PUBLIC Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford has called for the building of a legacy that promotes unity, as Region Three ushered in Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary with a flagraising ceremony Friday at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) building at Vreed-en-Hoop.“I am very optimist that in the very near future that is what we would have in Guyana; a blending of minds, of activities, ethnicity, political persuasion, because we would all understand that Guyana comes first,” the Minister said.

She pointed out that only by coming together can the country continue to prosper. “If we do not come together, we would all be doomed, each and every one of us. All of the progress that we stand and we speak about will be lost. We would lose everything that we would have gained,” she said.
Just as the country joined together to gain Guyana’s Republic and Independence, so too, must the citizens today come together for the future of the country and youth that will lead it, the Minister said. “The legacy that we need to leave for them (youth) is one of unity, pride and togetherness, not one of strife and discord,” she said.

The Minister also noted that Guyana has ‘much to be proud of’ after only 45 years as a Republic. “Even though we are young in the scheme of all republics around the world we have made tremendous strides, and we must be proud of those developments that we have made,” she said.
She pointed out that over the years, Guyana has seen improvement in its infrastructure, its health, education and all other sectors. “We can boast that we have a housing sector that is second to none in this hemisphere and even afar.” And with regards to water, “I can recall last year that I was at a UN (United Nations) forum where Guyana was listed as one of the countries with the highest listed potable water percentage,” the Minister said.
“We may quarrel and yes, persons must make their voices heard when they feel that they are not having services that they think they deserve, but we now have water in most of our homes, we may not have it at the third or fourth floor…” she said.
She acknowledged too the strides that were made in the social services, to improve the status of the elderly and in having better and more decent minimum wage for workers. “This government has over the years from 1992, without any exception, been annually trying to increase and improve the standards of its workers,” the Minister said.
“We would like to give more money, but we would have to make that money to give it; you cannot give what you do not have, and for us to be able to give more money, we have to ensure that our developmental process is maximum, that we have more industries,” she added.

The Minister however pointed out that for the country to have more industries, it needs cheaper electricity. Noting that everyone is aware of the political fallout, behind why the country does not have hydro project on stream, she said that she was optimistic that such a project is going to be on the drawing board, and very soon.
Minister Westford also used the occasion to call for ‘soberness of head’ during the upcoming elections. “We are entering into this period …let us look objectively at Guyana, let us see the progress that we have made and think of where and who will continue to take us and continue the progress that we have had.”
“Let us go on May 11 to the poll, early, sober headed and cast our vote and let us vow to let progress continue,” she said.
Reiterating this call was People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Region Three, Member of Parliament Bibi Shaddick. “Let us get through this silly season without incident, without drama, fights, conflict…” she said.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber in addition to recounting Guyana’s journey to its Republic status also noted the progress since.
He also disclosed that of the region’s 2014 capital work programme, 99.5 percent has been completed and 99.6 percent of its current work, for which it received $2.9B. Its capital work allocation was $326.7M. (GINA)