Guyanese have challenging responsibility for building Guyana
- Prime Minister Hinds
Guyana Chronicle
October 19, 2003
(GINA) - GUYANA is in its early stages of development, but with a sense of togetherness and a spirit of “team Guyana,” much can be accomplished.
This was expressed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in a special Close-Up interview with GTV’s Martin Goolsarran, who focused on Government’s 11-year accomplishments and projections since its accession to Office in 1992.
Reflecting on the 1992 General Elections, which marked the beginning of a new electoral system in Guyana, Mr. Hinds said the PPP, along with its Civic component, worked closely for change, and continues to do so to create a better Guyana.
The Prime Minister explained that the current Civic grouping comprised merely individuals who were approached by the late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan to work along with his party for the 1992 elections.
Mr. Hinds said when the PPP/C took office, his five-fold vision for an improved nation included Guyana’s return to a state of “being lawful.”
In seeking to achieve lawfulness, the Prime Minister said, “We have to do the best that we can individually, but also within the team that we’re in.”
In addition to his vision for a return to lawfulness, “work and productivity” were considered prerequisites to bringing about a productive country, noted the Prime Minister.
Referring to Guyana’s evolution following the period of independence, Mr. Hinds stated: “When you nationalise you need to switch to become responsible.” On that vein, the Prime Minister posited that such a transition is yet to be realised in Guyana, as it involves the effort of two or more generations.
Instead of creating an enabling climate for Guyana to become “one people”, Guyana’s transition from winning independence to the mentality of building Guyana became thwarted, as political processes that involved winning elections were at work.
Pause period
He deemed the period 1968 to 1992 as a “pause period” in which the development of a cohesive society was lacking. But Mr. Hinds opined that since 1992, the processes towards achieving “oneness” are beginning again, cautiously.
Now, we’re back at the point where we have to take responsibility for building Guyana,” stated the Prime Minister, who conceded that such an accomplishment is challenging, but yet possible.
He affirmed that an active team spirit in Guyana is important to the country’s progress, and in light of this, one can gauge progress based on the level of interaction within communities and the country.
In terms of the progress made by the PPP/C Government, under its 11-year stewardship, Mr. Hinds pointed out that the Administration has received positive feedback from both supporters and non-supporters, with regard to improved infrastructure.
These include improved water supplies, housing and roads, Mr. Hinds said adding, “We (Government) work to bring a better life to all citizens of Guyana.”
Boasting about further improvements in the electricity and telephone services, the Prime Minister said the security sector has also seen major improvements.
Once we keep working and producing and improving our understanding of how a society works, as a society that is responsible for itself, we will keep getting better,” stated Mr. Hinds.
He highlighted Government’s strong focus on the education sector, which accounted for 20 per cent of the national budget in 2003.
Education is an important investment. It helps people to be more productive and allows people to enjoy a higher standard of living,” Mr. Hinds said.
While there continues to be challenges in accomplishing these achievements, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Guyana will move to even greater heights in years to come under the leadership of the PPP/C.
His wish is for Guyana’s per capita GDP to double every ten years, and he challenged the present generation to take up the reins of steering Guyana’s course, to bring the country to a level comparable to those in the developed world.