-President Ali says, announces plans to unlock community’s potential
– urges residents to base their support on track record and not fall prey to politicians trying to reinvent themselves

SANTA Aratack is well-positioned to play a crucial role in Guyana’s unprecedented development and President Dr Irfaan Ali has outlined a multi-sectoral approach that will stimulate more business activities within the community.

On the agenda for this Region Three village is the boosting of local tourism, which the Irfaan Ali-led administration has continuously highlighted is part of its plan to diversify the nation’s economy.

Guyana is known for its natural beauty and it is on that note that President Ali reminded residents that “Santa Aratack Mission is a representation of the beauty of our country, enormous opportunity for food production and agriculture and people who are warm and welcoming. The people, the greatest asset of our country and the children are part of this great asset, that must inherit a future that would give them not only prosperity but would give them the best shot at life.”

Reinforcing that the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is aiming to ensure that the children are being supported in order to attain a brighter future, President Ali said that Santa Aratack will be built into a sustainable community.

“That is what this government is about, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of people. Bringing hope, building in a sustainable way, building in a resilient way, opening up opportunities, working with the private sector, working with you, the local leaders and residents and partnering with the people for the development of the people.

“Partnering with the people is the hallmark of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government,” Dr Ali related to the residents.

Shutting down criticisms, the president firmly stated that no community is “too small” for him to visit because, at the end of the day, it is the government’s effort that would push Guyana and place it on a premier global position.

While outlining his vision for the community, he emphasised that tourism should be bolstered.

First, he said that there should be eco-lodges.

Additionally, dredging of Kamuni Creek will take place twice a year as part of the efforts to develop a robust and sustainable ecotourism sector.

Kamuni Creek is a tributary of the Demerara River, and its dredging will enable the small community’s residents to increase their ecotourism ambitions.

Furthermore, in order to keep Guyana on this positive path to transformation, he pointed out how essential it is for citizens to support the government, in order for development to continue.

Dr Ali reminded residents that Guyana could have been on a completely different trajectory if the Opposition did not use its power to stymie development such as the Amaila Fall Hydro Power project.

DON’T FALL PREY

While the government has remained hot in its pursuit to continuously better the lives of all Guyanese, Dr Ali cautioned residents not to fall prey to politicians that are aiming to reinvent themselves.

The broken promises by the former government were spotlighted by the President as he reminded residents of the struggles they faced under that administration.

He said: “How can you trust the same people that broke every single promise they made? The promise of expanding sugar; they shut the industry down. Giving higher prices for rice, they said the rice is private business…” He also highlighted other sectors that faced immense challenges under the previous APNU+AFC coalition government.

Adding to this, President Ali asked the gathering how they could trust the Opposition, if the Opposition cannot even trust itself.

It is within this light that Dr Ali highlighted the infighting and ‘mud-slinging’ that was happening ahead of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) overdue 22nd biennial delegates congress. The party’s General Secretary, Dawn Hastings-Williams, resigned saying that she refused to continue being a “rubber stamp,” among other glaring revelations that placed a dark cloud over the party.

Dr Ali told residents: “You have children, you have grandchildren, you have to trust who delivered to you. You have seen who delivered. You are all righteous people; you all have a conscience. Let your conscience be your guide and once your conscience is your guide then I have no fear that you will do what is right.”