RESIDENTS of Wakenaam, one of the largest islands located in the Essequibo River are now benefiting from a 24-hour electricity service, as the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) officially commissioned the upgraded Wakenaam Power Plant.

Recently, neighbouring island, Leguan had its power plant commissioned. The plant has three new 513 KVA units and auxiliary supplies.

Wakenaam, which has a population of approximately 10,000 people, is mostly agriculture driven, and according to President Donald Ramotar who unveiled the plaque to commission the plant, this new service will pave the way for greater economic growth in the Region Three Island.
The President was accompanied by Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, GPL’s Chairman, Winston Brassington, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal and Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara)Chairman, Julius Faerber.
President Ramotar highlighted the importance of electricity and its role in national development. Wakenaam, he said, possesses great potential as it is known for its production of rice, coconut oil and cattle.
“The Island has been blessed with talented farmers and hard working people…and what is needed to help with the development of the island is infrastructure because I am convinced that we have the human capital to move the island forward. And one of the most important elements of this is electricity which will make life easier for the people,” the President emphasised.
A reliable electricity service will also create greater opportunities, especially for women, in order to increase income -generating options and ease the burden of house chores to which many have been subjected, he said.
“This service is important; not only you will have the opportunity to watch television, but because it will have the possibility of creating jobs…to diversify your own livelihood, moving from just rice to other crops. It will also develop the social industry where people can have more places to relax, engage in cultural activities and so forth.”
Since 1992, Government has been placing tremendous emphasis on education, and the President noted that this is another step of ensuring that students have the opportunity to utilise the services offered, since they will now be able to use the computer labs.

“We are convinced that the most important factor for development is people, and developing the quality of people is what will take us forward, and we have seen numerous examples of that all over the world…many countries of great natural resources still have poverty, but those that have a high level of education have been recording positive development and growth rate,” he stressed.
Social expenditure has moved from less than 8% of the National Budget in 1992, to more than 30% today, with the aim of increasing services in vital areas, especially education and health.
He reminded that in 1992 when the PPP/C assumed office, only 30% of the students attending primary school could have attended secondary school, because there were no schools at which to place them. Today, the situation has improved drastically, with all being given the opportunity to access education, even higher education online through the University of Guyana’s online degree programme.

“We are convinced that the most important factor for development is people, and developing the quality of people is what will take us forward, and we have seen numerous examples of that all over the world…many countries of great natural resources still have poverty, but those that have a high level of education have been recording positive development and growth rate,” he stressed.
Social expenditure has moved from less than 8% of the National Budget in 1992, to more than 30% today, with the aim of increasing services in vital areas, especially education and health.
Meanwhile, in the area of health, the President said there have been noticeable developments and reminded that Government is now moving to establish a Specialty Hospital, even as he mentioned developments in the housing and agriculture sectors, which are all geared to better the quality of life of Guyanese.
Over the last two years, (up to mid-2014), the size of Guyana’s economy grew by 25% (US $650B) President Ramotar highlighted. He said that in the same period of time, when some of the most important exports were affected such as gold, rice and sugar, the economy recorded its ninth successive year of economic growth.
President Ramotar further noted that the realisation of the Amaila Falls Hydro project will see the country developing further.
He charged the residents to desist from electricity theft and utilise the service that is being offered to them.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the energy sector, Samuel Hinds noted that GPL, having provided a 24-hour service to Wakenaam and Leguan, is now looking to link the islands, allowing for a more improved service in the future.

(GINA)