–Lethem residents urged at flag-raising ceremony

LETHEM, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Thursday evening joined several other regions in celebrating Guyana’s 51st independence anniversary under the theme, “Unity and Diversity in a ‘Green’ Economy.”
Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms Dawn Hastings-Williams, told residents there that they have much to celebrate since the new administration took office.
“Lethem has always been known to be the land with a world of possibilities and lots of potential,” Minister Hastings-Williams noted.
One such potential, she said, had to do with President David Granger officially declaring it a town on October 21, 2015; another was the holding of Local Government Elections after a long break.

And the new administration had very good reason for taking either decision, the minister said, “because it wanted you to play a greater role in the decision-making process, so that your plans and dreams for the region can become a reality, since potential is here.”
But in order for the region to advance, the minister said, its residents will need to put aside their differences and work towards its goals. And once that is done, and those goals are being met, she said, then Lethem will be well on its way to becoming a model town.
Regional Chairman Brian Allicock spoke about the plans for Region Nine for 2017. Noting that the region is open and willing to use its human resources to further its development, he encouraged the residents to join the public service system, so they can be meaningfully employed in their region and be able to develop both its economy and infrastructure.
He also thanked the Guyana Police Force for the work it has been doing over the years to reduce crime in the jurisdiction, and committed to supporting them on all grounds.
Lethem Mayor Mr Carlton Beckles said the township is on a path of becoming a capital town, which is at another level of governance.
The mayor noted that because of the decentralisation of authority, Lethem is now able to decide on the quality of roads they want, and to plan and execute their own town week activities.
“Never allow anyone to make you a hostage to your past!” he declared, adding:
“Even more critically, never allow your own thinking to mire you in the past to failure!” (GINA)