PNCR Leader Robert Corbin has labeled 2011 “The Year of Redemption,” saying it offers Guyanese “an opportun-ity…to take relevant action” that would ensure the nation’s progress towards genuine development in a peaceful and free environment.
“The administration has usurped the rust placed in it to govern Guyana for all Guyanese and instead, has imposed a dictatorship. 2011, is therefore, a year when the priority if all Guyanese must, of necessity, be to break the chains that have hindered Guyana’s progress towards genuine human, economic and social development in an environment of peace and freedom,” Corbin said in his New Year’s address to the nation.
“The holiday season has provided a welcome respite from the major challenges that we have all faced in the past year, but these will increase unless we as a people resolve to act collectively and decisively to overcome them,” Corbin said.
According to him, his party has resolutely pursued the establishment of a broad partnership of like minded political forces as a first option to face the challenges in 2011. He added that a new government of national unity, inclusive of the PNCR, will be able to put Guyana on a sustainable path to development.
The PNCR leader said that Guyana needs a government capable of demonstrating the qualities of good governance and managing the affairs of the country in the best interest of all Guyanese irrespective of race, religion or creed.
“Our country needs a government with a programme to seriously tackle our worsening crime and security situation, including the rampant narco-trafficking,” Corbin said. “One that will offer clear investment guidelines to attract foreign and local investment; one that will pursue educational social and recreational programmes for our youth, including the reintroduction of the Guyana National Service; a government that will ensure that public sector workers are paid wages and salaries that enable them to enjoy a decent standard of living; a government that will take care of its senior citizens…,” he emphasised.
Reflecting on the past year, Corbin said that while Guyanese ought to be thankful that the country was spared from natural disasters, the nation has borne the plight of bad governance which has resulted in many citizens, particularly young people, losing hope in the future of their homeland.
Corbin identified the discriminatory treatment meted out to bauxite workers as opposed to sugar workers, the state of the health sector, and the absence of transparency and accountability by the administration as evidence of bad governance.
He also pointed to the “un-presidential” behaviour of President Bharrat Jagdeo who often delivered “unprovoked and vulgar attacks on outstanding citizens.” According to Corbin, this has caused national embarrassment in circumstances where the President “finds it difficult to observe the standards of decorum which are expected of the Head of State.”
Corbin said to that while the state-media will be used to spread propaganda about the great progress made in Guyana during 2010, he was confident that Guyanese will not be amused. “If, however, our aspirations for 2011 are to be achieved, we must be clear on the obstacles that need to be removed to ensure progress in our country,” Corbin added.
