MAY 16, 2015, is historical in the annals of the nation’s modern political history. For it was the date on which Guyana’s first coalition government, the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), ascended to office, bringing to an end a little more than two decades of disastrous governance that destroyed the socio-economic facets of national life.

There was never a mistaken understanding, or an underestimation, or even a delusion on the part of the newly ascended government, of the magnitude of the task which awaited them; this is coupled with the fact of a political opposition from which an already signalled pattern of non-cooperation was to have been expected.

The challenges were there, even before the historic change, such as a collapsed and debt-ridden sugar industry that threatened an almost industrial crisis; a society that had become the unmistakable example of a criminal state, from which all forms of corruption had succeeded in distorting the morals of a nation that had been on national life support; a natural diminution of the national institutions, because of what had been open political interference; a nation that reflected in an even more significant manner, the grave pains of ethnic division, deliberately perpetrated for the furtherance of racial domination.

Most naturally, this gave rise to marginalisation, further reflected in the abject socio-economic state of certain communities that suffered from a scorched-earth state policy of no assistance from a former administration, to improve their environments and livelihoods.
But there was a mandate to carry out, in the name of the people; and the latter expected the government that they had elected, to rise to the occasion. Therefore, cometh the hour, cometh the government. Even the most virulent and grudging of the critics have to admit, although quietly, that Guyana has changed significantly in many aspects of its socio-economic life, and for the better.

From an inherited industrial crisis that jeopardised the livelihoods of so many thousands of sugar workers, and which threatened the social peace because of political incitement, the sugar industry has been saved with a restructuring process underway; terminated workers, although paid severance, have been offered post- sugar options in the form of skills training.

There is continuing industrial peace among the nation’s workers. This has to be quantified and understood against the significant wage increases from $39,570 paid in 2015, to the current $64,200. It is instructive that between 2015 to 2017, there had been a hike of 52 percent, moving wages from $39,570 to $60,000. This has been more than the measly five percent that used to be given to workers at Christmas. And this has been despite the many grave challenges which the government has faced since 2015.

Experiencing a new dawn of day, and a completely new vision, has been the local government system, which since 2015, has heralded two constitutional exercises of elections. This has offered citizens the right of choice of their leaders, irrespective of political affiliation and ethnicity, and a greater say in the affairs of their communities.

A natural extension of this new meaning of local democracy has been the decentralisation of public services, many of which are now accessible within the regions – for example, birth certificates, and passport services. But one must also visit some critical national institutions that in 2019, are far more improved in their delivery of public service, and perception of function as seen by our citizens. Two will suffice as examples.

The judiciary is now fully independent, and without political intrusion, that allows for proper and fair dispensation of justice in its deliberations. A significant change has been the ending of acting Judges. The latter judicial officers are now fully appointed, being able to function with their security of tenure assured.

Our police force, for many years the hapless victim of political interference, that caused a gross diminution of standards with shocking, fallen professionalism, is now on the mend.

No doubt, this gradual change is due to the current implementation of the Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP) that has resulted in improved professional performance, especially restoring relations with the citizenry; more professional training opportunities for all ranks; academic achievements by varied ranks, and an improved solving rate of serious crimes. It is a work in progress which is continuing.

Of course, mention of the Rule of the Law, that key determinant of human rights and protection of citizens from excesses, must be done. No society can claim to be stable, unless this socio – legal requirement is upheld. To this end, Guyana no longer experiences extra-judicial killings, especially with citizens being shot down, although their arms were raised in surrender; security operations and arrests are now wholly intelligence-driven; and suspects’ rights are better observed and respected.

There is a national renewal that is clearly visible to the eye wherever one travels: Our city streets are now better surfaces, with vehicular travel, less onerous, and with less damage; there is better and brighter illumination in most of our city, and this extends into coastal communities. One can add Essequibo, where almost two weeks ago a multi-billion power plant was commissioned.

Garbage piles are an ugly sight of the past, with waterways better maintained, by daily desilting and removal of vegetation. There are more schools, health centres, and community centres that serve the needs of citizens — everywhere.

To this renewal must be added the factor of Information Communication Technology (ICT) that is connecting citizens to vital public services; inter-connecting ministries for greater integration of services; greatly assisting schools and students to deliver a more modern and timely research approach to lesson- delivery and assignment-completion, while facilitating international connection. In fact, it can be said that both the mental and physical distances between the coastal areas of Guyana and the hinterland, are perhaps reduced because of this wonderful technology.

Above all, hope has been restored, especially among our youth and women, by way of empowerment initiatives that are transforming their lives. An article of this length can never hope to illustrate the full scope and span of the numerous achievements of this current administration; for so much has been done in so short a time, despite the obstructive machinations of the political opposition, and those allied to its continuous strategy of non-cooperation.

At the end of any government programme of renewal, it is the people and their lives that must be enhanced, which benefits must accrue to improved and better communities. There is much for the government to be proud of, and to celebrate, in only four years.