ICT centre for Enmore- PPP/C will restructure sugar industry - President Ramotar tells residents
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 18, 2015, Source
Headlining a well attended meeting in the Enmore community of Foulis, on April 17, President Ramotar reminded those gathered that the People’s Progressive Party / Civic took over a country that was financially ruined and over the years has worked hard to change the nation’s economic fortune.
“The country has reached a stage where we had to borrow to pay back our debts. That is where we were”. Guyana’s debt is now 60% of its economy, a far cry from the nine-and-a quarter times its economy when the People’s National Congress left office, the president explained. Guyana has moved from being a heavily indebted poor country to being ranked as a middle income developing country, he stated. The upcoming elections were described by the president as “the most important” since Guyana obtained universal adult suffrage in 1953, “This election will determine if our country will go forward or reverse”.
President Donald Ramotar addressing residents at Foulis, Enmore during a public meeting
The gains in education were highlighted by the president, who noted that universal, primary education has been achieved, and the country is on the verge of achieving secondary education.
President Ramotar, warned of the deliberate attempts by the political opposition to stymie national development, noting that “We have an opposition that has not been cooperating, they want power for power sake,” President Ramotar noted that the political opposition had opposed the passage of critical piece of legislation such as the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, before having a sudden change of heart as they realised that general elections were imminent. These actions and several others he said, pointed to the type of characters that the opposition leadership possessed, he emphasised.
He added that the opposition has also opposed money for development projects such as the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric Project, the Cheddi Jagan Airport expansion project, the Specialty Hospital and the Amerindian Development Fund. Money was also cut from the National Budget in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the Parliamentary Opposition using its one-seat majority in the Tenth Parliament, which was dissolved by President Ramotar in February 2015.
President Donald Ramotar greeting residents of Foulis
According to the Head of State, the dishonesty of the opposition has been exposed as it initially promised a 20% pay increase for sugar workers then within months after the last elections began making calls for the industry to either be closed or used for aquaculture.
Government will restructure the sugar sector, he promised and value added products such as ethanol, refined sugars and electricity production through the use of bagasse will be developed. President Ramotar reiterated his pledge to invest at least $20 million into the industry to ensure its survival and improvement.
The improvements in the education system, thanks to government’s investments were also highlighted. It is because of the push to have an educated workforce that companies, such as Qualfon, he explained were able to expand their operations.
An Information Technology Center will also be built in Enmore, the president said to loud applause, giving some 900 persons employment. Government’s policies he pointed out have seen many moving to invest in the economy, creating jobs and helping Guyanese to build a better life from themselves and their families. This, he said, can only continue once the PPP/C is returned to office, to continue its mandate to develop Guyana for the benefit of all Guyanese.