— Dr. Singh tells residents of New Amsterdam
SENIOR MINISTER in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, has assured residents of New Amsterdam that the town and Region Six are on the brink of historic transformation, powered by the visionary leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Addressing a rousing crowd at High Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, during a recent PPP/C public meeting, Dr. Singh declared that the electorate in New Amsterdam is prepared to send a clear message, adding that the region’s best and brightest years lie ahead under the visionary leadership of President Irfaan Ali and the ongoing wave of development.

Dr. Singh reminded residents that throughout the history of the town, despite the People’s National Congress (PNC) always receiving the majority of votes since Independence, they would neglect the town.
He also recalled that following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C’s) assumption to office in 1992, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam received its first visit by a sitting President -President Bharrat Jagdeo.
“Let’s be frank- from the time New Amsterdam was a town, throughout the years, 1966 all the way to 1992, what did we have in Guyana? In New Amsterdam? You had the PNC in Government at the national level and at the local level, so there was nothing stopping the PNC from bringing development to New Amsterdam. For that whole period from the time Guyana became Independent to 1992, the people of New Amsterdam were neglected and pauperised.
“You know that! You know that instead of bringing development to New Amsterdam, what the PNC did was to bring destruction and suffering. And then in 1992, the PPP/C party came into Government and from our position in Central Government, we tried our best to bring development to New Amsterdam,” the Minister told residents gathered, many of whom applauded in agreement.
He emphasised that major development in the town only commenced after the PPP/C entered office.
“There was the old New Amsterdam Hospital, in a state of dilapidation by the time the PPP/C took office. The new New Amsterdam Hospital wasn’t built by the PNC—it was built by the PPP/C under President Jagdeo and served the town well. But it has now outlived its usefulness, and there is a need for a new hospital,” he explained.
Turning to the 2015–2020 period when the APNU+AFC coalition was in office and also controlled the municipality, Dr. Singh asked, “What did they do for the people of New Amsterdam? Absolutely nothing! It was a dark time—a time of disaster, destruction and suffering. Can you find a single project of any consequence during those five years? Did they build a health centre? A school? A road? We hear they built a quarter road—not even one full road,” he said, drawing laughter and applause.
Dr. Singh continued: “The people of New Amsterdam gave APNU the majority on the town council. And how did APNU repay them? By doing nothing to improve their lives. That is why in 2020, the people of New Amsterdam joined with the rest of Guyana and said, ‘We do not want APNU in government ever again.’ That is what heralded the return of the People’s Progressive Party and the assumption of office by President Irfaan Ali due to the dismal track record of the PNC.”
He recalled the 2023 Local Government Elections, where the PPP/C doubled its number of seats in New Amsterdam. “The people spoke clearly—they said to the PPP/C, ‘We want you to double your representation.’ And come September 1, 2025, the PPP/C will win New Amsterdam. And at the next local government elections, we’ll win by an even bigger number.”
“And next time around, the PPP/C will win New Amsterdam on September 1, 2025! And then we will win New Amsterdam at the next local government elections by an even bigger number,” the Minister posited as he outlined the transformation taking place in New Amsterdam and Region Six under the PPP/C, including the several new roads constructed.
He outlined the transformation taking place under the PPP/C government, including new concrete roads that have replaced muddy dams. “Little children no longer need to walk barefoot in the mud. That’s progress under President Ali,” he said.
But the transformation isn’t only about infrastructure. According to Dr. Singh, “More than at any other time in our country’s history, the people of New Amsterdam are being given opportunities to improve their lives.”
“It doesn’t only mean that you will have access to world-class health care; what else does it mean? It means that, apart from the fact that you don’t have to run to Georgetown anymore, almost 800 new jobs will be created for people of New Amsterdam. Every hospital needs doctors, specialists, nurses, lab technicians, chemists, ambulance drivers, porters, electricians, clerks, receptionists and security personnel. Who else will be taking up those jobs than the young people of New Amsterdam?” he said.
The Minister then took the opportunity to outline a number of other developments taking place in the region for the benefit of residents, including those in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam and further afield, including a new nursing school to provide training and jobs at the new hospital, which would be guaranteed once the new hospital is completed.
He pointed as well to the development taking place in Palmyra, such as the new international stadium currently under construction, the international hotels, international malls and major commercial and residential areas.
“And guess what? When 15,000 people come from all over the world and all over Guyana to watch cricket at Palmyra, the people of New Amsterdam will laugh because they can walk to the cricket game and walk back home.
“When 15,000 people come to watch cricket or come to watch a concert or come to participate in some activity that is taking place there, where will the visitors stay? They will stay in the New Amsterdam hotels. Where will they eat? In the New Amsterdam restaurants. How will they move around? They will take New Amsterdam buses, hire cars and taxis. Where will they shop? In the New Amsterdam shops and in the New Amsterdam markets,” he added.
Dr. Singh noted that all this development taking place will completely transform the economy in New Amsterdam and Region Six.
The Minister also alluded to President Ali’s announcements that a second gas pipeline will be landed at the mouth of the Berbice River, the industrial development that will take place in Region Six and the thousands of jobs that will be created for Berbicians as a result.
“We are training you right here in Berbice since the National Oil and Gas Institute is in Port Mourant and the technical institutes are being upgraded, brand new technical and vocational training institutes are being built. We just opened one in Corriverton.
“Our vision, President Ali’s vision, is a vision where every single Guyanese is able to acquire a skill free of charge and that they can use that skill either by the thousands of employment opportunities that are being created or by the entrepreneurial and business opportunities that are being created,” Minister Singh said to loud applause from residents.
Dr. Singh reiterated further that President Ali’s vision is for every single Guyanese person to be gainfully employed or to be engaged in gainful, fulfilling and rewarding economic activities, as he outlined more development in the region while addressing residents.
He also referenced more infrastructural works across the region, including the road to Mara, electricity expansion to New Forest, a four-lane road from Palmyra to Moleson Creek, and the Suriname bridge project.
“Imagine the transformation that’s taking place and what it means for you, your children, and grandchildren,” he said.
Dr. Singh urged residents to vote solidly for the PPP/C. “Take the ‘before’ photos now, because after five more years of President Ali, Region Six will be completely transformed and unrecognisable.”