GOVERNMENT HAS accomplished all of its budgetary achievements for the past four years and looking at what 2011 holds; one has to take into account those budgetary allocations and the targets which were met in the past four years, PPP/Civic Member of Parliament, Bibi Shaddick, said during the 2011 budget debate last evening. She noted that there is a definite path which this government is travelling upon, one which is designed to place Guyana firmly in the 21st Century while ensuring that every citizen benefits from improved infrastructure, social services and all other amenities which are considered absolutely necessary for a happy and productive life.
“Over the past four years we have seen internal and external developments which, with still more modern facilities being established, touch the lives of each and every Guyanese,” Shaddick asserted.
She questioned who can contest the fact that the Berbice Bridge has brought tremendous benefit to every Guyanese, especially Berbicians, as well as all those who travel to Suriname on a daily basis for either business or pleasure.
“Who in his right mind is brave enough to cast doubt on the advantages which the Takutu Bridge brings to Guyana and the benefits which will accrue from Guyana’s relationship with Brazil, or Guyana’s stature in the Caribbean region as the result of the construction of a new and modern national stadium?” she questioned.
Shaddick stated that no one can refute, question or ignore the many benefits brought to Guyanese by the establishment of an up to date Ophthalmology centre at Port Mourant or the Diagnostic hospitals at Diamond, Suddie, Leonora or Mahaicony or the new hospitals built at Lethem and Linden, coupled with the upgrade of hospitals, polyclinic, health centres and other health facilities in every region of Guyana.
“Mr. Speaker, this is testimony to this government’s commitment to provide health services to all Guyanese,” she asserted.
Shaddick also pointed to government’s commitment to youths and the developments in sport, listing the construction of a state-of-the-art stadium, the Olympic size pool and the world class synthetic track under construction.
These are just a few of the new and modern pieces of infrastructure which are being built for the comfort and pleasure of citizens, she told the House.
She added that youths have benefitted and are continuing to benefit from additional training in several areas to secure their future livelihood.
Bringing attention to the housing developments in which government has invested substantial sums of money, Shaddick said, “The tens of thousands who no longer have to trek for miles sometimes for potable water, the children who can enjoy a bath every morning in an indoor bathroom before going to schools … cannot be fooled and will not be fooled by the naysayers and would-be presidential hopefuls who are now travelling around the country, trying to convince them that Guyana needs to be rescued by a failed political outfit from some imagined nightmare.”
She stressed that the Guyanese populace is fully cognizant of all the progress as they are there for all to behold.
Shaddick pointed out that all Guyanese have to applaud the government’s efforts at safeguarding the most vulnerable citizens who include women, single parents, the homeless, children and the elderly.
“And this is why government has taken steps to increase old age and public assistance and these have more than doubled over the past four years.”
She added that there has been a slew of Bills, catering for the welfare of children, passed in the National Assembly during the past four years.
“There is the WOW programme which women and single heads of households can access so that they can set up self generation activities, for the homeless, the night shelter in Georgetown can accommodate 250 persons on a 24-hour basis and very soon, on its completion, there will be a 300 bed rest centre for rehabilitation and re-integration set up at Onverwagt,” the former Human Services and Social Security Minister said.
The Parliamentarian, who has responsibility for Region Three, urged the naysayers to travel to any of the communities in that region to observe developments and speak to the residents who are benefitting from government’s intervention in each and every community.
Mervyn Williams, the parliamentary representative for the PNCR, has criticized the government for not doing anything for the people of that region. 
Shaddick advised him not to stand in the House and make wild assumptions related to developments in that region or the lack thereof, but to visit the area and see for himself.  
“All over Region Three, roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and health centres are being built, upgraded or rehabilitated, wells are being dug, water treatment plants are being built, potable water supply networks are being upgraded or installed, canals, trenches, aqueducts, kokers or sluices are being cleaned, dug, rehabilitated or built,” Shaddick said.
She added that a  new modern secondary school and technical institute are going up at Leonora and existing housing schemes are being extended and new housing schemes are being established to cater for increased demand for housing, as well as the massive amounts of money being plugged into upgrading roads in that part of the country.
Shaddick stated that government continues to look after the educational, agricultural and health needs of the region and will continue to do so in 2011. (GINA)