Today will bring the curtain down on 2011, which has been a very eventful year for Guyana as we have seen tremendous progress in all the various sectors.
Agricultural production increased with rice production reaching a record 400,000 tonnes and while sugar production is yet to be restored to its previous output,  nevertheless production rose by 12,000 tonnes over last year which is an encouraging sign. Bauxite production has also increased even though there were some industrial relations issues within the industry which caused some concern.
In the health sector most of our medical facilities have been upgraded and several training programmes were implemented to raise the skills and efficiency of our medical personnel in the public health institutions. We have also seen the establishment of a privately run dialysis centre at Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara.
The education system has seen the continued building and refurbishing of schools and other educational institutions, implementation of several programmes geared to improve delivery of education and the construction of several technical institutes to push vocational education.
In the transport sector, scores of roads have either been built or repaired and perhaps the biggest development has been the arrival of the two roll on/roll off ferries for the Parika/Essequibo route.
The Housing and Water sector continued its successful path with scores of new housing schemes opened and thousands receiving house lots and several communities receiving potable water supply for the first time, including the hinterland.
However, the most significant event of the year was holding of yet another successful general and regional election, although it was tainted slightly by some controversies, which were more imagined or created perceptions rather than being real and genuine issues. There were also some ominous signs of street protests marring the festive season if they had turned ugly, but fortunately, apart from minor incidents the protests were generally peaceful.
These elections saw the demitting of office by President Bharrat Jagdeo and his being replaced by President Donald Ramotar; but what was most significant about this election is its outcome as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) failed to gain a majority of parliamentary seats despite winning the presidency. This was the first such occasion since the restoration of free and elections in 1992.
It means therefore that we have a new political dispensation which could see interesting and unprecedented developments unfolding. The present scenario provides a golden opportunity for cooperation among the parliamentary political parties. The first test of the commitment to political cooperation will come when the National Assembly meets in the new year to elect a Speaker of the House.
Nevertheless, after the elections dust had settled, Guyanese proceeded to celebrate the festive season in their traditional style, shopping, enjoying their ginger beer, garlic pork and all the traditional foods and drinks associated with the season.
The ushering in of the new year will see new challenges and issues which we should be prepared to deal with collectively as a nation so that we continue to move our beloved country forward.