Georgetown: Over the years Guyana has seen significant economic growth, while worldwide, countries have seen financial meltdowns. Guyana’s growth however, was brought about through economic diversification, and careful management. Going forward, President Ramotar this evening urged farmers to work with the PPP/C administration to expand and diversify the agriculture sector, to ensure Guyana continues to grow and prosper.
He made the call as he addressed a massive crowd at Damon Square, Anna Regina, Essequibo, where a PPPC rally was held.
President Ramotar pointed out that his administration will be looking to realise the full potential of the coconut industry. He however noted that the administration will need the help of the small farmers to do so as Essequibo (Pomeroon) has great potential when it comes to the coconut industry.
“We want to continue to broaden the base of our country. We are known for sugar and rice, but we have possibilities in other areas, coconut for instance is a huge possibility and it can become as important as rice and sugar, already we are exporting coconut water.”
Speaking of a visit to Sri Lanka where he had a firsthand look at the possibilities for the coconut industry, the President said Guyana could start thinking along the line of plantation style coconut farming.
Speaking of other areas in diversifying the agriculture sector, the President spoke of the possibilities of soya bean and corn farming locally, and a big livestock industry.
These, he told Essequibians, will add to the agro- industry while at the same time improving Guyana’s food quality locally. He added if carefully planned and executed, the agriculture sector could add more to national development as Guyana can soon move towards exporting within the Caribbean and further afield.
Speaking to the issue of rice, the President lauded the Essequibo rice farmers for their contribution towards Guyana’s economic development.
He however, acknowledged the fact that the industry has had its fair share of challenges, but has nevertheless held its own.
Going forward, President Ramotar said the government would be putting a system in place to mitigate the effect of paddy prices.
He added too that the government will never yield to the call by the opposition to abandon the rice nor the sugar industry as there have been calls to close down sugar.
Meanwhile, President Ramotar said even as Guyana continues to see steady and stable economic growth much more could have been achieved, if the opposition had been supportive.
Never, he said in the last three years has the opposition approached the government asking for more financial or any other support for a project.
“Not one single day in the last three years did they use their one – seat majority in parliament to ask us to do more than we are doing, instead they tried to prevent us. They cut the budget by more than $89 billion to stop us from spending that on you the people.”
Clearly all of their actions, the President said have shown that they are anti-development as they have stood in the way of every developmental project from which all Guyanese stand to benefit.
Mention was also made of the Specialty Hospital project, which would have not only provided jobs, but also specialised medical care to Guyanese, at a reduced cost.
This project would also generate revenue for Guyana, as health tourism would be promoted with the aim of targeting the Diaspora and the Caribbean.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project was also cited as another huge investment with spin-off benefits which the opposition strongly opposed in the National Assembly by voting against its allocated funding.
More so, the Amaila Falls Hydro project, which is needed to ensure a fully modernised state, also felt the wrath of the opposition, the President told Essequibians as he pointed out the importance of such a project in developing a manufacturing and strong agro-processing industry.
The President added that there is a great deal to celebrate as even amidst these challenges much has been accomplished, as Guyana now has its first five – star hotel, the Marriot Guyana which was opened on April 16 and its first Synthetic Athletic track, commissioned on April 17 among other major achievements.
Both of these investments, the Guyanese Leader said will not only boost Guyana’s image, but will have numerous spin- off benefits.
President Ramotar also pointed out that his administration has been able to bring Guyana back from total ruins, as it once was when they took over government in 1992.
Speaking of how challenging a task that was, the President called on the crowd not to take their gains lightly and urged that they protect them.
The May 11, General and Regional Elections, the President said is one of the most important, as it will determine the future of the country and its people. He told the gathering that it is up to them to ensure Guyana stays on its developmental path or go into a downward spiral.
Meanwhile, other members of the PPP/C list of candidates, including its Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper, the PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee and Former President Bharrat Jagdeo were among those who addressed the crowd.
They all echoed similar sentiments shared by the Head of State and spoke proudly of the administration’s proven track record of accomplishments.
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