Post-elections violence closely partnered the last elections over a six-week period. The political violence, a familiar but unacceptable phenomenon at election times, negatively impacted the attraction of investments, economic growth, productivity and, of course, the budget. Notwithstanding these setbacks, the Government did execute a considerable number of developmental programs and projects in the last few months amid the senseless political violence.

Some of these are as follows:

On Bridges, Roads, & Sea Defense
During the political unrest, many bridges were destroyed on the railway embankment on the East Coast of Demerara, and on the West Coast of Berbice. The Administration hastened to repair these damaged bridges at a cost of $4.5 million.

Windsor Forest received $12.5 million for the construction of new bridges and roads. Government spent $100 million on the new road for Parika Backdam.

A contract of $935 million was signed to construct sea defenses for West Coast Berbice.

· On the Youth Choice Initiative
Amid the political upheaval, Government allocated a total of $418 million to the President's Youth Choice Initiative for most of the Regions. This funding is being used for projects determined and designed by the youngsters themselves.

· On the Urban Development Programme
Rehabilitation work on Stabroek Market has commenced. As part of the Urban Development Programme, the IDB has funded this project to the tune of $150 million.

· On Amerindians
The Amazon Program Areas have produced enormous benefits to Amerindians in Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9. The areas receiving benefits are: Aishalton, Moruca, Santa Rosa, Surama, Kumaka, Waramuri, Karaburi, Kamwatta, Quebana, Maruranawa, Karaudamau, Arawanawan, and Shea.

Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) now has its first automatic weather station which will provide reliable weather forecast for the Hydro Meteorological Service.

· On the Interim-Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.
Public Consultations aimed at reducing poverty have been launched. The public consultations guarantee that the poor will be involved in inputting subsequent poverty reduction policies, programs, and projects.
The poverty paper reinforces programmes in the National Development Strategy.

· On the Army
The Government has now acquired a Chinese Y-12 Aircraft, as part of the process to recapitalise the Guyana Defense Force (GDF). The GDF also received military equipment from the French Navy.

· On Education
The 2001 Budget has earmarked 18.2 percent of its allocations to education. Schools commissioned are Taynmouth Manor School ($38.7 million), and Manchester Secondary School ($69.98 million). Bush Lot Nursery School in Region 5 has been funded at $11 million for rehabilitation purposes. A new Corriverton Primary School will be completed by the end of 2001 at a cost of $154 million. SIMAP awarded a contract of $13.1 million for the construction of Coomacka Nursery School at Linden. About 100 teachers in Region 3 will be trained through the GUIDE Programme.

· On Electricity
Government, in this short period, already spent US$40 million on electricity supply as a priority for housing settlements throughout the country. About 55,000 Corentyne and Canje residents will now receive electricity where the Government made available $4 billion, GPL 1 billion, and is currently negotiating with the IDB for US$25 million. The areas are No. 36 Village; Bush Lot; Farm; Chesney; Kilkoy South; Fyrish; No. 1; No. 35 Village; Whim Village; Topoo Belvedere Squatting Area and Sandvoort; West Canje and parts of Canefield, East Canje. St. Cuthbert's Mission now receives solar electricity at a cost of $5.2 million.

· On Water
The Jagdeo Administration agreed to make $41 million available for a water distribution network at Caneville Squatter Settlement on the East Bank of Demerara. Prime Minister Sam Hinds recently commissioned water projects at Nos. 61 through 65 Villages on the Corentyne at a cost of $ 22.2 million. Just a few days ago, $40 million was expended on a water project for Leguan. GUYWA on June 1, took over jurisdictional responsibility of the water project in Linden.

· On Agriculture
Government has allocated $66 million for the agricultural sector as part of its economic development program. An aquaculture farm, comprising 500 acres and costing US$1.2 million, will be established at Hubu.

These accomplishments achieved amid political instability driven by senseless political violence orchestrated by the oppositional forces.

These accomplishments supersede talk about 'promises'.