Yesterday, the 25th anniversary of the first free and fair general election in almost three decades, seemingly passed quietly almost unnoticed. That day, October 05, 1992, under the scrutiny of international observers, led by former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, a once unimaginable change in government was effected through a democratic process. The significance of that day in the context of Guyana’s subsequent development must not be allowed to be diminished.
The end of an oppressive regime was realised on that day much to the delight of a wary nation and its beaten, but not broken people. Tears flowed out of joy and disbelief that the dream of that change had been turned into reality; that the almost three-decade long struggle for freedom had borne fruit. It was described as the rebirth of a nation with a new era dawned as shackles were disbanded. Not just the shackles on freedom and democracy were busted, but that on the nation’s invaluable asset; its potential. With an unhindered mindset the rebuilding process began.
What followed that date is historic as the nation subsequently experienced unprecedented development. Gradually, but swiftly within the context of national bankruptcy, the social and physical infrastructures were rebuilt. New schools, new hospitals and other medical facilities, new roads and improved utility services rapidly unfolded through a new vision of transformation to positively impact lives. Seemingly, two tracks of this rebuilding process ran parallel but simultaneously; domestic and international.
As the local landscape was being transformed, international respectability was restored and the nation reclaimed its place within that community. Its voice was heard; so did the voices of Guyanese. It was liberated following the political change that that October 05 precipitated, so much so that public criticism of government became routine; reflective of a democracy. With a new found voice, a renewed mindset aided by the creation of enabling environments, poverty began to be reduced through job creation and eventually prosperity and self-empowerment were infused.
The have-nots got as exemplified by the realisation of another dream; owning a home. Something as fundamental as a self-owned abode, was beyond the reach of the masses prior to that historic October 05. With many eventually being able to access facilities, home ownership increased exponentially. That created vibrant economies across the country fuelling nationally to help create more resources for that unprecedented phase of development to be further fast-tracked and sustained. It exemplifies what freedom and empowerment can realise.
Guyanese from all strata of society were able to benefit as their once broken nation was being rebuilt. Redounding was an increase in life expectancy, higher literacy rates, the introduction of modern healthcare spread across the Regions, increase in personal wealth and accumulation of assets and modernisation through technological transformation.
Phones were no longer for the ‘appeared privileged’ and public transportation was no longer a burden in the context of availability of the requisite vehicles.
A plethora of media outfits were established, predominantly electronic, and sales for appliances boomed. No longer could information be withheld aided by the Internet, Guyana comfortably slipped into the global village as real-time communication was achieved within that transformative period. Those who lived through both eras, the 1964-1992 and post, would not only be in the best position to compare, but to best value what October 05, 1992 signifies.
Teenagers today have grown up in a society far more advanced than what their parents would have experienced. It is common knowledge that parents toil and make untold sacrifices to give their children a better life, but that can be rendered almost impossible in an era of oppression, shortages and despondency. Whilst there was more to be done, the enabling environments created as a result of October 05, 1992, allowed Guyanese to not only realise dreams, but to dream bigger.
As the transformation heightened, new grouses arose. With more disposable income, came more disposable garbage often with collection issues, halted at times for various reasons. The heavy influx of motor vehicles led to once unheard of traffic congestions. The rapid construction boom often led to shortage of some building materials especially cement, stone and steel. The utility sectors were forced to expand to cater for crushing demands. The physical landscape made a country once labeled as backward, unrecognisable. That is the impact of October 05, 1992.
Every country has various dates of significance. For Guyana, May 26, 1966, was when the shackles of colonialism were unchained; February 23, 1970 heralded a Republic. What is significant of October 05, 1992? It returned freedom and dignity, restored respect and self-worth and made the unachievable achievable.
