IN THE week that was and ended yesterday, Guyanese would have had good cause to be encouraged by a series of quite positive developments that, taken together, augur well for the future of this nation stil battling against the odds.

The carping criticisms and, worse, the distortions and hostile emotional propaganda that continue to flow from opposition forces and sections of the media cannot alter the reality of a nation on the forward march to a better life with growing social and economic progress.

Events of last week, for instance, like the ceremonial inauguration of the new multi-million Kingston Power Plant, and that of the modern multi-million water station at Diamond, need no debates about the benefits to flow to the people who have had to cope with frequent power outages and shortage of water for domestic consumption.

It is true that the electricity woes will not disappear overnight. Affected consumers know that.

They also know, however, that with the operationalising of the 207 megawatt modern power plant in Kingston, done at a cost of US$27.5 million, the government has achieved a major target in honouring its social responsibility. This is equally true in relation to the commissioning of the G$55million Diamond well station.

Together, these projects are further proof of a government’s commitment to improve social services in key sectors, despite the challenges facing Guyana as a consequence of the global financial and economic crisis. Housing development and expanded and improved health services remain ongoing projects across the country.

Earlier in the week, President Bharrat Jagdeo and his government colleagues would have been pleased to learn what Dr Ulric Trotz, CARICOM’s Climate Change Adviser, had to say on this country’s imaginative Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation, popularly known as REDD.

The Guyanese scientist was loud and clear in his contention that “our forest and the REDD initiative offer an excellent opportunity for Guyana to rally around an issue that should not be in the political arena….It is an issue which is not about our own survival but our children’s and their children after them and, in fact, the entire global community…”

Further, in the week that was, the new Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Compton Bourne, officially assumed that office and held a meeting with President Jagdeo.

Long associated with the world of academia, and serving in various positions with the University of the West Indies, the Guyana-born President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) later told the media that he and President Jagdeo share similar views on the “importance and direction” required for the University of Guyana.

It would also have been a source of encouragement to the owners and management of the Guyana bauxite company that after some fallout from labour unrest, operations resumed by the close of the week at Aroaima and Kwakwani, with indications of improved relations and productivity.

Altogether, therefore, while reports of criminal activities and corruption persisted, it was indeed a week of good news for this nation. But do not expect the opposition forces to cheer!