–10th Parliament can usher in peace, progress, prosperity
HIS EXCELLENCY, President Donald Ramotar, speaking at the ceremonial opening of the 10th Parliament on Friday, acknowledged that the most important factor for the continued development of the country is its people.
As such, there will continue to be investments in the social sectors, including in education, health, housing and water.
The Head of State also said that, in order to reach set goals, the human capital must be available to advance the country.
“It is for this reason that we have been spending heavily on the social sectors, mainly health, education, housing and water. It is in these areas that we make the most impact in building our people’s capacity. We have taken investments in the social sector from eight percent of our budget in 1991 to some 30 percent of a much bigger and larger allocation in 2010.”
The President noted that information communication technology (ICT) was playing a central role in developing the global community, and emphasized that Guyana needed to take advantage of this tool to tackle the challenges of the future.
As to Guyana’s effort to pursue this path, President Ramotar said, “Our One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) (initiative) is intended to ensure that all our people must have access to this very important tool, regardless of their socio-economic circumstances.”

Education
Additionally, he pointed out that as expenditure on the education sector increased, so, too, have the grades at CXC examinations improved countrywide; along with increased access to education being extended to hinterland communities.
In his address, the President emphasized the great changes in provision and delivery of health services in Guyana, which have also been extended to some of the most remote regions in Guyana. He assured that there will be further expansion in the health sector.

Advancements
“Today, we are doing complicated heart surgeries; we are also performing kidney transplants and providing dialysis treatment to patients who need them. We have improved services to cancer patients as well as to burn victims. Our people deserve better, and we are determined to see that they enjoy steady and continuous benefits of a growing economy,” he asserted
He also pointed to the investment in a new and modern hospital in Guyana, which will offer certain services to the populace at a fraction of the cost applicable elsewhere in the region. This facility is expected to be operational within the next five years.
Alluding to development in the housing and water sectors, the President projected that another 30,000 families will be given opportunity to own their own homes, while even more will have access to potable water countrywide.

Security
Of paramount importance on the path to development is security of the nation in the wake of the global fight to tackle crime, particularly those connected to the narco-trade.    For this reason, the administration has been investing heavily in equipping and building human capacity through training, and it is even more important to promote and develop international cooperation to deal with this issue, the President added.
He pledged to work with “traditional partners” — the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America — to tackle the issue, and he also promised to deepen relations with our neighbours.
“This is important in fighting the attacks on our fisher folks, which seem to have increased in recent times. We are determined that our people must enjoy a higher quality of life, which must include improving national security.”

Indigenous peoples
President Ramotar pledged to work along with the Indigenous peoples to ensure their advancement and greater input in national development. He also pledged to work along with women, youths and the vulnerable within society.
He used his closing remarks to remind that the country has come a long way since independence, and that the developmental path was not without its challenges. He voiced the belief that another path is open which can propel the country to even greater heights.
“I urge that we must not miss the opportunity and allow our country to traverse the narrow and difficult roads again. This 10th Parliament can go down in history as being the one that can see us firmly in the highways to peace, progress and prosperity,” President Ramotar encouraged.