Georgetown: As Guyana celebrates its 48th anniversary as an independent, sovereign State, President Donald Ramotar spoke out against the politics of “no” that has characterised the Tenth Parliament since its commencement in 2012.
The Head of State was at the time addressing Guyanese citizens who braved the rains to be part of the national flag raising ceremony at the National Park; an annual event that marks the end of centuries of oppression including slavery, indentureship and foreign domination.
He lamented that the stance of the political Opposition in Parliament is hampering and undermining many important projects that have the potential of accelerating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of all of the nation’s citizens.
Particular mention was made of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, Specialty Hospital and the Marriott Hotel, all of which the Opposition have refused to support despite the obvious benefits that will accrue from these projects for Guyanese citizens.
Referring to the cuts in the 2014 budget, which is the most recent damage inflicted by the Parliament, the President said questioned, “how can we speak of Human Development and cut the money to provide loans to students at the University of Guyana and remove all the monies committed to advancing the transformation of Amerindian Village economies and speeding up their integration into mainstream Guyanese economy?
Anti-Money Laundering Bill
Guyana is again set to face the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in the coming week in Miami, Florida where the country stands to face dire consequences especially given that the final May 29 deadline will not be met.
Again the President questioned, “how can we speak about fighting corruption and Narco-trafficking and refuse to pass the FATF and CFATF compliant Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the
Financing of Terrorism Bill?
He said that by blocking the Bill’s passage, the Opposition has exposed Guyana to being blacklisted by the international community, a threat that can very well reverse the 48 years of progress that the country has made.
“What will Guyana gain by these irresponsible and reckless tactics in our body politic? This I believe will have an impact on the collective morality of our nation. These actions threaten the foundations of our freedom and democracy that our fore parents fought so gallantly for,” President Ramotar said.
Renewed call
Over the year, the PPP/C Administration has worked tirelessly to restore and consolidate its democracy; embedding it in the country’s constitution, laws, institutions and administrations. The President maintained that the country’s freedoms and sovereignty must be jealously guarded and call on all citizens to play their part.
“I call for a renewed patriotism and nationalism from our political parties. Opposing for opposition’s sake and introducing blackmail methods in our politics will gain us nothing, indeed even if it gives results in the short term, it will damage the moral fabric of our society in the medium and long term,” the Head of State exhorted.
International Relations
Despite the struggles over the years, the Guyana has made significant strides as a nation. President Ramotar said that citizens have much to celebrate over the past 48 years.
On the international scene, Guyana has made a name for itself; taking leadership roles in many areas, particularly climate change. Despite the world becoming a global village, international relations are still dominated and determined by a handful of rich countries, as many of the institutions established, particularly the International Financial Institutions mostly geared to serve the interest of the most rich and powerful countries.
This he said is reflected in the growing inequality in relation to access to resources and the huge income gap between the rich and poor countries of the world.
“Today, the richest 85 persons in the world are worth more than the poorest 3.5 billion persons; almost a half of the world’s wealth is owned by just 1 percent of the population; and the bottom half of the global population own less than one percent of total wealth,” the Head of State said.
Nevertheless, Guyana continues to build greater solidarity among the developing world while working in alliance with those developed countries interested in genuine partnership. He spoke of Guyana’s alliances in CARICOM, Latin America, the Commonwealth and further afield.
Economic Development
Guyana has been witnessing real growth in GDP since 2006. This represents the longest period of uninterrupted real economic growth since independence in 1966.
“We must recall that this was being accomplished at a time when the international economy was rocked by a series of international financial and economic crises from 2007. In spite of these negative global developments which impacted on the price for our main exports and imports our country pushed ahead,” President Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar taking the salute from the Guard of Honour at the 48th Independence celebrations
Last year the economy grew by more than five percent. He recognised that while the mining and rice industries have done exceedingly well; however, sugar continues to face challenges, which his Government is committed to overcome.
“We must congratulate our workers, miners and business men and women for the tremendous contributions they have been making to the expansion and diversification of our economy,” he said.
Education
The President said that strong economic growth has enabled the Government to expand its social services, particularly in the area of education.
Guyana has achieved universal primary education and is close to achieving universal secondary education.
“We are supplying free books and uniforms to all our children in the public schools. From this year, we are providing parents with ten thousand dollars per child in our public schools as a transportation allowance to assist in their travelling to and from schools,” he reminded.
Additionally, the Government has built new technical institutes across the country to ensure that youths receive the skills badly needed for the expansion and diversification of the economy.
In terms of tertiary education, very soon the University of Guyana will begin to offer some degree programmes online.
President Ramotar said that, “these measures are enhancing our human capital, the most vital requirement for sustained socio-economic progress. As we see, our children have been dominating the top spots at CXC Examination in the region over the last decade.”
Old Age Pension
The President said that Guyana is one of only two countries in the whole continent and probably the world that has developed a universal non-contributory pension scheme to assist the vulnerable old age population who have achieved pensionable age.
In 1993, the Government removed the Means Test and increased the old age pension from $300 to$13,126 per month.
Health
The health sector today boasts of some of the most modern facilities and equipment; offering a wide range of specialised services, including a cardiac ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital as well as a cancer treatment ward.
The President said that his Government wants to make these services more accessible and affordable to its citizens that is why it is determined to build the Specialty Hospital. President Donald Ramotar addressing the audience at the National Park
“As a result of our greatly improved health delivery and service, life expectancy has improved significantly and infant mortality is at its lowest in our entire history,” he said.
Housing
The President said that the days of squatter housing schemes with poor roads, no water, sanitation and electricity are long gone.
“I know that one of the greatest contributions to families and citizens’ sense of security comes when he/she owns his/her own home. Over the years, we have successfully housed thousands of our fellow Guyanese. We have drastically reduced overcrowding and created a better environment for families,” he said.
Today, more Guyanese families can boast of home ownership than ever before. The PPP/C Administration has distributed over 100,000 houselots to date.
“My dear countrymen and women on this our 48th Anniversary, allow me to call on all to take special pride in our achievements and to make a greater contribution to the improvements of our country…as we approach the 50th Anniversary of our Independence let us work in greater cooperation and unity. We still have a lot to do to further enhance the quality of life in Guyana,” President concluded.
Guyana won its independence from Britain on May 26, 1966, a date which marks the end of years of colonial rule and the beginning of a new era.
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