End internal divisions Jagdeo appeals in Independence Day speech Education revolution promised Stabroek News May 26, 2000 President Bharrat Jagdeo has again appealed for the internal divisions in Guyana to be cast aside and for the Guyanese people to place the overall interest of the nation before personal and sectarian gain. In his maiden Independence Day speech scheduled for delivery last night at the National Park, President Jagdeo said his government sincerely wanted to find practical and inclusive solutions to all issues of national development. "There are political differences that arise from time to time. These have to be resolved through dialogue as in any democracy. As Guyanese leaders we owe it to our people," the President said and urged that the Guyanese people learn to appreciate each other's beliefs and culture. The political freedom which Guyana attained 34 years ago when it became an independent state, came with responsibilities, Mr Jagdeo noted. He said the people were expected to craft a course that would vindicate the centuries of struggles. The key to Guyana going forward was the preservation of democracy without which there could be no genuine development and lasting peace, the President stated. "My government is fully committed to democratic ideals. A component of our democracy is periodic elections and I am confident that with the cooperation of all political parties and the support of the people of Guyana we can have elections that are free, fair and free from fear," he said. President Jagdeo emphasised that threats and intimidation were not acceptable means of resolving differences. Speaking on the government's plans to improve the living standards of Guyanese, he said the major thrust of his administration was rapid economic development of the country. "My vision for Guyana caters for the essential needs of all our people, and the creation of a modern society with a highly educated population," he stated. The priorities aim at revolutionising education, providing housing, improving water supply, creating job opportunities through more investment, and promoting an inclusive society in which all Guyanese people have a stake. The President said the private sector and labour must fulfil their role in enhancing economic activities. "We must recognise that cooperation, not confrontation, is the vehicle that will allow us to benefit from investment and jobs," the President said. The government has embarked on an aggressive drive to encourage more local and foreign entrepreneurs to do business in Guyana, Mr Jagdeo said. He asserted that Guyana stood to benefit through jobs and wealth creation, revenue flows and access to capital and modern technology. He noted that in this sensitive, competitive and fragile global economy any form of instability would discourage investment, which was being encouraged in value-added manufacturing using resources like wood, agricultural produce, fish, shrimp, gold, diamond, and traditional products like rice, sugar and bauxite. He pointed out that the eco-tourism sector was geared for a dramatic jump-start. Concerted efforts were also being made to secure investment in the fields of information technology and communication, which was growing all over the world at a breath-taking pace. He noted that Guyana needed to put in place a liberal incentive package to encourage investments. He cited reforms in the financial and other sectors to give greater comfort levels to investors. "Our Government has created a very stable macro-economic environment. We have reduced interest rates, realised a single digit inflation and reduced the national foreign debt from US$2.1 billion to US$1.2 billion," he stated. President Jagdeo told the gathering that government had committed itself to strong social policies aimed at eradicating poverty in the country and improving the level of basic services to the people. He said though the administration was trying to fulfil the needs of all the people, it lacked adequate resources. "In spite of this, in many areas, there is still waste through inefficiency, mismanagement and corruption. I am impatient to see development. Nothing will stand in my way--not bureaucracy, not corruption, and I will take no excuses...," the President declared. Stating that the education system had failed children, the President said when the PPP/Civic got into power only 35% of Common Entrance students were able to access secondary schools. Many students became drop-outs as they were seen as failures by their friends, families and communities. He said that today 58% of students at the primary level could find places in secondary schools and pledged that within three years, every single child will have a place in a secondary school. "No more will the lives and future of our children be wasted! We are also changing what they learn and how they learn it. Every school child must leave school not only literate in English and Mathematics but in Computers as well," he stated. Teacher training was ongoing and was currently taking place in locations like Anna Regina, Linden, Rose Hall and New Amsterdam. Government was also trying to pay teachers more, he said. The President said another of his priorities was the issue of law and order which he said meant the administration will have to improve and modernise those agencies like the police force and the judiciary. Touching on the area of corruption, the President said the administration had laid foundations for good governance and made it more transparent. "I have spoken with the Integrity Commission, the Commissioner-General of the Revenue Authority and the Auditor General, and they have agreed to cooperate with government to fight corruption. Again, I am impatient to see this happen," he stated. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today