PULL QUOTE: ‘Let us all work to make 2014 a better year for our beloved country and all of its citizens’
THE Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) has extended warm and sincere wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of the New Year.“While some may have welcomed the New Year with much rejoicing and merriment, others have used the opportunity for introspection and reflection of the year we have left behind,” WPO said in a statement.

It noted that some would have lost their loved ones, while others would have welcomed their new born into the world. “The joys, the sorrows, the realisation of dreams and the despair of unfilled ones characterise the dialectics of our lives on a daily basis.  Whatever the circumstances of our lives we must always believe that the human spirit will always find ways and means to overcome the challenges of everyday living.”

The WPO also encourages all to work harder and to make whatever sacrifices that are required to make their lives better.
“We are heartened by the continuous growth of the economy and the steady improvement in the social sectors. We are concerned, however, with the actions of the joint Opposition that have caused setbacks in relation to major developmental works such as the Amaila Falls Hydro-power Project, the Specialty Hospital and the International Airport,” WPO stated.
The Organisation called on the Opposition in this New Year to “desist from such unpatriotic acts and to support these and other projects as we continue to modernise Guyana”.
“In the sphere of inter-personal relationships, we wish fervently that this year will see less murders and violence against women and that the atrocities of 2013 should be a thing of the past. The WPO also wishes to use this opportunity to call on all Guyanese -both citizens and officials- to take bold steps to resolve among others, two burning issues which are vexatious to almost all Guyanese and visiting foreigners.
“The first is the garbage menace which is a sore embarrassment particularly in the city of Georgetown where the incompetence of the Council compounds the problem. We urge the Mayor and City Council to do the decent thing and resign. We also call on all citizens to play their part by ending the dirty practice of littering and dumping of waste.
“The second is the noise nuisance which seems to become more and more excessive in some parts of Guyana. We urge the authorities to take strong action against the offenders and to make the necessary changes to the law as a matter of urgency.

“We encourage all those who are guilty, whether in places of entertainment or worship to control the volumes of their noisy instruments. Most annoying are the loud music sets and the increasing number of money-making events involving DJs, who believe that screaming in the middle of the night and the early hours of the morning is entertainment.”

According to the WPO, “all residents deserve the right to quiet and peace in their lives and we see this intrusion as a violation of their human rights”.
The WPO also called on all Guyanese to join in the discourse and actions to rid our country of these and other vexatious issues and to create a more harmonious environment based on greater tolerance and mutual respect.

“Let us all work to make 2014 a better year for our beloved country and all of its citizens. We extend best wishes to all and may God continue to guide and bless you,” the organisation said.