to reduce corruption and to be able to make our anti-corruption mechanism work,” she said.

WORK IS ONGOING Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, in remarks at the workshop, noted that the PPP/C government is “fully committed” to the fight against corruption in all its forms and he stressed that one of the most effective pillars in the fight against corruption is openness, transparency and accountability in government. He said, “We equally believe that open, transparency and accountable government is an absolutely essential prerequisite in democratic governance. Indeed we believe that democracy goes hand in hand with openness, transparency and accountability.”

Dr. Singh added that the PPP/C government, after 1992, has been working hard at establishing and strengthening the institutions to operationalise the anti-corruption framework Guyana is subscribed to. “Unfortunately, we do not tell this story often,” he said.

He lauded the work of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance to in being able to pull together the various elements and gives a comprehensive overview of the whole mechanism that is Guyana’s anti-corruption framework.

The Finance Minister also welcomed the convening of the National Coordinating on Committee (NCC) on Anti-Corruption. “Let me be clear that we are under no illusion that our work is done…. we are not under the illusion that we can now sit and rest on our laurels….let me say unequivocally that we in the PPP/C are under no illusion that our work is done….we are constantly examining the anti-corruption framework to identify areas for strengthening and areas for elaboration by way of subsidiary legislation and regulation,” he said, adding that the inclusion of technology is also part of the improvement of the Guyana’s anti-corruption framework.

Notably, The session, held at Grand Coastal Hotel on Saturday (June 25, 2022), drew participation for the working sessions from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Judicial Service Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Auditor General’s Office, the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPTAB), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana (ICAG), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU), the Guyana Bar Association and the Guyana Press Association, among others.

Meanwhile, the opening session of the workshop hosted by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, was attended by members of the diplomatic community, representatives of foreign developmental agencies, senior state officials such as Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken, Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne GeorgeWilshire, civil society groups and transparency advocates.

The workshop attendees were guided a 26-page document, prepared by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, titled ‘Cooperative Republic of Guyana: Anti-Corruption Framework – Fact Sheet and Detailed Framework 2022’.

Minister Teixeira has indicated that a similar session for wider participation of civil society stakeholders is planned for later this year.

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