Home Top Stories Journey of modernisation: Berbice to see advanced hospitals, better river access, industrial...
…says PPP Govt advanced development even before oil and gas
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration had been advancing development even before oil and gas. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali.
The disclosure was made on Friday as he addressed thousands of persons at the launch of the construction of the Berbice multimillion-dollar stadium at Palmyra, Berbice.
The Head of State, in outlining developments being realised in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), pointed out that the region is emerging from a period of “darkness”, referring to APNU/AFC’s rule from 2015 to mid-2020.
“This is a period which saw not only this region neglected but it was polarised, pauperised; money was taken out of the pockets of people. Thousands of you lost jobs, the private sector was dead. The region suffered immensely. That is the situation we came and saw,” President Ali said.
Speaking about developments now being advanced by his Government, the Head of State said that in less than two years after PPP took office, it had turned around the economy of the region.
Journey of modernisation
“The journey of modernisation would see a level 5 hospital offering you the best international care supported by regional and district hospitals that will offer level four care. You will see a healthcare system that is second to none. You will see plans that are already in train to ensure that the Berbice River is completely accessible throughout the banks and is not sub-optimally utilised with a bridge that impedes the flow now. We are already thinking ahead of the possibility of a new bridge across the Berbice River – a high-span bridge that will have a continuous flow.”
The level five hospital is expected to be located in New Amsterdam.
Speaking of other transformational projects, President Ali informed about the development of an industrial hub, manufacturing hub, agro-processing hub, the opening up of tens of thousands of acres of land for agriculture, and the building of a new four-lane highway that would go all the way to Moleson Creek. The expansion of this highway, he said, and the development of water treatment plants that would ensure that every home has access to treated water are some of the other plans for the region. He said the creation of jobs, the opening up of new call centres, the building of a first-class – first world training centre which would cost US$120 million and the building of an international hospitality centre are also coming on stream before 2025.
The training of thousands of Guyanese to work in the new economy and the rebuilding of community roads along with the expansion of farm-to-market access roads, development and modernisation of the drainage and irrigation system to mitigate against flooding together with the development of industries, rebuilding of the sugar industry and expansion of new opportunities are what the President said are the real plans for the transformation of the region.
“We are not saying that everything is perfect. What we are saying is that we are working to make things better for you every single day,” the President lamented.
“This is not guesswork, this is careful planning, this is a deliberate strategy. We are not abusing ourselves with oil and oil grants. No! We are strategically positioning the revenues from oil and oil resources for the upliftment of the people of our country.”
The Head of State pointed out that increased pension, uniform grants for schoolchildren, Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships, improved healthcare and Government part-time jobs are some of the benefits being delivered to the people of Guyana.
This, he pointed out, was not only realised because of oil and gas.
“Even without oil and gas under the leadership of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo we launched a programme that brought jobs; the Community Enhancement Programme. We launched a programme that gave the children uniform grants – it is not only a function of money but it is a function of brains and vision.”
“It is not easy,” the Head of State pointed out.
Notwithstanding that, President Ali said that in Region Six, there are numerous opportunities for all as a number of development projects are slated for the region.
The Berbice Stadium, he said, is one such project. However, he noted that when he speaks of development, it is not just taking place in the East Berbice–Corentyne Region, but countrywide.
Nevertheless, zeroing in on Region Six, he pointed out that a single project in the region under his Administration is not even equivalent to what the previous Administration did on capital projects for the entire country in five years.
“In 2020 alone, we delivered $1B to this region in COVID grants – 30,000 families benefited from the $22,000 COVID grants in this region alone. In 2012, $250,000 – a one-off cash payment was given to those sugar workers that they sent home. Four thousand persons are now employed under the part-time programme and $150,000 one-off cash grants was given to our fisherfolk in this region.”
He said in excess of $1.4 billion was distributed toward agricultural development, benefiting more than 9000 persons. In less than three years, 7000 persons in the region have benefited from house lots.
“In five years, they did not develop a single scheme.”
The Head of State added that large sums have also been invested in tourism in the region while more than 500 small businesses in the region benefitted directly through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
“We have set aside more than $3 billion for pensioners in this region this year.”
Speaking of the one-off cash grant for pensioners which was distributed last year, President Ali said more than 8000 persons in the region benefitted while noting that close to $40 million was given to them in water subsidies last year.
“We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars under the public assistance programme, benefiting more than 5000 persons in this region. We have delivered a $100,000 one-off cash grant to special needs children in this region.”
More than 5000 children benefited from that programme.
Training was also provided for close to 400 single women in the region. According to the President, heavy investments are being made in education while at the same time improving healthcare delivery in the region.
According to Ali, his Administration has been investing heavily in roads in the region and so far has invested in excess of $24 billion.
As it relates directly to agriculture, the Head of State pointed out that more than 22,000 acres of rice land have been positively impacted by investments made by his Administration. This is in addition to efforts to restructure and modernise the sugar industry where more than $4 billion has been invested since his Administration took office.
“The private sector is once again ignited with energy. This is how we have been working for you. Assure you of a renewed commitment to delivering more and more to you in this region and every single region of our country,” the Head of State added. (G4)
