Weekend Mirror 19-20 March 2022

PPP’s success can be attributed to guiding principles – Jagdeo 19-20 March, 2022 / Vol. 12 ‒ No. 14 / Price: $100

Email: mirror2018.gy@gmail.com

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Over 6,500 transactions conducted during GECOM’s continuous registration process to date

SEE INSIDE

Online Job bank operationalised PAGE 6

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Moruca youths benefit from ICT PNCR now seeking to ‘build relationship’ with Caribbean leaders training PAGE 2

after attacking them in 2020

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PAGE 14

Norton parrots Granger pledging return of PNCR to ‘Burnham’s glory days’

Vaccination, sanitisation requirements remain as COVID-19 restrictions relaxed – AG

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Coalition decries poor Over 6,500 transactions conducted during GECOM’s continuous registration process to date level of public confidence

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he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has completed some 6,567 applications countrywide, since the beginning of its continuous registration exercise on March 7, 2022.

From that number, 2,989 are first-time applicants (Category A) between the ages of 14-years-old to

17-years-old; and 2,079 for 18-years-old and older.

Some 674 applicants sought changes and corrections, 261 requested transfers, while 470 sought replacements for identification cards, along with 94 photograph retakes.

Registration offices operate from Monday to Fri-

day between the hours of 8am to 6pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, persons can visit the offices between 10am and 2pm.

According to the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 stipulates that registration is a must and therefore it is expected that persons participate in

the process.

Some $4.1 billion has been approved for GECOM this year, to carry out its work programme. From this amount, over $700 million has been earmarked to host this year’s LGE. The continuous registration exercise is expected to conclude on May 29, 2022.

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in GECOM, refuses to acknowledge its contribution to state of affairs

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he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met on Tuesday (March 15, 2022), for their weekly statutory engagement, and among other activities, the full commission engaged representatives from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) led APNU+AFC Coalition.

The Coalition team comprised PNCR Chairman, Shurwayne Holder; PNCR General Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Edmond; AFC General Secretary, David Patterson; and AFC Executive Member, Cathy Hughes.

GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, noted that in addition to other matters discussed, the question of confidence of public confidence in GECOM was raised. However, the PNCR-led Coalition refused to acknowledge their role in the deterioration of public confidence in GECOM. He said, “Public confidence in GECOM was eroded by a series of event starting from the illegal appointment of the former GECOM Chair, Mr. James Patterson. It continued with the posture taken following the no confidence motion, passed in December 2018, the surreptitious commencement of the house to house registration, and culminated with the shenanigans in the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“Throughout this entire process the very people, who are now shouting from the rooftops about public confidence in GECOM, were part and parcel, if not the architect, of all of those incidents.”

According to him, this fact was met with a refusal by the APNU+AFC Coalition to discuss the matter fully.

Nonetheless, Gunraj explained that GECOM is working to restore public confidence in the body.

“GECOM obviously recognised the place in which it finds itself and is no doubt taking steps to ensure that public confidence is regained. This is being done through transparent processes relative to hiring of new and competent personnel and the execution of functions of the Commis-

sion in a manner that is acceptable to all stakeholders and is in accordance with the laws that govern our operations.”

ELECTORAL REFORM According to Gunraj, the issue of electoral reform was raised by the APNU+AFC Coalition, but the team was informed, clearly, that this matter is within the remit of the legislature, not GECOM. He explained that GECOM has made contributions in the public consultations on proposed changes to Guyana’s electoral laws.

Amendments to the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA), both the substantive act and the regulations, have been in public circulation since November 2021.

Notably, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has indicated that as efforts continue to finalise the proposed amendments to Guyana’s electoral laws, the APNU+AFC Coalition persists in shutting itself out of the process. She explained that feedback has been communicated by one of the small political parties – A New and Unity Guyana (ANUG) – as well as a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and several overseas-based Guyanese individuals and bodies.

“GECOM put in their comments on the reforms and added additional reforms that they felt should be included,” Teixeira added.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance has indicated that the next step in strengthening Guyana’s electoral laws will include amendments to the National Registration Act. Guyanese were subject to a five-month wait for the final results from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections because of the actions of several persons involved in the process at the GECOM Secretariat and other elements, hence the move to electoral reform.

In addition to the GECOM Commissioners and GECOM Chairpersons, retired Justice Claudette Singh, was Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

POSITIONS FROM FREEDOM HOUSE

Messages of Phagwah speaks to truth inevitably prevailing T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend Phagwah greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Hindu community.

Phagwah is a festival that has truly become national and one that is most anticipated having transcended religious boundaries. This is manifested through the participation of a wide cross-section of Guyanese throughout the country. The kaleidoscope of colours that exemplify the celebrations, heralds the dawn of spring, remind-

ing not only of nature’s beauty but the vibrancy of our rich diversity. The fun and frolic that have come to be associated with it remain a catalyst for the forging harmony among all of our people.

As Guyanese celebrate the PPP urges that we be inspired by the significance of Phagwah, through its pertinent messages.

The courage, determination, and sacrifice of young Prahalad and the triumph of Lord Vishnu, which speaks to the triumph of good over evil is even relevant

on reflection of how our country and people navigated and overcame various challenges.

Despite the removal of the COVID-19 restrictions, we urge all to act with the greatest sense of responsibility during celebrations.

Let us be motivated by what this colourful festival signifies and be emboldened in hope that, through resoluteness in the face of adversity and despondency, the messages of Phagwah speaks to truth inevitably prevailing.

As Guyanese mark the

occasion, our Party once again extends best wishes and urges caution, toler-

ance, and respect in the celebrations.

Shubh Holi to all!

People’s Progressive Party

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

EDITORIAL Substance must never be dominated by image manipulation

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s early as the 1990’s the impact of the media in shaping the imagery of political parties and candidates was linked to an effort to sway the behaviour of the electorate. Social media has added a more real time dynamic to this conversation.

Important to note is that oftentimes, more so over the five year span between election cycles, there is a tendency for image to dominate substance.

In the camp of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) it is clear that assiduous efforts are being made to rebrand the party and its image of being anti-democratic.

However, while older leaders, including Joseph Harmon, Volda Lawrence, Amna Ally, etc. have been sidelined, with Aubrey Norton at the forefront, the actions of Norton himself must not be forgotten.

Norton, who now leads the PNCR, as well as A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is expected to take up the post of Opposition Leader soon and has busied himself with creating an image that is vastly different from reality.

First, Norton himself has admitted that he is on a mission to return the PNCR to its’ glory days. Norton on March 11, 2022 at a town hall meeting in Brooklyn, New York, said: “I don’t want to get into the details of what the People’s National Congress Reform has become under the previous leadership.

All I can say to you is that I hope to restore the party to the glorious days of Forbes Burnham.” This comment provides Guyanese with an eerie sense of déjà vu. Former PNCR leader, David Granger, in 2016, at the PNCR’s 19th Biennial Congress had also touted the ideology of PNCR founder, Burnham. Granger insisted that the ideology of Burnham must be given “institutional form” and made clear that the PNCR must be guided by the same. Granger had said: “We have to complete our historic mission….we must act resolutely.” Guyanese remember only too well what life under the Burnham regime was – a society that was not free, rather subjected to 28 years of a dictatorship.

Secondly, there has been an effort to present the PNCR as committed to the principle of democracy, going as far as saying that the 2020 Election Campaign was the “poorest run” in the party’s history. This comment comes, even as he, himself, was actively at the forefront of that campaign. Norton appeared on various platforms, not only in Guyana, but in the Caribbean, including on national television in Trinidad and Tobago, staunchly defending the former APNU+AFC Coalition’s efforts to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. On July 21, 2020, Norton, appearing on television in Trinidad and Tobago, went as far as saying: “I do not see the government as illegitimate,” when questioned about the no-confidence motion and the Coalition’s caretaker mode at that time. Further, failing to acknowledge the democratic will of the Guyanese people, evidenced by the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, as well as the results of the national recount, Norton had said, “I believe we must stay focused on ensuring the People’s Progressive Party doesn’t come to power.”

Thirdly, Norton has exposed himself as not being one to shy away from peddling misinformation to the Guyanese public. In May 2020, Norton made wild claims that at a polling station in Bush Lot, Region 5, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) secured 199 votes and the Coalition secured four votes – but there were only 199 registered voters for that polling station. He had said: “I want to point out that in Box number 5083 at Bush Lot, Region Five, the official list of electors had 199 persons.” The polling station in reference was at the Bush Lot Nursery School [Division 52213C (ii)] and the number of registered voters whose ballots would have been placed in Ballot Box number 5083 is 257 – not the 199 that Norton claimed. Needless to say this was just one of several wild claims made by Norton.

Fourthly, Norton has demonstrated his comfort with elements that would see normalcy in Guyanese society disrupted.

With he himself calling for “protests action in every fashion”, Norton was silent when divisive and racist calls were made by elements aligned to the APNU+AFC Coalition. On November 22, 2021, David Hinds, who is based overseas, had said: “I think the time has come to defend ourselves…it is time for action…I am also repeating my call to undermine

Continuous Registration must be supported Dear Editor,

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he Local Government Elections are overdue and the present Continuous Registration is certainly the most acceptable, transparent, and balanced approach to updating the Register of Registrants (RoR). It guarantees the holding of the LGE’s this year and must be supported!

The utter nonsense that we are hearing from the Opposition quarters about the Voters List, must not be condoned nor be the problem of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

There is valuable precedence in the use of the Continuous Registration approach that is empowered by a foundational legal position. Section 6(1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19.08 states: it shall be lawful for the Commission by order from time to time to appoint a date with reference to which persons to whom the order applies shall be registered, a day on which the registration of such persons upon their application therefor pursuant to the order shall begin and a day on which such registration shall end.”

Contextually, the Elections Commission shall use the Official list of electors from the 2001 general and Regional elections as the base to commence continuing registration. Hence, our country has been using the accepted process to update the RoR and prepare the appropriate Voters list.

The provocateurs in the PNC who are always afraid to face the Electorates, have always made excuses and played the blame game regarding the Voters List to dodge LGE’s. Their adapting myriad approaches have always been of convenience, directed solely toward the paramount benefit of the PNC party while sacrificing balance, transparency, and fairness.

It is factual that when the APNU/ AFC assume power in 2015, they quickly went to Parliament and adjusted legislation to affirm that the Continuous registration process as the mechanism to update the Register of Registrants, must be conducted twice yearly, for six

months periods. The duplicitous behavior of the PNCR as the leading force in the APNU/AFC main Opposition has no boundaries. Our nation would recall that while they are always opposing the holding of LGE’s under successive PPP/C governments, they quickly held LGE’s in 2016 and again in 2018, using the same process and the same continuous registration process and list.

Now that GECOM has commenced this Continuous Registration Cycle, no traction must be given to the foolhardy attempts at further delays from the APNU/AFC cabal. It is without a shred of decency that some of their representatives still attempt to defend the indefensible rigging. We are living the sad and shameful memories of the 2020 five torturous months of all-out attempts to change the results of the National and Regional Elections. Our Guyanese citizens must, therefore, support and make sure that our democracy prevails, as GECOM moves forward to hold LGE’s.

Editor, the process must be carefully put to ensure that our citizenry fully understands the dynamics and guard against any camouflaged impropriety.

Please permit me to highlight and make the clarion call for all person to whom the Continuous Registration order apply, to visit the GECOM offices around the country and get registered.

Among the ‘New Registrants' category, young people who were born on or before October 31, 2018, or who will be (14) years old and over by October 31, 2022, qualify. They must have their Original Birth Certificate or valid Guyana Passport when visiting the GECOM Office. In addition, an original ‘Deed Poll’ along with his/her original Birth Certificate is required in cases where a name change will be used that is different from the names stated on the Birth Certificate.

Because of the massive PPPC Government housing drive and development across the country, many persons are now living in a new local government constituency that is different from where they were first registered. It is appropri-

the government. I said that in August and I am saying it again. A leader does not have to tell you how to undermine the government. There are many ways…undermine the government and continue to do so.” Hinds went further to call for Indian-owned businesses to be boycotted. He had said: “They were enablers and they are enablers….it is your money that is spending on Regent Street that they does take and give to the PPP as contributions for elections so they can get into government…undermine the economic partners of the PPP.” Guyanese can recall the shameless display from Hinds, while he was addressing a small group of protestors at Victoria, East Coast Demerara in August 2021. Hinds, during that action, had said: “In whatever way you can undermine this (PPP/C)

ate and necessary for these persons to present their Identification cards to the officials at the GECOM Office covering their area of residence, in support of their application to be transferred to the Constituency where they now reside.

This should also make it easier for voting on polling day.

Transfers will be facilitated during this continuous period providing the applicants give the information regarding where they were registered and where they voted in the previous elections.

Transfers are recommended as they also allow persons the opportunity to play a real role in their immediate community development at the levels of Municipalities, Neighborhood Democratic, and Village Councils.

Corrections to registration particulars are changes that are also updated during this cycle. Categories such as Incorrect spelling of a name(s), wrong date of Birth, and incorrect gender can be corrected. To do so, the applicants must submit, Original Birth Certificate and ID cards.

Persons could also apply for Replacement ID Cards if they have lost their original ID Cards. In this case, applicants are required to fill (complete) a copy of the Statutory Declaration Form which is available from the GECOM Office, and have it authenticated (signed) by a Commissioner of Oaths. The office will also facilitate the distribution of their ID Cards if they are already registered, but did not collect their ID Cards. In addition, persons could have their photos re-taken and be issued with a new ID card if the photos on their current ID Cards are damaged/faded beyond recognition.

This process is very important and it will enable GECOM to update the National Register of Registrants and prepare the appropriate Voters List for LGEs. All eligible persons are encouraged to get on board and support the process.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

government. Undermine this government in whatever way you can. I can’t tell you how to do it, but ‘hint to Baniba mek Quashiba tek notice’ (Old African-Guyanese proverb meaning actions to hint something will result in awareness). Undermine this government!”

Throughout the modern democracies, there have been concerns regarding the increasing influence wielded by professional image brokers, since image manipulation both re-directs the voters' attention away from issues to candidates and at the same time prevents the voters from seeing the candidates as they truly are (Rosenberg, Kahn, Tran and Le, 1991). This is a fact that Guyanese must be wary of, particularly given that human culture, by its nature, is a visual one.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Fallacious, malicious, envious, scurrilous attempts to cast doubts on the validity of governmental projects Dear Editor,

P

resident Ali, responding during a press meet, to the allegation that, in trying to reach deadlines for completion of projects due diligence is ignored, with the implication that the quality and durability of completed works are compromised, challenged the naysayers and doom prognosticators to identify any project on which they base their baseless allegations and attempts to denigrate the undeniable near-miraculous turnaround, by the PPP/C government, from coalition

administration’s devastation to progressive transformation pf the nation’s infrastructural and socio-economic landscapes.

The President reiterated the oft-noted explanation by various governmental officials, in their responses to the multiplicity of accusations by the discredited NGOs and individuals with coalition-prompted agendas, which every single project goes through a process that is accountable and transparent, with no dereliction of the regulatory factors.

He explained that, as well, there is oversight by the Auditor General and Parliament,

mainly through its oversight committees.

Reiterating that “every single question, every single scenario that is presented, we are ready and willing to provide answers where answers are required. There is no hidden agenda. The agenda and the transformation and development of this country is clear. We will stand up to any questions on our agenda. But it is clear that the progress and development and accelerated pace… this is the first country in the world where we have people complaining about the pace at which government is going.”

Describing as laughable that someone will complain about the pace at which government is transforming the country, the President challenged the usual suspects that “no one should believe that they will derail the development agenda of our country.”

During consideration of the Estimates of Budget 2022 it was a palpable laugh-fest, although it was nothing to laugh about, that the sanctimonious gangsters hypocritically questioned the authenticity of every line item.

Former coalition government officials and current MPs, who had, secretly and openly, raped the nation’s coffers and resources, presented themselves as the progenitors of rectitude, integrity and moral compasses with the provision of good

governance.

Outside of Parliament, the coalition satellite NGOs and media operatives continue the charade.

The discredited tribe, who had disappeared behind a curtain of silence during the inglorious and corrupt maladministration of the coalition government, and its gerrymandering, posturing, rank criminal activities – blatantly breaching the country’s laws and Constitutional diktats during its term in office, subsequent to the passing of the no-confidence motion, prior and subsequent to elections 2022, have now awakened from their hibernation that lasted for years while the country was fighting on all fronts for a restoration to democratic imperatives.

Their fallacious, malicious, envious, scurrilous attempts to cast doubts on the validity of governmental projects; or in the implementation of same, in efforts to impugn the reputations of the undoubtedly committed government functionaries and to denigrate the progress generated by their efforts is being viewed as implausible by a wiser population, who are now experiencing the differences between a PNC-led and a PPP/C-led governmental construct.

Yours sincerely, Thomas Cole

Rampant APNU+AFC corruption being exposed at PAC Dear Editor,

T

he rampant corruption that occurred under the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change administration was brought to an end in 2020. Through the democratic process, the Guyanese people removed the former administration after a five-month delay. They had attempted to pervert the true will of the people of Guyana.

Since the People’s Progressive Party Civic government entered office in August of 2020, numerous acts of corruption, nepotism, and cronyism have been unearthed. The APNU+AFC who did little to nothing for Guy-

ana and Guyanese grossly mismanaged this country and its resources. Their many acts of deliberate misappropriation of taxpayers’ money have seen many of them being brought before the courts on charges, and rightly so.

These acts along with their many other indiscretions resulted in the APNU/AFC facing a no-confidence motion three years into their tenure. The behavior of those political leaders subsequent to the successful passage of the no-confidence motion in December 2018 left much to be desired. From 2020 to now the revelations of corruption have not astonished this letter writer.

Recently during the examination of the

Auditor General report of 2017 another example of rampant corruption surfaced. This

time the Ministry of Education came onto the radar involving (Turn to page 18)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Online Job bank Athletics academy launched

operationalised

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housands of job seekers can now easily search and apply for job opportunities, following the official launch of the National Job Bank website, on March 11, 2022.

The programme, an initiative of the Ministry of Labour, will also enable employers to network with potential employees.

In brief remarks at the official launch, Minister, Joseph Hamilton, said the initiative will address the country’s unemployment challenges. “The Board of Industrial Training and CRMA [Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency] actually are twins here, because they have to work together and collaborate because it’s not just the training, it is finding a medium to ensure that peo-

ple can find a job and that is why this job bank is important to us and the nation as it develops,” he said.

There is no fee attached to the services.

Moving forward, the ministry plans to partner with several employment agencies to increase persons’ chances of finding employment.

Minister Hamilton explained that any data used from the website by these employment entities will have to be credited to the ministry. “We will not allow anyone to utilise our information, utilise our data and claim it and own it as their own. And therefore, our Permanent Secretary will write every employment agency that we know exists here. This aims to inform them about the launch of the

job bank, their participation and most importantly, the restrictions that we will have with their participation.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen said the initiative has taken into account the needs of employers and job seekers to interact without interventions by third parties. “The job bank is also accessible in any location where internet service is available, whether locally or internationally.

And employers now have this valuable cost-free resource to list their vacancies to find suitable candidates to fill their vacant positions,” he said. Kuppen is encouraging persons to take advantage of the platform.

Those interested can check out: https://www.jobs. gov.gy/ for information.

– to groom young talents to compete internationally

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n an effort to transform the sports sector and amplify young talents, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), on Sunday (March 13, 2022) launched an Athletics Sport Academy.

The academy will place emphasis on track and field, and will target youths between the ages of six to sixteen from various districts across the country.

At the launch held at the Leonora Track and Field Ground, Region Three, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, said the initiative will streamline young talents to compete internationally. “Sports need to aggressively transform; it

needs to aggressively transform because we have a lot of talent in the country. It has the potential for taking young people to the level of being internationally competitive.”

Additionally, the ministry has committed to recommence the Aliann Pompey sports meet, to ensure youths are provided the opportunity to enhance their talent.

The meet is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It captures the timings of an athlete, which qualifies them to attend the Olympics. The local competition will be hosted annually, while other tournaments and meets will occur regularly.

Minister Ramson en-

couraged the youths to work hard to attain their goals in sport, noting that local competition is important.

He said, “That is pretty important because if you have a local meet where you can participate and compete in, all of you will now have the chance to get to that point.”

Meanwhile, representative of the Athletics Sport Academy, Cristy Campbell, encouraged the first batch of athletes to do their best to achieve their goals.

Within the last few months, the ministry, through the NSC, launched five academies in a phased manner of the 12 sporting activities. They include football, squash, badminton and table tennis.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’

800 more persons receive house lots on East Bank

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ome 800 more Guyanese are now closer to homeownership, as the Ministry of Housing and Water hosted its ‘Dream realised’ house lot allocation exercise at the National Stadium, Providence on Friday.

The moderate, middle and high-income house lots were allocated in the Grove Diamond Block-1 Housing Development, to persons who have been waiting for years.

Minister of Housing and

Water, Collin Croal noted that infrastructural projects and road upgrades on the East Bank corridor for this year will see the government investing close to $14.8 billion. This will see new infrastructural work being done in Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Little Diamond and Peter’s Hall, as well as road upgrades at Herstelling, Perseverance, Peter’s Hall and Eccles. The contracts for these works will be signed shortly.

“When the cost for the con-

struction of the new four- lane highway from Eccles to Great Diamond, which stands at $13.3B is added to the new stock of projects, the total sum for new investments in the East Bank corridor is expected to be a staggering $28 billion,” he announced.

Minister Croal reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the demand of subsidised housing. He further noted that the intention is to make affordable housing

available to every Guyanese in keeping with President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ concept.

Meanwhile, a number of persons also received their land title/transport for lands they received in recent years.

Last year, the ministry distributed over 10,000 house lots while 14,000 more applicants will be facilitated this year.

This will take the government closer to achieving its target of delivering 50,000 house lots by 2025.

Over 2,000 Pomeroon residents to benefit from refurbished dental boat

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he ‘Lady Janet’, a dental boat was on Monday recommissioned by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, M.P, after being out of service for six years. The boat is expected to provide service for more than 2,000 residents in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon areas.

Some $2.8 million was expended by the ministry to refurbish the dental

boat.

The fully equipped boat will be providing services such as oral examination, cleaning, filling, oral health education and extraction. Senior Dental Surgeon for Region Two, Sabrieba Harrychan, has indicated that the boat will be operating out of the region on Mondays and Tuesdays.

(Turn to page 17)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

P P P /C D E L I V E R I N G O N ‘ P L A N F O R P R O S P E R I T Y ’ Community ICT Training Programme continues

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pproximately 25 teenagers and young adults from Cane Grove, ECD, are participating in the Industry and Innovation Unit's Basic ICT Training Programme.

These are among scores of young children and adolescents are benefiting from the PPP/C government’s community Information Communication Technology (ICT) training.

The training aimed at building individual capacities in keeping with the wider

Government programmes to invest in people to foster a modern society, and generate wealth for all.

The training programme covered topics including Internet Computing, Hardware and Software and Office Productivity.

The initiative is being done through a collaboration between the Industry and Innovation Unit and the Department of Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Amerindian Development…

FOCUS ON GUYANA’ S FIRST PEOPLE $42M well commissioned Teixeira engages Itabali residents on concerns in Jawalla

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pproximately 600 residents of Jawalla, Region Seven, will now have potable water access for the first time, as a $42 million water distribution system has been commissioned in the Upper-Mazaruni village on Sunday (March 13, 2022).

The system was commissioned by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during an outreach to several communities in the Upper Mazaruni at the weekend. He was accompanied by Hinterland Director, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramchan Jailall.

The scope of works included drilling of a deep water well, installation of pipe network with service connections, construction of a trestle with storage tanks, construction of a fence and the installation of a photovoltaic pumping system.

Minister Croal said the new system will see more than 90 percent of residents, including the school and hospital on the right bank of the river accessing potable water through their taps.

“Our intention is to ensure potable water reaches each and every community and we will deliver that during our first term in office,” Minister Croal assured residents.

He said investments made in Upper Mazaruni alone amounted to close to $100 million in just over a year. This includes the construction of the system at Jawalla, as well as Kamarang and Kurutuku. “We have placed it in our 2022 budget programme…. we have already tendered for them and are currently at the evaluation stage,” Croal said.

Minister Croal noted that Guyana has signed on to the

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number Six, which speaks to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. He said His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed to ensuring that resources are made available to provide every village with access to potable water.

Meanwhile, Community Support Officers are being trained to manage and maintain the water supply systems in hinterland communities.

Minister Croal also announced that a sub-regional officer of GWI will be based in Kamarang to provide supervision.

This year, similar projects will be executed in Waramadong, and Phillipai, among other villages in Region Seven. These interventions will see the government investing close to $200 million.

Moruca youths benefit from ICT training

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he Office of the Prime Minister, through the Industry and Innovation Unit, recently concluded its "ICT Train the Trainer" in Moruca, Region One, with over a dozen graduating.

Regional Vice-Chair, Annansha Peters, in remarks congratulated the participants

and highlighted the importance of ICT in the modern world.

Among the topics covered during the training were: Introduction to computers and fundamentals of ICT; Word Processing (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Internet Computing; Cyber Securi-

ty and Online Safety; and Teaching Methodologies for ICT Education.

The training aimed at building individual capacities in keeping with the wider Government programmes to invest in people to foster a modern society, and generate wealth for all.

D

uring a recent community outreach, by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, to Itabali, Mazaruni, Region 7, the community benefited from sports gears, etc. and had an opportunity to address concerns.

Teixeira, the geographic Parliamentarian for Region 7, addressed several issues including access to water. Notably, inadequate supply of water will soon be a thing of the past for residents of Itabali, Region Seven. The water supply system, which is set

for a $4 million upgrade, will see the rehabilitation of the well in the community and expansion of the system for more persons to access water. Improved access to, and enhanced quality of water is a manifesto promise of the PPP/C administration. This includes the upgrading of the distribution and transmission of water in urban, rural and hinterland areas. The budgetary allocation for Region Seven is $3.6 billion.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance's team also provided

residents with information on Budget 2022, the WIIN programme, the 914 hotline and other informational materials, along with application forms for various programmes, including GOAL and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).

After the meeting, Minister Texieria also handed over a brush cutter and sports equipment to the residents of Itabali.

Also present at the meeting were representatives of the Community Development Council (CDC).

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

POSITIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT

GWI, GPL will not increase tariffs Gov’t exploring local ‒ Ali says Government will continue to “fill the by a cent gap” to cushion rising fuel prices cultivation of wheat as world market prices soar P

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s wheat prices peak at record high globally, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has indicated that the PPP/C government is exploring the possibility of sourcing a variety of wheat for local production.

The surge in wheat and other commodity prices is a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Both states account for about 30 percent of the world’s traded wheat.

“Soon we are going to work to see whether we can find a variety of wheat that we can plant in Guyana, so that we can fulfill even our local requirement. We are learning important lessons now that we must not leave unanswered for future generations,” President Ali said.

He lamented that both the COVID-19 pandemic and the war have led to supply chain

disruption, which has major economic implications. The pandemic in some instances has increased the cost of goods and services between 20 to 145 per cent, while the cost of shipping and logistics has caused increases by as much as 200 percent. The war in Ukraine then arose, taking out close to 40 per cent of global wheat production. The price per barrel of oil also surged. And if that was not enough, China with just an emergence of a few Covid cases, has gone into another lock down.

Notwithstanding these challenges, President Ali said the government is unwavering in its quest to build a Guyana that is resilient, and a country that meets not only its national responsibility, but plays an important role in its global responsibility.

“We have started to present

leadership on our next big crisis, food security…The world has thought us that we can no longer be dependent, we have to be as self-sufficient and self-sustainable as possible, especially when it comes to the supply of food and basic commodities,’ he noted.

Ali added that citizens must understand the complexities of the environment under which the government is operating, acknowledging the fact that despite the many challenges, the administration has managed to maintain a country which boasts the best debt-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio.

The government has also been able to keep all its public servants employed, expand employment opportunities, provide increases in salaries and pension, and incentives to more students.

Gov’t taking humanitarian approach to Venezuelan migrants

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he PPP/C government has taken a humanitarian approach in its treatment of migrants, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who noted that a high-level task force has been established to address the issue.

Responding to an article in a local newspaper that sought to put Guyana in a bad light regarding its treatment of migrants, he urged persons to be responsible and consider the implications such headlines have on Guyana’s image. “We are

not running refugee camps like many countries in which you cross the border and you are in a chain-link fence with razor wire all around you. We are approaching this from a humanitarian perspective,” he said.

The taskforce includes the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, members of Cabinet, the national security advisor, regional authorities and the international community.

Since taking office, government has made several

interventions to assist migrants here. Some of the interventions include providing medical care along with food hampers with special attention given to children.

In November 2021, government delivered tools to White Water and Khans Hill in Region One to help Venezuelan migrants build shelters. Additionally, in 2021, government restored the multi-agency coordinating committee to address the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

Gov’t to establish police academy to train local and regional officers

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he PPP/C government is working on the establishment of a police academy aimed at building the capacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). However, the intention of the academy is to not only provide training for local police men and women, but also those in the region.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali made the revelation at the recently held Annual Police Officers’ Conference. The President noted

that discussions are ongoing on the matter. “We are in detailed discussions with many of our development partners in the developed world and in the developing world also on their experiences in this and we are pursuing a path on the development of a police academy,” he said.

He said government will enhance the force’s crime fighting capabilities to align them with international best practices and

standards. For this, he noted that investments will be made for the professional development of ranks. “A better trained force will be in a much stronger position to deliver the result which are required… There can be no place for brute, force and ignorance in policing, it is also unacceptable for the police to be rude and ill-mannered to the public,” Ali stated.

At present, sever(Turn to page 16)

resident Dr. Irfaan Ali have given the assurance that despite the global increase in energy costs, his Government will continue to “fill the gap” to ensure that the burden is not passed on to citizens.

He said that this will be done although prices for fuel, which is the main impetus for the production of power and treated water, has increased by 100 per cent. “We said to both entities; you are not going to increase by a cent.

The Government will take up the additional expenditure and fill the gap. That is how a responsible government operates,” Ali said.

He noted that when the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) budgeted, they did so with oil at US$60 per barrel and not at $125.

The President also reminded that it was his Government that removed the Value Added Tax on water for all categories of citizens, reinstated the water subsidy for pensioners, and reduced the water tariffs across all categories by five per cent.

He said, “There is no government globally, and I say categorically, in this crisis that has moved to such di-

rections.”

The President said that his Government has been able to keep all public servants employed and have even e employment opportunities. He noted that increases in salaries, pension and funds to students have also been distributed, even as the Government embarks on a massive infrastructure transformation, which is critically needed in Guyana. He said, “Sometimes we take these things for granted because the Government can be so responsive and responsible.”

LUSIGNAN WELL A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT The Head of State said that by 2025 more than half the world’s population will be living in water-stressed circumstances. As such, he pointed to the significance of the $141m facility at Lusignan, which is expected to benefit some 22,000 residents of Grassfield, Lusignan Pasture, Lusignan East, Lusignan West, Annandale and Courbane Park. He said, “As we meet today, 785 million people lack basic drinking water service globally. 144m people depend on surface water to carry out their daily lives. Two billion people

globally use water that is contaminated in some way or form. This contamination has led, and continues to lead to many different types of diseases…This is the context in which we must position this accomplishment….”

He reminded that since his Government returned to office, $6.2b has been spent in the water sector, and over the next two years, $11b will be expended in this sector to ensure improved access to potable and treated water.

This expenditure, he said, will be used to ensure that by 2025 there is 100 per cent access to good potable water and an efficient supply of water along the coast and in the riverine communities.

He also announced that the Government will be investing in more than 12 new water treatment plants all across the country. The President reiterated his Government’s intention of realising the commitments made to citizens and families to build a resilient Guyana. “So as we make these small but important steps, be assured of the continuous investment of the government into your lives, your family lives and your community life,” he assured.

Tougher penalties for drunk driving to be examined T he PPP/C government will be examining the implementation of a burden-sharing system to curb drinking and driving, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. And he noted that the system will place some amount of responsibility on a business establishment or individual who allows an individual to operate a vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol.

The President said such a system exists in Canada. Some amount of responsibility is placed on a bartender who serves someone alcohol and allows that person to enter the driver’s seat of a vehicle. “So, I want you to look at this model and how we can have a system of burden-sharing because more than 70 per cent of the accidents are caused by persons that are under the influence, and we

have to expand our net in stopping this at the bud.

There is no sense we allow them to drive, you make the accident and yes, the law is strong, you can lose your licence and go to jail, but the persons are already dead. So how do we build a system that allows for burden sharing where it must become a part of the culture of our country,” he said.

Dr. Ali said the mechanism in Canada is very detailed. He explained if there is a house party, the homeowner would have to make an announcement, laying out certain rules.

If the homeowner allows someone under the influence to leave the house in a drunken state, the homeowner would bear some of the responsibility should anything happen to the individual. He said, “That is how we will rapidly change the culture of drinking and

driving in the country, not only by the large enforcement of the law. So, we have to examine this, there are already best practices globally.”

He noted that the issue of drinking must be taken seriously. The President said he regularly engages persons who have lost loved ones due to persons driving under the influence.

He said those conversations turn out to be some of the most painful he has had.

In 2021, the Guyana Police Force recorded a reduction in fatal accidents by 32 per cent. This trend has continued in 2022 with the force recording a 9.5 per cent reduction in road fatalities from January 1 to March 8, when compared to the same period in 2021.

There have been 19 fatalities from 15 accidents this year, compared to 21 fatalities from 20 accidents in 2021.

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Inf r as t r uct ur e: Building f or t he Fut ur e

Road networks in No. 76, 77 villages completed ahead of schedule

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he rehabilitation of the road networks in Number 76 and Number 77 villages, Corentyne, Berbice (Region Six) which had a timeline of June 30, have been completed ahead of schedule.

This was recently confirmed by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

In January, Minister Edghill visited the two communities to inspect and get feedback from residents. Minister Edghill at the time of his visit said the upgrades in the communities were a com-

mitment being fulfilled by government. He said, “In the run up to the 2020 elections, I walked all these streets knocked on your doors and asked you for your vote. So, I am happy that we are in government and I have come back now to see how you are benefitting from your government working for you.”

At Number 77 Village, 3,140 metres of road was rehabilitated by Rajendra Ramcharitar Contracting Enterprise, while 5,005 metres was completed in Number 76 village by Associated

Contracting Service. The two projects cost $170 million and $268 million respectively.

The works are roll-over projects from the 2021 budget. Budget 2022 has allotted $15.2 billion for miscellaneous roads, $7.2 billion more than the previous year’s allocation which saw over 450 roads constructed or rehabilitated in 2021.

Already, invitation for bids have been published in the daily newspapers for works in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.

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Gov’t to spend close to $600M to rehabilitate Naamryck, Hubu access roads

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he Naamryck and Hubu main access roads in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) will be undergoing rehabilitation that will cost government close to $600M. This was revealed on by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, following inspections in the communities. He noted that the upgrades which will modernise the communities’ infrastructure are in keeping with the government’s vision. He said, “At Naamaryck, the road is in a dilapidated state and so we went and inspected it. The residents in the area have been requesting for this to get done last year. We have put monies in the budget

this year and it is going out to tender.”

He explained that the ministry will carry out emergency works on the road to provide immediate relief to residents. “The road is slushy as water is on the road and residents cannot move in and out easily,” Minister Indar stated.

He said the main road from Parika to Hubu on to Three Door Koker, is in a similar condition. “We (government) picked up the bill of quality and we went out to tender and it has been awarded. We should have mobilisation here between one to two weeks where two contractors have been awarded different sections of the road to do it simulta-

neously.”

Residents of Hubu have asked that a warning be given to truck drivers whose daily use has caused the road to deteriorate.

Minister Indar said the drivers must be held accountable for their actions.

He said, “You, as the residents need to hold these truck drivers accountable because we expect you to care the road when we fix it.”

The residents also took the opportunity to raise several issues relating to healthcare, education and agricultural services, among others.

Regional Chairman, Sheik Ayube along with other regional officers also attended the community meeting.

$30M Infectious diseases chest clinic Contract for Linden to Mabura road commissioned at Suddie to be signed soon

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$30 million Infectious Diseases Chest Clinic at the Suddie Public hospital was commissioned on Monday (March 14, 2022).

The clinic will be utilised specifically to treat persons with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB).

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said healthcare workers will now have a better facility to treat patients suffering from these diseases.

He reiterated the ministry’s efforts in treating patients and also eliminating HIV from Guyana’s population.

He said, “As you know, with HIV there’s a lot of things that we’re doing to change how we treat with HIV patients, and so one of the things that we want to move to is not just treating persons who are HIV positive but also those persons who are at

high risks.”

The minister said the ministry has also rolled out a comprehensive PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) programme across the country, which will allow persons who believe they have been exposed to HIV, to be treated. He said, “We have enough medication to do PrEP and therefore, if we follow the protocol, then we’ll be able to minimise persons getting the infection so as to become positive.”

Anthony reiterated that soon HIV self-testing kits would be introduced as another way of detecting the disease in its early stage.

In relation to TB, Dr. Anthony said, “As you know with TB one of our biggest challenges has been making sure that people take their medication… and if we’re going to help to cure these

people then we have to make sure they take the medication on time,” minister Anthony said.

He further noted that during the pandemic, healthcare workers we unable to go out in the communities to observe and ensure persons are taking their medication.

“So, we need to recover, we need to go back out, we need to find these patients and make sure they are on treatment,” Dr. Anthony told health workers.

Additionally, $100 million has been allocated to improve health facilities in Region Two. Dr. Anthony said x-ray services and intensive care at the Suddie Hospital will soon be improved.

Training opportunities for Community Health Workers (CHW) and nurses will also be made available in the region.

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enior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has announced that the signing of the contract to commence the construction of the US$190 million Linden to Mabura road will be conducted within the next month.

Minister Singh made the announcement during an outreach to several communities in Region Nine over the weekend. He was accompanied

by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal.

“Within the short space of just about another few weeks, you will read news of the conclusion of award and signing of a major contract, one of the biggest projects ever embarked on in our country, the Linden to Mabura road,” Dr. Singh told the residents.

The project is being implemented by the Government of Guyana, with support from the

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The project also received financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, through a grant provided under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund.

“It is in fact, the largest project ever implemented by the CDB and it is one of our largest projects and it represents the first phase of what will be the Linden to Lethem road,” Minister Singh said.

The new road will be in addition to the 32 bridges slated for construction from Kurupukari to Lethem, at a cost of $4 billion. The tendering process for that project is at an advanced stage, Dr. Singh noted.

“It means that immediately, connectivity will be improved once the bridges are completed. Once construction starts, jobs will be created

and economic activity will be generated for all of the communities along the alignment of that road,’ the minister said.

Once the road and bridges are completed, the government will move to complete the construction of the entire Linden to Lethem road which will improve connectivity between Georgetown and Region Nine.

Last year, Guyana had a public international tender process for the project and received bids from a number of international companies. The bids were then evaluated by a Guyanese evaluation team that forwarded recommendations to the CDB. Last month, CDB issued its no objection for negotiations to commence with the most responsive bidder, Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A from Brazil for the award of the Linden to Mabura Hill upgrade project.

$25M earmarked for expansion of MMA/ADA seed paddy facility

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he Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) seed processing facility will see tremendous expansion this year, with $25 million set aside for major rehabilitation work.

The effort will advance the nation’s rice production significantly, especially since Guyana anticipates new markets, according to subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

“With this facility, we will be moving just around 10,000 bags seed paddy to about 50,000. So that will help tre-

mendously in Region Five to increase the capacity,” the agriculture minister underscored.

Three companies have already applied to conduct rehabilitation works on the MMA/ ADA paddy factory.

The entities include JS Engineering Services & Supplies with a proposed sum of $25.2 million, NK Engineering Services with $47.1 million and DBL Group providing $24.1 million to complete the project.

Additionally, Minister Mustapha said the goal is to make more lands available, although the scheme is known to be the

largest rice producing area in the country.

The first phase of the MMA-ADA Scheme was completed since the mid-1980s with a conservancy situated at the headwaters of the Abary River. This phase services approximately 40,000 acres of paddy production from state lands and about another 20,000 acres of private lands within the Abary – Berbice district.

The irrigation system also services some 14,000 acres of cultivation at the Blairmont Sugar Estate.

“We will be starting the

second phase shortly of the MMA Scheme, we have started to do work there already and this will help us to help farmers to get enough seed paddy. The Burma Rice Research Station normally produces these seed paddy and we also have private people who are working with us to produce, but sometimes the capacity is not there,” the minister added.

Government had invested $20 million to repair the seed drying facility at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Region Six, that was left abandoned.

The agriculture minister along with his technical team had toured the building and found it dilapidated.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is tasked with implementing strategic measures to ensure rice production accelerates.

Mustapha said, “What we have found is that these seed paddy that is being produced

by GRDB, we are having more yield for example in Black Bush Polder, with the common variety that we have, they have moved to about

40 bags per acres. The new variety that we have planted, the GRDB-16, we have seen the average move to about 30 bags per acres to about 60 bags, and this is good for us as a country.” He added that the aggressive move to ramp up rice production will eventually help with cost reduction, “because if you produce more with the same cost, then the cost of production will come down,” he stressed.

Region Five contributes between 35 to 50 per cent of the gross national rice production.

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‘One Guyana’ will promote sustainable development and create the good life for all Guyanese Dear Editor,

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national conversation has begun on the concept of “One Guyana” that was introduced into the political lexicon by President Irfaan Ali. This is an idea which the President believes would bring together the various segments of the community to promote sustainable development and create the good life for all Guyanese.

A unified society (grounded in universal human values: both instrumental and affective) could maximize the benefits to be derived from the oil and other sources of wealth that flow incrementally into the public treasury.

However, identifying the cultural forces that could produce a united society is a complex challenge. The situation is accentuated by pluralism which is characterized by social cleavages and cultural diversity. Pluralism in Guyanese society is also reflected in the divergent views expressed in relation to the ‘One Guyana’ concept. Some commentators view One Guyana as an opportunity to bring together all ethnic groups through adherence to a common set of core cultural values and institutions; some view it as an opportunity to enhance the main ‘creole’

culture system; some view it negatively as an attempt to stifle specific ethnic cultural values and institutions, while some regard it as an attempt to create a Guyanese nationalism. Yet, others view it as an opportunity to create an economic rights-based policy.

The main culture system of Guyana is referred to as “creole.” In the plantation system, there was the need by the colonial class to identify their Christian-based Euro-centric culture system that has its intellectual roots in 18th century enlightenment (rationalism, natural rights, and progress), separately from the local emerging creole culture. This “low value” creole culture system has been viewed as distinct from the “high value” European culture. The emerging creole culture system has been evolving through a process called creolization in which syncretism (a combination of two separate cultural elements is combined into a new, unique value such as in chutney music) and acculturation (where people adopt, acquire, and adjust to aspects of the European culture system such as in education).

The impact of acculturation is not uniform, it varies among the ethnic groups. Many scholars have seized upon and explained societal changes in terms of “creolization,”

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022 which has caused “fundamental change in culture and social structure of ethnic groups but did not lead to a unified society.” (Prof R.T. Smith). The Amerindians, for example, have not been greatly affected because of their geographic location (hinterland) and away from the center of political power.

Indo-Guyanese have resisted attempts at acculturation/syncretism and have been inclined to embrace only those cultural values that are compatible with their instrumental (material) needs. Professor Philip Singer and Dr. E Araneta highlighted the “tenacity of East Indian culture despite creolization.”

Previous attempts to push forth unity Guyana, like Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago, have not been wholly successful in eradicating the plural features of Guyanese society. This point did not escape the scrutiny of scholars like Dr. Erique Araneta and Professor Philip Singer who stated that for Indo-Guyanese, what was evolving has been a process of “Hinduition” and not creolization. While they accept some basic western values and institutions (such as education, dress code, language, commerce, etc.) which facilitate their instrumental (materials) needs, they (Indo-Guyanese) have preserved the integrity of core Indian cultural values such as songs, music, festivals, rituals, dances, arts, cuisine, and kingship. Indeed, all the ethnic groups of Guyana have persisted in keeping some core elements of their respective cultural values/institutions intact, against the dangling thrust of western values. In trying to forge a nationalism in Trinidad & Tobago, there had been stiff opposition by the Indian leaders who felt that their traditional cultural values/institutions would have been downgraded and marginalized. Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams’ response was swift and furious; he described Indians then as “a hostile and recalcitrant minority.” Guyana leaders should avoid this type of caustic rhetoric and always be mindful that ethnic identity and personality are shaped by

cultural values/institutions, and they exist in a symbiotic relationship that could not be easily severed. People are skeptical of state sponsored ideology as experience has shown how this could lead to dictatorship or totalitarianism. They are therefore likely to feel comfortable with a well-thought out and articulated policy.

What is becoming evident is that ’One Guyana’ should be founded upon an Economic Rights-Based Policy and not on an ideology of nationalism. An economic rights-based policy should be built upon some core instrumental values such as (i) a modern constitution, (ii) equality of access to opportunity, (iii) empowerment programs, (iv) and mutual respect for diverse cultures. Upon these core instrumental values/institutions should be added affective universal human values such as (i) natural rights, (ii) freedom, (iii) citizens’ allegiance to state, (iv) defense of territorial integrity, (v) and respect for national symbols, and national anthem.

In the pursuit of an economic rightsbased policy, ethnic groups’ cultural values/ institutions should not be stifled, but respected.

Sincerely, Dr. Tara Singh

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

In Focus : Adv ances in t he Agr icult ur e Sect or F a r m e r s ’ m a r k e t a m o n g in it ia t iv e s t o e a s e c o s t o f liv in g

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government continues to implement measures to ease the cost of living for all Guyanese, as promised in the 2022 National Budget.

The administration has recognised the spike in food costs, and while market prices have escalated, prices reflected at the farm gate remain low.

This, of course, reflects a number of factors, including transportation costs and multiple layers of handling and reselling from farm to the final retail phase.

To reduce inefficiencies in this process, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, M.P., said government will arrange farmers’ markets at several locations countrywide.

A mere two weeks after the passage of the national fiscal package in the National Assembly on February 10, government hosted a massive farmers’ market at the Lusignan Market Tarmac, East Coast Demerara. The mega initiative attracted hundreds and benefitted both farmers and consumers in

and out of the Demerara-Mahaica district.

The exercise allowed farmers to find ready markets for their produce and gave consumers the advantage of buying directly from the farmers.

Additionally, the agriculture ministry will be partnering with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six, and hosted a farmers’ market in Albion on March 13, 2022.. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha assured that, “We will facilitate you; we will set out a place for you around

the New Amsterdam area. We will advertise it well on a weekly basis.

We could have a farmers’ market.”

The exercise aims to attract agriculturists, specifically cash crop farmers and agro-processors from across the district.

Persons were also given the opportunity to purchase meat products directly from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), while stations were established by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).

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Norton parrots Granger in pledging return of PNCR to ‘Burnham’s glory days’ I

n his first outreach in North America, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader, while criticizing his predecessor, David Granger, mouthed the same lines as Granger did on a similar outreach.

Norton talked up a return to “Burnham’s glory days” while speaking at a Town Hall meeting in Brooklyn,

New York, on March 11, 2022. He said, “I don’t want to get into the details of what the People’s National Congress Reform has become under the previous leadership. All I can say to you is that I hope to restore the party to the glorious days of Forbes Burnham.”

Granger had carried a similar line. In Atlanta,

United States of America, in 2017, Granger had said, “Some people tried to de-Burnhamise the PNC…I intend to protect and preserve and promote those ideals which I believe are still valid…my brothers and sisters, that is where I take my ideas from, my ideology from.”

In August 2019, Granger

had said, “We are encouraged by his (Burnham’s) example. We are inspired by his vision. We, his heirs and successors, recommit to perpetuating his legacy…we remember him with reverence and respect.”

Prior to those comments, the former PNCR leader in 2016, had said, “Burnham’s ideas are still relevant today…we have to complete our historic mission….we must act resolutely.”

Notably, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, in the past has said that while Granger paints Burnham as a nationalist and an egalitarian, he cannot be separated from the discrimination that occurred during his era, not the facts that Guyana was a repressive state with a failed economy. Rigged elections and lack of democracy, the Opposition Leader charged, is another fact that cannot be ignored. Jagdeo had referenced the report from the international Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which also detailed the type of society Guyana had become under Burnham’s rule.

The Commission’s (Turn to page 17)

WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Harmon now formally ousted from all leadership posts

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ith his own party questioning the validity of his letter signaling an “intent” to resign his post as an APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarian, the embattled Joseph Harmon, has submitted a new letter making clear that he resigns his post.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, explained that Harmon tendered his formal resignation on Monday (March 14, 2022). He was quoted the media as saying, “The first letter signalled his intent to resign. But yesterday (Monday) I received another letter from Mr Harmon and this was definite. It is ‘I hereby tender my resignation effective March 15 [2022]’ and we consider this as the formal letter of resignation. “…the Speaker would have to write Mr Granger as leader of the list informing him that Mr. Harmon has resigned and ask him to extract another name from the list he submitted to GECOM before the elections. That name would then be submitted to GECOM and they would make the appointment after which the person would be sworn in as Member of Parliament.”

Prior to the new correspondence, after media reports indicated that Harmon

resigned, House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, clarified that there is a difference between a letter of resignation and a letter of intent to resign. He said, “There might be semantics, but saying I intend to resign at a certain date doesn’t say that I have resigned, or I am resigning effective March 10th.” According to Nadir, the Parliament Office would write the Representative of the List after the resignation is received. “We have to write them…we have to write the Representative of the List. When a resignation comes to the Speaker, then the Speaker writes to the Representative of the List for nominees,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Shurwayne Holder, had confirmed that the much talked about resignation was not in fact a resignation. He said, “I have seen a copy of the letter from the National Assembly (that Harmon sent to the Speaker). I do not think it’s legally it’s a… resignation. There’s an intent for Mr Harmon to resign and so I wouldn’t take it that he has resigned.”

Further, the Clerk of the National Assembly had said, “The letter was sent to the (Turn to page 16)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

PNCR now seeking to ‘build relationship’ with Caribbean leaders after attacking them in 2020 L

ess than two years after bashing Caribbean governments, claiming that they were “socialized” by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, has said that the Party is now seeking to build relationships with Caribbean governments.

Norton, according to local media reports, indicated last week that overtures are being made to Caribbean

Heads of Government, including Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

Notably, in 2020, Mottley was Chair of CARICOM. The PNCR leader’s comment comes after Norton, on July 6, 2020, appeared on Trinidad and Tobago’s TV6’s Morning Edition programme, hosted by Fazeer Mohammed, said, “They paid millions of dollars to get a foreign company to influence the diplomatic corps and inform decisions. So we are

really responding to the reality of our political operations in Guyana.”

The host questioned, “Are you suggesting that diplomats were bribed?”

Norton, in response, said, “I would want to say they were bribed. But I will say this. They were clearly socialized and influenced by the People’s Progressive Party. The details on how the socialization went, I will leave for those who investigate and want to take legal action.”

Harmon now formally ousted... (From page 14) Speaker [Manzoor Nadir] on Thursday (March 3, 2022) and he forwarded me a copy.

It informed of Mr Harmon’s intention to resign by March 15 [2022]. I would not consider that a resignation because a letter of resignation would sound like ‘I hereby submit my resignation effective so and so’ or ‘I hereby resign’ etc,” the Clerk had said.

The APNU+AFC Coalition will now be short of two representatives in Parliament, until the vacancies are filled.

Nicolette Henry’s resignation is supposed to take effect from March 31, 2022 while Harmon’s is effective from Tuesday (March 15, 2022).

Norton is expected to take over as Opposition Leader, but only after former president and Leader of the

APNU+AFC Coalition list of representatives, David Granger, extracts his name.

Reports are that Granger has been written to informing him that Norton should be named as a replacement.

While it is clear that Norton will take Harmon’s seat in Parliament, there has been no indication on possible candidates to take Henry’s seat.

The host further questioned, “You would include the CARICOM Chair, Mia Mottley, in that category?” Norton, said, “I have already done that… what they (the PPP/C) are trying to do is to use the international community, public relations, to gain power.”

Norton’s comment in

July 2020, followed former President David Granger’s declaration that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was the most “legitimate interlocutor” in Guyana’s electoral process.

A high-level CARICOM team had observed the recount of the votes cast in the March 2020 General

and Regional Elections. In its final report, the CARICOM team said, “Nothing we witnessed warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 elections.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Gov’t to establish police Cheddi Jagan’s ‘One Guyana’ dream remain... (From page 22) aided and abetted Burnham It is the reason why in of racial discrimination and our new government”. academy to... (From page 10) throughout Burnham’s tenure his early years as Premier bigotry and to raise awareThis is one reason why, al ranks are undertaking studies through government’s Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and at the University of Guyana.

Additionally, budget 2022 has allocated $120 million towards training and development of ranks.

The training includes: train the trainers at$5.7 million, safety and securi-

ty management diplomas, $9.8 million and strategic intelligence gathering at $6.2 million.

There are also degree programmes in Public Management at $19 million, a bridging course to qualify for the Advance Security Management Master’s at $16.9 million and $10.8 million for training in cyber security.

as a dictator. This is because Cheddi saw human beings as one. He did not believe that color of our skin, texture of our hair or religion were reasons to separate us. In his eyes, all humans are equal, divided by poverty. He wanted to ensure that no child was deprived of a home, of food, of health and of education, no matter what the economic status of their families.

he ensured Guyana had a network of health centers to provide maternal and child healthcare. It is the reason why he started the network of primary schools and secondary schools around the country, why he established the university of Guyana. It is the reason why he established large agriculture schemes to ensure Guyana was a food-secured country. Citizens everywhere benefitted from government programs.

Reflecting on his journey, this is what Cheddi had to say: “Since my return to Guyana, since 1947 in public life, I have fought to reject the sins

ness of our people. What I have stood for in my years of public life is the unity of the Guyanese people.” Soon after taking his well-deserved place as Guyana’s first ever elected President, in October 1992, Cheddi said the following at the 1993 flag-raising ceremony: “We must break down prejudices and barriers. Under my government, there will be no place for first-class citizens – only Guyanese citizens, second class citizens or thirdclass citizens. The hopes and aspirations of our ancestors and past generations to build our country into One Guyana have again come alive under

soon after swearing in, Cheddi announced the creation of the Steven Campbell Day and Heritage Month for September, in ensuring that Amerindians are given their due recognition as equal citizens of our country. It is why Bharat Jagdeo enacted the Amerindian Act and why Amerindian Land Right and Titling became a law. Today, President Irfaan Ali is not only reiterating Cheddi’s aspirations, not only building on Bharat Jagdeo’s platform of building One Guyana, but is pursuing the One Guyana Agenda as a nation-building program.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 19-20 MARCH, 2022

Norton parrots Granger in... (From page 14)

Over 2,000 Pomeroon... (From page 7)

155-page report concluded Rodney’s assassination was a “State organised” act that was executed with the knowledge of the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, who had “large and detailed” knowledge of what was being done by the State and its agencies during his tenure.

The report details also detailed the link to the principle of party paramountcy and the use of the GPF and Guyana Defence Force

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said “It’s first going to function as a dental boat because that’s what it was built to do. We think we can add additional services such as MCH [Maternal and Child Health] services,

(GDF), as well as the judiciary, to go after persons who were seen as opposition elements. The report concluded that Burnham, had such an “absolute” grip and control over the society that he “dehumanised and belittled many Guyanese.” Quoting the testimony of Tacuma Ogunseye, the report noted that the then Prime Minister Burnham was prepared to “do anything to maintain power and that included vi-

olence and death.”

The result was that opposition elements were constantly harassed, threatened or assaulted and some murdered. “The period under review was one of extreme hardships and difficulties in the life of Guyanese people.

The rule of law was systematically subverted on a daily basis. It was replaced by the rule of man in the person of Burnham and the PNC,” the report said on page 59.

maybe general medical clinics.” The health minister also noted that this additional service will boost dental care in the region as it will reach persons living in far flung areas.

Also present at the simple ribbon-cutting ceremo-

ny at Charity Waterfront were Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, and other Senior Officers from the Ministry of Health and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two.

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Rampant APNU+AFC corruption being... a fuel scandal.

Only last month, tension erupted between Jermaine Figueira, Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and the Senior Minister of Public Works Hon. Bishop Edghill. The senior Minister was at that time seeking clarification into the sales

of some derelict vehicles by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs also back in 2017. The Ministers’ inquiry saw direct attempts to suppress information into the highly irregular sale that occurred when the APNU/AFC was in power. It appears that thus far 2017 was another corrupt year under the failed

coalition.

Incidentally, in December last year Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira manufactured a bizarre idea. He suggested that the Public Accounts Committee fast-track the reviewing of the Auditor General reports of the APNU/AFC coalition’s spending for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. This absurdity was vehemently rejected by the Government members of the PAC. It was obvious that the APNU/AFC coalition did not want the PAC examining their spending.

The Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira who was an official in the previous

(From page 5) administration and a Member of Parliament is fully cognizant of the APNU/AFC misappropriation and corrupt practices. If he had been successful many of the revelations we are now seeing coming out of the PAC meetings would have been sidelined or suppressed altogether. The work of the PAC is important, it is for this reason that it shouldn’t be rushed or fast-tracked. This would enable for the thorough examination of the AGs reports and the appropriate actions being taken.

Sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

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COM M ENTARY

Cheddi Jagan’s ‘One Guyana’ dream remains key focus on nation building effort

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

T

his month marks both the birth and death anniversary of founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Cheddi would have been 104 years this year, as we observed his 25th death anniversary. Whatever people think of Cheddi, one thing everyone knows – he lived for and died for his dream of a united, free Guyana, One Guyana.

As we observe and celebrate Cheddi’s birth anniversary, as we observe and remember with admiration and blessings his life on the 25th anniversary of his death, One Guyana is very much on our minds. One of his youthful disciples, Dr. Irfaan Ali is now President of Guyana, testimony to Cheddi’s abiding interest in promoting youth in the leadership of the PPP. President Irfaan Ali, like

Cheddi, has embraced the One Guyana dream, speaking of it every day in every speech.

For President Irfaan Ali, One Guyana has become the cornerstone of his presidency.

President Ali has seized an opportunity for unity that was one of the founding goals of Cheddi Jagan and the PPP when the PPP was launched as a political party in 1950.

During his long struggle against dictatorship and rigged elections between 1964 and 1992, there were the hotshots in and out of Guyana promoting armed struggles to remove the dictator, Forbes Burnham.

After each new rigged election, more and more people came out to support armed struggles to end dictatorship in Guyana. Even as the circumstances became more and more hopeless, Cheddi stood his ground that the struggles must be peaceful, that the struggle must be one fought

from different fronts for free and fair elections. Was Cheddi a coward? In fact, he was bold and defiant. He resisted armed struggles and violence because he knew that resorting to armed struggle will end up in Guyana as a racial war. With Burnham enjoying the support of most Afro-Guyanese and with most Indo-Guyanese supporting the PPP, Cheddi knew that an armed insurrection to remove Burnham will start as and end up with a race war.

He would have no part and nothing to do with initiating and promoting a situation and further fracture race relations in his country. For him maintaining an environment for reconciliation and unity was a far better investment in his country’s future than personal power. All his life until his death he dedicated and committed himself to this singular objective – the welfare of his country and national unity,

not personal power or aggrandizement.

The truth is that his peaceful struggle lasted for just over twenty-eight years and today Guyana is a democracy and on the verge of prosperity for its people. Twenty-eight years is a long time to fight for, struggle for and wait for freedom and democracy, far too long, but nothing compared to the long years one would have had to wait if we created a society engaged in a perpetual racial war, as would have happened had Cheddi gave in to the hotshots urging a violent overthrow of Burnham. This does not mean that Guyana is today devoid of racial polarization.

But the racial fractures that exist today can be overcome.

Cheddi believed that Guyana’s destiny is of a united people, One Guyana. Today, aggressively, Dr. Irfaan Ali believes that unity of our people is not an unsurmountable challenge.

He believes that a united Guyana, One Guyana, is achievable within a short period.

Cheddi’s legacy of compromise, even when every compromise appeared to negatively affect his own destiny, was based on maintaining peace in our country. His legacy of compromise is also a value and principle that has to this day remained a PPP characteristic. When Cheddi allowed Duncan Sandys to impose a new electoral system in 1964, the PR system, he knew that the new system was designed with only one objective, to remove him from government. But the alternative was continued violence and continued fracturing of racial unity in our country. He risked losing power so that he could give unity a chance. When Janet Jagan and the PPP compromised and signed the Herdmanston Accord, giving up two years of its term after the massive, landslide victory of the 1997 elections, Janet and the PPP, like Cheddi before, chose to keep peace, rather than holding on to power at all cost. Like Cheddi in his whole political history, Janet chose reconciliation, rather than confrontation, not because of fear, but because she and the PPP wanted to preserve the opportunity for unity. The Herdmanston Accord was a bold compromise for peace and racial unity, even if the PPP had to sacrifice two years of its term in government.

When Bharat Jagdeo, as a youthful President, decided to aggressively pursue constitutional reforms, dramatically reducing the powers of the Presidency, providing a platform for inclusive and participatory parliamentary democracy and governance, he chose national unity, rejecting confrontation. Today, Dr. Irfaan Ali is following in the footsteps of his mentors, Cheddi Jagan and Bharat Jagdeo, embracing One Guyana.

In the face of being deemed an “installed” President, in the face of the PNC continuing its absurd and clumsy claims of being a fraudulent government, Irfaan Ali has called for unity, has urged our people to put aside our differences and join hands in a united journey to prosperity. Just like Bharat Jagdeo did as President, Irfaan Ali is calling for political parties to engage in trust-building.

As Guyana lurched towards elections that were due in 1990, the PCD engaged in

putting forward a consensus candidate. Some members of the PCD, specifically the WPA, did not want Cheddi as the Presidential candidate for the common PCD slate.

Cheddi, the most loved and most popular political figure in our country did not resist.

The argument used was that Afro-Guyanese needed assurance. It was an absurd suggestion. But Cheddi offered to step down and the PPP proposed Dr. Roger Luncheon as the candidate. The WPA and others rejected that proposal. The PCD never moved forward with a consensus candidate. The PPP went to the election with a coalition with civil society and Sam Hinds, a novice politician, became the PPP’s Prime Minister candidate. But this was another of the many times that Cheddi showed he was willing to step down and allow another to step up, just because he saw racial unity as an imperative.

As it turned out, the elections did not occur until 1992 October and Cheddi became the first elected President of independent Guyana. Cheddi swore in Sam Hinds as Prime Minister. This took guys because Cheddi had to sideline stalwarts in his party to bring in Sam Hinds. But this was Cheddi showing that he and the PPP want Guyanese citizens to know that the PPP did not want to hog power.

Outside of Cuba, no country stood with African countries as unconditionally as Cheddi Jagan as African countries fought for their independence. Even when most countries faded away from the solidarity movement with South Africa’s ANC to fight for Nelson Mandela’s freedom, Cheddi stood resolute.

Ironically, Cheddi in Opposition did more for solidarity with African countries fighting for freedom than Burnham as head of a government. It is not that Burnham did not do anything. He did contribute $US50,000 annually to support the fight for freedom in Africa. But Cheddi was dedicated to the solidarity movement with Africa. For him, Guyana needed to stand by our sisters and brothers in Africa.

In 1992, when Cheddi became President and, therefore, a member of the fraternity of CARICOM leaders, he stood among them as friends, not as enemies, even though they (Turn to page 16)

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Vaccination, sanitisation requirements remain as COVID-19 restrictions relaxed – Attorney General W ith steps being taken to remove all COVID-19 restrictions, continuous vaccination and regular sanitisation practices will remain enforced, according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall.

On Sunday (March 13, 2022), President Dr Irfaan Ali announced his government’s plan to relieve Guyana from the COVID-19 protocols this week.

A number of adjustments were subsequently made to the regulations under the Public Health Ordinance by the Central Board of Health.

Nandlall explained that the new guidelines which take effect from Monday, March 14, is the first step towards Guyana regaining normalcy. The AG said the amended guidelines encourage Guyanese to wear a mask in public to prevent the spread of the disease, although the practice is no longer mandatory. “They [regulations] continue to encourage persons to take their vaccines, they continue

to encourage persons to take their booster shots,” the AG stressed.

Employers and business operators should ensure that handwashing and sanitisation systems are in place at the entrance of the business premises, for staff and other persons to utilise.

Similarly, religious leaders are urged to have the sanitisation facilities placed at visible locations within the worshipping space.

The AG said all protocols currently in place regarding international travels will remain. This means all operators and passengers of any land, water or air transport shall comply with port health measures issued by the board or the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority or any other competent authority.

The new regulations clearly specified that before anyone enters Guyana, they must present a negative biological PCR test or an approved antigen test taken within 72 hours of the date of their arrival in the country.

“The requirement for vaccination will continue and you will continuously be required to produce proof of vaccination whenever that is require,” the Attorney General explained.

Further, he pointed out that tests for the disease will continue at locations certified by the Ministry of Health under Section Seven of the Health Facilities Licencing Act. “We should have the country opening back as far as possible to the position before the COVID outbreak and businesses should resume to normalcy, restaurants all public places, people can continue to gather. They are no longer restrictions on distancing, they are no longer restrictions in terms of opening of business places etc,” the AG added.

Meanwhile, a number of jurisdictions and territories have already made drastic moves to reopen their countries. North America seems to be leading the way, along with a number of European nations including Iceland, Norway, and Slovenia.

Vaccination among 12-17 age group still a challenge – Health Minister

M

inister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony is urging parents to get their children vaccinated, as the nation prepares for the full reopening of schools after the Easter holidays.

He said that there have been challenges in getting the 12-17 age cohort vaccinated, despite several measures.

“While, we would have had campaigns at some schools and so forth, we were not able to vaccinate a lot of children, because they did not get permission from their parents,” Dr. Anthony stated.

He noted that while children present with mild symptoms, the vaccine can provide added protection and is therefore urging parents to ensure their children are fully covered. “I really hope that we will see an uptake in this age group,” Dr. Anthony said.

So far only 46.8 per cent of the 12-17 age group has had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Of the 18-39 age category, 82.9 per cent took a first

dose, while 59.5 per cent are fully vaccinated. Another six per cent has taken a booster shot, while in the 40-59 age category, 84.2 per cent has taken a first dose, 69.9 per cent took a second dose, while only 12.5 per cent has taken a booster. For the 60 and above age category, 84 percent has taken a first dose while 74.6 percent has had a second dose, 23.8 percent of that age cohort has had a booster shot.

Minister Anthony said such a percentage is inadequate and appealed to older persons to get their booster doses. He said, “Most of these persons that we see coming into the hospital, they have been unvaccinated, and therefore, one of the things that I really want to urge people to do is to make sure that they are vaccinated.”

Currently there are over 190 active COVID-19 cases across the country.

PPP’s success can be attributed to guiding principles – Jagdeo T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has been able to apply contextual realities of life in contemporary times to the philosophies of Party founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in the execution of its stewardship of national affairs for the benefit for all Guyanese people, according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“We can’t be straight line. In this world to navigate, you have to be shrewd, you have to be clever, you have to look out for your people’s interests wherever there are benefits that can come to them…and that means having nuanced pol-

“One of the reasons our party was successful for so long is because we’re the most viable party…it is because we are guided by some principles. It is the principles that often matter. It’s the underlying principles that were embedded in the party that would allow us to be successful.”

– PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo most viable party…it is because we are guided by some principles. It is the principles that often matter.

It’s the underlying principles that were embedded in the party that would allow us to be successful.”

He stressed that the PPP’s policy’s is focused on positioning the country for the future. Jagdeo add-

“We will be a fierce fighter for the people of this country. We will protect democracy.

We will make sure that the poor people in this country progressively do better. We will ensure that their children are educated – free education through the GOAL scholarships, university education, all of that. We will do modern health care. We will try bring people together,” the PPP General Secretary charged.”

– PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo icies,” he said, while delivering remarks during a night of reflection on the life and work of Dr. Jagan, hosted at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre – Red House.

According to him, efforts by the PPP to advance Guyana will always be grounded by key philosophies.

Jagdeo said, “So many people here see Doctor Jagan’s philosophy from different perspectives. Some have formed their view of him through his writing, his works, some through close personal interactions, and some through fleeting interactions from which they discerned some of his traits that people speak so glowingly of…I want to answer that question of how Cheddi Jagan would operate – he would do so with the same fiscal discipline that this party imbues.

“One of the reasons our party was successful for so long is because we’re the

ed that the sound financial policy, which is focused on development and the future, has guided past PPP/C governments, as well as the current Administration, and will be extended to the use of Guyana oil revenues.

“We will be a fierce fighter for the people of this country. We will protect democracy. We will make sure that the poor people in this country progressively do better. We will ensure that their children are educated – free education through the GOAL scholarships, university education, all of that.

We will do modern health care. We will try bring people together,” the PPP General Secretary charged.

Notably, Guyanese had almost three decades of undemocratic rule and in that period and was considered one of the poorest countries the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. In 1992, Guyana’s debt was

over 900 per cent of Gross Domestic Product and the country was using 153 per cent of revenue for scheduled debt serving. Today, Guyana’s external debt is about 17 per cent of GDP, down from 900 per cent, and the country is using about six per cent of revenue to service the debt.

Jagdeo also pointed to how the party has remained an open one, which caters to all Guyanese. He said, “Our party can show inclusion.

We can show that we’ve worked for Guyana – the entire country moves forward.

Afro-Guyanese did better under the PPP’s tenure, because our party remained open. And because we’re open, we are viable, and we will grow from strength to strength. So, again that is a crucial philosophy that we don’t wear on our shoulders but it is part of our DNA, to remain open to all people.”

Further, the PPP General Secretary rejected the unsubstantiated criticism that the PPP has strayed from the philosophies of its founder. “When a lot of people talk out there about departure from Cheddi Jagan philosophies and all of that, it’s utter nonsense…. you discern big philosophies from small interactions. I recall how intense he [Dr. Jagan] was about understanding basic things that you would think he had no interest in,” Jagdeo said.

Dr. Jagan, a former president and founder of the PPP/C, passed away on March 6, 1997, and every year since then, activities are held during the month of March to commemorate his passing as well as that of his wife, Janet Jagan, also a former president and PPP/C founder.

PUBLISHED BY NEW GUYANA Co. Ltd., Freedom House, Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: [592] 226-2042 / 227-2095 / 655-0459 / 627-7432