– PM at Night of Reflection in Linden

GUYANESE are now more unified and accepting of each other than at any time in the country’s history. This opinion was expressed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, last Saturday evening, when he delivered the main address to Lindeners at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPPC) Night of Reflection in observance of its 22 years in office.The party swept to power on October 5, 1992 in what was widely regarded as Guyana’s first free and fair elections.
Recounting Government’s 22 years in office, at the Egbert Benjamin Hall, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds recalled the hope of many youths during the 1970s and 80s for the bettering of their lives as Guyana’s economy spiralled downward.

The journey that started in 1992 continues and all are welcome to come on board. The divisive politics of ‘us and them’ cannot sustain a democracy and keep it growing. We have to open our arms and say, we the people are working together, that’s the message I want to bring to Region 10, we the people will continue to walk together and we the people will ensure that Guyana’s democracy remains strong and that the PPP/C continues to be in power to do more for Guyana, to bring about the transformation that Guyana needs. – Minister Juan Edghill

The situation of those living in Guyana became more untenable, and he, like many others could not have stood it anymore. It was then that he became the focus of not only the then President, Forbes Burnham, but also then Opposition leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan for his work in Linden. He said that a number of protest movements began. “One was GUARD. I was invited by one of my friends to speak there and I did. Another group, the WPA, invited me

to speak at Walter Rodney’s memorial, the commemoration of the assassination.” PM Hinds recalled that it was following these and similar events that Dr. Jagan engaged him along with several other persons to work on the highly anticipated elections, originally scheduled for 1990, but postponed to 1992.
The Prime Minister said there were mixed opinions of his selection as Dr. Jagan’s running mate, with many thinking that nothing would come out of it. He said this was probably the reason for his “smooth” survival during that period.
“If it were believed that we would have won the election, and I would have been here up to now as Prime Minister, I believe that a more serious attitude would have been taken towards me.”
Fast forwarding to the “perceptions by some” about the Government’s stance towards Linden and other Region 10 communities, Prime Minister Hinds said that the Government has always done the best it could for the area. “Linden and Region 10 have shared equitably in all that we have had, whether good or bad.”

Focusing on education, it was recalled that the School Improvement Programme, envisaged by the PPP/C when it acceded to office, was aimed at rehabilitating the nation’s 400 schools which were in a dilapidated state. The Prime Minister said this programme allowed for “everyone across Guyana (to) see what was being done for them, for their school, and their community and everybody could have some hope and become enthused with the new situation, and hopefully work harder to improve our conditions.”
As an offshoot of the School Improvement Programme, Mr. Hinds said a decision was taken to have only local contractors undertake the school repairs. This created employment for many, he said. Now that contractors have grown and increased their capacity, more and larger schools have, and are being built. He reminded residents that accompanied by the then Education Minister, Dr. Dale Bisnauth, he visited 14 locations across Region 10 on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1997, a day which he said would not be forgotten as Dr. Jagan fell critically ill on that same afternoon.
Mr. Hinds alluded to the expansion and improvement of high schools such as the Silver City Secondary School, as well as the new Upper Demerara Hospital and extensive works to rehabilitate the community’s water supply system.

Prime Minister Hinds was also blunt in his exhortation that those who claim that nothing has been happening in terms of Housing in Region 10, the proof is evident in Amelia’s Ward, the country’s largest such scheme, and other satellite communities.

Many of the projects are done, incrementally, it was explained. “We tend to focus on the larger numbers and we tend to build our country from the bottom up.” These infrastructural works are all funded by taxes and these give the Government the ability to undertake them, the Prime Minister explained.
The residents were urged by Mr. Hinds to be “solid as a rock” in understanding what the PPP/C is about, and to resist any criticisms that may come their way.
“My experience is that when we are unsure of ourselves that is when criticism hurts us the most; but when we are sure of ourselves, we are less hurt by the criticisms of others. Learning about our programmes helps you to be stronger.” The PPP/C does not see enemies, he added, but only potential persons to work with at the next elections.

BAUXITE SURVIVAL
The residents were also told of the Government’s efforts to ensure the survival of the bauxite industry and reminded of the fact that a solution was still to be found to address the subsidised electricity rates for Linden and surrounding areas. The latter was an issue that was acknowledged as a problem since 1976 by the late President Forbes Burnham, PM Hinds said. The trouble, he explained is that as the communities become more developed, the subsidy costs keep increasing. The previous attempt to reform and address the issue with the Opposition ended with three persons dying, he said. The question of how to integrate Linden into the rest of the Guyanese society is one which must still be addressed, he stressed, but it is something that the Government looks forward to. Linden is important for the development of Guyana, as it is a hub to the interior where lots of development will take place, Prime Minister Hinds stated.
In closing, he said he looks with hope to the future, and expressed the wish that others are able to fulfill their dreams. Describing the 1992 elections as a turning point for Guyana’s history, the Prime Minister said, “All Guyanese must work together.”
Referring to the last election where the Government returned to office as minority, he said that despite the administration’s disappointment it was a sign of democracy at work.
Minister within the Finance Ministry Mr. Juan Edghill, in brief remarks, said it was a night to celebrate the fact that the Government was doing “something right” hence its 22 years in office. The party, he said was one that has always, and will always continue to unify persons.
Describing Prime Minister Hinds as an example of the PPP/C’s open door policy, Minister Edghill said it is time for all to recognise that the Order of Excellence bestowed on him was just one measure of his long service to successive administrations.
The journey that started in 1992 continues and all are welcome to come on board, Minister Edghill said, adding that the divisive politics of “us and them” cannot sustain a democracy and keep it growing.
He said, “We have to open our arms and say, ‘We, the people, are working together.’ That’s the message I want to bring to Region 10. We, the people, will continue to walk together and we, the people, will ensure that Guyana’s democracy remains strong and that the PPP/C continues to be in power to do more for Guyana, to bring about the transformation that Guyana needs.”
He further reminded residents that there were no enemies politically; only political opponents, and this must be understood as all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation, have a role to play in Guyana’s future development.
“The PPP/C is a party of the future, and this must also be noted as it takes the country forward. We‘ve got work to do, and we have to ensure that the future of Guyana is secured,” Minister Edghill said. (GINA)