Weekend Mirror 25-26 March 2023

PPP is the only ‘multi-ethnic party’

in

Guyana –

Jagdeo …says PNCR-Coalition’s racism will be challenged

Hinds says Ramjattan, Nagamootoo’s ‘only use’ was to bring in ‘Indian votes’

Norton’s gaffe about deciding on LGE an attempt to cover failure

Perpetrators of hate speech must be held accountable

SEE INSIDE

PPP will ‘never allow’ PNCR ‘fossils’ to denigrate role of Cheddi Jagan

Struggles against division demand efforts of all Guyanese – PM Phillips Gov’t making significant strides in shift to renewable energy

Appeal Court to set date for decision on Coalition’s Election Petition

Arguments on the APNU+AFC Coalition’s only remaining election petition, Petition 88 – the second one having been thrown out by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – concluded in the Appeal Court on Wednesday (March 22, 2023).

And the Chancellor (act-

ing), Yonette Cummings-Edwards, announced that the Court will dispatch notices informing parties of the date on which it will be delivering its judgment.

PETITION 88

Petition 88 was dismissed in the High Court by the Act-

ing Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire. Delivering her almost two-hour long virtual ruling, she underscored the fact that the petitioners had presented not a single piece of evidence to substantiate purported irregularities they sought to advance.

The Coalition, on June 3,

2020, filed an appeal in the case of Petition 88, arguing that the ruling judge erred in the decision that was handed down. The matter is still before the Guyana’s Court of Appeal. November 1, 2022 has been set as the date for a report on the status of the records including the full

judgment by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

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

The petitioners, Ms. Claudette Throne and Mr. Heston Bostwick were asking the Court to declare the election results null and void. In further seeking to do so, the petitioners are challenging the national vote recount process, Section 22 of the Elections Laws Act and Order 60 of 2020, which governed the recount.

Thorne and Bostwick are represented by Attorney-at-law and Coalition Parliamentarian, Roysdale Forde.

PETITION 99 DISMISSED AT CCJ

Notably, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on October 19, 2022, ruled that the Court of Appeal (CoA) in Guyana does not have the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal filed to challenge the dismissal of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

Justices Jacob Wit, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Denys Barrow, Winston Anderson and Peter Jamadar presided over the case at the CCJ, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal.

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

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

Petition 99 of 2020 was filed on September 15, 2020, by APNU+AFC Coalition agents Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse. Thomas and Nurse named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; David Granger – APNU+AFC Coalition; Horatio Edmonson – Federal United Party; Bharrat Jagdeo – People’s Progressive Party/ Civic; John Flores – Liberty and Justice Party; Asha Kissoon – The New Movement; Vishnu Bandhu – United Republican Party; Adebin Kindi Ali – Change Guyana; Patrick Bourne – People’s Republic Party, Jonathan Yearwood – A New and United Guyana; Shazam Ally – The Citizenship Initiative; and Gerald Perreira of Organisation for the Victory of the People as respondents. The Attorney General Chambers also joined the proceedings. In Guyana’s High Court, Acting Chief Justice dismissed Petition 99 on June 14, 2021.

The Appeal Court on December 21, 2021, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Elections Petition 99, which was dismissed by the High Court. While the matter was at the Appeal Court, Jagdeo’s lawyers had argued that there can only be an appeal after a determination is made in manner and this was not done in the case of Election Petition 99.

March 2020 Election Fraud case adjourned to April 18th

The seven persons currently before the Magistrate’s Court for charges related to fraud perpetuated during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections are expected back in court on April 18, 2023.

The matter was called on Monday (March 13, 2023) before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

In June 2021, former Chair of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Volda Lawrence; former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; APNU+AFC Coalition activist, Carol Smith-Joseph; and four staffers from the Guyana Elections

Commission

(GECOM)

Secretariat - Sherfern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings and Michelle Miller – were charged with conspiring with each other to commit fraud by altering votes cast in the March 2nd 2020 National and Regional elections.

They were each placed on $100,000 bail when the matter was initially called before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

The signatures of Lawrence and Joseph were on manipulated declarations for Region 4– issued on March 5, 2020 and March 13, 2020 – that were prepared by Mingo. In both

President trumpets call for unity, togetherness and oneness

AsGuyana joined the rest of the world in observance of International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Government remains adamant that racial discrimination, ethnocentrism, or any other form of discrimination has no place in the building of a modern and unified Guyana, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. He stressed that the incumbent PPP/C administration is committed to developing and implementing policies guided by principles of equality, inclusivity and justice.

According to him, Guyana’s diverse nature can serve as an example to the world, as Guyanese seamlessly engage and celebrate each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. The unified demeanor, Dr Ali emphasised, is amplified in the implementation of government policies.

“The Government of Guyana will continue to work assiduously to eradicate all forms of racism and racial discrimination, and to ensure inclusive

development with equal access, and sharing in Guyana’s wealth,” the president noted.

Notably, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips emphasised that these principles will continue to lay a foundation for the ‘One Guyana’ platform. He added that as Guyana reflects on the struggle that characterised its journey in the fight against racial discrimination, citizens must continue to persevere in the ongoing effort to achieve equality and unity. “As leaders, we are responsible for creating a peaceful, productive, and prosperous environment where every citizen is valued, respected, and feels a sense of belonging, regardless of ethnicity, race, or religion. Therefore, it is critical that we lead by example, not just in words but through our actions in guiding our people, which show what we stand for,” the prime minister noted.

Further, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, shared similar sentiments in her address, reminding that Article

34 of the constitution outlines the responsibility of the state to eliminate discriminatory distinctions. “The PPP/C Government has always led efforts to promote equal rights, provide equal opportunity, and ensure equitable access to essential services and goods for all of our people,” the parliamentary affairs minister said. Moreover, in a representation of this effort, the government has laid the foundation for the reconstitution of the Ethnic Relations Commission, a constitutional body mandated to promote ethnic harmony among Guyanese. The ten-member commission will be sworn in on Tuesday (March 21, 2023), marking the occasion.

Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, added her voice to the appeal, pointing out that Guyana is a melting pot of culture and ethnicity, a diverse mix in which cohesiveness can be maintained only through nationwide participation. “There is evidence that prevails that Guyanese are desirous of building a strong and united

nation which will ultimately undermine any attempt at discrimination, and at best squash the manifestation of racial discrimination in any shape or form,” she said. President Ali’s ‘one Guyana’ initiative has been an instrumental aspect of the administration’s commitment to dismantling any cords of discrimination in Guyana, a true testament to the continued endeavour to achieve unity.

Further, highlighting the consequences of racial discrimination, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha stressed the struggles endured by citizens in this regard, not-

ing that Guyanese should forge a path of unity, justice, and equality. “It begins with us, every citizen of our country. Guyana has demonstrated a strong political will to accelerate action for racial justice and equality. Through these efforts and the willingness that our brothers and sisters have demonstrated to come together for the greater good and development of our country,” the agriculture minister posited.

The International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21. This year’s theme highlights the urgency of combatting racism and racial dis-

crimination.

Seventy-five years ago, representatives from all regions of the world with different legal and cultural backgrounds agreed on a set of principles that state each individual is entitled to certain freedoms. These principles are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which dictates that every individual is entitled to all the rights outlined without distinction of any kind, whether it relates to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status.

Norton in another show of opportunistic pontificating

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, embattled leader of the PNCR and the APNU+AFC Coalition, Aubrey Norton, opted to pontificate about the responsibilities that political leaders have to build an inclusive society on March 21, 2023 – a move that can only be described as opportunistic pontificating given his refusal to condemn the recent controversial comments by the Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) executive members.

On a platform he shared with Norton, Ogunseye, at a public meeting in Buxton on March 9, 2023, said: the WPA’s objectives were clear and the first is “to get the African team in a state of battle readiness… the Afro-Guyanese police and soldiers… would stand with Afro-Guyanese in resisting mainly Indo-Guyanese supporting the PPP/C…no government could survive if they don’t have the support of the military and those who carry weapons for the state…once we organise our people and once we begin to fight we will ensure that our brothers and sisters in uniform will do the right thing…a white diplomat pulled me in a corner and he said I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they say they are oppressed. What he was saying is our problem is our own making. Our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

Also, the WPA’s Rhonda Layne, at the same March 9, 2023 meeting in Buxton said:“All these other people who come here, who suddenly getting land, many of them came from the slums of India… they lived in pipes, they live in all the deplorable places.”

Norton has failed to condemn the comments. Instead, he only that Ogunseye’s comments represented a “bad” choice of words. On March 16, 2022, Norton said: “Yes there might have been a bad choice of language…you would notice that we did not endorse the language that was used….there are many people who agree with what Ogunseye said….when it comes to reflection of reality, indeed (the comments addressed that).”

The Opposition Leader’s failures to condemn the WPA Executives cannot be reconciled with his statement on March 21, 2023, when he said: “Political leaders should promote a vision of a united and inclusive society, and work towards building consensus and cooperation between different racial and ethnic groups. This includes promoting greater representation and participation of underrepresented groups in the political process, as well as promoting greater dialogue and collaboration between different political parties…. we all have a responsibility to speak out against racism and discrimination, to challenge stereotypes and prejudice, and to promote greater understanding and respect between different racial and ethnic groups.”

For Norton to make such claims, when he has failed to act where it counts, can only be described as duplicitous.

It is correct to say that “division and disunity will only rob us of the realization of our full potential as a people.” However, until Norton and his cabal walk the talk, progress towards this goal will be an uphill battle.

The 2023 theme of the International Day focuses on the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled; racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and an international framework has been built for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is now nearing universal ratification.

Guyana, which ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, since 1997, having signed onto the Convention in December 1968. To date, multiple efforts have been embarked on, including that of the incumbent PPP/C Administration via President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative.

Opposition taking racial and divisive politics too far

Dear Editor,

The PNC/WPA assemblage of the Coalition of sorts are at their lowest ebb, and being in that diminished capacity, they are lashing out in notoriously dangerous forms. That motley group is now making violent and divisive remarks at public fora, trying desperately to foment strife and discord in our society.

It is a well-known fact that this has always been a strategy used by the PNC, but in recent times it has become a more pronounced form of approach.

Now, herein lies the problem: Why this sudden appeal to violence and racial slurs hurled at Indians? Well, it does not take a Rocket Scientist to figure that out. Norton, for his own part, is on the ropes if not on the canvass, and, as such, he will do anything to shore up his image. In that desperation mode, he is calling on the lowest of the low in the WPA to appeal to the thugs that are still around to “turn their guns in the right direction.”

When others chided him for his stupidity, such as Geeta Chandan, this other idiot David Hinds took up the mantle and attacked her with the racial assertion that she is a “slave catcher.” This statement was meant to humiliate her.

It was a strong message that she, being an Indian, needs to stay out of “African” Liberation struggle in Guyana.

In the first place, there is no “African Liberation” struggle in Guyana. If there is, it is a PNC survival struggle, a struggle for relevance in a Guyanese society which has long since ostracised them. Secondly, I ask Hinds not to forget that it was his own kind who caught black men and women and made them slaves, then marched them through the African bush to the slave ports, where they were handed over to the white slave owners. The Indian had no part in that humiliating saga, it was purely the work of idiots like Hinds who did this just for a piece of trinket.

But far more interesting is the motive behind the WPA’s servile remarks. They are doing Norton’s dirty work in elbowing out Indians and moderate blacks out of the party. The PNC leadership was never comfortable with Indians in the inner sanctum of the party, and if you take a good look at the way that race was treated since the Charrandas incident, you will get my drift.

From information gathered, the general sentiment in the party is that the Indians had overstayed their welcome. Their sole purpose was to garner the

Indian votes, while the PNC is left to dominate the scene thereafter. They lost the 2020 Election, so there was no need for the Indians in their midst anymore.

But what I want to tell them is that getting rid of the Indian members would not help their situation either, the PNC is destined to fail, Indian or no Indian.

The fact of the matter is: What are you doing there? We told you so, don’t you people realize that the PNC Party is a bunch of hooligan thugs where Indians and moderate educated blacks are not welcomed? When would you people ever learn? But this is the sad state of affairs of a group of individuals who have become trapped in this racial imbroglio. It is an abysmal situation that no one would like to find oneself.

So, as I close, I must tell my readers that in a modern and enlightened society such as ours, the PNC and its pathetic claptraps are finding themselves alienated from the mainstream concept of One Guyana. In this regard, they will see how hopeless their standing will be in the upcoming Local Government Elections and on the wider general elections stage.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Dear Editor,

Letme remind Guyanese that in October 2022, a former leader of the Canadian Nationalist Party was handed a one-year sentence on a hate speech charge, after he called for the genocide of Jewish people. He did so in a video posted on the party’s website and social media accounts. This incident, one of many of this type, came back to me as I ruminated on the racial/racist diatribe and ‘call to violence’ that emanated from the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye, who angrily stated that: “The Afro Guyanese dominated Police and soldiers… would stand with Afro Guyanese in resisting the mainly Indo-Guyanese supported PPP/C.” His resort to this kind of rhetoric smacks of ‘immediate violence’ as he ‘preached’ at Buxton that “We come to tell you that we will ensure that our brothers and sisters in uniform do the right thing and this thing will be over quickly.”

Editor, I am incensed at this appalling behaviour, but not surprised. I go back to April 2011, when the said Ogunseye intimated violence. At that juncture, the belligerent activist stated that “The winner-takes-all political system is not in the best interest of Guyana. It creates the possibility of race domination. We (ACDA) believe that the Afri-

can community should fight for shared governance in a constitutional struggle though protest or “all other things” that are part of a political struggle to win constitutional reform for shared governance.”

Now he has upped the ante and seems desperate. So, I join the condemning chorus and my remarks here are quite necessary.

First, it is good to note that the Joint Services Chairman, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, is calling on “…social and political activists and commentators to refrain from making remarks which would incite racial tensions and deviate from the promotion of the peace and security, which the armed forces are mandated to maintain.” This is timely, and it comes over as both a rebuke against Ogunseye, and an appeal for ‘rightful actions’ from those he is trying to sway. Brigadier Bess must be commended for his intervention, reminding all that “… irrespective of its ethnic composition, the Joint Services of Guyana is an apolitical institution and will continue to uphold the noble position of service to the people of Guyana.”

I hope this sinks in; Ogunseye needs reform. After all, Guyana, as a democracy, “… is guided by the Constitution, (and this) mandates the body’s protection of the (sanctity of the) law, the execution of its duties, in keeping with

its constitutional responsibilities, and not by any partisan values and interests.” Up to this point, kudos to the Joint Services of Guyana.

Secondly, as is his wont, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, who is also Secretary of the Defence Board, pitched right in, and said: “I feel compelled to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the exhortations by Tacuma Ogunseye to the Armed Forces of Guyana to join a mass uprising against the lawful and democratically elected Government of Guyana, referencing the Forces’ ‘ready access to weapons’, for them to be ‘battle ready’, and preying to the dominant Afro-Guyanese composition of the said Forces.” This is like an OMG.

To Ogunseye, I say that his ‘call for violence’ and his ‘appeal to race’ seem quite protuberant. In fact, Ogunseye comes over as remote and detached. Whom is he speaking to? Who will listen to him? The members of the Joint Forces, in the height of the ignominious rigging attempts, did not misconduct themselves. Will they now besmirch themselves? More so, for a nonentity like Ogunseye?

Anil Nandlall was poignant, referencing his retort in unambiguous legal language. He explicated that this “racist incendiary call” for public disorder and

Ogunseye’s ‘call for violence’ and his ‘appeal to race’ seem quite protuberant

AFC has about 113,000 reasons to hide from 2023 LGE

Dear Editor,

Guyanese should ignore the call from the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, to boycott the elections.

First, people have a reason to go to the polls. Our country is developing rapidly and we play an important role in democracy and in holding leaders accountable; unlike when his APNU-AFC Coalition government was in office and voter turnout dropped to below 50%. Stabroek News on 17th of November

2018 reported that: “The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday confirmed that a mere 36.3% or 208,534 of the 573,923 registered electors turned up to cast their ballots when the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) were held across the country on Monday. The figure represents a more than 10% decline from the 47.1% recorded for the 2016 LGE. At the time of those elections, 239,070 of the 507,584 persons eligible to vote cast their ballots. Based on these figures, this year’s polls saw over 30,000 fewer voters.” That peo-

ple did not participate as they should says a lot about the governance of the time. The fact that the PPPC won significantly at the 2018 LGE also says that the APNU-AFC Coalition government could not mobilise their own people to go out and vote. In contrast, by the time that the 2020 General and Regional Elections came around, an opportunity to change the government, voter turnout, was 72.58 %.

Secondly, Mr. Ramjattan claims that his Political Party (if we can still call his outfit that) has valid reasons for not contesting the elections and the main one is the Voters’ List. But the truth is that: one, the APNU did not go the 2018 LGE with the AFC and the AFC is likely to be left on its own again; two, the AFC was beat by 113,000 votes by the PPPC; and three, the AFC is unlikely to make any kind of inroads at the 2023 LGE.

On the issue of the Voters’ List, as per Guyana’s constitution and a ruling of the

High Court, Guyanese who were registered to vote, but have since migrated cannot be removed from the Voters’ List. The report from Elections Observer Missions (EOMs) in 2020 recognized that this contributed to the total number on the Voters’ List. The final report from the Election Observer Mission sent by the Carter Center, on page 10, said: “The number of registered voters seems disproportionate to Guyana’s estimated population, in part because Guyana allows Guyanese living overseas to remain on the voters list.” The European Union Election Observer Mission in their final report, on page 16, said: "...Guyana’s high emigration rate may be the most significant factor accounting for an ‘inflated’ list.” The line about a bloated Voters’ List is worn out already.

Enough is enough.

Dear Editor,

Iam disappointed, shocked and appalled at the level of Opposition politics taking place in our country at present and in the lead-up to local government polls, to be held on June 12, 2023.

Firstly, the type of language and political rhetoric used at public meetings and rallies of the combined Opposition is increasingly inciting division and segregation among our people. It is publicly racist and demeaning.

I feel opposition politicians are not demonstrating the kind of responsible rhetoric that the public has come to expect from a leader who has an interest in becoming either the President or Minister in the future.

I condemn all the parties and groups that support either partially or wholly this level of politics or political rhetoric. I draw attention to the silence of the Guyana Human Rights Association, civil society, non-governmental groups, and independent commentors.

Every Guyanese who facilitates the political campaign being waged by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Working Peoples Alliance party (WPA) is guilty of supporting more divisiveness and a disunited Guyana. They are supporting a Guyana in which the Opposition statements can go unchecked, unfiltered, and down a path of being unhinged.

Secondly, this is sad and unfortunate that leaders of combined Opposition do not research or know the subject of the topics they are speaking about at the meetings and rallies, leading to a vast and troubling amount of misinformation, disinformation, misleading statements and political lies being levelled against the Government of the day and individual members of the Government.

They slander and libel the members of the Peoples Progressive Party daily, without exception, and then abuse the privilege under the Parliament or politics, and the freedom of speech to shield themselves. I think the freedom of speech does not empower these Opposition politicians to tell blatant lies or different versions of the truth because they suit them politically.

Thirdly, I do not, nor will I ever, support the racial incitement of violence against the

different ethnic groups seemingly by the combined Opposition. I stand against political violence because there is simply no justification for it in Guyana in the year 2023.

I reject the WPA, David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye and Rickford Burke for seeking to allegedly stir up conflict and the pot of ethnic hostility and racism in our society in order to win votes. These are dangerous men, but I know Guyanese will not follow, act, or listen to the things they are saying on their public social media platforms.

I support the military, joint services and the Guyana Police Force, which will act professionally at all times, regardless of the temptation to be political from either side of the political divide.

I support the law and legality, and hereby believe that the authorities should not turn a blind eye to political heresy, political and racial incitement of PNC/R, APNU, WPA and any other social media personality in the leadup to the local government polls.

This common, puerile and reprehensible type of politics must end in modern Guyana.

Finally, it is either you have the facts, or shut up! The Opposition is sounding very stupid whenever they make these allegations of discrimination and racism but cannot point to some specific cases. They must be challenged, because it is Guyana’s image regionally and internationally that they slander, not the PPP alone, as they seemingly intend.

The Leader of the Opposition should use some of the money or Opposition resources they have to commission a factual and analytical analysis of discrimination, racism, and all other allegations he makes against the PPP Government. Again, this is baby politics and politics 100 being practised in our society. Where are the issues, plans and policies that Opposition politicians will present to make local government work efficiently and effectively for the people?

Now is not the time for small-minded politicians, divisiveness, or racial politics, but the time for building Guyana, so the reality of ‘One Guyana’ can continue to be fashioned from an idea into a functioning reality.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

Yours Truly, Anson Paul

Now is not time for small-minded politicians, divisiveness or racial politics

Hinds says Ramjattan, Nagamootoo’s ‘only use’ was to bring in ‘Indian votes’

In a confirmation of criticisms of the APNU+AFC Coalition, the Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA), David Hinds, made clear that the AFC’s only usefulness was to secure the “Indian vote” for the PNCR-led APNU.

At a meeting in Atlanta, United States of America, he went further to stress that the Coalition had no purpose after the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. He said, “What we were in was an electoral arrangement with the AFC, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, and so on. And it was strictly for elections. When the elections are over, the Coalition is really over…we make elec-

toral arrangements to win the elections.”

The Indo-Guyanese “who were Ministers in the last government,” according to Hinds were needed because “we needed some Indian votes and they brought some Indian votes.”

As has been the pattern, Hinds honed in on his claims of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese – a line repeatedly peddled without any substantiation.

The controversial David Hinds has doubled down on his divisive rhetoric saying he has “no apology” to make for his recent controversial comments.

The United States-based Hinds has been one of the

more vocal personalities aligned to the APNU+AFC Coalition calling for persons to do everything possible to undermine the government. His comments were premised on the claim that Afro-Guyanese have to respond to the “provocation of violence” by the PPP/C government via its economic policies – a claim for which there is no substantial evidence to support.

On November 22, 2021, David Hinds, said: “I think the time has come to defend ourselves…it is time for action…I am also repeating my call to undermine the government. I said that in August and I am saying it again. A leader does not have to

AFC’s Cathy Hughes has no grounds for criticism of gov’t – Min McCoy

tell you how to undermine the government. There are many ways…undermine the government and continue to do so.” At the same forum, Hinds went further to call for Indian-owned businesses to be boycotted. He said, “They were enablers and they are enablers….it is your money that is spending on Regent Street that they does take and give to the PPP as contributions for elections so they can get into government… undermine the economic partners of the PPP.”

Prior to that, while addressing a small group of protestors at Victoria, East Coast Demerara in August 2021, Hinds said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C) government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

Despite the backlash over his statements, Hinds maintained his positions.

Chairperson

of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Cathy Hughes, has been lambasted for what has been described as her baseless criticism of government’s newly introduced electronic identification system.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, called out the former Minister of Public Telecommunications for her criticism of a legal process while reaping private benefits from government contracts during her time in office.

Recently, government signed a US$35.4 million contract with a German-based company, Veridos Identity Solutions, for the implementation of the national electronic Identification (ID) Card.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, assured that the contract was signed in accordance with the local laws. Responding to criticism from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the senior finance minister emphasised that the claims

made by the organisation have no basis, positing that, “The contract with Veridos was lawfully executed, with an internationally reputable group, and is intended to deliver a product that will transform citizen experience in Guyana with the introduction of the integrated electronic national identification card. Once introduced, the card will enable citizens to interact with all government agencies and many private sector entities using this single unique and secure identifier, and will vastly improve the efficiency of service delivery to citizens.”

Meanwhile, Minister McCoy reminded that this system will bring monumental benefits to Guyanese, taking the economy to new heights in terms of modernisation. The Minister highlighted that there are public reports with supporting evidence of the former minister’s private company receiving millions in contracts from government through her ministry. The statement reads, “There are many more corrupt deals in which she was implicated in.

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Inciteful statements by WPA members under legal review – Benn

Recent statements by members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) which have been deemed ‘racist and inciting’ by a number of government officials and civil society bodies are currently under legal review.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, in recent comments, charged that the statements are harmful to the country. “They [statements] appear to me to be frankly seditious and if they are found to be frankly, seditious, the laws will take its course,” the Minister said.

The minister joined President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC., and members of civil society bodies and the private sector in condemning the statements. “We should not allow persons to vicariously, in a crowded hall of people shout fire or call one set of people to attack another set of people… or to suggest

that persons who have arms in a formal discipline service area to turn those against the state or against their fellow Guyanese,” Benn said.

It was also highlighted that statements of this nature cannot be made in a democratic society, where there is a Parliament and legal courts.

Minister Benn also pointed out that there are parliamentary and legal routes for organisations to explore if they are aggrieved.

The Home Affairs Minister recalled the period of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections where, “some persons who were in uniform did things which were not lawful, democratic in relation to our country. We’ve largely gone past that issue and we don’t want to go back to it.”

Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye, with whom PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, shared a stage on March 9, 2023,

during a public meeting in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, stated that in the “present campaign” the WPA has “clear objectives”. The first of these, according to him, was “to get the African team in a state of battle readiness… the Afro-Guyanese police and soldiers… would stand with Afro-Guyanese in resisting mainly Indo-Guyanese supporting the PPP/C.” He said, “…no government could survive if they don’t have the support of the military and those who carry weapons for the state…once we organise our people and once we begin to fight we will ensure that our brothers and sisters in uniform will do the right thing…a white diplomat pulled me in a corner and he said I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they say they are oppressed. What he was saying is our problem

is our own making. Our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

The WPA has since issued a statement in support of Ogunseye. The statement on March 10, 2023, said, “The WPA stands in solidarity with its longstanding member, Tacuma Ogunseye…Mr Ogunseye did not incite the forces as the statement insinuates. He simply call on the men in uniform to do the right thing and not turn their guns on Guyanese citizens protesting and resisting government overreach.”

Meanwhile, the WPA’s Rhonda Layne, at the March 9, 2023 meeting in Buxton said, “All these other people who come here, who suddenly getting land, many of them came from the slums of

India… they lived in pipes, they live in all the deplorable places.”

Regardless the attempts at justification, Ogunseye’s comments have been described as hateful, racially inflammatory and terrorist in nature, by President Ali. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has led the charge in rallying condemnation for the March 9, 2023 comments made Ogunseye.

To date, the business community - the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), among others; the religious community - the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), the Pandits Council, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, and the Guyana Inter Religious Organization (IRO);

as well as the trade union movement, via the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), have all come out in condemnation.

The Chairman of the Joint Services of Guyana and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, has also released a statement. Bess charged that: “…irrespective of the its ethnic composition, the Joint Services of Guyana is an apolitical institution and will continue to uphold the novel position of service to the people of Guyana…. social and political activists and commentators (must) refrain from these and other misleading and mischievous remarks which incite racial tensions, deviating from the promotion of the peace and security

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DPP to advise on ending PNCR’s illegal occupation of state-owned building

The matter of the PNCR’s occupation of a stateowned building in Lethem, Region 9, has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the Guyana Police Force.

In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that it has prepared a file to send to the DPP. According to the Police, the legal advice from the DPP would be awaited on before appropriate action is taken.

The Police explained in the statement that current

REO, Karl Singh, made a Police complaint about Parker and associates obstructing the region’s work on the building. Parker was accused of attempting to chase away a contractor who was working on the building under a contract from the regional administration.

“On March 1 2023, at about 23:50 hrs, Police ranks in Regional Division #9, acting on information, went to the Government Building where they met (REO Singh) and six men. The REO indicated to the ranks that he had

given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof, since the building belongs to the Region and it was tendered for infrastructure work to be done. The contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 2. At about 02:30 hours that morning, a motor pickup bearing licence plate # GRR 1100, driven by Carl Parker, and minibus bearing licence plate #BYY 755, driven by George Nicholson, arrived at the area where they started to ‘video’

the building. The contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.” The Police explained in the statement. It was further alleged that members of the PNC subsequently came and broke off the locks for the property. The REO also said the Opposition party was served with notices to vacate the building on several occasions.

Meanwhile, Parker and another man, were on March 8, 2023, were hauled before the court for their actions

and released on $30,000 bail each for allegedly damaging a government building in Lethem. Parker, 59, of Lethem Agriculture Zone, Hiowa Creek in Central Rupununi and Godfrey Williams, called ‘Cut Mouth’, a 55-year-old miner of Tabatinga Village, Lethem, appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court. Both men denied that on March 4, 2023, at Lethem, they unlawfully damaged a building, which belongs to the Government of Guyana.

The matter was adjourned to March 22, 2023. Additionally, Parker was charged separately for his alleged threatening behaviour towards 51-year-old Dale Kennedy, who was a contractor working on the building on the day in question. He was released on self-bail. The PPP/C government had made clear that the PNCR has to end its illegal occupation of the Stateowned building, to allow for the operations of a Health Center that would serve the community.

Op-Ed: We will not be led astray by ‘handful of foul spirited persons’ who despise progress

By Gail Teixeira

Racism, racial hostility, ethnocentrism or any other form of discrimination based on our diversity has no place in Guyana.

The Constitution of Guyana, which is the supreme law of our land clearly lays out the responsibility of every person in Guyana to eliminate discriminatory distinctions (Article 33) and to honour, respect and appreciate the diverse cultural strains which enrich our society (Article 34). The constitution even goes further in Article 149 to prohibit discrimination by stating that no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect, and that no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner.

Every person in Guyana is entitled to the same fundamental human rights laid out in our constitution, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, class or any other characteristic. The PPP/C Government of Guyana has always led efforts to promote equal rights, provide equal opportunity and ensure eq -

uitable access to essential services and goods for all our people.

We ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination decades ago and still submit reports to the United Nations to ensure that our stories are recorded, and our country is afforded the respect it deserves for being one of the most diverse and tolerant counties in this part of the world. We must appreciate that the Convention against Racism is afforded status of Supreme Law as it is integrated into the Guyanese Constitution through Article 154A.

Whether it is land and house-lot allocation; small business grants; GOAL and GROW Scholarships; WIIN training; improved free healthcare; advancements in universal nursery and primary education and soon to be achieved in secondary education; disability grants; public assistance; old age pension; or any of the initiatives being implemented by this government. A simple analysis of any of these programmes will

show that Guyanese of all ethnicities and identities are benefitting. We are a government committed to ensuring inclusion and diversity at the core of all that we do.

Further, Government has led the process to re-constitute the Ethnic Relations Commission which is a constitutional body elected through an inclusive and participatory process. This process is convened by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments of the National

Struggles against division demand efforts of all Guyanese – PM Phillips

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Tuesday (March 21, 2023), reiterated that the Government of Guyana is committed to implementing policies and programmes that promote equality and justice.

He said, “Your government is committed to implementing policies and programmes that promote equality and justice, including increasing access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, ensuring that all Guyanese are a part of the national development agenda.”

According to him, the international day is used by Guyanese gather to reflect on their progress in the fight against racial discrimination, and to recommit themselves to their ongoing dedication to achieving equality, tolerance, and unity. He added that Guyana has a rich history that comprises people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and

has contributed significantly to the country’s diversity and multicultural society. In accordance with the richness of the country’s heritage and history, the government remains committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of race, can access and benefit from every aspect of development in Guyana.

“We will not condone any form of discrimination, be it in the workplace, in the access to education, health, security and all other areas. However, like many other nations, our history depicts instances of racial conflict that have left deep scars on our people,” Phillips stressed.

He reasoned that while confronting this reality and acknowledging the painful episodes of the past, Guyanese must continue to forge forward to create a future free of inequality.

“As leaders, we are responsible for creating a peaceful, productive and prosperous environment where every citizen is valued, respected, and feels a sense of belonging, regardless of ethnicity,

Assembly, and implemented with an active broad-based consultative process by civil society organisations, including cultural groups, religious organisations, business, labour, women and youth groups and other key stakeholders. Having received the unanimous support of the National Assembly, the 10 members of the Commission were sworn-in on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racism.

The Government of Guyana reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the ERC will continue to receive annual budgetary allocations so that it can effectively execute its mandate to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, as set out in Article 212D of the Constitution.

As our nation develops, our President’s One Guyana vision becomes even more important - it sets the primary foundational block upon which we can build our country on a united front. We must realize that the One Guyana vision is not simply an objective – it is our reality, and our truth. Though we come from many cultures, many races, and many places of origin, our identity as Guyanese is paramount. We must not allow ourselves to be divided by political parties and agents of those parties who strive to propagate a racist and hateful rhetoric, often to fill a void of any true validity on their part. In the face of any attempts to incite hate and hostility or to create division, it is our fundamental right and responsibility to

reject racism.

From the use of carbon-credits for the empowerment of all Amerindian villages to the legal land titling processes for our Indigenous Peoples to the Because-weCare cash grants for all of Guyana’s children, or the humanitarian assistance offered to migrants fleeing their countries for safety, it is evident that our government’s commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity is steadfast.

On this day to mark the International Day to Eliminate All Forms of Racial Discrimination we should not be led astray by a handful of foul spirited persons who despise progress; these are the people who preach hate, fuel tensions and incite violence. They offer nothing to the Guyanese people except pain and division. Neither must we be wilful bystanders who witness these divisive acts and remain silent.

Today, like every other day, it is our duty to acknowledge, embrace and respect diversity, and to unite our efforts to build One Guyana for all Guyanese.

March 2020 Election Fraud... ←

race, or religion. Therefore, it is critical that we lead by example, not just in words but through our actions in guiding our people, which show what we stand for,” the Prime Minister related.

He added, “At the same time, we must also recognise the importance of dialogue and engagement among different ethnic groups. We must work to build bridges of understanding and promote cultural exchange, fostering a sense of community and shared identity.”

He called for the Guyanese to renew their commitment to equality, justice, and non-discrimination and for them to stand together as One Guyana, to work towards a future where every person is valued and respected. “I want us all to be reminded that the struggle against racial discrimination is ongoing and requires every citizen’s collective effort. With determination and commitment, let us continue to work together towards a brighter future for all Guyanese built on unity and mutual respect,” he said.

cases, the manipulated declarations increased votes for the APNU+AFC and decreased the votes for the PPP/C. By the end of the recount for Region 4, the declarations were exposed as having been manipulated.

Mingo and Lawrence are facing a joint charge, which alleges that on March 5, 2020, in Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document, that is to say, a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections, knowing said report to be forged.

Mingo and Joseph are facing a charge alleges that on March 13, 2020, they uttered a forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections, while knowing that the report was forged.

Joseph faces two individual charges, which state that on March 13, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, she conspired with Mingo and others to declare a fraudulent count of votes for District Four for both the general and

regional elections.

OTHERS BEFORE COURT

Also, facing court are sacked former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; and sacked former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers.

Lowenfield was slapped with six charges relating to forgery and misconduct in public office.

The charges against Myers allege that between March 4 and March 14, 2020, in Georgetown, while being a public officer, she willfully misconducted herself together with Mingo, and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, which amounted to a breach of the public’s trust in the office of the DCEO of GECOM.

PROSECUTION

Already several boxes containing certified copies of Statements of Polls (SOPs) and Statements of Recount (SORs) from the March 2020 elections have been handed over to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The documents will be used as evidence against those before the court. The SOPs and SORS were accompa -

FROM PAGE 2

nied by statements and video evidence, which included copies of video-recorded interviews the accused had with the Police. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) DPP and Acting Police Commissioner had initiated legal proceedings in the High Court, seeking orders to obtain certified copies of the SOPs and SORs from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, which are currently lodged with the Registrar of the High Court. The decision to move to the High Court came after the Police Commissioner wrote the Registrar of the High Court, Sueanna Lovell, to obtain the certified copies of the documents, but was informed, by way of a letter, this could not be done without an order from the Court.

Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels, and Konyo Sandiford are representing Mingo, Joseph, and Lawrence; while Senior Counsel John Jeremie, and Attorneys-at-Law Eusi Anderson and Latoya Roberts are appearing for the other four defendants. Hughes is also representing Lowenfield and Myers. The Director of Public Prosecutions has hired a team of lawyers to prosecute these cases on the State’s behalf.

REMEMBERING JANET JAGAN

The Role of The People's Progressive Party in the history of Guyana

BY JANET JAGAN

Our Party was the first stable political party in Guyana. We introduced politics to the masses, educating them about political life at public meetings and seminars, the first to be held on a wide scale in the country. It was the PPP which began the political education of Guyanese, making them aware of their rights, the need to run their own affairs and to have Guyanese, instead of expatriates, in positions of power.

In its first programme issued in April, 1950, the Party set out as its aims the objectives of winning independence and establishing a just socialist society.

The Party fought to bring full and genuine democracy to Guyana. In doing so, our Party advanced the limited franchise to universal adult suffrage, allowing all adults to vote for the first time in the nation's history.

We began the long struggle to end dual control of schools, which forced Christianity, in a multi-religious society, on teachers and students. Eventually we won the change to a state-controlled school system.

We ended the system of nominated members being appointed to Parliament. We fought against the undemocratic system which allowed, for example, the nomination of the sugar boss, Mr. Seaforth to the Legislative Council when he had lost the seat he contested in elections in 1947.

We fought against, and eventually won, the end of nominated members to the Executive Council of government, bringing in for the 1953 elections, the first cabinet system in Guyana.

Our party fought for, and finally won, the right of union members to choose, by free and fair ballot, the union they wanted for negotiations and representation. For years, sugar workers were forced to join the MPCA, the company union, until they finally won the battle to join the union of their choice, GAWU.

The Party fought against the undemocratic system of the British in fiddling and gerrymandering our constitution and the boundaries of constituencies.

In our battle to restore full democracy, we fought against the British-imposed laws of detention without trail.

The PPP fought and won an overwhelming majority of seats and votes in the 1953 elections which ushered in universal adult suffrage, self-government, the cabinet system; these elections brought the unity of the Guyanese people as never before seen.

We saw the suspension of the constitution in 1953, becoming the cold war victims of US and British foreign policies. Constitutional life was ended until 1957, with a fully nominated Parliament taking over. The British colonial government worked tirelessly to divide

the people's forces, succeed-ing in the split in the PPP and the formation, by Mr. Burnham, of another party, which at first he called the PPP, later the PNC. His group lost heavily in the 1957 elections, winning only three of 14 seats.

This technique of dividing the party, mainly on racial lines, was the method used by the British to hold its colonies together. Nelson Mandela in his recent autobiography cites how, when in prison, the authorities gave better food and clothing to Indian and coloured prisoners as against Black prisoners, trying to divide them on racial lines.

Despite the split and the gerrymandering of constituencies for the 1957 election, our Party won. An example of the gerrymandering was that Cheddi Jagan won his Corentyne seat with 23/143 votes, more votes than all of those won by the five parties other than the PPP which won seats in that elections. (The PPP won nine out of fourteen seats).

During the period 195761, our Party in government worked with the British Governor and top officials here without problems; we led a successful government within the colonial system and brought greatly increased benefits to the working man and woman. This record was well remembered during the 1992 elections, as voters compared conditions of the two periods.

It was our third success

at winning elections, in 1%1, that the cold war climate began seriously affecting our Party in government.

The USA greatly feared the influence of Cuba and charged that Guyana was going to be a second Cuba in this hemisphere. The US greatly influenced British colonial policy in Guyana. We then entered the period of activities by the CIA and British MI5 to destabilise our government. The opposition parties, the PNC and United Force, plus the TUC, worked closely with the CIA to undermine our Party and government, attempting to blow up Freedom House and fostering racial differences which led to the loss of lives and property.

The PNC, along with the UF, were catapulted into office in a coalition after the

1964 elections, brought one year beforehand and introducing proportional representation, which was aimed at removing our Party from government. Even though our Party won the largest number of votes of any party, the forced marriage of the PNC and UF kept us out of office.

Thus began 28 years of misrule and electoral fraud. Our members were harassed, imprisoned, searched, tortured, persecuted and suffered discrimination at all levels, bringing on the great exodus from Guyana. We experienced an economic downturn which created greater poverty, a severe drop in social services, the wrecking of the country's infrastructure and the demoralisation of the nation's citizens.

The assault on democracy highlighted this period with the gross rigging of elections.

The long battle to restore democracy began, first with the PPP's exposure of the electoral fraud of the 1968 elections. Little or no support was given to the PPP's struggle then, or even in the violent and heavily rigged elections of 1973. The Party boycotted the National Assembly for three years, protesting the electoral fraud. The Party eventually decided to return to Parliament, adopting a policy of "critical support" after extensive consultations with Party's rank and file.

The Party continued its exposure of electoral fraud, gradually bringing wider support for the restoration of democracy and the formation of the PCD after the 1985 elections.

Our General Secretary was successful in widening international support for our struggle to end electoral fraud, bringing in the Carter Centre, which gave such substantial help in changing the rules of the electoral process and in bringing free and fair elections to Guyana on October 5, 1992.

Our Party's role in the history of Guyana is uncontested, we helped form all the important changes in our country during the past 45 years.

Ogunseye’s ‘call for violence’...

resistance, positioned as an alternative to the democratic process of Local Government Elections lawfully due, is capable of amounting to several criminal offences, including but not limited to sedition, seditious libel, inciting riotous behaviour and exciting racial hostility in order to create a breakdown of law and order within the State of Guyana, if not treason.” Simply put, the AG is letting him know that his inflammatory outburst is not about being irresponsible and even diabolical. It is bucking the legal framework of Guyana. Indeed, I concur with the AG that “Certainly, such inflammatory publications cannot be justified under the rubric of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, since Article 146 which guarantees such freedom, expressly excepts “…hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class

← FROM PAGE 4

of persons” [Article 146 (3)].” I reiterate what Nandlall intoned, that “The unvarnished truth is that persons such as Tacuma Ogunseye and those of his ilk are of a bygone era, stuck in a time warp long gone, and for which there is no place in modern Guyana, and indeed, in any modern democratic society.”

Editor, I close by agreeing that “… we cannot become complacent and ignore these dangerous threats intended to strike at the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy and the rule of law, which protects us as a civilised nation.”

I therefore call for legal consequences to be meted out to Ogunseye. Guyana must never suffer a recidivism; the pre 1992 era must remain buried.

(The following a condensed version of the address given by PPP Executive Member, Janet Jagan, at the first session of the 25th Congress of the PPP. The Mirror Newspaper republishes this article this week since October 20, 2023 marks Mrs. Jagan’s 103rd birth anniversary)

FACTSHEET: Know your Local Authority Areas

Eligible voters in Guyana’s 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) will be heading to the polls for the 20203 Local Government Elections. Unlike, the General and Regional Elections, only voters in these 80 areas will be participating in the 2023 LGE.

REGION

REGION 5

43. Joe Hook / Farm (Region 5)

44. Hamlet/Chance (Region 5)

45. Mahaicony / Abary (Region 5)

46. Profit/Rising Sun (Region 5)

47. Seafield/Tempe (Region 5)

48. Union/Naarstigheid (Region 5)

49. Bath/Woodley Park (Region 5)

50. Woodlands/Bel Air (Region 5)

51. Zeelust-Rosignol (Region 5)

52. Blairmont/Gelderland (Region 5)

REGION 6

53. Plegt Anker/Kortberaad (Region 6)

54. Wyburg/Caracas (Region 6)

ELECTION WATCH: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Op-Ed: GECOM’s readiness for LGEs has created ‘ire’ in some Opposition remnants

By Neil Kumar, PPP Executive

The Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) progression toward Nominations Day on April 17, 2023, indicates readiness for Local Government Elections (LGEs).

This headway has drawn out further Opposition ‘ire’, and received intensified artificial challenges from orchestrators among their die-hard ranks.

They adopt the unforgiving, foolhardy posture that regardless of the abuse of failures of self-administration that kept the people suppressed, every citizen of a particular orientation should be gullible to calls for violence and protests. This is an absolute affront to education, objectivity, and rationality which has no bearing on our cohesive advancement as a nation.

REGION

55. Enfield/New Doe Park (Region 6)

56. Municipality Of New Amsterdam (Region 6)

57. Gibraltar/Fyrish (Region 6)

58. Ordnance Fort Lands/No. 38 (Region 6)

59. Canefield/Enterprise (Region 6)

60. Kintyre/Borlam (Region 6)

61. Kilcoy/Hampshire (Region 6)

62. Municipality Of Rose Hall (Region 6)

63. Port Mourant/Johns (Region 6)

64. Bloomfield/Whim (Region 6)

65. Lancaster/Hogstye (Region 6)

66. Adventure/No. 28 (Bush Lot) (Region 6)

67. Maida/Tarlogie (Region 6)

68. Black Bush Polder (Region 6)

69. Macedonia/Joppa (Region 6)

70. Good Hope/No. 51 (Region 6)

71. No. 52/No. 63 (Region 6)

72. No. 64/No. 74 (Region 6)

73. Crabwood Creek/Moleson Creek (Region 6)

74. Municipality Of Corriverton (Region 6)

REGION 7

75. Municipality of Bartica (Region 7)

REGION 8

76. Municipality of Mahdia

REGION 9

77. Municipality Of Lethem (Region 9)

78. Aranaputa/Upper Burro Burro (Region 9)

REGION 10

79. Municipality of Linden

80. Kwakwani

Nevertheless, LGEs present the opportunity for inclusive representation of governance at the community level, which must be taken advantage of regardless of these naysayers.

Our citizens must recognise the highly condemnable and perhaps, treasonable attempts at inducing unmanageable social volatility through deliberately sensitised racial conflict. We have an overwhelming responsibility to reject these contrived, and exaggeratedly created attempts at distracting from our national collective development movement.

The obvious desperation of the likes of Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) Tacuma Ogunseye, David Hinds, and, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton et al, at the Buxton public meeting held on March 09, 2023, cannot be made clearer. The irresponsible unqualifying and futile attempt of Norton to defend a call for the army’s support of protests and a ‘weaponised uprising’ based on free speech, must be seen for its every connection with the use of flagrant, clandestine methods to cheat our nation of beneficial democratic ideals.

Notably, the self-proclaimed rights of this grouping as the representative and voice of a particular ethnic group are artificial and do not command any real support.

Based on votes at previous elections, it is doubtful that the WPA will be able to prove a functional membership exceeding 50 persons, indicating their acclaimed supporters have changed their voting alliance or are abstaining.

It is widely known and recognised that the cabal’s orchestrators utilise a tacitly flawed assumption, that all persons of a particular ethnic persuasion will support their misguided principles.

It has been revealed time and time again that their pursuit of a lack of respect for our laws and proclivity for the ‘any-means-necessary approach’ continues to expose their true nature. Notwithstanding the above, the group continues the use of media platforms to sensationalise one ethnic group against others, which they see as a trump card for imbalance.

We must not view these superfluously, for they highlight the real underpinning shackles that anchor those who follow them, to a continuous self-suppressive, irresponsible opposition thinking and practice.

Editor, all have followed GECOM’s work with a sense of keen scrutiny for obvious reasons. Foremost is the response and performance required for acceptable results from the transparent execution of procedures in these first elections following the March 2020 debacle. Related is the evidential need for numerous corrective remedies, including the replacement of staff who are facing the courts for electoral fraud.

At this point, albeit with much-exercised caution, things seem to be progressing following the published work plan toward the LGEs scheduled for June 12, 2023.

Importantly, the registration offices around the country did a good job in preparation for the Claims and Objections process. Further, the electoral registers were also completed, and now GECOM finally was able to produce the appropriate list of voters for the holding of LGEs.

The institution through its secretariat has provided appropriate guidelines in an LGEs booklet, together with widely circulated published public and Gazette Notices, as well as the exercise of discretion and flexibility that provides maximum timelines for compliance where pos-

sible by contesting political respondents to the process. For these initiatives, the institution should be applauded. The appointment of the returning officers will be done shortly and the nation will move swiftly into LGEs mode. Guyanese are anxiously waiting to vote at these LGEs and expectations are sky-high that in the results, we will have a broader democracy at the local level that is supportive of their individual and collective development in the communities where they reside.

Currently, many prominent groups and village leaders are working assiduously to put together the best list of candidates to contest the LGEs for established Local Authority Areas. Consequently, it is anticipated that the leadership at the local level will be representative of the actual community requirements and advanced by more mature, inclusive, and vibrant councillors.

It is also expected that many of the fading political groups will not contest the LGEs, given their washedout popularity due to identification with the deceit and involved support of skulduggery at the March 2020 Elections. Hence, it will be the PNC trying to compete in a few traditional areas, while the ‘dead meat’ WPA and the AFC are certainly blowing hot air to stay seemingly as relevant paper organizations.

It is much clearer that the tremendous PPP/C-led development push at all levels across the country is attracting and forging a greater unity platform amongst our citizens. Attendance to support the disruptive unjustified undercurrents from the cabal Opposition front men and women must therefore be heavily rejected forthwith, and resolve to the adoption of an approach of rationality and objectivity.

These LGEs will foster strong leadership at the local levels whose focus must target boosting the standards of living of the Guyanese people in times of reality.

Development is visible, transparency is most encouraging and this column, therefore, calls for a fully inclusive approach at the LGEs.

GECOM must be commended for its preparation and readiness to hold LGEs.

Positions from PPP General

PPP will ‘never allow’ PNCR ‘fossils’ to denigrate role of Cheddi Jagan

Ano-holds barred General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, wasted no time in rubbishing the attempt by the PNCR to “denigrate” the role of PPP founder and former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

The PNCR’s Hamilton Green, seated next to leader of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition, during a press briefing on Thursday (March 23, 2023) morn -

ing, took issue with a billboard at Rahaman’s Park, Georgetown, which hailed Dr. Jagan as “Father of the Nation.” Green claimed that the billboard is “obnoxious” and it is an “absurdity” since PNCR founder, Forbes Burnham, deserves such an acclaim. He went on to list a host of ‘reasons’ why Dr. Jagan should not be referred to as “Father of the Nation”.

The PPP General Secretary charged that there

is no national designation called “Father of the Nation” and supporters can, understandably, want to hail the work of their Party’s founder. However, Green’s comments went further and sought to “denigrate” the role of Dr. Jagan in Guyana’s history and development. “But he wants to denigrate the role of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. We will never allow that to happen,” Jagdeo stressed.

Taking aim at Green, the PPP General Secretary said that “no good thing” can be associated with Green’s many positions, from Prime Minister of Guyana to Mayor of Georgetown. “He was at the center of stealing elections in this country…if Norton has to go to him for inspiration and support for his cause – it is a sad state of affairs,” he said.

Jagdeo also exposed Green’s duplicity in claim-

ing that Burnham was a true Guyanese who was not aligned to the “West” or the “East”, before and after after Guyana attained Independence, Burnham was on the payroll of the USA’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Declassified documents from the CIA, exposed the fact that a CIA committee, the ‘303 Committee’ said, “Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana, who has previously received co-

vert assistance from CIA, requested that the Agency provide $10,000 a month for two years to support his efforts to build his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), into an effective, permanently organized political party.”

The declassified documents can be accessed at the following link: https:// history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus196976ve10/d365

ThePeople’s Progressive Party (PPP) is the only truly multi-ethnic political party in Guyana, according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

At a news conference on Thursday (March 23, 2023), he noted that the recently released report from the United States of America’s (USA) State Department, the 2022 Human Rights Report on Guyana, made clear that, “Members of both ethnicities held senior leadership positions of the government.”

Reality, he charged, stands in stark contrast with the misinformation peddled by the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition about racial discrimination.

He said, “Race is another tool for the PNCR…the only multi-ethnic party in Guyana by practice, policy, philosophy and membershipp.”

NORTON EXPOSED

The PPP General Secretary noted that as recent as Thursday (March 23, 2023) morning, PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, parroted the claim that the PPP/C is a ‘racist party’.

However, he called attention to the fact that two women, who are Indo-Guy-

anese, in less than a year of Norton being leader of the PNCR, have been removed as the Party’s General Secretary. PNCR stalwart, Amna Ally, was booted when Norton took the leadership of the PNCR and Geeta Chandan-Edmond was removed recently, without explanation.

Jagdeo also called attention to the PNCR-Coalition aligned, David Hinds, for referring to Chandan-Edmonds as a “slave catcher” because of her condemnation of the calls to violence by WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye.

The PPP General Secretary stated too that the four other PNCR members, who are also Indo-Guyanese –Coalition Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul, Coalition Parliamentarian Natasha Singh Lewis, Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, and Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram -also condemned Ogunseye’s comments are were visibly excluded from Norton’s engagement with the recent visit by a high-level US government team.

Further, he charged that Hind’s reference to the “use” of Indo-Guyanese from AFC was also telling. At a meeting in Atlanta, United States

of America, Hinds stressed that the Coalition had no purpose after the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. He said, “What we were in was an electoral arrangement with the AFC, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, and so on. And it was strictly for elections. When the elections are over, the Coalition is really over… we make electoral arrangements to win the elections.”

The Indo-Guyanese “who were Ministers in the last government,” according to Hinds were needed because “we needed some Indian votes and they brought some Indian votes.”

CHALLENGE THE RACE CARD

Acknowledging the danger that the Coalition’s play of the race card poses to the fabric of Guyanese society, Jagdeo made clear that as a society such actions must be called out. “We need to confront this matter frontally. We are prepared to defend our track record of working for all people…under every successive PPP/C government, all our of our people have made progress,” he said.

The past several months

have seen incidents where persons have spewed unfounded claims of racism by the current Administration. 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. The issue of racist rhetoric by the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition to stir tensions has been condemned repeatedly over the past several months by PPP/C leaders.

The PNC-led APNU+AFC Coalition’s expressed intentions to “un -

dermine” the Dr. Irfaan Aliled PPP/C Administration, according to Jagdeo, in prior comments, has not gone unnoticed. Jagdeo, in prior comments, had 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… 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.

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.

Ogunseye’s actions demand condign, quick action – PPP General Secretary

The controversial comments by the Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) Tacuma Ogunseye are a “law and order” issue and demand condign and quick action, according to the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo.

“These are illegal acts and police need to deal with them,” he said, during the news conference on Thursday (March 23, 2023), which was held at Freedom House.

Ogunseye, at a public meeting in Buxton on March 9, 2023, stathe ed that WPA’s objectives were clear and the first is “to get

the African team in a state of battle readiness… the Afro-Guyanese police and soldiers… would stand with Afro-Guyanese in resisting mainly Indo-Guyanese supporting the PPP/C…no government could survive if they don’t have the support of the military and those who carry weapons for the state…once we organise our people and once we begin to fight we will ensure that our brothers and sisters in uniform will do the right thing…a white diplomat pulled me in a corner and he said I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are

holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they say they are oppressed. What he was saying is our problem is our own making. Our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

Prior to that, on March 5, 2023 at a meeting at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, Ogunseye threatened the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force. He said, “We in the WPA say that a time will come in this country very soon, where we

PPP is the only ‘multi-ethnic party’ in Guyana – Jagdeo …says PNCR-Coalition’s racism will be challenged

Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo

Norton ‘bereft’ of leadership skills

Theembattled leader of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition, Aubrey Norton, is bereft of ideas, charisma, dynamism and leadership skills, according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a news conference at Freedom House on Thursday (March 23, 2023), he noted that this fact is exposed by his reliance on ‘fossils’ – persons who love in the past, have a history of anti-national actions, are jealous of young people who face a future of exciting possibilities and lack integrity.

He noted that the rollout of “fossils” is a trend that Guyanese are subjected to during election periods. Jagdeo said, “These people become active at elections.”

According to him, the PNCR-led Coalition’s trend has been to use the persons they trot out to attempt to redirect Guyanese from history. “There has not been a single period from the nearly 33 years that they were in office, where they have not stolen to attempted to steal an election. …that will has not changed and will not change. It is part of their DNA.”

During the last election cycle in Guyana, Guyanese saw the:

• Peddling of misinformation related to the circulation of fake national identification cards;

• Signatures of the PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, and Coalition activist, Carol Joseph, on manipulated declarations for Region 4, which increased votes for the APNU+AFC and decreased the votes for the PPP/C –declarations that were ex -

posed during the national recount as manipulated;

• Machinations that saw Assistant Commissioner, Edgar Thomas, being removed from his position at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmin’s Building after he refused the instruction from Deputy Chief Election Commissioner, Roxanne Myers, to remove GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, from the building;

• Barring the media from entering the GECOM’s Command Center at Ashmin’s Building;

• Multiple court actions, which, among other things, scuttled multiple GECOM meetings and prevented a finalizing of the election results;

• The former Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield’s flouting of a court order;

• The Coalition-nominated GECOM Commissioners’ efforts to push through a report from the Chief Election Officer to declare a victory for the Coalition, despite the fact that the report included manipulated numbers;

• Efforts to have Giftland Mall remove the security cameras that captured parts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the national recount was taking place; and

• Efforts to remove GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn from the ACCC when ballot boxes were being moved there for the national recount, among many other infractions.

“We will remind this country,” Jagdeo charged, adding that, “If we don’t remember what happened than we will have no future.”

Ogunseye’s actions...

would test our brothers and sisters. They will have to make up their minds. Either they live with us or they live with the PPP. And if they shoot us down, we will shoot them back. We want to be crystally clear. And if the Police and the Army allow themselves to be used to slaughter our people, we will wage a war against them.”

Jagdeo, in response said, “As dangerous as the comment are, they are part of what they (the WPA/PNCR/ APNU) are historically and the WPA became defunct when (Dr. Walter) Rodney died.”

He added that many of those from the WPA who pontificate currently have

Norton’s gaffe about deciding on LGE an attempt to cover failure

ThePNCR-led APNU, headed by Aubrey Norton, is still not confirmed to be contesting the upcoming 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE).

And People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, contends that Norton’s gaffe, at an Opposition Leader press briefing on Thursday morning (March

23, 2023), is a transparent attempt to coverup his failures to mobilise support on in Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

“The ambiguity is not because it is a strategic thinking, but because of the difficulties they are facing on the ground to put together a List of Candidates,” Jagdeo said, on Thursday (March 23, 2023) afternoon, during a news conference

at Freedom House.

Norton, when he spoke to he media, said, “I don’t want you to conclude that because of this, we are participating. But we have done the political work, so if we decide to participate, we can…we will be ready if we decide to participate….we will not allow the PPP to walk into our strongholds.”

Jagdeo reminded that at the

last Local Government Elections, which were held in 2018, the APNU and AFC, which has State mechanism in place by virtue of being in government, and control of the State media, was still unable to contest in all 80 LAAs, while the PPP/C, in Opposition at the time, was able to field candidates in all the areas and secured wins in 52 of the 80 LAAs.

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betrayed Rodney’s WPA. “This is the same WPA that voted against the (Walter Rodney) Commission of Inquiry report being considered by Parliament.”

According to him, this position is not strange, since WPA members ‘sold out’ to the PNCR-led Coalition for “perks” during the 20152020 period. He noted that within the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARA), the WPA’s Ogunseye acted as a “forensic auditor” earning hundreds of thousands monthly.

Jagdeo said, “It is loss of privilege…they were getting free money for doing nothing…this is what they are reacting to.”

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Guyana aims for world centre stage in energy and food security – Ali

ThePeople’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government continues to work to ensure Guyana becomes a global leader in key sectors including energy, food and climate.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has reiterated the country’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and competitive economy by 2030.

He was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony for a new histopathology laboratory and 128-slice CT Scanner at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, at the weekend.

The head of state highlighted the importance of energy to Guyana’s future, stating that the country is positioning itself as a world leader in natural gas and renewables.

Guyana’s name, Dr Ali emphasised, will be at the forefront of any international conversation on energy, not just petroleum. “Mark my words, there will be no energy conversation in the world without the name Guyana mentioned. And not petro -

leum, I speak about energy and natural gas with energy hub [and] renewables. There will be no international conversation about energy without Guyana being mentioned and I say this very humbly,” the president stated.

Meanwhile, Guyana has made significant strides in improving its food security since August 2, 2020.

The government has made investments in agriculture and infrastructure, such as improving irrigation systems, building more dams and reservoirs, and developing new technology to increase agriculture productivity.

The country has also witnessed the implementation of policies to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce food waste.

To this end, Dr Ali remains adamant that there will be no regional or global conversation without Guyana being mentioned. Dr Ali insists that regional or global dialogue will include Guyana in the future. “We are making the investment to ensure that we have systems

Guyana to begin millet production trials ‒ President Ali

in place to make Guyana competitive, sustainable and part of the answer in terms of food security, in [any] food crisis,” the president posited.

One of the main areas where Guyana has shown improvement is in rice production.

Commendably, the country has also made progress in other areas of sugar, livestock, and fisheries. The government wants to expand the agriculture sector further, particularly in non-traditional areas such as fruits and vegetables, which could help to diversify the country’s exports and increase food security.

Meanwhile, climate services and the environment are also top priorities for the PPP/C Government.

The nation’s innovative forest low-carbon development strategy is already attracting attention from around the world. “If you’re talking climate change, climate services, and environment, there shall be no conversation without Guyana being mentioned,” the president opined.

Newly reconstituted Ethnic Relations Commission sworn in

Eight members of the newly reconstituted Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) were sworn in Tuesday by His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office.

The members who took the oath of office include Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, Norris Emanuel Witter, Dwayne Adams, Chandrowtie Sarran, Ashton Simon, Deon Dick and Neaz Subhan.

Reverend, Rodwell Alphonso Porter and Charles Ogle who are also part of the 10-member commission, were absent from the ceremony and will be sworn in subsequently.

The exercise was executed according to Article 212 A and Article 212 B 1A of the Constitution of Guyana, which clearly states that there shall be an Ethnic Relations Commission, consisting of not less than five nor more than 15 members nominated by entities utilising a mechanism determined by the National Assembly.

In brief remarks, Pres -

ident Ali underscored his government’s commitment to the process of eliminating all forms of racial discrimination.

“We work daily, long and hard through our one Guyana initiative to promote quality, compassion, opportunities and stability for the advancement of all Guyanese. We take seriously any attempts to instigate racial animosity and racial violence within our country. We severely condemn attempts that provoke racial conflict in our society,” the president emphasised.

The head of state stressed that his government will also work to ensure that persons who are found guilty of the social scourge be subject to the sanctions imposed by law.

As Guyana joins the world in observance of International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Dr Ali urged Guyanese to reject all racially laced rhetoric, and not be misled by those who choose to use race or ethnicity to divide the nation. “My government will continue under the One Guyana agenda to promote harmonious relations

Guyana will soon commence cultivation trials for millets production in Regions Four, Nine, and 10 to support the transition to large-scale production of the seed locally.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali made the announcement Saturday last, during a virtual address at the Inauguration of the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India.

Highlighting the instrumental role millet production plays in addressing the global food insecurity issue, Dr Ali also stated that the production here can support poverty reduction.

He said the regions represent the profit zone in which similar crops like corn and soya are adaptive and being produced on a large scale.

India has been a global leader in the production of millets, and already the PPP/C Government has committed to making some 200 acres of land available to India for exclusive millet production.

“Guyana looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with India to kickstart large, medium, and small-

scale production of millets. India is the largest millet producer in the world, and through collaboration, Guyana hopes to embark soon on the sustainable production of millets,” the head of state said.

The South Asian state is expected to provide technical support and guidance during production. “Guyana has identified the production of millets as having great potential towards enhancing national and regional food security,” the president underscored.

Millets are a highly varied group of small seeds and cereal crops. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibres.

Based on the required environmental conditions for millet germination, Guyana is considered an ideal zone for the growth and development of the seed.

Importantly, millet production would open up additional avenues for economic advancement, providing a new market for export.

Moreover, the crop is resilient to climate change,

making it a worthwhile venture to achieve sustainability.

The undertaking is in keeping with the implementation of CARICOM’s ‘25 by 2025’ vision of reducing its food import bill by approximately US$1 billion by 2025, in dropping reliance on imported cereal grains.

“Together, we can achieve sustainable development, eliminate hunger, adapt to climate change, and transform agri-food systems by exploring every viable opportunity,” the head of state asserted.

The Global Millet ‘Shree Anna’ Conference is a twoday conference featuring health experts, policymakers, international speakers, and key stakeholders connected to the field of Food Safety and Nutrition discussing the various aspects of millets, including promotion, and value chain development. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha is currently in India and participated in the roundtable discussion. The year was declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations General Assembly.

Aggressive approach will be taken to strengthen health sector – President Ali

HisExcellency President

within our society, relations that are rooted in respect for human rights, the multicultural character of our society, and the equal dignity of all,” he stated.

President Ali believes that once Guyanese stand strong and refute every tongue that utters threats and instigates hatred, those efforts will hinder any weapon that aims to separate Guyana. “As we work to excise the cancer of racial discrimination from our society let us join the international community in holding the importance of this day, which reminds us that no matter the colour of one’s skin, we are all part of this common human family, and each of us is equal in dignity and rights,” the head of state noted.

The ERC is a non-political body established to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana.

The newly reconstituted commission comprises representatives from religious bodies, the labour movement, private business sector, youth, women, and cultural/ethnic bodies.

Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said that there will be an aggressive approach taken to strengthen Guyana’s health sector, including through a new training programme for health workers.

The Head of State made the disclosure at the opening ceremony for a new Histopathology laboratory and 128-slice CT Scanner at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital on March 18, 2023.

A new 128-slice CT scan was commissioned at the Dr. Balwant Singh hospital

He said that the Government is currently examining policy-driven ways of addressing the deficiency of qualified health professionals, as well as additional ways in which migrant health workers can be encouraged to return to work in Guyana.

Ali said, “We want to position the healthcare system to be attractive to international traffic. The challenges are many, but the desire to overcome those challenges and present a platform that will position Guyana to not only be competitive, but viable, it’s unparalleled.”

Highlighting the importance of health care, the President noted that investments

of this nature, add value to Guyana’s healthcare system, which serves as a “pull factor” for migrant health workers.

The modernisation of the healthcare system, the President explained, depends on the building out of infrastructure and an ecosystem that promotes better diagnostic capabilities, a task which is high on the Government’s health agenda.

It was explained that the Government is targeting advancements in the health sector from all angles, including through legislation, education and accessibility, which, President Ali noted, is the primary objective of the public healthcare system.

Further, he identified the link between the public and private health sectors and their combined responsibilities in delivering quality health care to Guyanese. He said, “The public healthcare system in Guyana must complement the private healthcare system. It is not running on two different tracks. Public healthcare must be able to deliver efficiently and in a reliable manner, excellent primary healthcare. It must support the key investment in private healthcare because

private healthcare must be able to deliver specialised care. “The role of the Government is to facilitate growth and development, to put the programmes and policies in place that will enable the citizens and the private sector to make the investment in response to those policies.”

Meanwhile, the CEO of the hospital, Dr Madhu Singh, said that the new lab and CT scanner represent a significant advancement in Guyana’s healthcare system. It will enhance the ability of the hospital’s pathologists in identifying the causes of diseases and broadening treatment options.

The 128-slice CT scanner has more detectors than the average CT scanner machine, which means that it provides detailed images with higher resolution, faster scanning speed and superior quality.

It is also adaptable and would be able to provide three-dimensional images for almost any patient.

Minister of Education, the Honourable Priya Manickchand, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and other Government officials and stakeholders were also at the ceremony.

FOCUS ON GUYANA’S FIRST PEOPLE

19 more hinterland communities to benefit from Telemedicine programme – Health minister

The government, through the Ministry of Health, will be expanding the telemedicine initiative to 19 remote communities across Regions One, Seven and Eight, to increase access to quality healthcare.

The government has allocated a sum of $1.8 billion towards the expansion of the programme to the additional hinterland regions in Budget 2023.

Appearing on a weekly virtual programme, ‘The Guyana Dialogue,’ Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that works will soon commence ensuring those hinterland regions are outfitted with the advanced medical technological system. “We are trying to go to every remote area where care is extremely difficult

to access and by putting in this system, it is making a tremendous difference,” Dr Anthony stated.

Currently, the telemedicine programme is being piloted in four Region Nine communities – Masakenari (Gunns Village), Nappi, Yupukari, and Parikawarinau.

The telemedicine centres in these villages have been equipped with the requisite technological devices, which give Community Health Workers (CHWs) 24-hour access to medical specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

These include a digital stethoscope, pulse oximeter, infrared thermometer, blood pressure monitor, mobile ultrasound, and examination cameras.

$26M for the rehabilitation of Paipang Creek, Rupunau bridges

The PPP/C Government through the Ministry of Public Works expended some $26 million to construct bridges in the communities of Paipang Creek and Rupunau, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

structure.

pleted in November 2022.

The pilot programme spans six months and an evaluation will be subsequently conducted to examine the expansion to other communities.

Already, two lives were saved in Gunns Village, after specialists identified two patients who were in need of emergency medical interventions.

“We sent in the plane; we were able to pick up the patients and they got treatment. And, because we did that, those patients are alive today,” Dr Anthony revealed.

The telemedicine programme was officially launched in December 2022. Among other things, the initiative aims to provide equitable healthcare to Guyanese in remote communities.

Kopinang to get new secondary school

‒ facility to accommodate 500 students

The village of Kopinang, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) is set to benefit from a new state of the art secondary school, as government seeks to achieve universal secondary education.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand made the announcement Wednesday (March 22, 2023), where she explained that land clearing at the identified site has commenced.

The educational facility will accommodate 500 students and 400 in its dormitory. A teachers’ quarters will also be constructed since no qualified secondary school teacher is residing there. “It’s going to allow us to close six primary tops in the catchment area … right now the children from this catchment are going to Kato or at the primary top, and at Kato, they are on rotation because it’s just

too many of them,” Minister Manickhand explained.

The school will be equipped with laboratories, an information technology (IT) lab, and a library among other important amenities.

Apart from the Kopinang Secondary School, several other learning institutions are being constructed countrywide, including at Hosororo, Kwebana, and Waramuri in Region One.

Additionally, the North West Secondary School is being rebuilt after being destroyed.

Meanwhile, in Region Two, construction of the Abram’s Zuil Secondary School is ongoing and will be completed soon. Region Three is also benefitting from two new schools that are under construction.

In Region Four, the Yarrowkabra Secondary and

The construction of the bridge over Paipang Creek is a significant development for the region, as it benefits over 450 residents.

Rehabilitation works on the bridge was executed by Beerdat Harinandan Construction Services to the tune of $14 million. The bridge has been constructed to provide access to the villages of Taushida and Kogshebai, which were previously inaccessible due to the lack of proper infra-

The concrete substructure and timber decking bridge with a length of 96ft by 15ft commenced in November 2022 and was completed on March 12, 2023. It is designed to provide a safe and reliable crossing for the residents to access much-needed services in and around their community.

Additionally, the government expended some $12 million to repair the Rupunau Bridge. The project was undertaken by RL Timber and Construction Services.

The completed bridge is 50ft x 15ft and has a complete timber structure. The repair works started in October 2022 and were com -

The repair of the Rupunau Bridge was also a significant development project, as it ensures the safety of the residents who use it daily. The bridge is a vital link between several communities of Region Nine, and its repair was essential to ensure that it remained safe and functional. The bridges are essential infrastructure projects that will bring significant benefits to the communities they serve. These developments demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens by providing them with access to essential services and infrastructure as promised in the PPP/C Manifesto 2020-2025.

the Good Hope Secondary schools will be completed.

The North Ruimveldt Secondary is being rebuilt in Georgetown with extensions being carried out at the St Winifred’s and the East Ruimveldt Secondary schools.

A secondary school will be built in Orealla, Region Six, while in Region Seven, a new secondary school will be built at Jawalla in the Upper Mazaruni. In Region Eight, the dormitories at Paramakatoi and Kato will be extended.

A secondary school is also being constructed in Karasabai, Region Nine.

The government remains committed to increasing access to education across all levels, with $94.4 billion allocated to the education sector in budget 2023. Of that sum, $12.4 billion was earmarked for the improvement of education infrastructure nationwide.

Literacy and Robotics Programme launched at three schools in Region Three

Threemore primary schools in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region (Region Three) will now benefit from the Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Robotics Programme.

These are the Kawall Primary School, La Retraite Primary School and the Blankenburg Primary School. The Literacy and Robotics programme is being facilitated through the National Literacy Department and the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). It is in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s mandate to ensure that every child is a fluent reader by Grade Four while advancing the use of technology.

Giving an overview of the programme, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy), Ms Samantha Williams stated that the programme has a three-tiered approach and provides an

intensive fast paced remedial intervention to fast-track learners’ literacy skills.

It will begin at the basic level, move on to the intermediate level and culminate at the advanced level. Assessments will also be done to track the pupils’ progress.

During the launch, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand stated that following an assessment, it was highlighted that a significant number of pupils at each school were not reading at their grade level. Minister Manickchand said that the children will be engaged in a strict six-week literacy programme. The Education Minister noted that it is important that the programme is conducted effectively and further urged parents to play their roles in providing support for their children. She advised parents that for the programme to work, their children need to attend

12 young professional homes handed over in Prospect, EBD

– as part of govt’s affordable housing programme

Twelve young professionals were handed the keys to their newly constructed homes in Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on March 16, 2023.

here on the East Bank ,” he said.

school consistently.

Meanwhile, Ms Kim Spencer, Curriculum Subject Specialist – Information Technology, noted that the robotics component of the programme will not only see the learners getting a chance to work in groups with their friends to assemble robots, but the literacy aspect will play a big role in the robotics component as the children will have to read and comprehend the instructions to build the robots correctly while still having fun.

Further, Regional Chairman of Region Three, Mr Inshan Ayube, commended the told parents that Minister Manickchand is committed to providing equal and equitable educational opportunities. In February, the programme was officially launched at the Den Amstel Primary School. These four schools form part of the programme’s pilot.

The single flat three-bedroom units were officially handed over by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, along with Steven Jacobs, Director of First Change Builders, the contractor responsible for the construction of the homes.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister Croal highlighted the significance of the occasion, stating that the units are among the first set of young professional homes to be distributed to beneficiaries in Prospect, where the government is also constructing other categories of homes. “You can have appreciation as to what is taking place, this small community here. When we started the development, it was actually taken over by bush, it was taken over by cows… now you can see the total transformation

The minister emphasised that this year has been identified as a crucial time for the construction of houses, with a focus on expanding and building as much as possible, rather than just allocating house lots.

Around 600 houses have already been handed over, and there are currently at least 1, 400 houses under construction in various phases and categories, Minister Croal reported. “We have different model of houses we are constructing. More young professional houses are being built currently. We just started another set, 100 plus on the East Coast,” he stated.

While explaining the allocation process, Minister Croal explained that it involves a pre-qualification process with the banks. Once applicants have been pre-qualified, the contractors are then able to build the houses.

The minister also dis -

closed that the government is working to ensure that the cost of these houses remains affordable despite the increased costs for housing materials.

The contactor expressed gratitude to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and the banks for their support in making the project a success. He acknowledged that the project was a learning curve for him and the company. “A lot of persons in Guyana you know, obviously want to own a home but to get one of these young professionals. I think it’s a dream come true to anybody because I think it’s very inexpensive,” he said.

With affordable housing being a priority for the government, the young professional homes provide a sense of security and comfort, offering a good start in life for the owners.

The delivery of homes in Prospect marks a major milestone in the government’s dedication to offering affordable housing to its people and enhancing the quality of their lives.

billion in contracts inked to further develop agri. sector

The Ministry of Agriculture today inked

six contracts totaling some $1,793,905,190 to further develop the agriculture sector.

Of the Six contracts signed, the ministry’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit signed a contract with General Engineering Supplies and Services Inc. totaling some $1,288,805,122 for the rehabilitation of the Liliendaal and Ogle Drainage Catchment areas in Region Four. An additional contract for $43,770,000 was also signed with CEMCO for the supervision of the works.

These works form part of the government’s Flood Risk Management Project (FRMP) and are being executed through funding from the World Bank.

Agriculture Minister, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha while offering remarks said that the projects being executed form part of the government’s overall development agenda for the

sector.

While speaking specifically on the works to be done as part of the FRMP, Minister Mustapha said the government is cognizant of the fact that continuous work was needed to improve drainage systems in vulnerable areas of the country and that since assuming office a number of critical infrastructure has been built and rehabilitate to support these efforts. “This project from the World Bank is a continuation of the government’s partnership with the World Bank and other funding agencies to improve the drainage system in vulnerable areas. Over the years and more recently, Guyana has been experiencing the effects of climate change. A number of areas were affected by flooding like in 2005 when central Georgetown and the East Coast would’ve suffered one of the most devastating floods. Then again in 2021, we suffered another devastating flood. As a government, we are

very cognizant of the fact that we have to improve our drainage system. I’m happy that over the last two and a half years we’ve seen a number of pump stations being constructed, new pumps, canals, sluices, and other structures have been either constructed or rehabilitated and as we continue to improve the drainage and irrigation aspect of our country, we are seeing more and more development in the sector,” the minister noted.

The objective of the Flood Risk Management Project for Guyana is to reduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areas along the East Demerara corridor.

World Bank Country Representative in Guyana, Ms. Diletta Doretti said that the awarding of the contract to a local company demonstrates Guyanese contractors’ ability to effectively execute works of this magnitude. She further stated that the project aims to decrease flood threats in vulnerable areas in Re -

gion Four. “Through the signing of this contract, the Ministry of Agriculture will focus on the rehabilitation of the Ogle – Liliendaal drainage catchment area, in particular of the operation of the pumping station at Liliendaal and the rehabilitation of the sluice gates at Ogle. The contract which is valued at over US$6 million was awarded to a local contractor hence demonstrating the capacity local Guyanese companies have in this area and in general in construction. Through this project, the Guyana Flood Risk Management Project, the government is contributing to decreasing the risk of flood risk in the great area of Georgetown which is very important as the area of Georgetown is expanding quickly. The World Bank is also supporting the government by providing technical assistance with the development of a complimentary master plan related to the Georgetown metropolitan area which

will be completed shortly. This master plan will provide a comprehensive assessment and option for long-term and high-priority investment in areas that have to be rehabilitated and will complement existing work done under the Guyana Flood Risk Management Project,” she explained.

The rehabilitation works at Liliendaal will include repairs to the control panel, inspection, and replacement of both of the 4.2 cubic meters per second pumps and/ or pump components. The new works will include the construction of a modern pump station and the installation of two electrically driven pumps, each rated at 2.27 cubic meters per second which is equivalent to 35,000 gallons per minute. This capacity will contribute to draining areas as far back as Sophia and is expected to prevent flooding in the wider Liliendaal basin.

The direct beneficiaries will be persons residing

between Ogle/Goedverwagting and Liliendaal, inclusive of Sophia to the south, which is approximately 45,000 persons.

Contracts were also signed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) with NP Investment totaling $57,045,750 for the construction of a drainage structure at Palmyra in Region Three and M Sukhai Contracting Services totaling some $19,921,960 for the construction of a revetment along the Lamaha Canal in Georgetown.

The National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) also signed a contract with Agrosol totaling some $185,000,000 for the construction of 100 tunnel houses

The ADSU signed a contract with Anil Lalsa Construction totaling some $199,662,358 for the construction of office and laboratory spaces to support the Guyana Food Safety Authority.

$1.8

ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’

Gov’t making significant strides in shift to renewable energy

As the dangers of climate change become more evident around the world, the PPP/C Government has been making significant strides towards securing a more sustainable future for all Guyanese.

While the country has long relied on fossil fuels for its energy needs, a major shift has taken place in recent years, where the government has seen the need for investments in renewable energy.

To this end, a one-megawatt solar farm was commissioned at Lethem in August 2022.

Three more solar PV farms at Bartica, Mahdia, and Wakenaam are slated for completion in 2023, with five other solar PV farms to be constructed at Leguan, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma,

Matthew’s Ridge, and Ituni by March 2025.

The nine farms are expected to supply a maximum of 8.35 megawatts of electricity to the power grid per day.

A number of solar PV systems have also been installed in various public locations across the hinterland regions, and in government buildings in Region Four.

Through the distribution of 30,000 Solar PV Home Energy Systems and the GUYSOL initiative, an additional 100,000 persons will benefit from increased access to solar energy.

The government has also capitalised on Guyana’s many sources of water. In its updated Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the country’s leaders outlined plans for the estab-

Gov’t invites bids to construct processing facility at Orealla, Region Six

Government remains cognisant that agro-processing facilities play a key role in the administration’s efforts to increase food security and promote broadbased sustainable economic growth.

The President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led government continues to encourage and support investments in agro-processing facilities.

A minimum of three jobs of a comparable sort must have been completed in the previous three years, and other requirements include having a valid company license and NIS and GRA compliances.

hart Streets, Georgetown.

The GMC received a $37 million investment in July 2022, considerably increasing Guyana’s capability for agricultural processing.

lishment of a hydropower plant in addition to the one being constructed at Amaila Falls, Region Eight.

The two combined hydropower plants will generate an estimated 535 megawatts of electricity.

While the location of the second is yet to be finalised, three more hydropower projects are being pursued at Moco-Moco, Kato and Kumu; which will supply a combined capacity of 2.35 megawatts.

A wind farm with an installed capacity of about 10 megawatts is also being considered for Hope Beach on the East Coast Demerara.

These plans tie into the government’s landmark mission to have Guyana achieve the globally coveted use of 70 per cent renewable energy.

$10M to construct training centre in Bartica

The government is allocating some $10 million to construct a training centre for the first time in Bartica, Region Seven to advance and expand the work of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) across the region.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to invest in human capital to have a skilled workforce.

This was highlighted by Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton during a recent graduation ceremony in the region. Importantly, the minister noted that BIT remains committed to ensuring that the participants are trained and certified to enter the workforce. “We are moving from a place of expending $3.2 million in 2021, training 45 persons to 2022 expending $12.7

million, training 75 persons. That is because of the seriousness with which we want to ensure that knowledge can be imparted to people in Bartica…Our task is to make you employable,” he said.

The government also intends to establish a welding and fabrication centre and a joinery centre as an annexe to the training centre.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton handing over a certificate to one of the police officers

Bartica is the first place that a BIT centre was established.

BIT remains dedicated to its efforts to build a skilled workforce countrywide by expending close to $139 million to construct and rehabilitate several training centres.

As such, on Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture issued an invitation for sealed bids from qualified and eligible bidders for the construction of a processing facility for the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) at Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The engineer’s estimate for the duration of the work is $15.5 million, and the construction phase lasts 120 calendar days.

Interested and eligible bidders can get additional information from GMC’s Agriculture Complex at LBI Sugar Estate Compound, East Coast Demerara, Region Four.

Interested bidders may obtain the entire set of bidding papers (in pdf format on a CD) by sending a written request and paying a non-refundable fee of $2,500.

All bids must be delivered before 9:00 hours on March 28, 2023 to the Chairman at the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, Main and Urqu-

To the advantage of all farmers who need help processing their produce, funding is made available to guarantee that agro-processing facilities become operational.

At Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, a cutting-edge food processing facility valued $37 million was officially opened.

In addition, a $15 million agro-processing complex was also commissioned at St. Ignatius, Region Nine, in November 2022.

By doing this, the nation’s food security will be improved, exports will rise, and employment will be created.

1,000 hearing aids to be distributed in 2023 – Anthony

To improve the lifestyle of persons with hearing impairment, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be procuring and distributing some 1,000 hearing aids in 2023.

Meanwhile, approximately 75 persons of Bartica are now certified in several technical and vocational training programmes through BIT.

The graduates received certification in heavy-duty equipment operation, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, and general building construction.

Some $488.5 million was allocated in this year’s budget to further expand and advance the work of BIT countrywide.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bishram Kuppen, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BIT, Saskia Eastman- Onwuzirike, Senior Technical Officer, Leon Greaves, and other officials were also in attendance.

This was disclosed recently by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony during the programme ‘The Guyana Dialogue’. “This year we are planning to do a thousand hearing aids. Just last month, we gave 250 hearing aids to patients who need them and I think we’ll see this programme grow as more and more people learn about the programme,” he said.

Minister Anthony revealed that in 2022, 500 persons from all regions benefitted from hearing aids. A sum

of $15 million was allocated in Budget 2022 to procure the much-needed aids. “Before, if you’re diagnosed with a hearing problem you had to pay $65,000 to get a hearing aid. We have made this free. So, once you’re diagnosed with a hearing problem, we’ll give you a hearing aid, free of cost,” the health minister explained.

The programme aims to ensure that everyone with hearing loss is able to receive the gift of hearing, and while the elderly population is targeted for benefits, the programme is also prioritising young children.

Several programmes have been rolled out by the ministry to assist citizens, among

them the ‘Snap On’ spectacle initiative that will see persons in the hinterland receiving spectacles – free of cost.

Citizens are also benefitting from free cataract procedures. In addition, hemodialysis patients are benefitting from an annual $600,000 grant that will subsidise the cost of dialysis locally. Some 330 patients received the grant in 2022 and to date, over 100 persons have benefitted in 2023.

“So, there are lots of good things that are happening and it’s happening across the country,” the minister assured.

A sum of $84.9 billion was injected into the healthcare sector for 2023.

Upgrades to road leading to Parika Stelling moving apace

Construction works to upgrade the thoroughfare leading to the Parika Stelling, Region Three are moving apace.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said he is pleased with the works which will result in a smooth flow of traffic.

“Workers toiled through the night to enhance the highway leading to the Parika Stelling. The upgraded roadway is set to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce commuting time for those

who frequently traverse the area. Paving works will resume today,” Minister Indar stated recently.

The Parika Stelling is a busy transportation hub and serves as a critical link between the Demerara River and the West Bank of Demerara, providing a crucial connection between Georgetown and other key locations in the region.

However, for years, commuters have been facing significant challenges with the roadway leading to the crossing station. The Minis-

try of Public Works swiftly dispatched a team to rehabilitate the thoroughfare to address these issues.

The road will receive strategic upgrades that will benefit the region for years to come.

Additionally, the enhancement project ties into the major overhaul of the Parika Stelling that is expected to commence this year.

The stelling will be modified to facilitate a payment booth near the weight scales to ensure the ferry mode of transportation is seamless.

Perpetrators of hate speech must be held accountable – MP Datadin

Executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye has been described as bitter, divisive, racist and determined to hinder the country’s progress.

Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin added his voice to condemn the statements made by the WPA member, joining government officials, private sector representatives, and other sections of society.

MP Datadin, was referring to the incendiary remarks made by Ogunseye during a WPA meeting held in Buxton, East Coast Demerara on March 9, noting that these remarks sought to promote hate.

He reiterated the unproven claim by opposition members that Afro-Guyanese are being oppressed under the current administration.

Further, Ogunseye appeared to encourage the use

of violence to advance a political agenda, insinuating that members of the joint forces should ‘turn those guns in the right direction.’

Recognising the liberties afforded concerning free speech, MP Datadin, who is also an Attorney at Law, emphasised that there is no protection under the constitution for the promotion of hatred and racism. “It is disturbing that people take such liberties and say such things

in public settings in Guyana. They are Guyanese and they are entitled to their views, but they are not entitled to divide us. They are not entitled to tell us how we should treat our fellow Guyanese, and they are not entitled to tell us that we should stand for violence against our fellow Guyanese, civilised societies don’t work that way,” he said.

MP Datadin added that any attempts to create a

racial divide that conflicts with the country’s trajectory in building a ‘One Guyana’ should be condemned by all.

He also called on Guyanese to point out the perpetrators and not turn a blind eye to such divisive speech. “Anybody who has a modicum of intellect or even common sense would know that every conversation about racial and ethnic division started by madmen, ended in tragedy. There is

no place for such behaviour here. We should not tolerate it. If we are going to be successful as a country, we have to resist this hate speech. We must call it out! We must charge the perpetrators, and prosecute them. It takes us as a people to stand up and say we would not tolerate that. And that is what we have to do,” the attorney stressed. Datadin said such language has no place in a democratic society.

Guyanese urged to vote...

NDC. The PPP/C secured almost 90 per cent of the votes and 13 out of 14 seats in the Whim/Bloomfield NDC. The AFC had less votes in the NDC than the number of candidates and individuals on the Nominators’ List (backers’ list) that they submitted to GECOM, proving our point that they had to compile fraudulent lists.

VOTER TURNOUT

Jagdeo warned, however, against complacency among the voting population. “There is no place for complacency,” he said, encouraging Guyanese to ensure that they come out and vote on June 12, 203.

AFC’s

Under the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government, Local Government Elections were held twice.

Voter turnout during that period was low. At the 2016 Local Government Elections, 47.1% or 239,070 of the 507,584 persons eligible to vote cast their ballots turned up to cast their ballots. Further, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on November 16, 2018, confirmed that 36.3% or 208,534 of the 573,923 registered electors turned up to cast their ballots at the 2018 Local Government Elections.

Asked about declaration of election results of the 2023 LGE, the PPP General Sec-

← FROM BACK PAGE

retary noted that the recently approved electoral reform legislation allows for less capricious behaviour from the GECOM staff, particularly the Chief Elections Officer (CEO). “Starting from registration to declaration of results, we identified and had consultations on every problem, and we have sought in the new law to plug those loopholes,” he said.

Notably GECOM has appointed April 17 as Nominations Day. Further, Friday, March 24, 2023, is the deadline for submission of symbols for the Elections. LGE is constitutionally due every two years.

Cathy Hughes has no...

Therefore, Cathy is morally bankrupt and unfit to address issues of governance.”

Further, it was recalled that the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector was stalled under the coalition administration, a process that was accelerated and achieved when the PPP/C Government assumed office.

“The ambition, like all of the other members of the APNU/AFC, is to scuttle projects of the PPP/C by requesting information, and then using the information which is shared in the spirit of transparency, to extort stakeholders in the project,” the statement continued.

Minister McCoy added that such was the case with the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, which was stymied by the APNU+AFC

government in parliament, while they discreetly sought and benefitted from contracts to represent the developer.

“The PPP/C Government will continue to fight off aggressively any of the Cathys of this world and any attempt to castigate us as being anything other than a government that is genuinely and sincerely working for the betterment and advancement of the country.”

In 2019, information was released and exposed the fact that Videomega Productions – a company owned by Hughes – cashed in on $10.3M in just under four months. In Hughes’ Ministry of Public Telecommunications three contracts were awarded to her company, Videomega Productions: June 4, 2018 –

← FROM PAGE 6

Advertisement of Vacancies - $939,738; June 25, 2018 – Facebook Page - $119,670; and September 21, 2018 –CTU/ITC Roadshow 2018 - $2,291, 128. Videomega Productions benefited, also, from another five contracts awarded by other ministries. These included from: Ministry of Public Infrastructure – September 19, 2018 – Television advertisement - $256,500; Ministry of Business – September 28, 2018 – Video for Caribbean Tourism Diaspora Forum$198,800; Ministry of Education - July 12, 2018 – Video Production - $1,487,700; Ministry of Natural Resources - May 25, 2018 – Artwork - $1,420,115; and Ministry of Public Health - July 27, 2018 – Advertisement - $3,592,236.

Inciteful statements by WPA...

which the [Joint] Services are mandated to mandate.”

Further, it was noted that the Joint Services – which comprises of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service along with the GDF –is guided by the Constitution which mandates it to stand firm in the protection of the law and in the execution of its duties, in keeping with its constitutional responsibilities,

and not by any partisan values and interests.

The leaders of the APNU and AFC, Aubrey Norton, and Khemraj Ramjattan, have, to date, refused to condemn the comments. While Ramjattan has remained silent, Norton, during a news conference on Thursday (March 16, 2023), said only that Ogunseye’s comments represented a “bad” choice of words. He said, “Yes

← FROM PAGE 7

there might have been a bad choice of language…you would notice that we did not endorse the language that was used….there are many people who agree with what Ogunseye said….when it comes to reflection of reality, indeed (the comments addressed that).” Norton added that the condemnation of Ogunseye’s comments is the PPP/C attempting to “rally” its supporters.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Invitation for Bids (IFB/MOE(NPATB): 09/2023)

The Ministry of Education invites sealed bids from Reputable contractors for the following items:

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary - Construction of Sub-Structure & Foundation

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Construction of SuperStructure Frame

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Installation of the Electrical Infrastructure & Fixtures

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Installation of the Plumbing Infrastructure & Fixtures

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Installation of the Air Conditioning Infrastructure & Units

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Installation of Fire Prevention Units

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary – Masonry & Finishes Works

Re-Construction of Christ Church Secondary - Supply & Delivery of School Furnishing

1. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures, specified in the Procurement Act, 2003 and Regulations, 2004, and is open to all eligible Contractors.

2. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Procurement Unit, Ministry of Education, Lot 21 Brickdam, Stabroek, telephone number 227-0470. An inspection of the Bidding Document can be conducted at the above address between the hours of 9:00 to 11:30 hours and 13:00 hours to 15:30 hours on weekdays.

3. All bids must be accompanied by Valid National Insurance Scheme and Guyana Revenue Authority Compliance Certificates

4. The Tender document may be purchased from the Ministry of Education, Lot 21 Brickdam, Stabroek for a non-refundable fee of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000). The method of payment accepted will be cash. Documents will be available for purchase from the If they're any queries, bidders are asked to 22nd of March 2023 submit a written letter of inquiry to the Procurement Unit before Thursday, April 13th, 2023.

5. The tender must be enclosed in a plain sealed envelope bearing no identity of the Tenderer and must be clearly marked on the top, left-hand corner 'As stated above'. Late bids will be rejected.

a. Submit one (1) hardcopy and 2 electronic Copy (flash drives) with an exact PDF version of the hard copy tender

b. Ensure the envelope of the hardcopy and the electronic copy are identically labeled.

c. The two electronic copies (flash drives) should be placed in a smaller envelope and properly affixed to the hardcopy submission.

6. All tenders must be delivered to the address below on or before 9:00 am on Thursday 20th day of April 2023. All bids will be opened in the presence of the contractor(s), supplier(s), or their representative(s) who choose to attend. No electronic bidding will be permitted. Late bids will be rejected

7. Address: Chairman

National Procurement & Tender Administration Board

Ministry of Finance Compound

Main & Urquhart Streets

G/town

8. The Employer reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the Tenders without assigning any reason.

Permanent Secretary

Note

All Local and International bidders of all types interested in government contracts are being urged by the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) to register their business in accordance with section 4A (2) of the Amended Procurement act dated 12 June 2019 “…Every supplier or contractor shall apply to be registered as a bidder in the register of bidders in order to participate in procurement proceedings at least seven (7) days before taking part in any procurement proceedings…”

Suppliers and Contractors of all types can register using the link mentioned below: https://bidders.npta.gov.gy/registration

Co-operative Republic of Guyana Ministry of Housing and Water Central Housing and Planning Authority

The following persons are asked to uplift their Certificate of Title at the Regional Housing Office, located within the compound of the Regional Democratic Council at Vreed-en-Hoop, Region Three, from Mondays-Fridays between 09:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs.

Tel: 264-3115/671-4220

NB: Please walk with a valid form of identification, receipts and all other housingrelated documents to complete the transaction.

No Name(s)

1 Abdool Imran Azeez and Hanuradha Sahadeo-Azeez

2 Abina Melica Richmond

3 Abiola Denny

4 Adrian Carter

5 Adrian Deryck Birch

6 Ahmad Salim and Beverley Salim

7 Akeal Malcolm Li-A-Ping

8 Akesha Simpson

9 Al Tito Jeffrey and Renetta Elizabeth Jeffrey

10 Aletia Loyinka Timica Allen

11 Alex Joseph Edwards

12 Alexis Lavern Solomon

13 Alfred Persan Saywack and Savitrie Saywack

14 Allison Haynes-Herod

15 Althia Samantha Hardy

16 Alvin Bowen and Donna Marie Bowen

17 Amanda Candace Mendonca 18 Amanda Corene Simon

19 Amanda Gomes 20 Amanda Hussain

Amar Shako and Melisa

Shako

Bibi Nazeema Imam

Bibi Shabana Zaffar

Bibi Zaliena Seeram

Bishnu Deokarran

Bona Lindo

Boven Rechenal Baker Charles

Carlos Massiah

Cdai Jassoda

Ken Harvey & Keniesa Harvey (minor)

162 Kenroy Drakes

163 Kenroy Ramsammy

164 Kheematie Singh

165 Khemwatie Sumair

166 Khomattee Williams

167 Khristain Khrishane Faite

168 Khummari Persaud

169 Kishan Maraj

170 Kishore

171 Komal Batchie and Shazeena Kahlil

172 Krishna John & Angela Ghumattie John

173 Krishna Khemraj

174 Kubere Rohan

175 Kumar Persaud and Pramwattee Persaud

176 Kumarie Hemraj

177 Kurleigh De Souza, Javanka De Souza (Minor), Natalya De Souza (Minor)

178 Kwesi Forde & Marketta Morris

179 Lakeram and Bibi Rashied

180 Latchmi Devi Panday

181 Lawrence Hollingsworth Mc Intyre

182 Lennox Oswald Allicock

183 Leon Ramdyal and Natasha Ramdyal

184 Letitia Amrita Mathura and Seenarine Mathura

185 Lindon Yhap

186 Lizenee Ramkishur and Deoram Ramkishur

187 Lynete Hinds

188 Madanlall Biphia and Violet Ann Biphia

189 Mangal Lochan and Jagdai Lochan

190 Marcia Pamela Jones

Co-operative Republic of Guyana Ministry of Housing and Water Central Housing and Planning Authority

The following persons are asked to uplift their Certificate of Title at the Regional Housing Office, located within the compound of the Regional Democratic Council at Vreed-en-Hoop, Region Three, from Mondays-Fridays between 09:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs.

Tel: 264-3115/671-4220

NB: Please walk with a valid form of identification, receipts and all other housingrelated documents to complete the transaction.

No Name(s)

191 Mark Anthony Fernandes and Merviena Allana HeyligerFernandes

192 Mark Anthony Medas

193 Marva Roberts

194 Melissa Abiola Stephen

195 Melissa Carletta O'brain

196 Melvin John Allicock and Denise Ann Allicock

197 Mercia Sophia Singh

198 Michael Nigel Williams

199 Michael Persaud

200 Miranda Reynolds

201 Mohamed Husain

202 Mohamed Liquat Alli Khan

203 Mohanee Shepherd

204 Mohanie Sookram

205 Morris Mc Kinnon Jr. 206 Munilall

207 Munir Khan and Zorina Kamalodeen

235 Parbaty Doonauth

236 Parbhudyal Issardeen

237 Patricia Enid Ann Griffith

238 Patricia Angela Cornette

239 Patricia Manbodh

240 Petula Khan

241 Pramdat Narine and Savitree Raghunandan

242 Pramwatie Jasshri

243 Punraj Persaud and Nafeeza Hassim

244 Puraishram Jagmohan and Kamla Jagmohan

245 Quazim Sherif and Sadeeka Khelawan

246 Rabindra Persaud and Amandie Persaud

247 Racquel Douglas

248 Radha Persaud

249 Rafeek Khanhai and Harsnie Persaud

250 Rajan Tiwari and Davina Jennifer Tiwari

251 Rajdei Ramessar

252 Rajendra Mahadeo and Nalini Ragnauth

253 Rajendra Persaud and Naomi Edwards

254 Rajkumar

255 Rajkumarie Ramdial

256 Rajnauth Narain and Dhanwattie Narain

257 Ramdat Ramsammy

258 Ramdeo Singh and Nadia Yamin

259 Ramesh Teekaram and Rebecka Seeram

260 Ramkisoon Singh

261 Ramkrishna Seeraj and Nadeena Seeta Devi Seeraj

262 Ramrakha Kumar Seenarine and Tulsiedai Seennarine

263 Ramrattam Seenanan and Audrey Elizabeth Seenanan

264 Ramroutie and Rajkumarie Doobay

265 Ravi Kawall Ramkumar

266 Rayan Kevin Hayde and Melissa Paddy

267 Reinaldo Jose Persaud

268 Rekhraj Persaud and Ramrattie Rampersaud

269 Ricardo Antonio Persaud and jennifer Persaud

274 Ronald Netanyahu Emanuel

275 Ronald Sheldon Cummings

276 Ronita Singh

277 Roxanne Caesar

278 Roy Bollers and Karessa

279 Royston Oswin Tasher 280 Rumona Savitri Bahadur 281 Ryan Robert Hercules 282 Safraz Chierkhan 283 Sagar Singh 284 Samanta Nickola Peters

323 Sukhram Seerojinee and Nadina Seerojinee

324 Sunil Mangal and Evadney Pearle Murray

325 Sunita Sookdeo & Alleyne Aziz

326 Surain Persaud

327 Suraj Seenarine

328 Susan Chan

329 Susan Hardyal

330 Syemon Geneva Bradshaw and Mayleen Bradshaw

331 Tajwantidai Oudit

332 Tanaka Luanda Lawrence

333 Tariq Ameer Noor

334 Towaana Onica Beaton

335 Trashon Lall and Sewdai Sonwati

336 Travis Livinston

337 Trenessa Rayanna Glasgow

338 Trevor Kissoon and Radica Seegobin

339 Troy Anthony Somerset and Toneka Althea Somerset

340 Troy Jordan

Lalbeharri and Shirley Mangal

294 Seeram Sanicharra

341 Tulsieram Dhoray and Neelawatie Sannasi

342 Vannesssa oneika Fernandes

343 Veron Prowell

344 Veronica Cush

345 Vibert Edwards & Ann Benjamin

346 Vibert Hilton Bagot and Sharon Ann Bagot

347 Vicky Shanti and Latchmin Somand

348 Viddesh Shameer

349 Vijay Khatun

350 Vishwanie Sookdeo

351 Vivika Sackina Wells

352 Vonda Vanesa George

353 Vonita Cora Henry

354 Waahindra Persaud and Sheriza Aboojumma

355 Wasifa Joseph

356 Wayne Anthony Heyliger

357 Wazir Khan and Bibi Zubeeda mohamed

311 Sheneka Hercules

312 Sheron Belgrave and Godfrey

Belgrave

313 Sherwin Anthony Edwards

314 Sheryl Valenzuela

315 Shirul

316 Shivaughn Ann Cadogan

317 Shonelle Lowenfield

318 Shrimattie Parbattie Davee

Shiwpujan

319 Simone Alexis Ogle

320 Sohan Deochand

321 Sonya Samantha Williams-Daly

322 Sukhdeo Singh and Nandanie Singh

358 William John Easton and Kumariee Moosai-Easton

359 Yanlana Joseph

360 Yawmessie Onicka Mc Lennan

361 Yogesh Chandra Mangal

362 Yolanda Abiola Adams

363 Yonette Inverary

364 Youlanda Agnes DowdenFausett and George Ptolomey Fausett

365 Yuette Langevine and Jason Paddy

366 Yugeshwari Chanderban

Guyanese urged to vote on the basis of track record

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is ready for Local Government Elections, scheduled for June 12, 2023, according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a news conference on Thursday (March 23, 2023) at Freedom House, the PPP Headquarters, Jagdeo explained that the Party is in consultation with communities on candidates for

the Elections in the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

He added that to date, many former representative of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition have expressed a desire to support the PPP/C and while the Party many not be able to accommodate all of them on the Lists of Candidates for the 80 LAAs, the PPP/C welcomes all Guyanese to the fold. Jagdeo stressed too that the model

used to present its List of Candidates for LGE 2023 had not changed from what it is has been, which is a PPP/ Civic model.

The General Secretary disclosed too that the criteria for candidates includes: the need for the prospective candidates to have time to serve; be faithful to the manifesto/ development plans for the 80 Local Authority Areas; and for compliance with a rule

to not engage in tendering in the area they are elected.

“There will be no tendering for words in the NDC, where persons are serving…for the first time we are prohibiting this from happening,” he said, adding that a few instances in the past where this occurred informed the move to clear rules prohibiting the practice. Jagdeo explained that persons will be allowed to tender for work in other

areas, but not in the area they are elected to serve.

A CHANCE

Jagdeo made clear that the PPP/C is targeting wins in more LAAs and he called for Guyanese to vote based on a comparison of track records.

He said, “We would like all of the analysts, who have proliferated like mushrooms, to look at our track records and do a comparisons with the other political Parties… we are proud of our track record and our fidelity to our manifesto, historically and at the last Elections….we hope such an analysis will be done by the media and others. That is the only way you can determine if a party will remain faithful to the promises.

According to him, the experience, for example in Georgetown, has been that the City Council “collects rates and taxes and spends it on themselves” while Central Government is made to take up the task of addressing issues of roads, drainage and, even, waste disposal. “We are hoping to work and make a change in the Towns,” he said.

Noting that the PNCRled APNU+AFC Coalition is does not have a “development mindset” and assuring greater accountability, the PPP General Secretary added, “Give us a chance we will put together a development plan for your area.”

Nationally, results for the 2018 LGE showed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has almost doubled the margin of votes between the Party and APNU

and AFC combined – moving from about 24,000 at the 2016 Local Government Elections to over 45,000 at this year’s Local Government Elections. The difference of votes between the PPP/C and the AFC was a whopping 113,000 votes. Between the PPP/C and the APNU, the difference of votes was over 50,000.

The results showed that the PPP/C won in 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) and tied five others at the 2018 Local Government Elections. The PPP/C increased its win from 48 LAAs in 2016 to 52 LAAs in 2018 Local Government Elections.

In the 10 towns the PPP/C, secured big wins in five of Guyana’s 10 towns: winning all the seats in Anna Regina, Rose Hall (12 of 16 seats), Corriverton (14 of the 16 seats), Lethem (6 of the 10 seats) and Mabaruma (eight of the 12 seats). The Party was successful in taking control of the Town Councils in Lethem and Mabaruma.

Meanwhile, in the 70 NDCs, the Party was successful in not only holding on to its support base, but also saw an increase in votes in areas that were seen as the traditional support bases of parties like the APNU. The PPP/C won the Buxton/ Foulis NDC, Region 4. Also, the Whim/Bloomfield NDC, Region 6, was another notable win. It was none other than AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo who declared that “there is a straight contest” between the PPP/C and the AFC in this

Cheddi Jagan Annual Cycle Race set for March 26th

Allroads will lead to East Berbice, Region 6, as thousands of Guyanese are busy making preparation to attend the Annual Dr. Cheddi Jagan Memorial activities.

As anticipated thousands of villagers will line the road shoulders to witness the exciting annual 55 Mile Road Race. Guyana’s top riders will be battling for supremacy. As the race is scheduled to start in front of Freedom house in New Amsterdam then pedal off to Number 55 Village, before returning to Port Mourant for the photo finish.

The veteran, female and Mountain bike riders will turn off at Hog Style on the upward journey and return to Port Mourant for their leg of the race.

The first six finishers in the open category, along with

the top three juniors, veterans and Mountain Bikers, as well as the first Over -60 rider will be rewarded.

A keen contest is expected among John Britton, Jamal John, Christopher Griffith, Romello Crawford and all eyes will be on the former champion rider Robin Persaud. The two top youths Aron Newton and Alex Leung are capable of creating up-set.

Transportation for all Cyclists and Officials will leave The Ministry of Sports in Main Street at 5:00Hours on Sunday morning (March 26, 2023).

The Race is being sponsored jointly by several sport enthusiasts and organized by the Cycling Federation. PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha will be waving the Flag to start the race.

Jagdeo says PPP/C ‘ready for LGE’…