RESIDENTS of Blairmont, West Coast Berbice, turned out in their numbers when President Donald Ramotar conducted a walk-about, then spoke at a public meeting on Saturday in the mostly agricultural community. 

The Head of State, accompanied by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, took the opportunity to interact with dozens of residents who informed him of issues such as the sporadic quality of the water supply. This issue, the President said will be addressed.

Among the questions put to him was his reason for going to general elections before the constitutionally due date. President Ramotar informed residents that he was forced to call elections approximately one year earlier than constitutionally due, because of the stance taken by the political Opposition in Parliament.
He said, “They have never lifted a finger to tell the Government that you should build more roads, that you should build more schools, and that you should build more hospitals, never!” He explained that instead, all the Opposition did was attempt to cut the National Budget and try to put obstacles in the way of the country’s development. Despite this, President Ramotar said, Guyana’s economy continued to grow at an average of 5% annually. This figure could have been as much as 10%, he added, if there was a “little bit” of cooperation from the Opposition.
The focus on education, President Ramotar said, has seen the construction of technical institutes and a series of training programmes to ensure that Guyanese are technically equipped to take advantage of job opportunities that would result from the building of the power plant, such as those in the manufacturing sector. Many would have also begun to benefit from the job opportunities from the actual construction of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, he noted.
The fact that the main Opposition leader, David Granger, has now had a change of heart and is in favour of the project, is a demonstration of his character, President Ramotar said. Character, he said, is important when electing a president. “He wants personal power to run this country like his personal property”.
The President stated that the level of hypocrisy and dishonesty displayed by the Opposition showed that persons like that “must never be allowed to get close to government”. He announced that before the end of this year, once re-elected, construction will begin on the site.
The President was asked about his plans for the sugar industry on which many in the community depend. The challenges facing the sugar industry were acknowledged by the President, who cited the labour shortage with an average turnout of 63%. The sector has to be re-organised, he explained, and Government remains committed to this, unlike the political Opposition. He recommitted to supporting the sugar industry, saying, “Over the next five years, I am willing to put $20B in this industry to ensure its viability”, an announcement that was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd.
He urged residents to be vigilant against those who come bearing “wild promises”, such as a promised 20% pay increase which was made a few years ago by the political Opposition.
Discussions are already underway with the Indian Government to ensure that the Guyana Government is ably assisted in its quest to continue supporting the sugar industry, he added. Plans highlighted by President Ramotar included production of ethanol, other types of refined sugar and other value- added products.
These were just some of the incentives for residents to ensure that Government is returned to office with a majority, the Head of State explained. Mention was also made of the need for an expanded Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Marriott Hotel, which is due to open its doors on April 16, the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and several other initiatives aimed at bettering the lives of Guyanese.