Guyana Chronicle Supplement 08-06-2023

Lives changed, livelihoods created — Guyanese praise gov’t for steps made over the past three years

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali along with the members of his Cabinet are on a mission to ensure that every Guyanese, especially vulnerable groups, get an opportunity to better their lives by gaining employment, accessing tertiary education and creating livelihoods through small business grants, among many other things.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Gladwyn Hamilton, a contractor from Buxton, said that he is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the PPP/C government, specifically President Ali and Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

According to Hamilton: "I am eternally grateful to the PPP/C for believing in myself, the other contractors, and the people of Buxton. I don’t know if they will ever fully understand how much our lives have changed.

“We were given the right training, and we explained the process of bidding. It is because of them that I can provide for my family, and the people that were employed can provide for their families as well."

Hamilton continued: "This is the first time that a government has delivered on their promises to us, the small man. We started constructing bridges and met with Vice President Jagdeo, who said that we would be

more contracted. I am happy that they believe in us, and that also makes us believe in ourselves. Because of these opportunities, we are able to even get private contracts; people recognise our work."

Patricia Moore, a small contractor from Tucville in Georgetown, said that she is "grateful and over the moon" to know that she was treated with the respect that she deserved from the current administration.

According to Moore: "I was awarded contracts from 2020 to date under President Ali’s government. One of the latest ones was to make sure that the drains at D’Urban were clean, I take pride in what I do, and the persons that are employed know how tidy and up to standard I like my work to be. We desilt, weed, and cut trees.

"It might sound like nothing much, but I want to say that it is because President Ali and his people believe in me, I am living a comfortable life. I am happy, and I am looking forward to getting more contracts soon. I am a woman, and I am proud to say that I am a contractor. I love what I do, and I thank this government again for giving me this opportunity even though I am a woman."

Another contractor, Jeremy Garret, of Leopold Street, said that he is very pleased that the people of his community are given the same opportunity to earn an income for themselves and their families as others.

He said that even though there is a stigma attached to certain communities, what he found is that the people within Leopold Street were "eager "to clean up their community, regardless of the money that they were being paid.

As it relates to President Ali, Garret said: "You have to be a hater to not see the good work that he is doing; he came to this community and made some promises, and he kept them, he is fulfilling them, and we are grateful to him and his government."

This publication also reached out to some of the people who are employed by these contractors as well as a few other small contracting firms.

Together, they shared similar sentiments in thanking the government for changing their lives through the opportunity of job creation. Daniel (only name given) of Lethem explained that he is currently working on the Lethem to Linden Road.

"Times were rough, and my wife and I used to work with people when they had TURN

Buxton contractor, Gladwyn Hamilton

Contractor, Jeremy Garret

GOAL scholarship recipient, Cecilia Greene

Graduate of the WIIN programme, Bernadette Hardy

GOAL scholarship recipient, Amar Boodram

‘A government that delivers’

ACTION-ORIENTED

and people-centred programmes implemented by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)

slowly improved and currently stand at the lowest it has ever been in Guyana’s history. Child mortality rates now stand at 13 per every

These initiates were also extended to the hinterland communities and plans are afoot to further advance the sector.

“Ten more smart classrooms will be established at the primary level shortly. To promote e-learning for hinterland students, a total of 102 hinterland students were accommodated at a CPCE (Cyril Potter College of Education) Turkeyen campus for

of some of the highlights [of the] qualitative impact of the investment we have made in the education sector now,” Dr. Ali said.

AGRICULTURE

In the area of agriculture and food security, Guyana has emerged as a leader in CARICOM, advancing the agri-food system agenda.

“We are now a leading voice in prioritising food and energy security and cli-

cent increase in the budgetary allocation, moving from 13.3 billion in 2019 to 33.2 billion in 2023,” Dr Ali said.

Guyana, he said, is bridging the production gap and

ramping up production. Crops such as rice, sugar, corn and soya production, and high-value crops are expanding rapidly.

government, over the past three years, have resulted in tremendous improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education, and social welfare, among other things.

During a recent press conference, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, highlighted some of the party’s achievements and proposed plans to improve the lives of Guyanese.

“My government has set itself as a results-driven, action-oriented government. Everything we do is based on quantitative and qualitative results and action-oriented,” the Head of State said.

Reflecting on the party’s manifesto, Dr Ali recalled plans to transform the country’s health sector.

“We promise that people will be able to live long productive lives here in Guyana. Sub-components of these promises included having disease diagnosed earlier, having access to the best treatment available in the modern world, reducing child mortality drastically to being among the lowest in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and the Americas, reducing maternal mortality to achieving safe conception, gestation and safe delivery of babies, improving patient and family experience in the health sector,” the Head of State said.

He added that, thus far, Guyana has seen an improvement in life expectancy in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a dip in life expectancies in countries around the world. He revealed that the country has maintained a life expectancy of 70 years old as compared to 68 years old in 2020.

In relation to the reduction of child mortality rates, these rates, Dr. Ali said, have

1,000 births as opposed to 19 per 1,000 births in 2020.

Additionally, the Head of State revealed that maternal mortality has reached its lowest ever, as those rates now stand at 96 per 10,000 deliveries compared to 170 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017.

Among other improvements made in the country’s healthcare sector, it was also noted that cardiac surgery is now being provided in large numbers both in the private sector and at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

With this, Dr Ali said that paediatric cardiac surgery is now not only established, but also a regular programme at the GPHC.

Some 12 children benefitted from open-heart surgery this year, and the expectation is to increase that number to over 40 children per year in the near future.

The number of overall surgeries has increased and is now approaching over 22,000 per year. President Ali then took the time to recognise the efforts of the nurses and doctors and other healthcare workers.

The annual budget for healthcare has increased by almost 150 per cent in just three years, from $35 billion to $85 billion.

EDUCATION

Regarding education, the government has been able to maintain some 526 schools which reflects 58 per cent of all schools annually.

The President further revealed that some, 4,737 computer devices were procured and distributed to teachers and students, and ten smart classrooms were established at secondary schools to facilitate the integration of ICT. into the teaching-learning process.

both face-to-face interaction and online training.

“As part of our efforts to enhance and expand the coverage of the Guyana Learning Channel, 91 solar power systems have been installed and 1,353 lessons developed and broadcast. This is important in ensuring equity in education,” Dr. Ali said.

Within the last three years, a total of 4,213 teachers were trained to use the new curriculum at the primary and nursery levels and by the end of this year, a total of 4,913 teachers would have completed this training to deliver the new curriculum.

Additionally, a five-year strategic operational plan has been developed to meet the needs of children who require special education.

Over the past three years, the government has expended $3 billion on textbooks and by the end of this year, all primary and secondary school students will have access to a minimum of four textbooks per student due to this investment in the education sector.

Meanwhile, to ensure that children are provided with all they need to thrive, a total of 87,634 students are beneficiaries of the school feeding programme: Some 42,735 from juice and biscuits; 29,691 from hot meals, and 15,208 from breakfasts.

Additionally, some $8.5 billion in 2020 through 2023 alone was spent on the Because We Care grant.

“These are just a glimpse

mate mitigation adaptation, internationally. We have positioned the agriculture sector as an expanded, diversified, modern, resilient and competitive sector with a 150 per

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

- significant strides made in areas across all sectors

- President Ali says his gov’t remains results driven, action-oriented

Oil and gas sector continues to blossom

TAKING advantage of Guyana's anticipated growth and the expansion of local content in the country's oil and gas industry, various local companies have invested enormous sums of money in building infrastructure and expanding their capabilities during the past few years.

Local firms, therefore, stand to lose a great deal of money if the oil and gas sector in Guyana doesn't maintain high levels of activity for the medium to long term.

Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice-President, has justified the government's decision to maintain high levels of activity in Guyana's oil and gas sector for at least the next 15 years in light of this fact.

“I gave a detailed explanation as to why we need to keep economic activities high and momentum going in the industry for the next 15 years at a minimum,” Dr. Jagdeo had said.

He added: “We’re encouraging a lot of Guyanese to invest in this sector. We are doing a lot of carving. The Guyanese, who we’re encouraging to invest, we don’t want

their investments or their skills to be stranded.

“If the momentum dies, all of those people can’t amortise their investments and they would be stranded and they may be owing the bank and stuff like that.

So, we want more business to come to our people and we also want them to do well in the future. We explained that 100 times.”

The remarks follow statements that the Vice-President made on Monday last while delivering the keynote address at Guyana’s inaugural Local Content Summit.

Addressing the debate in sections of society about the need for development of local content, and overcoming hurdles and challenges, Dr. Jagdeo identified the pace of the industry as a factor in ensuring continued local content is build out.

As such, he reasoned that it mandates a certain posture on the government’s part.

“We have said it carefully that all that we are doing is to sustain the level and we do so aggressively and unashamedly to sustain high levels of activity for a minimum

of 15 years.

“For example, many of them [local persons] are putting up buildings to rent. They have to have business for the next 15 years to pay back for those buildings and make money. Keeping that in mind, it mandates

said.

Since the passage of the Local Content Act in December 2021, Guyanese businesses have been reaping massive benefits from the oil and gas sector, raking in some US$700 million in payments in 2022.

content required for respective sub-sectors.

Meanwhile, regarding the broader energy sector, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has emphasised the government’s dedication to completing the gas-toshore project, which is

West Bank Demerara. Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) of India was awarded the contract for this project which is expected to be completed next year.

The contract was signed by Derrick Cummings, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister; Maurice Gajadhar, Chairman of Guyana Power and Light Inc., and Mainak Majumdar, General Manager (International Projects), Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL), in the presence of Prime Minister Phillips.

the government to act in a certain manner.

“You don’t want international investors to have investment stranded; but they can handle that, they are big companies and do their own risk calculation; most importantly we don’t want the Guyanese investors to have their investments stranded,” the Vice-President

Lives changed...

FROM PAGE 2A

anything for us to do, but that wasn't regular. With this job, my wife can stay home and take care of our two children. I am happy about this; I feel really good," Daniel said.

Outside of the construction, Region Nine’s Cecilia Greene, who is a Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship recipient, said there are many people who need the opportunity to access tertiary education. She said there are persons who are willing and qualified, but did not have the funds to

pursue such studies. So, she encouraged others to take advantage of the flexible schedule of studying through GOAL, which was created by the government to make access to tertiary education more affordable.

Bernadette Hardy, a graduate of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s WIIN programme, said she was beyond grateful for the opportunity to achieve a cooking certificate, which has significantly improved her ability to expand her livelihood.

The entrepreneur encouraged persons, partic-

ularly single mothers, to sign up for the programme, which opens doors to many opportunities to create a livelihood.

Amar Boodram, a GOAL scholarship recipient, summed it up when he said that the past three years of the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government’s tenure have been productive and fruitful in every way. He referenced the increase in economic activities and the rapid infrastructural transformation that is underway; all of which are creating opportunities for jobs and a better life.

The Local Content Act outlines 40 sub-sectors that would legally require oil companies to procure goods and services from Guyanese businesses, as well as employ specific percentages of Guyanese in their day-to-day operations.

However, the private sector is already in discussion with the government to add as many as 35 more areas to the First Schedule of the Act, in addition to appealing for increases to the percentage of minimum local

anticipated to produce around 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity and is expected to reduce energy costs for citizens of Guyana by 50 per cent.

The Prime Minister made those remarks during the signing ceremony of the Provision of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Services contract, which will see the installation of transmission lines and substations for the integrated NGL Plant and 300 MW CCGT Power Plant at Wales,

According to the Prime Minister: “More than 60 per cent of the people of Guyana will benefit from this project; over 500,000 Guyanese will benefit from this project. This project will once and for all bring not only reliable and stable electricity, [but] with the other components [it] will bring power for over 500,000 Guyanese at a cost that is half what they’re paying now.”

Prime Minister Phillips, who holds responsibility for the country’s energy sector, further explained that the cost of electricity currently stands at an estimated $45 per kWh and will be significantly reduced to around $24 per kWh.

‘A government that...

FROM PAGE 3A

The shade house initiative, wheat trial, spices, expansion of the livestock industry - pigs, cattle, sheep – poultry and the fishing industry and the establishment of shrimp farms and cage culture farming are among some of the newer initiatives the government has undertaken to boost the country’s production of high-valued produce.

“We are also building

our human resource and institutional capacity; we are focusing on hinterland development to boost food security in hinterland communities, making them more self-sufficient.

“We have established demonstration sites, supplied planting materials, provided improved breeds of livestock, established processing facilities, increased access to technical and advisory services and

assisted with product development and marketing,” the Head of State said.

Meanwhile, the government, he said, is working on bridging the financing gap for low-cost loan programmes that will help rice, poultry and other farmers.

“We are working towards building resilience in our agriculture,” Dr Ali related.

Democracy prevails after arduous journey

THREE years after successfully overcoming the efforts of the APNU+AFC to hold on to power, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has not

only created a vibrant economy that is attractive and respected by people and governments the world over, but has also repaired a once tattered

image of the nation by establishing democratic principles that guide the decisions of the administration.

The following is a recap

of the government’s efforts to safeguard and promote democracy: The restoration of confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) with the removal of persons implicated in the efforts to derail the 2020 elections, cleared the way for the successful execution of the Local

Government Elections. The PPP/C won 67 of the 80 Local Authority Areas, after securing significant support in known strongholds of the APNU/PNC.

Continued on page 8A

Members of the Public Service Commission

Additionally, in keeping with its constitutional obligation, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali reconstituted various bodies including the Public Service Commission, Police Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Local Government Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission, Procurement Commission and Integrity Commission

Standing from left are: PPC Commissioners; President Dr. Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C.; and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira (Delano Williams photo)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira with the new Police Service Commission appointees (Office of the President photo)

Commission

the sum of $150 million was

in the 2023 National Budget for the government’s

will be able to

consultations have been paramount to the government’s decision-making process.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., with stakeholders from the real estate industry

Democracy prevails...

From page 7A

Vice-President,

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in June 2022, announced that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events that followed polling day on March 2, 2020, general and regional elections would be chaired by retired Justice of Appeal, Stanley John, and will include former Attorney-General, High Court judge and acting Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, God-

frey P. Smith, S.C.; Former Chair and Chief Elections Commissioner of India, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, and, Former Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh OR CCH

In April, 2023, it was reported that the (CoI) into the events of the 2020 General and Regional Elections found that there was collusion and collaboration between senior GECOM officials to divert

votes to the APNU +AFC instead of safeguarding and preserving the integrity of the electoral system.

After careful scrutiny, the COI commissioners concluded that there was a conscious and deliberate – even brazen –effort to violate the provisions of section 84(1) of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA)

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (third from left) and Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton (left) at the meeting along with Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall (right) and Member of Parliament, Roysdale Forde

Bharrat Jagdeo, led a team that engaged with civil society in December, 2021, on the final consultation on the draft Local Content Policy before it is tabled in the National Assembly

L-R: Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) of Turks and Caicos, Stanley John; former Justice of Appeal (ag) in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Godfrey P. Smith; former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S. Y. Quraishi and former Chancellor of the Judiciary (Guyana), Carl Singh

President Dr. Irfaan Ali receives the elections COI report from Chairman of the Commission retired Justice of Appeal, Stanley John (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Housing investments skyrocket by over 340 per cent from 2021 to 2023

AS Guyana enjoys a development boom and sector expansion, INFRASTRUCTURAL investment has expanded by 340 percent, from roughly $17.2 billion in 2021 to over $53.3 billion in 2023.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a press

briefing at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

The investment includes the upgrade of almost 69.4 kilometres of road from 2021 to 2022, with an additional 341 kilometres planned for 2023. The government has also invested in the construction of 425 kilometres of new

roads with an additional 660 kilometres planned for 2023.

“And this is only in the housing sector I’m speaking about. From 2021 to 2022, 19.55 kilometres of highway were constructed, with an additional 17.6 kilometres planned for 2023. Specifically, 1.6 kilometres of the four-lane connector of

Great Diamond is in progress, while procurement is underway for 60 kilometres of four-lane highway from Great Diamond to Craig, and then to Land of Canaan,” President Ali outlined. He also noted that the government, through the Ministry of Housing, has allocated over 23,700

house lots.

President Ali said the housing sector has supported upwards of 50,000 jobs over the past few years.

“Given the average price for house lots and the actual costs of investment in infrastructure by the government, an aver-

age low-income allottee receives a 97 per cent subsidy from the government. A low or middle-income allottee receives a 74 per cent subsidy from the government. This is the investment the government is making every time someone is allocated a house lot,” Dr Ali said.

Guyana takes global stage by storm

— country attracts attention of international leaders, foreign investors

— cementing its place as a global leader in food security, climate action

DESPITE facing a number of challenges upon assuming office and having to confront the insidious actions of the APNU/AFC, the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) under the leadership of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has managed to take Guyana to new heights on the global stage, and is cementing the country’s position as a leader in food security and climate action.

As Guyana forges ahead with its significant developments, President Ali's renowned leadership is being acknowledged by the country’s regional and international counterparts.

The Head of State, just last month, said that he has received invitations for state visits from more than 50 nations, with his most recent visit being China, where he advanced efforts to deepen bilateral ties with the Asian country.

Speaking on how his many international engagements have been prosperous for Guyana over the last three years, he said: “For the month of July, I received more than 50 direct requests from Heads of Governments around the world… These are the things we do to bring results for the country.”

“We have proposals coming from France, French Guiana. These are all proposals that come directly from our international engagements, directly from pushing and promoting Guyana and what we have to offer. We are on the right trajectory,” Dr. Ali said.

The Head of State contended that since being elected to office, he has had the privilege of meeting with more than

60 world leaders, more than 50 chief executive officers of significant multinationals, interacted with international organisations, and was asked to deliver the keynote addresses at more than 150 events.

Dr. Ali related: “My

International agenda has been a very active one, but with a difference; we have been focusing on economic diplomacy, bilateral relationships to ensure that Guyana’s position on many global issues is understood and that the support for Guy-

ana is overwhelming.

“As could have been seen from the vote for us in the United Nations Security Council. The highest vote, unanimous, just one abstention, not many countries can boast of this. That is because of the level of respect and

This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg, as Guyana’s government has a plan to make the country a leader in the world in the three major security areas-food, energy, and climate. However, to do this, Guyana must take a steadfast stance on the global stage and engage in bilateral and multilateral engagements to increase support for the country.

The President has, therefore, been observably engaged with the world community, but he expressed his regret that anyone would consider this to be anything other than a benefit for Guyana.

“So, those engagements take time; we have been able to establish numerous bilateral and multilateral relationships and contacts. We’ve been able to enhance our image and where we were taken off of the agenda. We had lost our place on the global agenda in terms of forests of climate change. We are now once again leading this globally. Only recently at the Commonwealth Heads of Government, everyone was high in praise for Guyana’s leadership on climate change [through] the Low Carbon Development Strategy on forest,” the President said.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

regard that the international Community has for us.”

Guyana was appointed last month to serve on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the years 2024 to 2025.

Upon a fruitful visit by United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Guyana was praised for its innovative role in food security and its dedication to a low-carbon development programme.

After meeting with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders in Trinidad and Toba -

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader

Guyana takes global stage ...

From page 11A

go, Blinken travelled to Guyana for a bilateral meeting with President Ali and his Cabinet. He had disclosed that the US recognises Guyana's growing importance in tackling regional energy concerns and ensuring energy security.

“Our own Export-Import Bank is working closely with the Guyanese Government on a major gas-to-energy project that’s going to cut emissions by 50 per cent.

“American companies can bring unparalleled expertise, high labour, environmental standards and transparency to help power Guyana’s dynamic growth to advance regional energy security, to deliver tangible benefits to all people,” he said.

Additionally, in June, President Ali welcomed the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, to Guyana, where they discussed ways to improve bilateral ties between their two nations and reaffirmed their commitment to working together more closely in areas like energy, agriculture, tourism, trade, ICT, infrastructure, and industry.

President Ali had also embraced the Dominican Republic's private sector's strong interest in Guyana and both Heads of States anticipated Skycana's early start of commercial flights, which would provide for more opportunities for increased tourism and easier travel into and out of Guyana.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Guyana and India has witnessed a growth of over 300 per cent from 2021-2022 despite the effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, according to the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu.

According to President Murmu, India places a great deal of value upon its relationship with Guyana.

“Guyana has been a homeland to Indian brothers and sisters for the last 180 years. Even though India and Guyana are separated geographically by a large distance, both have many aspects in common, such as a colonial past, predominantly agricultural and rural based economies, and multicultural societ-

ies,” she related.

India’s President then placed emphasis on the need to significantly diversify bilateral trade and noted that a key tenet of India-Guyana relations is the development cooperation. She was pleased to learn that the country's ITEC programme has so far provided training to more than 640 Guyanese government workers.

ECONOMY BOOMING

Apart from the decline in poverty, unemployment, among other issues, President Ali along with his Cabinet Ministers also placed a

lot of emphasis on fulfilling the PPP’s manifesto promises, especially when it comes to providing Guyanese with a better quality of life.

Guyana also managed to make a name for itself and even stood out among its Latin American and Caribbean counterparts owing to massive economic growth, which, according to the World Bank, is projected to hover above 20 per cent over the next three years.

Even in the face of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the 2020 General and Regional Elections, when Guyanese saw the

nation’s democracy at stake, with President Ali’s leadership, Guyana became resilient, even when the odds were stacked against the nation.

Guyana was recorded to be the only country on track to experiencing double-digit growth this year and in the near future. The World Bank had stated that Guyana is set to record real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 25.2 per cent this year, 21.2 per cent next year and 28.2 per cent in 2025.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali receives the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu

Billions of dollars expended to transform Guyana’s infrastructural landscape

IN line with the government’s plan for development, the Ministry of Public Works continues to work assiduously to ensure that infrastructural projects are done in all ten administrative regions.

The subject minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, recently told the Guyana Chronicle that his ministry, and the Government of Guyana, continue to work diligently to improve and enhance the lives of all Guyanese.

According to him, the government is “miles ahead” of what was promised in the manifesto.

“In the first half of 2023, we have been able to get a lot of work done in the communities across Guyana, by ensuring that we provide these communities with proper roads, streets and bridges. Accelerated works were done on

some of the major projects, such as the Ogle/Eccles roads and we were able to get work started on the Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau on the Railway Embankment.

“We were also able to get the project procurement process moving on the Grove to Timehri upgrade, and we have received the approval of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

“I am also pleased to report that we were able to move on getting proprietary work for the procuring of a contractor for the Wismar-Linden Bridge and several other projects that have been completed and are still ongoing, and I can also say that all of our sea defence programmes across the country are in the execution stage,” he said.

While the significant infrastructural developments

have contributed to the enhancement of the outlook of Guyana, Minister Edghill said that Guyanese should look forward to a lot more development within their communities and the country for the remaining six months.

“Guyanese should expect more investments in our road network. We are getting ready to build 300 roads on the East Coast of Demerara, another 100 on the East Bank of Demerara and in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) we will be doing another 300,” he said, adding: “In Region One, we have an allocation for over a billion dollars’ worth of work, which includes all the community roads in the Matarkai sub-districts of Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge and Mabaruma. We will be working on several roads in Region Two

Continued on page 15A

Country’s legal framework significantly enhanced

SURPASSING the usual regional standards and in keeping with its commitment to strengthening Guyana’s legislative framework, the Government of Guyana has passed and enacted 25 bills in 2022 alone.

This was according to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., in a previous edition of “Issues in the News.”

Those 25 new laws, ranging from the Hire Purchase to the Condominium Bills, were all successfully passed through the National Assembly over the course of the year.

The Attorney-General said the feat was significant by any standard around the world, as it represents, on average, two new laws being passed every month.

“That is an average of two pieces of legislation per month. That is a record by any standard…we would have doubled any other country in the Caribbean with that rate of enactment of laws,” Nandlall had related.

He said the Legal Affairs

Ministry is concluding a law revision process – a system that seeks to update the existing framework of lawswhich hasn’t been done since 2012.

“[We are concluding] the revision of the laws of Guy-

ana…the exercise whereby you get all the different pieces of amendments and you insert them into the principal acts that [have been] amended, so when you read that principal act, the amendments are incorporated and it

reads smoothly,” the Attorney General said, adding that the law revision process is a priority area for the PPP/C Administration.

“Law revision is a very important exercise because it keeps the country’s laws

updated. Secondly, it keeps them consolidated, and, thirdly, it makes them accessible and easy to consult. So, it must be done at regular intervals,” he related.

This year, a number of

bills have been tabled and passed in the National Assembly. Those range from the single window bill to the radiation bill.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference last Thursday, said that the much-anticipated Petroleum Activities Bill, along with the new model Production-Sharing Agreements (PSAs), will be tabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly in August.

According to Dr Jagdeo:

“…So, we’ll have a finalised PSA and also the new petroleum activities law, which were the two pre-conditions that we set ourselves before we conclude the bid round [auction of oil blocks].”

The parliamentary recess begins in August, but the new bill should be tabled in the National Assembly at the August 3 sitting.

The PPP General Secretary also said that this provides adequate time for potential bidders to submit their bids.

Billions of dollars expended...

From page 13A

(Pomeroon-Supenaam) as well.”

Along with that, the minister informed this publication that the residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) should also expect significant infrastructure projects, with an allocation of over $1.6 billion.

He also said that more than 40 new roads will be built in the area. According to the minister, the residents of Region seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) should also expect major work on the region’s infrastructure.

“We have an allocation for over a billion dollars to do infrastructural development there in Region Seven, and we will be engaging the residents of Bartica soon,” he said.

Finally, Minister Edghill noted that his ministry is overseeing the completion of the work at the ferry stellings at Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Leguan, Kingston and Bartica, which, according to him, “has been a sloth that we inherited from the opposition.”

He informed that the government of the day was “able to get it restarted, and it will be heavily advanced upon completion.”

Minister Edghill also mentioned that the Morawhanna ferry stelling in the North West District, will soon be completed to facilitate the mooring of the MV MA Lisha, which he said will play a critical role in enhancing transportation, trade, and tourism between Georgetown and Region One.