Christmas lights signal hope, optimism as Region 6 faces bright future – Finance Minister

– New Amsterdam launches annual Christmas Village

During his remarks at the launch of the Annual Christmas Village Light-Up at the New Amsterdam Recreational Park last evening, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh told the large gathering that the lights of Christmas signal hope and optimism at a time that the residents of New Amsterdam and Region Six face their brightest future. The event, hosted by the Region Six administration, has now become an annual one at the recreational park which was commissioned in 2023 by President Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali and which was an initiative of the First Lady as part of Her Excellency’s countrywide National Beautification Project launched in 2021 and aimed at revitalising Guyana’s public spaces, promoting environmental sustainability, community cohesion and tourism.
Dr Singh in his remarks, not only thanked the residents for the confidence placed by them in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and their support of President Ali which contributed to the current administration being re-elected to office a few months ago, but also committed on behalf of Government to working every day with the region to improve every aspect of the lives of its residents. “Of course, your faith and confidence in President Ali are not an accidental occurrence because you have seen the remarkable progress that Region Six has made over the last five years under President Ali’s presidency and under the immediate past chairman Comrade David Armogan, the remarkable transformation starting at the very beginning, an exciting transformation on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB),” Minister Singh noted as he alluded to communities such as Mara and New Forest having received electricity for the first time under the current administration, along with the other developments in New Amsterdam and surrounding areas. “You have seen the investments we have made in New Amsterdam with new roads built where there were no roads before, construction of a brand-new hospital and a new training school for nurses right here in New Amsterdam,” Dr Singh added.
He also referenced the ongoing construction of a world class stadium at Palmyra and Government’s plans during its current five-year term in office to make Palmyra an area of major industrial and commercial development. ‘Who else will be better placed to take up the jobs and the economic opportunities during these developments than the boys and girls gathered here?” Minister Singh posited further, referencing other developments which have already taken place, including the establishment of the Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) as well as the ongoing National Tourism and Hospitality Institute, the new hospital at Number 75 village, as well as the planned construction of a new bridge across the Corentyne River to link Guyana with Suriname; roads being built to open up new acreage for cultivation and new housing areas being built in the region. It was here that Dr Singh also reminded of the recent summit convened by President Ali where development in Berbice was discussed including Government’s plans to lay a second gas pipeline in the county with the first already laid at Wales in Region Three. “Just like how the first gas pipeline has been landed in Wales, Guyana’s second gas pipeline will be landing in Region Six in the Crab Island area. Imagine the industrial development that will take place, the potential for additional electricity generation, industrial development including the manufacturing of fertiliser, processing of bauxite into alumina, development of data centres that will create information and so on,” Minister Singh explained. Dr Singh reiterated further that Region Six’s most exciting period will be the five years that are ahead which will herald a remarkable and exciting transformation in the region and therefore there is every reason for strong hope, optimism and for celebration for the exciting future the region will have.
“So tonight as we gather to turn on the switch and to launch this beautiful Christmas village in New Amsterdam, we must reflect not only on the beautiful message and lessons of Christmas which we must, but we must also reflect on the fact that the lights of Christmas signal hope and optimism and the brilliant future that is ahead of us and that future is brighter than we have ever had than at any other time in our country’s history” he concluded. The Christmas Village launch comprised musical renditions and other cultural displays while toys and various Christmas goodies were distributed to children at the event. Also in attendance were Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain, Regional Chairman Junior Basant, Regional Vice Chairman Wajid Saheed Khan, Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud and Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mary Samaroo.