…says Minister Anand Persaud

THE Government will be pushing the wheel of innovation, change, and developing industries as Budget 2021 aims to build cohesive and stronger communities and regions, through a no-nonsense approach, to the task of institutional and capacity building.

This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud. He made his contribution to the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
The budget, he said, was in line with the developmental needs and priorities.

“As you heard from the private sector, the business community, the normal man, the pensioner, and the young people, budget 2021 has the incentives and right plans, this time around.”
Noting that last year. a total of $28M was earmarked to be spent under the Policy Development and Administration in the ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister Persaud said this money was spent tackling the poverty reduction and job creation needs of Guyanese.

“We spent the last six months making critical investments in our solid waste management programmes and local markets upgrade projects, which serve thousands of residents on a daily basis…Mr. Speaker, some rehabilitation work was done last year to the Albouystown market, making it more accessible to residents and more user-friendly to the vendors.
“East Ruimveldt market could not be completed due to non-cooperation by M&CC. However, efforts will be made to have this market completed before the end of March 2021,” Minister Persaud said.

He continued: “Mr. Speaker, imagine, the APNU+AFC spent millions of dollars on markets rehabilitation and today, the percentage of occupancy of 13 of these markets is less than 40 per cent. For example, the Kitty Market. Mr. Speaker, the approach by the last administration has confirmed that they were clueless when it comes to making lasting and sensible strategic investments. Today, I can proudly report that the first phase of the Mon Repos market is almost completed. This market is among the biggest of the markets in Guyana.”

He reflected that in 2002, the ministry equipped six Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) with the much-needed furniture and equipment, which was not catered for by the last administration. Persaud said that millions are allocated to continue the enhancement and provision of an easy transport network of farm produce from farmlands in Berbice River communities to residents in Linden and Georgetown.

Emphasising that the investment is essential, as it increases farmers’ access to input and output markets, Persaud said this also stimulates the rural non-farm economy and vitalises rural villages. He said that this also increases consumer demand, and facilitates the integration of rural areas into national and international economies.

“We believe every Guyanese must share our wealth regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or social class. Our vision is colour blind when it comes to establishing a developed Guyana. But the opposition wants Guyana to believe that they are saints and can’t do any wrong. But the entire country knows better,” Persaud said.
President Irfaan Ali’s Government, he said will continue to work on collaborating with all local democratic organs to get the best possible results in 2021 and beyond.