THE first sitting of the National Assembly under the new Government was held last Wednesday with patriotic verve and ceremonial fanfare. His Excellency, President David Granger addressed the House and spoke on a wide range of issues crucial to the development of the nation.The Guyana Chronicle invited comments from citizens on how they feel about the issues addressed by the President and the commitments made on behalf of the Government to benefit the people.

AUDREYANNA THOMAS, consultant and development practitioner:
“The President, in his address to the First Sitting of the National Assembly, promised that the subvention withdrawn from the Critchlow Labour College some years ago would be restored. I commend that move, because, if we are going to propel Guyana’s development, education is fundamental. We have to enable our institutions to absorb our citizens at various levels and the Critchlow Labour College is one such with a commendable track record.
“After completing secondary school, I moved on to the Critchlow Labour College where I did a one-year certificate programme in the Social Sciences and was able to use it for admission to University of Guyana. That was indeed a valuable springboard, because I was able to get a bursary award from the University of Cambridge to do my post-graduate studies. So I would say that having such institutions serve as a buffer between secondary schools and university and continues to yearly churn out hundreds of citizens of worth. Had it not been for Critchlow, I perhaps would have been shut out of that key institution of higher learning in Guyana and would not have been who I am today.”

DEREK GODETTE, recording artist:
“I think that we need to get more serious with Venezuela. We need to recall our diplomatic mission and let Venezuela understand we are not playing. If we just let it go like this, and just keep our Mission there, then we are not sending a clear message; we’re sending mixed messages.
“As for the economic programmes, the President is trying to bring this country back. It will take each and every citizen of this country to put a hand to bring back the reins. For example, we have the situation with the sugar industry; we have monies that are missing. We need to get to the bottom of these things, and let people understand; people who represent us in this country, that we the people down here are not joking. Once you become a minister in the government, you have responsibilities.”

ANDREW JACOBS, self-employed:

“I was happy to hear the President say that his government will make the provision of jobs for young people one of his top priorities. Right now we need the bauxite company in Linden to get working again, because we are not getting jobs up there. Through the years, it was the bauxite company in Linden that provided jobs for our people, but now that it is no longer functioning, we are punishing. God knows we need to develop ourselves, and come out of the punishment. It is time; it is time. The young people of Linden need jobs.”

CLAYTON HINDS, Seafood Manager:
“From the speech that the President has given, it appears he has scoured every aspect of the society; every sector of the community, and not just locally. He has even gone further to say what is our role, not only in CARICOM, but internationally as well.
“The President has taken a very detailed account of the situation that exists in this country, and has been able to address it to the nation. I trust that Guyanese would be able to understand the premise on which the President is speaking; it behoves every Guyanese to ensure that the advice or programmes outlined is taken up by everyone, inclusive of the current Opposition. They must be made aware that it is not very healthy for this country; they need to come back and get themselves into Parliament and address the people’s business.”

YONETTE CALENDER-DAWSON, Headmistress:
“The President alluded to the need for the Bills to be amended to provide for Parliament to be served by a cadre of professional staff, and to be equipped with its own budget; and I think that is a good sign, because, once they get mayors, as mentioned by the President, they would be able to take responsibility for the development of their communities.
“I would say that the President’s speech was well thought out; very comprehensive and all-embracing. And it augurs well for the development of the nation. Finally, I think that Guyana is moving forward.”

VANDYKE WILLIAMS: NCN staffer:
“I would say it was a very excellent speech, and we believe in what the President said, and would be looking forward over the next five years for progress and development of every Guyanese. It matters not what is your ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation; we all are Guyanese, and our President continues to urge the nation to pursue a path of national unity; and out of national unity will come national development.”

WENDEL PITT, nursing assistant:
“I think that the President’s speech to the Parliament was excellent. And as for the preparations made for this august moment, I think it was in order, and well deserved. “Parliament is a place of integrity, and deserves no less than the royal treatment it was given this time around. I hope the beautification of the environment would be maintained.”

SOOKRAM BOODRAM, retired policeman:
“As a retired sergeant of the Guyana Police Force, I would give the President my full support. I know for a fact he will carry this country straight forward. The President spoke about increasing salaries for policemen, so that they would resist temptation. Well, that is very good; he is a champion, and understands the suffering of the low-income earner. We going to back him till we die.”

JENNIFER BROWNE, self-employed:
“The President mentioned that we must do everything to secure our borders. I commend the initiative to put back the soldiers to safeguard the integrity of our borders. “Particularly now that we are threatened by a foreign country, it is more timely than ever; we need our soldiers back there. There is no country in this world that doesn’t have soldiers at its borders; only Guyana. Well, thank God we now have a man with vision, all the military knowledge and strategies, and one who has served as a Commander of the Army; he will best understand and appreciate the need for securing a nation’s borders.”

GAIL DANIELS, housewife:
“I want to send a powerful message to Venezuela: ‘Not a blade ah grass!’”

GILLIAN AMSTERDAM, caterer:
“I think it is time for Venezuela to back off, and don’t disrespect us as a sovereign nation. Every time they hear about some talk about Guyana and oil, they coming forward with this bullyism; and they know that it is not their territory. It is time for it to stop, and I am glad that the government is taking a principled stand against this eye-pass.”

URANIE CHAPELLE, housewife:
“About the President’s promise to convert certain hinterland communities to towns that can have their own mayor, I think it is a great idea. I am from an Amerindian area in the Pomeroon, and we were finding it very hard. So that is why I came to Georgetown; to get a better life for the family, especially the children, who need a superior standard of education than they get in the hinterland.”

TREVOR MENDONCA, ANDY JEFFREY AND MCINTOSH, all of Linden:
“We want to say that the President and Prime Minister are two good leaders; David and Moses are names of men who were both sent by God, and, likewise, we feel that these two men were sent to liberate the people.
“We like the way they are preaching unity of the races, and hope that this will catch on in Guyana. Long Live the Coalition! And may all that is promised in the President’s speech come to fruition!”

EDWIN BESS, self employed:
“For the 23 years that I know the PPP/C was in power, they did put up a $1Billion to clean the city, and the city was not cleaned to match that amount of money expended. But now that the new government is in, it is not even a month yet, and look what has been achieved. “You can’t ask for better; people are volunteering, and private sector and citizens at all levels are working to restore pride in our country.”