Weekend Mirror 19-20 February 2022

PNCR’s Norton schooled 19-20 February, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 10 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 3

‒ Nandlall says by his logic ‘legitimacy’ of PPP/C gov’t has been determined twice

GECOM meets to address LGE plans, filling vacant posts

PAGE 20

Privileges Committee to commence addressing sanctions for Coalition MPs Principled, nuanced approach guiding Guyana’s move towards a sustainable Future – Jagdeo PAGE 15

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SEE INSIDE

Paramakatoi smart hospital to be completed by mid-year PAGE 6

COVID-19 PAGE 23 home testing not accepted for international travel – Health Minister

Guyana PAGE 11 welcomes investors but Guyanese must benefit – President Ali tells investors

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

PM outlines exciting transformation of Guyana’s energy sector

T

he planned transformation in the energy sector of Guyana, will reduce cost and enhance service, according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips.

The senior government

official, who gave opening remarks on day three of the ‘International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2022’ at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, pointed to a more sustainable energy future.

He said that clean energy and energy efficiency will play important parts in transforming Guyana’s energy landscape as the Government intends to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and place people

at the centre of the energy transformation process.

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was described as the guiding policy behind this change.

“Our Government is currently embarking on its commitment to achieving a low carbon economy and advancing the transition away from conventional energy sources. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 is geared towards a massive expansion of renewable and clean energy across the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister explained that the country’s future will depend heavily on developing low carbon energy resources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and natural gas, to meet the rising demand and to keep greenhouse gas emissions low. He said, “Under this strategy, we will advance an energy mix that will lead to more than 500 megawatts of newly installed capacity over the next five years.”

It was explained that over the next decade-plus, the country’s energy sector will undergo three stages.

The first stage will see the use of natural gas, the realisation of the Amaila Falls Hydro plant, a significant expansion of solar energy and battery operated systems to cater to rural networks by 2027.

The second stage will be realised by 2030. It involves the continued replacement of HFO, expansion of wind and solar energy and the commissioning of Guyana’s second hydropower plant which will be identified before 2025.

Prime Minister Phillips said that the third stage will commence from 2032 onwards where future expansion will be determined by prevailing market conditions. He said that it is likely that battery and hydrogen technology will be sufficiently advanced to enable solar and wind to provide new capacity increases while contributing to the possible further reduction in electricity costs.

However, he emphasized that there are more immediate mechanisms that are currently being undertaken.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES The Prime Minister said that as part of the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, it will be pursuing low carbon transportation infrastructure.

“We intend to foster the development of an electric vehicle industry to substitute fossil fuels with electricity…

to this end, the installation of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles will be piloted in 2022 in Regions Three, Four and Six,” he said.

Those actions he said would be supplemented with future initiatives to increase efficiency levels of vehicle consumption of fuel.

DEVELOPMENT Additionally, 200 unserved communities will begin utilising clean energy within the next two years.

“Projects are underway to improve people-centred energy access through investments in solar PV systems for off-grid areas and the development of micro-grids for large hinterland areas, leading to the expansion of our Hinterland Electrification Programme,” he said.

The projects include the installation of 13 utility-scale solar PV farms, 30,000 solar home systems for Hinterland and riverain communities, 20 solar PV mini-grids for public buildings in the Hinterland, over 180 solar PV stand-alone systems for the Government’s ICT Hubs, and the installation of a three-megawatt grid-connected solar PV system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Prime Minister Phillips noted that providing sustainable energy for all Guyanese has far-reaching economic, environmental and social benefits. He said, “In addition to serving domestic needs, it is important to link rural electrification efforts to productive activities such as ICT, commerce, and agro-processing to allow for greater community involvement, retention of skills in the community and longterm sustainability.”

Additionally, this rapid transformation and growth in the sector would lead to the creation of many jobs.

He said, “Capacity building, training and public awareness have to be incorporated so that our citizens can actively participate in opportunities for job creation and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises….women, youth, and vulnerable groups will be encouraged to actively participate in these opportunities.”

The Prime Minister noted that the Government of Guyana is ready to work with stakeholders to revolutionise the sector.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

PNCR’s Norton schooled

‒ Nandlall says by his logic ‘legitimacy’ of PPP/C gov’t has been determined twice

L

eader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Aubrey Norton was taken to task by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, over his comments about the legitimacy of the PPP/C Government.

Norton, in recent comments charged that: “The question of the legitimacy of the Government has to be determined by an election petition. It is not a case of the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Party just deciding the Government is legitimate. Legitimacy comes from elections in this regard…if perchance, it (the election petition) comes out saying that the Government was elected properly, then they will be legitimate.”

Nandlall rubbished Nor-

ton’s ramblings and made clear that, “Mr. Norton contends that the legitimacy of the Government has to be determined by an elections petition. No Mr. Norton, you are reasoning in the reverse.

The election petition may determine that the Government is illegitimate. There is a fundamental principle of law expressed in the Latin maxim, ‘’omnia praesumuntur rite esse acta [all things are presumed to be done in due form].’’ This principle applies to the March 2nd, 2020, General and Regional elections. It is buttressed by several incontrovertible processes, including that those elections were observed and certified to be free, fair and credible by every local, regional and international

agency invited and accredited to do so.

“Concomitantly, for five long months thereafter, several aspects of the tabulation of the results of those elections were thoroughly interrogated by every tier of our judicial hierarchy and eventually pronounced upon as legitimate.

“Significantly, every single ballot was recounted, an unprecedented occurrence in modern electoral history.

That recount was observed by a team described by Mr. Norton’s predecessor, no other than the sitting President at the time, Mr. David Granger as ‘the most legitimate interlocutor’. This team adjudged the exercise to be transparent and credible.

The result of that recount

materially coincided with the Statement of Polls (SoP’s) in the custody of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and every other party (other than Mr. Norton’s) as well as those in the possession of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Strikingly, Mr. Norton’s party is yet to disclose their Statements of Poll for anyone to examine.

“It is in these circumstances that the Chairperson of GECOM declared Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to be elected President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic to be

the victor at those elections.”

Nandlall added that if, for argument sake, it is assumed that, as Norton contends, it must be noted that both of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s elections petitions were dismissed in the High Court. The Attorney General said, “Both were heard and dismissed by the High Court that has the jurisdiction to do so. Therefore, following Mr. Norton’s logic, the Government’s legitimacy has been determined twice by the proper constitutional forum. Admittedly, appeals have been filed against those rulings. However, Mr. Nor-

ton’s legal advisors will inform him that the filing of appeals do not, by and of themselves, operate to stay the decisions appealed against. Further, they ought to advise him that, in any event, it is juridically impossible to stay the dismissal of a case.”

GECOM, on August 2, 2020, finalised results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections process. Those results showed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won the Election with 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

EDITORIAL

Development in a sustainable manner PPP/C has detailed comprehensive development strategy for benefit T of all Guyanese he leadership of the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration has positioned Guyana to develop and evolve in a sustainable manner and recognition of this fact has resulted in bilateral partnerships, as well as public private partnerships.

Already, collaborations are underway with Suriname, Ghana and Barbados in several areas and through numerous initiatives, including the removal of barriers to enhance the movement of goods and people. More recently, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, said the EU is committed to assisting Guyana in the fight against climate change.

Guiding the approach to Guyana’s sustainable developed are four principles: 1. Rigid fiscal discipline; 2. A focus on what is good for people and their welfare – education, health; 3. Ensuring that oil revenues are not wasted, and that it goes toward stimulating the non-oil sectors; and 4. Enhancing our democratic institutions to aggressively to ensure that the prevailing condition in Guyana is democracy.

Guyanese had almost three decades of undemocratic rule and in that period and was considered one of the poorest countries the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. The trauma of 28 years of undemocratic rule, made clear the importance between democracy and development. In 1992, Guyana’s debt was over 900% of Gross Domestic Product and the country was using 153% of revenue for scheduled debt serving. Today, Guyana’s external debt is about 17% of GDP, down from 900%, and we are using about 6% of revenue to service the debt. Further, Guyana has a thriving private sector, compared to a time when more than 80 per cent of the economy was dominated by the State.

Further, the passage of Budget 2022 was historic in that it was the first budget that utilised oil revenues. However, only $126.7B of the $552.9B national budget reflects oil revenues.

Transparency guides use of oil revenues, as reflected in the provisions of the Natural Resources Fund. For example: • From receipts of funds, all proceeds from oil and gas companies must be published in the Official Gazette and notified to Parliament within three months of receipt. Failure to do so results in a penalty of ten years imprisonment.

• The formula for withdrawals from the account allows every Guyanese at the end of the year, having known the receipts for the year, to calculate in the following year’s budget, how much money will come to the fund.

• The use of the fund is appropriated via the Budget and any direct charge on the Fund has been removed, meaning any money spent can only be spent after Parliamentary process; and • A strong management team – the Board of Directors – has been put in place. This move ensures that the Minister of Finance is removed from total control, as was the case under the APNU+AFC Coalition’s version of the Natural Resources Fund legislation.

Relative to the welfare of Guyanese, investment is being made in sustainability related areas – education, healthcare, ICT and infrastructure.

The rigid fiscal discipline seen between 1992 and 2015 is being witnessed again – where the Government is working to carve a conducive macro-economic environment for private capital and also for development and invest in capital expenditures that would further the interest of Guyanese. Wasteful spending on food, travel, vehicles – current expenses – as seen under the former APNU+AFC Coalition is not the focus of the PPP/C administration.

These principles are crucial to Guyana’s ability to advance sustainable development for the benefit of all Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or any other differentiating factor.

This fact has been made by not only President Ali, but by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and leaders in the PPP/C administration.

Guyana’s road to where our nation are people are positioned has been a long journey and while there is much work ahead, we must all recognise that the task of sustainable development is a national undertaking and demands the cooperation of all of our peoples.

We are Stronger Together.

Dear Editor,

“Y

ou don’t need to second guess us.

You don’t need to read between the lines.”, was the emphatic words of President Ali at the opening of the International Energy Conference and Expo 2022, as he proudly outlined the vastness of our natural resources and willingness to foster bilateral engagements and cement strategic relationships with international investors.

If they were any doubts about this administration’s seriousness and commitment to diversifying and opening our economy to the world for the benefit of all Guyanese then the president’s speech sought to pacify those concerns.

Make no mistake, Guyana is open for business. But more importantly, the president outlined a new business enabling development strategy that is also multifaceted which will utilize advancement in the Oil and Gas sector

to support the development of our low carbon agenda aimed at economic sustainability and diversification.

Such a comprehensive development strategy will ensure our traditional sectors remain viable and competitive meanwhile allowing for the creation of newer areas of opportunity and growth thus ensuring job security for Guyanese.

Sincerely, Erin Northe

PNCR-led Coalition must recognise that old rhetoric will not work in modern day Guyana Dear Editor,

W

hat have the Opposition offered apart from wantonly and shamelessly criticising and condemning the 2022 Budget? The Coalition presented ‘the good life’ Budget to this nation year after year since 2015, but it was the mother of all ironies that they viciously snatched away the good life which Guyanese enjoyed under the PPP/C Government for 23 years. Now that Guyanese are once again enjoying the good life, the Opposition and some biased commentators are once again singing the corruption mantra.

The Opposition need to review their dismal and disgraceful performance record which reek of corruption and mismanagement. The Coalition members of Parliament should review the constructive debate presentations which were done in Parliament from 2015 by the PPP/C Parliamentarians.

The PPP/C MPs not only exposed the many flaws in the Coalition’s budgetary allocations and inherent policies, but also provided alternatives with clear courses of action to be taken, and the pitfalls were highlighted which, if implemented, would have been counterproductive to our socio-economic development.

Monies were snatched away from transformational projects and plugged into areas which were non-productive and resulted in massive wastage and theft. These pitfalls and inherent weaknesses were eventually substantiated by the downward spiral of the economy, and the massive corruption which had ensued is well documented by the Auditor General’s Report year after year, yet the Coalition did nothing to correct its subsequent budgets and put a halt to the multitude of corrupt practices which pervaded every stratum of its governance. The corruption is well documented.

Now they want us to believe that the PPP/C Government is corrupt. The Coalition MPs’ flaccid arguments and

age-old cries of corruption are laughable when the undeniable fact is that their period of governance was riddled with corruption, mismanagement, and deliberate wastage. The Coalition’s presentation in Parliament exposed to the Guyanese public that they will never be able to govern this country, and are incapable of constructive arguments. It exposed that all they are capable of is violence, vulgarity and uncouth behaviour, coupled with lies and deceit. Have the Coalition’s MPs ever apologised for their lawless and indecent behaviour in Parliament? NO! That is how they debate!

The PNC rigged all the Elections from 1968 to 1985, have they ever apologised? They have attempted to blatantly rig the 2020 Elections, have they apologised? The PNC-dominated Coalition continues to contaminate this land with their divisive political agenda about marginalisation and corruption.

It is becoming increasingly manifest that Vice President Dr Jagdeo is again being targeted in the press, and the interview by Vice News has that unmistakable agenda to aid the Opposition to stimulate and nurture the perception of corruption, which the PNC and certain commentators used to perfection prior to the 2015 Elections to destabilise the PPP/C Government.

Where was Vice News during the tenure of the Coalition? Where was Vice News when Mr Trotman signed the Exxon PSA in 2016?

In 2018, the then Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Trotman, had said that there is no legal basis to challenge the PSA between his Government and Exxon, yet there was no interview by Vice News. Why? Then the mystery of the US$18M Signing Bonus, why did Vice News not interview the then Finance Minister? And the list goes on.

There are documented acts of corruption against the Coalition Government, yet Vice News and others are going after perceived corruption and hearsay.

Is this the modus operandi of a responsible media house? No wonder media and business analyst Mr Rick Edwards of the Poynter Institute described Vice News journalism as ‘raw and tasteless, and more akin to personal essays than balanced journalism’.

Vice News, upon a bit of investigation, would have known that VP Jagdeo and other members of the PPP Government do submit their financial statements to the Integrity Commission on an annual basis, and it was just as simple to contact Mr Su and verify the veracity of the allegations. But then that would not have satisfied its agenda.

Furthermore, it would seem that the new Opposition Leader was awaiting an opportunity to display his ignorance and establish himself as an incompetent leader, and at the same time, certain media houses cannot resist the temptation to publish the ‘juicy news’.

Can you imagine that Mr Norton was reported as saying that the PPP Government officials ‘have mastered the art of keeping their tracks clean’? Is this an admission that the Coalition’s officials stole but are unable to cover their tracks? It is quite an allegation by the Opposition Leader when there is no evidence but simply conjectures and suppositions.

In conclusion, the PNC-dominated Coalition must come to realisation that Guyanese will no longer fall for this corruption mantra. They were deceived once by this and the many false promises, but not again. The Coalition must do the hard work to be a responsible Opposition, and do some sanitising within their ranks. As it is, they will never again be trusted to form any Government. At the same time, media houses must ensure that they do the hard work and do investigative journalism when reporting certain sensitive issues. They owe the public that responsibility.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

Opposition Commissioners' surreptitious intent to delay LGE exposed Dear Editor,

I

refer to the press report under the caption “GECOM cannot contribute to the amendment of RoPA without probing 2020 elections – Opposition Commissioners”, published on February 03, 2022, in the Kaieteur and Stabroek Newspapers. This is an absolute falsity that exposes the Opposition Commissioners' surreptitious intent to further delay and derail the holding of Local Government Elections (LGEs) in 2022.

Most of the Guyanese readership, interested stakeholders, and other observers are

now aware of the need to exercise much caution when examining language spouted from the likes of Vincent Alexander and his cohorts as opposition mouthpieces. The deceptive mix of partial truths, silence in relevant areas and words convenience are consistent aspects of the agenda of his political focus rather than the real relevant and legally factual position.

It is easy to recognize the PNC/R prepared agenda-setting and framing, advocated by these Commissioners in creating circumstances of party convenience. The focus is nothing but another designed at-

tempt at targeting backdoor manipulation of the Commission’s balance; to strategically defy and malign the High Court’s ruling on the treatment of the Register of Registrants (RoR).

In their futile argument to discredit and disbar the current RoR and reposition a focus on House-to-House Registration as a method of cleansing the Voters List, they contend that “the judgment in relation to House-to-House Registration should be clarified from the standpoint of its applicability to the voters’ list as distinct from the Register of Registrants.” The statement, however, is tantamount to a sleight of hand movement that can be easily discerned by even the most cursory examination.

These commissioners cannot expect the nation to buy into their frivolous rhetoric.

Rather, the nation would be more aware that no current legislation in Guyana empowers the retirement of the Register of Registrants.

Further, it is recalled that when the APNU/ AFC took power in 2015, they swiftly went to the National Assembly even before the PPP/C took up their seats in Parliament, and pass the law to allow GECOM to use the Continuous Registration system to update the Register of Registrants. Following this precedent approach, a Preliminary List

of voters was prepared to facilitate a short period of the Claims and Objection process to realize a final Voters list.

In 2016, it was this Voters' List that enabled GECOM to run off LGEs that year.

The hypocrisy in their current tantrums is self-revealing and Guyanese are now more aware that the delays are being conjured up because the PNC and their cohorts are always afraid to face the Electorate. It is factual that for almost two decades, the PNC has acted to frustrate all efforts regarding the holding of LGEs. The PPP/C and the Commission must put an end to all the PNC commissioners’ tactics to delay and frustrate the holding of LGEs. Consequently, the GECOM must also move to advance its mandate of ensuring the holding of Local Government Elections this year.

Editor, The call for “House-to-House” registration as a mechanism for the cleansing of the Voters List was never considered by the PNC/APNU/AFC while in government.

They held three Elections with the same Register of Registrants and implemented the very law that they hurriedly put in place in 2015, which relates to the Continuous Registration process. Further, it was the PNC/ APNU /AFC that established an increase in (Turn to page 17)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

Over $400M in asphaltic, Paramakatoi smart concrete roads commissioned hospital to be on Linden/Soesdyke Highway completed by mid-year H

T

he $44.4 million Paramakatoi Smart Hospital in Region Eight, which got off to a late start, is expected to be completed by midyear. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will undertake the construction, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said this week.

Guyana has benefitted from the ‘Smart Healthcare Facilities in the Caribbean’ project, with five hospitals across the country being retrofitted to offer improved services to citizens.

“They have now started working and we expect by

the mid of this year that facility would be ready,” the minister said.

The construction phase of the project is being managed by the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

The ministry has already retrofitted the Diamond Hospital, Lethem, Leonora and Mabaruma hospitals. Dr. Anthony said the climate resilient facilities “will be much smarter and more user friendly.”

“We’re using the concept smart because we want to

make these facilities climate resilient, meaning that they shouldn’t be flooded. We also want to utilise things like solar power so that we can constantly have renewable energy…we also want to collect rain water and utilise it in the facility. This is another way we can make use of the resources that are around us,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Smart Hospital initiative is funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, at a cost of $835 million (US$4.175 million).

undreds of residents along the Linden -Soesdyke Highway and Timehri, East Bank Demerara are now able to traverse safely following the commissioning of several main access roads at a cost of some $400 million.

Communities such as Hauraruni, Kuru Kururu, Grant Sand, Alliance and Kallicharran, benefitted from the rehabilitation.

The upgrades also complement government’s plan to establish a ‘Silica City’, a secondary city slated for the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Minister of Public

Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, in comments, said, “When we build roads, as a government it is to significantly improve the lives of residents. The impact of a road must not only be ‘oh we got a road,’ but you must see the opportunities that exist. So, I want to say to the residents to open up their minds and let ideas fill your minds and look and see when the government brings development to you it is not just a school, free WIFI or road, but these are opportunities for you to improve yourself, your family and prosperity to your

neighbourhood.” To this end, the public works minister encouraged residents to take advantage of the endless opportunities and services being provided.

Unlike other communities, the road works undertaken at Alliance was extended due to an agreement between the ministry and Crown Mining. This decision, according to Minister Edghill, was taken after the company agreed to provide the additional funds for the road expansion. The project will also see the construction of two heavy-duty bridges.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

More schools WIIN initiative to upskill over 4,000 women to begin CVQ O programme H

undreds of young people across the country could soon benefit from the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme, as the Ministry of Education is considering expanding the programme to 30 additional secondary schools.

The ministry is working to ensure young persons are able to acquire a skilled trade in addition to their formal education.

To date, 30 additional secondary schools have been identified for the programme.

The project will provide students with a wide array of programmes like data operations, general office administration, electrical installation, and metal work, among other areas.

For now, the council for TVET is assessing the schools to address any inadequacies found before the visit from CXC. CVQ is a competency-based qualification programme that enables persons to find employment in the region and around the world.

11 moderate-income families now proud home owners

E

leven (11) moderate-income families on Saturday received the keys to their newly constructed units in Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme, Greater Georgetown.

Minister Colin Croal said that the aim is to ensure there is a housing programme that responds to the needs of every Guyanese – lower, moderate, middle and young professionals, as well as the vulnerable groups. Not only is the government building the homes and providing lands for those categories of Guyanese, Minister Croal said, but has implemented several measures that will allow beneficiaries to have easy access to loans to purchase these homes.

He explained that the development of Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme started in 2014 and no development was done in the area over the five-year tenure of the Coalition.

“In just 18 months in office, and we have already done it, whereby firstly, persons can occupy their new homes and secondly, in a few months persons will start being able to access their lands to build their homes,” the ministry announced.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves said the intention is to make Cummings Lodge into a model housing scheme equipped with all the necessary amenities including, a health centre, schools, recreational facilities, a police outpost and modern, roads, drainage and bridges.

The two-bedroom, elevated moderate -income houses were constructed by the Ministry of Housing’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) as part of the PPP/C Government’s affordable housing programme. Each unit measures 20 feet by 30 feet (600 square feet) and are sold at a cost $7.5 M. Currently, some 190 homes are being constructed in the scheme and 100 more are set to begin shortly.

The construction of homes project was conceptualised by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan who had initiated the ‘turn key’ homes initiative when he served as housing minister prior to 2015. Close to 1000 homes are underway for lower to moderate income families, as well as young professionals.

ver 4,000 women have been earmarked to receive training through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, executed by the Human Services Ministry this year.

The training is part of government’s commitment to upskill the country’s human resource, to bridge the demands of a growing economy. In budget 2022, a sum of $173 million was allocated to continue and expand courses offered under the WIIN programme.

WIIN provides women with the tools for financial stability and empowerment.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said training offered through WIIN will enable women to meet the demands of a growing economy, while bridging the gaps of gender equality. “It is envisaged that we will expand our training to cater for over 4,000 women to be trained in 2022. It is not only about training, and it was not only about looking at training in an abstract context, it is ensuring that whatever was delivered through training, it was relevant to niche markets and the demands out there,” she said.

The ministry launched

the initiative in Baramita, Region One, affording over 150 women first time access to training in a plethora of areas tailored to equip them with the tools for employment. In addition to women of Baramita, some 1,000 women from rural communities were trained.

Overall, 2,170 women were upskilled in diverse, technical, vocational and information communication technology (ICT) programmes in every region. The movement of this training is towards increasing women in the labour force. We speak of the gender divide; we speak of the digital divide and we speak

about gender inequality.

With this kind of training, moving women to a state of financial independence, we are looking at narrowing those divides,” said Minister Persaud WIIN is easily accessible to women of varying backgrounds with no eligibility criteria attached.

Courses offered are free and accredited from renowned learning institutions.

Persons interested in benefitting from the ministry’s training programme can do so by signing up on the ministry’s website.

Courses are accessed online or in person.

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

Countries like Guyana, Ghana must use oil and gas resources for development I

n order to stimulate growth and development for their citizens, Guyana and Ghana must find ways to substantially develop its oil and gas resources.

Highlighting this key point was President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, when he gave his opening address to the International Energy Conference and Expo, on Tuesday morning (February 15, 2022) at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

“How do we bridge the gap if we are not allowed to exploit the resources that we have been blessed with?…

The Almighty has blessed our lands with abundant natural resources and we believe that it would be wholly unfair for the world to demand that Africa demand the exploitation of these resources,” the Ghanaian President told the ceremony.

He said it is important that countries add value to oil and gas resources and not just exploit them in the raw form if countries like Ghana and Guyana are to transition to the state of developed countries. “The effective management of these resources will determine whether we make it or not,” he pointed out.

President Akufu-Addo relayed that the conference brings into sharp focus the goals of COP26 – a global conference held last year with world leaders to tackle climate change. Against this backdrop he said, “The effects of climate change, particularly on the continent of Africa have been catastrophic. Agriculture, water and energy are essential drivers of development in our

countries. We have a solemn duty to take immediate and bold steps to protect global climate from going beyond unbearable limits. It is in our own interest to salvage the economic fortunes of the continent, and more so, step up our collective efforts to fight decisively against climate change, to fight against climate change more aggressively.”

Ghana became a fullblown commercial oil and gas producer with the discovery of the offshore Jubilee field – estimated to hold 700 million barrels of oil and 800 billion cubic feet of gas. Development of the production site started right away, and in December 2010 oil production was officially launched.

Meanwhile, Guyana discovered oil in the prolific Stabroek Block in May 2015.

Production first started in the Liza One Development with a production of 120,000 barrels of oil per day. Just a few days ago, production commenced at the Liza Two development with 220,000 barrels of oil, thereby taking Guyana’s daily production to 340,000 barrels. Other major oil and gas developments are in the pipelines.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

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

G u y a n a d r iv in g t h e R e g io n ’ s A g r ic u lt u r e a g e n d a Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme empowering youths

A

griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha handed over 400 broiler chicks and starter feed amounting to approximately $310,000 to the President’s College Agriculture Science Department to assist students with completing the farm management aspect of their School-Based Assessment (SBA).

This donation was made after the school’s headteacher wrote to the minister requesting urgent help with restoring the school’s agriculture science department as the students prepared for their CSEC and CAPE Exams later this year.

During the handing over, which was done at the ministry’s head office on Regent Street, Minister Mustapha said that the ministry has already embarked on several other projects aimed at improving the school’s farm which is managed by the students in the agriculture science department.

“In addition to these chicks that you are receiving today, the ministry is also in the process of rehabilitating the school’s entire farm so that students have the necessary resources and facilities to fully prepare for their exams. I hope that we will be able to replicate this initiative across the country at different schools because it is important for us to start the process in the school system to ensure our students are well prepared for the professional agricultural field. Guyana’s average pass rate for agriculture at the last sitting of CSEC was about 95%. This shows that our students are very passionate about agriculture so, as a government, we have to ensure that both their theoretical and practical knowledge are strengthened. This is the only way they will be able to have an all-around and comprehensive understanding of the industry,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha further stated that with Guyana now tasked with driving the agriculture agenda in CARICOM and His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali spearheading the CARICOM agri-food systems agenda, it was important for the government to facilitate the development of a strong agriculture sector locally.

Under the ministry’s Rural Agriculture Infrastructure Development (RAID) Project the ministry has since completed the construction of a shadehouse and a timber bridge at the school’s farm as well as upgrades to the farm access road. A cattle perimeter fence will also be constructed at the farm to assist with the rearing of livestock as well as the establishment of a one-acre passion fruit plot. Coconut seedlings will also be planted at the farm.

Additional support will also be given to the department through the RAID Project which will see the construction of a poultry and vegetable processing facility. The facility, which is currently under construction is expected to be completed by May 2022 at a cost of $15 million. An additional 25 bags of grower feed and 10 bags of finisher feed will also be handed over to the school when the birds have matured.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C Govern-

ment has been making a significant impact in the sector, more so, among the younger demographic.

To date, the ministry has made several donations to a number of schools, community-based agriculture groups, and Co-ops across the country.

Last month, President Ali launched the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme which forms part of the government’s vision for empowering youths while further developing Guyana’s agriculture sector. This programme, in its first phase, will see the construction of twenty-five (25) shadehouses that will be used to cultivate high-value crops such as carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. The programme targets both current and past students of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the University of Guyana (UG), and other budding agriculture entrepreneurs.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Guyana welcomes investors but Guyanese must benefit – President Ali tells investors

A

n olive branch has been extended to companies looking to invest in the oil and gas producing nation of Guyana. However, while they are welcomed to invest, companies are being reminded that Guyanese must be able to benefit from those investments, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. “Local content is not about not welcoming inves-

tors. We welcome investors from Exxon, be it the international investor Hess, every single stakeholder whether you are regional or international, we welcome you.

But all we are saying is that that space for technological transformation, collaboration, local growth and competitiveness, increased productivity must be built into the system to be of benefit to the

people of the country,” the President said.

In December 2021, the Government of Guyana passed the historic Local Content Legislation. President Ali upon signing the Bill into law said the legislation gives Guyanese an opportunity to win.

Ali added, “We are going to state directly the narrative. There is no need for

any interpretation, this is the narrative. We are pursuing this path; we know of the responsibility we speak about.

We welcome investors but we believe that local opportunities, the private sector and every single Guyanese and regional stakeholder must be part of the prosperity and benefit from the prosperity.”

Guyana’s Local Content Bill outlines 40 services that

oil companies must procure from Guyanese owned companies. Government has also taken initiatives to provide training in the oil and gas sector so that Guyanese can benefit from the sector.

President Ali reiterated that while Guyana has an open-door policy for investors, their motive must be in line with Guyana’s developmental agenda.

Guyana can become the hub for fabrication, machining services for the region – President Ali I n the Caribbean Region, Guyana is poised to be-

come the hub for fabrication and machining services

for the region while pointing to the many untapped

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.

opportunities for growth in the industry.

The Head of State made this assertion this week during a press event hosted

by Guysons K+B Industries Inc (GKB), at the Marriott Hotel. The GKB partnership announced that it plans to convert the Enmore sugar packaging facility to a modern fabrication facility, which when completed will employ some 500 persons, including sugar workers, from the community and its environs.

The company is a majority-owned Guyanese company and the first-ofits-kind to offer tubular goods, premium threading, and accessory services as well as turnkey manufacturing solutions in the country.

IMPACT OF MASSIVE INVESTMENT President Ali not only acknowledged the magnitude of the investment, but the impact it would have on the community through the provision of jobs as well as training and capacity building.

The overall investment is valued at US$35m, while the immediate investment will be US$7.5m.

President Ali said that his Government will create new growth poles as the population increases on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

He also pointed to the importance of creating the supporting transportation

infrastructure to facilitate the necessary linkages between communities. “We have to have an efficient transportation system. We have to ensure we get that infrastructure in place as fast as possible to support this type of private investment that we are talking about here.”

To facilitate this, he explained that the Government is designing an elaborate road network transportation system that will be linked to new industrial sites along the East Coast corridor.

OPPORTUNITIES ON THE HORIZON The President also announced several new initiatives in the pipeline which will result in the creation of more jobs as well as the opportunity for growth and development in communities. He said, “We have another announcement that is coming from a Surinamese-Guyanese company that will create a few hundreds of jobs also, eventually going up to 1500 jobs along the East Coast corridor; that deals with processing, manufacturing, beverage production, and that is also coming on stream.”

He added too that a Barbadian delegation is also looking at the opportunities that exist for the creation of the Guyana-Barbados food terminal to support the agricultural sector.

The President said an

integrated plan is in place to ensure that all communities in Guyana benefit from the country’s massive growth and advancement. He added that there will be investments and announcements in all the sectors, which will open up opportunities and pave the way for the creation of more jobs. “When we spoke about 50,000 jobs in the campaign it was not a fallacy. It was an understanding of what lies ahead and more importantly, a commitment that we knew we had in our team to deliver to the people, and we are doing that not only in a sustained way but in a very, very, aggressive way. Guyana is open for business, Guyana only asks of you to bring along the local population with you.”

While President Ali congratulated the company, he reminded them that they have signed on to a number of commitments and milestones that have to be met and that their deliverables will be monitored. “The jobs, the investment, what has to be done, the type of changes that we’d have to see— it’s going to be monitored by NICIL, [Ministry of] Finance and Go-Invest and they’ve committed themselves in writing to this. It shows their seriousness about advancing this very quickly.”

Several other government officials were present at the event.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

International Energy Conference a platform to create new development momentum – President Ali T

he International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2022 will see the creation of a new development momentum based on partnership, coordination and cooperation, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. In a keynote address at the opening ceremony on Tuesday (February 15, 2022) at the Marriott Hotel, the Guyanese leader announced that his country is open for business and that opportunities are available for both regional and international investors. He said that the event was necessary to share ideas and to move forward with similar goals.

Ali specifically lauded the presence of the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo; Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley and the President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who all took to

the podium. The President pointed to the collaborations already underway with Suriname, Ghana and Barbados in several areas and through numerous initiatives, including the removal of barriers to enhance the movement of goods and people.

The development trajectory of Guyana, according to President Ali, is being recalibrated towards increasing natural wealth building,

creating economic resilience, expanding opportunities relating to the economy, enhancing social services and investing in Guyanese. “The wealth from oil and gas will be used to achieve these objectives and broaden the economic platform that drives the current and future growth of our country. In this regard – agriculture, mining, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, information communication

technology, manufacturing, tourism, education and health services are key sectors of focus.”

As the country develops, it will reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. “We have committed to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels by 70% by the year 2027 and 90% by the year 2030. We are not shying away from our global responsibility.”

The Head of State said that Guyana is a leader in the global community on climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity and pointed to bountiful flora and fauna and our standing forest, some 18.3 million hectares which cover 87% of the country’s land area.

The forest is storing approximately 19.5 gigatons of carbon worth about $US195b.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy was also highlighted as key to the country’s future development plans, and renewable energy

projects as pivotal to decreasing the cost of energy for the benefits of ordinary Guyana and the business community.

The President also highlighted that his Government intends to invest in strengthening the country’s competitiveness in existing sectors while creating an environment for new and emerging sectors.

To achieve this, the Government is investing heavily in its human capacity with a focus on educational enhancement and training opportunities.

It was explained that Guyana’s geographical position and cultural disposition allow it to advance partnerships with the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

The President charged investors to take advantage of the country’s open-door policy. He said, “We welcome every single investor, be it Exxon, be it the international investors, Hess, every single stakeholder whether

your regional, international, we welcome you, but all we are saying is that that space for technological transformation, collaboration, local growth, and competitive and increased productivity must be built into the system to bring benefit to the people of the country.”’

He also outlined many megaprojects underway and pointed to the benefits of the investments that are geared towards boosting productivity, improving connections with communities and people, catalysing the opportunities and ultimately generating tens of thousands of jobs that are sustainable. “The opportunities in shore-based facilities, deep-water Harbour, a road link to Brazil, connecting Guyana and Suriname by bridging the Corentyne River are all actively being pursued through a partnership between countries and the private sector,” Ali said.

The conference ran for four days.

Caribbean people are not single-issue Guyana/Suriname key to mitigating global energy poverty – Suriname’s President people – Mottley

G

P

rime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley said countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have embarked on a journey to begin a sustainable energy future, noting that it is a conversation they must never allow to waver.

“Of the challenges facing our nations, the climate crisis and the energy transition present both threats and opportunities for our region. We must protect our people against the threats while taking absolute advantage of the opportunities afforded to us over the course of the next few decades,” she said.

She made this comment during her address to the opening ceremony of the International Energy Conference and Expo ongoing at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday (February 15, 2022).

PM Mottley echoed the concerns of Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana, about the countries’ vulnerability to the changing climate.

As a region, the Caribbean leader said, there is access to a bounty of renewable and non-renewable energy

sources. She said, “Energy, we all know, is integral to our societies. An abundant and affordable supply of energy is essential for meaningful social and economic activity.

And to achieve growth in these activities, governments must actively implement policies that will create and incentivise the sustainable use of energy resources.”

This is because the utilisation of some of these energy sources does not come without its challenges. She referred to the natural disasters which have plagued the region, including volcanoes, hurricanes, floods and the creeping up of the seas onto the land.

Addressing the root cause of the exacerbation of these disasters, PM Mottley said the world is matched by a failure to appreciate what is really

meant by ‘net zero’. This term refers to the global goal to reduce the proliferation of environmentally detrimental energy sources, replacing them with renewable energy.

While she called for urgency on these matters, the Prime Minister said the Caribbean people are not single-issue people, and that complexity and frankness are required if the ramifications of these issues are to be respected and properly addressed.

These include the victimhood of vulnerable Caribbean nations to colonisation and exploitation. Yet, in an effort to close the gap, the Prime Minister said the disparity has been perpetuated in Caribbean societies. She argued that “if we are to live in a manner that benefits people, we have to have difficult conversations about preventing inequities.”

uyana and Suriname have the potential to address the global energy needs, President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi said on Tuesday.

He was at the time delivering remarks during Tuesday’s (February 15, 2022) opening of the International Energy Conference and Expo currently underway at the Marriot hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

He said the countries’ oil and gas industry could help to mitigate “the global energy poverty which makes it difficult for almost a billion people to develop a productive livelihood.” “In championing this transition we must recognise that others have gone before us and have profited from the earned revenues to develop a modern economy and create a future path of economic development, where oil and gas may not play such a significant role anymore,” he stated.

President Santoki said Guyana and Suriname have been strengthening their relationship since himself and Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali took office, partnering in a number of areas. “We have the same goal and commitment to our

current and certainly future generations. No doubt we must be responsible in our approach and develop our oil and gas resources in an environmentally friendly sector.”

President Santoki said responsible approach by both countries with oil and gas will ensure the citizens of both countries benefit from the wealth. He said the investment by the countries that have excelled in utilising oil and gas have seen the development of wealth for generations to come. He highlighted that several wells will be dug in Suriname waters shortly, in a sustainable way. “In charting the ways forward, a sustainable renewable energy future, we will need to take important and fundamental decisions in the areas of energy education, re-

newable energy, local content development and strategic energy cooperation. “We will need to empower our people and private sector… in my view in building a sustainable energy future goes with special responsibility with the population with how they consume safe energy and also how to mitigate the harmful impacts of the oil and gas industry,” he said.

The Surinamese President highlighted that in his country’s 2022 budget, there will be investments in educating the nation on how energy will benefit them. Added to that, he noted that very soon the country will develop its local content policy which will ensure that the people benefit from the resources of the country.

(Turn to page 22)

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CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

13

CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

Principled, nuanced approach guiding Guyana’s move towards a sustainable Future – Jagdeo

T

he conversation about a sustainable future, in decarbonised word, is a complex one that must take into the nuances of countries, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

In his address to the 2022 International Energy Conference on Tuesday (February 15, 2022), he said, “In 2050 in the Net-Zero scenario, we will still need fossil fuel. And although there is a lot of rhetoric and we were fearful that it was green-washing before COP26, but you saw what happened after COP 26. We were told that we shouldn’t even treat gas as a transitional fuel. Now the countries that were lecturing us on not doing that, they are busy urging people to develop the gas industry.

“So we believe that the

conversation is complex, that there is a significant part of the world that doesn’t have access to energy and they need that – in Africa, India, billions of people in the world, they have to be part of the growing demand for energy…there is a natural growth in demand as a country develops. And although we hear a lot about displacement through renewable energy, renewable energy is not being introduced at the scale to meet that demand, and that’s a fact. No matter how you try to get around it, that’s a fact of today’s world.

GUYANA’S POSITION In explaining Guyana’s positon, Jagdeo said, “In Guyana’s case, we support accelerated exploration. We are making it clear, we support accelerated exploration.

And our incentive regimes will reflect that support for accelerated exploration. And you will see measures taken in Guyana not just to encourage the existing holders of concessions to move swiftly to exploration and to increase the pace of that. “…Having said that I think we need to have some clear understanding of where we stand on issues. You've heard quite a bit from all the leaders who spoke before us about the complexity of the conversations that we need to have particularly in this era, the era of Net-Zero emissions and how do you grow a fossil fuel industry which we are trying to do in Guyana, and still remain faithful to that objective.

“So let me be very very clear about our position. We

support Net-Zero by 2050. In fact, at this point in time, because our forest is such a huge carbon sink, we're already at net zero; in fact we're positive and even with us producing a million barrels of oil per day, with all the emissions using current technology, we will still be at Net-Zero because of the nature of our forests and the carbon sink, which the President spoke about – 19 gigatons of storage and an annual emission that is equivalent – the sink on an annual basis – is equivalent to the emissions of Norway, Sweden, Denmark combined.

That is on an annual basis, but on the stock, it is 19 gigatons that it stores, the forests. So our position is we support Net-Zero.

“Secondly, we support early de-carbonisation because we believe climate change is real and the faster you get to a de-carbonised world, the better for the entire planet. Then we can avoid catastrophic changes to the climate.

“Thirdly we support a carbon price and a strong global carbon price. We have advocated for this, for many years and we support it.”

Jagdeo stressed that the nuances of the Guyana situation must be recognised, as well as the legitimate right of Guyanese to prosperity.

TEST OF SUSTAINABILITY Guiding the approach to Guyana’s sustainable developed are four principles: Rigid fiscal discipline; A focus on what is good for people and their welfare – education, health; Ensuring that oil revenues are not wasted, and that it goes toward stimulating the non-oil sectors; and Enhancing democratic institutions to aggressively to ensure that the prevailing condition in Guyana is democracy.

He said, “The journey has been a long one. And if you have the opportunity to do so, please look at four documents and you will see over the span of the last 20 years or so – 20

– 30 years – how these documents have evolved because they have captured our policy making towards a sustainable future. It started off with the National Development Strategy – with some international help we worked at that and it’s about maybe, in seven volumes, over 2,000 pages.

Then we worked on a Poverty Reduction Strategy. Maybe 10-15 years ago we developed a National Competitiveness Strategy. And then our Low Carbon Development Strategy. So as the task changed, so too did our strategies for approaching sustainability.

“And when climate change became a major issue, we were at the forefront of launching one of the first Low Carbon Development Strategies in the world. Just about a decade ago. And just recently we expanded that and we launched the expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. It is now out for consultations.”

According to him, the (Turn to page 15)

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

ExxonMobil CEO accepts that continued progress dependent on achieving local content goals

A

chieving the goals of local content will see continued progress for Guyanese and local companies, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of oil giant ExxonMobil, Darren Woods has stated.

He said Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited-the local ExxonMobil affiliate, has made progress in advancing local opportunities for the people of Guyana.

To date, there are now more than 3,500 Guyanese and 800 local suppliers supporting ExxonMobil’s activities.

He shared his perspective during his keynote presentation to the International Energy Conference and Expo on Tuesday (February 15, 2022), at the Marriott hotel, Georgetown. “And, through our partnership, we remain committed to making further advancements,” Woods noted of his company’s investment here.

The Local Content Bill, passed in the National Assembly recently, lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of this year.

For instance, these companies must procure from

Guyanese companies, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services. These are just a few of the services highlighted in the first schedule of the Local Content Bill.

Meanwhile, Woods recalled the Greater Guyana Initiative, a ten-year, $100 million commitment by the Stabroek Block co-venturers to support local capacity-building programmes.

The first phase is funding significant expansion of the Centre for Local Business Development through technical, education and training programmes, and more recently, support to the University of Guyana. “We’re hopeful that these efforts will continue to expand the growing opportunities for Guyanese workers. This is an impressive result, and there are many to thank, including the Government of Guyana, our partner companies and key contractors and many Guyanese businesses and or-

Principled, nuanced approach...

(From page 14)

ultimate test of sustainability is “how we ensure that all of our citizens benefit, regardless of their geography, their race, their religion” as the country’s development agenda advances.

“That is the ultimate test.

That all our people have to share the benefits of the oil and gas industry, but more importantly, the changes taking place in Guyana. We are not going to get caught up with international, prescriptive goals about sustainability, because we’ve seen so many of those come and go…I say prescriptive because although the goals are set in an international environment, often without the developing world at the table, the policies and the financial support to achieve those goals are often lacking. In fact global policies lead to us not achieving some of the goals or work counter to us achieving some of those goals,” he said.

The Vice President referred to the removal of the preferential markets for Guyana’s sugar and the decisions that severely affected the banana industry in the Caribbean Region – decisions that ignored the fact that develop-

ing countries cannot compete with the developing world.

This is the same as the world pushed to a decarbonised world. Jagdeo said, “Often the international goals are not aligned with policies practiced at the global level.

And so too in the climate debate. At the beginning, in the Kyoto Protocol, it was based on capacity so special and differential. Now it is burden sharing, so the poor countries of the world have to take on burden sharing as the rich countries, in achieving the climate goals. Although, they never were the ones that contributed to the historic levels of emissions and current concentration of greenhouse gasses. So we are not going to get into that debate. We believe we have a global obligation and we will play out part in climate change and we will play our part in moving the world forward.”

Jagdeo, a former president and finance minister, charged that there is much work to be done moving forward, but stressed that the Government remains committed to sustainable development. “We have a lot of work to do,” Jagdeo said.

ganisations. That’s the focus of the gas-to-energy project, the Greater Guyana Initiative and other efforts to develop capacity and maximise local content,” the CEO stated.

Notably, the gas-to-energy project, set to come on stream by 2024, will transport up to 50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, by pipeline, from Liza Phase 1 and 2 to processing facilities onshore. This new domestic natural gas supply, would provide a lower-emission source of energy and reduce the cost of electricity in Guyana by 50 per cent. The CEO said the company is working with the government on this project and expects to see significant progress.

15

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

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

Privileges Committee to commence addressing sanctions for Coalition MPs

T

he first meeting of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, addressing the issue of sanctions for eight APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians, is set for Friday, February 18, 2022, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

The APNU+AFC Coalition Members of Parliament (MPs) were sent to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, where the issue of sanctions for the disruption of the December 29, 2021 sitting will be addressed, last month.

The Minister of Parlia-

mentary Affairs and Governance, on January 24, 2022, had moved the motion in the House, which also called for the Privileges Committee to act with “alacrity” on the matter and report to the House within one month.

Teixeira said, “This day (December 29, 2021) will go

down in annals of the history of the Guyana Parliament… the evidence is overwhelming. This is recorded evidence that cannot be erased or forgotten. In fact it was seen in Guyana, nationally, and globally…the space between the Government side and Opposition side is, in

any Parliament, considered the safe zone, the safe space, and any entrance without permission is interpreted as an act of aggression and a threat to the safety of the Members of Parliament… these events that transpired in this house – the stealing and the damage to the mace

of Parliament; the deliberate damage to the equipment of the Arthur Chung Conference Center and the control room; the assault on a member of staff; the repeated disregard for the Speaker and the authority of the Assembly require stern (Turn to page 22)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

Opposition Commissioners' surreptitious intent... permanent GECOM offices around the country to facilitate this process. Of significant note, they also supported the establishment of several fully equipped and staffed sub-offices to strengthen the genuine efforts to periodically update the Register of Registrants.

All and sundry must question the timing of this callous statement by the Commissioners and its implications for various aspects of the roll-out of GECOM’s Program. It is also unbelievable to learn that GECOM does not have information to facilitate the usual appraisal of the issues that took place in preparation and the running off of the Regional and National Elections held in 2020. The connotations suggest the Opposition Commissioners knew all along of dirty deals which inform the core issues of GECOM’s Secretariat operation during the

2020 Elections.

It is sad to say that Alexander and his crew, conveniently, never raised any of these matters which were time and time again, advanced by many rational commentators in the Press. The PNC and Opposition GECOM Commissioners' call for the internal probe of the 2020 Elections, therefore, is only a ‘Red herring’ exemplifying this crew’s persistence to delay and frustrate the efforts of GECOM’s preparation for the holding of LGEs. Our nation must recognize that the current Opposition Commissioners will never speak objectively on behalf of GECOM. Notwithstanding, what is urgently needed is for GECOM to win the heart of all Guyanese.

Another contemptuous issue referred to

in the press release is the representation of disagreement with the proposed legislative amendments by way of significant penalties including hefty fines and jail time, to improve the enforceability of RoPA. It is clear that what happens under the circumstances, makes it more difficult for Political Parties and their representatives at GECOM to succeed in influencing the negative role and functionality of the Secretariat’s Staff who may be categorized under the ilk of the former Chief Elections Officer and his Cabal.

It shows that what this crew represents as ideal, is a passive system that may be subjective to their manipulative undercurrents, albeit, the abundance of evidence of fraud in the 2020 elections.

Finally, GECOM must ensure all its finances and assets are fully audited. Guy-

(From page 5)

anese must be able to see in the public domain, the list of all GECOM permanent and Sub-Offices to the country. Transparency and accountability will rebuild confidence in GECOM. The PPPC Government's massive allocation in the 2022 budget for GECOM certainly clears the way for the holding of LGEs. However, an examination of the massive spending spree that previously unfolded is also necessary. What we are certain of is that none of these should become a prerequisite for holding the LGEs this year.

The new CEO must be credited for the plans and system that he is putting in place for the holding of Elections and the cleaning up of GECOM. Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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Proposals pitched to gov’t for national oil company – Vice President T

he PPP/C administration have received proposals

for the establishment of a national oil company, accord-

ing to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who commented on

the issue recently.

He said, “At some point

in time, the remaining blocks which we have been, many people are asking, ‘When can we access these blocks or some concession offshore?’.

In the past, it was first come, first served basis. Since we have found oil, we have changed the policy.

“We have made it clear that we will either go to an auction, some in the third quarter of this year, with or without seismic done on our part. That decision still has to be made in Government, or alternately, use those blocks to form a national oil company because we have had some proposals from people in this group, from some large operators, to work with the government to form an oil company and utilize the remaining blocks.”

He added that the previously announced timeline of the third quarter for 2022 for a decision on the auctioning of Guyana’s remaining oil blocks stands. He said, “To offer clarity, by the third quarter of this year, of those decisions would be made.

So we would either make a decision that they will be part of a national oil company, the remaining blocks, or we would tender them with or without seismic. So I hope that answers the question for those who are wondering how they can apply for our new blocks.”

At a prior engagement, Jagdeo had explained that the issue of relinquishment is be-

ing addressed currently. Relative to new information, he stated that one way forward could be that an investment in a seismic study be made and the information used to increase the value of the remaining oil blocks; however, the downside is that if the seismic data is not promising Guyana could lose. “We have to solve this issue,” he said.

As it is now, ExxonMobil is the primary operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks offshore Guyana. Further, CGX, together with Frontera Energy Corporation, operates the Corentyne and Demerara blocks, and also has a share in the Berbice block.

The Vice President disclosed then that one suggestion that all the remaining blocks be vested in a national oil company, as many oil producing nations have done, but the investment that would be needed to pursue exploration and production would be significant. “In this era it is difficult to raise the financing that would be needed,” he said.

A decision he assured will be made within the timeline announced last year.

“The decision will be made within the timeline,” he assured.

In the past, Jagdeo had called attention to the confusion regarding former APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s positions on the remaining oil blocks.

CGX, FRONTERA in joint venture to focus on Corentyne block

C

GX Energy Inc. and Frontera Energy Corporation, have announced that, as a result of the initial positive results at the Kawa-1 exploration well, the Joint Venture will focus on the significant exploration opportunities in the Corentyne block and will not engage in drilling activities on the Demerara block in 2022, as previously outlined by press release on February 16, 2021.

The Joint Venture is currently engaged in discussions with the Government of Guyana regarding the Demerara block and will provide an update on such discussions as soon as a conclusion has been reached.

Kawa-1 early-stage Wireline Logging results confirm the Logging While Drilling (LWD) indications previously disclosed on January 31, 2022 with a total of 200 feet of net pay encountered at multiple depths. Further analyses of logs and samples are ongoing.

“The Joint Venture will

provide an update when these activities are complete,” the company said in a press statement.

CGX is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin and the development of a deep-water port in Berbice, Guyana.

Frontera Energy Corporation is a Canadian public company involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 33 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, and pipeline and port facilities in Colombia.

Frontera is committed to conducting business safely and in a socially, environmentally and ethically responsible manner.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

WHO prequalifies first monoclonal antibody to treat COVID-19

A

iming to increase access to recommended treatments for COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has added tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody, to its list of prequalified treatments for COVID-19. To date, six COVID-19 treatments have been prequalified by WHO, including the three presentations (three vials, each with a different quantity) of the product prequalified today.

The three prequalified products are manufactured by the originator company, Roche, but the listings should pave the way for more companies coming forward to seek WHO prequalification, thereby increasing the number of quality-assured products and creating competition leading to potentially lower prices. The prequalification of these products will also facilitate low- and middle-income countries’ authorization of them as COVID treatments.

Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. Interleukin-6 induces an inflammatory response and is found in high levels in patients critically ill with COVID-19.

So far, the product has been authorized mostly for the treatment of arthritis in about 120 countries worldwide.

Tocilizumab given intravenously has been shown in clinical studies to reduce death in certain patients with COVID-19 who are severely ill, are rapidly deteriorating and have increasing oxygen needs, and who have a significant inflammatory response.

In the largest clinical trial (RECOVERY), tocilizumab also reduced patients’

time in hospital.

WHO recommends tocilizumab only for patients diagnosed with severe or critical COVID-19. It should be administered by a healthcare worker in a monitored clinical setting along with the current standard of care for COVID-19, which includes oxygen, corticosteroids, and other medications.

The patent for tocilizumab has expired for most of its uses, which means there should be no intellectual property barriers for this particular IL-6 blocker. However, there is low global availability of quality-assured biosimilars of the product.

Currently, tocilizumab is expensive and in short supply globally. Originator company prices paid in lower-income markets are high – reportedly around USD 500-600 per single dose. With demand surging, and more manufacturers entering the market, prices could come down.

WHO and partners are currently discussing lower prices and improved access in low- and middle-income countries with the producer, Roche.

PREQUALIFICATION WHO Prequalification was born of the need to ensure a supply of quality-assured health products in low- and middle-income countries. It does this by assessing the quality, safety and efficacy of a wide range of health products to prevent, diagnose and treat priority diseases.

Prequalification is a vital service provided for the United Nations and other large procurers of health commodities. For example, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculo-

sis and Malaria, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, only purchase health commodities prequalified by WHO.

Many countries use the list of WHO prequalified products for their own bulk

purchasing of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other critical products.

[SEE PAGE 23 FOR COVID-19 RELATED REPORTING]

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

GECOM meets to address LGE plans, filling vacant posts T he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met of Friday (February 18, 2022) to address moving forward the process of Local Government Elections (LGE), according to GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj.

He explained that discussions are expected to address continuous registration, which will be followed by Claims and Objections, with a view of producing a Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

The first report of newly

appointed Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud, references to the holding of Local Government Elections.

Further, on the question of the still vacant positions, Gunraj stated that the Commission is continuing work to fill those positions.

The vacant positions include Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Assistant Chief Elections Officer, Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Logistics Manager, and Civic and Voter Education Man-

ager. These positions were advertised in October 2021.

To date, four persons have been shortlisted for the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer: Deodat Persaud, Neil Bacchus, Melanie Marshall and Mohammed Arjoon, while applications for the five other critical posts are being considered.

For the post of Assistant Chief Elections Officer those shortlisted include: Delon Clarke, Noland Jervis, Melanie Marshall, Paul Jais-

ingh, Mohamed Arjoon, Neil Bacchus, Deolall Ramlall, Natasha Grenion Dipchand, Andrea Sparman, Duarte Hetsberger and Colin April.

Shortlisted for Chief Accountant are: Jaiwattie Singh, Abeossa Simon, Orlando Small, Victor Arjune and Roland Charles.

For Legal Officer those shortlisted include: Shareefa Parks, Kurt DaSilva, Kimberly Yearwood and Felicia Toby.

For Logistics Manager,

those shortlisted include: Paul Sookdeo, Colin April, Duarte Hetsberger, Lawrence Duncan, Terrence Stuart, Preston Paul, Alborn Carbon, Avinash Bookmohan, Shivnand Ramnanand, Dwarka Bhadur, Kenneth White, Nandran Persaud, David Cole, Bodhan Nipan, Winston Harlequin, Adrian Gangaram, Sharon Harry-Munroe, Noland Jervis, Quintyn Patrick, Mohamed Arjoon, Mellone Frank, Neil Bacchus, Anil Roberts and

Yuvindra Rampersaud.

Those shortlisted for Civic and Voter Education Manager are: Nardeo Persaud, Tyrone Singh, Marcey Parker, Imran Mohamed Ally, Natoya De Santos, Paul Jaisingh, Yolanda Ward, Ronelle Arokium, Thalisa Grant-Moore, Abiva Cort, Prem Khanhai, Andre Sparman, Gordon Baker, Lauretta Smith-Gray, Telitta Franklin, Pamela Nauth and Jacob Corbin.

GECOM is expected to meet again in the new week.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

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.

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.

22

Guyana/Suriname key to...

Guyana in December of 2021, passed its Local Content Legislation and its Natural Resource Fund Act. It is also important to note that Guyana’s 2022 National Budget is its first to be funded using monies from its oil funds.

(From page 11)

President Santhoki said he has also embraced the concept of sustainable development outside its borders promoting functional cooperation between Guyana, Brazil and Suriname. He said the countries will collaborate in several areas that includes

energy. He noted that the idea is to merge resources to have a cost-effective energy source facility utilising mineral resources of the three countries.

The historic four-day energy conference is being held under the theme ‘Charting a sustainable energy future.’

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

Privileges Committee to... measures.”

After reading the motion, House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, ruled that the matter be sent to the Privileges Committee. “The matter is now referred to the Privileges Committee,” he said.

The Coalition Parliamentarians facing sanctions are: Christopher Jones, the Opposition Chief Whip; Ganesh Mahipaul; Sherod Duncan; Natasha SinghLewis; Annette Ferguson; Vinceroy Jordan; Tabitha Saraboo-Halley; and Maureen Philadelphia.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 INCIDENT In an effort derail the debating and passing of the Natural Resources Fund Bill, the Parliamentary Opposition hijacked the sitting – blowing whistles and chanting – while its MPs, Ferguson and Jordan, attempted to seize this ceremonial symbol. Other Opposition MPs attempted to do the same too, in the presence of the entire National Assembly.

Also, Opposition MPs ambushed the control room of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and wildly unplugged the connections in the electrical systems room, which led to an internet disconnection and audio failures. Members of Parliament who had joined processions virtually were even disconnected from the feed as a consequence of this. The Coalition’s Saraboo-Halley was named as responsible for this.

Further, a parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, was assaulted. He has since moved to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) with a complaint. McPherson, in prior interview, explained that in his attempts to protect the mace, not only was he verbally abused by members of the Opposition, but he was also physically assaulted. “I held on to the mace and it was fling to the floor… and I overheard people screaming. “Kick he!

Lash He! Drag He! Let’s Throw he over the rail. All I said, was throw me over the

(From page 16) rails because I know when I’m going over the rail, I am going with the mace,” he said. “They throw me on the ground, they kicked me, they dragged me outside and then Ms. Philidelphia, Member of Parliament start to abuse me with a series of words like ‘House Salve’, but the one that caught me and I don’t know how I become a ‘House Negro’. So, I prepared a letter and I dropped it upstairs and I showed my concern about how I was treated,” McPherson added.

In addition to Philadelphia, the Coalition’s Singh-Lewis was also named as being responsible.

Teixeira’s in her motion had made clear that the actions represented “gross disorderly conduct” and “contempt and breaches of privilege” by Opposition Parliamentarians, and such abhorrent actions cannot be condoned.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has consistently been cited for disruptions and behaviour that is not constructive.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 FEBRUARY, 2022

COVID-19 home testing not accepted for international travel – Health Minister G uyana is now introducing the COVID-19 home test, and while some persons may choose this option to know their status, it is not enough to fulfill international travel requirements, according to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

“Someone having a home kit and doing a test at home does not necessarily qualify or meet the requirements for travel. No country right now is accepting anybody who has tested themselves at home for travel and we are not changing our guidelines to accept that. Self-testing is a concept that you have

in different countries, our travel requirements are very explicit, we are accepting an antigen test from a reputable institution where it’s done or a PCR test. There is something now called a rapid PCR and we are also accepting that, so any of these three tests we are accepting,” Anthony said.

The minister noted that this requirement is in place for both arriving and departing travelers. So far there have been 77 imported cases of COVID-19 in Guyana.

In addition, persons who opt for the self-testing and are found to be COVID-19

positive should report it to the Ministry of Health.

“With self-testing it’s a way of just, if you have any concerns, to check to see if you are positive or negative. First of all, I think not a lot of people would be doing it, and those who would be doing it, I think they would be responsible enough, if they test positive, report it to our surveillance system,” Dr. Anthony said. When that report is made, the ministry would then determine if a second test is needed.

Meanwhile, the number of positive cases in Guyana continues to decline.

Official confirmation of Omicron variant in Guyana expected soon

M

inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, M.P, said the ministry has sent 20 samples taken from COVID-19 patients to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to test for the Omicron variant.

Guyana recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases at the end of December 2021.

This, health officials suspected, was due to the highly transmissible Omicron

variant which was however found to be less severe with a shorter duration period.

“One of the things that we do is to take samples from patients and we send them to confirm which variants are circulating in Guyana and over the weekend we would have sent 20 samples to CARPHA for confirmation. Clinically we’re convinced that we’ve had in the late December,

January, February period we would have seen a conversion from Delta to Omicron because of the clinical picture that we’ve been seeing,” the minister noted.

Dr. Anthony said the samples will confirm whether or not the variant is circulating in the country. He said the results are expected within the next two to three weeks.

COVID protocols still in place

T

he public is being reminded that despite the removal of the curfew other COVID-19 measures remain in place.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony noted that persons still need to wear masks, socially distance and follow all other protocols to guard against the disease. “I would urge people, not because we have lifted the curfew that they can return to this level of normalcy. You still have to take the precautions and as we increase the amount of vaccination, getting people boosted and so forth, then we would be able to probably consider removing some of the other public health measures, but we are not there as yet,” he said.

The minister reminded that although the vaccination numbers are gradually increasing, many persons have not yet taken a vaccine and

therefore remain vulnerable to the disease.

Guyana is still a far ways from returning to normalcy, and the vaccination rates need to improve. “In countries in Europe and other places where they have started to remove mask wearing and so forth, those countries have very high vaccination rates and it’s not just the first dose, they have persons who have been boosted and their rates are close to 90 per cent of the population being boosted, we are not there as yet,” he noted The minister noted that the vaccines are available, and people need to make the decision to get inoculated.

There still remains a lag in the vaccination rate, as some 62.8 percent of the population has received the second dose of a vaccine, compared to 83.6 percent who took the first dose. The vaccination uptake among the adolescent

population has been especially challenging for the ministry with only 45.4 per cent of persons taking the first dose while taken 32.5 per cent has taken the second dose.

The challenge is largely due to lack of parental consent which is needed for this age category. Minister Anthony said efforts to boost the vaccination numbers among teens will be intensified. He said, “We’ll have some special vaccination programmes in schools. We’ll notify the schools before, so that messages could be sent beforehand with messages to the parents and hopefully more of them would consent for their child to get vaccinated in school.”

A curfew was in place in Guyana since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

The National Covid-19 Task Force announced last week that the curfew has been lifted.

AFC put on blast for misinformation

– Singh emphasizes that gov’t is following rigorous, transparent processes to construct world-class infrastructure

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he Government of Guyana is seriously concerned about the press release issued by the General Secretary of the Alliance for Change (AFC), which suggested that negotiation with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC) ended abruptly and under suspicious circumstances.

Based on advice received from the Negotiation Team, the Government of Guyana wishes to provide some facts about the negotiations to dispel any unfounded concerns without undermining the successful completion of the exercise that may result from a public debate.

It would be recalled that the project to construct the new DHB was advertised through a public, open, transparent tender process. On November 16, 2021, a multidisciplinary team comprising Mr. Sukrishnalall Pasha (Finance Secretary), Mr. Ronald Burch-Smith (Attorney), Mr. Marcel Gaskin (Consultant/ Engineer), and Mr. Intakab Indarjeet (Engineer) was appointed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), with the mandate of engaging China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC) to negotiate optimal financial terms and conditions for the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge. The mandate also provided for the Negotiation Team to engage the second-ranked bidder, should negotiations with the first bidder prove unsuccessful.

Therefore, while CSCEC was adjudged the most responsive bidder, the finalization and signing of a contract with the said bidder were subject to the successful negotiation of mutually acceptable financial terms and conditions.

The Negotiation Team commenced negotiations with the CSCEC on December 24, 2021. Unfortunately, after several meetings with CSCEC, the two sides were unable to successfully negotiate mutually acceptable financial terms and conditions. It is noteworthy that the team focused on the construction cost and securing the financial terms and conditions that would serve the country’s best interest.

Consequently, the Negotiation Team wrote NPTAB on January 20, 2022, seeking permission to terminate negotiations with CSCEC and commence negotiation with the second-ranked bidder, China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Limited, China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co. Ltd & China Railway Con-

struction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd Joint Venture, in keeping with its mandate.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the request by the Negotiation Team, paving the way for the team to engage the second-ranked bidder. Negotiations with this company, which commenced on January 28, 2022, are ongoing. Notably, the Negotiation Team is of the view that any further disclosures about the specifics of these engagements at this time would undermine ongoing deliberations and is, therefore, unprepared to pursue such a course of action.

Emphasizing Government’s position on the matter, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said, “This Government is following a rigorous and transparent process which is benefiting from the best available technical advice. Our objective is to ensure that we get worldclass infrastructure, in this case, a world class bridge on the most competitive financial terms.”

Alluding to the AFC’s statement, the Senior Finance Minister added that “it is most unfortunate that the AFC should seek to cast aspersions on this rigorous process that is ongoing. This represents yet another example of the Opposition’s obstructive, counter-productive, and destructive behaviour which over the years has been aimed at frustrating, stymying, and derailing development”.

“Indeed, Mr. Patterson and the AFC should be the last to speak about transparency and accountability, given their dismal and disastrous track record, including the various scams that saw public funds being used to purchase jewelry and golden adornments for the very Patterson who claimed never to wear such jewelry despite the public availability of dozens of photographs proving otherwise, not to mention the vehicle scale scam and the harbour bridge and asphalt plant scam, among many others. The AFC, and Mr. Patterson in particular, lack the moral authority to speak on matters related to public accountability.” Dr. Singh concluded.

PATTERSON INVESTIGATED Notably, the PPP/C, in 2018, had cause to call for an investigation into Patterson’s actions, regarding the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in a report on the matter, made clear that there were clear breaches of Guyana’s financial laws in the procurement of Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study and Design of the New Demerara River Bridge under the former Coalition government and Patterson’s stewardship as Public Infrastructure minister.

It noted that several companies bid for the project – to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge – and 12 companies were shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals. As such the bidding process was annulled.

It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered.

The project was not re-tendered. Instead, a Dutch Company, LivenseCSO, was engaged by Patterson’s Ministry.

The report, on page 7, noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited” and added that Patterson then took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged. The report said, “The PPC noted that the Minster of Public Infrastructure, by memorandum dated November 18 2016, made a request to the Cabinet for Government seeking consideration and approval to use funds from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to fund the feasibility study and to commence a contractual engagement with LievenseCSO as of the 1 Jan 2017. The PPC noted that this request to Cabinet was not forwarded through the NPTA but submitted directly by the Minister of Public Infrastructure.”

The report, on page 7, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts). Notably, the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, according to the PPC report, disclosed that the Board of the Corporation was not involved in the decision to spend its monies. The report said, “He (Mr. Adams) stated that he had not signed the contract on behalf of the DHBC, but only because he was requested to do so by the Minister of Public Infrastructure.

This was one of many breaches that officials of the former APNU+AFC Coalition was cited for.

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