–President urges Region Five communities; points to region’s potential to become horse-racing capital of the Caribbean
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Friday, called on residents of Region Five to work together in order to unlock the full range of opportunities available to their communities, stressing that unity and collaboration are essential if the region is to realise its economic potential.
The Head of State made the appeal during a consultation on the Model Village Initiative at Bushlot, West Coast Berbice, where he engaged residents on government plans for community development.
“We have to come together because when we do these things we create opportunities, we create aspects of diversification of the economy that are relevant to our own region and our own development,” the President said.
Central to this call for co-operation was the President’s vision for Region Five’s economic future. He pointed to horse racing as an industry the region could build on, suggesting that with residents working collectively, Region Five could emerge as the horse-racing capital of the Caribbean.
“Every region has the potential of something specific, and here in Region Five there is no reason why you should not be the horse-racing capital of the Caribbean,” he told residents.
President Ali explained that developing such region-specific industries would not only create new employment and business opportunities, but it would also diversify the local economy, strengthening Region Five’s long-term economic prospects while contributing to Guyana’s overall development.
He further urged residents to identify and build on the area’s other natural and agricultural strengths, noting that Region Five’s shallot and wiri wiri pepper production could be transformed into higher-value export products with the right support.
“How do we move from that primary production into the opportunities that will come with the Guyana Development Bank, how we can dehydrate the different seasonings and package it [sic] for export, package it [sic] to last longer on the shelves, how is it that we can add value,” he said.
Turning to the broader Model Village Initiative, which is expected to be rolled out in several communities nationwide in its first phase, President Ali said the programme is designed to ensure development reaches villages and communities across Guyana, not just urban centres.
He noted that the initiative aims to improve infrastructure, expand economic opportunities and enhance quality of life for citizens regardless of where they live.
“We want people to be able to live the same transformation you see in Georgetown you must be able to enjoy in the villages across our country,” the President said, adding that the government’s objective is to create equal opportunities for all Guyanese by ensuring every region benefits from the country’s ongoing transformation.
President Ali said the initiative would work towards building villages that are sustainable, resilient and empowering, places of peace, harmony and dignity.
He noted that this requires infrastructure planned in a way that minimises potential conflicts within communities, while spaces such as temples, mosques and churches should serve not only as places of worship, but also as centres for community gatherings, empowerment and support for young people and elders alike.
He also spoke of the importance of developing open and green spaces along with recreational and sporting facilities to strengthen family and community bonds.
“We want the community to be a place where we have strong fathers, stronger mothers, stronger uncles, grandparents, aunts, siblings, stronger neighbours, youth groups,” he said.
The President added that as communities grow, supporting infrastructure must keep pace, pointing to the need for improved fire-hydrant systems and upgraded electrical capacity as more residents install air conditioning and modern conveniences in their homes.
On the issue of electrical infrastructure specifically, President Ali informed Bush Lot residents that authorities have already identified every GPL utility pole in need of replacement, along with hanging wires requiring attention, as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the region’s infrastructure.
