Persaud, Ramotar reiterate commitment to sugar, people, education

ONE part of the sugar industry computer project was inaugurated at Albion Community Centre at Corentyne, Berbice, on Wednesday, as part of the current Administration’s drive to advance Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who officiated at the formalities, emphasised that the Government will continue to support the enterprise and the interests of all sugar workers.

“We will not shy away from investing in sugar workers. We will ensure, without any apologies and without any conditions, the commitment to sugar workers and the sugar industry, that is unwavering,” Mr. Persaud assured.

He said, in addition to Albion, similar facilities are being installed at all Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates, for the benefit of the workers and their children.

Another is already at Port Mourant Community Centre, Corentyne, as well.

The one at Albion boasts 20 complete computer units, inclusive of the appropriate furniture and classes are being conducted in batches with the assurance that every sugar worker and/or his/her children will benefit.

Each batch will be coursed for 20 weeks and the participants will be exposed to: Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Word, Access and Power Point, for which they would be awarded certificates of accreditation.

Speaking Wednesday, Persaud said Government is taking education to the people, expressly in an effort to ensure that the next generation is equipped to deal with the necessary skills to face the challenges of tomorrow.

He posited that, where countries have experienced a lift in the standard of living, the focus has been, in a significant way, on education.

“Every single dollar spent on people’s development is a dollar well spent. Guyana will see that value for money,” Persaud stated.
He said ICT offers an exciting economic opportunity which takes care of youth aspirations, as well as the changes that Guyana has to address.

According to him, ICT is important if this country is to fully realise its potential through the contributions of Guyanese who are prepared, and ICT positions them to remain relevant in an ever changing society, to develop a ‘skill set’ that is increasingly in demand and to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

“Every single worker and child must have access to training,” Persaud insisted.

TESTIMONY

He said testimony to the necessity for ICT is the Government’s push to bring in its own fibre optic cable worth some $1.2 billion from Brazil.

Persaud said the cable and the development of the fibre optic infrastructure will see affordable and simplified access to the wider world through ICT countrywide.

He added that an additional $30M will be expended on a massive programme, which will see one laptop for each household in need.

“We are developing capacity through training. We are giving you the hardware as well,” Persaud said.

He explained that, in the changing local dynamics, moves are being made to diversify and, at the same time, modernise traditional sectors.

“While we focus on diversity, we focus on all sectors. We have to develop the skills we need for new and existing sectors,” Persaud maintained, describing the thrust as adjusting the economy and promoting opportunities for Guyanese.

He acknowledged that, while there has been growth locally, moreso in the non-traditional areas, the nation cannot afford complacency in the traditional sectors.

In that context, Persaud said the Government is making the necessary investments to guarantee advancements in all sectors and of all Guyanese people, in an ever changing global arena.

He said the management of the economy by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has seen continuous investment in people, new opportunities and advancement.
General Secretary of the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Donald Ramotar, who was also present at the commissioning, agreed that the future belongs to technology.

He said, in an increasingly globalised world, ICT is rapidly advancing and supporting the process.

ICT is a primary focus area for the Administration if the country’s people are to contribute to the role Guyana will play on the international scene, Ramotar concurred.

He said every person in every nook and cranny will have access to increased educational possibilities, which will, ultimately, move industries.

“This is about empowering our people,” Ramotar said.

He recalled that sugar was the first industry to be established and has made significant contributions to Guyana’s development and said it is only proper for it to get support to advance.

Ramotar said the investments in sugar will benefit all the masses of people, because of the spinoff developmental impacts.

He noted that new technology presents Guyana with the opportunity to leap forward, together with other countries, an opportunity that must be grasped.

Present at the function, too, were Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha; General Secretary of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Mr. Seepaul Narine and General Secretary of NAACIE ( National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees), Mr. Kenneth Joseph.