PRESIDENT David Granger, even before he was elected to the presidency in 2015, has repeatedly emphasised that the purpose of government is to provide a good life for all citizens. Since being elected, that message has not changed, if anything, the president has been even more emphatic in iterating the vision that his government’s ultimate objective is to provide a good life for all Guyanese regardless of where they may live. That seemingly simple objective would, obviously, require radical changes, major adjustments, and the introduction of innovative and transformative policies in virtually every sector and facet of society.

After all, the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime had scant regard for the welfare of ordinary Guyanese, Instead, that party’s officials, while the PPP held office, were busy building mansions, establishing fat bank accounts, and, otherwise, treating Guyana as though it were their own personal property to sell or give away to their cronies as they saw fit. Of course, that was simply untenable and unacceptable.

After the APNU+AFC Coalition was elected into office under the leadership of President David Granger, the necessary changes, adjustments, and policy transformations were immediately introduced. One of the most radically visionary policy changes was the introduction of the idea of the establishment of a capital town in each of Guyana’s ten regions. Upon closer examination and analysis of that policy, one can clearly see how that transformative idea would benefit Guyanese directly, tangibly, and significantly.
President David Granger unveiled the idea on the occasion of his Address to the Annual General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Georgetown, on March 24, 2016. During his speech, the president noted that, “Guyana will develop only if regions are strong. Our regions must no longer be viewed as mere administrative appendages of the central government. Our regions must become motors of economic growth. The potential of our regions is indisputable.” President Granger pointed out that “Guyana’s regions are rich. None is desert. None is tundra. None is swamp. Every region is blessed with natural and human resources which can be exploited for the benefit of its people. Local government elections, therefore, laid the foundation for a new partnership between central government and local government with the aim of building stronger regions.”

Based on that indisputable rationale, His Excellency announced that, “A capital town will be established in every region. Bartica will be the ‘capital town’ of Cuyuni-Mazaruni. Lethem will be the ‘capital town’ of the Rupununi. Mabaruma will be the ‘capital town’ of Barima-Waini. Mahdia will become the ‘capital town’ of Potaro-Siparuni. More suitable sites will be identified to transform the compounds into ‘capital towns’ in the coastal Demerara-Mahaica, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara and Mahaica-Berbice regions. ‘Capital towns’ will spearhead the development of the regions.” Since that announcement, the four capital towns that the president mentioned were established. The President explained that the capital towns are intended to be the engines of economic growth. This is a most welcome development since economic growth translates directly to more, better-paying jobs for residents.

Further, President Granger has articulated his greater vision that the capital towns will be hubs where all major government services will be offered. No longer will residents of Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni or Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo have to spend thousands of dollars in order to travel to Georgetown to obtain a passport, birth-certificate, or firearm-licence; Those services will be available right there in the various regions.
Evidently, the great idea of establishing capital towns would benefit citizens immeasurably. Jobs would be created, tourists would visit, and the savings that result from not having to leave the region to obtain government services would put money directly into the pockets of residents. The ultimate result would be a better quality of life.

As Guyanese know, the regions in which capital towns have already been established are growing economically, socially, and culturally at unprecedented rates. And, we can expect that the same thing will happen in the other regions as they get their own capital towns. Indeed, Guyanese can finally expect to have a bright future, good jobs, more money, and a good life – but only if we stay the course. We must not allow anyone to derail our development; we must not permit anybody to take away our jobs and our money. Guyanese now have an honest, trustworthy, visionary president. We should do everything in our power to keep him in office.