PNCR urges all hands on deck to transform Guyana

ACKNOWLEDGING that 2018 had proven to be a challenging year for Guyana, political parties and civil groups have expressed optimism that 2019 will see many barriers being home.

The People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR), a partner in the coalition government, while extending New Year’s greetings to Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, said though faced with many stumbling blocks it is optimistic about the future.

“The PNCR and its coalition partners in government, last year, faced many challenges. Thankfully, we are better together than asunder. This year we will work even more closely together to eliminate armed robberies, contraband smuggling, money-laundering, narcotics trafficking and other crimes; to staunch the dropout rates and unemployment of our youth; and more importantly to defeat the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) once again, whenever elections are held,” it said in a statement on the eve of the New Year.

The PNCR said it is convinced that Guyanese remain confident in the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government to manage the affairs of the nation. It also used the opportunity to urge Guyanese to aid in the sustainable development of the country’s natural resources.

“As the New Year dawns, the PNCR calls on all Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation or religion, to participate in bringing about the transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana.

“On this, the first day of the New Year, it is our hope that all of us will realize a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make some contribution, however small, to the development of our country,” it said. The PNCR, in playing its part, says it will continue to push for peaceful development in Guyana.

M&CC promises to provide more efficient services

IT IS customary that at the beginning of the New Year that many people would have made their New Year’s resolution, for change, growth, positive development and advancement in different aspects of their lives and that of their families.
The truth is at Council we had trying times during 2018, and we commence this year with some of the old challenges.

However, without the resultant determination and willpower to actually effect the necessary changes, change would be a figment of our imagination or wishful thinking.
The New Year’s Resolution of this Council is to continue our renewed efforts to restore aesthetics of our local communities, provide more efficient services in critical areas, to mobilise community resources to realise the municipal goals and objectives, to execute a stringent maintenance regime to help sustain community work programmes. It is factual that the success of many community projects was due to meaningful cooperation, synergies of all resources and effective partnership.

We are fully cognisant that change is not easily embraced by all, especially when persons have to alter their old habits and activities that they have inculcated and which has become a way of life. For us to have that clean green pristine city it is important that we significantly alter our attitude toward the environment

The restoration programme we observed would have to include every facet of society; the Council, the private sector and civil society. The Georgetown City Council is on a mission to make restore the beauty of Georgetown. It is a time that the dignity and pride return to the capital city. This would only be possible with the cooperation of all. Also, there is a need to foster cooperation and good governance. This would constitute effective communication and meaningful interaction between all sectors. This would foster optimum use of resource both human and natural.

As the New Year commences we need to confront the challenges with optimism, wisdom, cooperation, strength and a determination to work together for greater good. It is important that we put aside partisan politics and work together to restore order, beauty and majesty of Georgetown. So, as you make your New Year’s resolutions, keep the Council in mind, as we seek to restore the city that was neglected.

Fellow citizens, at this juncture as we work to rebuild the pristine beauty of Georgetown, I can only recall works of Nehemiah chapter 6 verses: 3 which states “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down”. Therefore, we must stay focus, committed, and determined to continue the work we have started to ensure Georgetown is restored to its former glory. May the peace of divine architect of the universe keep you in this year.
May you and your families have a bright, prosperous and green 2019.

PPP: This is a time that hope must not be lost

THE Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) joined other political leaders in extending best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous and productive 2019 to Guyanese home and afar.

“The advent of a New Year is generally met with excitement by some who, among other reasons, may seek a new beginning or to continue to build upon the success achieved. For others, it is met with a sense of trepidation as uncertainty over what it may bring, prevails. No doubt, many would have good reasons to label 2018 as a challenging year with expectations that 2019 becomes much easier.

Unfortunately, with each New Year, new challenges may be forthcoming,” the PPP/C said on Monday in a statement. It said it has been proven that resoluteness is finding ways to mitigate and confront adversities.
The political party also took note of the fact that as the New Year dawns the country is facing an unprecedented moment in its history causing some to harbour a feeling of uncertainty.

“As we traverse this period, our party remains confident in the steadfastness of all Guyanese and in our collectively efforts which will strengthen us to address whatever challenges may lie ahead. This is a time that hope must not be lost and spirits not allowed to be broken as together we endeavor to work in the best interest of our country to unlock its potential for its advancement and that of all of its people,” it said.

IAC urges calm in New Year

THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) said it is cognisant of the tensions in the country following the ‘passage’ of the no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government on December 21, 2018.

As such, it is calling on all citizens to exercise calm judgement in the current political situation and do nothing to cause mischief that will disturb the peace.
“The IAC is also cognisant of the serious threat to the stability of the country caused by opportunistic Venezuelan aggression in which a Venezuelan warship violated Guyana’s sovereign territory and forced a vessel contracted by ExxonMobil and its partners to flee an area where the ship was carrying out lawful seismic geophysical activities on behalf of the private companies and the State of Guyana,” it said.

It is therefore calling on President Granger and the leadership of the political parties represented in the National Assembly to act quickly to prevent both internal and external turmoil.

Universal Peace Federation stresses peace in New Year message

THE Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter extends New Year’s greetings to its sister organisations, ambassadors for peace and all supporters of peace and humanity in Guyana and around the world.

In 2019, we will remain committed to supporting the work of the United Nations by continuing to fully endorse the effort to achieve the SDGs. UPF has a distinguished track record of programmes that are fully consistent with the SDG agenda. In particular, UPF Guyana has carried out a wide range of programmes aimed at strengthening families as a contributing factor to building a stable, healthy society and to promoting literacy and quality education for women, boys and girls. UPF’s peacebuilding initiatives—aimed at both conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding—serve to help build stable, inclusive societies globally. Here in Guyana, we are on track.

International problems such as climate change, poverty, hunger, lack of clean water and sanitation, and inequality are widespread, bringing suffering to far too many members of our human family. We must do all we can as Guyanese to alleviate this suffering and contribute to helping all our neighbours and friends affected.

At this juncture in our country’s history, we make a clarion call for peace to reign across the length and breadth of our dear land. It has become incessantly important for all of us to work harmoniously towards building a nation our children and our children’s children can be proud to call home.

To our national leaders, we appeal for cautious execution of speeches, writings and actions. The national pulse must remain beating for the sake of love and unity, peace and harmony. The commitment of the Government, Opposition and other political leaders is essential to this task. Strong partnerships are needed among the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and faith-based organisations. Our federation understands the limitations governments may face, so we call on all sections of society to work together for peace.

The UPF Guyana Chapter humbly urges the President and Leader of the Opposition to have ‘peace’ on the agenda when they meet in a matter of days. The discussion will likely surround the no-confidence motion and other political matters, but we know that peace talks are vital for our nation’s religious, economic, political and social stability.

In 2019, the UPF Guyana will continue its work to promoting peace and pledging our support for “One Human Family Under God.” On behalf of the Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter, National Chairman, Hajjii Roshan Khan and Secretary General, Rev. Ronald Mc Garrell wishes all of Guyana a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2019 promises to be a year full of action

-New CARICOM chair
AS the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) enters this New Year 2019, it is with a renewed vigour and determination to maintain the momentum with which we ended 2018, incoming Chairman, Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis said.

In his New Year’s Day message, Harris said “This is the final year of our first five-year Strategic Plan and preparations have already begun for the second plan, which will build on the accomplishments of its predecessor. There is no doubt that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is the linchpin of our efforts at sustainable growth and development, and in the coming year we will be looking to further advance its implementation from what has been achieved in 2018.”

He noted that when CARICOM leaders gather in St Kitts and Nevis in February for the Thirtieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference “we will conduct a special session on Air and Maritime Transportation, to focus on this critical aspect of integration as a whole and the CSME in particular. An efficient and affordable transportation system would be a tremendous stimulus to trade and intra-regional tourism thereby strengthening two critical aspects of integration.”

He said at the core of CARICOM’s thrust for growth and development is a well-educated and healthy workforce. “Our Community’s commitment to battle against the ravages caused by chronic non-communicable diseases is unrelenting. Our ministers of health have agreed on a programme called ‘Caribbean Moves’ which seeks to create a culture of regular physical activity and healthy eating through exciting, fun and supportive programmes where people live, work, study and play. It is a whole society approach that we must embrace to tackle this continuing threat to our greatest resource – our people,” Harris noted.

At a high-level meeting at the United Nations “we once again brought to the attention of the international community, the threat that chronic NCDs is posing to our sustainable development. Let us make 2019, the year that made the difference in combatting chronic non-communicable diseases in our Community.”

“We will also be making strides in implementing our Human Resource Development Strategy 2030 as we move to draft the new school curriculum with particular emphasis on Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). It is imperative that the young CARICOM citizens are adequately prepared both for the global environment and for playing their part in helping the region’s thrust towards sustainable development.”

Harris said 2019 promises to be a year full of action for CARICOM. “It is a year in which I look forward to us all being part of the celebration at CARIFESTA XIV, which will be held during the period 16-25 August 2019, in Trinidad and Tobago, under the theme “The Tangible and Intangible – Connect, Share, Invest”. It is a celebration and promotion of our culture. It will bring together, song, dance, visual arts and other cultural expressions. It is always an event to cherish, and I have no doubt that the festival will once again live up to its billing as the premier cultural exposition in the region.

As I assume the chair of the Community for the next six months, I would like to acknowledge the sterling leadership of my predecessor in the position, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. He has set a standard which, with the help of my colleague Heads of Government, the Secretariat and the regional institutions I will strive to match.
May we all have a Happy, Healthy and Productive New Year.”