Taking Development to the People

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a recent visit to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), told residents that his administration is committed to a process of inclusive governance, one in which all Guyanese are not only active participants of governance but also beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner from the country’s wealth.

Speaking to residents of the community, President Ali highlighted several initiatives which will benefit the region including establishment of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre.
The hinterland communities of Guyana had been neglected both under the colonial government and the PNC administrations, and Region Seven was no exception. This was particularly so in the areas of education and healthcare delivery. It was not until the PPP/C came to office in October 1992 that real efforts were made to upgrade the health and educational infrastructure of the region.

There was no discrete secondary school in the entire region and students who did exceptionally well at the then common entrance examinations were sent to Georgetown to access secondary education. The Bartica Secondary School was established in 1970 but the quality of secondary education was highly deficient.

It was not until the PPP/C administration took office that a new secondary school with residential facilities was established in Kamarang, Region Seven to cater for students in the deep riverine areas. The Bartica Secondary School has now been upgraded to offer a wider range of course offerings.

The construction of a TVET institution will be a great boost to the region in terms of skills development. According to President Ali, his administration is seeking to transform that region into a focal point for vocational training, with the establishment of a TVET institution.

These, along with other interventions, will result in an enhanced learning environment for learners. It will also result in the creation of a solid platform for the growth and development of citizens of the region.
Region Seven in general, and Bartica in particular, is now becoming a leading tourist destination. According to President Ali, “the tourism potential of the region is enormous but for that potential to be realized, we have to do a few things. We have to ensure that people are trained… [and] we have to have the transformative infrastructure that will bring people to the region.”

The PPP/C’s approach to development, both in the regions and the country as a whole, has been holistic and comprehensive, involving all aspects of development including education, health, housing, infrastructural development and the development of human capital. In this regard, President Ali assured residents of Region Seven that there will be further upgrades of the road infrastructure and the construction of a municipal airport to support development in the hinterland region.

President Ali also announced that 120 acres of land have been cleared to develop some 500 homes for residents. The project, according to the President, will not only deliver housing but create tremendous opportunities in the value chain which will impact positively on hardware resources, skilled labour, transportation services and more.

Agriculture development and food security are also priorities. The Agriculture Ministry has been tasked to pay an early visit to the town to have an assessment done on expanding the school shade house program.
All of the above policy interventions, initiated by President Ali and the PPP/C administration, have one thing in common: to lay the foundation for the ‘One Guyana’ vision as articulated by President Ali, one in which every Guyanese, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation or geographic location will benefit from the growth and prosperity which the country can offer.

President Ali remains confident that the future of this country, and generations to come, will see “true prosperity and true happiness”. This optimism is shared by the vast majority of Guyanese who are prepared not only to embrace that vision but to work towards its realisation.

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