"PPP/C celebrates 20 years in office" This picture is worth a thousand words.....

Suh congress died. When was it buried.

Wah happen to the idea of DEMOCRACY. The freedom of the Opposition Parties to achieve goverance of the country.

Bloody woman behaving as if no body else could govern.

I guess, another one the Jagans burden upon the taxpayers-paid to talk absolute bilge. 

Too bad the current PPP administrators never saw that tape.

20 lost yrs for a country and its people

The doom sayers are it again.

when people travell and see the rest of the world then they can compare what standard of life is and i can tell you the ppp and the pnc have taken guyana backward 50 yrs i wish you the best of luck in that hell hole

Let Dem keep talkin, we gun keep running things and Ruling. Guyana has NEVER been BETTER. Dem can talk till night catch dem, dem can talk till Sunrise, Dem can talk till Cow jump over the Moon. It is a Democracy, in the meantime we gun RULE for the Guyanese People.

you ppp crime family lowlife is running what thing all you fools is doing is running down the country,running the people out of the country and thiefing the taxpayers money,now i see you fools is printing extra tickets to get into the expo petty theif

Dat is why EJ Jet, Delta and caribbean Airline pack laka sardine. Snakeoil Sales are down!!!

NEHRU stop drinking and ask yourself why the ppp crime family is thiefing the taxpayers money ask them to put back the NIS money the poor workers is depending on that money

We running things the way the Guyanese like. Dem gun VOTE fuh Abee again. NANANANANA

Yuh all very fortunate that ur support base doan know any better. Keep dem poor. And keep on doing it, with that the PPP will never be an efficient party.

20 YEARS ON...and Guyana's Democracy is growing strong

TWENTY years ago today, Cde. Cheddi Jagan was sworn in as Guyana’s first democratically elected President. It was the beginning of the journey that we are still on today. This date was of great significance to the People’s Progressive Party and must have given Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and the comrades who were in the Party when exactly fifty nine years ago the constitution was suspended and the first government, elected through Universal Adult Suffrage and led by Cheddi Jagan was forcibly removed from office by the colonial power.
 
October 5, 1992 marked the closing of one chapter, that of our undemocratic past. It was the end of one phase of the struggle led by the People’s Progressive Party that was to win conditions for the building of a prosperous state.
 
October 9, 1992 we began the process of rebuilding of our nation which had been very badly damaged and under developed by centuries of colonial rule and almost three decades of PNC dictatorship.
 
Cheddi Jagan and the PPP were our deliverers. Our nation must forever be thankful that this man never wavered in his commitment to the Guyanese people. Cde Cheddi was humbled by the new and awesome mission. He led this nation and its people into the mightiest task of all times rebuilding Guyana.
 
And this is why we are gathered here today to celebrate the first twenty (20) years of our accomplishments, our achievements.
 
In 1992, the timing in the world for an encounter with Cheddi Jagan, was most propitious. The multilaterals, the bilaterals, the regional, the sub-regionals, these organisations and their members all have a story to tell, about Cheddi Jagan and his efforts and their participation, their contributions in helping to turn Guyana around. 
 
We can never be forgetful or be dismissive of their support to Comrade Cheddi then and subsequently to Comrades Sam, Janet and Bharrat and fundamentally to the Guyanese people.
 
They have stood faithfully at our side and worked with us in rebuilding Guyana from the ashes of the past.
 
1992 unleashed energies, energies for change, changes in materials things, changes in conditions, in standards, changes in outlook, changes in expectations of a future, of a vision.
 
Take the average road, in the average community in any region and you can expect it would be a new one or a rehabilitated one. 
 
Take any school in any village, the average village, the average community in any region and you can be sure it would be a new school or a rehabilitated one. Yes comrades, many who visit Guyana after a period abroad have commented on the visible changes in the landscape of our country which came about by the hard work led by the PPP/C administration.
 
Can we dare to forget? -  The kamakazi ride to Timehri, the Essequibo Coast road, East Berbice, the City of Georgetown.
 
Physical Infrastructure
Remember the poor conditions of roads, what Guyanese used to say about travelling on the Essequibo Coast road, the East Bank Demerara Highway to Timehri, the city streets in Georgetown and other regional centres. Comrade Cheddi’s struggle was to set the models, rehabilitate and modernise. Look at what was done and even more importantly what currently is being done. Asphaltic concrete surfaces, race the length and breadth of Guyana on our highways and byways.
 
Four lane highways with traffic lights, roads where there were none.  
 
Infrastructure was transformed Infrastructure was transformed in all the sectors, remarkable and tremendous strides continue to be made as we speak.
 
The main effect of the infrastructure rehabilitation was its contribution to the elevation of standards, increasing productivity and output. The need for good infrastructure is vital an indispensable to social and economic progress. Guyana has once again proven that economic axiom.
 
Our goals were lofty
 
Time to rebuild, we proclaimed and we toiled indefatigably to construct our new democratic state according to our manifesto which Cde. Cheddi had a major part in preparing.
 
We rebuilt infrastructure so that our society, Guyana could benefit from New Beginnings, and our nation has.
 
Our Party is grounded in the belief that the most important factor for development is our people. We held this view before we took office and it is this position that guides our daily action in government.
 
That is why when since we were given the mandate to administer our nation we have focused on human development.
 
You will recall our early days in ensuring that we solve the housing needs of our people. We worked on many innovative measures to ensure that we were able to provide security to our people of having their own homes.
 
Today more than 100,000 persons have benefitted from our housing programmes. New towns and villages have been developed. The new communities are enjoying many modern facilities including having water in their homes.
 
Gone are the days when we would see our women with children clinging on to their skirts pushing huge barrels of water long distances.
 
We have also put a lot of resources in education. We have done so and are doing so because we are convinced that education is important in the struggle to end poverty. In fact spending on education is really an investment in our future.
 
It is education too that offers us the chance of giving equal opportunity to all. Our investment in new schools in the interior, hostels etc. is ensuring that this becomes a reality. More and more of our interior children are doing well.
 
Today we have achieved universal primary education. We are working assiduously to ensure that we achieve universal secondary education as well.
 
In health too we have made great gains. Recall that malaria was almost on our coast when we took the reins of government. We were able to push it back and now we have reduced it by more than 90%.
That of course is not all. We have modernized the health services in this country. Our services have improved greatly at all levels. To provide cardiac and other important medical services we have entered into partnership.
To increase people’s choices we have allowed private sector participation in all our social sectors.  
 
In these areas Guyana is light years away from what it was.
 
In many of these areas we have had great support from the international community. In health and education our achievements would not have been as great without the support of many, but more particularly Cuba.
 
They have not only accepted hundreds of our students to their country, but have sent high level specialists to assist us in providing top quality health care to our people.
 
Comrades very important to the strides we have made in the social sphere is the economy. Economies are at the foundation of development. It is here that we can measure the changes that have occurred.
 
Twenty years ago Guyana was described as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPIC). This was because of the state we were in as was seen by the economic realities then.
 
Recall that we had a huge foreign debt that ate some 94% of our gross revenues to service that debt.
 
Compounding this unsustainable position was the fact that we had a very high inflation level, it was triple digit levels.
 
Today Guyana is no longer a HIPIC country; we are a middle income developing country. The careful focused attention by the PPP/Civic government has borne fruit.
 
Over the last six years we have experienced positive economic growth. We have been growing at an average rate of 5%. This is no mean achievement in an international atmosphere of economic and financial crises.
 
Guyana was able avoid the worst of that crisis because of prudent management and respect for the economic fundamentals.
 
Over the last twenty years we have brought inflation down into the single digit stage. At the same time we raised production in the real economy. Sugar increased output from a mere 130,000 tons in 1990 to 237,000 tons in 2011; rice was just 90,000 tons in 1990, last year it was 402,000 tons; declaration of gold in 1991 was 59,000 ounces, last year it was 363,000 ounces; bauxite was 1.3 million tons in 1991, last year it was 1.8 million tons.
 
Construction in 1991 was so low it was not even considered; today that sector is making a tangible contribution to our economic development.
 
Moreover we are also seeing that the service sector playing a growing role in the economy. Our banks have been expanding greatly. New branches are being opened in various parts of Guyana.
 
Growth in lending to the private sector has jumped remarkably. Last year private sector credit amounted to $137 billion compared to $7 billion in 1991.
 
Throughout the years we have a stable currency, the exchange rate $203.5 in 2007 and last year it was $203.75
 
Our gross international reserves were at US$798.1 million dollars compared to US$26.6 million in 1990. Our external debt as a percentage of our GDP was 47% last year compared to 658% in 1991.
 
Yes comrades we rescued our economy from the state of bankruptcy to one of vibrancy!
 
As a result the quality of life has improved greatly.
Working people have seen minimum wage going up by some 765% of the 1991 level. Coupled with that is the fact that the tax threshold has increased dramatically in the same period from 48,000 per year in 1991 to 600,000 per year this year.
 
Laws protecting labour has been greatly strengthened.
 
The improvement can be seen in the growing life expectancy of the Guyanese people on the one hand and the falling infant mortality on the other.
 
Our society has become a more caring one, in which we look after the most vulnerable in our country, despite our limited resources.
 
One of the first acts of the Cheddi Jagan government after assuming office in 1992 was the removal of the means test that prevented most of our senior citizens from receiving a pension. Today we spend more than three billion dollars per year on old age pensions and an additional billion on social security.
 
We spend billions more in providing hot meals for children in schools and giving school uniforms to them.
 
All these have shown that the PPP/C government has always striven to ensure that development was geared to impact on all the people of Guyana.
 
For our Amerindian brothers and sisters, the promise of a brighter future was there in Comrade Cheddi’s decision to create a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Comrade Cheddi did not live to see the Amerindian Act of 2006, the creation of the National Toshaos Council and the appointment of the Indigenous Peoples Commission.
 
It was to correct the neglect of the colonial rulers and later the PNC regime of the interior communities that the PPP/Civic government established the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
 
 
The scene in Amerindian communities is changing irreversibly. More educational opportunities within and without their community, more health services, doctors, nurses, medexes, community health workers, greater attention to village economy, to enhance economic well being, promotion of agriculture, support for forestry, farming, mining and handicraft. Demarcation and titling, decisions made were monumental and instrumental in recognising the rights of Amerindian as inalienable and irrevocable.
 
Comrade Cheddi ensured that they were present at decision making forum and that they were consulted and their views respected.
Amerindian Heritage Month and their accent on Amerindian culture under the PPP/C Government had become an important and constant in the lives of Guyanese.
 
With the return of democracy in 1992 the administration put great emphasis on Parliament.
 
In the first instance the intention of the new approach was signaled when the whole Public Building was dedicated to Parliament exclusively.
 
The functioning had changed when we introduced the use of Select Communities and Standing Communities to promote consultations between the various political forces in Parliament. It was also used as a mechanism to have broad consultations with the public on important issues.
The PPP/Civic administration also worked to enhance and secure the rights of every Guyanese as we made writing a new constitution a priority. That process culminated in 2001 when the Constitution was unanimously adopted.
 
The new constitution ensures that we have meaningful consultations on appointments and vetoes were put in place for some. This was really enshrining the principles that we espoused that “Winner would not take all.”
 
An examination of all the legislation that we have made would show that they have benefitted greatly from the inclusive process and wide consultations.
 
Comrades we do have a lot to celebrate and to be proud of. We have brought our country a far way, we have restored confidence in our people and we have developed a vision which contours are clearly showing.
 
The social and economic progress that we have made so far has laid a solid foundation for us to now move forward with greater speed and to ensure a really prosperous society.
 
Our programme now will take us to higher levels.
 
As the manifesto we put forward to our people for the 2011 elections show we are now in the process of establishing a stronger infrastructure to ensure our rapid progress.
 
As you are aware we have moved much closer to securing the finances to build the Amaila Hydro Electric Power Station. This will see us generating some 90% of our energy needs from renewable resources.
 
It will have a profound impact on the growth of manufacturing and processing in our country. It will also allow us to reduce substantially our dependence on fossil fuel to drive our energy needs and in the process save valuable foreign exchange. It will translate in great savings and allow us to invest in other vital areas of need.
 
The new airport we propose to build will allow us to become a major hub in the world of air traffic, taking advantage of our geographic location.  At the same time it will be a major boost for tourism in our country.
 
Tourism will also expand and grow with the rapidly expanding hospitality sector in our country. The growth of new modern hotels, both large and small, the facilities to host large events in sports or conferences and cultural events will all contribute to tourism playing a significant role in our economy.
 
We are also strong in mining.  Traditionally we have been known for our bauxite mining. Today we have revived that and give it greater life. A new bauxite mine is expected to come on stream while new expansion is taking place in those already in operation.
 
Now, however, we are developing gold mining in a more modern way. A new manganese mine is expected to begin commercial operation soon.
 
Optimism in the petroleum industry is also very high. I am told that sooner, rather than later, we will become a player in this area internationally.
 
As our manifesto also envisage we are looking towards expanding and diversifying agriculture in Guyana.  We are looking to expand the traditional sector while introducing new crops to our farmers.
 
We will not stop working to establish a highway from our coast to the south of our country, the Rupununi. This is a vital project to our economy and for deeper integration of Guyana’s coast and hinterland. This road linked with a deep water harbour has the great potential of stimulating production and expanding our international trade.
 
A economically strong Guyana will be able to make a greater contribution to our region, both the Caribbean and South America. It will allow us to also play a bigger role in international affairs to strengthen our relations with our neighbours while expanding our ties with all other countries.
 
Comrades we have every reason to be optimistic, our potentials are great and our future is bright.
 
As we celebrate the remarkable progress we have made in just two short decades let us work to ensure the security of our nation and the prosperity of our people.
 
THE FUTURE
The highlights of achievements and consequences of twenty (20) years of PPP/C as governing party in Guyana have been chronicled in this brief address.
There can be no doubt that the outcome resonate in all places where Guyanese reside.
 
I have made the point earlier that for us in the PPP/C, it is the changes in the ways Guyanese see themselves, their country and things that are of greater importance.
 
We are and have become what we aspire to be. These twenty (20) years, from 1992 – 2012, have taught us a lot about ourselves.
 
First, we can overcome odds by dint of effort. Ultimately our success mirrors our efforts.
 
Over the past twenty (20) years, we have accumulated evidence of what works for Guyana and derived the experience in making it work.
 
That insight is invaluable as we contemplate the future, as we seek to continue to achieve guidance and inspiration from the exploits of our immediate past.
 
Comrades throughout its history the People’s Progressive Party has always stood in staunch defence of our nation. We have been a bulwark for our working people and those disadvantaged through various circumstances.
 
Over the last twenty years we have worked closely with all Guyanese and constantly promoted national unity.
 
This is vital to our nation as we prepare to accelerate our own development.
 
On this historic anniversary I call on all Guyanese to join us in building and strengthening Guyana.
 
Long live the PPP/C Government!
 
Long live the Guyanese people!

excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle

Office of the President of Guyana : PPP/C created a vibrant economy – President - celebrates 20th anniversary in Government

10/10/2012| 01:39pm US/Eastern

Tuesday, 09 October 2012 00:00 -- Source

A vibrant speech by President Donald Ramotar after a cultural presentation in the form of dance, song and poetry and a pictorial exhibition at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), marked the 20th anniversary of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration in Government.

Twenty years ago today, Dr Cheddi Jagan took the oath of office as Guyana's third executive president when the PPP gained victory at the 1992 polls in what was described as the first free and fair elections in the country.

It was the beginning of a quest to rebuild a broken economy that was ranked a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) after 28 years of "undemocratic rule" under the Forbes Burnham led People's National Congress (PNC) regime.

Over the two decades the PPP/C has been in office, the country has seen four successive Presidents after Cheddi Jagan and a determined effort to clear the country of the heavy debt that the new government had inherited.

The foreign debt accumulated required about 94 percent of the country's revenue to service it and inflation was in triple digits, according to President Ramotar who chronicled Guyana's journey since 1992 in his feature address.

Former President Mr Bharrat Jagdeo who joined the anniversary celebrations along with ministers of the government, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society had on several occasions spoken about the debt situation and the fact that the country lived above its means for almost three decades.

Finance Minister Asgar Ally in 1992 had highlighted the need for extraordinary debt relief and write off and Guyana was projected at that time to clear US $169 million in debt.

"We rescued our economy from the state of bankruptcy to one of vibrancy! As a result the quality of life has improved greatly. Working people have seen minimum wage going up by some 765% of the 1991 level.  Coupled with that is the fact that the tax threshold has increased dramatically in the same period from $48,000 per year in 1991 to $600,000 per year this year," President Ramotar said.

The role of the Cheddi Jagan government after assuming office in 1992 to repeal the means test that prevented most of senior citizens from receiving a pension has been the reason $3B is spent each year on old age pensions and an additional billion on social security, according to President Ramotar.

Guyana is now ranked a middle income developing country where over the last six years positive economic growth has been evident at an average rate of 5%.

The sources of growth which 20 years ago were limited to sugar rice and bauxite have been diversified. Prudent management has also rescued Guyana from the worst global crisis in history.

The three commodities continue to hold high esteem as significant contributors to the economy and over the  years, sugar increased output from a mere 130,000 tonnes in 1990 to 237,000 tonnes in 2011; rice from 90,000 tonnes in 1990, to 402,000 tonnes; gold declaration from 59,000 ounces in 1991 to 363,000 ounces, bauxite from 1.3 million tonnes in 1991, 1.8 million tonnes last year.

President Ramotar spoke of the construction sector that was almost non-existent in 1991 to now a tangible contributor to the country's economic development. The service sector plays a growing role in the economy, banks are expanding rapidly and growth in lending to the private sector is leaping forward. The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Branch at Lethem is complete and will be opened this weekend while plans are afoot for another bank investment, in Region One.

He also lauded the fact that throughout the years the exchange rate has been stable, standing at $203.5 in 2007 and $203.75 last year and gross international reserves were US$798.1 million compared to US$26.6 million in 1990.

"Our society has become a more caring one, in which we look after the most vulnerable in our country, despite our limited resources… the PPP/C government has always striven to ensure that development was geared to impact on all the people of Guyana," President Ramotar said.

"In health too we have made great gains.  Recall that malaria was almost on our coast when we took the reins of government.  We were able to push it back and now we have reduced it by more than 90% …we have modernized the health services in this country.  Our services have improved greatly at all levels.  To provide cardiac and other important medical services we have entered into partnerships," he stated.

It was the PPP Government that reformed the functions of the Parliament, introducing the use of Select Communities and Standing Communities to promote consultations among the various political forces.

President Ramotar said an examination of all the legislation piloted and passed under the PPP/C would show that they have benefitted greatly from the inclusive process and wide consultations.

A new constitution that included unprecedented clauses for consultations on appointments and vetoes add to the list of the PPP/C's accomplishments.

Speaking of development in Amerindian communities, he said this is  changing irreversibly as there is more educational opportunities within and without their community, more  health services, doctors, nurses, medex, community health workers and, greater attention to village economy, to enhance economic well being, promote  agriculture.

Dr. Jagan's decision to create a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was described by President Ramotar as the promise of a brighter future that saw the introduction of the Amerindian Act of 2006, the creation of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the appointment of the Indigenous People's Commission (IPC).

"Demarcation and titling, decisions made were monumental and instrumental in recognising the rights of Amerindian as inalienable and irrevocable," the Head of State noted.

Government is now in the process of establishing a stronger infrastructure to ensure rapid progress, the Head of State said, as he explained that the country is closer to securing the finances to erect the Amaila Hydro Electric Power Station that is expected to fulfill 90% of its energy needs from renewable resources.

He next spoke of the new airport to be built at Timehri that will allow Guyana to become a major hub in air traffic due to its location.

"Tourism will also expand and grow with the rapidly expanding hospitality sector in our country.  The growth of new modern hotels, both large and small, the facilities to host large events in sports or conferences and cultural events will all contribute to tourism playing a significant role in our economy."

In the area of mining, he said a new bauxite mine will soon come on stream while those in existence are expanding operations and a new manganese mine is expected to begin commercial operation soon.

While optimism in the petroleum industry is high, Government is seeking to expand and diversify agriculture.

To deeper linkages between the coats and hinterland, work will continue to establish a highway to the Rupununi and this is linked to deep water harbour that will stimulate production and expand international trade.

"An economically strong Guyana will be able to make a greater contribution to our region, both the Caribbean and South America.  It will allow us to also play a bigger role in international affairs to strengthen our relations with our neighbours while expanding our ties with all other countries," he stated.

The event was also punctuated with messages namely from Trade Unionist Kenneth Joseph and Clinton Urling of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry Limited and Reflections by young people.

Do ppl on this board REALLY know what is progress. The country lacks massive employment and they expect Guyana to particpate intenationally.

Participate internationally-first send a sizeable contigent to the Olympic.

Dem cooolie jahdoogars meking the Indian fore-fathers looking stupid every day.

Grey matter is absent and it makes fools behave as if they are overwhemed with wisdom.