GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 4, 2015
egion Nine’s c potential
19
PPP/C re-elected to office nities to earn a decent salary and make a living.” He noted that in spite of the anti-development thrust of the Political Opposition, the Government has managed to have an average growth of five per cent yearly. He also noted that the Government is trying to build the capacity of the workforce so that the country could attract highend investments, based on its highly-skilled people, and not on the basis of cheap labour, as is common in many developing countries. Given the importance of value-added production to the development of both the Region and the country as a whole, President Ramotar reassured Region Nine that the Administration is working assidiously at putting the necessary infrastructure in place, “so that we can turn our agricultural products into more industrial produce; so that we can transform cassava from the staple you eat, and also use it to make fuel.” “We want to produce new crops to broaden the base of the economy, and increase our yield per acre, thereby increasing production,” he said. “The Savannah could capitalise on crops such as soya beans and corn, and support stockfeed for the livestock industry. The infrastructure we are putting in could allow us, in a very short time, to develop.” BRIDGE OVER KURUPUKARI On the issue of local development, the President said the Government plans to bridge the Kurupukari
Crossing and connect the entire Rupununi via road as far as Region Eight. Such a connection, he said, will not only make travel easier and less time consuming, but cheaper as well. Residents were told of his optimism that Guyana will find oil from the current exploration activities, which will make the task of development less challenging, and earn Guyana more money to spend on its people and “a lot of resources we need to accelerate development across these villages.” Education is the tool that will prepare the country to eliminate poverty and hence, persons in the Rupununi should ensure they stay in school and pursue their education even after secondary school, he urged. While Government has managed to reduce the poverty rate from 80 percent of the population living in poverty to 20 per cent, further reduction is highly dependent on every child securing a sound education. “The potential and opportunities that exist in these areas,” he said, “are enormous for development, and we are investing in the human capital, our people to ensure that they will be able to take up the challenge and benefit directly from the development.” The President also urged all, young and old, to take advantage of the information technology hubs being created in the hinterland to ensure they learn to use the computer, as Information Communication Technology has tremendous potential, as well as to create
rge gathering at the PPPC rally at Lethem
jobs and bridge traditional disparities between the hinterland coastal areas. The President reassured Amerindians and hinterland residents that the Government has their best interest at heart, and reminded that it was the PPP/C Government that created many opportunities for them to have equal access to social and other services and economic opportunities as coastlanders. These efforts have resulted in there being about 33 Amerindian doctors up from a single one in the past, an Amerindian girl from Region One topping President’s College at CSEC a few years ago, and numerous persons studying at the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Cyril Potter College of Education. NO FAIR PROMISES He noted that the PPP/C Government has invested heavily in the hinterland, and is not making elections promises like the Opposition, but rather has a consistent development agenda focusing
PPPC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper addressing the large Lethem crowd receive support. been much progress for AmShe also promised to on the people. He said that the erindians under this Governensure that the legal framement, including the allocation Opposition cannot be trusted, work is in place and enforce as they now profess to care of the entire month of Septo ensure the protection of about Amerindians after cut- tember to promote their culthe rights of women, the ture. She said there are now ting funding for several inielderly, children and persons tiatives from the national bud- numerous schools in Region living with disabilities. get that were geared to help Nine, especially secondary Speaking to young peoschools, since in the past there Amerindians. “Now that it’s ple, she noted that Guyana coming near to elections there was a single secondary school is growing and there will be are lots of promises…but at St. Ignatius. many opportunities for them “This shows we are secan you trust them with your to stay here and capitalise future? How can they claim rious about Amerindian deas Government is working velopment and that includes to love young people and try to put measures in place to stop them from having a culture, preserving and proto create more jobs. These university education? These moting it,” she said. The include further facilitating PPP/C has a proud record in are not luxury things they micro enterprises’ develwere cutting from the budget office, while the Opposition opment and amending the shies away from the past bethese were essential things Small Business Act to ento help you…and when we cause of their 28-year record courage such ventures and put it back, they moved a no that left Guyana beaten and give greater protection to wounded, she said. confidence motion.” small entrepreneurs. Prime Ministerial CandiSeeking their support at Other speakers spoke date for the PPP/C Elisabeth the May 11 polls, the Presiof the many achievements dent said, “The votes are in Harper also pointed to the for the Region under the your hands,” and urged that progress and strong leadcurrent Government, esership under this party for they reflect of the progress pecially improvements in under the incumbent govern- Amerindians, noting that once the social services and inment and use their votes to re-elected, the Government creased focus on training would ensure all activities continue this trend. for professionals such as Minister of Foreign Af- aimed at Amerindian develteachers and medical staff. opment and preserving and fairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Bir(GINA) kett also noted that there has promoting their culture will
President Donald Ramotar, PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett being escorted to the meeting site at the Rodeo Ground at Lethem