President lays out PPP/C’s plans to guide Guyana forward – at Diamond meeting
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 30, 2015, [url=
Head of State Donald Ramotar has pledged to continue guiding Guyana along its developmental path as he laid out his administration’s plans for achieving this goal to scores of residents at Diamond, East Bank Demerara at a community meeting this evening.
“We want to build our country and make it stronger,” he told the gathering. Guyana’s development will necessitate the building of new infrastructure, the Head of State said, “and the most important is the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Dam”. He explained that far more developments would be possible with cheap and reliable power in terms of manufacturing and the creation of jobs. Once functional, he added that there would be an immediate reduction in tariffs of, “20 to 40% and more disposable income available” for all consumers. The hydro power project’s construction is set to begin, President Ramotar said. “Once we win the election, I hope we can begin building the project before the end of the year,” he stated. He said the investors have already been identified to assist in this process.
The hydro power project will not only lead to cheaper power as more investors turn to Guyana, but the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion will become even more necessary. Investment in other sectors such as tourism and the hospitality industry would see the need for “more Marriotts (hotels) being built” as a result of more persons coming to this country, he added.
President Donald Ramotar addressing residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara
Agriculture would also benefit, the president explained, as more agriculture produce could be shipped overseas. All of these are just a few of the measures that would result in Guyanese benefiting from increased job opportunities. Government will also construct new roads such as the one from the East Bank of Demerara to the Ogle International Airport, the president said, “to cut travel time”. The need for a Deep Water Harbour was also mentioned along with “Economic Free Zones” for commerce, in Berbice to further boost business.
Mention was made of the sugar industry and government’s plans to invest and diversify the industry with the production of more value-added products such as ethanol, and refined sugars. The rice sector will also benefit from more input to ensure that farmers continue to benefit from favourable prices. The president remarked “These are some of the plans we have to develop the country and take Guyana forward”.
Residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, attending a community meeting that was addressed by President Donald Ramotar
He stated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has a proud history of development and “it will run on this record”. He highlighted his administration’s focus of spending on the social sector, as “a country’s greatest asset was its people” and the gains over the years in the education sector which has seen the attainment of universal nursery and primary education with the secondary level soon to be achieved.
The political opposition was singled out for their moves to cut some $89 billion from the budget and the effect this had on ordinary citizens’ lives. The opposition, the president said spoke of wanting to cut ‘fat’ from the government but are insisting on four vice presidents, if they win the elections.
Despite all their promises now, President Ramotar explained that “the opposition has consistently refused to part of the developmental process... how they can be trusted?”he asked.
Residents were urged to ensure that they not only go out and vote, but also that their ballots are correctly stamped before being placed in ballot boxes on Elections Day, as he opined that “nothing must be left to chance.”