GOVERNMENT is plotting a path of development that would involve all Guyanese, and the concerns of the people would be the concerns of this Government; because that was the commitment the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan had consistently demonstrated to the Guyanese people ever since he became formally involved in politics in the nineteen fifties, and that remains the commitment of the PPP/C Government unto this day.Prime Minister Samuel Hinds communicated this message to a large gathering at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two on Friday night last, when he declared open the Essequibo Nite Exhibition and Fair 2013.

Extending greetings to all Essequibians on the auspicious occasion of Essequibo Nite from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and his cabinet of ministers, Prime Minister Hinds said the Essequibo Nite activity has grown tremendously, and is being held at the right time, to celebrate with rice farmers the end of the harvest.

The Prime Minister said the Essequibo Coast is primarily an agricultural region whose development has grown tremendously, especially in regard to diversification of crops.

He reminded Essequibians that the days when fields were ploughed with oxen and paddy stalks were cut by means of hand-held grass knives are gone forever. He said times are changing, and fields today are ploughed and harvested mechanically, all because of certain changes, which some people don’t like.

The Prime Minister said he is pleased to see development ongoing across the country under the PPP/C Government; and speaking specifically about Region Two, he said there is progress in every area, even as he admonished Guyanese to put their hearts and hands together to build the country.

The Prime Minister said the Essequibo Nite activity is a time for celebration, because of the success of the agriculture sector in Region Two.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, in his address, said Essequibo Nite has so grown over the years, it is now known as the Essequibo Nite Trade Show.

He said that because of the success of the agriculture sector in Region Two, crops are now exported directly to other countries.

He therefore congratulated all farmers of the region for engaging in hard work to ensure that food is provided for Guyanese and others around the world, and commended the efforts of the business community, whose faith in the resilience of the Guyanese economy was being manifested in their investments in the region. And he credited this state of affairs to prudent management of the economy by the PPP/C Government.

In lauding the efforts of rice farmers, the Regional Chairman said production at the end of every crop is surpassing the million-bags-target because of Government’s massive investment in the drainage and irrigation (D&I) infrastructure across the region.

Accompanied by Regional Chairman, Parmanand Persaud and Vice-Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, Prime Minister Hinds toured the 100-odd booths set up on the ground, and inspected local products and produce that were on display, even as he interacted with Essequibians in attendance.

Among the companies and agencies that participated in the exhibition were the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC); Ministry of Agriculture (MoA); Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB); National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI); the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); the Guyana & Trinidad Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Group of Companies (GTM); Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited; the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI); the Lions Club of Essequibo; Avon; Rajesh Costume Jewellery; R. Singh Electronics, Cell Phone and Plaza; and ICan Technology of Cotton Field.

There were also many booths with Indian clothing, jewellery, craft items, food, and beverages. Additionally, children were treated to many games and trampoline rides, while the Caribbean Hot Shots orchestra entertained the large crowd.

Essequibo Nite was first started some ten years ago by the late dynamic Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, and were held under the theme “Made in Guyana, Grown in Guyana”. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)