Weekend Mirror 12-13 February 2022

Budget 2022 approved by majority vote 12-13 February, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 9 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 10

Jagdeo rubbishes imported notions on Amerindians PAGE 12

‒ Says Guyana’s indigenous people will not be kept as ‘museum pieces’ to satisfy some global perception

Over $1B for Local Government Elections ‒ Total GECOM allocation approved by the House

PAGE 15

Sherod Duncan suspended from Parliament PAGE 17

SEE INSIDE

MHSSS issues call for new batch of Young Influencers PAGE 6

Gov’t PAGE 11 serious about enhancing international partnership, networking Daily COVID-19 testing has doubled PAGE 23

– Health Minister

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

‘All efforts being made’ to ready Guyana’s case for ICJ ‒ $660M approved to continue work on Guyana-Venezuela border case

T

he PPP/C government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been making all efforts to submit Guyana’s Memorial on the merits of the country’s case

by March 8, 2022 Further, the Committee of Supply on Monday (February

7, 2022) approved $660 million for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to pay for legal fees in the Guyana- Venezuela border case which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Guyana was been granted

one year by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), until 8 March, 2022, to file written pleadings in its case against Venezuela. This is according to an Order issued by the Court on March 8, 2021.

Venezuela then has until March 8, 2023 to file a

Counter-Memorial of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The ICJ on December 18, 2020 delivered its Judgment in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) – relative to the question of the Court’s jurisdiction.

The court ruled that it has

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jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case seeking the validation of the 1899 arbitral award establishing the boundary with Venezuela. Venezuela did not take part in the proceedings. The judgment found that both Guyana and Venezuela had conferred authority on the UN Secretary General under Article 4, paragraph two of the February 17th 1966 Geneva Agreement.

That agreement allowed the Secretary General to choose a means of settlement under Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations which included judicial settlement.

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

PRIORITY In September 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali made clear that a resolution of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case, which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is a priority of the PPP/C government He reminded that it was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government in 2014 that had put an end to the interminable ‘good offices’ dialogue with Venezuela, after “it had become, for them, a strategy of prolonging contention rather than of seeking solution.”

The Guyanese Head of State contended that there is no policy more sacred than those relating to the country’s border for his Administration. “As Guyanese, all of us stood with the previous Administration in defence of Guyana’s patrimony. For us, Guyana’s territorial integrity is never a matter for domestic division; it is always a matter for national cohesion,” he said.

Ali added that Guyana must be loyal to the enduring vision of the country being truly “One Nation” and indivisible. “Therefore, the

PPP/C gave full support to the former Administration when, as initiated by us, they submitted the Venezuela contention to the International Court of Justice. We shall not descend. The sovereignty of our State, the integrity of our territory – both land and sea – is a sacred trust. We must defend, and we will do so in collaboration with our partners and allies,” he noted.

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

Venezuela) on June 30, 2020.

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

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

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

Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the Court, that the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Guyana’s lawsuit. On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings. On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction.

However, under well-established judicial precedent, the Court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s claims, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

MOVE TO COURT Under the United Nations (Turn to page 8)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

Thousands of Guyanese to benefit from free Government Wi-Fi – ‘The 1000 Hubs Project’ set for five regions

T

he Government of Guyana, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), has begun the installation process of 1000 free internet access hubs across five regions.

Dubbed ‘The 1000 Hubs Project’, the initiative, which is a collaborative effort between the Industry and Innovation Unit at OPM and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), will result in thousands of persons benefitting from free Wi-Fi. The hubs will be outfitted with the 1000 internet boxes (LTE/WiFi CPE) presented to the Government by Chinese multinational technology corporation, Huawei, in November

last year. The LTE boxes are capable of transferring 4G networks indoors and outdoors for multiple users at different ranges.

Residents of Region Six were the first to benefit from the initiative, through the installation of the WiFi devices at the Bush Lot Secondary School and four Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) buildings (Canefield/Enterprise NDC, Good Hope/No. 51 NDC, Port Mourant/Johns NDC and the Adelphi NDC). Other public buildings in the region assigned for free internet access include Manchester Training College, Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC and the Williamsburg Health Centre.

Work in Region Two is

scheduled to commence in March with the installation of 18 hubs to add to the existing 32 internet access locations there. Hussain noted that the entire project should be completed before the end of the year.

The hubs are geared to complement the current installation of ICT hubs in approximately 200 communities through the ICT Access and eServices for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project, also under the Prime Minister’s direct supervision.

The Government of Guyana has been promoting ICT development.

Budget 2022 includes $1.3B to support the rapid development of the ICT sector this year.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

EDITORIAL

The uninformed cannot be allowed to peddle lopsided views about our country and people

Amerindians' choice and right to advancement is supported

M

T

ost Guyanese who watched the Vice News interview with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday, February 8, 2022, were upset, but not entirely surprised at the backward view that many in the developed world have about developing countries.

In the interview, the Vice News rep said articulated a preconceived conclusion – that developing countries are always corrupt. Where is the evidence to support this? Has the progress Guyana made in this area not been recognised?

Or does it not warrant consideration, for the sake of an imported and misconceived notion.

The worst of the interview featured cringe worthy ignorance on the part of the Vice News rep. At one point she subjected Vice President to questions regarding his ability to change the Constitution of Guyana. Most all Guyanese are aware that any change to the Constitution demands a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly.

It must be said that Guyana is an open country and we welcome everyone. Guyanese hospitality is something we are recognised for. But as a people we must not and should not condone the disrespect and will not allow Vice News to tarnish our country because of some view they have that is not backed up by evidence. We are a proud, hardworking people and like all countries we have our challenges, but together we have proven time and time again that we are stronger together, as a people, and it is that strength that allows us to confront whatever challenge comes our way regardless of our differences.

It is hope that the almost two hours of clarity provided by Vice President will help to break down the backward view held about developing countries. Admirably, he tackled the backward view held in a headfirst manner when he said: “This typically happens when people come in from abroad and they interview, they always try to make it look like the country like backwater. They don’t look at the key policy achievements of the country. They go and find one person on the street who says ‘I don’t like this’ and then that becomes the story. If people really want to understand the developing world, they have to immerse themselves a bit more.”

Our nation is on the brink of transformation and the uninformed cannot be allowed to peddle a lopsided view of our country and our people. Budget 2022, totaling a whopping $552.9B, is testimony to this, given the plethora of transformative initiatives that are expected to be advanced this year.

The PPP/C Administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering on its manifesto promises – from major infrastructure projects already underway to advances with long-term transformation for sustainable development.

In the Guyana context, our development trajectory is captured by the draft Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which addresses: one, the building blocks for a new low carbon economy – including forest climate services, biodiversity, water management and the ocean economy; two, how these building blocks can be used as revenue earners for Guyana; and three, how the revenues earned are channeled through the LCDS Investment Programme to develop Guyana’s human, financial and physical capital, with special emphasis on Amerindian communities. The LCDS 2030, undoubtedly, bolsters other national programmes of development, as funded by tax collection and through bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

The Administration’s ‘Plan for Prosperity’, the 20202025 manifesto, and its comprehensive range of policies and programmes are being actioned in the interest of all Guyanese and our people can continue to expect improvements in standard of living.

Dear Editor, he global experience, as it relates to Indigenous People, is not the Guyana experience.

The recently aired interview with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and a rep from Vice Media Group (the America/ Canadian media company) demonstrated that this fact is not clear in the minds of those who would try to paint Guyana in a negative light.

As unfortunate as it is to say, it is a mindset of one too many in the developing world when it comes to developing countries, like Guyana.

The interviewer asked the Vice President whether or not enough was being done to protect Indigenous people in Guyana and the indigenous way of life.

First off, much has been done to support the rights of Amerindians in Guyana: 1. Legislation to protect our Amerindian people, the Amerindian Act. 2. The creation of a constitutional commission – the Indigenous People’s Commission (IPC).

3. Land titling that has moved from Amerindians having an absolute –

meaning forever – ownership of 6 per cent of Guyana to about 14 per cent.

And work is still ongoing in this area.

4. Guarantee of not only right to land but sub-surface rights, meaning rights over the minerals in the ground.

5. Presidential Grants to all 215 Amerindian communities to support advancement as the communities see fit.

6. Agriculture Support via vehicles, vessels and equipment to increase production.

7. Re-injection of over $700 million into the village economies of Amerindian communities with the Community Service Officer (CSO) programme.

And there is planned expansion of this in 2022.

These are only some examples of the work that we see being done.

What was instructive from the interview was the interviewer asking about preserving Indigenous culture – meaning having our people remain living in the way developed countries think of our Amerindians. This is disrespectful.

As the Vice President rightly said, Amerindians across the country have opted for integration and for preserving their heritage – both aspirations being supported at a national level with Amer-

indian Heritage Month and the work of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. He said: “They want – the doctors, the lawyers and the accountants in our society – they want to live that life and they want to live in the city too….the communities get to choose what they want….this is not a dictatorship…once you have a titled land, it is absolute, forever….they will always have that opportunity to live off the land and utilize the resources, if they wish. If they wish! Not because we want to keep them as museum pieces to satisfy some global perception that they are preserving an indigenous way of life. The people must make their own decision. That is what we believe. The government has to give choices – if you want to go that route, you have our full support, but if you want to integrate you get full support.”

What Guyana has done for our Indigenous people surpasses the record of many countries around the world and we, as a people, will not let global perceptions and misconceived notions diminish that.

Sincerely, Hon. Alister Charlie, Member of Parliament

We must guard against outsiders with support for ‘special interests’ Dear Editor,

R

ecently, I came across an interview on Facebook done by the Vice-President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. In the interview which can be found on his official Facebook page, the Vice-President was made to defend against accusations of corruption and bribery put forward by the foreign journalist. These accusations were rehashes of the same anti-PPP narratives spewed by the “usual suspects”.

Dr. Jagdeo, being the consummate politician that he is, handled the blindside in his famous erudite, articulate, confident, and no-nonsense style. On the other hand, the foreign journalist of Vice-News came across as a political plant with an agenda- that much is clear. She understood her assignment but not the subject. She was out of her depth and for a moment had one closed their eyes and followed the interview she could have easily been mistaken for ‘Lall the Tik Taka’ with her lines of questioning and accusations.

Anyone who is familiar with Vice News’ production would know that they are only interested in the “we

gotcha” sound bites and therefore we applaud the Vice President for airing the interview in its entirety (Granger would never. And as for Nagamootoo, your guess is as good as mine as to his whereabouts). Vice News is going to chop and screw this interview to propagandize a narrative of third world corruption and bribery, of Chinese banks predatory lending to developing nations, and to cast aspersions on Guyana’s newfound oil wealth – much in the same manner that is being done locally by the “usual suspects”.

The political opposition, their shills along with other anti-PPP special interest one-man groups continue the unfounded charge of “corruption" or the perception of corruption in Guyana the same way ill-equipped parents employ fairy tales of jumbie in the minds of their young to instill fear. The negatives of such brainwashing paralyze one from venturing beyond his/ her ignorance. Sure, the child will behave in a particular manner favorable to their parents, but at the same time, the mind is conditioned to reject out of fear and without challenging anything and everything which resembles the jumbie.

Politically, in the context of Guyana, the jumbie has come to represent progress, particularly, exponential transformational growth and development symptomatic of past and present PPPC governments. And, so, mindlessly, the “usual suspects” have abandoned reasoning and objectivity in their conclusions or they must attach some sinister motives to the growth and development of Guyana under the PPPC government in their conversations. It is time they abandon such pervasive, backward thinking as it only serves to undermine our cohesion.

As the Oil and Gas industry shapes up under this new PPP/C government, and as billions are earned from this new revenue stream so too one can expect the amplification of corruption charges against the government in the months and years to come.

Our destiny is at stake, we have suffered long enough, thus we must guard against outsiders, with support for special interests locals, looking to destabilize and stoke division in our nation of six races.

Respectfully yours, Brian Azore

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

$50B in taxes supported the lifestyle of Granger and his Cabinet members Dear Editor,

D

r Bharrat Jagdeo’s press conference, which was held on February 03 at the Arthur Chung Convention Center, could not come at a more opportune time, since it sought to address many aspects of misinformation and inaccuracy being promulgated by members of APNU+AFC in and out of the National Assembly regarding Budget 2022.

The Vice-President aptly described the

economic philosophy of APNU+AFC as ‘consumption-based’. And when one carefully reviews and analyses the Opposition’s term in office, this characterisation becomes evident from their inauguration in May 2015 to their unceremonious dethroning in March 2020.

Under the leadership of former President David Granger, one of the first acts of the APNU+AFC administration was to give their Cabinet members a 50% increase in pay,

and other generous benefits and allowances which were financed through the aggressive taxation of goods and services that grossly impacted the cost of living for the ordinary citizens.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, Guyanese were forced to pay nearly $50 billion in taxes to support the lifestyle of Granger and his Cabinet members.

And who among us could forget the damages caused in the five months after Elections 2020. An entire nation was held hostage by many of the same persons currently representing APNU+AFC in the National Assembly. Our economy was brought to a halt to facilitate their disastrous excursion into the election-rigging. We were on the brink of economic sanctions by the ABC countries. I doubt that any of the coalition members were considerate of how traumatising their actions

were on the poor and vulnerable, whom they are now falsely championing.

If I were to place a monetary value on the pain and suffering endured, it would be in the ballpark of $552.9 billion – the same value of the national budget, for the simple reason that we, the poor and ordinary Guyanese people, were robbed of so much during APNU+AFC’s five years in Government.

Here is where I disagree with Dr. Jagdeo’s characterisation of APNU+AFC’s economic philosophy as consumption-based. In his attempt to intellectualise the Opposition’s wasteful spending and aggressive taxation, one critical factor was missed: the guiding principle which governs APNU+AFC’s fiscal construct theory is greed.

Sincerely, Todd A Morgan

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 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 ’

MHSSS issues call for new batch of Young Influencers

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he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has extended an invitation for applicants interested in becoming the next Young Influence.

25 diverse and dynamic youths between the ages of 15 years and 25 years will be selected from amongst the youths who apply for

the Ministry’s Youth Influencer programme by applying via the google form that is available on the Ministry’s social media platforms.

The Young Influencers programme is geared towards encouraging and empowering young people to make a meaningful im-

pact in their communities through their skillsets and talents while reflecting the characteristics of a positive role model and ambassador for young people.

Young applicants can expect a journey filled with opportunities, from speaking on international platforms, learning about

the Ministry’s services and social ills, community outreaches and projects, television and talent expression forays, peer engagements and education and participation in a number of programmes.

In order to be considered, candidates will be required to show their skills

by conceptualizing a promotional video piece on one of the Ministry’s existing programmes. The youths will also have to detail some of the work they would have done within their community.

Among some of the traits these Young Influencers must possess include

good communication skills, social media savviness and influence, eloquence, strong morals and ethics, and a passion for volunteering and community work.

Application deadline is set for February 18, 2022 and can be completed via link: https://forms.gle/ ur5nJS5riLpEoNAZ8

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 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 ’

Mega energy projects on track for 2022 commencement – Prime Minister

G

uyana is on track to commence two transformative, mega projects which will revolutionise the energy sector – the Gas to Energy project and the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, according to Prime Minister, (ret’d) Brigadier Mark Phillips, during a recent interview.

The Prime Minister said “Amaila Falls is likely to start definitely within the second half of this year… by our projections, by 2027, that project should be completed, and we as a people will be getting 165 megawatts of electrical power.”

He also said that the Gas

to Energy project, for which construction will also begin this year, is expected to be completed in 2024. This is a 300 MW undertaking which will provide about 250 MW of power.

These two projects will provide 415 MW of power, which will cater for Guyana’s baseload capacity for demand in the next five years, as projected by Guyana Power and Light (GPL). They are expected to cut the cost of power by 50%, resulting in reverberating positive impacts for consumers and companies across several industries, and

acceleration of the country’s economic development.

The projects will also clean up Guyana’s energy sector, which has historically relied almost entirely on diesel and heavy fuel oil.

Hydropower will provide a renewable source of energy, while natural gas will act as a bridging fuel.

“While it is using gas, it is clean energy, cheaper energy, and it’s a transition project for us.” Prime Minister Phillips said.

The retired Brigadier also reminded of the three 33-megawatt solar panel farms which will be con-

structed—in Berbice, Linden and Essequibo. This will add to several micro-grid projects which will commence in different parts of the country, powered by renewable energy. These include the Kumu Falls hydro project and the Moco Moco hydro project, both in Region Nine, meant to power Lethem, and surrounding communities. A 1 MW solar farm is also under construction in Lethem.

Prime Minister Phillips also said that the 46.5 MW Garden of Eden power plant should resume operations soon. He said, “They’re in the process of bringing back online those generators, so just in maybe another week or two weeks, all those generators will be back online.”

He had announced a temporary halt on operations at the facility, earlier this month, so that technical challenge

encountered at the site could be resolved. The Prime Minister had held an emergency meeting with Wartsilla’s management. Still within the terms of warranty, Wartsilla agreed that it would dispatch a team of some 20 engineers around the clock to address the matter.

The roll out of the PPP/ C’s energy plan sees a reduction of electricity costs by some 50 per cent.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

Norton's path to Opposition Leader post blocked by new hurdles, power struggles persist T

his week saw yet another move that has stirred the already growing power struggle between former President David Granger and Aubrey Norton.

Granger wrote to House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, informing that Nicolette Henry has resigned as a Member of Parliament.

Notably, it is not Granger who should have written to the House Speaker.

Section 156(1) (a)of the Constitution states that: “A

member of the National Assembly Shall vacate his or her seat therein if he or she resigns it by writing, under his or her hand, addressed to the Speaker…” This procedure was confirmed by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs.

Granger, as the Representative of the APNU+AFC List of Candidates, will have to extract a name and notify the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), triggering the process for a replacement to the made.

Further, Henry’s resignation does not take effect until March 31, 2022. Since her announcement in the National Assembly on February 2, 2022 that her contribution to the Budget 2022 debates will be the last, Henry has complained about being sidelined. Media reports have shed lights on her rantings about a pushback on the day of February 2, 2022 itself, when she was scheduled to speak. “As you are aware, the day I was required to speak in the budget debates, efforts

were made to deny me from speaking," she said.

The uncertainty around Henry’s resignation will impact on Norton’s ability to enter Parliament to take up the post of Opposition Leader, which he has made clear that he wants.

In addition to his move to cop the post of Opposition Leader, Norton has taken control of the PNCR and APNU – the grouping of the PNCR and a few other smaller parties.

Former president, David Granger, who was chairman of APNU resigned from the post under pressure. Also resigning from APNU was Joseph Harmon, who had served as General Secretary.

Both resignations took place on January 25, 2022. Further, Harmon also resigned as Opposition Leader on January 26, 2022. However, he remains a Member of Parliament.

The move followed months of power struggle and infighting within the PNCR/ APNU/AFC grouping.

‘All efforts being made’ to ready... (From page 2) Charter and the Court’s own rules, its final judgments both on jurisdiction and the merits will be legally binding on Guyana and Venezuela, whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

Efforts over more than half-a-century, including a four-year Mixed Commission (1966-1970), a twelve-year moratorium (1970-1982), a seven-year process of consultations on a means of settlement (1983-1990), and a twenty-seven-year Good Offices Process under the UN Secretary-General’s authority (1990-2017), all failed to end the border controversy.

The move to the ICJ was advanced there was no success with a further attempt, using the United Nations’ Good Offices process, to resolve the matter of Ven-

ezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo County. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in 2015, charged that the signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement rendered the 1899 Arbitral Award null and void.

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

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

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

COM M ENTARY

9

The PPP/C has stood firmly and solidly with our Amerindian sisters and brothers Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

D

uring the Budget 2022 debate, Lennox Shuman who leads an Amerindian-based political party conceded that Budget 2022 is of significant benefit to the Amerindian people. Shuman is not a PPP/C supporter, but he knows he will look bitter and stupid if he were to find fault with Budget 2022. When the Amerindian people themselves are elated with Budget 2022 It would be difficult to find a national budget since Independence in 1966 which benefits Amerindians like Budget 2022.

More Amerindian communities will benefit from potable water, electricity, health and education in 2022 than ever before. More Amerindians would be on government payroll than ever in the history of Guyana.

More than 4,000 Amerindian

youth would be employed as Community Service Officers, bringing in more than $1B into Amerindian communities. More Amerindians in 2022 alone would be granted scholarships than in the combined years between 1966 and 1992. Imagine the PPP/C would be granting more scholarships to Amerindians in 2022 alone than the PNC did for 33 years when they were in government.

Let us never be in doubtthere is just one national political party in Guyana.

Bharat Jagdeo is the General Secretary of the PPP/C and the PPP/C is the only party that has support across the board in Guyana.

The PPP/C commands the support of 75% of the Amerindian people in Guyana.

For most ethnic groups in Guyana, the PPP/C is the majority party. The Amerindian people vote overwhelmingly

for the PPP/C for a reason.

These gentle citizens of Guyana know which political party serves the interest and welfare of the Amerindian people.

It is the PPP/C, under Bharat Jagdeo, which passed a strengthened Amerindian People’s Act. It is the PPP/C, under Cheddi Jagan, which started Amerindian Heritage Month every September. It is the PPP/C, under Bharat Jagdeo, that started the Amerindian Development Fund.

It is the PPP/C that started payments for Amerindian captains and Toshaos. It is the PPP/C that opened up health facilities in every Amerindian community, which opened schools everywhere in the hinterland, which expended secondary education for Amerindian people. It is the PPP/C which granted scholarships to Amerindians to study at universities in

PPP/C ‘aspires’ to Parliamentary NRF nominee who enjoys confidence of both sides - Jagdeo

W

ith the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) having a parliamentary majority in the National Assembly, concerns about nominee selected by Parliament to sit on the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board, were allayed by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

At a recent news conference he assured that all efforts will be made to ensure that the nominee selected by Parliament enjoys the confidence of both the PPP/C government and the Parliamentary Opposition, the APNU+AFC Coalition.

He said, “We want to make sure we have somebody that has the confidence of both sides and we will aspire to do that…I assure you that we will try to get someone who has the support of both sides.”

MOTION APPROVED The National Assembly on January 24, 2022 approved a Motion by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh for the Appointment Committee to recommend a Parliamentary nominee to serve on the new 2021 Natural Re-

source Fund’s (NRF) Board of Directors, as stipulated in Part III of the Act as well as for another Parliamentary Nominee to serve on the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) in pursuant of Section VI of the new Act. This inclusion in the new Act (Board of Directors) was made by government as part of groundbreaking amendments to the old 2019 NRF Act as it removed the excessive powers of the Minister which were contained in the old Act. It also allows for management of the Fund by the Board of Directors, a Board which will be responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the Fund and monitoring its performance, thereby completely separating the management of the Fund from the Minister responsible for Finance.

According to Part III of the new Act, Governance and Management of the Fund ‘shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial business or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly

and one of whom shall be a representative of the private sector’.

In moving the Motion Dr. Singh reminded the House about some of the reasons why the NRF was amended including: 1. That the old 2019 NRF Act was an illegitimate Act passed by Parliament after the then APNU/AFC Government lost a No Confidence Motion.

2. That in the old NRF Act the Minister of Finance had exclusive and far-reaching powers.

3. That the old Act used a complex formula to calculate how much could be withdrawn from the Fund, leaving the general public in the dark; and 4. That the 2019 NRF Act stipulated the establishment of a cumbersome 22-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) designed for deadlock.

Minister Singh also reminded the Speaker and the National Assembly that the People’s Progressive /Civic Government had indicated once it entered office that ‘unless those fatal flaws (Turn to page 18)

Guyana and internationally.

In 1992, it was difficult to find Amerindian doctors, teachers, nurses, lawyers, engineers. In fact, in 1992, there was only one Amerindian doctor; today, there are more than a hundred Amerindian doctors. It was rare to find an Amerindian teacher before 1992. Today, most of the teachers in Amerindian communities are Amerindians. It was rare for Amerindians to be found in hospitals as nurses. Today, there are many Amerindian nurses in hospitals in the hinterland and across Guyana. Before 1997, Amerindians barely made news as top performers in CXC. Today, Amerindians from hinterland high schools are excelling at CXC. The PPP/C has changed the socio-economic dispensation of Amerindian people.

This week, Vice-President Bharat Jagdeo released a tape of an interview of him done by a reporter from Vice

News. The reporter from Vice News came to the interview with an agenda. It was clearly a lynch job, a hatchet job. It was clearly character assassination. I have known and worked with Bharat Jagdeo close to three decades that is more than half his life so far. I know one thing for certain, he is a man of integrity and is obsessed with the direction Guyana is going.

He wants to ensure that as Guyana consolidates its position as a high middle-income country, our people live like, and our country feels like and looks like, it. He is generous to investors and others with his advice and will ensure that investors are facilitated as much as possible, as long as they are willing to work in accordance with the laws and regulations of Guyana.

The clumsy attempt to besmirch his name will not work. It is based on misinformation and full of falsehoods. In a commentary ear-

lier in the week, I highlighted the many lies that were used as the pretext to question his integrity.

Today’s commentary focuses on one of the many misinformation attempts.

The Vice News reporter implied that the PPP/C government has denied Amerindians rights to their land which is guaranteed by the constitution. The Vice News is an international media outlet and the reporter is not an amateur. She is an experienced reporter. One can be confident that she did her homework and knows the facts when it comes to Amerindian lives and Amerindian development in Guyana.

When she raised the issue of Amerindian rights to their land, she knows that it is under the PPP/C that Amerindians have had their right recognized and honored.

Therefore, her hatchet-job was deliberate and intended (Turn to page 11)

10

Budget 2022 approved by majority vote T

he $552.9B national budget for 2022 was passed in the National Assembly on Thursday (February 10, 2022), just after 16:00hours (4PM), after four days of in depth scrutiny.

The national estimates were presented to the House on January 26, 2022. The following week saw five days of debates with: 30 presentations from the APNU+AFC Coalition, the ex-

ception being APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian Raphael Trotman; a presentation from Deputy Speaker, Lennox Shuman, and contribution from the PPP/C Parliamentarians, who hold a 32 majority in the House.

This week, each allocation for each agency and ministry was scrutinized before being voted on for approval. Each allocation was approved by a majority vote in the National As-

sembly.

Some $126.7B will be transferred from the Natural Resources Fund to the Consolidated Fund to finance Budget 2022. Further, of the $552.9B, some 11.72B will be used to fund the operations of 13 constitutional agencies, including the rights commissions.

Also, over $60B will go to regional development, covering expenditures by the 10 Administrative Re-

gions on agriculture, public works, education delivery, health services and regional administration. These allocations are supported also by allocations to the various subject ministries.

Budget 2022 is 44.3 per cent larger than Budget 2022 and will see a 36.6 per cent increase in expenditure compared to the previous period. [SEE PAGES 15-17 FOR RELATED REPORTING]

is finance by no new taxes. bright future we have long e WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, Singh said, “Although awaited.

It launches 2022 some w b BUDGET 2022 ti Office of the President $ 7,305,802,000 o Office of the Prime Minister $ 39,609,844,000 m P Ministry of Finance $ 53,731,166,000 la Ministry of Foreign Affairs $ 6,164,456,000 a Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance $ 278,401,000 a Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development $ 10,343,697,000 Budget 202 o Ministry of Public Service $ 3,312,412,000 Region 1 a jo Ministry of Amerindian Affairs $ 3,158,460,000 Region 2 c Ministry of Agriculture $ 28,770,187,000 Region 3 b Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce $ 6,075,860,000 th Region 4 Ministry of Natural Resources $ 1,640,905,000 a Ministry of Public Works $ 96,125,547,000 Region 5 e Ministry of Labour

$ 1,041,591,000

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security

$ 30,021,898,000

Ministry of Education

$ 33,339,952,000

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

$ 5,674,887,000

Ministry of Housing and Water

Region 9 $ 17,442,727,000

Ministry of Health

$

Ministry of Home Affairs

$ 27,894,335,000

Ministry of Legal Affairs

$

Guyana Defence Force

$ 17,631,014,000

Region 6

O

Region 7 R Region 8

th p 57,336,106,000 Region 10a 932,314,000

Constitutional Agencies Parliament Office

$ 1,852,411,000

Audit Office of Guyana

$ 1,050,956,000

Public and Police Service Commission

$

159,122,000

Teaching Service Commission

$

124,454,000

Guyana Elections Commission

$ 4,161,996,000

Supreme Court

$ 3,505,206,000

Public Prosecutions

$

238,174,000

Office of the Ombudsman

$

56,970,000

Public Service Appellate Tribunal

$

68,323,000

Ethnic Relations Commission

$

171,482,000

Judicial Service Commission

$

10,020,000

Right Commissions of Guyana

$

130,898,000

Public Procurement Commission

$

199,828,000

Regional Development Region 1

$ 4,668,446,000

Region 2

$ 6,101,644,000

Region 3

$ 8,468,756,000

Region 4

$ 9,842,372,000

Region 5

$ 4,858,462,000

Region 6

$ 10,777,302,000

Region 7

$ 3,663,542,000

Region 8

$ 2,594,016,000

Region 9

$ 4,132,309,000

Region 10

$ 5,368,589,000

tr R s B th o th v a a w o n M

im g th in

O

O

2 e G ti

c o d

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Gov’t serious about enhancing international partnership, networking T

he importance of strong international partnerships at both the public and private sector levels and related the significance of their linkages to creating a dynamic environment for growth and prosperity were recently underscored by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State made this assertion, during his address at the networking reception held in honour of the visiting UK Trade Mission at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Bel Air Gardens.

The nine-member British delegation includes representatives of companies that invest in education, manufacturing and infrastructure.

They are expected to meet with government and private sector representatives over the next few days to discuss investment opportunities in

several areas including infrastructure, food and drink, agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and renewable energy.

The companies are Grove Group, Concrete Canvas, DAR, Nectar Group, One True Maverick Vodka, Signature LLP and Woollard and Henry.

President Ali welcomed the delegation and related his Government’s drive to develop Guyana. He said, “I want to thank you for your interest in Guyana. I want to assure you of our seriousness in creating an environment for partnership and networking and I want to assure the local private sector that their future becomes brighter every time new investors come into the country.”

The President described networking as one of the “most successful tools” employed in the corporate world

Regional commitment vital in achieving 25% reduction in food imports by 2025

T

he importance of acrossthe-board commitments

by CARICOM Member States in achieving the target of reducing food importation by 25% by the year 2025, was stressed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Guyana currently holds lead responsibility for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification and Food Security in CARICOM and is spearheading the regional body’s quest of reducing its US$5b food import bill.

During his address at the 101st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), via videoconference, the President reminded the leaders about the need to work as a cohesive unit.

He said, “It is either we are serious about this or we are not serious about this—we have to decide. This is not an individual country trying to achieve something; this is us as a collective. This is about us being successful together … we cannot advance this if the commitment and the full participation is not there.”

ACTIONABLE PLAN

In his capacity as the meeting’s Chair, President Ali also invited discussions on the updates provided by the Special Ministerial Taskforce (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security.

The representatives were invited to identify areas where they can increase food production and come up with an actionable plan that also includes a budget, technical resources and investment.

They were also tasked with identifying the gaps in each category.

President Ali noted that the intention is to be able to lead an effort to mobilise technical help and financial resources and to work with the Member States in achieving the target.

He said he requested the meeting to ensure that concrete decisions and a clear path are established in moving forward.

Both Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd, were with the Presi(Turn to page 14)

to enhance business opportunities. He then called on those gathered to reflect on

the outcome of the partnerships. He said, “We are not really supportive of gaff ses-

sions anymore; we are not supportive of wasting people’s time. It is either there

is an opportunity or there is not. And if there is an oppor(Turn to page 14)

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

POSITIONS FROM VICE PRESIDENT

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

Jagdeo rubbishes imported notions on Amerindians ‒ Says Guyana’s indigenous people will not be kept as ‘museum pieces’ to satisfy some global perception

I

n analyzing a country’s treatment of its indigenous people, then focus must be placed on the core issues – whether fundamental rights have been enhanced and key issues of concern have bene addressed.

This was according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during an interview with Vice Media Group, where he set the record straight on Guyana’s track record when it comes to the prosperity of Amerindians

in Guyana – a track record that outperforms many developed countries around the world.

He said, “If you’re analysing a country and its treatment of indigenous people and the treatment of the core issues, you have to look at whether their rights have been enhanced, fundamentally, and their access to land…we’re always gonna have issues with conflicts on the ground and these have to be resolved peri-

odically, but we deal with the system for moving indigenous people’s rights forward. So, my view, our treatment of indigenous people, if you assess it globally, and in the big parameters, it would rank in the top tier. Now, whether we have individual problems on the ground in many communities, the answer is yes. It happens in every country. But if you’re going to characterise a country’s treatment of indigenous people

based on the occasional problems you have all the time.”

LAND RIGHTS On the issue of land rights, Jagdeo charged that from 1992 to 2015, successive PPP/C governments have been able to move Amerindian land ownership from six per cent of Guyana’s total land mass to 14 per cent. “If you look at the land policy of the government, when we assumed office in

1992, Indigenous People had titled lands about 6 per cent of Guyana. By the time we left office in 2015, we had titled indigenous communities with land that amounted to over 14 per cent of Guyana – the whole of the country. So that is our track record, from 6 per cent to 14 per cent….we’ve restarted the land titling programme.

Ultimately, we believe that 20 per cent of Guyana, the total country, will be Amerindian titled land. And we are in the process of ensuring that happens. This is considering that the Amerindian population is less than 10 per cent.”

He further explained that land rights are not just restricted when it comes to use of the land, but also include sub-surface rights. “We’re one of the few countries in the world that give Amerindian communities on titled land, sub-surface rights. So they had rights over the forest, but never over below ground, the minerals. So now they have subsurface rights as part of the legislation we passed,” he explained.

Jagdeo said too that Guyana’s track record on land rights for the indigenous community stands out on the global stage. “In fact, we have moved forward on the land issue like no other country in this hemisphere or even globally in a short historical time. We compare our track record with the developed world and many countries – say Australia or Canada – and we have a more progressive policy that any of these countries,” he said.

RIGHTS On the issue of rights, he noted that the rights of Guyana’s indigenous population are protected and guaranteed by law. The Vice President said, “We passed a law in Parliament, the Amerindian Act that sets out specific conditions for processing new request for land. And obligated the government to respond within a timeframe….we in, as part of our Constitution, established an Indigenous People’s Commission (IPC). We established also a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs,” he said.

ACCESS The Vice President noted too that much has been done to ensure equal access to opportunities – to ensure persons in the hinterland can also benefit from opportunities as their peers on the Coast.

He said, “We now have about 4000 indigenous people who are in government work-

ing, integrated in government, working as policemen etc.

We have several Members of Parliament that were Amerindians. In 2001, we had a single Amerindian doctor. Now we have probably close to 200.

That is medical doctors. We now have a health facility in every village – the 215 villages around the country.

Much work, according to him, remains to be done and the PPP/C Government stands committed to advancing that effort, including with massive infrastructural works.

NOT MUSEUM PIECES The Vice President also rubbished the “old view” that indigenous people want to remain isolated from the rest of a nation’s population and that is the only way to preserve their heritage.

He said, “That is the old view of indigenous people.

The old view – ‘we want to be isolated from everyone’.

Our indigenous population has opted for integration but preserving. So that’s why we have a month-long celebration of culture; we are working on the language, etc. - preserving.

But they want – the doctors, the lawyers and the accountants in our society – they want to live that life and they want to live in the city too…as a political leader, you go with the majority….the communities get to choose what they want….it is choice…this is not a dictatorship. “…once you have a titled land, it is absolute, forever…. they will always have that opportunity to live off the land and utilize the resources, if they wish. If they wish.

Not because we want to keep them as museum pieces to satisfy some global perception that they are preserving an indigenous way of life. The people must make their own decision. That is what we believe. The government has to give choices – if you want to go that route, you have our full support, but if you want to integrate you get full support.”

He made it clear that the PPP/C has been and remains committed to the development of al 215 Amerindian communities and the nation’s Amerindian people.

“Our track record on Indigenous people is a very strong one. And our government, more than 75 per cent of the Amerindian people voted for us, although they had an indigenous party that campaigned – more than 75 per cent voted for us,” he stressed.

13

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

POSITIONS FROM VICE PRESIDENT

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

Anti-China line of questioning from foreign reporter….

Jagdeo says gov’t focused on Guyanese people, not geopolitical games

G

uyana has suffered in the past, having been caught in geo-political maneuverings by developed countries, and will not continue to move forward by maintaining focus on the development of Guyana and the Guyanese people.

This was the response from Vice President Jagdeo to a rep from Vice Media Group, who pressed him, during a February 1, 2022 interview, on Guyana’s cooperation with China.

Jagdeo said, “We suffered a lot from the geo-political games. That led a lot to the division of our people along ethnic lines in the 60’s. You know when the world was worried that Guyana could become a second Cuba, there was a direct intervention in Guyanese politics by the CIA and others and the British Secret Service. And we had a lot of problems in that period, in the 60’s. The ethnic problems started there because they divided our people and then we were stuck with a dictatorship for almost three decades. We suffered enough from geopolitics to not to want to be part of all of the shenanigans behind it. “…I think we are just a small country trying to do the best for our people and these countries will have their geo-political interests.

We have shared values with many parts of the world. We want to remain friendly with all countries of the world.

We don’t want to sell ourselves to anyone. We just want to make sure that we do what’s right for our country and our people….we are very conscious that people are globally trying to retain

spheres of influence or carve out new spheres of influence but we want to do what is best for our country and we want to remain friendly with everyone.”

The foreign media rep insinuated that China was the major investor in Guyana. Jagdeo pointed out that this was not so; rather it was in fact the United States of America, with the ExxonMobil investment in the oil and gas sector. “Really, that company (Exxon), they are the biggest investors now but in a single company in the oil and gas sector….the Canadians historically have been in the mining sector – they have been the major investor in the mining sector. And we have some Chinese company, but not as major investors at this point in time,” he said.

Further, argument that Chinese company were being engaged on major infrastructure projects were trashed.

The Vic President explained that projects are tendered and not all projects are done by the Chinese. For example, he noted that the most recently signed deal for the Linden-Mabura road will be done by a Brazilian company.

As to the claim that Chinese companies have more access to policy makers, Jagdeo said, “The American companies come here to see me and they need a meeting.

You asked to see me. I have an open door policy since I was President, so people come to see me…in fact, I have probably met less Chinese companies than American companies coming here on a whole range of issues.”

Another claim that was

Jagdeo rejects ‘wild allegations’ from foreign media rep

T

he allegations put to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo by a rep from Vice Media group have been categorically rejected. “There is no evidence. That’s why I was so confident about it (my response),” he said on Tuesday (February 8, 2022).

The foreign media rep, during an almost two-hour

interview with Jagdeo, on Tuesday (February 1, 2022), addressed a range of issues before putting allegations from “anonymous sources” to him for response.

Responding Jagdeo said, “It is not reasonable to ask me to comment on something I don’t know about.

(Turn to page 19)

rubbished was that Guyana secured a US1.5M loan from China. Jagdeo said, “That is totally false, because we had started a programme – when we go through the entire country, we look at the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), we then say which are the agencies we are going to approach to finance the projects, so some will be financed from revenue, government revenue, and

some will be financed from the multilateral agencies. So we then go to the Caribbean Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and then have gaps and at the bilateral level, we try to fill those gaps by approaching various agencies – loan agencies. So it could be the European Fund or it could be the Chinese. Let me make it

clear that there is no loan offer from China for $1.5B and we never requested a $1.5B in loan.”

Guyana, according to him, under the PPP/C government will continue to act in the best interest of Guyana and the Guyanese people. “I don’t think we are such a big player to have the arrogance to think we are so important to the two parties to be used as a pawn. I think we are just

a small country trying to do the best for our people and these countries will have their geo-political interests.

We have shared values with many parts of the world. We want to remain friendly with all countries of the world. We don’t want to sell ourselves to anyone. We just want to make sure that we do what’s right for our country and our people,” he posited.

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

Regional commitment vital in achieving... dent.

Minister Mustapha, who serves as the Chairman of the MTF, provided a progress

report to participants on the work of the task force to date while participating Agriculture Ministers and other se-

Gov’t serious about... tunity, how do we build that opportunity together, how do we add value to each other and bring value to all the stakeholders involved in the partnership.”

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL President Ali said that while the country is open for business and welcomes foreign investments, the partnerships must resonate with benefits of all stakeholders.

“We are absolutely, without a doubt, open for foreign investment… We are without a doubt part of a regional integration movement, but we are also without a doubt responsible to ensure that the local private sector and the people benefit from the opportunities that come,” he said.

He reminded that while there are challenges ahead, those can be overcome to create a market of opportunity and competitiveness.

Ali also spoke of his Government’s plans to ad-

dress the cost of energy, diversify the energy portfolio, build human capacity, invest in infrastructure, modernise the legal architecture, safeguard foreign and local investments and support integration, partnership and networking. “We believe in these things,” he stressed.

The Government will be guided by its enhanced Low Carbon Development Strategy, since creating a balance between development and environmental conservation remains paramount.

Equally important, according to the President, is to ensure that all Guyanese benefit from the country’s growth. He said, “We want to create the balance; we are going to ensure that people of this country are treated fairly, that the country is treated fairly. We don’t want to be in a partnership where we are barking every day… instead, we want to work together to get the best possible outcome for the people of the country.”

nior officials from across the CARICOM Region provided updates on their country’s efforts to address agricul-

(From page 9) The President, who said that he was “very impressed” with the diverse portfolio of the representatives, called on them to make their own assessments of the opportunities that exist.

He said too that the country is already in possession of amazing ideas, project documents and project proposals and that the next step was accessing the needed resources.

He said, “So welcome to the land of opportunity, a land of great talent and a land in which the future is built on partnerships to create nothing but win-win scenarios.”

Along with the President and host of the evening, H.E Jane Miller; Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Davidson; Managing Director of the Caribbean Council Chris Bennett; CEO of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) Timothy Tucker and other private sector representatives were also at the networking event.

(From page 9)

ture-related issues.

BARRIERS The removal of non-tariff barriers as a means of promoting intra-regional trade and quick resolution of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) disputes were also raised by Dr Richard Blair, an Agricultural Economist with CARICOM. He noted that the two main challenges the region faces are SPS measures and qualitative restrictions such as arbitrary licences requirements.

The Members States also discussed their national action plans, including resource allocations in support of the 25 by 2025 target.

Before the next CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, participants are expected to set conditions, including actions required and interventions needed to achieve the target.

Also on the agenda was a discussion on the poultry industry, which President Ali

said brings tremendous opportunities. “The suggestion is for us to have poultry as a mainstay of what we want to achieve. So, for example, if a country is producing 0%, how can we take them to 25%; if you are producing 25%, how can we take you to 50%. We need to examine if we can do it and how we can do it.”

Other discussions included taxes and duties, incentivising agriculture, climate-smart resilient agriculture, productivity, technical support, crop identification for import substitution, addressing consumption, our consumption pattern and behaviour, data collection, monitoring system, regional transport infrastructure, agro-processing and creating a regional brand.

POSITIVE PATH AHEAD Meanwhile, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett lauded the participants for their positive discussions. She said, “The

way the conversation is going is really positive… we should be moving towards collecting all of the information in the individual states so that targeted programmes can be put together.”

She added that sustainable results require that specific needs of each Member State be addressed. This, she stressed, is however dependent on the inputs of the Members States.

President Ali assured that there will be direct linkages with the Secretariat and each Member State to craft a targeted outcome and strategic framework.

Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Mrs Marcia Nadir-Sharma, and other officials were also at the Office of the President for the meeting.

The PPP/C has stood firmly and solidly with our... (From page 9) to sow division.

Amerindian rights to their lands were guaranteed in our Independence declaration. But for almost three decades the PNC ignored their rights and effectively denied the Amerindian people rights to their lands.

The PPP/C changed that dispensation once it was able to take control of the government in 1992 after the October 5, 1992 restoration of democracy. In 1992, Amerindians had title to 6% of the lands in Guyana that was essentially done by the British Government. Little to no titling of Amerindian land occurred between 1964 and 1992. The Amerindian Act that was promised at Independence in 1966 did not happen until 1976 and then the rights to their lands that was enshrined in the Amerindian Act was never honored.

From 6%, by 2015, Amerindians had titled 14% of all lands in Guyana. Between 2015 and 2020, this did not change as the PNC, in the form of APNU/AFC, effectively ended the Amerindian land titling that the PPP/C had started in 2010.

Now that the PPP/C has returned to the government, the titling exercise for Amerindian land has restarted.

The PPP/C government has promised that by the time the titling of Amerindian land is completed, Amerindians will own 20% of the land in Guyana. At about 8 to 10% of the population of Guyana, the Amerindian people are guaranteed 20% of all lands in Guyana. Not only does

this give them rights to the resources on the land, but Amerindians also have rights to sub-surface resources.

In 2015, when David Granger and his PNC took control of the government, the PPP/C had left $US10M in a special fund to support demarcation and titling of Amerindian land. For five years, not a single Amerindian community had their land demarcated and titled. In fact, David Granger suspended all demarcation and titling of Amerindian land because he said that there were others who had rights to land and he appointed a hand-picked commission to consider the requests from other groups.

In fact, they introduced another version of ancestral lands, even claiming that Afro-Guyanese were the original indigenous people.

Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C changed the pre-independence pleas by Amerindians for government to recognize their land rights. So, when the reporter from Vice News alleged that Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C were not honoring the rights of Amerindians to their land, she was engaged in misinformation, deliberately raising the issue to give the impression that it was Jagdeo and the PPP/C that were denying Amerindians their rights. She was parroting the narrative of PNC operatives who want people to ignore that they were the ones who have denied Amerindians’ rights to their land. In fact, it is the PPP/C that has stood resolutely to honor the rights

of Amerindians to their land.

The fact is that under the PPP/C our Amerindian sisters and brothers enjoy the same rights as any Guyanese.

With the development trajectory now engulfing Guyana, our Amerindian sisters and brothers are set to benefit in a major way. As the Lethem Road and other highways are developed to connect Guyana’s hinterland with the coast, the Amerindian people stand to benefit dramatically.

With more than 4,000 Amerindian youths benefiting from direct government employment, with more teachers, nurses, doctors, with payments for village leaders and councilors, with more than 30,000 children benefitting from the Because We Care, with more than 6,000 Amerindians benefiting from increased pension, more than $2B will enter Amerindian communities directly from government.

This has never happened in our country.

Thus, when the reporter from Vice News tried to imply that Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C are denying the Amerindian people their rights, she is not just wrong, she is deliberately misinforming people and spreading disinformation.

While all PPP/C leaders have prioritized the rights of Amerindian people, Bharat Jagdeo made special efforts to accelerate development in Amerindian communities.

Now President Irfaan Ali is ensuring that the quantum of development in Amerindian communities are unmatched.

15

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

Over $1B for Local Government Elections ‒ Total GECOM allocation approved by the House

W

ith more than $4.1B approved for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by the National Assembly on Monday (February 7, 2022), it was explained that over $1B has been allocated for activities related to the conduct of Local Government Elections.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, in defending the allocation to the GECOM, a constitutional agency, explained that there

is no “lump sum” allocation for Local Government Elections; rather sums have been allocated under various headings to respond to anticipated need.

She explained that a sum of $783M will be spent on covering expenses such as training, printing of election day materials, and renting of containers, among other things. Further, under wages and salaries, some $583 million has been allocated for the payment of more than

10,000 temporary staff who will be hired for the holding of Local Government Elections.

“When the Commissioners and the Chairman make a decision on when LGE will be held, the processes of claims and objections and continuous registration will commence,” Teixeira said assured, on questions about moving the process along for Local Government Elections.

Of the $4.1B for GECOM, a total of $4.04

billion has been allocated for current expenditures while $120M was allocated for capital expenditures.

The 2018 Local Government Elections were held in 80 Local Authority Areas – 10 towns and 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils – and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), according to secured wins in 52 of the LAAs. Nationally, preliminary results showed that the PPP/C has almost doubled the margin of votes between the Party and APNU and AFC combined – moving from about 24,000 at

the 2016 Local Government Elections to over 45,000 at this year’s Local Government Elections. The difference of votes between

the PPP/C and the AFC was a whopping 113,000 votes.

Between the PPP/C and the APNU, the difference of votes was over 50,000.

16

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

PARLIAMENT HAPPENINGS UNDER REVIEW THE PPP/C’ S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, MORE

Sherod Duncan suspended from Parliament

T

he sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday (February 10, 2022) saw the formal moving of a motion to suspend APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian, Sherod Duncan, for “four consecutive sittings”

over for disruptive behaviour.

Duncan, on Wednesday (February 9, 2022) engaged in an outburst, stood, while one of his colleagues was on the floor posing questions to the PPP/C Govern-

ment Parliamentarians, during the review of Budget 2022.

House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, addressed the offending Coalition Parliamentarian six times asking that he take his seat. “Honourable member Mr

Duncan… honourable member Mr Duncan… honourable member Mr Duncan…could you please take your seat…honourable member Mr Duncan,” the Speaker implored. Duncan replied, “I will not take my seat.”

At that point, Nadir asked that he withdraw himself from the House. Duncan then insisted, “I will not withdraw.”

Nadirs subsequent attempts to have Duncan behave in an orderly fashion failed.

During the Wednesday session, the Committee of Supply, the House Speaker then moved to request Government Chief Whip, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, move a motion calling

(Turn to page 17)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

Sherod Duncan suspended... for Duncan’s suspension for the next four sittings. This was done. Teixeira said, “Mr Speaker, based on the behaviour of the member and disrespect to you as the Speaker of this House, I move that the honourable member who is not speaking from his seat, he is not in his chair, be suspended from the House for the next (four) sittings.” A majority vote upheld the motion. Nadir, afterwards said, “The member is suspended.

On Thursday, the motion was formally moved in the Assem-

bly and passed by a majority.

The incident surrounded heckling – a verbal rapier – that is used in Parliament.

At 16:49hours, during the Wednesday session, in response to ramblings from the Opposition benched, Dharamlall said, “You got to get a dildo.

That is what you looking for.”

More than an hour later, at 17:55hours, Duncan began his protestations causing a disturbance in the House, after which he was suspended.

Dharamlall, in the House, af-

ter the indecent said, “Earlier today, this House had some issues which we believe became very heated. And so I would like, Mr Speaker, to indicate to you that if I said anything that was misconstrued that it was not my intention to make those statements to that effect.

And if there were statements which were also unparliamentary on my part during the course of the interrogations, then I would like to withdraw that.”

Further, in a subsequent statement, the Government Parlia-

(From page 16) mentarian added, “The APNUAFC MPs are no angels. My dildo comment was in response to the incessant insults by Sherod Duncan. I read with astonishment, the total fabrication by the AFC of a situation in today’s sitting of the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly of Guyana. Their media release is totally untruthful but as is their wont, they created a brouhaha to extricate themselves from the public exposure of their monumental embarrassment caused by their corrupt, discriminatory

and vindictive conduct during their time in office as government. On many occasions, the MPs on the government side have been ridiculed with some of the most uncouth and slanderous things about their bodies, their spouses, their children, their sexuality and even their dead relatives. Some of the chief culprits in the heckling crowd of APNUAFC include MPs Sherod Duncan, Coretta Mc Donald and Natasha Singh-Lewis.

Today, my heckle regarding a dildo was aimed at verbal ex-

cesses of MP Sherod Duncan.

In hindsight, I should not have responded to the continued insults on me, my family and deceased sister, (yes they insulted my sister who died 11 years ago) by members of the APNUAFC. To those offended by my comment I am truly sorry.”

Duncan is already one of eight APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MPs) currently before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for the disruption of the December 29, 2021 sitting of the House.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

PPP/C ‘aspires’ to Parliamentary NRF nominee... (From page 9) are fixed not a cent will be drawn from the Natural Resource Fund’. He posited that ‘where the Minister of Finance had unlimited powers those powers have been removed by the PPP/C Government’s NRF Act. Where there was no Board of Directors in the APNU/AFC’s Act 2019, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s there will now be a Board of Directors’.

FULL TRANSPARENCY Minister Singh emphasized further that Government was clear in its intention to ensure that there was full transparency and accountability in terms of transfer of funds from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund as this would be fully scrutinized by the National Assembly during every step of the way.

“The Natural Resource Fund

belongs to the people of Guyana. The people of Guyana own this fund and the people of Guyana must understand the basis on which the amount to be transferred from the fund is calculated,” he added, noting that in the old Act this calculation was not established.

In referencing the various criticisms of the New NRF Act, Minister Singh pointed out that “In all this hullabalu,

one feature is striking-not a single soul has proffered or ventured a number (formula) to represent what would have been transferred under the APNU/AFC’s Natural Resource Fund Act”. He said that the answer was simple as it would have been ‘one man’ (the Finance Minister) who would have done so.

“We have written it in the law that every single cent to be trasnferred to the Consolidat-

ed Fund, that nothing can be transferred from the Fund to the Conslidated Fund unless it is scrutnized by the National Assembly. They made a big fuss about the President appointing members to the Board but none of them had a problem with the Minister being appointed by the President (Finance Minister) having all the powers in the Act, but they have a problem with the President appointing

five persons to the Board.

This President has a mandate by the people of Guyana to govern ….and on top of that Sir, the fact that the Board has a nominee of the National Assembly…that Sir is an even further added positive architecture in the new Act,” Dr. Singh concluded.

The Parliamentary Committee of Appointments is expected to address the issue of a nominee soon.

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Jagdeo rejects ‘wild allegations’ from...

It’s false…I can’t comment on that because it would be an anonymous person. You can just sit there and fabricate that. As I said before, a lot of the companies and reporters…when the reporters come from abroad, this is their ‘catch you’ kind of thing. They always want to make a developing country’s leader look corrupt. So you’ve done your bit. Unless you say who the person is, I can’t comment on anonymous people. I can say two persons told me before this interview ‘don’t the interview with Vice News because that is precisely what they would do, they would fabricate something and come and say they spoke with people here’…I have had a long history of being

in public office and never any of the stuff you are talking about. And all my accounts are clear. If you were coming here with specifics.”

He made clear that the foreign media rep’s comments about him helping people is true, but that does not mean it is for consideration. “I help out as many people as I can. That’s totally accurate what you read there.

Unbelievably accurate. I help people out. But it doesn’t mean for consideration. It does not mean for bribe. I believe we have a mission to help as many people as possible move forward in this country.”

The foreign media rep went to name a Chinese businessman as another source.

These claims were also rub-

bished by the Vice President, who said, “I am not putting my head on no block for no Su Zhi Rong. What he says to somebody, if he is lobbying them or if it is a lie. He claims this is a lie. He never said anything of the sort. But I am not putting my head [on a block], because if he says that to someone, that is his business. But if I discover he is doing that and he ask me to see somebody, I would never see them again.”

Notably, Su Zhi Rong issued a statement on Wednesday (February 9, 2022), said, “I, Su Zhi Rong, wish to state categorically that I have never solicited any bribe/ inducement from any company or individual for either myself or any government official including the Vice

(From page 13) President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. I have read the insinuations by the VICE News network and others and wish to deny any wrong-doing including influence-peddling. I have been a businessman in Guyana for many years and I have always conducted myself in accordance with local and international laws and standards. I wish to refute strongly any suggestion that I acted on behalf of any government official, that I presented myself as a representative of anyone, or that I promised any favor or business-related reward. I have already engaged with my legal representatives on these false reports and fabrications.”

The Vice President has

since made clear that his assets and income match and this is reflected in his annual submissions to the Integrity Commission. “All my statements are in with the Integrity Commission. The last government, they checked everything about me and they didn’t find anything…I do have two accounts, and they are both at two local banks and all of my source of income will be accounted for at these institutions. So my source of income, my earnings are accounted for, whether it comes from government pension or income from rentals. The contracts are with the banks so they can see the source of my earning…similarly too, all the assets I have acquired have been done through the

banking system. So you can trace every asset I have acquired back to the banking system…I do not have a foreign bank account. I do not and it could be easily verified” he said.

On the call from the embattled PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, Jagdeo charged that his “ignorance” on the process involving the Integrity Commission, since he has always been a “junior functionary” in the PNCR circles.

“It is clear that any of these investigations could be investigated by the police if the opposition wishes to push it.

But as far as I am concerned, it is a wild allegation and I am not paying too much heed to it because it has no substance whatsoever,” Jagdeo declared.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

MINISTRY OF FINANCE VACANCIES The Ministry of Finance is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following vacancies: 1) Audit Assistants The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting the Audit Supervisor with audit examinations; compilation of audit findings; preparation of basic working papers of audit examinations; and verification of accounting books and source documents for correctness and completeness.

Minimum Qualifications: · Suitable candidates should possess a minimum of five subjects CSEC General Proficiency (grades I, II; and III from 1998) or five passes at GCE'O' Level (Grade A, B, or C) and must include English Language and Mathematics. · Diploma in Accounting from a recognized university OR Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and relevant experience would be an asset.

2) Auditors The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting the Audit Supervisor with the: development and preparation of audit plans and programs; preparation of progress registers and reports; preparation of basic working papers; compilation of audit findings; and evaluation of the integrity of the audit team's work.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE VACANCIES The Ministry of Finance is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill vacancies for

1) Economic and Financial Analysts The successful candidates will perform various functions, including budget preparation and execution, expenditure planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, project research, macroeconomic analysis, and revenue forecasting and planning.

Minimum Qualifications: • Suitable candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Accounting, Management, or other relevant fields from a recognized university.

• Post Graduate qualification and relevant experience would be an asset.

Immediate benefits include: Exposure to macroeconomic planning, management, and analysis, as well as shortterm training opportunities to support the analytical job requirements.

Interested candidates should submit their applications and Curriculum Vitae no later than February 14, 2022, to: Finance Secretary Ministry of Finance 49 Main and Urquhart Streets Georgetown or Email to jobs@finance.gov.gy Please indicate the post applied for on the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Minimum Qualifications: · Suitable candidates should possess a Diploma in Accounting from a recognized university OR Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) or other relevant professional qualifications. · Higher professional or academic qualifications and relevant experience would be an asset.

3) Audit Supervisors The successful candidates will be responsible for preparing audit plans and programs, audit reports and memorandum, progress registers and reports; training all subordinates; evaluating the accuracy of audit work completed and maintaining appropriate records related to audits; recommending system changes that would promote good governance in Budget Agencies; ensuring that irregularities and discrepancies are brought to the attention of the Head of the Budget Agency; and, ensuring that corrective actions are taken to resolve irregularities and discrepancies.

Minimum Qualifications. Suitable candidates should possess a: · Bachelor's Degree in Accounting OR ACCA Level II or other relevant professional qualifications. · Higher professional or academic qualifications and relevant professional experience would be an asset.

4) Deputy Chief Internal Auditors The successful candidates will be responsible for conducting audit assignments and providing advice on technical accounting matters as well as the implementation policies, plans, procedures, and operating matters; managing all aspects of the Audit Unit so as to ensure the unit's objectives are achieved; identifying audit risks and recommending appropriate solutions to strengthen internal control systems to mitigate same; monitoring and discussing internal progress reports with Audit Supervisors; visiting sub-offices of the Internal Audit Department to conduct adequacy checks of internal audit procedures for accuracy and clarity; and analysing working paper and providing advice where necessary.

Minimum Qualifications. Suitable candidates should possess a: · Bachelor's Degree in Accounting OR ACCA Level III or Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or other relevant professional qualifications. · Higher professional or academic qualifications and relevant experience would be an asset.

Interested candidates should submit their applications and Curriculum Vitae no later than February 18, 2022, to: Finance Secretary Ministry of Finance 49 Main and Urquhart Streets Georgetown or Email to jobs@finance.gov.gy Please indicate the post applied for on the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

MINISTRY OF FINANCE VACANCIES The Ministry of Finance is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following vacancies: 1) Budget Officers II The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting the Economic/Financial Analyst in gathering, recording, analysing data related to recurrent and capital expenditures and revenue of the public sector; and preparing the Ministry's annual estimates of expenditure.

Minimum Qualifications: · Suitable candidates should possess a Diploma in Economics, Finance, Accountancy, or Management from a recognized institution. · Higher academic qualifications and relevant experience would be an asset.

2) Budget Officers I The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting the Economic/Financial Analyst in the preparation of the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure, and maintenance of accurate records of monthly, quarterly, and yearly current revenue and expenditure profiles of the public sector.

Minimum Qualifications: · Suitable candidates should possess a minimum of five subjects CSEC General Proficiency (grades I and II) or five passes at GCE'O' Level (Grade A, B, or C) and must include English Language and Mathematics. · Ability to use Excel would be an asset.

Interested candidates should submit their applications and Curriculum Vitae no later than February 18, 2022, to: Finance Secretary Ministry of Finance 49 Main and Urquhart Streets Georgetown or Email to jobs@finance.gov.gy Please indicate the post applied for on the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 FEBRUARY, 2022

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Daily COVID-19 testing has doubled – Health Minister T

he Ministry of Health continues to increase Guyana’s COVID-19 testing response with the procurement of adequate COVID-19 tests being made available to the general public.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said approximately 2, 219 tests have been conducted daily since the beginning of this year, doubling the amount conducted in 2021. “If we go back and look at testing generally, in 2020 we did 38, 548 which on average would be about 129 tests per day, in 2021 we did 387, 266 that on average would work out to be 1, 061 tests per day and this year we already would have completed 88, 791 which works out to be 2, 219 per day,” Dr. Antho-

Health Ministry urges continued vigilance

T

he Ministry of Health continues to see a reduction in COVID-19 cases.

However, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony is reminding the population that the pandemic remains and complacency could be fatal for some people, especially those who are unvaccinated or have underlying health conditions.

“We are still not out of the pandemic, omicron is still here with us and it can still infect people, and we can still have severe infections where people are hospitalised and you can also see some of those persons dying,” Dr.

Anthony said.

He noted that the COVICURB campaign continues with members of the Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Police Force, along with other agencies working with the population to help them understand the measures in place to reduce the spread of the disease.

“While we would have had some measures of success, I think a lot of people have become complacent and there are businesses that were once very vigilant with these measures, have started relaxing them and similarly with various entities,” Dr

Anthony said.

“If we relax these measures now, we are still going to see transmission, and therefore this is not some people doing the right thing and others being able to violate the rules. We have to take a conscious decision that all of us have to be involved to make sure that we can protect ourselves and the population, so if all of us do the right thing then the population will be protected,” he added.

Since the pandemic began, there has been over 7,830 pediatric cases, 17 of which have died.

ny said.

Minister Anthony further said “we have increased testing and therefore we are trying to find as much people who are positive as possible.”

Meanwhile, as the suspected Omicron variant continues to circulate, Guyana has recorded 184 new cases within the last 24-hours, with approximately 4, 358 current active cases.

Further, the minister reiterated that over 7,000 children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in 2020.

He said if there is any child who would have recovered from the coronavirus but is however suffering from long-COVID, they could visit the GPHC to be ex-

amined and treated there.

“Most of these cases were mild, we did have a number of hospitalisation but I think most of those patients would have recovered…however, if there is any child suffering from symptoms of long-COVID they can always come to the hospital where they would be examined by the multi-specialty task force that we have for COVID,” the minister said.

To date, over 83 per cent of the country’s adult population took the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 62.3 percent is fully vaccinated. In terms of adolescents, over 45 per cent of this age cohort took the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine while over 32 per cent took both doses.

Approval of Guyana’s largest oil project anticipated for March – VP Jagdeo T

he PPP/C Government is putting all systems in place for the approval of the Yellowtail field development plan (FDP), with completion anticipated for March, according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Yellowtail is Guyana’s fourth and biggest oil project in the Stabroek Block and is proposed by ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Pro-

duction Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

“There was an expectation that it would be done for the year [2022]. We had some setbacks, but we have been working more and so we’re anticipating the completion of everything by the end of March latest.

We have some consultancies in place and the ministry is reviewing,” Jagdeo said.

Speaking at a recent

press conference, he added that there is a draft licence already in place and a parallel process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Government had commenced the review of the Yellowtail FDP in November last with a virtual stakeholder forum led by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The ministry is tasked with ensuring that the

FDP is diligently reviewed and assessed for alignment with the requirements of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act and regulations, good international oilfield practices, and all other applicable protocols, practices and methodologies.

Last month, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board received bids from 11 inter-

national firms that are vying to secure the contract. These included Infinity Services and X Well Mexico; Orwell Offshore; Endeavour Management; Future Energy Partners Limited; MSI International; IHS Global Incorporated; Sun Stone Energy Advisory Service; Bay Phase; RPS Energy Consultants Limited; Sproule; and Strat Oil Energy Services.

The development plan includes up to three drill ships drilling up to 67 wells, the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel and subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) production system, with tankers taking the oil to global markets.

Importantly, this development will provide over 1,300 jobs across its four phases. In the first stage of the project, called well drilling, approximately 540 persons are expected to be employed at peak.

Yellowtail will be situated 126 miles offshore Guyana, where ExxonMobil made its 13th discovery in the Stabroek block. Its initial

production phase is scheduled to commence in 2025, with optimum production capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, and would continue for 20 years. The FPSO is designed to have a storage capacity of two million barrels of oil.

ExxonMobil has already received approval for three development projects in the Stabroek block, where it has made discoveries totalling 10 billion oil equivalent barrels.

Of those projects, production began on December 1, 2019 with the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel at the Liza Phase One site. Production is scheduled to begin at the Liza Phase One operation in early 2022, with the Liza Unity having arrived in the block recently. The Prosperity FPSO is currently being outfitted in Singapore for the Payara project, scheduled for first oil in 2024.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek block. Its partners in the consortium are Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited.

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