Weekend Mirror 4-5 March 2023

PNCR leadership rapped for actions that are ‘inimical’ to development

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), during one of the

activities it hosted to remember its founder, Forbes Burnham, was rapped by

his son-in-law, Dr Richard Van West Charles, for blocking political dialogue.

“Let us embrace diverse views, let us be courteous and respectful, talk to our

comrades across the aisle and don’t be afraid. Intellect, humility, respect for each other are important ingredients,” Van West Charles said to an audience that included PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton.

He added, “Our actions cannot be inimical to the development and there must be an understanding of and the tolerance of different viewpoints.”

LOSING SUPPORT

Norton has been losing support among his own comrades for months now.

PNCR national treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline, in a letter to the PNCR Central Executive Committee, charged that the party “is in a bad state when comes to leadership “ and accused Norton of running a “oneman” show. The former PNCR national treasurer, said, “As a businessman, I couldn’t continue. I am willing to stay with the PNC but not with the current leader…Norton is like an aloof leader.” Mursaline also raised concerns about the PNCR’s financial practices. He said, “I am the treasurer and I was elected but all I was used for is to sign cheques and that was merely my duties there with Norton’s leadership… from the time I took office as the elected treasurer of this great party, I was signing blank cheques with no supporting documents. I am always called to sign cheques and whenever I share an opinion of dislike towards this, I am met with hostility. In the month of November it got worst…in that month I signed about 20 blank cheques…I do not know what are the amounts of money written on any of those cheques and I don’t know for what reasons the money, if any were spent on…I requested of the Leader for us to do a financial audit of the finances of

Congress Place for our own benefit and for us to ensure proper accountability and transparency. I even suggested that because Cde. Volda Lawrence has the skills in that area we use her to be our guidance. The intention was solely to do what is right for our party and to build trust among our membership. The Leader told me that is a conflict of interest and that he will take care of it. To date nothing has been done.”

Earlier this year, the PNCR’s Florida chapter has compiled a no confidence motion against PNCR leader Aubrey Norton. Signed by the Chapter’s Chairman, John C. Yates, and seconded by Lawrence ‘Larry’ London, the motion cites Norton’s failures as a leader. The motion said, “The PNCR has moved in a speedy downward spiral in Guyana’s political space… the Party’s image has been severely tarnished and a large number of our Members, supporters, and sympathizers have lost interest in this party. The business community from whom we got significant support has been withholding that support…the recent revelations by the former treasure has been quite damaging.” The motion added that Norton must resign over his failures to unite the party, to mobilise for key political events, etc.

Meanwhile, on Thursday (January 12, 2023), Norton tried to defend himself, insisting that the no-confidence motion is not valid because of technicalities. According to him, a leader can only be removed at a Congress, done every two years, or at a Special Congress, which has not been called.

Norton has been the party’s leader since December, 2021.

[SEE RELATED REPORTING ON PAGE 7]

The APNU+AFC Coalition was called out by a no-holds barred Gail Teixeira for attempting to whitewash their actions –actions taken to undermine democracy in Guyana and subvert the will of the Guyanese people, following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

She said, “This is your shame. This is your legacy…you have to apologize to the people for what you did to them.”

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, had said, “They come to us, now, with their righteousness, their croco -

legacy is ‘a Party

dile tears. And it’s just galling. Because whatever they have done, good or bad, it’s been overtaken and stained forever because of what they did from the December 2018 No-Confidence Motion, right through to August 2, 2020.

“….on March 2, 2020, all parties were preparing for the March 2 General and Regional Elections. Little did we know then, it would take us five months to have the genuine results of those elections declared…it’s not just the elections. We were dragged before the courts to be told that 33 is the majority of

65. How disgraceful. And yet they don’t hang their heads in shame, they come here and pretend to be righteous.”

She recalled the “old bat and ball trick” throughout various periods after 1992, where actions for the sake of self-interest were repeatedly advanced by what is now the PNC-led APNU+AFC Coalition. “Every time they were losing a discussion, it was ‘throw down your bat and ball and walk’. Poor losers, that is in your DNA, you are poor losers. You try to hijack an election, thwart the will of

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Coalition’s

willing to do anything, everything to stay in power’

‒ Teixeira says nothing can whitewash, downplay this fact

To democracy’s detractors, we say ‘Never Again!’

“Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives…” This declaration constitutes the first principle on which Guyana’s political, economic and social system is founded, as detailed by the Constitution. This sovereignty is bolstered by an affirmation of democratic values, fundamental human rights – including the right to vote – and the rule of law.

Since March 2, 2020, Guyanese endured the barely-concealed mischief of the APNU+AFC Coalition, aided by elements still embedded in the Secretariat of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in undermining our democratic values, the right to vote and the rule of law.

The Coalition’s saga of the conspiracy to steal the elections of March 2, 2020 was undertaken with the clear objective of ensuring that, ‘by hook or by crook’, power was retained. However, power for power’s sake sits on quicksand, a lesson APNU+AFC Coalition ignored and felt that they could ride roughshod over the Constitution, the laws and the people Guyana.

The attempt to subvert the will of the Guyanese people by frustrating the finalizing the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections saw a five-month struggle that gave meaning to the declaration that ‘sovereignty belongs to the people’.

The APNU+AFC Coalition failed to recognize that much had changed since the 1980s and they miscalculated the power of the democratic will of the Guyanese people – the broad based democratic forces and new and young pro-democracy voices, coupled with international and regional support. The dog-whistles sounded by the PNCR-led Coalition were ignored. The activism seen undoubtedly opened up a space for a dynamism that our nascent democracy needed. Our democracy was won through struggle and its preservation demands the same.

As a people, we must say to democracy’s detractors, never again!

The PPP/C government has demonstrated it commitment to ensuring that the events of March 2, 2020 are not repeated. To date, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into what took place during the March 2020 electoral process, has completed public hearings. Those who committed electoral offences are being prosecuted. Guyana’s electoral laws were strengthened. Simultaneously, work is also ongoing to heal hurts and bridge divisions that were created and exacerbated during the five months leading to August 2, 2020. President Dr. Irfaan Ali has launched a One Guyana Commission. The Commission is tasked to take practical steps to cement Guyana’s one society, encompassing and respecting the diversity from which our “oneness” springs. The Commission will also examine ways to ensure equal opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship, and the institutional strengthening of the existing Ethnic Relations Commission to make it more effective.

The persons who have engaged in profligacy and corruption, the likes of which has not been seen in our contemporary history, and were the most ardent advocates for democratic subversion are now busy trying to reinvent their public images, presenting a façade of piousness. To them we say the memories of Guyanese are not short and there will be no success in manipulating this façade into truth.

Finally, it must be stressed that democracy is central to our progress as a nation. A prominent author, Sydney J. Harris, once said: "Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be." This statement is underpinned by the principle of accountability – one that the PPP remains committed to as we move forward together for a better and stronger Guyana.

Gone are the days of ‘Burnhamism’

Guyana recently observed 53 years as a republic. It also coincided with the 100th birth anniversary of former President Forbes Burnham. Burnham was at the political helm both at the time of the conferral of independence and republican status.

As to whether Burnham’s birth anniversary and our republic celebrations were coincidental is not really important or material, even though given Burnham’s proclivity for ego gratification, it may not be one of sheer coincidence.

To say that Burnham played a contributory role in the underdevelopment of Guyana during the immediate post-independence period would be an understatement.

Burnham was, in fact, the architect of Guyana’s economic and social decline, which at the time of his passing had reduced the country to the poorest in the western hemisphere and among the least developed in the world!

One of the main reasons for the difficult situation in which the country found itself was the rupture of the democratic fabric of the country. It is an established fact that all elections since 1968 were blatantly rigged by the PNC, which resulted in a deep political

crisis, the likes of which had never been experienced in the Anglophone Caribbean.

The political crisis gave rise to an economic crisis, which in turn resulted in a severe social crisis. For a significant period, the country experienced negative economic growth which only served to make a bad situation worse.

Guyanese were experiencing hell to make ends meet and many were forced into the underground economy in order to survive. The point in all of this is that there is a dialectical relationship between the political system and the other sub-systems, including the economic, social and cultural systems.

The political system impacts all aspects of life. Hence the importance of fixing the system in a way that it optimises the full developmental potential of the country and its people.

One can be charitable and give some credit to Burnham for the role Guyana played in the non-aligned movement and the anti-imperialist struggle at that time for which the PPP rendered “critical support.”

There are, however, many who saw such overtures as merely self-serving and a political smokescreen to institutionalise dictatorial rule.

During that period, even in the midst of a severe economic crisis, the country had a bloated foreign service which, along with the Office of the President and the military, was consuming more financial resources than education, health, housing, agriculture and water combined.

It is important that Burnham be placed in a proper historical context, especially in light of recent attempts by some people to glorify his contribution to Guyana’s political evolution. His split from the PPP in 1955 and the subsequent rupture of the democratic fabric of the country remain until this day an unfortunate, if not dark moment in our political landscape.

Fortunately, we have moved past that depressing era but, “Burnhamism” as a political philosophy, whereby the capture of state power by undemocratic and Machiavellian means should never be allowed to again raise its ugly head.

The way forward for Guyana is through, free, fair and democratic elections and constitutional governance. Any departure from such norms are fraught with danger.

Yours respectfully, Hydar Ally

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) decision to extend the period of ‘Objections’ is very generously accommodative. The flexibility exercised supports the intent of allowing every eligible person the opportunity to vote in their respective constituency, while removing unnecessary queries concerning the updated Voters List for the constituencies in the various Local Authority Areas.

The context can be viewed from the perspective that several ‘full Claims and Objections were held following the various Continuous Registration cut-off points, allowing political parties and other stakeholders time to raise any relevant queries.

Diligent political and other parties, including those who had attendant scrutineers in the Continuous Registration Cycles, should have already had a status position when the cycle came to an end.

The extension therefore provides more time than the usually notified period for interested stakeholders to raise concerns, and allows the corresponding option of verification to remove doubts concerning the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) that has been posted in relevant areas to serve as public notices

in the various constituencies.

In preparation for finalising the Register of Voters List for the upcoming Local Government Elections, GECOM has exercised discretion. This will also allow all who are eligible to vote in their respective constituencies an opportunity to relook at the extracts from the PLE for the constituency where they reside to identify their names.

This process also allows the public to scrutinise approximately two thousand names of persons who were processed during GECOM’s last Continuous Registration cycle, held in response to queries raised by the PNC/R.

Further, it allows the newly elected Assistant Electoral Registrar in each area some time to become fully acquainted with the logistics required for their respective areas of assignment.

Consequently, with the names of approximately 2000 persons updated to the Register of Registrants, GECOM must aggressively get on with holding of the overdue LGEs. Naturally, any further unnecessary delay outside the cutoff points would likely encourage queries concerning persons meeting the qualifying criteria who are not included on the Voters’ list.

As the entire nation awaits the voting day, GECOM must finalize all

arrangements and put the necessary system in place for the seamless holding of these LGEs. It is clear that by attrition and many other reasons, many Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are not functioning as they should. Importantly, the rapid development at the national level is putting a greater demand on the NDCs to be more proactive.

It cannot be understated how very critical NDCs are to the functioning of our local democracy. They are essential to the delivery of key services and for advancing from the community level, a platform for community citizens to plurally benefit from national programs and initiatives. Importantly, ensuring the maintenance of community drainage, especially in the extended rainy seasons, is a matter of serious concern, since it impacts health among other critical support.

Editor, in hastening to the seriousness of getting things right at this level, permit me to highlight the words of the Hon Minister of Finance, who in his 2023 Budget Presentation said, “We inherited a lethargic system encouraged by the former Government and practised by some Local Democratic Organs (LDOs). Our Government has long recognized

Moving ahead with LGE 2023, GECOM must beware of all the rogue elements

REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF DR. CHEDDI JAGAN

(Born on March 22, 1918, the founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan died on March 6, 1997. The following is a speech made by Dr. Jagan on June 1, 1991. Its re-printing is among several activities being undertaken during 2023 to mark the 105th birth anniversary of Dr. Jagan)

Equality – The Basis of Policy

By Dr. Cheddi Jagan

The Evening Post in the issue of Thursday, June 1 1961 carried an article by one Juan Gonsalves, head line “Cuban Negroes Find Castro’s Communism Costly. We are all aware of the stream of propaganda now being directed against the Revolutionary Cuban Government, This Propaganda was so intense that it fooled its own authors and disseminators into believing that the Cuban people were going to turn against their Government and join the invaders. When is this lying propaganda going to stop?

It is great pity that the Evening Post joins in spreading such wicked propaganda particularly on this question of treatment of Negroes, Negro-White unity has been basic to the Cuban Revolutionary efforts. And the Castro Government is dedicated to and has accomplished much in wiping out all discrimination.

It has set itself as one of its most urgent duties the utter examination of all segregation and racism. Negroes hold important ports at all levels. Joseph North in his book, Cuba, Hope of a Hemisphere, says that “the bead of the air force was a Negro; the Head of the Army is Negro, the Chief of the Orienteontingents of the armed forces, a Negro.”

The editor should publish what some more important people saw and had to say. Professor Paul Baran, economics professor at Stanford University in his pamphlet Reflections on the Cuban Revolution says that he is thrilled by “the leaps that the Cubans are making in education, health culture standard of living and dignity.

Professor C. Wright

Mills, of Colombia University, author of important books such as Power Elite, in his book on Cuba, Listen Yankee, announces himself as for the Cuban Revolution and as recognizing that anti-communism is counter revolution. This is important as Mills himself is not a communist. He explains in great detail in direct interviews with Cubans about what’s happening there, and leaves no one in doubt that it was monopoly capitalism which kept Cuba enslaved.

There is Professor Douglas R. Dowd of Cornell University. Rejecting the monstrous picture of a “communist Cuba” that is peddled all over the world, he says:

“Why should there not be Communists participating in Cuban public affairs, as there are in most countries of the world, including most countries of the NATO alliance? The Cold War extends throughout the world, but not all countries have been seen fit to follow the American example summed up in

and guides today all our activity in the course of the revolution, its triumph and its development.”

Cuba is not fat from here. The editor of the Evening Post should send an observer to make an onthe-spot assessment. It’s important for us.

Mr. Hubert Matthews of the New York Times says that in all his 30 years of reporting he has nev -

er seen a situation more misunderstood and misinterpreted than the Cuban Revolution. Let’s not just dish out the daily doses of propaganda sod venom put out against the Cuban Government and people.

One last quotation. It’s another one from Professor Dowd of Cornell University. He says:

“I do not believe that Castro and his supporters

are angels, nor that their revolution is flawless or without serious problems, not do I believe that Americans actions and attitudes have been those of devils.

But I do believe that American values, and American needs, taken in conjunction with the past and present Cuban situation, point to a position sharply opposed to the one we presently hold.”

the term McCarthyism, annoying though such sentimentality must be to J. Edgar Hoover and Senator Dodd.”

Every Cuban, as every nationalist leader everywhere, recognizes the imperative need for the broadest possible unity. Che Guevara writes: “For the old, the very old imperial maxim of “divide and conquer” remains today the basis of imperialist strategy.”

Bias Roca, General Secretary of the Popular Socialist Party in Cuba, says “The motto of the imperialists, of the sellout governing class, of the reactionaries and exploiters of every kind is: Divide and Rule. In logical contradiction, the maxim f revolutionaries, of the representatives of the workers, peasants, and the people generally, the maxim of the Marxist Leninist is: Unite to triumph over the enemies of the nation, the people and the toiling masses. The maxim guided al our activity against the tyranny and has guided

PNCR was squatting in building earmarked for community health center

Abuildingearmarked to be used as a health center was taken over by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), according to Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

The building located at Lethem, Region 9, has been cited by the Auditor General and one of several buildings under unapproved occupation. Efforts were made recently to have the PNC

operation in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) removed from the space that is under the care of the government.

Dharamlall said, “I have been advised by regional officials that consistent Auditor General’s Reports have cited the non-approved use of government buildings in the region.

“…in the case of the building under occupation by the PNC, I have been ad-

vised that numerous efforts and notices were sent to PNC officials in Region 9 to vacate a government building which they occupied for political purposes and they have refused to do so.”

The location of this site is slated to have a health facility to serve the people of Lethem and the wider Region Nine. However, the continued illegal occupation of the building has stalled the construction of the facility.

PNCR Executive exposes divisions in party

Infighting in the Aubrey Norton-led People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) was confirmed by the Party’s Executive Member, Coretta McDonald.

On March 1, 2023, speaking at a Town Hall meeting in New Jersey, United States, McDonald, disclosed that the Party is split into different factions. She said, “As it is right now, we are working very, very hard, extremely hard to pull the factions together.”

The embattled PNCR Executive added that the PNCR cannot move forward with the current state of affairs. “We cannot go forward like that,” she claimed.

Further, McDonald put her party members of blast for airing the PNCR’s dirty laundry. “Every time we got issues in our party, you got to see it in the media. You have to hear about it here. We have to stop those kinds of nonsense,” she said.

ELECTION WATCH: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

GECOM suspends Continuous Registration exercise to prepare Register of Voters for LGE

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) decided at its statutory meeting held on February 22, 2023 to suspend the Cycle of Continuous Registration with effect from February 24, 2023 until further notice.

The exercise com -

menced on 3rd January 2023 and was scheduled to conclude on 31st May 2023. However, this decision was necessary to facilitate the inclusion of all eligible persons who have registered thus far, under Continuous Registration, in the respective Registers of Voters

(RoV) for the upcoming Local Government Elections. The deliberations at the level of the Commission, and ultimately the decision to suspend the registration exercise, were premised on a proposal and advice submitted by the Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud

to ensure the inclusion of all eligible persons in the final Registers of Voters. For the sake of clarity, it must be noted that in order to facilitate the inclusion of those persons in the RoV, the Agency would have to compile supplementary lists by constituency and post

them for public scrutiny. Acknowledging the need to allow persons to properly scrutinize the supplementary lists with those names, the Commission decided to extend the duration of the objections aspect of the Claims and Objections exercise until 2nd March 2023.

Persons are therefore encouraged to scrutinize the supplementary lists posted in each Constituency/Local Authority Area (LAA) and to object to the inclusion of the name(s) of any person whom they suspect may not be eligible for inclusion in the list.

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

APNU+AFC called out for ‘opportunistic’ demands for carbon credit payouts

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has stated that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has consistently provided support to the Amerindian people of Guyana.

The president made the comments in response to APNU+AFC’s call for an increase in carbon credit payouts to Amerindian villages.

During an address to the nation on Sunday (February 26, 2023(, he expressed his disappointment in what he perceived as the opportunistic and political nature of APNU+AFC’s demands, calling it ‘hypocritical.’

President Ali said during coalition’s time in office, it was responsible for discarding the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which would have seen Guyana earning funds for its forest under the Guyana-Norway agreement. “This credit that we sold included legacy credit, that is, credit available for the period of time they tossed aside the agreement, where was the commitment

then?” he questioned.

Not only did the coalition shelf the LCDS, but President Ali reminded the public that it took away more than 2,000 community service officers’ jobs, resulting in the loss of almost $5 billion from the Amerindian people during its tenure. Additionally, tractors and other equipment were left in disrepair, and ‘not a single’ secondary school was built.

“Where were all voices that so love our Amerindian brothers and sisters. Where were those voices when this great injustice was done to our Amerindian people. They spoke about land, not a single new title was processed by the APNU government,” he said.

However, the head of state emphasised that the government is committed to the development and advancement of Amerindians and their communities, as reflected in the annual budgetary allocations and other measures implemented.

In addition to the 15 per

Agricola residents, government partner to uplift youths, transform community

cent payment for Amerindian communities, the government continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to improve healthcare, education, and water access, upgrade roads and other infrastructure in Hinterland and riverine communities, President Ali stated.

“So let us not be side tracked from the selfish desires of a bunch that cared nothing about hinterland development…We are committed to the development of all of Guyana. I am committed to working with every single community,” the head of state added.

As part of the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation in 2022, Guyana will earn US$750 million for its forest, with 15 per cent of that amount, or $4.6 billion (US$22 million), being distributed among the communities. Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that each of the approximately 240 communities will receive no less than $10 million and up to $35 million.

In an effort to create a better future for persons living in the community of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has outlined several projects to be undertaken immediately.

Dr Ali made the announcement during an impromptu meeting in the community Sunday (February 26, 2023), aimed at chartering a future that will give young people the best possibilities, as well as transforming the community. While there were a number of issues raised by residents, President Ali said his government will immediately put mechanisms in place to address priority matters. He underscored the need for improved drainage infrastructure and creating a better environment by cleaning the surroundings, noting that the community will be actively involved in the works to improve the area, creating ownership and a sense of responsibility. He said, “Based on what I heard, the drainage is the number one priority… We

are going to start before the end of next week, to get a group together from the community itself that we are going to engage [and] hire to clean all the internal drainage [and] to look at all the culverts.”

Additionally, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will also be commencing works to excavate the two major drainage canals in the area and to examine and fix the malfunctioning koker that the residents highlighted.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will visit the community to assess and address the water issues there, as instructed by the head of state.

“They are going to come in [and] flush the system… However, we are investing in a number of projects right now that will see you getting treated water in another two and a half years or less,” Dr Ali stated.

Meanwhile, a number of existing recreational infrastructures in Agricola will be revamped to be more conducive for youth and

family activities.

The President expressed his desire to provide training for young people interested in the construction sector. Persons who are willing to receive the technical skills were asked to register their names and get ready for the new knowledge.

The construction sector, he said, requires a lot of workers, and the government aims to provide employment opportunities, especially for those who receive training.

“We want the young people in this community to be part of the works to improve the community, because it creates more ownership, it is your community and [you] will want to see it done better,” the president emphasised.

Dr Ali underscored the need for residents to work together to find solutions for the challenges facing Agricola, and stressed the importance of creating a positive environment, where everyone supports each other, and the community can generate positivity.

Guyanese in the Bahamas were reminded by President Dr. Irfan Ali that Guyana presents very strong leadership in the areas of food security, energy security, and climate security.

“Today, in this region, we present very strong leadership on food security, energy security, and climate security. The next seven years are dedicated to building an economy and a country that will be able to efficiently and competitively survive in a global system that will be very, very different from what we see today.”

The Head of State also spoke extensively about Government’s development plan in these as well as other major areas, including agriculture and healthcare, at a meeting with the Diaspora on the margins of the 44th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the CARICOM Community.

Dr Ali emphasised that his administration is working in a very strategic way to position Guyana not as a participant, but as a leader in these areas, pointing to the hallmark agreement made

between the Government of Guyana and Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits for a minimum of US$750 million.

“So we are already positioning Guyana to be the leader in relation to biodiversity services, carbon services, environmental services…”

The President said that Guyana is working with India and Rwanda to explore the pharmaceutical value and potential of the country’s forest.

Regarding Energy Security, Dr Ali pointed to ongoing discussions with Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago to develop an energy corridor.

“The energy potential of Guyana is enormous- wind, solar, hydro. And, we are now presenting an energy platform that is diversified and has the potential of being a major revenue earner for our country.”

He also spoke about Guyana’s natural gas potential and the establishment of a natural gas plant. “I had a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and they are in the final stages of

wrapping up things to lend the resources for the first natural gas pipeline and natural gas plant for Guyana. This is easily the largest investment in the energy sector and in any single project in the history of Guyana.”

President Ali explained that this investment will facilitate the delivery of energy at 50% per cent of the cost every household is paying now for electricity in less than two years. He also explained that this would allow Guyana to have the most competitive environment for manufacturing and industrial development in the entire Latin America and the Caribbean. This advancement will bring another wave of opportunities, including direct savings to families.

A NEW STORY IN FOOD PRODUCTION

President Ali spoke at length about the country’s leading role in food security and its role in the global planning framework on energy security and food production.

“And we are already presenting global leadership on food security… Two years

ago, we set ourselves a target to produce all the corn and soya that we need as input for our feed production for livestock and poultry. And I’m very pleased to report to you, with the investments we have made and the private investment, we are well on our way to becoming self-sufficient by 2025 and might very well be in a position to export in the region for the first time…”

The country, President Ali added, continues to attract major investments in the sector, including from the African Export-Import Bank. “So, a new story is unfolding in food production and agriculture.”

Another noteworthy development is the single window permit system that his Government is developing to fast-track investment and development.

The President also elaborated on various development projects being undertaken by his Government as well as the ongoing transformation of the health sector, including the increase in salaries and training of nurses.

He also spoke of his plan to ensure world-class educa-

tion system for Guyanese, including special needs education.

ONE GUYANA

The Head of State noted that while Guyana’s story is unfolding globally, this development story is not only predicated on oil and gas but rather policies and programmes to build a resilient, sustainable and strong country under the umbrella of ‘One Guyana’. “And that is what I’ve been working on; creating this one Guyana in which we build a system that delivers prosperity for every single Guyanese and every single Guyanese family,” he said.

Aside from the major transformative projects, the Head of State pointed to the importance of shaping the right collective mindset. He said, “And this, for me, is the important project, changing the mindset, changing the way we relate to each other, community by community, household by household.

And I assure you I will not rest until this country is unified.”

He added that this re -

quires the involvement and support of every Guyanese. Ali said, “It requires every single Guyanese changing from the inside. It requires every Guyanese making a special effort and a special commitment to being part of the positive transformation, to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

He encouraged those present to join with his Government in building a country and a society that is stronger, more prosperous and one that delivers to the aspirations and ambitions of the people of the country.

Ali stressed, “I stand committed to this…”

The President reiterated the importance of engagements with the Diaspora, which he said provides an opportunity to connect with those who continue to contribute to the development of Guyana and facilitate the exchange of ideas.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Hugh Todd and the Director of Presidential Affairs, Ms Marcia Nadir-Sharma, were also at the meeting.

Gov’t positioning Guyana as a Regional leader in food, energy, climate security – President Ali

Vigilance necessary to prevent a repeat of March 2020 events - Mustapha

An opportunity for a repeat of the events that threatened to turn Guyana into an undemocratic, pariah, state, must never be allowed, according to Executive Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Zulfikar Mustapha.

He said, “On the observation of the third anniversary of those elections and with freedom restored, we must never forget the disgrace the APNU+AFC coalition brought to our country and people. I urge that together we endeavor

to ensure they never get the opportunity to repeat such atrocities.”

March 2, 2023 marked three years since the March 2020 General and Regional Elections debacle, which saw Guyanese plunged into machinations aimed at undermining the will of the people and the consequent fight to protect Guyana’s democracy.

Mustapha said, “March 2, 2023, marks three years since that infamous general and regional elections held in 2020 the results of

which took a staggering five months to be officially declared. During that fivemonth period, the glaring attempts by the then APNU+AFC coalition government to steal the elections and deny the will of the Guyanese people, unashamedly unfolded in real time for all to see. They were ably assisted by their cohorts nestled within the secretariat of GECOM. In their attempts to rig those elections, they trampled upon the constitutional processes that are enshrined to protect and effect

free and fair elections.

“With efforts led by the Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of then Opposition the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), that period also saw Guyanese from all strata of society standing up to safeguard their democracy and their freedom to chose a government of their choice. These efforts were supported by a number of local and international observer groups and diplomatic missions. Our country was in the international spotlight for the reasons as the selfish actions

of the APNU+AFC coalition tarnished Guyana's image.

“The sustained efforts to protect our democracy and international pressure brought to bear on the APNU +AFC, saw the true results that reflected the will of the Guyanese people being declared on August 2, 2020, our Party declared the winner and its Presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, sworn in as Guyana's 9th Executive President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

Mustapha noted that

since August 2, 2020, in less than three years, the PPP/C government has placed Guyana on a trajectory of transformational development, has retaken its place as a regional leader in agriculture and other areas, and has marked it place on the global stage with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, as well with the receipt of the world’s first TREES credits, which were issued by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), on December 1, 2022.

PPP/C gov’t committed to preserving Guyana’s democratic credentials

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is committed to ensure that the events of March 2, 2020 are never repeated, according to PPP Executive Member and Attorney General, Anil

Nandlall.

And he stressed that the incumbent Administration will work to ensure that Guyana’s democratic credentials are preserved.

Nandlall said, “As we

approach March 2, I want you to be assured that your government is very much alive to those realities that we experienced and we will work to ensure that the democratic credentials of this

country are maintained, and that we continue to work to deliver a better tomorrow for every single Guyanese.

“…we must not forget the lessons that were learnt from those elections. We

–

Nandlall

must not forget the struggles that were associated with ensuring that the votes cast at those elections were actually counted. We must not forget those who put our democracy on trial.

We must not forget those who attempted in the most flagrant way to steal those elections. Those who tried in the most vulgar way to prevent the true and real

FOCUS ON GUYANA’S FIRST PEOPLE

Hinterland residents to benefit from major infrastructural development

Thedevelopment of infrastructure in hinterland communities has always been a priority of the PPP/C government.

To this end, significant efforts have been made to improve the transportation networks and access to basic services in remote areas of the country.

In 2022, the government initiated several infrastructural projects aimed at rehabilitating and constructing roads, bridges, and revetments in hinterland communities.

One of the notable projects was the rehabilitation and construction of the Moruca Main Access Road (Phase 3) in Region One. The project was awarded to Mohamed

Ramzanali Khan Construction at a cost of $197,015,910. The contractor was tasked with upgrading 1 km of rigid pavement.

This completed project has improved access to the community that was previously cut off from the rest of the country during the rainy season.

In addition to the Moruca project, the government also awarded the rehabilitation and construction of the Mabaruma to Hosororo road to United Contracting Supplies at a cost of $194,020,785. The project involves upgrading 1 km of rigid pavement, and so far, it is 80 per cent complete. The concrete road was completed, but the bridge approaches are

outstanding.

Rehabilitation works on the San Jose Main Access Road (Phase 1) Region One, was awarded to Mohamed Ramzanali Khan Construction at a cost of $113,526,315 and saw 600m of rigid pavement and revetment works being executed.

The government also prioritised the rehabilitation of road networks in Region Seven, which saw Associated Construction Services being awarded the rehabilitation of 5 Mile Housing Scheme Road Network at a cost of $94,289,160.

The project was a continuation and involved upgrading of 1 km of asphalt road. The project was completed and has

North Rupununi to become commercial hub – Min. Bharrat

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, has said based on the current trajectory of Guyana’s development, the north Rupununi is set to become a commercial hub in Region nine.

The minister was at the time speaking during an engagement with residents of Annai, Region nine, on February 23, 2023.

The minister urged residents to strive to preserve Guyana’s rich heritage, culture and traditions, in maintaining our identity amidst the large-scale infrastructural and other development taking place.

He reminded that the Linden to Mabura Hill Highway, which is already under construction, is set to bring major economic opportunities for persons living in Region Nine. “That spells significant opportunities for Region Nine and for the people of Region Nine. Most of the traffic coming from Brazil will flow through here, going into Linden and to Georgetown. We need to prepare and equip ourselves for this development.”

Additionally, the minister said these developmental

waves will have a ripple effect, resonating in sectors such as education and health.

To this end, he assured that a secondary school for South Pakaraima is set to be constructed soon, bringing improved access to education for the children there.

He noted that the preservation of our forests, and developing our natural resources are key to ensuring sustainable development, and commended the instrumental role that the indigenous communities play in this regard. “We need to ensure that we provide world-class healthcare, education and infrastructure for our people. In order to do that, we have to ensure that we exploit and develop our natural resources in a sustainable and responsible way, while ensuring that our environmental credentials are intact. We’re ensuring, through the Low Carbon Development Strategy that our forests are preserved while we maintain a sustainable path towards development,” the natural resources minister noted.

Meanwhile, United Kingdom’s Minister of State with

improved access to the 5 Mile community.

A&S General Contractors was awarded the rehabilitation of West Bartica Secondary Road Network at a cost of $84,027,090. The completed project involved the upgrading 1 km of asphalt road.

The government also awarded the rehabilitation of roads in Kaburi (Phase 2) Region Seven to Associated Construction Services at a cost of $61,402,950. The project involves rehabilitating 8 km of laterite roads in the community, and it is 90 per cent completed.

The placing of laterite is ongoing, and the project is expected to be completed soon.

JSB Investment Inc.

was awarded the rehabilitation of roads in Karrau in Region Seven at a cost of $69,897,535. This saw the rehabilitation of 5 km of laterite roads in the community. The government also prioritised the rehabilitation of internal roads in Lethem, Region Nine.

In Tabatinga Drive, Region Nine some 3.7 km of road was upgraded to asphaltic concrete. Rehabilitation works were executed by Theodore Faria General Contracting Services to the tune of $182,620,357.

Another significant project was the rehabilitation of Moco Moco Main Access Road and bridges in Region Nine. Modern Construction and Trucking Service was

awarded the contract at a cost of $80,808,850 to repair timber bridges and perform sectional repairs on 20 km of road. The project is 90 per cent complete, with materials placed on the road waiting to be compacted. However, the bridges are completed.

Also, the rehabilitation of the Ituni internal roads and drains in Region Ten was awarded to O&O General Contracting Services. This saw 200 m of concrete drains being installed.

Overall, the infrastructural development in these hinterland communities is an essential step towards promoting economic growth and improving the living standards of the residents.

responsibility for Overseas Territories, the Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment, Zac Goldsmith, highlighted that, in recognising the impact of climate change, it is crucial to source the root of the problem, which he clarified is the treatment of our natural resources, and that the key to addressing climate change is by repairing this relationship. He urged the residents to continue along this path of preservation, as Guyana serves as a model for the rest of the world in forest conservation. Further, Lord Goldsmith added that the primary aim of his visit is to explore opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and the UK.

British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Jane Miller, reaffirmed her dedication to engaging Guyanese and finding ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the UK for the betterment of all.

Concluding his visit to the community, Minister Bharrat also handed over educational paraphernalia to the students of the Bina Hill Institute.

PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’

More farmlands to be made available in MMA/ ADA Scheme

10,000 acres of land to ramp up rice production

farmers’ groups receive agri inputs

Rice farmers of Region

Five will soon benefit from the availability of more farmlands aimed to significantly boost rice cultivation within the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) scheme, which is known to be the largest rice producing area in Guyana.

This is in keeping with government’s efforts to ensure that rice farmers receive the necessary implements to ramp up rice productivity across the country. This assurance was given by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during an outreach in the region on Wednesday (March 1, 2023) at MMA/ ADA’s office, Onverwagt.

Farmers had the opportunity to engage the minister on several issues affecting them which include subletting, land leases, and paddy prices. “We are trying to open up more lands. I’m looking to see that those persons who don’t have lands will receive those lands. I am hoping that

by the end of the next crop, we will have about, at least, 10,000 acres more to come under rice cultivation,” Minister Mustapha highlighted. Farmers to benefit from this include those who are renting, cultivating, and who would have submitted applications. This, the minister said, will prevent the farmers from paying exorbitant land rental fees to private persons. Instead, the farmers will pay $3,500 for land rental to MMA/ADA.

Since assuming office in August 2020, government has been working assiduously to reduce land rental and drainage and irrigation charges. “I am advising the board and the board would come up with recommendations. We will try as much as possible to deal with this issue of subletting,” Minister Mustapha said.

Reemphasising government’s commitment to farmers, Minister Mustapha noted that government recently engaged the major

GEA installs Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System at Schepmoed Primary School

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has installed a 6kWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system along with a 28.8kWh Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA)

rice millers of Regions Two to Six to address paddy prices. The minister related that, “I told them, the entire Rice Millers Association, that at least the farmers must not get less than the last crop… Let us hope that good sense prevails and we can get a better price. I am hoping that we can have a continued discussion and we will push the matter. Hopefully, from the time you start to ramp up production more, we can have more discussions in moving the matter.”

Also, farmers’ groups of Zeezight, Number Nine Village, and Cotton Tree received agricultural inputs which include seeds, gasoline water pumps, spray cans, tiller, and gardening tools to boost productivity within the communities.

The President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led administration remains committed in its food security efforts to reduce CARICOM’s high food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Guyana Mining School, E.R. Burrowes School of Art to launch jewellery making course

TheGuyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc. (GMSTCI), in collaboration with the E.R. Burrowes School of Art will be launching a free jewellery-making course in March to target aspiring and practicing jewellers and other interested persons.

“This was a very successful programme from last year, which was conceived by the honourable minister [of Natural Resources] Vickram Bharrat. This was his brainchild. The course came about after realising there is a capacity to build for goldsmiths in the jewellery sector because there was a gap,” Administrator of the GMSTCI, Vaughn Felix explained in an interview.

The course is designed to target those interested in learning fundamental skills such as drilling, sawing, sanding, filing, forging, tex-

turing, and soldering.

It may also expand to include local semi-precious stones in jewellery designs.

The first iteration of the programme, hosted in July 2022, aimed to train local jewellers to learn and develop essential skills related to jewellery-making processes and techniques.

It saw 30 persons taking part in the pioneer programme over several weeks.

This was to prepare for the Guyana Gold Hub, hosted in Barbados.

The establishment of a Guyana gold jewellery hub in Bridgetown, Barbados is part of the St Barnabas Accord signed by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

The agreement was signed as a result of the high demand for gold in Barbados, and the high-quality jewel-

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Schepmoed Primary School in Region 6. The teacher’s quarter was also connected to the electricity supply from the solar system.

The items installed at the Schepmoed Primary School were provided by the Guyana Energy Agency

(GEA) in keeping with the Government’s sustainable energy interventions for communities and public buildings.

Schepmoed Primary School is located approximately 36 km from New Amsterdam on the east bank of the Berbice river. In exercising its mandate, the Guyana Energy Agency, provided support for the transportation and installation of the solar PV and battery energy storage systems.

This initiative will pro -

vide a renewable, stable, and reliable electricity supply to school and the school’s kitchen for its daily activities, benefiting approximately eighteen (18) students and three (3) teachers. The teachers present at the time of the solar PV system’s installation expressed their gratitude for the solar powered system. GEA’s Engineer provided training to three personnel (one male and two females) at the facility on the operation and maintenance of the system.

New domestic violence legislation coming soon − Min Persaud

Thegovernment is demonstrating its zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence with its announcement that it hopes to implement sweeping changes to the existing laws to further protect and respond to the societal ill affecting families in Guyana.

As such, the government will be overhauling the ‘Domestic Violence Act’ of 1996, with some 40 proposed amendments, which the Human Services and Social Security Ministry hopes will address all forms of violence.

out this year to ensure that your roles are more defined and your roles are more expansive. Removing much of the discretion and ensuring that there is a more protective reportive response to all members of society,” the minister said.

ments include requiring the expansion of the current Domestic Violence Act, which entails the definitions of domestic violence. This will consist of a more comprehensive definition of economic, emotional and psychological violence.

lery produced in Guyana, which is of particular interest to residents and tourists in Barbados.

In 2022, a total of 30 persons participated in the training.

Several jewellers were also allowed to showcase their products at the Agro Fest, which was held from May 26-29, 2022 in Barbados.

While this year’s programme will target persons in the mining and jewellery sectors, any interested person will be able to participate.

Just recently, GMSTCI commenced its comprehensive Map Reading and Navigation Short Course to equip miners with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate difficult terrain and read maps effectively.

That programme will last for three weeks and will conclude in late March.

Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud said the changes will be made soon after the new legislation undergoes the scrutiny of the National Assembly. She made this disclosure on February 24, 2023, while speaking to police officers during the graduation ceremony for 500 ranks who were trained through the ministry’s COPSQUAD2000 initiative at the National Cultural Centre. “There will be brand new legislation coming

Although the current domestic violence legislation has a more civil component to it, as opposed to a penal one, the new legislation will contain both. “The law that we had or we have currently is a robust one but we are very conscious that with the moment and the advancement of technology, violence can permeate our society in many different ways, as such through the training you have received, I have no doubts that you are much more familiar with the newer forms of violence which will be captured in the brandnew piece of legislation that is slated to come out very soon,” the minister relayed.

The proposed amend -

In addition, penalties for breach of protection orders and inclusion of batterer intervention programmes and counselling as remedies under the law will be updated.

Heavy focus is also being placed on identifying mechanisms to tackle domestic violence as one of the key elements in modernising legislation and policies, ultimately strengthening systems.

To this end, the Human Services Ministry launched the COPSQUAD2000 initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs to train police ranks to respond to and service victims in a professional manner that helps to resolve conflict utilising the arm of the law.

131 Lindeners graduate from BIT programme

Some 131 Lindeners graduated from several training programmes offered by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) on February 24, 2023.

The graduates received certification in Welding and Fabrication, Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation, Electrical Installation, General Building Construction, Commercial Food Preparation, and Garment Construction.

BIT continues to create avenues for persons to be trained and certified with various technical and vocational skillsets to enter the workforce.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton commended the graduates for taking advantage of the opportunities and urged them to continuously upskill themselves with the complementary courses being offered. “We have to move to the next stage where you are accredited and certified. We signed a few mornings ago, a memorandum of understanding with the electrical inspectorate because our intention is to ensure that the people we have trained, they can go beyond where they are at right now. We have moved from training only 198 persons in Linden

in 2021 to training 584 in 2022. So, I’m thankful that you have offered yourself,” the minister noted.

Graduates were encouraged to utilise the services of the Central Manpower and Recruitment Agency to learn about the various job opportunities.

Some $11.7 million was expended to train 198 persons through BIT in 2021. BIT plans to expend some $66 million this year to provide skill training programmes in the wider region. This forms part of the administration’s efforts to upskill Guyanese regardless of their location.

Gov’t aims to develop oil and gas sector with support from India – Jagdeo

– Oil companies to share in environmental and fiscal responsibilities

The PPP/C Administration is looking to develop its burgeoning oil and gas sector in a structured way, where oil companies bear their share of responsibilities from both an environmental and fiscal perspective, says Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

The vice president, during his official visit to India recently spoke with WION, an English news channel headquartered in New Delhi said, “That is why India’s assistance and its great technical skills… you have a lot of smart people here who can help us to work in defining the growth of the industry.”

He noted that Guyana

will also be seeking India’s expertise as it moves to develop its gas policy, in the area of environmental management and overall capacity building. “So, we are looking forward with great excitement to the development of a strong relationship with India on energy-related matters,” Dr Jagdeo added.

Guyana’s first commercial oil production began in December 2019 from the Liza Phase 1 project, operated by ExxonMobil. Since then, several other projects have been announced, placing the country in the position of one of the world’s top oil-producing nations.

Government continues to restate its commitment

60 Madewini/Yarrowkabra residents receive water tanks to access safe, clean water

The government on Monday (February 27, 2023) delivered 60 450-gallon water tanks to residents of the Madewini/Yarrowkabra area.

ty tanks… and what we are here to do today is to make sure that the people of this community who are affected… received the tanks,” he said.

to prudent management and exploitation of its natural resources as it advances the development of its oil, gas and other industries.

The Vice President has met with several key Indian officials including Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as well as the country’s Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar.

It was agreed that the two nations will continue to work on strengthening bilateral partnerships in various sectors including petroleum and natural gas, agriculture, agro-processing, education, healthcare, capacity building, ICT, renewable energy and climate change.

Financial assistance for dialysis patients rolls out

Eighty-Four (84) hemodialysis patients have received cheques valued at $600,000 each, to help subsidise their treatment expenses, as the Government rolls out its dialysis treatment initiative for the year 2023. Of the 84 beneficiaries, 15 are new patients.

The first payout exercise of more than $50 million, commenced on Tuesday at the Ministry of Health on Brickdam. Stabroek.

The administration has allocated $863 million in Budget 2023 to support those in need of medical treatment.

According to Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, this initiative is geared at providing financial support to persons suffering from kidney failure who requires dialysis, a much-needed treatment for the management of their condition.

“Last year we introduce a programme where persons

who are affected by kidney failure and have end-stage kidney disease receive an annual subsidy of $600,000, and I am very pleased that we will soon be paying out over $50M which will benefit some 84 patients”, he said.

While appealing to the general public to get registered if they require dialysis support, the Minister indicated that more persons are expected to benefit during the year. “As far as I am aware, the reaction from most of the patients is that this has been quite helpful to most of them because, with the amount of money, we are now giving them, they can now access dialysis treatment in the various regions”, Dr Anthony pointed out.

The Health Minister highlighted that through close collaboration with private sector agencies, dialysis services have been expanded to Regions Two, Three, Four

This follows the contamination of the creek water in the area.

Speaking with the residents during the handing-over exercise, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said the tanks will assist each household with the storage of safe and clean water.

“Last week, we sent up six-

Also present at the exercise was Minister within the office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, who also holds parliamentary responsibility for the area.

Minister McCoy told the residents that the move demonstrates the government’s commitment to the residents there. “Today is

another demonstration of government being able to fulfil its word and promise to the people of this community and it shows our willingness as a government to work with people always; to be able to make sure that we can address their needs and be able to take care of situation that affects them,” the minister said.

The residents were appreciative of the intervention by government, which will enable them to harvest and store, rain water for their household use.

Amendments to anti-money laundering legislation to be laid soon – Attorney General

and Ten compared to previous years where patients requiring dialysis were forced to travel to the city to seek care and treatment.

If a person has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the kidneys are unable to filter the blood to remove harmful waste products and excess fluids which are turned into urine to be passed out of the body. Dialysis treatment then becomes an alternative procedure to remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It is a process that involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

Last year, some 327 patients benefited from the annual $600,000 payout, Persons requiring support for dialysis treatment can contact the Ministry’s Medical Treatment Department on 225 0113 for more information on how they can receive financial assistance.

As part of the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to combat financial crime and money laundering on all fronts, government will soon lay amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act in the National Assembly.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, made the disclosure on Tuesday (February 28, 2023).

He explained that the Regional Security System (RSS) met with the Attorney General’s Chambers recently and several gaps were identified in Guyana’s AML/CFT legislative land-

scape. “We have begun to work immediately in correcting those gaps. They have offered us recommendations and we are working to implement those recommendations in the form of legislative amendments. “That is work in progress and soon, two pieces of amendments will be taken to the National Assembly,” the Attorney General disclosed.

The amendments will strengthen Guyana’s capability to counter money laundering and other financial crimes.

In addition, the Specialised Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will be receiving

technical support from the RSS.

“They have engaged with SOCU and they offered technical assistance whenever requested and they also have said that they will offer attachment programmes, whereby SOCU officers can go to the RSS and do attachments with them to enhance their capacity and training …of course, we will take advantage of that offer” he highlighted.

Guyana was recently accepted as a member of the RSS and is also a part of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB) steering group.

BOG has the supply of US dollars to meet demand

The Bank of Guyana (BOG) has noted the claims by some businesses in the press that there is a shortage of US dollars in the banking system. The BOG would like to reiterate that the banking system with an average monthly turnover in excess of USD500 million, has an adequate supply of US dollars to meet demand.

As of February 22, 2023, the banking system had USD 99.5 million available for transactions. BOG would like to state that while the available funds are not evenly distributed among the banks, there is enough to cover the cash flow needs of transactions arising from businesses in Guyana.

Cash flowing to the banks is cyclical, as such there will be periods of excess liquidity and periods when there will be a limited supply.

The Bank continues to monitor the foreign currency position in Guyana to ensure there is no disruption nor adverse impact on economic activities.

Moving ahead with LGE 2023, GECOM must beware...

that robust local government architecture and systems support more sustainable communities. Consequently, once the LGEs are held, we can consider accelerated community benefits from the implementation of several impacting developmental

community projects”.

Importantly, following notification of readiness from GECOM, the Hon. Minister of Local Government has set the twelfth of June 2023 as the date of the LGEs. And all NDCs are busy preparing their candidates to contest the

Elections. The Municipalities are also very much in elections mode. Consequently, GECOM must not allow the Opposition commissioners to propose any further delay.

The Work Plan is in place, and all preparation for the holding of LGEs on June

12th must be done. GECOM must beware of all the rogue elements that are still in their employment. Election Day staff must be fully prepared, be honest, and hold free and fair elections.

Further, our Government has updated elections

← FROM PAGE 4

Legislation, including the Representation of the Peoples Act (ROPA), with the intent of deterring lawlessness by elections officials in the conduct of their work.

The LGEs will also avail the opportunity to test the real impact of the legislative

updates, given the need for confidence in the system by all stakeholders. Let us have LGEs as scheduled, without any further delays.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

the people of this country, who voted on Election Day in a peaceful election, and gave their mandate to the PPP/C….despite the results you did everything to make sure you remained in power, regardless of the will of the people,” Teixeira said.

According to her, from independence to now, no government in Guyana has committed as many constitutional violations as the APNU+AFC Coalition did, much less within five short years. “There is no mea culpa….they have taken responsibility for nothing,” the Minister said.

RACE CARD

Teixeira also called out the APNU+AFC Coalition for their repeatedly resort to playing the race card for political benefit – a trend seen after the March 2, 2020 Election and, more recently, in the Budget 2021 presentation of Coalition Parliamentarians.

“They have come here with jaundiced eyes…everything they see is race…you saw our cultural, ethnic and religious diversity and linguistic diversity as something that was – and still is being used by you – to divide, instead to reconcile and build. You were vindictive and heartless and still are being vindictive and heartless,” she said.

The Minister added, “…they cannot look at our nation and see the kaleidoscope of our nation and how beautiful we are with our distinct differences –culturally, ethnically, religiously, geographically…. they deduce everything through a common denom -

inator, race.

“…they did not comprehend that as Guyanese, we are many different colours and combinations….that despite our difference, we still love our country, we still want to be here, we still want to make this our come….Guyanese did not want to live in a situation where they (the Coalition) discriminated based on race, sometimes religion, and political affiliation.”

The legacy of the APNU+AFC Coalition, according to her, cannot be whitewash or downplayed. She said, “What the APNU/PNC/AFC has to live with for the rest of its existence is a legacy of a party that was willing to do anything and everything to stay in power, regardless of the will of the people…no government, not even (Forbes) Burnham’s government went to the extent they APNU/ PNC/AFC went to in 2020, none.”

Looking ahead, she stressed that Guyana is stronger for the struggles the country endured for five months.

“The point is, at the end of it all, democracy prevailed…we recognized that we have had to fight of this democracy, and we had to fight, again, to protect and preserve it…. democracy is now something that every citizen of this country recognizes as something that they have to fight to protect and defend,” Teixeira declared.

[SEE TIMELINE OF THE MARCH 2020 ELECTIONS DEBACLE ON PAGES 11-14]

results of those elections from being declared.”

Citing the work of right-thinking Guyanese, as well as the international Election Observer Missions (EOMs), and the diplomatic corps, etc., he said, “Imagine where we would have been today if those miscreants were allowed to pervert the elections. We would have been a pariah state. We would have been blacklisted internationally. Caricom would have expelled [us]; Commonwealth may have done the same thing, the United Nations. It’s horrendous to think what would have happened in Guyana if those miscreants, those perpetrators, were allowed to pursue and execute their plans and their agendas.”

On the March 2020 Elections, the Coalition on March 3, 2020 claimed that it won the Elections. Less than a month later, its dossier, which was sent to the international community, on page 11 said: “The various comments from the observer missions convey that the voting process in the elections was well managed, peaceful, proceeded largely without incident and was free, fair and transparent. It is therefore, reasonable to conclude then that the voting process was not fraudulent.” In the face of acknowledging the elections as free and fair, the Coalition would later flip-flop to claim that there were irregularities in the voting process, when the counting of the votes placed the PPP/C in the lead – a contradictory narrative.

Within days the counting of ballots and verification of the results was completed in nine of Guyana’s 10 Regions. The remaining area was Region 4, considered a critical battleground area in any election. By March 4, 2020, the machinations of the Coalition, aided by elements with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), including embattled Region 4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, to manipulate Region 4 results were exposed in full view of Guyanese and the world. Mingo, twice, put forward fraudulent results – on March 5 and March 13 – for Region

4. This was resisted and after court challenges and much struggle, a recount was proceeded with. In the face of public exposure of the election mischief –including by PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, and PNCR member Carol Joseph, whose signatures were on both fraudulent declarations made by Mingo – the Coalition would resist a national recount still claiming an election win – a contradictory narrative.

The Coalition’s then Attorney General, Basil Williams, on May 16, 2020, claimed that the recount does not alter previous 10 declarations made, including the fraudulent declaration made by Mingo on results for Region 4. He had said: “The law remains the law, so, at the end of the day, the law will determine what happens. As I said, the electoral laws state that 10 legitimate declarations have been made, they have been laid over to the CEO [Chief Election Officer]. The national recount falls under a constitutional provision and the purpose that it is serving is to examine what happened on that day.” Even as the national recount proceeded, the Coalition tried to hold on to the 10 declarations that were made, including the fraudulent one for Region 4. They also tried to make claims about dead voters, etc. – claims that were exposed as false by the local media corps. The Coalition also moved to the court to block the use of the recount results as the final election results. Under pressure, the Coalition had to accept the Statements of Recount, which showed that the PPP/C secured more votes at the elections accept the legality of the elected PPP/C government, there is no move to release the . In the face of the Coalition’s refusal to so-called ‘evidence’ to support its victory – its copies of the GECOM-issued Statements of Poll (SOPs) – a contradictory narrative.

The Coalition has since filed two elections petitions. While one has been thrown out, it is currently the subject of appeal. The second is proceeding in court.

COMMENTARY

Democracy Matters

Democracy

matters. This past week, on March 2, 2023, we observed the third anniversary of the infamous, brazen and shameful attempt by a PNC-led group to undermine the will of the Guyanese people at the March 20202 General and Regional Elections. At the same time we celebrate the third anniversary of the bold and courageous fight led by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP); a fight that included citizens from various other political parties and NGOs and ordinary citizens who presented a coalition of forces that fought to preserve democracy.

The PPP/C government is the result of that fight. President Dr. Irfaan Ali is the result of that fight. And in less than three years, of being in government, President Ali and the PPP/C government have begun a transformation that is rare in global history.

CARICOM”s basket case of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s is today the global jewel. Few countries in history have excited the world as Guyana is today. It is a remarkable and dramatic transformation. Guyana is moving so rapidly that truly we can say the future is here, now before our eyes.

Every and each single day in Guyana we see glimpses of the new Guyana. Just a few days ago, it was announced that Dr. Mahendra Persaud from the Guyana Rice Research center in Burma, Region 5, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Anthony N Sabga awardee for the Caribbean Excellence for Science and Technology.

In the meanwhile, an all-female surgical team is blazing new paths at GPHC, an achievement few countries can boast of.

A few weeks ago, Guyana’s Gudakesh Motie spun his way into Cricket West Indies record books with the best ever spin bowling feat

in the history of West Indies test cricket.

Last week, a Guyanese girl blazed her way to the championship in 800-meter racing in the Big Twelve in the US, an incubator for world champions.

Anna Regina Multilateral is CARICOM’s school of the year 2022. Guyanese students dominated CSEC 2022.

President Irfaan Ali is a global leader for the world’s most aggressive regional food security plan, the 25 X 25 initiative.

This is our Guyana and the naysayers’ constant effort to diminish our country is unable to taint our stardom or stop the relentless drive for excellence in our country. Guyana is punching way, way above our small size and small country. We are impacting the world for the better in myriad of ways.

President Irfaan Ali articulated the future for Guyana during his address to the nation for Republic Day 2023. He was talking about Guyana post-2030. Guyanese are already beginning to see, not just imagine the Guyana of post-2030. For many of us, the future is already visible and evident. If anything symbolizes and exemplifies the Guyana of post-2030, two actual physical bridges are high on the list. Work has already started on the Demerara River Bridge which will replace the present bridge, a bridge that has long outlived its usefulness. The present bridge is a stark reminder of the old Guyana. People should begin to take pictures and video images of this bridge because future generations will need to see where we came from. Even as the new Demerara River Bridge has started to take shape, Minister Juan Edghill was in Suriname to further plans for the new Corentyne River bridge which will provide a continuous passage between Guyana and Suriname.

These physical bridges also serve to bring the old Guyana in full view of the new Guyana. These bridges are among the transformative physical infrastructure that would change the landscape of Guyana. These bridges, together with modern hospitals and schools, new hotels, new office buildings and high-quality housing schemes, new highways, are bringing an optics that rapidly and permanently leave the old Guyana behind.

The future is here. This new Guyana is not a mirage. In recognition of the new Guyana, already the UK has determined that Guyanese can travel to the UK without first obtaining a visa. Mexico is in talks with Guyana to similarly allow travel between Guyana and Mexico without first obtaining a visa. There is optimism that Guyana and Canada can conclude such agreements sooner than later. France will open its permanent office in Guyana, instead of just a visiting diplomat. When this happens, Guyanese can obtain their Schengen visa right here in Guyana. The Schengen visa allows Guyanese to travel to 27 European countries, including France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, Austria. Other visa-requiring countries are likely to follow and it is not a mirage to think that dozens of countries that presently require visa for traveling will remove such stringent requirements before the end of President Irfaan Ali’s terms as President end in 2030.

Guyana a few years ago ranked as a country with one of the highest visa-rejection rates in the world when our citizens applied for visa to developed countries. But the development in Guyana since August 2020 when President Irfaan Ali was sworn in as Guyana’s 1oth President has

propelled our place in the world. The dream of global recognition which not so long ago was thought of as impossible has come rapidly on the horizon. Truly the future is here. Right here in CARICOM, countries tried to block our citizens visiting. Indeed, some countries (we will generously not name them here) had special rejection benches reserved for Guyanese citizens. Today, our citizens are welcome. Far from the derision we suffered within CARICOM, when Guyana was deemed CARICOM’s basket-case, we today are being looked upon as the cornerstone for CARICOM’s own future development. Guyana has become a jewel in CARICOM and CARICOM leaders are knocking down the doors to come to Guyana as often as possible. This is the transformation our country is undergoing now under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali. We are now welcome to countries that once treated us as second-class citizens.

A Noble Laureate, together with a prominent Guyanese professor and researcher in oncology at the world-famous Anderson Cancer Center in Texas visited Guyana last week. They both agreed to serve as members of the Guyana Science and Technology Council that President Ali announced will be established within months in Guyana. Guyanese and international science experts will come together to advise and steer our country in the direction of using science and technology to make Guyana a world-leader within this region. The great America, Japan, India, China, and Singapore have all brought the future to the present by using science and technology. Guyana has decided we will also do the same.

Even as we contemplate the rapid transformation that the general elections of

March 2, 2020 resulted in, Guyana’s Minister of Health is hosting a team from Spain who will work with us to establish and strengthen the organ transplant commission that the new Organ Transplant Act of Guyana mandates. This new law is intended to make Guyana the transplant center for CARICOM. Already, Guyana does more kidney transplants and corneal transplants than all CARICOM countries combined. But in the coming months, Guyana is about to transform how transplants are being done in CARICOM. We are planning CARICOM”s first ever cadaver transplant. Presently a living person donate a kidney to another person. However, in the developed countries, they also take organs from a person who is dead. In this case one person can donate organs to several persons. Up to now, no country in CARICOM has been able to do so. Guyana is putting the technological capacity in place to allow our transplant surgeons to utilize kidenys now or other organs later for transplant. The transplant medicine we dream about in the future is coming to Guyana now.

In this regard, Silica City, a dream of President Ali, has begun to take same along the Linden Highway. Silica City is an example of what we can build and make Guyana through a technology-driven society. President Ali wants Silica City to be an example of a physical transformation that beckons the world to see Guyana as a technology-driven country.

Already, works have started to build the first 100 homes. This will be CARICOM’s first ever smart-city and only one of a handful globally. It will be powered by renewable energy and embrace the government’s LCDS, the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN’s SDS

Goal 11. In five years, Silica City is envisaged to have a minimum of 3,000 homes and eventually will be the home of almost 13,000 families. With this past week’s contract of $2.1 B to start the construction of Silica City, the future is no longer the promise, we are making it happen.

For too long, Guyana has been under-developed, not just by our colonizers, but also by our own people. Dictatorship allowed the PNC-led governments after Independence and between 2015 to 2020 to consolidate Guyana’s under-development that was pushed by the colonizers.

In under three years, President Irfaan Ali and the PPP government have begun the physical and technological transformation of our country, such that already the new landscape has begun to become visible to our people. The Corentyne and Demerara River bridges are merely only two physical structures that are enabling Guyanese today to see the Guyana of tomorrow. The single data card that the President is pushing for 2023 will bring technology to the everyday lives of our people.

Globally people have been talking about “the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, about how new technologies are “fusing the physical, digital, and biological worlds.” The new Guyana promises to train our people to function in a world that combines people and machines to get things done in a way that is not only more productive, but also more rewarding to the worker. The fight between March 2 and August 2, 2020 was for this.

This new Guyana is not what we merely dream about. Democracy and a vision-driven government and leaders are bringing the Guyana of the future into reality today. Democracy matters.

Guyana to introduce ‘one card’ system for consolidated electronic transactions - Ali

Guyana’s data management system is set to change soon with the introduction of a new project that aims to consolidate all transactions onto one electronic card.

Dubbed the ‘one card’ the electronic system will link all transactions, including national identification, banking, social benefits, licensing, and taxes, onto a single platform.

This was disclosed by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali Tuesday (February 28, 2023), as he revealed several undertakings being streamlined to significantly transform the country. He said, “This card is going to help force the banking sector, the insurance sector, it’s going to force government. Everybody will now have to migrate to the electronic plat-

form that will support conducting business, bringing efficiency, reducing the cost of doing business, improving transparency, accountability, and advancing a modern governance architecture.”

The President said the concept, which has been successfully implemented in India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will soon be introduced here through

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partnerships with international companies.

He noted that the development is a major step towards improving data management and streamlining transactions for Guyanese.

The project is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s development, as it will simplify the process of accessing services and reduce bureaucracy.

The single information device will lead to more efficient use of resources and ultimately result in improved service delivery and is a significant milestone in the country’s drive towards modernisation.

It is hoped that the innovative approach to data management will set a benchmark for other countries to follow.

“We cannot build [Guyana] in a straight-line way… We are too far behind to believe that we can catch up on the straight line. We have to skip the hurdles, get to the best and then work backward in bringing our people to accept the best and that is what we are doing,” the President emphasised.

Exciting developments are also underway in the health sector, with the development of patient management information systems.

President Ali underscored that the upgrade in the healthcare technology will create a global patient management information platform, allowing all health information to be stored on the ‘one card.’

He reminded that the healthcare system is advancing its telemedicine programme that will be accessible to patients nationwide, noting that with this programme in place, patients in remote areas will be able to access medical care without

having to travel long distances. “Already, we have a number of our health hubs… connected to the Georgetown hospital through the telemedicine portal and we are having great results. We are working on development of the first mental health management platform for the region and we are now looking at the technical pieces to launch that. So mental health will now have a data driven electronic platform that we can identify hotspots,” the head of state revealed.

Additionally, the government is currently in talks with top-notch technology companies to help reduce the cost of delivering medical supplies to rural areas.

“For example, DSL, FedEx, companies that have little packages to deliver to mining camps. If we all come together, we can then buy into the technology that allows the movement of small amount of resources, checks, everything, to be launched through this infrastructure that will save tremendous time, reduce tremendous cost of doing business,” Dr Ali added.

In March 2022, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, had disclosed that the PPP/C government is exploring the creation of one card that will facilitate easier transactions, particularly to government services.