–presents cheque valued $500,000 to Lethem Rodeo committee

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar and several other members of the Cabinet, including Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali on Saturday participated in the Annual Lethem Rodeo festivities in Rupununi, Region Nine.After stating how happy he was to attend the event, held annually at Eastertime, and acknowledging that it has grown significantly over the past years, President Ramotar said his administration will continue to give support toward the rapid development taking place in that region.

“What we see in Lethem,” he said, “is a microcosm of what is taking place in all of Guyana; and Lethem and Rupununi is growing at a rapid pace. Today we have managed to fulfill many of what we have promised in the social sector, giving our children an opportunity to have secondary education.”
The Head of State noted that as a result of the investments in human capital, many young Guyanese are afforded the opportunity of studying abroad in order to develop themselves, as this is critical for any country to concentrate on developing the economy.
Noting, however, that some of Government’s efforts for development are being hindered, the President said that two cases in point were the recent Budget cuts to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), and the Ministry of Public Works’ programme, which, regrettably, will have direct impact on all hinterland communities.

“The ADF was aimed at offering cheap loans to people to develop businesses,” the President said, adding: “We have new projects, and that money would have been to assist in the land demarcation project for Amerindians, and for them to develop their skills in various fields.”

Noting, however, that the words of the Opposition “do not match their deeds,” in that they are in the habit of saying one thing but doing the complete opposite, President Ramotar said:

“I ask each one of you to support us, so that we can work together to reverse the trend. We will do everything legally to ensure we reverse and prevent them from retarding the development of our country. The Rupununi has great potential,

and we will ensure we continue along this path.”
While there, the President handed over a cheque valued $500,000 to the Lethem Rodeo Committee and promised that efforts will be made to ensure better infrastructure is in place as the rodeo becomes more and more popular.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who also addressed the gathering, pledged his Ministry’s support toward developing sport in every form in the community.
The Minister pointed out that during last year, the Ministry was able to resuscitate and establish 20 play grounds within the Rupununi Region. Dr. Anthony added that efforts are on stream to bring professional horse racing to Lethem.

(GINA)