By Ravin Singh

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira in the National Assembly on Tuesday called on the Private Sector to reinvest in Region 10, which he said has unlimited potential.
Figueira, the Region 10 representative, made a pitch for the involvement of the private sector during his well-crafted 2016 budget presentation, which he delivered with passion. And extending his support for Minister of Finance Winston Jordan’s 2016 National Budget that was presented on January 29, he declared that the budget is one which will surely stimulate growth and bring a good life to all Guyanese.
Adopting a more deductive approach in his speech, which captured the attention of all sitting MPs, the Region 10 representative informed the House that the region has begun to realize the good life and eagerly anticipates the stimulation of growth as a fresh approach beckons.

LEN
He explained that the re-establishment of the Linden Enterprise Network, commonly known as LEN, by President David Granger, is a glaring example of stimulating growth and restoring confidence in accordance with Budget 2016.
In addition, he cited the commissioning of the two school-boats for the region, which he described as a welcomed and appreciative move that parents of school-aged children, particularly those in the riverain areas, have lauded.

RESTORING CONFIDENCE
“This initiative has gained traction and has since motivated several businesses and individuals in the region to make similar contributions,” he said, adding that confidence is being restored.
Additionally, he posited that the $40.3B allocation to the education sector is sure to further build the confidence of people of Region 10, who look forward and welcome their ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Books and Breakfasts’, which is a real demonstration of a ‘because we care programme’.
Further highlighting the restoration of confidence, the young MP noted that the illumination along Burnham Drive and Winifred Gaskin Highway (in Linden) for the first time, literally provided the region’s “deliverance from darkness,” which adds to restoring the hope that a good life beckons.
“Region Ten is experiencing a renaissance, a resurgence of hope under this fresh approach to governance,” Figueira asserted.

MAJOR ROAD REHAB
Further, other than the illuminated roads and highways, he told the House that many of the deplorable internal and external roads have been identified for major rehabilitation.
“Additionally, the major access roads of several communities across the township have already been fixed. The fixing of these roads brought joy and deep comfort to the people who dreadfully struggled to get in and out of their respective communities,” he said.
But while the ‘glory story’ seems to be now unreeling for this region, Figueira lamented that over the last few decades nothing like economic development took place.
“Despite being declared an Economic Zone at the World Food Day Fair held at the Christiansburg Community Centre ground in 1999 by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo, nothing economical took place, unless one wants to refer to being economical with the information we received as a people, by strangling us with one PPP propaganda TV channel and radio station or was it in fact the economic genocide we experienced,” he remarked.
Moreover, he underscored the potential of the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice region, arguing that it is the gateway to Guyana’s hinterland regions.
“Our region is the cradle of revolutionary ideas – Mashramani, Town Week, the Famous Mega Sporting events like Mass Games and Kashiff and Shanghai; Television programmes like Youth Scope and In de mix etc. – all birthed from our people. And with the inspiration and financial support provided for in budget 2016, he maintained that the region can be transformed.
“We will rival the transformed Georgetown that now boasts its clean drains, parapets and fresh air,” the MP insisted.
He pointed out that it is more than a matter of having to depend on the government, through its annual budget, to develop the regions. In fact, he contended, that it is necessary that the Private Sector, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCC), as well as persons in the diaspora play an active role in the developmental agenda of the regions.