ACKNOWLEDGING the government’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructural development enables self-development for the people of Guyana, residents from multiple regions have expressed their satisfaction with the country’s progress from 2020 to date. 

Sharing his thoughts on the advancement of the country, East Coast Demerara taxi driver, Seon Robinson told the Guyana Chronicle that while he does not participate in any political conversations, he is “happy” to comment on the development that he has seen under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government since they took office in August 2020.

“When President Ali went into office in 2020, I didn’t really think anything of it. In my mind, it was just another president in there. However, I started to hear and see that he was delivering on what he was promising, and, to be honest, I have never seen a president or minister in communities as often as you are seeing them with this government. And that was different. So, I am happy to say that I have seen, from 2020 to now, a huge change in the communities and the roads, not only on the East Coast but all over the country.

“In the past, before the PPP/C took office, I, as a taxi driver, found it next to impossible to do pickups and deliveries through most streets in the East Coast communities. The roads were in a terrible state, and some of them you couldn’t enter, especially in the rainy season. Now, I can tell you that if anyone says that they haven’t seen development in their community or that they don’t have a better life, then something is wrong. I am not saying that everything is perfect, but it is much, much better than we have ever experienced in Guyana. And that is a fact,” he said.

Robinson applauded President Ali and his administration even more for including the youth in Guyana’s development.

While noting that the younger generation holds the key to the future of any nation, he added that physical development is meaningless in the absence of the appropriate guidance and opportunities.

The taxi driver said: “I must also congratulate President Ali and his administration for involving young people in all the development work that is happening in this country. It is the younger generation who will take over and lead us into the future, but I believe that it will be a waste of time if we develop the roads and everywhere else without the proper leadership; someone who believes them and give them these opportunities to better their lives. I am happy to see that happening in a lot of villages; villages that some people don’t even want to step into. And the best part is that we have a President, and his ministers who are going wherever they have to, to get these young people ready for the future. I tip my hat to this government.”

ESSEQUIBO IS BOOMING

Furthermore, senior sales representative/ accountant of Best Bargain Hardware in Abram Zuil, Anjanie Anrood, who is a resident of Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, explained that the “massive” development across the Pomeroon-Supenaam region has had a direct impact on the growth of the public and private sectors.

According to Anrood, having worked with the same company for several years, she has experienced the “worst” and the “best” of both worlds, as it relates to seeing where the business was under the previous administration compared to how much it has grown since.

She added that due to the lack of resources, she left the company for some time but returned after 2020.
She explained, “I was in a position where I wanted to continue working, but the company couldn’t afford to pay me because they were not even making the money for themselves, and it wasn’t just me; many others wanted to leave, but they had a family, so anything was better than nothing at all. I don’t know about others, but those were some of the worst times in my career life.

“After President Ali won the election and after those long and dreadful five months of not being sure of what would happen, we on the Essequibo Coast, like the rest of the country, were praying.

“We were not only praying for them to get into their office, but that was our hope for betterment, and that is what we got. I am happy to say that through the development of the sea defence, community roads, agriculture, the building of water plants, and so many other projects, Essequibo and all businesses are booming.”

Anrood added that while she was able to return to work after the PPP/C regained office in 2020, she is currently looking to expand her professional horizons through the multiple opportunities that are being provided by the government.

DELIVERING ON PROMISES

Additionally, the Guyana Chronicle also spoke to Jackie (only name given) from the mining town of Linden, Region 10.

She expressed her opinions about the country’s development initiatives under the current administration.

“I don’t agree with everything that I see and hear about in Guyana, but based on what I see this president doing, he has my vote. I can’t turn a blind eye to the roads that are being built, the new bridge that we are getting, the trails that are being developed, and the young people getting jobs.

“Who wants to play the fool and say nothing isn’t happening since this government took office? Well, let them continue being that. I lived through many politicians who make false promises, but I can tell you it is the first time I am seeing their promises being delivered and delivered so quickly too. I am really happy with what I see in my region and all over the country,” Jackie said.