Economy turnaround under PPP/C among remigration contributory factors
MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh has pointed to the pace at which Guyana is moving, with regards to development, while noting that, because of the turnaround in the economy, many Guyanese living abroad are returning home. Speaking in defence of the estimates during the debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, he said the 2012 Budget is also a contributing factor to the remigration.
Minister Baksh’s presentation was in partial rebuttal to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon’s claim to little or no development in Linden.
Kissoon charged the Government with creating hardship and victimisation of the people of Linden.
Addressing the Linden issue, Baksh drew attention to the fact that Kwakwani and Linden would be receiving $1.8 billion and $23 billion in subsidies from the Budget and made reference to allocations for Christiansburg and Wismar.
In response to the accusation of lack of development, he outlined the achievements of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), including the developing of 500 acres of land in the Aurora/Huis t’Dieren area, which would encourage young people to develop themselves economically.
Baksh, who was previously the regional chairman, also mentioned that, two decades ago, rice farmers in that region were faced with the negligence of the Administration regarding infrastructure, including drainage and irrigation.

SITUATION CHANGED
He said that resulted in huge crop losses but the construction and rehabilitation of sluices and pumping stations, some of which is ongoing whilst others have been completed, has ensured that the situation changed in that region.
Baksh also noted development in the Pomeroon area of coconut production and non-citrus crops and the increased export market for those products.
The minister added that Guyana is now exporting products to 18 countries around the world in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Addressing the issue of pensions, he said children and other relatives of pensioners are accessing subsidies, such as public assistance and free health care to supplement the pension, from the administration,
Lashing out at the Opposition for political rhetoric, the new parliamentarian alluded to the roll-on roll-off ferries that are soon to begin operation for the benefit of Essequibo residents.
He said it would be a great relief, to farmers in particular, as well as other traders, in moving goods from one location to the next.
Concluding his contribution to the debate, Baksh, again, attacked the APNU MP, pointing out that, when PPP/C officials visit communities, it is with the intention of addressing, positively, issues relating to the residents and the community and not for political mileage.
He said that kind of understanding with communities is what Guyana needs and what leads to progress, adding that the administration does not want progress to cease.