Declaring that his government intended to step on the accelerator in 2023, President Irfaan Ali last night said that there will be a greater thrust towards community development and among major plans are the digital transformation of Guyana and a number of vital roadways.
In the customary midnight address for the New Year, President Ali said that the best is yet to come.
He promised policies, programmes and projects to ensure that the fruits of growth are more equitably shared amongst the population.
“Our primary goal is shared prosperity, one which is characterized by reduced inequality. In this regard, no region, community, or village will be left behind in our quest to create a One Guyana”, he declared.
Growing concern has been expressed that amid the oil wealth accruing to the country there are enclaves of desperate poverty in all parts of the country which are being ignored.
The President said that a new year will see a greater thrust towards community development.
“Your government will engage communities to assist them in improving roads, drainage, street lights, recreational facilities, and in improving safety and security”, he said.
Ali’s government has been roundly criticised for going into communities and launching projects without reference to local government councils.
Among plans for 2023 are:
Proceeding with major road transport works including the Linden to Mabura Road, completing the Eccles to Diamond road link; pushing ahead with plans for the four-lane highway between Crane and Schoonord, the new bridge across the Demerara River, and the Ogle to Eccles road link.
Intensifying the digital transformation of Guyana, encompassing plans relating to coding, telemedicine, smart classrooms, virtual education for the hinterland; electronic health records management, and the creation of a single window for business and building permits.
Beginning work on a National Hospitality Institute; and
Expanding shrimp output, heightening the use of shade houses in the agricultural sector, and boosting large-scale cultivation of high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower, and large-scale dairy output.
“These are only some of the massive transformative plans we have for every single region”, the President enthused.
The New Year will also witness beefed up efforts at arresting criminal activities, he said.
Major upgrades are to be pursued to regional and district hospitals and improvements undertaken at health clinics and centres. Work on the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Bath Settlement, De Kinderen, Little Diamond, Enmore, No.75 Village; and a new pediatric and maternity hospital at Ogle will also proceed this year.
“In addition, every regional and district hospital will soon be able to offer a suite of diagnostic services such as (CT) scans, echocardiograms, ultrasound scans, and X-rays. The demand for more medical personnel will be met through expanded training, including quadrupling the number of nurses trained each year. We want the best education with which our citizens can benefit from.
“We are going to provide the resources that can provide our children with world-class education. As such, this year we will intensify teacher training to ensure that by the end of 2025, all teachers in our public education system are trained. All students will be entitled to universal secondary education. The school feeding programme will be expanded. This year we will also begin consultations on plans to ensure that every child receives a rounded education. Every student exiting school should have exposure to at least one sport, one musical instrument, one foreign language one technical and vocational skill as well as be imbued with a sense of volunteerism and social responsibility”, the President declared.
He also pledged plans for the empowerment of women and youth and enhanced social protections to the vulnerable in society, including the disabled and elderly.
“… we will work to create a more caring society in which communities attend to and support the less fortunate”, Ali stated.
He asserted that plans for this year will lay the foundation for the establishment of the post 2o30 State.
“We envision a country, which at the turn of the next decade will be the energy and industrial capital of the Caribbean, a prime tourism destination, a regional food security, and transport hub, and a competitive knowledge-based, and low-carbon economy. The post 2030 Guyana will be inclusive and wedded to sustainable development.
“We will ensure all our citizens have access to world-class education and healthcare services, and provide opportunities for all to be the best version of themselves”, the President said.
He underlined the need for the creation of the right values.
“All the wealth in the world will not bring us development unless we cultivate the right values: including service, self-sacrifice, social responsibility, and solicitude. My wish on this New Year is that as we pursue our own goals that we be mindful of our responsibilities, as citizens, to work for the good of all”, he said.
The President added: “As we begin this New Year, I pray that the blessings of the Creator be upon all of us and guide us over the next twelve months. Let us never be too preoccupied to give praise and thanks to the Master of the Universe!”
In his review of last year, Ali adverted to improvements in water supply.
He said that the government increased access to potable water to more than 15,000 persons, and plans are advanced to ensure that some 100,000 more persons benefit from treated water and through improvements to the water supply system. The aged electricity network is also being upgraded to provide a more stable supply of electricity even as plans are in train for bolstering generation.
Ali contended that investments in public security have led to a decline in serious crime by 19%, the lowest reported rate for such crimes in a decade.
In addition, he said that public sector workers benefited from enhanced remuneration and thousands are now benefitting from the part-time jobs being created by the government. Ali’s government has been roasted for not engaging in collective bargaining with the public service unions and questions have been raised about the part-time jobs programme and what is really being achieved from it.
“The national minimum wage was hiked and measures implemented to address the rise in the cost of living, a problem which continues to plague citizens around the world”, the President added.
