FROM the time Guyanese won the right to self-government, however partial, the leadership has sought, in various forms, to create opportunities for self-sufficiency. Though it could be argued who did what and to what extent have been the people’s involvement, there can be no denying the various efforts.
The premiership of Cheddi Jagan (1953-1964) saw promotion of the building of the rice industry and intensification of agriculture production such as vegetables, meat, milk, etc. Forbes Burnham (1964-1985) built on this by adding new species of rice, increasing yield and storage, and moved the industry from one crop to two per year. The “Grow More Food” campaign was promoted, Guyanese canned fruits and vegetables, and the incumbent government intensified the indigenous focus of its predecessor.
Both governments executed housing development programmes. And whereas there can be comparative analyses, which is not the focus of review, there can be no denying the fact. Those programmes focused on building communities which comprised of turn-key houses, with potable water, electricity, proper access roads, schools, recreational and community facilities. Such construction was considered upward mobility for the working class.
Guyanese can recall, where pride is taken in self-sufficiency and indigenous innovation, from the late 1960s we assembled (made) refrigerators, freezers, stoves, stereos, radios, vehicles (the Tapir which still ply East Berbice), improved the furniture industry, deepened the art and craft industry, built infrastructures and machineries. The completion of the 45-mile Linden/Soesdyke highway (1968) was a feat for a young nation. It still remains one of the country’s best constructed roads. The Demerara Harbour Bridge (1978) construction,(designer Capt. John Patrick Coghlan) and project management (Joe Holder) were the achievement of local talent. At completion it distinguished as the world’s longest floating bridge.
In the rice industry,silos were built to improve storage. When Bookers was nationalised and the Demerara Sugar Corporation was incorporated for the establishment of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, the Guyana Liquor Corporation was established as value added to the production of sugar. Guyana continues to win international recognition and prizes for its liquor products. Wooden barrels that stored run were converted to furniture in the form of chairs and tables. In 1976,bauxite workers built the world’s largest dragline at the time.
Guyanese dreamt big, thought big, and did big things, including scientific innovation, health (e.g. sex transplant, open –heart surgery, pharmaceuticals), manufacturing, textile industry, to name some. The capacity still remains, though dormant. In the right environment, where will and commitment take their primacy of place, there exists no doubt of our ability to achieve and compete internationally.
Differences in leadership strategy, and though at times progress is not realised in straight line, the zigzagging movements are still necessary for continuity. Where 21st century world leaders are addressing the preservation of the planet as critical to man’s sustenance and survival and seeking new approaches to development, Guyana led the focus in the 20th century.
In 1989 the Desmond Hoyte (1985-1992) administration committed the Iwokrama Rainforest to the world to study/research the environment in its natural habitat as a new approach to advancing a developmental model. His visionary leadership set in train the global fleshing out of a green economy policy, which at the time was not expansively understood, appreciated, or accepted.
The pursuing of the REDD+ project during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration (1999-2011) that sees Guyana being paid for its carbon credit gives effect to the policy. Where the project sources international funding as a poverty alleviation strategy, it requires building on. It could augur well pursuing a bipartisan approach in the National Assembly to expanding this developmental strategy to equitably benefit communities across the country consistent with the concentrated focus on social cohesion.
The David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo administration has committed to the construction of a green state, expanding on their predecessors. The attention to alternative energy, cleaning up of the physical environment, building new communities and expanding the entrepreneurial base, effectively managed would create economic and employment opportunities across the board. The principal advantage of the green economy is its clearly outlined policy. Where such transfers to programmes and laws the preservation of the environment, society and the people’s development can happen simultaneously. Irrespective of historical challenges, when we work together on common issues everyone stands to benefit. There is no denying the desire of all to improve their quality of lives and live in environment where they feel safe and secure. To this conviction lays the foundation for continuous nation-building which ought to be our ever guiding focus.