September 16, 2022

Georgetown, Guyana

For Immediate Release to all Media

ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE PRESS STATEMENTS FROM PRESS CONFERENCE OF 16-SEP-2022

Questionable Contract Awards – David Patterson M.P.

The AFC calls on the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to conduct a full investigation into the operations of the National Procurement Tender and Administration Board (NPTAB), special attention should be paid to the bid evaluation and contract award process.

Commencing August 2020, several contract awards has catch the public attention, ranging from the award of a school in region 10 to a company that has no track record in construction, in fact, the principals of the company are better known for the promotion of sporting and entertaining events.

The award for the construction of a fire station to a company whose main business activity is in the mining sector, when questioned about that company’s previous experience, the response was “the successful bidder constructed their own offices”.

In 2020, the completion of Hunter Street was awarded to a company, whose principal’s previous experience was in the motor racing arena, once again, when queried the response was “the successful bidder previously built roads in the backdam”.

The recent award for the rebuilding of the North Ruimveldt Multi-Lateral School, is yet another example of the questionable evaluation and award process arising from NPTAB, one can recall that the last time this contractor was awarded a contract with the Ministry of Education, headed by the current Minister, they jointly produced the KATO Secondary School – a project so riddled with defects, that it was deem unsafe for occupation, and extensive remedial works had to be undertaken.

A recent inspection revealed that several issues relating to the poor construction of the

KATO School still exists.

The Minister’s remarks that an independent engineer will be supervising this project, should be of little comfort to the public, an independent engineer was also assigned to the KATO School – despite being supervised, the final product was unacceptable.

The AFC invites the general public to pay keen attention to the tender process for the Gas to Energy project, in January 2022, NPTAB received 12 pre-qualification bids for the Gas to Energy project, at yesterday’s tender opening, companies that did not participate in the January 2022 pre-qualification process has submitted bids – it would be of interest to see the final award.

The AFC has been compiling a list of all these questionable contracts awards and will be formally submitting a request for the PPC to conduct further investigations into these awards.

OIL SPILLS

Following the most recent announcement that there was a spillage of one barrel of crude oil from the EXXON operations last week, the AFC once again calls on the PPP to put in

place full coverage liability for the petroleum production as is required by the Permits and

demanded by almost all private citizens.

EXXON previously reported that “no more than one tablespoon” of crude oil has been spilled since the commencement of oil production in Guyana, this amount has now risen to one barrel, by volume, this is an over 10,000 percent increase, this highlights that the possibility of a major oil spill is high, and will continue to increase directly proportional to increased oil production.

The AFC once again calls for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), oversight mechanisms to be strengthen, it is unacceptable for this agency to be solely relying on the operator, for information on spillages and other hazard during oil production operations.

We once again call upon the Government to restore the rigorous oversight that was planned under the coalition and which the PPPC has irresponsibly scrapped to the

detriment of the nation.

This includes the highly specialized 36-member Oil & Gas Unit that was developed by the

World Bank and the EPA for which the World Bank provided $1 million USD grant.

One component would have included 24/7 on-site EPA presence in order to obtain real time and accurate information, instead of having to rely upon and accept information

solely provided by Exxon.

As may be recalled, when this plan was brought to the PPPC’s attention, they denied it ever existed; but when confronted with the document, the EPA Director claimed he didn’t know about it, since he wasn’t there when it was prepared; surprisingly Minister Bharat contradicted the EPA Director by saying that the plan is being executed.

It is time for the Government to stop playing Russian Roulette on this most important matter.

CONTRACT AMENDMENTS

The AFC has noted an article today, which confirms that the 2016 PSA was amended in

2019, this amendment sought to bring clarity to our previous position that royalty payments are not cost recoverable. The article by Christopher Ram also confirms the APNU+AFC stated position that the 2016 contract was in fact based on the 2012 Model PSA as prepared by the PPP/C.

It should be noted, that between May 2015 and January 2016, the Minister responsible for Petroleum was former President Granger, between January 2016 and July 2018, the responsible Minister was Raphael Trotman, from August 1, 2018, this portfolio reverted back to former President Granger – this amendment was penned under former President Granger stewardship, while being previously unaware of this amendment, it is assumed that despite it being always known and accepted that any royalty payment was not cost recoverable, the parties may have wanted to made this more pellucid before oil production commenced.

The actions of the APNU+AFC government clearly demonstrates that if the parties to the Contract are willing, a review and renegotiation of the existing contract can be undertaken, this of course, requires the necessary political will.

The AFC once again reconfirms its willingness to support a review of the Oil Contract for the mutual benefit of both the Operators and People of Guyana.

Report on Region 10 Issues – Devin Sears M.P.

Good afternoon colleagues, members of the Media and viewing audience. Allow me to

make it pellucid that the Alliance for Change supports community and national development to the benefit of all Guyanese.

Regional Budget Capital Works

It is noted that just about 50% of the Upper Demerara/Berbice 2022 budgetary allocation towards capital works has been spent to date; this puts the Region in a peculiar situation since the fear by the RDC is that heading into the latter part of the year, these projects will be rushed and of substandard work will be given past experiences.

The AFC believes that provisions need to hasten to ensure timely execution.

Contracts

While the AFC welcomes and advocates for greater development through infrastructure, this party maintains that a level playing field through capacity building and contract awarding to local vendors is necessary. It believes that local contractors MUST be awarded contracts contrary to foreign region allotments. The local contractors feel slighted as many from outside of the region are receiving these contracts.

Roads

The AFC welcomes the allocation of 800 million Dollars towards the rehabilitation and construction of roads across the region but believes that greater emphasis for the construction of drains should have been paid equal to what is currently being done in other parts of Guyana.

Food Security

Under the APNU+AFC led administration the sum of more than 300 Million was allocated to agricultural development projects; however it is evident that the current government does not view food security within the region as priority mainly owed to the;

• Underfunding of the Agriculture Department where technical officers do not have the tools and equipment to carry out their sworn duty.

• Works on the Millie’s Hideout Road to Sand Hills Berbice River where aligned land

for agriculture purposes have been stalled indefinitely.

• Residents in Berbice River whose main livelihood is dependent on farming continue to request the return of the ferry that plied the route pre-2000’s. This ferry aided in transporting farm produce to New Amsterdam and trade.

The AFC believes that should these issues be addressed thoroughly it will alleviate to some extent the cost of vegetables on the market and provide liveable wages for Guyanese.

Education.

Contractors

The AFC is not satisfied in the progress of constructing the Bamia Primary School which will accommodate more than 700 students once completed. It notes that the work valued at 170 million has been stalled and fears that with it being a capital works project very well could see reallocation or it being returned to the treasury. The AFC factors incompetence on the part of the contractor in detail and demands that the Government makes an intervention. This incompetence is evident in the execution of the Linden Foundation repainting project valued at 30 Million dollars as well; when not adhering to the scope of work proceeded to paint this secondary school without washing it first.

Fires

The AFC notes an increase of fire related incidents in schools across the region, two most recent being the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School and the Amelia’s Ward Primary School; both luckily were extinguished without causing major damages.

Upon investigation it proved that deteriorating electrical circuits were the problem; knowing this the AFC strongly urges that a full electrical assessment be done on all schools not only with Region #10 but throughout Guyana.

Feeding Programme

The AFC supports the school feeding programme initiative, however believes that greater emphasis should be paid toward the awarding of contracts to local vendors. This will boost capacity and the economy native to where the programmes are executed. Currently the juice used is being imported from Trinidad.

Health

The AFC welcomes the resignation of former CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex Rudy Small, owed to the fact that he disrespected health workers who we cherish but showed little effort in transforming the health services offered by this institution.

The AFC cautions that before the appointment of a New CEO consultation with the

regional authorities should be done; and the same must urgently be done, making way for the appointment of a new board.

Administration and Finance

Most recently a fire evaluation was done on the current RDC #10 office and failed. This renewed a call for the continued construction of the New RDC Building at Speightland. The AFC calls on the Government to make budgetary provisions and allow this project to follow through. The AFC calls for the construction of the new building.

Linden Enterprise Network

For more than two years no revolving fund has been allocated to the Linden Enterprise Network which has aided in the development of new and emerging businesses with Linden; yet alone the appointment of a board which has the authority to disburse current savings. The AFC urges the government to address these blatant oversights.

Flooding

The AFC notes the commitment made by the President to the residents of Region 9, 1

Million Dollars to 600 home builders, and demands that the same be afforded to resident in Kwakwani, Rockstone and some parts of Linden who are in need of relocation as a result of severe flooding. On the issue of flooding the AFC demands that more be done in flood affected areas, particularly as it related to dredging of the Kara Kara Creek, Demerara River – Coomacka Village and Berbice River – Kwakwani.

Further it asks for a full assessment of the impacts of climate change which becomes

necessary for future planning and disaster readiness.

Temporary Jobs

The AFC believes temporary jobs should grow into permanent jobs; however, for now while thousands benefit from it, greater benefits should be added inclusive of a better log system and contributions to NIS.

Youth

The AFC joins the RDC #10 in the call for the completion of the APNU+AFC synthetic track development. Currently stalled for months, it raises a question of the Government’s intent; athletic deserves the best if they are going to be the best in their craft.

The AFC also joins the call for the appointment of a Youth Officer which better coordinate youth initiatives and development programmes within the region.

Linden to Lethem Road

The AFC supports the development of the Linden to Lethem Road; in fact, it was Member of Parliament Patterson, Former Minister of Public Infrastructure who initiated the first phase and secure funding. However, complains are brewing on the bureaucracy of permits to execute the much need job; access to water being a notable one.

The AFC urges the Government to open doors were needed that will see the timely completion of this project (Linden to Mabura).

While roads are welcomed, the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge is growing old, weak and beginning to be unreliable. The AFC renews the call for the construction a new one, whose feasibility study as already been completed.

Finally, I share with us that while we are a new and emerging oil producing nation, we must not forget about our traditional industries that have supported the Guyanese economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands; now more than every we must diversify, reshape and rethink our approached of ailing industries, such as Rusal; owed to its withdrawal is economically annihilating Aroiama and neighboring communities. I plea with the Government to advance the cause of new investments with such communities and on a wider spectrum be people centered in governance.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DEMOCRACY – Cathy Hughes M.P.

Thursday September 15 was observed as International Day for Democracy. In a statement to mark the occasion the ABCE Heads of Missions in Guyana made it clear

that elections alone do not a democracy make.

In their joint statement the ABCE chief representatives made it clear that democracy equally involves ensuring equity and fairness and holding to account those who commit

abuses and foster corrupt practices, among other principles.

The AFC is not surprised by these reminders as we knew it was only a matter of time before the arrogance of the PPP would come to the fore and they reveal their true colours.

The PPP of 2022 is no different to the PPP of 2014 or before. Corruption has returned as the norm in the award of government contracts, the Police Force is once more hamstrung by political interference, parliamentary oversight and debate is curtailed, victimisation of persons who speak out has returned. Worse than all of this is the blatant, naked racism that is destroying Guyana under the PPP stewardship. In every sector there are complaints and reports that one group has preferential treatment with tokenism to appease other groups. No country can lay claim to democracy in the face of such atrocities.

The PPP cannot help but be themselves; arrogant and abusive. The behaviour of the President at Mocha and the Vice President’s divisive comments on international institutions and their respected Heads during his interview on Kaieteur News are clear indications that the old arrogant, abusive PPP is back. Decent minded Guyanese would recall the verbal cuss out leashed on former US Ambassador Brent Heart by a PPP minister of Government in 2014.

The AFC is sure that the nation and the ABCE Head of Missions can expect more arrogant, abusive behavior and cuss down politics from the PPP in the future.

END.