Weekend Mirror 22-23 January, 2022

Coalition’s ‘gross misconduct’ in National Assembly to be addressed on Monday – Teixeira SEE INSIDE AG’s office unable to verify over $2B in payments by Coalition Innovative 22-23 January, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 6 / Price: $100

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PAGE 16

Millions in meals, travel spent

by Coalition’s Communities Ministry not accounted for PAGE 17

Appeal Court decision stayed in election petition case pending CCJ decision

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Pressing development needs may require PAGE 6 transparent, early withdrawals from oil fund

solutions being looked at to support affected fishing industry PAGE 11 Increase in COVID cases being seen in multiple countries, MoH urges PAGE 23 vaccination

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Appeal Court decision stayed in election petition case pending CCJ decision T

he decision of the Court of Appeal, in relation to Election Petition 99, will be stayed, pending the decision on the matter by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

This was the decision

of the Appeal Court, in addition, to granting leave to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall to take the matter to the CCJ.

The matter was heard and determined on Tuesday (January 18, 2022). Arguments in the case for moving to Guyana’s apex court, the CCJ, was advanced by Senior Counsel Douglas

Mendes, who noted that Jagdeo and Nandlall were entitled to advance an appeal to the CCJ by virtue of Section 6 of the CCJ act. This was in response to arguments made

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Forde who charged that the matter cannot be advanced to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Mendes was successful in his arguments to the court, stressing also that the elections petition case is a matter of grave public importance.

Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, who appeared on behalf of Nandlall, concurred with the arguments made by Mendez.

Acting Chancellor, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, after hearing arguments, ruled in favour of Jagdeo and Nandlall.

The Appeal Court on December 21, 2022, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Elections Petition 99, which was dismissed by the High Court. While the matter was at the Appeal Court, Jagdeo’s lawyers argued that there can only be an appeal after a determination is made in manner and this was not done in the case of Election Petition 99.

Both of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s election petitions, Petition 88 and Petition 99, were taken to the Appeal Court. The two election petitions are challenging the results on different grounds.

PETITION 99 The appeal was filed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, challenging the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s dismissal of Petition 99 on June 14, 2021.

Petition No.99, which challenged the final election results, was nullified by the Acting Chief Justice on the grounds of non-compliance of service on the second named respondent, former President Mr. David Granger.

Petition 99, argued that fraud was committed in the March 2020 Elections and over 115,000 votes were affected, benefiting the PPP/C. So far, Petition 99 has been thrown out and the other will move forward.

Petition 99 of 2020 was filed on September 15, 2020,

by APNU+AFC Coalition agents Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse. Thomas and Nurse named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; David Granger – AP-

NU+AFC Coalition; Horatio Edmonson – Federal United Party; Bharrat Jagdeo – People’s Progressive Party/Civic; John Flores – Liberty and Justice Party; Asha Kissoon – The New Movement; Vishnu Bandhu – United Republican Party; Adebin Kindi Ali – Change Guyana; Patrick Bourne – People’s Republic Party, Jonathan Yearwood – A New and United Guyana; Shazam Ally – The Citizenship Initiative; and Gerald Perreira of Organisation for the Victory of the People as respondents. The Attorney General Chambers also joined the proceedings.

PETITION 88 Meanwhile, Petition 88 is still before the Appeal Court.

The Coalition, on June 3, 2020, filed an appeal in the case of Petition 88, arguing that the ruling judge erred in the decision that was handed down.

Petition 88 was dismissed in the High Court by Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. Delivering her almost two-hour long virtual ruling yesterday morning, she underscored the fact that the petitioners had presented not a single piece of evidence to substantiate purported irregularities they sought to advance.

Petition 88, argued that the Recount Order was illegal and unconstitutional and therefore the declaration of results based on the recount is illegal and unconstitutional.

The petitioners, Ms. Claudette Throne and Mr. Heston Bostwick were asking the Court to declare the election results null and void.

In further seeking to do so, the petitioners are challenging the national vote recount process, Section 22 of the Elections Laws Act and Order 60 of 2020, which governed the recount.

GECOM, on August 2, 2020, finalised results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections process.

Those results showed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won the Election with 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Coalition’s ‘gross misconduct’ in National Assembly to be addressed on Monday – Teixeira T

he next sitting of the National Assembly, scheduled for Monday, January 24, 2022, action is expected to be taken regarding disciplinary measures for the APNU+AFC Coalition Members of Parliament involved in the disruption of the December 29, 2021 sitting, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

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 one of its MPs, Annette Ferguson, 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.

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.

Teixeira in an interview said, “I think it was the worst form of behaviour I have ever seen in our Parliament and is considered gross misconduct and gross serious disorder. The Parliament has to decide whether it will

allow this to go unpunished and what they will do about it. “…we have a number of options open to us – we meaning the National Assembly. According to the Standing Orders, the Speaker can call on a Minister of Government to call for the suspension of members; the Speaker can also be willing that the matter goes to the Privileges Committee, which he Chairs; and the government, in its own right, can go the Speaker in the National Assembly and call for members to go to the Privileges Committee. On Monday, one of those will definitely be invoked.”

Asked on her views on the possible reaction of the APNUN+AFC Coalition, the veteran politician said, “I have no idea what their reaction will be. I hope that between December 29th and January 24th that good sense has prevailed and that the MPs on the Opposition side and the APNU+AFC, as a Coalition, recognise that there have to be boundaries, there have to be limits, and their behaviour was unacceptable.” She noted that to date, both the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, and Aubrey Norton, the leader of the People’s National

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Congress Reform (PNCR), the majority partner in the Coalition, have come out in support of the December 29, 2021 actions. “It will be interesting to see happens on Monday, because it will be addressed…we hope better sense prevails and that the Opposition members recognise that this behaviour cannot be allowed to continue,”

she said.

According to her, the Standing Orders allow for the issue of disciplinary matters, in cases of misconduct, can be raised at any time in the National Assembly. “Of course that does not preclude any action that the police may or may not take, in relation to what was damage to public property. The mace is

public property. The equipment in the control room is public property. The assault on a member of staff is also another issue that I believe that the police would have an interest in,” Teixeira said.

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

Motion filed for parliamentary nomination of oil fund board member

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motion asking the National Assembly to nominate one member for the Natural Resource Fund (NFR) Board of Directors has been filed by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The nomination is provided for in the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, which became law in December. The Board of Directors is a new governance

mechanism introduced for the Fund by the PPP/C Government. It adds a layer of separation between political leaders and the Fund, where previously there was none.

The board will consist of directors, appointed by the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Act contains provisions which confine the selection of directors to having wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, and prohibits the

appointment of a person who is a member of the National Assembly.

Parliament is expected to vote to refer the matter to the Committee of Appointments, in accordance with Parliamentary Standing Order 84(3)(b)(iii), for it to make a suitable recommendation to the Assembly on the candidate to be identified as the nominee.

The motion will be laid in parliament on Monday, January 24, 2022.

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EDITORIAL APNU+AFC Coalition repeatedly fails to honour their role as elected representatives

M

embers of Parliament are elected and sit in the National Assembly, with the sole aim of representing their constituents. And to act in a manner that undermines that aim is a disservice to the Guyanese people.

On Monday, January 24, 2022, the first sitting of the National Assembly is scheduled to be held – the first sitting since the debacle of the December 29, 2021 sitting where APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians engaged in acts that have the Guyanese people shocking scenes: • The Parliamentary Opposition’s Annette Ferguson, later joined by some of her other colleagues, attempted to seize the mace, a ceremonial symbol of the Parliament’s authority as the legislative branch of government; • Opposition Members of Parliament 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, as well as damage to public property; and • Coalition Parliamentarian, Maureen Philadelphia, was among others, who assaulted Parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, who, in recounting the incident, 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’.”

Reviews of the widely available footage from the December 29, 2021 sitting of the House, showed not only specifically Annette Ferguson and Maureen Philadelphia, but also the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Natasha Singh-Lewis and the embattled Sherod Duncan, who is currently facing cyberbullying charges before the courts, among others. Do these so called ‘leaders’ not recognise the obligation they have to their constituents? How did their actions further representation for their constituents?

The fact is that the behaviour of the APNU+AFC Coalition served no purpose – it was opposing for opposing sake.

Further, all Parliamentarians ought to be educated on what is acceptable, parliamentary practice and behaviour. Thomas Erskine May's guide to parliamentary practice – entitled 'A treatise on the law, privileges, proceedings and usage of Parliament' – which is commonly referred to as Erskine May is generally held to be the most authoritative reference book on parliamentary procedure. May’s publication, essentially 'The Bible of parliamentary procedure’, refers to “good temper and moderation are the characteristics of parliamentary” behaviour. None of the guidance in May’s guides were respected by the APNU+AFC Coalition Members of Parliament.

Not only did the Coalition’s Members of Parliament engage in gross misconduct in the National Assembly, but they failed, yet again, to honour their role as elected representatives – they failed to contribute meaningfully to a process that would advance actions in the interest of their constituents.

In addition to representing constituents, the National Assembly functions to address lawmaking and oversight of the Executive branch of government. The National Assembly also has a role in educating the public. Have any of these functions been actioned by the Parliamentarians of the APNU+AFC Coalition?

That said, the question to be asked now, is if the recognised functions of the National Assembly are not the focus of the Parliamentary Opposition, whose interests are being served by the actions of the APNU+AFC Coalition?

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

The future's looking good for Guyana Dear Editor,

T

he World Bank, in its latest Global Economic Prospects, projected that Guyana’s economy would grow by some 49.7 percent in 2022. This is staggering and is worth a big shout from all of us here. According to the Finance Head, Dr. Ashni Singh, this anticipated economic growth comes as no surprise given the Government’s work to boost investor confidence. To really grasp the enormity of Guyana’s projected financial well-being, I need to contextualize a few things.

First, the International Monetary Fund, the IMF, suggested that the global economy shrank by 4.4% in 2020. The organisation described the decline as the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The only major economy to grow in 2020 was China. It registered a growth of 2.3%. It adds that “We see the world economy growing by 5.7% through the end of 2021. We expect growth to slow to 4.6% in 2022.”

Secondly, the World Bank has cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2022, saying that COVID-19 flare-ups,

supply chain shortages, and waning government support have resulted in a “pronounced slowdown” of the recovery from the pandemic. So, no one can doubt how well Guyana is beginning to fare.

According to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, this kind of optimism, based on real figures, is a result of the work that the Government has put into creating an investor friendly environment. He detailed that “We are pleased to see the positive revision in the World Bank’s outlook for Guyana. This is good news, but we are not surprised.

This is in fact to be expected given our government’s strong policy stance as it relates to economic growth, to investment, to job creation and income generation for the benefit of all Guyanese.”

Let us be reminded that when the Administration belatedly took office in August 2020, a lot of work was necessary, as the country was in dire straits, but as Dr. Singh pointed out, financial jurisprudence prevailed resulting in several immediate interventions “… aimed at stimulating economic activity, including injecting liquidity in the econ-

omy through the Covid-19 cash grant, reduction of taxes, and increased public expenditure in critical infrastructure projects were undertaken.” All these have paid great dividends. So, for the Minister, there is no big surprise in Guyana’s high rating, as “What we are seeing now is the result of measures and interventions such as these.”

One more thing and that is, right in the height of the Covid 19 pandemic, unprecedented floods hit Guyana, to the point that “… we are still grappling with the tail end of the effects of the severe and devastating floods that we had in 2021…” the Minister aptly pointed out.

I expect now that with what has so far unfolded since August 2020, Guyanese can be very up-beat. Why? The Government promises to remain resolutely committed to ensuring that the economy achieves strong growth and very importantly, strong growth that is translated into business opportunities and job creation and income for Guyanese people.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

We must together reject the brazenness of anyone who want to deny us local content Dear Editor,

O

ur condemnation must be swift and unequivocal.

A few months ago, I had occasion to reject the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago’s “dissing” Guyana’s vaccination program. With respect, I had to let the PM of Trinidad and Tobago know he was totally out of line.

I love Trinidad and Tobago. I have many friends in Trinidad and Tobago.

But I could not allow anyone, not even the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago “dissing” Guyana’s vaccination program. I did not realize then that I would so soon have to again rebuke someone from Trinidad and Tobago for “dissing” our country.

The President and CEO of Massy, using a forum provided by CPSO, intimated a threat to challenge Guyana’s Local Content policy at the CCJ on the basis that it violates the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. This brazen threat out of place, provocative and vexatious. Mr. Gervase Warner needs to apologize. I am relieved that Suresh

Beharry, from one of Guyana’s longtime private enterprise family, dissociated himself from that CARICOM Private Sector Organization internal email.

The CPSO, a private sector organization in Trinidad and Tobago linked to CARICOM, with companies such as Massy, provided a forum for Mr. Warner to brazenly questioned the Local Content Policy of Guyana, a policy that is now law in our country. We must not equivocate, we must together in absolute solidarity reject the threat from Trinidad and Tobago to challenge Guyana’s Local Content law at the CCJ. We must let them know that we will do everything in our power to preserve Guyana’s Local Content law. Guyana’s private sector has immediately been out front rejecting the position articulated by Mr. Warner of Massy, a company that has enjoyed the hospitality and generosity of Guyana for decades.

Since CPSO has CARICOM’s imprimatur, I would hope that CARICOM is not timid in dissociating

itself from the statement. Every citizen, every organization and every government in CARICOM has a right to approach the CCJ. This is not CARICOM’s fault. But CARICOM’s silence could also give the impression that CARICOM is challenging Guyana’s local content law. Silence is not an option for CARICOM on this matter. For CPSO itself, they must let us know if Mr. Warner spoke on behalf of himself, Massy and or CPSO. Clearly, one member, Suresh Beharry, has explicitly stated the companies he represent are fully supportive of Guyana’s local content law.

Guyana’s government has stood strong in claiming local content and in defining local content to ensure that Guyanese citizens and Guyanese businesses enjoy our fair share of Guyana’s wealth.

The Media houses in Guyana must take a lead – every newspaper should carry a Page One condemnation of the Massy CEO and of CPSO. Every political party must stand up for Guyana, no “ifs and buts”. As a country we (Turn to page 5)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Why are the outspoken ‘civil society activists’ silent on this threat to Guyanese interests by foreigners?

Dear Editor,

A

s Guyanese rail against the attempt by foreign interests to deprive them of the benefits of the oil and gas sector afforded through the recently enacted Local Content Act 2021, one cannot help but notice the silence and/or lack of support from certain recently vociferous quarters.

The conglomerate of “civil society” oil and gas ‘experts’ and activists who supposedly in defense of Guyanese interests, recently inundated the public space with all manner

of releases and outpourings on all things related to this sector, are completely silent on this issue.

We have not heard a mutter from Janette Bulkan, Melinda Janki, Glen Lall, Ramon Gaskin, Article 13, Oil and Gas Governance Network, and the others on this issue which represents the most serious threat to Guyanese interests of recent.

Why are they silent?

Respectfully yours, Brian Azore

APNU+AFC Coalition’s NRF Act had no place in Guyana’s governance Dear Editor,

I

am aghast that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are so adamantly opposed and antagonistic towards the new Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Bill that was recently passed and later singed into law by President Irfaan Ali. I find it most galling on two grounds: first, the APNU/AFC’s original Bill was wholly illegal; and second, its content was woefully lacking in fundamentals suited to such an all-important Bill.

As regards the illegality of the old APNU/ AFC’s NRF Act, we must remember how and when it was delivered. As can be corroborated by memory, or actual recorded history, the initial NRF Act was passed in the National Assembly in 2019, but let us remember that by that time, the then APNU+AFC Administration was already toppled by the historical No-Confidence Motion that was tabled by the then Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic Opposition in December, 2018. This successful motion legally rendered the APNU+AFC Government a ‘care-taking’ one, and held them responsible for calling fresh elections within a three-month time frame. In terms of necessary functions, APNU+AFC were not supposed to do anything save operate on a mere perfunctory basis, and conduct basic duties. In fact, the passage of the NCM meant that they were supposed to prioritise elections

by March 2019. As we know, they did not, and continued to function in unconstitutional ways.

In his presentation of the new NRF, Dr. Ashni Singh succinctly reminded all that “Given that that sitting took place after the passage of the (said) No-Confidence Motion, that (APNU/AFC) Bill suffered the fatal defect of what I would describe as constitutional

illegitimacy by the fact that it was considered by a National Assembly that should have been dissolved by that time.” In this regard alone, APNU+AFC has been silenced.

The other factor is that the unconstitutional APNU+AFC’s NRF Act was riddled with a plethora of deficiencies, infused to facilitate the suspicious ‘whims and fancies’ of their members, namely, the excessive powers invested in the Finance Minister; absence of a governing body for the fund; and a complicated formula, governing transfers from the fund and the provisions which allow withdrawals from the fund without parliamentary approval. In direct opposition to and destruction of these features, the PPP/C’s Bill exudes transparency and offers great confidence to the nation regarding its monetary management.

For example, the new Bill has greatly reduced the powers of the Minister of Finance.

Plus, it has added an all-important Board of Directors, making it impossible for a one-man domination. The Bill is also characterised by a ‘compulsory parliamentary approval’ before any spending, with a provision that every receipt be published in the Official Gazette and be reported to the National Assembly.

As for the much talked-about Santiago Principles, APNU+AFC did not adhere in full, leaving out the ‘governing body’ as stipulated by the said Santiago Principles, established back in 2008 to deal with Sovereign Wealth Funds.

Overall, one is left to wonder what is really wrong with the APNU+AFC. They seem intent on ‘opposing just for the sake of opposing.’ They also seem hell-bent on using tactics that are unconventional, unruly and unconstitutional.

Yours truly, Thomas Cole

We must together reject...

(From page 4)

must stand together on certain things. There is absolutely no room for us to stand apart on this issue. Every one of the commentators who have been talking about ‘our oil resources” cannot now excuse in any way the Trinidadians. As stated before, kudos to Guyana’s private sector, they immediately responded.

I saw at least one of the regular commentators, Mr. Chris Ram, out front rejecting the Massy CEO’s position. But there are other commentators who are daily out front questioning whether we are getting enough from the oil resources, but forty-eight hours after the blast from Trinidad, they are silent, still very silent. Guyana’s Opposition political parties stand indicted by their silence. Certain NGOs, who insist they have a right to speak out, even if their organizations are made up of a handful of people cannot pick and choose when they are vocal and when they are quiet when it comes to defending Guyana’s right to our patrimony.

Trinidad and Tobago have been the CARICOM country that has victimized our country the most over the years. When it comes to utilizing non-tariff barriers to stop our private sector from entering domestic markets, no country in CARICOM has been more brutal than Trinidad and Tobago. I recall, as Minister of Agriculture, while doing outreaches in Essequibo, I received a call from GRDB asking me if I could assist.

A shipment of rice to Trinidad was held up at the wharf in Port of Spain because of a methyl bromide fumigation requirement that all countries in CARICOM had agreed to phase out as an obligation under the Stockholm Convention. Guyana and Trinidad had already implemented the discontinuation of methyl bromide fumigation at the time. It was a clear case of non-tariff barrier. I called the Minister in Trinidad who said he will intervene. A senior agriculture officer then said we could take back the ship into the sea and fumigate with methyl bromide. It was a ridiculous requirement.

At the CARICOM level, a task force was established to address the issue of non-tariff barriers that CARICOM countries were utilizing to stop products from Guyana entering their markets. The Minister

Sincerely, L. Ramsammy

from Trinidad and Tobago was the Chair.

The committee barely met. As Minister of Agriculture, I tried to push that task force.

We met two times in Trinidad. After 2015, I never heard anything about the task force.

It is either in hibernation or disbanded.

But the litany of complaints about our products entering the domestic market in Trinidad and Tobago simply continues to grow. Pepper, pine apple, other agriculture products, such as meat and honey, had the most absurd non-tariff requirement imposed that essentially meant our products were banned. Simultaneously, the private sector had total freedom to participate in the Guyanese market space. There was no restriction on Trinidad and Tobago’s products entering Guyana. The entry of soft drinks from Trinidad almost paralyzed Guyana’s own beverage industry. Trinidad’s contractors and professionals had and still have freedom to operate in Guyana.

I know the threat to challenge our local content law is not coming from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at this time.

I know this threatened challenge is from one part of the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago. But we must nip this threat in the bud. We must let people know that Guyana will continue to be hospitable to our Caribbean sisters and brothers. But this generosity must not be mistaken for stupidity and for weakness.

Guyana, as it always has done, will continue to be an important player in CARICOM. It was wrong for some countries to look down on us when we were down. Our experiences, even as passengers in-transit, were dehumanizing sometimes, often, in fact, in those desperate years.

Now that we have the potential of being the lead economy in CARICOM, now that our fortunes have improved, we will not look down on our CARICOM sisters and brothers. It is not who we are.

Our advice to those who want to challenge our local content law is that our welcome is still as generous as before. Find your niche in Guyana and prosper, but not at our expense.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 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 ’

Pressing development needs may require transparent, early withdrawals from oil fund T

he Natural Resource Fund Act 2021 has paved the way for government to make withdrawals from the Fund, through a transparent mechanism guided by parliamentary scrutiny, to finance the pressing development needs of the country.

These needs are numerous. The government is tasked with: • Responding to COVID-19 which has already claimed over 1,000 lives locally and strains the public healthcare system; • Handling setbacks in the education sector from the implications of the pandemic guidelines on the provision of vital education services; • Upgrading and expanding transport infrastructure, in response to dilapidation and modernisation pressures; • Building climate resilience to prevent disasters like the

May/June 2021 flooding event which had devastating impacts on communities; • Promoting the development of industries through which Guyanese may build generational wealth; and • Reducing the cost of living.

Investments into improvement of services, and initiatives which could make the lives of Guyana’s people easier, are needed now more than ever. The Ministry of Finance has held that those investments should be made using Guyana’s own resources, instead of taking on costly debts.

While addressing the National Assembly on the night the Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021 was passed, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had said, “This Bill is going to facilitate an accel-

erated development agenda.

It will facilitate investment in critical infrastructure. It will facilitate investment in critical social services. It will improve people’s lives.”

The Natural Resource Fund’s withdrawal rule allows for annual withdrawals from the Fund to be limited to deposits made in the preceding fiscal year. However, it makes an exception for the first fiscal year, allowing government to withdraw the total balance of just over US$600 million at once.

“The immediate need for sound and transformative investments in order to advantageously position our economy to ensure that the benefits from the oil and gas sector redounds towards the wider economy and all Guyanese,” the Finance Ministry had said in a December statement, justifying this rule.

The Finance Minister said that the rule strikes an appro-

priate balance between the imperative of saving into the longer term, and in the shorter term, being able to address the development imperatives of the country.

To give effect to this development agenda, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is preparing to appoint a Board of Directors to be responsible for the overall management of the Fund.

A mechanism of this nature was absent from the now repealed APNU+AFC Act, and had left room for the subject Minister to usurp those management functions.

The composition of the nine-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, which is also to be appointed, emphasises practicality. Down from 22 members in the Act’s previous iteration, this new Oversight Committee will allow for effective non-governmental oversight of the

Fund. However, provisions drafted with transparency and accountability in mind, are not confined only to this committee.

“Every single dollar requires ex ante approval by the National Assembly in appropriation,” Dr. Singh explained on the night the Bill was passed. He added, “Every single dollar to be spent will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the budgetary process ex ante, and in the exposed auditing process, and scrutiny by the public accounts committee and those established constitutional and parliamentary structures that are in place.”

The parliamentary process will allow for total scrutiny of the government’s development agenda, with livestreams reaching every household in Guyana with a television, smartphone, computer system or applicable radio channel.

It is notable that the new withdrawal rule sets out calculations which can be easily demonstrated to the public, whereas the old rule was so complex that it was criticised by the Inter-American Development Bank for conspiring against public understanding.

The Act also mandates the publication of annual, quarterly and monthly reports, and receipts of all petroleum revenues. Stiff penalties for failure to uphold the Act’s reporting principles seek to prevent a recurrence of any event resembling the time the APNU+AFC Government hid the US$18 million signing bonus from the general public for over a year.

The Natural Resource Fund Act 2021 promotes transparent management of Guyana’s natural resource wealth, to ensure that withdrawals from the Fund are above board.

Agri Minister addresses issues faced by Region Six farmers F armers on the East Bank of Berbice, over the weekend, were engaged by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

During the outreach, farmers from Maratraite and surrounding communities gathered at the community’s

centre ground to express their grievances. These include the need for new dams and more infrastructural development.

Minister Mustapha assured residents that the commitments made by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed

Irfaan Ali, for infrastructural upgrades are underway. He said, “When we make promises and commitments, we are taking it very seriously and ensure that we follow up on those. Sometimes it might not happen as you want it, or as fast as possible, be-

cause there are a number of requests around the country and we are looking to divert resources evenly across the country.”

At Plegt Anker, the agriculture minister met with farmers and residents and pledged government’s assistance towards improved drainage and irrigation. He said, “We will do a number of canals and we have started it. We have started a pro-

gramme in this area where we have awarded contracts to private contractors and our engineers have been checking with them. And I have asked them to also involve the residents of the area so at the end of it everyone will be satisfied and it will benefit the entire community.”

Meanwhile, farmers of Highbury lauded the ministry’s efforts to improve agricultural development and

to sustain livelihoods.

While Guyana is earning significant income from its oil resources, government has maintained that agriculture must continue to hold its own. To ensure that this status quo is maintained, the agriculture ministry is implementing a series of initiatives in the various agriculture pillars to provide the necessary resources to drive the sector forward.

Contract for New Demerara River Bridge to be signed soon ‒ repairs to old bridge being undertaken

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contract for the construction of a New Demerara River Bridge will be signed soon, according to Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The announcement follows the ‘no objection’ by Cabinet back in November, for China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. to construct the bridge at a cost of some $51.2 billion.

“At this stage, a specially appointed team is concluding the negotiations and all the administrative details to prepare for the signing of the

contract for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. Between the week before Christmas and today, six such meetings were held and the sun is getting ready to shine brightly because we should have a final contract agreed on in the very shortest possible time,” Minister Edghill said.

The new bridge forms part of government’s drive to expand and modernise Guyana’s transport infrastructure. The new bridge will replace the aged Demerara Harbour Bridge with a modern four-lane structure that will facilitate greater

traffic capacity and dramatically improve commuter convenience.

Minister Edghill said government is investing heavily in keeping afloat the old Demerara Harbour Bridge, which was neglected by the APNU/AFC Administration. He described it as a disaster waiting to happen, that would have displaced thousands of Guyanese who use the bridge daily. “Budget 2021 catered for the rebuilding of a new span nine and for repairs to spans nine and ten as a temporary model…while we are building the new high- span, four lane Demerara Harbour (Turn to page 9)

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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 ’ Over 3,000 persons benefitted Bartica, Leguan stellings to from BIT administered skills be completed soon training in 2021 R T he Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT), in 2021 trained 3,086 persons in various skilled areas, in keeping with the technical and workforce needs of the country.

Of that number, 120 persons were trained and certified in Region One; 250 in Region Two; 328 in Region Three; 1,434 in Region Four; 145 in Region Five; 454 in Region Six; 80 in Region Seven; 85 in Region Eight; and 190 in Region 10.

Training programmes for Region Nine are still ongoing and are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022, after which 40 trainees will be certified.

Training was delivered in over 100 skilled areas through the agency’s National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) programme. Some

$265.3 M was expended on the programme.

Additionally, training programmes targeted other groups, including convicted persons, retirees, persons with disabilities and Community Support Officers (CSO) in Amerindian communities.

During 2021, BIT commenced the establishment of regional offices to support effective development through vocational education and training that is regionally driven.

This resulted in the agency receiving a plot of land from the Mahdia Mayor and Town Council, Region Eight, to establish an office and training complex, while a building was provided for the establishment of a labour and BIT office in Springlands Corentyne, Region Six. A Memorandum of

Agreement was also signed between BIT and the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council to utilise the library situated at Kwakwani Park, as a temporary office for BIT. The training agency also saw a 67 per cent increase in Technical Officers to facilitate the implementation of training programmes in Regions One, Two, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten. As part of a wider strategy to provide the skilled labour necessary to drive Guyana’s economy, the Ministry of labour, through BIT undertook a comprehensive review of the TVET sub-sector.

BIT provides apprenticeship training in keeping with its mandate as enshrined in the Industrial Training Act. Last year, the government allocated $439.8 million to BIT for training.

esidents of Bartica are being assured that the stelling in the township will soon be completed. The assurance was given by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill.

He explained that some policy decisions will have to be made on the way forward with regard the stelling. The contract was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd to the tune of $240.3 million in 2016, under the APNU/AFC Administration. He said since then, there have been problems with the contractor and the implementation of the project. “We had engaged

the contractor at the highest level and he had committed to getting the work done.

So, when I say there is a policy direction, we have to come to a position of saying whether we continue to wait on the contractor or we terminate and put a new contractor in place. I would like to assure the people of Bartica, in 2022 , movement on the Bartica Stelling will be done. It is something that is part of our budget 2022 proposal and we expect in 2022, 2023 the entire Bartica stelling should be completed. Whether it is done by the old contractor or we go to a new contractor, but we

are moving towards getting it completed,” Minister Edghill declared.

Meanwhile, the update from the Ministry is that the Leguan Stelling is about 55 per cent completed. The rehabilitation of the stelling is being undertaken by S. Maraj Contracting Services to the tune of $413 million which was signed back in September, 2018.

Minister Edghill in September 2021 visited both projects and had then expressed his disappointment with the pace of construction.

Both structures were expected to be completed at the end of 2021.

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Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE Barabina Village receives electronic devices from Agri Ministry T

he Ministry of Agriculture has donated 60 electronic tablets and 25 laptops to the village of Barabina, located in Mabaruma, Region One. The donation was made possible through the Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (HESADP) in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the donation was significant, as it will help children of the community to be up-to-date with online classes, and also foster communication channels in the hinterland community. “This will help our young people to learn their online classes. We know for a fact that we are in a pandemic, and there are many classes and other communication are being held

virtually, and this will help the community of Barabina in Region One to enhance their online programme, enhance their communication system with other parts of the country,” the minister stated.

Mustapha also highlighted the importance of such programmes and urged other agencies to follow suit. “These programmes are helping villages and residents to transform their

life and we will continue as a government to encourage donor agencies and funding agencies to help us to partner, to implement programmes like these. These are programmes that will help our young people,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairwoman of the Community Developmental Council (CDC), Roxanne Skeete, lauded the government for its timely

intervention and noted that it will benefit especially the students of the community.

“These asset devices will assist school aged children who have a major disadvantage in not having technology devices to attend online school and complete assignments and SBAs…So once again, on behalf of my community and council, I want to say a big thank you to the government of the

day and all who worked tirelessly in the Ministry of Agriculture,” she said.

Minister Mustapha said his ministry will continue making such donations to other communities across the country.

Already, there are a number of programmes currently being undertaken in various hinterland communities, aimed at enhancing the skills of young people.

Mobile vaccination teams to serve only hinterland regions – Health Minister

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he Ministry of Health will be facilitating mobile vaccination teams only in the hinterland areas to serve Amerindian communities and other remote locations, while, fixed COVID-19 vaccination sites will remain operational across the country, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The health ministry took an aggressive approach during the pandemic surge last year, to utilise both fixed and mobile vaccination sites to ensure persons were immunised against the deadly disease. “We’ve taken the decision where we are going to have fixed sites in all the regions so people know these

sites are there, they can come anytime and get their vaccines there and, in addition to that, for some of the most geographically challenging regions, we’ll continue to have mobile teams,” he said.

Minister Anthony is encouraging persons to visit any vaccination site and get inoculated with two doses of

a COVID-19 vaccine along with a booster at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, he said the ministry continues to see an increase in the administration of booster shots. “On the coast here, we think it’s important that we put fixed sites and publicise where those sites are so that people

can come to them…we have seen a lot of people coming out to get their vaccines, like yesterday for example we had 3, 225 persons who came for vaccines…and of those we had 1, 521 who came for boosters, so people are coming out to get their vaccines and we want to encourage that,” he said.

To date, over 80 per cent of Guyana’s adult population took the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, over 59 per cent are fully immunised.

In terms of children between the ages of 12 to 17, over 42 per cent received the first dose, while over 30 per cent took both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

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 ’ Works on feasibility study, 15 waterfronts, shore bases granted design of Guyana/Suriname approval for development in 2021 he Sea and River De- are being monitored by the Berbice Deep Water Port, bridge underway

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he Government of Guyana has received several bids from companies seeking to conduct the feasibility study and preliminary design for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge. The highly-anticipated structure will connect Guyana and its neighbor to the east, Suriname.

During last week’s bid opening at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), four firms submitted six tenders to secure the project. Companies include Exp Services Incorporated and Pedelta Acr and Cemco ($4,853,500); TYPSA Lhardt, Andra in partnership with Crumb H and Firm ($122,858); TYPSA Lhardt, Andra in partnership with Crumb H and Firm ($3,292,865); EGIS ($2,377,454; WSP Caribbean Limited ($540,864); WSP Caribbean Limited ($1,865,050).

The bridge will be con-

structed using a Design Build Finance Model through a private partnership arrangement with incentives given by both governments to the preferred bidder.

The bridge is expected to be 1.17 kilometres from Guyana to the abutment on long Island, 2.15 kilometres road through Long Island and a 2.5 kilometres bridge from long Island to South Drain in Suriname.

The two countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the bridge, during a joint press conference.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had noted at that time said the bridge would link not only Guyana and Suriname, but the rest of South America. He had said, “We recognise the enormous benefits that this can bring in the area of tourism, transportation and trade.

To this end, we have expanded our discussions where we can jointly promote business

opportunities and tourism opportunities for both countries.

It is therefore expected that the proposed road alignment will create within its vicinity the possibilities for free trade zone, enhanced land value, reduce the cost of doing business and increase the ease of doing business.”

Suriname’s President, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi had stated that the bridge would mark a new era for both countries in several areas. “This bridge on the Corentyne River is not only important to facilitate the movement of persons and goods, trade and cross border cooperation, it also symbolises a transition from the old to a new era; the era of wellbeing and prosperity of our people and freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” the Surinamese President said.

Guyana and Suriname have shared diplomatic relations since November 25, 1975.

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fence Board in 2021 granted approval for the development of 15 major waterfronts and shore base projects to service several sectors including oil and gas.

According to the Board, a number of the applications spoke to the development of wharf structures, providing services not necessarily for the oil and gas industry, but shipping services generally.

The implementation of those projects, he said,

board and other agencies such as the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

Some of the companies to receive the greenlight so far include NRG Holdings Inc. and CGX Energy Inc. The others will be disclosed at a later date.

Further, in December 2021, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali commissioned a bridge that links the ongoing construction of the

at the mouth of the Berbice River by CGX Energy Inc. The facility is being built on 30 acres of land on the eastern bank of the Berbice River, adjacent to Crab Island.

NRG Holdings Inc. back in September, 2021, was granted environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to construct ‘Port of Vreed-enHoop’ facility” at Foreshore, Plantation Best on the West Bank of Demerara.

Contract for New Demerara...

Bridge which we expect to be completed in two years, between that two-year period, we need to keep this current bridge operable,” the Minister explained. Notably, the $1.2 billion project is expected to be completed soon.

According to Edghill highlighted that the old bridge will not be pushed

in a corner and left to rot upon completion of the new bridge. “Sections of the bridge can be used. It can be used in the Kwakwani crossing, it can be used in several parts of the hinterland, maybe some of it can be used at Kurupukari but we are looking at more permanent infrastructure for the

(From page 6)

Linden-Lethem Road… “I can tell you it would not be old iron pushed in a corner.

It would be properly used for the development of Guyana,” he said.

The new bridge is one of the several major infrastructural projects on the PPP/C administration’s developmental agenda.

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Work continues to ensure that energy costs are reduced T he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is in search of a consultant to conduct a mid-term valuation of the Energy Matric Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy (EMISDE).

The programme is designed to support Guyana’s evolving energy sector by investing in sustainable, cleaner energy solutions to diversify the energy matrix in the hinterland, while contributing to climate change mitigation; investing in the reinforcement of transmission infrastructure to improve reliability and stability of the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), and strengthening the Department of Energy (DoE) to develop a regulatory framework and improve institutional capacity and governance of the Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

The objective of the consultancy is to conduct a midterm evaluation of EMISDE programme. The evaluation will assess the extent to which the programme has achieved its main objective and expected outcomes at the time of the mid-term review.

Additionally, the midterm evaluation will propose recommendations to enhance the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact with a view to ongoing and future activities until the end of the project’s implementation The mid-term evaluation requires the services of an individual consultant in accordance with the terms of reference previously approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – the financial institution funding the project.

As one of three components under the EMISDE programme, the Renewable Energy Solutions for the hinterland is aimed at addressing the energy diversification policy goals of the Government of Guyana.

This component will finance

the investment of solar technology in three townships and the Island of Leguan, by means of the installation of solar PV-tied mini-grid systems in Bartica (1.5 MW), Lethem (1.0 MW), Mahdia (0.65 MW) and Leguan (0.6 MW) totalling 3.75 MW, and the implementation of a storage capacity to manage intermittence of these sources.

Overall, the component will provide a reliable electricity source to the expanding needs of power supply in these communities now relying on fossil fuel. The installation works are ongoing at Bartica and Lethem solar PV sites where more than 50 per cent has been completed.

Further, the investments will incorporate a pilot smart metering initiative that will provide a technological advancement in the operation of the distribution grid. Additionally, the component incorporates a gender focus intervention with the development of productive uses of electricity.

Importantly, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is confident that by 2024 an additional 500 megawatts (MW) of energy will be added to the electricity grid. “[The] energy sector is critical; recognising the importance of energy sufficiency, reliability, affordability and sustainability, your government has commenced investment in the energy sector, aiming for a new generation capacity of at least 500 MW in the immediate term, with the option to expand this further in the longer term,” the President said on his Administration’s one-year anniversary, last year.

The energy mix will include the gas-to-energy project (250 MW); the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (165MW) and a solar energy generation (30MW). Many of the projects are already in advanced stages.

Notably, the final outcome would see energy cost slashed by at least 50 per cent before the end of 2024.

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POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Cameras, police presence to tackle illegal dumping T

he multi-stakeholder clean-up campaign of Georgetown will help to create a more family-oriented city, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The President said that one of the aims of the massive clean-up campaign is to create a city where families “can find a safe zone in which we can build not only the relationship within families but relationships within communities”.

He noted that his vision of a ‘One Guyana’ and building the spirit of community within citizens was showcased during the Christmas season when thousands of Guyanese assembled every day to visit the Christmas Village on Main Street.

The President made the

statements, over the weekend, around the vicinity of the 1963 Monument after helping a team comprising of the Joint Services, Cabinet members, including Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, and volunteers from the private sector and civil society, clean up the surrounding area.

To help ensure that the City stays clean, he said that cameras and police will be placed at sites where persons regularly dump garbage.

He called litterbugs uncaring and selfish for their disregard for rules and regulations and the environment.

URBAN RENEWAL The Head of State noted that in addition to the clean-

up campaign, the Government is currently working on an urban renewal plan to transform the city. He explained that while Georgetown is not a big city, one of its beauties is that it is a “walking city”—whereby citizens can easily walk around and get their business done. However, he said, persons must be able to do this in a safe, clean and conducive environment.

To achieve this transformation early, the President said that the Government has set a very ambitious timeline for finishing a section of the walkway on Lamaha Street.

The walkway that the President has coined the “Guyana Walk” will run from Camp Street, along

Lamaha Street, beyond Vlissengen Road.

He said the embankment area along Lamaha Street from Main Street to Camp Road will be restored, beautified and developed. There will be seating areas, local food on sale, and provisions for local artists to exhibit and sell their works.

Additionally, the President said, there are a number of other areas that have been identified around the City where beautification projects have commenced.

These include Drury Lane, the Seawall and the median along Carifesta Avenue and the East Coast Highway.

BUILDING A NEW CULTURE President Ali added that

in order to maintain the new look of the City, Guyanese will have to be more progressive in their approach to each other and the environment. He said, “The environment is a demonstration as to how we value each other because if you can bring garbage and throw it in front of a school, in front of a church, in front of a named street, like Hadfield Street, a national monument, then it demonstrates who really you are and this is what we have to change, and we can only do this together.”

The two-day project saw the clean-up of approximately 25 sites around the city. This, the President said, is not going to be a one-off exercise and is just

the “tip of the iceberg”.

He pointed out that there is dignity in labour and noted that once every month, there can be a collaborative effort between the Government, local bodies, the citizens and other stakeholders to clean respective areas. “When we talk about countries that we admire, and the way in which they do things, these are examples as to how they built a new culture, how they incorporate what seems to be the softer side of things into the culture of the country. So maybe cleaning up is a soft exercise, but it is an exercise with critical impact on the way we live and who we are as a society,” he stressed.

Innovative solutions being looked at to support Wartsila to be held affected fishing industry accountable for emergency shutdown P of power plant P resident, Dr. Irfaan Ali has made it clear that Wartsila Corporation will be held accountable for the emergency shut down of the 46.5 MV power plant on Friday (January 14, 2022).

The President explained that the Attorney General, along with the Guyana Power and Light, will be looking into the Operate and Maintain contract signed with the company. The Attorney General will be looking to see if the company is supposed to have a certain amount of human resource on the ground.

This comes on the heels of Wartsila Corporation stating that they have to bring in an engineer to look at the power plant. “We are going to hold Wartsila accountable.

Whether you are an international contractor or you are a regional contractor or local contractor, I have made it very clear. You will be held accountable for the work you do in this country. So, they have to fix it and they have to get it up and running,” Dr. Ali said.

President Ali also noted that once there are penalties

included in the contract, they will be applied. He said, “I have asked him (AG) to examine this contract and to see whether there are penalties when you have shut down like these. Because if you have an O and M contract, there must be performance indicators… All of that has to be examined in the context of the contract and once there are penalties, the penalties have to be applied.”

The emergency shutdown of the $10.8 billion power plant was to avoid a massive explosion. Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Friday evening said the project which began under the previous administration had poor management.

The Prime Minister said government since taking office has been dealing with a lot of corrective work as they tried to implement the project.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on the ground for the emergency shut down of the power plant With the shutdown of the power plant, several areas have experienced load-shedding.

resident Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali said his government is moving ahead with the roll out of a number of innovative solutions, to ensure the livelihood of fisherfolk is maintained.

Guyana’s fisheries industry is not the only one battling with a decline in fish catches. There have been several researches completed, which declared the issue a global concern.

To this end, the Head of State said the PPP/C Administration will not sit idly by and allow the industry to fall. He said, “We are not sitting back. We have a responsibility to find solutions and that is what we are doing. We are working every single day on finding innovative solutions,” heemphasised.

President Ali said a ma-

rine cage project will soon be established, which will guarantee fisherfolk close to $8 million annually. He said Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P, will host consultations with fishermen and women about the new plan. Ali said, “…and when you examine the numbers, each one of those marine cages can bring in a net value of close to $8 million annually. And you could pay back for the investments within six months,” Dr. Ali explained.

He said communities within the hinterland district will also benefit from the major intervention. “…then in hinterland community we are looking at [installing] marine cages in the rivers where the water is flowing so that we can grow tilapia there in a more natural envi-

ronment,” Ali said.

The initiative, President Ali noted, will assist with the reduction of operation costs. He said profits gained will meaningfully enhance the livelihood of residents throughout the district.

A marine cage is a system set up in lakes, reservoirs or ponds to confine fishes. It allows water to pass freely between the fish and surrounding water resource, thus maintaining good water quality and removing wastes.

Further, Dr. Ali said pre-feasibility studies were also conducted for the growing of prawns and tilapias.

About 100 acres of land were already identified for prawn production that will give the nation enough capacity to take care of the demands.

Additionally, over 70 fishing ponds will be constructed in East Berbice Corentyne (Region Six) for the rearing of shrimp with the aim of expanding the nation’s aquaculture industry. The fisheries department, along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is overlooking the project.

“So, we are not sitting back and be observer of the reducing fish catch out there.

Globally there is a reduction and we have seen the scientific explanation (as) to why that reduction is there. There is no political directive given to the fish not to come here,” the President added.

The agriculture minister continues to meet with fisherfolk to listen to their concerns and iron out other matters affecting them.

Guyana looking to Brazil as a strong strategic partner

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is Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, this week, told the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E Jair Bolsonaro, that Guyana wants to have a very strong strategic partnership with its Portuguese-speaking neighbours.

The two leaders, who communicated via teleconference, also discussed the agenda for the expected visit of President Bolsonaro to Georgetown later this month.

Ali said, “We have a number of important issues and opportunities for both Guyana and Brazil that I wanted to highlight even

before our meeting, so our technical teams can start some work.”

President Ali listed several areas that are critical for both countries to move their relationship forward, including energy and food security, telecommunication, infrastructure integration and trade. He also pointed out that due to their geographical locations, the nations must make strong statements in linking their territories.

The Guyanese Head of State said that in addition to oil and gas, expanding opportunities in the other nonoil natural resources sector

such as bauxite will create an opportunity for a direct link to northern Brazil and the Atlantic that can “create an excellent platform for us to develop an integrated project”. As it relates to trade, currently, there is an existing partial scope agreement that aims to foster bilateral trade flows by the exchange of tariff preferences between the two countries, cooperation on trade matters and increased participation of the private sector.

This, President Ali said, is currently under negotiation to be expanded since Guyana wants to increase its quota,

especially as it relates to rice being exported to Brazil.

President Bolsonaro, via an interpreter, said that the agenda for discussion looks “very promising” and that he will ensure that technical staff from the relevant ministries in Brazil travel for the state visit.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, the Honourable Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd; and other government officials were present for the teleconference.

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Contradictions continue…

Sherod Duncan PNCR attempts to articulate hauled before position on cost of living court to answer to cyberbullying charges T ‒ Norton changes position less than 24 hours later

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he APNU+AFC Coalition’s Sherod Duncan appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Grove/ Diamond Magistrates’ Court, East Bank Demerara, on Monday (January 17, 2022), where he pleaded not guilty to the charge read to him.

The offence alleges that on January 11, 2022, without legal or lawful justification or excuse, he used a computer system to publish electronic data about staffer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Aneal Giddings, with the intent to humiliate, embar-

rass and to cause emotional distress.

He was released on $200,000 bail for the cybercrime offence and is expected to be back in court on February 10, 2022. Duncan is being represented by attorneys-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes, Narissa Leander and Amanza Walton-Desir.

Duncan was charged under the Cybercrime Act 2018, a law that was introduced and passed in the National Assembly by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government in 2018. The law carries rigid penalties.

The Guyana Police Force is bound by the law to investigate and act on reports of cyberbullying.

Duncan was arrested on January 13, 2022 and released on $100,000 station bail by the police after Giddings made a report to the Police. According to the police report, Giddings, in his report, claimed that Duncan, who is also a host of a programme under the name ‘In the Ring’ on Facebook on January 10, 2022, used derogatory terms to describe him while on the show, causing him significant emotional stress and humiliation.

he Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C administration has been working to curb the increase in cost of living in Guyana, which is being fueled by a global supply chain crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic – now in its third year, with the first case being recorded in December 2019.

In a frank address to the nation, Ali had said, “We do not live in an isolated environment and we are part of the global community… what are we doing today is presenting you with the facts, with reality, with what the government is doing to address issues that are global in nature, how we are defin-

ing policies to address these issues, the impact global challenges is having on our economy, and the way in which the government is addressing those challenges.”

matter, the newly elected leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, has come out with a contradictory position.

In a statement on January 13, 2022, the PNCR called

“I am not knowledgeable of us wanting any price ceilings etc. If you’re talking about price controls, they don’t work.

If you check the world, they don’t work and I don’t know exactly what you’re referring to but the PNCR is not interested in price controls.”

– PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton CONTRADICTIONS In the week since the President’s address on the

for the introduction of “temporary price ceilings to curb” increase in prices.

However, by January 14,

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PNCR attempts to articulate position...

2022, when asked to expound on this position, Norton changed tunes. He said, “I am not knowledgeable of us wanting any price ceilings etc. If you’re talking about price controls, they don’t work. If you check the world, they don’t work and I don’t know exactly what you’re referring to but the PNCR is not interested in price controls.”

There has been no explanation of the contradiction by Norton.

EFFORTS ADVANCED To date, the PPP/C administration has: • Distributed over $7.5 billion

worth of COVID-19 relief cash grants to households across all ten regions, injecting critical liquidity into the economy and providing a cash lifeline to households so many of which were thrown into distress as a result of the pandemic.

• Distributed over $7.3 billion in flood relief cash grants to farmers and households to help them recover from the May/June floods of 2021.

• Removed punitive taxes on such things as electricity, water, medical and educational supplies, basic food items and household necessities.

• Restored the Because ‘We

Care Cash’ grants to parents of school-age children, and expanding it to include children attending private schools, amounting to over $3.6 billion—benefitting 192,000 children.

• Restored the one-month tax-free bonus to members of the disciplined services, while also granting one-off payments to workers in the health sector and granting a seven per cent across-theboard increase to all central government employees.

• Made a one-off payout of $250,000 each to sugar workers who were severed, while we continue to work

to reopen the sugar industry that was so callously closed by the previous Government.

• Increased old-age pensions by over 21 per cent to $25,000 and public assistance by 33 per cent to $12,000 monthly.

Notably, earlier this month, President Ali said, “With regard to the global supply chain – the goods that we import for consumption and production – COVID-19 has disrupted the process, adversely impacting the world.

It is disturbing our development plans. It is also causing an increase in the goods we import, hiking shipping costs

(From page 14) from US$2,000 at the beginning of 2021 to US$20,000 by the year’s end – not only for Guyana, but for every country. There have also been massive delays in the transportation and the delivery of cargo. All this has pushed up prices for goods and consumable items internationally, and Guyana is no exception. Tackling this issue requires new and creative measures, which my Government has either started to put in place or is in the process of implementing. I do not promise that we can solve all aspects of the problem alone; it is a global challenge. But I do

pledge this: my government will lose no time in seeking ways to ease the strain on the people of Guyana.”

Notably, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has reported that food prices across the globe increased in 2021 and are continuing to rise. The FAO’s January 6, 2022 report said its Food Price Index continued to trend upwards, reaching a 10-year high. A few months, including December, registered small reductions. The 2021 Food Price Index was just over 28 per cent higher than that of 2020.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

APNU+AFC COALITION’ S MISCONDUCT EXPOSED IN 2020 AUDITOR GENERAL’ S REPORT [The 2020 Auditor General’s Report was presented to the National Assembly on December 13, 2021]

AG’s office unable APNU+AFC’s receipt of ‘numerous gifts’ not recorded to verify over $2B A in payments by Coalition A total of 1,328 payment vouchers totalling, $2.806 billion, could not be verified by the Auditor General’s Office.

The sums were paid out by the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Guyana Defence Force, Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Home Affair.

Of the sum, $77.921M were paid out by the Regions.

“As a result, it could not be ascertained whether value

was received for the sums involved, and whether the funds were used for the purposes intended,” the Auditor General’s 2020 report said.

The report was handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly in December 2021 and is expected to be examined by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is currently still reviewing older reports from the Auditor General’s office.

total of $5.233B in miscellaneous receipt was “understated by an undetermined amount” given that gifts received were not reported and accounted for during 2020.

This is according to the 2020 Auditor General’s report, which was handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly in December 2021.

The report, on page 21, said, “Section 34 of the Stores Regulations 1993 states that “all gifts received shall be subject to normal store-keeping and received stores accounting procedures and the procedure set out in the regulations 16 to 19 inclusive shall apply. A Gift Register in Form 18 shall be maintained by the Store-

keeper, and the Permanent Secretary shall furnish the Secretary to the Treasury (now Finance Secretary), the Accountant General and the Auditor General information relating to all gifts received from time to time. However, although there was evidence of the receipts of numerous gifts during the year, there was no evidence of adher-

ence to these procedures.”

The AG’s report noted that as a result, the amount of $5.233 billion representing Miscellaneous Receipts was understated by an undetermined amount.

The Auditor General’s office has recommended stringent measures to ensure compliance with regulation on how gifts should be treated.

Coalition spent over $19M on items never received, company filed for bankruptcy

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whopping $19M was spent by the APNU+AFC Coalition from the Contingency Fund for Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) camera systems.

However, the cameras have not been delivered and the money not recovered since the company filed for bankruptcy.

This matter was high-

lighted again by the Auditor General in his 2020 Report.

The report, on page 47, said, “The CCTV system with a cost of $19.108M, which was

purchased during 2015 for the National Intelligence Center, had still not been delivered.

However, it was noted that (Turn to page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

APNU+AFC COALITION’ S MISCONDUCT EXPOSED IN 2020 AUDITOR GENERAL’ S REPORT [The 2020 Auditor General’s Report was presented to the National Assembly on December 13, 2021]

Millions in meals, travel spent by Coalition’s Communities Ministry not accounted for

Since 2016…

Coalition made no effort to recover 103 laptops ‘stolen’ T from Nagamootoo’s office I

n 2015, a total of 9,609 laptops were purchased with a total cost of $1.607 billion and they were received in February 2016 and stored at the e-Governance Unit, according to the Auditor General’s 2020 report.

However, the Auditor General’s report noted that by 2016, 103 laptops were not available to be verified as state property and was subsequently reported as ‘stolen’.

Since then no effort was made to recover the items.

The report, on page 61, said, “A physical verification in 2016 revealed that 2,959 laptops with a total approximate cost of $495M, were damaged. Further, it was reported that 103 laptops with a total approximate cost of $17.228M were stolen, and that a police report was being awaited.

The Office of the Prime

Minister’s when asked for a response said the Head of Budget Agency stated that the Office wrote to the Ministry on 13 September, seeking a satisfactory resolution in the interest of the parties involved.

The Audit Office has repeated its recommendation that the Head of Budget Agency follow-up with the police to bring this matter to a closure.

he former APNU+AFC Coalition’s Ministry of Communities was unable to account for millions that were paid out in advances.

This is according to the 2020 Auditor General’s

report, which, on page 136, said, “During the period under review, there were 159 advances totalling $6.301M for travelling and meals from the Ministry’s imprest. However, examina-

tion of the Advance Register revealed that there were seventy advances totalling $2.852M where the clearance date could not be determined.

(Turn to page 21)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

APNU+AFC COALITION’ S MISCONDUCT EXPOSED IN 2020 AUDITOR GENERAL’ S REPORT [The 2020 Auditor General’s Report was presented to the National Assembly on December 13, 2021]

No proper accounting for state resources used by Nagamootoo’s office for travel T he use of state resources for travel by former Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, could not be properly accounted for since no records were maintained, according to the 2020 Auditor General’s Report.

The report said, “The Office did not submit for audit, log books for nineteen vehicles and equipment that required its maintenance.

This is a breach of Section 29 of the Stores Regulations 1993, which require that ‘Log Books in Form 17 shall be maintained for all motor vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment, except motor vehicles assigned to Min-

isters of the Government, holders of Constitutional Offices and persons of similar status’. As a result, it could not be determined whether all journeys undertaken were properly authorised and in the interest of the public. It should be mentioned that during 2019, log books were not properly maintained to reflect all pertinent information.”

The Audit Office has since recommended that the Head of Budget Agency should ensure log books are maintained for all vehicles requiring such, and monitor systems to ensure adherence to the Stores Regulations.

Over $577M spent on ‘relief hampers’ unaccounted for by Nagamootoo’s office

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he sum of $790.8M was spent by the office of the former prime minister, Moses Nagamootoo, on items for relief hampers, according to the 2020 Auditor General’s report.

However, the Audit Office was unable to verify spending of $577.07M. The report, on page 49, said, “The items purchased via eleven payment vouchers processed for sums totalling $213.852M were verified as having been received. However, the difference of fifteen payment vouchers processed for sums totalling $577.070M were not presented for audit examination. As a re-

sult, it could not determine whether the items valued $577.070M were received and properly accounted for.”

In response, the Office of the Prime Minister said, “The Head of Budget Agency stated that at the time of reporting, the officer responsible was responding to an emergency. The Office has put measures in place for the requisite examinations to be done.”

As such, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency submit the relevant documentation to facilitate a verification of the receipt and distribution of the items.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Auditor General unable to verify spending on vehicles under Patterson’s control T

he Audit Office has determined that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under the control of the Coalition’s David Patterson, did not properly control the use of state resources.

The 2020 Auditor General’s report, on page 179, noted that the use of $84.3M for fuel and lubricants for 132 vehicles could not be verified so no records were kept, while for the other 90 had records but they were incomplete.

The report said, “Of the 222 serviceable vehicles and equipment for which log books are required to be maintained, log books were only submitted for ninety.

Further, an examination of the ninety log books revealed that they were not properly maintained, as pertinent information such as odometer reading, signature of checking officer, fuel and lubricant supplied and when servicing was done, were not always recorded.

“As a result, we could not determine whether proper control was exercised over the use of the vehicles and equipment” The Audit Office has recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure log books are properly maintained in keeping with Section 29 of the Stores Regulations. “The Ministry should also secure the log books when completed to facilitate audit examination,” the report added.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Coalition spent over $19M on items never received... (From page 16) the Ministry had engaged the Attorney General’s Office on a way forward on this matter. “…the Head of Budget Agency stated that this matter was discussed at the recent PAC (Public Accounts Committee) Meeting in July, 2021 when the 2015 Audit was being done. The Ministry has since written to the current Attorney General to be advised on the way forward.”

The Auditor General’s office has since recommended that an update be submitted to the Audit Office once advice on the matter is received from the Auditor General’s office.

Notably, the CCTV cameras were purchased in December 2015 from a company called Moonblink Communication Incorporated. The names of the persons (principals of company) are Shaun

Birkett and Sean Nolan.”

Use of monies from the Contingency Fund is regulated strictly by law.

According to Section 220 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, “Parliament may make provision for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund and for authorising the Minister responsible for finance to make advances from that Fund if he is satisfied that there is an

urgent need for expenditure for which no other provision exists.” Section 220 (2) goes on to say that “Where any advance is made from the Contingencies Fund, a supplementary estimate shall, as soon as practicable, be laid before the National Assembly

by Prime Minister or any other Minister designated by the President for the purpose of authorising the replacement of

the amount so advanced”. In addition, Section 41 (3) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act states, “The Minister, when satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure has arisen – (a) for which no monies have been appropriated or for which the sum appropriated is insufficient; (b) for which monies cannot be reallocated as provided for under

this Act; or (c) which cannot be deferred without injury to the public interest, may approve a Contingencies Fund advance as an expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund by the issuance of a drawing right.”

The Auditor General also noted in a prior report that millions from the Contingency Fund were used by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Millions in meals, travel spent by Coalition’s Communities... (From page 17) “In addition, pertinent information such as receipts returned, refunds and advance clearance date were not seen on 132 advance forms totalling $4.546M.” According to the Audit Office, similar observations were made in 2019. The report said, “In 2019 where

authorizing signatures were not seen for four advances.

In addition, eleven advances totalling $1.163M were also not seen.”

The Ministry of Communities, headed by the Coalition’s Ronald Bulkan, in its response to the Audit Office said only that the Ministry

have since put systems in place to ensure that all advance forms are accurately completed before issuance.

The Audit Office has since recommended that the Ministry ensure that all advance form are accurately written up and authorised before issuance.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

$400M was spent by previous gov’t on defective pumps – Minister Mustapha M

inister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has called out the former AP-

NU+AFC Coalition Government for its poor governing strategy, as evidence of

wasteful spending continues to unravel.

During the last meeting

of the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee’s meeting on January

12, 2022, Minister Mustapha said the previous administration exhausted some US $2 million to procure 12 pumps from an Indian company through a line of credit.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during the Economic Services Committee’s meeting He said the equipment were still accepted, although they did not meet the standard and specification.

“Those pumps are still in the defect liability stage,” the minister asserted.

The agriculture minister explained that government has since made significant strides to rectify the situation, noting that the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall S.C, M.P, is playing an integral role in the process. “We are now trying very hard to get the right specifications of those pumps, what I have done is ask the Attorney General to write the company in India because the specifications of the pumps that were supplied were not correct,” Minister Mustapha explained.

Already, several changes have been made to the engines, given the work magnitude. “Every time there is heavy rainfall around the country and those pumps come on, you have the gearbox damaging, the drive shaft not working, gear oil throwing out, so they are defective pumps and engines,” he said.

Minister Mustapha pointed out that the onus

was on the Coalition Government to ensure the items valued the money that was disbursed.

Approximately US $1 million is outstanding before the agreement between the two nations is complete.

Minister Mustapha said no more money will be paid until the defective pumps are fixed. “The pumps came in; they went and see them but never objected. That is why now we are objecting to those pumps. As a matter of fact, prior to 2015, we had purchased a number of pumps from the same company and we sent technicians there to look at them, to assess the specification and we rejected those engines. Although the former government paid US $2 million already, since I assumed the role of Minister of Agriculture, I have withheld all other sums,” he added.

Additionally, the agriculture ministry is advancing efforts to retrieve a number of breeding animals worth some US $17 million, which the former government also purchased, but were never delivered. “… we are on the verge of receiving it and we are following up very aggressively and I have had the commitment of my counterpart in Barbados to ensure they are supplied,” the minister explained.

He said the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Barbadian authority are making arrangements for the animals to come to Guyana.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 JANUARY, 2022

Increase in COVID cases being seen in multiple countries, MoH urges vaccination I

t is uncertain how long this current wave of COVID-19 infections will last, but Guyana is not the only country facing the spike in cases, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

He said, “Over the last 12 weeks, there have been a steady increase in cases, primarily because of the contagiousness of the omicron variant, this we are seeing across the world. Over the last week alone, the WHO has been reporting that there have been 12. 5 million new cases that is driven primarily by the cases that we are seeing in the Americas. So, this is not unique to Guyana, we live in a global connected environment and what happens elsewhere would also impact on us here in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony said.

No discharge certificates to be issued, persons affected with COVID must clear isolation period requirement

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s of Tuesday (January 18, 2022), the Ministry of Health will no longer be issuing discharge certificates to persons who have been in home isolation after contracting COVID-19.

This was revealed by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who explained that with over 12,000 people currently infected with the respiratory illness, the ministry will be unable to issue documents for every person that may come requesting the document, as it is “clogging up the system”.

“When we had two or three persons coming for that discharge certificate, we could go back, look into the results, check and be able to give that certificate. With thousands of persons who have gotten infected…it is extremely difficult to verify the records to be able to issue discharge certificates for everyone,” the minister explained.

Dr. Anthony reiterated that the document does not

provide safety for persons to return to work. He said once persons have isolated and are asymptomatic after the isolation period, they could return to work. He said, “Once you have completed your home isolation, you can go back to work. There’s no need for you to take a discharge certificate.”

The isolation period, according to him, is no less than seven days and no more than 10 days, with persons needing to clear days six and seven or days nine and ten with no symptoms before being able to return to work.

Further, Minister Anthony highlighted that public sector agencies should not require employees to produce clearance certificates to return to work. The minister said that should private sector entities continue to require the document; other measures will have to be implemented by these agencies to accommodate that. “The private sector…who require such a discharge certificate,

maybe those workplaces can make alternative arrangements for their employees to get such a certificate, but we would not be issuing discharge certificates for persons who are in home isolation,” he asserted.

He said however, that individuals who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 will be issued a document upon their release. “The persons who the ministry will issue discharge certificates for are those persons who have been hospitalised. So, if you are in any one of our regional hospitals or the Ocean View hospital, then we will issue you, upon discharge, with that discharge certificate,” the minister explained.

This cessation also comes after large crowds were seen standing in line to receive clearance certificates as the common belief was that it must be produced in order to return to work.

There are currently over 12,300 active COVID-19 cases across the country.

GET VACCINATED Guyana has been providing vaccination for the population since February 2021, with more than 80 percent of the adult population taking at least a first dose of a COVID vaccine, while close to 60 percent have taken a second dose.

Anthony said, “We have been encouraging people to get vaccinated. With this latest wave, one of the characteristics that we have seen with omicron, is that even if you had two doses of the vaccine that it would not have been as effective, as if you got two doses plus a booster.”

He explained that unvaccinated persons, with comorbidities are at a higher risk of being hospitalised and as such he urged persons to get vaccinated against the disease. “We are getting far less hospitalisation now, but if you’re unvaccinated and you have comorbidities, then you’ll be at a higher risk of getting hospitalised if you get COVID. So, again

I would like to urge persons who have not been vaccinated as yet to make sure that they go out and get vaccinated. We have vaccines available at all our vaccination sites, so it’s not a difficult thing to get,” he said.

ADHERE TO SAFETY MEASURES The Health Minister is also urging that all workplaces need to put rules in place to ensure a safer environment for their employees.

According to him, those rules should include wearing a mask consistently, indoor work spaces need to be properly ventilated, employees need to maintain social distancing and they should get vaccinated.

“In many instances, people are not complying with these simple measures and therefore, we have to monitor for more compliance. I think that if workplaces do that, both public and private, then we would see a drop in cases,” Anthony said.

Further, the Minister recognised that health workers

have been challenged and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory has been working into the nights to process the high number of COVID-19 tests conducted.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. Studies currently underway or underway shortly include assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments.

“The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s their turn,” the WHO said.

APNU+AFC Coalition non-responsive in consultation on electoral reform ‒ process ongoing

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he Opposition, APNU+AFC Coalition, is among the stakeholders still to communicate feedback in the ongoing consultation on electoral reform, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

And she explained that consultations on the proposed reforms will continue, as changes are still being drafted. Feedback, she added, has been receive from several local non-governmental organisations and from the political party, A New and United Guyana (ANUG). She said, “Officially or in writing, I have not received anything from the political parties or GECOM except for ANUG and theirs was published in the press at the same time that I received them. Also, the Electoral Reform Group (ERG) we received from as well.”

The amendments to the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA), both the substantive act and the regulations were circulated on November 5, 2021 and the consultation process was expected to run for six weeks.

Teixeira, in commenting on the matter, said, “The process is still ongoing… the RoPA consultation is not completed as yet. It is still ongoing and as I said earlier that the process will keep running because we have another piece of legislation to amend and that is the Registration Act. That is being drafted and the process cannot go forward until that is completed.”

Notably, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in October 2021, stressed that the long-awaited legislation to improve Guyana’s electoral system is a priority for the PPP/C administration. Ali had committed, since his first day of assuming office that the five-month-long elections process that Guyanese painfully endured, will never again occur.

FOCUS OF REFORM People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at a news conference recently, had said, “The idea is to make more transparent and to define responsibilities in the Act that are unambiguous and… to put in place a set of penalties for people who may try to steal the elections… any right-thinking person will support that. That’s the objective...we will look at issues right from registration to declaration of the results, so everything that is not unambiguous, not transparent etcetera. We made it clear that we want SoPs [Statements of Poll] in the public domain before the tabulation starts, that sort of thing. “…this is an open process…every person will have a chance to have an input.

So, we are soliciting these views…APNU will get a chance to give their input there and several civil society organisations. And then when that’s done, a draft bill would be had, taking into account the input made and it will be presented to the

parliament, where the Parliamentary Opposition will once again have an input…. when the debate takes place it will Guyanese who finally decide.”

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS Also, in prior comments, the Vice President had said that the electoral reform process is necessary to ensure Local Government and other elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

He had said, “In that Act, which requires a simple majority to pass, there will be some key reforms, so there is no ambiguity in how things are conducted.

So, the areas which we have issues in are recruitment of staff… We have to build into the legislation a clear process for recruitment and placement of staff that is fair, open, transparent, random placement, so it favours none of the parties.”

Jagdeo added this should include substantial penalties, a clear definition of how recounts are to be conducted and publication of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) before tabulation begins. “A lot of changes along these lines will have to take place,” he said.

Guyanese were subject to a five-month wait for the final results from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections because of the actions of several persons involved in the process at the GECOM Secretariat and other elements.

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