Vol. 66, No. 10
OCTOBER
2022
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PNCR celebrates its 65th Anniversary Page 2
No rebates on electricity have been offered to the Guyanese citizens.
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The PPP has brought shame to our country by allowing Charrandass Persaud to continue as High Commissioner.
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GYSM Youth Symposium
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Outreaches... Citizens demand a clean voters list.
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St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church celebrates its 180th Anniversary.
PPP hypocrisy and racism
Party Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP (center) with, from left, Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul MP, Mrs. Gywn Williams, wife of the late Deputy Mayor Mr. Robert Williams, Party Chairman Mr. Shurwayne Holder MP and Party Vice Chairman Mr. Vinceroy Jordan MP at the Party’s 65th Anniversary luncheon for Party Stalwarts and Elders at Congress Place on Wednesday 5th October 2022.
Young Executives meet the Elders... Members of Parliament, Mr. Vinceroy Jordan and Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul greets Life Member of the NCW, Ms. Cheryl Sampson and former executive member of the Party, Mr. Alan Munroe during the Party’s 65th Anniversary luncheon.
Mr. Leon Christian raises the Party Flag on the PNCR 65th Anniversary at Congress Place on Wednesday 5th October 2022.
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NEW NATION OCTOBER 2022
Analysis and Opinions
Duplicitous PPP treats Indigenous Wai Wai Nation with utter contempt
Youths can look forward to a comfortable life under a PNCR-Led government Guyana's young people are faced at once with a future so radiant it defies belief and, on the other hand, the enduring fears that the PPP has no interest in them or their needs. This extreme contrast, like oncoming headlights in the dead of night, has paralyzed young people with anxiety. What if they are left behind? What if our vast oil wealth is squandered? Will their lives truly be transformed? These anxieties are highlighted by the fact that while Guyana has the second-most barrels of oil per person worldwide, the minimum wage is only $60,000. At that wage, for a young person to be able to purchase a quality house, they would have to work for 300 years. In order to merely afford the down payment on such a house they would have to work for 60 years! If we have such astonishing oil wealth, shouldn't everyone be able to live in a comfortable residence? If this was not already alarming, consider the low level of educational attainment across our population. While Guyana is growing at nearly 60% this year, 80% of Guyanese cannot apply for a simple assistant's job in an office. Of course, this is because such jobs call for both Mathematics and English passes at CSEC. Can you imagine that in 2022, 64% of students failed Mathematics?! The government has no intention of addressing the grave challenges we face, and so young people are understandably alarmed. The PNCR has given deep thought to this future and the questions it poses. While our National Youth Policy, developed by the leader under the previous administration, informs the party's path going forward, it is easy to miss the impact policies that have already been announced will have on young people's lives. Across this great party, we must make serious efforts to inform ourselves of these policies and to convince young people that they should support us as we bring them the development they deserve. Because young people typically are at the lower end of the income scale, they will benefit from most of our people-centered initiatives. A young person in Guyana can expect to pay no water and electric utility bill, as well as no income tax. Similarly, there will be no fees for the University of Guyana. On the other hand, those who are interested in furthering their education at the University, in technical and vocational institutes or in night schools will receive a monthly stipend to help cover academic expenses. Even further, those young people who are working will receive a top-up on their salary to ensure they remain above the income level we believe all Guyanese should earn. This livable income level will vary depending on the differing costs of living in each region but ultimately will ensure all of Guyana's young people are comfortable. These are but a few of our policy proposals. The story they tell, however, is a bright, optimistic one. Young Guyanese can look forward to a comfortable life under a PNCR-led government. As it stands, the PPP only presents darkness. As time goes on, we will unveil more and more policies. Our people-centered vision is deep and textured. It will touch on a wide range of young people's needs and truly transform their lives. Our task, as a Party, is to understand and then sell this vision. Our task is to energize Guyana's young people. Our task is to bring hope even in this time of callous, uncaring governance. We must be a beacon, like a lighthouse calling to a ship tossed by the sea. Our young people must believe that even in that darkness, if they focus on the PNCR, we will guide them to shore.
The PPP hides under a veneer of pomp, ceremony and lavish, though empty promises, creating thick smoke screens of State sponsored stink and dutty' events and free cash give-aways to the chosen. These obvious distractions are intended to shift citizens' attention away from their sufferings. Whether it works or not is entirely up to the citizenry as a whole. The Indigenous Wai Wai nation, however, rejects the empty promise made to them regarding their back to school cash grant. The residents of Masakenari, Deep South Rupununi expected to receive their cash grant since it is their entitlement. They are adamant that they, like all other citizens of Guyana, are entitled to the money which is the property of Guyana and not a political party.
Following the publicly release of information regarding government's failure to take Wai Wai children to their home village from Aishalton Secondary School and the attendant hardships at last term's end, Mr Ali and his PPP team visited Masakenari on August 27th 2022. The Regional Chairman, in the presence, and with the support of Mr. Ali, made a commitment to the residents of Masakenari. That commitment was that, he would personally ensure that, before school reopens residents receive their back to school cash grants. The one hundred and two (102) nursery and primary school pupils along with the thirteen (13) secondary school students and their parents have given up any hope of ever receiving their cash grants. The duplicitous PPP continues to show utter contempt for the Wai Wai people. Another day, another empty promise to the indigenous children of hinterland Guyana. The PPP's contempt for Guyana's Indigenous Peoples is without limit. The inequalities in this country prevail even in the face of international grand standing and lofty speeches about unity, equal opportunities for all in the so-called One Guyana.
The PM still refuses to disclose his government’s energy sector plan David Patterson, MP. Letter to Editor: Stabroek News, 21 October 2022 Dear Editor, My attention was drawn to a statement by the Prime Minister entitled, “David Patterson should acquaint himself with the truth”. The PM’s statement was in response to a letter which I penned and was carried in both SN and KN since May 2021. Yes, it has taken the PM almost 18 months to respond, that is about the same time it takes an average student to complete a post graduate degree, so one would have expected that at least, having taken this lengthy time to research and pen his response, it would have been scholarly – Unfortunately, this was not the case. In his long overdue response, the PM claimed that I failed to publish our Development and Expansion Plans other than the years 2016 – 2020. Quite untrue. However, the main takeaway would be that our plan worked!! The PM can boast everyday about publishing plans, which in the end are not worth the paper it is printed on, since blackouts have increased several-fold under his stewardship. The PM proceeded to boast that the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) was birthed under the PPP in 2014 – quite correct. But what he mischievously omitted to mention was the numerous fraudulent and legal challenges facing the program under the PPP by 2015. So much so, that the procurement process was scrapped and restarted under the coalition – it’s not the start of the race that matters, but how one finishes. It should be noted that by 2020 under the Coalition, generation capacity was increased by over 25%, techni-
cal and commercial losses were reduced by 5%, saving GPL more than G$450M annually, a fact to which the PM openly admitted when questioned in Parliament. The PM’s final two responses were equally disappointing – namely, that the several new generators procured and installed during 2015 – 2020, plus the fuel rebates offered by the Coalition, were due to the “significant reduction in the world fuel prices” – Duh! It’s not where we got the savings from that matters, but rather what we did with them. Every single penny was spent on improving the sector. Guyana has now been blessed with an enormous increase of revenue; one would have expected that some of the revenues would be used to provide relief to our citizens. Sadly, no rebates on electricity have been offered to the citizens, in fact, the PPP has removed the 15 percent fuel rebate and five percent tariff reductions that the Coalition had in place in 2020 – so much for caring for the poor man – we did so much more, with so much less. What is glaringly missing from the PM’s response, is the answer to my almost 18 month’s old question – “What is your energy plan?” which should tell the nation “What are your plans to end the almost daily power outages?” “What plans do you have to stop a truck driver hitting a pole, which results in a countrywide blackout” – not a single word was mentioned in this regard. Further, the PM did not take the opportunity to enlighten the nation about the government’s plans to curb blackouts as we enter the Christmas season. Some truths are self-evident – there is no workable plan for the sector. The proof is in the eating of the pie!! Or not based on the cost of living for our serving Public Servants!!!
NEW NATION
OCTOBER 2022
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POLITICAL Opposition condemns Guyana Police Force unlawful arrest of Ms. Tamieka Clarke The opposition wishes to condemn the unlawful arrest of Ms. Tamieka Clarke, an Attorney at Law. The arrest of Ms. Clarke should be condemned by all Guyanese since it is a violation of the constitutional right of the Attorney to advise her client to not give or sign a statement. The fact that she was told prior to her arrest that she will be arrested if she does not allow her client to give a signed statement is a clear indication that the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) intended to violate her constitutional right. If this can be done to a lawyer, imagine what happens to ordinary citizens without knowledge of the law. This violation must not be seen as an isolated event. It is part of a process of the politicization of the police force and as a consequence, the violation of the rule of law. The violation of the rule of law has become a norm in the Guyanese society. The fact that the police have been continuously violating citizens human rights without facing any legal consequences has emboldened them to the point where they now believe that they can violate the rights of lawyers who are probably the last bastion of protection of ordinary citizens. It must be recalled that the Guyana Police Force continues to abuse the rights of the Guyanese people. Daily innocent citizens are incarcerated for seventy-two (72) hours when there is no legal basis for their arrest and incarceration. The abuse of authority by the Guyana Police Force with the support of the government makes the Attorney General’s condemnation of the violation of Ms. Clarke’s rights a farce. The government has been complicit in the police force’s violation of the human rights of many Guyanese. The government itself has been using the Guyana Police Force to arrest and incarcerate citizens without any evidence of a crime being committed. The government must take full responsibility for the actions of the Guyana Police Force since it is the government who has created the environment for the violation of the rights of citizens and the Rule of Law. It should be instructive to all that the
Ms. Tamieka Clarke
Guyana Police Force has access to the tapes containing allegations of bribery and corruption leveled against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in the Vice News documentary and refuse to act in keeping with the law to bring Mr. Jagdeo to justice. That the Guyana Police Force has been prevented from investigating Mr. Jagdeo is indicative of political control of the Guyana Police Force. It is this type of politicization of the police that makes them believe that they can violate the rights of Guyanese. In the light of the foregoing the APNU+AFC calls on the government to ensure a proper investigation is done into the arrest of Ms. Clarke and all those found culpable should face the full force of the law, which should include dismissal. Failure to discipline the police at SOCU and their superiors that are involved will continue to send the ominous signal that the government has no interest in the Rule of Law. The APNU+AFC wishes to express solidarity with Ms. Tamieka Clarke and her client and expresses the view that no other lawyer should face this indignity and disrespect. It should also be a signal to the wider society that democracy is being further eroded daily in Guyana.
APNU+AFC embarrased and outraged by the conduct of Charrandass Persaud The Opposition APNU+AFC coalition would like to assure the government and people of India that all Guyanese citizens (bar the expected exceptions in the government) are embarrassed and outraged by the conduct of now recalled Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud. In particular, we wish to offer our support and sympathy to Ms. Sonya Ghosh, the unfortunate victim of Mr. Charrandass Persaud’s vile onslaught. Since the incident has seen public light, Guyanese from every walk of life have been unified in their condemnation. Our souls and spirits are troubled. Our nation hangs its head in dishonor. Once again, the PPP has brought disgrace to Guyana and its people. It has fostered a culture of sexism and misogyny among its political executive by overlooking and condoning offensive and despicable conduct of its topranking officials. The nation has not forgotten the vulgarities hurled by Minister Nigel Dharamlall at our female MPs. But more, the PPP has brought shame to our country by allowing Charrandass Persaud to continue as High Commissioner for over a year, being fully aware of the contempt he had shown to the Indian government and people, especially its women and its culture. Yet more, The PPP has compounded the disgrace on the nation by rushing to bury the matter as “unsubstantiated”, despite the irrefutable video evidence that surfaced in the public domain. Further, our nation is dishonored that the PPP government has still failed to condemn the depraved act of its High
Ms. Sonya Ghosh
Commissioner and has still offered no apology to the victim, Ms. Sonya Ghosh, or to the people and government of India. Blame for this sordid state of affairs lies above Charandass (revolting as his conduct was) or his direct supervisor, Minister of Foreign Affairs Todd (cowardly as his attempt at cover-up was). The Guyanese people must rightfully cast blame at the very top—at Irfaan Ali and his puppet masters. They have brought this disgrace onto our nation. They have done it before and will do it again in the time they have left. Despite the current national mood of disgust, APNU+AFC would not waste time in calling on the PPP government to do the right thing. The PPP wouldn’t and morally can’t. Instead, we call on the Guyanese people to draw their own conclusions on the state of governance in their country.
Basic public utilities must serve our people and be affordable APNU+AFC notes with concern that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruled last week that the $7,500 for the reconnection of the water supply to residential customers, “shall remain in place.” In responding to this heartless decision, we first would like to laud the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) and its consultant, Dr. Yog Mahadeo, for pleading the case before the PUC to reduce the $7,500 reconnection fee. The response of CEO of GWI, Shaik Baksh, however – that the fees are necessary to help GWI pay off its debt and continue providing the service – illustrates all that is wrong with the PPP’s mean-spirited approach to ensuring all Guyanese can live a decent life now that Guyana is one of the richest per capita countries in the world. APNU+AFC believe that water and electricity services for low-income households should be subsidized by the government to ensure no household in need is denied these essentials. In line with our vision on this matter, we had called on the government, at our press conference on 4th October, to urgently introduce ELECTRICITY BILL RELIEF FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. We had then explained that in this proposal, “households whose total monthly light bill is less than a speci-
fied dollar amount (a cap) will not be required to pay GPL. Instead, the Government of Guyana (GoG) will stand the costs and compensate GPL for the total amount forgone. The cap must be chosen to cover as many lowincome households as possible.” Our people-centered approach can easily cover water, electricity and other essential services and move away from the PPP approach of exploiting our people. As such, the waiving of all reconnection fees (owed and future) is also a policy we will adopt. In a nutshell, what are we promising the Guyanese people? As a government, we will ensure all households across the country are, FIRST, guaranteed water and electricity and, SECOND, that lowincome households benefit at no or minimal costs. Our bottom-line remains that our oil wealth belongs to our people and as such must be used to lift the quality of life of Guyanese families. As such, we are committed to honoring the constitutionally-enshrined social and economic rights of citizens. We are committed to realizing the UN SDGs. Most of all, we are committed to the moral duty of ensuring all Guyanese enjoy a high quality of life
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NEW NATION
OCTOBER 2022
YOUTH
GYSM Youth Symposium & Training Programmes On Sunday 8th October 2022, the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), youth arm of the PNCR, held a youth symposium in celebration of the Party’s 65th Anniversary. More than one hundred young people attended the forum. The featured address was delivered by the Party Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, in which he said that,
“You need to be mobilisers and organisers. It is your task to mobilise and organise young people in support of the People’s National Congress Reform and the coalition government,” He was at the time referring to them being trained in becoming vibrant young leaders in garnering support for the Party and the broader Coalition.
Party Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, poses with some of the young people who attended the Youth Forum at Congress Place on Sunday 8th October.
An objective of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) is to mobilize, motivate and educate youth. It is our firm position that youth organizations must reserve the right to oppose any system that promotes discrimination or social injustice; this is why we are working assiduously to prepare youth for advocacy. Here are some pictures below of our recent youth advocacy training in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region No. 7 .
National Chairman (AG) of the GYSM, Mr. Kibwe Copeland engaging some of the young people at the traing programme.
A section of the gathering at the youth symposium.
The young people in discussions during a workshop session.
One of our young Member of Parliament and Vice Chairman of the PNCR, Mr. Vinceroy Jordan addressing the youths during the training session.
NEW NATION
OCTOBER 2022
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NEW NATION Annual Conference of Region #4 Congratulations to the newly elected Executives of Region #4 Committee of the Party. The Party’s Regional Committee of Region #4 held their Annual Regional Conference on Sunday 23rd October which saw several persons contesting for the various positions on the Committee. Below are the persons who won some of those postions. They are from left Mr. Ivelaw Henry, Treasurer; Mrs. Elizabeth NilesWilliams, Chairperson; Ms. Shaneika Haynes, Secretary and Mr. Mark Braithwaite, Vice Chairman. Mr. Henry was returned as Treasurer unopposed.
SLED programme must be audited - MP Ganesh Mahipaul Under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development from 2020 to 2022 a sum of $685M was approved for the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Project but since 2020 this Ministry under the zealot leadership of Nigel Dharamlall has failed to provide to the nation the total amount of job opportunities and employment created; the total amount of training programmes, enhanced skills and competency; and the social and cultural cohesion programmes that were birthed. All the monies from this allotment were distributed to friends and family members of the PPP without any accountability or transparent process. It is alleged, and the facts point to the Permanent Secretary, Prema Roopnarine who is a creature of the PPP, and is complicit in the act of giving out the taxpayers’ money to friends and family members of the PPP. This opportunity is therefore taken to call on the Auditor General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to conduct a forensic audit on the SLED programme allotment and to provide a report on that expenditure soonest to the people of Guyana.
Common sense approaches could ease electricity woes at Mabaruma - MP Ronald Cox Prior to 2015, the residents of Mabaruma have grown accustomed to only six hours of electricity. It was when the APNU AFC took office after the 2015 General and Regional elections that a numbers of measures were discussed to increase the hours of electricity provided to the residents. Some of those measures included: 1. The establishment of a Solar Farm at Khan's Hill. 2. The purchase of a new GenSet for the Power House at Mabaruma 3. Regular and effective maintenance of the existing generators. 4. A public meeting especially with the business community to inform them on the issues so they can put alternative systems in place. Those meaures significantly increase the hours of electricity and reduced the compounded nature of the existing issues. By the begining of 2020, the residents of Mabaruma enjoyed 17 hours daily electricity, representing more than 200% increase. Consequently, it was only right that the PPP after the 2020 elections continues the transformational development started by the coalition while in government and increase same to 24 hours as was the vision of the then government. One would agree that the following measures are common sense approaches which can significantly
Mr. Ronald Cox, MP
reduce the electricity issue in Mabaruma: 1. A rigid maintenance programme which must include a risk and hazard assessment. This will identify the issue before it becomes complicated. 2. A new generator for the town which can be used on a shift system thereby reducing the pressure placed on the existing ones. 3. Establishment of a new and separate generator to service the communities of Wauna, Kamwatta, White Water, Yarakita and its environs.
A new voters list - Mayor Ubraj Narine
Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul, MP
It seems as though Public Thievery is a norm under the PPP/C but as the saying goes, he who sits quietly and allows the wrong to happen is equally culpable of doing the wrong also.
It is noted that the Guyana Elections Commission has written to the Minister of Local Government indicating its readiness to hold Local Government Elections in the first quarter of 2023. It is interesting to also note that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (then in opposition) called for a new voters list in 2015, compiled on the basis of fresh house to house enumeration as part of a number of recommendations for reforms to enhance credibility in the list. Following the 2020 National and Regional Elections, the current opposition has highlighted a number of alarming anomalies which have again resurfaced and has called for a new list. Recently appointed Commissioner Clement Rohee has indicated that the issue of needing a new list is determined whether a party wins an election or not. This state of affairs cannot represent democratic norms. The people must be confident that their elected officials are reflected by a process free from influence that is fair and transparent. We cannot be comfortable with this partisan approach to representation. Come what may, the people of our country should rest assured that their elected officials are competently executing on behalf and in the interest of the citizenry. Civil society and all right thinking Guyanese must band together to
Pandit Ubraj Narine Mayor of Georgetown
ensure that no election is held on a bloated list dictated by the Peoples Progressive Party Government and Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission. There can be no harm in ensuring a level playing field is created for all actors in the electoral process. Let us be rid of this indecency.
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NEW NATION OCTOBER 2022
OUTREACH Community outreach in Mabura by RDC Chairman and Councillors of Region #10 Issues of the availability of jobs, transportation, land for housing and access to the schools' breakfast programme were among the issues high on the agenda when the Regional Chairman and Councilors of Region #10 engaged the residents of Mabura on a recent visit to that community. Perceived discrimination that allows a resident from a far off community to travel to Mabura to perform handyman duties while residents are in need of jobs was highlighted, as well as the fact that contracts awarded for construction or maintenance of government facilities in
the community are done totally without the involvement of skilled personnel from that area, adding to the lack of employment available to residents there were among the points raised by residents with the Chairman and Councilors. The free and frank exchange of ideas were welcomed by Regional Chairman Deron Adams, especially since the residents not only highlighted challenges, but also provided suggested solutions for these issues, some of which the RDC will pursue with them collaboratively, or on their behalf.
Citizens continue protest for a Clean Voters List Citizens once again hit the streets in protest against the current Voters List and any future elections held with the list. The protest, which is held every Tuesday in front of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on High Street, Georgetown, show demonstrators bemoaing the fact that GECOM has not moved to having a clean List.
Chants included demands for a new list or no election and the removal of Justice Claudette Singh as Chair. “Clean Voters List or No Election,” “Who Must Go? Claudette Must Go,” “We Want A Clean List” are among the many slogans used. Citizens want Justice Singh to go and GECOM to have a chair who is “more responsive to the time.”
Protestors on the picket line on Tuesday 25th October in front of GECOM. Regional Chairman of Region #10, Mr. Deron Adams (right) listens keenly as a resident of Mabura expresses his concerns about the community.
Some of the RDC Councillors who were present at the meeting at Mabura.
Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, on the picket line on Tuesday 18th October in front of GECOM.
Some of the residents who were present at the meeting at Mabura.
Opposition Chief Scrutineer, Ms. Carol Smith-Joseph (left) on the picket line on Tuesday 11th October in front of GECOM.
NEW NATION
OUTREACH 2022
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OUTREACH Sparendaam Housing Scheme, ECD On Monday 24th October, Leader of the Opposition and the People's National Congress Reform, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, and a team conducted an outreach in Sparendaam, ECD. The Leader and team spoke with residents and listened to their concerns. The residents all pointed to the need for roads, water and drains in the area to be cleaned. The Leader assured them that the matters would be raised so that the government could spend the
resources to develop their community. He also shared the Coalition’s vision for the community and country. The Leader was accompanied by Chairman of the Industry/Plaisance NDC Rodwell Lewis, Councilors Nichola Nurse, Ian Kellman, Dawn Johnson, and Abel Hope; Executive Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition Shonelle Smith-Daniels; local representatives, coalition supporters and staff.
‘B’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown On Thursday 20th October, Leader of the Opposition and the People's National Congress Reform, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP and a team conducted an outreach in ‘B’ Field, Sophia. The Leader and team interacted with residents and listened to their concerns. Many of the residents complained about being neglected by the current government. They also pointed out that many of the roads and projects which were slated to be done under the Coalition were either scaled back or totally scraped. Residents explained also that
most of the drains are no longer being cleaned and in areas where they are being cleaned, the contracts are now given to outsiders rather than to persons from Sophia, as was done under the Coalition. The Leader was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Mr. Alfred Mentore, City Councilor Mr. Clayton Hinds, Economist Mr. Elson Low, Georgetown District Committee members Dexter Forte and Wayne Maison, local representatives, Coalition supporters and staff.
Leader of the Opposition and PNCR, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP conducted a walkabout in the Sparendaam HS community on Monday 24th October 2022.
Leader of the Opposition and PNCR, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP conducted a walkabout in ‘B’ Field, Sophia on Thursday 20th October 2022.
Leader of the Opposition and PNCR, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, interacts with a resident on her concerns and issues affecting her in the community.
Leader of the Opposition and PNCR, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, greets a resident of the community during his walkabout in the area.
A resident reads the handbill given to her by the Party’s PR Officer, Ms. Shaneika Haynes (right).
An activist distributes handbills during the walkabout in ‘B’ Field, Sophia on Thursday 20th October 2022.
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NEW NATION OCTOBER 2022
SOCIETY St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church celebrates its 180th Anniversary Vice Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform, Mr. Vinceroy Jordan, MP, on Sunday 23rd October 2022, represented the Leader of the People's National Congress Reform and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, MP, at the 180th Anniversary Celebrations of the St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara. The St. Luke's Presbyterian Church celebrated 180 years of existence under the theme: "Celebrating God's Faithfulness Throughout The Years". During his address, the Vice Chairman told the church that " the church is both an institution and a divinely constituted organism created by God of which we are a part of today. He further said the church speaks to a called-out set of people, it speaks to a chosen set of people who are set apart to carry out the mandate of God and to fulfill its God-given mandate to serve the community. Mr. Jordan also told the gathering that the Church is strategically placed in society to teach and train in the upholding of right living, the maintenance of good morals in society, aids in the fostering of social cohesion and the preservation of unity. While molding a society to love and serve God. The Vice Chairman also told the church it has the right to speak to the ills of society:
Mr. Vinceroy Jordan, MP
- The right to speak against untruths, - The right to speak against immorality, - The right to speak against injustices and discrimination of all forms. Mr. Jordan commended the leadership of the church for their hard work in the preservation of this institution for all these years and ask that they continue to work to build upon what those who laboured in the past and to have a great legacy to hand to the future generations.
NEW NATION
OCTOBER 2022
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POLITICAL Minister Robeson Benn should resign for his negligence and incompetence Recent statements by Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on fire and crime in Guyana only expose his incompetence and his reluctance to shoulder responsibility for his portfolio. After the fire at the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office last year, Minister Benn said, “It appears that we are experiencing a trial by fire again in Guyana.” He is right, after all the PPP has a long and notorious record of association with fires in Guyana. In 1960s to the 1990s, they set fire to hundreds of acres of young sugar cane plants, burnt schools and bridges as they sought to cripple both the industry and the nation's economy. Mysterious fires under the PPP's watch are etched in the memory and psyche of this nation. In fact, there have been at least 13 suspicious fires at government buildings during the PPP’s time in office, or one every other year. A newspaper Editorial from 2014 notes, “Interestingly the places which have been visited by the firebug have all without exception housed extremely sensitive and vital information upon which the development of this country hinges. Perhaps coincidentally, the fires have occurred when an audit of one sort or another has been planned.” This is an insightful comment on fires during the PPP’s tenure as government. The PPP has a history of setting fire as a political tool both in opposition and government. One can therefore understand and appreciate Robeson Benn’s familiarity with political arson. He comes from and works in the belly of the beast of political arson the PPP. Even as the PPP attempts to make these fires political they seem to forget that the fire at the DPP was shown by the Guyana Fire Service to be due to an electrical shortage. In fact the DPP fire must be placed squarely at the feet of the PPP and its incompetence. Now, we are called again to remind Guyanese, when it comes to Minister Benn he is just incompetent. Last year we called for the: 1. Establishment of a mechanism to examine all aspects of local fire safety, and a review of the related existing sys-
tems, including building codes. Additionally, there must be an immediate assessment of all the response mechanisms present and a review of the available equipment and the human resource capacity. This investigative mechanism must provide a special and comprehensive report. The findings must be made available for the public scrutiny and immediate remedial action. 2. A review of the Fire Service Act and recommendations for modifications at the Parliamentary level. Since Guyana is moving towards an environmental transformation, new, comprehensive, and creative legislative action must be introduced in fire prevention, to ensure the safety of all Guyanese citizens and all property. Neither of these actions was taken, and thus the country’s buildings and public documents remain at risk – thanks to the incompetent Benn and the PPP CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT CABAL. Further, where is the mass digitization program that was intended to back-up government documents? Can the minister tell us what percentage of government files has been digitized? What is the timeline for all government files to be digitized? For the Minister to now attempt to politicize fires, after having done nothing to mitigate the risk of fire for an entire year, is nothing short of a self-inflicted humiliation. If that weren’t enough, allegations of police involvement in at least two murders - Boston and Bacchus- continue to plague the politicized Guyana Police Force under the incompetent Minister Benn. Add to that the unsolved murders of the Henry boys and Haresh Singh, and the logical conclusion is that Benn’s tenure has been and continues to be a disaster. Guyanese are no longer safe in their homes, on the streets or in public spaces. The police force has become more corrupt and inept under his watch. It would have been better if he had stayed silent. Instead, his recent statements have reminded the public that, as bad as the PPP has performed, he has to rank among its greatest failures.
PPP hypocrisy and racism While the PPP is seeking to court APNU+AFC strongholds they are at the same time impoverishing the people of our strongholds. In Linden, when the APNU+AFC came to power there were about two hundred (200) persons on social assistance. The Coalition government increased it to eight hundred (800). The PPP in this predominantly African Guyanese community placed eight (?? non-Africans on the Board who removed 600+ persons from social assistance. The PPP is s0 hypocritical that when they visited Victory Valley they did not want the people to raise the social assistance issue in the public domain so they chose a group to engage a Minister directly. While they are seeking support they are at the same time destroying the very people they are seeking support from. The people of Victory Valley know that single mothers, differently-abled persons and others in difficult circumstances were discriminated against when their names were removed from the social assistance register and that they will not be carried away by the delivery of footballs to the people in Victory Valley. The poor in Victory Valley continues to be oppressed by the People’s Progressive Party. It must be recalled that the PPP regime fired all twenty (20) members of staff of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade thus putting them on the breadline. The APNU+AFC trained and employed sixty (60) Patient Care assistants in Region 10. The PPP continues to quietly fire them daily. Clearly, the PPP is bent on impoverishing Region 10 while appearing as if they have an interest in the people of Region 10. They don’t. There is no “One Guyana”. There is bla-
tant PPP discrimination. In the case of Mocha, IDPADA-G had successfully sponsored the development of Mocha Farmers Market through the Mocha-Arcadia Multi-purpose Agricultural Coop Society. The racist PPP government refused to disburse the subvention to this organisation in Mocha. As a consequence, most of the staff had to be sent home. Again the PPP has placed African Guyanese on the breadline because of their policy of discrimination against them and other Guyanese who they perceive to be supporters of the APNU+AFC. The vicious discriminatory practices are most obvious in their attempt to either destroy or controlled the cooperative society movement in which there is predominantly African Guyanese involvement. The attempt to destroy or control the Guyana Public Service Credit Union which is worth about $2 Billion is another indication of the discriminatory practices of the PPP regime. The said approach is being taken as it relates to the Linden Utility Services Coop Society Limited (LUSCSL). The PPP has illegally removed the management and has imposed a PPP activist by the name of Handy who is accused of being involved in corrupt practices at the said institution. The Vigalstra Housing Coop Society is also under attack. The same is true of the Coop Society in Essequibo among others. The APNU+AFC wishes to reassure all Guyanese that we continue to confront PPP racism and that we will govern Guyana in a manner in which all Guyanese will benefit. PPP racism is destroying Guyana.
Freedom of expression arrested Kidackie Amsterdam, host of ‘Buxtonian Morning Time’ show and member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), was on Tuesday 1st November, arrested by the police for using a bullhorn during protest exercise for a clean voters list. Amsterdam along with other Guyanese were protesting in High Street, Georgetown, within the vicinity of the headquarters of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Guyanese have been using Tuesdays to demand GECOM Commissioners sanitise the list before returning to elections. Commissioners meet on Tuesday for statutory meeting. Local Government Elections are scheduled for March 13, 2023. Guyanese would be returning to the polls with the same bloated list. Observers view the arrest of Amsterdam as a signal of government’s intensified efforts to silent dissent and citizens’ demands for a credible list, credible elections and credible results. One observer said the arrest of Amsterdam is an erosion of rights and political bullyism. “People can’t even protest now for their rights or express their feelings without having to fear they could be arrested or killed,” chimed in another. Bystander Sharon told Village Voice,
Kidackie Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s arrest is a chilling reminder of the late political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing who used a bullhorn in his one-man protest. Crum-Ewing’s protest for the return of the rule of law was aimed at Attorney General Anil Nandlall and took place in front of the Attorney General’s Chambers. (Village Voice News)
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HEALTH Monkey Pox (Continued from September issue) How does monkeypox spread from animals to humans? Monkeypox can spread to people when they come into physical contact with an infected animal such as a non-human primate, terrestrial rodent, antelope, gazelle, or tree squirrel – for example through bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, playing with carcasses. The virus can also be caught through eating infected animals if they are not cooked thoroughly. The risk of catching monkeypox from animals can be reduced by avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead (including their meat and blood). In countries where animals carry monkeypox, any foods containing animal parts or meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating. Who is at risk of catching monkeypox? People who live with or have close contact (including sexual contact) with someone who has monkeypox are most at risk. Anyone living with someone who has monkeypox should take steps to reduce the risk of becoming infected. A person who has a monkeypox infection should be assessed by a health care provider to determine if they are well enough to be cared for at home and if isolation can be safely managed at home. Health workers should follow infection prevention and control measures to protect themselves while caring for patients with monkeypox. Newborn infants, young children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at higher risk of more serious symptoms, and in rare cases, death from monkeypox. Pregnancy can also increase one’s risk of adverse events such as miscarriage or stillbirth. People who were vaccinated against smallpox may have some protection against monkeypox. However, younger people are unlikely to have been vaccinated against smallpox because smallpox vaccination stopped in most settings worldwide after the disease was eradicated in 1980. People who have been vaccinated against smallpox should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others. Is there a vaccine against monkeypox? Yes. There are three vaccines against monkeypox. Although supplies are currently limited, get vaccinated if it is offered to you as they provide a valuable level of protection against the disease. After you have been vaccinated, continue to take care to avoid catching and spreading monkeypox; this is because it takes several weeks to develop immunity after being vaccinated, and because we don’t yet know to what extent the vaccines protect you and if they stop you from infecting others as efficacy data in this outbreak setting is needed. Some countries are recommending vaccination for persons at risk. Many years of research have led to development of newer and safer vaccines for an eradicated disease called smallpox, which may also be useful for monkeypox. Two of these (MVA-BN and LC16) have been approved for prevention of monkeypox. Only people who are at risk (for example someone who has been a close contact of someone who has monkeypox) should be considered for vaccination. Mass vaccination is not recommended at this time. While the smallpox vaccine was shown to be protective against monkeypox in the past, current data on the effectiveness of newer smallpox/monkeypox vaccines in the prevention of monkeypox in clinical practice and in field settings are limited. Studying the use of vaccines for monkeypox wherever they are used will allow for rapid generation of additional information on the effectiveness of these vaccines in different settings. (www.who.int)
As populations age, Alzheimer’s and dementia are becoming more prevalent - With dementia cases rising, finding a treatment is becoming increasingly pressing. It is one of the biggest diseases of our time: 10 million new cases of dementia are diagnosed every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 55 million people worldwide live with a form of dementia and it is the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases. As populations age, the number of cases of dementia rises. While the deterioration of cognitive functioning is not caused by age itself, it does primarily affect the older generation. For many elderly people it also results in disability and loss of independence - which can have psychological, social and economic implications for them and their families, carers and society more broadly. The estimated global cost of dementia to society was placed at $1.3 trillion in 2019, and is expected to rise to $2.8 trillion by 2030, WHO says. With the number of cases expected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million in 2050, the race is on for scientific developments and research that will help us understand, treat and possibly prevent the disease. What is dementia? Dementia is a collective term for a group of diseases or injuries which primarily or secondarily affect the brain. Alzheimer's is the most common of these and accounts for around 60-70% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal protein clumps) and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia. It can also be triggered by strokes, excessive use of alcohol, repetitive head injuries, nutritional deficiencies, or follow some infections like HIV, the Alzheimer's Society
explains. The different forms of dementia can often be indistinct and can coexist. Different people are affected in different ways, depending on the underlying cause. But the syndrome is usually progressive and can affect a range of functions, including memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language and judgement. Changes in mood and ability to control emotions often accompany these cognitive variations. Can it be treated? There is no cure for dementia, although there are numerous treatments being worked on and at clinical trial phase. Dementia care currently focuses on early diagnosis, optimizing health and wellbeing and providing long-term support to carers. Besides age, there are a number of other risk factors, which if avoided, can decrease the chances of dementia and slow its progression. Preventative steps include being physically active, not smoking, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, as well as maintaining a healthy diet, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Other risk factors associated with dementia include depression, social isolation, low educational attainment, cognitive inactivity and even air pollution. What is the impact? People with dementia rely heavily on informal care - i.e., friends and family. These carers spent on average five hours a day looking after people living with dementia in 2019, according to WHO figures. Informal care is thought to cover half of the overall financial burden of dementia. There is also a disproportionate impact on women. They account for 65% of all dementia-related deaths,
and also have a greater number of years affected by the disease. Women also typically provide the majority of informal care - covering over two-thirds of the carer hours for people living with dementia. What are the latest developments? The fact that dementia is only diagnosed once symptoms appear means that by the time people take part in clinical trials the disease is often quite well advanced. This can hamper the development of drugs. However, research analyzing data from the UK Biobank has indicated there are a collection of signals that could indicate a problem years before dementia is currently being diagnosed. There is hope that a new drug, lecanemab, may herald a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's. Initial trial data, announced in September 2022, appears to suggest that the drug slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27% compared to patients who received a placebo. The drug targets protein clumps in the brain that many think are the cause of the disease. If the results stand up in a full analysis, the drug would be the first of its kind to show such a benefit in a robust trial, and support the hypothesis that protein deposits have a role to play in the disease. Other scientists postulate that, rather than being a disease of the brain, Alzheimer's is in fact a disorder of the immune system within the brain. They believe research should instead focus on drugs targeting auto-immune pathways. On a less positive note, researchers found that people who have recently received a dementia diagnosis, or diagnosed with the condition at a younger age, are at an increased risk of suicide. This underlines the importance of a strong support network, particularly among those newly diagnosed.
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REGIONAL UPDATES RDC budget request for Ituni, Region #10 realised The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) continues to fulfill the requests of residents across Region #10 made during the various community consultations, this time through the delivery of a fully equipped Land Cruiser-type ambulance for the residents of Ituni. Councilors of the RDC had interacted with residents and a collaborative push was made to request in the Council's 2021 budget for the provision of an ambulance which could handle the ter-
Courtesy call on High Commissioner of India to Guyana
rain it would have to cover in service to the community. A similar intervention was made through the Council's budget for the residents of the 58 Miles community along the Mabura road, and this ambulance should also arrive shortly, as the Council re-commits to securing these resources for the residents of Region #10 after meeting and actively listening to their needs and concerns.
From left are Hon. Dineshwar Jaiprashad MP, Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine JP, Hon. Natasha Singh-Lewis MP, H.E. Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Hon. Ganesh Mahipaul MP, Mr. Daniel Seeram JP and Mr Mukesh Kaushik.
Rockstone Fish Extravaganza in Region #10 The RDC Region #10 supported the Rockstone Fish Extravaganza through the attendance of the Regional Chairman, Mr. Deron Adams and several Councilors, with the Chairman sharing congratulations with the event organisers, while welcoming the many visitors present to Region #10.
The event was a novel offering on Guyana's tourism menu here in Region #10, and the Regional Democratic Council has pledged its commitment to collaborate with these and other community undertakings that present sustainable tourism products to the benefit of the residents.
Regional Chairman, Mr. Deron Adams speaking to the gathering at the Rockstone Fish Extravaganza on Sunday 23rd October 2022.
On Friday 7th October 2022, a team comprising of Shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Ganesh Mahipaul MP; Shadow Minister of Education, Hon. Natasha Singh-Lewis MP; Shadow Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dineshwar Jaiprashad MP; Regional Chairman, DemeraraMahaica Regional Democratic Council, Region No. 4, Mr. Daniel Seeram JP; and the Mayor of Georgetown, His Worship The Mayor, Councillor Ubraj Narine JP paid a courtesy call on the High Commissioner of India to Guyana,
H.E. Dr. K. J. Srinivasa who was accompanied by the Indian High Commission’s First Secretary, Mr Mukesh Kaushik. Among the many topics discussed were cultural development, training, education, health, urban, social and economic development. The deliberations were fruitful and promising on both sides, with an intention to frequently engage and discuss matter of mutual interest. It is the desire of all that were present to foster great continued relations for the betterment of both countries.
No electricity at the Essequibo Technical Institute
The Minister of Education and the PPP Government must explain why the Essequibo Technical Institute has been totally out of Electricity for the last four weeks. On Thursday 20th October, Region #2 Member of Parliament, Mr. Shurwayne Holder, visited the Essequibo Technical Institute based on complaint from several parents and lecturers. The premier institution which serves not only Region #2 but also Regions #1 and #7 has been out of electricity since September 26th. This was confirmed during his visit to the institution. The lecturers were all noticeably afraid to comment on the issue but indicated that the situation is as a result of a fire at the complex. There has been no practical classes since then and no time-
line as to when those classes will resume. Cummings Electrical was contracted to address the issue. However, attempts made by the MP to gather from the techical team on the ground, the scope of work to be done and completion date when power would be restored to the institute were futile. The company was also tight-lipped and explained that they were instructed not to disclose any information. This is totally shocking and unacceptable in a country with a government that claims to be democratic. The People of Region #2, parents and students of the Essequibo Technical Institute require answers. The government must immediately address their concerns with regard to this issue.
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NEW NATION
Donation of Washer and Dryer Brooklyn Chapter PNCR Group of the North America Region (NAR) continues to honor its commitment by supporting our Party. Over the past few months, the Chairperson and members of the Welfare Committee at the PNCR Secretariat, Congress Place, reached out seeking support in various areas. Some items requested were seen as critical to the daily operations of Congress Place and the Welfare Unit, hence this group did all it can to deliver as promised. Once the Dryer was handed over amongst other items last August which has been the norm for the group, it was subsequently decided to source the Washer. Monetary donations by members of the Group who
showed their love and commitment to the Party to unite and for the purchase of a washing machine. While these continuous support from the group may be considered small based on the demands, the Party is truly grateful to the donors who made this possible. With this new Washer and Dryer along with commercial fans, coffeemaker, etc, all donated by Brooklyn Group, we are sure some amount of challenges will be minimized if not elevated. On hand to facilitate the simple but important hand over was the Vice Chairperson of the PNCR, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams-Niles and a long standing member of the Brooklyn Chapter, Cde. Aubrey Duncan.
Obituaries Carmelita Hercules: Died 27th October2022. The PNCR wishes to express its deepest condolences to Ms. Joan Romascindo on the passing of her dear mother, Ms. Carmelita Hercules. May God give you the comfort at this time of your bereavement. May her soul be at Eternal Rest!
Patricia Henry: Died 18th October 2022: The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) expresses its sincere condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Patricia Henry, mother of one of the murdered Berbice teens, Isaiah Henry. She died on Tuesday evening, 18th October 2022. She was 53 years old. Ms. Henry was laid to rest on Monday 31st October. We pray that at this time her family will find the comfort they need in this time of their bereavement. May her soul rest in Eternal Peace!
Some of the staff of the PNCR Secretariat at the Party’s 65th Anniversary Breakfast at Congress Place on Wednesday 5th October.
People’s National Congress Reform, Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown. Tel: (592) 225-7852