PPP/C will focus on its record as it recommits to continuing Guyana’s development – President tells large crowd at Novar
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 27, 2015, Source
Head of State, Donald Ramotar, pledged to continue guiding Guyana along its developmental path as he addressed a large crowd of residents at Novar, Mahaicony, Region Five this evening.
He stated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has a proud history of development and, “it will run on this record”.
He highlighted his administration’s focus of spending on the social sector, with specific regard to education, explaining that it is only via this means that “we have the possibility of taking this country to a higher level”.
A large gathering at a meeting at Novar, Mahaicony that was addressed by President Donald Ramotar
Noting that around 60% of the annual budget is now spent on the social sector, the president reiterated that in any country its people are its greatest asset, hence the need to ensure that they are well educated. This will ultimately result in citizens having a higher living standard.
Government’s focus on education, President Ramotar said, is a part of the plan for Guyana’s long-term development. This focus has resulted in local students, topping the Caribbean academically over the last 10 years. He spoke of a young man who hails from Region Five, who topped the region, despite his parents not being that well off. This was an example of government’s drive to ensure that as far as possible, all of the nation’s youths have access to education wherever they may be. It is this effort that has led to students, “from Essequibo to Berbice” performing exceedingly well academically.
Investment, which is needed to develop Guyana, will be attracted due to the higher educational standards, President Ramotar said. “We will attract investment because we would have the most highly educated workforce”.
In addition to an educated population, the necessary infrastructure would have to be put in place, he added. Such infrastructure, he reminded would comprise a cheap, reliable energy source, hence the need for Amaila Falls hydro power project. This project, he explained will transform Guyana, including Region Five as citizens will enjoy cheaper, more reliable energy. Simultaneously, the government will save billions of dollars from not having to import fuel to generate electricity, and the manufacturing sector will be able to accrue more profits, because of cheaper electricity.
President Donald Ramotar addressing residents of Novar, Mahaicony
Mention was made of the sugar industry and government’s plans to invest and diversify it with the production of more value-added products such as ethanol, and refined sugars to expand its revenue base.
The rice sector will also benefit from the production of additional products such as cereals, and the institution of a price support mechanism, to offset the fluctuation in prices being offered to farmers, even as government continues to source additional markets, overseas, the president said.
Region Five has been a star producer of rice, and this good showing has been helped through Government’s interventions including subsidising fertilizer, putting in better drainage and irrigation facilities and providing better strains of rice to farmers that are higher yielding.
Plans for an expanded Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Deep Water Harbour in Berbice and a paved road to Brazil, were also highlighted, as well as the implementation of the flagship Information Communication Technology Center which will be built with India’s assistance. Two such centres are to be built, one in Enmore, East Coast Demerara and another in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.
These transformative projects, President Ramotar said, are but a few of the plans the PPP/C has to move Guyana further along its path of development. “These are some of the plans we have to develop the country and take Guyana forward”.
In closing, residents were urged to read the PPP/C’s manifesto and be informed of the plans that the party has for Guyana, and how they will be executed.
He reminded that the political opposition was not serious when they apparently released then withdrew their own version of a manifesto, which contained many of government’s plans, some of which are already being implemented. “Don’t be fooled by empty promises”, he urged residents, as he called on them to think of what has been done thus far for the country’s development under the PPP/C.
“You have a choice, to go with the future that the PPP/C has, and we have a record. We stand on a proud record of achievement, to prove our seriousness and our ability to deliver. The opposition don’t have a record, that is why they don’t want to talk about history …the PNC want to disguise themselves, they want to deny their past, so comrades, look at our record from the time of Cheddi Jagan, from the time he formed the PPP to now. This party has stood with you solidly!”
