Dear Editor,
THE COVID-19 pandemic repercussions presented a relieved hiatus after two years of restrained gatherings and constrained traditional practices, for the celebration of Diwali for Guyanese. The previous week ended with many schools and offices participating in the display of colourful and competitive Rangolis. The holiday weekend quickly drenched the sourness of the “Worst Indies” CricXit from the International T20 World Cup Championship, and, the call for “GuyExit” is sounded. This year, joyous communities revelled in relief and radiance with pump and joy to observe the “Festival of Lights.” The Guyana Cancer Foundation kicked off the new week by hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. The Honourable Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and the British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Jane Miller participated in the walk from the BoG to the Kingston Seawall. Motorcades lit up Sunday night throughout Guyana to herald Deepavali’s grandeur. Twenty-four people are left homeless in Berbice and three in Linden after fires ravaged their houses. Rishi Sunak is now the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The world’s dirtiest man, 94-year-old Amou Haji, died in Iran last Tuesday. He hadn’t taken a bath for the last 60 years for fear of getting sick! Guyana’s outgoing High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud, stepped down from his position and will be returning home to facilitate the transition of his successor. ExxonMobil announced two more discoveries at the Sailfin and Yarrow wells in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. A Guyana Karate College will be constructed. On behalf of the Government, President Ali contributed $10Million towards its cause. Courts has upgraded its store on Main Street to Courts Mega Store with a $120 million facelift. ANSA McAl has commissioned a brand-new US$2 million multi-purpose facility at Palmyra in East Berbice.

As you enjoy cricket, football, hockey, chess, a stroll by the beach, walk with the Precious Angels for Syndrome Awareness, take it light and easy, just don’t fall into the darkness of ignorance, but, spend a few reading moments and allow the following to shed a shade of light:

1) 13th March, 2023, was announced as the date for the next Local Government Elections and President Ali hoped, “With these Local Government Elections we can bring together local leadership that includes women and young people that shows our seriousness in building and strengthening governance at every single level.” With ruckus in the camp, both Norton and Ramjattan are at sea regarding the APNU and AFC parties participating!

2) President Ali in his congratulatory address to India’s “Mission Life” initiative stated, “Our planet is under threat, where 75 per cent of earth’s land has substantially degraded….Collective action is needed to protect our environment.” Prime Minister Modi has rekindled the aggressive fight to combat climate change internationally. Former President Dr Bharat Jagdeo was given a special ‘Champions of the Earth’ award by the United Nations in 2010 for Biodiversity Conservation and Eco System Management. Also in 2008, Times Magazine and CNN named him as one of their “Heroes of the Environment 2008.”

3) Minister Susan Rodrigues explained, “And for you to have an application in our system, you have to be Guyanese. In order to prevent that from happening, we would have to state in an agreement of sale what they can use [the land] for.” She was responding to the government’s policy of having protection in place against any claim of exclusive housing developments for foreigners.

4) Included in the President’s Diwali message to the nation, President Ali stated, “May the spirit of Diwali, celebrated with such fervour in our country, help to fuse our people closer together, respecting our ethnic diversity, setting aside division and uniting all in pursuit of the common good. A happy and joyous Diwali to all of Guyana.” The President stressed that the unity of the entire nation is of paramount importance to the PPP/C Government’s objective of shared prosperity, equitably,

5) At a hall meeting set up by the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, the Attorney General Mr Anil Nandlall observed, “Guyana is poised to go on a wide-ranging constitutional reform process which is going to involve the establishment of a broad-based constitutional commission that will do widespread consultations across the country.” The PPP/C Government is following the law with transparency, unlike the Burnhamite days!

6) Vice-President, Dr Bharat Jagdeo revealed in a recent interview, “A number of other things [will be] fixed. And serious penalties for breaches. So, the law is now before us. APNU doesn’t want that passed. They issued a statement that they’re opposed to any changes in RoPA.” A national stakeholders’ consultation on the draft amendments to Guyana’s electoral laws took place on the 25th Oct.,2022 at the ACCC.

7) Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony urged the nation to, “…. have like village sports where everybody comes out and play; don’t matter your age. We need to have activities so that we can stay healthy.” The PPP/C Government is encouraging Guyanese to pay more attention to primary healthcare and to visit their health centres on a regular basis.

8) China’s President, Xi Jinping announced, “China cannot develop without the world, and the world also needs China.” He was in office since 2012 and now elected to serve as President for a third term.

9) On the Springlands to Nickerie ‘back track’ route issue, Suriname President Santokhi said, “We are convinced that this ‘back track’ meets an enormous need. But as a government, it remains our job and responsibility to ensure that things are done safely and in accordance with legal regulations.” The Guyana Government welcomed this development.

10) Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony took a swipe at health personnel work attitudes when he said, “That is something we have to change and we do not want a new set of people coming into the system having bad attitudes… we have been emphasising this so that we train you and you become a catalyst for change in the system.” Some staffers are not diligent and at times instead of serving the public they are on their phones.

11) Omai’s President and CEO, Elaine Ellingham stated, “We are extremely pleased with the results of this 2022 updated Mineral Resource Estimate.” Its latest find of 1.6 million ounces of gold in the Wenot Deposit, translates to some US$6.2 billion.

12) Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Mark Berman, in an interview concluded, “We export about $80 Billion in agricultural products. So, we have a lot to offer in that area.” There is a real opportunity here to focus on more investment and Canadian technology to assist with the growth of agriculture.

13) The third person to win the ruling UK’s Conservative Party’s leadership contest, Rishi Sunak, told the British, “there is no doubt, we face a profound economic challenge. We now need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.”

14) The Attorney-General Mr Anil Nandlall, stated, “Unfortunately, the reality has been that we have never been able to appoint a Chancellor or a Chief Justice substantially to those offices, because we have never been able to secure an agreement between the President and the Opposition.” The dictatorship of PNC’s way or the highway, is a thing of the past with the proposed RoPA amendments!

15) Dr Tara Singh wrote, “The CCJ’s rulings overturned all the elections-related CoA judgements, saved democracy in Guyana. Had it not been for that, democracy would have been crushed in Guyana (post March 2, 2020, election electoral heist attempts attest to this), with the country becoming a pariah state, and despite the prospects of oil wealth, the country would have [been] plunged into economic and social turmoil.” Political interference by the CoA?  Food for thought still, or a closed case?

16) Dr Asquith Rose penned, “Since taking office in August 2020, President Ali and his administration have taken Guyana to new heights never reached before with his numerous visits to the 10 regions and to almost every village and district in the country to meet with the people.” The PPP/C Government has indeed demonstrated in words, deeds and actions that they are the true leaders to manage this economy and govern the people as a truly “One Guyana”, equitably, fairly and justly.

17) Guyana’s Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, stressed: “The important thing that I want to emphasise here is that there is not a single proposal on these pieces of paper that are intended to create an electoral advantage for any political party.” Electoral reforms are much-needed changes to the system to remove any loopholes, flaws or biasness and are good for democracy.

18) Pensioner Carol Richards exclaimed, “I feel happy. I feel so thankful because we didn’t have to get it, but we get it; we are grateful, and we are hoping this can go a far way in [meeting] whatever needs have to be met…. So, we do appreciate this initiative, and it is welcome.”  The PPP/C Government is always looking to see how they can better serve with efficiency, all the valued elders of this nation.

19) Adviser to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy declared, “…our educators and trainers are adopting new habits and new ways of training.” The PPP/C Government’s approach to health management is now to ensure that people’s ambitions and desire will no longer be limited.

20) Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. GUO Haiyan stated, “The Chinese people are ready to join hands with the rest of the world to create a brighter future for humankind.” The Chinese Embassy and the PPP/C Government do enjoy a fruitful and friendly relationship, which translates to the people of Guyana benefitting. President Xi Jinping was recently elected to a consecutive third term.

21) Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira stated, “This process that we’re going through today, which is dealing with electoral laws and amendments to statutes, is distinctly separated from the constitutional reform process which will commence in early 2023.” A Constitutional Reform Commission will be set up to begin work early next year.

22) Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess said, “…We have lost many men for various reasons. This is our chance, our opportunity to provide our men with the much-needed mentorship and guidance as we build a ‘One Guyana’ and create a better future for those young Guyanese to come.” President Ali’s 1,000-man initiative was launched on Friday at the Base Camp Ayanganna Sports Ground.

23) Aubrey Norton, Leader of the Opposition, is again ignoring the light while hiding in darkness with his sly, evasive and abstract comment, “If I tell you my source the person in the PPP will be dealt with. It is protecting the people who divulge it that it makes it a source of privacy.” He could not give any information to support or substantiate a claim of a ‘mysterious political poll,’ which he claims shows that the main opposition will win the next LGEs.

24) Leader of the Opposition (LoO), Aubrey Norton, said, “…We are going to continue to discuss with civil society, diplomatic community.” Discuss…. PNC attempted failure at the rigging of the 2020 General elections, hiding the SoPs, fooling their constituents, false declaration of winning the 2020 elections, party members being sanctioned by the USA, bowing to the “step aside” command, giving themselves 50 per cent salary increase, raping the treasury, selling out the nation, two per cent royalty acceptance and not negotiating for more, seeing and grabbing green, green and more green…

25) Minister Gail Teixeira announced, “We’ve done well… it is considered that Guyana has equal rights as regards to access to justice.” Thanks to the PPP/C Government, Guyana is now ranked 2nd in the Caribbean and 35th globally, moving from 53rd in the 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022, making vast progress in education, economic opportunities, health, political empowerment etc.

26) President Ali advised the nation, “Karate is not teaching someone to fight, it’s an art of self-defence.” The President collected an honorary 8th Dan Black Belt from the Canada-Headquartered Int. Daigaku/Karate College.

27) Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, SC, blasted Norton, saying, “This obviously is a concoction of his…. It’s either that he [Norton] invents these things, or he is so gullible that anyone can concoct a lie, irrespective of how outrageous the lie may sound to an objective listener or bystander, and he believes the lie. And what is worse, he regurgitates it publicly.” The AG was rubbishing the LoO who is claiming that there is a poll by the PPP/C party showing that the PNC will defeat the PPP/C at the next elections. Again, Norton is dreaming in La La Land!

28) Guyana Tourism Authority Director Kamrul Baksh stated, “It’s because of greater access that the government has been able to secure for Guyana, has made it to one of the top publications and we are very happy about that.” National Geographic Traveller (UK) has again listed Guyana as a top destination in the nature category.

Guyana has been named one of the top 35 tourist destinations for 2023 and beyond, thanks to the robust input of the PPP/C Government through the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond. Guyana placed 13th on the “Traveller’s Best of the World List.”

29) PPP/C MP Sanjeev Datadin explained, “There is no provision in the Constitution that says you have to live here [Guyana], there is no residency requirement. Now it is important that you understand the Constitution.” The PNC wanting additional voting requirements cannot be instituted.

30) Chairman of Digicel Denis O’Brien said, “This level of engagement will help build momentum in support of CARICOM’s call for reparations.” He agreed with the CRC’s position that Europe owes the region a “Marshall-Style Plan” after 400 years of wealth extraction by which it was enriched. The CRC is seeking reparatory justice for the peoples of the Caribbean. Will the new Prime Minister of Britain, Rishi Sunik, make a difference?

31) Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, made it abundantly clear, “I made it crystal clear that government’s $600,000 grant to dialysis patients is intended to be an additional support to dialysis patients and was never intended to result in patients being denied their NIS benefits.” Forces of negativity are certainly in the public domain who are desperate to make the government look bad.

32) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah, reported, “The match fee for both men and women cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian cricket.” Guyana is rated number two in the Caribbean and 35th globally for gender equality.

Farmers are smiling with Minister Mustapha’s half yearly report that the country has topped US$7 million in non-traditional crops exports. As the first 11 smiling informal Independence Blvd. squatters are assigned housing units, 11 more smiling companies are also approved with their Local Content Master Plans to provide services to Guyana’s petroleum sector. Again, 11 teenagers are smiling as they qualify to vie for the Miss Police Youth Ambassador staged for next month. Region Three residents are smiling with the construction of 120 low-income units. Daniel Dowding from Essequibo is smiling after being awarded by Dr Kurt Clarke for his exemplary CSEC performance. Mishka Beharry is smiling after dominating the national Junior Tournament with four gold medals. Zulfikar Ally is all smiles as he is admitted to the local bar to practise law. 128 Region Five farmers are smiling with their leases for agricultural purposes, including 21-year-old Vevekeanand Ramnarine. Guyana National Newspapers Limited (Guyana Chronicle)’s management and staff are all smiles after being honoured as an awardee for helping to make employment opportunities available for the public by CRMA. Region 10 residents are smiling with the completion of the $254.1 million works on the Ituni to Tacama road. As you prepare for another week, do think about what Mother Theresa said, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall