Weekend Mirror 21-22 January 2023

Op-Ed: Decades of committed struggle to transform Guyana for all our people

By Neil Kumar, PPP Executive

This year the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) celebrated 73 years since its formation in 1950. The Party’s basis of longevity is firmly

grounded on objective and organized governance tenets. These principles continue to support, deliver and contribute to a well-poised platform for working with all our people in making Guyana a global and Caribbean paradise.

The Party formed out of the tremendous sacrifices of our founder leader and Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, has evolved and is now in the safe hands of the Champion of the Earth Dr. Baharat Jagdeo, President Dr. Irfaan

Ali, and a team of focused professionals. Expanding on the work of Dr, Jagan, the present dynamic and Charismatic General Secretary Dr. Baharat Jagdeo has trailblazed in chartering the strategic development path to re-direct

Guyana's fortunes at home and Regionally.

Our history confirms that the PPP was the first Political Party formed in Guyana immediately after the Second World War. Since then, it was and continues to be a working-class Party. The formation of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in 1946 pre-empted the coming together of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase, and Jocelyn Hubbard as a ‘think tank’ small discussion group, that was the foundation and forerunner of the now powerful People’s Progressive Party.

Coupled with the foregoing, the impact of the war at that time informed the critical need for the radical transformation of the development agenda. While the fight was for a living wage and better living conditions, the real struggle was against the Colonial masters for Political Independence.

Colonialism was responsible for the political and economic exploitation of the masses. The ongoing global decolonization strengthened the struggle for political Independence. As the PPP led the struggle for Guiana to get Political Independence from Britain in 1966.

The PPP contested the General Elections in 1953 and won eighteen 18, of the twenty-four 24 seats. The British not satisfied with the united and working–class approach of the PPP Government, suspended the Government’s term of office after a mere one hundred and thirty-three days.

Notably, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and some of the prominent leaders were imprisoned, while the Opportunist faction led by Forbes Burnham was allowed to organize and split the PPP. The reason given by the British to suspend the PPP Government was that the PPP was a threat to creating a Marxist revolution.

The Marxist theory was, and is only, an interpretation of the world economic system. Marxism-Leninism as a theory is only an action guide. The strength of the theory is based on the Exploitation of the masses. However, the strategy and tactics teach that Marxism-Leninism is not a dogma. It cannot, therefore, be denied that the Opportunist in Guyana and the world, conveniently divided the progressive forces and frustrate the development of the Productive sector.

Guyana under the leadership of the PPP when in Government after winning Elections in 1953, 1957, and 1961, was focused on developing the economy and enabling

Guyanese to live a better life. The PPP again won the majority of seats in the General Elections in 1964. However, the collation by the PNC and the UF took the nation to the floor. Very quickly the PNC kicked the UF out of the Government and massively rigged the National Elections in 1968. 1973, 1978/80, 1985.

During those unforgettable periods, Guyana was reduced to one of the most corrupt countries and the Nation was living in fear. Crime, particularly the ‘kick down the door’ type robberies and murder was the order of the day. The health system deteriorated and became was deplorable. In the Maternity wards of the Public hospital, two pregnant mothers were on a bed, and rats and roaches ate patients' toes and hands in the hospital, even the aspirins were not available for serious pains.

Critically, food shortages were dominant and significantly limited in availability, but the PNC Government discriminated against sections of the population when basic food items were banned, and Guyanese were placed in prison if they were caught with ‘bread’. Discrimination was the order of the day.

Editor, the PPP after the massive rigging of the Elections in 1985 formed the Political Committee in defense of Democracy (PCD). The dawn of the New Era came as the PPP in search of unity and a more inclusive Government contested the 1992 Regional and national Elections as the PPP/C. The Civic component brought prestige and greater inclusiveness to the PPP/C Government in 1992.

Following the 1992 victory, The PPP/C Government certainly set about the transformation of Guyana into a better place. The upward trajectory of the country was to be halted when the PNCR/APNU/AFC was returned to the Government.

Under the former government, our people also witnessed the swift return in a mere five years of the most serious corruption, discrimination, and blatant thieving causing the PPPC to move a no-confidence motion that accelerated their rejection by the people.

God bless Guyana under the astute leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The way to go is ‘ONE GUYANA”, As we celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the PPP, let's continue to live in peace and harmony.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

‘Race Card’ expected to dominate Coalition MPs’ contributions – Jagdeo

The initial comments from members of the APNU+AFC Coalition on Budget 2023 have more in common with cliches than with substantive analytical positions.

And Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, noted that the Coalition, clearly, has little to offer and he predicted that the race card will dominate the debates on Budget 2023,

which are scheduled to commence on Monday, January 23, 2023.

“They will lose sight of all the initiatives that support all of our people…we can expect race to dominate the debate,” he said, adding that the PPP/C Government will not be intimidated and will press ahead with the transformational agenda to bring development to all Guyanese.

The PNC-led APNU+AFC Coalition’s expressed intentions to “undermine” the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration, according to Jagdeo, has not gone unnoticed.

Jagdeo said, “People like David Hinds, who for decades misled people into thinking they represent Afro-Guyanese, had no interest in development for Guyana,

much less development in the interest of Afro-Guyanese…they are parasitic… when they came into office, they had no intention of supporting Afro-Guyanese…he is smarting from the person loss of privileges that he and his family enjoyed…the bitterness stems from there.”

Moving forward, Jagdeo noted that the APNU+AFC Coalition must drop racism

as a tool and get on board with a national development agenda – all in the interest of all Guyanese across the entire country. “It is a dead end if they don’t drop the racism… there is room for inclusion, providing that you work for the people…you can’t bully people and you can’t lie to people….currently, we have an ineffective Opposition Leader…more often than

not, he has a shallow understanding of crucial sectors,” he stressed.

Unsubstantiated and wildly irresponsible claims – all worded along lines to stir tensions among Guyanese continue to be peddled by leaders of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition.

[SEE RELATED REPORTING ON BUDGET 2023 ON PAGES 11-14]

EDITORIAL

A clear commitment to the development of all

Notions of some that the lack of consultation in the sale of carbon credits will not translate to climate justice for them are unfounded.

Climate justice has been the cornerstone of Guyana’s work on low carbon development strategy since 2007. It is through the first LCDS that a significant part of Guyana’s programme on environment was advanced at the community level including direct financing through the Amerindian Development Fund, the Amerindian Land Titling Programme, the Hinterland ICT Project (200 ICT Hubs), and the Solar Energy initiative at household level. Now through LCDS 2030, climate justice continues to be at the forefront where climate financing will address community and national impacts of climate in an equitable manner, recognizing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on coastal and hinterland communities across Guyana.

The LCDS 2030 was informed by robust consultations with over 200 Amerindian Villages over a seven-month period. This extensive participatory and inclusive process allowed for the LCDS 2030 to benefit from in depth feedback and all aspects of the Strategy, including on Guyana’s jurisdictional approach and benefits sharing programme.

Following the President’s Address to the Nation in October 2021, the draft Strategy was released on the LCDS website (https://lcds.gov.gy/ ). As national health restrictions were lifted in March 2021, face-to-face consultations began in focus group meetings and in community consultations across the ten administrative regions. Independent activities by members of the MSSC and civil society were undertaken, while the National Consultation consisted of (i) national level engagements; (ii) thematic engagements; (iii) community-based consultations; (iv) receipt of written feedback; (v) feedback via a website; and (vi) an active public engagement programme.

Feedback received throughout the national consultation is summarized in a 315-page report that is publicly available on the LCDS website, showing each comment received and how it has been used to inform the finalization of the LCDS 2030: https://lcds.gov.gy/summary-of-feedback/

The consultation was well attended and there were extensive discussions and valuable feedback about the LCDS as documented in the summary report on consultations. Information on benefits sharing, village planning, LCDS components, and all other chapters of the LCDS were presented and discussed, with recommendations received. In this session, as in every session held during the community consultations, the proposal for jurisdictional scale engagement in the forest carbon financing mechanism with ART TREES as the standard was presented and discussed with community feedback shared.

Once Guyana has taken the necessary steps and has integrated with global carbon markets, new revenue streams for Guyana’s forest climate services will start to flow.

The jurisdiction-scale approach and high level of integrity embedded within the ART TREES standard gives Guyana the opportunity to maximise potential benefits across the country in contrast with progressing with one or more smaller projects, whose overall impact would be significantly less.

All revenues will be transparently administered via the Consolidated Fund, enabling them to be scrutinised and approved by the National Assembly via the National Budget process.

To prepare for these new revenue flows:

• National programmes outlined in the LCDS 2030 (e.g., renewable energy as described in Chapter 3, land titling as described in Chapter 4, repairing canals, and protecting against climate change as outlined in Chapter 5), and

• Community/Village-led programmes for indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as set out in Village Sustainability Plans or equivalent, put together by communities themselves. Village councils in all communities will be invited to produce an Outline Village Sustainability Plan (VSP), created in consultation with their village, in line with the process outlined overleaf. The Government will provide assistance to village if this is requested, and it is anticipated that several non-governmental organisations will also be willing to provide assistance. Village Plans or an Outline Plan exist for almost every village.

The PPP/C has, and continues to, demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that all our people benefit from the transformative development agenda that is being rolled out.

Emphasis on pro-people policies evident in 2023 Budget

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes that the 2023 National Budget, presented under the theme “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow”, will further extend and enhance the ongoing efforts of the Government to advance the welfare of all Guyanese. We recognized that the policies and programmes being elucidated offers several benefits and improvements to our citizens. And it is clear to us that the lives of our people were at the center of the policy making process. In that regard, our Union joins several organisations and individuals in welcoming Budget 2023 which has much in store for our nation. We also congratulate the Government and its pro-development vision which articulates an exciting and prosperous future for all.

The nation’s largest ever budget has provided support to every area of national life. It indicates that considerable thought and effort was paid to ensure that every Guyanese man, woman and child benefits and enjoys the economic development taking place. We have taken note of the emphasis to ensure equitable and sustainable development, greater access to resources to enhance our well-being, and improved attention to promoting safety and security. Additionally, the building of a strong, robust, and diversified foundation clearly demonstrates that the future will be exciting.

In addressing workers and our ordinary people, we have taken note of several measures advanced by Budget 2023 to improve disposable income, bringing the aspirations of our people within reach, and to ensure that our people are safeguarded. Against that background, our Union welcomes the improvement in the income tax threshold. While we have heard some views, in the context of the challenging macro environment it

is a laudable advancement. The GAWU, however, does not see the tax threshold in isolation but takes into account several other initiatives advanced and sustained by Budget 2023. The extension of the freight charges computation for imported commodities and the undertaking that the gains from this relief are passed on to our ordinary people is significant. Similarly, we note the extension of the excise tax waivers on fuel mitigating the full effect of rising fuel prices. Those two measures together with the income tax adjustment equate to several billion dollars. Moreover, continued support to the electricity and water sectors to maintain tariffs despite rising operating costs are serious measures aimed at curtailing the cost-of-living.

Additionally considering improvements to the school child grant, old age and public assistance, reduction in duties on vehicles, among other things it is recognized that our people have secure substantial gains. Apart from those measures, the investments in health, education, housing, water, and social services enhances our collective well-being. Similarly, the substantial provisions for infrastructure we hold will go a far way in reducing infrastructural deficits. Considered in aggregate Budget 2023 offers to our people many benefits and substantial gains. It provides unlocked resources that will make our lives better and build a stronger Guyana.

Our Union has also recognised the Budget’s focus to return the sugar industry to a viable and sustainable position. Against that background, the Budget has appropriated the sum of four billion dollars ($4B) towards the ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance the industry’s capital stock. It is apposite to recognize that the support comes after there were clear efforts under the former Government to paralyze the industry to the point of no return which, we believe, was in execution of its narrow, biased political agenda. This year,

we note investments will be focused on improving the industry’s packaging capacity and furthering mechanization together will play a meaningful role in enhancing efficiency, augment revenue and diversifying the product base. These we hold are essential elements to safeguard the industry and undoubtedly the thousands of Guyanese who depends on its operations.

Additionally, the GAWU has noted His Excellency President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali disclosure that experts from India and Guatemala are being solicited to enhance the capabilities of GuySuCo. Our Union in the past has advanced the need for the industry’s technical and managerial capacity to be enhanced. We, at this time, look forward to learning more about these developments. The GAWU recognised too known enemies of the industry have called for its further minimization. Such contentions we hold are clearly misguided and intended to create mischief. The absence of any recognition of the wider socio-economic contribution of the industry has largely been ignored. Similarly, the efforts to improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance revenues have possibly been conveniently and deliberately ignored.

In the GAWU’s view, Budget 2023 is evidently one crafted and geared to bringing about betterment for the Guyanese people and tangibly realizing the Government’s vision of a One Guyana by improving lives today and building prosperity for tomorrow. It also keeps an eye on the future as it proposes investments that will augment our infrastructure, expand our economic base, and build a more resilient and cohesive society. Taken in totality, we laud Budget 2023 and believe the programmes will enhance the well-being of all Guyanese.

PPP/C gov’t programmes continue to be people-centered

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C administration’s focus continues to be people-centered based upon an understanding that development must be for all, especially given the unique opportunities that Guyana has seen in recent years. This approach is felt across sectors of the economy, and in particular, the housing programme which has been revitalized with the return of the PPP/C’s administration to office. Given the recent successful removal of the Mocha squatters, who were preventing the completion of the much-needed new East Bank Demerara highway, there has been an increased spotlight on the issue of squatting. Notwithstanding, there is the misplaced view being peddled by the APNU+AFC and certain political actors that squatting

must be seen as the acceptable way as though it is an innate right for Guyanese to set up makeshift structures on private and state-owned lands for the purpose of squatting. This flawed view is being amplified by columnists and commentators such as the Stabroek News’ ‘The Minority Report’, which is penned by Akola Thompson.

Squatting is illegal and there can be no justification for doing so. Not surprisingly, the PNC-led opposition and columnists are dog-whistling with the narrative which suggests that only Afro-Guyanese are squatters and are disadvantaged from accessing financing. Persons who support this view are drawing upon outdated studies and reports, and they are equally culpable for encouraging families to remain impoverished by squatting in some of

the most deplorable conditions. Since returning to office in 2020, President Irfaan Ali has delineated a pragmatic and inclusive agenda that addresses the decades-old issue of squatting through the opening up new lands for affordable housing development with accompanying infrastructure works to ensure roads, water and electricity are provided.

The President’s vision for building a massive new city along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will see major pro-gress in 2023. The Government has designed a new initiative to assist Guyanese families, who own government or private lands to access financing and building their homes. Through the programme applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models of $7 million, $9 million and $12 million

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

Budget 2023 addresses to day’s challenges, tomorrow’s opportunities

Dear Editor,

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) having considered the 2023 National Budget believes that the stage is now set for a strong and secured future for all Guyanese. The Budget, expectedly, addressed a gamut of policies and touched on every area of national life aimed undoubtedly at enhancing the well-being of the ordinary people. This is laudable especially given the several challenges that the Irfaan Ali Administration inherited on its assumption to office and the new difficulties that has since arisen.

We note several measures all aimed squarely to bring about a better life for everyone. In this regard, the Federation welcomes the improvement in the income tax threshold which are told will see some 12,000 more persons not being required to pay income taxes while putting over three billion dollars ($3B) in the pockets of our working people. We appreciate too improvements proposed regarding old age pensions and public assistance. These sums we are sure will undoubtedly aim to reducing some of the burdens faced by our society’s vulnerable. The investment in our children with yet another increase to the Because We Care grant also brings further relief to our peoples. We anticipate as our economy continues to record steady and impressive expansion in the coming years additional improvements would be forthcoming. The FITUG in its submission to the Honourable Dr Ashni Singh had made similar proposals. From what appears in the Budget we believe that the Government had sincerely listened to our suggestions.

The FITUG noted as well the substantial investment programmed towards the social sectors. Taken aggregately, a substantial proportion of the Budget has been earmarked towards improving the our people’s standard of living whether it be education, health, housing, water, and social services. These are critical investments that will go a long

way to ensure our people benefit from our steady developments. The massive infrastructural programme will also enhance Guyanese comfort as well. We take keen note of the significant resources allocated to community infrastructure as efforts are hastened to build cohesive and strong communities. These are issues we had advanced in our proposals to the Administration and are heartened to see them taken onboard. Similarly, we note sums earmarked to several flagship projects which in the short and medium term will enhance connectivity and bring further improvements to our people.

The Budget also paints an exciting future as well. We anticipate that the gas-to-shore project will meaningfully reduce electricity tariffs and the cost-of-living. Investments to consolidate our traditional sectors and expand non-traditional sectors portends improved economic opportunities for our workers. While enhancing our climate resilience will safeguard our people. The Federation recognizes as well that several policies are maintained by Budget 2023. The removal of excise taxes on fuel and measures to reduce import tariffs payable on commodities will assist in minimizing the ravishes of the turbulent economic occurrences taking place beyond our borders.

The Federation is heartened by Budget 2023 more so considering that the substantial expansion of government investments comes against the background of no new taxes. Indeed, the Budget, we believe, has something in store for everyone. We anticipate that the investments programmed can be quickly rolled out for our people to secure the benefits envisaged. At this time, the FITUG takes the opportunity to congratulate His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and his Government on a well thought-out and forward-thinking budget.

Sincerely,

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

PPP/C gov’t programmes continue...

and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions. Several banks are supporting the initiative that will also lend technical support to homeowners as homes will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for quality control.

The PPP/C has a proven track record of addressing squatting. Currently, there are

Budget 2023 delivers big in education, health care

Dear Editor, B

udget 2023 was presented by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and I wish to add my few cents on the various aspects of it.

With over seven billion dollars allocated, this year’s budget is Guyana’s largest. What is of significance to me though is the fact that larger sums are geared towards the realization of major infrastructure projects such as the new Demerara River crossing and the Wales gas-to-shore energy project, which when completed will not only be transformative but will free up significant fiscal space to allow for spending in other areas.

I am happy that the government is fulfilling its promise of not only returning the school children’s cash grant but gradually increasing it until it reaches $50,000. This year public and private school students will each

receive $40,000 in total. This together with the increase in the income tax threshold, adjustments to the salaries of public sector workers, increases in old-age pension, and public assistance will provide more disposable income and support to the beneficiaries.

The long-term goals of this budget are evident in the allocations in areas such as health and education. The GOAL scholarship received more sums, and the focus on education is noteworthy and commendable.

Upgrading of and construction of new health facilities, training of medical staff, and procurement of medical supplies and equipment are also commendable.

All in all, in my view the 2023 budget is excellent and the government, therefore, receives my stamp of approval.

Sincerely, Brian Azore

Laudable measures to continue transformative agenda

Dear Editor,

The 2023 budget, the largest budget in the history of Guyana has left me with no doubt that we are well on our way to becoming a sustainable & economical giant that other countries will follow.

The budget’s consideration for the working class is indeed admirable. We are on the pathway to becoming a very inclusive society. Though I laud the measures that are centered around the development of the country’s infrastructure, the measures announced that are directly targeting the working- and middle-class citizens are the ones that are most welcomed.

The “because we care” cash grant being increased to a substantial $40,000 is one of, if not the most, exciting measures for the working class, which is set to benefit over 214,000 school children. It is unbelievable that the APNU/AFC administration ceased the distribution of this grant during their

tenure.

Additionally, I see the announcement of increasing the income tax threshold from $75,000 to $85,000 as the foundation for many more tax adjustments to be implemented.

The 2023 budget’s focus on education with a whopping 94.4 billion allocation is truly in a league of its own and these measures ought not to be overlooked. With its focus on improving infrastructure, school feeding programs & acquisition of textbooks, I see a bright and firm educational sector for our youths as we progress. Not forgetting the GOAL scholarship programme has received a well-allocated 1.8 billion.

The Government of Guyana is working for its people & this is clearly demonstrated through the 2023 budget.

Yours Truly, Alvin Hamilton

(From page 4)

175 areas that are identified by the Government for the purposes of regularisation and so far over 21,000 households have either been regularised or relocated to titled lands. Government’s thrust is to end squatting by providing avenues to legal homeownership.

Sincerely, Kwame McKoy

Norton announces new PNCR GS, blocks her from speaking

E ven as infighting continues to rock the Aubrey Norton-led PNCR, its new General Secretary was announced on Thursday (January 19, 2023).

Norton, announced that Dawn Hastings-Williams will take up the post of PNCR General Secretary, filing the void created by the resignation of Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Meanwhile, Hastings-Williams was not allowed by Norton to speak at the press conference hosted on Thursday (January 19, 2023), where

her appointment was announced.

When the media raised questions and directed them to the new PNCR General Secretary, Norton rushed to insist that Hastings-Williams will not be responding to questions; rather she can do so later.

The question asked, 18 minutes into the press conference, to Hastings-Williams’ related to some of her immediate priorities and how she would carry out her duties.

Before Hastings-Williams could respond, Nor -

ton insisted, “What I will do is, it will be unfair to ask Mrs. Williams these questions today….we will further speak. We will discuss all the issue and at the

right time Mrs. Williams will present to you her position on these matters.”

A second question on whether she would be confined to an office or

would be actively involved in community work was fielded. However, as Hastings-Williams commenced a response, the broadcast was disrupted.

Notably, Hastings-Williams was visibly separated from Norton and the other panel members who comprised the panel for the Coalition’s news conference.

Norton’s obtuse comments trashed by Prime Minister

Claims by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, that Budget 2023 does not address plans to support the manufacturing sectors, specifically via a reduction

in cost of electricity, were rubbished by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips. Norton, on Monday (January 16, 2023, said, “You

did not see measures in this budget to improve the manufacturing sector. And you know full well that manufacturing is dependent on cheap electricity and there is no

evidence that there is going to be a reduction in the cost of electricity.”

In response, the Prime Minister explained that the gas-to-energy project is by far one of the biggest in the history of Guyana and it is expected to reduce the cost of electricity for households and the commercial sector.

Budget, $43.4 billion has been allocated for the advancement of the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, set to significantly lower the cost of electricity, triggering rapid growth in industrial activity, and promoting a smooth transition to renewable energy sources countrywide. The timeline for the completion of the project is December 2024.

Phillips said, “By December 2024, we will have electricity from this gas-to-energy project; electricity that

is far cheaper than what we are paying for today. We are paying …25 cents per kilowatt today and by our initial projection we will be able to supply and sell electricity for less than half of that to the business sector and to the households…it means that whatever manufacturing the businesses enter into today, in another two years after the completion of this project, they will be able to do so at a far cheaper cost.”

According to the Prime Minister, the PPP/C government is not waiting until the project comes on stream; rather, is moving forward with other initiatives.

Some 50 megawatts of electricity will be invested in the short term, to ensure that the needs of the growing electricity demand by citizens are satisfied. “That itself, will have a positive

effect on economic growth in Guyana because more investors will come now, more Guyanese and foreign investors, because electricity will be cheap in Guyana,” Phillips said.

Measures that are key to advancing the growth within the manufacturing and services sector include $2 billion in agricultural development which includes the establishment of a regional food hub with cold storage, manufacturing, and processing capabilities, along with $300 million in rice development which includes the provision of two new drying floors in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice). Other measures to support the manufacturing sector are included in the $584.2 million allocation for small business support.

Opposition visionless, seeking instant gratification – Nandlall

The APNU+AFC Coalition wasted no time, after the presentation of Budget 2023 by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, in proffering criticisms of the national plan.

And Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, says he will not allow the negative rhetoric of the opposition to continue. On Tuesday (January 17, 2023), he highlighted many transformational projects in Budget 2023, that will create employment for all Guyanese.

Key in the budget is the $84.9 billion to modernise the health sector and $94.4 billion to improve the education sector. Some $54.5 billion has been earmarked to develop housing areas, $19.7 billion for drainage

and irrigation structures to alleviate flooding, $2 billion for the school feeding programme, and $136.1 billion to enhance roads and bridges nationwide.

“What is wrong with this opposition? They want us to walk around and give every Guyanese US $1 million in their hand, so everybody must stop working and just eat and live. That’s what they want, instant gratification. What we are doing here is building a country, we are planning an economy and managing the economy sustainably for the long term and medium-term future for Guyana…but a visionless opposition can’t see that,” Minister Nandlall stated.

The government has also proposed in Budget 2023 to increase the ‘Because we Care’ cash grant from $25,000

to $35,000, an initiative that was discontinued by the APNU+AFC when it took office in 2015.

These funds, the AG said, will be injected into the economy benefitting every single Guyanese. “It’s better these guys don’t speak rather than say what they’re saying and embarrass themselves and their supporters,” the Attorney General added.

Debates will begin on the transformational $781. 9 billion budget next week, followed by the consideration of the estimates in the Committee of Supply after which the National Assembly is expected to approve the budget.

Budget 2023 has been commended by private sector bodies, as well as other organisations.

The new PNCR General Secretary, Dawn Hastings-Williams, visibly isolated from Norton and the others

High Court throws out Coalition's case…

Judge rules that Court cannot interfere with National Assembly proceedings

High Court Judge, Damone Younge, on Monday (January 16, 2023), threw out the case filed by eight APNU+AFC Coalition Members of Parliament (MPs), who were challenging their suspension from the National Assembly.

The Coalition MPs were also ordered to pay costs to the state of $350,000 each by February 6, 2023.

The High Court judge ruled that, “The National Assembly is empowered by the Constitution itself, to make its own rules for the conduct of its business and for the conferment of powers and privileges of its members…the matters of which the applicants in this case complain arose out of internal proceedings of the House, which are not specifically provided for in the Constitution, and as such, fall within the category of being wholly internal proceedings of the National Assembly which this Court ought not to interfere.”

“…the applicants having taken the oath of office are bound by, and subjected to, the rules governing the operations of the National Assembly made pursuant to Article 165 (of the Constitution)…the Privileges Committee which produced the appealed report, is a creature of the National Assembly and has been established by Standing Orders. Its functions have been defined by Standing Orders to which all members of parliament, including the applicants must adhere to…this Court refrains from inquiring into the internal proceedings of the National Assembly and from exercising its jurisdiction to determine the merits of the applicants’ exhibit.”

Justice Younge, had previously heard arguments from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., and APNU lawyer, Roysdale Forde, S.C., on the preliminary issue of jurisdiction. In addition to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, were named as defendants in the case.

NO ORDER

The Coalition Parliamentarians facing sanctions

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

Efforts by the eight Coalition MPs to have their suspension from the National Assembly lifted, until a decision in their case, which is currently before the High Court, failed.

The Full Court on October 14, 2022 denied an application by the Coalition’s Roysdale Forde, which challenged the High Court’s refusal to grant an interim conservatory order to allow eight Opposition Members of Parliament who have been suspended, to attend sittings of the National Assembly, and to receive their salaries.

As per the decision, the suspension from the House, as well as the consequent non-payment of salaries, stand until the determination of the matter before Justice Damone Younge in the High Court.

REPORT

On July 21, 2022, during the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly, the House officially approved the report of the Committee of Privileges, which recommended that the eight parliamentarians be suspended for their involvement in desecrating the Speaker’s Mace on December 29, 2021.

The 78-page report of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee found that eight APNU+AFC Coalition’s Members of Parliament “were in violation of the Standing Orders, established Customs and Practices regarding acceptable behaviour” of Members in the Assembly. “The Committee determined that an appropriate sanction available that the National Assembly can apply would be suspension from service in the House,” the report said page five.

The committee recommended the suspension of Ferguson and Jordan, Saraboo-Halley, Philadelphia for six consecutive sittings. It also recommended the suspension of Jones, Mahipaul, Duncan and Singh-Lewis for four consecutive sittings.

Notably, each Member, according to the report, was written to and asked to "show cause" why sanctions should not be meted out to them. Their responses were received and considered by the Committee. Each of the eight embattled officials claimed that they were “unaware” that their behaviour in the National Assembly was different from other MPs and therefore should not amount to grounds for disciplinary action.

The Committee's findings were based on video recordings, statements by staff of the Parliament Office and the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, eyewitness accounts by other Members of the House, media reporters and the public, both locally and internationally.

The Committee met five times, on: Friday, 18th February, 2022; Tuesday, 1st March, 2022; Tuesday, 8th March, 2022; Friday, 3rd June, 2022; and Thursday, 9th June, 2022.

The Parliamentary Sessional Select Committee of Privileges is one of four Sessional Select Committees that the National Assembly establishes at the commencement of each Session of the National Assembly. Standing Order 88 expressly provides for the establishment of this Committee and all of the Sessional Select Committees. Standing Order 91 states ''There shall be referred to this Committee any matter which appears to affect the powers and privileges of the Assembly. It shall be the duty of the Committee to consider any matter so referred, and to report thereon to the Assembly." The Committee, in keeping with its mandate, met to consider the following: “(i) Whether the named Members committed to the Committee of Privileges, have violated any of the Standing Orders, Customs, Practices, and or Conventions of the National Assembly,· and (ii) To determine the sanctions available that the National Assembly of Guyana can apply and make recommendations on the application thereof.”

INCIDENT ON

DECEMBER 29, 2021

In an effort derail the debating and passing of the

Natural Resources Fund Bill, the Parliamentary Opposition hijacked the sitting – blowing whistles and chanting – while its MPs, Ferguson and Jordan, attempted to seize this ceremonial symbol. Other Opposition MPs attempted to do the same too, in the presence of the entire National Assembly.

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

Further, a parliament staffer, Ean McPherson, was assaulted. He has since

moved to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) with a complaint. McPherson, in prior interview, explained that in his attempts to protect the mace, not only was he verbally abused by members of the Opposition, but he was also physically assaulted.

“I held on to the mace and it was fling to the floor… and I overheard people screaming. “Kick he! Lash He! Drag He! Let’s Throw he over the rail. All I said, was throw me over the rails because I know when I’m going over the rail, I am going with the mace,” he said. “They throw me on the ground, they kicked me, they dragged me outside and then Ms. Philidelphia, Member of Parliament start to abuse me with a series of words like ‘House Salve’, but the one that caught me and I don’t know how I become a ‘House Negro’. So, I prepared a letter

and I dropped it upstairs and I showed my concern about how I was treated,” McPherson added. In addition to Philadelphia, the Coalition’s Singh-Lewis was also named as being responsible.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, on January 24, 2022, had moved the motion in the House, which also called for the Privileges Committee to act with “alacrity” on the matter and report to the House within one month. Minister Teixeira’s in her motion had made clear that the actions represented “gross disorderly conduct” and “contempt and breaches of privilege” by Opposition Parliamentarians, and such abhorrent actions cannot be condoned.

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

Coalition demonstrates that it has ‘no governing philosophy’ – PPP General Secretary

T he APNU+AFC Coalition has “no governing philosophy” and the lack of such grounding gives rise to disastrous consequences, as is being reflected in the actions that is making it into the public domain, according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Unlike the PPP, they have no governing philosophy…without a governing philosophy there can be only disaster…this Opposition is extremely mediocre, their comments reflect that,” he said.

Jagdeo added that the recent comments from the Coalition about Budget 2023 is a further reflection of the lack of a governing philosophy. “We have had nothing but cliches…nothing of analytical substance,” he said.

The lack of a governing philosophy extends to financial stewardship, according to him, and he stressed that on this matter there is a stark difference between the PNCR-led Coalition and the PPP/C.

FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY

Jagdeo had noted the APNU+AFC Coalition embraces a policy that is consumption-based, which focuses on taxation and spending in areas that did not support long term national growth and develop-

ment.

On the other hand, the PPP/C policy’s is focused on positioning the country for the future, with capital spending – spending on roads, bridges, power plant, etc. – which will equate to long term growth and development.

Jagdeo had said, “The numbers tell the story of the PPP/C government… we work to ensure the future wellbeing of the country… we are building for the future…investing the things that the country will be able to see and touch, not spend on things you will never see….if we want to progress as a country, the guiding financial policy – the big picture – is something we must pay attention to…over time the kind of spending APNU was engaged in, it builds up – consuming everything we earn without thinking about the future.”

Taking aim at the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition’s financial policy, he noted that their spending was focused on recurrent expenditures – vehicles, food, travel, etc.; and not on capital investments, which support growth and development.

In contrast, the PPP/C has focused on balancing development for the future with responding to the need of the Guyanese people.

HISTORY OF MISMANAGEMENT

Notably, an attempt to tout his ‘imagined’ views of the successful stewardship of the national economy under the People’s National Congress (PNC) backfired when Aubrey Norton opted to misquote a United State of America Library of Congress source.

Norton, at an event hailing Forbes Burnham, the controversial founder of the now PNCR, last year, said: “The decade after independence was one of stellar economic development in Guyana.

“The US Library of Congress assessed that the economy of Guyana was growing at 4% per year, from much of the decade of the 1970s. Here is that institution description of Guyana’s economic circumstances at the time, I quote: ‘The nationalized economy at first appeared to be performing well. During the early 1970s world prices of both sugar and bauxite rose, allowing the newly nationalized enterprises to reap sizable profits, increase government spending, help stimulate the economy, and GDP grew at about 4% per year from 1970 to 1975’. And I hope that we still that dismisses the misinformation that is generally peddled.”

Norton’s claims could not stand up to fact-checking.

PNCR infighting: Jagdeo says Norton’s inability to act accountably exposed

T he embattled Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, “clearly” has issues with accountability, as evidenced by the recent revelations by the PNCR treasurer, Fiaaz Mursaline, among other challenges.

“This speaks a lot about how the Party is managed. I can’t imagine that if you make a contribution to that Party that you can be sure it is going to what is intended…and you can’t undo what has been said…we saw members of the North American Chapter raising the same issue,” he said.

Mursaline had made damning revelations about being made to sign blank cheques must be looked into. He had said, “I am the treasurer and I was elected but all I was used for is to sign cheques and that was merely my duties there with Norton’s leadership… from the time I took office as the elected treasurer of this great party, I was sign-

ing blank cheques with no supporting documents. I am always called to sign cheques and whenever I share an opinion of dislike towards this, I am met with hostility. In the month of November it got worst…in that month I signed about 20 blank cheques…I do not know what are the amounts of money written on any of those cheques and I don’t know for what reasons the money, if any were spent on…I requested of the Leader for us to do a financial audit of the finances of Congress Place for our own benefit and for us to ensure proper accountability and transparency. I even suggested that because Cde. Volda Lawrence has the skills in that area we use her to be our guidance. The intention was solely to do what is right for our party and to build trust among our membership.

The Leader told me that is a conflict of interest and that he will take care of it. To

date nothing has been done.”

Citing “weak and ineffective” leadership, United States Chapter PNCR member, Egland Gomes, has threatened that an investigation into allegations of financial impropriety must be done, or “recorded information” about PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, might be put into play. Gomes, in a broadcast on social media under the title ‘Voices of the Diaspora’, said, “An investigation should be done about these blank cheques, and I want Aubrey Norton to know I have recorded information that he would not want to go into the public domain.” the PNCR member also accused Norton of “prosecuting his own public policy”, creating a “perception of weak and ineffective leadership”, and having abandoned his constituency as soon as he became leader. He said, “Aubrey Norton seems to be prosecuting his own public

The report, in fact, said, “The nationalized economy at first appeared to be performing well. During the early 1970s, world prices of both sugar and bauxite rose, allowing the newly nationalized enterprises to reap sizable profits. Increased government spending helped stimulate the economy, and GDP grew at about 4 percent per year from 1970 to 1975.

“In the late 1970s and early 1980s, however, the world commodity prices that had favored Guyana declined, reversing the earlier gains. Economic output dropped as demand for sugar and bauxite fell. Nonetheless, government spending continued at a high rate, and Guyana was forced to begin borrowing abroad. This pattern of declining

GDP, continued high levels of government spending, and foreign borrowing was common throughout Latin America in the 1980s. Guyana's economic decline grew more acute during the 1980s.”

According to the document, “The crisis finally came to a head in the late 1980s because of Guyana's unsustainable foreign debt. As export revenues fell, the government began borrowing abroad to finance the purchase of essential imports. External debt ballooned to US$1.7 billion by 1988, almost six times as large as Guyana's official GDP.

“Because the government funneled the borrowed money into consumption rather than productive investment, Guyana's economy did not

grow out of debt. Instead, the government became increasingly unable to meet its debt obligations. Overdue payments, or arrears, reached a staggering US$1 billion in 1988. Rather than risk a curtailment of all foreign credit (even short-term loans for imported machinery and merchandise), the Hoyte government embarked on an IMF-backed austerity and recovery program. The Economic Reform Program (ERP) introduced in 1988 amounted to a reversal of the statist policies that had dominated Guyana's economy for two decades.”

The source document was ‘Guyana Tim Merrill, ed. Guyana: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1992’.

APNU, AFC ‘divorce’ tactic a dismal attempt to mislead – Jagdeo

The so-called ‘divorce’ of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the Aubrey Norton-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is nothing but a “tactic”, according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharat Jagdeo.

“This is a tactic to fool people…don’t be fooled…in substance they are hanging on,” he said during an interview on Thursday (January 19, 2023).

Jagdeo charged that the two remain tied to each other and the ‘paper’ separation will not mislead right-thinking Guyanese.

The Cummingsburg Accord, which tied the APNU and the AFC together, expired at the end of 2022 and the latter has confirmed that, on paper, the two political groups are not tied to each other.

In public comments, AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan said, “We did a withdrawal as part of the [Cummingsburg] Accord…in June, we made a decision, it was not a talk, it was a decision at the [National] Conference in accordance with the Accord that on December 31 we are going to withdraw out of the Accord and independently do things, just like prior to the Accord being signed and we were two independent parties.”

The leader of the PNCR and APNU, Aubrey Norton, was engaged by Ramjattan on December 28, 2022, where the split was confirmed.

Speaking about the meeting, Ramjattan said, “It is nothing that he can’t accept.

If by a contract you say, it could be terminated within an expiry of time and the time has expired and we said well fine, we’ll go, it is not for him to consent to it. He doesn’t have a privilege to say the consent of his is necessary. Anyone of us could say we are withdrawing and that is what we wrote into the Accord.”

The move ends a seven-year partnership between the PNCR-led APNU and AFC.

PARTNERS IN PARLIAMENT

Notably, the AFC Leader was unable to distinguish the so called ‘divorce’ since APNU and AFC remained tied as a collective in the National Assembly.

Ramjattan in public comments said, “We will consult and collaborate at the parliamentary level. We are a partnership that’s called APNU-AFC and we certainly would want to collaborate.”

Last year, when asked about the AFC retaining its parliamentary seats, the Party Leader said, “Nothing will happen to our nine seats… nobody could knock us out once duly elected.”

INFIGHTING

Further, the APNU and AFC have been at loggerheads about the sharing of seats and picking of key appointments in their majority RDCs since 2020 when the APNU members of the Region Four failed to support an AFC candidate for the Vice-Chairman post of that region.

Norton, on August 23,

2022, had made it clear that his party will not allow the AFC to “dictate” the picking of the candidate for the Vice-Chairmanship of Region 10. “The issue was not whether it’s an AFC Vice-Chairman. As far as I know the APNU has been disposed to an AFC ViceChair but it must not be somebody who is dictated by the AFC who doesn’t have the confidence of the APNU,” Norton said.

His comments were in direct contradiction to comments by AFC’s Cathy Hughes, who said, “The AFC is an independent political party. We have our own systems. We have our own mechanisms for arriving at representatives that serve in our parliamentary system and serve as councillors that serve in the RDCs and NDCs. We went through our process and selected Coretta Braithwaite to hold that position…the AFC absolutely has always respected APNU’s right to select the persons they see fit to represent them in any position any official position. Similarly, we expect that the same right lies with our party and therefore only the AFC can select who it considers the best candidate to serve in a position that is deemed to be filled by a member or a representative from the Alliance For Change…they’re [APNU] not part of that decision-making process. Similarly, we have not been part of any kind of choosing on the part of APNU of any of their representatives.”

The AFC lost to the APNU on almost all the issues on which they clashed.

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Budget 2023 addresses immediate needs of citizens, while investing for the future – President Ali

The the 2023 National Budget, according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is ‘transitional,’ as it addresses the immediate needs of citizens while making important investments for the future.

The $781.9 billion budget was presented by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday (January 16, 2023). It is the first budget to benefit from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits, which will amount to $31.3 billion in revenue, alongside a transfer of $208.9 billion from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

“Budget 2023 is that transitional budget as we start to work on a framework that utilises new forms of income that utilise the new revenue stream that our country will be pursuing,” President Ali said during a live update on his official Facebook page.

President Ali said the budget includes direct measures that are geared towards the comprehensive and holistic development of all citizens. “We continue to deliver…deliver on you the types of policies and programmes that will bring prosperity to every home. The type of policies and programmes that will help every stratum

of our society. “It is a budget with a difference. It is a budget that points to the future aspirations of our country, laying out the bedrock and framework for an economy that must be built to become resilient, sustainable, and strong in 2030 and beyond,” the head of state noted.

The budget aims to boost economic growth by providing incentives to increase productive capacity, President Ali said, noting that it addresses specific issues related to welfare, such as protecting vulnerable individuals and improving the lives of the poor by increasing disposable income. “That is the frame -

Working groups established to drive Guyana, India cooperation agenda – President Ali

Following a series of fruitful consultations between the Governments of Guyana and India, both nations have agreed to establish two working groups to push the agenda forward.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the groups will see private sector representatives from the two countries, as well as government officials starting work almost immediately.

The Guyanese president recently led a team on an Official Visit to the South Asia state, where a wide range of opportunities for collaboration were discussed with the Indian authorities.

The talks were focused on a number of areas aligned with Guyana’s goal of expanding and developing its economy.

Business-to-business meetings were held with leading private sector organisations, companies, and industries.

During a media conference Tuesday (January 17, 2023), President Ali disclosed that after the meeting with Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, a targeted approach was taken to iden-

tify areas where India could be a strategic partner in Guyana’s development.

During the talks, the two sides discussed a shared vision and commitment to various global issues including climate change, food security, energy security, and human development.

President Ali noted that discussions were held on ways to build a platform for creating a better global environment that supports peace, the development of humanity, and the advancement of technology.

Agriculture and food production was also a key focus during the talks, as it is a crucial element of Guyana’s development ambitions. Emphasis was also placed on the local sugar industry and aquaculture.

The head of state said the two sides held engagements on ways India could collaborate with Guyana in telemedicine and training, the advancement of the human resource pool, and Information Communications Technology (ICT).

The meeting also saw discussions on the development of port facilities and

opportunities for oil and gas investment here, and the potential for collaboration in terms of training and modernising the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Meanwhile, in Guyana, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha will lead talks on agriculture and building out the ecosystem to support the country’s food production aspirations.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar is responsible for technology, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat will engage on energy, and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond will follow up on ayurvedic and wellness, natural medicine and development.

The team also includes Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag, who will push talks in the area of human resource and capacity building.

Meanwhile, President Ali, the Chief of Staff, and the National Security Advisor will steer further talks on defence, while Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd is tasked with coordinating.

work in which the project has addressed our national goals and aspirations in the context of the international reality,” he added.

Highlighting specific measures that directly impact the lives of the ordinary Guyanese, President Ali noted that Budget 2023 is 41.4 per cent larger than the previous year, and is fully financed with no new taxes.

As part of measures to increase disposable income, $3 billion is included for salary adjustments benefitting 5,000 healthcare workers and 9,000 members of the disciplined services.

The monthly income tax threshold will also be in -

creased from $75,000 to $85,000 monthly, releasing a total of $3.3 billion into the hands of taxpayers and removing 12,000 taxpayers from the tax net.

The Because We Care cash grant will also be increased from $25,000 to $35,000, benefitting over 214,000 children in public and private schools and will place an additional $2.1 billion in the hands of their parents.

Old age pension will be increased from $28,000 to $33,000, while public assistance will be upped to $16,000.

Among other things, Budget 2023 takes into con-

sideration the specific cost of living measures. These include zero excise taxes on fuel and the reduction of freight charges.

Additionally, the sum of $10 billion was also allocated for the expansion of the part-time jobs programme, while an additional $5 billion was set aside for the additional cost of living measures to be determined from the ongoing community engagements.

Budget 2023 also caters to the increase in the low-income mortgage ceiling from $15 million to $20 million and the removal of the 14 per cent VAT related the sale of residential properties.

Guyana and China have built a resilient relationship – President Ali

Theever-evolving relationship between Guyana and China has bred many positive outcomes and will see the solidification of diplomatic relations between the two countries over the years to come.

This was expressed by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a recent interview on ‘The Leaders Talk’ which is a television programme on the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The countries’ extensive and resilient relationship began in 1972 when Guyana became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

It has undergone an evolution that culminated in the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of this commitment only last year.

“It is not a relationship that is built only on economic prosperity. It is a relationship that has a social and a political component, and one that has led to the advancement of both countries, ” the President said.

He made mention of the prevalence of Chinese influences on all aspects of Guyana’s socioeconomic composition, pointing out their impact on trade and commerce, technology, hospitality, and agriculture.

In 2022, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of China-Guyana diplomatic relations which is a testament to their resilient friendship

Further, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s position of support and respect for the ‘One China’ policy. “We believe that the One China policy is important, not just for China, but for the stability of the region. More importantly, we believe that the region itself, as we work in a global community, must find ways in which there can be a deeper partnership and deeper collaboration so that the zone can remain one of peace,” he said.

President Ali stressed that China’s historical ties to Guyana have also made it an integral aspect of Guyanese society, and noted that the relationship ties into the ‘One Guyana’ initiative which is

aimed primarily, at ensuring inclusiveness. “The initial relationship has blossomed into a new relationship that has been diverse, multifaceted, and has opened up new channels of cooperation and collaboration, and new opportunities for the advancement of the people of both countries,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ali also spoke of the government’s continued efforts to manage the country’s oil resources in a way that brings prosperity and effectively avoids an instance of the paradox of plenty.

He highlighted that Chinese investors have been and will be encouraged to engage in the processes of the oil and gas endeavour, as a representation of the enduring relations between the two countries. “We see China as an important part of the energy equation of our country. We continue to encourage China, as we encourage everyone, to participate fully in the bidding process of this energy platform that we are developing at a global scale,” the Head of State added.

Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity Tomorrow

The 2023 National Budget, valued at some $781.9 billion was on Monday (January 16, 2023) tabled in the National Assembly under the theme “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity Tomorrow”.

The fiscal plan, 41.4 per cent larger than 2022, is fully financed with no new taxes and is the largest in Guyana’s history.

It contains a series of interventions intended to create wealth for Guyanese, while diversifying the country’s economic prospects and bolstering nationwide growth.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in his presentation, reminded that the budget comes at the approximate mid-point of the Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli-led government’s term of office.

It, therefore, presents a timely opportunity both to look back at the first half of this term and, even more importantly, to look ahead at what is to come.

“Our government is committed to sound policies for long-term sustainability. PPP/C Governments do not compromise the long-term well-being of our country and our people at the altar of expediency or populism,” Dr Singh stated.

This year will see $3 billion in salary adjustments, benefitting 5,000 healthcare workers and 9,000 members of the disciplined services, with effect from January 1, as previously announced by President Ali.

An increase in the monthly income tax threshold from $75,000 to $85,000 monthly, releasing a total of $3.3 billion into the hands of taxpayers and removing 12,000 taxpayers from the tax net.

The Because We Care Cash Grant will see an increase from $25,000 to $35,000. This will benefit over 214,000 schoolchildren in public and private schools and will place an additional $2.1 billion in the hands of their parents.

As it pertains to containing the cost of fuel, zero excise taxes on fuel will be maintained to absorb the impact of volatile fuel prices, as long as fuel prices remain elevated at an estimated cost of $17 billion.

Additionally, some $10 billion has been allocated for the expansion of the part-time jobs programme.

Another $5 billion will also go towards the additional cost of living measures to be determined from the ongoing community engagements.

$28,000 to $33,000, and placing an additional $4.4 billion of disposable income in the hands of 73,000 pensioners.

Public assistance will also be increased from $14,000 monthly to $16,000, to benefit over 29,000 persons, and place an additional $700 million of disposable income to these individuals.

To the benefit of low-income homeowners, the low-income mortgage ceiling has been increased from $15 million to $20 million, reducing the cost of borrowing within this range from commercial banks, and further incentivising home ownership.

es, including mental health.

A sum of $94.4 billion has been allocated to further improve access to quality education for all. Notable among these include $2.1 billion to continue the rollout of the National School Feeding Programme which will provide juice and biscuits, breakfast, and hot meals to over 85,000 pupils; over $3.4 billion to procure textbooks for use at primary and secondary schools and $12.4 billion to improve education infrastructure across the country. Further, $1.8 billion has also been allocated towards the GOAL scholarship programme which caters for 8,555 new students and 1,047 continuing students.

ing and expanding the water supply systems across the country. In this regard, government has allocated $17.7 billion in Budget 2023. This will finance several wells and treatment plants to be constructed across the country.

Over $200 million will go towards child advocacy and daycare centres, and $100 million to commence the construction of a new care home for senior citizens.

Amerindian and hinterland development will benefit from an allocation of $13.52 billion, while the agriculture sector will receive a financial injection of $26 billion.

Budget 2023: Regional Allocations

Consideration has also been given to the vulnerable, with the old-age pension being increased from

This year, $84.9 billion has been budgeted for the health sector. This includes over $500 million for the training of healthcare professionals and more than $900 million to address non-communicable diseas -

BUDGET 2023: Allocations Allocations to Constitutional Agencies

7,584,298,000 $ 7,305,802,000

Office of the President

Office of the Prime Minister 70,465,652,000 $ 39,609,844,000

Ministry of Finance 56,147,315,000 $ 53,731,166,000

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 7,136,544,000 $ 6,164,456,000

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance 324,759,000 $ 278,401,000

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development 18,964,289,000 $ 10,343,697,000

Ministry of Public Service 4,394,320,000 $ 3,312,412,000

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs 4,166,497,000 $ 3,158,460,000

Ministry of Agriculture 33,283,708,000 $ 28,770,187,000

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce 6,528,886,000 $ 6,075,860,000

Ministry of Natural Resources 2,175,066,000 $ 1,640,905,000

Ministry of Public Works 158,203,252,000 $ 96,125,547,000

Ministry of Labour 1,234,589,000 $ 1,041,591,000

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security 40,412,240,000 $ 30,021,898,000

Ministry of Education 45,907,904,000 $ 33,339,952,000

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport 7,105,961,000 $ 5,674,887,000

Ministry of Housing and Water 72,205,023,000 $ 17,442,727,000

Ministry of Health 67,073,693,000 $ 57,336,106,000

Ministry of Home Affairs 34,313,110,000 $ 27,894,335,000

Ministry of Legal Affairs 1,778,329,000 $ 932,314,000

Guyana Defence Force 20,228,261,000 $ 17,631,014,000

BUDGET 2023: Allocations to Constitutional Agencies BUDGET 2023 BUDGET 2022

Parliament Office 1,985,488,000 $ 1,802,411,000 Audit Office of Guyana 1,142,892,000 $ 1,025,956,000 Public and Police Service Commission 174,887,000 $ 156,622,000

In the housing sector, $54.5 billion has been budgeted for housing development in new and existing areas, including the construction of roads, drains and bridges, and the installation of utilities to meet housing demands.

Sectors such as legal affairs and local government received upwards of $6.2 billion and $13.5 billion, respectively.

Budget 2023: Regional Allocations $Billion (2023) $Billion (2022)

Budget 2023 is the first budget to benefit from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits, which will amount to $31.3 billion in revenue in 2023, alongside a transfer of $208.9 billion from the NRF to the consolidated fund this year.

Teaching Service Commission 147,649,000 $ 120,454,000 Guyana Elections Commission 5,217,237,000 $ 4,041,996,000 Supreme Court 4,084,263,000 $ 2,280,475,000

Public Prosecutions 355,748,000 $ 230,674,000

Region 1 $ 5.581 $ 4.668 Region 2 $ 6.927 $ 6.101 Region 3 $ 9.702 $ 8.468 Region 4 $ 10.760 $ 9.842 Region 5 $ 5.493 $ 4.858 Region 6 $ 11.979 $ 10.777 Region 7 $ 4.206 $ 3.663 Region 8 $ 2.992 $ 2.594 Region 9 $ 4.892 $ 4.132 Region 10 $ 5.989 $ 5.368

Region 1 $ 5.581 $ 4.668 Region 2 $ 6.927 $ 6.101 Region 3 $ 9.702 $ 8.468 Region 4 $ 10.760 $ 9.842 Region 5 $ 5.493 $ 4.858

Office of the Ombudsman 62,893,000 $ 56,970,000

Public Service Appellate Tribunal 69,809,000 $ 67,523,000

Ethnic Relations Commission 137,889,000 $ 171,482,000

In the water subsector, the government continues to deliver on its promise to the population by improv -

Budegt 2023 - Regional Allocations

Judicial Service Commission 10,020,000 $ 10,020,000

Right Commissions of Guyana 155,941,000 $ 130,698,000

Public Procurement Commission 261,860,000 $ 196,443,000 BUDGET 2023 Allocations to Constitutional Agencies

Region 6 $ 11.979 $ 10.777 Region 7 $ 4.206 $ 3.663 Region 8 $ 2.992 $ 2.594 Region 9 $ 4.892 $ 4.132 Region 10 $ 5.989 $ 5.368 $5.581 $6.927 $9.702 $10.760 $5.493

$5.989

Improving Lives Today,

PPP/C government’s major accomplishments

I n the 30 months since taking office, the PPP/C government has presented four national budgets, 2020 to 2023, and has recorded major successes in delivering for Guyanese.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in his presentation, said, “We recognize and appreciate the urgency with which these basic needs must be met. The initiatives contained in Budget 2023 represent a major step forward in ensuring that these needs are met in the shortest possible time. At the same time, we attach an equally high level

of importance to ensuring that the investments needed for longer term wellbeing are also being made.

“Reflecting this recognition, Budget 2023 is presented under the theme ‘Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow’, capturing the essence of simultaneous attention being paid to both the immediate issues and irritants of the day as well as the longer-term investments need to secure the wellbeing of all of the Guyanese People well into the future.”

Some of the major efforts that have spanned 2020 to date, include:

Guyana’s economy grew by

Guyana’s economy saw a 62.3 per cent overall growth in 2022, driven by stellar performance in the oil and gas sector.

This was disclosed by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, as he presented the 2023 National Budget on Monday (January 16, 2023) under the theme “Improving

lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow.”

Budget 2022 predicted an overall real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 47.2 per cent, with the nonoil economy expected to grow at 7.7 per cent. The 2022 Mid-Year Report had predicted an overall real GDP growth of 56 per cent, with a 9.6 per cent growth in the non-oil sector. As the year

• Combatted the COVID-19 pandemic, providing protection to citizens by administering 958,365 doses of vaccines in total and achieving a fully-vaccinated rate of 68 percent of the adult population and, at the same time, provided relief to households by distributing over $7 billion in cash grants;

• Improved social safety nets, by increasing old age pension by nearly 40 percent to $28,000 monthly resulting in transfers of over $21 billion in 2022 to our senior citizens, and increasing public assistance by over 55 percent to $14,000 monthly result-

ing in transfers of over $3 billion in 2022 to the most vulnerable in our society;

• Reintroduced and increased the “Because We Care” cash grant to $25,000 per child in 2022 which, along with the $5,000 uniform grant, resulted in total transfers of $5.6 billion to parents of over 196,000 school age children in 2022;

• Awarded nearly 14,000 online scholarships under the GOAL programme, giving the awardees an opportunity to pursue higher education or specialised training and certification in the comfort of their own home;

• Distributed over 20,000 house lots, about three times the total distributed in the previous five years, giving all those recipients – Guyanese families and young professionals – the opportunity to become a home owner for the very first time;

• Increased hinterland access to water from 46 percent in 2020 to 75 percent currently;

• Constructed and rehabilitated thousands of community and urban roads in towns and villages across the country;

• Constructed a new and modern four-lane Demerara River Bridge, bring -

ing long overdue relief to commuters crossing that river and saving millions of person-hours annually;

• Completed the Linden to Mabura highway, improving access to the hinterland and creating economic opportunities through improved linkages with our neighbours to the south; and

• Completed the construction of Guyana’s onshore gas pipeline and natural gas plant, which will significantly reduce the cost of electricity to the benefit of households and businesses, thereby catalysing rapid growth in industrial activity.

at a

progressed, the oil and gas sector performed better than expected.

The finance minister revealed that in the year 2022, Guyana’s economy grew by 62.3 per cent overall, with an 11.5 per cent growth in the non-oil economy.

With these figures, Guyana would be the fastest-growing economy in the world in 2022.

Berbice oil refinery by 2025 – Dr Singh

Nine bids have been submitted for the design, finance and construction of an oil refinery at the mouth of the Berbice River.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Monday (January 16, 2023) informed the National Assembly, during his budget presentation that the bids are to be evaluated.

Once started, construc -

tion of the refinery is anticipated to be completed by 2025.

“The refinery will allow the long-term production of refined fuel products to meet our domestic requirements to help strengthen the nation’s, and the region’s energy security,” Minister Singh said.

The plan for the refinery’s construction ties into the government’s vision of promoting value-added pro-

duction and securing energy security both for Guyana and the Caribbean.

It is also an integral part of the government’s developmental plan for Region Six.

An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms crude oil into various usable petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants and heating oils like kerosene.

Building Prosperity Tomorrow

Promise to deliver 20,000 scholarships will be achieved this year – Singh

G overnment is on track to delivering its manifesto promise of awarding 20,000 scholarships to Guyanese within its first five years in office. However, in 2023, that promise will be fulfilled, two years earlier.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of Budget 2023, said another 8,555 scholarships will be award-

ed this year.

To support this initiative, government has allocated $1.8 billion in the 2023 National Budget to facilitate the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Scholarship programme.

“By that measure alone sir, in 2023, we would have already delivered the target that we had set ourselves in 2025.”

Nearly 14,000 schol -

arships have already been awarded to date and together with the 8,555 scholarships this year, it will surpass the 20,000 targets.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s vision of providing nationwide access to tertiary education while increasing Guyana’s human capital to the levels needed to advance and sustain the economic transformation Guyana is undertaking.

800 new jobs to be created for Essequibo, Berbice residents in 2023

Government has announced plans to set up four new call centres in Essequibo and Berbice, to increase employment in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

With the creation of the four new centres, 800 new jobs will be made available, with the potential to scale up to 1,600.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh revealed the plans during the presentation of the 2023 National Budget on Monday (January 16, 2023), stating that the gov-

ernment’s goal is to make Guyana a preferred destination for BPO investors and companies.

He added that the BPO industry has the potential to create substantial employment opportunities, particularly for women, and that it also provides valuable training and skills transferable to other areas of the economy.

“In alignment with our diversification agenda and commitment to create 50,000 jobs, government continues to support and foster the expansion of the BPO industry. This industry has vast potential to create substantial

employment and has already recorded tremendous success in bringing women into workforce,” the finance minister informed the National Assembly.

Government has already taken steps to support the expansion of the BPO industry by creating a supportive environment, engaging investors, and decreasing the cost of operation, resulting in the creation of over 1,800 new BPO jobs since August 2020.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C’s manifesto promise of creating 50,000 jobs within their first five years in office.

Gov’t allocates $3.7B for management, development of UG

As part of its efforts to meet the increasing demand for qualified persons and to strengthen Guyana’s human resource capacity, the government has allocated some $3.7 billion to manage and develop the University of Guyana (UG) in 2023.

This sum is for the administration and expansion of operations at the institution’s Turkeyen and Berbice campuses.

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, during his

presentation of Budget 2023 on Monday (January 17, 2023), stated, “To meet the growing demand for qualified personnel, our tertiary institutions will increase their intake to produce more graduates to boost Guyana’s human capital.”

Over the past two years, 6,100 students graduated from the University of Guyana.

In 2022, some $3.7 billion was allocated for UG’s operations and additional

courses offered.

In addition, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme also has a budget of $1.8 billion, which covers 8,555 new students and 1,047 continuing students.

By adding to the almost 14,000 scholarships already awarded since 2021, the government’s manifesto promise of 20,000 online scholarships will be achieved.

Budget 2023: $43.4B for gas-to-energy project to facilitate transition to renewable energy

I n the 2023 budget, $43.4 billion has been allocated for the advancement of the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, set to significantly lower the cost of electricity, triggering rapid growth in industrial activity, and promoting a smooth transition to renewable energy sources countrywide.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh has reiterated the government’s dedication to catapulting the country into the 21st century and reducing its reliance on fossil fuel significantly.

The finance minister was delivering his presentation of the 2023 National Budget on Monday (January 16, 2023), when he emphasised the need for renewable energy sources, amid the challenges posed by the country’s current outdated system.

He said, “For decades, ordinary consumers and businesses alike have been complaining about the state of our aged and ailing power supply system. Industrial business activities have been constrained. We have crafted an energy matrix that looks well beyond today’s needs and which will cater for

strong forecasted future demand. “In keeping with our manifesto promised to produce more than 200 megawatts of electricity from natural gas, our government has signed a contract for the construction of the integrated natural gas liquids plant and the 300-megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant within the Wales development zone.”

This project is the single largest investment in the electricity sector. The administration’s manifesto promise featured a dedication to developing measures to decarbonise the economy, especially the transport sector.

The minister also noted several measures to be taken to enhance the dissemination of electricity countrywide, “Additionally, 413 km of new distribution lines and feeders, a new 69-kilovolt transmission line from Kingston to Sophia, and from Edinburgh to Hydronie, new and rehabilitated substations at Hydronie, Sophia, Colombia, Canefield, and No. 53 village, and the replacement of 320 inefficient transformers will all be realised in 2023.”

Further, the minister made note of the derailed

Amaila Falls Hydropower project under the previous administration, cheating Guyanese out of reliable and renewable energy, and disclosed that to this end, 2023 will see the relaunch of the request for proposals for the project, with a vision of restarting and ultimately realising it.

Additional hydropower facilities will also be explored, especially in hinterland communities. He highlighted that these endeavours are financed by resources earned by Guyana under its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which builds on the first LCDS, launched by former President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in 2009.

Some $1.8 billion is budgeted specifically for the hinterland project, which will see some 30,000 households in the hinterland and riverine areas benefitting from solar PV lighting systems.

The 2022 budget allocation saw some $29.4 billion set aside for the energy sector, with $20.8 billion for the project.

Budget 2023 is being presented under the theme: Improving lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow.

$10B allocated to expand the part-time jobs programme

ThePPP/C Government’s part-time jobs programme, which was launched in 2022, has been a significant help to many households.

This year, the programme will be expanded with an additional $10 billion allocated.

The intervention is part of a slew of measures outlined in this year’s $781.9 billion fiscal package, presented by Minister Singh in the National Assembly Monday (January 16, 2023).

The well-crafted employment initiative allows one person per household to work in public offices for 10 days per month and earns $40,000.

Since its commencement, over 11,000 individuals have been employed in several

regions.

About 2,000 residents already gained employment through the massive recruitment drive in Regions Two and Three respectively.

The government also provided 4,000 residents of Region Six with part-time jobs and more than 1,000 persons in Region 10.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo spearheaded the launch ceremony in each of the regions, with the latest beneficiaries being some 2,000 persons along the east bank and east coast corridors.

Before COVID-19, approximately 30, 000 jobs were lost under the previous APNU+AFC Government, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the situation.

The PPP/C Administra-

tion is aggressively pushing to provide 50,000 jobs over five years, as promised in its manifesto.

Importantly, it has invested a significant number of resources to strategically enhance the lives of citizens, since taking office in August 2020.

Minister Singh said the programme has injected some $2.3 billion into households, providing much-needed financial relief during these challenging times.

Additionally, the government is encouraging beneficiaries of the programme to upskill themselves, so they can eventually take up full-time employment, as the labour market is confronted with a shortage of skills in certain areas.

Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity Tomorrow

PNCR infighting: Jagdeo says...

policy. Aubrey Norton is accountable to a party and the CEC of the party. And I hope that the CE now would stand up, do its job and hold the party leader accountable, because he is not above accountability.”

Further, Jagdeo charged that Norton, clearly, has bigger issues to grapple with, specifically the infighting in his own ranks. He said, “Clearly Norton has bigger problems. It is a den of

controversy. His problem is in his own Party. From the revelations of the tape that followed the resignation of the treasure, one can clearly discern a clever campaign at displacing him.

“…but is also exposes how duplicitous the behaviour of (Ganesh) Mahipaul and (Roysdale) Forde…clearly they knew the recording would have been heard at some point… so they wanted to send the

(From page 8)

tape around to show Norton that it was the treasurer telling them something.

“…it is clear that more than half of his own people thinks he is useless…. it was very revealing… what you have is a series of crooks.”

The PPP General Secretary noted that the PNCRled APNU+AFC Coalition continues to demonstrate to Guyanese that it cannot be trusted.

FOCUS ON GUYANA’S FIRST PEOPLE

$500M budgeted for Amerindian Land Titling activities

Committed to delivering on the promise of land titling, the PPP/C Government, in Budget 2023, has allocated some $500M to support Amerindian Land Titling activities.

This was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of the 2023 National Budget, on Monday (January 16, 2023).

He said, “2022 has been no different in our pursuit of prosperity for our Amerindian people. Testament to this, in fulfilling our obligations to safeguard and improve the security of land tenure enjoyed by our indigenous people, five additional demarcations have been completed as part of the Amerindian Land Titling Programme. In 2023, an amount of $500 million has been budgeted to advance Amerindian Land Titling activities.”

The Amerindian Land

Titling (ALT) team is moving from community to community as part of the verification process that began in 2014, but was later abandoned by the APNU+AFC Administration.

Between 2015 to 2020 the APNU+AFC Administration did not deliver a single new demarcation, extension, or titling of settlements.

In its manifesto, the PPP/C government stated that the rights of Guyana’s Amerindians and their access to opportunities will be high on the its agenda because of its track record – in working to improve the lives of indigenous people across Guyana.

The first promise that was made to the Amerindian people in the manifesto was to immediately resume land titling and this is a promise fulfilled by the government.

The ALT programme seeks to accelerate the legal demarcation and titling of

Amerindian lands. Importantly under this ALT programme, 13 villages were issued with absolute grants, including Yupukari, bringing the total number of Amerindian villages titled with Absolute Grants to 109. Twenty-one villages were demarcated and 19 were issued with Certificates of Title in what is said to be the final step in the titling process. This brought the total number of villages demarcated and issued with Certificates of Title to 96.

Amerindians total approximately 14 per cent of Guyana’s population and currently own in excess of 15.65 per cent of Guyana’s territory, up from about 6 per cent in the early 1990s.

Government is unwavering in its commitment to improving the lives of Amerindians. As such, a whopping $4.7 billion from Budget 2023 has been allocated for developmental programmes in the hinterland.

$93M for hinterland scholarships programme

The PPP/C government continues to support access to education in hinterland communities and in 2023 an additional $93.3 million is budgeted to support 804 students through the hinterland scholarships programme.

This was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of the 2023 National Budget, on Monday (January 16, 2023).

He said, “An additional $93.3 million is budgeted

to support students under the hinterland scholarship programme allowing our hinterland boys and girls to be able to attend educational institutions.

“…in 2022, the number of CSOs increased to 2,645 and further training was provided to 372 Amerindian Leaders in governance, financial accountability, leadership, and project management, while 254 CSOs completed training in garment construction and small engine repairs.”

Last year, government invested $3.1 billion in

core development programmes in Amerindian communities, including employing 500 more persons as Community Service Officers (CSOs), advancing the land titling and hinterland scholarship programmes, as well as promoting agriculture in these communities.

“Furthermore, in preserving the cultural uniqueness of our Amerindian brothers and sisters, we will commit a further $124 million on the Celebration of Heritage in 2023,” Minister Singh added.

$500M to expand ICT services in hinterland

Consistent with the PPP/C government’s internet connectivity objectives, Government deployed VSAT equipment which is now serving over 60,000 residents in 161 hinterland communities with internet service.

This was announced by

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of the 2023 National Budget, on Monday (January 16, 2023).

He said, “In addition, 93 hinterland communities have benefitted from grants

to prepare spaces to host ICT hubs, with another 107 communities slated to benefit by the third quarter of 2023.

The 93 beneficiaries would have also seen the construction and equipping of ICT hubs in their villages, of which 72 are operational and

$2.7B for Amerindian Development Fund in 2023

Awhopping $4.9B was spent through the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) on Presidential Grants, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, and additional financial support in areas of food security, youth development, tourism, and micro projects, in 2022.

And Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of the 2023 National Budget,

on Monday (January 16, 2023), announced that 2023 will see an additional $2.7B being spent.

He said, “In 2023, a sum of $2.7 billion is budgeted for the ADF, which includes continued training in tourism and hospitality, business development plans, garment construction, ATV, and small engine repairs, as well as provisions for Presidential Grants to 233 communities. Several commercial, eco-tourism, agricultural and infrastructural

projects are also catered for.”

Additionally, Singh announced that $5B is budgeted for hinterland roads development – specifically tp advance critical roadworks in hinterland communities including Moruca, Port Kaituma and Issano to improve accessibility in these areas.

Amerindian communities are also set to benefit from several commercial, eco-tourism, agricultural and infrastructural projects in 2023.

Village Sustainability Plans to be funded in 2023

Amerindians

will remain at forefront of the PPP/C government’s efforts to mobilise and utilise our climate financing, according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

During his presentation of the 2023 National Budget, on Monday (January 16, 2023), he said, “Our indigenous people will be at the forefront to directly benefit from this Government’s efforts on climate finance, with 15 percent of revenue received from the sale of our carbon credits going toward investment in Village Sustainability Plans produced by villages and communities.”

Singh explained that, in 2023, as set out in Budget 2023, investments will be made across the country in national and multi-community initiatives to build our future economy, while 15 percent of all revenues received will be invested in Village Sustainability Plans produced by Amerindian villages and communities.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 sets out how our country’s Amerindian villages will lead their own development plans and can choose to engage with the benefit sharing mechanism.

During the consultations, details were discussed on the objectives are prioritised under proposed under LCDS 2030 and these were finalised following stakeholder feedback:

• Transformative Investment in Renewable and Low Carbon Energy on and near the coast, so that Guyana’s national electricity grid will be modernised and decarbonised.

• Transformative Investment in Renewable Energy Isolated Grids – Each isolated grid will receive most of its power from renewable energy by 2030: in Lethem, Bartica, Kwakwani, Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma.

• Transformative Investment in Renewable Energy for Amerindian and Hinterland Communities. For villages and communities in remote areas, existing programmes for solar power and minigrids will be accelerated so that by 2030, all hinterland villages will be electrified using the best technology for their situation.

• Major Investments in Protection Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss.

• Support for job creation in agriculture and fisheries, tourism, manufacturing and services, as well as improving the job creation and economic

value of sustainable forestry and low income mining - including opening up new markets for certified, sustainable forest products.

• Investment in Health and Education through expansion of telemedicine, smart hospitals and expanded focus on hinterland healthcare, as well as improving climate and environmental literacy within the education system

• Creating a new International Centre for Biodiversity Research, with associated opportunities for increased research and development work by national and international institutions.

Singh stated that efforts will be advanced to market the remaining two thirds of Guyana’s credits for which there has already been tremendous interest. “Importantly we have also wanted to provide a model for other forest countries who we know are waiting to see that the promise of private capital flows can actually be realized and directed towards protecting forests, and sustaining livelihoods whilst advancing the global climate ambitions. In 2022, Guyana demonstrated that this is all possible, and we should all be proud that our country is providing this kind of leadership on forest climate services and financing,” he stressed.

NTC Secretariat to be completed this year

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of the 2023 National Budget, on Monday (January 16, 2023), announced that the planned completion of the National Toshaos’ Council Secretariat building this year.

He said, “Government con-

tinues to finance the construction of the National Toshaos’ Council Secretariat building, which started in 2022 and will be completed in 2023. To this end, a sum of $69.7 million has been provided to complete and furnish the building.”

Further, he noted that some $91.8M has been budgeted for the 2023 National Toshaos’

Conference. “This will continue to add meaningful transformational engagements,” Singh posited.

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) has been recognized as the primary interlocuter between the government and the 200-plus Amerindian communities in Guyana by the PPP/C Government.

41 contracts awarded for road projects in Wakenaam

The island of Wakenaam in the Essequibo River is set to benefit from $792 million for the construction of several rigid concrete roads.

The roads were identified in 2022 during a collaborative effort by the Public Works, Housing and Water, and Local Government and Regional Development ministries, to assess which community roads required immediate intervention.

The identified roads included perimeter roads, as well as community roads.

Similar to other government projects, the construction will see Wakenaam contractors sourcing labour from within the island, to expand economic opportunities for residents of the island.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat

Indar, during an engagement with Wakenaam leaders and contractors on Friday, highlighted the need for immediate mobilisation, as the state of some roads has rendered them difficult or impossible to use. “I am telling you now, don’t go digging up people’s place if you know you’re not going to put in your lining, put in your steel, and your concrete. Don’t have people sitting a month, or two months, waiting on you to come back and fix things,” he cautioned contractors.

During the discussion, Minister Indar also encouraged the contractors to determine how they will source raw materials to build the roads, citing nationwide shortages of supplies, and attributing it to the massive

number of construction projects being undertaken across the country.

Following the meeting, Minister Indar conducted a site visit to the lone road at Ridge, Wakenaam, which has been in a rapidly deteriorating state.

As such, he requested that immediate remedial works begin to improve the deplorable section of the road to reduce the hassle for residents.

The minister further encouraged the contractors to submit samples of the reef sand from the island for testing to determine its suitability to be used on road projects.

The 41 awarded contracts are part of the network of some 1,100 roads identified as priorities for construction in 2022.

Road upgrades from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek in mobilisation phase – Min Edghill

The upgrades to the Corentyne main road are set to enhance the lives of Guyanese tremendously.

This statement was made by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill during an interview on the sidelines of a site visit of the Palmyra to Crabwood Creek four-lane road.

The minister and his team of engineers and technical staff from the ministry conducted measurements along the route, and also visited the stockpile yard for the project.

The minister said to facilitate the construction of the road, 99 structures are to be constructed, and at this stage, two contracts have already been awarded. “Very soon we will see actual works on the ground. Apart from the structures

that need to be widened, there needs to be a relocation of utilities,” he said.

The minister noted that for this undertaking, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will be engaged.

“All of these poles will be moved out and replaced with concrete poles for long last and better stability. These are works that we want to see moving rapidly in 2023. The ultimate goal is for us to start paving as we go up. So, this will be a multi-year project, and we will have to do it in phases,” Edghill said.

He added that, “When this road is extended to a four-lane, the intent is that we will have the deep water harbour at Palmyra, and the Corentyne river bridge at the Moleson Creek, El Dorado area. This road must be able to provide a smooth

connection.”

The minister noted that the No.19 village road will see revetment on both sides to facilitate the extension of the roads to the canal.

The road will measure approximately 84km.

This is only one aspect of the government’s intentions to modernise the county, and to make Palmyra a premier hub for investment. Minister Edghill reiterated some of these plans for further infrastructural development, including the construction of a stadium, the bridging of the Corentyne River, and the construction of the CGX Deep Water Port.

In the 2022 budget, some $8.3 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of the Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek.

Major infrastructural works ongoing in Baracara

– soil testing, breeding stock for farmers as gov’t works to develop agriculture along Canje Creek

Farmers from Baracara and other communities along the Canje Creek in Region Six (East Berbice –Corentyne) have voiced their satisfaction with the swift action taken by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to develop the agriculture sector within the various farming communities.

Following a visit by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali late last year, several major infrastructural works have commenced aimed at improving drainage and irrigation systems within the farming communities.

Recently, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha returned to the community to engage farmers and assess the ongoing infrastructural

works.

While lauding the government’s efforts so far, farmers took the opportunity to raise other concerns with the minister.

Minister Mustapha told the farmers that the government has made millions of dollars available to develop critical infrastructure as well as the providing breeding stock to assist cattle farmers along the Creek. “The last time we were here, you asked and we delivered. Today we are here once again and we will work to deliver on what you are requesting now. So far, several projects have commenced. Projects that form part of the commitments made by the President when he was here. A contract for the construction of

a number of canals to assist farmers with drainage was awarded and works have commenced. Another contract to empolder your cattle savannah was also awarded and those works will commence soon. We divided the area into two parts; one for part for livestock and the other for cattle. A number of canals will be dug along with a number of empoldering. One contract is for $91 million and the other if for $96million,” he explained.

Minister Mustapha also noted that, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), farmers will soon benefit from breeding stock. “We also delivered the breeding bulls to assist with genetic materials for cattle farmers. For those

Guyana Invest, Invest India sign MoU

Guyana Invest (National Promotion Agency of Republic of Guyana) and Invest India, (National Promotion Agency of India) have agreed to build cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU signing took place at The Oberoi Hotel, New Delhi, India on January 12, 2023, on the side-lines of the Guyana delegation visit led by H.E. Pres-

ident Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s visit, alongside Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and H.E. Dr. K. J Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana.

This MoU was signed by Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Chief Investment Officer of Guyana and Agency Head of Guyana Invest and Deepak Bagla, Man-

aging Director and CEO of Invest India. The MoU is a form of mutual commitment in strengthening bilateral investment relations, facilitating foreign direct investment, and aiming at setting a framework to promote exchange of experience and relevant information.

“Guyana Invest is pleased to partner with Invest India, the leading investment agency in the world. Prior to this MoU

rearing sheep and pigs, well make two breeding rams and two breeding boars available to service animals here. We have to craft a livestock plan for this community so GLDA will work with you to craft that plan. We have to see what exists and what is needed to move forward. They will do an analysis and submit a report to say what is needed to develop the livestock sector in the Canje Creek. This will be completed within a month,” he added.

As it relates to issues raised about production, Minister Mustapha said that inputs such as fertilizers, planting materials, and services will be made available by the National Agriculture Research and Extension In-

we have been collaborating on areas of capacity building and technical assistance. With this agreement in place we look forward to strengthening our ties as we forge mutual Investment opportunities between our two nations”, Dr. Ramsaroop, stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Deepak Bagla, MD and CEO of Invest India stated that, “Invest India is looking forward to collaborate with Guyana Invest to promote mutual Investment and sourcing opportunities between the two nations. With this MoU, we hope to strengthen our bilateral

stitute (NAREI). He told farmers about projects ongoing in other parts of the country that focus on the production of specific crops and encouraged farmers to identify specific crops to plant on a large scale. “I visited countries in the region like Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago that want products from us. Ground provision, citrus, spices, fruits, and vegetable. When I visited Region One, we commenced working with farmers to start large-scale production of ginger so that we can export. I am mentioning this to say, farmers here have to decide on what they want to plant on a large scale so that we can export. So, I will be sending a team from NAREI back here to work with you. They

economic relations with Guyana”.

The MoU will further look at building the business ties between the two nations and strengthening the bilateral cooperations.l Affairs, Government of India and H.E. Dr. K. J Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana.

Guyana Invest is Guyana’s Investment Platform and is based on a democratic government, transparency and accountability and the belief in family, faith and freedom. The public and private sector leaders work

will do the necessary soil tests. I’m advising that you go back to your traditional produce. Things like plantain, corn, and ground provision. If we decide on that, I am committing to providing all of the planting materials free of cost to the farmers,” minister Mustapha said.

The Minister also committed to providing the farming communities with ten bongo pumps and chemicals to assist with managing Acoushi ants along with 500 coconut seedlings, 100 of which were delivered today.

Farmers present also benefitted from planting materials, fertilizer, Acoushi ant bait, and chemicals. An additional 400 coconut seedlings will also be distributed to farmers in the coming week.

together in an extended vision that assures measurable objectives are successful.

Invest India is the official Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of the Government of India, mandated to facilitate investments in the country. It is the first stop for potential global investors in the country. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world which has not only sustained global downturn of 2008-09 but is also slated to grow at consistently higher rates during next few decades.

Gov’t addressing multiple reports of undermining of No.58 Farm to Market Road

Following up on several reports of undermining on both sides of the No. 58 Farm to Market Road, Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, recently, conducted a visit to the site.

Addressing the media, the minister highlighted the poor execution of the clearing of the drains flanking the road, stressing the need for greater collaboration at the inter-agency level. He noted, “I may have to raise this at a higher level, because this is a lack of inter-agency engagement. This road was built with a particular design, and we had to build this road to avoid slippage. We had to ensure that the shoulders are adequate. There is also the

need for a conversation at the technical level. When the contractors are engaged, they must know what they are doing, and not just do what they want to do. In the digging of these drains, they will negatively affect the road.”

Minister Edghill further noted that interventions would have to be made and measures put in place to prevent reccurrences. “When we spend money, other agencies coming behind must consult and engage on the design to ensure that they are not breaking what we have built,” he added.

The $64 million farmto-market road at Number 58 Village has opened up new lands for farming, and

improved accessibility.

The project was awarded to GuyAmerica Construction Company in October 2021. The 20 feet wide road started from Number 58 Village Public Road to Seaforth Canal, spanning some 6.4 kilometres.

The minister also inspected the ongoing construction of the bridge across the Seaforth canal. Another bridge is to be constructed across the Fowler canal, linking the Corentyne to Canje.

He said in addition to enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in the area, the project will promote further advancement in reducing the region’s large food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Sod turned for new $14M multi-purpose North Sophia community ground

The community of North Sophia has signed a $14 million contract with the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry for the construction of a new multi-purpose community ground and safe space for children.

At the sod-turning ceremony on Saturday, Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall noted that the project is a fulfilment of the Vice President, upon request by residents. “On the directive of the Vice President who has made a commitment to the people of North Sophia to construct a community centre and to do some upgrading work towards creating a safe space for people within the community and so this morning we are here to turn the sod for the construction of the community centre and all the attendant work that has to be done. We

are happy too that we have so many young people employed here. This project will last a few weeks with 30 persons employed and it is part of the government’s commitment to greater collaboration within our communities,” the minister noted.

Currently, work is being done on the lining and digging of the foundation. The steel works are also ongoing to ensure the casting of the foundation can be executed on Monday.

Once completed, fencing will commence.

Construction works are expected to be completed by the first week of February.

The construction of the 30 x 30 building with a 20-foot span to facilitate a shed is the first phase of the project. The government has committed to injecting more resources, once completed to further enhance the community ground.

Similarly, Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond stressed that the project will be owned by the community and serves to build closer relations and development.

“This is going to be a space where the community has an opportunity to work together.

It is going to be a safe space for the children and already they’ve been a request for the senior citizens to come out and plant flowers when the building is set up. A place for children to come and have their lessons, a safe space for them to play after school.

There is going to be many organised activities here… and so this community centre, as simple as it may seem is going to provide all of that, so it’s going to be a tremendous benefit to the community and as government, we have responded and this is another promise that we have ful -

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GOAL scholarship outreach attracts scores of applicants in Region 8

Scores of Kurukubaru, Kato, Paramakatoi and Mahdia residents signed up for the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships during a recent outreach programme.

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai journeyed to the far-flung communities to inform residents about the various scholarship programmes offered and assist in the application process. Director of GOAL, Dr Jacob Opadeyi was also present to render assistance.

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai assisting a person with the application process

This is the first phase of GOAL scholarships rolling out in 2023 and will allow persons who do not have any formal qualifications to receive a scholarship to pursue their studies.

During her address to residents of Paramakatoi, Minister Parag said over 200 Region Eight residents were awarded scholarships since the programme was rolled out. However, in 2022 there was a decrease in applications from the region.

As such, she encouraged attendees to make use of the opportunity to better themselves, and their communities to contribute to national development. “You have to be able to be progressive in your own mind, moving forward, always wanting to do better,

wanting to do more. That’s how a country evolves not only by building, the people have to move with the country… There is no limit to what you can do and you shouldn’t limit yourself,” she said.

Although these are just certificate programmes, Minister Parag explained that the certificates will pave the way for persons to pursue their degrees.

She also committed to residents that she will engage with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips to see how quickly the ICT hubs can be connected to the internet.

The minister made it clear that the PPP/C government is committed to closing the educational gap between hinterland and the coast, to ensure Amerindians take part in national development.

Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai said this is one of the many commitments the government has been

fulfilling since it resumed office in 2020. “We have ensured that when we return to office in 2020 August, we immediately began to provide our country with the interventions that we said we were going to make. We’re realising our commitments and promises for the hinterland. We are almost 100% there. We have done quite a lot in terms of the hinterland manifesto promises” Minister Sukhai noted.

The government aims to award 20,000 online scholarships to Guyanese during their first five years in office. To date, over 13,700 scholarships have been awarded since the programme’s inception in 2021.

This is a collaborative effort between the Education and Public Service Ministries to prepare Guyanese for opportunities that are available, as Guyana undergoes a massive transformation.

Residents of Leguan, Region Three, will soon benefit from major enhancements to their communities with the awarding of 28 road contracts on Friday.

The contracts, valued at $865 million, will see ten contractors from the island working to build 8.1 kilometres of road in various communities across the island.

This forms part of government’s commitment to ensuring development in all

parts of the country.

Speaking during an engagement at the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar urged contractors to ensure the work is completed within the stipulated time and to work in a way that minimises inconvenience to the residents.

He also reminded contractors of the ministry’s standards for road construc-

tion.

The minister pointed out that it was impractical to bid for contracts they were incapable of executing. “I am in no mood to push any elephant up any stairs. I am not dealing with contractors who bid for their contracts, and then when it is in their hands and it’s time for them to execute it, it’s hard,” he expressed.

He also addressed con -

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$865M in road contracts awarded for Leguan Island

28 new roads to be constructed

DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’

Construction of first 100 houses at Silica City to start this year – President Ali

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced that his government will begin constructing the first 100 houses for Silica City in the vicinity of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway this year.

“We’re starting the construction of the first 100 homes in this planning area,” President Ali announced during a community engagement along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Wednesday (January 18, 2023) afternoon.

The new city is the brainchild of President Ali during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Water back in 2013.

Some 3,800 acres of land have been identified for the immediate development of the housing project.

It will be the first modern smart city. The idea was based on the need for Guyana to have an urban centre that is complementary to the existing capital city, Georgetown.

The new city aims to tackle the issue of non-coastal urban settlement development and the challenges of climate change and sea-level rise.

ADDRESSING HIGHWAY SQUATTING

Importantly, President Ali also announced plans to regularise certain areas of the highway and develop housing schemes with appropriate infrastructure to eliminate squatting there. “Let me tell you something very clearly, we have to stop the squatting on the highway.

We are going to regularise areas… we will move all of the squatters into a planned housing development. By the end of the first quarter, we are going to identify three areas along the highway,” Dr Ali added.

He said the move is aimed at addressing the problem of informal settlements in the area, which can be a safety hazard for both residents and commuters.

The new housing developments will include essential services such as water and electricity, and increased police presence to improve the living conditions of residents. “In relation to roads… we have Minister [Deodat] Indar here, they are going to look at all the roads in the community. And they

are going to come up with a plan in the regularised area where we can put concrete roads, with the involvement of the community,” the head of state said.

He added that more schools with adequate staff, health centres and other community facilities will be established to improve the standard of living and promote economic growth.

The housing plan and regularisation of areas along the highway is a crucial step in achieving the goal.

The government is committed to working with the communities and stakeholders to ensure that this plan is implemented in a way that benefits everyone. “We can’t have squatter settlements if you want better for our children, for yourself, you can’t go to the bank with a squatter land. So, let’s work on getting you in a legally planned area,” Dr Ali told the residents.

Meanwhile, during the walk-about exercise, President Ali held fruitful en -

gagements with residents of Yarrowkabra, Circuitville and Kuru Kururu, where he listened to their concerns and found on the spot solutions. He was accompanied by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.

MOH inks agreement with IICA to advance ‘One Health’ initiative

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Works, is urging citizens, owners and operators of businesses to desist from erecting or placing structures, stationed or mobile, along thoroughfares and main access roads, and more specifically areas identified for infrastructural development.

The Ministry has noted with concern a new trend occurring, of persons hurriedly putting up structures for business purposes or otherwise, in areas that have been publicly advertised as earmarked for development.

Persons are warned to desist from this practice, and further, reminded that it is illegal to build or place structures on a government reserve, or along highways and main access roads, the latter two being obstructions to flowing traffic. “Section 29 of the Road Act 51:01 of the Laws of Guyana, states that ‘Any property obstructing or damaging a road or canal may be seized and removed by the road’s officer of the district, or by anyone by him thereto authorised in writing’.” Persons are being especially dissuaded from hurriedly occupying these spaces in the hope of acquiring compensation, this will not be tolerated.

“We cannot in all consciousness allow persons to break the law and reward them for it. The PPP/C Government is ensuring the development of every sector for the benefit of all Guyanese, through our housing drive every category of worker is accommodated, squatters are being regularized, and businesses are given support for development, but due process must be followed, laws must be followed, we must not stand in the way of our own development, there is no need to try to trick the system,” Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill has stated. Among the areas publicly announced for intended infrastructural development are:

–The East Coast Demerara Railway Embankment Road into a Four-Lane Highway from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, and continuing to the Mahaica River Bridge

–The East Coast-East Bank Road linkage from Ogle to Eccles –And the East Bank Highway from Grove to Timehri, to just name a few. “We are in the process of clearing these spaces, in some cases work has advanced a great deal, and we are monitoring the process, and if persons continue with these illegal practices, we will do what is necessary within the law.” We reiterate, there must be no obstruction on or along the roadway and on government reserves. Anyone found to be in contravention will be dealt with condignly.

The Ministry, and by extension the Government of Guyana, urge citizens’ cooperation and support on this matter.

Persons who wish to identify such breaches can contact the Ministry of Public Works via our Facebook Page, Email pr_dept@mopw.gov.gy or on telephone No. +592-227-0799.

Guyana

has taken steps to advance the ‘One Health’ initiative with the signing of an agreement with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Malcolm Watkins, and IICA’S Representative to Guyana, Wilmott Garnett signed the agreement early Wednesday (January 18, 2023).

According to WHO, ‘One Health’ is an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes. This approach is critical to addressing health threats in the animal, human,

and environmental interface.

With the pact, IICA will conduct evaluations and capacity building in food safety with personnel from the ministries of Agriculture, Health and Natural resources.

Delivering remarks, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said according to data from around the world, zoonotic diseases are moving into the human population, citing the COVID-19 virus.

Minister Anthony highlighted that Guyana has shortcomings as it relates to early detection of diseases and as such, the agreement will assist in increasing the capacity in Guyana. “Health is not something that is just for the Ministry of Health, but it has to be integrated across the board and we need all part-

ners on board if we are going to have a comprehensive system of monitoring for future diseases,” Dr Anthony stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Garnett said, “Our team will also be visiting, doing some field work after these professionals have been trained, they will be engaging to do some physical assessments and so in the respective regions.”

Minister Anthony also relayed that the external evaluation of state parties’ reports is progressing.

This report will pave the way for Guyana to access the pandemic fund to prepare for any possible future pandemics.

Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy was also present at the signing ceremony.

Gov’t to secure broiler breeder facility to reduce importing eggs

As part of its aggressive efforts to reduce dependency on the importation of hatching eggs, the government will be investing in a broiler breeder facility this year to bolster the poultry industry.

The facility will greatly aid poultry production since Guyana is importing approximately 52 million eggs each year at a cost of some $350 million. The move by the government will help to support the local poultry sector and increase productivity.

The initiative will guarantee hatching eggs are produced sustainably both locally and eventually for the export market.

The move is in keep -

ing with the government’s commitment to ensure food security and increased agriculture production in keeping with its goal to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

The government has begun working with large poultry producers in a consortium to produce corn and soya for feed production to support the poultry industry. This is part of the administration’s plan for Guyana to become self-sufficient, as the country combats rising food prices and supply shortages.

The government continues to invest in the agriculture sector by implementing several agricultural initiatives to expand and develop

the sector.

As such, the government will continue to assist the agriculture industry by making investments to enhance the production and variety of mutton, create a bio-secure small ruminant breeding facility, and help improve sanitation and hygiene standards for milk and milk products.

The livestock industry remains vital to the government’s agenda for enhanced food security, sustainable economic growth, and enhanced farm incomes.

Some $28.7 billion was allocated in the 2023 budget to ensure the rapid growth and development of Guyana’s agricultural sector.

WARNING against the building of structures along government reserves and or in spaces publicly earmarked for infrastructural development

ELECTION WATCH: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Funding provided for LGE 2023

Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamrall, this week, confirmed that funds were made available for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to hold Local Government Elections in 2023.

“Funds have been made available as they were made available last year,” Dharamlall said.

GECOM was allocated $5.217 billion, which represented an increase from the 2022 allocation of $4.04 billion.

Minister Dharamlall in November 2022 wrote GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, announcing March 13, 2023, as the date for LGE. According to Dharamlall, Government is commit-

ted to upholding democracy and believes that the holding of local polls is an important pillar in Guyana’s democratic political system. It was against this backdrop that the date for hosting the LGE was decided. “Please be informed that pursuant to Section 35 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, I appoint March 13, 2023, as the day on which elections of Councillors for Local Authorities shall be held,” Minister Dharamlall wrote to Justice Singh.

Court actions by persons aligned to the APNU+AFC Coalition has since delayed elections.

LGE is constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and was last held in 2018.

While the polls were due in 2020, the elections fiasco that played out following the March 2 General and Regional Elections that year resulted in LGE being deferred.

More than $750 million has been set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparations to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE this year. This money is part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM’s in Budget 2022 and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates. Included in the $783 million for LGE is a more-than-$300 million increase in “other goods and services purchased”, which jumped from $250.8 million in 2021 to $575.9 million in

the 2022 budget. Local Government Elections were deferred, among other challenges, because of the absence of key senior GECOM staffers, including a Chief Elections Officer, given that the former CEO, Keith Lowenfield, was fired and placed before the courts on changes related to public misconduct and electoral fraud.

LGE, which are usually due every two years, was last held in 2018. At the last LGE in November 2018, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

Coalition-nominated GECOM reps engaged in ‘tactics’ to delay LGE

The report on the demarcation of demarcate the boundaries of constituencies for upcoming Local Government Elections has been completed.

However, at Tuesday’s (January 17, 2023) statutory meeting of Commissioners from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Coalition-nominated Commissioners refused to accept the report.

GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, contends that the move is a tactic to drag

out the process of arriving at an election date. He charged that there is a clear effort to derail the process GECOM has embarked on to hold Local Government Elections, which are already overdue.

The submission of the report was done by the Chief Election Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud, who was tasked with conducting field work to map the boundaries of nineteen local authority areas and constituencies within those boundaries.

Berbice oil refinery by...

Refineries serve as the second stage in the crude oil production process, following the extraction of crude oil from the earth.

Once the refinery at Berbice is operationalised, Guyana will be able to sell crude oil components to various industries for a broad range

(From page 12)

of purposes, including fuels for transportation, heating, paving roads, and generating electricity and raw materials for chemical manufacturing. This will attract global investments due to soaring fuel prices worldwide, the increased cost of heating as time goes by, and a lack of

Sod turned for new $14M...

filled,” she said.

A programme will be launched for senior citizens especially those who are considered shut-ins to have them meaningfully engaged through exercise among other activities.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

North Sophia CDC, Uriah France said the project is impactful as it provided many youths from the community with employment. He noted that, “it is a really good initiative really good on their part in terms of helping a lot of persons to be gainfully

adequate refining capacity to process crude into gasoline and diesel.

Nearby Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, The Netherlands Antilles, Cuba, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Barbados, and Suriname possess oil refineries as well.

(From page 17)

employed. So hopefully we can continue with this and have more persons employed within the community.”

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy was also present at the sod-turning ceremony.

$865M in road contracts awarded...

tractors’ concerns about the supply and demand of resources on the island, and cases of suppliers inflating the price of construction materials.

Minister Indar also encouraged the contractors to employ residents from the island, so that they may

benefit.

Among the projects, is the Leguan Stelling, which is expected to be completed by June 2023. The construction of the roads is part of a collaboration among the Public Works, Housing and Water, and Local Government and Regional Development min-

istries.

In 2022, the ministries embarked on a joint venture to identify which roads were in disrepair and needed immediate intervention. Some 1,100 roads were identified, a number of which are currently under construction in various regions across Guyana.

$500M to expand ICT services...

the remainder slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

“Further, works have commenced on the expansion of the fibre cable network by 115 km, expected to be completed in 2023. A sum of $500 million is budgeted in 2023 to finance these initiatives.”

Since taking office, the PPP/C has made provisions for the establishment of ICT

hubs in the various Amerindian communities. It included millions for refurbishing and furnishing of existing facilities and for the construction of new hubs for communities without.

Currently, many of the very remote villages still use the traditional form of communicating via radio sets. These sets are old and have not been repaired or replaced over the years. Before 2015,

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

Christ Church Secondary School fire ruled as arson

The Guyana Fire Service, in a statement, this week stated that the fire that destroyed the Christ Church Secondary School was a result of arson.

“Taking into consideration the time of day that both fires occurred (16:29 p.m. and 17:22 p.m.), coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by unknown person(s)…on the evening of the previous fire at the learning institute, which was ruled the result of a chemical reaction combustion, all chemicals were removed from the building. As such, there were no chemicals in the building at the time of the second fire, which rules out the possibility that it was another chemical reaction.

Furthermore, the day after the first fire at the school, Christ Church Secondary

was inspected and certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, which rules out the possibility of the second fire being electrical in origin,” the Fire Service said.

On Thursday last, the Fire Service said it received a call at 17:22 p.m. and was alerted to a fire at the school, which is located at Camp & Middle St., Georgetown.

The Fire Service said, “Water tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, and Campbellville fire stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden and concrete structure, and while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames.

“Despite firefighting efforts, more than eighty percent (80%) of the building and its contents were destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage.

Additionally, three buildings in close proximity to the school were affected by the inferno and suffered damage to several AC units, PVC guttering, ceilings, windows, and curtains.

“Four vehicles also suffered damage to their taillights, bumpers, and number plates. This was all due to the radiated heat from the building of origin.

“The fire was eventually contained, and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading to the Office of the Prime Minister and other neighboring buildings. Eight jets working from an open water source, a water relay system, fire hydrant and tank supply were used to extinguish the blaze.”

Reports are that to date a suspect has been identified in the burning down of the Christ Church Secondary School and the Guyana Police Force is continuing investigations.

Another school’s operations disrupted

Hours

after receiving a false report that The Bishops’ High School was on fire on Tuesday night (January 17, 2023), the Guyana Fire Service was called again and informed of a bomb threat at the school around 9:00hours on Wednesday (January 18, 2023).

On arrival the Fire Service proceeded to evacuate the building. Further, the bomb squad was sent in to search the building but no explosives were found.

The quick response mirrored that of the response on Tuesday night, when fire trucks and personnel were

dispatched to the location around 22:15 hours, but they found no cause for alarm.

Less than a week ago, the Christ Church Secondary School was destroyed by fire and investigators have concluded that it was an act of arson.

Commodity prices remain stable countrywide − GMC

Prevailing retail prices as projected by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) for the period January 17 -23, 2023, indicate that non-traditional agricultural commodities are showing ease in price pressure at municipal markets across the country.

GMC carried out checks at Kumaka, Anna Regina, Parika, Vreed-en-Hoop, Diamond, Stabroek, Bourda, Mon Repos, Mackenzie, Rosignol, and Skeldon markets.

Price checks on average in the markets for beef saw a reduction of three per cent across regions when compared to the period December 19-22, 2022.

Notably, price ease also saw chicken selling at five per cent less and eggs 11 per cent lessthan the corresponding period in December.

Staple produce such as cassava, eddoes, plantains, potatoes, and yams remain unchanged or have

reduced significantly at the markets.

Notably, seasonal vegetables such as bora saw a 32 per cent reduction in cost per bundle on an average compared to what it was in December.

Overall other vegetables remained under $500 per parcel and/or lb respectively at the various markets.

In this year’s budget, government allocated $2 billion towards food security as it moves ahead with plans to increase food production to become a regional food hub.

In addition, $200 million has also been earmarked for innovative agriculture that will improve food production.

Meanwhile, Guyanese can look forward to the continuation of this stable trend as farmers encounter more favourable weather conditions in the coming months, which is expected to incentivise increased

production.

In 2022, food production received some $38 billion which saw an increase in climate-smart agriculture as well as an increase in agro-processing facilities and training.

Moreover, food security continues to be a paramount policy initiative for the Government of Guyana, which holds lead responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification, and food security in CARICOM –spearheading the regional body’s quest to reduce its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Guyana continues to increase food production which will meet its objective of producing above 7,000 tonnes at the end of five years.

According to the World Bank, “Guyana’s economy is expanding at an extraordinary rate, … and is expected to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing economies in the medium term.”

COMMENTARY

Budget 2023 continues the PPP/C gov’t transformation agenda

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

B y now, the Guyanese people across our country, those living in the diaspora, organizations, political parties and commentators, have had time to consider the details of Budget 2023. On Monday (January 16, 2023), Minister Ashni Singh presented the budget in a marathon session of five hours, four minutes in Parliament. The coming week will see the debates and we will hear the government justifying its budget, its programs. We will hear the opposition and how they see the budget. What we do know already is that the Guyanese people, the ordinary people, believe that Budget 2023 has something in it for all of them.

This in no way mean that citizens do not have things they would have liked to see differently. Ask any worker what they thought of the income tax threshold, and they will say they are grateful that the government raised the threshold from $75,000 to $85,000 per month, removing 12,000 workers from the tax roll. These same workers would also tell you they would have liked to see it lifted to $100,000. The point is that there are vested interest among every person and every group. The government must balance its response so that interest is served, if not 100%, to some extent.

This is where the Guyanese people across the board understand that President Irfaan Ali and his PPP government has crafted Budget 2023 with the people in mind.

On Monday last, Guyanese across Guyana, regardless of where they live, what political party they support, what economic group they belong to, workers and business people, trade unions and NGOs, everyone in Guyana were stuck to radios, TVs, or following on face book and other social media postings the presentation of

Budget 2023 by Minister Ashni Kumar Singh. Budget 2023 was one of the most anticipated budgets in our history. Not a single group, not a single person in this country was nervous or fearful. Everyone knew before Budget Day that Budget 2023 would not have anything in it that would place burdens on them. They knew there would be no new taxes. But we all knew also that there would be something for every person in Budget 2023. In his presentation, Minister Singh did not disappoint the people.

Budget 2023 is pegged at $781.9B, a 41.3 % increase over Budget 2022. Not so long ago, budgets like Budget 2023 would have been unthinkable. Compared to 2000, Budget 2023 is 43 times larger.

Just take a look at the growth of the national budget since 2000. The growth is just simply phenomenal.

to Housing, for more house lot development, for new housing schemes, when almost $18B are allocated for water, when almost $59B are allocated for public safety and security, how could the biggest budget ever not matter? When community streets benefit from billions of dollars for upgrading, how could the biggest budget not matter?

Yet we can expect that the opposition MPs, one after another, will try to dismiss the 41.3% increase in Budget 2023 as a gimmick. This will be their main criticism. But this is cannot be a rebuttal. They will argue that the threshold ought to be increased more. They will not say that they promised to lift it to $100,000 in their first year in government. They failed to do so and eight years later, we have not gotten there. There is a reason and when you are the government, you know.

is more than twice the entire Budget 2000.

Look at how the health and education budgets have increased since 2008.

ownership, support farmers and small businesses. Every citizen has something in Budget 2023. The Health Sector budget is almost

bly will find a way find fault.

The PNC (APNU/AFC) leaders and their MPs were visibly uncomfortable during the entire presentation of

Once the debates start, opposition MPs, one after the other, will repeat like a parrot that the biggest budget ever means nothing. Thus far, the leader of the opposition and his sycophants have admitted that the budget is the biggest ever. How can they argue the numbers? However, they argue that “bigger is not better”. But when citizens like those who are disabled become automatically eligible to receive public assistance of $16,000 per month, when almost $60B are allocated

Their failure to make rationale arguments is not what their supporters put them there for, it is not what they are paid for. Anyone can say that all the things proposed could be higher. But justify your arguments.

In fact, the Health Sector budget for 2023 alone is almost twice as large as the entire national budget of 2000. Imagine the Health budget for 2023 is larger than the entire actual national budget of 2000 which was a mere $47.6B. Indeed, the 2023 Education budget

Clearly, Guyana is in another zone altogether. The impressive thing about Budget 2023 is that it is people-centered. Raising the income tax threshold to $85,000 per month or $1,020,000 annually means that another 12,000 Guyanese workers have been

$85B. The Education budget is almost $95B.

The historical increase seen in Budget 2023 is driven by a phenomenal 62.3% growth in the economy.

removed from the income tax roll. The school children cash grant has been raised to $40,000 per child, showing that the promise of lifting it to $50,000 per 2025 is a real promise. Pensioners will now receive $33,000 per month, again showing that the government is serious that by 2025, monthly pension payments will double from the 2020 figures. Public assistance monthly payments will now be $16,000. There are measures to improve working conditions for workers, support vehicle

Guyana owns the world’s largest GDP growth rate for 2022, with no country even close to this. Imagine that the second-best GDP growth in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2022 was St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a distant 6%. While OIL is responsible for the phenomenal growth, even subtracting OIL’s contribution, Guyana’s economy grew at a rate larger than any other country in the world. This is testimony to the brilliant stewardship of Guyana’s development trajectory. President Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP Government have worked with vision and competence. In spite of the naysayers, the PPP government is steering Guyana rapidly to taking our place firmly in the ranks of high middle income countries. The ambition of being a developed country in our lifetime is no longer a utopian dream. In fact, it is no longer a question of if, it is merely now a matter of when.

While virtually all Guyanese derive satisfaction that Budget 2023 positions Guyana on the pathway to transformation and prosperity, a handful of naysayers inevita-

Budget 2023 on Monday. They knew beforehand that they would have a difficult time playing the “sour grapes” game. The debate last year for Budget 2022 went down in our history books as one of the poorest debate performances from an opposition in Guyana’s parliamentary history. The opposition MPs, including its leader in Parliament and its shadow minister of finance were so completely out of their depths that even their most ardent supporters were shaking their heads, in shame and disgust.

It is the hope of every Guyanese that the opposition would come better prepared to debate Budget 2023. While Budget 2023 is a progressive budget, surely there are areas that might present alternative or additional options. Surely there are areas where more could be done, where government expenditure might not be giving our citizens value for money. Government ministers and MPs must come ready to justify their programs. The opposition MPs must demonstrate they have a better alternative.

The fact is that Budget 2023 affirms Guyana’s new place in CARICOM and Latin America, affirms that truly Guyana is on the up and up, firmly on the transformation pathway.

Budget 2023 another step closer towards achieving development goals – Jagdeo

Guyanese have been assured under successive People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administrations about having a national budget presented, which does not increase hardships, according to PPP General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

In a recently broadcast

interview, he said, “Every single budget of a PPP/C administration, which is over 25 budgets so far, that we have passed there is one thing on the list – all of the budgets is that we would have passed, people can rest assured that they are not going to be hardship budgets.

“I recalled in the early pe-

riods this is in the 90’s where people used to buy stuff and hoard it, they used to buy foreign currency and keep it before the budget because they were concerned that some measure will be out in place to increase taxes in it may would make it harder to secure foreign currency or something of that sort, some

hardship measure.

“We have sought over the years to do a number of things and so the framework has been established very early from our administration and the budgets are just annual programs to achieve that framework and goal so the goal often doesn’t change or the goal has not changed, but

the budget every year brings us closer towards achieving those goals and the goals from the inception worthen improve the lives of the people of our country in every form, socially, economically, culturally, politically on the right side.”

According to him, a reflection of the evolution of budgets and Guyana’s economic history would show how far the country has come and how much closer to the achievement of those goals Guyana is today. “The 2022 budget or every budget we’ve had since we came back into office was just to pick up on those goals that we had and ensure that the budget was supportive of achieving them,” the PPP General Secretary said.

In detailing some of the successes, Jagdeo said, “The first budget we had when we resume office that budget had to fix some of the things that thought was detrimental to the economic wellbeing of our nation and also to the social upliftment of our people and we gave promised those things in our manifesto, so we set about delivering those promises.”

He pointed to:

• The removal of a number of taxes, totaling nearly $40B, in an effort to set the conditions for the resumption of dynamic economic activities in the country.

• Increased spending more on drainage and irrigation in the farming sector, farm to markets roads, and other infrastructure support.

• The provision of tax incentives to the mining sector;

• Co-investments with some local business community, which has triggered the creation of new sectors, including soya bean and corn, which is expected to be self-sufficient in three years.

• Advances in agricultural sub-sectors, including the swamp shrimp project, which has seen production move from 250,000 lbs/

year to producing 2,000,000 pounds per year.

He said, “I can enumerate a number of initiatives in the oil and gas sector…if you talk to the Guyanese business community you would hear now for the first time they are treated with greater respect by the oil companies. (You would hear) that a lot of opportunities have gone their way and were hoping ultimately to have about US$700M of spending by the oil and gas companies, that would have gone abroad would now be spent using local providers for good and services. So the business environment has changed radically and that’s why you have seen in almost every sector, greater level of investment.

“If you look at the credit to the private sector and the borrowing at the bank for economic activities, it has increased tremendously and that signifies greater confidence in the economy and confidence in the direction in which we are going.”

According to Jagdeo, the PPP/C has been successful in creating the enabling environment for people to create jobs and to create greater income for themselves, as well as creating employment opportunities.

The focus, he stressed, remains two-fold: one, ensuring Guyanese have more disposable income and more economic opportunities, via, among other things, investment on infrastructure, etc.; and two, ensuring that greater support to vulnerable groups.

“We are not looking for newness. We are looking for consistency. We have said the budget is not a PR (public relations) document. It is a policy document with resources to support the goals have been outline – and a lot of those goals have been outlined either through the national development strategy or our manifesto,” the PPP General Secretary stressed.