…President assures Guyanese of stable economy, democratic society

PRESIDENT David Granger, in his New Year’s address to the nation, said his government in 2019 will continue to promote a safe and secure Guyana with a stable economy and a strong parliamentary democracy.

“All citizens could expect improvements in their personal well-being and quality of life. Your government, through prudent management, has ensured the amelioration of citizens’ lives over the past three and a half years,” the Head of State said.
Reflecting on 2018, the President took note of the fact that workers’ incomes increased, access to the delivery of public services—such as public education, public health and public utilities and public infrastructure—improved. These were complemented by the creation of new towns and the generation of new jobs.

President Granger said the country witnessed the irreversible institutionalisation of local democracy through the establishment of four capital towns and the renewal of the local government system with Local Government Elections held twice since 2016 in accordance with the Constitution.

“Local government elections consolidated democracy at the grass-roots level, empowered citizens and facilitated their free and unfettered involvement in decision-making in their municipalities and communities,” President Granger sated.

Additionally, public confidence in the local economy was renewed as a result of the implementation of programmes of diversification. This move has resulted in the increased investments and exports of traditional and non-traditional commodities. It also fostered a conducive environment for small and medium-size enterprises and laid the foundation for the strategic development of the emergent energy sector.

“Improvements in citizens’ well-being have generated hope in our future. The impending implementation of the ‘Green State Development Strategy’ will realise Guyana’s undeniable potential as a land of promise and prosperity. Everyone will be able to enjoy a good life while protecting the environment for future generations,” the President said.

Optimistic about the prospects of 2019, he said his government will continue to consolidate measures aimed at ameliorating citizens’ quality of life.

He pointed out that budget 2019 has proposed policies aimed at sustaining the economy, strengthening local democracy, stimulating social cohesion and creating new jobs.
“Everyone will benefit: children in schools will benefit from expanded opportunities to develop the skills and talents that will be unlocked by the allocation of G$52.2 billion for the education sector.”

“They will enjoy extended and better equipped schools and classrooms and improved teaching and curricula reform tailored to meet the challenges of modern education. The Public Education Transport Service assures free daily attendance at school for thousands of children,” he pointed out.

The Head of State also assured that citizens will continue to enjoy improvements in several critical areas including citizenship and immigration, public information, public communications, public infrastructure, public security, public telecommunications, public utilities, sport, solid waste management and pure water supply.

He assured too that pensioners will gain further increases in social security benefits. Increased support will also be given to disabled, disadvantaged and destitute persons.
“Workers will gain increases in the minimum basic salary of public servants and the raising of the income-tax threshold. Families will have easier access to housing and more reliable water and electricity supply.

Youth will be able to employ their creativity and ingenuity and their entrepreneurship will be stimulated by the infusion of seed capital, training and other support for their efforts,” the Head of State added.

State sponsored agencies ? Hinterland Employment Youth Service; Linden Enterprise Network; Micro and Small Enterprises Development; Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development and Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training programmes ? have proven their worth by helping mainly young people to establish their own business enterprises, he boasted.

In moving forward, he assured that farmers will continue to benefit through improved drainage and irrigation and tax exemptions on materials used in the agricultural sector.
He said already hinterland residents have started to see the advantages of the establishment of four new towns—at Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem.

“The advantages of capital towns in these huge hinterland regions include the efficient delivery of public services, enhanced economic opportunities, improved infrastructure and heightened frontier security. Citizens now enjoy access to national news through the establishment of Regional Public Broadcasting Service stations at Aishalton, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Orealla,” he explained.

In 2018, the government through the Public Health Ministry provided improved health care, and this trend, according to the President, will continue as the country advances towards universal health coverage in 2019.
“We will consolidate improvements in maternal health and in the reduction of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Public health institutions will be better equipped and provided with adequate medicines and medical personnel,” he assured.

President Granger noted too that frontier security was strengthened in the face of a flood of migrants fleeing distress in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. “Your government over the last three and a half years has worked tirelessly to secure our national borders. The UN Secretary General’s decision in January 2018 to refer the Venezuelan territorial claim to the International Court of Justice is most welcome and Guyana anticipates a favourable outcome to this controversy,” he said.

Government, he said, remains thankful for the support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other friendly states for Guyana’s territorial sovereignty, noting that it has reassured citizens and foreign investors of the safety and security of our country.
The Guyana Defence Force has consolidated the Guyana People’s Militia on a regional basis. Reforms in the security-sector are being implemented to ensure safer communities in 2019. The Guyana Police Force will be expected to expedite security sector reform with the aim of guaranteeing human safety and public order and suppressing transnational crime, he posited.

As stated last week in wake of the vote of no-confidence motion against his government on December 21, 2018, the President assured that the constitution will be upheld.
“The National Assembly and the Judiciary are the bedrock of our democracy. Your government remains committed to upholding the Constitution, preserving the rule of law and guaranteeing a safe, stable, orderly and peaceful country.”

“We respect the courts which protect our institutions and system of democracy,” he said.
According to President Granger, the recent developments in the National Assembly have created opportunities for enhanced political cooperation. Meetings between the government and opposition will take place in the new year to discuss and determine the way forward.
“Your government is prepared to work with the opposition to ensure that our national objectives are achieved and that 2019 can be a satisfactory year for all,” he assured.

He is confident that life for all Guyanese will continue to improve in 2019. “Guyanese can expect, by the end of the new year, to live in a state with more secure borders; communities that are safer; an economy that is more resilient; a society that is more cohesive and public services that are more easily accessible,” he said.