Weekend Mirror 9-10 April 2022

Threat at March 2020 Elections was not the composition of GECOM – Jagdeo 9-10 April, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 17 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

PAGE 24

APNU+AFC Coalition cannot expect to base legal challenge on own wrongdoing PAGE 15

Efforts to advance inclusionary, participatory democracy cannot be viewed narrowly – Teixeira GECOM nets over 32,000 transactions in Continuous Registration process PAGE 3

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SEE INSIDE

Small Business Bureau’s help desk to be established in Regions Five, Six PAGE 6

PPP/C government’s Empowerment fund injects $49.7M in Hinterland Regions PAGE 9 Regional integration fundamental to Guyana’s national PAGE 11 development – President Ali says gov’t working on a holistic immigration policy

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

GECOM nets over 32,000 transactions in Continuous Registration process M

ore than 32,000 transactions have been completed since the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commenced its continuous registration exercise as of April 6, 2022.

These transactions range from new registrations, replacement identification cards, changes and corrections and transfers.

GECOM has indicated that, as of April 6, 2022:

• 11,518 persons, who are 18 years and older and are therefore eligible to vote, have been registered; • 13,102 persons between the ages of 14 and 17 years have been registered and

will be issued national identification cards; •1,584 persons have applied for transfers to new addresses; • 2,986 persons made changes and/or corrections

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pm. On the weekend, persons can visit the offices between 10:00 am to 2: 00 pm.

Some $4.1 billion has been approved for GECOM this year, to carry out its work programme. From this amount, over $700 million has been earmarked to host this year’s LGE. The continuous registration exercise is expected to conclude on May 29, 2022.

GECOM re-advertising vacancies for three key posts

It’s

UR TRY O

to their particulars; • 2,848 persons sought to have replacements for their national identification cards; and • 706 persons sought to have their photographs retaken.

GECOM has 29 offices across the country. Each registration office operates from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00

NEW AMSTERDAM

333-3477

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has taken a decision to re-advertise the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) and Assistant CEO (ACEO) positions, as it pushes to fill important posts left vacant since last year.

GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, in comments on the issue, said, “We have re-advertised for Chief Accountant. And the advertisements will go out back for DCEO and ACEO… I know the decision was taken to re-advertise. When that will happen is for them to work out.”

The decision on the matter of key vacancies was made at GECOM’s weekly statutory meeting on Tuesday (April 5, 2022).

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

These positions were advertised in October 2021.

Four persons were 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 had included: Delon Clarke, Noland Jervis, Melanie Marshall, Paul Jaisingh, Mohamed Arjoon, Neil Bacchus, Deolall Ramlall, Natasha

Grenion Dipchand, Andrea Sparman, Duarte Hetsberger and Colin April.

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

These three posts are expected to now attract new applications.

Meanwhile, there are other vacancies still under consideration.

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 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Efforts to advance inclusionary, participatory democracy cannot be viewed narrowly – Teixeira T

he principles of inclusionary democracy, inclusivity, participation, transparency, accountability are platforms on which the PPP/C government is built, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

And according to her, critics would be hard pressed to “say where this government and our ministers, our president or vice president, prime minister, have not been accessible, visible” and in communication with Guyanese. “I wouldn't even bother to compare with the five years.

Because there's no comparison…so when we talk about inclusionary model and inclusiveness and participatory models, the model that has been emerging under the PPP/C and as we've gone back to try to wiggle, refine it, develop it more – because it's a process – ensures that first of all, they elected officials of the government are accessible. They're visible, and they're out there where the people are. And every single Region of Guyana can say that ministers have visited, there have been meetings,” she said.

Teixeira added, “For the last year and a half, there's been an explosion of people in our country going to these bottom house meetings, these community meetings, these town hall meetings, and being free

“Now, someone will say, but they're not civil society. How do you know that? When you go to community, you have farmers, organizations, farmers come they belong to organizations, women, they belong to women's organizations, you have faith based organizations…they come from the bedrock of some organization they're associated with….the level of people involvement is phenomenal. And I challenge anybody in this country to find some other part of this region where this is taking place, anything like it.” – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and open, whether they voted for APNU or the PPP or ANUG, or whoever to represent themselves. That is inclusivity. That's a model of inclusivity.”

The Minister rubbished the notion that the stakeholders engaged are not ‘civil society’. She said, “Now, someone will say, but they're not civil society.

How do you know that?

When you go to community, you have farmers, organizations, farmers come they belong to organizations, women, they belong to women's organizations, you have faith based organizations… they come from the bedrock of some organization they're associated with.

“So the power of the consultative model and the inclusionary model is that, how do you test it? Are people involved in a variety of areas…when the discussions in the press about civil society, I challenge that, because the people, the

ordinary people who are out there in the communities, rural areas, the townships and so on, have a voice that he didn't have for a long time. “…I understand when Vice President and his team was in Lindon, they work from morning till midnight on Sunday, I understand 800 People come forward? Isn't that consultation? Isn't that inclusion? Or is it because they didn't have a label over the head that I'm representing X organization? “…that level of people involvement is phenomenal.

And I challenge anybody in this country to find some other part of this region where this is taking place, anything like it.”

FRAMEWORK Addressing the framework that backs the model of inclusion practiced by the PPP/C government, the Minister pointed to the Constitution of Guyana.

She said, “I think that it's important for us to have a discussion as Guyanese are what we mean by inclusionary democracy, which is what is covered in our Constitution. Article 13, makes it very clear that our people must be part of decision making in an incremental, increasing way.

“So the Constitution, recognizes that a democracy is something that is built and develops as we go on in time, and so that it talks about increasing involvement and participation of the people in decision making of the country, particularly on issues that affect their lives. So that's the inclusionary model we're talking about as provided for our Constitution.

“The Constitution doesn't go into all the details, but it provides for an electoral system that allows for people to be elected to be the people's representatives at local government, or

regional democratic councils, and of course, executive and parliament, as well as even at the Amerindian village councils, to have elections and so too, and so society, the whole issue of democracy must infiltrate every aspect of life.”

The Minister explained that there cannot be a narrow view on what inclusionary democracy, inclusivity and participation looks like. “This whole issue is being looked at in a very staid manner and not a dynamic manner, and trying to create a situation of ‘we against them’ and ‘them against us’, which I think is just trying to create a situation, instead of looking at

what is the progression, and how can we better improve it,” Teixeira stressed.

She added, “I hope that people recognize that what we have going in our country is unique. It is special and our responsibility whether individuals, governments, civil society, etc., is to work towards building this platform of inclusion and democracy and participation in and give it structure as we go along.

Because it's still embryonic.

We're still working on it, that as we go along, it'll take form, it will develop over time…we're not at that stage yet. We're still creating this model that I think is uniquely Guyanese.”

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EDITORIAL New Opposition Leader, same game?

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eader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, is expected to be sworn in on April 13, 2022, at an APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian and Opposition Leader. Still embattled Volda Lawrence is expected to join him.

But in their leadership posts, what can Guyanese expect?

Important to note is that to date, Lawrence remains silent on her publicly exposed role in attempting to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. In October 2020, she was slapped charges and had to visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters to respond to questions about her role in the attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Lawrence faces two conspiracy to defraud charges and was released on $50,000 bail on each charge. Those charges came one day after she was arrested, detained, and released on $100,000 station bail. Further, private criminal charges were also filed against her by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr for alleged conspiracy to forge documents in the favour of her party; and she was arraigned in August and placed on $100,000 bail. The matter is still pending in court. Recall that Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo had signed off on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 from the March 2, 2020 Elections, that was vitiated by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire, who said it was illegal. The document was co-signed by Lawrence. Questions about the appearance of Lawrence’s signature on the fraudulent declaration of results of Region 4 raised several questions that remain unanswered.

Notably, on all the Form 24 declarations, for nine Regions, there is only one signature, that of the Returning Officers.

The completed recount of votes from Region 4, which were cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, exposed the fact that the Returning Officer, did, in fact, manipulate the results he presented on March 13, 2020. Mingo manipulated over 22,000 votes in Region 4 – inflating the APNU+AFC Coalition voted by over 19,000 and decreasing the PPP/C votes by over 3,000.

Norton, also, is not without responsibility in this matter.

The PNCR Leader, himself, was actively at the forefront of that campaign. Norton appeared on various platforms, not only in Guyana, but in the Caribbean, including on national television in Trinidad and Tobago, staunchly defending the former APNU+AFC Coalition’s efforts to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. On July 21, 2020, Norton, appearing on television in Trinidad and Tobago, went as far as saying: “I do not see the government as illegitimate,” when questioned about the no-confidence motion and the Coalition’s caretaker mode at that time. Further, failing to acknowledge the democratic will of the Guyanese people, evidenced by the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, as well as the results of the national recount, Norton had said, “I believe we must stay focused on ensuring the People’s Progressive Party doesn’t come to power.” Also, Norton has exposed himself as not being one to shy away from peddling misinformation to the Guyanese public. In May 2020, Norton made wild claims that at a polling station in Bush Lot, Region 5, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) secured 199 votes and the Coalition secured four votes – but there were only 199 registered voters for that polling station. He had said: “I want to point out that in Box number 5083 at Bush Lot, Region Five, the official list of electors had 199 persons.” The polling station in reference was at the Bush Lot Nursery School [Division 52213C (ii)] and the number of registered voters whose ballots would have been placed in Ballot Box number 5083 is 257 – not the 199 that Norton claimed. Needless to say this was just one of several wild claims made by Norton.

The PNCR has proven itself committed to rigging, not democracy; to platitudes, not work for Guyanese; power, not people.

Would Guyanese be wrong to expect the ‘same game’ from the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition?

WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Empty, deceptive, dishonest criticisms serve no purpose Dear Editor,

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read a statement issued by the Alliance for Change on April 6th, 2022 that addressed the National Day of Fasting & Prayers. The statement opened with the following, “The Alliance for Change (AFC) endorses and supports the call for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting”, and should’ve stopped there in my view, but instead, they sought to take the moral high ground.

For me and I’m sure many others, the AFC is incapable of finding the way to the moral high ground because of what the Christian Scriptures refer to as the “plank in their own eye.”

After polling day in the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the AFC aided, abetted, and actively participated in the most vulgar and blatant attempt to steal an election in the modern era in the western world.

The statements being made today cannot absolve them of the sins and stains left by their conduct in the 2020 elections.

By their actions, they sinned against God, who is a God of truth. By their actions, they sinned against all Guyanese by suppressing and subverting, for a while, the expressed will of the people.

The stain on their individual and collective character and conscience is made with ink more indelible than that which was used by the electorate on March 2nd, 2020. The only hope for the AFC is truth, confession, and reconciliation.

While this might be hard for that party and its officials as it seems alien to their nature, now is the best time for them to try to learn.

Guyana is formally a secular country; however, our people are deeply religious.

Just look around and you’ll be reminded that our populated areas are dotted with cathe-

drals and churches, mosques, temples, and other places of worship.

This year, this month, heaven has afforded us an opportunity to celebrate the three great religious festivals of our people together, Ramadan, Navratri, and Lent. During these festivals, we fast to give ourselves more intensely to prayer. We seek to make ourselves right with God to also do right by men.

I, therefore, urge the AFC leadership to cease their empty, deceptive, and dishonest criticisms and to give themselves to fasting and prayer. To confess their sins of suppression, injustice, and fraud and to ask for for-

giveness, while having the humility to reconcile with the people of this country who were denied justice for the five months during which democracy was held captive.

Respectfully yours, Brian Azore

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Opposition forces pushing false narrative to undermine ‘One Guyana’ effort Dear Editor,

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he “One Guyana” policy embraces the idea of one country (a unifying national societal goal), one people (evolving a common set of values and aspirations), and one future (where there are possibilities for everyone to achieve the good life). This policy also recognizes and sustains the ethnic-based core religious and cultural values, which will exist in harmony with the emerging mainstream value system. Despite this novel policy initiative aimed at moving away from the past failed attempts at societal integration and harmony, there are opposition forces that denigrate this approach by producing false narratives.

As part of the rebuilding effort, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo supported one of the hardest working members of the PPPC and a former Cabinet minister of Housing as the 2020 Presidential candidate. Irfaan Ali’s Presidency has exceeded expectations.

He is a President who readily connects with

the people at all levels. His “One Guyana” is a revolutionary idea which, if fully operationalized, could become a major catalyst of positive change in the political landscape of Guyana. Bringing Guyanese together and reducing disparities will usher in the advancement of the common good for everyone. One vehicle to help realize “One Guyana” policy goal is the forthcoming Cricket Carnival.

While Jagdeo admits that they had made mistakes in the past, they also did not allow these to deter nor detract from moving the country forwards. Under Irfaan Ali’s Presidency, the sharp focus on implementing transformative projects that began under Jagdeo’s leadership, continues to gather momentum which will change the social and economic landscape and likely to usher Guyana fully into the 21st century with the real possibility of achieving the good life for all Guyanese.

Sincerely, Dr. Tara Singh

PNCR leader's attack on our institutions cannot be condoned Dear Editor,

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eading up to, and since the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the new PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, has habitually unleashed several scathing attacks on Justice Claudette Singh, Chairwoman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

His sustained approach of this relentless attitude against many of our key institutions is evidenced by public remarks laden with condemnation of the decision of our courts, the Caribbean Court of Justice, and more recently disparaging criticisms of President Ali’s appointment of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police (ag).

These, without a doubt, have been callous, wanton, without merit, lacking justification, and deserving of vehement condemnation. Certainly, the adopted posture is one-track, and is also known to have realized a heavy frictional position within the PNCR Leadership, which lends itself to the testimony of the extended period it is taking for the replacement of Ms Nicolette Henry and Mr Joseph Harmon as representative Members of Parliament.

This does not auger well for objective or constructive engagements, as they highlight the PNCR’s akin syndrome of non-objectivity in their selection to oppose and denunciate in an attempt to gain convenient visibility.

The frequent accompanying lack of candor from the PNCR and the ‘two-bit’ supporting groupings making up the APNU camp suggest that these shallow interventions merely target the attraction of publicity. Likewise, the voluminous silence of the three-membership civil society group in these critical areas presents a pale picture of impartiality.

In comparison with other logical observers and commentators, these continuous clumsy, contemptuous, and ‘wishy-washy’ remarks are certainly exposing an infantile

mentality. Please permit me, therefore, to defragment a bit on these two areas for want of necessary public clarification.

Norton’s thunderous silence concerning the evidence-fueled and corrupt behaviour of those PNCR underlings from among the GECOM officials now facing charges for electoral fraud emphasises why he should be silent in the first place. One cannot plead the so-call ‘fifth amendment’ and suddenly expect the world to see them as rudimentary, transparent, and correct.

As the new PNC Leader, Norton did not hesitate to criticise the appointment of Vishnu Persaud as the Chief Executive Officer of GECOM. This is although the process followed the procedures governed under the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of GECOM and included the participation of APNU’s designated Commissioners.

The Guyanese people are now calling on the PNC General Council to come out and oppose Norton’s unwanted criticism of the imminent Justice Claudette Singh.

Furthermore, the so-called Civil Society and Article 13 Group must now let the nation know if they too are in support of all these provocative loose statements that are being spurted from this loosed creature called Norton. Before Norton continues his rants and attacks on our institutions, and PPPC General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, whose ilk he could never measure up to, he may be better served by fighting internally to earn the respect of his party peers, who may approve of his struggles to get back as a second-string parliamentarian.

Guyana, under the PPP/C, is doing extremely well. This nation needs to stay united and work together to build itself stronger and better. However, our people must respect our Constitution, our leaders, and our institutions.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Norton continues to peddle misinformation in attempt to gain relevance Dear Editor,

T

he leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Aubrey Norton continues with his weekly attempts to seek relevance.

It is highly unlikely that the Guyanese people take the People’s National Congress Reform and its leader seriously. In his latest desperate attempt, he continues to demonstrate why he is no good for Guyana.

As was highlighted by the Vice President of Guyana a while back, Aubrey Norton who was elected leader of the PNCR in December 2021, does his best to say things that sound good. Mr. Norton's most recent press conference was no different from any of the others.

It was riddled with inaccuracies and mistruths that further demonstrate to Guyanese the deceitful nature of the PNCR. In a desperate attempt to sound good Norton said that had the Government followed the

PNCR’s advice; to increase public servants’ salary by 25% and raise the tax threshold it would have helped the people of Guyana.

This is rich coming from the same person whose party while in government implemented over 200 tax measures which took billions of dollars out of the pocket of these very public servants. It was Norton’s party which put VAT on water, electricity, cell phone data, education and medical services. Whom does he suppose were affected by these actions?

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) increased the minimum wage from $65,000 to $75,000 and provided billions of dollars in relief to Guyanese since its return to office while Norton and his party opposed every single measure that was aimed at providing relief to ordinary Guyanese.

Regards, Alvin Hamilton

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Guyana to embark on Additional $100M to improve sustainable hatching health services in Region Two A

egg industry W

ith Guyana importing approximately 52 million eggs each year at a cost of some $350 million, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the country will soon launch its own hatching egg industry, to support the local poultry sector. Speaking at the launch of the black belly sheep project in Region Five on recently, Dr. Ali said “that is a low hanging fruit that is a market we can capture. He added, “We are now looking at a project that will enable us to produce our hatching eggs all here in Guyana locally.”

Government will work with communities like St.

Cuthbert’s Mission, among other areas to be part of the massive project. This, he said, will ensure there is sustainable production of hatching eggs locally and eventually for the export market.

“These are the initiatives that are transformative in nature.

These are the initiatives that will propel the economy, these are the initiatives that will bring direct benefits to the farmer and enhance our diversification programme, these are some of the initiatives that will ensure our economy is built on many pillars,” President Ali stated.

He said government has

started working with the large poultry producers in a consortium to produce their own corn and soya for the production of feed to support the poultry industry. This is part of government’s plan for Guyana to become self-sufficient, as there are rising food prices and supply shortages.

Since taking office, government has placed heavy emphasis on developing the agriculture sector through funding a number of initiatives. Budget 2022 has allotted $28.7 billion to ensure the rapid growth and development of Guyana’s agricultural sector.

n additional $100 million has been made available to boost healthcare delivery at several health centres in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, said there has been significant progress in the region’s healthcare services under the President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led government.

He said the region was once affected by a shortage of drugs and medical supplies which has been remedied due to the government’s proactive approach. This

development, the minister noted, would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts between central government and regional administration. “Our President has made quite a few commitments when he campaigned in 2020 and one of those commitments had to do with enhancing the delivery of health to the people across the country. And so, in Region Two, you would have seen progress in the health sector…more so we have seen some massive transformation in regional health services in our country,” Minister Dharamlall said.

The region’s 2022 budget stands at $6.1 billion, an estimated 14 percent increase compared to last year’s.

Residents will see massive development in education, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors.

Developments include the procurement of an ambulance and portable ultrasound machines, electrical upgrades at the Suddie Public Hospital, construction of a health post and landing at Siriki, reinforced concrete bridge at Onderneeming, and upgrading of roads at David James, Damon, Second Cross, Playground streets, among others.

Small Business Bureau’s help desk to be established in Regions Five, Six

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esidents of Regions Five and Six are expected to soon benefit from services being offered through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Small Business Bureau (SBB).

A help desk will be established within the respective regions to allow residents easier access to the agency’s services, thus reducing the need to travel to Georgetown.

Minister, Oneidge Walrond, made this disclosure, recently, after meeting with members of the various Chambers of Commerce, who expressed concerns about accessing the services.

The minister said an SBB officer will be sent to the respective regions to train selected individuals to lend support to small business

owners. This is part of government’s effort to decentralise services. “We are going to have a point person here (Regions Five and Six) that they can use and we will be in contact in terms of getting applications, import, export licences,” she explained.

Minister Walrond reiterated government’s drive to promote business development in Guyana, while explaining how this kind of support empowers existing and potential small business owners.

She noted that the ministry’s credit programme assists Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to access funds up to $30 million from commercial banks, while the Development Fund offers businesses grants limited to

$500,000. “A lot of people are not aware or they do not know what they need to do to get a bank loan. There are a lot of requirements and there are a lot of things that they need to comply with. At the Small Business Bureau we help.”

Minister Walrond is encouraging more commercial banks to partner with the Ministry to provide financial support to small businesses.

Republic Bank Guyana Limited and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) have already partnered with SBB. SBB was established under Guyana’s Small Business Act (2004), to assist small entrepreneurs with training, and financial and business support options.

200 low, moderate-income homes for Region Three

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ome 200 housing units are expected to be constructed in Anna Catherina and MetenMeer-Zorg, (Region Three), targeting low- and moderate-income earners, as part of the government’s turnkey home project being executed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, M.P, who made the announcement Friday, said lands are being identified to commence the project. He conducted a site visit to several new housing developments in the region.

He said the aim is to provide more comprehensive and sustainable housing options for all Guyanese.

The PPP/C Government has been leading an aggressive housing drive since returning to office in 2020, in keeping with its manifesto promise to provide 50, 000 house lots to Guyanese by 2025. This is being realised through the construction of homes for low to moderate households and young professionals, as well as house lots allocations.

Under the turn-key initiative, close to 1000 homes are underway in areas including Providence and Prospect, East Bank Demerara, and Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, Region Four. Several homes are also under construction in Williamsburg, Region Six and Amelia’s Ward, Re-

gion Ten. Additionally, 25 core homes were constructed in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, Region Three, while another 25 are under construction in Sophia, Georgetown.

The initiative, which targets low-income and moderate families, falls under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Meanwhile, earlier this year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that the government will be constructing 1000 houses, utilising 100 per cent local wood as part of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable homes to Guyanese.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Maintenance works ongoing on Visually impaired Linden/Mabura Hill Road Guyanese benefit from G $500,000 business grants

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n keeping with its commitment to ensure the livelihood of all Guyanese, Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Small Business Bureau (SBB) distributed grants to the tune of $500,000, to nine persons living with disabilities.

Minister, Oneidge Walrond, stated that the gesture is in keeping with the government’s ‘One Guyana’ vision. She was speaking at the grant distribution exercise held at the Guyana Society for the Blind headquarters. She said, “The idea is that no person should be left behind with the economic development of our country.

As a government, our policy has been one and continues to be the ‘One Guyana’ initiative that every single person…can benefit from the resources of government, and have the opportunity to better themselves, better their families and better

their communities.”

Minister Walrond hopes the grants will help the recipients to expand or establish their own businesses.

She said, “Hopefully for you, this is now your spring board for bigger and better things, for bigger and better business. We want you to be able to employ persons, we want you to be able to say that your business is thriving so much that you are supporting six and seven families. This is the kind of progress that we will like to see.”

Meanwhile, Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) Ganesh Singh, said the community is grateful as this was something they were pursuing for some time. “It means a lot for the disability community because it is a way of them getting the capital to grow to establish new business-

es. We know poverty and persons with disabilities, they have a marriage; it is inter-related and because of this, we have been pushing to ensure that persons with disabilities have some level of financial independence and one way we have been doing this is to promote small business establishments,” he expressed. He noted further, that the recipients have a variety of business ventures, which include food processing, craft, and poultry ventures among others.

Notably, last year, the ministry through the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), launched a twoday workshop in block making and money management.

The initiative provided economic opportunities to vulnerable persons to achieve financial stability.

Over 500 Guyanese complete entry-level programme now eligible to pursue degrees at int’l universities ─ GOAL will grant automatic scholarships

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ore than 500 Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) students have successfully completed the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level Six Diploma, offered through the Jain University in collaboration with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The students are now equipped with a certificate that allows them entry into a three-year Bachelor’s Degree programme. GOAL will grant them an automatic scholarship for the next journey.

“To say we are proud of these scholars would be an understatement. The programme was very intensive and classes were held six days per week. Yet they persevered and have come out shining,” GOAL said, in a

recent social media post.

The Ministry of Education and GOAL will soon launch a programme for all students who do not have the requisite high school education.

Government remains committed in its efforts to implement measures that will ensure persons without the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) qualifications benefit from quality learning.

Whether at the nursery, primary, secondary or tertiary level; the PPP/C Administration has always been keen on ensuring standard knowledge is offered to learners. Evident to this, is the over $74 billion allocated to improving access to education and education delivery in the 2022 National

Budget.

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

While government has committed to providing 20,000 online scholarships through GOAL, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said the administration is willing to surpass the mark if more interest in the programme is expressed.

Government is also seeking to assist the GOAL recipients by subsiding their internet cost; ensuring there is effective service during classes.

Efforts are already being made to help students along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two and in the Upper Demerara – Berbice, Region 10.

overnment is undertaking maintenance works on the Linden/Mabura Hill Road, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill disclosed on Tuesday (April 6, 2022).

The Minister on his official social media page stated, “While we await the CDB [Caribbean Development Bank] funded Linden Mabura Hill Road Project to commence, the road deteriorated

and subsequently maintenance work began.”

In February, Guyana received a no-objection from the CDB to construct the US$190 million road which (Turn to page 19)

First Smart classroom commissioned in Region Ten

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smart classroom was commissioned at the Christianburg Secondary School, recently. This is the first of its kind in the Upper Demerara- Berbice region (Region Ten).

During brief remarks, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, stated that the smart classroom will allow for technology-infused learning.

She noted that it will not only enhance the way teachers de-

liver lessons but also, the way students learn.

The commissioning of another smart classroom is in keeping with the Ministry’s vision of incorporating technology to transform the education sector. She urged students to utilize the opportunities presented and to examine the avenues to make meaningful contributions to society.

Headmistress of Christianburg Secondary School,

Shellanne Craigwell noted that the commissioning of the new facility is evidence of the transformation of the education sector. She said that it will enhance the school’s capabilities.

The smart classroom at Christianburg Secondary School is fully equipped with an interactive board and audio system with smart cameras and a wireless television for remote access.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

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

Solar Powered System re-operationalised at the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary School T

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), on March 28th 2022, under its sustainable energy interventions at community/public buildings, installed a 48kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as a replacement for the depleted 47.04kWh BESS. This BESS is essential to the operation of the off-grid 6.2kWp Solar PV System which supplies electricity at the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary School located in the community

of Pakuri along the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

The lack of a stable electricity supply at the school was brought to the attention of the GEA during an Energy Needs Assessment exercise in 2021. It was further discovered that the Battery Storage at the school’s off-grid Solar PV installation, installed in 2016, had become depleted and as a result was preventing the students and teachers from conducting many essential

educational activities that required electricity.

The community of Pakuri has an electricity minigrid network supplied by a 135kVA diesel-fueled generator. Owing to high fuel costs, electricity is only provided for four (4) hours daily during the early evening hours. While this meets the electricity needs of a section of the community’s residences and small businesses, the timing of the supply falls outside of the

regular school hours and as such does not benefit the students or teachers.

The GEA, in exercising its mandate, therefore provided support to the school for the procurement, transport and installation of the replacement battery bank.

The batteries were procured at a cost of one million, six hundred and sixty one thousand , one hundred and twenty Guyana dollars (G$1,661,120). The battery bank includes sixteen (16)

batteries configured in a 48Vdc, 1000Ah arrangement. The installed hybrid PV system provides clean and renewable electricity supply to the school, dormitory and teacher’s quarters.

Its operation will result in the avoidance of an estimated 5.07 tonnes CO2 emissions annually.

This initiative will provide a stable and reliable electricity supply for delivery of the school’s daily learning activities benefiting

approximately one hundred and thirty-five (135) students and eleven (11) teachers.

The students and teachers on hand at the time of the battery replacement were effusive in gratitude for the initiative stating that, among other benefits, it will allow them use of their wellequipped computer laboratory to complete School Based Assessments (SBAs) and post essential study material as well as examination notifications and results online.

Almost 5,000 persons qualified for GOAL scholarships this year C lose to 5,000 people are qualified for the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship

programme this year, out of the 6,000 who applied.

GOAL’s Director, Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, on Tuesday

(April 5, 2022), said, “In the next two weeks, the scholarships will be announced.

Asked if GOAL will be

offering additional oil and gas courses in the future, Dr. Opadeyi said the offer will be left to the market.

He said 3T EnerMech has sent a proposal to partner with GOAL to offer the first oil and gas course. Some 80 students are currently undergoing the training at the company’s headquarters, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. “Right now, we have three companies who want to do oil and gas training and the scope is bigger.

So, we are levying some proposals so I expect that before the end of this year there will be [more oil and gas] facilities in Guyana,” the director said.

Several GOAL oil and gas students currently undergoing the practical aspect of the programme.

He urged potential scholars to not procrastinate, but take the opportunity and apply for the GOAL programmes.

Government has made

it possible for Guyanese to undergo distance learning in 187 programmes, offered through 30 universities. Last year, the government awarded 6,000 GOAL scholarships to Guyanese.

A sum of $1.3 billion was approved for GOAL in Budget 2022.

GOAL scholarships are geared at equipping citizens from across the country, with the knowledge and qualification for self and economic development.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Mainstay/Whyaka get support for PPP/C government’s agriculture Empowerment fund injects keeping with the PPP/C new tractor and trailer to the who, among other economic $49.7M in Hinterland Regions Ingovernment's commitment Toshao of Mainstay/Whya- activities, transport farm

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whopping $49.7M has been injected to the Hinterland communities from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s ‘Empowerment Fund.’

The Empowerment Fund is a collaborative effort between the Ministry and World Food Programme (WFP) which seeks to aid potential business owners in expanding or starting up with $50,000 and has seen 995 persons from these communities benefitting to date.

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) had the largest number of beneficiaries with a whopping 367 across two phases. 245 recipients came from Region One (Barima-Waini) in Moraikobai (76), Mabaruma (73), Baramita (72) and Port Kaituma (24). Meanwhile, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) had 192 and 191 recipients respectively.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said, “The Ministry has committed to empowering women

across the country and we have managed to do so in a very significant way through the collaboration WFP and the Ministry, utilizing the WIIN programme where women have been trained. I was very heartened to listen women say they had plans to start their own businesses so the cash grants given were perfect stimuli for them to help in beginning their businesses. We forward to tracking those women to see what improvements they would have made towards their own income and towards helping them to sustain their businesses….in the Hinterland where just under 1000 women benefited from this stimulus grant was no insignificant achievement and I will continue to ensure that we have more fruitful partnerships and also directly through the Ministry which focus on women empowerment,” she added.

Project Coordinator, Mahendra Budhram said the Hinterland Regions showed good responses with an inspiring collection rate. “It is heartwarming to see persons coming out to receive this

grant because they can now take the next step of starting to develop themselves and putting the money towards a business that they would have wanted to embark on,” he said.

Among the youngest of recipients was 12-year-old Baramita resident, Ashanna Fredericks who completed the computer studies training where she was proficient in Microsoft Office. With the grant, she explained that she plans to buy a laptop and a printer to open a document center in her community.

Also, Paramakatoi’s Val Ann Edwin, 27 years old, highlighted that she applied for the cosmetology course because there is no existing service of this nature in the community and sees the potential this business has in the remote municipal.

Activist against trafficking in persons, Claudia Fraser who recently returned from Venezuela explained she completed courses in nail technician and hair styling and will look to buy supplies for her business while providing a safe space for women in Port Kaituma.

Region 8 communities get support

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s part of Government’s commitment to support and develop Amerindian communities, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, recently visited Paramakatoi and Kato in Region Eight, where she met with the Village Councils and Community Service Officers (CSOs) to listen to concerns affecting

the villages and find possible solutions.

During her visit, the minister handed over two ATVs to Toshao of Monkey Mountain, Lincoln Singh and Toshao of Taruka, Felfel Bennette.

The ATVs are expected to ease the transportation burdens faced by residents.

Minister Sukhai also hand-

ed over a plough to Kato Village, which complements the tractor that was previously handed over to further aid in agricultural development in their communities.

Accompanying the minister was acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ryan Toolsiram and other staff of the ministry.

to support and develop hinterland communities, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai on,visited the Mainstay/Whyaka Village in Region 2 where she handed over a brand

ka Village, Ms. Yvonne Pearson.

This tractor and trailer is expected to significantly aid agricultural development in the village, as it will ease the burdens of the villagers

produce, timber etc.

Accompanying Minister Sukhai, was Permanent Secretary(ag) Mr. Ryan Toolsiram and other staff of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Children in Wallaba, Karaburi benefitting from new school buses

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etting to school will no longer be exhausting for children in the community of Wallaba, Moruca Sub-Region One, with the availability of a new minibus. The 20-mile journey by foot, is a thing of the past for the secondary school students. The new bus is expected to support regular attendance.

A similar intervention

was made for the children in the Karaburi community, according to Toshao Stanley with money used from the community’s $10 million Covid-19 relief grant.

Both schools are about six miles from the schools.

The provision of the new vehicle is also a fulfillment of PPP/C Government’s manifesto promise to provide equitable access to

education for all.

Further, some $2 million was also utilised to rehabilitate the community’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub. Residents welcomed the reintroduction of the initiative as it pushed the use of technology and created countless opportunities that could accelerate the community’s economic and social development.

More ICT Hubs completed T

he Information Communication and Technology (ICT) ICT Hub building at Shulinab, Region 9; Kaburi, Region 7; and Santa Aratak, Region Three, have been completed.

The creation of ICT hubs in the hinterland was reintroduced by the PPP/C government, after taking office in August 2020. The ICT Hubs will be established in communities which would not have had facilities before and the hubs will be equipped with a minimum of 25 computers.

Currently, many of the

very remote villages still use the traditional form of communicating via radio sets. These sets are old and have not been repaired or replaced over the years.

Before 2015, the PPP/C Government had started a programme aimed at modernising Guyana through ICT. This programme saw ICT labs being constructed and equipped in several communities and schools in the hinterland. Moreover, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme was created in aid of ensuring that every Guyanese, throughout

the country, has access to information technology.

The PPP/C Government has committed to prioritizing Information and Communications Technology as a strategic catalyst for accelerating economic and social development across Guyana; particularly in the hinterland.

Reducing many disparities between the hinterland and coastal areas necessitates the use of technology, a critical tool which the new government is looking to afford persons in indigenous communities, through the establishment of the ICT hubs.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

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

P r o v id in g le a d e r s h ip , s u p p o r t in g s t a k e h o ld e r s

Guyana to host 38th FAO Regional Conference in 2024

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uyana will, in 2024, host the 38th session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC).

The move comes as Guyana steps up its role as a leader on the food security agenda, particularly in the Caribbean Region. “We came to this conference with many ideas to adjust the soaring food prices that are now taking the world by storm because of the pandemic and the war. We are now trying to work as a group so that we can try to buffer the problems that exist in this region. This Conference, the FAO 37th Conference acts as a catalyst for us to address these issues

and concerns. As a country that is leading the agri-food system in the Caribbean, we are working with the Caribbean to reduce the food import bill by 25 percent in the next 3years. We are using the 38th Conference in Guyana as a catalyst to move this process forward,” Mustapha said, speaking with reporters following the conclusion of the 37th session of the FAO Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean last Friday in Ecuador.

This will be the first time that the conference will be hosted in Guyana and comes at a time when the country has been playing the leading role in agriculture and food security matters in CARICOM.

Fisheries sector stakeholders receive much needed support F

ishermen from Mon Repos, Annandale, Lusignan, and Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, this week, received hampers from the Ministry of Agriculture. The hampers were handed over by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

During consultations with the ministry’s Fisheries Department, fishermen from the villages mentioned above indicated that they were in need of some basic food items to support their families.

After learning about the request, the ministry through the Fisheries Department prepared 170 hampers filled with food items that were

handed over during a simple ceremony at the Lusignan Community Center.

While engaging the gathering, Minister Mustapha said fisherfolk were some of the most hard-working persons in Guyana and that the government is aware that fishermen for some time, have been faced with hardships due to low catches. He added that the donation should be seen as a small gesture and that the government will be implementing initiatives such as the ‘marine cage culture’ to assist fishermen to improve their production.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Regional integration fundamental to Guyana’s national development – President Ali says gov’t working on a holistic immigration policy

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egional integration has been underscored by President Dr. Irfaan Ali a fundamental pillar of Guyana’s economic development while speaking at a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday (April 5, 2022).

The event, organised by the Global Business Leadership Forum, was chaired by the Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Deodat Maharaj, and included other organisations from North America.

The President said that CARICOM has “enormous” economic potential and that Guyana is willing to provide a platform through which investors can realise such.

He also mentioned upcoming events to facilitate this, including the country’s hosting of the region’s Agriculture Investment Forum in May. UNITED REGION The President said that although Guyana’s Oil and Gas

Sector continues to make the headlines, his Government remains committed to developing “a well-diversified” economy that will lead to a sustainable path to prosperity. He said, “Not only country prosperity but people prosperity, and a country that brings the region together and contributes significantly to regional prosperity. There is a difference between economic development and financial prosperity. We do not want people to have financial prosperity without economic development.”

The President explained that while trade barriers still exist between CARICOM nations in a “major way”, recently, there has been a greater push to remove them.

He also used the opportunity to highlight the economic prowess of Guyana’s traditional sectors as well as the issues that the country has faced in the past in realising its development priorities.

“For me, oil and gas is just a

catalyst to do the very things that could have been done decades ago,” Ali said.

PEOPLE TRANSFORMATION The Head of State said that one of the most powerful tools that Guyana has produced is its human resources. He said, “People who are brilliant, people who understand issues and people who are able to not only help Guyana but to go all over the world and shine.”

He said that Guyanese must prepare themselves for the impending opportunities.

He said, “We’re not talking today only about preparing our young people for the oil and gas sector. We want every single primary school student to have elementary training in coding and software development. By the time you get up to secondary school, you must be doing serious work on becoming specialised or becoming specialists in software creation

Guyana and Suriname relations grounded in ‘trust, mutual respect’

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is Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali said that the current relationship between the Governments of Guyana and Suriname is based on a “climate of trust and mutual respect”.

He made this statement earlier on Tuesday (April 5, 2022) after accepting the letters of credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to Guyana, Her Excellency Liselle Blankendal at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

President Ali pointed out that it is important for the neighbouring nations to enhance collaboration on issues regarding climate change and the post-pandemic economic recovery. “I remain committed to preserving and building on this solid foundation. You can be assured of my Government’s full support as you carry out your mandate in furthering the excellent relations that exist between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname,” the President told

Ambassador Blankendal.

ENHANCED TRADE RELATIONS The Head of State said that the Ambassador’s appointment comes at a pivotal and “exciting phase” in the relations between the two States.

He expressed confidence that the appointment would also serve to further advance the cooperation agenda that the two Presidents have agreed upon, particularly in the areas of agriculture, energy, the environment, forestry and infrastructural integration.

He pointed out that the proposed bridge across the Corentyne River would “greatly enhance trade and economic activities and further cement human and cultural ties among our peoples,” while adding that “private sector cooperation remains important to the success of our economic agenda”.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION Bilateral cooperation

between the two States, according to the President, augurs well for advancing regional integration. He emphasised that both nations have key roles to play in drafting a CARICOM Energy Policy, focused on renewable energy.

The President added that cooperation must also continue on regional food security and reassured that Guyana remains fully committed to supporting President Santokhi in his role as lead head for industrial policy and in guiding the regional effort.

The Head of State reminded that Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy guides the Government’s transformative agenda on sustainable development.

In this regard, he stated t h a t G u y a n a l o o k s f o rward to partnering with Suriname to pursue initiatives and projects aimed at protecting the environment, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and protecting our biodiversity.

and development.”

He said that school curriculums have to change to reflect the dynamism of the new path that the country is on. Ali said, “So, in the people’s transformation, education is the foundational pillar, ensuring that every Guyanese has access to the best possible education…education to develop analytical thinking, education to develop transformational thinking, education to develop not only our understanding of an issue or comprehension of an issue but our critical thinking path—that is the type of education that we were talking about.”

President Ali also expounded on the country’s healthcare system and said that Guyana is not only aiming to provide the best healthcare to its population but also to the entire CARICOM region. He added that the country is also aiming to enhance its education and healthcare systems to earn funds.

The President said that another aspect of transformation is “futuristic transformation”, which will not

only encompass building the economy for now and the future but will be driven by, among other things, technology (such as robotics), an energy corridor and food security.

IMMIGRATION POLICY To support the country’s current development trajectory, it was announced that the government is working on a holistic immigration policy.

This, he said, is because the country has found itself in a position where there is a net loss of labour. He said, “I had a meeting on Friday with the contractors, and they’re all behind schedule now because they can’t find labour.

They can’t find workers, and this is a major problem that we’re going to be faced with.

Some may say it’s a good problem to have, but it’s a very troubling problem. So, we are working now on a holistic immigration policy, not only for the diaspora but understanding critically what the demand will be in three years, five years and ten years.”

The President added that a leading expert has been hired in the area that will work along with the coun-

try’s local team to examine the issue and provide an analysis that will be used to form a policy. “We need people badly and we need them now, and with the type of infrastructure that we’re investing in, the type of healthcare service we’re investing, the type of education services that we’re investing in, guess what? Those services, when they’re fully built out in five years to 10 years, will require people to consume the service,” he said.

The Global Business Leadership Forum was moderated by Vice President, Government Affairs and Social Impact, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation Rhonda Binda and President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation Gary Mar. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud and CEO of Go-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop were also a part of the discussions.

Guyana/Barbados food terminal closer to realisation

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he sod turning ceremony for the new Guyana/ Barbados food terminal in Barbados will soon take place, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced.

President Ali said the leadership of both countries have already expressed “our unwavering commitment to the removal of every barrier that will prevent trade between the two countries.”

Guyana and Barbados are working to create a joint tourism product, linking the two countries as a common market and package. “Similar discussions are ongoing with Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the rest of the region so that we prepare, not only the production and productive level of the farms and farmers in Guyana, but we also work

on the low hanging fruit of the resale market,” the President stated.

According to Barbados’ Government Information Service, the seven acres of land earmarked for the construction of the food terminal at Lears, St. Michael, will have a purpose-built facility to accommodate about 40 containers at any time; a reservoir holding 20 million gallons of water, and land for crop production.

Heads of Government in CARICOM have all agreed that steps need to be taken to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. President Ali said the target is one without a political or social agenda, but can only be done if governments, the farmers and the private sector all

work together and embrace the vision.

Already, in Guyana, the government has embarked on a number of initiatives including the launching of the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme -a flagship initiative that will see the establishment of 100 shade houses for the cultivation of three high value crops.

Additionally, government recently launched a black belly sheep project in Region Five that will see 1,000 sheep arriving in Guyana shortly from Barbados to kickstart the project.

Close to 80 farmers have since expressed their interest in the project with many more set to step on board, as Guyana seeks to tap into the US$48 million mutton market in CARICOM.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10April APRIL, 2022 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, 7, 2022

WEEKENDCHRONICLE MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022April 7, 2022 GUYANA Thursday,

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

PPP/C Ministers continue outreach to engage with Guyanese on concerns Communities across Guyana are benefiting from the continue engagement with senior PPP/C government officials, in line with a commitment from the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C administration to remian engaged with Guyanese to respond to their concerns.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

APNU+AFC Coalition cannot expect to base legal challenge on own wrongdoing

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he APNU+AFC Coalition has filed proceedings challenging the passage of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) law, citing the absence of the original Parliament Mace during the passage the Bill in December 2021, among other grounds.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, has rubbished the contentions of the Coalition, making clear that the Opposition cannot expect to cause a wrong and then benefit from it. He said, “You have a principle in law, no matter which legal system you maybe operating under, that a person must not benefit from his or her wrong… you cannot benefit from your own wrong…but the courts in Guyana are now being asked to declare a law illegal because of one side of the National Assembly running away with the Mace and breaking the Mace, and once they did that, Parliament apparently supposed to stop. “…they removed the mace and attempted to run away with it but in the process, they were stopped and the mace broken – all of this was recorded – and they left the sitting. They left the Parliament after they did their damage… and then when the bill was passed their absence, they now turn around, Christopher Jones, in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, and Norris Whitter, as one of the persons who signed this petition, claimed that the bill was passed illegally because the mace was not in place. “…a substitute mace was used, authorised by the Speaker [Manzoor Nadir] because they broke the real Mace. That mace was authorised by the Speaker and the Clerk [Sherlock Isaacs], and respected by the Assembly that was present as the Mace for the reminder of that proceedings, and the obstructionists – the persons who behaved like hooligans, broke the Mace so that the Parliament couldn’t have the Mace to continue its proceedings, now bring legal proceedings to say that the [passage of the Bill was] illegal because you didn’t have a Mace.”

Nandlall argued that instead of participating in the proceedings and debating the bill, the Opposition disrupted the proceedings. “(By their logic) they don’t have to vote anymore in parliaments…you hold the

whole parliament at ransom and you benefit from your obstruction,” he noted, addressing the Coalition’s actions.

The Attorney General stressed that the “law is not an ass” and adding that Parliament nowhere in the legal proceedings filed were any Constitutional provisions cited. “Where is it stated [in the Constitution] that Parliament is governed by common law principles and Parliament is governed by principles of inclusive democracy? These are no law; these may be political concepts. The courts of our country has no jurisdiction to enforce Standing Orders,” he explained.

DISRUPTION 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 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.

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

PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE Eight APNU+AFC Co-

alition Members of Parliament (MPs) have been sent to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, where the issue of sanctions for the disruption of the December 29, 2021 sitting will be addressed.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, on January 24, 2022 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 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.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?

(McKinsey and Company) Since the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was named

by WHO on November 26, 2021, it has moved at lightning speed. In less than three months, Omicron has spread around the world, caused record peaks in cases in many places, and is now declining just as quickly. In most places, the worst of the Omicron wave has passed leading some locations to loosen public-health measures to a degree not seen in almost two

years. In contrast, some locations, such as Hong Kong, are seeing their worst peak yet, and continuing to tighten restrictions.

The most likely scenario we discussed in the December 2021 edition of this article has proved to be largely accurate—Omicron is more infectious than any previous variant and evades the immunity provided by both prior infection and incomplete vaccination. These factors, combined with limited be-

havior change from pandemic-weary populations— and the twin accelerants of transmission, holiday travel and gatherings—meant that Omicron moved through the population with remarkable speed. Fortunately, the early evidence that Omicron is, on average, less severe than Delta also proved right. The worst-case scenarios were avoided. The even more infectious BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron may have worsened the wave but has not substan-

tially changed this narrative to date.

The Omicron wave has taught us several lessons about the effectiveness of various societal responses.

First, up-to-date vaccination status, including a recent booster, proved to be especially important in protecting against Omicron.

Countries where a significant portion of those at risk had received three doses of vaccine, including at least one dose of mRNA vaccine, saw hospitalizations substantially decouple from cases.

This meant that many European countries had more cases but fewer hospitalizations during this wave than prior ones. On the other hand, locations with lower up-to-date vaccine coverage, including parts of the United States, set all-time records for hospitalization and deaths.

As in previous waves, lower-income countries and those with younger populations were somewhat protected, even though inequalities in global vaccine access have meant that few there have received three doses, and most have not yet received a single dose.

Second, the link between cases and behavioral adjustments is largely broken. Data shows that more and more people have concluded that the health risks of COVID-19 are not significant enough for them to change their behavior, either because of their vaccination status, their youth, or a desire to move on from the pandemic.

Third, and consistent with this trend, some governments have concluded that the total societal costs of lockdowns, restrictions on business, or masking outweigh the benefits at this phase of the pan-

demic. Other governments, however, are maintaining or strengthening public-health policies, including vaccine mandates. Many workplaces remain relatively cautious in their policies, but public-health responses to Omicron have typically been less forceful than those of prior waves with similar disease burdens.

THE NEXT TEN MONTHS Prospects for the rest of the year and beyond hinge on the questions of whether and when future variants will emerge. As long as Omicron remains the dominant variant, there is reason for relative optimism. Our scenario analysis suggests that Omicron-related hospitalizations are likely to continue to decline in the United States and remain at relatively low levels through the spring and summer. We might then expect to see a seasonality-driven wave of disease next fall and winter, but hospitalizations would likely peak well below the level of the wave we just experienced.

The default scenario, in which Omicron remains the dominant variant, represents a continuation of the transition toward managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease that is already underway in many locations.

With Omicron as the dominant variant, the pandemic phase will feel like it is over for more and more people, though certainly not all.

As ever, different parts of the world will experience the coming phase differently.

Countries with high rates of current immunity and widespread booster uptake will be better protected. Age demographics will continue to

be an important risk driver.

The dynamics of seasonality may cause differences between the northern and southern hemispheres. And government policy still matters—in particular, the few remaining countries with zero-COVID-19 strategies may also experience the coming months differently as they choose whether to continue or relax their border policies.

NEW VARIANTS: THE BIG UNKNOWN By and large, the sixmonth outlook in many countries is brighter than at any time in the past two years.

But several uncertainties could temper the optimism, starting with the duration of immunity. Evidence suggests that both natural and vaccine-induced immunity wane over time, particularly against infection. While we don’t yet know the full extent of waning immunity for Omicron, new evidence indicates that those who have received three doses of vaccine may benefit from medium-term protection. At the same time, booster uptake has been significantly lower than first- and second-dose coverage in many countries.

For example, while 215 million Americans are fully vaccinated, only 93 million have also received a booster dose.

So, as we consider future waves, two critical questions remain about the duration of protection: how significantly will immunity wane? And will booster uptake continue to slow in each subsequent round of boosting?

The next wave of medical advances will also prompt questions. Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that modified vaccines targeted against (Turn to page 22)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Gov’t’s intervention seeing reduction in prices of fruits, vegetables W ith the prices of fruits and vegetables reducing across the country, Guyanese are in a better position to afford and consume fresh produce.

The reduction in costs is due to the many interventions by the government.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said the measures are among a number of strategies the administration has implemented since taking office in August 2022. “The price of vegetables and fruits are going down and this is as a result of the intervention of the Ministry of Agriculture in giving people seeds, in facilitating them to do the best practices,” the agriculture minister said Wednesday, on the sideline of a hamper distribution exercise, at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.

Minister Mustapha has

spearheaded several outreaches where farmers and even households that have kitchen gardens received a variety of seeds and seedlings, through the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

With NAREI receiving $1.27 billion to stimulate its production base this year, its seeds and seedlings distribution will advance, as government forges ahead with plans to secure food for its citizens.

“We have done a lot of canals and drainage works over the last year,” Minister Mustapha added. Sufficient drainage also played a vital role in ensuring that thousands of acres of farmlands were secured, especially during the major floods.

Guyanese could also expect massive drainage and irrigation upgrades this year, with a whopping $13 billion set aside to strengthen drain-

age systems across Guyana.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo recently engaged a number of stakeholders, during a national consultation on strategic flood protection measures, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

The VP said a portion of the oil funds will be used to strengthen Guyana’s water system, as the administration takes an aggressive approach to addressing the decades-long issue.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha told reporters that extension officers will be more effective in the fields and provide the necessary guidance to agriculturists.

Further, he referenced the agriculture investment forum and expo set to open here on May 19-21, explaining that the initiative creates the opportunity for CARICOM states to come together to

reduce the food import bill by 25 percent by 2025. “It means Guyana will have to play a big role and our farmers, and production in Guyana will have to be ramped up and our famers will have the benefits. Guyana has an abundance of fresh water and a lot of land space. We can use that to produce more of the food that Caricom is using, so that we can export into the regional market.

So, we will have more revenues coming into the country through the agriculture sector,” Minister Mustapha added.

He remains optimistic that the food industry will see a significant boost. He said all of the efforts by government are channeled towards diversifying the agriculture sector, to specifically withstand the shocks that have been occurring over the years.

Building resilience in local food supply chain…

Some 20 wheat varieties to be tested locally

A

mid the impacts of global events on the local food supply chain, including increased cost of living, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has said that Government will commence the first trial of 20 wheat varieties before the end of May, as an effort to further diversify Guyana’s food sector.

Minister Mustapha explained that the rice research station will be used as the testing location since it has adequate land space.

The climatic condition has to also be taken into account. “We are in contact with our counterpart in especially Mexico. We are looking at a different variety

of wheat. I am hoping by the end of this month or by next month latest, we can have the first trial with about 15 to 20 varieties to see the best one that can be grown in Guyana,” the minister told journalists.

The ministry is also examining the possibility of establishing nurseries at strategic locations across the country to test for better growing results. The plan is to have the technical officers assess which of the varieties are better grown here.

The agriculture minister said the approach to introduce the new food commodity to Guyana’s soil, shows (Turn to page 18)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

Some 20 wheat... (From page 17) government’s determination to ensure the nation becomes self-sufficient. He said, “We are very determined that as long as it is successful; we will be going to produce our own wheat because we can’t depend too much on imports. As a country, we have to ensure we produce our own food and be self-sufficient … we can have all the money in the world and we have seen during the pandemic how many countries are suffering to get food. We in Guyana are very fortunate that we produce most of the food.”

The surge in wheat and other commodity prices is a result of the ongoing war between Russia and

Ukraine. Both states account for about 30 percent of the world’s traded wheat.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently announced government’s plan to explore the possibility of sourcing a variety of wheat for local production. The Head of State said the government is unwavering in its quest to build a Guyana that is resilient, and meets not only its national responsibility, but plays an important role in its global responsibility.

Cultivation for the initial trial phase is expected to begin at the Burma Rice Research Station, Region Five and the project will be led by scientist, Dr. Mahendra Persaud.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

PNCR’s Norton, Lawrence head to Parliament, AFC’s Fernandes loses portfolio

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fter a months-long delay, the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR), Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence, have been named as the replacement Parliamentarians for embattled Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry, who resigned.

The Parliament Office this week confirmed that Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud, informed House Speaker Manzoor Nadir that Norton and Lawrence’s names were “extracted” from APNU+AFC Coalition’s List of Candidates by the Representative of the List, David Granger. As, such,

they were “duly declared to be members” of the National Assembly.

The move came after Granger’s April 4, 2022 letter to GECOM, in which he said, “I received a letter, signed by Aubrey C Norton, Chairman of the APNU and Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the AFC, dated 31st March 2022 at 14:00 hours on Monday 4th April 2022 informing me, as Representative of the APNU+AFC List, as follows ‘In the circumstance, the APNU has resolved, with the knowledge of its partner, the Alliance For Change, that the replace-

ments are Mr Aubrey C Norton and Ms Volda Ann Lawrence both of whom were listed by the APNU+AFC as candidates in the 2020 submission of the joint list… in this regard, as required by Section 99(A) of the Representation of the People Act Cap1:03, I inform you that Mr Aubrey C Norton and Ms Volda Ann Lawrence of the APNU+AFC have been extracted from the List of Candidates to fill these vacancies. I would be grateful for the necessary instruments to be issued, accordingly.”

Norton likely to assumed the post of Opposition

Leader, making clear that a shakeup among Opposition Parliamentarians is likely.

Meanwhile, Lawrence is slated to take up the portfolio of Shadow Finance Minister, effectively removing AFC’s Juretha Fernandes who functioned in the capacity.

A sitting of the National Assembly is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

Maintenance works ongoing...

(From page 7)

is also receiving funding from the United Kingdom. Since then, government has been in talks with Brazilian company Construtora Queiroz Galvao to build the anticipated road.

Government recently signed a $3.19 billion contract to upgrade 32 bridges between Kurupukari and Lethem from timber to concrete. The construction of the bridges will pave the way for the road that will eventually culminate in Lethem, Region Nine.

Minister Edghill at the

signing of the contracts had said, “This is no small project and must be treated seriously, because the intent is that this road must meet all international standards and the removing of the timber bridges and putting of concrete bridges must be to international standards.”

Upon completion, the road which spans 121 kilometres will be upgraded to asphaltic concrete and will transform the lives of persons living and doing business in the hinterland.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

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When will the COVID-19...

Omicron could be available in the coming months, but we don’t yet know their efficacy, duration of protection, or the policies that will be set around fourth doses.

Nor is it clear yet what the approval standards might be for multi-valent vaccines.

On another front, there is hope that wider use of the oral therapeutics paxlovid and molnupiravir will further decrease the number of severe cases,but the real-world impact of their use at scale is not yet known, and supplies of paxlovid are still scaling.

While these uncertainties are important, they do not

necessarily change the story of a transition toward endemicity under Omicron. The main risk to that transition is a significantly different new variant that replaces Omicron as the dominant strain. We made this point in the last four editions of this article, and unfortunately it remains as true as ever. SARS-CoV-2 will continue to mutate under all scenarios, but most mutations do not lead to stable new forms of the virus with an evolutionary advantage.

Alpha, Delta, and Omicron have met this standard, and have changed the trajectory of the pandemic. Beta and

Gamma have also affected the trajectory, but to a lesser degree; their evolutionary advantage was not great enough to become globally dominant.

Omicron is already among the most infectious human viruses known to science. While even greater infectiousness (such as the sub-variant BA.2 has exhibited) is possible, to become dominant a new variant would likely need to also partially or fully evade prior immunity, including that provided by Omicron infection. If such a variant emerged, its average clini-

cal severity would then be critical. Exhibit 3 lays out three example scenarios for the potential characteristics and trajectory of the pandemic under a new dominant variant. This is not a complete list of possible future variants but some potential options.

A new dominant variant will receive a Greek-letter name, but until then we have created more descriptive names for our scenarios.

Under the “Omicron’s twin” scenario, a variant that evaded prior immunity (including from Omicron) but was otherwise similar to Omicron in transmissibility and severity of disease might cause a wave of disease broadly similar to the one we have recently experienced, though perhaps slightly worse if the public response to it is even more muted and if vaccine-conferred immunity has waned. A worse case might be “Delta-cron”, a variant that evades prior immunity and combines the infectious-

WEEKEND MIRROR 9-10 APRIL, 2022

(From page 16)

ness of Omicron with the average severity of Delta.

This might occur if vaccines proved less effective in preventing severe disease, and could lead to the worst wave yet for many locations.

The “Milder-cron” scenario would continue the trend toward less severe disease.

Countries might then experience a smaller version of the recent Omicron wave, which might be managed similar to the way societies manage flu on an ongoing basis.

What’s more difficult to estimate is when a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 will emerge. It could be a day after we publish this update, or six months, or years from now. The extraordinary progression we’ve already seen—in just over two years four strains in succession have become globally dominant—makes it dangerous to plan on a “no new variant” scenario. But it is possible that evolution will not produce epidemiologically significant new variants. The

risk of new variants emerging is related to the number of cases in the world, since each infected individual represents a new opportunity for viral evolution. For this reason, the continued global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines remains an investment in our collective safety as well as an imperative to protect individuals.

Some have suggested that particular populations, such as those who are immunocompromised due to HIV or other causes, are disproportionately at risk of incubating new variants. Others have posited a possible zoonotic origin of Omicron. As scientific understanding of these potential pathways develops and genomic surveillance networks continue to expand, societies may get better at reducing the risk of variant emergence.

For now, we remain bystanders as the virus evolves.

[SEE RELATED COVID-19 REPORTING ON PAGE 23]

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Vaccination campaign to rollout next week ─ Adolescents to be targeted

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he Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is finalising plans to roll out a vaccination campaign across the country.

The ministry will be celebrating World Vaccination Week from April 24 to 30.

2022.

Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said special emphasis will be placed on COVID-19, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and standard immunisation for children under five years old. “We are finalising those plans with the Ministry of Education. We hope to finalise them during next week and once that is done, we will start rolling out the plan,” the minister said on Wednesday (April 6, 2022).

This initiative is also expected to boost the uptick of Covid vaccination for adolescents, as well as provide more information to the public about the US-made Pfizer vaccine. “So, we have several groups that we’re targeting, we want to of course increase our COVID-19 vaccination rates during this period so we’ll be running some special campaigns to make sure that we can encourage more people to come out and get vaccinated,” Dr. Anthony said.

Also, Dr. Anthony said, “during that week we also want to get more people or school age persons to take the HPV vaccination so we’ll be doing a separate campaign encouraging people to take HPV vaccination…we’re

also going to focus our attention on the under-fives, so children who need other types of vaccines…we want to make sure they have received those vaccines.”

Minister Anthony said while the country’s positive cases continue to decrease, the pandemic is not over in Guyana. Currently there are 95 active cases with 14 persons hospitalised.

As of today, over 85 per cent of the adult population took the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while over 65 per cent is fully vaccinated. The health ministry continues to encourage and educate citizens about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines, however, there is still hesitancy among the population.

What an expert says about the new BA.2 Omicron variant

COVID-19 fight boosted with donation of US$4.6M in medical equipment

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apan, through a partnership initiative with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), has donated US $4.6 million in medical equipment to assist in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana.

The Ministry of Health received a part of the donation of the medical equipment, and the final portion was handed over on Tuesday (April 5, 2022).

The equipment would be distributed across 13 hospitals, and will benefit more than 10,000 people in the surrounding communities.

Over the last few months, a number of ambulances, ultrasound scanning systems, portable x-ray machines and oximeters were donated to the local fight against the deadly disease.

Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office Alejandro Rossi, said his organisation is honoured to

be part of an initiative that seeks to upgrade Guyana’s healthcare sector. “It is an honour for UNOPS, as a member of the United Nations system, to work alongside the Ministry of Health of Guyana and the Government of Japan towards an effective response to the pandemic, and the strengthening of national health systems,” Rossi highlighted.

Rossi noted that when the initiative was first launched, Guyana was ready and willing to take part, and was the first country to “provide a positive reaction.”

In his feature address to the small gathering in the Marriott Hotel’s conference room, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed gratitude on behalf of the government and the people of Guyana, for Japan’s commitment to developing the local health sector.

The minister explained that as a result of strong bilateral

partnerships and substantial contributions, Guyana has been able to significantly mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.

As of April 5, 2022, the minister said Guyana had contained the spread of the disease to the point where there are only 85 active cases, as opposed to the more than 1,000 active cases Guyana saw in the earlier part of the year. “So, while our healthcare workers put in their due and have worked in many instances beyond the call of duty, if we did not have the equipment, if we did not have the medicines, it would have been a challenge to be able to accomplish what we have accomplished today,” Dr Anthony noted.

The Minister assured stakeholders that the equipment will be put to good use, to ultimately improve the quality of life of all citizens.

(CNN) A subvariant of Omicron, BA.2, is leading to a new wave of COVID-19 infections across Europe. Cases in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries are going up, driven by this very contagious coronavirus strain.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that 35% of new coronavirus cases are due to this sub-variant. At the same time, restrictions are being lifted, and not a single US state requires mask mandates anymore (though masks are still required in some settings, including airports, public transportation, hospitals, nursing homes, and some schools and workplaces).

How worried should people be about the BA.2 variant? Will vaccines protect against it?

What if someone contracted a previous variant -- could they become reinfected? Is BA.2 milder than previous versions, and if so, should people try to get it?

Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, said, “With any new variant or subvariant, we need to ask three questions: Is it more contagious? Does it cause more severe disease? And does it evade the protection of our vaccines?”

BA.1 swept through communities because of how contagious it is. BA.2 appears to be even more contagious than BA.1. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that BA.2 is growing 80% faster than BA.1.

The good news is that BA.2 does not seem to cause more severe illness than BA.1. Researchers from the UK and Denmark have found BA.2

causes a level of hospitalization that's comparable to that of BA.1, which is less likely to result in severe illness than the previously dominant Delta variant.

In addition, the vaccines we have are still effective. While vaccination may not protect as well against infection with BA.1 and BA.2, the effectiveness in that regard is partially restored with a booster dose, and the vaccines continue to provide very good protection against severe illness due to both Omicron sub-variants.

Are there certain people who should be concerned about BA.2? Wen said, “Individuals who are very vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19 despite vaccination should be concerned about the coronavirus in general, as they are about other infectious pathogens. For most people, Covid-19 infection will result in mild illness, but in some people --those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised or with multiple underlying medical conditions -- the infection still could result in hospitalization.

BA.2 may not cause more severe disease than BA.1, but because of how contagious it is, people who are particularly vulnerable will want to keep taking additional precautions. That includes wearing a high-quality mask (N95, KN95 or KF94) in all indoor public settings, avoiding large crowds and traveling for essential reasons only.

Before getting together with other people, they may wish to request that the others are tested for Covid-19.”

If someone previously had Omicron, are they protected against BA.2? Wen said, “The World Health Organization has said that infection with BA.1 continues to provide protection

against BA.2. Reinfection with BA.2 after having BA.1 is rare.

Most people don't find out what variant they had, though this could be estimated based on when they got infected. If someone found out that they had Covid-19 during the initial Omicron surge, it's likely they had BA.1. In that case, especially if they are vaccinated too, they are very unlikely to contract BA.2. However, if someone was previously infected during another wave, for example, while Delta was predominant, they could still contract BA.1 or BA.2. This is another reason why vaccination is so crucial, because the combination of vaccination and prior infection provides more consistent and more durable protection than prior infection alone.”

Omicron is a milder variant than previous variants. In that case, should people try to contract BA.2 just to get it over with? Wen said, “In general, it is not a good strategy to try to contract an illness. Omicron is less likely to result in severe disease compared with Delta, but it still causes severe illness in some people. In addition, even mild illness may be very unpleasant and result in feeling unwell, missing work and being unable to care for family members for days. You could also infect other people, and there is the possibility of long-haul symptoms as well. A better strategy is to make sure to get the vaccine and booster so that if you were to encounter BA.2 (or another variant of Covid-19), you are as well protected as possible.”

BA.2 is related to BA.1, which is the original Omicron subvariant that led to the huge surge in cases across Europe and in other countries.

Threat at March 2020 Elections was not the composition of GECOM – Jagdeo C

alls for the removal of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice Claudette Singh, have been made by leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton.

At a recent PNCR event, Norton said, “What we are saying is that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission is not indepen-

dent. We have noted that she votes on every occasion with the PPP. We have noted that she with them to break the rules to make a Chief Election Officer who is not qualified for the job. And so she is partisan and our mantra must be: one, a clean voters list; and, two, Claudette Singh must go! She must go to ensure that we have elections that are free and fair. Her presence will

not facilitate that. It is our intention to ensure a united Guyana. We do not want elections to divide us again.”

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has since rubbished Norton’s criticism, at a news conference on March 25, 2022.

Notably, on October 2017, a meeting on the selection of a GECOM Chair-

person, between Jagdeo, the then Opposition leader, and former president David Granger only lasted five minutes. At that meeting the third list of nominees – totally 18 nominees – submitted

by Jagdeo was rejected by Granger. The President moved to appoint a controversial James Patterson at 20:30hours the same evening. Patterson’s appointment was later overturned

by the Caribbean Court of Justice and Granger, himself, appointed the current GECOM Chair on July 29, 2019.

Further, the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition had no objection to Singh’s work during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In fact, on June 6, 2020, Granger had said, “I applaud the diligence and persistence of the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh, who continues to perform her duties under the Constitution admirably. She demonstrated her respect for the rulings of the court and has facilitated CARICOM’s observation role in the recount process in order to assure every one of the credibility of the elections.”

COMPOSITION OF GECOM On the point about the composition of the Commission – three government-nominated Commissioners, three Opposition-nominated Commissioners, and a GECOM Chairperson appointed by the President from a list provided by the leader of the Opposition – Jagdeo noted that the composition of the Commission was not the problem during the March 2020 Elections debacle.

He said, “I saw Mr. Norton, in his notes that he released, spoke about the formula, the three-three-one formula and that it’s political. And this three-three-one formula there have been a lot of elements in civil society and the international community that said we should move away from it.

“It was put there after the discussion with the Carter group and Price, the Prime Minister of Belize, and we had that enshrine in our Constitution, and it has served us well for over a period. The international community and civil society has been urging we go more to a technical body like in the rest of the region…but the threat did not come from the political body, the three-three-one formula, it came from the technical staff of the Secretariat. That is where, in complicity with APNU, they sought the elections.

So, had we not had the three-three-one formula, then we would have had an illegal government in office with results declared that had no basis on how people

voted, and so we have to be very cautious about these matters.”

According to him, any change in the model at GECOM will be determined by the Guyanese people.

He said, “We need to have national discussions and consultations on these, and we will have the discussions, but in the final decision, because the people of the country will have a chance to weigh in, we will be very conscious of the 2020 period about what happened at the technical level. “…any amendments to that formula will have to be replaced with some solid safeguards that ensure that elections can’t be rigged by capricious action or illegal action on the part of the technical people.

“So, we still have an open mind but that is not going to happen in by sitting down with APNU and deciding on this. We did that once, that's why I use that example, once before and because of their untrustworthy nature they then turned around and challenge it, and we lost two years of our term.”

On August 12, 2021, former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers; and former Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo were all dismissed. Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo are currently before the courts facing charges related to misconduct in public office. Lowenfield is accused of breaching his functions when he neglected to provide proper and lawful directions, instructions and guidance to the officers and employees of the Secretariat in the performance of their statutory duties during the process of the adding up of the votes recorded in the SoPs for Electoral District Four. Myers is accused of aiding and abetting Lowenfield’s actions.

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