Government 1st Anniversary 02-08-2021

NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY

Preserving democracy, transforming Guyana - ground work laid to reboot economy, build inclusive society, transform lives, put Guyana on path to rapid development

WHAT’S INSIDE:

One Year 03 Laying the blocks President Ali: ‘No for a new, vibrant price for the lives of Solid of Guyanese’ 02 Achievements economy 17 Guardians of Democracy: 10 PAGE

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Preservation of democracy vital for a secure future

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

‘No price for the lives of Guyanese’ --billions ‘injected’ into COVID-19 fight --works underway to improve, modernise health sector

OVER the past year, billions of dollars were approved by the National Assembly to fund the procurement and rollout of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines and supplies, so that each adult residing in Guyana would be protected against COVID-19.

Initially, $2.1 billion was expended on critical items such as medical supplies, COVID-19 testing kits, sanitising materials and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In February, over $750 million was approved in the 2021 National Budget to support the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines. And, in June, $619 million was approved by the Commit-

tee of Supply of the President, National Assembly for the procurement of Dr. Irfaan Ali: several thousand more “There is no price vaccines. when it comes to the Comparatively, the lives of the people of money spent to conthis country” trol the spread and devastation of the novel coronavirus- aside from expenditures in the genState House. eral health sector- has been The COVID-19 pandemquite substantial. But the ic has not only tested the expenditure is not wastestrength of the local health ful, President Dr. Irfaan Ali system but, unfortunately, reasoned on numerous occlaimed the lives of more casions. than 500 people. With no “There is no price when cure, health authorities agree it comes to the life of the that prevention is the surest people of this country,” the way of staying safe. And, it President said emphatically is for this reason great efforts on the side-lines of a recent have been made to procure event at his official residence, the necessary protective gear

and vaccines.

These efforts have not been unchallenged, though.

The procurement of batches of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines, for example, came under scrutiny.

But the President explained that vaccine

“There remains a shocking imbalance in the global distribution of vaccines,” WHO Director- General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference in April.

He lamented that, on average, almost one in four people in high income countries have received a COVID-19

cines, even if it meant spending larger sums of money.

To date, more than half of the targetted adult population in Guyana has received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than a quarter of the population has received both vaccine doses. Vaccination efforts have continued de-

Pharmacist at the GPHC, Brinnet Bernarai, was the first Guyanese to receive the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

shortage has been a global issue.

In fact, the World Health

vaccine while in low-income countries, that number is one in more than 500.

spite the recent nationwide flooding and many of the geographical challenges that

The first batch of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19, made available through the COVAX facility, being offloaded from the AmeriJet International aircraft which arrived, Monday, at 09:40 hours at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)

Organization (WHO) has criticised what it describes as a “shocking imbalance” in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor countries.

Cognisant of this challenge, the President related that the local authorities were willing to pursue any avenue that would guarantee a large supply of the life-saving vac-

exist.

Still, the emergence and surge of variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2, the viSEE PAGE 19A

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE

One Year of Solid Achievements

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration (PPP\C) under the presidency of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has completed one year in office.

The President was sworn in on August 2, 2020, as the Ninth Executive President of Guyana, after an inordinate period of delay in the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The events that led to the elections, precipitated by a successful no-confidence motion moved by the then political opposition, and the attempts to derail the democratic process by the APNU+AFC with support from rogue elements within the GECOM Secretariat will long be remembered by Guyanese.

It was indeed a shameful episode in our national life, which most Guyanese would wish had never taken place - - the delay in holding elections 14 months after the passage of a no-confidence vote; failure by GECOM to make a declaration after 115 days since polling day and by no means least, attempts to steal the elections by ‘rogue’ elements within the GECOM Secretariat.

Those were the darker side of the elections saga, but there were some positive developments as well, the most significant of which was the strength and impartiality of our judiciary. The role of the Caribbean Court of Justice (ICJ) was particularly instrumental in terms of upholding the rule of law in a fair and unbiased manner.

Full credit must be given to that regional court whose rulings were binding and which took precedence over those which emanated from our national courts.

The support and solidarity extended by the smaller contesting parties along with that of the international community in defence of our democracy was also substantial.

It was very evident that the international community is today much less tolerant of rigged elections compared to past years when the PNC regime was able to get away with blatant abuse of the electoral process, which was responsible for the perpetuation of its life in government for close to three decades.

Worthy of note also is the role played by the independent media, including social media, in highlighting and exposing attempts to hijack the will of the electorate.

One positive outcome was the coming together of people from all across the national spectrum to lend support in defence of our fragile democracy -- the private sector, prominent individuals in and out of Guyana and a strong cadre of young people who organised themselves in shifts to stand vigil in order to ensure that the ballot boxes were not tampered with.

All of that is now, as it were, water under the bridge, but they do serve as a reminder of the fragility of our democracy and provide some important lessons, especially in terms of the

further strengthening of our democratic institutions of which the Guyana Elections Commission and its secretariat in particular must be placed high on the priority list.

We have, thankfully, gone past that sordid episode. At his swearing-in ceremony, President Ali, in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, pledged that he will be a President for all of Guyana, a commitment to which he remains firm and unwavering. He assured all Guyanese of his desire to build a country for all Guyanese. ‘ There is no need to fear; there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion; no need for distinction based on ethnicity.

This is a government for all Guyana,’ the President emphasised.

The challenges were many: the COVID-19 pandemic, the natural disasters and by no means least, the refusal of the APNU+AFC opposition coalition to recognise the new PPP/C administration, but the wheels of progress continue to turn at an accelerated pace.

After one year in office, the progress made in the country by the President and his PPP/C administration is nothing short of monumental. The development train has touched every part of Guyana, and more importantly the lives of all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation.

Indeed, it is not by coincidence that as we observe the first anniversary of the

President Irfaan Ali

PPP/C in office, the President has announced that his administration will commence the payment of financial assistance to the tune of $7.8B to the thousands of Guyanese who have been

affected by the recent floods, the largest relief allocation in the country’s history.

This is indeed a welcome gesture on the part of the President and his administration which, at

a more fundamental level, speaks to the people-oriented character of the PPP/C government. Congratulations to President Ali and his administration on a job well done!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Citizens give PPP/C government thumbs up

T O D A Y , the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is celebrating its first year in office, and from all indications, Guyanese are giving President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and his team a solid thumbs up.

Recently, Big Smith News Watch orchestrated an online poll which sought to have persons on Facebook rate the government’s one year in office, on a scale from one to 10.

A look at the comments indicates that the majority of those who participated in the poll had mostly good things to say about the government, and the way the ministers have performed over the last 12 months.

One Olivia Peters commented: “President Ali has thus far done a tremendous job that should be commended and applauded.”

She further said her rating of the Education Sector is an impressive 10/10, because of all the efforts geared at ensuring that education was not affected majorly, even with COVID-19 and so forth.

“More specifically, I commend the President and his ministers for putting the Indigenous people and hinterland development at the

- for significant achievements during first year in office forefront of their plans. So much has been done in this area in just the last year [AND] that equals more than

what was done in five whole years under the Coalition,” Peters wrote.

Alfonso Demarco went as far as to list some of the

initiatives and sectors which he believes are doing well.

“So much positively. roads, cash grants, house lots,

tax reductions, healthcare pushing in these trying times; no rumours of war with the neighbours, school children are being taught and crime is on the decrease. These are just a few things. I would say the PPP/C government is well ahead regarding its manifesto promises,” Demarco opined.

Ron Amos, who lauded the government’s economic strategy, said: “This is one of major hallmark during this one [year] period.”

Amos also commended the President’s approach to the grassroots, and the manner in which he and his ministers have been on the ground reaching out to citizens, and listening to their complaints.

“In conclusion, I must say this is an excellent first year as we all look forward for greater deliverance from the Government of Guyana.

Thank you, Mr. President,” Amos added.

Randy Seecharan, in his comments, said he was excited for the many infrastructural projects that are coming on stream, particularly as it relates to the East Coast East Bank Demerara bypass road, as well as the four-lane

highway slated for the West Bank of Demerara.

“Significant interest in the people shown by the various ministers via their multiple outreaches across the country. Fast reaction by both the President and Minister of Agriculture when it came to the drainage of Georgetown and the country,” Seecharan highlighted.

He also acknowledged the swift procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in a market where demand is high and supply is extremely low.

Seecharan also pointed to the development of sports facilities across the country, particularly in areas that are not known to

ing programmes that were done via Coursera.

Added to that, Seecharan pointed to the significance of the $19,000 cash grant for school children, as well as the COVID-19 cash grant.

“Considering multiple areas for energy generation including Amaila Falls and gas-to-shore project; they show a clear vision for the development of this country as opposed to the previous,” Seecharan shared.

be supporters of the PPP/C government. “[It] shows that there is

more.

One such person is Anand Persaud who rated the government 8/10, noting that even though the administration has made exceptional strides within the past year, much is left to be done for the regular Guyanese.

Ken Chung also called on President Ali to address the public’s concerns in relation to the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

Desiree Beyounge, although rating the government a full 10, called for improved consistency and further improvements.

interest in the development of everyone,” Seecharan related.

He also lauded the housing development efforts, as well as the landmark 20,000+ scholarships programme and the Commonwealth of Learn-

AREA FOR IMPROVEMENTS Notwithstanding the aforementioned accomplishments, there were several Guyanese who believe that the government can still do

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Billions of dollars pumped into flood response

WITHIN the past three months, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has expended billions of dollars to respond to the ongoing floods which, in June, was officially declared a national level two disaster.

Almost immediately after the floods started, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and other government officials began executing a series of emergency flood- relief outreaches across the entire country.

the-clock drainage and irrigation remedies which prevented even more devastation caused by flooding.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Public Works rolled out a programme to conduct emergency repairs to a number of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and culverts that were badly damaged due to the floods.

President Ali, during his outreaches, had maintained that the government’s floodrelief efforts will not only address the urgent needs of

receive $50,000 each, and households excluding homestead and kitchen garden will receive 50,000 each,” he noted.

“The combined assistance to homestead farmers, kitchen gardens and households for these categories will be in excess of $3.5 billion,” the President related.

He noted too that the rains have had a significant impact on the rice sector, with approximately 50,000 acres and 2,000 farmers being directly affected. As a

President Ali: “I am aware that this assistance will go a long way in bringing relief. However, it can never compensate for the emotional and social loss which I saw and experienced first-hand.”

This has since seen the distribution of more than 80,000 food hampers, 45,000 cleaning hampers, and more than 5,000 medical kits across all ten administrative regions.

Approximately 52,000 households have been affected in 300 communities nationwide. In areas where persons were unable to stay in their homes due to the floods, shelters were set up

those affected, but also their medium and long-term concerns as well.

As the floodwaters started to recede, President Ali announced cash grants for flood-affected citizens, to the tune of $7.8 billion.

In a broadcast message on Saturday, the Head of State said that the assistance being given will cover various categories of households

result, support will be given to rice farmers on a categorised basis.

“For rice that was ready to harvest but lost in the floods, $80,000 per acre would be given to those farmers. For rice sown and lost in the autumn crop, these farmers will receive $65,000 per acre. For land that was completely prepared but was not sown,

Since the floods started in May, the government has rolled out a massive flood-relief response

and extensive support mechanisms were put in place to assist affected farmers, and help them to salvage as much of their produce and/or animals as possible.

The Ministry of Agriculture also initiated around-

and farmers, and will not exceed a ceiling of $10 million per individual.

“In these categories, farmers within the context of a homestead would receive $100,000 each; those with kitchen gardens will

$45,000 per acre would be given to these farmers,” President Ali specified.

In addition to this, he said that 60,000 bags of seed paddy would also be made available for rice farmers.

“The combined assis-

President Irfaan Ali

tance in these four categories would be in excess of $3.2 billion,” Dr. Ali noted.

He said that support for the livestock industry will also be given, based on cat-

egories of subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers. So far, in excess of 2,000 livestock farmers have been affected.

“In total, these four categories will benefit from in excess of $600 million direct transfers,” the President added.

Added to these direct transfers, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be assisting through “genetic improvements,” as well as drainage and irrigation works, technical support, and extension services to the approximate value of $500 million.

The President said that emphasis would also be placed on continuing infrastructural works such as the rebuilding of dams, farmto-market access roads, hinterland roads, mining roads, community roads, drainage systems, and other infrastructure that were destroyed or faced deterioraSEE PAGE 22A

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

The road to victory * IN November 2018, then be successfully passed. The Parliamentary Opposition, coalition proffered that half the People’s Progressive of 65 was 32.5, but since Party/Civic (PPP/C), filed there could be no half vote, a motion of No-Confidence the figure would be rounded against the coalition gov- to 33; and, an absolute maernment, citing massive jority could only be garnered corruption and an unem- from 34 votes or more ployment crisis. * From this point for* O n D e c e m b e r 2 1 , ward, a lengthy legal battle 2 0 1 8 , f o r m e r A l l i a n c e ensued and began at the for Change (AFC) back- High Court, where the Chief bencher, Charrandass Per- Justice (ag), Roxane George, saud, voted in favour of ruled that the motion was the Opposition-sponsored validly passed. A dissatisfied motion against his govern- APNU+AFC engaged the ment, toppling what would Court of Appeal and then become a one-term Presi- the final appeal went to the dency for Brigadier (ret’d) Caribbean Court of Justice David Granger. Persaud (CCJ), Guyana’s apex court maintained that it was a vote * On July 18, 2019, the of conscience.

CCJ ruled that the No-Con* That night, former fidence motion was sucPrime Minister, Moses Nag- cessfully passed and amootoo, led all the Gov- 33 was indeed the ernment MPs, with the ex- majority of 65. ception of Persaud, into an C h a r r a n emergency meeting, where dass’ dual it was agreed that the de- citizenbate on the motion was an s h i p open and transparent one s t a and it must be recorded in t u s Parliamentary democracy.

At an urgent press conference that night, the Prime Minister conceded that the APNU+AFC government was toppled by the motion. * The successful passage of the motion activated a section in the constitution which stipulated the need for fresh elections within three months. But this did not happen * On Christmas Eve, 2018, an interpretation for Chief Justice (ag), what constitutRoxane George ed an “Absolute Majority” in the National Assembly w a s a l s o was floated and later adopted legally chalby the coalition. The coali- lenged, but the tion argued that the PPP/C courts ruled that this needed not one, but two did not affect his vote in extra votes for the motion to favour of the motion

* Elections were further delayed over the selection of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) when former President David Granger, unilaterally appointed Justice (ret’d) James Patterson.

The PPP/C challenged his appointment all the way to the CCJ; the CCJ ruled that Mr. Granger did not have the power to make the unilateral appointment and so, Patterson had to vacate the office * After many months of exchanging lists on a suitable candidate, Mr Granger and Mr Jagdeo finally agreed to appoint Justice (ret’d) Claudette

Dr. Irfaan Ali taking the oath of office to serve as Guyana’s ninth Executive President

Singh as the Chairperson, but

GECOM then had to deal with the cleansing of the voters’ list and house-to-house

registration. Probes into fake certificates and concerns were conducted as GECOM began preparations for the polls * By the end of September, March 2, 2020, was fixed as the date for Regional and General elections. This meant that the Regional and General Elections would be held more than a year after the No-Confidence motion was passed, and just a few months shy of when elections were initially, constitutionally due. On December 30, 2019 Parliament was finally dissolved * Dr. Irfaan Ali, 40, a former Housing Minister was selected as the presidential candidate for the PPP/C on January 19, 2019 * On March 2, just about a week after Guyana commemorated its 50th Republic Anniversary, citizens went to the polls. At the end of that day, the elections were hailed as “free, fair and transparent” * Before the next morn-

Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley with CARICOM Heads of Government during a visit to attempt to mediate between the political leaders during the electoral crisis

ing, the PPP/C completed its internal tabulations using their Statements of Poll (SOPs) from 2,339 polling stations. Throughout the official tabulation, the figures matched the SOPs and the party was poised to win the elections after the tabulation of Guyana’s largest voting region- Region Four. It seemed as though it would take a miracle for the APNU+AFC coalition to return to government. * Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer for Region Four fell ill, stalling the tabulation of the region. His replacement also fell ill, and before long, it was night and the tabulation was stalled until the next morning. When the tabulation resumed, figures that did not match the SOPs secured by the PPP/C, were called out by GECOM; these inflated the votes garnered by the coalition and showed them coming back from certain defeat * After a thinly-veiled threat to revoke accreditation and one bomb scare later, Mingo read out the figures which indicated a coalition victory, and another oneseat majority in the National Assembly. * Immediately, an injunction, supported by the PPP/C was filed, blocking the swearing in of President Granger for his second term. This began the second round of court action. Chief Justice George annulled the results of Region Four and ruled that a partial recount should take place, verifying the results of the contentious region * This recount, dubbed the Spreadsheet edition, saw the tabulation resuming in the presence of party agents and observers. The twist SEE PAGE 7A

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

The road to ...

FROM PAGE 6A

was that Mingo read results directly from a spreadsheet, which did not match the SOPs gathered by the other parties. Something seemed amiss * The International Community made it clear that the Mingo’s results were not credible and would not be accepted.

And Chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley came to Guyana with a team of CARICOM Ministers in an attempt to mediate between Mr Jagdeo and Mr Granger.

This is when the agreement for a full recount of all votes cast in all ten regions was reached between the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC. But then, Guyana started to record cases of the deadly COVID-19 * This recount, though demanding patience from all parties, was seen as a credible solution to the entire process, as claims of irregularities emerged in other regions. A private citizen, Ulita Grace Moore, was not pleased though; she filed for an injunction (yes, another injunction) blocking the national recount. As this matter engaged the judicial system, time passed by. And while the rest of the world battled COVID-19, Guyana was dealing with an electoral epidemic within the pandemic * About two months later, on May 6, the national recount finally got underway, with COVID-19 precautions in place. CARICOM sent a three-member team to scrutinise the recount. But as the 34-day recount went on, claims of dead voters, migrant voters and electoral fraud were highlighted by the coalition, but there was nothing substantial to invalidate the elections. A month later, the recount was completed and yes, it showed a PPP/C victory * However, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, in his first elections report, stated that he could not determine the credibility of all votes. As such, he invalidated thousands of votes, giving the APNU+AFC a victory. Another private citizen, Eslyn

David challenged the credibility of the recount. It was back into the courts again - albeit COVID-19 style while “fresh elections” became the new clamour * On June 22, 2020, the CCJ invalidated Lowen-

field’s move to discard votes, and elucidated what constituted a “valid” vote.

There was no other conceivable avenue that could be pursued to stall the swearing in of the PPP/C Presidential candidate yet, Lowenfield

GUYANA CHRONICLE found one. He either submitted the incorrect elections report (that is, not based on the national recount) or just outrightly did not submit a report to GECOM so that a winner could have been declared. Somewhere in between visa sanctions, growing tensions and ever-increasing COVID-19 cases, Misenga Jones approached the courts aiming to deter the swearing in of a PPP/C government. The phrase “Res Judicata” was introduced; it meant that matters that were already adjudicated may not

be pursued further by the same parties * The Court of Appeal then ruled on Jones’ petition and determined the recount was legitimate and should be used to declare the winner of the elections. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the CEO’s actions should not stall the declaration any longer as he was not a “lone ranger” * The declaration of Irfaan Ali as the ninth Executive President of Guyana and his swearing in happened in one swift motion on August

2, following more than a year of delays manifested by the APNU+AFC coalition. * Subsequently, Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence; Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, APNU+AFC activist from Region Five, Carol Joseph; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers, were all charged with electoral fraud. Their cases are still pending in the courts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Foundation for sustainable livelihoods, adequate housing being laid --over 5,000 house lots distributed, billions of dollars spent on infrastructural enhancement

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal

THE importance of a house/property cannot be overstated, as it not only facilitates the creation of a home, but also acts as collateral, and creates room for innovation and other key economic benefits.

Aware of the cumulative economic and welfare benefits of a house or land, the Ministry of Housing and Water has, over the past year, invested billions of dollars to enhance local infrastructure and allocated over 5,000 house lots.

Guided by a coordinated plan which is intended to enhance the lives of every Guyanese, the Housing Ministry has been ‘fanning’ the country and spreading the benefits in almost every community.

Under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), which fell under the then Ministry of Communities, distributed a total of 6,780 house lots in areas in regions Four, Five, and Six within their five years in office.

The new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, within just one year, is well on its way to distributing 10,000 house lots by the end of this year, with 7,000 more land titles set to be distributed within the next five months.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, had said that the investments made by the government to develop local communities are sig-

nificant, and he encouraged those persons who received house lots and titles to seek out the banks for assistance and financial guidance to start building their houses quickly.

Access to adequate housing is viewed as a basic human right, and considered to be an integral factor for the enjoyment of other economic, social and cultural rights.

And, with Guyana’s economy poised to quadruple in the coming years, the government has started establishing the conditions for Guyanese, especially from the low and middle-income brackets, to have access to adequate housing.

While on the campaign trail, the PPP/C committed to making 50,000 house lots available across the country over the next five years.

“With the influx of foreign investors, we must be willing, as a nation, to embrace the technological advances in the construction sector which will provide

Some 139 houses out of the 190 low-income houses are being constructed in Cummings Lodge, Georgetown, for prequalified applicants who are expected to move in this year

opportunities for training and further expedite the construction of homes, thereby allowing us to fulfill our manifesto promise of 50,000 lots,” Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues had said.

In moving ahead, the government’s plan is not only to distribute those house lots, but also stimulate the economy by creating jobs and encouraging spinoff investments.

Based on statistics from the Housing Ministry, over 3,000 Guyanese are bene-

fitting from infrastructure and construction jobs, while hundreds of houses are being created for young professionals on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

Further, the Housing Ministry has allocated $12 billion for infrastructural development in 22 new and existing housing schemes and another $2.3 billion for the construction of the Eccles to Mandela Highway.

This will supplement the soon-to-be-completed and commissioned $500 million Diamond to Herstelling, East Bank of Demerara (EBD)

road link.

MORE SPINOFF BENEFITS Also on spinoff benefits, in order to encourage construction, the government removed value-added tax (VAT) from construction materials including sand, stone, concrete blocks, and lumber, while threshold for low-income loans was increased from $8 million to $12 million, and the low-income loan ceiling at the New Building Society increased from $12 million to $15 million.

Additionally, the Mortgage Interest Relief threshold increased from $15 million to $30 million, while the Housing Minis> August 2020-Agust 2021- Approximately 5000 house lots distributed try introduced the > $12 Billion infrastructure development in 22 new and existing housing schemes Single Window > Some 600 residents of Mahdia, Region Eight, now have improved level and quality of service, Processing Sysas well as increased hours with the drilling of a new well tem for planning > New wells were drilled in the communities of Shulinab, Shea, Annai and Culvert City Lethem, permits along with Region 9, to provide improved level of service and new service to 500 residents the Amendment > The installation of 20,000 water meters in regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 by of Condominium the end of 2021 will increase metered coverage by 12 per cent to manage customer demand (Regulation and and reduce water losses.

Miscellaneous Provisions) Act aimed at allowing

Key achievements and projections:

owners access to Certificate of Titles, insurance and loans.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who holds a PhD in Urban Planning, had noted that the robust housing programme was rooted in an organic National Development Strategy (NDS), predicated on objectives that were bolstered by policies articulated in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) I & II. On this point, the President said: “Under the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the government pursued numerous interventions which sought to: divest land to eligible Guyanese; provide infrastructure for new housing schemes and improve existing infrastructure in squatter settlements; regularise squatter settlements; facilitate access to finance by low-income earners through amendments to the New Building Society Act and the Income Tax Act; facilitate community participation in sustainable settlements development and prepare development plans for new towns and upgrade existing SEE PAGE 9A

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Foundation for sustainable livelihoods, ...

FROM PAGE 8A towns, consistent with the framework for Urban Development, elaborated in the NDS (2001-2010).”

Those national policies, the President noted, were backed by significant fiscal support from the government between 1992 and 2015, and were supplemented by an operational manual for housing that emphasised all the critical dimensions of sustainable development, including - social development, economic development, environmental preservation and good governance, among other things Due to these efforts, Guyana not only witnessed a reduction in rural-urban migration and the lowering of its urban footprints between 1992 and 2015, but saw accelerated development in rural areas and the

attainment of several MDGs. Currently, the Housing Ministry is constructing 190 low-income houses at plots 1,767 and 1,768 Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown. The construction of the 20×30 elevated units are expected to be completed within the next two months.

The infrastructural works, which include the construction of roads, bridges and drainage channels, will stretch from Cummings Lodge to Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt.

And, due to this distance, an area has been identified for a police outpost.

The construction of those houses form part of the 1,000 young professional and low-income housing units, which the ministry plans to build this year as part of CH&PA’s National Housing Development Programme.

Through this programme, units will be built at Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Providence, Little Diamond and Great Diamond in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Onderneeming and Wales in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Ordnance/Fortlands, Hampshire and Williamsburg in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Amelia’s Ward in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Earlier this year, 51 contracts were signed to start the construction of 290 houses. Of that lot, 190 elevated, two-bedroom houses will be built at Cummings Lodge, while another 100 flat, two-bedroom units would be constructed at Prospect, EBD. The government will also construct 1,000 houses, for Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

During the period of August 2020 to June 2021, close to 3,500 residents gained access to potable water countrywide

ACCESS TO WATER Meanwhile, during the period of August 2020 to June 2021, close to 3,500 residents gained access to potable water countrywide, while the backlog of some 5,200 new service installations was reduced by 1,684 across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten. The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) customers are also now benefitting

from a five per cent reduction in water rates and the removal of VAT from water, while a government subsidy for pensioners was reintroduced in the latter part of 2020 and currently stands at $703 monthly.

Some 26,582 pensioners are currently benefitting from this subsidy.

Since coming to office in August last year, President Ali has outlined a range of plans for transforming Guyana. The government

has said it intends to use revenues from oil production to push major infrastructure and other projects, while ensuring that other sectors of the economy are not neglected.

Guyana became an oil producer close to two years ago and is set to become a major player in the industry with output expected to surpass one million barrels per day by the end of the decade.

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Preservation of democracy vital for a secure future -‘Guardians of Democracy’ say, as they stand ready to do it again

By Richard Bhainie THE five months following the March 2, 2020, General

commit.

Asif Mohamed was one of the main persons behind the establishment of the

Some of the ‘Guardians of Democracy’ pose for a group photo while “on duty,” during the period which followed the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections

Asif Mohamed

and Regional Elections was a period when many persons feared democracy was under siege in Guyana, but even as uncertainty grew, so did the courage among Guyanese.

Amid political instability and purported attempts to derail the electoral process, the ‘Guardians of Democracy’ assumed position, not with artillery, but with eyes, to stand guard and defend the integrity of the votes cast. Also known as the ‘containers watchmen’, the Guardians of Democracy were an instrumental group of people who sacrificed their time to ensure that the ballots cast on elections day, that were stored in containers, were not tampered with; they endured long days, and sleepless nights, but in the end, they are willing to do it all over again.

The ‘guardians’ were persons who shared no relations prior to establishing the group to fight for a common cause, and shared a first-hand perspective of the journey they endured. One of them even spent 72 hours in jail for a crime he did not

group. He told the Guyana Chronicle that subsequent to the shenanigans which constituted an attempt to thwart the will of the people

who voted on polling day, there was a realisation that the Statements of Poll must be protected at all costs.

“If you’re not in a democratic country, nothing goes on, the economy drops; I have children and lately a grandchild and I would not want them to grow up in a society where the environment is not good for them.

So, democracy means a lot to me,” Mohamed said, as he explained why he helped to form the group.

Before being named the ‘Guardians of Democracy’, the group was referred to as the ‘containers watchmen’,

At one point, the group got so large that a shift system was implemented to ensure that the containers

Audwin Ashby

David Williams

as they took up the mantle to maintain watch of the containers.

“As we started to watch those containers we started to get support from everywhere. People came out in the hundreds to support us on a daily basis; people would bring things. We didn’t have to depend on no one or no party; it was regular people; it wasn’t a party thing,” Mohamed said.

Further, he related: “It was not directed by no political party, we had persons from all political parties and all races and religions… we never short of nothing, water, sanitizer; we were supported by regular people.”

were watched 24/7.

Mohamed said the common belief among the persons who volunteered, was that the safe keeping of the ballot boxes was their only chance to secure the future of Guyana and that of their children and their grandchildren.

NO MONEY “We gave our devotion; no one ever got paid, no one ever asked for money or anything. They just gave everything and wanted to see the process over and that we get a government in place,” Mohamed said, as he recalled many persons, especially a

prominent attorney-at-law, who donated generously to the group.

“It was real challenging.

You leave your home in the morning and come out; you don’t know what would be the end of the day. People were trying to steal a whole government … we were in the way of those containers, so you don’t know what they would do,” Mohamed said, noting that COVID-19 also posed a threat.

Mohamed told this publication that every second they were there was worth it, as he believed that, in the end, Guyana got a “fair and democratic process.”

For this reason, he said he stands ready to do it all over again, since it was the ‘ordinary citizens’ who played the most crucial role in preserving democracy.

Mohamed posited that while the ‘Guardians of Democracy’ might appear to be “sleeping” at the moment, the group is exploring the possibility of being registered, with the intentions of scrutinising upcoming elections and passing the mantle on to their kids, and even grandkids to ensure that the will of the people is never forsaken.

72 HOURS BEHIND BARS Audwin Ashby, a father of a two-year-old girl, related that it was integral SEE PAGE 11A

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Preservation of democracy...

FROM PAGE 10A

for him to join the fight as there was no way he could “sit back” with a clear conscience and allow “what was transpiring, to transpire.”

He also joined the effort so that his child and the next generation will be able to benefit from a free and fair society, where the rule of law is respected.

Ashby and 11 others were locked up on the night of March 2, 2020. They were all accused of allegedly stealing ballot boxes at the St. Ambrose Primary School, Alberttown, Georgetown.

The ‘guardians’ spent 72 hours behind bars under rigorous conditions, which Ashby described was synonymous to treatment handed out to murderers.

“So, we said we’re going to go the full hundred yards, if this is what it takes and it costs our life to ensure that democracy is restored so be it,” Ashby said, as he recalled the sleepless days and nights.

He said that he was proud to have the opportunity now to reminisce on the role he played in preserving democracy in Guyana.

Ashby related that it was his firm belief that “bad people prevail when good people sit back,” and the ‘Guardians of Democracy’ played its role to ensure democracy for everyone, regardless of creed or colour, was maintained.

“Democracy for me means everything … in this 21st century every voice must be heard, every voice must be respected... this is not the ancient days where one person is superior, gone are those days. Democracy is an essential part of life, that’s my life, that’s my daughter’s life, and without a doubt I’d do it again,” Ashby said.

TEARS OF JOY Gomati Kalicharran shared similar views, as she explained that democracy allows every person to play a part and for every vote to

be counted, so democracy is imperative in order for there to be a secure future for generations to come.

“In the end, it was worth it all, tears of joy … when that moment came it was joy,” Kalicharran said, as she remembered the moment the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was declared the winner of the March 2, 2020, elections.

But tears of joy were not the only tears Kalicharran cried, however. She maintained a “cool and calm” mind because she knew what she was fighting for, and had nothing to be afraid of.

“At first, I felt really angry that elections are supposed to be free and fair and we had to fight for it; for five long months it was one thing after the other, but, nevertheless, we didn’t give up, we stood together and found a way out,” Kalicharran said.

Another ‘guardian,’ David Williams, said: “I want to see democracy prevail in this country. Democracy is very important for me. If

democracy didn’t prevail, then we would be heading into a dictatorship, so it was very much important to be a part of the ‘Guardians of Democracy’.

Williams recalled that, while growing up, he experienced the days where himself and others joined “long lines” to be afforded access to basic household items such as kerosene.

He said that he was fearful that “in a modern, civilised country, in this era,” Guyana would reverse the progress made since then, because “a group of people feel greedy for power” – one of the reasons why he joined the “fight” with the Guardians of Democracy “to see democracy prevail.”

“I am delighted with what I did and I am happy. I wish that the generation before me had done the same thing so we won’t have endured that long twenty something years of dictatorship in this country. Gone are those days,” Williams said.

Gomati Kalicharran

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Mobilising support, engagin

- some images of the ‘government in action’

Victory was within reach for the PPP/C, as they set out on the campaign trail Dr. Irfaan Ali takes the oath of office as Guyana’s ninth Executive President after the culmination of a protracted electoral process

A little over one month after being elected to office in August, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, inspected the site for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Director of the Office of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Sonya Roopnauth and Director of the Project Cycle Management Division at the Ministry of Finance, Tarachand Balgobin, engaged in final preparations for the government’s Emergency Budget, which was presented in September, 2020

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, along with other officials inspecting the expansion work done on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) The third shipment of relief supplies destined for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados being loaded on to the motor vessel (MV) Lady Fazeela at Muneshwer’s Wharf, Georgetown. This was done at a time when St. Vincent and the Grenadines was contending with an erupting volcano, La Soufriere

Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips (second left), received the ‘Covishield’ Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, donated by the Government of India, from the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa (second right). Also in the photo is Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd (right)

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

ng Guyanese

GUYANA CHRONICLE

’ over the past year

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (right) inspecting the new Westminster Secondary School

The government rolled out its vaccination drive-thru exercise as part of a wider effort to immunise Guyanese against COVID-19 Chairman and CEO of TOTALTEC, Lars Mangal (centre) signs the agreement for the construction of a 289-room, Hilton-branded nine-storey hotel in the presence of the other signatories - Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Go-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall; Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie and other officials inside the court superintendent’s office after the handing over of furnishings, equipment and other devices, as well as various law books

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, addressing residents of Region Three

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, inspecting one of the newly installed pumps situated at the Ruimveldt South Sluice (Banks), Georgetown

The Bell 412 EPI helicopter as it arrived at the Base Camp Ayanganna Sports Ground, Thomas Lands, Georgetown on Saturday Photos by: Adrian Narine, Delano Williams and Carl Croker

SEE PAGE 23A

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (centre) with students and teachers of President’s College after commissioning the new interactive smartboard at the school’s smart classroom

Seated from left to right are: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Demerara Bank Limited, Pravinchandra Dave; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Chairman of Demerara Bank Limited, Dr. Yesu Persaud and Inter-American Development Bank Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen. Standing behind them are the representatives of businesses that benefitted from the IDB’s Trade Finance Facilitation Programme (TFFP)

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Improving the lives of farmers, cultivating ‘agri’ industries --$50B injected into agriculture sector to fuel transformation

DURING its first one year in office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has invested some $50 billion to boost the agriculture sector.

According to a broadcast message issued on Thursday, funds have been expended on various areas within the agriculture sector, including drainage and irrigation, the production of new crops, the distribution of supplies, the rebuilding of the sugar industry, as well as the construction of infrastructure needed to improve the lives of farmers throughout the country.

More specifically, the message said that since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C government has invested some $10.5 billion in restructuring and

rebuilding the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

In doing so, the administration has essentially returned hope to thousands of sugar workers who lost their jobs due to the abrupt closure of five sugar estates by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government.

Additionally, a substantial amount of funds was directed towards the improvement of drainage and irrigation throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

These investments were substantially heightened within the last three months, as a result of the unprecedented floods which began in mid-May, and continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods nationwide.

The government has also

invested heavily in providing subsidised seeds and plant materials to hundreds of farmers.

In relation to agriculture infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, under the leadership of Zulfikar Mustapha, has plugged $327 million into kick-starting the construction of an asphaltic concrete road at Onverwagt, in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Similarly, a number of roads in various agriculture communities have been rehabilitated to push the government’s farm-to-market initiative, which seeks to make it easier for farmers to market their produce.

Added to that, the PPP/C administration has, within the past year, allocated some $500 million towards the large-scale development

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, distributing a number of seeds to farmers during his visit to Buxton, East Coast Demerara

of the corn and soya bean industry.

ENHANCING INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Mustapha had

corn and soya bean required to become self-sufficient in proteins for our poultry industry, those funds can be used to further develop the sector. As a government, we

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha: “As investors begin to show interest, we have to make lands available; we have to make the necessary infrastructural adjustments, because we are building partnerships. This is why we are currently working to develop the second phase of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme. This is the largest agriculture scheme in the country and Region Five is the largest in terms of production.

“This is in cash crops, traditional crops like rice and sugar, and cattle. In this year’s budget, we’ve set aside $100 million to start works in that scheme. This will see hundreds, or even thousands of acres of land being opened up for agriculture purposes. We will also be building a farm-to-market all-weather road from No. 58 Village, Corentyne to the Canje Creek area.”

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, visiting one of the many families affected by the floods, in June (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Key achievements and projections:

* $50 billion spent to boost the agriculture sector * $10.5 billion spent on restructuring and rebuilding the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) * Provision of subsidised seeds and plant materials to hundreds of farmers * $327 million allocated for construction of an asphaltic concrete road at Onverwagt * Investment in poultry topped US$67M ($14.4 billion) by May

explained that most of these monies would be spent on enhancing the necessary infrastructure in the intermediate savannahs, so that the private sector would be able to invest in the production of the corn and soya bean.

“If we can produce the amount of

are also working to reduce Guyana’s food-import bill and food-import dependency,” Minister Mustapha indicated.

Guyana’s national feed consumption for the poultry industry is 113,000 tonnes annually, with ‘broilers’ consuming approximately 100,000 tonnes of feed, and ‘layers’ consuming approximately 13,000 tonnes of feed annually.

This feed comprises 60

per cent grain (corn and rice), which is equivalent to approximately 68,000 tonnes, and 30 per cent soya bean meal, which is equivalent to approximately 34,000 tonnes per year. With the investment, the government has projected a massive reduction in Guyana’s dependence on the importation of feed material.

The trial project encompasses the cultivation of approximately 250 acres of corn and soya bean.

It was reported earlier in the year that six local companies and a regional firm have joined together to undertake a massive project that could see Guyana on the path to becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of the Guyana Stockfeed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

Additionally, the Agriculture Ministry has also been placing much attention on the development of the poultry sector. As at May 2021, the government’s SEE PAGE 15A

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Improving the lives of farmers, cultivating...

FROM PAGE 14A investment in poultry had topped US$67M ($14.4 billion).

CONDUCIVE FOR INVESTMENT Traditionally, the demand for output from the poultry industry has always been high, but the zero-rating of this commodity and other adjustments since August have created the conditions for wider investments, and more lucrative results.

It was announced late last year that there will be no Value Added Tax (VAT) on fertilisers, agro-chemicals, pesticides and key inputs in the poultry sector, including poultry feed, building materials, and packaging. The government also gave the poultry industry zero-rated VAT status.

Since those adjustments, there has been a stark increase in investments in this

industry, with about 500 new farmers getting into poultry farming between August and December 2020 alone.

This increased interest in the industry augurs well for Guyana, according to Minister Mustapha. He said that this will supplement the growth stemming from the country’s booming oil-andgas sector.

Minister Mustapha had said: “As investors begin to show interest, we have to make lands available; we have to make the necessary infrastructural adjustments, because we are building partnerships. This is why we are currently working to develop the second phase of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMAADA) Scheme. This is the largest agriculture scheme in the country and Region Five is the largest in terms of production.

“This is in cash crops, traditional crops like rice

and sugar, and cattle. In this year’s budget, we’ve set aside $100 million to start works in that scheme. This will see hundreds, or even thousands of acres of land being opened up for agriculture purposes. We will also be building a farm-to-market all-weather road from No. 58 Village, Corentyne to the Canje Creek area.”

Aside from poultry, some US$3.3 million was invested in beef production, and US$670,000 in small ruminants, predominantly sheep and goats.

As it is, the livestock sub-sector contributes approximately 13.6 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 2.8 per cent of the total GDP. Livestock is commonly defined as domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labour and commodities such as meat, eggs, and milk among other things.

A bell loader harvesting sugar cane

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Local roots in foreign nations being sustained through diaspora unit

WHEN the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government assumed office in August 2020, efforts were made to establish a Diaspora and Remigration Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Over the past few months, the operations of this unit, headed by Rosalinda Rasul, were geared at fostering collaboration with the diaspora in the areas of trade and investment, philanthropy, tourism, youth engagement, attraction of skill and remigration, as well as streamlining the contributions and resources of the diaspora to effectively aid Guyana’s development agenda.

In the 2021 National Budget, nearly $50 million

was allocated to advance diaspora engagement efforts and possibly streamline remigration.

In May, the government hosted a notable Diaspora Conference with the aim of highlighting and discussing the needs and concerns of Guyanese living overseas.

The virtual conference was attended by Guyanese residing in all parts of the world who were afforded the opportunity of engaging several ministers of government.

In his keynote address to the forum, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, recognised that the Guyanese diaspora has an important role to play in the overall development of Guyana.

He outlined five areas upon which Guyana’s development is premised and those included: integration, Ministers of Government, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and other stakeholders listen to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, make his keynote address at the inaugural diaspora engagement conference hosted back in May 2021 (DPI Photo)

identity, investment, influence and information.

And in each of these areas, he posited that there is scope for diasporic inclusion since Guyanese abroad have been able to qualify and establish themselves.

Importantly, he said that focus will not be confined to the burgeoning oil and gas sector, though the country is set to accumulate significant revenues from this sector.

Some of the avenues that will help to springboard Guyana’s development, according to the President, include the agriculture sector, environmental stewardship, ecotourism, logistics, value-added industries and industrial development, generally.

Importantly, he underscored that Guyana was hoping to become the focal point for energy and transport and logistics, through the creation of an energy mix and by being the hub for transport into the northern states of Brazil and into Suriname and French Guiana. He emphasised that Guyana also plans to become the regional leader in food sustainability and food production and a net exporter of food.

As the country pursues its massive development agenda, Dr. Ali said that

the input of overseas-based Guyanese will become even more important.

The President has repeatedly insisted that “Guyana is open for business,” and that the PPP/C government has been working assiduously to ensure that the return of Guyanese from the diaspora is adequately accommodated.

He also referenced the burgeoning oil and gas industry, and the fact that the country is on the path to incredible transformation.

“The [members of the] private sector are already engaging in investment to meet your needs and it is true that this is happening in many other sectors too because we anticipate a high level of remigration,” the President told those who attended the virtual Diaspora Conference.

The conference also saw the participation of key ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; Ministry of Housing and Water; the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).

It was related that after the conference in May, efforts would be made to

ensure that follow-up engagements are held to keep track of the decisions taken and the initiatives promised.

It was previously reported that both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, had recommitted the government’s intention to resuscitate the ‘re-migrant scheme.’

Already, efforts are underway to develop a system which is believed to be instrumental in making remigration easier and reducing the level of uncertainty surrounding the process of returning to Guyana.

Part of that system includes the establishment of a “Diaspora Desk” at the Consulate in New York, which is said to have been yielding positive results for Guyana.

The desk is being manned by an officer in the U.S. Aside from encouraging potential investments, President Ali had also emphasised the importance of instituting systems that can facilitate a thriving economic environment.

This, according to Dr. Ali, is heavily reliant on the government’s efforts to increase the ease and convenience of doing business in Guyana.

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Laying the blocks for a new, vibrant economy --billions of dollars allocated, expended to enhance local infrastructure

FOR Guyana to move ahead and transition into a new economy, the right conditions need to be created to facilitate investments and advancements across all sectors.

Cognisant of the fact that a ‘sturdy’ foundation is needed to create an environment that is conducive to business and investments, the government has, over the past year, embarked on a drive to transform the infrastructural landscape of the country.

This year alone, the government plans to expended close to $172.4 billion or 45 per cent of its $383.1 billion budget on education, public infrastructure and healthcare. Of this, $58.2 billion of planned expenditure on public infrastructure is the second largest component of the government’s fiscal programme.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill (centre); Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar (first left); along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir, and other officials during an inspection of the ongoing work at the airport

by a protracted electoral process and the pervasive COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 budget followed the emergency budget of 2020, which was prepared under a compressed

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, with the aid of contractor, Matthew Vieira (first from left holding ribbon) and City Engineer, Colvern Venture (second from left holding ribbon), cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially reopen Hunter Street, as other officials look on (Delano Williams Photo)

Government’s promise to provide immediate protection and relief to the long-suffering people of Guyana, and breathe some life into the then moribund Guyanese economy,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had said during his five-hour-long presentation to the National Assembly early this year.

In moving forward, construction, the sector with one of the highest multiplier effects in the economy, is anticipated to provide employment and spinoff effects to catalyse economic growth.

According to an American research group, the Brookings Institution, infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for struggling communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment.

From private investment in telecommunication systems, broadband networks, freight railroads, energy projects and pipelines, to publicly spending on trans-

On the capital side, the schedule, and arrived in the budget for infrastructure is National Assembly well into $32.9 billion or 32 per cent the second half of the fiscal of the total allocation for year, as a result of the pro2021. The country’s aggre- tracted March 2, 2020 Gengate capital provision for eral and Regional Elections. this year is $103 billion.

“That emergency budget This investment, accord- delivered on this PPP/C ing to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in Key achievements its message followand projections: ing the announce* The budget for infrastructure is $32.9 billion or 32 per cent of the total ment of Budget 2021, provides the allocation for 2021 Moving ahead with plans for the construction of a new bridge across financial grounding the*Demerara River for the ‘buildout’ of * India-funded Ogle to Haags Bosch four-lane highway could start in the country’s infra- the last quarter of this year structure and the * Studies to be initiated for a four-lane highway from Schoonard on the basis for re-starting West Bank of Demerara to Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo * Plans to connect Goshen to Monkey Jump, both in Region Ten (Upper economic growth, which would have Demerara-Berbice), and subsequently Monkey Jump to Bartica * $150 million expended to upgrade Hunter Street been hindered

portation, water, buildings and parks, infrastructure is the backbone of a healthy economy.

The research group has determined that an economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across borders.

From the onset, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was elected to office in August, 2020, the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, had said his ministry will not be working in isolation but will be moving swiftly towards achieving the government’s development agenda.

Evidently, the minister intends on staying true to his word, as there are clear plans in place to enhance the infrastructural landscape of the country and prepare for the “new economy.”

“You have to prepare for the new economy. The

economy before you is an expanding oil and gas sector, and we will need infrastructure onshore to move goods, people and services more efficiently and cheaper,” Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, had said during a recent

cent in 2020, having completed a year of oil production. The positive spinoff effects were, however, dampened by a deep contraction in the non-oil economy, triggered by measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

But despite the linger-

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali: “We need to have the right infrastructure. We have to build and modernise and do what is necessary for growth and development, but there cannot be an overreach and over spending… critical infrastructural links have to and will be created.” interview.

The country’s potential economic growth is reflected by the NASDAQ Stock Market in a report published in October 2020, which states that Guyana will remain as the fastest growing economy in the world.

Guyana grew at an extraordinary rate of 43.5 per

ing adversities, projections remain positive, with the country set to record economic growth of 20.9 per cent at the end of 2021, 26.0 per cent in 2022 and 23.0 per cent in 2023. The country’s Gross Domestic Product SEE PAGE 23A

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Archaic legal infrastructure being addressed

By Richard Bhainie SINCE being elected to office on August 2, 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has embarked on a rigorous agenda to transform Guyana’s archaic legal sector through overruling outdated legislation and crafting a modern legal architecture.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who leads the charge on this front, commenced a manhunt against errant contractors who committed flagrant breaches of their terms of contract and persons involved in fraudulent conveyances, among other matters.

He has also been at the helm of a number of litigations such as the elections petition, which he has triumphantly advocated.

Considering what occurred and what was observed during the five months following the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, the Attorney-General is adamant that the legal and administrative screws that are loose will be tightened to ensure that attempts at electoral fraud are dealt with condignly and that constitutional reform is pursued.

In January, 2021, Nandlall was appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Committee of the National Assembly, which is expected to steer constitutional reform.

Headed by Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy, the Law Reform Commission, which is expected to conduct a law revision exercise and modernise the laws so that they will be up to date, was also appointed subsequent to reforms to the Law Reform Act receiving Presidential Assent on February 16, 2021.

With Guyana now extracting “light sweet crude,” it was no surprise when, in November, 2020, the Attorney-General disclosed that his office was working on a comprehensive legal framework for the petroleum sector, to meet the challenges that will emerge within the

legal sector.

The government foresees a number of issues which it is already working on, including, but not limited to, legislative framework, dispute resolution, human resources, inclusive of legal personnel, and changes to the commercial landscape.

Amendments to the Petroleum Act is ongoing, so new legislation would mean a new jurisprudence, and in the event of a violation of the legislation, the judiciary should be properly equipped to deal with such matters. To this end, judges will be trained to interpret legal principles never embraced before, and new concepts of law never dealt with before.

The adversarial court system is usually a last resort option for the commercial industry; therefore, the government will be seeking to implement schemes of Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution

been identified for reform, namely a new Public Health Act, a new Mental Health Act, Tissue Transplant legislation, and a Food and Drug Act. The agriculture sector will see legislation dealing with the exportation of agricultural products, as well as the enactment of a Food Safety Act

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C.

(ADR), and legislation to facilitate same.

The ministry has already engaged the services of retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Belize, Courtney Abel, to undertake the task of upgrading Guyana’s existing arbitration legislation and make recommendations on developing the country into an arbitration empire.

Nandlall had said that every conceivable area of economic activity will be targetted for legal reform and went on to list a gamut of legislation that his office was working on. Pertaining to the oil and gas sector, he disclosed that an international consultant will be retained by the government to draft a range of legislation governing that sector.

In the health sector, some 25 pieces of legislation have

and a Food Security Act. In the commercial sector, in addition to the Hire Purchase Bill which is currently before the Select Committee, an Anti-Dumping Bill, a Movable Property Security Bill and an E-Transactions Bill are currently being drafted.

The Procurement Act will be reviewed to strengthen the public procurement process and to create a more level playing field in order to accommodate small contractors.

In the housing and hospitality sector, a regiment of legislation dealing with zoning, urban planning, condominiums and town houses will be implemented. Local government will also see the enactment of a Solid Waste Management Bill.

RAFT OF LEGISLATION The legal sector will also be revamped with a raft of legislation that will be promulgated, including the new Arbitration Bill, a new Juvenile Justice Bill, a Bail Bill, and Sentencing Guidelines.

Nandlall also t a b l e d

changes to the Police Act, the Evidence Act, among others, at the 28th Sitting of the 12th Parliament, which are intended to modernise Guyana’s approach to crime fighting, and using contemporary and scientific methods of investigation that will inevitably boost the State’s prosecutorial capacity.

In June, 2021, Nandlall was elected Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee dealing with the proposed amendments set out in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Bill 2021.

With Guyana poised to take its place on the map as a top tourism destination, in keeping with the developments consequent to the oil & gas sector which saw hotel giants like Hyatt Hotels and

Resorts, Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts coming to Guyana, in January, 2021, Nandlall announced that plans are on stream to draft new legislation to guide Guyana’s hospitality sector.

To better and more effectively manage criminal litigation, the Legal Affairs Ministry is currently working along with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Judiciary to create a joint Management Information System.

The expansion of the Chambers of the DPP to accommodate more prosecutors, as the limited space is currently a restriction on doing so, is budgeted for in Budget 2021.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs also kick-started the US$8 million Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme. Through this programme, there is a plan to allow Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduates from the University of Guyana and other recognised universities to become prosecutors at the magistracy level.

Also, as part of the $4.6 billion budgeted for the Justice Sector in Budget 2021, is the construction of new magistrate’s courts with living quarters and supporting facilities at Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Vigilance and along the East Bank of Demerara corridor.

In December, 2020, with the aim to restore and increase access to fair court hearings, within a reasonable time, containers at the Lusignan Prison barracks at the Cecil Kilkenny Training College on the East Coast of Demerara were retrofitted into 14 courtrooms that will enable virtual hearings of cases, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March, 2021, Nandlall also announced that probation officers and teachers will eventually be trained on restorative justice, to ensure that there is less imprisonment since such punishment has not been a deterrent to crime.

Consequent to a number of fraudulent conveyances being executed, the Attorney-General also announced that he was examining ways to strengthen legislation to protect property owners from fraud; he has already embarked on making the Official Gazette more accessible.

Nandlall also announced that he will resume the printing and publishing of the local law reports, better known as the Guyana Law Reports.

In April, 2021, Nandlall commissioned a $92 million living quarters for judicial officers in Berbice.

During the year, he also held various engagements with a number of stakeholders on various issues arising in a gamut of sectors. He met with Dental Council of Guyana to discuss a revision of the Dental Registration Act 1966 and Medical Council of Guyana to discuss an overhauling of the Medical Practitioners Act 1991 and the Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice Regulations 2008.

He also met with High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Mark Kevin Berman, to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral partnership in the legal sector; a delegation from the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission where he discussed commitment in relation to electoral reform and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to discuss issues relating to the importation of goods.

Some other noteworthy initiatives are the ‘Cotton Tree Land Titling Project’ which will see over 1,000 residents of that locality gaining ownership of land, and assisting some 53 families of Enterprise, East Coast of Demerara who purchased lands some 20 years ago to finally receive their Certificates of Title.

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

‘No price for the ...

FROM PAGE 2A rus that causes the disease COVID-19, present a new threat. According to the BBC, it is not unusual for viruses to mutate, and more often than not, mutations are usually insignificant.

Sometimes, however, viruses do mutate into ‘stronger’ or more advantageous forms of the virus.

This has been the case with four variants thus far: the Alpha variant that emerged in the United Kingdom (UK) last year; the Beta variant that emerged in South Africa; the Gamma variant that emerged in Brazil and the Delta variant that emerged in India. These variants are still categorised as coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, except they have mutated into stronger or more infectious forms.

Even without adequate genomic sequencing, a scientific test for the presence of variants, the Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said that the local health authorities are assuming that variants are circulating in Guyana and as such, that the population is exposed to more infectious forms of the disease-causing virus.

“Right now, while the Delta variant was first discovered in India, it is it is now the dominant variant in the United States (U.S.) and we have travel back and forth from the U.S. on a daily basis, so one can assume that we have different types of variants that are circulating in Guyana and would have contributed to the clinical picture that we see,” the health minister said recently.

And, the “clinical picture” recorded locally, he related, has been those increasing numbers. He, however, hastened to add that despite the unconfirmed presence of variants, the preventative and protective measures for COVID-19 have not changed; masks still need to be worn, crowds need to be avoided and adequate sanitisation is a necessity.

Importantly, he said that vaccination remains a crucial weapon in the available artillery to protect against COVID-19. These vaccines, he explained, would not prevent an individual from becoming infected but would prevent an individual from developing the more serious or life-threatening symptoms, thereby preventing hospitalisation and deaths.

HEALTH SECTOR MODERNISATION Meanwhile, outside of the realm of the pandemic, efforts are underway to improve people’s access to health services and modernise the health sector. Aggregately, $53.5 billion was allocated to the health sector in the 2021 National Budget.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said this allocation was made with the aim of expanding speciality care, developing an adequately trained and competent healthcare workforce, and modernising and expanding local health facilities.

Catered for in this sum is $1.8 billion to purchase critical medical equipment for the public health sector; $99.8 million is budgeted for re-equipping the ophthalmology hospital at Port Mourant; and $322 million for the acquisition of medical equipment, including ventilators and anesthesia machines, which will expand diagnosis and treatment capacity at the national referral hospital, which is the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Additionally, $35 million is budgeted under this allocation for the health sector to strengthen the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) capacity.

In recent months, in addition to constructing and expanding vaccination sites, efforts have been made to rehabilitate and develop other health facilities.

The Festival City health centre, for example, is expected to accommodate a dental section, a physiotherapy department and a laboratory. Also, it is expected that eight medical doctors can be accommodated on-site to provide diagnostic services to patients. There are also the ‘SMART’ upgrades to hospitals across the country.

Improving health services across the health sector is paramount since, as Head of Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Mahendra Carpen, said, chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are still the number one cause of diseases and disability.

In 2020, the Pan-American Health Organisation’s (PAHO)’s NCDs progress monitor for Guyana stated that 4,400 deaths (or 68 per cent of all deaths) were caused by NCDs. This report was published in March

2020, which meant that this information was applicable to the year before. This, therefore, meant that the total number of deaths would have been approximately 6,471.

It is also important to note that persons with underlying diseases- other cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, diabetes or other NCDs- are increasingly vulnerable to the more severe effects of COVID-19. These underlying conditions are termed comorbidities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

A nurse at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, preparing to administer a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to a local healthcare worker (Photo by Vishani Ragobeer)

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

Bridging Educational gaps, supporting families --Education Ministry defies odds to lay foundation for advancement

THE past year has placed a significant strain on the local education system.

Countries around the world were confronted by the challenge of a widening educational gap among those who have access to educational services and material in the virtual setting.

Though that challenge

The first practical response was to bridge the gap of technological access.

That was done by creating and distributing worksheets and textbooks to all learners. Though this could not compare to a learner benefitting from instructional time with a teacher, it meant that these learners would have

challenges- including geographical challenges and the limited access to technologya Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development was appointed.

That officer is Marti De Souza, who told the Guyana Chronicle that he has been

A few weeks ago, however, Minister Manickchand said that the ministry was actively considering the reopening of schools come the new school year that starts in September, to bring an end to the physical closure of schools brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

This decision was based on the encouraging vaccination of citizens countrywide, weighed against the growing learning loss that the country and the rest of the world continue to encounter.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, also recently stated that preparations were ongoing for the reopening of schools and that the government has been working to secure the U.S.-made Pfizer vaccine to vaccinate children and protect them from COVID-19. It is expected that over the next few weeks, these preparations will intensify as schools prepare to welcome children from September.

‘BECAUSE WE CARE’ More recently, from July 15, the distribution of the “Because We Care” cash grant for children in public schools got underway. This grant was given once before and it was valued at $10,000.

This year, in keeping with

a campaign promise made to the people of Guyana, the distribution of the grant resumed. And importantly, it is valued at $19,000 (cash, not a voucher) since $15,000 is being provided as an actual grant while $4,000 is being given as the annual School Uniform and Supplies Grant.

With approximately 172,000 learners in the public school system, a total of $3.2 billion is directly transferred to children and families across Guyana in 2021. By 2025, it is expected that the amount given to each child will increase from $19,000 to $50,000.

Importantly, too, both Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo and the education minister also revealed that the government is actively considering whether this grant can be extended to children in the private schools.

With the grant in hand, many parents have welcomed the added boost and many look forward to a safe return to schools, come September.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand with the CSEC and CAPE regional awardees

was a bit more intricate in Guyana, owing to geographical disparities and systemic constraints, the past year has seen a massive rollout of support for the nation’s children.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, has dubbed the 2020/2021 academic year one of the hardest, if not the hardest, year for the delivery of education in Guyana. Children accustomed to sitting in classrooms and benefitting from instruction and attention were forced to sit behind screenswhether phones, tablets or laptops.

If there was limited or no access to these electronic devices, there was not much that could have been done within the confines of the embryonic COVID-19 pandemic.

That did not daunt the local players in the education sector, though. Instead of succumbing to the pressure caused by the pandemic’s disruption of the education sector, the minister related on numerous occasions that the dedicated professionals in the education system joined their heads and hearts to cater for the children.

something to engage with while schools were physically closed.

But the response did not stop there. It wasn’t long before efforts were made to expand the Guyana Learning Channel into rural and hinterland communities so that learners could benefit from educational content that was being created, just so children could be engaged similar to how they were in schools.

In places where the channel was not available or where radios and televisions were not easily accessible, flash drives and CDs loaded with the content were given to village leaders. Because, as Minister Manickchand said, even if there was just one “village uncle” with a television in his shop, that could be used for the children.

Though these measures were, by and large, in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic, works have moved apace to transform the education system. And with that transformation comes an increased focus on bridging disparities.

To address the enduring

on the ground in the five hinterland regions assessing the challenges. His work will inform policies to ensure that learners in the hinterland can benefit from increased access to educational services and opportunities.

In between these major efforts, over the past year, there was also the establishment of the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL), which only just awarded scholarships to hundreds of local applicants; the development of virtual quiz and revision platforms; and, the construction of schools.

Yet, the lingering issue was that children have been losing out because they are not in schools. And from as far back as November 2020, a phased reopening of schools began. Approximately 21,000 students in grades 10, 11 and 12, along with practical and technical vocational students returned for face-to-face engagement.

That meant that they were able to complete their School-Based Assessment (SBAs), practical assignments and syllabi with the help of their teachers.

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag, was on the ground to provide guidance on the GOAL application process

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

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Citizens speak

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

RAMGOLAM Singh popularly known as “Rishu”, a rice farmer from Region Six, credited some of his success to the massive amount of drainage and irrigation works that were done since Zulfikar Mustapha became the Minister of Agriculture.

Singh said: “… there has been a mass improvement in drainage and irrigation. If you go in every area in our region, whether Black Bush Polder or 52-74 Crabwood Creek, in the front lands, there are several machines. At present, the farmers and the government are working hand-in-hand to prepare the dams to take out the paddy, and, fortunately, a farmer by the name of Dahdo from Number 57 Village reaped an average of 65 bags per acre with the GRDB 10 variety. We are seeing a lot of improvement under this new government because of its commitment to producing food to feed the nation and internationally. Already we are seeing that the price for paddy has gone up a little and the millers in Region Six have upped their price from $45,000 per tonne to $50,000 per tonne.”

Private Sector Commission: “There is something for everyone in the budget. The measures outlined will ultimately provide more disposable income and provide more relief to the poor and vulnerable. Taken together, Budget 2021 contains sufficient fiscal measures and public investment programmes that will encourage the growth and expansion of the private sector thus creating more job opportunities for Guyanese, lowering cost of living, home ownership becoming more affordable and more disposable income in the hands of Guyanese working class.”

An unemployed father of one school-aged child, Vental Jainarine, in speaking about the government’s ‘Because We Care’ programme, said: “I struggle a lot because I can’t work [due to an injury from a boat accident] and it is hard to get income. This means a lot to me because it could help my daughter throughout the school [year] and to help buy things for her; her school clothes, pencils, books, erasers, crayon and things like that. I am thankful to the government for helping us in this situation; to help out with our children and their needs.

The money that they are giving out is helpful because where are we going to get it from? We can’t get it anywhere. It’s good.”

A resident of Charity Squatting Area, Mervin John, said he was happy for the government’s timely intervention amid intense flooding.

John, a father of nine, said that he has been unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and started a kitchen garden as a way of providing for his family. He said due to the flooding, he is now hopeless since his garden is inundated.

A resident of Charity collects his relief supplies from a Civil Defence Commission official

Billions of dollars ...

FROM PAGE 5A tion as a result of the floods.

“I am aware that this assistance will go a long way in bringing relief. However, it can never compensate for the emotional and social loss which I saw and experienced first-hand,” Dr. Ali acknowledged.

An initial assessment shows the agriculture sector being most affected by the disaster, with some 92,000 acres of farm and farmlands completely affected, and approximately $23 billion or more in loss of production.

The sugar industry suffered estimated losses of more than $1.5 billion in the fields, while more than 50 per cent of mining operations have been affected.

“Damage to the Forestry Sector, loss of production and damage to equipment are estimated at in excess of $8 billion,” Dr. Ali added.

Added to all of the aforementioned measures, the government has also initiated engagements with various banking and lending institutions so as to ensure that flood-affected residents are not pressured into repayment of loans and debts.

During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Senior Minister in the Office of the President, with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, related that all of the financial institutions have committed to being lenient with their clients who have suffered losses and inconveniences due to the floods.

Many of the affected Guyanese have since lauded the government’s comprehensive flood response efforts, and have expressed eagerness to recover and rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Mobilising support...

FROM PAGES 12 & 13

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, assists with the distribution of flood-relief hampers

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre); Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (second from right), and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and officials of Cardinal Investments Incorporated turn the sod for the construction of a massive $4 billion Courtyard Marriott Hotel, next to CJIA

Laying the blocks...

FROM PAGE 17A (GDP) of about $6.8 billion is expected to more than double by 2025, reaching over $14 billion.

In light of this, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had said that the right infrastructure is needed to accompany development and catalyse transformation.

BUILD AND MODERNISE Early this year, the President said: “We need to have the right infrastructure. We have to build and modernise and do what is necessary for growth and development, but there cannot be an overreach and over spending… critical infrastructural links have to and will be created.”

Already, the government is building roads and bridges, and enhancing existing infrastructure which will serve as arteries to development.

Speaking specifically about some of the major projects in the pipeline, Indar had said that the government had advertised for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the construction of a bridge across the Corentyne River, connecting Guyana to Suriname.

Further, the government

is moving ahead with plans for the construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River. The new four-lane high-span bridge, which is scheduled to be completed in three years after the commencement of work, will replace the existing structure which was built in 1976, over four decades ago.

Another critical infrastructural link is the Ogle to Haags Bosch four-lane highway. This project is being funded by the Government of India to the tune of US$50 million. “We expect work on this [project] to start in the last quarter of this year, after the procurement process is finished,” Minister Indar said.

In this time, the government will be commissioning studies for a four-lane highway from Schoonard on the West Bank of Demerara to Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo. This project forms part of a wider initiative to create direct linkage to Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to Minister Indar, there are plans to connect Goshen to Monkey Jump, both in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and subsequently Monkey Jump to Bartica. Also, there are plans to connect Parika to Timehri and Timehri through

Mabura to Monkey Jump.

This will be supplemented by the construction of 125 kilometers of road from Linden to Mabura Hill.

“This a big one… it will cost about US$192 million and tenders are already out for it,” Minister Indar related.

One of the main connectors to Georgetown– Hunter Street, West Ruimveldt– was reopened recently after contractor, Vieira 66 Logistics, wrapped up upgrades to the former double lane road and transformed it into a major thoroughfare with three lanes.

The government’s total budget for road programmes is $23.7 billion, $7.9 billion of which will go specifically towards the development of community roads. Of the budgeted sum, $2.1 billion has been set aside for hinterland roads and the rehabilitation of a number of hinterland airstrips.

“We are doing a lot in terms of infrastructure… we are looking at pavements, parks and other areas of infrastructure development,” Minister Indar said, noting that there is also the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and other projects which are ongoing.

Prime Minster, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, engage persons at the government’s ‘Dream Realised Housing Drive 2020’ hosted, at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, Region Three

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Government's First Anniversary Supplement, Tuesday, August 2, 2021