Written by Vanessa Narine
ECONOMIES must serve the people, not vice versa, according to President Donald Ramotar, who maintained that people have always been the centre of the current Administration’s approach to development.

And he noted that recent actions of Opposition factions are indicative of their descent to obstructing the progress of Guyana.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2013 National Toshaos’ Council meeting yesterday, Ramotar singled out the stalled Amaila Falls project as one example of progress being obstructed, something he described as a “huge loss” for the people, particularly those in the hinterland region.
He said, “The Opposition, in a democracy, has an indispensible role, but it cannot descend to obstructing the progress and development of our society…these are obstacles that we have to constantly overcome.”
According to him, the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project is one “every Guyanese” could benefit from.
Slated to be the nation’s most ambitious undertaking, the project is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable power supply. The project involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of west-central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet. Electricity produced at the plant will be delivered to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden. The AFHP is expected to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil.
The President noted that the government, in the last session of the House of Assembly, had answered every question posed in the Assembly, a line of questioning that included queries on the project.
Ramotar said the local power company, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), would not have defaulted on buying electricity from the hydro-power set up for a mere US11cents, since it currently produces electricity for US19 cents and US 20 cents per kilowatt hour.
Touching on the criticism of raising the debt ceiling, he acknowledged that the Opposition had valid concerns.
“We agreed with the Opposition that the lifting of the debt ceiling would only be for the Amaila project….these are the attitudes we must change in the development of our country,” he said.
The President dismissed criticism that the project would increase the tax burden on Guyanese.
“This is totally not so,” Ramotar said.
The Head of State added that the misconceptions surrounding the project ignore the fact that Guyana can save on $9B in subsidised electricity cost and on the $40B fuel bill.
These savings, he said, are monies that help to make an enormous contribution to the infrastructural development, development particularly needed in Guyana’s hinterland to aid and accelerate economic progress.
On July 18, the combined Opposition defeated the Hydro Electric Power (Amendment) Bill and the debt ceiling motion. In August, the government brought the issue back to the National Assembly and received the support of the Alliance For Change (AFC), but with a reduced guarantee ceiling. However, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted the bill and motion down.
According to the President, other development initiatives caught the attention of the Opposition, but not their support.
He pointed out that on the chopping block was $18.4B for projects in the 2012 Budget, another $19B for projects in the current Budget period, $175m for the hinterland airstrip, $80m for support to the aviation sector and $26m for the Ogle International Airport – all of which have direct impact on economic development of hinterland region.
“These are the unnecessary struggles the government has had to take on,” Ramotar said, “We expended unnecessary energy…I cannot understand the confusion that caused these to be cut.”
The President offered those at the Convention Centre some assurance, despite the challenges he outlined.
He stressed that despite the obstacles, significant progress has been made.
Ramotar maintained that the future is bright for all Guyanese, as the current Administration continues to push its development agenda.