-Minister Rodrigues affirms government’s commitment to improving the lives of all citizens

RECOGNISING that the human resource of a country is every important, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, has given the assurance that the government will continue to invest in citizens so that they can develop themselves and enjoy a life of freedom.

She was at the time delivering the feature address at a national prayer and remembrance event held in Region Two in memory of the 19 children who tragically lost their lives in the fire at Mahdia.

The event was held at Damon Square in Anna Regina on the eve of Guyana’s 57th Independence Anniversary. This year, the usual flag-raising ceremony was replaced with a special programme, given the recent tragedy.

Minister Rodrigues said that the government recognised that the most precious resource the country has is its citizens, and as such, the necessary investments are being made in the various sectors to develop this resource.

“We have been investing in infrastructure so you can have a country which you are proud of. We have been investing in young people in [terms of] scholarships so that they can pursue their education and accomplish all of their dreams. We have been investing in housing so that people can enjoy the freedom of home ownership,” Rodrigues said.

Rodrigues emphasised that citizens can achieve financial freedom by owning their own homes.

“We believe that for Guyana to be fully developed, we must enhance the lives of all our people and even more so as we celebrate our 57th Independence Anniversary, we have to ask ourselves what makes us truly free. I would urge that all of the things that I highlighted is what make us free. Development is freedom,” the Housing Minister said.

She explained that freedom is when one can have access to a world-class education and health services and is able to live a better life.

She said that the current government is determined to continue development across the entire country.

Rodrigues called on all Guyanese to be united as one as the country heals from the Mahdia tragedy.

According to her, the students who lost their lives in the tragedy made tremendous sacrifices in order to achieve a secondary education. They all came from remote communities in Region Eight and were being housed in the dorm while they attended the Mahdia Secondary School.

The 18 students along with a five-year-old boy died in the fire which was maliciously set; more than a dozen have been hospitalised. While most have been discharged, several remain patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital and are said to be in serious condition.

Minister Rodrigues said that those who died were robbed of the opportunity to live successful lives. It is for this reason, all must be done in their memory to ensure that the young girls who survived the tragedy are able to continue their studies and that all Guyanese have access to education.

“Our mission in government is to ensure that Guyanese from all parts of our country, from every religion and ethnic groups, are given equal opportunities to strive. We want every single Guyanese to dream the biggest dream and to know they can accomplish those dreams in their homeland,” she added.

Rodrigues said that while Guyana is modernising, it is important that Guyanese continue to preserve the morals and sacrifices of the great leaders that fought for Guyana to be free.

She said that currently Guyana is a nation stricken by grief and all Guyanese stand in solidarity with the people of Region Eight and the families of those who perished as Guyana celebrates 57 years of independence.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that the Mahdia tragedy has cast a shadow over the nation.

The region’s Regional Executive Officer, Susannah Saywack, in her remarks called on Guyanese to live in unity as the country mourns the loss of the children.

She said the programme is a pure expression of overwhelming love and comes after several interfaith services were held across the region.

Saywack emphasised that spiritual healing is important to overcome the tragedy.

The Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force conducted their customary march past just before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted to end the programme which also included poems, scripture readings and messages from the three main religions: Hindu, Muslim and Christian.

Those who attended wore black and white, signed a book of condolence and held candles in tribute to the Mahdia victims.