… urges togetherness to build Guyana

MINISTER within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, joined with the residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, in observance of Guyana’s 48th Independence Anniversary on Sunday evening.The minister used the opportunity to urge the residents to continue to work together to build a better Guyana.
The ceremony saw hundreds of residents turning out to view the cultural programme which comprised poems, songs, dances and skit, among other items, as well as to listen to the Minister’s remarks and witness the traditional hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at the stroke of midnight.

The minister noted that the country has come a far way over the years, and “you will agree with me, we are not where we want to be, but we are certainly not where we were.”
The minister also urged residents to be proud of their country’s success despite the challenges or short falls.
“As a Guyanese nation, we must not only broadcast our failures, but we must be proud to talk about the successes we have made as a people,” he said.
Noting that despite 48 years of challenges and disagreements among political leaders and citizens, as a whole the country has moved on and is still doing so. The minister also acknowledged a greater need for cooperation and acknowledged that every citizen has a role to play in nation building, despite his or her political, ethnic or religious background.
He also added, “Independence means we have taken our destiny in our hands, Guyana is in the hands of Guyanese, the things we do now will decide our years to come.”
The minister pledged Government’s commitment to the betterment of the country’s citizens. He noted that Government is aware of the role that the citizens play, “that is why the Government continues to work in the social sector,” while acknowledging the fact that almost 30% of the national budget goes towards this sector.
Touching on the fact that the Government invests in the development of its people and is not always responsible for the unacceptable work given, for example in the construction of roads, the minister pointed out that Government invests in the projects, but the functions are carried out by paid personnel. He acknowledged the fact that Government wants the best for its people, but it’s sometimes those very people who rip each other off. He however added, “We want to ensure you get value for money and you get the best value because you deserve the best and that is the commitment of this Government to the people of Guyana.”
He then saluted the residents of the region who have been giving back to their country in one way or other, and encouraged them to praise their heroes in their communities as they all contribute to the nation’s development, making Guyana what it is today.