New Nation, March 2023

Opposition team meets with visiting US Delegation

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The Opposition continues to promote national unity

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Parliamentary Opposition meets with Bipartisan US Congressional Delegation

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Opposition team meets with visiting US Delegation at the US Embassy in Georgetown on Monday 13th March 2023.

On Monday, 13th March, Members of the Parliamentary Opposition, led by the Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, met with a visiting delegation from the United States, comprising Mr. Joe Salazar, Special Advisor to the Vice President for the Western Hemisphere and Mr. Michael Taylor, Deputy Director of the State Department‟s Office of Caribbean Affairs WHA/CAR. The meeting was hosted by the US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch at the US Embassy in Georgetown.

The parties discussed areas of mutual interest and concern including regional security, food and international cooperation within the Americas, the critical role of good governance in functioning democracies, and the importance of a well managed and functioning legislature.

Also in attendance were Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Amanza Walton-Desir, MP; Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Christopher Jones, MP; Leader of the Alliance for Change, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, MP and Mr. David Patterson, MP.

Courtesy calls on the Opposition Leader

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PNCR Lethem Party members reoccupy and reclaim Party Office

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Outreach: Public Meetings and Walkabouts

On Wednesday 29th March 2023, the Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey

C. Norton, MP, was paid courtesy calls by the Mexican Ambassador, H.E. Mauricio Vizcaino Crespo (left photo) and the European Union Ambassador, H.E. Rene van Nes (right photo). Accompanying the Leader were General Secretary of the Party Dawn Hastings-Williams, MP, Party Chairman Shurwayne Holder, MP, Party Vice Chairman and Shadow Minister of Agriculture Vinceroy Jordan, MP, Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Amanza Walton-Desir, MP and Party Central Executive member, Mervyn Williams. The discussions were cordial and mutual.

The CH&PA‟s $54B contracts

Forbes BurnhamCaribbean Man of the Twentieth Century

Stabroek News editorial a few weeks ago titled, “Policing $56.8b worth of contracts”, in relation to recent contract awards by the Ministry of Housing and Water, appropriately sounded the alarm that a lot of that money could “go to waste and be sucked up corruptly unless those who are entrusted as gatekeepers take up their tasks with vigour.” The Leader of the Opposition, at a Press Conference on 9th February this year, raised the very concerns, but in relation to the government‟s entire 2023 capital budget of G$388b. In his statement, the Opposition Leader first alerted Guyanese that “almost all of the G$388B will be filtered through the public procurement system – in other words, through contracts to be awarded by government ministries, state agencies, and regional democratic councils.” Mr. Norton therefore called for the government to put in place measures (i) to minimize corruption and financial mismanagement, and (ii) to ensure equitable allocation of contracts across groups in the society along ethnic, religious, gender, political, and social lines.

On the first issue, the Opposition Leader spoke about the role of the Auditor General and the need for what the SN editorial referred to as real-time audit, but in these words: “the Office of the Auditor General must conduct value-for-money audits for large projects - not only after construction, but also during construction.”

He, however, went further. He highlighted the role of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Mr. Norton reminded the nation that the Guyana Constitution (Article 212 AA) empowers the PPC to “monitor the performance of procurement bodies with respect to adherence to regulations and efficiency in procuring goods and services and execution of works” and “to investigate cases of irregularity and mismanagement, and propose remedial action.” No policing of contracts in Guyana can have an impact without a robust and serious PPC. The public must call on the PPC to urgently fulfil its mandate. Accordingly, SN‟s suggestion that the Opposition Leader should assign his MPs to monitor contracts is unviable as a serious anti-corruption strategy, given the size of the capital budget, the non-existence of staff for MPs, and the absence of appropriate legal powers for MPs.

Lastly, the Opposition Leader, at the 9th February press conference, highlighted the fact that only a narrow section of the population benefits overwhelmingly from contract awards, and therefore measures must now be taken to ensure a wider cross-section of Guyanese can benefit. He reminded the nation that the perceived and actual discrimination and disparity in contract awards were a core “Herdmanston Accord” issue. He therefore restated the need for the contract award system, while remaining fair and competitive, to include special measures to correct legacy and current discrimination and injustices by opening the door for wider participation from underrepresented groups, such as Afro-Guyanese, Indigenous People, women, youths, and owners of small firms.

The PPP government is yet to address these concerns and demands.

This invasion of the PNC Office at Lethem, Rupununi must be seen for its deeper diabolical intent.

Statements from the government side, sections of the media and the PNC itself have not taken cognizance of the whole story and the wider underpinnings. First, the timing of this destruction and the removal of documents including those related to claims and objections is of great significance. The deadline for submission of claims and objections was Thursday, March 2, 2023, the same day on which the building was desecrated.

It is no secret and the facts confirmed from my investigation that Venezuelans were involved in this brutal exercise as we say in Guyana; the ungodly hour at 1:00 a.m. is noteworthy- just like ninjas.

When will we get a credible explanation from the government quarters since they claim they acted legally and properly, why was the exercise not conducted during normal working hours? Why did they choose to move like the proverbial thief in the night?

Claims and Objections documents were removed from the Office, during the invasion, Thursday in the wee hours of the morning by PPP/ Government Officials. A substantial number of objections to the names of alien Venezuelans were in that office. One is only left to surmise the real reasons why Venezuelans, who were alleged to be present during the exercise, were not there for honourable purposes.

This is reminiscent of the circumstances surrounding the genesis of the Rupununi Uprising

when Venezuelans trained at the instance of the Harts and Melvilles, Rupununi citizens to stage the failed Rupununi Uprising of 1969.

Allow me to share my knowledge – there was a derelict abandoned structure, which we believed was one of the staging posts of the insurrection. There was no evidence that the land in question was state property, as the Harts and Melvilles controlled most of the area and there was a gray line between their private property and government property.

Party funds were used to rehabilitate the building in 1975.

The fact that Venezuelans were involved in the removal of documents is noteworthy and Guyanese must not lose the significance of March 2, 2023 by a cabal with the same mentality of the Harts and Melvilles to ensure that the same Venezuelans involved in the Rupununi Uprising are again to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Local Government and later Regional and National Elections.

I have no doubt that Venezuelans in other bordering areas are being used to pad the voters list. I was told yesterday, when I tried to contact the Commissioner of Police to ascertain the role that his ranks had played in this removal of documents and other articles of the PNC Office, that he was in the air on his way to the Rupununi.

This quick movement by the Commissioner of Police is highly commendable, but is there more in the mortar than the pestle?

Yesterday‟s event must be seen in the context of an emerging group with an abundance of money who somehow feel that they now possess the divine rights of Kings and the rest of us are their vassals and subjects with no rights.

I remind all Guyanese that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thursday, March 2, 2023 must go down as a day of infamy, with the same beliefs and philosophy as those who orchestrated the Rupununi Uprising 1969.

$54B contracts

criteria used to award these contracts.

As a Member of Parliament, I am accountable to my constituents and should be able to answer queries of this nature. The PPP/C‟s lack of accountability of our resources must come to an end and they must be reminded that the funds released by the Ministry of Finance are not from the party‟s slush fund.

I have seen publications on the awarding of contracts by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, via the Ministry of Housing and Water and have a few concerns:

1. Budget 2023 was passed on February 2, 2023, less than four weeks and already the Ministry has signed contracts, totaling $54B. My concern is that the analysis, scrutiny and awarding of these projects were quickly done. Something seems off here. I guess the competent authority, being the Ministry of Housing and Water can provide explanations to taxpayers.

2. Many of the contracts signed favour one ethnic grouping. In some cases, one contractor received several contracts. Editor, how can this be fair? The breakdown of these awards confirms the analysis and findings by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Nigel Hughes and Financial Accountant, Mr. Nigel Hinds et al.

3. I have noticed several new contractors in the list published. Like many Guyanese, I would like the Ministry of Housing to make public: names of the principals for these new companies, when were they registered, list all projects done by these companies (this should include sums, period and for which executing agency), for the last five years.

4. What procurement system was used in selecting these contractors? I am requesting that the Ministry make public the process they followed, and

Unfortunately, Parliamentary sittings are farcical, they do not allow for answers to queries of this nature. Questions and motions submitted by Opposition Members of Parliament, are amended, or disallowed with little or no prior consultation by the PPP/ C Speaker, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.

For example, recently, my colleague, Catherine Hughes, MP submitted questions on the very controversial “gas-to-energy project.” Speaker Nadir disallowed the questions, stating that “Mr. Winston Brassington, who heads a department overseeing this project, has provided information at the just concluded, oil and gas conference.”

I have found the actions and decisions by Speaker Nadir to be partial and biased. Questions raised pertaining to releases made against budgeted items are also usually disallowed by the Speaker. Is this Parliament intended to muzzle the opposition? The modus operandi reeks of undemocratic parliamentary conduct.

Several months ago, I publicly requested Minister Collin Croal to make public a chronological list of lands allocated since August 2, 2020 to support his outrageous propaganda about land allocations. To date this information has not been made available.

I hope that in the name of transparency, accountability and good governance Mr. Croal will acquiesce to my request. I also take note of the PPP/C‟s attempt to mislead the public, again, with their misinformation about the reasons behind EITI‟s temporary suspension.

Thursday, March 2, 2023 - a day of infamy with the same beliefs and philosophy as those who orchestrated the Rupununi Uprising 1969

Something seems off with the CH&PA‟s

Government yet to address public concerns about waste and corruption in its capital spending

The Opposition continues to promote national unity

The Opposition APNU+AFC, including the People‟s National Congress Reform have always, and continue to promote national unity and oppose anything that will undermine national unity, including the divisive approach of the People‟s Progressive Party. This has been manifest as we promoted social cohesion in government and continue to do so at present.

As Party Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton was invited to speak at the WPA Public Meeting held on Thursday, 9th March at Buxton Line Top. The PPP seems bent on being dictatorial. The Opposition believes that Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye‟s right to free speech must be respected even though we believe that his language could have been better chosen. The choice of his language is his preserve.

Any attempt to use the law against Mr. Ogunseye will further erode the guardrails of democracy. It will add to the continued violation of the rule of law by the PPP regime. It is apposite to note here that at present there are a number of trumped-up charges against many innocent Guyanese, including those trumped-up terrorism charges. The PPP will do well to promote democracy and stop the slide into dictatorship.

Mr. Ogunseye accurately described

the situation in Guyana and probably out of frustration he went a little too far. The government seems hell bent on using the opportunity to increase their repression rather than to recognise the problems in the society and seek to solve them.

We believe that good sense should prevail and the government should grasp the opportunity to address the problems raised by Mr. Ogunseye. The government buries its head in the sand to its own detriment. Attacking Mr. Ogunseye and the Opposition will not solve the problem.

The PPP‟s call for civil society to condemn Mr. Ogunseye is hypocritical, since it was the same PPP through its Second Vice President that condemned civil society contending that they were not voted for and therefore have no right to petition the government. We reaffirm our commitment to and support for civil society.

The police must not continue to be misused against the PPP‟s political opponents. There is a legitimate expectation that the police should investigate Bharrat Jagdeo for his alleged involvement in fraud and corruption as disclosed in the Vice News documentary. The nation awaits the police‟s action on this matter of critical importance to the people of Guyana.

We are already on record in rejecting outright the government‟s use of the anti-terrorism provision in the Criminal Law (Offences) Act to bring charges against citizens of the country. We have already brought to the nation‟s attention that this anti-terrorism law was introduced as an amendment in 2002 by the notorious Ronald Gajraj, the then Minister of Home Affairs, the mastermind behind Phantom squads and extra-judicial killings.

The PPP government is now wickedly using the anti-terrorism law to deal with alleged misdemeanors and other common criminal offences. The PPP‟s motive is clear: to intimidate and scare citizens from exercising their constitutional freedoms of association, assembly, and peaceful demonstration. Such intimidation of citizens is state terrorism in itself. The law violates basic human rights. It is excessive and counter-productive. We call on decentminded citizens to raise their voices in condemnation.

As we have stated before, the proper course of action to deal with crimes is for the Police Force to be depoliticized, professionalized, and well-equipped.

Turning Guyanese citizens into terrorists is a senseless and depraved approach to crime-fighting.

Our research, however, has revealed

that the anti-terrorism section in the Criminal Law (Offences) Act may no longer exist in the law books. In January 2016, it was completely repealed by the APNU+AFC Coalition government. The Coalition government instead introduced the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist-Related Activities Act 2015 which was expressly intended to fight global terrorism, and not to fight alleged local criminal offenders. As such, the 2015 Act includes provisions, for instance, to combat the financing of terrorism, the creation of safe havens for terrorists in Guyana, the creation of terrorist cells in Guyana, and the use of Guyana as a terrorist training ground.

Furthermore and very importantly, the APNU+AFC, in repealing the Gajraj legislation, redefined “a terrorist act” to largely exclude acts of armed conflict, demonstrations, and protests. The Gajraj provision is silent on that score.

Indeed, internationally, the debate still rages as to what should be considered legitimate public struggle against repressive and authoritarian governments. Under the PPP, Guyana has joined Iran and a few other countries where the government uses terrorism laws to suppress the human and constitutional rights of citizens.

After months of relentless pressure to release the new model PSAs for shallow and deep water blocks, the government has finally given in to Opposition and civil society demands that these documents be publicized. Now, having released the documents, the government is giving the Guyanese people a mere two weeks to review them and raise objections. An agreement of this magnitude should be subject to a much longer period of public scrutiny and should be laid in the National Assembly and debated, before being finalized.

These documents could easily govern over $100 billion USD of oil revenues over the next few decades, and as such are of utmost importance as Guyana seeks to benefit optimally from its natural endowment. The PPP believes two weeks are sufficient for review, just as they believed two weeks were sufficient to review the Natural Resources Fund Bill in 2021. It would appear that the more money involved, the less the PPP wants Guyanese to see these documents. This is a sure sign we are being ruled by a dictatorship and a kleptocracy.

Many must surely be alarmed at Guyana‟s recent suspension from the Extractive Industries Transparency Institute, a suspension which means that the beneficial owners of the companies awarded any oil blocks could be unknown. As a result, we don‟t know who these oil blocks will truly be awarded to. Again, this raises the specter of kleptocracy as the PPP elite could form a consortium with an international oil

company and then award the oil blocks to themselves, their friends, family, or favorites, as is their common practice.

On the other hand, what must international investors be thinking when they see such lack of transparency and accountability in the government and lack of respect for the people and institutions of Guyana? Is it that only the “friends” of Second Vice President Bharat Jagdeo, like Su, will receive “the support,” to quote the Second Vice President? Let us not forget that Su alleges that he paid a “much larger bribe” for an oil company, an allegation that is still to be properly investigated. Will Su make an appearance at the oil block auction, under the guise of a shell company?

How many legitimate foreign investors will be pushed out in order to favor the PPP‟s chosen ones? Many foreign businesses and government delegations visit Guyana with an interest in investing here. How many of them are turned off by a government that prefers to favor its cronies? How many jobs could they have created in a free and fair business environment? Would their investments have lowered the cost of living by encouraging competition? Guyana and Guyanese suffer when businesses are turned off by the practices of an increasingly secretive, arrogant and kleptocratic government. Kleptocracy literally means government by thieves. We must not let the PPP steal the remaining offshore oil blocks. It will entrench an oligarchy that has little interest in the plight of

the average Guyanese. It will amplify inequality beyond measure. It will embolden those who wish to subvert our democratic institutions. If the PPP doesn‟t care about poverty now, imagine how much less they will care from the decks of their yachts. The government must commit to releasing all

beneficial ownership information for awardees in the oil block auction. Further, the government must lay the new model PSAs before the National Assembly for debate. Failure to do so should fill every Guyanese with dread. What kind of future are we facing under the PPP?

The Anti-Terrorism section in the Criminal Law (Offences) Act has long been repealed: the government must drop all terrorism charges

Guyana is on the brink of becoming the world‟s newest kleptocracy

Party Activists protesting the detention of Ms. Robin Simon who was arrested and charged for alleged acts of terrorism at Mon Repo market.

RDC of Region #10 urges drains first to protect new roads

As we welcome the improvement of the road network in Linden with the completion of the first concrete road, the Regional Democratic Council - Region 10 sees this as yet another demonstration of Central Government‟s refusal to engage the elected representatives of the people of Region 10 on important issues that will affect our residents.

The RDC had taken a unanimous resolution at its statutory meeting on October 8th, 2020, to ensure that the construction of drains MUST come BEFORE the construction of roads in this hilly, sand and clay Region. Our residents know only too well what happens when the hard surface of a road is constructed and water is channeled along that surface before hitting sand along the road shoulders. Even worse is when the water takes the path of least resistance along the sides of these roads where there are no drains; the examples of destructive erosion like this are plentiful around this town. However, the Ministry continues to forge ahead executing these projects

with no consultation with the Council, using our tax dollars to put us in a situation where a few months from now residents will be calling on the Council to address erosion along this road. Interestingly while the Council was unaware of this activity, the Regional Executive Officer who is responsible for executing this resolution of the Council and communicating same to the Government, is pictured at the ribbon cutting ceremony along with the Minister whom he should have advised of the Council‟s resolution to spare our residents the negative effects of runoff from these roads.

As we approach the months of May and June, the Council would recommend the correction of this oversight through the urgent construction of attendant drainage to spare our residents the hardship experienced elsewhere.

With the continued growth and expansion of Amelia‟s Ward the government needs to survey the area and establish adequate drainage networks here and in other areas in the Region.

Walkabout in Dartmouth

On Sunday, 26th March, Party Chairman Shurwayne Holder, MP, conducted a walkabout in the community of Dartmouth on the Essequibo Coast, Region #2. He was accompanied by the Party Regional Chairman Mr. Prince Holder, Party Activist Saheed Yassin and other Party comrades from Dartmouth.

One of the new roads in Linden

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, met with Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis in the Bahamas on Friday 3rd March 2023. The discussions were mutual and cordial and the Leader took the time to brief the Prime Minister on the current political situation in Guyana.

Parliamentary Opposition meets with Bipartisan US Congressional Delegation

On Friday, March 17, a Delegation of Parliamentary Opposition led by Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, met with a Bipartisan Congressional Delegation from the US House Ways and Means Committee.

Accompanying Mr. Norton were Christopher Jones, Opposition Chief Whip; Amanza Walton- Desir, Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs; David Patterson, Shadow Minister of Natural Resources; and Vinceroy Jordan, Shadow Minister of Agriculture.

The US Delegation was led by Chairman of the Committee, Congressman Jason Smith. Other members of the visiting US Delegation included Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep. Carol Miller (RWV), Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-GA), Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH), and Repre-

sentative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND).

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch also accompanied the delegation.

The parties discussed areas of mutual interest and concern including the deepening of Guyana-US relations, partnerships for future development of Guyana and the need for strong democratic institutions and equitable and inclusive governance.

A Reception was held in honour of the visiting delegation on Friday evening at the US Ambassador‟s residence.

Opposition Members of Parliament who attended the reception were Hon. Amanza Walton-Desir, Hon. Roysdale Forde, Hon. Christopher Jones and Hon. Vinceroy Hansel Jordan. Also in attendance were Mayor Ubraj Narine, Elson Low and Randolph Critchlow, among others.

Parliamentary Opposition meets with a Bipartisan US Congressional Delegation

At the reception held on Friday evening, 17th March 2023.

Opposition Leader meeting with a member of the delegation.

Forbes Burnham - Caribbean Man of the Twentieth Century

August 6, 2023 will mark thirty-eight (38) years since that day when the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham passed away in the Georgetown Public Hospital, after what was expected to have been a brief stay for technical but manageable surgical procedure. But it was perhaps appropriate that the nation's Head of State, later to be voted Caribbean Man of the Twentieth Century, should breathe his last there, rather than in some highly-regarded institution overseas. It was his life's philosophy after all, that what was good enough for the citizen of modest means, was also good enough for their President. His decision to have his surgery done there must be seen then, as a double statement; first, as suggested above, and second, as a vote of confidence in our own institutions and their professionals.

Self Reliance

This was the L.F.S. Burnham, after all, who so often pointed out that in those trying times, he would never have on his table, any of those foreign products which, by reason of the strictures of the period, were not available to the general citizenry, except by ways outside the legally approved routes. Of course he did hazard a suspicion, at the time, that there might have been some, even in his Government, who might have been giving mere lip service to that theme of "eat what we produce and produce what we eat".

Colossus

The late Mr. Burnham has of course, been reviled in any number of ways, and by a great variety of persons. Even some former associates have been among these, some after he had found them to have been less than reliable and they had slipped out of Guyana a mere step or two ahead of his avenging

arm. Some of his detractors of course, merely regurgitate what they might have heard, the more fantastic the merrier, because it suits their immediate agenda; and some, one can be sure, do so on the basis of their tremendous envy for the man who so eminently bestrode, like a colossus, the political landscape of the time. They both feared and hated his very name. This however, was the Burnham who walked and lived what he said. The Guyana Trade Union movement was, for example, promised his guarantee of that loan from the American Institute for Free Labour Development (AIFLD) after such support had been bluntly refused by the then PPP administration headed by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The Tucville community is alive today, even though Mr. Burnham was surely disappointed with some of the obvious misdeeds that took place after he got into power and the loan was sponsored by his regime.

Feed, Clothe, House

It was Mr. Burnham's confidence in things Caribbean and Guyana's place in such a scheme of things, which resulted in the launching the Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) here in Guyana, in the year 1972. It was a project which indicates what could be achieved with good faith, sensible planning, a tremendous degree of ingenuity, and having the right team. It resulted in many things for the nation. Festival City in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was born, as a continuance to the theme of Feed, Clothe and House (FCH).

Testimony

The National Cultural Centre, once a rather sore point for descendants of indentured Indians (and understandably, since unused money for their remigration was included in the funding of this construction) nevertheless has come to represent a prime location for entertainment, social cohesion and cultural interchanges for the still emerging nation. It stands as a lasting edifice to forward planning and as testimony to the competence of Guyanese contractors, in this case, S. Nabi and Sons.

Dream

Discussion of Carifta must raise thoughts about Mr. Burnham's vision of a viable Caribbean Community. That man must however, be turning in his grave now, in disappointment at the fits and starts, the back-pedalling, the myriad excuses that stymie any progress towards real attainment of Caribbean integration as aimed at by him with the other two Bs - Bird of Antigua and Barrow of Barbados, way back three decades ago. We know that the dream at that time was for full and complete integration - a project aimed at promoting, in the shortest possible

time, a strong, cohesive Caribbean, ready and able to withstand and repel what, even then, promised and threatened to become the kind externally generated shocks like the Banana dispute generated by the USA, and the recent sugar price cut from the European Union (EU).

Bread-basket

But you must know that Mr. Burnham's projected diversification of Agriculture, i.e., making Guyana the "breadbasket of the Caribbean" could easily have resulted, at this time, in blunting the effect of the EU action. That idea and start to the Other Crops Division was a brilliant anticipation of things to come.

We could have easily laughed in the face of the EU decision - except that some people who would dismantle anything started by Burnham did exactly that with the Other Crops Division of GUYSUCO, and have hurt, not Mr. Burnham, but almost all Guyana, especially those who are directly dependent on the wages deriving from production of sugar!

Opportunity

It would take volumes to write about THE MAN - Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. His projected and finally destabilized dream of a Mazaruni Hydroelectric Plant was seen by many as certainly a dream far ahead of his time. It would have meant however, smelting our bauxite right here in Guyana - and that would not have suited some people! Guyana would today, have been free of blackouts; free of concerns about the current oil price crisis; able to boost industrial activity.

But you know what? Burnham is gone. We, Guyanese, let him down too. Well, we have another opportunity next year. Please, O please, let us not miss this opportunity!

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, OE, SC

7th February 1966 - Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their arrival at a reception given by Forbes Burnham, Prime Minister of Guyana which was held in Georgetown, British Guiana.

Guyana Prime Minister Forbes Burnham presents England cricket captain Colin Cowdrey with a set of stamps commemorating the test series on 1st April 1968 at the start of the fifth and final West Indies MCC test at Georgetown.

Easter Monday, 10th April 2023 from 12:00 pm (Noon)

BBQ

Pork,

CENTENNIAL BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FORBES BURNHAM

BURNHAM - Politician, Visionary, Statesman (Pt. 2)

Apart from Tyrone Ferguson's book, "To Survive Sensibly or to Court Heroic Death - the management of Guyana's Political Economy 1965-1985" there has been no attempt by the academic community or the society at large to objectively determine Burnham's true place in the history of Guyana. When such an assessment is done it will have to be concluded that Burnham's role in the political development of Guyana from his return in 1949 to his death on August 6, 1985 was a critical, if not seminal one Between 1964 when he became Premier and 1985, Burnham initiated major changes in the politics and society of Guyana.

Scholar

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was born to a Headmaster father and a devout Christian mother on February 20, 1923. His scholastic career is one of the outstanding features of his life. He went from Kitty Methodist School to Central High School and then to Queen's College where he won the coveted Guyana scholarship. The war prevented him from proceeding to University overseas and he therefore read externally for a degree from London University. After the war, he proceeded to read Law at Gray's Inn, winning the best speaker's cup in the process. But the Law could not hold him. Politics was in his blood. Several Caribbean Leaders, especially Errol Barrow of Barbados have testified how Burnham and others "tired the sun with talking" on all subjects political. The destiny of Guyana and the Caribbean Region claimed his attention. Left wing politics seduced him and soon Burnham was involved with the youth arm of the Communist party of Britain and the politics of the Caribbean students.

Charisma When Burnham returned home therefore in 1949 he had clear ideas as to where he wanted to go politically and ideologically. When Jagan, who had returned home earlier, invited him to form the People's Progressive Party in 1950, he grasped the opportunity with both hands. He passed over Ashton Chase for the chairmanship of the party and soon became its intellectual motor, Jagan deferring too him on many issues on public occasions. But Jagan and his wife knew what they were doing. Not only did they seek to harness Burnham's impressive academic qualifications to the banner of the party but more particularly they recognised there was a need for "dual charisma" as the PPP was week in the urban areas. This is an important point. Ms. Jagan had admitted in the PPP's organ, the Mirror, that racial tension and friction occasioned the need for two leaders. One must remember at all times that Burnham was originally invited by Jagan to become leader of the PPP on his return to Guyana but this was dishonoured at the first congress of the party.

New Party

Burnham has confided to many of his close colleagues that while he could respect Jagan's charm and the down-

to-earth nature of his character, he was less enamoured of his abilities. He therefore found it galling to play second fiddle to Jagan after the historic PPP win in the 1953 elections. After the suspension of the Constitution later in 1953 and the holding of a congress by Burnham at the Metropole Cinema in February 1955, relations between Burnham and the Jagans hit rock bottom. Burnham and his supporters were expelled from the PPP and by 1957 Burnham had formed the People's National Congress (PNC). Defeats at the 1957 and 1961 elections persuaded Burnham to seek alliance both internally and externally. In particular, Burnham collaborated with Peter D'Aguiar and the United Force (UF) who had become a political force after the 1961 elections. Poor decisions taken by Jagan in 1962 and 1963 led to riots in Guyana and the imposition of a system of Proportional Representation. Jagan's goose was cooked. Burnham emerged as Premier after the elections of 1964.

New Constitution

An important phase in Burnham's political career had begun. He sought to establish mutual respect for all cultures, all religions and customs by revising the system of national holidays, visiting communities and practising what he termed "participatory democracy". But as time passed it was clear that he was uncomfortable with the coalition with D'Aguiar. By 1967 the PNC and the UF parted ways. The PNC won the 1968 elections and Burnham immediately signaled that he wanted to transform Guyana. After the inauguration of the Republic in 1970, he took a number of important measures which ended with 80 percent of the economy coming under state control. A programme of national self-reliance was put in place and luxury items were banned. All of this was matched by a brilliant foreign policy, emphasising Non-Alignment, Regional Integration and which saw the recognition of China in 1971, Cuba in 1972 and unrelenting support for the Liberation struggle in Southern Africa By 1978 Burnham had taken steps to revise the 1968 Constitution and a new constitution was promulgated in 1980.

Hostility

But the economic crisis which started in 1973 had a serious impact on the economy and this caused Burnham to take a number of critical measures, which were far from popular. As he opened the final chapter of his career as President of the Republic Burnham had to battle a declining economy, the hostility of western powers and an opposition which did not conceal the fact that they intended to overthrow him. In the end the mighty heart was still and death came on August 6, 1985. But Burnham had left a nation that was more self-confident, more respected by the regional and international community, its infrastructure enhanced and agriculture expanded, among other things. This was more than sufficient for one political life.

Indian Festivals under the Founder Leader Burnham became national events. In this picture Prime Minister is being welcomed at a Phagwah festival by a member of the Hindu community.

Sporting an Amerindian head wear, Prime Minister Burnham chats with a delegate at the first Amerindian Conference. The event occurred during a reception at the Prime Minister’s residence in 1969.

The 1763 Monument - Unveiled on Sunday 23rd May, 1976 to mark the 10th Anniversary of Independence of Guyana.

Criminal action by the PPP on the demolition of the PNCR Regional Building at Lethem

PNCR Lethem Party members reoccupy and reclaim Party Office

On Saturday 4th March 2023, the General Secretary of the PNCR, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, MP, and Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Darren Wade travelled to Lethem to carry out a decision of the PNCR Central Executive Meeting which was held the day before. Together with local party leadership and members, she oversaw the reoccu-

pation and reclaiming of the PNCR Lethem Office. A meeting was held in the demolished building and local party members cooked and held other activities in the Party office compound. Party members also began to reconstruct the building where the damage was done.

(See photos below.)

The PNCR condemns in the strongest term the demolition of the Party‟s Regional Building at Lethem in the early hours (approximately 1:00 am) of Thursday morning (March 2nd) by the agents and thugs of the People‟s Progressive Party and the Irfaan Ali-led regime under the watch of the Guyana Police Force. Items belonging to the Party that were in the building were also seized during this unlawful operation. The PNCR deems the government‟s action as state terrorism.

This action is consistent with the pattern of disrespect for the rule of law and democracy that has been displayed by the Irfaan Ali-led regime. Clearly, their belief is that they are above the law and accountable to any of the state‟s institutions.

These actions are dangerously provocative and it is clear that the PPP‟s aim is for total dominance and control. Moreover, this criminal action is inconsistent with Irfaan Ali‟s mantra of “One Guyana. The Party has been in possession of this property for approximately fifty (50) years and its rights to ownership and possession have never been disputed.

The Party has instructed its officials in the Region to make a police report and calls upon the Commissioner of Police to ensure that there is a fair and impartial investigation into this matter.

The Party is in the process of informing the diplomatic community of this egregious act by the PPP/C government.

Statement to the Diplomatic Community

RE: DEMOLITION OF PNCR REGIONAL OFFICE IN LETHEM, REGION #9 BY THE PPP/C ADMINISTRATION

March, 2nd, 2023

On Thursday March 2nd, 2023 at 1 AM EST, agents of the PPP/C Administration accompanied by members of the Guyana Police Force, descended upon, looted and demolished the office building at Lethem, Central Rupununi occupied by the People‟s National Congress Reform (PNCR) since 1976, some 47 years. Officers of the PNCR who arrived at the scene were assaulted by the Venezuelan nationals hired to carry out the demolition under the supervision of ranks from the Guyana Police Force. The relevant police reports have been made. All of the Party‟s records, documentation and reports containing membership information have disappeared; office equipment, tools and other material have been destroyed. Eleven (11) barrels containing food and clothing items donated by overseas Guyanese for distribution to indigent communities have vanished without a trace. Importantly, the Objections Report due to be submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission by 18:00 hrs today March 2nd, 2023 has vanished, placing our ability to meet the stated deadline in clear jeopardy.

The right against the deprivation of property without due process of law is a fundamental tenet of the law and of civilized society. We consider these actions by the PPP/C government a deliberate attempt to set Guyanese on a collision course and calculated to foster unrest.

These acts which can only be described as state sanctioned terrorism against its political opponents cannot go unnoticed nor uncondemned by the Diplomatic Community.

Please accept assurances of my highest regard,

Hon. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs

PNCR condemns the arrest of its Party officials at Lethem

PNCR strongly condemns the arrest and the charging by the Lethem Police on Wednesday 8th March 2023 of Mr. Carl Parker and other regional Party officials. The arrests and fictitious charges are in connection with the criminal destruction of the PNCR Lethem Office by the PPP REO and the efforts by Mr. Parker and others to legitimately defend the property

rights of the Party.

The Party will oppose these latest PPP maneuvers legally and politically. Neither the PNCR Party nor its regional activists will be intimidated by PPP bullyism and malice. We remain steadfast and confident that the law, justice, and the support of fair-minded people of Lethem and Guyana will prevail on our side in this entire matter.

The destroyed PNCR Party Office at Lethem, Region #9.

Hon. Amanza Walton-Desir, MP

Party General Secretary, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, MP, and Mr. Darren Wade arriving at the Party Lethem office on Saturday 4th March 2023.

A meeting being held at the Lethem Party office. With the General Secretary at the head table is Party Regional Chairman, Mr. Johnny Welshman

PUBLIC MEETINGS

The series of walkabouts and public meetings by the APNU continued around Georgetown to sensitize the public on the present political situation in Guyana and to address important issues and matters of concern to them. Below are photos of our last two public meetings at James Street, Albouystown on Sunday 5th March and Bent and Hardina Streets, Wortmanville on Friday 10th March.

A section of the gathering at the Albouystown public meeting.

Dr. Karen Cummings, MP addressing the gathering at the public meeting.

Another section of the gathering at the Albouystown public meeting.

Christopher Jones, MP addressing the gathering at Wortmanville public meeting.

A section of the gathering at the Wortmanville public meeting.

Party Leader, Aubrey C. Norton, MP, addressing the gathering at Wortmanville public meeting.

Attorney Darren Wade addressing the gathering at Wortmanville public meeting.

Five key links between climate change and health

As the latest IPCC report on how climate change is affecting the world shows, the consequences of a rapidly warming earth are devastating to human health. We need urgent action.

Human activity has warmed the planet by 1.1°C which has caused unprecedented changes to the Earth's climate, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released this week.

From rising sea levels to more extreme weather events to fast disappearing sea ice, the planet is changing quicker than people and animals can adapt to the change, leading to significant damage to our health and wellbeing.

Moreover, certain populations, such as the elderly, children and those with existing health conditions, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Additionally, low-income communities and indigenous populations may be disproportionately affected by climate change because of limited access to healthcare and greater exposure to environmental hazards.

The good news is that despite these devastating consequences, there remain "multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now," said scientists writing in the IPCC report.

The report calls for the mainstreaming of health into food, infrastructure, social protection, and water policies, including strengthening public health programmes, increasing health systems resilience, reducing exposure of water and sanitation systems to flooding, improving surveillance and early warning systems and vaccine development.

What it requires is significant individual and government commitment to reversing some of these effects of climate change on human health – here are five key links between the two.

1. Greater spread of insect-borne diseases

Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are enabling the increased spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue, West Nile virus and Lyme disease as the mosquitoes and other insects that carry them are able to expand their habitat. For instance, changing temperature and rainfall across Africa could increase yellow fever deaths by up to 25% by 2050

Data suggests that malaria-carrying mosquitoes have already been able to move into more temperate regions, and over the past century have elevated their range by about 6.5m per year and away from the Equator by 4.7km every year. A malaria vaccine is now being rolled out in high-risk areas, and while a dengue vaccine is available, it is not accessible worldwide.

2. Water and food scarcity can mean malnutrition and greater disease

Climate change can affect the availability and quality of water and food resources. This can lead to dehydration and the spread of water-borne diseases as clean water becomes even more scarce – about half the global population currently contends with severe water scarcity for at least one month per year. Global warming can also affect crop yields, which can lead to food shortages and price increases, which leads to malnutrition. Being undernourished weakens the immune system, putting people at greater risk of disease, making it even more important to ensure routine immunisation against key childhood diseases, and to be able to respond to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as cholera.

3. Increasingly poor air quality can cost lives

Warmer temperatures can lead to increased ground -level ozone formation and worsened particulate matter pollution. And this isn't just a few parts of the world that might be perceived as polluted – according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2019, 99% of the world's population was living in places where the WHO's 2021 air quality guidelines were not met.

World Cancer Day 2023 - Close the Care Gap: Uniting our Voices and Taking Action

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 4 February 2023. Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death. No part of the world has been spared the impact of this public health issue. In the Caribbean, cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for a fifth of all deaths. In 2020, over 100,000 new cancer cases and over 65,000 cancer deaths in the Caribbean were estimated. Female breast cancer accounted for the most cancer cases in the Caribbean (15%), while lung cancer caused the most cancer deaths (12%). Prostate, colorectal and stomach cancers are also common.

“Up to 50% of cancer cases are preventable, and 27% of cancers relate to alcohol and tobacco use. People can reduce their risk of getting certain types of cancer by adopting healthy lifestyles and practicing suitable health seeking behaviours,” stated Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Adopting healthier behaviours can help to reduce your risk of cancer.

 The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer

 Avoid tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke

 Increase physical activity

 Eat foods low in salt, sugar and harmful fats Worldwide, cancer is the second leading cause of death, causing one-sixth of all deaths. In 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases, with breast, lung, prostate, skin and colon cancers being the most common; and there were 10 million cancer deaths in that same year.

CARPHA is engaged in initiatives to address the risk factors associated with increased cancer risks, including poor nutrition and the consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco. CARPHA also supports regional efforts to reduce the threats posed to Caribbean people by unhealthy diets, obesogenic food environments and the harmful use of alcohol.

The IARC Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub (“Caribbean Hub”), based at CARPHA Headquarters in Trinidad, provides technical support to increase the quality and population coverage of national cancer registries in the Caribbean through guidance, training, networking and advocacy for the critical role of such registries in cancer surveillance and cancer control. Cancer registration activities in several Caribbean countries are also being strengthened. Better quality cancer data pro-

vides more reliable evidence to support decision making for cancer prevention and control at the national and regional levels.

As the three-year 2022-2024 World Cancer Day theme, “Close the Care Gap” continues, we focus on “Uniting our voices and taking action” in 2023. This campaign seeks to close the equity gaps in cancer outcomes between people with different social determinants of health, such as race/ethnicity, income level, gender and geographical location through a united approach and taking action. To help address these issues, a whole of society approach is needed to close the gap in inequities. This means collectively taking action and committing to health equality so that everyone has the same opportunity to prevent cancer, find it early, and get proper treatment. Primary health care delivered in communities needs to be strengthened; social and economic factors that negatively affect people‟s health need to be addressed through policy and programmes, and investments in health care systems and national programmes are needed.

It is important to support and advocate for the collection and dissemination of high-quality data on cancer incidence, mortality, and treatment to ensure evidence-based decision-making for improvements to national cancer control programmes. Additionally, investments in strategies can help improve cancer outcomes, such as universal health coverage, primary health care, early detection, timely referral mechanisms, effective treatment, and palliative care.

Cancer is a critical public health concern. When we unite, when we collaborate, change is within reach. When we act, there is progress, impact and equity. Let us close the gap.

(CARPHA.org)

Poor air quality can have significant impacts on human health. Pollutants in the air can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma and make people more vulnerable to diseases like COVID-19. But poor air quality is also linked to diabetes, heart disease and cancers. New research suggests air pollution may also affect the brain and be linked to developmental problems in babies.

Already, UNEP data indicates that air pollution has contributed to an estimated seven million premature deaths every year. In 2019, around four million people died from exposure to fine particulate outdoor pollution, with most deaths in East Asia and Central Europe.

4. Displacement and migration is putting people at risk

Climate change is leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events such as intense heatwaves, wildfires and floods. These can not only cause humanitarian emergencies and a loss of life, but can also lead to displacement and migration, particularly in low-lying coastal areas and areas prone to extreme weather events.

Population movement can lead to a greater risk of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and poor sanitation. Many migrant populations have little or no access to healthcare, especially to geographically static health interventions such as routine immunization or maternal health programmes, which means they miss out on essential healthcare, putting them at greater risk of disease.

5. Climate change is affecting mental health

Global warming is damaging our mental health in a myriad ways. Extreme weather events trigger population displacement that can cause increased stress and damage people's mental health as they are constantly on the hunt for resources such as food, water, shelter and access to healthcare. High temperatures, and especially heat waves, have several negative effects on mental health such as a rise in depression and anxiety, and there is a proven link between rising temperatures and suicide attempts. Data indicates that for every 1°C increase in monthly average temperature, mental healthrelated deaths increase by 2.2% (GAVI.org)

Walkabout in Albouystown Walkabout at Vergenoegen, Region #3

On Tuesday, 28th February, a team led by Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition and, including Members of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, Christopher Jones, Nima-Flue-Bess, Annette Ferguson, Dr. Karen Cummings, and Dawn Hastings-Williams, General Secretary of the PNCR, visited the Albouystown community. The purpose of the visit was to assess the state of the community, which has been plagued by poverty and poor infrastructure and neglected by the PPP administration.

During the walkabout, the team witnessed first-hand the appalling conditions in which the residents of the community are living. They listened to the concerns of the youth who spoke out about the lack of opportunities, crime, and neglect of infrastructure in the area. The team pledged to advocate at the highest level for relief to be brought to the community.

As a political party committed to the

welfare of all Guyanese, the PNCR is outraged by the appalling conditions in Albouystown. The PPP administration has failed miserably to provide basic services and infrastructure to this community, and we are committed to fighting for a better future for its residents.

The team's visit to Albouystown is just the beginning of our commitment to advocating for change in this community. The walkabout gave an opportunity for residents to engage and interact with the team and discuss their concerns further.

The PNCR is committed to ensuring that all Guyanese, regardless of where they live, have access to the basic services and infrastructure they need to lead fulfilling lives. We will continue to hold the PPP administration accountable for their neglect of communities such as Albouystown.

A public meeting was held on Sunday (5th March) at James Street, Albouystown.

Vergenoegen residents demand the fixing of the koker

On a recent visit to Vergenoegen by the Opposition, residents complained that the Truck Line Canal that drains Vergenoegen is completely silted up (photographs are available). The residents are demanding that the government hurtle to have this situation rectified.

In addition, residents pointed out that the koker for the said canal is in a state of disrepair (photographs are available). The residents are calling on the government to repair the koker having noted that as soon as it rains that area in the community is flooded,

affecting the livelihood of the residents.

The Opposition Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Vinceroy Jordan, MP, has dispatched a letter to the Minister of Agriculture requesting his speedy intervention.

Residents also expressed concern that the subvention allocated to the NDC for 2022 was not to their knowledge utilized. They are seeking an explanation as to why it was not utilized, was it returned to the consolidated fund and what is the present status of the subvention?

Walking through Albouystown.

An ardent fan of the Party Leader.

The deplorable state of one of the streets in Albouystown

A walkabout was conducted at Vergenoegen, Region #3, on Wednesday 22nd March 2023 by the Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, and Team.

The koker in a state of disrepair.

The silted canal

By Elder Hamilton Green, OR

Returning with my wife after an overseas trip we were welcomed with a large sign at Rahaman‟s Park, with Dr. Cheddi Jagan‟s photograph stating „Father of the Nation.‟ To many of us, this may seem a simple irritant to be ignored, but knowing the proclivities of the governing PPP elite, this is an effort, not only to distort our history but to burnish the image of the ruling elite to our youths or visitors and those with short memories to disregard another who has made a greater contribution to nationhood.

Let me make it clear, since my days in secondary school, I‟ve admired Dr. Jagan for his courage and contribution, for changing our country from a colonial outpost to a full-fledged nation state.

However, to ordain him „fatherhood‟ is too great a bestowal. Here I share the views expressed by his son, Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jnr) published in SN, Wednesday 22nd March 2023 in which he said and I quote, “The people of Guyana now own Jagan, not those who will use the name for their benefits – the soul of President Cheddi and his honesty, integrity and humility will fan the flames of resistance against poverty, despair and injustice which still exists in our beloved country.” Therein is the problem.

Those in the PPP with feeble morality now seek to use Jagan as a propaganda tool. This is the problem, the ruling elite suddenly remembers his birthday after being asleep for four years and as one who has been in the hustings for seven decades, on Thursday March 24, 2023 at a Press Conference at Congress Place, I asked the Leadership of the PNCR, to request that expensive Billboard to be removed.

At that Press Conference, in response to a question I offered the name of one who may better deserve the title of Fatherhood. No man is perfect. To begin, Dr. Cheddi Jagan failed to attend, in spite of being persuaded by external and internal forces, some within his own party, to attend the Independence Conference held at Lancaster House in 1965 where the details and the date of Independence were discussed and settled, which established us constitutionally as a Nation. What sort of father is not being present to take part in the identification of our elevation to Nationhood?

Implementation of the Waddington Report, which for the first time allowed ordinary folks to vote. JaganBurnham PPP won the elections in 1953. Queen Elizabeth II coronation was fixed for June 2 and all the legislatures in the British Commonwealth sent pledges of loyalty and congratulations; our legislature, at the instance of Dr. Jagan, he did not. Forbes Burnham noted that this was a misjudgment.

Later that same month, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed for allegedly selling atomic secrets to the

Soviets. Burnham and others felt we should not go beyond talking about the sanctity of life. However

Dr. Jagan, like others, was critical of the trial.

Dr. Jagan‟s wife, Mrs. Janet Jagan‟s family‟s name was Rosenberg and this fact was used against the newly elected PPP Government. Using the boogeyman of communism and the fear that the Jagan-led government would turn Guyana into communist outpost, the British sent troops and suspended the whole Constitution dismissing the sixelected Ministers.

Fatherhood must ensure that you say or do nothing to compromise the welfare of the family and their objective.

In our case, the main goal was Independence. In 1955, when the group met at Bandung, it was to set the stage for the establishment of the NonAligned Movement, formalized in September 1961 at Belgrade. The NonAligned Movement - NAM - was intended to “create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers.”

In other words, that our bauxite, copper, diamonds, gold, timber, marine resources, gas and oil should not be capriciously harvested to the disadvantage of citizens. Dr. Jagan was not particularly enthusiastic, but Burnham felt it was a good idea and had the busts of the four architects of NAM, erected in the Company Path Gardens. Recall when the West Indian Federation was established in 1958, for reasons which may not be obscure, the Jagan administration kept Guyana out, so you have a Father who is unwilling for his children to mix and meddle with his cousins and traditional members of the family in the Region.

It was Burnham, who at Dickenson Bay in Antigua with Vere Bird and Errol Barrow, revived the idea which led to today‟s CARICOM. That is progressive, responsible Fatherhood.

After a long process of consultation and information gathering, the Burnham led administration changed the name of our principal airport Atkinson Field to Timehri in honour of our indigenous Amerindian brothers and sisters. Then the anthropologists and others discovered rock carvings visible at low tides in some of our rivers, obviously done by our Amerindians.

The mentality that erected that sign at Rahaman‟s Park is the same that showed scant regard for the Indigenous people when they renamed without consultation, our main international airport, Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Many Amerindians are still upset.

Colin Everton Johnson: Died 19th March 2023.

The PNCR wishes to express it deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the late Colin Everton Johnson who passed away on Sunday 19th March 2023. He was the father of Former MP, Executive Member and Deputy Chief Scrutineer, District 3, Mr. John Adams. May his soul be at Eternal Rest!

Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C.

Thursday 9th March 2023, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, MP, would have been 94 years old if he was still here with us. He was the former President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (1985-1992), former Leader of the main Opposition Party, the People's National Congress Reform, and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Guyana.

Between 1969 and 1984, Mr. Hoyte held many Ministerial posts including those of Home Affairs, Finance, Works and Communications, and Economic Development. In 1984 he became First Vice President and Prime Minister, and served as President of the Republic from August 1985 to October 1992.

During his Presidency, he initiated farreaching electoral and economic reforms which strengthened the bases of the democratic culture of Guyana; pro-

moted market-oriented policies and stimulated economic growth. May his soul continue to Rest in Peace!

I was informed that the liar Bharrat Roseann Jagdeo has lied again. He told a PPP gathering at Babu John that I, Aubrey Norton have a brother that joined the PPP. This is totally untrue. The man he referred to is not my brother.

In fact, Jagdeo should be ashamed to welcome a man of his ilk into the PPP who the very PPP had issued a wanted bulletin for alleging that he burnt the Ministry of Health and committed other crimes.

The PPP continues to engage shady characters who they can control because those persons have allegations of them committing crimes made against them and they need the protection of the Criminal PPP government. Keith Ferrier is neither my mother‟s nor my father‟s child. Jagdeo must stop lying.

Keith Ferrier and Bharat Jagdeo are birds of a feather flocked together.

Jagdeo should not associate me and my family with the alleged criminals he has surrounded himself with

Keith Ferrier

„The people own Jagan, not the party‟

A Statement by the Party Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP in response to Bharrat Jagdeo

Hamilton Green