On Cabinet outreach…
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo said, Tuesday, that as the economy continues to grow, money will be spent back on the people to ensure they have a better life.

He was addressing a public meeting at Mibicuri Community Centre in Black Bush Polder, during the Cabinet outreach in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The large gathering of Black Bush Polder residents listen intently to President Jagdeo’s presentation on Government’s efforts to upgrade their road.

I don’t get to come out often,” he admitted, explaining: “You know there are lots of things that I have to do at the national level and the international agenda has really kept me occupied for a while.

“But, when we go abroad, it is not just a trip, we always try to advance the interest of the country,” the Head of State asserted.

He said the occasions overseas are used to try and secure more money and open up more opportunities for the country, so that it can continue to grow and develop.

Mr. Jagdeo reiterated that this country’s economy, in spite of the difficulties that the world faces now, has been growing consistently since the Administration took office.

He maintained that revenue has been doing well and the Government’s ability to intervene and fund more public services is growing.

President Jagdeo alluded to the huge debt that used to take up 94 per cent of revenue to service, reporting that the ration is down to just four per cent, because US$1.6 billion have been paid back and some written off.

“So, today more of the money that we collect in taxes can go to fund things right here in Guyana and tax rates have come down, too,” he said.

He said many people complain about the VAT (Value Added Tax) but do not know that it replaced eight other taxes that were eliminated it came into being.

Talking about the sugar industry, President Jagdeo emphasised that it is vital to the economy of the whole region and, although rice and other activities are important, the former generates the most wealth in Region Six and employs the majority of people in the region.

FULL EFFECT
He said, when the full effect of the European Union (EU) price cut was felt last year, many people were saying that, with it, the industry cannot survive and should be shut down.

However, he disclosed that $40 billion have been put into sugar, over the last several years and said: “If we let sugar go down, not only would it affect the entire economy but particularly Region Six.”

President Jagdeo said: “And the only reason we can put more money into the industry is because we have been dealing with the problems in the past, getting the economy in better shape and getting rid of the debt.”

He said the rice industry has been assisted several times and alluded to the $400M allocation to the farmers, last year, that is being disbursed now.

Mr. Jagdeo also pointed out that billions of dollars are being spent every year on drainage and irrigation (D&I).

He said $1.4 billion will be spend to fix the Black Bush Polder road, for which the design has been completed and will soon go out to tender.

The East and West Canje roads will be fixed, as well, he assured.

President Jagdeo said a lot of money is being expended, with eight new hospitals built in the last few years and more than 1,000 students studying aboard, including 750 in the field of medicine.

“We are spending back our money on people,” he maintained, reminding his audience that, this year, more than $1 billion will be invested in school feeding and school uniform programmes while old age pension has been increased.

“As our economy grows, we want to spend the money back on people, children and health care and better infrastructure, so that our people can have a better life,” the President repeated.

He said, although a lot more money has been spent, focus has to be on three areas, better quality of service delivered, value for money and accountability for services.

“We have to keep working hard. We can’t do like what happened in the past, where, for many years, the country was using up more money than it produced and that is why they ran us up into significant debt,” the President stated.

He conceded that there are still challenges ahead but said, every year, the country is moving forward and making progress.

“I want you to rest assured that, everyday we work, it’s to improve our country and not just Government because Government doesn’t mean anything, it is people – people’s lives.”

He also said the Government is working with farmers in Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary; to expand access in Essequibo, Amerindian communities and single parents and vulnerable youths.

“Lots of things are happening right across our country….we need your support, too, in the community, to do these things,” he said, advocating partnership.