Gopaul warns against underdevelopment

Once any region remains underdeveloped, then Guyana will be reflected through that underdevelopment, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul told Region Nine residents last Saturday.

Delivering the feature address at the region’s flag raising ceremony for Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary celebrations, Gopaul appealed to residents and community leaders to continue working towards the development of the region, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported.

Gopaul, who joined Regional Chairman Wilson Laurentino, residents and visitors from the neighbouring state of Roraima, Brazil who turned out in their numbers to see the Golden Arrowhead hoisted at midnight, reiterated that the government is working to ensure every region develops quickly since it views the development of every region as integral to the development of the country.

According to GINA, Gopaul also called on Region Nine residents to be vigilant and make sure the gains made over recent years are not diminished. He said that the current stalemate in parliament over certain issues and projects has put the country into a state of uncertainly, particularly the impasse over the anti-money laundering amendment bill.

He then is reported to have urged residents to call on their political leaders to speedily resolve outstanding issues related to the bill so that it could be passed at today’s sitting of the National Assembly in order to meet the February 28 deadline.

“He also mentioned that for Guyana to continue on a developmental path, every Guyanese and political party must play their part and indicated that Republican status, democracy and freedom do not envisage partisan approaches to national development, but rather the involvement of everyone putting their shoulders to the wheel, and becoming advocates in the development process,” GINA said.

At the close of his speech, the minister commended the region for organising the celebrations.  The crowds later enjoyed one of the biggest Mashramani celebrations and float parades hosted in the region to date, GINA also reported.