Region 4 highlights successes at annual flag-raising ceremony

Guyana’s administrative Region Four, Demerara-Mahaica, held a flag-raising ceremony earlier today to mark Guyana’s 48th anniversary as a Republic. Proceedings were held in the compound of the Region 4 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Triumph, East Coast Demerara. In brief remarks, Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen said the observances come at a time when the region has much to celebrate. “Today we reflect on our achievements, and we celebrate. As a region, we have been able to have great achievements in all of our

sectors: in the field of education, in the field of health, in the field of our infrastructure, in our administration… We have been successful. At the close of the year, we achieved a 97% overall expenditure of the funds that were given to us by Central Government to run the affairs of the region, and I feel that is a great achievement,” she declared. Chairperson Allen has challenged the regional officials to improve the delivery of services in keeping with their mandate.
“I want to challenge us, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Regional Administration of the Demerara-Mahaica Region, that, at the end of December this year, we should work towards achieving a 100% expenditure of the funds that are given to us, so that we can truly celebrate the development within our region, Demerara-Mahaica. We were given a task, and I would like to appeal that we take our mandate (seriously) and execute what was given to us,” she said. The regional chairperson called on students to take full advantage of opportunities created by the installation of ICT hubs in communities within the region. “These hubs are especially to facilitate the persons in the various communities, and I’d like also to ask our students to take full advantage of these facilities, where you can do assignments and research, so that our education sector can continue to achieve the successes that we have been achieving,” she appealed. The regional chairperson also called on Guyanese to put aside partisan differences and celebrate as one people truly working toward a socially cohesive society. Allen said citizens should reflect on the country’s achievements from that period to present day.
“We need to reflect on our achievements: where are we, what were our challenges; and it is those challenges and experiences that would have paved the path for us to sit here today as Guyanese to celebrate this 48thRepublican Anniversary,” she said. Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, said that, after almost 50 years of struggles, the country is poised for success, and its citizens can look forward to enjoying the good life.
“Guyana is firmly set on an undeviating course to prosperity and development that will significantly enhance the quality of life of all Guyanese. Through a series of transformational programmes, bold efforts are being made at poverty alleviation and the creation of a broader middle-income bracket that will flourish under the establishment of a green economy. While Government will continue to put measures in place to achieve the Good Life for ALL Guyanese, you must do your part at engineering your own success, while carefully managing your expectations,” she advised.
Minister Cummings also encouraged those gathered to embrace the Green Agenda, as touted by President David Granger.