in custody as Police find gun, ammo, ganja during operations

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Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

End of dollar hegemony?

Aseismic move that might flow from last week’s meeting between China’s President, Xi Jinping and Gulf Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia is news that the latter is actually considering China’s offer to buy oil and gas in yuan. Such a decision, long sought by China, would support Beijing's goal to establish its currency internationally as a substitute for denominating world trade in dollars. This would weaken the US’ overwhelming control over trade and allow China to flex its power along this critical avenue.

The precedent that China is hoping to follow, of course, is the US dollar replacing the British pound sterling after WWII as the major currency for world trade, after two hundred years of dominance. After two World Wars and the Great Depression, the US economy had far surpassed the British, and with the new global financial institutions such as the Bretton Woods IMF and World Bank under their effective control, the dollar was facilitated to become the world reserve currency.

However, as one commentator has argued, “A successor reserve currency would need to have a large enough economy with capital markets open to foreign investors with perceivedto-be-fair trading markets and well-regulated institutions. Foreigners who wind up holding the reserve currency will be subject to the rule of law of the reserve currency country, such as it is. Even if they simply keep it in cash at a bank in their country, they will need either to have a banking licence in the reserve currency country or be a correspondent with one of its banks. And that correspondent agreement will be subject to reserve currency country law. If the foreign party would rather hold securities, the foreign party again has to be mindful of the integrity of securities regulation and the oversight of brokers and exchanges.

Ironically, the US model of highly-efficient markets with investors having extremely weak governance rights helped support the US as a reserve currency. The US could tolerate having foreign investors in public US companies so long as they did not buy a stake in a perceived-to-be-important player big enough to give a foreign owner influence. The US does meddle if that looks likely to happen.

The Euro was once seen as a potential competitor to the dollar, but its protracted post-Global Financial Crisis banking/ sovereign debt crisis, which was never fully resolved, put paid to that idea.

The Chinese renminbi is the logical successor to the dollar, but China does not seem willing to take the steps to have that happen. In the post-Bretton Woods regime, a country wanting to have its currency serve as a vehicle for transactions outside the country (as in independent of bilateral transactions with the country) needs to get it in circulation outside its borders. That means running trade deficits. China (would never be) willing to do that, since a trade deficit is tantamount to exporting jobs. Wage growth and high levels of employment are imperative to the legitimacy of the regime.

China would also need open capital markets, transparent regulation, credible measures to prevent bad practices like front running and insider trading, and at least a reasonable prospect that foreign investors who got into disputes with their bank or broker would be treated not much worse than locals when seeking recourse (as in officials and courts need to realise that giving foreigners too much of the short shrift is bad for business).”

As another analyst concluded, “(D)o not expect some overarching alternative to the dollar as a global reserve currency to be in place any time soon. Institutional stickiness and the relative lack of attractive currencies to hold drive that, as well as the realisation that a Euro/SDR/Keynesian Bancortype arrangement concedes national sovereignty. Instead, we are likely to end up with a multiplicity of arrangements associated with bilateral relationships between “non-dollar” States who may choose to hold each other’s currencies on a portfolio basis, for example.

However, the dollar will likely stay hegemonic as a reserve currency in the “Western” bloc.

Women Power: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali posed with senior female officers of the Joint Services during a cocktail reception on Saturday evening

Youth empowerment – A necessity and driver for critical changes in our communities

Dear Editor,

I wish to bring the above subject matter to your attention and that of the readers by outlining how fundamental this area is for the development and growth of our country. The voices of young people are imperative for changes in society and for a better and brighter future, as they will be the leaders and reapers of the next generation.

Hence, their contributions on matters that involve them should be of highest the value as the decisions and actions that are taken today will shape the future of their tomorrow.

Oftentimes, young people are given the back seat in institutions, organisations, and society in general as they are perceived as not being as experienced and capable as their superiors. However, the more we empower our young people, the more we involve them in decision-making processes, and the more we give them attention and show them interest, only then I believe we can have better leaders of tomorrow. We can only solve the issues our young people are facing by having them play integral roles in our Government and society.

Nonetheless, we can only do this by providing them with opportunities through forums, discussions, and platforms where their voices can be heard. There are many young people who have a passion for change and make worthwhile impacts in their communities or who desire and dream of a better life but their circumstances have limited them and silenced their voices.

It is time that we represent and focus our attention on young people from all walks of society, especially the less heard and marginalised. This is the only way that we will be able to make a difference and meaningful impact.

Moreover, young people are the seeds of today that will flourish into blooming plants of tomorrow but if we don’t water them and give them the right support that they need today, then we will not have anything to look forward to when tomorrow or the future comes. The old generation is passing away and a whole new world has arrived before our eyes. Things have shifted drastically over the past few years and young people are at the pinnacle and focus point of this demanding transformation.

Therefore, instead of suppressing the voices of young people, we should nurture them and offer safe and open spaces for them where they can be able to share their experiences and be creative in leading innovation, development, progress, and growth in their local communities, and at the national and regional level.

The young generation of today should not be stereotyped as too young or immature, for that slang has become a cliché in recent times as this era of young people is much more erudite than many of the older folks.

Hence, the emphasis is on the point that we can only reach these young people by including them at the tables where matters concerning them are being discussed. However, over the course of my time, I have observed that instead of fuelling the passion and enthusiasm of young people, older folks look for ways that they can keep them within their lane and thus, limit their capabilities to grow and soar.

Listening to our young people is crucial in implementing initiatives and strategies to resolve and address issues that affect them today and to prepare them for a greater tomorrow. I, therefore, plead with Government agencies, religious organisations and other institutions to be more considerate when it comes to activities and decisions that can impact and influence the lives of our youths.

Sincerely, Imran Bacchus

The Opposition has gone mad

Dear Editor,

This is the season to be jolly and merry but it seems as though the Opposition is bringing that grinch-like energy.

I say this because today I noticed one of its members or counterparts took to social media to break down the ethnicity of contractors for various sectors. This has left me thinking this is total madness with questions about the mentality of those in the Opposition.

Why are people continuing to push the race card? Why do we need to look at each other's skin colour? Are we still in the 1800s and 1900s? Are contractors to be blamed if they have all the criteria to bid for various works?

The Opposition has little to no merit and worth in this country, they've desecrated the Parliament with their attempts to steal the mace, they tried to do the unthinkable which is they tried to steal an election which is the rights of the people. They fail to realise they have a past of only giving a few contractors jobs.

To add to my dismay of the presenter who is supposed to be someone of intelligence, he's seemingly suffering from selective amnesia they ensured families were on the bread line when they sent home sugar workers!

We're heading into 2023 and if the Opposition thinks in their own little dream world that they will grab votes by playing their only card which is the race rhetoric they are in for a wakeup call.

The PPP/C is developing communities, all communities without looking at skin colour or supporters for a specific party. The PPP/C shall remain in power for at least the next ten Christmases.

Cheers and all the best for the festive season!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022

5 News

Man dumps gun, ammo while escaping Police

The Police are hunting for a man who dropped a firearm and ammunition while evading the lawmen at Crane Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Sunday.

Based on reports received, Police acting on information received went to a popular sports bar at Crane Road, West Coast Demerara, where they observed a male of mixed-race standing in front of the premises with a handgun in his right hand.

As the ranks approached him, the suspect reportedly scaled a fence and ran in an eastern direction.

The ranks reportedly gave chase, but the man had already made good his escape. However, a search was carried out in the area in which the suspect was seen running and a pink cap that the man was wearing was retrieved.

Upon opening the hat, Police unearthed a .38 firearm with its serial number removed. The firearm at the time of the discovery contained three rounds of .38 ammunition.

The firearm which Police found in Crane, WCD

The ranks took possession of the firearm and returned to the Leonora Police Station where both the firearm and ammunition were lodged as evidence.

Driver in custody after Police find ganja in RDC vehicle

Police in Berbice have launched an investigation after a vehicle attached to the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was intercepted with a quantity of marijuana on Saturday evening.

Based on the information received, the vehicle was intercepted by a Police mobile patrol along the East Coast Berbice Highway. Upon coming to a halt, the driver reportedly pushed his head through the window and told the officers that the vehicle belongs to the region.

The officers insisted that a search be carried out on the vehicle, but the driver reportedly sped off the scene, thus forcing the Police to give chase. After driving for about three miles, the vehicle was finally intercepted on the Corentyne Highway.

However, Guyana Times understands that two men exited the 4-runner at Fyrish Village and escaped with a bulky bag, suspected to have contained cannabis.

The Police arrested the driver and also carried out a search on the vehicle, during which three parcels of marijuana were found. The vehicle has since been impounded.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Narindra Persaud when contacted told Guyana Times that an investigation has been launched into to matter by the administration.

4 in custody as Police find gun, ammo, ganja during operations

The gun, ammo and ganja that were confiscated

An intelligence-led operation conducted by ranks from the Guyana Police Force, netted an illegal firearm with matching ammunition along with a quantity of marijuana.

The exercise was carried out by officers from the Force’s Major Crimes Investigation Unit and uniform ranks from Regional Division 4A [Georgetown] between 01:00h and 09:00h on Sunday at an apartment building in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, and at the Stabroek Market, Georgetown.

Four persons were arrested following the discovery.

According to Police reports, at about 03:00h, ranks went to one of the apartments in the two-storey concrete building at Section D, Turkeyen, which is occupied by a 24-year-old shopkeeper and his 20-year-old unemployed brother.

A search was carried out in a bedroom but nothing of evidential value was found.

The ranks then carried out a search in another bedroom during which a rank found a multi-coloured haversack containing one Glock 9mm pistol, one magazine with four 9mm ammunition, and nineteen .32 rounds of ammunition.

There were also 17 transparent plastic bags containing cannabis. The suspect was told of the offences committed and cautioned during which he admitted ownership of the items.

The ranks then went to another apartment, which is being occupied by a 26-yearold unemployed man and a 22-year-old female snackette attendant, where a search was carried out.

There, a black plastic bag was found with a quantity of ganja under a chair. One of the occupants admitted that the items belonged to him.

They were all arrested and taken to Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

A black Honda CG motorcycle bearing registration number CH 5104, which was found at the said address, was also taken to CID HQ and lodged.

Meanwhile, the ranks then went to Stabroek Market where 393 grams of cannabis was unearthed. The cannabis which was found earlier at the two apartments amounted to 528 grams.

Monday, December 12, 2022

06:00 (Sign on) Inspirational Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 07:30 Cartoons 08:00 Stop Suffering 08:30 Stay Woke 09:00 Christmas Cookie Challenge 10:00 Tiny House Hunters 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 Indian Movie - Vikram Vedha (2017) 14:30 The Haunted Hathaway S2 E10 15:00 Indian Soaps 16:00 Henry Danger S5 E10 16:30 Game Shakers S2 E22 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 CNN 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Love & Laughter 21:00 The Voice (NBC) 23:00 Umbrella Academy S2 E2 00:00 Sign off

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Several Canada-Guyana business partnerships formed in just 2 years

– merchandise trade totalled CAD238.2M in 2021 – Women in Business Trade Mission planned for 2023

The Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) is celebrating its two-year anniversary and the fact that in those two years, it has already facilitated the formation of a number of business partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries.

In the two years, significant growth was recorded in trade between the two countries. For instance, in 2021, merchandise trade totalled C$238.2 million between the two countries. In addition, exports to Guyana for 2021 were valued at $28.6 million, while imports from Guyana were valued at $199.6 million

“As a leading trade partner with Guyana for decades, the High Commission of Canada in Guyana wished to further integrate Canadian and Guyanese businesses to support the multiple economic developments in both countries,” a statement from the CGCC said.

“The Canadian High Commission was instrumental in bringing together private sector leaders from Canada and Guyana to form the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber which was launched in December 2020 with twenty-eight founding members, now has sixty-five members and growing, comprising a diverse group of businesses.”

Among the partnerships that have been formed between businesses in the two countries, is the recently announced partnership between Beharry Energy Holdings and Atlantic XL out of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Additionally, a joint venture was formed between Farfan and Mendes Limited and Crosbie Group Limited.

“These are only two of the many business collaborations and investments among the CGCC members. The CGCC CEO, Ms. Treina Butts, works with members to find complimentary local partners as Canadian companies desire to work in Guyana jointly with local partners across several industries.”

“In addition to pursuing partnerships, over the last year the CGCC was represented at trade summits and conferences in both Canada and Guyana and the Chamber also hosted several information sessions to keep members updated about trade-related developments in Guyana and Canada,” the CGCC said.

Activities

The Chamber announced that for 2023, they have several major activities planned, including a Women in Business Trade Mission which will put the limelight on the robust women-owned Canadian and Guyanese businesses. According to them, it will provide them “with a unique opportunity to partner and grow their business in both markets.”

Among the notable activities that the CGCC completed in 2022 was the CGCC Virtual Engagement with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, during which he discussed Guyana’s Budgetary Allocations for the Fiscal Year 2022.

“The CGCC was actively involved in the CanadaCaribbean Trade Event: Growing a Green Economic Recovery – which focused on market opportunities in Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.”

“Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng, visited Guyana during this trade event to cement the trade relationship between Canada and Guyana and met with some of the members of the CGCC who are presently operating in Guyana.”

The Chamber also partnered for a hybrid meeting on Trade & Investment Opportunities between Canada and Guyana – which was a meeting with Minister Mary Ng (Canada), Minister Oneidge Walrond, other Canadian Members of Parliament, and members of the CGCC.

During the meeting, the CEO of the Chamber and Board Members delivered presentations on inclusive business, agriculture, and clean tech as areas of development between Canada and Guyana.

Additionally, the CGCC hosted its inaugural gala and fund-raising event in Toronto which featured Dr Ashni Singh as the guest speaker from Guyana. Attending companies participated in several business-to-business meetings with partners in Canada who were looking to collaborate for investments in Guyana.

“The Chamber organised a virtual Information Session on the Procurement Services of Canada which is key provider of services for federal departments and agencies. The Chamber held a virtual webinar with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and import requirements for agricultural goods.”

“The Chamber hosted a virtual introduction and information session on areas of collaboration for the development with HE Keith George, Guyana’s new High Commissioner to Canada. The Chamber hosted a virtual session with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and Dr Ashni Singh, on the Guyana-Canada M-U for the procurement of goods,” the Chamber also announced.

High Commissioner Mark Berman; Senior Trade Commissioner at the High Commission, Jake Thomas; CGCC CEO Treina Butts and a few members of the CGCC with some members of the Canadian trade delegation that recently visited Guyana

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Corentyne farmer found dead in trench after disagreement with workers

The lifeless body of a Corentyne farmer was on Sunday pulled from a trench at Alness, Corentyne, Berbice. Dead is 49-year-old Burnett Gray, a rice and sheep farmer of Alness Village.

The discovery was made at about 06:00h by his wife in a pasture a short distance away from his home. He was last seen alive on Saturday.

The man’s wife, Althea Pearson, told Guyana Times that there was a disagreement between her husband and some of the workers.

She recalled asking him to remain at her mother’s home while she looked af-

Dead: Burnett Gray Wife: Althea Pearson

ter the sheep.

“A seh 'a coming back and den we gon go and look after business with dem boys'. And I left and go away and look after the stocks [sheep],” Pearson said.

Good Intent man busted with ganja in home

Police have arrested a Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD) man after a quantity of marijuana was found at his home during a raid on Saturday.

A team of Police from the Wales Police Station conducted the exercise in the Belle West, West Bank Demerara community.

During the raid, the 27-year-old unemployed man was seen attempting to escape in the thick vegetation in close proximity to his home.

Upon seeing this, the ranks pursued the man and he was later captured and escorted back to the house, where the ranks conducted a search and the ganja was found.

Also, two music boxes and two DVD players suspected to have been stolen were found in the home. The suspect was escorted to the Wales Police Station where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 80.3 grams.

He is currently in custody at the Wales Police Station pending a court appearance.

According to her, when she returned to her mother’s home, her husband was gone. “I don’t know where he left to go.”

She became worried after some time had elapsed and she did not hear from him. Several villagers were contacted including family members but all of them said they did not see Grey.

However, on Sunday morning Pearson stated that she and an aunt ventured out to look for her husband and it was then the gruesome discovery was made.

“He was a loving person. We go farming together, we graze stock all together... all the way we does be together,” the woman said as she sobbed.

Gray was a father of three. The matter was reported and the body was pulled from the trench. There are no reports that marks of violence were found on the body.

An investigation is underway and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted today.

Taxi driver jailed for causing death of vendor in hit-and-run

An Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast taxi driver was on Friday sentenced to two years in jail after he was found guilty of causing the death of a 63-year-old vegetable vendor.

Ganesh Choonilall, 25, had been on trial at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court for three offences: causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to assist an

Jailed: Ganesh Choonilall

injured person.

At the end of his trial, Choonilall was found guilty of all three charges. On the causing death by dangerous driving charge, a two-year prison sentence was imposed on him.

For failing to stop after an accident and failing to help an injured person, he was sentenced to pay a fine of $20,000 with an alternative of spending one month in prison on each of the charges.

The jail sentences will run concurrently.

On September 15, motor car PWW 2293, driven by Choonilall, was proceeding along the Adventure Public Road, Essequibo Coast, at a fast rate when it struck down Ameer Ally, called “Greens Boy”, 63, of Lot 30 Adventure Public Road, who was walking on the corner of the road.

As a result of the collision, the elderly man fell on the roadway and sustained injuries to his body. The driver drove away after the accident but was later apprehended by the Police.

As such, the injured man was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Development…

…in interior

When you look at a map there seems to so much land available in our interior for agriculture. No… your Eyewitness isn’t talking about the 85% that’s covered with forests and mountainous to boot! But even there, the PNC had tried with Irish potatoes and onions where it’s cooler due to the higher altitudes – but that effort died stillborn like most of their other bright ideas. Like putting billions into a hydroelectric plant on the Mazaruni that only ended up giving the entire Guyana “hydro” to carry around in the form of foreign debt!!

But that hasn’t stopped succeeding Governments and their agri-agencies from keeping on trying – it’s our “Irish Potato” imports that soak up quite a chunk of the foreign currency!! It’s claimed that the transportation challenges are as insurmountable as nearby Mt Roraima! So, we have a chicken-and-egg question to answer on that one. In the meantime, since 2010 we know that the crops can be grown successfully!! This shouldn’t surprise us since even though it’s called “Irish Potato”, it was found by the Europeans in Peru!! Hopefully our effort won’t pan out like the Jamaicans where their local costs on Irish potatoes are SEVERAL times the imported cost!!

We all know that the PNC had tried to cultivate cotton in the intermediate savannahs in their “Feed, House and Clothe the Nation” drive. Like most of the PNC’s ideas for development, implementation was their problem: it failed ignominiously! But this year, a private consortium of four local and one Brazilian companies launched a new effort to cultivate soya and corn to take care of our stockfeed demands. One bit of good news is that the 500-acre experiment was successful and they’re going back on an incrementally-increased acreage trajectory that’s supposed to climb to 17,000 acres!!

Your Eyewitness had read that they were also experimenting, with wheat but he feels they should focus on soya and corn which we KNOW are doable. As one of the partners – which had previously tried cultivating soya there decades ago – found out, the soil’s too acidic and must be neutralised by applying limestone which is alkaline. Some are sure to point out that the Government is investing hundreds of millions in roads and other infrastructural improvements that will benefit the investors. But this is how it's always been to get development going in any strategic manner: the Government must facilitate!

But this raises the question of whatever happened to rice cultivation in the Rupununi – after all that effort put in by the PPP Government a decade ago? Even a combine was sent in to reap the crop and make the Indigenous Peoples self-sufficient in the cereal.

Man can’t live on cassava alone!!

…and labour

Your Eyewitness ain’t an economist, but the world’s economy is what it is, he’s kinda thankful since he can’t be blamed!! After all, one of their most influential members warn us, “Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist”!?! And that’s basically the problem, ain’t it?? Our politicians – who decide for all of us – are still in thrall to some “defunct” economist.

Problem is, the global economy crashed since 2008 – with just a single economist among the million practitioners predicting it – and we still haven’t recovered. Yet all the politicians are yelling “Full steam ahead” as if the icebergs ahead don’t matter!! But right now your Eyewitness’s pet peeve is this: if finance, as a “factor of production” can move across borders unhindered, why can’t that other factor, “labour” move as freely??

Isn’t that gonna lower the cost of labour so companies don’t have to move to the last factor, “land”?? Just askin’ for a friend!!

…in politics

Jump high, or jump low, politics is about trying to get power. In a democracy that’s done by getting the majority of folks to vote for you.

Trouble is, some politicians can’t calculate what’s the “majority”!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM "Men on Mission" hands over brand new home to Herstelling granny

– to build 150 houses for vulnerable Guyanese next year

President Dr Irfaan Ali with Meena Bafan in the new home

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday handed over a brand-new home to 85-year-old Meena Bafan of Herstelling on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), which was built under the recently launched “Men on Mission” (MoM) initiative.

Following an impromptu visit to that community two weeks ago, President Ali had a first-hand view of the unfortunate living conditions of the elderly woman and her grandson and immediately committed to constructing a home for the woman at no cost to her.

With the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the private sector, in particular, GAICO Construction, the reconstruction process commenced.

In brief remarks, the Head of State expressed that the reconstruction of the house is a testimony of

“who we are as a people—as a country when we come together…”

“This is what is going to transform our country, the way we think and feel about each other. When we can come together, people of all persuasions, whether it is political, social, or ethnic… come together and work to deliver good things for the citizens across our country. This is going to help us to cement ourselves as ‘One Guyana’. This is what MoM is going to be about next year.”

According to President Ali, Sunday was not only about celebrating with Bafan, who has been living in the community for over four decades but also open-

ing opportunities for families with house lots who would like to commence building their homes.

He said residents of Herstelling have engaged those who supplied materials for the rebuilding of the pensioner’s home and want to know how they “can build houses like this, this fast; in 10 days”.

As such, President Ali explained, “We are looking to have the banks involved now. The banks are willing to put the financing once you have your land and we would put the team together… a house like this we would work to deliver everything you are seeing here for about $5 million to anyone who has their own land anywhere and that is as a result of the intervention of the private sector.”

He highlighted that the houses are “very, very decent” for that investment.

“So, next year under the Men on Mission umbrella, we are going to launch a massive programme.

We are hoping that through the Men on Mission initiative next year we can build at least 150 houses across the country,” added the Guyanese leader.

And with the construction of new homes, he said

that there will be enough job opportunities.

Expanding the project, the Head of State also posited that the Government will explore the option of providing the Guyanese-Venezuela migrants with jobs.

This, he said, will be complemented by workers from Albouystown, Georgetown, and other similar communities throughout the country. These workers, the President noted, will be trained thoroughly in carpentry and masonry.

Interested persons are urged to contact the offices of the Police Commissioner and the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to register.

President Ali also noted that it is not only Government that should be praised for the initiative but also the private sector. “These guys are willing to actually reduce profit lines and everything for the wood and labour, which is one of the most critical things for us.”

The Head of State also noted that in the new year, there would be a “massive push with community involvement,” which will see all the small pathways and roads rehabilitated.

Tree-planting exercises and other community infrastructure works will also be done by the communities.

“So, while the last two years, we've been focusing heavily on the transformative agenda. I think next year will be a massive push on community development, village development that really pushes people development also.”

He stressed that he does not want MoM to become a reactive initiative but a proactive one that is spread across the entire country. He also noted that on the last Sunday of January, MoM is planning a “Home with Dad” event.

“We're encouraging all fathers to be at home to cook for your family, to spend the entire day with your family, to play with your children, to bring families together... There is absolutely no beauty in becoming wealthy as a country, and we are poor as a people; the way we think, the way we act, the way we behave, the way we socialise, the way we treat our families and our communities.”

The Men on Mission initiative, which was launched on October 28, 2022, by President Ali, was implemented with the intent to reposition the role of the male population in society by tackling major issues such as violence against women and children and being more responsible.

It is also expected to focus on reversing the societal failure to confront critical issues affecting the male population and finding permanent solutions that will pave the way for better men, throughout communities.

Herstelling pensioner Meena Bafan

President Dr Irfaan Ali assisted with demolishing the old structure A new home for Meena Bafan

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Sawariwau Village to get 100% access to potable water by Jan 2023

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues tests the water at the new well

As the Government continues to make the necessary interventions across the country, residents of Sawariwau, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), will get first-time access to potable water by January 2023, as work on a new well in the community is near completion.

This is a commitment made to the villagers during a three-day outreach led by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to various communities in Region Nine back in August.

On Saturday, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues conducted a visit to the construction site to check on the progress of the work.

During a meeting at Sawariwau Community Centre, Minister Rodrigues noted that the interventions across the region are part of the Government’s five-year strategic plan aimed at providing 100 per cent access to potable water across the region.

“But we are going at a rate where we may achieve that before 2025. As we come out in communities and meet with people, we respond… and so, we make resources available to ensure that our people can live more comfortably and that their lives can improve. And that their developments and progress are visible to them,” Rodrigues said.

She underlined that the “One Guyana” vision speaks of inclusivity, therefore, “every household in every community must have access to water”. Minister Rodrigues indicated that the PPP/C Government remains steadfast in its efforts to govern through consultations with the people, which is one of the most effective ways to bring development to communities.

She noted that the proceeds from the oil and gas sector and other sectors are assisting to improve the lives of citizens, through massive programmes which include telemedicine, access to water, cash grants, and the aggressive housing programme.

Residents raised concerns related to road infrastructure, new schools, and internet access. As the Government remains committed to governing through consultations, Minister Rodrigues noted that the issues will be related to the respective Ministries for the necessary interventions to be made.

A quantity of sports gear was also handed over to the residents. Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, the Toshao of Sawariwau, staff of GWI and the Ministry and contractors also attended the meeting.

The Minister and team at the site Minister Rodrigues poses with some of the youths in the village

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Consultations ongoing on possible local content amendments – VP Jagdeo

...says one-year implementation of Act has been a learning curve

Since it was passed in December 2021, the oneyear implementation of the Local Content Act has been described by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as a learning experience for the Government, as they continue consultations on possible amendments to the principal act.

Jagdeo made this revelation during a recent press conference, where he was asked if the Government still intended to make changes to the law. Jagdeo noted that while the law is a landmark one that has proved the naysayers wrong, they are consulting on ways in which the law can be improved.

“We are consulting now on all the issues that are coming up, the problems we have had in its infancy stage. The application. And I’m pleased, people were saying oh you can’t get this done, it’ll be a humbug to the sector, it will slow down the oil and gas sectors, we shouldn’t do this, we should have a policy.”

“A lot of naysayers who didn’t want this at all. Especially the oil and gas companies. They didn’t want a law to force them to do this. They wanted a policy. And we said no, we want a legal basis and penalties for not complying,” Jagdeo said.

He noted that among the excuses companies had proffered was that the law would shut down their operations offshore. However, Jagdeo noted that the Government has demonstrated through the Local Content Act, that it is possible for the industry to survive and thrive even with the legal mandates for local content.

“We showed that it can work, it can serve its purpose without affecting the operations of the company. So having overcome that, because it’s new and most countries didn’t move at the pace we moved, we still have some issues of clarifications, some new regulations to put in place that will give stronger effect or clarity to the law. So, we’re hoping to improve. The one-year experience would help us to improve, to look at the areas where we have or don’t have the capacity in.”

Jagdeo gave the example of insurance for oil companies. He explained that oil companies are required to get their insurance from a Grade A institution. However, if the local companies do not have a Grade A, then this is a conflict.

“Because we’re interested that they have real insurance that you can draw on if anything happens. But if a local body is not classified as a Grade A and the regulatory requirement is Grade A, then even if we put 100 per cent in the local content law, you can’t effectively get it done.”

“So those sorts of things have to be worked through. As I said, it’s also a learning process for us. Because as we implement, we need to improve. So that’s what’s going on now. The process of consultation, getting in all the info,” Jagdeo further explained.

One of the most notorious cases that relate to the Local Content Act is the case of Ramps Logistics. The company, whose parent company is Trinidadian, took the Government to court after its application for a Local Content Certificate was refused on June 8, 2022. It was claimed that the company had failed to meet the requirements of beneficial ownership as defined in the Local Content Act 2021, for a company to be deemed local.

Beneficial ownership is defined as owning 51 per cent of the company. Also, a local company is expected to have Guyanese in at least 75 per cent of executive and senior management positions, and at least 90 per cent in non-managerial and other positions.

Maintaining that it had met all the requirements of the Local Content Act including being a local company incorporat“We showed that it can work, it can serve its purpose without affecting the operations of the company. So having overcome that, because it’s new and most countries didn’t move at the pace we moved, we still have some issues of clarifications, some new regulations to put in place that will give stronger effect or clarity to the law” – VP Bharrat Jagdeo

ed under the Companies Act and beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals, Ramps Logistics (Guyana) filed judicial review proceedings against Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Director of the Local Content Secretariat Martin Pertab (respondents).

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George subsequently ruled that Ramps Logistics is entitled to be issued with a certificate and to be entered into the Local Content Register. The Government issued the company its Local Content Certificate last month, in keeping with that order.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM We must all come together and see ourselves as one people – Minister Croal tells Reg 1 residents

A group performs at the competition

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal ushered in the Christmas season with Region One residents on Saturday evening at the third annual Christmas Tree Light-up and Carolling Competition.

The event was hosted by the Regional Democratic Council’s Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley with Vice Chairperson Annansha Peters and Regional Executive Officer Teka Bissessar all in attendance.

Minister Croal reminded residents gathered that the Christmas season is one that aims at bringing people together and fostering unity. As such, he told them that it is important to put aside differences and come together as One Guyana. "We must all come together and see ourselves as one people," the Minister stated.

He also spoke of a number of Government interventions over the past two years in the education, health, infrastructure and transportation sectors, as well as improved access to employment.

As such, he assured residents that in 2023, the Government will continue to pump more resources into the region to further enhance their quality of life.

“Here in this region we can already see the transformation that has taken place but as we look forward to 2023 with vigour, we also look forward to much more interventions and improvements for our people.”

Minister Croal and other officials also presented special prizes to the regional departments participating in the seasonal competitions. Moruca and Martakai participated in the competition for the first time.

This year's winners of the Group Carolling Competition were members of the Health Department in first place followed by members of the administration department in second place and a team from the education department copped the third prize.

Meanwhile, the RDC secretariat gained the first prize in the Solo Carolling Competition and the Moruca Orchestra and Education Department earned second and third place, respectively. The RDC secretariat also copped first place for the Best Decorated Christmas Building, over the health department and education department at second and third place, respectively.

Following the ceremonial lighting of the tree, toys were also distributed to the children.

Minister Croal and Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley distributing gifts to the children

Human rights, democracy key pillars for building tolerance

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

The Second Human Rights and Sustainable Development Panel Discussion was on Saturday held at Guyana’s inaugural Human Rights Expo, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who spoke on the panel, touched on the importance of democracy and human rights.

“Democracy and human rights are the key pillars, the foundation on which we have a chance in the world to survive, and to be able to provide for our people…. The UN Secretary-General pointed out that we have to work and continually work on creating a more tolerant world.”

She referenced the Government’s initiatives to provide housing, water, food, education, and financial assistance to improve the lives of Guyanese across all ten administrative regions.

While she outlined that there are human rights issues that arise in the country, she pointed to the importance of bodies like as the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Women, and Gender Equality Commission, the Indigenous Peoples Commission, and the Rights of the Child Commission.

“We have not met the criteria of the Paris principles for National Human Rights Institutions. That’s true. We have not made it. We need to build our domestic remedies and our own constitutional bodies to make sure that they can carry out their mandate as outlined in the Constitution, that they are able to be responsive to complaints, and that they are able to win the trust and confidence of the people whom they are supposed to represent.

The Human Rights & Sustainable Development Conference examines human rights and sustainability, and how the two are connected.

Region One’s Christmas tree

The residents turned up in their numbers for the Annual Christmas Tree Light-up

Consumer Affairs Act now available in Mandarin

– to enable Chinese businesses to be compliant with law …copies presented to Chinese Association of Guyana

Representatives of the Chinese Association of Guyana and CCAC display copies of the translated Act

Chinese businesses in Guyana selling durable goods and services will now be au fait with several aspects of their responsibilities as outlined in the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) No 13 of 2011 through the translation of excerpts of the CAA into Mandarin by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC).

The translated Act was presented to the Executive of the Chinese Association of Guyana along with Chinese business representatives on Saturday at the Association’s Brickdam location.

This move comes as several of these businesses were found to be non-compliant with the CAA during the Commission’s inspection based on their acknowledged difficulty with the language barrier of the Act. The Association and business community were represented by its President Stephen Su, Secretary May Cheung, Treasurer Haopei Yang, and member Kwofai Chu along with business representatives Jason Wang and Lili Han. During the discussion at the handover event, CCAC’s Director (ag), Anil Sukhdeo explained that the Commission intends to provide the necessary enabling support to ensure that all businesses comply with the law.

“We have recognised the challenges faced by the Chinese businesses in understanding the Act in English and decided to do the necessary translation, which would ensure both the duties of the supplier and rights of the consumers are adhered to.”

Sukhdeo highlighted that this first translation into another language was also prompted by the many Chinese businesses operating in Guyana.

President of the Chinese Association of Guyana, Stephen Su praised the CCAC for translating the document into Mandarin and meeting with the Association and business representatives.

“The Association appreciates meeting with the CCAC to bring us up to date with the role of the Commission, and we will partner with you to ensure that the document is shared with every Chinese business involved in the sale of durable goods.”

Mabaruma family of 14 homeless after fire destroys home

– fire was allegedly set by 4-year-old playing with matches

The massive fire that destroyed the home in Mabaruma

Afamily of 14 was rendered homeless after a fire ripped through their Mabaruma, North West District (NWD) home on Sunday.

The fire which destroyed the family’s two-storey wooden home was allegedly set by a 4-year-old, who was playing with matches.

Flames and smoke began emanating from one of the bedrooms of the house at about 09:40h and the family was immediately alerted.

The Fire Service was called to the scene at about 10:16h but when they arrived, the home was engulfed by thick black smoke, with flames billowing from the windows.

A senior fire officer told Guyana Times that when they arrived, the firefighters quickly sprang into action. Despite their efforts to save the house, it was completely destroyed, leaving the 14 occupants, including several minors, homeless.

The family was also unable to save any of their belongings.

The child’s mother, Mariella Small, told officials of the Guyana Fire Service that no one was around at the time when her pre-schooler took matches and lit their mattress, which was in the lower flat of the house.

Upon seeing the flames, everyone from the home evacuated the building, and within a short time, the en-

tire house went up in flames. No one was injured, officials said. An investigation in underway.