– Minister Baksh tells Region 2 residents at flag raising ceremony

MINISTER in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh has told Essequibians that peace and harmony is needed to move Guyana forward.Speaking at the flag raising ceremony on Saturday night at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, Minister Baksh said he has seen a bright future for all Guyanese under the PPP/C Government but peace and harmony is needed among Guyanese to continue pushing the wheels of development.
Reflecting on the country’s 44 years as a Republic, Minister Baksh reminded Essequibians that the country has made significant progress, especially under the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government.
Looking back at the 70s, Minister Baksh said from the time Guyana became a Republic on February 23rd, 1970, it entered a difficult period, especially from 1970 to 1973. According to Minister Baksh, from 1970 to 1973 the country entered a phase of undemocratic rule during the dictatorship because of the denigration of democracy under the government at the time.

RIGGED NATIONAL ELECTIONS
He noted that many Guyanese will remember the rigged elections of 1973 when many people lost their lives because of the brutal dictatorship by the government. He recalled that many people were on the streets to resist what was going on, adding that national elections were continuously rigged from 1973 onwards under the dictatorship and this led to a battered economy, shortage of basic food items and deterioration of the country’s infrastructure.
The minister reminded Essequibians that when the PPP/C Government took over in October 1992, democracy was returned to Guyana and the country began moving along the path of development and the economy has grown tremendously, paving the way for growth of middle income families.
He pointed out that in Region 2 development has been taking place in all areas and cited the establishment of the Guyana Agriculture School at Cotton Field and the Technical Institute as important developments in education to train young people in trade skills and agriculture science.
On his arrival at the Community Centre ground, Minister Baksh was welcomed by the Commander of ‘G’ Division and other top Disciplined Services officials and escorted to inspect the guard of honour on the tarmac.
Before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted to usher in the country’s 44th Republic Anniversary, a grand cultural programme featuring dances, dramatic poetry, songs and African drumming was held to entertain the crowd that had gathered for the special occasion.

(By Rajendra Prabhulall )