Dear Editor,
THE previous week ended with a heavy storm damaging many houses in Regions Six, Seven and Eight. Remembrance Day was observed on Sunday to usher in the new week along with the roaring sounds of racing cars and motor bikes at a meeting held at the South Dakota Circuit by the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club.

England is also the white ball superpower having won the T20 World Cup 2022, beating Pakistan in the final on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. The big news for the week was President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s announcement of an eight per cent retroactive across-the-board salary increase for public servants.
A countrywide beautification project is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Work’s National Enhancement Committee, involving various stakeholders. A British trade mission and investors from Louisiana District Export Council are here to explore investment opportunities.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand turned the sod for the expansion of the East Ruimveldt Secondary School and the St.Winefride’s Secondary School. Donald Trump announced his candidacy for another White House bid. The world’s population has reached eight billion.

Work has started for the adjustments of the low salary scales of public servants. The International Court of Justice started to hear oral arguments on Venezuela’s objections. The Guyana Water Inc. will be expending some $6 billion to upgrade 12 water-treatment plants to benefit an additional 60,000 persons throughout Guyana.

The Republicans have won the US House majority, now making it difficult for President Biden’s agenda. A $619 million contract was signed to complete phase three of the Mon Repos Market project. India took over the presidency for the G-20 Summit. Minister Manickchand announced that trainee teachers will be paid salaries from next year. Minister Manickchand also commissioned a spanking new CPCE at Vreed-en-Hoop. Cricket and football will again dominate the weekend along with the usual chores. Whatever is occupying your time, do relax and review the week’s comments.

1) President Ali told residents at Charity, “Every single community, regardless of how you look, feel, or voted, all the roads in the in this region, every single community, has been placed on a list. And we have 251 roads to be done.” The PPP/C Government will be spending over $200 million to regularise squatting at Charity as dozens of squatters received their land titles.

2) At the opening of the Business Development Forum 2022 at the Pegasus Corp. Centre, President Ali charged the private sector, saying: “We must share collective responsibility and burdens in achieving success… let’s walk this walk now.” The Head of State expressed his disappointment with the private sector, noting that they have not utilised the financial opportunities which the government has streamlined.

3) President Ali warned: “We have given enough time, enough education programmes; enforcement is going to become a major aspect of what we are doing.” The President made this remark while taking part in a nation-wide clean-up campaign.

4) US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch admitted: “So, with all these things we really find the climate promising.” The US wants to be ‘partner of choice’ for Guyana.

5) Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said: “I want to make a special appeal to citizens, whether there is organized leadership or not, let’s clean up.” The minister was at the time overlooking the National Enhancement Exercise clean-up effort at the Stabroek Market.

7) The US business magazine Forbes stated: “While there are many reasons why someone might leave the place where they were born, small countries are most often affected by the phenomenon as they are inherently at a disadvantage when offering opportunities and chances to move within the country first.” Guyana is listed as the country with the world’s largest diaspora (per capita) when compared to the rest of the world, with 36.4 per cent of its population (750,000) living abroad. This figure is also suspected to be understated. This is mostly due to the large exodus of Guyana fleeing the country from the Burnham and PNC dictatorial era.

8) Former Georgetown Mayor and PNC member concluded in a dismissive tone about the AFC: “That won’t change a thing… the last election they contested on their own how many seats did they get {?} Look take a seat at the back of the class. Won’t be missed.” An AFC statement reported that the Party will not contest the upcoming Local Government Election. Meddling in muddy water, the AFC Party can only muster up excuses about bloated and illegitimate list and lending support for reform. It’s not the list they are petrified of but the licks.

9) Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips said: “The Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that all our service members, all our veterans benefit from an improved economy in our country… it is our resolve to utilise the revenues from oil and gas to improve the lives and livelihoods of all the people of Guyana.” The PPP/C Government handed over a cheque for $1 million to the Guyana Veterans Legion.

10) Brian Lara commented on the lack of accolades for Shivnarine Chanderpaul: “That guy with the most test matches for the West Indies, playing for over 20 years, I don’t think people in the West Indies understand exactly his contribution.” The “Tiger” was recently inducted in the ICC’s Hall of Fame, joining cricket’s most celebrated players.

11) Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said: “We, of course, have a big challenge in terms of mental health and this has been a problem that we’ve been working on for many years.” The Canadian High Commission on Thursday launched a Cdn. $2.9 million (G$456.5M) mental health project targeting over 67,000 vulnerable Guyanese over a five–year period.

12) President Ali reminded the religious community: “There is great opportunity for us to fuse ourselves together. I see the church as fundamental to the development, and advancement of our country.” The PPP/C Government intends to dismantle racism and discrimination with the involvement of the church as the government’s partner in achieving “One Guyana.”

13) UK High Commissioner Jane Miller remarked: “From what I have heard, I think the list is good enough, and I think we just need to make sure that there are those mechanisms in place to make sure it is regularly updated and verified.” Mischief afoot?  Only from the Opposition!

14) Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton bemoaned: “We will protect our strongholds. How we do it, we will disclose once we complete all our analysis.” It’s not that APNU will try not to allow PPP/C to “take over” strongholds, the issue is that people are simply gravitating over to the PPP/C from the PNC because they are being realistic and know who really has their interest at heart!

15) President Ali wrote to Guyanese-born British Actress Letitia Wright, saying: “The Government of Guyana would be honoured to host you… I trust that your schedule and plans will permit such a visit at the earliest opportunity. Please accept my best wishes for your continued success. May you continue to make our country proud.” Letitia Wright has gained international screen fame and has acted in numerous film hits including Black Panther.

As you prepare for another week, do remember to continue to smile, for, “Beauty is power, a smile is its sword.”

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.