As part of an annual effort to commemorate the return to democratic governance in Guyana, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat sat down with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Advisor on Governance in the Office of the President, Gail Teixeira, to discuss and reflect on the growth of the country since the advent of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government on October 5, 1992.

The 1992 elections and victory of the PPP/C ushered in a period of 17 years of growth and progress after 28 years of administrative dictatorship.

Dr. Luncheon referred to the big picture which deals with the reformed governmental activities and the achievements of four consecutive PPP governments from 1992 to 2009, which caused detractors to appear ludicrous in denying improvements and suggesting that nothing positive has happened in Guyana.

Dr. Luncheon declared that government and the people have risen to the challenge of reforming the country and mobilising to defeat obstacles.

He noted that Guyana in 2009 exceeds anything evident under the 28 years of People’s National Congress rule, with amazing achievements across the board and challenges handled in ways that promote the well-being of Guyanese by a sensitive and responsible administration, conscious of natural disasters, the economic sector and the working poor.

Most importantly, he stressed, is the positive psychological impact on the masses of this country as captured by the vision of a successful government and the development of a thriving private sector with an ability to move forward.

He stated that the PPP/C administration is prepared to confront whatever faces the nation, confident and assured, with a sustained belief in the destiny of the country, an emotion greatly lacking in 1992.

This, he noted, is no greater gift that can be bestowed on the people of Guyana: surety of development in an environment that practices democracy, poverty alleviation and enhanced material welfare of citizens, investing in people, the environment and infrastructure.

Minister Persaud posited that the defining attribute of the past 17 years lies most significantly in the skillful, structured and stable leadership of Guyana’s complex society. This has projected a measure of confidence and expectation and created a framework and policies for involvement and development.

He noted that in 1992, the country was bankrupt, financially. For example inflation then was at 100 percent; today it is in single digit; minimum wage in 1992 was $2,000, today it is in excess of $30,000; the lending rate was more than 36%, now it’s in the teens with instances of incentives giving lower rates; the exchange rate was fluctuating and sliding in 1992, today it remains stable. There has been increased private sector and regional and international investment, and a totally transformed economy, he said.

Teixeira referred to the vision and the skillful management of the country as manifested by the National Development, Poverty Reduction and National Competitiveness Strategies, and most recently, the Low Carbon Development Strategy which have all been relevant to the time, the vision and enhanced standard of living, and placed Guyana at the forefront internationally.

The PPP/C Government has reached across the political divide and made a tremendous effort, especially with a government composed of a PPP/C alliance, signalling a model involving larger forces.

Constitutional reform, community development, engaging society on all levels, working to bring trust and confidence at the community level with community groups and ministers visiting communities, access to leadership by community, national consultations, workshops, delegations, development in allocation of house lots, land ownership by Amerindians are among other aspects of a democracy at work.

Dr. Luncheon said that this administration is tried, test and proven, and has the trust of the Guyanese people who have recognized that the entire country is evolving. (GINA)